Florida reports highest number of shark bites in 2022
More people were bit by sharks in Florida last year than anywhere else on Earth, according to the University of Florida’s International Shark Attack File. The new numbers show there were 57 unprovoked attacks last year, and of those 16 were in Florida. None of the bites in Florida were fatal, but, according to the University of Florida, two — likely from bull sharks — required medical treatment resulting in amputations. Read: Tourist bitten by large shark at Key West beach, police sayOverall, officials said the number of unprovoked shark attacks worldwide decreased last year, tying with 2020 for the fewest number of reported incidents in the last 10 years. The International Shark Attack File recommends reducing your risk of a shark bite by removing reflective jewelry before entering the water and avoiding areas where people are fishing.
wftv.comFlorida's Shelton in quarterfinals in Australian Open debut
MELBOURNE, Australia — (AP) — The next stop on Ben Shelton's impressive debut run at the Australian Open will be the quarterfinals. Shelton is playing in only his second Grand Slam tournament — and he is on his first trip outside of the United States in his life. He joins Sebastian Korda to give the U.S. at least two men in the quarterfinals in Australia for the first time since 2007. Yet another American could join them because Tommy Paul was in fourth-round action Monday, too, going up against No. The Russian kept coming back, kept coming back, kept coming back — from down 5-2 in the fifth set, then facing a pair of match points while trailing 6-5, then from 5-0 and 7-2 in the first-to-10 concluding tiebreaker — before finally putting away No.
wftv.comDeSantis continues probing for info about diversity-related initiatives and trans healthcare at Florida public colleges
Gov. Ron DeSantis has spent the beginning of 2023 making waves in higher education, including getting answers this week from universities about spending on diversity,...
orlandoweekly.comUniversity of Florida recommends students, faculty stop using TikTok
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The University of Florida is strongly recommending students and faculty stop using the popular social media app TikTok. The university sent out a letter explaining there could be a ban put in place for all university networks and devices. Watch: Police respond to deadly shooting near Sanford barOfficials said the security risks go beyond users themselves. Soon, federal employees will no longer be able to use TikTok on government-issued devices. Read: Woman pulled from storm drain for the third time in 2 years, Florida police sayFlorida already implemented a TikTok ban for state employees in 2020.
wftv.comReports: 4-star Florida signee Jaden Rashada asks for release from scholarship
According to multiple reports, the four-star quarterback has asked for his scholarship release from the school. Per multiple reports, Rashada had an agreement with an NIL collective for an endorsement deal contingent upon signing with the Gators. Rashada will be free to sign with another school when Florida officially releases him from a scholarship. Rashada was one of the top players in a Florida recruiting class that ranked No. Ohio State transfer Jack Miller started the Las Vegas Bowl blowout loss to Oregon State after not seeing the field at all during the season.
wftv.comUF claims no standing to review faculty’s critique of Ladapo’s ‘cherry picking’ vaccine guidance
A group of University of Florida medical-school faculty members challenged controversial guidance by state Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo on COVID-19 vaccinations, but a university official said Wednesday the guidance is outside the scope of Ladapo’s work with the school.
Lawsuit now ‘moot’ after UF resolves conflict-of-interest concerns, professors say
University of Florida professors are asking a federal judge to dismiss a lawsuit that challenged a controversial conflict-of-interest policy that gave school administrators discretion over allowing faculty members to serve as expert witnesses in litigation.
Rooting for you: 9 tips to help your outdoor plants survive the cold
ORLANDO, Fla. — It’s not often that temperatures dip near freezing in Central Florida, but when they do, it’s important to prepare your outdoor plants for the cold. Here are nine tips from the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) about what to do before and after a freeze to help your plants weather the cold. Watering landscape plants before a freeze can help protect them. To reduce radiant heat loss and protect plant roots, you can place mulch around the plants. On woody plants, UF/IFAS officials say the cambium layer under the bark will be black or brown if a branch is damaged.
