COVID-19 - The Independent Florida Alligator

Opinion

No more hesitant steps

By Delia Rose Sauer | Aug. 13, 2025

I would often lie on the floor, eyes fixated on each divot of my popcorn ceiling, contemplating what would become of my life at the University of Florida. I had all this passion with nowhere to put it. Now, I navigate winding roads and uneven staircases with the might and heart of a journalist, a part of me I would never have unlocked if I hadn’t stepped through the propped-open door of The Alligator office.

Planned Parenthood serves the Gainesville community on Northwest 13th Street on Tuesday, August 12, 2025.

El Caimán

Recursos de salud sexual en el campus y en Gainesville están disponibles para todos

By Candy Fontana-Verde and Alanna Robbert | Aug. 13, 2025

En Florida, donde las leyes y el estigma persistente pueden hacer que las conversaciones sobre el sexo parezcan un tema tabú, la universidad ya ofrece suficientes sorpresas, por lo que encontrar atención médica sexual no debería ser una de ellas. Aquí te indicamos dónde acudir, qué debes saber y quién te puede ayudar en UF y en Gainesville.

University

Who's been running the show and how they’ve been running it

By Maria Avlonitis | Aug. 13, 2025

The University of Florida has developed a reputation far from its Gator pride and excellent academics. This summer introduced impactful changes to students and faculty, adding to an already complex administrative history.

Student-led Hispanic organizations like HLSA, HSA and CHISPAS welcome new students and offer cultural representation, resources, and community support as the Fall semester begins.

El Caimán

Grupos estudiantiles hispanos y latinos dan la bienvenida al nuevo año escolar en UF

By Candy Fontana-Verde | Aug. 13, 2025

La comunidad hispana en la Universidad de Florida representa el grupo minoritario más grande. Para ofrecer un espacio a los estudiantes que quieren sentirse conectados con sus raíces, organizaciones estudiantiles realizan actividades y programas que celebran la cultura latina, promueven la integración y ayudan a los estudiantes, nuevos y regulares, a encontrar su lugar en el campus.

University

Hispanic and Latino student groups usher in new school year at UF

By Candy Fontana-Verde | Aug. 13, 2025

The Hispanic community at the University of Florida represents the largest minority group. To offer a space for students who want to feel connected to their heritage, student organizations host activities and programs that celebrate Latin culture, promote connection and help new and returning students find their place on campus.

Patrick Reakes, interim-director of UF libraries, laughs during former Dean Judy Russell’s farewell celebration at Smathers Library.

University

UF alumnus steps up as UF libraries interim director

By Swasthi Maharaj | Aug. 12, 2025

Patrick Reakes didn’t think he’d be a librarian. Forty-three years after his freshman year at the University of Florida, he’s serving as the interim director of the George A. Smathers Libraries.

The Florida Gators' offensive line gets set against the LSU Tigers' defensive line in the Gators' 45-35 loss to the Tigers on Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022.

Sports

Jake Slaughter earns preseason All-America honors from ESPN

By Luke Adragna | Aug. 11, 2025

Florida fifth-year center Jake Slaughter earned more preseason recognition and was named to ESPN's All-America list.

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

Sports

Gators football cracks preseason AP Top 25 poll

By Luke Adragna | Aug. 11, 2025

The Associated Press released its preseason AP Top 25 poll Monday.

Metro

Gainesville City Manager Cynthia Curry resigns

By Logan McBride | Aug. 8, 2025

In a letter sent to the Gainesville City Commission Friday afternoon, Gainesville City Manager Cynthia Curry announced her resignation. Curry wrote she believed it was an appropriate time for the city to move forward.

A pedestrian walks past one of the rainbow crosswalks Tuesday evening in downtown Gainesville near Bo Diddley Plaza.

Metro

Gainesville commission votes to remove pride crosswalks

By Logan McBride | Aug. 8, 2025

The Gainesville City Commission voted to remove three rainbow crosswalks at an Aug. 7 meeting. The commission’s unanimous decision comes after an order from the Florida Department of Transportation to remove the art.

