Fresh Take Florida

A University of Florida research employee and students have been implicated in an illegal, multi-million dollar scheme investigated by the Justice Department to fraudulently buy thousands of biochemical samples of dangerous drugs and toxins that were delivered to a campus laboratory then illicitly shipped to China over seven years, according to federal court records.

The latest decisions track closely with bills in the Legislature to effectively ban TikTok for all public employers, including state and local government agencies, public schools, colleges and universities and more.

UF is warning about the possibility of banning the popular social media app on university devices and WiFi networks.

On Wednesday, the Florida Supreme Court will consider whether the identities of officers who kill civilians should be protected under Marsy’s Law. The law is intended to protect the identities of crime victims. Supporters argue that officers involved in fatal shootings may face imminent threat of harm themselves. The case stems from two Tallahassee police officers who shot and killed suspects and want their names shielded.

New details emerged Thursday about the criminal case against 19-year-old Jalen Kitna. It originated with a tip to police in June – months before the football season started – about an internet account that police said they traced to Kitna.

Florida Gators backup quarterback Jalen James Kitna is facing five felony counts of possession and distribution of child pornography. Kitna, was arrested Wednesday at his off-campus apartment. He is accused of sharing two illegal images with other internet users over the Discord social media service.

Rep. Matt Gaetz and challenger Rebekah Jones argued over the best health care for service members and veterans in the military-heavy, deeply conservative 1st Congressional District in Florida's Panhandle during the campaign's only debate.

A small, historically Black city an hour east of Tallahassee is in the crosshairs of a controversial redistricting plan by Gov. Ron DeSantis. The plan would radically redraw the state’s 5th congressional district and could cost the Black Democrat who represents it his seat in Congress.

Kent Fuchs, the president of the University of Florida during the school’s ascension to a Top 5 ranked public university but whose leadership was questioned over his reluctance to challenge Gov. Ron DeSantis, said Wednesday he will step down.

A Florida university confirmed Friday it will not employ next semester a former Florida State University professor who took a job there teaching after he was found guilty of sexual misconduct with students. It also said it was exploring how to overhaul its hiring practices to avoid similar issues in the future.