​Farms, Flooding, And New Laws: Previewing The 2018 Hurricane Season
​June 28, 2018

With the 2018 hurricane season underway, here are four key aspects to watch this year in Florida.

Why Some Northwest Gainesville Residents Are Trying To Save An Abandoned Church
​April 25, 2018

Stores like Starbucks, Walgreens, a fast-food restaurant and a bank with a two-lane drive-thru would be built in the church's place.

Gun Rights Advocates Parade Rifles and Rods in Opposition to Gun Control Measures
April 7, 2018

Attendees of Saturday’s march in Ocala — about 200 total — largely said their purpose was to educate the public about firearms by calling attention to themselves (although some park goers didn’t see it that way).


​County Animal Shelter Kill Rates on Downward Trend For North Central Florida Counties
​April 24, 2018

Public records for county animal shelters show that in recent years, euthanasia rates for cats and dogs have, for the most part, been on a downward trend in North Central Florida.

GPD to Rewrite Policy on Reporting Undocumented Immigrants to ICE
April 3, 2018

A recent case involving a couple from Guatemala raised questions of how the Gainesville Police Department handles suspects, victims and even witnesses who might not be in the U.S. legally.

Will Alachua County Increase Tobacco Sales Age to 21?
March 27, 2018

County commissioners on Tuesday directed the county attorney’s office to discuss it further. While the ordinance — as discussed Tuesday — would prohibit the sale of tobacco products to anyone under 21, it will not prohibit the usage of them.

Insurance Guidance Program For The Elderly Could Be Cut Without Congressional Action
March 20, 2018

Unless Congress acts by Friday on a spending bill that includes funding for State Health Insurance Assistance Programs, which in Florida is better known as SHINE, the Medicare assistance program will no longer operate.

Police: Starke Elementary Teacher Physically Abused 6-Year-Old Disabled Student
​March 13, 2018

A Starke elementary school teacher has been suspended with pay from Southside Elementary School following an investigation into allegations that she physically abused a 6-year-old student with a mental disability.

Gainesville Physician, Ex-Wife Indicted for $4 Million in Health Care Fraud
Feb. 27, 2018

Gainesville physician and former Reliant Family Practice owner Erik Schabert and his ex-wife and former office manager Mika Kamissa Harris have both surrendered on a federal indictment charging them with health care fraud. 

‘We Will Vote You Out’: Stoneman Douglas Students Demand Change as Thousands Rally at Capitol
Feb. 22, 2018

Thousands of high school students and protestors descended on the state Capitol Wednesday to show their support for stricter gun laws following last week’s mass shooting that left 17 people dead at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.

Tallahassee Leaders Talk Gun Control, Mental Health Solutions as Students Arrive at Capitol
​Feb. 21, 2018

They plan to meet privately with Florida Gov. Rick Scott and state lawmakers Wednesday to lobby for stricter gun control. They will also hold an hour-long protest on the steps of the state Capitol at noon.

Deputies Say Dunnellon Man Staged Home Invasion, Murdered Girlfriend
​Feb. 14, 2018

Marion County Sheriff’s deputies arrested 52-year-old Dunnellon resident David Romig on Monday for what they said was his role in staging a home invasion and murdering his girlfriend, 64-year- old Sally Kaufmann-Ruff.

Former UF Football Player Shane Matthews Sentenced For Role In $20 Million Health Care Fraud
Feb. 6, 2018

Former University of Florida and retired NFL quarterback Shane Matthews will serve three months in prison for his involvement in a $20 million health care fraud scheme with former teammate and UF linebacker Monty Grow.

Activists Urge Florida Lawmakers to Support Restoring Ex-Felons’ Voting Rights
Jan. 30, 2018

Members of the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition advocated for the more than 1.6 million convicted felons in Florida to regain their voting rights.

Former US Rep. Brown Reports To Federal Prison For Fraud
Jan. 29, 2018

​Former U.S. Rep. Corrine Brown has begun serving a five-year federal sentence for her part in a fraud scheme that helped end her long career.

An Old Joe Replacement? Commissioner Wants ‘Something Everyone Can Feel Good About’
Jan. 16, 2018

Alachua County on Tuesday considered a replacement for Old Joe, the Confederate monument now removed from downtown Gainesville.

‘Let Trump Be Trump’: What Five Local Supporters Think About the President’s First Year
​Jan. 24, 2018

Jan. 20 marked President Donald Trump’s first year in office.

It also marked the first government shutdown since 2013. While Trump has signed major legislation like tax reform into law, appointed a new Supreme Court justice and slashed Obama-era regulations, his first-year approval numbers are the lowest of any modern president.
​
I sat down with five Gainesville-area voters who voted for him to ask them what they thought of the president’s first year.

Political News - WUFT First at Five Newscast
Dec. 5, 2017

Some big political news today - among other things - was the resignation of the longest-serving U.S. congressman amid sexual harassment allegations. Here's today's top political stories.

Family Of Missing Columbia County Teen Speaks Out For First Time After Being Reunited
​Dec. 4, 2017

After nearly a week apart, the family of missing Columbia County teen, Caitlyn Frisina, spoke publicly for the first time after being reunited in New York over the weekend.

Filling Financial Cavities: How A Loan Forgiveness Program Would Help Dental School Grads
​​Dec. 1 2017

Dread paying the bill after a trip to the dentist? Dental school graduates may have it worse: their student loans.

Political News - WUFT First at Five Newscast
Nov. 21, 2017

Here's your latest political news from Gainesville and across the country. Everything from Trump's call with Putin to the pardoning of two turkeys (with vastly different music tastes) was today's news.

Keith Perry Proposes New Age Requirement For Car And Booster Seats
Nov. 6, 2017

State Senator Keith Perry wants to require children to be in car or booster seats until age seven, raising the age requirement by one year. ​

Gainesville To Add Armor To Ambulance For Shooter Response
Oct. 24, 2017

Gainesville Fire Rescue is planning to hire a company to add armor to one of its ambulances to protect medical responders and patients during situations involving active shooters.

Gainesville Residents React To Thursday Speech Event On Campus
Oct. 20, 2017

White nationalist Richard Spencer spoke on the University of Florida campus Thursday. His visit was met with hundreds of protesters, few supporters and a planned speech that was drowned out by chants of 'Go home Spencer!'

Protesters Demand Change Ahead Of Spencer Visit
Oct. 16, 2017

Protesters with the group "No Nazis At UF " are demanding that university officials change the banned items list for Richard Spencer’s event Thursday.

State Democrats Continue To Push For Increased Gun Restrictions
Oct. 9, 2017

In the wake of the deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history in Las Vegas, some Florida lawmakers continue to push for increased gun control. Bills by Orlando Democrats Sen. Linda Stewart and Rep. Carlos Guillermo Smith seek to outlaw the sales of assault weapons and high-capacity magazines in the state of Florida.