2 - The Independent Florida Alligator

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

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS SWIM AND DIVE

Florida swimming and diving takes down in-state rival Florida State

By Jori Rzepecki | Jan. 21, 2023

Florida’s men’s and women’s swimming and diving programs took down the Florida State Seminoles’ No. 16 men and unranked women. The No. 3 men (5-1, 1-1 SEC) won 179-118, while the No. 7 women (6-1, 3-0 SEC) earned a 191-103 victory. The Gators secured 21 B-cut times and won 28 of the 32 total events Friday.

Ben Shelton celebrates during a match against TCU March 17.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Shelton advances to Australian Open Round of 16

By Kyle Bumpers | Jan. 21, 2023

Shelton has won three-straight matches in his Australian Open debut after his first-round loss at the U.S. Open. He’ll look to keep rolling in the Round of 16 Monday.

Florida forward Colin Castleton posts up a Georgia defender in the Gators' 82-75 victory over the Bulldogs Saturday, Jan. 7, 2023.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Florida finishes two-game road trip in Starkville

By Brandon Hernandez | Jan. 21, 2023

The Florida Gators travel to Starkville, Mississippi, to face the Mississippi State Bulldogs at 8:30 p.m. Saturday. The game will mark UF’s first time in the Magnolia State this season.

Florida gymnast Trinity Thomas performs her floor routine in the Gators' 197.825-197.200 victory over the No. 5 Auburn Tigers Friday, Jan. 13, 2023.

SPORTS | GYMNASTICS

Thomas leads Florida to comfortable win against No. 11 Alabama

By Jori Rzepecki | Jan. 20, 2023

The No. 2 Florida Gators (5-0, 2-0 SEC) hit the road Friday to take on Alabama (2-1, 1-1 SEC) inside Coleman Coliseum after their exhilarating finish against the No. 5 Auburn Tigers. Florida came into the meet heavily favored, and the team lived up to its lofty expectations.

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

Gainesville City Commission grants interim charter officers permanent roles, fails to repeal commissioner salary increases

By Siena Duncan | Jan. 20, 2023

Surprising several commissioners, the Gainesville City Commission voted Thursday to start negotiations to make three temporary charter officers permanent after over a year of restructuring.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Gainesville woman, dog killed in a fatal driving accident

By Aidan Bush | Jan. 19, 2023

A driver in a minivan struck and killed a woman and her dog Thursday evening, according to the Gainesville Police Department.

Florida center Ra Shaya Kyle posts up a Georgia player in the Gators' 82-77 loss to the Bulldogs Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023.

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Florida blown out by Tennessee after poor second half

By Topher Adams | Jan. 19, 2023

The Florida Gators (12-7, 1-5 SEC) lost 74-56 to Tennessee (15-6, 7-0 SEC). UT outscored the Gators by 21 after the first quarter. The Lady Vols also outscored the Gators 44-26 in the paint.

METRO

North Florida Hospital’s new outpatient pharmacy aims to educate patients

By Aidan Bush | Jan. 19, 2023

HCA Florida North Florida Hospital officially opened its new pharmacy — just within walking distance from its hospital in West Gainesville.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Micanopy resident arrested on suspicion of homicide

By Aidan Bush | Jan. 19, 2023

A Micanopy resident faces a homicide charge after Alachua County Sheriff’s Office deputies connected him to the bloody scene of a murder in the rural town 14 miles away from Gainesville.

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT LIFE

‘Swifties’ unite under UF Taylor Swift Society

By Sophia Bailly | Jan. 19, 2023

The new Taylor Swift Society welcomes fans across campus to share their love for the 33-year-old American singer-songwriter. The club’s founder, Dalia Dooley, a 19-year-old UF history sophomore, came up with the idea in the Fall.

Florida graduate student Myreon Jones attempts a jumpshot against the UConn Huskies Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2022.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Florida loses on road to Texas A&M after second-half comeback falls short

By Jackson Reyes | Jan. 18, 2023

The Florida Gators (10-8, 3-3 SEC) were defeated by the Aggies (13-5, 5-0 SEC) 54-52 Wednesday night in College Station, Texas. The loss snapped Florida’s three-game winning streak.

