2 - The Independent Florida Alligator

THE AVENUE | MOVIES AND TV

Rate and Review: ‘Past Lives’ is fresh take on love and destiny

By Jackson Reyes | July 10, 2023

Celine Song dazzles in her directorial debut, “Past Lives.” The movie made its premiere at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival Jan. 21. It expanded to a nationwide release June 30. Song masterfully tells a story about two childhood friends who reconnect periodically as they move through different chapters of their lives.

Author Richard Gartee discusses his book "The Hippodrome Theatre First 50 Years" at the Matheson History Museum on Saturday, July 8, 2023.

THE AVENUE | ART AND THEATER

Actors, patrons and subscribers celebrate 50 years of Hippodrome memories

By Aubrey Bocalan | July 10, 2023

Author Richard Gartee talked to about 100 people about the Hippodrome Theatre’s impact on the community during a July 8 Matheson History Museum event. In his talk, he presented his latest book, “The Hippodrome Theatre First 50 Years.”

METRO | K-12 EDUCATION

“Don’t Say Period”: law restricting K-12 reproductive and sexual health instruction takes effect

By Amanda Friedman | July 10, 2023

Roughly a month before schools go back in session, a new law restricting K-12 sexual and health education looms over the heads of school staff, students and parents.

Florida quarterback Jalen Kitna runs the ball against the Florida State Seminoles Friday, Nov. 25, 2022. Kitna is indefinitely suspended from the Gators football team after being arrested on child pornography charges.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Jalen Kitna charges dropped, Alachua County residents weigh in

By Gabriel Velasquez Neira | July 10, 2023

Former Florida Gators quarterback Jalen Kitna’s student enrollment remains uncertain days after taking a plea deal for his initial arrest for suspicion of child pornography possession.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks at a political roundtable, Friday, May 19, 2023, in Bedford, N.H. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)

NEWS | CAMPUS UF ADMINISTRATION

DeSantis challenges federal college accreditation rules

By Nicole Beltran | July 10, 2023

Gov. Ron DeSantis and his administration sued the U.S. Department of Education and top federal officials June 21 for delaying Florida universities from switching accreditors, which are agencies ensuring higher education institutions.

After years of hard work and engineering obstacles, the Solar Gators revealed their newest solar-powered car at UF’s New Engineering Building Thursday. The car is set to compete at the Formula Sun Grand Prix at Topeka, Kansas, throughout the week. 
Designed and assembled completely by UF students, the “Sunrider” can reach speeds up to 50 mph, and a single battery pack can power it through 200 miles. 
The week-long competition consists of four days of scrutineering, where experts test and inspect every piece of the vehicle, followed by three days of racing. It’s a race of endurance where previous winners reached 700 miles through multiple battery packs. The team will compete against 14 other groups from across the United States and Canada. Irene Chung, president-elect of Solar Gators, said winning this competition will qualify them for larger competitions such as the American Solar Challenge. However, more hurdles await them at the racetrack, she said. 
“As you start driving,” she said, “you start seeing things that you’ve never seen before, and you’ve got to debug and problem solve on the fly.”

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT LIFE

UF Solar Gators win Electrek Formula Sun Grand Prix

By Sally Brown | July 10, 2023

Powered by the sun and innovation, the UF Solar Gators took home a first-place trophy from the Electrek Formula Sun Grand Prix for the first time.

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT GOVERNMENT

Student body president vetoes bills, former Communist Party leader files case

By Vivienne Serret | July 10, 2023

Student Body President Olivia Green reviewed 18 bills, approving 14 and vetoing four due to issues with legality, separation of powers or grammar.

METRO | K-12 EDUCATION

Gainesville camps provide a fun-filled summer for children

By Emma Parker | July 10, 2023

As parents search for a way to entertain their children during the summer break, community organizations and businesses are opening their doors and curating various programs that allow kids to socialize and learn a new talent while out of school.

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT GOVERNMENT

Summer B kicks off SG hearings for funding

By Vivienne Serret | July 10, 2023

The Budget and Appropriations Committee of the Senate holds hearings for each of the Big Five entities in the Summer to ensure funding continues to be spent in the best interest of the students.

