Marlowe Starling

New research finds that human pollution influences the severity of red tides more directly than scientists previously understood. The connection sheds light on the need for better water-quality monitoring statewide — and ultimately, to reduce the nutrient pollution flowing into Florida’s waterways.

University of Florida and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission researchers have studied the common snook for more than a decade, tracking their movements and recent invasion into the waters near Cedar Key, a town with fewer than 700 residents an hour southwest of Gainesville.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is proposing a slew of tighter regulations on invasive reptiles. But reptile breeders, exhibitors and shop owners are saying they will threaten the nature of their business, including public education about these species.

Tensions ran high Tuesday night at the Alachua County School Board district office on East University Avenue.

University of Florida researchers are testing wastewater samples for the presence of the virus that causes COVID-19, called SARS-CoV-2, potentially helping to identify hotspots of the virus on campus — even among asymptomatic people.

Activists have spent the past three weeks trying to urgently sway Gainesville city budget decisions.

The decision came after a month of virtual workshops with industry stakeholders.

Will the next generation of clean cars and trucks drive past Florida’s poorest neighborhoods or minority communities?

The Clean Waterways Act, which Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed Tuesday, moves oversight of septic systems from Florida’s Department of Health to its Department of Environmental Protection. The new law is expected to increase funding to replace damaged and hazardous septic tanks.

The Republican governor called the measure “one of the most significant pieces of substantive legislation in quite some time,” but environmentalists said it falls short of efforts necessary to protect Florida’s waters.