The Point

The Point, March 22, 2023: Bill seeks to change Florida's defamation laws

WUFT | By WUFT News

Published March 22, 2023 at 12:00 PM EDT

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The stories near you

• The Alligator: University Police Department investigates targeted letter sent to UF Chief Diversity Office. "The University Police Department investigated a “concerning” letter sent to UF’s Office of the Chief Diversity Officer Feb. 6, in an case that has since been suspended due to a lack of evidence and information, according to the incident report."

• Florida Politics: Joe Harding pleads guilty to charges related to COVID-19 loans. "The Ocala Republican changed his plea months after federal prosecutors indicted him. U.S. Attorney Jason Coody announced the plea change."

• Mainstreet Daily News: High Springs Walldogs Festival to arrive this week. "Artists and residents will set to painting 10 murals throughout High Springs on Wednesday, kicking off the five-day Walldogs Dive into High Springs Festival."

• WUFT News: Brooksville to preserve, protect brick streets. "The City of Brooksville wants to preserve its historic brick streets. The city council gave initial approval to an ordinance that outlines a district where the roads are or are likely to be."

• WUFT News: A Gainesville-based non-profit seeks volunteers to work in Colombia’s poor neighborhoods. "Andrea Ortega said she found her purpose in the non-profit sector while helping children."

• Gainesville Sun ($): Longest living BCU Wildcat celebrates her 105th birthday in southeast Gainesville museum. "Jackson was born on March 14, 1918 in Rochelle, a small community in southeast Alachua County."

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Around the state

• WUFT News: Bill seeks big changes to Florida defamation laws. "Florida Republican lawmakers are hoping to pass a bill that could eventually overturn several precedents set by the Supreme Court on First Amendment rights."

• Florida Politics: Senate panel OK’s term limits for County Commission, School Board. "County Commission members aren’t currently term-limited statewide, although some counties have term limits."

• WFSU-Tallahassee: Florida EV owners may get their own version of a gas tax. "Electric vehicle owners in Florida may join drivers in 31 other states who now pay the equivalent of a gas tax. A proposal in the Florida Senate would create a fee for drivers of most hybrid and electric vehicles."

• News Service of Florida: Year-round school in Florida to address COVID-19 learning losses? A pilot program could address that. "A House subcommittee approved a bill that would set up a pilot program for four years, with a goal of studying 'benefits' of a year-long school schedule."

• WFSU-Tallahassee: Lawmakers say CNAs taking more responsibility is one way to address nursing home worker shortage. "In an effort to address the ongoing worker shortage at Florida’s nursing homes, lawmakers are looking into a plan that would let Certified Nursing Assistants get trained as medication aides."