Florida agriculture losses between $78M and $371M from Hurricane Idalia, preliminary estimate says
Florida agriculture losses from Hurricane Idalia are estimated at between $78 million and $371 million, with producers also suffering widespread damage to such infrastructure as irrigation rigs and fences.
UF 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.
Indoor 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.
University 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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Not in the mood, egrets skipping sex after eating bad fish
Blame it on a headache or stomachache caused by eating some bad fish. A University of Florida study found increased mercury exposure is turning egrets off from sex. The study also noted the full effects of mercury exposure among wading birds may be “systematically underestimated." Certain microorganisms can change mercury into methylmercury, a highly toxic form that builds up in fish, shellfish and animals that eat fish, in a process known as bioaccumulation. Most human exposure to mercury is from eating fish and shellfish contaminated with methylmercury.
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Florida head coach Dan Mullen announces he has tested positive for COVID-19
University of Florida football coach Dan Mullen announced on Saturday that he has tested positive for COVID-19. In his tweet, Mullen said he self-isolating with his family and following guidelines set forth by the CDC and public health officials. The news capped off a whirlwind week for Mullen, who drew criticism for comments after last Saturday’s loss at Texas A&M that he hoped Ben Griffin Stadium would be at full capacity for a scheduled Saturday game against LSU. The game ended up being postponed until Dec. 12 after 21 Florida players (18 scholarship, 3 walk-ons) tested positive for COVID-19.
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Florida Gators head coach Dan Mullen brushes aside criticism for wanting to ‘pack Swamp’
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Florida coach Dan Mullen was given several more chances Monday to clarify any confusion regarding his comments about wanting to pack 90,000 screaming fans inside Florida Field during the coronavirus pandemic. He declined each of them, brushing aside criticism and insisting he's focused on defending national champion LSU. “I think Texas A&M actually, they created a great atmosphere at the game, created an exciting atmosphere, you know?," the coach said. The Gators had 2,000 of a nearly 17,000 allotment unsold for their home opener against South Carolina two weeks ago. But Mullen apparently believes crowded bleachers would be OK.“These preventative measures remain the most effective ways to slow the spread of COVID-19,” Fuchs said.
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Gainesville reaches 30th anniversary of student murders
GAINESVILLE, Fla. In late August 30 years ago, Sadie Darnell was seen in news photographs and videos around the world. She was a Gainesville Police Department lieutenant who served as the agency spokeswoman when five college students were murdered and mutilated and was a daily presence in the news. At other anniversary points of this pivotal tragedy, the Gainesville community has gathered for vigils or services of commemoration. The University of Florida stopped anniversary recognitions, such as tolling the carillon bells of Century Tower five times, after the 25th anniversary. Thirty years is a long time, and the anniversary coincides with some events that are closing a part of the era.
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DeSantis hopes Florida-Florida State game can take place despite coronavirus pandemic
Ron DeSantis said Thursday that hes hoping one of college footballs biggest rivalry games can take place in 2020. I am gonna see if we can make sure that rivalry game continues because I know its one that we all look forward to every year, DeSantis said. I think they played LSU better than any team did (last season). And then I think we got a new coach at Florida State, (so) I think theres some renewed optimism with the program there.The 2020 game was originally scheduled to take place in Tallahassee. I just want to say that, as the governor, I would like to see a way for that game to happen, DeSantis said.
Anxious Florida university students eye fall term
I do way better with in-person lectures, said the 19-year-old rising sophomore from Port St. Lucie about online classes. And its thrown into disarray the things often associated with UFs fall semester: football Saturdays, homecoming weekend and parties. The plan, approved by the Florida Board of Governors last week, would finalize remaining questions about online versus in-person classes, and how fall semester will look. Seven UF students told The Sun they either havent made up their mind about returning to campus or theyre yearning to come back. Students also say theyre pining for in-person classes, but they are skeptical about about how it can be done safely.
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Florida Gators confirm 11 student-athletes test positive for coronavirus
GAINESVILLE, Fla. The University of Florida has had 11 athletes test positive for coronavirus since April, the school confirmed on Tuesday to News 4 Jax. Dating back to April, weve had a total of 11 student-athletes from several of our teams test positive, Gators athletic director Steve McClain said in a statement. As weve said before, we will have positive tests and with guidance from UF health we feel we are well-positioned to manage those cases.Florida didnt identify the athletes or the sports that the athletes play. It joins a growing list of colleges to announce positive COVID-19 tests for athletes who have resumed workouts. Alabama, Clemson, Florida State and UCF are among schools that have announced that athletes there have tested positive.
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Florida shark attacks drop during coronavirus pandemic
BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. – The coronavirus pandemic had one silver lining this year: fewer shark attacks. Three unprovoked attacks resulted in deaths — two in Australia and one in California, up from last year’s total of two deaths. The ISAF experts already had been documenting an unusual decrease in shark bites in recent years. Last year’s 64 unprovoked attacks worldwide were a 22% drop from the most recent five-year average of 82 incidents annually. “The East Coast has been pretty quiet, and that’s where we pick up blacktips and the occasional bull shark,” Bowling said.
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University of Florida bans Gator Bait cheer in step against racism
GAINESVILLE, Fla. The University of Florida announced Thursday the ban of the Gator Bait cheer by the universitys athletics and Gator Band. In a letter from President Kent Fuchs that detailed out a list of plans to combat racism and social injustice on Floridas campus, the president listed the ban of the cheer by University Athletics and the Gator Band. While I know of no evidence of racism associated with our Gator Bait cheer at UF sporting events, there is horrific historic racist imagery associated with the phrase. Accordingly University Athletics and the Gator Band will discontinue the use of the cheer, Fuchs said. The chant is used at Florida Gators sporting events in insinuating its opponents are gator bait.
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Florida rescinds admissions to student who said she was a racist
GAINESVILLE, Fla. The University of Florida has rescinded an admissions offer to a prospective student who posted a racial comment on social media. Floridas flagship university tweeted earlier this week that the prospective student will not be joining the University of Florida community this fall. The tweet did not offer any further details. The Gainesville Sun reports that University of Florida officials have been looking into allegations of prospective and enrolled students posting racist messages on social media. The source of the admissions offer being rescinded was an Instagram post a Cape Coral, Florida, student made about two years ago. Last week, the University of Florida tweeted that it was looking into racist or threatening posts made by other students.
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UF testing residents at The Villages for COVID-19
THE VILLAGES, Fla. – The University of Florida is offering coronavirus tests for residents at The Villages, according to a news release. As a result, we can only offer a limited number of testing appointments each day and currently only to residents of The Villages,” officials said. Ron DeSantis announced the testing site will be operational and available by residents of The Villages on an appointment only basis. Appointment slots for tomorrow’s drive-thru virus testing at The Villages Polo Club are now open to be requested at https://t.co/ugTI5cs71C. RELATED: Governor: ‘Golf cart’ drive-thru coronavirus test site at The Villages possibleAccording to the university, the testing process will consist of two arms.