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The stories near you
• Fresh Take Florida: Judge criticizes DeSantis, appointee for ‘running their mouths’ in effort to shut down pro-Palestinian college groups. "The judge did not immediately issue a protective order covering the chapters of the Students for Justice in Palestine as they had asked."
• Fresh Take Florida: North Florida Hospital extends shutdown of most surgeries for one more week. "The large Florida hospital that shut down surgeries abruptly last week over concerns about sterilized operative room equipment is suspending all non-emergency surgeries for one week longer as it grapples with issues that could lead to serious patient infections, surgeons said."
• WUFT News: From farm not to table: Sanctuaries in Alachua County provide refuge to farm animals in need. "Critter Creek Farm Sanctuary is the largest rescue space for bovines in the U.S., according to its founder and president, Erin Amerman, a Gainesville native who grew up loving animals."
• WUFT News: Alachua County Library District opts against having committee examine work environment. "The Alachua County Library District has voted to permanently dissolve a committee designed to look into workplace and LGBTQ concerns."
• WUFT News: Gainesville city commissioner, others talk about possible cultural arts center. "The gathering at the Cotton Club Museum and Cultural Center featured passionate discussions and entertainment, with the event perhaps becoming the first step to creating a place where the city’s youth will have a safe space to create and heal."
• WUFT News: Diverse journeys unfold for families during ‘World's Greatest Baby Shower’ in Ocala. "Attendees, comprised of young families, were generously provided with goody bags brimming with informative resources covering community involvement and the journey into parenthood."
• WUFT News: What home-schooling looks like for one Gainesville teen: ‘We’re just regular kids.' "Colt Carroll is like most 13-year-old boys. He plays sports, likes video games and spends time with his friends. He has also been home-schooled his whole life."
• WUFT News: A new Miss Gainesville and Miss Ocala were selected. Both are ready to serve the community. "Fifteen contestants took the stage with the hopes of capturing one of the coveted titles being offered. The Miss Gainesville Scholarship Pageant is a local preliminary competition for Miss Florida and is a part of the Miss America Organization."
• WUFT News: Photo gallery: Hoggetowne Medieval Faire goes to downtown Gainesville. "Hosted in the City of Gainesville’s downtown Depot Park, attendants took a step back in time with their activities and attire."
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Around the state
• WGCU-Fort Myers: Abortion access designated Amendment 4 apparently on ballot. "A Sarasota-based organization promoting an abortion amendment for the 2024 Florida ballot says it has received notice from the state that the issue will indeed be on the ballot this year."
• News Service of Florida: A Florida corrections worker fired for using medical marijuana won't get a high court appeal. "The court, as is common, did not explain its decision against hearing the challenge by Samuel Velez Ortiz, a former sergeant for the Florida Department of Corrections. But Thursday’s order effectively let stand a ruling last year by the 1st District Court of Appeal that upheld the firing."
• WFSU-Tallahassee: Term limits for county commissioners is moving in the Florida Legislature. "Bills that would impose term limits on county commissioners are moving in the Florida Legislature. Backers say the proposal would bring fresh blood into office, while opponents say voters would lose representatives who know their jobs."
• News Service of Florida: An appeals court panel is weighing a Florida law targeting voter registration. "In part of a series of legal battles about Florida election-law changes, a three-judge panel of a federal appeals court on Thursday heard arguments in a challenge to a 2023 law that imposed restrictions on groups that collect voter-registration applications."
• WMFE-Orlando: Florida gets 'F' in protecting residents from tobacco dangers. "Overall, it’s Black Floridians who ultimately are among the most hurt by the use of flavored products, the ALA found. Research shows that 81% of Black Americans smoke menthol cigarettes. On average, 45,000 Black Americans die each year due to tobacco-related illnesses."
• WFSU-Tallahassee: Former Governor Rick Scott and Florida law enforcement are raising awareness about swatting. "Swatting is making a fake report to law enforcement that aims to generate a large response from police and Special Weapons and Tactics, or SWAT, officers."
• Jacksonville Today: How to change your party affiliation ahead of an election. "The deadline to register to vote or change your party affiliation is Feb. 20. If you would like to change your party affiliation for future elections, the state requires you to change it 29 days before an election day."
• NPR: To help these school kids deal with trauma, mindfulness lessons over the loudspeaker. "For the past few years, the school has been experimenting with a new tool to help kids deal with their stress: a daily mindfulness program called Inner Explorer. An app created for schools, it involves daily lessons in observing sensations and emotions."
From NPR News
• Law: Jury orders Trump to pay $83 million for defaming columnist E. Jean Carroll
• World: Biden vows to respond after 3 U.S. troops were killed and 34 wounded in a drone attack
• Religion: International Holocaust Remembrance Day rings differently this year
• World: A top U.N. court says Gaza genocide is 'plausible' but does not order cease-fire
• Technology: Deepfakes exploiting Taylor Swift images exemplify a scourge with little oversight
• Elections: They watched 2 election workers face abuse, and it's compelling them to serve in 2024
• National: Chance encounter: A young migrant takes a seat next to an NPR reporter
• History: Lessons from sleeplessness: The 60th anniversary of Randy Gardner's world record
Kristin Moorehead curated today's edition of The Point.