The Point

The Point, Dec. 20, 2023: Abortion ballot petition reaches enough signatures

WUFT | By WUFT News,

WUFT News

Published December 20, 2023 at 1:00 PM EST

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Today's Florida stories

• WLRN-Miami: Groups putting abortion on the Florida ballot believe they have the signatures they need. "The petition aims to place a state constitutional amendment to protect the right to an abortion on the 2024 ballot."

• Mainstreet Daily News: Threat shuts down Gainesville City Hall, County Administration Building. "The Gainesville Police Department (GPD) announced that the Gainesville City Hall complex was cleared around 12:30 p.m."

• WUWF-Pensacola: An uptick in COVID and flu cases is reason to be mindful during holiday gatherings. "WUWF’s Sandra Averhart recently spoke to Dr. Susan Laenger, who has been tracking the COVID-19 situation locally. Laenger is an internal medicine physician, who also serves as medical director of primary care services for Sacred Heart Medical Group."

• WUFT News: Williston High basketball aims to repeat as 1A state champions. "After winning the state championship game last year, the Williston High Red Devils basketball team wants to reclaim their throne as the best team in their classification, maybe even in Florida."

• WMFE-Orlando: Orlando reveals plans for Pulse memorial. "Orlando is committed to opening a Pulse memorial and museum before 2026 – marking 10 years since the mass shooting that took the lives of 49 people."

• Mainstreet Daily News: North Florida governments to receive $10 million for water projects. "Several North Central governments will receive state funds for water projects through the 2023 Water Quality Improvement Grant Program announced on Tuesday."

• News Service of Florida: Gov. DeSantis and Florida Cabinet approve conservation deals. "Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Florida Cabinet on Tuesday approved spending $19 million to conserve rural land used for cattle, while also expanding a list of agricultural properties the state could help shield from residential or commercial development."

• WCJB: Proposed corrections staff cuts worry Florida prisoner advocates. "The state’s prison population is expected to grow over the next several years according to a new report. This comes as Governor Ron DeSantis proposed cutting 520 positions in the Department of Corrections as part of his budget."

• NPR: Debate continues over changing the Florida state bird. "For decades, there's been an effort to change the state bird of Florida — now a mockingbird — to something a little more unique to the state. But pushback has been long and intense."