The Point

The Point, Feb. 7, 2023: Protestors gather on Sasse's first day as UF president

WUFT | By WUFT News

Published February 7, 2023 at 1:00 PM EST

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The stories near you

• WUFT News: Photos: Protesters greet Ben Sasse’s first day as UF president. "The crowd consisted of students, faculty members and members of the UF community, many of whom disapprove of Ben Sasse’s appointment."

• WUFT News: University of Florida students, faculty offer opinions on UF President Ben Sasse as he takes office. "Tensions ran high on the University of Florida campus on Monday as the state’s flagship higher education institution welcomed President Ben Sasse on his first day in office."

• WUFT News: Gainesville City Commission approves purchase of technology to investigate gun crimes. "The purchase of the equipment is part of the city’s One Community Initiative, which includes support for community-oriented policing, community education efforts and the hiring of a public safety coordinator."

• The Alligator: City attempts to address East Gainesville needs with $14 million plan. "Next year, the Gainesville Community Reinvestment Area Project is set to finish its new transit center, which will serve as a major stop for several bus routes, similar to the Rosa Parks Bus Station near Depot Park."

• Florida Politics: Raemi Eagle-Glenn launches bid to succeed Chuck Clemons in HD 22. "Eagle-Glenn, a Gainesville Republican, briefly served on the Commission after Gov. Ron DeSantis selected her to replace Mary Alford, who resigned her seat after it was discovered she did not live within the Commission district she was elected to represent."

• The Alligator: DeSantis appoints home developer Patrick Zalupski as new UF trustee. "Of the trustees, six are appointed by the governor and five are appointed by the Board of Governors; the student body president and the faculty senate chair are also members."

• WUFT News: Wild Spaces and Public Places funding increases accessibility at Sweetwater Wetlands Park. "Sweetwater Wetlands acquired a 10-passenger electric tram to cater to those with mobility challenges as part of an initiative aimed at improving Gainesville’s remarkable wild spaces and public places."

• WUFT News: Disability Resource Expo returns after three-year break caused by pandemic. "More than 90 organizations gathered at Trinity United Methodist Church on Feb. 4 for the fourth annual Disability Resource Expo, which started as a Facebook group where parents could share information about services for their children."

• WUFT News: Competitiveness on and off the field helps Johnny Wiggs build top junior college baseball program at Santa Fe. "Although he has yet to win a national championship, he has won nine Mid-Florida Conference Championships, two FCSAA State Championships and led Santa Fe to the JUCO World Series in 2009, finishing as the runner-up."

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Around the state

• WFSU-Tallahassee: Florida requires safety training to carry a gun. That's set to change. "The bill — HB 543 — would eliminate permitting requirements to carry a concealed weapon. Those include completion of a gun safety course and an attestation that the concealed carry permit is desired for lawful self defense."

• Florida Politics: College student-athlete branding deals get top billing at Special Session. "A bill that would update the rules of engagement between student-athletes and their ability to make money might have died in committee last Session, but now it’s on the Special Session fast track."

• News Service of Florida: A special session proposal would give DeSantis control the over Reedy Creek district. "The state created the Reedy Creek district in 1967 and essentially gave Disney control over issues such as land use, fire protection and sewer services that are typically handled by local governments."

• Florida Politics: New effort providing four-legged support launched in honor of MSD victim. "At the approach of the five-year anniversary when Jaime Guttenberg left for school and didn’t come back, her family is confronting the rest of those anniversaries with new resolve — and a new mission."

• WMFE-Orlando: Florida still leads in global shark attack tally. "Florida remains a world leader in shark bites, even as the number of bites globally declines, according to a new report by the University of Florida’s International Shark Attack File."

• Florida Storms: Severe Weather Awareness Week: Lightning. "Often considered the country’s lightning capital, Florida experienced 285 lightning events per square mile in 2022."