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Vol. 1 · No. 46 · Tuesday, June 16, 2026
Environment
A tropical weather system designated Invest 90L is being tracked for potential development, with forecasters warning of intense rainfall for parts of Florida. Spaghetti model projections are circulating showing a range of possible tracks for the system.
Sources: The Gainesville Sun
State & National
A movement called ‘No Kings’ is organizing watch parties aimed at drawing viewers away from a UFC fight being held at the White House. Organizers of the White House event say the fights will proceed regardless of weather. The two stories reflect competing efforts around the same televised combat sports event tied to the Trump administration.
Sources: The Gainesville Sun
City
State Representative Yvonne Hinson (D-Gainesville) publicly condemned legislation Governor Ron DeSantis signed on June 11 that preserves the governor-appointed GRU Authority Board’s control over Gainesville Regional Utilities. Hinson argued the law overrides a referendum in which 75 percent of voters supported local oversight of the utility, and she said rates have continued to rise under the current board. She also stated that an attempt she made to file a repeal of the original law was discouraged by colleagues.
Sources: WCJB TV20
State & National
LGBTQ organizations across Florida are expressing concern that a new state law restricting diversity, equity, and inclusion programs could jeopardize Pride festivals and related events. The law, known as SB 1134, has created uncertainty about whether such gatherings can proceed without running afoul of its provisions.
Sources: The Gainesville Sun
In Brief
The Alachua County School Board is scheduled to vote Tuesday on an agreement to transfer Citizens Field from the city of Gainesville to the school district, which already uses the property for school activities. Under the proposed deal, the district would purchase the stadium for $500,000. District estimates put the cost of a full demolition and rebuild of the facility between $22 million and $25 million.
Sources: WCJB TV20
Four former chairs of the University of Florida Board of Trustees published an op-ed in the Tallahassee Democrat calling on the Florida Board of Governors to approve Dr. Stuart Bell as UF’s next president ahead of the board’s June 25 meeting. The former trustees — Manny Fernandez, Dianna Morgan, Carlos Alfonso, and David Brown — highlighted Bell’s record at the University of Alabama, including enrollment growth, improved student retention, and athletics experience. They also addressed criticism of the University of Alabama’s diversity programs under Bell’s leadership, arguing that the characterizations of those programs are inaccurate.
Sources: WCJB TV20
In Brief
Alachua County Sheriff’s deputies logged more than 200 speeding violations in one week at a shared school zone serving Wiles Elementary and Kanapaha Middle School, which recently began summer sessions. The zone is among several in Alachua County where speed cameras have been installed, and drivers caught speeding face a $100 fine.
Sources: WCJB TV20
A 35-year-old Cross City man and former Florida corrections officer entered a guilty plea on one count of child exploitation and one count of child pornography distribution, federal prosecutors announced Monday. Devin Waldeck faces a combined maximum sentence of up to 50 years in federal prison. Prosecutors allege he impersonated a minor’s mother on Reddit to share explicit material and solicit at least one user.
Sources: WCJB TV20
In Brief
In Brief
In Brief
In Brief
In Brief
A new state law, House Bill 277, will take effect July 1, making it a felony to violate a domestic violence restraining order a second time. The legislation, which passed the Florida legislature unanimously, also establishes a statewide domestic violence database and classifies animal abuse as a domestic crime under certain circumstances. First responders have indicated the centralized database will significantly improve their ability to identify repeat offenders.
Sources: WCJB TV20
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier filed a civil lawsuit against TikTok on Monday, alleging the platform is exposing underage users to explicit and pornographic material in violation of its own guidelines. The action follows Florida’s House Bill 3, enacted two years ago, which bars children under 14 from social media and requires platforms to terminate accounts that don’t meet age requirements.
Sources: WCJB TV20
In Brief
From the Magazine
SHOW PREVIEW
Lifted Riffs, AITA, The 91’s and SWANYX at Signal. Doors 8 p.m., show 8:30, 21 and up.
By Craft Lemon
This date in Gator history
2017
On June 20, 2017, Florida defeated Louisville 5–1 in College World Series bracket play at TD Ameritrade Park in Omaha, keeping the Gators unbeaten in the tournament. The win was a critical step in Florida’s run to their first-ever baseball national championship, which they clinched on June 27 by sweeping LSU in the CWS Finals. The 2017 title made Florida one of only a handful of schools to win national championships in baseball, basketball, and football.
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