COVID-19 - The Independent Florida Alligator

An employee prepares food at Muñecas Taco Garden and Bar on Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024.

El Caimán

Muñecas organiza gran inauguración por su nueva ubicación en la cuarta Ave Food Park

By Laura Quintana and Bonny Matejowsky | Jan. 16, 2024

Una gran fiesta de inauguración con temática de la década de 1920 atrajo a una multitud deslumbrante y glamorosa el 14 de enero, y muchos de los asistentes al evento lucieron el papel. Los invitados se pusieron vestidos brillantes, abrigos de piel antiguos y trajes de tres piezas alineados en el estacionamiento, listos para asistir a la gran inauguración de Muñecas Jardín de Tacos y Bar [Muñecas Taco Garden and Bar].

Freshman Anya Pilgrim performs her vault routine in the Gators’ season opener in the Stephen C. O’Connell Center, Friday, Jan. 12, 2024.

Sports

Freshman talent floods Gators gymnastics’ season opener

By Krisha Sanghavi | Jan. 16, 2024

Falling shy of the 2023 NCAA Championship, the Florida gymnastics team is resolute in its pursuit of clinching the coveted title this year. The loss of prominent veteran gymnasts All-American Trinity Thomas and Kayla DiCello reshaped the landscape of Florida’s 2024 roster.

Metro

Sidewalks and substances: The Gainesville cyclist’s experience

By Bailey Diem | Jan. 16, 2024

Gainesville bicyclists often face concerns of distracted or impaired drivers, paths in poor condition and limited bike lanes.

Controlled burn at Ordway-Swisher Biological Station on Tuesday, December 5th, 2023.

The Avenue

Gainesville parks, organizations perform prescribed fires to conserve the ecosystem

By Molly Seghi | Jan. 16, 2024

Leading the nation in prescribed fires, Florida parks and organizations perform prescribed fires to conserve the ecosystem.

Local animal artist, Samm Wehman, stands in front of her painting of a manatee at the Crystal River Manatee Festival on Jan. 14, 2024

Enterprise

The manatee may re-enter endangered species list after population decline

By Kylie Williams | Jan. 16, 2024

Florida’s manatee population has struggled over the past few years, leading many petitioners to call for its re-entry to the endangered species list. In 2017, the manatee was reclassified from “endangered” to “threatened” by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Save the Manatee Club filed a joint petition in 2022 to put the Florida manatee back on the endangered species list.

News

Books, naps and games: UF libraries are for more than just studying

By Annie Wang | Jan. 15, 2024

The start of every semester brings about a new wave of academic goals and resolutions, with students scrambling to find the best tips and tricks for productivity. While there’s no doubt that building healthy study habits is important, finding the perfect space to implement those habits is just as important.

Florida sophomore Bente Spee competes in her doubles match during the Gators' 4-1 win over the Michigan Wolverines Wednesday, March 22, 2023.

News

Gators come up empty-handed in 2024 Freeman Memorial Tournament

Jan. 15, 2024

In what has become an annual tradition, Gators women’s tennis started their season at the 21st annual Freeman Memorial Tournament at the Fertitta Tennis Complex in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Redshirt senior Allison Wilson points to the sky after she finished first for the Florida Gators in the Mountain Dew Invitational at Mark Bostick Golf Course on Friday, Sept. 15, 2023.

News

Gators Track and Field bursts into 2024 with nine event wins

Jan. 14, 2024

Both the Florida men’s and women’s track and field teams headed to College Station, Texas to compete in the McFerrin 12-Degree Invitational Saturday. Of the 58 athletes representing Florida, 39 men and 19 women competed in 24 total events. The Gators competed against Baylor, TCU, Oklahoma and Texas A&M.

Senior guard Leilani Correa takes a jump shot in the Gators' 82-65 win against the North Florida Ospreys.

Sports

Gators hold off Bulldogs for first SEC win of 2023-24 season

By Jack Meyer | Jan. 14, 2024

The Florida Gators women’s basketball team survived a close contest with the Georgia Bulldogs Sunday for their first conference win of the season.

Florida sophomore Nate Bonetto hits the ball in the Gators' 4-3 loss to the Georgia Bulldogs Sunday, April 9, 2023.