Opinion

Are Gator men becoming more like their reptilian counterparts?

By Grace Tran | Aug. 8, 2025

In a school of over 60,000 students, it seems impossible to find the right person. UF’s dating scene makes me wonder if we would have better luck looking for our dream man in Lake Alice.

Opinion

UF is at a fiscal crossroads

By Lily Haak | Aug. 8, 2025

President Donald Trump recently signed his domestic policy bill, which outlines mass federal funding cuts. While the cuts were inevitable amid a national debt crisis and evolving economic policy, a choice was made to slash funding for programs nationwide. The University of Florida has been lucky.

School supplies collected, Tools for Schools sit waiting to be used in their resource center on Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2025.

Metro

School supplies, creativity made affordable through reused supplies

By Alanna Robbert | Aug. 8, 2025

Art programs help children develop communication, emotional intelligence and fine motor skills by drawing with crayons or painting a picture. Despite their benefits, art programs are often the first to be affected by budget cuts.

The new Meltwich is located on NW 14 Street on Sunday, Aug. 3, 2025.

The Avenue

Meltwich Food Co. to open in Gainesville

By Victoria Riccobono | Aug. 7, 2025

Say cheese! Meltwich Food Co., a Canadian restaurant specializing in grilled cheese sandwiches, burgers and fries, is opening its fourth U.S. and first Florida location in Gainesville.

Sydney Sweeney’s new American Eagle ad has sparked mixed reactions online. The campaign is prompting discussion about representation in advertising.

The Avenue

What Sydney Sweeney’s American Eagle ad says about a divided America

By Isis Snow | Aug. 7, 2025

Genes are universal, and so is controversy. The “Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans” American Eagle ad campaign, which played on the homophones “genes” and “jeans,” sparked conversations about Western beauty standards, the media’s oversexualization of women and the influence of “woke” politics on American culture.

Sara Stovall and Grant Peeples perform at Heartwood Soundstage on Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025.

The Avenue

Folk artist uses ‘revolutionary’ storytelling to address political divide

By Autumn Johnstone | Aug. 7, 2025

Sixty-eight-year-old Peeples is often accused of writing protest songs, but the feedback doesn’t discourage him. He doesn’t hesitate to tell people exactly what he’s passionate about, he said,

Florida track and field runner Robert Gregory (left) poses with his bronze medal alongside Kenny Bednarek and Noah Lyles. Photo courtesy of Johnny Zhang of CITIUS Mag.

Sports

Gators show out at USATF Championships, punch tickets to Tokyo

By Paul Hof-Mahoney | Aug. 6, 2025

Several former Florida stars, as well as professionals that now train in Gainesville, added national medals to their trophy cases and U.S. kits to their closets at the USATF Outdoor Championships over the weekend.

Dallas Wilson dodges a tackler during the Gators' Orange and Blue game on Saturday, April 12, 2025 at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Fla. / UAA Communications

Sports

Dallas Wilson sidelined during training camp with lower leg injury

By Luke Adragna | Aug. 6, 2025

Gators incoming freshman Dallas Wilson suffered a lower leg injury during Florida's fall training camp.

Florida Gators Head Coach Todd Golden watches his team play offense in a basketball game against Auburn University on Feb. 8, 2025, in Auburn, Ala.

News

Florida basketball’s conference schedule revealed for 2025-26

By Curan Ahern | Aug. 6, 2025

The Florida Gators basketball team's conference schedule was released Wednesday.

A medical student watches as a volunteer wraps a blood pressure cuff around a young girl’s arm at the vitals station at Parkview Baptist Church on Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025.

El Caimán

Feria de salud brinda servicios médicos gratuitos a la comunidad de Gainesville

By Candy Fontana-Verde | Aug. 6, 2025

La feria de salud reduce las barreras al acceso a la salud para quienes no tienen seguro ni recursos para pagar consultas médicas.