Gainesville currently has an ordinance that prohibits panhandling, but it is not enforceable due to free speech. The laws might change soon after a panhandler was struck and killed in April. Gainesville city commissioners have said the new ordinance won’t incriminate panhandlers but intends rather to limit where the activity is allowed in order to keep them safe and avoid another fatal accident. Some Gainesville residents, like William Irmen, a 54-year-old homeless man, rely on panhandling in these spots for consistent income.
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Byron Donalds holds town hall at UF
Oct. 1Representative and gubernatorial candidate Byron Donalds held a town hall style meeting Wednesday as a part of his Defending the Florida Dream Tour. The event featured representative Kat Cammack and 135 audience members. The entire event was live streamed on Donalds's campaign website as audience members asked questions of the republican candidate.
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Sep. 27ESPN's SEC Nation pre-game show came to Gainesville on Saturday as the Gators hosted No. 4 Ole Miss in The Swamp. It is the first time the show has come to Gainesville this season following one visit last year when Florida hosted and beat No. 9 Texas, 29-21.
