2 - The Independent Florida Alligator

OPINION | COLUMNS

One of Florida’s quietest races could be the most important

By Lucas Sprung | Sep. 26, 2024

Florida is a busy state this election cycle. Our state has many decisions to make with presidential front-runner Donald Trump being a Florida resident and all eyes on ballot initiatives. But one race that has flown under the national radar could be the most important of all. The U.S. Senate race between incumbent Sen. Rick Scott and former Congresswoman Debbie Murcasel-Powell is not just another race. It’s a battle that could shape the future of Florida politics. Multiple polls show this race to be extremely close, but I believe that this race will be a blowout with Scott coming out victorious.

On Sept. 16, 2024, the city of Gainesville initiated new downtown parking rates.

METRO | ALACHUA COUNTY

Downtown Gainesville’s new parking rates: How’s it going?

By Kairi Lowery | Sep. 26, 2024

As of Sept. 16, changes to downtown Gainesville parking are being enforced. The changes have sparked controversy among business owners and citizens alike.

Freshman forward Lena Bailey passes the ball in the Gators' 1-0 victory against the Maryland Terrapins Sunday, Aug. 20, 2023.

SPORTS | FEATURES

Lena Bailey’s journey from six high school sports holds “special place in heart”

By Amanda Roman | Sep. 26, 2024

Drawing on her experience from six varsity sports in high school, sophomore forward Lena Bailey’s diverse athletic background provides versatility and drives success for the Florida Gators soccer team.

Junior guard Walter Clayton Jr. drives in for a layup in Florida’s 79-70 win against Mississippi State on Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024.

SPORTS | BASKETBALL

Three takeaways from Florida men’s basketball’s first open practice

By Luke Adragna | Sep. 25, 2024

Senior guard Alijah Martin casually strutted into the Hugh Hathcock Basketball Complex to speak to the media ahead of his first official practice.

METRO | ALACHUA COUNTY

Live updates: Everything you need to know about Hurricane Helene

By Alligator Staff report | Sep. 25, 2024

The hurricane is expected to make landfall Thursday afternoon on the Gulf Coast of Florida.

UF associate head coach Anthony Nesty (right) watches during Florida’s dual-meet sweep against Tennessee on Feb. 1 in the O’Connell Center. Nesty said the Gators need to excel in relays to win the SEC championship.

SPORTS | BLOGS

Florida’s season-opening swim and dive meet canceled due to Hurricane Helene

By Jackson Colding | Sep. 25, 2024

Florida will open its conference slate at home against a top-25 team in Alabama.

NEWS | CAMPUS

UF will close Thursday and Friday ahead of hurricane

By Timothy Wang | Sep. 25, 2024

UF will close Thursday and reopen Friday due to Hurricane Helene, according to a UF news release. All academic and student-related activities, including online classes and exams, will be canceled on Thursday.

Florida senior Taylor Baksay competes during a Sept. 23 game against Vanderbilt.

SPORTS | BLOGS

Florida’s home match against Tennessee canceled due to Hurricane Helene

By Amanda Roman | Sep. 25, 2024

Florida’s first home SEC match of the season against Tennessee, previously scheduled for Thursday at 7 p.m., has been postponed.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Santa Fe College will close Thursday and Friday ahead of storm

By Timothy Wang | Sep. 25, 2024

Helene is expected to bring strong tropical storm and hurricane-force winds as well as heavy rain and the possibility of tornadoes, according to a Wednesday Santa Fe news release.

METRO | ALACHUA COUNTY

Alachua County Public Schools closed for Hurricane Helene

By Sara-James Ranta | Sep. 25, 2024

The district will assess storm damage after Helene has passed and notify families over the weekend if there will be any impact on the reopening of schools on Monday, ACPS Communications Director Jackie Johnson wrote in an email.

Gainesville High School students leaving at dismissal on Sept. 13, 2024.

