2 - The Independent Florida Alligator

Helga Melmed spoke at the Chabad UF Center Monday, Jan. 27, 2025. Photo courtesy of Lexi Szafranski, Chabad UF.

NEWS | CAMPUS

‘All we were was a number’: Auschwitz survivor speaks at UF Chabad on Holocaust Remembrance Day

By Shaine Davison | Jan. 29

Helga Melmed, a 97-year-old Holocaust survivor, captivated more than 400 University of Florida students and Gainesville community members at the Chabad UF Student Center Monday evening with her powerful testimony of survival, resilience and love amidst captivity in Auschwitz and two other German camps.

It is unclear which programs will be affected by the directive, but public speculation suggests most universities, nonprofits and local governments stand affected

NEWS | CAMPUS BREAKING NEWS

UF issues guidance on Trump administration’s federal funding freeze

By Grace McClung and Vivienne Serret | Jan. 29

UF is urging its faculty and staff to continue with business as usual after the Trump administration announced a temporary pause on all federal financial assistance, which includes billions of dollars in federal grants and loans for universities nationwide.

Organist Grace Neilson demonstrates the pipe organ’s capabilities at the University Auditorium on Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025.

NEWS | CAMPUS

UF celebrates 100-year-old pipe organ with symphonies, slapstick comedy

By Pristine Thai | Jan. 29

UF community members flocked to a four-day kickoff to UF’s Pipe Organ Centennial from Jan. 23 to Jan. 26, commemorating the Andrew Anderson Memorial Pipe Organ, built in 1925.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Lessons from UF’s queer activism history as Trump returns to office

By Rey Arcenas | Jan. 29

After President Donald Trump recently entered office for a second time, his administration seems poised to enact an anti-LGBTQ+ agenda more sweeping than his first term.

RACE AND EQUITY | ENTERPRISE

A hidden neighbor: How Copeland Industrial Park shapes life next door

By Vera Lucia Pappaterra | Jan. 29

Issues like increased noise, air pollution and traffic often arise, raising concerns about the impact of industrial parks on nearby communities.

(From left to right) Volunteers Daniela Gray, Elijah Zarsadias and Nicole Lunsford teach English words to describe emotion and feelings on Thursday, Jan. 23, 2025.

SPANISH

De regreso al aula: La Latina Women’s League brinda clases de inglés para la comunidad

By Gabriella Chavez | Jan. 29

Hyxia Grande siempre había estado rodeada por el inglés gracias a su experiencia previa trabajando para recursos humanos, pero desde que llegó a Gainesville para estudiar inglés en la UF, se sintió motivada a sumergirse completamente en el idioma para tener una mejor oportunidad en el área laboral.

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

Alachua County Commission discusses public health program extensions

By Bailey Diem | Jan. 28

In its meeting Tuesday, the Alachua County Commission discussed the continuation of its gun violence prevention and community health worker programs and proposed an amendment allowing permitted restaurants to brew their own alcoholic beverages.

METRO | ALACHUA COUNTY

Back in the classroom: The Latina Women’s League provides English classes for the community

By Gabriella Chavez | Jan. 28

Hyxia Grande had always been surrounded by English speakers due to her previous work experiences in human resources, but since moving to Gainesville to study English at UF, she was motivated to fully submerge in the language to have a better chance at labor opportunities.

Superior Towing signage along NW 17th St. on Friday, Jan. 17, 2025.

METRO | ALACHUA COUNTY

‘Sketchy and unprofessional’: Residents raise concerns about Gainesville towing practices

By Daniel Bednar | Jan. 28

Gainesville towing companies occasionally spark outrage from community members, with complaints ranging from aggressive driving to exploitative or downright illegal practices.

Jane, a 3-year-old shelter dog from Puppy Hill Farm, shows off her coat while waiting for potential adopters at the rescue’s weekly PetSmart appearance on Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025.

METRO | ALACHUA COUNTY

Alachua County shelter animals keep warm with foster homes, fashionable sweaters

By Bailey Diem | Jan. 28

Amid below-freezing temperatures and a winter storm, Alachua County animal rescues worked to ensure their furry residents kept warm.

