2 - The Independent Florida Alligator

The Florida soccer team huddles pregame before its match with the Arkansas Razorbacks Thursday, Oct. 6, 2022.

SPORTS | SOCCER

Gators stay resilient despite season struggles

By Jose Tovar | Oct. 18, 2022

This season, the Gators have navigated through injuries, losses and a strict schedule as the program hopes to rebuild following one of the most forgettable seasons in school history. So far, Florida holds a 2-11-1 record with a 0-6-1 mark in Southeastern Conference play. Despite the unimpressive record, Bohon is confident the team is heading in the right direction.

Gainesville city commissioners vote to eliminate exclusionary zoning despite opposition from some residents and elected officials Monday, Oct. 17, 2022.

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

Gainesville becomes first Florida city to eliminate exclusionary zoning after narrow City Commission vote

By Mickenzie Hannon and Aidan Bush | Oct. 18, 2022

Commissioners David Arreola, Adrian Hayes-Santos, Reina Saco and Mayor Lauren Poe voted in favor of the three ordinances; Commissioners Harvey Ward, Cynthia Chestnut and Desmon Duncan-Walker dissented.

LSU wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. after a reception with UF cornerback Jason Marshall Jr. in coverage Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Florida defense falters on big stage against Tigers

By Jackson Castellano | Oct. 17, 2022

The Gators fell to LSU for the fourth-straight season, 45-35. Arizona State transfer Jayden Daniels lit up the UF defense to the tune of 349 yards through the air and a career-high six total touchdowns. The Tigers scored on their first six drives of the game.

Susan Percival, Food Science and Human Nutrition Department chair, smiles while the judges taste chili during the Chili Cook Off on Friday, Oct. 15, 2021. The fundraising event was a part of Food Week 2021.

NEWS | CAMPUS

UF Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences kicks off Food Week

By Alissa Gary | Oct. 17, 2022

The Food Science and Human Nutrition department of UF’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences is hosting its annual Food Week from Oct. 17 to Oct. 21. Each day will feature food-related demonstrations. The events take place in various campus locations, with some events overlapping throughout the day.

About 80 people hold candles and gather during a vigil on Sunday, Feb. 14, 2021 for those killed in the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting three years ago.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Marjory Stoneman Douglas alumni reflect on Parkland shooter’s sentencing

By Sophia Bailly | Oct. 17, 2022

Four years after a massacre at Marjory Stoneman Douglas high school, the shooter has been sentenced to life in prison. The alternative sentence was life in prison.

NEWS | CAMPUS UF ADMINISTRATION

Self-fulling prophecy or fair distribution?: Florida A&M University students claim funding discrimination lawsuit referencing UF

By Siena Duncan | Oct. 17, 2022

Underfunding is the center of why six FAMU students have filed a lawsuit Sept. 22 against the Florida Board of Governors, claiming the state has substantially deprived the HBCU of money for the past three decades.

Nine members of the UF wildlife ecology and conservation department’s Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Access Committee wrote a letter criticizing the guidelines and called upon the UF community to advocate for transgender healthcare access for children.

METRO | POLITICS

‘It’s hard to exist’: Transgender community grapples with ban on gender-affirming health care Medicaid coverage

By Melanie Pena | Oct. 17, 2022

Many transgender Floridians are being impacted by the Agency for Health Care Administration’s ban on gender-affirming care coverage, which went into effect Aug. 21. A motion for a preliminary injunction was heard and denied by a judge Oct. 12. The preliminary injunction would’ve temporarily blocked enforcement of the AHCA’s Medicaid policy during the trial.

OPINION | EDITORIALS

Sasse, state university system’s silence speak volumes

By the Editorial Board | Oct. 17, 2022

However, despite the three semesters of reporting from our hard-working staff, the announcement of Sen. Ben Sasse as the sole presidential finalist came as a shock to The Alligator.

NEWS | CAMPUS UF ADMINISTRATION

Some UF alumni threaten to pull donations, others praise university after Ben Sasse finalist decision

By Peyton Harris | Oct. 17, 2022

Following Sasse's contentious selection as UF's lone presidential finalist, many alumni have taken to social media to express their disappointment or support of the choice. Hundreds of alumni comments flooded UF's official finalist announcement on Twitter, with many expressing concern with the university's direction.

The front of West End Golf Club stands covered in overgrowth Friday, Oct. 14, 2022.

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

Environmental benefits keep discontinued golf course green in Alachua County Commission vote

By Aidan Bush | Oct. 17, 2022

The Alachua County Commission voted 4-1 to reject a proposal seeking to turn the now-defunct West End Golf Club into a residential area with a maximum of 70 units. Only Commissioner Raemi Eagle-Glenn voted in dissent.

