TALLAHASSEE — Gov. Ron DeSantis on Thursday signed a bill eliminating a requirement for unanimous jury recommendations before judges can impose death sentences. The new law took effect immediately and represents a major change in Florida’s death-penalty system. Lawmakers moved forward with the issue after Nikolas Cruz was sentenced to …
Read More »‘Radioactive roads’? Environmentalists want brakes on Florida plan to reuse toxic mining waste
MULBERRY, Fla. – With much less notice than the Florida abortion, guns and education culture wars, a battle between environmentalists and a Fortune 500 mining giant is playing out in Tallahassee that critics fear could have devastating long-term health consequences. On one side is Mosaic Inc., a Tampa-based mining and …
Read More »Here’s what to know about the new mosquito species that was found in Florida
A new mosquito species has established itself in Florida, according to a new study published in the Journal of Medical Entomology by faculty at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Florida Medical Entomology Laboratory in Vero Beach. Since the study was published on March 22, …
Read More »Abortion rights activists lament six-week abortion ban approved by Florida Legislature
Senate Bill 300, sponsored by Sen. Erin Grall (R-Vero Beach), includes a $25 million allocation to fund crisis pregnancy centers throughout the state.
Read More »Manatee sighting network in Alachua County kept track of the charismatic mammal at a time of statewide concern
Local volunteers for the Florida Springs Heartland Manatee Sighting Network, a citizen-science program started by the Alachua County Environmental Protection Department in 2022, recently completed a six-month monitoring period to note the presence of manatees in area springs and rivers.
Read More »The Point, April 5, 2023: Protesters march to Gainesville City Hall over permitless carry
Subscribe to The Point, arriving in your inbox Monday through Friday at 8 a.m. The stories near you • WUFT News: Protesters march to City Hall a day after Gov. DeSantis signs permitless carry bill. “Dozens of protestors associated with Moms Demand Action walked from the Alachua County Public Schools District …
Read More »Protesters march to City Hall a day after Gov. DeSantis signs permitless carry bill
More than 30 people marched to City Hall to protest a bill signed into law by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday that allows Floridians to carry a concealed loaded weapon without a permit. Among the protestors were members of Moms Demand Action, a group that promotes public safety measures that can protect people from gun violence.
Read More »NHC introduces seven-day outlooks, among other changes ahead of the 2023 hurricane season
Those in the path of tropical cyclones will now have two more days to prepare. Beginning this year, the graphical outlook tool from the National Hurricane Center will be extended from five to seven days. The National Hurricane Center said in an update of its products that two-day outlooks will …
Read More »Six-week abortion ban moves through Florida Senate despite Democratic efforts
Florida Senate Democrats attempted to ease restrictions during session Thursday on a bill proposing a six-week abortion ban, but 18 amendments failed. SB 300, also known as the “Heartbeat Protection Act,” would make it illegal for a medical professional to knowingly terminate a pregnancy six-weeks after a woman’s last period. …
Read More »The Point, March 30, 2023: Special Report: Growth Goes On
Subscribe to The Point, arriving in your inbox Monday through Friday at 8 a.m. The stories near you • WUFT News Special Report: Living on the Edge: Growth Goes On. For the six-month anniversary of Hurricane Ian, we’re publishing Living on the Edge, a five-part series on Florida’s barrier islands in …
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