2 - The Independent Florida Alligator

NEWS | CAMPUS UF ADMINISTRATION

DeSantis grant allows UF undergraduates to be paid to intern in K-5 classrooms

By Zoey Thomas | Jan. 16, 2024

Gov. Ron DeSantis awarded $5 million Dec. 13 among 10 Florida public universities to develop pre-bachelor’s apprenticeship programs. UF received about $1.3 million from the grant, which was the latest effort in DeSantis’ Pathways to Career Opportunities investment to strengthen Florida’s teacher pipeline.

SPANISH

¿La exención de los requisitos de transferencia para estudiantes Judíos por parte de DeSantis puede ser denominado acción afirmativa?

By Eluney Gonzalez and Zoey Thomas | Jan. 16, 2024

Siete meses después que Gob. Ron DeSantis felicitó a la corte suprema de los Estados Unidos [United States Supreme Court] por su resolución a acabar que las admisiones de las universidades fueran basados en la raza o origen étnico, su órden ejecutivo más reciente lanzó acusaciones que él está pasando la misma legislación que criticaba.

An employee prepares food at Muñecas Taco Garden and Bar on Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024.

THE AVENUE | FOOD

Muñecas hosts grand opening for new location at 4th Ave Food Park

By Bonny Matejowsky | Jan. 16, 2024

A 1920s-themed grand opening party drew a glitzy and glamorous crowd Jan. 14, with many event-goers looking the part. Guests donning shiny flapper dresses, vintage fur coats and three-piece suits lined up through the parking lot, ready to attend the grand opening of Muñecas Taco Garden and Bar.

Republican presidential candidate Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks during a Republican presidential primary debate hosted by NBC News, Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2023, at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County in Miami. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

NEWS | CAMPUS UF ADMINISTRATION

Can DeSantis waiving Jewish student transfer requirements be called affirmative action?

By Zoey Thomas | Jan. 16, 2024

DeSantis announced in his State of the State address Jan. 9 Florida universities will waive certain transfer requirements, including credit hours and application deadlines, for out-of-state students experiencing antisemitism or other religious discrimination on their campuses.

SPANISH

Muñecas organiza gran inauguración por su nueva ubicación en la cuarta Ave Food Park

By Laura Quintana and Bonny Matejowsky | Jan. 16, 2024

Una gran fiesta de inauguración con temática de la década de 1920 atrajo a una multitud deslumbrante y glamorosa el 14 de enero, y muchos de los asistentes al evento lucieron el papel. Los invitados se pusieron vestidos brillantes, abrigos de piel antiguos y trajes de tres piezas alineados en el estacionamiento, listos para asistir a la gran inauguración de Muñecas Jardín de Tacos y Bar [Muñecas Taco Garden and Bar].

Freshman Anya Pilgrim performs her vault routine in the Gators’ season opener in the Stephen C. O’Connell Center, Friday, Jan. 12, 2024.

SPORTS | GYMNASTICS

Freshman talent floods Gators gymnastics’ season opener

By Krisha Sanghavi | Jan. 16, 2024

Falling shy of the 2023 NCAA Championship, the Florida gymnastics team is resolute in its pursuit of clinching the coveted title this year. The loss of prominent veteran gymnasts All-American Trinity Thomas and Kayla DiCello reshaped the landscape of Florida’s 2024 roster.

METRO | ALACHUA COUNTY

Sidewalks and substances: The Gainesville cyclist’s experience

By Bailey Diem | Jan. 16, 2024

Gainesville bicyclists often face concerns of distracted or impaired drivers, paths in poor condition and limited bike lanes.

Controlled burn at Ordway-Swisher Biological Station on Tuesday, December 5th, 2023.

THE AVENUE | LIFESTYLE

Gainesville parks, organizations perform prescribed fires to conserve the ecosystem

By Molly Seghi | Jan. 16, 2024

Leading the nation in prescribed fires, Florida parks and organizations perform prescribed fires to conserve the ecosystem.

Local animal artist, Samm Wehman, stands in front of her painting of a manatee at the Crystal River Manatee Festival on Jan. 14, 2024

ENVIRONMENT | ENTERPRISE

The manatee may re-enter endangered species list after population decline

By Kylie Williams | Jan. 16, 2024

Florida’s manatee population has struggled over the past few years, leading many petitioners to call for its re-entry to the endangered species list. In 2017, the manatee was reclassified from “endangered” to “threatened” by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Save the Manatee Club filed a joint petition in 2022 to put the Florida manatee back on the endangered species list.

