2 - The Independent Florida Alligator

METRO | BREAKING NEWS

Parents of Gainesville 3-year-old who shot and killed himself charged with manslaughter

By Lily Kino | Sep. 8, 2022

Ledrick Lataurus Ferguson, 48, and Kayla Shelynn Carter, 34, were charged with manslaughter, unsafe storage of a firearm and three counts of neglect Wednesday, court documents show. The neglect charges refer to two of their other young children who were present at the time of the shooting.

Screenshot of Flo Rida announcement on UF Homecoming and Gator Growl's Instagram page.

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT GOVERNMENT

Former UF quarterback Danny Wuerffel to host Gator Growl 2022

By Alissa Gary | Sep. 8, 2022

He will take the Stephen C. O’Connell Center stage alongside headliner Flo Rida and opener Olivia O’Brien.

The Gainesville Latino Film Festival is in person for the first time in two years.

THE AVENUE | MOVIES AND TV

18th annual Gainesville Latino Film Festival uplifts Latin American communities on the big screen

By Isabella Marzban | Sep. 8, 2022

Gainesville Latino Film Festival is a free, eight-day event centered around highlighting Latin American culture through film. From Sept. 8 to Sept. 18, the festival will feature two Spanish immersion storytelling events and performances by Latin fusion band Gilberto de Paz & TROPIX and Miami’s IFÉ-ILÉ Afro-Cuban Dance and Music, in addition to the films.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

UF students report being shot with BB gun near campus

By Alexa Herrera | Sep. 7, 2022

The Alligator interviewed three UF students who said they were shot with what they believe to be a BB gun by people driving in a beat-up tan and gold car last week. Students in the area have circulated multiple threads on Reddit sharing similar stories and concerns.

A Florida bag at Mark Bostick Golf Club in Gainesville, Florida. UF took home the hardware with a 21-under-par team performance at the Fighting Irish Classic.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS GOLF

Florida men’s golf wins season opener: The Fighting Irish Classic

By Alyssa Britton-Harr | Sep. 7, 2022

Florida men’s golf won its season opener at the Fighting Irish Classic tournament this past weekend. The Gators finished the weekend 21-under-par.

Florida head coach Billy Napier greeting fans during Gator Walk Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Florida ranked No.12 in this week’s AP top 25

By Topher Adams | Sep. 6, 2022

Florida jumped to No. 12 in the AP top 25 following Saturday’s win over the Utah Utes. It’s the largest rise for an unranked team in the AP Poll since 2016.

The entrance of the Acrosstown Repertory Theatre on Friday, Sep. 3, 2022.

THE AVENUE | ART AND THEATER

Acrosstown Repertory Theatre closes its doors

By Isabella Marzban | Sep. 6, 2022

This isn’t the first time the theater, which was founded in 1980, has faced relocation. Prior to the Baird Center, the ART hosted community theater shows at the Star Garage in downtown Gainesville until the city sold the building in 1985, bringing the theater to its most recent location. Now, the theater is once again in need of a new home.

Furniture being thrown out at the Niche apartment complex during remodeling Aug. 18, 2022.

METRO

Furniture excess contributes to landfill waste, students weigh cheap, eco-friendly alternatives

By Fernando Figueroa | Sep. 6, 2022

Many movers aren’t aware of the environmental impact their choice to throw out furniture has, with bulk items packing landfills. In a city with a frequent base of students moving in and out of furnished and unfurnished apartments, strategies like furniture recycling and thrifting have become popular Gainesville options.

METRO | POLITICS

Allegations of voter fraud, suppression linger following Alachua County’s primary election

By Heather Bushman | Sep. 6, 2022

Allegations of felon voter fraud, a lack of Republican ballots at select precincts and late-night result deliveries have cast doubt over Alachua County’s primary election process for some residents. A portion of voters point to what they feel is incompetence, leading to demands that Supervisor of Elections Kim Barton take accountability.

Items damaged in the Peach Valley Cafe fire Monday, Sept. 5, 2022.

METRO | BUSINESS

No one hurt as early Monday morning fire breaks out at Peach Valley Cafe

By Allie Sinkovich | Sep. 6, 2022

No one was harmed at Peach Valley Cafe, located at 3275 SW 34th St. near Tropical Smoothie Cafe, Gainesville Fire Rescue Assistant Chief Stephen Hesson said.