Florida left-handed pitcher Pierce Coppola gazes across the field at Condron Ballpark during a practice session last Fall.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Two season-ending injuries and one comeback campaign later, Florida pitcher Pierce Coppola set to shine in 2025

By Jack Meyer | Jan. 28

After suffering back-to-back season-ending injuries and returning to the mound for the Gators in 2024, 6-foot-8 left-hander Pierce Coppola is set to serve as a key piece in Florida’s pitching rotation this coming Spring.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Gainesville man arrested for possession of drugs, firearm as convicted felon

By Kaysheri Haffner | Jan. 27

A Gainesville man was arrested Sunday night on charges of possession of a firearm as a convicted felon and of drug possession with the intent to sell.

UF Basketball coach Todd Golden pictured during the game against the Jacksonville Dolphins on Nov. 7, 2024.

SPORTS | BASKETBALL

Title IX investigation into Florida head coach Todd Golden dismissed

By Noah White | Jan. 27

The University of Florida dismissed its Title IX investigation into Florida men’s basketball head coach Todd Golden, according to a statement released by Golden’s attorney William Shepherd.

Century Tower stands strong against freezing winds, rains and flurries from Winter Storm Enzo on Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025.

ENVIRONMENT | ENTERPRISE

Florida bill moves to ban weather modification activities following conspiracy theories

By Rylan DiGiacomo-Rapp | Jan. 27

Fears of “chemtrails,” a long-disproven idea that condensation trails — or contrails — from planes contain weather-controlling chemicals and sicken people on the ground, have been at the forefront of misinformation, and it’s caught the attention of Florida lawmakers.

Lady Ettie waves to onlookers while walking in a parade around the Hoggetowne Medieval Faire Saturday, Jan. 21, 2023.

THE AVENUE | ART AND THEATER

Hoggetowne Medieval Faire goes on amid location search

By Juliana DeFilippo | Jan. 27

The annual event took place at Depot Park for the second year since leaving the Alachua County Fairgrounds

A GRACE Marketplace moving truck is parked at GRACE Marketplace in Gainesville, Fla., on Friday, Aug. 18, 2023.

METRO | ALACHUA COUNTY

Gainesville’s cold night shelters face mixed reactions

By Annie Wang | Jan. 27

As the temperature in Gainesville dropped below freezing in January, the City of Gainesville launched its Cold Night Shelter program, facing mixed reactions.

After over a year, a truce has been declared between Hamas and Israel.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Gaza ceasefire brings relief to UF community, doubts of lasting peace

By Grace McClung | Jan. 27

After 15 months of conflict, Israel and Hamas entered a fragile ceasefire deal Jan. 15, producing feelings of hope, joy and uncertainty on UF’s campus.

Jarno and Alida Van Daalen are set to take back to the field together for Florida’s track and field team next season.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TRACK

Alida and Jarno Van Daalen: the first family of Florida throwing

By Paul Hof-Mahoney | Jan. 27

The Van Daalen family business is throwing discus and shot put. Alida, already a six-time All-American at UF, is set to be joined in Gainesville by her brother Jarno next year. Together, the Dutch duo is ready to dominate the NCAA.

Gators men's tennis pairing of junior Nate Bonetto and freshman Aidan Kim celebrate winning a point in their match against Ole Miss on Friday, March 22, 2024.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Gators trounce Raiders en route to ITA Kickoff Championship, Fall to No. 7 Columbia

By Curan Ahern | Jan. 26

Ranked No. 24 in the nation, the Florida Gators men’s tennis team swept the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders 4-0 in the first match of the ITA Kickoff before falling to No. 7 Columbia 4-2 in the championship.

UF Women's Tennis player Nikola Daubnerova prepares to hit a ball during the Florida Invitational on Jan. 11, 2025. (Credit: Kade Sowers)

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Florida women’s tennis falls just short of qualifying for the ITA Indoor National Championships

By Jeffrey Serber | Jan. 26

Florida women’s tennis started the ITA Kickoff Weekend strong with a 4-2 victory over No. 25 FIU, but fell short 4-1 in the championship game against No. 22 LSU, eliminating its chances of qualifying for the ITA Indoor National Championships.

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