WUFT News

08/05/2024

Click here to find the latest on school and government office closings, flood warnings and damage reports across north central Florida.

06/22/2024

Law and Public Safety Police lock down Oaks Mall, work to clear area WUFT | By WUFT News Published June 21, 2024 at 8:31 PM EDT Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Dozens of law enforcement vehicles responded to the Oaks Mall on Friday night. (Evan Warner/WUFT News) Gainesville Police Department office...

04/26/2024

On this Friday’s episode I spoke with Environmental Education Awareness Research Support and Services (EEARS) founder Frank ‘Alligator” Robb Alligator Robb on misconceptions about alligators in Florida. Plus, two women face obstruction charges in Marion County case in which a man and K9 died, undeveloped Manatee County islands are for sale, and more.

Spotify: https://bit.ly/3UzcrVW
Apple Podcasts: https://bit.ly/3WgUSvb

04/24/2024

WUFT News is proud to welcome the newest member of our team, corps member Rose Schnabel. She will be covering agriculture, water and climate change in north central Florida.

“Agriculture and the environment are sizable economic drivers in our region and it’s our responsibility to share stories along these themes that have traditionally been under-covered,” said Harrison Hove, interim director of the University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications' Innovation News Center.

Read more about Rose here:

Rose Schnabel will join the UF College of Journalism and Communications’ Innovation News Center in July as part of WUFT’s new Florida Environment & Ag Desk.

04/24/2024

Wednesday's host, Caitlyn Schiffer, speaks with Stephanie Burt, professor of English at Harvard University, about the profound connection young adults feel to Taylor Swift through her lyricism and why this has caused a phenomenon. Plus, first-offense youth rates are increasing in Gainesville, a stranded cow was rescued, and more.

Listen Now:

Apple Podcasts:https://bit.ly/4aZH9gu

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3QfPmFg

04/22/2024

Monday’s host, Ben Crosbie, speaks with Ram Balasubramanian, executive director of the Florida Organic Growers, about his group’s efforts to promote organic and sustainable agriculture in the Sunshine State. Plus, UF researchers develop a land conservation tool, a water rights advocacy group turns its focus to the 2026 ballot, and more.

Listen now:
Spotify: https://bit.ly/3U5SF37
Apple Podcasts: https://bit.ly/4b1YXaL

04/18/2024

Thursday’s host, Ailee Shanes, speaks with Jude Grosser, a professor of citrus breeding and genetics at the University of Florida, on why the most recent Florida citrus forecast took a hit and what long-term solutions growers can look to. Plus, Newberry’s charter school conversion initiative fails, the Alachua County School Board approves Metcalfe and Rawlings Elementary’s year-round calendar, and more.

Listen Now:
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3U6wslu
Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3U72ZYD

04/17/2024

Wednesday's host, Caitlyn Schiffer, speaks with Andy Thomas, career coach with Andy Thomas Careers Now, on the trials and tribulations of the internship and job season and how college students can better set themselves up for success during this taxing process. Plus,a Florida college survey asks students if a vote for Trump or Biden will end a friendship, community members rally against a P.K. Yonge high school proposal, and more.

Listen now:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3Jod26M

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3vVY6tc

04/15/2024

Monday's host, Ben Crosbie, speaks with Akito Kawahara, director of the McGuire Center for Lepidoptera and Biodiversity, about the fuzzy caterpillars that took over Gainesville and about the importance of insect conservation. Plus, the Alachua County School Board implements a revised version of its book ban review process, a survey finds 42% of Floridians voting in favor of abortion rights, and more.

Listen now:
Spotify: https://bit.ly/49IrdxT
Apple Podcasts: https://bit.ly/3xJYEmp

04/12/2024

Friday’s host, Jimena Romero, speaks with WalletHub Analyst Cassandra Happe on Florida ranking in the top five states with lowest tax burden in a recent study, and what this means for Florida tax payers. Plus Residents and students stand with the city of Gainesville as the University of Florida proposes major reduction in RTS funding, Florida launches Baker Act Dashboard to improve mental health, and more.

