2 - The Independent Florida Alligator

METRO

Gainesville nonprofit connects international students and Gainesville residents for the holidays

By Eluney Gonzalez | Nov. 20, 2023

As the holiday season approaches, most students flock from Gainesville to visit friends and family for Thanksgiving and Christmas, among other winter holidays, leaving many UF international students feeling estranged from the festivities. Alone and unable to return to their families abroad, this time of year can be isolating as cities shut down for the holidays.

Junior guard Walter Clayton Jr. drives with the basketball in the Gators’ 89-68 win against the Florida State Seminoles on Friday, Nov. 17, 2023.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Gators men’s basketball makes statement in win against Florida State

By Jackson Reyes | Nov. 20, 2023

Florida (3-1) took down Florida State (2-1) Nov. 17 and Florida A&M (0-4) Nov. 14, both by a score of 89-68. Golden described the 21-point victory against in-state rivals FSU as a “statement victory.”

METRO

COVID-19 led to ongoing speech delays, attention struggles in elementary schools

By Ella Thompson | Nov. 20, 2023

Laura Holmes has witnessed firsthand the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, both as a Gainesville mother of three and as a pediatric occupational therapist at Fundamental Therapy Solutions.

Costco Wholesale’s Perimeter Warehouse is seen on Sunday, Nov. 19, 2023 in Sandy Springs, Ga.

METRO | BUSINESS

A Costco desert: Gainesville residents pine for Kirkland Signature

By Zoey Thomas | Nov. 20, 2023

Costco Wholesale, beloved big-box warehouse chain and world’s largest organic food retailer, has 31 Florida locations. But Gainesville residents must drive two hours north to Jacksonville or two hours south to Orlando if they want to stock up on industrial-sized bags of coffee beans, browse free samples or feast on $1.50 hot dogs from the food court.

Servers work behind the counter at the Pink Flamingo Diner on Sunday Oct. 1, 2023.

METRO | BUSINESS

High Springs restaurant owner faces another lawsuit

By Bea Lunardini | Nov. 20, 2023

Another lawsuit was filed against a High Springs restaurant owner, who’s being sued for defaulting on mortgages of the Pink Flamingo Diner and Great Outdoors restaurants, Nov. 7.

ENVIRONMENT | ENTERPRISE

UF graduate student locked in legal battle over Spruce Creek

By Kylie Williams | Nov. 20, 2023

A UF student filed a lawsuit with Bryon White, Bear Warriors United and The Sweetwater Coalition of Volusia County April 18. The case was filed against the Florida Department of Transportation and the St. Johns River Water Management District, with the primary concern an I-95 interchange will cause excess environmental harm.

Around 60 protestors gather on the corner of University Avenue and 13th Street in support of Palestine on Thursday, Nov. 16, 2023.

NEWS | CAMPUS

UF pro-Palestinian organization likely to win lawsuit against shutdown order, legal experts say

By Garrett Shanley | Nov. 20, 2023

A UF pro-Palestinian student group could see a future victory in a courtroom against top Florida education officials after it cited First Amendment rights against a statewide order calling for the deactivation of its group.

Two Gators volleyball players attempt to block the ball in Florida's 3-0 loss to the Arkansas Razorbacks on Sunday, Oct. 29, 2023.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

No. 20 Gators fall to No. 10 Arkansas in five-set battle

By Alyssa Britton-Harr | Nov. 19, 2023

The No. 20 Florida Gators (17-8, 9-8 SEC) were defeated by the No. 10 Arkansas Razorbacks (24-4, 14-2 SEC) 3-2 Sunday afternoon on the road in Fayetteville, Arkansas.

Matt Dibble, 33-year-old Hippodrome Theatre box office worker, sported his new Dollywood sweatshirt as he welcomed excited guests to the premiere Nov. 15, 2023 at The Hippodrome Theatre in Gainesville, Fla.

THE AVENUE | MUSIC

The Hippodrome Theatre presents film screening of the debut of Dolly Parton’s first rock album

By Molly Seghi | Nov. 19, 2023

Dolly Parton invited fans to watch the worldwide film premiere of the Rockstar listening event. The film presented by Trafalgar Releasing features tracks from the album, never-before-seen performances and behind-the-scenes peeks.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Gainesville resident drowned after fleeing from a traffic stop

By Jordan Ramos | Nov. 19, 2023

A person drowned after fleeing a traffic stop for a stolen scooter Thursday. They died at UF Health Shands Hospital early that morning, according to a Gainesville Police Department press release.

