Florida
University of Florida Drops All DEI Positions
The University of Florida has shut down its diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts, an administrative memo revealed on Friday, in response to new state restrictions on the use of funding. The memo says the school closed the Office of the Chief Diversity Officer, “eliminated DEI positions and administrative appointments, and halted DEI-focused contracts with outside vendors,” ABC News reports. The move eliminated about a dozen full-time positions, per Politico. “DEI is toxic and has no place in our public universities,” Gov. Ron DeSantis, who has led the move against DEI efforts, posted on X. “I’m glad that Florida was the first state to eliminate DEI and I hope more states follow suit.”
Three senior university officials said in the memo that the school nevertheless will carry on with “our commitment to universal human dignity.” The steps against DEI have been overseen by Ben Sasse, the former Republican US senator whose appointment elicited opposition. US Rep. Steven Horsford, chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus, took issue with DeSantis’ comment, saying “intolerance is toxic,” per NBC News. A state legislator called the firings “the most recent manifestation of the policies of an out of touch legislature, and a Governor’s failed Presidential bid,” per the Gainesville Sun. “We can’t call ourselves the ‘free State of Florida’ when children aren’t free to learn the truth of their history, and see the diversity of humanity,” Democratic Rep. Dianne Hart said. Every public college and university in Florida will be affected by the new law, per the AP. (More Florida stories.)
FORT MYERS, Fla. – An injured manatee and her calf are recovering after authorities on a boat rescued them from the Orange River near Fort Myers on Thursday.
What we know:
The Lee County Sheriff’s Office said its Marine Unit, Advanced Technology Support Unit, drone pilots and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission helped in saving the pair after the mother was found hurt in the water and in need of medical attention.
READ: Missing Florida man found stuck in mud without food or water for days: PFD
Video shows authorities pulling the frantic manatees safely onto the boat in netting before taking them to shore.
Courtesy: Lee County Sheriff’s Office
Both animals will be taken to ZooTampa for evaluation and medical care.
What we don’t know:
LCSO did not say the extent of the mother’s injuries.
By the numbers:
As of Feb. 20, there have been 85 manatee deaths across Florida in 2026, according to the FWC. Last year reportedly saw a total of 632 manatee deaths.
Dig deeper:
Earlier this month, the FWC began investigating a spike in manatee deaths, specifically in Lee County, where officials say 25 were found dead within a week.
READ: FWC investigating spike in manatee deaths over the past week
The FWC believes these manatee deaths could be from several factors: cold stress, a lack of seagrass and polluted waterways.
The Source: Information for this story was provided by the Lee County Sheriff’s Office and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
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