Latest news with #UniversityofFlorida
11 hours ago
- Entertainment
Former Florida student schemed to overturn his conviction in friend's 2012 murder
The murder of University of Florida freshman Christian Aguilar shocked the campus and his hometown of Miami in 2012. More than a decade later, the case took stunning new turns, authorities alleging an elaborate scheme orchestrated from behind prison walls by the man convicted of killing him. Pedro Bravo was serving a life sentence in a Florida prison after he was convicted of first-degree murder and six other counts in Aguilar's death in 2014. Aguilar had been dating Bravo's former girlfriend Erika Friman, who was also a high school friend of the two men. "I was the art kid, and I was cracking jokes... and now I'm in a place where there's hardened criminals, people that have done serious things, and to add to all that, they're also calling me my best friend's killer," Pedro Bravo told "20/20" in his only interview before his death in March 2025. A new "20/20" episode, "They Know Everything," airing Friday, June 20, at 9 p.m. ET on ABC and streaming the next day on Hulu, examines the case. You can also get more behind-the-scenes of each week's episode by listening to "20/20: The After Show" weekly series right on your "20/20" podcast feed on Mondays, hosted by "20/20" co-anchor Deborah Roberts. In May 2025, two people pleaded guilty for their roles in what prosecutors called a plot by Bravo to overturn his conviction. Kelcie Edwards pleaded guilty to fraud for providing false testimony, while Michael Angelo pleaded guilty to perjury for falsely recanting his original trial testimony. According to investigators, the supposed plot unraveled after they discovered that Edwards was connected to Bravo through a fellow inmate, Brandon Campbell, with whom Edwards had two children. Digging into Edwards' phone and financial records, investigators uncovered a cache of secret messages and Cash App transactions between Bravo and Edwards. "They know everything," Campbell said to Edwards in one of a series of recorded calls which helped investigators uncover Bravo's alleged scheme. Campbell was not charged in the case and authorities said he was fully cooperative in the investigation. Investigators said Edwards claimed to be an eyewitness who saw Aguilar walk away alive after a fight with Bravo in 2012. Once the connection between Edwards and Campbell was discovered, the rest of Bravo's plan came to light, according to authorities. "I'm shocked by the complexity of it and the depth of it," State Attorney Brian Kramer told "20/20." "The amount of subterfuge, lies and creation of false evidence, is beyond what we would ever see." Around the same time Edwards came forward, Angelo, who had testified at Bravo's original trial about an alleged jailhouse confession, recanted his testimony. He previously testified that Bravo revealed details about the murder that only the killer would know. The elaborate plot by Bravo was his final attempt at freedom in a decade-long saga that began as a missing persons case in September 2012. It was then that Aguilar vanished after a routine day on the University of Florida campus. Aguilar's disappearance was first reported by his girlfriend Erika Friman, and Bravo, his high school best friend. The connection between the three former classmates from Miami's Doral Academy Charter School would later prove crucial to understanding the crime. While Bravo claimed to be "OK" with Friman dating his best friend, his private journals told a different story. "Every time that we would ask him questions, it seemed the version would change a little bit," former Gainesville Police Detective Randy Roberts told "20/20" in reference to Bravo's evolving explanations of what happened the day Aguilar disappeared. For three weeks, hundreds of volunteers searched the dense woods and swamps around Gainesville for any sign of Aguilar. His father, Carlos Aguilar, told "20/20" he made a promise: "We're not leaving. We don't care if we lose the house. We don't care if we lose everything. Christian is missing, we are going to find Christian." Meanwhile, evidence began contradicting Bravo's story. Police found surveillance footage of him cleaning his vehicle at 1 a.m. at a local car wash, focusing particularly on the undercarriage. A receipt showed he had purchased a shovel and Gatorade from Lowes. The investigation took a turn when forensic analysis of Bravo's computer revealed disturbing searches including "Where can I bury a body?" and "How many sleeping pills will it take to kill someone?" In October 2012, hunters discovered Aguilar's body in a shallow grave in Levy County. Bravo was charged with first-degree murder and later convicted. It wasn't until over a decade later, in correspondence with Edwards about his scheme to overturn his conviction, that Bravo finally admitted to killing Aguilar, although his version of events differed from what prosecutors alleged. "He said that they fought and he left him there, like he'd said in trial, but this time he admitted that Christian passed away in his car. He panicked, and ultimately went out and buried him," prosecutor Tom Mullins told "20/20." "To my knowledge, other than the confession he made to Mr. Angelo, this was the first time he'd ever come close to actually confessing to that murder." On March 12, 2025, Bravo died by suicide at the Okeechobee Correctional Institution. His death came shortly before Edwards and Angelo pleaded guilty to their roles in Bravo's failed scheme. Angelo was sentenced to seven years in prison, while Edwards will serve five years' probation.
