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The stories near you

• WUFT News: Death of Ocala woman motivates gun law reformation conversation at community vigil. "Dozens of residents gathered for a candlelight vigil on Wednesday at the GNV Bridge Community Center to commemorate the life of Owens, a Black mother of four who was fatally shot June 2."

• Mainstreet Daily News: Newberry to raise utility rates. "Staff recommended a 3% increase for electric rates, a 7% increase for water rates and a 10% increase for wastewater rates."

• WUFT News: UF researchers study ghost shark and its teeth regeneration abilities. "The researchers discovered a way to locate ghost shark eggs using remotely-operated vehicles. From there, the researchers can study the shark’s teeth to understand teeth regeneration better."

• Florida Storms: Be ready as hurricane season historically kicks into higher gear in August. "Historically, 90% of all hurricanes and 95% of all major hurricanes happen after August 1st until the season officially closes out on November 30th."

• WCJB: ‘There were five dead roosters’: Several roosters are being dumped in Gainesville areas. "Laura Bialeck was enjoying her morning walk, when suddenly she found five dead roosters. 'It’s distressing to see how these animals are being treated,' shared Bialeck."

• Mainstreet Daily News: Lubee Bat Conservancy to host Baturday. "Lubee Bat Conservancy announced it will host its inaugural Baturdays of Summer, which allows visitors a chance to see the largest bats in the world up close."

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Around the state

• WMFE-Orlando: AP Psychology 'effectively' banned in Florida. "The only way districts in Florida will be allowed to teach the Advanced Placement Psychology course is if they omit chapters on gender identity and sexuality."

• Florida Politics: Psychological evaluations are no longer required for adult transgender patients. "The state's medical boards removed the requirement for a 'thorough psychological and social evaluation' from their emergency rules after questions were raised."

• News Service of Florida: Florida attorney general targets Trulieve in a marijuana ballot fight. "Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody’s office late Wednesday pumped up arguments against a proposed constitutional amendment that would authorize recreational use of marijuana, saying the measure 'misleads' voters in a way to benefit the state’s largest medical-marijuana operator, Trulieve."

• WMFE-Orlando: Number of kids seeking mental health help is surging according to AdventHealth Central Florida. "Gurnani said the stress of a new school year can make some of these conditions worse, so it’s crucial to do a mental health check-in with your kid for at least five minutes a day."

• WLRN-Miami: String of small fish kills along Florida Keys ring more hot water alarms. Is seagrass next? "Will Benson, one of the top fishing guides in the Florida Keys, got an eerie feeling one day in early July on the water near Marathon. A dead puffer fish floated dead on the surface — a small but significant sign that something about Benson’s precious Florida Bay wasn’t quite right."

• Fort Myers News-Press ($): Ball pythons invaded a Florida neighborhood. How are they different from Burmese pythons and are they dangerous? "Residents of a St. Augustine community caught 22 ball pythons roaming around their Prairie Lakes homes last month, with experts still tracking down the sudden source of the snakes."

• WFTS-Tampa Bay: Y-shaped trees have Florida residents questioning utility companies. "A spokesperson for TECO told us power companies cut the trees for hurricane season. She added that fallen trees are the leading cause of power outages."

From NPR News

• Law: Trump is arraigned and pleads not guilty to charges he conspired to overturn election

• National: Jury acquits a white Louisiana trooper caught on camera beating a Black motorist

• Politics: California reconsiders its state business travel ban to states with anti-LGBTQ+ laws

• Health: A new U.S. agency is a response to the fact that nobody was ready for the pandemic

• Business: Bud Light boycott takes fizz out of brewer's earnings

• Economy: Which parent does a school call first? 'Planet Money' has the answer

• Health: Spending time with a dog can be good for your health
Kristin Moorehead curated today's edition of The Point.