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The stories near you
• WUFT News: New Gainesville Regional Utilities Authority Board members sworn into office. "Gov. Ron DeSantis’ final two appointments, Craig Carter, 62, of Gainesville, and Ezzell, 46, of Alachua, occurred hours before the meeting."
• WUFT News: Alachua County school district removes book about transgender teen after parent complaint. "It marks the first time a book was challenged or removed from any school in the county since Republicans passed tougher laws regarding educational materials in Florida."
• WUFT News: UFORA apartment construction delay continues, tenants see no end in sight. "Some University of Florida students are still waiting on a place to live, nearly halfway through the semester. The UFORA apartment complex has yet to finish construction after an initial proposed move-in date of August 5."
• WUFT News: Gainesville homeowners weigh in on GRU rate and tax increase. "As part of the GRU debt-reduction plan, property taxes are set to go up. Several homeowners felt there was no justification for a rate increase."
• WCJB: ‘It’s a new day’: Newly appointed Alachua County Sheriff Emery Gainey addresses staffing concerns, morale. "One of the top priorities for his first week on the job is working to restore staffing at the sheriff’s office. The department has more than 246 vacant positions."
• WUFT News: Florida’s champion live oak tree stands tall – a new statewide record-holder in Alachua. "Dave and Liz Wilson, 69 and 65, didn’t expect to share their retirement years with a champion live oak until they moved to the 10-acre property the tree resides on in Alachua in 2021. They affectionately nicknamed it 'Grandpa.'"
• WUFT News: National organization celebrates 50th anniversary while Gainesville chapter struggles in Florida’s political climate. "This year, PFLAG is celebrating its 50th anniversary as the nation’s largest organization dedicated to supporting, educating, and advocating for LGBTQ+ people and those who love them, per the organization’s website."
• WUFT News: Alachua County Animal Resources revamps foster program, new facility planned. "Barkley assists foster families in finding the best pets to stay in their homes based on the home’s environmental factors. It’s a part of the revamped foster program at the shelter."
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Around the state
• Tampa Bay Times ($): Florida wants to more than double size of Mosaic’s ‘radioactive roads’ plan. "Citing advice from Gov. Ron DeSantis’ state transportation agency, fertilizer giant Mosaic wants to more than double the size of its controversial proposal to test radioactive phosphate manufacturing waste as an ingredient in road building, according to documents filed to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency."
• NPR: Michael Connelly, Nikki Grimes, Judy Blume and other authors unite against book bans. "Last school year, Florida implemented more book bans than any other state in the country — accounting for more than 40% of all bans in the U.S — according to a report issued by PEN America in September."
• WMFE-Orlando: Citizens extends Depopulation Program deadline to Oct. 10. "Citizens Property Insurance Corp. announced a deadline extension for customers to either accept or decline an offer to switch to a private insurer."
• WLRN-Miami: Public corruption dominates conversation among Miami commission candidates. "In the past five months alone, Miami elected officials have faced a number of scandals and legal battles — from the recent arrest and removal of Commissioner Alex Diaz de la Portillafor alleged money laundering and official misconduct, to the investigation of Mayor Francis Suarezfor alleged undisclosed gifts of expensive sporting event tickets."
• WUSF-Tampa: Details of potential deal to build a new Tampa Bay Rays stadium are released. "The proposed deal outlines how much the city of St. Petersburg and Pinellas County would chip in to build the estimated $1.3 billion stadium."
• WUWF-Pensacola: Locals react to Rep. Matt Gaetz leading the charge to oust Kevin McCarthy. "Florida Panhandle Congressman Matt Gaetz has dominated the national news this week as he led the rebellion to oust Kevin McCarthy as Speaker of the House."
• WMFE-Orlando: Flagler Schools investigated by FBI over money lost to fraud. "Flagler Schools, the FBI, and the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office are investigating an electronic transfer of school funds to a possible fraudulent vendor."
From NPR News
• Politics: Who is Rep. Patrick McHenry and why is he the interim House speaker?
• Business: 75,000 Kaiser nurses, pharmacists and other workers have walked off the job
• Politics: Biden says he's worried about Ukraine aid. The Pentagon warns it's running low
• Climate: Scientists looked at nearly every known amphibian type. They're not doing great
• Politics: Biden's dog Commander has left the White House
• Books: Adults have a lot to say about book bans — but what about kids?
• Animals: Chonky and they know it: Voting starts in Fat Bear Week
Kristin Moorehead curated today's edition of The Point.