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The top stories near you

• WUFT News: Inside The Clamming Capital Of The US During COVID-19. "Three miles into the Gulf of Mexico lies the clamming capital of the U.S. Cedar Key has largely sheltered its just over 700 citizens from the physical dangers of COVID-19, but its vital clamming and tourism businesses are left struggling."

• WUFT News: From The Front Lines Podcast. "A look at how COVID-19 is impacting preparations for hurricane season in Florida."

• Ocala Star-Banner ($): State buys last privately held piece of Silver River land. "The nearly 10-acre parcel of riverfront land will become part of the Silver Spring State Park."

• Citrus County Chronicle: High-speed motorcycle chase leads to firearms and drug charges. "A high-speed chase Tuesday of a motorcycle led to the arrest of a Homosassa man who now faces charges that include possession of a gun by a felon, habitually driving without a license, fleeing law enforcement, and a $21,500 bond."

• Gainesville Sun ($): 'Summer with the Library' registration open. "The nine-week program from the Alachua County Library District aims to help children stay engaged with reading and learning throughout the summer to ward off the “summer slump” regression in reading and math."

• Citrus County Chronicle: Inverness opening more city park attractions; remaining in a week. "After nearly two months locking down its parks, playgrounds, and other attractions, Inverness will open their gates for the public to enjoy."

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Around the state today

• Fresh Take Florida: Board Of Governors Approve Plan To Bring College Students Back To Campus In Fall Amid COVID-19. "With COVID-19 concerns still pressing on the Fall semester for Florida universities and others nationwide, the Board of Governors approved the State University System’s plans to bring students back to campus." (WUFT News)

• Tampa Bay Times: After reopening, Florida hasn’t seen a spike in coronavirus cases. Are we in the clear? "Early signs offer hope that Floridians are acting carefully as they return to public life, health specialists say, but they also warn it’s too early to draw firm conclusions. A surge remains possible, especially as people grow more comfortable and potentially complacent."

• Bay News 9: Partisan Tensions Evident During 1st Florida Cabinet Meeting in Nearly 4 Months. "​Removing her mask to speak near the end of the meeting, Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried told Gov. Ron DeSantis his rejection of her requests to hear from state health officials and study the state's finances amid the crisis amount to a breach of transparency."

• WUFT News: Teachers Reflect On The Experience Of Online Learning During COVID-19. "Hundreds of other teachers in Miami-Dade County Public Schools faced the challenge of rapidly adapting curriculum to teach students via distance learning. As the spring semester comes to a close, teachers are reflecting on the unprecedented experience. "

• Naples Daily News ($): State seeks to scuttle absentee-ballot case. "Florida officials are pushing back against an attempt to ease the state's vote-by-mail procedures amid the COVID-19 pandemic, saying federal lawsuits filed by left-leaning groups are based on "speculative" fears about what might occur later in the year."

• Florida Times-Union ($): Two months after Norwegian cruise ships docked in Jacksonville, company won't answer questions. "Norwegian Cruise Lines refuses to answer any questions about the status of the crew on board, even as one of the ships has seen a cruise doctor die in the last month."

• WMFE: Florida Students in the Free and Reduced Lunch Program Will Receive Extra SNAP Benefits in June. "Students who usually receive free and reduced-cost lunches will receive an additional $5.70 for every day they’ve been out of school through Florida’s Pandemic EBT program."

• WUWF: A Busy Memorial Day Weekend Could Set The Tone For Rest Of Summer. "Photos and live beach-cam footage from some public and private beaches in Okaloosa and Walton counties showed heavy crowds. And on Pensacola Beach, 89,048 vehicles drove through the toll bridge over the holiday weekend: The highest count in three years. "

• St. Augustine Record ($): Coronavirus not detected in first round of St. Augustine wastewater samples. "The city of St. Augustine started taking samples at the end of April from its wastewater treatement plant to test for the presence of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19."

• Sarasota Herald-Tribune ($): Sarasota didn’t tell visitors metered parking was voluntary, so people kept paying. "The city manager said Sarasota is prohibited by bond covenants from turning off the meters."

• WTSP: President Trump says $21.8 million will go to building new public beach transit system in St. Pete. "St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman responded to the news, saying the funds are "long awaited, much needed."

• Florida Keys News ($): You’ve heard of graduation parades. In Key West, a graduation just happened on jet skis. "Key West charter school students rode the waves to pick up their diplomas in a graduation ceremony held on the water this week."

From NPR News

• National: Minneapolis Police Precinct Ablaze As Protests Over George Floyd's Death Escalate

• National: PHOTOS: Protests Over George Floyd's Death Grow Violent: 'It Is How We Express Pain'

• World: A Teenager Who Cycled Her Father Across India Gets An Offer To Train For The Olympics

• World: What To Know About Hong Kong's Special Status And What Happens If The U.S. Removes It

• Business: To Lure Back Tourists, Cyprus Says It Will Cover Costs If They Contract Coronavirus

• Health: Boston Marathon Canceled, Will Be A Virtual Event Because Of Coronavirus