METRO | ALACHUA COUNTY

Gainesville parents and students react to new public school locked door policy

By Sara-James Ranta | Sep. 25, 2024

The policy took effect July 1 and aims to enhance school security, but it sparked concern among students and parents about accessibility during emergencies as the school year is in full swing.

Storms brew on the horizon as hurricane season approaches—are you prepared?

METRO | ALACHUA COUNTY

Hurtling into hurricane season, Gainesville is slow to brace for impact

By Natalie Kaufman | Sep. 25, 2024

Florida is just halfway through the 2024 storm cycle, and peak season still lies ahead. While Gainesville is sheltered inland, residents still have to deal with increased pests and rising costs of disaster coverage.

The Gainesville County Commission election is approaching, those running shared a little bit about who they are outside the office.

METRO | ALACHUA COUNTY

Alachua County Commission declares local emergency anticipating Tropical Storm Helene

By Sofia Meyers | Sep. 24, 2024

According to Jen Grice, director of emergency management for Alachua County, rainfall is anticipated to begin Wednesday night, and the county is expected to receive four to six inches of rain by Friday night.

UF’s ranking compared to other colleges has fluctuated over time- from WSJ’s #1 that's now #34, the #4 from Forbes or the #6 from US News.

NEWS | CAMPUS

College rankings explained: Why UF lands where it does

By Delia Rose Sauer | Sep. 24, 2024

UF’s fall from the No. 1 public university to No. 34 in the Wall Street Journal’s most recent listing shocked students and alumni.

Students wait in line under the new #1 Public University banner outside of Emerson Alumni Hall on Friday, Sept. 15, 2023.

NEWS

UF drops to No. 7 public university in U.S. News & World Report rankings

By Delia Rose Sauer | Sep. 24, 2024

UF dropped to No. 7 among the nation’s public universities, according to the latest rankings from U.S. News & World Report. In 2024, UF ranked No. 6 among public universities.

Florida is undergoing its first wave of post-tenure review across the State University System.

NEWS | CAMPUS

The first wave of Florida’s post-tenure review results are here

By Annie Wang | Sep. 24, 2024

The Florida Board of Governors applauded the first cycle of post-tenure review for its productivity and success. According to the board’s Sept. 18 meeting, 91% of reviewed faculty met or exceeded expectations, and 9% of faculty did not meet expectations or were unsatisfactory.

Florida Gators women's golf coach Emily Glaser on Monday, February 22, 2021 at the Mark Bostick Golf Course in Gainesville, FL. Photo courtesy of the UAA.

SPORTS | BLOGS

Florida women’s golf places fourth at Mary Fossum Invitational

By Aiden Wacksman | Sep. 23, 2024

The Florida women’s golf team used a strong opening round to fuel a second straight top-five tournament finish.

Florida head coach Todd Golden watches his team in practice at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee Wednesday, March 8, 2023.

SPORTS | BASKETBALL

Florida men’s basketball announces staff promotions ahead of 2024 season

By Luke Adragna | Sep. 23, 2024

The Florida men’s basketball team announced staff promotions Monday afternoon. Three staffers will take on new positions in the upcoming 2024-25 season.

Florida Gators Football Head Coach Billy Napier watches his team practice ahead of their game against Mississippi State in Starkville, Mississippi, on Sept. 21, 2024.

NEWS

Questions still loom following Gators win in Starkville

By Chandler Hawkes | Sep. 23, 2024

Despite a strong offensive performance against Mississippi State, questions still loom surrounding the Gators' defense.

Former Gator basketball player Patric Young participates in Gator Walk during Championship Reunion Weekend on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024.

SPORTS | FEATURES

Joyful purpose: Patric Young’s inspirational legacy lives on at 629 Open

By Max Tucker | Sep. 23, 2024

Patric Young hasn’t let the hardships get the best of him throughout his life. In fact, he’s thrived in moments of adversity to create a heartwarming organization better known as the Patric Young Foundation. The two-time All-SEC honoree and 1,000-career point scorer, who reached three Elite Eights and a Final Four with the Florida men’s basketball team, appreciates life today more than ever, he said.

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