University of Florida

The University of Florida's presidential search has been delayed due to a power struggle between Board of Governors chair Alan Levine and Trustees chair Mori Hosseini. Multiple presidential candidates, including Ben Sasse, Santa Ono, and Donald Landry, were chosen and rejected amid conflicts over governance and spending, with Stuart Bell ultimately selected as the new president despite delays caused by unresolved disputes between Levine and Hosseini.

Stuart Bell was approved as the University of Florida president on July 1, 2026, ending a two-year interim period. The Florida Board of Governors approved former University of Alabama President Bell, with Governor Aubrey Edge casting the sole vote against him. Bell has committed to not endorsing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies, closing DEI offices at Alabama to comply with state legislation.

The Republican National Committee sued Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold over a policy allowing overseas voters to participate in state elections without prior residency. The lawsuit claims this violates the Colorado Constitution, arguing residency cannot be established by proxy, and asserts the policy dilutes the votes of residents by disproportionately benefiting Democratic candidates.

UF scientists found severe PFAS contamination in Gemini Springs, Volusia County, highlighting the widespread presence of cancer-causing 'forever chemicals' in Florida. Lobby firms representing chemical industry groups also advise local governments dealing with PFAS pollution, creating conflicts of interest. PFAS, linked to multiple cancers and liver toxicity, persist in the environment and human blood.

The Florida Board of Governors postponed a vote on University of Florida's new president, Stuart Bell, due to governance concerns raised by Chair Alan Levine. The dispute centers on power dynamics between Levine and UF trustees Chair Mori Hosseini, with Levine alleging governance procedures at UF fall short of state standards. A third party will review governance practices amid tensions over leadership transitions and reporting structures at the university.

The University of Florida's presidential approval process for Stuart Bell was delayed by Board of Governors Chair Alan Levine due to governance and compliance concerns. UF trustees approved Bell as interim president, prompting Levine to commission a third-party review of governance procedures and schedule a special meeting for July 1. UF Board Chair Mori Hosseini defended the board's actions and criticized Levine's allegations of procedural noncompliance.

Florida International University (FIU) is the top-performing state institution with a score of 97, while Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) is the lowest at 73. Metrics include graduate wages, graduation rates, and retention. Florida Polytechnic University improved its score by 13 points, and New College of Florida saw the largest drop in graduate employment rates above $40,000. The state budget includes $645 million for performance-based incentives, pending Governor Ron DeSantis' approval.

The Florida Board of Governors is delaying a confirmation vote for the University of Florida presidential hire, citing concerns about regulatory noncompliance by UF’s board chair. The article references the conflict between the two governing bodies over the appointment process.

SpaceX's June 12 IPO achieved a $2 trillion valuation but left $16.7 billion in potential proceeds uncollected due to pricing strategies and the Green Shoe option. The first-day stock price rose 19%, aligning with historical averages, though the total 'left on the table' amount shattered previous IPO records.

12,000 cats are confined in U.S. taxpayer-funded laboratories, with the National Institutes of Health (NIH) being a major funder of feline experimentation. White Coat Waste (WCW) has exposed abusive practices, including experiments causing degenerative brain diseases in kittens, and successfully pushed for legislation banning cat testing in the Navy and cutting federal funding for such experiments. Efforts like Violet’s Law aim to allow adoption of lab cats, with bipartisan support in Congress.

Assemblymember Blanca Pacheco's Assembly Bill 1821 proposes allowing government agencies to delay responses to public records requests and charge higher fees for 'commercial use' searches, drawing criticism from transparency advocates who argue it could make California the most secretive state. Pacheco claims the bill aims to prevent AI-driven and malicious requests from overwhelming local governments, but opponents say it creates barriers to accountability and violates public access rights.

The University of Florida's interim president contract for Donald Landry is blocked by Board of Governors Chair Alan Levine due to violations of a regulation limiting trustee authority. UF trustees approved Bell last week, but the Board of Governors will hold a governance discussion instead of final approval, prompting trustees to plan a meeting to name Bell interim president to avoid institutional limbo.

A judge dismissed a case brought by the University of Florida College Republicans against the University of Florida. The university had blocked the group in March following a social media uproar over a photo showing two individuals giving a Nazi salute.

A judge dismissed a case brought by the University of Florida College Republicans. The group had been under scrutiny in March.

The University of Florida has approved a $1.45 billion renovation plan for Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, making it the most expensive stadium renovation in college football history. The decision contrasts with a growing trend of prioritizing Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals for players over facility upgrades, though the Gators have maintained strong recruiting success with NIL investments.