wftv.comFlorida Gators backup QB Jalen Kitna accused of possessing child pornography
Jalen Kitna, a backup quarterback for the University of Florida football team, is accused of possessing child pornography, authorities said Wednesday. Jalen Kitna was charged with five counts of possession with intent to promote child pornography, according to Alachua County online court records. He was booked into the Alachua County Jail at 3:20 pm EST, Sports Illustrated reported. BREAKING: @GatorsFB quarterback @KitnaJalen was suspended indefinitely from the team Wednesday after he was arrested and booked at the Alachua County Jail on child pornography and distribution of exploitation charges. “We are shocked and saddened to hear of the news involving Jalen Kitna.
wftv.comIndoor protests banned at University of Florida after anti-Ben Sasse rally
The University of Florida is going to start enforcing a decades-old prohibition against indoor protests following a raucous demonstration earlier this month against the selection of U.S. Sen. Ben Sasse as a finalist for the school president’s job.
Nebraska senator faces questions, protests at U of Florida
Nebraska U.S. Sen. Ben Sasse faced pointed questions and loud protests Monday during his first visit to the University of Florida as the lone finalist for the school's presidency. Sasse, a Republican in his second Senate term, has drawn criticism from some at the school in Gainesville, Florida, for his stance on same-sex marriage and other LBGTQ issues. Others question his qualifications to run such a sprawling school with more than 50,000 students.
news.yahoo.comSen. Ben Sasse of Nebraska lone finalist for University of Florida presidency
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — U.S. Sen. Ben Sasse of Nebraska has emerged as the lone candidate to become the next president at the University of Florida, school officials said Thursday. The UF Presidential Search Committee has unanimously endorsed former Yale and UT Austin professor, past Midland University president and current U.S. Senator Dr. Ben Sasse as the sole finalist to become the 13th president of the University of Florida. “UF is the most important institution in the nation’s most economically dynamic state,” Sasse said in a statement. “This is right for the University of Florida, right for the state of Florida and right for the Sasse family,” Rahul Patel, chair of the university’s presidential search committee, said in a statement.
wftv.comNebraska senator sole finalist for U. of Florida president
WASHINGTON — (AP) — Nebraska Sen. Ben Sasse is the sole finalist to become the president of the University of Florida, the school said Thursday, and the Republican senator has indicated that he will take the job. The school said in a statement that its presidential search committee had unanimously recommended Sasse as the sole finalist, a decision that will have to be be voted on by the school’s board of trustees and then confirmed by the board of governors. The school said he will visit the campus on Oct. 10 to meet with students, faculty and other members of the university community. In a statement released by the school, Sasse said he is “thrilled about the opportunity to work alongside one of the nation’s most outstanding faculties.”Sasse is a second-term senator who has been a sometime-critic of former President Donald Trump. He was one of seven Republican senators to vote for the former president’s impeachment after the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol insurrection.
wftv.comGOP Sen. Ben Sasse expected to resign from Senate to lead University of Florida
Nebraska Sen. Ben Sasse is expected to resign his seat and take a job as president of the University of Florida, a person familiar with his decision-making told Yahoo News on Thursday afternoon. The Republican senator has been given unanimous approval from the University of Florida selection committee seeking a new president and is expected to be vetted by a series of other university boards before the offer is formally extended to him in mid-November, the person said. Sasse is expected to resign his seat in the Senate after the midterm elections to take the job, giving Nebraska’s governor the opportunity to fill the vacancy, the person said. Thumbnail Credit: Tasos Katopodis/Pool via REUTERS
wftv.comScientists grow plants in lunar dirt, next stop moon
Researchers had no idea if anything would sprout in the harsh moon dirt and wanted to see if it could be used to grow food by the next generation of lunar explorers. Plants actually grow in lunar stuff. Ferl and his colleagues planted thale cress in moon soil returned by Apollo 11′s Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin, and other moonwalkers. Most of the moon plants ended up stunted. One solution might be to use younger geologic spots on the moon, like lava flows, for digging up planting soil.
wftv.comScientists grow plants in lunar dirt, next stop moon
Researchers had no idea if anything would sprout in the harsh moon dirt and wanted to see if it could be used to grow food by the next generation of lunar explorers. Plants actually grow in lunar stuff. Ferl and his colleagues planted thale cress in moon soil returned by Apollo 11′s Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin, and other moonwalkers. Most of the moon plants ended up stunted. One solution might be to use younger geologic spots on the moon, like lava flows, for digging up planting soil.
