The Point

The Point, Dec. 15, 2023: State Supreme Court urged to take up redistricting fight

WUFT | By WUFT News,

WUFT News

Published December 15, 2023 at 1:00 PM EST

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The stories near you

• News Service of Florida: Voting rights groups urge Florida Supreme Court justices to move quickly on redistricting fight. "The case centers on an overhaul of North Florida’s Congressional District 5, which in the past stretched from Jacksonville to Gadsden County, west of Tallahassee, and elected Black Democrat Al Lawson."

• Florida Storms: Developing nor’easter to impact state with heavy rain and strong winds this weekend. "A developing nor’easter will impact most of the state of Florida this weekend. Heavy rainfall and wind gusts in excess of 35 mph are expected across portions of the peninsula Saturday evening through early Sunday."

• Mainstreet Daily News: GRU Authority to search for permanent general manager. "The Gainesville Regional Utilities Authority voted on Thursday to seek applicants for the general manager/ CEO position currently held by Tony Cunningham, a week after agreeing not to fire him."

• WUFT News: The Fall in Photos: 25 of the best photos from WUFT’s photojournalists this semester. "WUFT’s student photojournalists captured moments big and small in news and sports this fall semester."

• Mainstreet Daily News: Lake City to rename road for 12-year-old killed in home. "Lake City is renaming Long Street to Mariah Reginae Smith Forever 12 Memorial Street, as a tribute to a life lost to gun violence. The dedication will take place at 5 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 18, at 326 NW Long St."

• WUFT News: Accelerated building design: A.I. saves Gainesville time and money. "Building approval, permitting and planning used to be a drag in municipal offices. Now, the former three-week-long process could be shortened to as little as 24 hours."

• Ocala Gazette: Marion Senior Services Hosts Holiday Wonder Lane. "The nonprofit Marion Senior Services provides nutrition programs, transportation and in-home support to the county’s elderly, disabled and disadvantaged residents, with a goal of helping them remain in their own homes as long as possible."

• WUFT News: One family’s Christmas tree farm becomes a tradition for Florida families. "A white Christmas in Florida’s warm climate might be a stretch, but families can keep another tradition alive — cutting their own Christmas tree."

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Around the state

• WLRN-Miami: Florida bill would ban civilian police oversight statewide. Critics say that's counterproductive. "More than two dozen cities and counties in Florida could lose their independent, civilian-run police oversight agencies if a bill filed in the Florida Legislature becomes law."

• WUSF-Tampa: Advocates say a new anti-LGBTQ bill could have 'chilling effect' on groups serving the community. "Equality Florida is one of several LGBTQ+ groups pushing back against HB 599, a bill that would not only regulate the use of personal pronouns in public and private workplaces, but also prevent culturally sensitive training that would help them better serve the queer community."

• News Service of Florida: Three teachers are challenging Florida's personal pronoun law. "Three teachers on Wednesday filed a federal lawsuit alleging a new state law restricting titles and pronouns at schools unconstitutionally discriminates against transgender and nonbinary educators."

• WUSF-Tampa: Kids who survive shootings face many health challenges. A Sarasota teen shares his story. "Gun violence is the leading cause of death for children in the United States. And even when kids survive, there can be life-altering consequences. There’s been an increase in youth gun injuries in Florida in recent years."

• WFSU-Tallahassee: Governor Ron DeSantis awards $5 million towards teacher apprenticeship. "On Wednesday, Governor Ron DeSantis awarded millions of dollars toward a statewide teacher apprenticeship program. The purpose, he says, is to improve the state’s education while strengthening the teacher pipeline."

• WLRN-Miami: State officials order FAU to restart its presidential search. "It’s been nearly a year since Florida Atlantic University President John Kelly stepped down, but the school and its more than 30,000 students will have to keep waiting to find out who the next permanent leader will be."

• WUSF-Tampa: Manatee commissioners approve 1,100 new homes on land zoned for agriculture. "Manatee County commissioners have approved a developer's request to build 1,100 homes east of the county's development boundary and on land currently zoned agricultural."

• WGCU-Fort Myers: New panther license plate available for Florida motorists. "The new design features a striking photograph taken by Carlton Ward in 2018 of the first female panther documented north of the Caloosahatchee River since 1973, along with her kitten."