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The stories near you
• WUFT News: State funding renews effort to save historic Priest Theatre in High Springs. "The state budget includes $1,040,450 to purchase and renovate the building, but it requires the city to match the appropriation with $250,000."
• WUFT News: Counties consider forming regional utility. "The goal is to consolidate operations for water and wastewater services to be more efficient and reduce expenses. The potential partners think it would also allow them to win more state and federal grant funding and spur economic development in the region."
• Mainstreet Daily News: Gun violence prevention summit opens registration. "The free event is scheduled for Aug. 6-7 at the Hilton University of Florida Conference Center and is open to the public."
• The Alligator: UF resident assistant arrested for alleged sexual assault on campus. "A UF resident assistant was arrested by UPD and charged with sexual battery of a victim between 12 and 18 years old July 8."
• WCJB: Dunnellon City leaders discuss regulations for short-term rentals, Airbnbs. "After three hours of discussion, Dunnellon City leaders considered major changes to vacation rentals and how they operate."
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Around the state
• News Service of Florida: Federal appeals court to take up 2018 Florida gun law. "A full federal appeals court said Friday it will take up a legal battle over a 2018 Florida law that bars sales of rifles and other long guns to people under 21."
• Associated Press: Ron DeSantis presidential campaign is cutting staff as new financial pressure emerges. "DeSantis, the Florida Governor, let go fewer than 10 paid staffers late last week to help reduce operating expenses, according to a DeSantis aide granted anonymity to discuss internal campaign strategy."
• WMFE-Orlando: 'Invalidated' transgender Floridians & experts say new health rules do more harm. "Thousands of transgender adults are grappling with Florida’s new health landscape after two state medical boards issued new rules for care at the end of June, but some transgender adults and experts feel the new rules potentially do more harm than good."
• WFLA-Tampa: Operation Southern Slow Down kicks off week-long speeding enforcement. "Operation Southern Slow Down is a week-long effort happening in the southeastern states of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and Tennessee."
• News Service of Florida: Judge rules against state on kids in nursing homes. "After a decade-long legal fight, a federal judge Friday ordered Florida to make changes to keep children with 'complex' medical conditions out of nursing homes and help them receive care in their family homes or communities."
• NPR: 5 tips to keep your pet safe — and comfortable — in extreme heat. "Generally, he says, pets with longer or darker fur and those with flat or pushed-in faces, like pugs or Persian cats, may have extra trouble managing heat. Pets that are older, obese or have certain medical conditions could also face a higher risk of heat stroke."
• WTSP-Tampa: 'Vote for this sweet mullet!': Citrus County boy competes in 2023 USA Mullet Championships. "Matthew Skorupski, a 7-year-old living in the Crystal River area, has been growing out his mullet for two years and is now putting it on display."
From NPR News
• National: Tribes object. But a federal ruling approves construction of the largest lithium mine
• World: Russia suspends Ukraine grain deal. Here's what it means for the rest of the world
• National: After more than five decades, Rev. Jesse Jackson steps down at Rainbow-Push Coalition
• Business: Got tipping rage? This barista reveals what it's like to be behind the tip screen
• Health: An experimental Alzheimer's drug outperforms one just approved by the FDA
• National: All 44 homes in a North Carolina subdivision will be required to fly an American flag
• World: Hong Kong's health minster urges folks to stare at those smoking where they shouldn't
Kristin Moorehead curated today's edition of The Point.