COVID-19 - The Independent Florida Alligator

Michael Kuenstle, a 59-year-old UF School of Architecture associate professor, died Dec. 12 due to COVID-19 complications. [Courtesy to The Alligator: Nancy Clark]

News

Remembering Michael Kuenstle, an architect dedicated to his family

By Corbin Bolies | Dec. 21, 2020

The School of Architecture’s longest-tenured faculty member, Kuenstle was known for his strong commitment to both his professional and personal lives. He served on the board of the Florida Foundation for Architecture, became the state board director of the American Institute of Architects and contributed to numerous architectural publications — all while building a family with his wife and 17-year-old son.

Sports

Kyle Pitts declares for 2021 NFL Draft

By Payton Titus | Dec. 20, 2020

Pitts finished his career at Florida with 100 receptions, 1,492 receiving yards and 18 touchdowns.

Sports

Gators attempt late-game comeback, still drown in Crimson Tide

By River Wells | Dec. 20, 2020

Alabama becomes SEC Champion for the 28th time after a 52-46 win over the Gators.

Sophomore Lavender Briggs dropped 20 points in the Gators' victory over UNC Asheville Wednesday evening.

Sports

Gators defeat TexAnns 84-52

By Declan Walsh | Dec. 20, 2020

Guard Lavender Briggs scored 20 points in the Gators win over North Florida Monday.

Sports

UF women’s swimming and diving jumps to No. 7 in poll

By River Wells | Dec. 20, 2020

The women’s team finished in the same rank before it went on to place second in the SEC earlier this year.

Southwestern Advantage sells textbooks targeted to kindergarteners to high schoolers by going door-to-door.

Metro

Direct-sales company Southwestern Advantage continues to recruit UF students despite complaints

By Nora O'Neill | Dec. 18, 2020

Southwestern Advantage, which sells textbooks, has been the subject of scrutiny by students. The company recruits at UF career fairs and at the Reitz Union, working closely with the UF Career Connections Center. Students say the program is misleading, predatory and unethical.

Florida earned the title "Best College Athletics in America" for 2021 from Niche college rankings following a short, but successful 2019-2020 athletic year.

Sports

Florida gymnastics tabbed No. 1 in preseason poll for third time

By Zachary Huber | Dec. 18, 2020

The Gators narrowly grabbed the No. 1 ranking during a tiebreaker with Oklahoma.

Coach Dan Mullen during the Florida-Georgia game Nov. 2, 2019.

Sports

A look inside the Gators’ new top 10 recruiting class

By Michael Hull | Dec. 17, 2020

Sandwiched between last week’s loss to LSU and Saturday’s upcoming SEC Championship game, the Florida Gators secured another top 10 recruiting class.

The Avenue

The Avenue Spring 2021 staff applications now open

By Morgan Goldwich | Dec. 17, 2020

The Avenue is hiring!

Samuel Overly, a UF Health clinical leader, is the first to get the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine at UF Health Shands Cancer Hospital on Dec. 16, 2020. Suzy Wise administered the anticipated shot.

News

UF Health begins administering COVID-19 vaccines in Gainesville

By Julia Coin | Dec. 16, 2020

UF Health Shands Hospital administered its first 12 vaccines from UF Health Jacksonville at a news conference early Wednesday morning. All UF Health workers are expected to be vaccinated within two months.

Metro

Black and minority youths are overrepresented in the Alachua County juvenile justice system

Dec. 16, 2020

Black youth arrested in Alachua County make up more than half the system. The demographic made up about 35% of juveniles arrested as first-time youth offenders statewide from 2019-20, but 61% of first-time youthful offenders arrested in Alachua County are Black.

Metro

Roller skating: America and Depot Park’s new favorite pastime?

By Rachel Slay | Dec. 15, 2020

Roller skating and rollerblading gained huge followings in 2020 as people were eager for safe ways to stay active and socialize.

News

UF female TAs experience gender bias from students and faculty

By Kalia Richardson | Dec. 15, 2020

Gender stereotypes have led to bias from students and faculty.

Metro

Alachua County sees reduction in food inspection violations

By Samantha Chery | Dec. 14, 2020

This year’s county inspection violation rate has decreased about 23%, according to data from the Department of Business & Professional Regulation’s (DBPR) Division of Hotels and Restaurants, which oversees public food service establishments.

Gators forward Keyontae Johnson at Florida's game against LSU Feb. 26. Johnson is in "critical but stable" condition at Tallahassee Memorial Hospital.

News

No update on scheduled game Wednesday, collapsed player Johnson in coma, officials say

By Declan Walsh | Dec. 14, 2020

Representatives were unable to confirm UF men’s basketball’s Wednesday night matchup versus North Florida following Keyontae Johnson’s collapse on the court against Florida State.

The Avenue

Gainesville musicians navigate music profitability

By Heather Bushman | Dec. 14, 2020

Without concerts, musicians look to stay afloat

Carrie and Jesus Martinez painted a "Push for Peace" mural at Possum Creek Skatepark. Jesus Martinez said his clothes always end up caked in paint and sometimes become too stiff to wear again.

The Avenue

The “Push for Peace” lives on in a Gainesville mural

By Katie Delk | Dec. 14, 2020

Gainesville artists Jesus and Carrie Martinez created a "Push for Peace" mural in Possum Creek Skatepark Dec. 5.

The Avenue

Gainesville meditation centers hold healing practices in new ways

By Katie Delk | Dec. 14, 2020

Gainesville’s meditation centers Karuna Cottage, ChayVeda Integrative Ayurvedic Healing Arts and Gainesville Retreat Center have seen a pique in interest in virtual sessions.

The Avenue

Rate and Review: ‘The Lo-Fis’ by Steve Lacy

By Manny Rea | Dec. 14, 2020

Alternative R&B artist Steve Lacy released his latest album, "The Lo-Fis," Dec. 4.

Thomas Johns, Director of Pharmacy Services at UF, gives a thumbs up after displaying the thermometer to the press. The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine has to be stored at ultracold temperatures.

News

UF will provide COVID-19 vaccine to select medical staff this week

By Thomas Weber | Dec. 14, 2020

UF Health is one of the "Pfizer Five" hospitals in Florida to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. UF Health Jacksonville received about 20,000 vaccines Monday and delivered 4,000 to UF Health in Gainesville. UF will vaccinate its frontline medical staff in Gainesville starting Wednesday.