2 - The Independent Florida Alligator

Santa Fe College student actors line up to bow and receive applause after the ‘Take 5’ festival on Friday, Jan. 26, 2024.

NEWS | SFC

Santa Fe College performs student plays at Take 5 festival

By Ariel Rademeyer | Jan. 28, 2024

As the curtains rose, the lights dimmed to black, transporting the audience into the realm of ‘Take 5’ — a series of five, 10 minute plays, performed and directed by Santa Fe College students Jan. 26. The ‘Take 5’ festival unfolded with five distinct plays, each delving into themes of overcoming hardships and featuring no more than two actors.

Gators women's tennis sophomore Rachel Gailis goes for a forehand shot in the women's tennis team's match against Baylor on Saturday, January 20, 2024.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Gators women’s tennis secures spot at the NCAA Indoor National Championship with ITA Kickoff Weekend Victory.

By Max Bernstein | Jan. 28, 2024

Gators women’s tennis pulled out a victory in the ITA Kickoff Weekend Championship to clinch its place at the NCAA Indoor Championships in Seattle.

Jeremy Jin hits a backhand shot in the Gators men's tennis team's match against the Citadel on Friday, January 19, 2024.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Men’s tennis goes winless at ITA Kickoff Weekend

By Chandler Hawkes | Jan. 28, 2024

The No. 20 Gators traveled to Chapel Hill, North Carolina, for the ITA Kickoff Weekend, where they fell to No. 17 Wake Forest and No. 16 North Carolina.

Ilene Silverman at the Next to Normal opening night on Friday, Jan. 26, 2024.

THE AVENUE | ART AND THEATER

Hippodrome’s latest musical tackles mental health stigma

By Bea Lunardini | Jan. 28, 2024

Family dynamics are only one of the issues the musical tackles, presenting a challenge for creative director Stephanie Lynge when the Hippodrome Theatre, located at Southeast Second Place, added the production to its 2024 lineup. Premiering Friday, “Next to Normal” will be shown through Feb. 25.

Diamond and her litter at Grace Marketplace on Wednesday January 24

THE AVENUE | LIFESTYLE

St. Francis Pet Care, Grace Marketplace provide mobile pet care to vulnerable communities

By Molly Seghi | Jan. 28, 2024

Diamond and her litter were some of the 20 pets treated by the St. Francis Pet Care’s mobile outreach van. The nonprofit pet clinic in Gainesville partners with GRACE Marketplace, a one-stop shop for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness at 3055 NE 28th Drive to provide monthly wellness clinics for pet owners.

Senior guard Leilani Correa looks for a pass from senior forward Faith Dut in the Gators' 89-66 loss against the South Carolina Gamecocks.

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Gators women's basketball survives last-second scare from Aggies for second SEC win

By Jack Meyer | Jan. 28, 2024

The short-handed Florida Gators women’s basketball team picked up its second SEC win of the season in a 63-51 win over the Texas A&M Aggies.

Senior Victoria Nguyen performs her vault routine in the Gators gymnastics'
Hype Night on Monday, Dec. 4, 2023.

SPORTS | GYMNASTICS

No. 8 Florida loses undefeated streak after loss to No. 6 Alabama

By Krisha Sanghavi | Jan. 28, 2024

Senior Ellie Lazzari felt the pressure as she stepped on the mat for the uneven bars. A hard fall in the landing of her vault routine forced numerous deductions to tally a 9.150 for her in the apparatus.

Redshirt junior Caden Monk competes in day one of the Pepsi Florida Relays, March 31.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TRACK

Gators decorate Razorback Invitational with personal records

By Emma DiNicola and Krisha Sanghavi | Jan. 27, 2024

The Florida Gators competed in the two-day Razorback Invitational from Friday to Saturday in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The Gators sent 54 athletes to compete in the meet.

Gators men's basketball center Micah Handlogten flexes after a basket in Florida's 102-98 victory over Georgia Saturday, January 27, 2024.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Florida holds on to take down Georgia after second-half scare

By Max Tucker | Jan. 27, 2024

The Florida Gators men’s basketball team escaped by the Georgia Bulldogs 102-98 in overtime at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center, Saturday.

