2 - The Independent Florida Alligator

COVID 19 | UF

COVID-19 Update: As Florida cases spike, UF cases remained steady and low

By Alexandra Harris | July 14, 2021

Even as COVID-19 cases surged across Florida, UF’s low case numbers held unwaveringly. Although Florida accounts for about 7% of the U.S. population, it contributed almost 20% of COVID-19 cases nationally over the last seven days, according to the Miami Herald. Meanwhile, UF maintained low positivity rates with three reported positive cases out of 262 tests from July 5 to July 11.

Anna-Lisa Paul (left) and Robert Ferl, (right) the principal investigators of the UF space plants lab, stand outside of the EDEN ISS greenhouse in Antarctica where plants are cultivated in extreme conditions with the goal of learning how to successfully grow plants in space.

NEWS | CAMPUS

UF’s space plants lab scientists take another step toward sustainable space travel

By Abigail Hasebroock | July 14, 2021

UF’s space plants lab scientists are participating in a suborbital flight to examine how plants react to being suspended in microgravity, and this research is taking the team of scientists one step closer to sustainable colonies on celestial bodies like the moon and Mars.

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

Gainesville residents can expect a spike in parking fees and annual permit rates

By Abigail Hasebroock | July 14, 2021

Gainesville City Commission is implementing parking fee increases to create more spaces for drivers, reduce climate change effects and increase pedestrian safety.

The Alachua County Library District downtown headquarters, located at 401 E University Ave in Gainesville on Monday, July 12, 2021. The Alachua County Library District is hosting its eighth annual summer art show in August; due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this year's event is virtual.

METRO

Alachua County library will host its eighth annual summer art show virtually

By Phong Huynh | July 14, 2021

Art submissions are open for an opportunity to be displayed in the Alachua County Library District’s annual summer art show

Water rushes under the collapsed part of Northeast 100th Avenue on Saturday, July 10, 2021. The small bridge’s culverts couldn’t handle the fast-flowing storm water runoff produced by Tropical Storm Elsa.

METRO

Alachua County can’t fix bridge that collapsed after Tropical Storm Elsa

By Jake Reyes | July 14, 2021

A bridge in Northeast Alachua County collapsed on July 7 after enduring flooding from Tropical Storm Elsa, and the county is unable to fix it.

Cristie Anderson, 38, a nursing student at Santa Fe College, passes by the Alan J. Robertson Administration building on Friday, June 18, 2021.

NEWS | SFC

Santa Fe College approves HyFlex equipment costs, salary raises and lab fee increases

By Antonia LaRocca | July 14, 2021

Students could see increases in lab fees and more HyFlex courses this Fall following the Santa Fe College District Board of Trustees’ approval of the 2021-2022 budget June 15. Faculty and staff could receive salary increases and a one-time stimulus payment due to the accepted budget.

Local artist Bjørn Parramoure, 35, has been asking Gainesville creatives to share any work they’ve created during quarantine for a compiled “quarantine works” art zine, which is a small-circulation magazine.

THE AVENUE | ART AND THEATER

New art zine will showcase Gainesville artists this Month

By Bryce Brown | July 14, 2021

A Gainesville-based artist is partnering with Moisturizer Gallery to create a collaborative visual art zine that will be showcased at a release party later this month.

Pete Alonso holds the champions trophy after winning the MLB All Star baseball Home Run Derby, Monday, July 12, 2021, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Polar Bear hits ball far, wins HR Derby

By Michael Hull | July 12, 2021

Former Florida Gator Pete Alonso rePetes as home run derby champion Monday night.