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT LIFE

Books, naps and games: UF libraries are for more than just studying

By Annie Wang | Jan. 15, 2024

The start of every semester brings about a new wave of academic goals and resolutions, with students scrambling to find the best tips and tricks for productivity. While there’s no doubt that building healthy study habits is important, finding the perfect space to implement those habits is just as important.

Florida sophomore Bente Spee competes in her doubles match during the Gators' 4-1 win over the Michigan Wolverines Wednesday, March 22, 2023.

NEWS

Gators come up empty-handed in 2024 Freeman Memorial Tournament

Jan. 15, 2024

In what has become an annual tradition, Gators women’s tennis started their season at the 21st annual Freeman Memorial Tournament at the Fertitta Tennis Complex in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Redshirt senior Allison Wilson points to the sky after she finished first for the Florida Gators in the Mountain Dew Invitational at Mark Bostick Golf Course on Friday, Sept. 15, 2023.

NEWS

Gators Track and Field bursts into 2024 with nine event wins

Jan. 14, 2024

Both the Florida men’s and women’s track and field teams headed to College Station, Texas to compete in the McFerrin 12-Degree Invitational Saturday. Of the 58 athletes representing Florida, 39 men and 19 women competed in 24 total events. The Gators competed against Baylor, TCU, Oklahoma and Texas A&M.

Senior guard Leilani Correa takes a jump shot in the Gators' 82-65 win against the North Florida Ospreys.

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Gators hold off Bulldogs for first SEC win of 2023-24 season

By Jack Meyer | Jan. 14, 2024

The Florida Gators women’s basketball team survived a close contest with the Georgia Bulldogs Sunday for their first conference win of the season.

Florida sophomore Nate Bonetto hits the ball in the Gators' 4-3 loss to the Georgia Bulldogs Sunday, April 9, 2023.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Fresh off the Fighting Illini Invite, Gators tune up for regular season

By Chandler Hawkes | Jan. 14, 2024

The Gators men’s tennis team traveled south to Delray Beach, Florida, to participate in the Fighting Illini Invite. The two-day event served as a tune-up event for both teams heading into the regular season, starting this Friday.

Graduate student forward Tyrese Samuel shoots a 3-pointer in the Gators' 90-68 win over Arkansas on Saturday, January 13, 2023.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Florida breaks through for first SEC win with 90-68 victory over Arkansas

By Max Tucker | Jan. 13, 2024

The Florida Gators men’s basketball team defeated the Arkansas Razorbacks 90-68 to pick up their first victory in conference play this season.

Angel Espinosa poses with his daughter Julianne Espinosa in Miami on January 22, 2017.

ENTERPRISE | HEALTH

‘I am her voice, she is my heart’: UF alumni dedicate their lives to daughter with rare disorder

By Alexandra Burns | Jan. 13, 2024

In the comfort of her Miami home, 34-year-old Julianne Espinosa lies in bed captivated by videos of Disney princesses flashing across her television screen. As echoes of “The Little Mermaid” fill her room, she smiles brightly, silently expressing the words she cannot say.

Sophomore Lori Brubach performs her floor routine in the Gators’ season opener in the Stephen C. O’Connell Center, Friday, Jan. 12, 2024.

SPORTS | GYMNASTICS

Florida gymnastics dominates in season-opening meet with all-around sweep

By Krisha Sanghavi | Jan. 12, 2024

Anya Pilgrim shined in the Gators’ season-opening meet. Her strong performance contributed to Florida’s all-around sweep in the quad meet.

A sign in front of the Alachua County Public Schools district office building is seen Sunday, June 6, 2021.

METRO | K-12 EDUCATION

Alachua County School Board moves not to amend school zone boundaries

By Megan Howard | Jan. 12, 2024

The Alachua County School Board voted against rezoning the existing school boundaries for the 2025-2026 school year in a special hearing Thursday night.

Senior guard Aliyah Matharu shoots a jumpshot in the Gators' 83-69 win against the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats on Thursday, Nov. 9, 2023.

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Gators women's basketball drops to 0-3 in conference play following 88-81 loss to Tennessee

By Jack Meyer | Jan. 11, 2024

The Gators women’s basketball team dropped their third consecutive SEC matchup in a close contest against the Tennessee Volunteers.

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

Alachua County Commission asks community to rewrite ceasefire resolution, discuss Florence landfill next steps

By Henry DeAngelis | Jan. 11, 2024

Despite severe weather warnings across Alachua County, the County Commission met Tuesday to discuss a ceasefire resolution and provide an update on the Florence landfill special use permit.

COVID-19