A fear garden attendee prepares to enter the tent of terror, Gainesville’s latest spooky attraction the Fear Garden. Participants are asked to wear headphones and blackout goggles Friday, Oct. 14, 2022.

THE AVENUE | LIFESTYLE

Halloween psychology experiment Gainesville Fear Garden studies fright, fun despite challenges

By Lauren Brensel | Oct. 17, 2022

The Gainesville Fear Garden is a sensory deprivation Halloween experience set inside a tent at 220 NW Eighth Ave. The attraction opened Oct. 6 and runs until Halloween night.

OPINIONS

I protested Ben Sasse’s visit to UF. Here’s why you should join us for the next one

By Stephanie Deleon | Oct. 17, 2022

The protest that occurred at Emerson Hall was the first one I had ever attended, and it showed me how important it is for everyone to speak up for the things they believe in. I went into the protest believing we would all be able to speak to Ben Sasse directly, explaining to him why he is unfit for the job of UF president. But this wasn’t the case.

Sophomore defender Madison Young during Florida's match with Arkansas Thursday, Oct. 6, 2022.

SPORTS | SOCCER

Florida soccer draws at Kentucky, snaps eight-match losing streak

By Jose Tovar | Oct. 16, 2022

With the 1-1 draw, the Gators snapped an eight-match losing streak but extended their winless skid to nine. Florida has not won a match since Sept. 1, when it beat South Florida 2-1 at Donald R. Dizney Stadium.

Freshman setter Alexis Stucky sets up middle blocker Gabrielle Essix during Florida's match with LSU Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

No.13 Florida finishes trip to Starkville with another sweep against Mississippi State

By Brandon Hernandez | Oct. 16, 2022

No.13 Florida swept the Mississippi State Bulldogs in three sets (25-19, 25-19, 25-22) for the second time this weekend Saturday.

Wide receiver Demarcus Robinson caught 15 passes for 216 yards and two touchdowns during Florida's 36-30 triple-overtime win over the Kentucky Wildcats Saturday, Sept. 13, 2014.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Reconnecting with Demarcus Robinson

By Michael Hull | Oct. 16, 2022

AlligatorSports enterprise reporter Michael Hull spoke with former Gator and current Baltimore Raven Demarcus Robinson about his time at UF, winning a Super Bowl in Kansas City, “The Route” and more.

Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson during the second half of the Gators' 45-35 loss to the LSU Tigers Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022. He broke off an 81-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter, but his team's comeback hopes fell short.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Gators geaux down, again: Tigers’ offense shreds Florida

By Topher Adams | Oct. 15, 2022

The Florida Gators fell at home to the Louisiana State Tigers 45-35 after a late fourth quarter surge. The Gators dropped their fourth straight to the Tigers. LSU racked up a staggering 528 yards of offense and scored touchdowns on each of its first six drives of the game.

Attendees at an ecumenial vigil for peace in Ukraine offer prayers around the cross at Chapel of the Incarnation Friday, Oct. 14, 2022.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Ukrainian Student Association holds peace vigil after prolonged conflict overseas

By Anushka Dakshit | Oct. 15, 2022

The Ukrainian Student Association brought the local Ukrainian community together Friday through a vigil for peace in the prolonged Russo-Ukrainian War. The vigil was held at the Chapel of Incarnation, located at 1522 W. University Ave.

Visitors study boards detailing the history of Alachua County plantations and enslaved families Friday, Oct. 15, 2022.

METRO

Cotton Club Museum and Cultural Center hosts panel on enslaved Africans in Alachua County

By Rylan DiGiacomo-Rapp | Oct. 15, 2022

The Cotton Club Museum and Cultural Center hosted “In the Shadows of Plantations: Enslaved Africans in Alachua County'' Oct. 14 to honor the research of Hilliard-Nunn, one of the pioneers of UF’s African American Studies department.

Hannah Rone, 18, a senior at Newberry High School, waves to a crowd of people in the homecoming precession Friday, Oct. 14, 2022.

METRO | K-12 EDUCATION

Newberry High School Homecoming parade returns for for first time since COVID-19 pandemic

By Sophia Bailly | Oct. 15, 2022

Newberry High Schools' sports teams, Homecoming court and other school organizations drove across the city of Newberry in trucks and cars to celebrate the first Homecoming parade since 2019. The parade kicked off at 3 p.m. Oct. 14.

UF senior outside hitter Marina Markova rises above the net for a spike against the LSU Tigers Sunday, Oct. 9, 2022.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

No.13 Florida extends winning streak to four with sweep of Mississippi State

By Brandon Hernandez | Oct. 15, 2022

No.13 Florida sweeped the Mississippi State Bulldogs in three sets (25-18, 25-22, 25-19) Friday. Florida extended its overall record against the Bulldogs to 54-1, while staying undefeated in 27 trips to Starkville, Mississippi.