Schools & Kids
Wednesday, June 17, 2026 · Lake County
UF Board of Trustees Names Stuart Bell as 14th President
The University of Florida Board of Trustees unanimously selected Dr. Stuart R. Bell as the university's 14th president. The Florida Board of Governors will vote on ratification June 25.
UCF Researcher Uses Cow Peptide to Crack Bacterial Defenses
A UCF researcher discovered how a cow-derived peptide breaks down bacterial biofilm defenses, potentially restoring the effectiveness of standard antibiotics against infections that resist treatment.
Wednesday, June 17, 2026
Montverde Academy Students Earn 99 AP Scholar Awards
Ninety-nine Montverde Academy students earned AP Scholar awards following spring exams, with 16 achieving the program's highest distinction as National AP Scholars.
Wednesday, June 17, 2026
South Sumter Middle School Students Build Fire Training Dollhouses for County Firefighters
South Sumter Middle School construction students built five training dollhouses for Sumter County Fire & EMS. Firefighters demonstrated fire behavior by burning one structure while students observed with thermal imaging cameras.
Wednesday, June 17, 2026
UF Eyes $500M Engineering Boom to Tackle Florida Tech Shortage
The University of Florida is pushing for $500 million in state funding to expand engineering facilities, aiming to supercharge STEM education amid Florida's booming tech sector. The proposal targets workforce gaps in high-demand fields like data science and advanced manufacturing. With Gainesville at the epicenter, UF's multibillion-dollar building spree could reshape the state's innovation landscape.
Wednesday, June 17, 2026
Florida Senate OKs Bill Capping Teacher Tenure at 4 Years
In a bold move to elevate classroom performance, the Florida Senate has passed legislation limiting teacher tenure to just four years while mandating merit-based evaluations. The measure, aimed at statewide public school gains, reignites a decade-old debate on accountability versus job security. Backed by GOP leaders, it heads to the House amid teacher union pushback.
Wednesday, June 17, 2026