Sports

Fresh off the Fighting Illini Invite, Gators tune up for regular season

By Chandler Hawkes | Jan. 14, 2024

The Gators men’s tennis team traveled south to Delray Beach, Florida, to participate in the Fighting Illini Invite. The two-day event served as a tune-up event for both teams heading into the regular season, starting this Friday.

Graduate student forward Tyrese Samuel shoots a 3-pointer in the Gators' 90-68 win over Arkansas on Saturday, January 13, 2023.

News

Florida breaks through for first SEC win with 90-68 victory over Arkansas

By Max Tucker | Jan. 13, 2024

The Florida Gators men’s basketball team defeated the Arkansas Razorbacks 90-68 to pick up their first victory in conference play this season.

Angel Espinosa poses with his daughter Julianne Espinosa in Miami on January 22, 2017.

Enterprise

‘I am her voice, she is my heart’: UF alumni dedicate their lives to daughter with rare disorder

By Alexandra Burns | Jan. 13, 2024

In the comfort of her Miami home, 34-year-old Julianne Espinosa lies in bed captivated by videos of Disney princesses flashing across her television screen. As echoes of “The Little Mermaid” fill her room, she smiles brightly, silently expressing the words she cannot say.

Sophomore Lori Brubach performs her floor routine in the Gators’ season opener in the Stephen C. O’Connell Center, Friday, Jan. 12, 2024.

Sports

Florida gymnastics dominates in season-opening meet with all-around sweep

By Krisha Sanghavi | Jan. 12, 2024

Anya Pilgrim shined in the Gators’ season-opening meet. Her strong performance contributed to Florida’s all-around sweep in the quad meet.

A sign in front of the Alachua County Public Schools district office building is seen Sunday, June 6, 2021.

Metro

Alachua County School Board moves not to amend school zone boundaries

By Megan Howard | Jan. 12, 2024

The Alachua County School Board voted against rezoning the existing school boundaries for the 2025-2026 school year in a special hearing Thursday night.

Senior guard Aliyah Matharu shoots a jumpshot in the Gators' 83-69 win against the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats on Thursday, Nov. 9, 2023.

Sports

Gators women's basketball drops to 0-3 in conference play following 88-81 loss to Tennessee

By Jack Meyer | Jan. 11, 2024

The Gators women’s basketball team dropped their third consecutive SEC matchup in a close contest against the Tennessee Volunteers.

Metro

Alachua County Commission asks community to rewrite ceasefire resolution, discuss Florence landfill next steps

By Henry DeAngelis | Jan. 11, 2024

Despite severe weather warnings across Alachua County, the County Commission met Tuesday to discuss a ceasefire resolution and provide an update on the Florence landfill special use permit.

Sophomore Leanne Wong performs her floor routine in Session II of the SEC Championship in Duluth, Georgia Saturday, March 18, 2023.

Sports

Florida gymnastics braces for 2024 season

By Alyssa Britton-Harr | Jan. 11, 2024

The Gators gymnastics team opens their season at home Friday in a quad meet against Fisk State, George Washington and Talladega College.

Florida freshman Tanapatt Nirundorn celebrates after winning a point in his match against the Texas Longhorns Sunday, Jan. 15, 2023.

Sports

Florida Gators men’s tennis set to open season at Illini Invitational

By Chandler Hawkes | Jan. 11, 2024

The Florida Gators men’s tennis team is set to begin their season Friday at the Illini Invitational.

Graduate student guard Zyon Pullin drives with the ball in the Gators' 89-68 win against the Florida State Seminoles on Friday, November 17, 2023.

News

Florida dismantled by Ole Miss 103-85 in first road SEC matchup

By Max Tucker | Jan. 11, 2024

The Florida Gators men’s basketball team (10-5, 0-2 SEC) fell to the Ole Miss Rebels (14-1, 1-1 SEC) 103-85 in their first Southeastern Conference road game of the season.

Metro

Stephen Foster Elementary School teacher arrested for drug possession, DUI charges

By Megan Howard | Jan. 10, 2024

Andres Correa III, 29, was arrested around 1 a.m. Jan. 7 on suspicion of possessing a controlled substance, resisting an officer without violence and driving under the influence.