COVID-19 - The Independent Florida Alligator

Metro

Gainesville activists condemn Florida’s 15-week abortion ban bill

By Lucille Lannigan | Mar. 28, 2022

This bill bans abortion after 15 weeks of pregnancy and has raised alarm among people with reproductive capabilities. The ban would allow for exceptions involving “serious risk” to the pregnant person and fetal abnormality with no exceptions for rape or incest. Now, the closest place for Floridians to access abortion after 15 weeks is North Carolina.

Senior Kieran Smith and his teammates shattered a UF swim record on their way to third place in the NCAA Nationals

Sports

Florida men’s swim and dive places third at NCAA Championships

By Ethan Eibe | Mar. 27, 2022

Gators swim and dive earned the bronze at last week’s NCAA Championships, racking up numerous All-American honors and taking home three individual national titles.

Sophomore Avery Goelz and the No. 6 Florida Gators avoided a sweep against No. 15 Tennessee

Sports

Gators avoid sweep, down Tennessee 4-1

By Caleb Wiegandt | Mar. 27, 2022

Even after two tough first games in this weekend’s Florida-Tennessee series, the Skylar Wallace show earned rave reviews in act three for a Gators win.

The Gators fell in the second game of the weekend series against Mizzou Saturday, falling 5-3.

Sports

Pitching remains red flag in series loss to LSU

By Carson Cashion | Mar. 27, 2022

Pitching for the Gators on Saturdays and Sundays might as well be a mystery box, though, and that uncertainty will likely end up determining whether or not No. 8 Florida (17-7, 3-3) can hang with its SEC competition.

Gators senior goalie Sarah Reznick and the team clinched the regular season AAC title Saturday afternoon after a victory over Temple University.

Sports

Florida continues to roll with 21-10 win at Arizona State

By Topher Adams | Mar. 27, 2022

Sophomore Danielle Pavinelli scored a career-high seven goals as the Gators rolled to a fourth-consecutive win, beating the Arizona State Sun Devils 21-10.

Florida center fielder Jud Fabian makes a slide for second base against Florida A&M. His home run against Georgia ended up falling short, as the Bulldogs would walk off the game in the bottom of the ninth.

Sports

Tigers pounce on Gators, drag series to decisive third game

By Ethan Budowsky | Mar. 27, 2022

No. 21 LSU cruised through the Gators pitching staff to an 11-4 win in Florida Ballpark. The win sets up a crucial rubber match Sunday afternoon.

No.6 Florida fell to the hands of the No. 14 Tennessee Volunteers Saturday for its first conference loss of the year.

Sports

Offensive struggles continue to torment Florida in 7-2 loss against Tennessee

By Jose Tovar | Mar. 26, 2022

The Gators dropped their second straight after notching only three hits in the second game of the series.

Senior Duarte Vale (right) and freshman Nate Bonetto (left) high-five after a score. No. 2 Florida defeated No. 55 Arkansas, 6-1

Sports

Gators overcome Arkansas for 10th consecutive win

By Joshua Morgan | Mar. 26, 2022

No. 2 Florida (15-2) continued their winning ways on Friday with a 6-1 win over No. 55 Arkansas.

Florida's Sarah Dahlstrom during a match against Central Florida on Feb. 9, 2021. The Gators women's team shut down Ole Miss, 7-0 Friday night.

Sports

Florida women’s tennis gains third sweep of the season

By Vanessa Sanchez | Mar. 26, 2022

The Florida Gators earned its fifth-consecutive win Friday night after shutting out Ole Miss, 7-0.

No. 7 Florida Gators softball fell in game two of a weekend series against the No. 5 Alabama Crimson Tide.

Sports

Gators drop series opener against Volunteers

By Vanessa Sanchez | Mar. 26, 2022

Florida softball fell in the first of a three-game series with the Tennessee Volunteers Friday night

Keyontae Johnson during a Florida huddle Feb. 19. The senior was is under investigation for a sexual assault, reportedly taking place in February.

Sports

Keyontae Johnson accused of sexual assault

By Jackson Castellano | Mar. 26, 2022

Florida basketball star Keyontae Johnson was accused of sexual assault by police as part of an ongoing investigation into an incident that occurred on Feb. 26.

Freshman Deric Fabian rounds third base and sprints for home during a midweek matchup with Florida A&M. Fabian hit his third home run of the season on Tuesday night against Florida A&M. The third baseman knocked a solo walk-off to survive the series in Vanderbilt

Sports

Barco deals, Gators trounce Tigers 7-2

By Carson Cashion | Mar. 26, 2022

“We’ve never liked them, they’ve never liked us.” The attitude was simple for Hunter Barco regarding the LSU Tigers. On Friday, he threw for seven scoreless innings against them en route to a 7-2 victory.

The Florida baseball team stands in the dugout during a game against Jacksonville on March 14, 2021. The Gators host the LSU Tigers for a three-game slate

Sports

Gators host Tigers for a top-25 conference showdown

By Ethan Budowsky | Mar. 25, 2022

Gator baseball hosts the LSU Tigers in their first home conference series of the year.

Redshirt junior Skylar Wallace rounds third after launching a home run to center field. Florida takes on conference rival Tennessee in a weekend series.

Sports

Florida hosts Tennessee for third SEC series of the season

By Jose Tovar | Mar. 24, 2022

The Florida softball team will host a three-game series against the Tennessee Volunteers at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium March 25-27.

Families strolled through the festival's attractions at the Kanapaha Botanical Gardens on March 19 and 20.

The Avenue

Smelling the flowers at Kanapaha Botanical Gardens’ Spring Garden Festival

By Eileen Calub | Mar. 24, 2022

More than 100 white tent booths showcased plants, garden tools, arts and crafts and educational exhibits. Just beyond the designated festival area, the 68-acre expanse of flora provided a reprieve from the crowd of eager festival goers.

Senior midfielder Maeson Tydings advancing the ball upfield. Florida lacrosse routed Stetson 19-5 Wednesday. Florida beat Eastern Carolina in the AAC Tournament Thursday.

Sports

Florida conquers the elements, routs Stetson 19-5

By Topher Adams | Mar. 23, 2022

The Gators overcome the weather to cruise past the Stetson Hatters for their third-straight victory.

Screenshot of the event poster on UF Accent Speakers Bureau Facebook page.

News

Student Government agency hosts second event with a guest speaker this semester

By Maia Botek | Mar. 23, 2022

The ACCENT Speaker’s Bureau event was the Student Government agency’s second guest of the semester. Howie Mandel spoke with UF’s journalism department Chair Ted Spiker Feb. 28.

The Avenue

Women’s Student Association celebrates student talent for Women’s History Month

Mar. 23, 2022

The Reitz Union will be lit up with the vibrant color schemes of artwork, the powerful punch of oral performances and the musicality of dance as students take to the stage to present their work honoring this Women’s History Month.

Metro

Community members gather to discuss new community farm for Porters Quarters residents

By Erina Anwar | Mar. 23, 2022

About 15 people gathered at the Porters Community Center Sunday to discuss creating a community farm on the lot on Fifth Avenue. Williams, a 67-year-old community activist, explained why affordable healthy food options are necessary.

News

UF no longer expects masks on campus

By Maia Botek | Mar. 23, 2022

UF no longer expects or encourages wearing masks on campus. Now, the university supports and welcomes masks if people choose to wear them.