Florida starting pitcher Brandon Sproat delivers a pitch during the Gators' 5-4 loss to Texas Tech Saturday, June 3, 2023.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Mets select Brandon Sproat with No. 56 pick in 2023 MLB Draft

By Luke Adragna | July 9, 2023

Gators junior pitcher Brandon Sproat gave up a pro contract to return to Florida for one final season. One year later, Sproats' name was called once more on draft night.

Florida starting pitcher Hurston Waldrep delivers a pitch during the Gators' 4-0 win against South Carolina Saturday, June 10, 2023.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Hurston Waldrep selected 24th overall by Atlanta Braves

By Luke Adragna | July 9, 2023

Florida junior right-handed pitcher Hurston Waldrep was selected No. 24 by Atlanta Braves in the 2023 MLB Draft

Florida junior outfielder Wyatt Langford rounds the bases during the Gators' 6-0 win against Texas Tech Monday, June 5, 2023.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Texas Rangers select Wyatt Langford with No. 4 pick in 2023 MLB draft

By Luke Adragna | July 9, 2023

The Texas Rangers selected Gators outfielder Wyatt Langford with the fourth pick in the 2023 MLB draft.

Florida redshirt freshman quarterback Jalen Kitna saw his first action as a Gator Sunday, Oct. 2, 2022. He completed eight passes for 152 yards and a touchdown against Eastern Washington.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Former UF quarterback’s child pornography charges dropped after settlement

By Gabriel Velasquez Neira | July 6, 2023

Former Florida Gators quarterback Jalen Kitna now faces a lighter sentence after child pornography charges were dropped in court July 5.

Joey Alfonso, 24, is seen at the UF Bat Houses in his bat suit on Monday, May 29, 2023.

THE AVENUE | LIFESTYLE

Gainesville residents bring superheroes to life

By Gracey Davis | July 6, 2023

What started as a simple walk down Newberry Road in a Batman suit for a 24-year-old Gainesville resident has turned into an opportunity to share joy with the local community. Joey Alfonso has spent the past four months sporting his Batman cosplay in Gainesville and neighboring cities, sharing positivity associated with the character he loves.

The front entrance of Southwest Recreation Center.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

UF intramural sports offer competition and relaxation for students

By Bennett Solomon | July 3, 2023

Intramural sports are offered for students to participate in competition during the heart of the semester. Summer B offers sports such as sand volleyball, basketball, indoor soccer and spike ball for anyone taking classes at UF.

Florida fans line up outside of Ben Hill Griffin Stadium for Gator Walk Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022. The game welcomed the largest season-opener crowd in UF history as 90,799 fans filled the stands.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Everything to know for your first Florida football game day

By Krisha Sanghavi | July 3, 2023

Florida game days are a memorable experience, but it's important to stay prepared. Here's a guide for your first game day in the Swamp.

Florida senior Brandon Sproat squats on the mound during Florida’s 5-4 loss to Texas Tech Saturday, June 3, 2023.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Florida baseball remains optimistic after College World Series loss

By Luke Adragna | July 3, 2023

The LSU Tigers defeated the Florida Gators 18-4 in the College World Series finale June 26. The Gators talent-filled roster fell just short when they met arguably the most able lineup in the nation.

Florida graduate student right-handed pitcher Elizabeth Hightower pitches during the Gators' 13-4 victory against the Georgia Bulldogs Friday, April 14, 2023.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Elizabeth Hightower continues softball journey as a pro

By Alyssa Britton-Harr | July 3, 2023

Florida pitcher Elizabeth Hightower signed with Athletes Unlimited to play professional softball June 2. She also chose to take on a coaching role as a graduate assistant at Florida Atlantic University.

THE AVENUE | LIFESTYLE

Weekend in the Swamp: An itinerary for new and returning gators

By Valentina Sarmiento | July 3, 2023

Students coming to the swamp for Summer B classes are preparing for the course load that awaits them. To avoid getting bogged down, the Avenue created a weekend itinerary for students looking to balance academics with back-to-school fun.

METRO | POLITICS

A roadmap to activism and political involvement for UF students

By Amanda Friedman | July 3, 2023

From city-level government positions to partisan political advocacy organizations to non-partisanship coalitions, there are limitless ways for UF students to dive into political activism and support their local community following the 2023 legislative session.

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