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The stories near you
• WUFT News: Florida Gators backup quarterback faces child pornography charges, suspended from team indefinitely. "Gainesville police said Kitna, 19, of Burleson, Texas, shared two illegal images with other internet users over the Discord social media service."
• Florida Storms: 2022 Atlantic hurricane season ends, breaking the six-year streak of above-normal seasons. "Originally expected to be an above-average season, this year’s season wraps up as the first near-average season since 2015."
• Mainstreet Daily News: GNV commissioner salaries set to nearly double. "If the proposed ordinance passes Thursday and at a second reading on Dec. 15, the salaries would be calculated based on the state formula for county commissioners."
• WUFT News: Data do not account for families experiencing homelessness in Alachua and surrounding counties. "An accurate record of families experiencing homelessness in Alachua County and surrounding areas is nonexistent."
• The Alligator: Florida Department of Economic Opportunity files lawsuit against Gainesville over single-family zoning. "After successfully being passed by the Gainesville City Commission, the removal of single-family zoning has brought constant dissent. Now, the city is facing two simultaneous lawsuits for the ordinance."
• WUFT News: UF Iranian alumna who was arrested when she was a year old says oppression in Iran is a burden. "The news that Iran threatened the families of its World Cup soccer team, which refused to sing the national anthem, came as no surprise to Shabnam Goli."
• WUFT News: Gainesville music teacher reinvents how to love music. "If you walk past Nellie ‘Sunshine’ Eshleman home this holiday season, you’ll hear the strum of a cello, a piano to the tune of ‘Carol of the Bells’ and the timbre of violins. You’ll also hear her cheers, reassurances and laughs."
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Around the state
• WFSU-Tallahassee: The suspected gunman in a deadly Tallahassee mass shooting is on trial this week. "Gadsden County resident De’Arius Cannon, 30, is facing second-degree murder charges after police say he fired into a crowd of people, killing one bystander and injuring eight others."
• News Service of Florida: Wildlife officials approve manatee protections. "State wildlife officials Wednesday approved a seasonal no-entry zone in an area of Brevard County waters where manatees gather, while preparing for a second winter of feeding the sea cows to try to prevent deaths."
• News4Jax: Millions more veterans will have access to life insurance soon. "In a move that hasn’t happened in more than 50 years, the VA is launching a new life insurance program in January — allowing more veterans to get the coverage they need."
• Florida Politics: FWC not on board with NOAA’s proposed right whale-related vessel speed restrictions. "New rules drawn up to protect North Atlantic right whales in their southern calving grounds picked up opposition from charter boat captains, port operations and now the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC)."
• Florida Politics: Assisted living facilities ask state to slow down, work with stakeholders on new emergency rules. "The Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) held an hourlong workshop on Tuesday with ALF providers, local emergency management officials and others who flagged their concerns with the proposed regulations."
• WFTS-Tampa: Parental Bill of Rights in Education law causing confusion as the holiday season approaches. "But this year, a teacher at Longleaf Elementary in Pasco County told (Rachel Long) that a Hanukkah presentation isn’t part of 5th-grade standards and under the new Parental Bill of Rights in Education law, they are obligated to follow those standards."
• WUSF-Tampa: Mote Marine scientists discover a treatment for diseased corals. "Black band disease is an infectious illness that can kill coral tissue. It spreads quickly, especially in the warm shallow waters of the Florida Keys and Caribbean."
From NPR News
• Politics: Rep. Hakeem Jeffries elected as leader of the House Democrats
• Climate: 3 tribes dealing with the toll of climate change get $75 million to relocate
• Health: Medical bills remain inaccessible for many visually impaired Americans
• Technology: Twitter's chaos could make political violence worse outside of the U.S.
• Media: NPR to impose near-freeze on hiring but avoids layoffs as budget cuts loom
• Business: Citing risk to endangered whales, Whole Foods hits pause on Maine lobster — for now
• National: New research examining plea deals finds multiple problems
Kristin Moorehead curated today's edition of The Point.