wftv.comChristian Bruey
I joined the WFTV Sports lineup in 2009 after spending the previous two years behind the play-by-play microphone for the Daytona Cubs, Advanced-A Affiliate of the Chicago Cubs. Prior to that, I spent a season in Maryland with the Hagerstown Suns, Single-A Affiliate of the Washington Nationals. I am a Florida-native that grew up in the shadows of "The Swamp" and live and breathe Florida Gator football. I graduated from the University of Florida with a degree in Telecommunications. In my spare time I love to play soccer, golf, basketball, softball and surf.
wftv.comFloridians encouraged to get out and garden with free starter seed packets
ORLANDO, Fla. — Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services announced on Monday that they are providing free starter seed packets to Floridians at locations across the state as part of the new Unity Gardens Initiative. Starting Monday, Floridians can pick up their free seed packets from one of 59 locations of the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences across the state. People can receive up to three seed packets and an IFAS Florida Vegetable Gardening Guide to start their own Unity Garden. The mission of the Unity Gardens Initiative is to bring Floridians together to encourage positive community engagement, and to connect with our food systems and production. Read: Orlando mayor names next police chiefFlorida gardeners are invited to share pictures of their Unity Gardens on social media using the hashtag #FLcommUNITYGardens.
wftv.comRare bird: Yellow cardinal spotted on University of Florida campus
Yellow cardinal: A rare yellow cardinal was spotted on the University of Florida campus last month. But this month, a yellow cardinal has soared to the top of the university’s popularity list. >> Read more trending newsThe rare bird, a male Northern cardinal, has been spotted in a wooded area on the Gainesville campus, the Gainesville Sun reported. A yellow cardinal was first spotted in Alabaster, Alabama, in late January 2018 in the backyard of Charlie Stephenson. Experts believe there are only 10 to 15 yellow cardinals in North America, the Sun reported.
wftv.com‘Soil Guardian’ program looks to improve water quality of Indian River Lagoon and St. Johns River
BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. — The University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Extension is looking for homeowners to participate in a new program to promote healthy gardening and improve water quality along the St. Johns River and Indian River Lagoon. The Soil Guardian program is part of an effort by UF/IFAS Extension in Brevard County to educate homeowners on how to improve the overall health of the soil by creating organic matter that promotes healthy plants. Read: Researchers studying presence of potentially toxic ‘forever chemicals’ in the Indian River LagoonOrganizers said the objective of the program is to increase soil organic matter over the next four years. WATCH: Volusia County looking to use technology to help Indian River Lagoon surviveAs part of the program participants will receive a newsletter four times a year on how to improve soil health and agree to have their soil tested once a year at a cost of $10. ©2022 Cox Media Group
wftv.comResearchers studying presence of potentially toxic ‘forever chemicals’ in the Indian River Lagoon
BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. — The University of Florida is halfway through a 3-year study of “forever chemicals” in the Indian River Lagoon. Researchers provided an update Thursday evening on the project they hope will soon help area residents make more informed decisions about avoiding the contaminants. WATCH: Brevard County reports increased number of manatee deathsResearchers and “citizen scientists” have collected surface water and soil samples up and down the Indian River Lagoon. Photos: Researchers looking into cancer concerns from ‘forever chemicals’ in the Indian River LagoonExpand Autoplay Image 1 of 13 Researchers looking into cancer concerns from ‘forever chemicals’ in the Indian River LagoonPFAS are a group of human-made chemicals found in a variety of consumer and industrial products. UF researchers are using an $800,000 Environmental Protection Agency grant to study perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances in the Indian River Lagoon with good reason.
wftv.comUniversity of Florida’s first Black student reflects on making history
His father was the first black doctor to acquire membership in the Florida Medical Association, so it’s no surprise that when George Jr.’s opportunity to make history arrived, he took it. On a sunny September day in 1958, Starke Jr. walked into a classroom at the University of Florida and became the first Black student in the school’s history. “It had been in the news about desegregation had been ordered in Gainesville, and I decided to apply,” Starke said. A few years ago, he was recognized by the University of Florida with an honorary doctorate of law. He was also recognized last year by state leaders for his contribution to Florida history and education.
wftv.comUniversity of Florida can’t stop faculty in cases conflicting with state, judge rules
A federal judge has temporarily prohibited the University of Florida from enforcing a policy that restricted faculty members from providing expert testimony in cases that conflict with positions taken by the state of Florida.
