2 - The Independent Florida Alligator

OPINION | COLUMNS

Campus speech matters: The First Amendment and student organizations

By Lyrissa Lidsky | Oct. 30, 2023

Florida’s Chancellor of the State University System, Ray Rodrigues, issued a memorandum directing state university system presidents to “deactivate” the registration of National Students for Justice in Palestine. UF President Ben Sasse complied. These actions raise an important First Amendment issue worthy of further exploration.

Sophia Vernon (left) and Caroline Hartley (right) pose for a selfie at the High Dive on Thursday, June 6, 2023.

THE AVENUE | MUSIC

The Taylor Swift Society celebrated “1989 (Taylor’s Version)” release

By Molly Seghi | Oct. 29, 2023

The Taylor Swift Society presented the first university-wide live streaming of Swift’s new album on the night of Oct. 26 through the morning of Oct. 27. Over 50 people lounged together on picnic blankets at the Ben Hill Griffin Stadium Champions Club Patio in anticipation for the “1989 (Taylor’s Version)” listening party.

Two Gators volleyball players attempt to block the ball in Florida's 3-0 loss to the Arkansas Razorbacks on Sunday, Oct. 29, 2023.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

No. 10 Arkansas takes down No. 19 Gators in a three-set sweep

By Alyssa Britton-Harr | Oct. 29, 2023

The No. 19 Florida Gators (14-5, 6-4 SEC) were swept by the No. 10 Arkansas Razorbacks (20-3, 10-1 SEC) 3-0 Sunday afternoon in the Stephen C. O’Connell Center.

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

Gainesville City Commission passed open-container ordinance to revert back to pre-pandemic wording

By Kat Tran | Oct. 29, 2023

In a 4-3 vote Thursday, the City Commission decided to officially ban the public consumption and possession of alcohol and create an entertainment district — designated spaces for public drinking in Downtown Gainesville and Grove Street.

Senior wide receiver Ricky Pearsall catches the ball in the Gators' loss to the Georgia Bulldogs in Jacksonville, Florida, on Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Swamped: Bulldogs pummel Gators in Florida-Georgia rivalry

By Luke Adragna | Oct. 28, 2023

The Florida Gators (5-3, 3-2 SEC) lost to the Georgia Bulldogs (7-0, 5-0 SEC) 43-20 Saturday at EverBank Stadium. Georgia’s defense earned four sacks and three turnovers against Florida’s offense, which struggled despite an optimistic first drive.

Punter Jeremy Crawshaw warms up before the Gators' game against the Georgia Bulldogs on Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Florida vs No. 1 Georgia: Live Updates

By Jackson Reyes | Oct. 28, 2023

Follow along here for live updates from the Gators rivalry matchup with the Bulldogs

Redshirt senior Allison Wilson points to the sky after she finished first for the Florida Gators in the Mountain Dew Invitational at Mark Bostick Golf Course Friday, Sept. 15, 2023.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS CROSS COUNTRY

Women’s cross country wins first SEC title since 2012; men finish 7th

By Isabella Morales | Oct. 28, 2023

The Florida Gators women’s cross country team was united as ever Friday morning in Columbia, South Carolina. Not just by their matching nail sets and Gators face stickers, but also by the program’s first SEC Championship title since 2012.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Gainesville Zaxby’s worker robbed the restaurant he worked at

By Jordan Ramos | Oct. 27, 2023

A Gainesville Zaxby’s worker robbed the store he worked at Oct. 21 and was arrested Thursday.

Graduate student outside hitter Anna Dixon hits the ball in the Gators' 3-2 loss against the Wisconsin Badgers Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

Graduate student middle blocker Anna Dixon suffers season-ending injury

By Krisha Sanghavi | Oct. 27, 2023

Florida graduate student middle blocker Anna Dixon announced a season-ending elbow and wrist injury Thursday evening via Instagram.

Running back Montrell Johnson Jr. runs the ball against a Georgia defender in the Gators' 42-20 loss to the Georgia Bulldogs on Saturday, Oct. 29, 2023.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Florida renews its rivalry with Georgia Saturday in Jacksonville

By Jackson Reyes | Oct. 27, 2023

The Gators (5-2, 3-1 SEC) still control their destiny in the SEC East but will face their biggest test all season against the reigning back-to-back national champion Bulldogs (7-0, 4-0 SEC). Florida is riding a two-game winning streak into the matchup.