Junior center fielder Jud Fabian knocked his 23rd and 24th home runs of the year Sunday against Oklahoma.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Seven Gators come off the board on day two of MLB Draft

By Jesse Richardson | July 12, 2021

Outfielder Jud Fabian was first of seven Gators selected on day two of the MLB Draft Monday

Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson’s film directorial debut “Summer of Soul (...Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised)” had a limited theatrical release in the U.S. on June 25 and expanded a week later to theaters and on Hulu. (Movie poster retrieved from IMDb)

THE AVENUE | MOVIES AND TV

Rate and review: ‘Summer of Soul’ unveils footage of the 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival

By Brenna Sheets | July 12, 2021

Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson’s film directorial debut “Summer of Soul (...Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised)” unearths astonishingly beautiful footage from a criminally overlooked festival with an undeniable historical impact.

BYPPOCAMPUS founder and CEO Victoria Liu, (left) a UF accounting alumna, introduces her food delivery business to Stephanie Landini, (right) a parent of a UF student, at Gator Dining Center in Gainesville on Friday, July 9, 2021.

THE AVENUE | FOOD

BYPPOCampus connects students through food

By Melissa Hernandez de la Cruz | July 12, 2021

BYPPOCampus plans to change how people interact with food delivery by highlighting the power of networking.

Aubree Munro catches during Florida's 7-1 win against Kansas on Feb. 21, 2015, at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Gator softball Olympic dreams come true

By Julianna Reichenbach | July 12, 2021

Aubree Munro and Kelsey Stewart set a goal to be in the Olympics when they were kids. When softball was brought back for the Tokyo Games this summer, their dreams came back to life.

Gov. Ron DeSantis looks down at his notes as he speaks to a crowd of reporters in Surfside, Florida on Thursday, July 1, 2021.

NEWS | CAMPUS

New Florida law requires colleges’ political and viewpoint diversity to be surveyed

By Juliana Ferrie | July 12, 2021

House Bill 233 was signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis June 22 and went into effect July 1. Students, faculty and staff will be asked through a survey whether they feel comfortable expressing their viewpoints at Florida College System institutions.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Top-ranked HiPerGator AI supercomputer paves the way for growing AI Initiative at UF

By Makiya Seminera | July 12, 2021

The rankings not only bode well for the Artificial Intelligence Initiative; the national recognition of HiPerGator is also welcoming news in UF’s pursuit of becoming a top five public university.

A sign for the Pineridge neighborhood sits at Northwest 34th Boulevard on Saturday, July 10, 2021.

METRO

Pineridge residents demand answers after receiving notices to vacate homes

By Alexander Lugo | July 12, 2021

The Alachua County Labor Coalition helped organize the meeting that attracted 40 people.

METRO

Alachua County libraries host in-person, outdoor reading programs for children

By Phong Huynh | July 12, 2021

Story Time on the Green, a library program in Alachua County for families to bring their children, will continue until early October.

NEWS | SFC

Santa Fe College students have many ways of transferring to their desired colleges

By Antonia LaRocca | July 12, 2021

There is more to transferring than answering a prompt on a college application. Santa Fe students have many ways of transferring to their desired colleges — through the traditional path, Santa Fe’s direct articulation agreements, partnership programs and more.

Pictured is the Santa Fe College clock tower.

NEWS | SFC

Santa Fe College addresses equity goals

By Antonia LaRocca | July 12, 2021

The only group that achieved its 2019-2020 overall student enrollment goal is “other minorities” — a category that includes people who are Asian, Native American, Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, Alaska native, biracial and multiracial.

Nancy Parkinson, 80, a Gainesville resident, stands in front of artwork at the "Between Heaven and Earth" exhibit at the Historic Thomas Center on Thursday, June 17, 2021.

METRO

The Thomas Center opens its doors to a new folk art exhibition

By Phong Huynh | July 12, 2021

Local Gainesville artist Alyne Harris’ folk art will be featured at the Thomas Center until early 2022

METRO | BREAKING NEWS

A 13-year-old boy is dead after a shooting at Gainesville American Legion

By Abigail Hasebroock | July 10, 2021

Christopher Scott, 13, died after being shot during a party held at the Gainesville American Legion on June 24