WUFT News News and Public Media for North Central Florida from the University of Florida in Gainesville
More than 100 bills that Gov. Rick Scott signed into law from the 2018 legislative session will take effect Sunday, including a new state budget that tops $88 billion.
Read More »New Budget, Dozens Of Laws Poised To Take Effect
Lawmakers Barred From Child Migrant Facility In Florida
U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson accused the Trump administration of a "cover-up" after officials denied him entry Tuesday to a detention center for migrant children in South Florida where he had hoped to survey living conditions.
Read More »Ocala Opioid Dealer Charged With First-Degree Murder For First Time In City History
Ocala Police Department marked a historical moment Tuesday with its first-ever murder indictment of a heroin dealer, with charges against David Long on first-degree homicide. OPD announced last fall that opioid-related deaths would be investigated as homicides and the dealers charged accordingly. In October, Long was suspected of sexual assault, …
Read More »A Recap Of The Ten Big Issues In The 2018 Legislative Session
The Florida House and Senate ended the 2018 legislative session Sunday by passing a budget and a tax-cut package for the upcoming year. The session was largely dominated by the aftermath of the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Broward County, sparking debate about state gun laws and school safety. Here's a recap of the big issues.
Read More »In Dixie County, Community Battles Opioid Use in Teens
In 2015, rural Dixie County, Florida ranked among the highest in the state for opioid-related deaths. Now, less than one year after Gov. Rick Scott declared opioid addiction a statewide emergency in May, opioid deaths in the county have declined—but prevention efforts in children and teens persist.
Read More »Ocala Police Department Launches Amnesty Program To Combat Opioid Abuse
The Ocala Police Department announced an amnesty program for people addicted to opioids in an effort to limit drug overdoses and drug-related deaths in Ocala. The Heroin/Opioid Amnesty program, announced Tuesday, was created under the Heroin/Opioid Task Force established by Ocala Mayor Kent Guinn last May in response to 70 deaths linked …
Read More »Alachua County Sues Pharmaceutical Companies Over Opioid Epidemic
It alleges the defendants spent millions of dollars falsely marketing opioids as long-term, safe and non-addictive drugs.
Read More »DeSantis Launches Governor’s Bid As ‘Principled Conservative’
DeSantis, who filed paperwork for the race early this month, is running to replace Gov. Rick Scott, who faces term limits and is widely expected to run for the U.S. Senate.
Read More »Along Gainesville’s ‘Acupuncture Alley,’ Eastern Medicines Offer Opioid Help
Alternative medicines have taken a foothold in Gainesville, especially along the city's "Acupuncture Alley," and they have gained attention nationally because of opportunities for alternatives to opioids. But not everyone is convinced of their effectiveness.
Read More »Florida Democrats Discuss Their Political Platform In Orlando
More than 1,000 Florida Democrats gathered over the weekend in Orlando. At the general session on Saturday the party passed a series of resolutions continuing to support initiatives like stronger gun laws, addressing the opioid epidemic and supporting immigrant rights.
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