Gators safety Tre'Vez Johnson dives to make a tackle against a Georgia player in Florida's 42-20 loss to the Georgia Bulldogs on Saturday, Oct. 29, 2023.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Know Your Enemy: Georgia Bulldogs

By Jackson Reyes | Oct. 27, 2023

I sat down with Owen Warden, the assistant sports editor at the Red & Black, the independent student newspaper at the University of Georgia, to break down the matchup and learn more about the Bulldogs this season.

A photo of thrifted fashion business Grey Metal.

THE AVENUE | FASHION

Gainesville resident revives the past: transforms his love for vintage fashion into successful clothing business

By Alexandra Burns | Oct. 27, 2023

Since starting the thrifted fashion business Grey Metal in his home a year ago, Vences has established a personalized style and sold over 350 pieces.

Prayer-goers wrap their arms around each other’s shoulders to start dancing in Turlington Plaza Thursday, Oct. 26, 2023.

NEWS | CAMPUS

UF Jewish community gathers for prayer service Thursday

By Alissa Gary and Ella Thompson | Oct. 26, 2023

In light of the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas, about 40 students and community members gathered in Turlington Plaza to pray for the Israeli Defense Force and to celebrate their Jewish heritage around noon Thursday.

A Florida player kicks the ball down the field in the Gators' 0-0 draw with South Carolina October 26, 2023.

SPORTS | SOCCER

Gators soccer settles for draw against South Carolina in season finale

By Hailey Hurst | Oct. 26, 2023

The Florida Gators (6-5-5, 2-5-3 SEC) drew against South Carolina (11-1-5, 5-1-4 SEC) 0-0 Thursday evening at Donald R. Dizney Stadium. The Gators finished with eight shots but failed to find the breakthrough goal.

UF students and Gainesville community members gathered Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2023 for a walkout and vigil.

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT LIFE

Gainesville pro-Palestinian groups lead march through UF campus

By Zoey Thomas | Oct. 25, 2023

A day after Gov. Ron DeSantis ordered Florida universities to deactivate pro-Palestinian student groups, a crowd of over 250 people rallied on UF’s campus with Palestinian flags draped over their shoulders and drawn onto cardboard signs.

Senior outside hitter AC Fitzpatrick hits the ball in the Gators' 3-0 loss against the Auburn Tigers on Friday, Oct. 6, 2023.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

Florida volleyball sweeps Ole Miss in see-saw battle

By Krisha Sanghavi | Oct. 25, 2023

The No. 19 Florida Gators (13-4, 5-3 SEC) defeated the Ole Miss Rebels (8-13, 2-8 SEC) 3-0 in Oxford, Mississippi, Wednesday evening.

Florida junior Maisie Filler puts the ball in the VyStar Credit Union Gators Invitational Sunday, March 5, 2023.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS GOLF

Gators crowned champions after impressive performance at The Ally

By Max Tucker | Oct. 25, 2023

The Gators teed off Monday at Old Waverly Club in West Point, Mississippi. UF came out victorious in the 12-team tournament. Senior Maisie Filler won back-to-back tournaments as the Gators claimed their third tournament victory of the season.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Alleged Gainesville Crips member arrested Monday after shooting at a coworker

By Jordan Ramos | Oct. 25, 2023

Police arrested a Gainesville man Tuesday after he allegedly committed a drive-by shooting against one of his coworkers over a dispute about him being in the Crips gang, according to a police report.

Redshirt senior linebacker Teradja Mitchell makes a tackle in the Gators’ 38-14 win against the Vanderbilt Commodores on Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Gators tighten up for Georgia during bye week

By Krisha Sanghavi | Oct. 25, 2023

The Florida Gators caught a breather in their schedule last weekend, but there was no rest in sight. With a well-timed bye week, UF head football coach Billy Napier took the time to gear up for UF’s annual rivalry match against the No.1 Georgia Bulldogs.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Friends turned foes: DeSantis remains Trump’s biggest competitor for the GOP nomination

By Max Rappoport | Oct. 25, 2023

Trump and DeSantis are no strangers. When DeSantis first emerged onto the political scene, Trump gave DeSantis an impactful endorsement that Trump claims propelled DeSantis to the top of Florida’s 2016 race for governor.

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