WUFT News News and Public Media for North Central Florida from the University of Florida in Gainesville
The Florida Senate on Thursday approved a proposal to scale back a controversial toll-road plan that was a priority of a former Senate president.
Read More »Senate Ditches Controversial Toll Road Plan
DeSantis Vows To ‘Act Very Quickly’ If Disorderly Protests Erupt
Gov. Ron DeSantis warned Tuesday that law enforcement “reinforcements” will be on hand if anyone plans to participate in armed protests at the state Capitol.
Read More »‘An Inspiration To Us All’: First Openly Transgender Woman To Run For Florida Senate Dies Weeks Before Election Day
Melina Farley-Barratt died of cancer on Oct. 13 at 41. She left behind numerous accomplishments as an activist, politician and humanitarian, including being the first transgender woman to run for Florida Senate.
Read More »Senate Looks To Experts For COVID-19 Planning
The Florida Senate is bringing in a team from Tampa General Hospital to help determine how to safely hold committee meetings and the 2021 legislative session as the state continues to struggle with COVID-19.
Read More »Florida Governor Signs Controversial Abortion Law
Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a controversial bill Tuesday requiring underage girls to obtain consent from a parent before they can have an abortion, lauded as one of his legislative goals during the election year.
Read More »Galvano Says Cuts To State Budget Shouldn’t Be Necessary
In his memorandum to senators, Galvano says fiscal responsibility in prior years, a budget reserve of over $2 billion, and anticipated federal aid should protect the state from the need for cuts.
Read More »Lawmakers Pass $93.2 Billion Budget, Face Uncertainty
TALLAHASSEE — State lawmakers on Thursday approved a record $93.2 billion budget for next year, with attention already focused on a potential need to revisit the spending plan this summer as the novel coronavirus upends the economy. The budget (HB 5001), which takes effect July 1, was approved in a …
Read More »Alachua County Is Only Now Getting Up To Speed On Enforcing Age Restriction On Tobacco Sales
Alachua County raised the legal tobacco age from 18 to 21 last October, but full enforcement has been slow to get under way.
Read More »State Still Working Out Flaws With Firefighter Cancer Bill
When Brian Kernohan complained to his doctor of merciless headaches two summers ago, he expected to get a prescription for a sinus infection, not a diagnosis of brain cancer. The 37-year-old firefighter’s eardrums were curved inward, so his doctor suggested a CT scan. It found a tumor the size of …
Read More »Weekly Roundup: And They’re Off!
State lawmakers this week kicked off the 2020 legislative session with an action-packed schedule that featured speeches from Republican leaders, early tension over high-profile issues and a key Florida Supreme Court ruling.
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