Listen now:
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/49Pkrqx
Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3UekSFX

04/11/2024

Thursday’s host, Ailee Shanes, speaks with Jesse DeSimone, a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Florida, about a UF-led study showing a link between abnormal amyloid levels and brain changes that could lead to catching and detecting Alzheimer’s early on. Plus, a judge rules a UF employee arrested in a s*xual assault case is eligible for pre-trial release, the City of Alachua’s recent election are called out by the NAACP, and more.

Listen Now:
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/49wxLQq
Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3TMf9WE

04/10/2024

Wednesday's host, Caitlyn Schiffer, speaks with Megan Rose, CEO of Better Together, on why child abuse prevention month should be highlighted as a year-round issue, as well as its impact on our society. Plus, Alachua County plans to re-vote on single-member districts, Florida judge blocks enforcement of school pronoun restrictions and more.

Listen Now:
Apple Podcasts: https://bit.ly/43V9Qc6
Spotify: https://bit.ly/4cOBOdA

04/04/2024

Dream on Purpose, a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering girls aged 11-18 to envision and achieve their dreams, recently hosted its signature event, Cupcakes & Conversations, on Saturday, March 30, 2024, at Girls Place, Inc. in Gainesville.

Through engaging workshops and structured discussions, Dream on Purpose connects young girls with local resources and encourages positive social interaction. This particular gathering focused on the importance of healthy cooking and lifestyle habits, providing a platform for meaningful dialogue and access to valuable information. As advocates for youth empowerment, Dream on Purpose continues to inspire and support young girls on their journey toward personal growth and success.

04/04/2024

Thursday’s host, Ailee Shanes, speaks with Sonal Tuli, a professor and chair of ophthalmology at the University of Florida, on why eye safety is so important for looking at a solar eclipse, as one will be visible in North America this Monday. Plus, the Alachua County School Board approved the removal of two books from its libraries, the city of Perry loses its last mill, and more.

Listen Now:
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3PNXqgk
Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/4amEkWN

04/03/2024

Wednesday's host, Caitlyn Schiffer, spoke with Johnny Liu, graduate student at the University of Florida, about how SB 846 is directly impacting international students and what steps are being taken moving forward. Plus, Alachua county issues a rabies alert, Santa Fe college, the city of Gainesville and the county government team up to combat gun violence, and more.

Listen now:
Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/4aE6YCr
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/43M8znO

04/01/2024

Monday’s host, Ben Crosbie, speaks with Beverly Ringenberg, coordinator of the Old Florida Celebration of the Arts, on the history and spirit of the event happening this weekend. Plus, the Gainesville Police Department releases body cam footage of a K9 attack on a homeless woman, the Florida Supreme Court prepares to issue rulings on proposed constitutional amendments, and more.

Listen now:
Apple Podcasts: https://bit.ly/3xiqiah
Spotify: https://bit.ly/3U9mzot

03/29/2024

03/28/2024

Thursday’s host, Ailee Shanes, speaks with Oscar Santiago Perez, the chair of the Gainesville Regional Transit System Advisory Board, on some of the issues surrounding RTS and some of the changes and growth of Gainesville’s public transit system as RTS turns 50 years old. Plus, Gainesville mayor Harvey Ward’s office window was broken in an act of vandalism, the Gainesville Regional Utilities Authority Board held its first meeting since its joint resignation, and more.

Listen Now:
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3xg9qRr
Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/43AjO2u

03/27/2024

Wednesday's host, Caitlyn Schiffer, speaks with Kenneth Wald, Professor emeritus of political science, on Jewish American voting patterns and how the Israel-Hamas war and the rise of antisemitism may impact voters decisions in the upcoming 2024 presidential election. Plus, a prosecutor asks a judge to keep UF student jailed for accused s*x attack, protestors at UF reject SB 846 and more.

Listen now:
Apple Podcasts: https://bit.ly/3U3yOCZ
Spotify:https://spoti.fi/3TUh4K7

03/25/2024

Monday’s host, Ben Crosbie, speaks with Pam Landis, coordinator of the Gator Fly-In, about this year’s event and its emphasis on honoring women in aviation. Plus, a Gainesville K9 apprehends the wrong person, the Florida Gators men’s basketball team is eliminated from March Madness, and more.

