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• WUFT News: First year of Sasse’s UF presidency leaves some excited, some skeptical. "In the past year, Sasse has spelled out his plan for the future of UF in increasing detail. In comparison to his presence on campus on his first day, his hopes, strategies and initiatives have landed softly on the university and its constituents."

• Mainstreet Daily News: Split school board approves Andrew contract. "The School Board of Alachua County (SBAC) approved a new contract for Superintendent Shane Andrew in a 3-2 vote on Tuesday night, but Andrew still needs to accept the proposed contract before it can take effect."

• WCJB: ‘They started excavating before it was approved’: Controversial sand mine proposal passed. "In a decision postponed in December, Levy County commissioners approved the sand mine proposal in less than an hour without allowing public comment at this particular meeting, leaving residents outraged."

• WUFT News: Florida ranks third in the number of reported human trafficking cases nationwide. "The Florida Alliance to End Human Trafficking says that the prevalence of human trafficking in Florida is due to the people the state brings in. Whether it is to see the staple beaches or world-renowned theme parks, the state generates a lot of tourism, making it a prime target for human trafficking."

• Mainstreet Daily News: Curry recommends first actions to cover $1.4 million shortfall. "City Manager Cynthia Curry has recommended using contingency funds to rebalance the city budget after the Gainesville Regional Utilities Authority withdrew payments resulting in a $1.4 million shortfall for 2024."

• WUFT News: Wawa to open in Palatka, exact date unknown. "Wawa has grown across the state, beginning in its southern and central areas about a decade ago. There are now multiple Wawa locations in north central Florida, including Gainesville, Middleburg, Jacksonville and now one under construction in Palatka."

• Ocala Gazette: Teen arrested in relation to social media threat. "An unidentified 14-year-old student will face a felony charge for making a social media threat to carry out a shooting at Howard Middle School in late January, the Ocala Police Department reports."

• WCJB: Firefighters find clever way to rescue horse trapped in pond in Marion County. "You can lead a horse to water — but getting them out is not an easy feat. Marion County Fire Rescue crews rescued a horse after the animal got stuck in a pond."

• The Point Podcast: The Florida housing affordability crisis. Wednesday's host Caitlyn Schiffer, speaks with Florida Policy Institute financial analyst Cicely Hodges on the affordability housing crisis in Florida. Plus, Florida ranks third in reported human trafficking cases, a bill was signed limiting marijuana potency and more. Listen now on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

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Around the state

• WUSF-Tampa: Florida Supreme Court is set to consider abortion rights ballot language. "The groups behind the initiative have collected the necessary signatures — but the state will argue that the measure's language could confuse voters."

• Associated Press: As Florida sees stronger hurricanes, experts say we should brace for a Category 6. "A handful of super powerful tropical storms in the last decade and the prospect of more to come has a couple of experts proposing a new category of whopper hurricanes: Category 6."

• WLRN-Miami: With Medicaid expansion off the table, entrepreneurs and nonprofits help Florida's uninsured. "When people are uninsured, they tend to skip preventive checkups or care for chronic conditions, say health policy researchers."

• WMFE-Orlando: Black Homeownership continues to lag in Florida, and that’s a big problem, says Stetson economist. "While Black homeownership is increasing, a study from the National Association of Realtors shows that Black homeownership still lags behind white ownership by nearly 30%."

• News Service of Florida: Lawmakers may limit potency for recreational pot. "As a proposed constitutional amendment seeking to authorize recreational marijuana looms, Florida lawmakers are taking steps toward imposing limits on the amount of euphoria-inducing THC in pot products."

• WFSU-Tallahassee: Floridians wonder if DeSantis will change now that he's not running for president. "Now Floridians wonder what kind of governor he will be - the culture warrior of the last couple years or more of the bridge builder he showed flashes of earlier."

• Jacksonville Today: Remembering Harriet Beecher Stowe in her former community. "The Harriet Beecher Stowe Pavilion is being built right next to the Mandarin Community Club, originally a school for the children of freed slaves that the famed 19th century author raised funds to build when she lived across from it a century and a half ago."

• WMFE-Orlando: Brevard students sent horseshoe crab blood to outer space. Here’s why. "After six weeks in space, a science experiment conducted by a group of eighth graders from Brevard is now back on earth and back in the classroom. The group of four boys, Liam Hauser, Eric DiStasi, Evan Ireland and Luke Costa, call themselves the Bacteria Boys."

From NPR News

• Law: Federal appeals court rules Trump doesn't have broad immunity from prosecution

• National: Jennifer Crumbley convicted of involuntary manslaughter over son's school shooting

• Politics: House fails to pass articles of impeachment for Homeland Security Secretary Mayorkas

• Elections: 'None of these candidates' takes the Nevada Republican primary, dealing Haley a blow

• National: NTSB says key bolts were missing from the door plug that blew off a Boeing 737 Max 9

• Politics: Congress devolves into chaos over border and national security funding

• National: The Census Bureau is dropping a controversial proposal to change disability statistics

• Health: FDA move to ban formaldehyde in hair straighteners called too little, too late

Kristin Moorehead curated today's edition of The Point.