Yahoo
11 hours ago
- Science
- Yahoo
MOTE Marine Laboratory heads up seagrass initiative as other scientists call for water quality improvements
The Brief MOTE Marine Laboratory heads seagrass restoration technology development initiative. Funding comes from the Florida legislature after seagrass has declined across the state. Other scientists say more is needed, including storm and wastewater improvements. SARASOTA, Fla. - Seagrass plays a vital part in not only protecting Florida shorelines from erosion, but it also helps the underwater ecosystem thrive. In recent years, there has been a loss of seagrass across the state. The backstory Mote Marine Laboratory in Sarasota is trying to figure out how to stop this from happening. Seagrass is a breeding ground and protector for game fish. It's also a source of food for manatees and can help improve water quality. In areas across the state of Florida, seagrasses are disappearing. OTHER NEWS: Shark bite survivor's family, TGH doctors discuss 9-year-old's recovery: 'She's done a fantastic job' "We've seen stressors all across the state of Florida impacting our seagrass beds, which are so vital for our water quality, nursery grounds," said Kevin Claridge. Kevin Claridge is Mote Marine Laboratory's Vice President of Sponsored Research and Coastal Policy Program. He said Mote Marine Laboratory is working with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and the University of Florida in creating a 10-year Florida seagrass restoration plan. Big picture view "Specifically, the funding is looking at what those stressors are on those seagrass systems. Say it's nutrient change or acidification or less light or nutrient impacts," said Claridge. The Florida Legislature has approved $2 million dollars in funding to be awarded every year for 5 years for the Seagrass Restoration Technology Development Initiative. The hope is to find the most tolerant seagrasses that Mote Marine Laboratory and partners can grow for future restoration projects. "It's the first time ever really on an international scale. We are working with partners all over the world and what they are doing in planting technologies to understand that genetic makeup better, to help us understand which ones are growing faster," said Claridge. Sarasota Bay has seen big gains. In 2024, they witnessed a 19% increase in seagrass coverage. Dr. David Tomasko, the Director of the Sarasota Bay Estuary Program, said it happened after local governments worked on removing nutrients from the water. "None of that 2,000 acres came about by transplanting. It came about because the water quality improved because we spent $300 million improving water quality," he said. Tomako said while the science of growing seagrass is vital, additional funds allocated to wastewater upgrades and storm water retrofits should be considered. "We want both these things to happen. We want the science to move forward, but we also don't want elected officials in Tallahassee or Washington D.C. to take their eye off the ball, which is we can recover eco-system scale, but it will cost more than 10-20 million dollars," he said. He said without change, sea grass will continue to pay the price as Florida grows. "If you're not willing to, at the same time, devote enough resources for these big projects. Wastewater upgrades, storm water retrofits it doesn't understand how well you understand the seagrasses. They won't grow if the water quality is not good," said Tomasko. What's next Mote Marine Laboratory has completed a green house which will help them experiment on real world stressors to sea grass. They hope to identify seagrass types which are most resilient to outside changes. Scientists are also looking at genetic and genomic approaches to generate genetically resilient seagrass which could be natural reproduced in land-based nurseries. The Source: Information was gathered by FOX 13's Kimberly Kuizon from Mote Marine Laboratory and the Sarasota Bay Estuary Program. The Source FOX 13's Kimberly Kuizon gathered the information for this story. STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 13 TAMPA: Download the FOX Local app for your smart TV Download FOX Local mobile app: Apple | Android Download the FOX 13 News app for breaking news alerts, latest headlines Download the SkyTower Radar app Sign up for FOX 13's daily newsletter Follow FOX 13 on YouTube
Newsweek
a day ago
- Business
- Newsweek
S&P 500 Study Shows Dark Personality Trait Could Be Key to CEO Success
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. In the cutthroat world of corporate leadership, being strategically cunning may pay off—literally. Researchers at the University of Florida's Warrington College of Business recently published a study that found that CEOs that exhibit Machiavellian personality traits earn more. Machiavellianism is marked by manipulativeness, a drive to win at all costs and a focus on personal gain—all traits that help CEOs earn more, according to the research published in the Journal of Applied Psychology. A file photo of a man in a suit holding a handful of cash. A file photo of a man in a suit holding a handful of cash. Nature/Getty Images The study, led by management researcher professor Aaron Hill of the University of Florida, examined links between CEO personality traits and executive pay