Listen now:
Apple Podcasts: https://bit.ly/3TzhUdB
Spotify: https://bit.ly/43zvnaf

03/22/2024

Friday’s episode of The Point is out now, “March 22nd, 2024: Happy 180th Birthday Marion County” with host Jimena Romero and Marion County's legislative manager Matthew Cretul.

03/21/2024

Thursday's host, Caitlyn Schiffer, speaks with Lucas Meers, marine turtle permit holder with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, about how we can maintain the protection of sea turtles during their nesting season. Plus, Alachua county parents oppose charter school conversion, social media accounts are using generative AI to misinform voters in the 2024 presidential election, and more.

Listen Now:
Apple Podcasts:https://bit.ly/43IBNE5
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3IKpCgf

03/20/2024

Wednesday’s host, Ailee Shanes, speaks with Eddie Leedy, the executive director of the Humane Society of Marion County, on an ordinance passed by the city of Dunnellon limiting the number of dogs and cats one can own and what concerns arise because of it. Plus, a Santa Fe High School coach and school employee was put on administrative leave, construction has begun on a new fire station in Alachua, and more.

Listen Now:
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/49VcD7g
Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3wYVrPH

03/08/2024

Friday’s episode of The Point is out now, “March 8th, 2024: An identity crisis for undocumented immigrants” with host Jimena Romero and Human Rights Coalition of Alachua County.

Listen now:
Spotify: https://bit.ly/49YFrv6
Apple Podcasts: https://bit.ly/3PccTq1

03/07/2024

Thursday’s host, Ailee Shanes, speaks with Dan Ferris, a UF professor in the department of biomedical engineering, on what UF’s new AI-powered athletics project will do for its sports program and how this new AI tool will be used. Plus, the Alachua County School Board votes to keep a children’s book about gender identity on the shelves, Florida lawmakers' second attempt at a social media ban for minors heads to Gov. Ron DeSantis, and more.

Listen Now:
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/4a2JF5e
Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/435sUnE

03/06/2024

Wednesday’s host, Ben Crosbie, speaks with Kevin James, a member of the Gainesville Radical Reproductive Rights Network, about the Yes on 4 campaign encouraging voters to protect abortion rights in Florida. Plus, Gainesville Regional Utilities will start construction on a $50 million wastewater project, lawmakers release the state budget for the 2024-2025 fiscal year, and more.

Listen now:
Spotify: https://bit.ly/49ZVFnX
Apple Podcasts: https://bit.ly/4c4fE6B

03/05/2024

Tuesday's episode of The Point, "March 5th, 2024: DEI disappears," is out now. Listen to host Serra Sowers speak with Paulette Granberry Russell, the President of the National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education about UF's elimination of the office of DEI and the effects it will have on other Florida institutions that are forced to follow suit by new state law.

Listen now:
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3wGY8Fu
Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3Ip7Cb1

03/04/2024

Monday's host, Caitlyn Schiffer, spoke with Janet Coats, Managing Director of the Consortium on Trust in Media and Technology, about how cyber scammers are using AI to deceive voters and why you should be cautious in the upcoming Florida primaries. Plus, a new fire station is in town to reduce emergency repone time, the Florida house lowered the gun-buying age limit and more.

Listen now:
Apple Podcasts:https://bit.ly/3uKbIra
Spotify: https://bit.ly/48A3e3r

03/01/2024

Friday’s episode of The Point is out now, “March 1st, 2024: Florida: The state for mom and pop shops” with host Jimena Romero and Greater Gainesville Chamber of Commerce.

Listen now:
Spotify: https://bit.ly/49AWR18
Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/42YxdRu

02/29/2024

Thursday’s host, Ailee Shanes, speaks with Mark Clark, an associate professor in wetland ecology at the University of Florida, on how living shorelines helped protect parts of Florida’s Big Bend region during Hurricane Idalia and what the future of living shorelines may look like in Florida. Plus, the Gainesville city commission and GRU Authority hold their first joint meeting, a bill curtailing civilian oversight of police has passed the Florida House, and more.

Listen Now:
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3P2ZOPM
Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/49B04hs