COVID-19 - The Independent Florida Alligator

Mental health stigma among Hispanics is more prevalent among recent immigrants, according to Andreas Keil, a UF psychology professor.

El Caimán

El estigma de la salud mental persiste entre estudiantes e inmigrantes hispanos

By Dulce Rodriguez-Escamilla | May 11

Aylin Gomez Melo suele dar un paso atrás cuando enfrenta desafíos. Ella afronta la universidad sola y sin orientación, al ser la primera persona de su familia en pisar un colegio universitario. Navegar las dificultades académicas sólo ha aumentado su ansiedad. Exigirse demasiado no le ha ayudado en el pasado, entonces ha aprendido a tomar distancia para evitar pensar si realmente pertenece allí.

Florida’s Valery Gynina celebrates with her partner Brooke Black during an NCAA women’s doubles tennis match against Kentucky, March 12, 2026, in Gainesville, Fla.

Sports

A season in review: Florida women’s tennis

By Sofia Alamo | May 11

Fueled by close, hard-fought victories, Florida showed just how far it could go when riding serious momentum, finishing the season with a 17-8 record that nearly doubled last year’s win total.

Pablo Perez Ramos, Tanapatt Nirundorn, and Lorenzo Clavier accept plaques honoring their time on the Florida Men's Tennis team at their senior night game against Louisiana State, Saturday, April 4, 2026, in Gainesville, Fla.

Sports

A season in review: Florida men’s tennis

By Ethan Feinberg | May 11

UF remained a consistent top-25 program throughout the season, posted a winning record and amassed numerous top-100 players. Concluding 2026 with a 17-14 overall record and 6-8 in the Southeastern Conference, Florida’s season was defined by competitive play, SEC struggles and dominant victories.

Florida outfielder Cassidy McLellan (22) fist bumps head coach Tim Walton after hitting a home run during an NCAA softball game against FGCU, Wednesday, April 15, 2026, in Gainesville, Fla.

Sports

Seven Gators earn All-SEC honors ahead of postseason push

By Zach Moore | May 11

As the regular season comes to a close and UF rolls into the postseasons, the Gators are hungry for their 14th Women’s College World Series appearance. Florida culminated the regular season with a 489-10 record and a third-place finish in the Southeastern Conference.

El Caimán

Mental health stigma persists among Hispanic students and immigrants

By Dulce Rodriguez-Escamilla | May 11

The stigma surrounding mental health makes many low-income descendants of immigrants opt not to pursue higher education. Those who choose to move forward in spite of it often face stronger stigma in college.

Florida right-handed pitcher Caden McDonald (21) throws a pitch during an NCAA baseball game against Jacksonville University, Tuesday, March 31, 2026, in Gainesville, Fla.

Sports

McDonald, Yost shine as Gators take series against Kentucky

By Colton Veres | May 10

Florida (34-18, 15-12 SEC) defeated Kentucky Sunday afternoon (30-18, 12-15 SEC), 9-6, to clinch the series and take its home season finale.

UF grads find themselves searching as the job market leaves them without a foothold to start their careers.

News

‘An uphill battle’: Gator grads face tough job market

By Swasthi Maharaj | May 10

Madison Cannady graduated from UF with her bachelor’s degree in civil engineering and a master’s degree in water systems in fall 2025. She applied to jobs on LinkedIn, researched specialized careers in her field, attended career fairs and waited for replies from hiring managers that never came.

Florida right-handed pitcher Liam Peterson (12) pitches during an NCAA college baseball game against Auburn at Condron Family Ballpark in Gainesville, Fla., Friday, April 17, 2026.

Sports

Dominant pitching leads Wildcats to series-evening win over Gators

By Colton Veres | May 10

Florida (33-18, 14-12 SEC) fell to Kentucky (30-17, 12-14 SEC) Saturday night at Condron Family Ballpark, 4-2, behind a 12-strikeout complete game from UK starting pitcher Jaxon Jelkin.

The surge in upcoming horror movies this season paints a clear picture: Horror is in, and the film industry knows it.

News

The summer of horror has begun

By Mackenzie Haas | May 9

The surge in upcoming horror movies this season paints a clear picture: Horror is in, and the film industry knows it.

President Donald Trump speaks during the Florida Gators Men's Basketball team visit to the White House in Washington D.C., on Wednesday, May 21, 2025.

