Subscribe to The Point, arriving in your inbox Monday through Friday at 8 a.m.
The top stories near you
• The City of Ocala's Pine Oaks Golf Course closes this week, with a housing development set to take over the property where the golf course has been for decades. (Ocala Star-Banner)
• "This could be a crystal clear lake; this could be Gainesville’s beach." The owners of a fish camp on murky Newnans Lake aren't happy with the efforts made so far to improve its water quality.
• University of Florida President Kent Fuchs visited our studio to discuss the highs and lows of the academic year that's near completion. Here's the full 13-minute interview if you missed it yesterday on 89.1 WUFT-FM.
• Local congregations of the United Methodist Church are reacting to a decision by the church earlier this year to continue opposing same-sex marriage and banning LGBTQ clergy. (WUFT News)
• A UF College of Veterinary Medicine professor's research explains why breed labels at dog adoption events sometimes aren't all that accurate. There's also a quiz within to test your dog breed knowledge. (UF News)
Today's sponsored message
There's no denying the importance of a good education.
Millhopper Montessori is one of only two area private schools accredited by FCIS, due in part to our highly-credentialed teachers and STEAM-enhanced curriculum. Millhopper’s unique methods allow each preschool through middle school student to explore and learn, all in a safe and secure environment. Millhopper students develop into poised, compassionate and creative leaders who are prepared for the next level. Call 352-375-6773 or visit <a href="http://millhopper.com" target="_blank" link-data="{"link":{"attributes":[],"linkText":"millhopper.com","target":"NEW","url":"http://millhopper.com","_id":"0000018b-8bbc-d33b-ab8b-fffc81d60005","_type":"ff658216-e70f-39d0-b660-bdfe57a5599a"},"_id":"0000018b-8bbc-d33b-ab8b-fffc81d60006","_type":"809caec9-30e2-3666-8b71-b32ddbffc288"}">millhopper.com</a>today to schedule your tour.
Around the state today
• Here's what you need to know about Florida's proposed ban on texting while driving. It appears ready to go into effect in October — presuming Gov. Ron DeSantis signs it — with police able to begin writing tickets for the primary offense in January. (Miami Herald)
• The governor will also soon make a decision on whether or not to sign a law changing regulations on hospitals. "The certificate of need" would be repealed as of July 1 if he signs it. He already approved 10 new laws over the weekend, including the implementing legislation for a ban on vaping in indoor workplaces. (Florida Politics, WFSU)
• Visit Florida, the state's tourism marketing agency, has been granted a funding reprieve through next June. (News Service of Florida)
• As noted below from NPR, there are now hundreds of measles cases being reported across the U.S., with two confirmed in Pinellas and Broward counties in Florida. (WMFE)
• WLRN reports on the Florida Aquarium's efforts at "arking," or working like Noah to protect a species (coral, in this case), save it, and put it back into the ocean.
• Two great white sharks have been spotted in recent days in waters off Florida's coasts — one near Key West and another close to Panama City Beach. (FLKeysNews, Panama City News Herald)
News from NPR
• Health: More Than 700 Measles Cases Reported Across 22 States, CDC Data Show
• Health: Teen Suicide Spiked After Debut Of Netflix's '13 Reasons Why,' Study Says
• Business: Where The Gender Pay Gap Is Widest
• Business: Even In The Robot Age, Manufacturers Need The Human Touch
• Science: As Nuclear Waste Piles Up, Private Companies Pitch New Ways To Store It
• World: Japan's Emperor To Abdicate Throne For 1st Time In 2 Centuries
• Politics: Wayne LaPierre Re-Elected As NRA Leader Amid Internal Turmoil And Outside Probe
About today's curator
I'm Ethan Magoc, a news editor at WUFT. Originally from Pennsylvania, I've found a home telling Florida stories. I’m part of a team searching each morning for local and state stories that are important to you; please send feedback about today's edition or ideas for stories we may have missed to emagoc@wuft.org.