COVID-19 - The Independent Florida Alligator

News

UF faculty banned from recruiting Chinese, Iranian students under new Florida law

By Zoey Thomas | Jan. 8, 2024

The Florida law bans “partnerships,” including recruitment programs, between state universities and any non-U.S. citizen living in a foreign country of concern — including China, Iran, Venezuela, Russia, Cuba, Syria and North Korea. It was passed in May and went into effect Dec. 1. The UF dean’s office and upper administration has interpreted the law to mean faculty cannot offer any assistantship or fellowship to students in these countries for the 2024-2025 academic year.

News

UF graduate assistants celebrate approval of historic raise

By Delia Rose Sauer | Jan. 7, 2024

After months of bargaining, UF Graduate Assistants United saw the fruits of its labor after the university Board of Trustees approved Article 10 of GAU’s collective bargaining agreement. Article 10 states graduate assistants on nine-month appointments will be paid $19,200, while those on 12-month appointments will receive a minimum of $25,600.

Metro

Judge lowers bail for former UF biological scientist accused of child abuse

By Daniel Bednar | Jan. 7, 2024

A Gainesville judge reduced bond Wednesday for a former UF biological scientist accused of locking her two children in cages while going to work.

Head coach Kelly Rae Finley has coached the Gators to a 9-2 start.

Sports

Gators lose first road SEC matchup of 2024 against Vanderbilt

By Jack Meyer | Jan. 7, 2024

After a blowout loss to the South Carolina Gamecocks in their Southeastern Conference opener, the Florida Gators women’s basketball team fared much better in their second conference matchup of the season. Nevertheless, they have yet to secure their first SEC win of 2024.

Junior guard Walter Clayton Jr. drives in for a layup in Florida’s 87-85 loss to Kentucky Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024.

News

Gators come up short against Kentucky in SEC opener

By Max Tucker | Jan. 6, 2024

The Florida Gators men’s basketball team (10-4, 0-1 SEC) fell to the Kentucky Wildcats (11-2, 1-0 SEC) 87-85 in their first game of Southeastern Conference play.

Florida swimmer Leah DeGeorge swims in the Gators' 207-83 win against the Florida Atlantic Owls Friday, Jan. 13, 2023.

Sports

Gators swim dominates first home meet of new year against South Carolina

By Shaine Davison | Jan. 5, 2024

The Florida Gators men’s and women’s swimming teams started the new year with strong performances across multiple events in both the men's and women's races.

Florida freshman Joshua Liendo competes in a swimming event.

Sports

Florida diving rings in new year with high-scoring Tennessee Diving Invite

By Shaine Davison | Jan. 5, 2024

The Florida men’s and women’s diving team traveled to Knoxville, Tennessee, to compete in the Tennessee Diving Invite from Jan. 3-5 for their first meet of 2024.

Metro

Gainesville City Commission hires permanent city clerk, agrees to 2.5% pay increases for charter officers

By Henry DeAngelis | Jan. 5, 2024

At its regular meeting Thursday, the Gainesville City Commission voted 6-0, with Commissioner Desmon Duncan-Walker absent, to appoint Interim City Clerk Kristen Bryant in a permanent capacity, filling the last of the city’s charter office vacancies.

Austin Simmons flipped his commitment to Ole Miss Saturday, June 17, 2023.

Sports

Florida signee DJ Lagway titled 2023-24 Gatorade National Football Player of the Year

By Krisha Sanghavi | Jan. 5, 2024

DJ Lagway, a senior and five-star Florida signee, was named the Gatorade National Football Player of the Year Friday morning.

Florida graduate student forward Tyrese Samuel dunks the ball in the Gators' 77-57 home win over the Merrimack Warriors on Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2023.

News

Gators men’s basketball set to open conference play against Kentucky

By Max Tucker | Jan. 5, 2024

Florida men's basketball coach Todd Golden has led his squad to a 10-3 start in his second year at the helm. However, Florida will be tested right away in the new calendar year as it begins Southeastern Conference play Saturday against the No. 6 Kentucky Wildcats.

Freshman guard Leila Reynolds drives in the lane during Florida's 89-66 loss to the South Carolina Gamecocks Thursday, Jan. 4, 2024.

Sports

Gators women’s basketball falls flat in SEC opener against No. 1 Gamecocks

By Jack Meyer | Jan. 4, 2024

The Florida Gators women’s basketball team (9-4, 0-1 SEC) suffered an 89-66 loss to the No. 1 Gamecocks (13-0, 1-0 SEC) in the team’s 2023-24 SEC opener Thursday night.

Metro

Islamic Community Center of Gainesville vandalized Thursday morning

By Jordan Ramos | Jan. 4, 2024

The Islamic Community Center of Gainesville was vandalized early Thursday morning by unidentified suspect(s) who broke several windows.

Metro

Man arrested for masturbating in front of children at Gainesville Target

By Daniel Bednar | Jan. 3, 2024

The Gainesville Police Department arrested a 57-year-old man Tuesday, on suspicion of masturbating in front of children at a local Target store.

Florida center Ra Shaya Kyle puts up a shot in the Gators' win over the Florida A&M Rattlers Monday, Nov. 7, 2022.

Sports

Gators women’s basketball set to begin conference play

By Jack Meyer | Jan. 3, 2024

With the Gators having concluded their non-conference slate of the schedule, they now turn their attention to their Southeastern Conference foes in 2024.

Sports

DJ Lagway named 2023-24 Gatorade Texas Football Player of the Year

By Krisha Sanghavi | Jan. 3, 2024

DJ Lagway, a five-star Florida signee, was named the 2023-24 Gatorade Texas Football Player of the Year Wednesday morning.

Junior guard Alberte Rimdal attempts a jump shot in the Gators' 79-75 loss to the Florida State Seminoles on Friday, Nov. 17, 2023.

Sports

Gators dominate Winthrop in final non-conference game of 2023-24 season

By Jack Meyer | Dec. 30, 2023

The Gators (8-3) dismantled the Winthrop Eagles (6-7) in a 73-36 blowout victory on Saturday afternoon. Winthrop kept the game close early on in the first quarter, but the Gators went on cruise control soon after to finish the game off.

Junior guard Will Richard rises up for a dunk in the Gators' 89-68 win against the Florida State Seminoles on Friday, Nov. 17, 2023.

News

Gators down Bobcats in final non-conference matchup

By Max Tucker | Dec. 30, 2023

The Florida Gators (10-3) defeated the Quinnipiac Bobcats (9-4) in the Stephen C. O’Connell Center Saturday afternoon 97-72.

Metro

One dead after Christmas Day shooting at Gainesville Walgreens

By Daniel Bednar | Dec. 26, 2023

A Hawthorne woman is facing charges of first degree murder, attempted murder and child neglect after a Christmas Day shooting left one dead and another seriously injured.

Sophomore running back Trevor Etienne carries the ball in the Gators’ 39-36 loss to the Arkansas Razorbacks on Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023.

Sports

Trevor Etienne announces transfer to Georgia

By Bennett Solomon | Dec. 24, 2023

Former Florida Gators running back Trevor Etienne announced Friday he will transfer to the University of Georgia.

News

Gators put talents on display in dominating win against Grambling State

By Max Tucker | Dec. 22, 2023

The Florida Gators men’s basketball team’s dominating performance Friday afternoon allowed the walk-ons that don the Orange and Blue to have their shining moment.