Almost 70% of UF students reported drinking in the last three months, about 6% higher than the national average. Although it’s normalized as part of the college experience, drinking also comes with mental and physical risks.
The two entities had a Sept. 1 deadline to iron out disagreements over rates, claims processes and administrative demands.
Following the Aug. 20 primary, local candidates headed to the November general election campaign with a focus on environmental policy. Meanwhile, the City of Gainesville and Alachua County work to develop climate action initiatives.
In Alachua County, Democratic organizers recognize the importance of increasing voter registration and turnout. The 2024 Democratic National Convention provided a place for those in the weeds of voter registration to learn new strategies and brought new enthusiasm to the party.
A little over 35,000 voters participated in the election with mail-in ballots being the most popular voting method. This year’s election cycle saw 33% less voter turnout than the 2022 primary election, which had over 50,000 votes cast.
While those protests continue to erupt in Venezuela, community members in Gainesville are showing their solidarity from afar.
Florida constituents can only vote in person on Election Day at an assigned precinct correlated with their registered address, which new college students often forget to update.
Biden withdrew from the race July 21 following criticism from party allies concerning his turbulent second campaign for the presidency. Though Biden will carry out the remainder of his current term, he endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris for the Democratic nomination.
Over 600 state organizations apply for the grants annually. Alachua County organizations requested over $1 million, and though some applications were initially approved, all funds were later denied.
The Florida Supreme Court upheld the state’s 15-week abortion ban April 1, concluding the years-long legal challenge and instituting a new six-week ban. On the same day, the court also approved an opposing state constitutional amendment to appear on the November general election ballot, leaving the fate of abortion access in the hands of Florida voters.
In a unanimous decision from Continuum of Care members April 15, Taskforce Fore Ending Homelessness was named as the new lead agency for Keys to Home. Based in Fort Lauderdale, the nonprofit is responsible for working with other CoC service providers and strategizing to prevent and end homelessness. As a lead agency, it will also assume responsibilities to secure Housing and Urban Development and Florida Department of Children of Families funding.
North Central Florida’s disability resources are scattered across the region and are becoming more accessible to underserved communities through outreach and partnerships. Despite a majority of counties carrying low numbers of visually impaired children in comparison to their populations, counties like Putnam, Bradford and Levy are seeing larger numbers.
The RTS system was established in 1974, and much of its history has been entwined with UF. For the 2024 fiscal year, UF contributed $13.7 million out of the total $28.5 million in RTS funding — making up about half of the program’s total revenue. Under the newly proposed plan, UF would switch to a contract of monthly payments and reduce its total funding to $6.8 million annually. This reduction of more than 50% would be detrimental to the RTS system, the city said.
North Central Florida counties are at risk of losing over $1 million of federal funding for homeless service providers if a replacement lead agency is not appointed by June. Keys to Home is a Continuum of Care — a coalition of homeless service providers — representing Alachua, Bradford, Gilchrist, Levy and Putnam counties. To obtain federal funding for new and existing programs, the coalition is required to have one representative agency coordinate a proposal for annual funding cycles.
The Florida Supreme Court approved Amendment 3 to appear on the November general election ballot April 1, an initiative that would authorize recreational marijuana for adults 21 years of age and over if approved by 60% of Florida voters. Statewide advocacy groups along with local residents, students and businesses expressed varying opinions on the potential amendment to the Florida constitution.
This election will determine Rep. Chuck Clemons’ (R-22) replacement after his eight-year run in the Florida House of Representatives.
In the midst of downtown traffic and an afternoon sun, around 50 community members gathered together in Gainesville City Hall Plaza on East University Avenue April 6 at 1:00 p.m. to protest against Florida Supreme Court’s six-week abortion ban taking effect May 1.
The Florida Supreme Court upheld the current 15-week abortion ban Monday, providing a conclusion to the years-long legal challenge. In contrast, the court also approved the inclusion of a constitutional amendment protecting abortion access on the 2024 general election ballot, giving voters a chance to oppose the legislation.
In communities around Gainesville, the idea of “creation care,” or a religious responsibility to the environment, is becoming increasingly common. As the threat of climate change persists, people are using faith as a launching point for environmental action.
Alachua County Republican presidential preference primary voter turnout displays an overall decline since 2004, falling below the 2024 state average turnout of approximately 21.2%. As state ballot counts are finalized, the 17 remaining presidential preference primaries will take place nationally spanning the end of March through the beginning of August. The chosen Democratic and Republican candidates will be finalized prior to the November general presidential election.
Solutions by The State News