Senior Skip Donald performs in the men’s platform event in the men's and women's diving team meet Friday, January 27, 2024.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS SWIM AND DIVE

Florida diving triumphs over Florida State in home meet

By Shaine Davison | Jan. 27, 2024

The Florida men’s and women’s diving team hosted Florida State in the O’Connell Center Natatorium Friday and Saturday as a small but energetic crowd watched. The events kicked off after Florida honored their four seniors Skip Donald, Carina Lumia, Caroline Pagac and Anton Svirskyi.

Florida swimmer Elise Bauer swims in the Gators' win against Florida Atlantic Friday, Jan. 13, 2023.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS SWIM AND DIVE

Florida men’s and women’s swim defeat rival Florida State

By Shaine Davison | Jan. 26, 2024

Florida swim headed to Ocala, Friday to face-off against Florida State. Prior to the meet, Florida’s 1983 and 1984 NCAA National Championship Teams were honored in celebration of the 40th anniversary of the Gators winning their first swimming and diving national championships. This meet also marked the Florida men’s and women’s 85th and 51st meet against Florida State.

Mike White leads a team huddle Feb. 19. His Gators face the Texas A&M Aggies Thursday in the SEC Tournament.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Mike White to return to Gainesville as Florida is set to host Georgia

By Bennett Solomon | Jan. 26, 2024

Mike White is set to return to the Stephen C. O'Connell Center for the second time Saturday as Florida hosts Georgia at noon.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Mississippi man charged on suspicion of murdering boss in Gainesville Airbnb

By Daniel Bednar | Jan. 26, 2024

A Mississippi man was booked into the Alachua County Jail Friday morning after he allegedly killed his boss and attempted to shoot his co-worker while on a work trip in Gainesville.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Mississippi man charged on suspicion of murdering boss in Gainesville Airbnb

By Daniel Bednar | Jan. 26, 2024

A Mississippi man was booked into the Alachua County Jail Friday morning after he allegedly killed his boss and attempted to shoot his co-worker while on a work trip in Gainesville.

Senior guard Leilani Correa shoots a free throw against the Florida A&M Rattlers Monday, Nov. 7, 2022.

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Gators women’s basketball SEC struggles continue, falls to Ole Miss

By Bennett Solomon | Jan. 25, 2024

The Gators women’s basketball team suffered its fifth SEC loss to the Ole Miss Rebels 81-70, Thursday.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Florida removes sociology from general education, bans state funding for DEI programs

By Zoey Thomas | Jan. 25, 2024

The Florida Board of Governors approved regulations removing sociology from general education requirements and eliminating state and federal funding for diversity, equity and inclusion programs at its meeting Wednesday afternoon.

Florida men's basketball guard Will Richard rises up to shoot the ball in the team's win over Mississippi State on Wednesday, January 24, 2024.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Gators men’s basketball defeats Mississippi State 79-70 for third victory in SEC play

By Max Tucker | Jan. 24, 2024

The Florida Gators men’s basketball team improved its home record to 8-1 as they defeated Mississippi State 79-70, Wednesday.

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

Alachua County Commission forgoes decision on ceasefire resolution

By Henry DeAngelis | Jan. 24, 2024

Nearly a hundred spectators filled the benches and lined the walls of the Alachua County Commission’s auditorium to voice their opinions on a potential resolution to urge President Joe Biden’s administration toward a ceasefire in Gaza.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Idylwild Elementary School substitute arrested for stalking

By Megan Howard | Jan. 23, 2024

An Idylwild Elementary School substitute teacher was booked after midnight Saturday after making inappropriate contact with a student. He’s facing charges for aggravated stalking of a minor under 16 years of age.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Book banning means limiting perspective, silencing crucial conversations

By Amaya Borroto | Jan. 23, 2024

My kindergarten teacher was the first to introduce me to the world of books. I have always remembered that first orientation at our tiny public school library, the student ID card that would act as my passport into universes beyond my wildest dreams.

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