COVID-19

---

OPINION  |  COLUMNS

Presidential debate: calamities or promise

By Abraham Hilu | July 8

The presidential debate June 27 presented a clearer picture of what both candidates have in mind for policies in the United States. A general concluding theme is President Joe Biden is mentally compromised, while former President Donald Trump arguably performed one of his best presidential debates. People from both parties realize Biden doesn’t have the strength to continue the most demanding job in the country.

---

SPANISH

De calaveras a salvia: llega a Gainesville el negocio pequeño peculiar Onyx and Iris

By Noor Sukkar and Jose Carmona | July 8

Con atrapasoles asomándose por la ventana y color emanando desde el interior, Onyx and Iris abrió sus puertas al mediodía del 6 de julio.

---

SPORTS  |  OTHER SPORTS GOLF

Parker Bell and Jack Turner’s chemistry elevates Florida men’s golf

By Aiden Wacksman | July 8

Parker Bell and Jack Turner’s close friendship, both on and off the golf course, has fueled their strong performance in the 2023-24 season. 

---

SPANISH

GAU celebra el primer espectáculo de drag ‘Queens at Capones’

By Grace McClung and Eneida Escobar | July 8

Con abrigos de piel amarillos, bodys de estampado animal, botas de cuero hasta la rodilla y vestidos con lentejuelas, cuatro drag queens desfilaron y bailaron al ritmo de éxitos pop en el primer espectáculo de drag “Queens at Capones” el 5 de julio.  

---

THE AVENUE

Elderly community cat Precious potentially ‘cat-napped’

By Bonny Matejowsky | July 5

Precious, a brown and white striped community cat who has resided in UF’s College of Public Health and Health Professions since 2008, went missing from the area July 2.  

---

THE AVENUE  |  NIGHTLIFE

MacDinton’s opening night wakes up summer nightlife

By Sydney Johnson | July 3

MacDinton’s Gainesville wants to make one thing clear: It is nothing like its predecessor. Adorned with Guinness on tap and a painting of Leonardo da Vinci’s “The Last Supper” featuring Gainesville icons, Macdinton’s is distinct. 

---

SPORTS  |  BASKETBALL

Florida basketball lands Slovenian guard Urban Klavžar to finalize 2024-25 roster

By Jack Meyer | July 1

Following an action-packed 2024 offseason, the Florida Gators men’s basketball team has officially finalized its roster with the addition of Slovenian guard Urban Klavžar. 

---

NEWS  |  CAMPUS BREAKING NEWS

Undercover Messianic Jewish activist who sought to entrap Muslim professors trespassed from UF campus

By Grace McClung | July 1

The undercover Messianic Jewish activist who tried to bait UF Muslim professors into admitting bias against Israel and conservatives has been trespassed from all UF properties for three years by the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office.

---

SPORTS  |  OTHER SPORTS TRACK

Five Gators book tickets to the Paris Olympics

By Liana Handler | July 1

As the Olympics loom near, two current Gators made Team USA, and Parker Valby stands on the verge of qualification. 

---

OPINION  |  COLUMNS

It’s Joever: Biden is old, unpopular and should not be running for President

By Rey Arcenas | July 1

I tuned into the first Presidential debate of the election season with alcohol in hand. My friends sat around the couch, watching the live political spectacle alongside 51 million other viewers. Drinks ran dry as both candidates made gaffe after gaffe. While former President Trump lied about abortion “even after birth” and denounced Biden as a “bad Palestinian,” our current President’s age became painfully visible as he struggled to form coherent answers to Trump’s rhetoric. Even when silent, Biden unnervingly stared off into space, looking visibly confused.

---

OPINION  |  COLUMNS

Recognizing queer student activists at the frontlines of struggle

By Rey Arcenas | July 1

I co-organized my first protest the spring of my freshman year, opposing House Bill 1557 or the “Don’t Say Gay” bill. During our march through Gainesville, dozens of community members swelled the crowd while others heckled us with homophobic slurs. 

---

OPINION  |  COLUMNS

Leave it to the professionals: The trend of legislative attacks on higher education in Florida

By Cassie Urbenz | July 1

Almost a year ago on July 1, the Florida Legislature passed Senate Bill 256 — a bill specifically intended to limit the power of unions in the state. The challenge that the Florida Legislature forced upon us has developed in several ways. While we have seen a growing community stand behind our unions, we have also seen an escalation of attacks on the groups we have a responsibility to protect.

---

METRO

Unveiling Gainesville’s tolerance in the face of the AIDS pandemic

By Ben Nielsen | July 1

When 20-year-old UF anthropology major Fiona Garber and a group of her peers were tasked with a research project as a part of UF’s ​​Alexander Grass Scholars Program, she chose to delve into the impact of the condition and the effect of the AIDS pandemic on a local scale.

---

METRO  |  CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Florida Attorney General releases a new edition of cold case playing cards

By Lee Ann Anderson | July 1

Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody along with the Florida Association of Crime Stoppers, Florida’s Sheriffs Association and Florida Department of Corrections announced June 10 that over 5,000 decks will be sent across the state with the purpose of generating new cold case leads from inmates, according to an Office of the Attorney General news release.

---

ENTERPRISE  |  POLITICS

DeSantis vetoes all state arts and culture funding, leaving local organizations with uncertain futures

By Morgan Vanderlaan | July 1

Over 600 state organizations apply for the grants annually. Alachua County organizations requested over $1 million, and though some applications were initially approved, all funds were later denied. 

---

NEWS  |  CAMPUS

UF concrete canoe team paddles its way to fourth national title

By Kamala Rossi | July 1

Mist traced the rolling mountains surrounding Lake Utah State Park as a team of four UF civil engineering students paddled their craft, the Springseeker, to victory. Team Springseeker, made up of UF faculty, students and alumni, worked tirelessly to create a concrete canoe fit to race against other top civil engineering colleges.

---

THE AVENUE  |  LIFESTYLE

Gainesville celebrates the end of Pride month with downtown event

By Jose Carmona | July 1

On June 29, downtown Gainesville became a vibrant gathering spot for the LGBTQ+ community with the third annual Pride Street Party at The Bull. The event, which took place from 6 to 11 p.m. and was free of charge, featured a variety of performances for all audiences.

---

NEWS  |  CAMPUS

UF School of Music receives $20 million from the state to improve facilities

By Avery Parker | July 1

Gov. Ron DeSantis approved $20 million for the UF School of Music’s building project in the “Focus on Florida’s Future” budget June 12, bringing total state funding for the project to $55 million. 

---

NEWS  |  CAMPUS

UFPD sergeant facing suspension for racist comments, nepotism

By Grace McClung | July 1

A UF Police Department sergeant is facing a three-day suspension after an internal investigation found he repeatedly made racist and antisemitic comments to coworkers and attempted to influence official application processes to help his superior's son get a job.

---

THE AVENUE  |  ART AND THEATER

Clowns and LGBTQ+ identity: An intersection of art and expression

By Carlos Alemany | July 1

To some, however, within the vibrant world of clowns lies a profound connection to self-expression and identity, particularly within the LGBTQ+ community. The fusion of flamboyant makeup and performance art can offer a unique avenue for exploring and celebrating queer identities.