COVID-19 - The Independent Florida Alligator

A top 5 banner is seen on Buckman Drive on Thursday, Oct. 14, 2021.

News

UF pursues new accreditor

By Alissa Gary | Jan. 9, 2023

For the first time in its history, UF will be mandated to shop for accreditors between now and 2025. The changes to accreditation come in light of Senate Bill 7044, which requires Florida universities to seek new accreditors every five years. The Florida Board of Governors is tasked with finding potential accreditors for universities, a list from which universities can choose which accreditation to apply for, according to SB 7044.

Metro

State removes Alachua County Public Schools LGBTQ support guide

By Peyton Harris | Jan. 9, 2023

In mid-November, Alachua County Public School and other districts in the state received instruction from the Florida Board of Education to cease using LGBTQ support guides because some of the policies were inconsistent with the state’s Parental Rights in Education Act — a controversial law some critics dubbed the “Don’t Say Gay” bill.

Graduate student guard Kyle Lofton celebrates after scoring and drawing a foul against the Georgia Bulldogs Saturday, Jan. 7, 2023.

News

Gators start Southeastern Conference play with heartbreak, resolve

By Brandon Hernandez | Jan. 9, 2023

Florida Gators men's basketball began Southeastern Conference play with back-to-back one-possession losses. In a game against their former head coach Mike White and the Georgia Bulldogs, the Gators won their first SEC game.

Florida senior guard KK Deans scored 21 points in a loss against the Georgia Bulldogs Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023.

Sports

Florida falls at home to Georgia after fourth-quarter flurry

By Topher Adams | Jan. 8, 2023

Florida (12-5, 1-3 SEC) fell at home to Georgia (13-5, 2-2 SEC) 82-7 Sunday afternoon after the Bulldogs outscored the Gators by 14 points in the fourth quarter. Deans led the way for Florida with 21 points, including five made 3-pointers.

Florida senior center Jason Jitoboh embraces former Gators head coach Mike White following Florida's victory over Georgia Saturday, Jan. 7, 2023. White left the Gators to coach the Bulldogs Sunday, March 13, 2022.

News

Florida gets first conference win in Mike White’s return to Gainesville

By Brandon Hernandez | Jan. 7, 2023

Florida (8-7, 1-2 SEC) defeated Georgia (11-4, 1-1 SEC) 82-75 Saturday to earn its first SEC victory of the season. Fifth-year forward Colin Castleton finished the game with a season-high seven blocks.

Library West is seen on Thursday, Oct. 14, 2021.

News

Library West temporarily closed due to water damage

By Sophia Bailly | Jan. 7, 2023

Library West will remain closed into the beginning of the Spring semester after a break in the water line caused an estimated 60,000 gallons of water to flood the library’s first, second and third floors for several hours.

Metro

Police arrest 42-year-old Gainesville man for Gamma Phi Beta burglary

By Elliot Tritto | Jan. 7, 2023

A 42-year-old Gainesville man was arrested and booked at the Alachua County Jail Friday for burglary of dwelling and petit theft at a UF sorority house.

Florida graduate student Trinity Thomas dismounts the bars at the end of her routine in a quad meet against the West Virginia Mountaineers, Ball State Cardinals and the Lindenwood Lions Friday, Jan. 6, 2023.

Sports

Gators break season-opening score for fifth year in a row

By Kyle Bumpers | Jan. 6, 2023

The Gators were dominant in their opening meet, finishing the night with a 197.750. They earned their highest score in a season opener in Florida program history for the fifth season in a row.

Florida guard Trey Bonham throws a pass in the Gators' loss to the Connecticut Huskies Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2022.

News

Gators men’s basketball seeks first conference win against former head coach

By Jackson Reyes | Jan. 6, 2023

The Gators (7-7, 0-2 SEC) will look to end their three-game losing streak against a hot Bulldogs team (11-3, 1-0 SEC) that has won its last four games. Georgia most recently picked up a 12-point win over the No. 22 Auburn Tigers Wednesday.

Metro

City Commission restores exclusionary zoning, will recruit city manager

By Siena Duncan | Jan. 6, 2023

The Gainesville City Commission voted 4-3 to restore exclusionary zoning, which nullified the previous controversial ordinance that eliminated single family zoning.

Pedro Bravo testifies in court Thursday to share his version of the events of the day Christian Aguilar disappeared and the days following.

News

ABC’s ‘Death in the dorms’ revisits the murder of a UF student

By Sophia Bailly | Jan. 6, 2023

“Death in the Dorms” documents six killings across U.S. college campuses. Episode Two, titled “Christian Aguilar,” tells the story of how the romantic obsession of Aguilar’s friend Pedro Bravo mutated into a grisly murder.

Florida guard KK Deans follows through on a jumper in the Gators' 83-55 win over the Florida A&M Rattlers Monday, Nov. 7, 2022.

Sports

Florida gets blown out on the road against Arkansas

By Topher Adams | Jan. 5, 2023

The Florida Gators (12-4, 1-2 SEC) fell on the road to the Arkansas Razorbacks (15-3, 2-1 SEC) in a 102-74 blowout loss. Arkansas became the first opponent to score 100 or more points against the Gators since No. 1 South Carolina in 2020.

Republican U.S. Sen Ben Sasse, of Nebraska, applauds President Kent Fuchs at the Board of Trustees meeting to discuss his candidacy at Emerson Alumni Hall Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2022.

News

UF President-elect Ben Sasse bids farewell to US Senate

By Alissa Gary | Jan. 5, 2023

Sen. Ben Sasse delivered his farewell address on the Senate floor Wednesday after eight years representing Nebraska. He will resign his seat this week to assume his role as UF president in February.

Harvey Ward (left) and Rev. Fletcher of Holy Trinity Episcopal Church (right) clapping after a speech delivered at the swearing-in ceremony for Gainesville Mayor Thursday, Jan. 5, 2023.

Metro

Gainesville swears-in Mayor Harvey Ward, commissioners

By Aubrey Bocalan | Jan. 5, 2023

The city of Gainesville held its swearing-in ceremony Thursday morning, officially inducting Gainesville Mayor Harvey Ward and three commissioners into office.

Florida guard Trey Bonham dribbles the ball in the Gators' 75-54 loss to the Connecticut Huskies Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2022.

News

Gators' late comeback falls just short against Texas A&M Aggies

By Jackson Reyes | Jan. 4, 2023

The Florida Gators (7-7, 0-2 SEC) lost to the Aggies (9-5, 1-0 SEC), 66-63, in the Stephen C. O’Connell Center Wednesday night. The Gators finished the game with 20 turnovers, and Texas A&M found 21 points from those mistakes.

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

Sports

Florida earns 800th program win in defensive battle against Texas A&M

By Topher Adams | Jan. 1, 2023

Florida (12-3, 1-1 SEC) held off the Texas A&M Aggies (5-7, 0-2 SEC) in a defensive battle to win its first Southeastern Conference game of the season. The Gators outscored the Aggies 36-14 in the paint, dominating the interior throughout the game.