The Point

The Point, Dec. 1, 2023: Convicted felon runs for Alachua County sheriff

WUFT | By WUFT News,

WUFT News

Published December 1, 2023 at 1:00 PM EST

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The stories near you

• Fresh Take Florida: Sheriff who can’t carry a gun? Felon runs to become Florida county’s top cop. "A long-shot candidate — one who can’t legally carry a gun and would not be qualified to work as a deputy because of his felony record — is campaigning to become Alachua County’s top law enforcement official despite questions over whether his candidacy is even lawful."

• Florida Storms: Above-normal hurricane season comes to an end. "The season begins on June 1 of every year and runs until Nov. 30. The season was characterized by record warm waters and a strong El Niño event, according to National Weather Service Meteorologist Daniel Brown."

• Mainstreet Daily News: Newberry celebrates new Safe Haven Baby Box. "The city of Newberry has introduced a new option for mothers who want to give up their babies safely and without judgment. The Safe Haven Baby Box now installed at Newberry Fire Rescue Station 28 is only the second of its kind in the state."

• WUFT News: Former laboratory research monkeys get a special visit from their rescuers. "It’s been almost five years since a special group of monkeys was brought to a primate sanctuary in Gainesville. And with the anniversary coming up, four members of the organization that helped bring the monkeys to their new home gave them a visit."

• Mainstreet Daily News: Local leaders sign plaque for Eastside urgent care. "Construction carried on in the background as people from UF Health, local government and the East Gainesville community gathered for a commemorative signing for a new urgent care center. UF Health Urgent Care Center–Eastside, a collaboration between UF Health, the city and the county, is expected to open in mid-2024."

• WUFT News: Gator alum aims to make an impact through a single word. "A word, she said, that caught on with those around her and sparked the movement called #UNLITTER. The movement seeks to 'inspire and empower people to clean up daily routines, habits and mindsets' according to its website."

• WUFT News: Photos: UF rings in holiday cheer with lighting of the gator. "The ceremony, a tradition since 2019, featured performances by the Gator Marching Band, UF Sunshine Steelers, and UF Concert Choir, along with holiday treats for all attendees. The event marked a dazzling start to the holiday season for the UF community."

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Around the state

• Fresh Take Florida: Florida Supreme Court rules police, crime victims can’t keep their names secret under Marsy’s Law. "In a major ruling with broad implications across Florida, the state’s Supreme Court said Thursday that a constitutional amendment voters passed in 2018 known as 'Marsy’s Law' does not guarantee victims of crimes a categorical right to keep their names secret."

• Florida Center for Government Accountability: Florida GOP Chair Christian Ziegler, husband of Moms For Liberty cofounder, accused of sexual battery. "Christian Ziegler, Florida’s GOP chairman and husband of Sarasota County School Board member and Moms of Liberty co-founder Bridget Ziegler, is under criminal investigation after a woman filed a complaint with the Sarasota Police Department alleging the longtime Republican official had raped her, according to a heavily redacted police report obtained by the Florida Trident."

• News Service of Florida: Bill proposes state recognition for three Native American tribes. "The bill (HB 675), filed for consideration during the 2024 legislative session, would recognize the Santa Rosa Band of the Lower Muscogee, the Muscogee Nation of Florida and the Lower Chattahoochee Band of Yuchi Indians."

• PolitiFact: The Ron DeSantis and Gavin Newsom economies, in 8 charts. "We looked at key economic comparisons between the two states. Florida has performed better on some important economic statistics, such as employment and gross domestic product. California fares better on wages, income and poverty."

• WUSF-Tampa: Teachers say they can't live and work in Florida anymore. "Florida teachers are leaving the state and their profession. They blame unrealistic workloads, restrictive laws and stagnant pay."

• WLRN-Miami: Poll: Florida Hispanic voters favor Trump over Biden in 2024 election. "With the 2024 presidential election just a year away, Latino voters from Florida favor former President Donald Trump over President Joe Biden, according to a statewide poll released Thursday."

• WGCU-Fort Myers: Woman looks for Florida descendants of agricultural guest workers. "A woman in New York is advertising in small community newspapers in South Florida, hoping to interview descendants of agricultural guest workers. That's a federal program that goes back decades. It brings in foreign workers to help out on farms for set periods of time: often 10 months. Then the workers return to their home countries."