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 • Fresh Take Florida: Effort to protect abandoned African American cemeteries stalled last year; things are different now. “The House bill unanimously passed its second committee vote Tuesday as it winds its way …
Read More »Effort to protect abandoned African American cemeteries stalled last year; things are different now
TARPON SPRINGS, Fla. – An effort in Florida’s Legislature to repair and preserve abandoned and historic cemeteries throughout the state – including lost Black burial grounds – is making strides among lawmakers this year after similar measures stalled in 2022. The legislation over abandoned and historic cemeteries would enact recommendations …
Read More »Bill seeks big changes to Florida defamation laws
The proposed Florida House Bill 991, officially titled Defamation, False Light and Unauthorized Publication of Name or Likenesses, would make it easier to sue news outlets for defamation by lowering the requirement to prove actual malice.
Read More »The Point, March 21, 2023: UF President Ben Sasse discusses strategic plan
Subscribe to The Point, arriving in your inbox Monday through Friday at 8 a.m. The stories near you • WUFT News: UF President Ben Sasse on strategic plan. “University of Florida President Ben Sasse says the process to craft a new strategic plan will begin this summer. He made the announcement …
Read More »The Point, March 14, 2023: 6-week abortion ban’s sexual assault exemptions require proof
Subscribe to The Point, arriving in your inbox Monday through Friday at 8 a.m. Today’s Florida stories • WUSF-Tampa: Exemptions for sexual assault survivors in Florida’s proposed 6-week abortion ban require proof. “Many assault survivors feel like they can’t report the abuse due to safety concerns or other reasons, abortion rights …
Read More »Gainesville’s kratom community weighs in on state legislation to raise the minimum age to 21
CLARIFICATION: This article has been updated to clarify statements from Mai Kai to show they do not serve kratom to minors. ___ The Florida Legislature’s second recent endeavor in regulating kratom, an herbal extract that creates effects similar to stimulants and sedatives, won unanimous approval in the House of Representatives …
Read More »House bill proposes to drop gun-buying age to 18
Republican Florida House of Representatives Bobby Payne, Palatka, and Tyler Sirois, Merritt Island, are cosponsoring HB 1543, which proposes to reduce the minimum age at which a person may purchase, sell or transfer a firearm from 21 to 18. The measure is headed to the Criminal Justice Subcommittee for discussion March 13.
Read More »The Point, March 9, 2023: Man alleges abuse in Alachua County Jail
Subscribe to The Point, arriving in your inbox Monday through Friday at 8 a.m. The stories near you • WUFT News: Earleton man alleges abuse at the Alachua County Jail. “More than a year after his arrest on Dec. 2, 2021, Juan Sterk said his experiences at the Alachua County Jail …
Read More »Students organize protests against Florida governor’s proposed changes to education diversity programs
College students across Florida are organizing a protest campaign against a new proposal backed by Gov. Ron DeSantis that would remove degree programs that teach critical race theory and gender studies. “Students are rallying to reject House Bill 999,” said Bryan Gonzalez, a fourth-year political science student at Florida State …
Read More »Sunrise Movement Gainesville stages march for climate action
Shouting at the top of her lungs, “Hey Hey, Ho Ho, climate change has got to go,” while marching through Downtown Gainesville in the late afternoon heat, Madeline Stewart waved around a sign that read “Make Florida Green. You owe us.” Stewart, a 21-year-old University of Florida political science and …
Read More »