Entre 2020 y 2022, estudiantes de la UF reportaron niveles más altos de ansiedad, ADHD y depresión.

NEWS | CAMPUS

UF researchers investigate link between bacteria and depression

By Siena Duncan | Sep. 6, 2022

A study from UF researchers, published Aug. 22 in Scientific Reports, found the saliva of some college students with suicidal thoughts lacked bacteria that promote brain health. If the research is further tested and proven true, the medical treatments for those with depression could drastically expand.

Elementary schools are desperate to fill teacher positions across both the state and county.

METRO | K-12 EDUCATION

Alachua County Public Schools face teacher vacancies amid statewide school staff shortage

By Sophia Bailly | Sep. 6, 2022

Around 48 K-12 teacher openings were listed on the Alachua County Public Schools website as of Sunday. As school administrations and state politicians look toward short-term solutions, those in the education system are left to grapple with low salaries among the long-lasting effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The front entrance of the James W. “Bill” Heavener Football Training Center Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2022.

NEWS | FEATURES

UF balances exclusivity, program competitiveness with new $85 million football complex

By Topher Adams and Claire Grunewald | Sep. 6, 2022

As Florida comes off the high from Saturday’s win, players can use its new football complex to continue training between games. The new James W. “Bill” Heavener Football Training Center is part of an effort to match the dominance of Southeastern Conference rivals Alabama and Georgia, both on the field and, more importantly, on the recruiting trail.

NEWS | CAMPUS

UF Health pauses booster shots as new COVID-19 boosters targeting Omicron are on the way

By Melanie Pena | Sep. 5, 2022

UF Health has pre-ordered, redesigned boosters and is expecting the shipment early next week, according to a UF Health Shands Hospital email Friday. The health system also temporarily paused booster administration of the current Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines to those 12 and older until it receives the new boosters.

Tailgater Dane Ullian grills hotdogs off of West University Avenue before Florida’s matchup with Utah Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022.

NEWS | CAMPUS

‘Football family’: ‘Tailgators’ return to the Swamp

By Alissa Gary | Sep. 5, 2022

The Two-Headed Tailgaters are just some of the hordes of people, including alumni, grad students and football fans who arrive early to the Swamp to tailgate.

Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson on the sidelines during the Gators’ 42-20 win over South Florida on Sept. 11, 2021. Richardson was named SEC Offensive Player of the Week Monday afternoon.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Richardson and Cox Jr. receive SEC honors for week one performances

By Topher Adams | Sep. 5, 2022

Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson and edge rusher Brenton Cox Jr. received SEC Player of the Week recognition after big performances in the Gators upset win over Utah Saturday.

Florida junior defender Josie Curtis throws the ball into play during the Gators' match against South Florida Sept. 1, 2021.

SPORTS | SOCCER

Gators soccer bullied at home by in-state rivals Florida State

By Jose Tovar | Sep. 5, 2022

The No. 10 Seminoles dominated the Sunshine Showdown from kickoff to final whistle and handed Florida a 5-0 loss at Donald R. Dizney Stadium. The Gators had a flawed performance, totaling only three shots during the match and allowing four goals in the second half.

Florida sophomore quarterback Anthony Richardson during the Gators game against Utah Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022. He led UF with 274 total yards and three rushing touchdowns.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Yes, Anthony Richardson is him

By Jackson Castellano | Sep. 5, 2022

To just say Richardson delivered would almost be disrespectful. He had a career night. The redshirt sophomore totaled 274 yards through the air and ground and recorded a career high of three rushing touchdowns. Every play was a highlight waiting to happen.

Outside hitter Marina Markova rises above the net during a match with Virginia Aug. 27, 2021.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

No. 13 Florida volleyball falls to No. 4 Minnesota on the road

By Ethan Eibe | Sep. 4, 2022

Gators volleyball falls to 3-2 on the season with a road loss to No. 4 Minnesota in four sets.

Shands Cancer Hospital and Medical Center is seen.

METRO | BREAKING NEWS

Select UF Health Shands dispatchers, paramedics unanimously vote to unionize

By Heather Bushman | Sep. 4, 2022

The 84-member union of dispatchers, flight paramedics and ground paramedics will bargain with UF Health for higher wages and industry-standard training as it negotiates its first contract.