Judge will decide soon on whether free speech violated at UF
A federal judge sharply criticized an attorney for the University of Florida during a hearing on whether six professors’ free speech rights were infringed upon after the lawyer accused some of the academics of having no standing to make their cases because they had violated school policy.
House panel probing free speech at University of Florida
A U.S. House subcommittee is investigating whether the University of Florida interfered with academic freedom and free speech when it stopped three professors from testifying as experts in a lawsuit challenging Florida’s controversial election law.
University of Florida’s academic freedom reviewed after testimony ban
The University of Florida has been asked by its accrediting body to explain how denying a request by three professors to serve as paid experts in a voting rights lawsuit conforms to standards for academic freedom and avoids undue political influence.
Florida health officials report over 7,000 new COVID-19 cases, 125 deaths
ORLANDO, Fla. – Health officials in Central Florida are helping those qualified to receive the COVID-19 vaccine pre-register to get the shot. [READ YESTERDAY’S REPORT: Brazil virus variant found in Florida as officials report 6,650 new cases]Find the state-run COVID-19 dashboard below:Below is a breakdown of Florida COVID-19 data reported by the state on Feb. 20. CasesThe Florida Department of Health reported 7,280 new cases on Saturday, bringing the state’s overall total to 1,863,707 cases since the virus was first detected on March 1. Health officials say the rate should remain between 5% and 10% to prove a community has a hold of the virus and is curbing infections. VaccinationsThe Florida Department of Health recently began releasing a daily report on COVID-19 vaccines administered throughout the state.
That’s not a gator: UF vets remove swallowed shoe from 341-pound croc
University of Florida zoo medicine resident tries to remove a shoe from Anuket the crocodile's stomach. (UF Vet Med Facebook)GAINESVILLE, Fla. – There are a lot of gator stories in Florida, but this croc may have them beat. Doctors at the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine recently conducted surgery to get a shoe out of a crocodile’s stomach after she swallowed it. Anuket, a nearly 11-foot croc, came to UF Veterinary Hospital on Feb. 5 to remove the offending footwear. After a short while, the team was able to remove the shoe.
Home for the holidays: Florida’s Keyontae Johnson to be released from hospital
(AP Photo/Matt Stamey, File)GAINESVILLE, Fla. – After spending more than a week in the hospital, the University of Florida’s Keyontae Johnson is heading home just in time for Christmas, the basketball player’s family said in an update on Tuesday. Keyontae is being released from the hospital. Johnson has been recovering at UF Health in Gainesville since he collapsed during a game against Florida State University on Dec. 12. Prior to his release, Johnson shared an update on Instagram from his hospital room on Friday. In the post, Johnson said thank you to doctors, medical staff and UF Nation.
Skim Reaper: Ormond Beach police using UF device to combat identity theft
ORMOND BEACH, Fla. – The Ormond Beach Police Department is combating identity theft one swipe at a time. The red light on the device alerts that the card was read twice, indicating there is a skimmer. The “Skim Reaper” did not detect any skimmers this time, but police said fraudulent activity is one of their most prevalent crimes, with 217 cases reported so far this year. So, with that, we can do what we can with the physical capture which is the use of the Skim Reaper which we purchased recently,” said Sgt. News 6 introduced the “Skim Reaper” when it was just a prototype in 2018.
Gators’ Keyontae Johnson in medically induced coma after collapse, according to report
University of Florida men’s basketball player Keyontae Johnson is in a medically induced coma following his collapse on the court during a game Saturday, USA Today reported. Johnson’s grandfather, Larry DeJarnett, told USA Today that doctors hoped to try and bring him out of the coma Monday, according to the report. | Pilot killed in Fla. gyroscope crash]UF was playing rival Florida State University when the incident happened. Johnson, the Southeastern Conference’s preseason player of the year, collapsed coming out of a timeout and needed emergency medical attention Saturday. Johnson was taken back to Gainesville Monday, according to the report.