Redshirt junior center Kingsley Eguakun hikes the ball to redshirt junior quarterback Graham Mertz in the Gators' 29-16 win against the Tennessee Volunteers on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Graham Mertz to miss Florida State game with collarbone injury

By Jackson Reyes | Nov. 19, 2023

Florida redshirt junior quarterback Graham Mertz suffered a non-displaced collarbone fracture, said UF head coach Billy Napier after the Gators’ game against Missouri. He will miss UF's game against FSU.

Junior running back Montrell Johnson Jr. runs the ball in the Gators' 43-20 on Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023 in Jacksonville, Florida.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Gators fall in Columbia despite late heroics

By Luke Adragna | Nov. 18, 2023

The Florida Gators (5-6, 3-4 SEC) lost against the No. 11 Missouri Tigers (9-2, 5-2 SEC) 33-31 at Faurot Field Saturday night.

Graham Mertz attempts a pass in the Orange and Blue Spring Game Thursday, Aug. 15, 2023.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Graham Mertz is out for the rest of the Mizzou game

By Jackson Reyes | Nov. 18, 2023

Florida redshirt junior quarterback Graham Mertz is ruled out for the rest of the Gators' game against the No. 11 Mizzou Tigers.

Freshman wide receiver Eugene Wilson warms up before the Gators' 52-35 loss to the Louisiana State Tigers on Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023, in Baton Rouge, Louisana.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Florida vs No. 11 Missouri: Live Updates

By Jackson Reyes | Nov. 18, 2023

The Florida Gators travel to Columbia, Missouri to take on the No. 11 Missouri Tigers. Follow along here below for live updates.

Florida's team celebrates during the Gators' match against the Alabama Crimson Tide on Sunday, October 8, 2023

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

Florida volleyball secures three-match sweep streak against Missouri

By Krisha Sanghavi | Nov. 17, 2023

The No. 20 Florida Gators (17-7, 9-6 SEC) defeated the Missouri Tigers (17-10, 9-7 SEC) 3-0 Friday night in Columbia, Missouri. UF has swept its last three matches.

Graduate student guard Zyon Pullin drives with the ball in the Gators' 89-68 win against the Florida State Seminoles on Friday, November 17, 2023.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Gators spear Seminoles at home in double-digit victory

By Jackson Reyes | Nov. 17, 2023

The Florida Gators (3-1) took down the FSU Seminoles (2-1) 89-68 in the Stephen C. O’Connell Center Friday night. Eight different Gators scored for UF as Clayton led the way with 19 points on 8-15 shooting.

METRO | ALACHUA COUNTY

Gainesville community organizes third pro-Palestine protest in a month

By Ella Thompson | Nov. 17, 2023

Despite consistent rain, community members gathered on the corner of University Avenue and Northwest 13th Street to protest for Palestine on Thursday evening. Over 100 community members attended the event organized by the Gainesville Solidarity Network, Students for Justice in Palestine, Party for Socialism and Liberation and Jewish Voice for Peace.

Junior guard Alberte Rimdal attempts a jump shot in the Gators' 79-75 loss to the Florida State Seminoles on Friday, Nov. 17, 2023.

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Gators fall short of upset bid against rival Florida State

By Topher Adams | Nov. 17, 2023

The Florida Gators (3-1) fell to the No. 12 Florida State Seminoles (3-0) 79-75 Friday night at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center. Matharu, junior center Ra Shaya Kyle and senior guard Leilani Correa all scored at least 15 points in the loss.

Freshman running back Trevor Etienne carries the ball uring the Florida Gators' 39-36 loss against the Arkansas Razorbacks on Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Gators round out conference play with road test against Mizzou

By Jackson Reyes | Nov. 17, 2023

The Gators (5-5, 3-4 SEC) will look to take down Mizzou (8-2, 4-2 SEC) and snap a three-game losing streak and clinch bowl eligibility. Florida will also look to avoid its third consecutive losing conference record.

Majd Afaghani, attends UF SJP’s discussion in Turlington wearing a Palestine kufiyyeh neck scarf on Thursday Oct. 12, 2023.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Pro-Palestinian student group sues UF, DeSantis administration over shutdown order

By Garrett Shanley | Nov. 17, 2023

A pro-Palestinian student group sued UF and state officials Thursday to block the Gov. Ron DeSantis administration’s order to shut the group down.