SpaceX is offering its underwriters a record-low 0.75% gross spread for its historic IPO, but Wall Street banks, led by Goldman Sachs, will still earn the largest dollar fees ever due to the massive $86 billion deal. This mirrors Goldman's 2010 strategy to win the GM IPO by matching a low fee, and the underwriters will split approximately $646 million in fees.

The University of Florida Board of Trustees selected Dr. Stuart R. Bell as the university’s next president, pending ratification by the Florida Board of Governors. Bell previously served as president of the University of Alabama and held academic leadership roles at Louisiana State University and the University of Kansas. He was chosen from hundreds of candidates and is expected to succeed Interim President Donald Landry.

University of Florida's board hired Stuart Bell as president despite criticism regarding his previous institution's DEI practices. The larger state panel still needs to approve the appointment.

University of Florida (UF) trustees unanimously supported Stuart Bell, a former University of Alabama president, advancing him toward becoming UF's next president. Bell emphasized his experience in higher education and athletics, addressing topics like diversity, equity, and inclusion, while aligning with Florida’s higher education policies. Critics questioned the search process's transparency, but UF board members defended its legality.

The University of Florida selected Stuart Bell as its new president despite some conservative criticism. Dr. Bell previously served as the president of the University of Alabama for a decade.

Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley are competing for the 'lead left' underwriter position in upcoming OpenAI and Anthropic IPOs, a role that grants significant share allocation control and financial advantages. Both banks already serve as top book runners for these deals, with the lead left designation determining substantial profit disparities. University of Florida professor Jay Ritter highlights the strategic importance of 'soft dollars' paid by funds to secure maximum IPO share allocations.

The New World screwworm, a pest that infests open wounds of animals and threatens the cattle industry, has been confirmed in Texas and New Mexico. The U.S. Department of Agriculture is deploying sterile male flies to combat the outbreak and has established quarantine zones around infected areas. Cases include three calves, a goat in Texas, and a dog in New Mexico, with concerns about potential spread to wildlife like white-tailed deer.

Three new cases of New World screwworm have been confirmed, including one in New Mexico, highlighting the challenge of containing the parasite that threatens the U.S. cattle industry. The USDA is deploying sterile male flies to combat the outbreak, with efforts including a $750 million fly factory in Texas.

The New World screwworm, a flesh-eating parasite, has spread beyond Texas with new cases in New Mexico, complicating efforts to contain its resurgence. The U.S. Department of Agriculture is deploying sterile male flies to combat the infestation, which threatens the cattle industry but has not yet significantly impacted beef prices.

The New World screwworm, a flesh-eating parasite, has been confirmed in Texas and New Mexico, posing a threat to the U.S. cattle industry. The USDA is deploying sterile male fly programs and medications to contain the outbreak, while scientists caution vigilance may lead to more reported cases.

The TSA updated its medical marijuana guidelines, allowing patients to travel with cannabis in carry-on and checked bags, but experts warn against using it on planes due to health risks. Professor Rob Mejia advises waiting until arrival to use cannabis, citing unpredictable effects at high altitudes and potential cardiovascular strain.

The University of Florida has selected a new president who is described as a DEI enthusiast. The article questions this choice given Florida's reputation as a state opposing progressive ideologies labeled as 'woke.'

Stuart Bell, a finalist for the University of Florida (UF) presidency, pledged to align with conservative higher education policies in Florida, including opposition to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. During forums, Bell emphasized his support for state-aligned reforms and referenced his tenure at the University of Alabama, where he replaced a DEI division with a new department focused on opportunities and connections. UF has been without a permanent president since Ben Sasse resigned in 2024, and a prior candidate, Santa Ono, was rejected by the Board of Governors.

Ben Sasse discusses his stage-four pancreatic cancer diagnosis, emphasizes family roots in Nebraska, and shares parenting strategies focused on service and gratitude. He reflects on political and technological changes impacting American life.

Over 2,500 people in Cook County have been jailed for failing to pay court-ordered child or spousal support, with most being men and some held for over 100 days. Legal advocates criticize the system for offering little support to those without lawyers, as civil contempt cases lack procedural protections found in criminal proceedings.

The University of Florida will host three public forums for Stuart Bell, the sole finalist for president, to address pre-screened questions from faculty, students, and staff. Bell's selection has drawn criticism from some conservatives and political figures like U.S. Sen. Rick Scott, who questioned the lack of public input in the process, while Gov. Ron DeSantis and U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon expressed support.

Kauran Randhawa, a New York City entrepreneur with a severe nut allergy, founded Besto, a nut-free pesto brand emphasizing fresh, perishable ingredients. Her business reflects a growing consumer demand for transparency and healthier, less processed food options.