WUFT News News and Public Media for North Central Florida from the University of Florida in Gainesville
The governor — not city voters — would select the board members who oversee the utility.
Read More »Upcoming city meeting to provide updates on Thelma A. Boltin Center
While the Thelma A. Boltin Center has been closed off from the public since 2020, Gainesville residents can expect to hear an update on the building’s restoration plans and costs in an upcoming General Policy Committee meeting. The meeting, scheduled for Thursday at 1 p.m. at the City Hall Auditorium, …
Read More »Plans move forward for construction of meat processing facility in Newberry
For 35 years, the Heart of Florida Farms has been breeding champions. Tucked away down the back roads of Alachua, Florida, is where the 78-year-old breeder, Clint Robinson, of champion cub calves, resides. Robinson took over Heart of Florida Farms when he moved from Gainesville to Alachua in 1985. Robinson …
Read More »Gainesville stocks public restrooms with free menstrual products
After facing initial supply shortages, the City of Gainesville now says it has 85% of public restrooms stocked with free menstrual products. “It’s a matter of basic healthcare and human dignity,” Commissioner Reina Saco said. “This is an extra expense that is handled by only part of the population. A …
Read More »Actor, Author, and Activist: Alan Cumming Is Not Acting His Age in Gainesville
I sort of think the fact that we worship at the alter of youth as a culture is wrong and kind of sort of denies us some of the pleasures and good qualities about growing older and I try to celebrate them. So that’s really my message. It’s sort of just, not to listen to the people who tell you to act your age because what does that actually mean?
Read More »Fort Lauderdale residents scramble to recover from flash flood
Some in Fort Lauderdale were forced to walk A1A/East Las Olas Boulevard last weekend with their belongings in tow after a flash flood forced residents to abandon their cars and seek shelter. Alina Mihaila, a single mom with four cats, said her home submerged under water. “[There is] no help …
Read More »Plans for new solar farm generate heat among Newberry residents
After visiting Newberry all her life, Monica Lerew permanently moved to her 10-acre property three years ago excited to live in the peaceful countryside. But this peace is now being threatened as plans for a new solar farm are in place. For generations, Lerew’s family has owned 750 acres of …
Read More »GRU control bill gets House committee approval
The House State Affairs Committee approved Representative Chuck Clemons’ bill giving the state of Florida control of Gainesville Regional Utilities on Wednesday. GRU is in significant debt. According to a press release from the city’s Public Information Officer Rossana Passaniti, GRU accounted for “80 percent of the overall debt” of …
Read More »Jury seated in Andrew Gillum’s trial
TALLAHASSEE — A federal jury was empaneled Monday in the trial of former Florida Democratic gubernatorial candidate Andrew Gillum, who was indicted last year on corruption charges including wire fraud and lying to federal investigators. Gillum, a former Tallahassee mayor, catapulted to rising-star status in Democratic circles as he campaigned …
Read More »GRU, Gainesville City Commission work to find way out of debt issues
Gainesville Regional Utilities has been the topic of conversation on the local and state levels in recent months, with state Rep. Chuck Clemons this week filing a bill that would change who controls the utility. Ahead of such a drastic possible change, Gainesville Mayor Harvey Ward and city commissioners came …
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