WUFT News News and Public Media for North Central Florida from the University of Florida in Gainesville
Subscribe to The Point, arriving in your inbox Monday through Friday at 8 a.m. The stories near you • WUFT News Special Report: Behind the bet: consequences. “Because illegal sportsbooks are run on credit, bettors are less inclined to bet responsibly. ‘Sometimes, people will bet with money they don’t even have,’ …
Read More »After Taliban takeover, a former Afghan Air Force pilot recounts his journey from Kabul to Jacksonville
It has been a year since Hakimullah Hamim, an Afghan refugee, arrived in Jacksonville. Adjusting to a new home and a new job as a data analyst for Stillwater Insurance Group, the 30-year-old has found a new life with his wife in North Florida. But he remembers the tough journey …
Read More »DeSantis focuses on ‘freedom’ to start second term
TALLAHASSEE — Gov. Ron DeSantis was sworn in Tuesday for a second term, offering a theme of “freedom” in Florida to counter “faddish ideology” nationally. Speaking on the steps of the Old Capitol, the state’s 46th governor balanced some campaign-style rhetoric and generic policy stances with the confidence of a …
Read More »The Tracks K-9 Club makes a splash with its third dog competition
Chris and Kim Hutchko developed a five-acre facility for dog competitions called the Tracks K-9 Club, which is an affiliate club of the professional organization Ultimate Air Dogs. Since retiring from the Bradenton Police Department last year, Chris Hutchko has devoted his time to competing two of his five dogs in water competitions while helping others train their own. He built the facility for personal training, but it has quickly become a club and now has almost 80 members.
Read More »Voter clarity on Gainesville’s Complete Streets program still evolving post-election
Gainesville’s Vision Zero program, a part of the national Complete Streets movement, was introduced to the city commission in 2018, and the city implemented many of its major components in 2021. The Nov. 8 election results indicate that the plan will likely maintain support over the next electoral term. But many people seem not to know what the program entails.
Read More »DeSantis wins 2022 Florida governor’s race by largest margin in 40 years
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Gov. Ron DeSantis, lauded by conservatives for his efforts to reopen Florida businesses and schools early in the deadly pandemic and who opposed mandatory vaccinations and masks, easily won re-election Tuesday. The victory sets national expectations for a possible showdown against former President Donald Trump in a …
Read More »Kat Cammack, Neal Dunn, and Daniel Webster emerge victorious in their U.S. House races
Liberal Gainesville voting majority unable to outweigh U.S. House District 3’s rural votes as Republican Congresswoman Kat Cammack defeats Democratic challenger Danielle Hawk With liberal Gainesville votes being swallowed by the surrounding conservative rural stronghold, incumbent Congresswoman Kat Cammack was able to cruise to victory in U.S. House District 3 …
Read More »Here’s what Floridians can expect on election night
Florida, once a state that decided the presidency by 537 votes, could look solid red after Tuesday’s election. Running for re-election are Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis, who is considered a top candidate for the White House in 2024, and Republican Sen. Marco Rubio, who had a failed 2016 presidential run …
Read More »The Point, Nov. 3, 2022: Parkland shooter gets life in prison
Subscribe to The Point, arriving in your inbox Monday through Friday at 8 a.m. The stories near you • WUFT News: Gainesville’s mayor candidates have sparred, but they share a common goal. “After being narrowed down from nine to two candidates, Harvey Ward and Ed Bielarski will be pitted against each …
Read More »Florida GOP takes lead in early voting in traditionally blue Miami-Dade
In an extraordinary sign of trouble for Democrats in Florida ahead of Election Day, the number of registered Republicans voting in Miami-Dade County surpassed Democrats on Wednesday – one day after President Joe Biden visited the area on a campaign swing. The most populous county in Florida, Miami-Dade – with …
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