WUFT launches ‘Poisoned Pathways’ investigation into Parkinson’s and chemical exposure
WUFT has released a Pulitzer-funded investigative series called Poisoned Pathways examining the rapid rise of Parkinson’s disease and its potential links to environmental chemical exposures. The multi-part project covers a wide range of topics, including the contested herbicide paraquat, risks to rural communities and Black Americans, and elevated rates of Parkinson’s among military veterans and Florida citrus growers. The series also traces the history of pesticide regulation from DDT to present-day chemicals that researchers say may find pathways into the brain through air, water, and food.
Sources: WUFT News
Alachua County offering free kitchen compost caddies this Saturday
Alachua County residents can pick up free kitchen compost caddies at the county’s five rural collection centers this Saturday. The giveaway is a no-cost opportunity for residents to start composting food scraps at home.
Sources: Mainstreet Daily News · Alachua County
Record heat expected this weekend before stalled front brings rain
Florida is forecast to see record-breaking temperatures this weekend, followed by a weather pattern shift as a stalled front moves in. The front is expected to bring significant rainfall that has been in short supply.
Sources: WUFT News
Drought pushes Santa Fe River to decade-low levels, water bottling permit draws scrutiny
North central Florida is experiencing an exceptional drought — the highest classification on the U.S. Drought Monitor — with groundwater and aquifer levels in Alachua, Marion, and Bradford counties among their lowest in over a decade. The depleted Santa Fe River is forcing riverside businesses to change their operations, while a state-permitted water withdrawal by Seven Springs Water Company near Ginnie Springs has come under increased public scrutiny. The Suwannee River Water Management District oversees the permit that allows the company to pump water from the area.
Point
During an exceptional drought that has driven the aquifer to decade-low levels, permitting a commercial water bottling operation to continue withdrawing water from the Ginnie Springs area places an additional and avoidable strain on an already stressed system. The impacts are tangible — Santa Fe River businesses are already being forced to alter how they operate — and the public interest in preserving a shared natural resource should outweigh a single company’s extraction permit.
Counterpoint
Seven Springs Water Company holds a state-issued permit authorizing its withdrawals, meaning the extraction has already been reviewed and approved by the Suwannee River Water Management District under established regulatory standards. Scrutiny driven by a temporary drought cycle does not itself demonstrate that the permitted withdrawal exceeds safe limits, and revoking or restricting a lawfully held permit without evidence of regulatory violation would set a troubling precedent for businesses operating in good faith under state oversight.
Sources: WCJB TV20
Forest Service warns Columbia, Baker County residents of two spreading wildfires
The U.S. Forest Service has issued warnings to residents in Columbia and Baker Counties about two active wildfires: the Gun Range Fire near Lake City and the Sand Drain Fire along the northern boundary of Osceola National Forest. Officials say hot, dry, and windy weather conditions are making the fires difficult to contain and are requiring heightened vigilance from firefighting crews.
Sources: WCJB TV20
Opossums explored as potential tool against Florida’s invasive Burmese pythons
A new effort is examining whether opossums could play a role in combating the invasive Burmese python population in Florida. Details of the approach remain limited, but the concept involves using the native marsupials in some capacity as part of the broader fight against the destructive snake species.
Sources: The Gainesville Sun
Alligator attack on cow prompts Florida conservation area closure
A Florida conservation area was closed after an alligator attacked a cow, according to the Gainesville Sun. The injured cow was subsequently euthanized as a result of the attack.
Sources: The Gainesville Sun
Alachua County Extends Burn Ban Amid Wildfire Concerns
Alachua County has extended its existing burn ban, according to an announcement on the county’s official website. The move comes as wildfires continue to affect the area, with residents directed to the county’s emergency readiness site for related updates.
Sources: Alachua County
UF/IFAS highlights citizen science as a way to support research on Earth Day
University of Florida researchers are encouraging community members to participate in citizen science this Earth Day by using apps like iNaturalist, IveGot1, and eBird to log wildlife observations and environmental data. Volunteers’ crowdsourced photos and notes feed directly into peer-reviewed studies, helping UF/IFAS track invasive species, monitor manatee populations, and assess seagrass health. Participation opportunities include organized events such as BioBlitzes and the City Nature Challenge.
Sources: UF News
Alachua County Extends Burn Ban Amid Active Wildfires, Drought Conditions
Alachua County has extended a mandatory countywide burn ban through May 1, 2026, while remaining under a Local State of Emergency declared April 20 due to multiple active wildfires. Persistently high Keetch-Byram Drought Index levels, driven by historic drought and little recent rainfall, are sustaining elevated wildfire risk across the county. A separate brush fire near Hawthorne on April 22 was contained by a multi-agency response after witnesses reported a vehicle with a flat tire sent sparks from its wheel rim igniting fires along roughly a mile of County Road 2082.
Sources: Alachua County
