2 - The Independent Florida Alligator

Lead Ethan Garrepy puts on his wig for the Music Man show at the Constanz Theater on Oct. 26 2024.

THE AVENUE | ART AND THEATER

A glimpse backstage with stars of “The Music Man” as they prepare for closing weekend

By Tanya Fedak | Nov. 4

From Oct. 16 to Oct. 27, the UF School of Theatre and Dance put on a nine-show run of the musical, which follows traveling conman Harold Hill, played by Ethan Garrepy, who goes from town to town persuading citizens of his “plan” to form a boys marching band. After collecting payments for instruments and uniforms, he skips town, starting his pursuit of his next victims. But this time, it’s a little different.

Florida Gators midfielder Lauren Donovan (15) celebrates her first career goal with Florida Gators midfielder Norah Abbott (27) and Florida Gators defender Josie Curtis (9) during the first half at Donald R. Dizney Stadium on Friday, October 04, 2024.

SPORTS | FEATURES

Florida soccer’s Lauren Donovan remains inspired by Abby Wambach’s legacy

By Amanda Roman | Nov. 4

From watching her role model to becoming part of her legacy, Lauren Donovan leads Florida soccer with Wambach’s spirit.

Alicia Dudeney plays against Ole Miss on March 31, 2024.

SPORTS | BLOGS

Florida women’s tennis closes out UNF Fall Invite

By Noah White | Nov. 3

Florida women’s tennis sent two players to the University of North Florida for the UNF Fall Invite. The 10-team event was UF’s first tournament of November.

Woman hands out T-shirts at the Souls to the Polls event on Nov. 3, 2024.

METRO | ALACHUA COUNTY

‘Our vote is our voice’: Souls to the Polls event hopes to increase Black voter turnout

By Kairi Lowery | Nov. 3

On the last day of early voting, the Alachua County cultural organizations hosted Souls to the Polls — a historic community tradition meant to educate Black voters on local and national candidates.

Sophomore Joshua Liendo dives into the water for a competition swim in the Florida Invitational against Nova Southeastern, Friday Feb. 2, 2024.

SPORTS | BLOGS

Florida swim and dive sweeps meet against Georgia

By Jackson Colding | Nov. 3

The Gators overcame the challenge in convincing fashion. UF swept the Bulldogs with the men (2-2) winning 172.5-127.5, and the women (3-1) winning 158-142 at the Gabrielsen Natatorium in Athens.

MASA held a Día de Los Muertos celebration, Nov.1, 2024 at the Reitz Union Grand Ballroom | MASA celebró el Día de Los Muertos el 1 de noviembre de 2024 en el Reitz Union Grand Ballroom.

METRO | ALACHUA COUNTY

Gainesville celebra El Día de Los Muertos, honrando la herencia y la comunidad

By Eneida Escobar | Nov. 3

A medida que el sol desaparecía el 1 de noviembre, la comunidad de Gainesville cobró vida con los coloridos sonidos y vistas de El Día de Los Muertos. Esta festividad mexicana tradicional, observada el 1 y 2 de noviembre, honra a los seres queridos fallecidos a través de altares vibrantes, ofrendas y otras celebraciones culturales.

METRO | ALACHUA COUNTY

Gainesville embraces El Día de Los Muertos, honoring heritage and community

By Eneida Escobar | Nov. 3

Gainesville communities celebrated El Día de Los Muertos despite being miles away from home.

Florida Gators setter Taylor Parks (20) looks up in preparation to set the ball vs the Kentucky Wildcats on Sunday, Sept 29, 2024.

SPORTS | BLOGS

Florida extends winning streak to five with home victory over Ole Miss

By Max Bernstein | Nov. 3

No. 24 Florida bested Ole Miss in four sets on Sunday, extending its winning streak to a season-best five matches.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Gainesville man arrested after reportedly strangling both of his girlfriends

By Julia Levi | Nov. 3

Justin Ramer was arrested Friday on charges of strangling two women who both identified as his girlfriends as part of a “throuple,” or a polyamorous relationship.

Florida Gators quarterback DJ Lagway (2) gets lifted to a cart after suffering an injury during the first half at TIAA Bank Field on Saturday, November 02, 2024.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Battle at EverBank: Florida riddled by injuries in unforgiving rivalry loss to No. 2 Georgia

By Max Tucker | Nov. 2

Florida (4-4, 2-3 SEC) held its own for most of the afternoon, but was eventually overwhelmed in its 34-20 loss to No. 2 Georgia (7-1, 5-1 SEC) at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville Saturday.