outcomes using a longitudinal sample of S&P 500 firms. Unlike traditional self-assessment surveys, the team enlisted trained clinical psychologists to analyze publicly available video recordings of top executives, identifying traits associated with Machiavellianism. "Broadly, we find that CEO Machiavellianism positively relates to their own pay, their severance pay and the pay of their C-Suite or top management team," said Hill. "Our findings suggest that in this way, CEOs higher in Machiavellianism may pay their top management team members more to set up their own pay raises." What is Machiavellianism? Machiavellianism is a psychological term that takes its name from Niccolò Machiavelli, a 16th-century Italian diplomat, philosopher and political theorist. His most famous work, The Prince, offered pragmatic, and often controversial, advice to rulers on how to maintain power. Machiavelli advocated for realism over idealism, famously suggesting that it is "better to be feared than loved." The trait is one part of what psychologists call the "Dark Triad" of personality traits, alongside narcissism and psychopathy. While Machiavellianism is often portrayed negatively, it isn't always; in some environments, especially competitive or high-stakes ones like corporate leadership or politics, a degree of Machiavellian thinking can be a positive. Researchers found that Machiavellian CEOs were significantly more likely to structure compensation, both for themselves and others, in ways that maximized personal gain. They often boosted the pay of their top teams, a move the researchers believe is used strategically to elevate their own salary benchmarks. Read more Map shows US states with the most psychopaths and other dark personalities Map shows US states with the most psychopaths and other dark personalities The pattern was clear: the more Machiavellian the CEO, the more successful they were at boosting their total compensation, including severance terms and bonuses. Higher management team members also tended to earn more when working under such CEOs. Hill said the findings highlight an important governance blind spot: the role of personality in executive pay decisions. He concluded: "Hopefully, as managers, we can acknowledge those and work to accentuate the positives and limit the potential downsides—in effect, take advantage of the positives and work to mitigate the negatives." Do you have a tip on a science story that Newsweek should be covering? Do you have a question about psychology? Let us know via science@ Reference Recendes, T., Hill, A. D., Aime, F., Ridge, J. W., & Petrenko, O. V. (2025). Chief executive officer (CEO) Machiavellianism and executive pay. Journal of Applied Psychology.
Time of India
a day ago
- Sport
- Time of India
Why Nebraska struggles to hold elite defensive backs in 2026 class
Why Nebraska struggles to hold elite defensive backs in 2026 class (Image Source: Cornerback CJ Bronaugh, a four-star recruit, decommitted on Tuesday evening, and it is a devastating blow to the Nebraska Cornhuskers football program because the staff of the new football coach, Matt Rhule, will have to go out of its way to land top-notch defensive talent. Bronaugh, who was the tenth-best cornerback in the Class of 2026 nationally, had committed to the Nebraska Cornhuskers in November 2024, after his first visit to Lincoln. The move by the Florida native to reopen his recruitment highlights the fact that Nebraska is having to fight to continue to recruit against the traditional powers and especially those in talent-heavy recruiting grounds such as Florida and the Southeast. Timeline reveals Nebraska Cornhuskers' recruiting missteps with CJ Bronaugh At first, it seemed like the Nebraska Cornhuskers were doing a good job by securing the commitment of CJ Bronaugh in November 2024, as they took advantage of an early offer to Bronaugh during his breakout junior year, in which he amassed six interceptions. But it turned sour when the national profile of Bronaugh rose due to his track and field accomplishments with victories in the Florida State championships in the 100-meter and 200-meter dash races. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Free P2,000 GCash eGift UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo Windermere High School standout also captured defensive back MVP honors at the Under Armour Next Camp in Orlando, and his recruitment has been broadened tremendously. Even though Bronaugh had committed to the Nebraska Cornhuskers, he planned official visits to several schools, such as the University of Florida, Florida State University and Pennsylvania State University. His weekend visit to Florida State University in Tallahassee was especially influential, and on Tuesday, he made a surprise mid-week trip back to the University of Florida. According to sources, he is now focused on these two in-state programs, indicating that Nebraska's geographical disadvantage was too much to overcome. Matt Rhule's Nebraska Cornhuskers face broader recruiting challenges beyond CJ Bronaugh's loss The loss of CJ Bronaugh is not just a personal recruiting setback to the Nebraska Cornhuskers, but it also accentuates the underlying issues in the program-building process spearheaded by Matt Rhule. This decommitment leaves Nebraska with only five commits in the 2026 recruiting