Opinion

OPINION: Donald Trump inherited a generation of fake stoics, and he loves it

By Sasha Morel | May 9

Stoicism is a strange philosophy. At its core, there's a belief that only the directly controllable aspects of life should have an impact on your psyche.

Opinion

‘Shaine in Spain’: It’s not about the what, but the who

By Shaine Davison | May 9

Over the past few weeks, I’ve spent weekends in Porto and Lisbon, Portugal, and Prague, Czechia.

Florida catcher Karson Bowen (14) runs to first base in an attempt to beat the catcher during an NCAA college baseball game against Auburn at Condron Family Ballpark in Gainesville, Fla., Friday, April 17, 2026.

Sports

Kyle Jones propels Gators to walk-off win over Kentucky

By Colton Veres | May 9

Florida (32-17, 13-11 SEC) defeated Kentucky (29-16, 11-13 SEC) Friday night on a walkoff single in the first game of the weekend series at Condron Family Ballpark.

Florida goalkeeper Susan Radebaugh (50) saves a shot during an NCAA Lacrosse game against South Florida, Wednesday, April 8, 2026, in Gainesville, Fla.

Sports

Florida lacrosse heads home, falls to Denver in NCAA Tournament

By Coral Uzgiden | May 9

The Gators (15-3) fell to the Pioneers (15-3), 16-8, at Prentup Field in Boulder, Colorado. The loss marked Florida’s first-ever loss to Denver and the end of its season.

The Florida Gators softball team celebrates a walk off win of an NCAA softball game against Mississippi State, Sunday, April 5, 2026, in Gainesville, Fla.

Sports

Florida softball exits SEC Tournament with loss to Alabama

By Curan Ahern | May 8

Logging only three hits, Florida (48-10) fell to Alabama (49-6), 9-1, in the SEC Tournament semifinal at John Cropp Stadium in Lexington, Kentucky.

Actors Eric Loscheider, Caroline Hanks and Brady Wease discuss their roles in the show "Million Dollar Quartet", which is the final show of the Hippodrome's 2025-2026 season.

The Avenue

‘Million Dollar Quartet’ finishes the Hippodrome’s 2025-2026 season

By Brandy Sumner | May 8

Beneath the red glow of a recording sign, eight people stand surrounded by their instruments and the music they have built their dreams upon.

Crowds gather at the Cotton Club Museum and Cultural Center to celebrate Juneteenth on Thursday, June 19, 2025.

Metro

Gainesville approves $40K for Cotton Club Museum repairs

By Olivia Lofaso | May 8

The Gainesville City Commission unanimously voted at a Thursday meeting to grant the Cotton Club Museum and Cultural Center $40,000 to repair its air conditioning system.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis delivers a speech for the Hamilton School’s ceremonial groundbreaking, Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025, in Gainesville, Fla.

Opinion

OPINION: Florida's debate problem: How FCDI is failing students

By Sasha Morel | May 8

The Florida Forensics League state tournament is generally considered the premier speech and debate championship for Sunshine State residents. This year, though, my students told me it felt like a glorified local meet.

Mayor Harvey Ward is among those at the ribbon cutting for the renovated Gainesville City Hall Plaza Friday, May 8, 2026.

News

Gainesville unveils newly renovated City Hall Plaza

By Logan McBride | May 8

Cheers echoed through Gainesville’s City Hall Plaza as Mayor Harvey Ward welcomed residents to the newly renovated, more open public space.

Florida midfielder Gabby Greene (1) cradles the ball during the first quarter of an NCAA women’s lacrosse gmae against Mercer, Saturday, March 07, 2026, in Gainesville, Fla.

Sports

Florida lacrosse to face Denver in first round of NCAA Tournament

By Coral Uzgiden | May 7

No. 9 Florida (15-3, 5-0 Big 12) will travel to Boulder, Colorado, to play No. 13 Denver Pioneers (15-3, 6-0 Big East) in the first round of the NCAA Tournament Friday at 9 p.m.

Florida right handed pitcher Allison Sparkman (16) runs towards third base during an NCAA softball game against Auburn, Saturday, April 18, 2026, in Gainesville, Fla.

Sports

Florida outlasts Auburn in wild SEC quarterfinal slugfest

By Zach Moore | May 7

The No. 3 seed Florida (48-9) defeated No. 14 seed Auburn (27-28) in a 10-9 slugfest Thursday at John Cropp Stadium in Lexington, Kentucky.