WUFT News

11/22/2025

Sunday's travel hotspots include: Seattle, Phoenix and New York. Follow along for Thanksgiving weather updates:

AAA projects that nearly 82 million Americans will travel at least 50 miles from home over the Thanksgiving holiday.

11/22/2025

Millions are hitting the roads and airports for Thanksgiving. Here’s when and where to watch out for the rain and snow:

AAA projects that nearly 82 million Americans will travel at least 50 miles from home over the Thanksgiving holiday.

11/21/2025

Richard Randolph was Florida’s 17th ex*****on this year, a count more than double the previous state record of eight within one year – and it will continue to climb. Two more ex*****ons are scheduled to be carried out in December.

Gov. Ron DeSantis signed another death warrant just this week, scheduling the death of convicted murderer Frank Walls for Dec. 18. Before then, Mark Geralds, another convicted murderer, is set to be executed Dec. 9.

READ MORE: https://www.wuft.org/fresh-take-florida/2025-11-21/in-floridas-17th-ex*****on-this-year-inmate-dies-by-lethal-injection

11/21/2025

A quiet peak followed by a record-shattering Category 5 monster. See what a hurricane expert says about the 2025 tropical cyclone season.

The 2025 Atlantic hurricane season runs through the end of the November, but without any expected development, forecasters have released their seasonal summaries.

11/20/2025

Florida’s oystering tradition is facing one of its most challenging chapters yet as wild oyster populations continue to plummet across the Gulf Coast.

An innovative approach is offering a path forward. Aquaculture, or oyster farming, is emerging as a promising solution to not only support local seafood demand but also help rebuild natural reefs.

Visit this link to watch more about the oyster farming: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uEpU3DKeFAQ&t=13s

11/20/2025

Gainesville is at risk of losing a piece of local history; the 170 year-old Matheson House is in desperate need of renovations.

But rehabilitation won’t be simple, or cheap.

Visit the link below to read more.

The Matheshon House was built in the late 1850s by Alexander Matheson, and his wife Harriet Mary Perry, just a few years after the city was founded in 1854, making it the second oldest residence in the city.

11/20/2025

Miami-based artist Brian Reedy is known internationally for his unique style, creating pieces through a technique called linoleum printing. When he’s not in his studio, he’s with his students in the classroom at Miami Arts Studio.

Colleagues and students say his influence lasts far beyond the final school bell.

11/19/2025

The bear hunt will take place in four of the state’s seven bear management units: East Panhandle, North, Central, and South.

The hunting grounds overlap in areas with the black-bear inspired Florida Wildlife Corridor created in 2021 to connect public and private lands to conserve Florida’s wild places and animals.

The FWC will allow hunting in the Ocala to Osceola Wildlife Corridor, where Shadix said TAG has seen population declines and slow growth.

Read more here: https://www.wuft.org/entertainment/2025-11-19/floridas-black-bear-hunt-unpopular-among-residents-still-scheduled

11/19/2025

From trapeze artists to Bo Diddley Plaza performances and good ‘ole barbeque, more than 40,000 guests attended the Downtown Festival & Art Show, “for and by Gainesville-based artists,” in its 44th year.

The festival, consistently ranked in the top 200 shows nationwide by Sunshine Artist magazine, was created in 1981 to celebrate local artistry.

It has since expanded, with about 200 artists coming from across the country to fill downtown with booths of paintings, clothing, decorations, jewelry and more.

Visit the link below to read more about the event.

“I think it’s become a tradition,” she said, “people love coming out to experience downtown in a way that doesn’t happen every day of the year, and it’s a really nice weekend in the fall for people to come out with their families.”

11/19/2025

Under the hot High Springs sun, over 50 volunteers from the local community assembled Thanksgiving grocery bags for at least 300 families.

The two-hour event allows people to remain comfortable in their cars and receive the groceries as quickly as possible.

Due to the recent government shutdown and pause in SNAP benefits, a greater turnout than last year’s 250 families was expected.

Read more here: https://www.wuft.org/florida-good/2025-11-18/thanksgiving-grocery-distribution-provides-food-for-over-300-families-in-high-springs

11/19/2025

Forecasters are tracking a sudden stratospheric warming event that could disrupt the polar vortex and potentially send Arctic air southward during the coming weeks. Read more: https://www.wuft.org/weather/2025-11-18/how-could-the-sudden-stratospheric-warming-event-impact-the-start-of-winter

11/17/2025

Through a new initiative called Fresh Fades and Healthy Hearts, Gainesville Fire Rescue is placing free blood-pressure monitors in barbershops to help customers check their health in a comfortable, familiar environment.

Learn more on 'First at Five' and check out the full video here: https://www.wuft.org/healthscience/2025-11-17/fresh-fades-and-healthy-hearts-how-gainesville-barbers-are-fighting-against-high-blood-pressure