2 - The Independent Florida Alligator

Springs Residential Complex on Jan. 5, 2024.

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT LIFE

In single-gender dorms, UF transgender students often feel out-of-place

By Sara-James Ranta | Jan. 22, 2024

With a prominent LGBTQ+ community at UF, including the UF Pride Student Union and the UF LGBTQ+ Alumni Association, gendered housing can be a difficult experience for many students on campus. Out of 26 residence halls on campus, UF only has one gender neutral housing option — the Lavender Living Learning Community, located in Springs Residential Complex, hopes to create a more inclusive and diverse housing experience.

THE AVENUE | FOOD

Playa Bowls hosts grand opening for first Gainesville location

By Tanya Fedak | Jan. 22, 2024

Playa Bowls is a national health food chain corporation specializing in acai bowls, smoothies, chia seed pudding and oat and juice products. Founded by Abby Taylor and Rob Giuliani in 2014, the brand has over 200 locations and operates in 22 states. Now at 1260 SW Fifth Ave., the location is the company’s first in north central Florida.

Florida redshirt freshman Matthew Kress swings his club during the Southeastern Conference Championships Thursday, April 20, 2023. / Photo by Leslie White

NEWS

Reigning NCAA champions Gators men’s golf set to start spring season

Jan. 22, 2024

The course was silent as Fred Biondi lined up his final shot, two putts away from the national title. With a deep breath, Biondi took the putt, rolling the ball slowly across the green, stopping inches from the hole. It was close enough. The hole was conceded. He was enveloped in a group hug as the team cried and celebrated. The Gators just won the 2023 national championship.

METRO

Gainesville residents, officials reflect on continuous housing crisis

By Kairi Lowery | Jan. 22, 2024

Dumas noticed large chain corporations like Walmart and Publix taking over isn’t the only change the city is facing; it’s also facing rising interest rates, causing an affordable housing crisis for potential homebuyers.

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT GOVERNMENT

UF Student Government reinstates laundry grant

By Annie Wang | Jan. 22, 2024

UF Student Government opened and announced applications for the reinstated Stay Fresh Laundry Grant Jan. 15. The grant will provide each person with about $30 for washing and drying, and applicants will be accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis until the available funds are depleted.

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT LIFE

‘It's just kind of odd eating in a tent’: UF students react to makeshift dining hall

By Zoey Thomas | Jan. 22, 2024

Students’ first impressions of the temporary dining hall included “eating in the trenches,” “an interesting experience” and “kind of cute” since its opening Jan. 6. The climate-controlled Norman Field structure will serve UF students while The Eatery at Broward Hall undergoes a full renovation.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Rabbit gets confiscated from UF fraternity brothers following Barstool video

By Emilia Cardenas-Perez | Jan. 21, 2024

An animal rescue organization confiscated a rabbit from two UF Kappa Sigma fraternity members for bringing it to a house party. A video posted by Barstool Florida on Instagram Jan. 14 led to Gainesville Rabbit Rescue taking the 1-year-old rabbit, Colby, from her foster parents.

Republican presidential candidate Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks during a Republican presidential primary debate hosted by NBC News, Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2023, at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County in Miami. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

ENTERPRISE | POLITICS

DeSantis suspends presidential campaign, endorses former President Donald Trump

By Rylan DiGiacomo-Rapp | Jan. 21, 2024

Faced with the upcoming 2024 Republican primary election, Gov. Ron DeSantis has suspended his presidential campaign. Former President Donald Trump and former Gov. Nikki Haley of South Carolina will compete head-to-head for the Republican nomination.

