Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has appointed the first of five new board members to oversee the troubled Gainesville Regional Utilities being taken over by the state. DeSantis installed three Republicans in a part of Florida that has been one of the rare remaining political strongholds for Democrats. The three new …
Read More »The Point, Sept. 25, 2023: Gainesville, state argue cases in GRU lawsuit hearing
Subscribe to The Point, arriving in your inbox Monday through Friday at 8 a.m. The stories near you • WUFT News: Forest Park reopens after $3.6 million renovation paid for by Wild Places and Public Spaces money. “The park, which has been closed since February, has been transformed, and every element …
Read More »Gainesville Regional Utility maintains power for customers amidst severe weather events
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – University of Florida and Santa Fe College students received a warm welcome back to Gainesville… literally. Students were slammed with excessive heat warnings and a hurricane within the first two weeks of classes. As Hurricane Idalia threatened a direct path to Gainesville, students began scrambling to prepare …
Read More »The Point, Sept. 13, 2023: State wants to toss residents’ lawsuit against GRU law
Subscribe to The Point, arriving in your inbox Monday through Friday at 8 a.m. The stories near you • WUFT News: Trenton man who hijacked an excavator caused an estimated $2 million in property damage. “Police say Smith has been charged with one count of grand theft, four counts of criminal …
Read More »State seeks to toss out resident lawsuit against GRU law
TALLAHASSEE — Gov. Ron DeSantis and other top state officials are urging a federal judge to toss out a constitutional challenge to a new law aimed at overhauling the municipal utility in the Gainesville area. Lawyers for DeSantis, Attorney General Ashley Moody and Secretary of State Cord Byrd on Monday …
Read More »The Point, Sept. 8, 2023: DeSantis appoints new Alachua County sheriff
Subscribe to The Point, arriving in your inbox Monday through Friday at 8 a.m. The stories near you • Mainstreet Daily News: DeSantis appoints new sheriff of Alachua County. “Watson announced his last day in office will be on Oct. 1 after he sent a letter to DeSantis on July 31 …
Read More »The Point, Sept. 5, 2023: Pres. Biden visits hurricane-stricken community
Subscribe to The Point, arriving in your inbox Monday through Friday at 8 a.m. The stories near you • WUFT News: Pres. Biden and First Lady visit hurricane-ravaged Florida community. “Biden’s day began with an aerial tour and continued with visits to the hardest-hit locations in Live Oak. He assessed the …
Read More »GRU restores power to thousands in response to Hurricane Idalia
Hurricane Idalia caused approximately 14,000 GRU customers to lose power, according to Maureen Murtha, GRU's senior communications specialist. By 10 a.m. Thursday, GRU had restored power to 100% of its customers with help from Alabama utility companies.
Read More »The Point, Aug. 22, 2023: Grace Marketplace to reduce services due to budget cuts
Subscribe to The Point, arriving in your inbox Monday through Friday at 8 a.m. Today’s Florida stories • Mainstreet Daily News: GRACE Marketplace to reduce services. “GRACE Marketplace lost $150,000 in funding when the city of Gainesville slashed its budget to accommodate state-required cuts to the Gainesville Regional Utilities (GRU) general …
Read More »The Point, Aug. 10, 2023: GRU rates increase, Florida ticket wins jackpot, a man rides a train
Subscribe to The Point, arriving in your inbox Monday through Friday at 8 a.m. The stories near you • WUFT News: Clay County Commissioner Kristen Burke offers her voice to Russell Landing contamination concerns. “Residents worried that Solite’s operations left behind carcinogenic chemicals and heavy metals that made their way into …
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