WUFT News

11/06/2024

North Florida voters casted their ballots Nov. 5
and elected local sheriffs, county commissioners, supervisors of elections, state attorneys, senators and representatives.

Read our full coverage of election results at wuft.org.

09/26/2024

Track the storm as it makes landfall Thursday via our updates on this page.

Stay informed with hourly updates on Helene as it makes its way toward Florida's Gulf Coast.

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 sexual 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