Sophomore Tanapatt Nirundorn (left) and freshman Adhithya Ganesan (right) celebrate after a point in the Gators men's tennis team's match against North Florida on Friday, January 19, 2024.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Gators men’s tennis goes 3-0 over weekend following win over SMU

By Chandler Hawkes | Jan. 21, 2024

The Gators men's tennis team defeated SMU, Sunday afternoon. The win clinched the team's third of the weekend.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Bradford woman arrested for leaving baby inside a car while at work

By Daniel Bednar | Jan. 21, 2024

A Bradford County woman was arrested in Gainesville Friday afternoon on suspicion of leaving her baby inside a car while going to work.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Man accused of stabbing roommate with steak knife in Gainesville apartment

By Daniel Bednar | Jan. 21, 2024

A Gainesville man was arrested Saturday after he allegedly stabbed his roommate twice with a steak knife.

Sophomore guard Riley Kugel rises up to dunk the ball in the Gators' 93-73 win against the Loyola Maryland Greyhounds on Monday, Nov. 6, 2023.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Second half surge lifts Gators past Tigers 79-67 in road SEC matchup

By Max Tucker | Jan. 20, 2024

The Florida Gators men’s basketball team (12-6, 2-3 SEC) defeated the Missouri Tigers (8-10, 0-5 SEC) 79-67 at the Mizzou Arena in Columbia, Missouri, Saturday night.

Florida freshman Qavia Lopez celebrates securing a point in the Gators women's tennis season opener against Baylor on Jan. 20, 2024.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Gators women’s tennis dominates in season opener

By Max Bernstein | Jan. 20, 2024

The No. 9 Gators women’s tennis team (1-0) headed into their opening match against Baylor University (0-1) Saturday afternoon with lofty expectations for the season ahead. But from the moment the racquet touched the ball in the day's first doubles matches, the Gators were firing on all cylinders to result in a 6-1 Florida victory.

Sophomore Tanapatt Nirundorn (right) and freshman Adhithya Ganesan (left) sealed a doubles point in the Gators men's tennis team's tiebreaker against UNF on Jan. 19, 2024.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Gators men’s tennis cruises in Friday doubleheader

By Chandler Hawkes | Jan. 19, 2024

The Gators men's tennis team opened their spring season at home with wins over The Citadel and North Florida.

Junior Leanne Wong performs her floor routine in the Gators gymnastics' Hype Night' on Monday, Dec. 4, 2023.

SPORTS | GYMNASTICS

Florida gymnastics dominates No. 12 Auburn in first SEC meet

By Alyssa Britton-Harr | Jan. 19, 2024

UF junior Leanne Wong kept the Gators afloat as they struggled in parts of their meet against Auburn. Wong clinched the leaderboard spot on both the uneven parallel bars and the floor exercise. On the bars, she earned the highest score of a 9.950 just ahead of two other Florida gymnasts.

Junior edge rusher Princely Umanmielen celebrates after a safety in the Gators' 24-15 loss to the Florida State Seminoles on Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

NCAA investigating Florida football program

By Bennett Solomon | Jan. 19, 2024

The Florida Gators football program is under NCAA investigation, according to the Tampa Bay Times.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

NCAA investigating Florida football program

By Bennett Solomon | Jan. 19, 2024

The Florida Gators football program is under NCAA investigation, according to the Tampa Bay Times.

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

GRU Authority delays decision on Government Services Contribution

By Henry DeAngelis | Jan. 18, 2024

In its Wednesday meeting, The Gainesville Regional Utilities Authority board voted to reduce payments it makes for unused city services, and to organize a joint meeting with the city commission to discuss alternatives to cutting GRU’s annual $15.3 million Government Services Contribution (GSC).

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Alachua man arrested on suspicion of animal cruelty after death of one pitbull

By Daniel Bednar | Jan. 18, 2024

An Alachua man was arrested Thursday on multiple counts of animal cruelty after officers discovered one dead and three extremely malnourished pitbulls in his home.

SPORTS | GYMNASTICS

Asian American gymnasts find sense of belonging through each other

By Jackson Reyes | Jan. 18, 2024

While Asian Americans represent just 2% of student-athletes in the NCAA, Gators gymnasts Morgan Hurd, Victoria Nguyen and Leanne Wong have continued to find ways to embrace their identities.

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