WUFT News News and Public Media for North Central Florida from the University of Florida in Gainesville
Candidates facing voters in less than a month discussed a variety of issues spanning from housing to healthcare on Sunday.
Read More »League of Women Voters and Bob Graham Center host candidate forum for 2022 General Election
In attempt to better reach devasted Sanibel Island, state awards contract to immediately repair causeway
Sanibel officials have measured 3 million vehicles traveling annually over the Sanibel Causeway, with residents, tourists and employees drawn to the island’s pristine beaches and resorts.
Read More »‘Just heartbreaking’: Southwest Florida small family farmers struggle after Hurricane Ian
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Watching from an elevated window at home as Hurricane Ian struck their farm in Fort Myers, the McMahon family saw the storm blow the market roof into the pond. Torrential wind and rain whipped across two acres of hydroponic vegetables. By last week, the fourth-generation farm family …
Read More »The Point, Oct. 7, 2022: UF names one finalist in presidential search: U.S. Sen. Ben Sasse
The Nebraska senator is likely to resign to become the school's next leader.
Read More »Gainesville residents divided on exclusionary zoning elimination
With such widespread and building opposition, it is questionable if the Gainesville City Commission will enact such a change. Even so, city commissioners initially approved the measure Aug. 4 in a close 4-3 vote. It now faces a final vote by the commission on Oct. 17 at 3 p.m.
Read More »Lifelines after landfall: Southwest Florida grapples with Hurricane Ian’s impact
FORT MYERS, Fla. – The Gulf of Mexico swallowed driftwood, stray shoes, split skim boards and the last vestige of Crystal Edge’s mother’s memory in the days following Hurricane Ian’s devastation. The 28-year-old sailboat – a family heirloom – remained trapped below piled debris at a marina under the Fort …
Read More »People trapped, hospital damaged after Ian swamps SW Florida
One of the strongest hurricanes to ever hit the United States barreled across the Florida peninsula overnight Wednesday, threatening catastrophic flooding inland, the National Hurricane Center warned.
Read More »Gov. Ron DeSantis details the state’s emergency response plan to power outages and rescues
On Wednesday, Governor Ron DeSantis detailed Florida’s emergency response plan for Hurricane Ian. Over 10,000 first responders are on standby. Some 42,000 linemen are also on standby to restore power to the 1.7 million people who have currently lost power. 911 call centers are down in Lee, Hendry and Glade counties and those calls are being rerouted to nearby counties. DeSantis urges people to stay safe indoors even if it is clear because many hurricane deaths happen after the storm, due to hurricane hazards.
Read More »Alachua County considers plan to partner with Newberry to establish new meat processing center
Alachua County is considering plans to partner with the City of Newberry to construct a new meat processing facility that will serve the entire county and potentially beyond. Alachua County officials want to reorganize the county's food supply lines to be more locally based and independent by constructing the meat processing center in Newberry. Plans for the new facility originate from concerns about the nationwide supply chain issues that have occurred since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Read More »Need sandbags? Here’s a map
Sandbag information is subject to change based on a multitude of factors including restricted hours and component availability. While we will do our best to keep this information as accurate as possible, please verify the provided information with your local municipality, county or local public safety agency. As Hurricane Ian …
Read More »