class, and none of them are four-star recruits as ranked by the big recruiting services. The class is currently 67th in the country and 18th in the Big Ten Conference, which is an indication of how difficult a task Nebraska has in that regard, as it competes against traditional recruiting forces. To make it even worse, the Nebraska Cornhuskers have lost four-star running back DeZephen Walker to the University of Oklahoma, who pledged to the Sooners just a few days before his official visit to Lincoln. Such losses are in addition to the increased performance on the field in 2024 when Nebraska had its first bowl appearance since 2016 and won its first postseason game since 2015. Nebraska Cornhuskers are not out of hope yet as there are still targets on their radar, like Florida State University commit Tedarius Hughes, who will be at Lincoln this week as a possible flip candidate. Four-star prospects Danny Odem and Devin Jackson are also slated to visit this weekend, and it will be a chance to show off the recruiting abilities of the Matt Rhule staff. Also Read: College football star LaNorris Sellers ignores $8M transfer deal to stay at South Carolina The CJ Bronaugh decommitment is an ugly reminder that Nebraska has a long way to go before being a national power again because it must win its recruiting battles on a regular basis against historically and geographically advantaged teams. In his third season, Matt Rhule understands that recruiting high-quality talent such as Bronaugh is the key to achieving long-term success, and recruiting weekends in the future hold greater importance to the future of the program. Game On Season 1 kicks off with Sakshi Malik's inspiring story. Watch Episode 1 here
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Science
- Yahoo
Farmers discover innovative method to save millions of gallons of water: 'Farmers can irrigate their fields while sitting on a beach'
Nine watermelon farmers across 1,883 acres of North Florida's Suwannee Valley have collectively saved 165 million gallons of water thanks to automated irrigation systems. An assessment made by researchers from the University of Florida's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences has proved that a years-long campaign to educate regional farmers about the benefits of irrigation has paid off. "We're flirting with saving more than 696 million gallons of water each year if the farmers of all 8,000 acres of watermelon in the region adopt this technology," said Tyler Pittman, the UF/IFAS agriculture and natural resources agent who conducted the assessment. According to the United Nations, 70% of the world's freshwater is used for agriculture, and 40% of that has been wasted due to poor irrigation systems, evaporation, and insufficient water management. Efficiently managing irrigation is essential for commercial watermelon growers, and UF/IFAS recommends that short, frequent irrigation helps maximize water absorption while minimizing water and nutrient leaching. Not only has this information campaign helped reduce water waste for farmers, but it has also shortened their time in the field by around 1.7 hours, according to the report's data. Extreme weather, including severe droughts, is being driven by rising global temperatures. The resulting impacts on freshwater supplies are far and wide, with over 2.2 billion people across the globe lacking access to safely managed drinking water services, per the UN. By shifting to wireless automation equipment, farmers have been able to reduce irrigation run times by 1.4 hours per day, significantly cutting water waste. "Farmers can irrigate their fields while sitting on a beach on an island somewhere," Pittman said in the report. "All they need is an internet connection." Agricultural robots like the Roboton Farmer have also made an impact on the farming sector. This crop-tending bot uses AI to help it do a variety of tasks — including seeding, watering, and weeding — while using renewable solar power instead of dirty diesel fuel. Would you take a gardening class if it were free? Heck yes! If it fits into my schedule Maybe Probably not Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Watermelons are 92% water, as the Mayo Clinic observed, which means that efficient water management is key in their growth. They're also high in lycopene, which is an antioxidant linked to decreased risk of cancer and heart disease, making them part of a healthy diet. According to the UF/IFAS report, farmers have had financial help from assistance programs offered by the Office of Agricultural Water Policy and the Suwannee River Water Management District. Two-thirds of farmers surveyed stated that the support was key in making the upgrade to automation; more than half of the farmers received over $10,000 to help purchase the equipment. "If it wasn't for cost share, there's no way I would have thought about trying automation," said Garrett Beach, a local watermelon farmer. He shifted to automated irrigation for 600 acres of watermelon in 2023, and although he initially oversaw the operations manually, the technology won him over. "Now, I trust it, and I see its value," Beach added. "I won't farm without it from now on." Join our free newsletter for easy tips to save more and waste less, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
