The Point

The Point, Oct. 21, 2022: Civil rights groups call for change after voting fraud arrests

WUFT | By Julia Cooper

Published October 21, 2022 at 12:00 PM EDT

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The stories near you

• WUFT News: Gov. DeSantis' presence at Republican fundraiser draws protests by progressive advocacy groups. "About 30 protestors from a coalition of progressive activist groups protested Gov. Ron DeSantis’ positions on abortion and LGBTQ rights as the governor spoke at an Alachua GOP fundraising event Thursday."

• Mainstreet Daily News: GNV moves to let developers set parking numbers. "Developers might become responsible for setting their own number of parking spaces after the Gainesville City Commission took a first vote to eliminate minimum parking requirements, along with other changes."

• Gainesville Sun ($): Gainesville's next mayor will be Ward or Bielarski. How do they stack up to each other? "In public, the two had a decent relationship, having worked closely with each other for about five years in City Hall to address some of the most pressing issues facing the community. But behind closed doors was a different story — and it didn’t take long for those built-up feelings of animosity to spill onto the campaign trail. The two now head to a winner-take-all runoff election set for Nov. 8, with each promising voters that their plan is best for Gainesville's future."

• WCJB: John Martin has been named Hawthorne interim city manager. "Turmoil at Hawthorne City Hall has taken a new turn. Social media posts confirm longtime community activist John Martin has been named interim city manager."

• The Independent Florida Alligator: UF student released from jail after being arrested for assaulting an employee at a Gainesville bar. "A UF student was released from jail Tuesday after police say he assaulted an employee at a Gainesville bar for the second time in three months. The Social at Midtown bar requests his expulsion from the university."

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Around the state

• WLRN: Civil rights groups demand voter verification systems as 'fraud' arrest footage stokes outrage. "As the Tampa Bay Times published the impactful footage earlier this week, it underlined the contentious nature of the charges and reignited the debate over Florida’s troubled implementation of Amendment 4. Now civil rights organizations have launched a bail bond fund, a legal defense fund and a drive to establish a statewide voter verification system, calling out officials’ 'outrageous negligence' on the matter."

• WUFT News: Behind scenes at Senate debate: Different styles for Demings, Rubio. "Inside, as the debate got underway at 7 p.m., Republican Sen. Marco Rubio and Demings, a Democrat, took the stage behind lecterns only a few feet from each other – but their objectives and their personal styles were miles apart. From the moment the candidates took their places, opposition hovered in the air, setting the tone for the intense evening."

• Fort Myers News-Press ($): South Seas Island Resort to lay off nearly 240 employees due to damage from Hurricane Ian. "In a notice to the state, Marsha Michael, the resort's director of human resources, said the damages from Ian are severe, resulting in the 'cessation' of operations 'for the foreseeable future.' She relayed that the layoffs began Oct. 10 and will conclude on Oct. 23. The number of affected employees is 238."

• WJCT: Duval Schools still out of compliance with new state laws. "The Florida State Board of Education says Duval Schools is one of 11 districts not complying with new state laws, including the Parental Rights in Education law that critics call 'Don’t Say Gay.'"

• FPREN: Migrant workers among those experiencing food insecurity after Hurricane Ian. "State agencies like the Florida Department of Emergency Management are shifting their response from offering immediate assistance, like food and water, to providing long-term recovery assistance as communities begin to stabilize. But the need for those resources has not disappeared, especially among low-income residents who struggle year-round."

• WUSF: Circle K locations in Florida will soon be selling marijuana products. "One of the country's largest marijuana producers has signed a deal with Circle K to sell its products in spaces owned by the convenience store chain. Green Thumb Industries announced in a news release Wednesday that it will open 10 "RISE Express" dispensaries adjacent to Circle K locations across Florida starting next year."

• WUSF: Advocates want to save Florida's wild diamondback terrapins through commercial breeding. "The diamondback terrapin, a unique turtle species found in Florida, has become a popular pet in Asia. The overseas demand has led to increased poaching. To fight this illegal market, advocates want to create a legal breeding program."

• Spectrum News: Disability advocates push for competitive wages. "He’s served in several high-ranking positions in the federal government, including chair of the National Council on Disability. As a long-time advocate for people with disabilities, Romano believes people with disabilities should be able to make the same wages as other people."