The Point

The Point, Oct. 18, 2023: UF conducts first open-heart surgery on a dog

WUFT | By WUFT News,

WUFT News

Published October 18, 2023 at 12:00 PM EDT

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The stories near you

• WUFT News: UF conducts first open-heart surgery on dog in U.S. "The 12-year-old miniature poodle, named George, spent seven hours on the operation table and a week in the intensive care unit."

• WCJB: Judge backs water pumping permit in Ginnie Springs fight. "Judge Francine Ffolkes rejected arguments raised by the Florida Springs Council and said the Suwannee River Water Management District should issue the permit for Seven Springs Water Co. Under administrative law, Ffolkes’ ruling is a recommended order that will go back to the district for final action."

• Mainstreet Daily News: 5 candidates to run for Clemons’ seat in Florida House. "Candidates are lining up to run for Florida House District 22 in the 2024 elections as incumbent Rep. Chuck Clemons, R-Newberry, will leave office after hitting the term limit."

• WUFT News: Former UF student convicted in campus anti-abortion demonstration back in jail. "He is booked in Alachua County Jail in the DUI case and now faces a felony charge of violating terms of his probation."

• WCJB: Former Lake City Humane Society employees speak out after mass exodus. "After the three were fired, numerous other employees walked out the door behind them. They say just four employees remain at the shelter, and all expressed major concerns for the animals."

• WCJB: ACPS Board Members delay school rezoning vote to January. "Dozens of residents listened in during what was meant to be the first reading on the proposed school zoning plan. The final vote was set to be made on December 4th."

• Ocala Gazette: Sheriff’s new budget jumps 21% as cost of public safety employees grows. "In his budget submittal letter, Woods identified several factors for the increase, some related to increased costs to maintain the jail, such as inmate medical and food, others were related to personnel costs."

• WUFT News: Where the buffalo roam: new Ken Burns documentary explores North America’s largest mammal. "As 'The American Buffalo' airs this week on PBS, a bison herd roams in North Central Florida at Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park."

• WUFT News: Gainesville Fire Rescue reminds Halloween revelers to keep safety in mind. "The event teaches children about fire prevention, traffic safety, and more through games and trick-or-treating. About 20 organizations came to the event to give children and families tips on how to be safe."

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Around the state

• WUSF-Tampa: Changes are swirling around Florida's public schools. "There’s an upheaval in public education in Florida - from books being challenged and removed from classrooms to restrictions on what can be taught and rules around bathroom use, and a massive expansion in school vouchers which families can use to pay for private education."

• News Service of Florida: Duke Energy wants to pass Hurricane Idalia costs on to customers. "Duke Energy Florida is seeking approval from state regulators to collect $91.9 million from customers next year because of costs related to restoring power after Hurricane Idalia."

• News Service of Florida: Florida Democrats question the state's role in rescuing Israel evacuees. "While the governor’s office promised more assistance to people in Israel, Democrats questioned the so-far undisclosed amount of state spending on actions that at least partly match federal efforts."

• WLRN-Miami: Migrants from some countries wait months for employment permit — while others can work right away. "Given the federal government's huge backlog for processing applications, some migrants are waiting months to work legally or finding under-the-table jobs to get by. That's a stressful reality for them and the people who agreed to sponsor them and take responsibility for them financially."

• Associated Press: Miami Seaquarium's Lolita the orca died from old age, multiple chronic illnesses, necropsy finds. "The exam supported early reports from the Seaquarium, which cited kidney failure as the cause of death. The veterinarian who conducted the necropsy found that Lolita suffered from acute and chronic bronchointerstitial pneumonia and renal degeneration, as well a chronic condition of the heart implying the degeneration of the cardiac valves."

• Associated Press: Exonerated Broward man planned on college after prison. A deputy killed him during a traffic stop. "Leonard Cure tried to make up for the 16 years he lost imprisoned in Florida after being wrongfully convicted of armed robbery in 2004. Since being freed three years ago, he gave inspirational talks to high school students, worked a security job and, at age 53, was considering college after buying a home."

• WFSU-Tallahassee: Florida's upcoming Senate President Ben Albritton has a focus on agriculture. "In a unanimous vote the Florida Senate’s Republican caucus has elected Ben Albritton as its President-designate for the 2024-2026 cycle."