Florida Gators quarterback DJ Lagway (2) and Florida Gators running back Jadan Baugh (13) celebrate after the teams 48-20 win at Steve Spurrier-Florida Field at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on Oct. 19, 2024.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Florida vs. No. 2 Georgia: Live Updates

By Chandler Hawkes | Nov. 2

The Florida Gators (4-3, 2-2 SEC) are set to take on the No. 2 Georgia Bulldogs (6-1, 4-1 SEC) at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville. Follow along here for live updates. Kickoff is set for 3:50 p.m.

Florida Gators quarterback DJ Lagway (2) looks for an open receiver during the first half at Shields–Watkins Field at Neyland Stadium on Saturday, October 12, 2024.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

DJ Lagway suffers hamstring injury, will miss remainder of Florida-Georgia

By Jack Meyer | Nov. 2

Florida true freshman quarterback DJ Lagway will miss the rest of the Florida-Georgia rivalry game after sustaining a hamstring injury in the second quarter.

Early voting signs outside of the J. Wayne Reitz Union.

ENTERPRISE | POLITICS

Over half of Alachua County voters cast ballots ahead of Election Day

By Morgan Vanderlaan | Nov. 1

In Alachua County, over 50% of registered voters have already cast their vote. According to the UF election lab, over 60 million citizens across America have voted as of Oct. 31.

Candi Morris, center, embraces her good friends Carol Guggenheimer, left, and Wendy Thompson, right, at the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s campus walk last spring. Photo courtesy of Rachel Wimer.

ENTERPRISE | HEALTH

How to make it out of the darkness

By Noor Sukkar | Nov. 1

Nine years after her father’s passing, Candi Morris said she advocates to any group she can about the warning signs of suicide across age demographics.

Runners start the women's race during the 2021 Mountain Dew Invitational in Gainesville, Florida on Sept. 11, 2021

SPORTS | BLOGS

Gators cross country begins postseason at SEC Championship

By Rae Weinstein | Nov. 1

The Florida men’s and women’s teams finished No. 12 and No. 3 in the SEC.

Thomas Vu, candidate for Alachua County School Board, takes a phone call at The Swamp Restaurant on Oct. 21, 2024, in Gainesville, Florida.

METRO | ALACHUA COUNTY

Thomas Vu: newly elected school board member discusses childhood and accountability

By Sara-James Ranta | Nov. 1

Vu won the District 2 seat on the Alachua County School Board on Aug. 20, defeating incumbent Diyonne McGraw. Now, as the 37-year-old Gainesville resident prepares to take his seat on the ACSB, Vu said he is driven to make that same safe, empowering environment a reality for every student and teacher in the district.

How does the University of Florida’s Student Government compare to others around the state?

NEWS | CAMPUS

How does UF’s Student Government compare to other universities?

By Avery Parker | Nov. 1

Florida universities share similarities and differences in student government structures.

Linebacker Jamer Bates (left), quarterback Eric Kresser (middle) and wide receiver Chris Doering (right) were members of the 1995 Florida football team.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Most memorable moments in Florida-Georgia football rivalry

By Jack Meyer | Oct. 31

Dating all the way back to the early 20th century, the Florida Gators and Georgia Bulldogs have spawned all kinds of memorable moments in one of the more iconic rivalries in college football today.

OPINION | COLUMNS

The DeSantis death cult of climate change denial

By Rey Arcenas | Oct. 31

However, DeSantis’s brand of climate change denial is not merely about rejecting science but perpetuating cruelty.

James Bates, a linebacker on the Florida football team from 1992-1996, tackles a Georgia Bulldog during the 1995 game in Athens, Georgia. Courtesy to the Alligator from James Bates.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

‘Into enemy territory’: Former Gator James Bates’ storied battles against Georgia

By Max Tucker | Oct. 31

One of the oldest and most storied rivalries in the history of college football has been played on a neutral site for nearly 30 years. However, former UF linebacker James Bates has experienced every rabid atmosphere that the two passionate fan bases offer when the Florida Gators and Georgia Bulldogs meet on the gridiron.

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