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT GOVERNMENT

UF student senators split on Marston Library 24/7 announcement

By Amanda Friedman | Jan. 18, 2023

Jan. 17 Senate meeting addressed an amendment that would remove gendered language from the Constitution, a resolution to recognize and promote the Spread Cream Cheese Not Hate Campaign event combatting antisemitism and a revision to the 300 Codes, which outline the rules of the legislative branch, to change Town Hall events from open to moderated forums, all passed without debate.

FILE - Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks after being sworn in to begin his second term during an inauguration ceremony outside the Old Capitol on Jan. 3, 2023, in Tallahassee, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky, File)

NEWS | CAMPUS UF ADMINISTRATION

DeSantis administration mandates audit of Florida universities’ gender-affirming care

By Alissa Gary | Jan. 18, 2023

A new request from Gov. Ron DeSantis’ office has landed at Florida universities’ doorsteps, this time concerning procedures and services dealing with gender-affirming care on campus.

From left to right, Sarah Toomey, Carina Swenson, Madison Hendrikse and Kyle Hopwood gather around a table at Marston Science Library to study Monday, Jan. 16, 2023.

SPANISH

La biblioteca de ciencias Marston está de regreso las 24 horas, los 7 días de la semana

By Amanda Friedman , Alissa Gary and Nicole Beltran | Jan. 18, 2023

Aunque la biblioteca solía operar en un horario de 24 horas, la pandemia de COVID-19 detuvo ese horario indefinidamente, lo que dejó a muchos estudiantes preguntándose si algún día regresaría. Newell Hall ha sido el único espacio de estudio de 24 horas para estudiantes desde el otoño de 2021.

SPANISH

Residentes de Florida opinan sobre la propuesta

By Claire Grunewald and Valentina Sandoval | Jan. 18, 2023

Kat Cammack, congresista de Florida, copatrocinó la propuesta de ley de aborto “Nacido Vivo”, la cual ha causado controversia tanto entre legisladores como entre activistas.

UF historian and task force member Carl Van Ness responds to a question from a student panel at a roundtable discussion on African American and Native American History at Smathers Library Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2023.

NEWS | CAMPUS UF ADMINISTRATION

UF legacy of racism at forefront of task force report

By Alissa Gary | Jan. 18, 2023

A Jan. 17 panel reviewed the Presidential Task Force on African American and Native American History’s report detailing new research and recounting a more complete version of UF’s history concerning African Americans and Native Americans.

Florida Gators alternate white football helmet.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Florida 2023 4-star quarterback Jaden Rashada requests release from NLI

By Topher Adams | Jan. 18, 2023

Florida 4-star quarterback Jaden Rashada is requesting a release from his national letter of intent signed on Early Signing Day Dec. 21, according to several reports. The story was first reported by 247Sports.

NEWS | CAMPUS UF ADMINISTRATION

UF reported spending $5 million, less than 1% of budget, on diversity initiatives

By Alissa Gary | Jan. 18, 2023

UF reported over $5 million in total funding for diversity, equity and inclusion and critical race theory initiatives — projected as approximately 0.14% of its annual budget, according to a state-mandated audit released to The Alligator Jan. 18.

Stephen "tWitch" Boss appears at the FOX 2022 Upfront presentation in New York on May 16, 2022.

THE AVENUE | ART AND THEATER

Sudden passing of Stephen ‘tWitch’ Boss evokes celebration of his legacy

By Amanda Rubio | Jan. 18, 2023

Editor’s note: This story contains mention of suicide. If you or someone you know is in crisis and needs immediate help, dial or text 9-8-8 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.

THE AVENUE | FOOD

Falafel King owner Ghassan Chehab dies at 74

By Xenia Teju | Jan. 17, 2023

Chehab’s legacy transformed the food industry and the Middle Eastern community. His love for his home country, Lebanon, transpired into his work. Sharing his culture and showing pride in his roots made his business feel like a relative's kitchen, Choudar said, not a restaurant.