COVID-19 - The Independent Florida Alligator

Opinion

I’m Mexican American. This is how ICE has impacted my life.

By JP Dishinger | Sep. 30

My grandfather told me I should carry my papers — just in case.

Florida Gators forward Thomas Haugh (10) celebrates after winning the National Championship against the Houston Cougars in the NCAA Tournament on Monday, April 7, 2025, in San Antonio, Texas.

Sports

Thomas Haugh embraces position change ahead of upcoming season

By Jeffrey Serber | Sep. 30

Following an impressive sophomore season, Gators junior forward Thomas Haugh's expectations are higher than they've ever been. On top of now being an everyday starter, Haugh will navigate moving from the four to the wing, creating a new look offense for Florida basketball.

News

Mini crossword for Sept. 30, 2025

By Rohit Paranjape | Sep. 30

Play The Alligator's original mini crossword.

Vision Party members campaigning outside of the Reitz Union during the University of Florida falll student government election on September 29, 2025.

News

Just over 6,000 students vote on first day of mostly uncontested SG elections

By Alligator Staff report | Sep. 29

Only one Student Government party entered the Fall 2025 election. But UF students still lined up at the Reitz Student Union, Norman Education Library and other campus polling locations to cast their ballots in races that are largely uncontested.

UF Women's Tennis player Nikola Daubnerova prepares to hit a ball during the Florida Invitational on Jan. 11, 2025. (Credit: Kade Sowers)

Sports

Florida women’s tennis wraps up play at the ITA All-American Championships

By Nicole Lopez | Sep. 29

Florida women’s tennis wrapped up play on Saturday at the ITA Women’s All-American Championships in Cary, North Carolina. The Gators were represented by five athletes in the first tournament of the fall season, with two athletes qualifying for the singles main draw.

During the Florida Gators Mens Tennis match game vs the Arkansas Razorbacks. Photo by Ryan Friedenberg

Sports

Florida’s Bedford Cup run cut short following Francesco Cordova’s retirement

By Hunter DeLauder | Sep. 29

In the midst of the ITA All-American Championships wrapping up Sunday, the annual Bedford Cup was up for grabs in Tallahassee, Florida, over the weekend. The Gators sent two players to compete: junior Kevin Edengren and sophomore Francesco Cordova, who both competed in singles and doubles.

UF tennis player Henry Jefferson celebrates during a match against the University of North Florida on Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025.

Sports

Henry Jefferson and Tanapatt Nirundorn highlight Gators’ performance at ITA All-American Championships

By Hunter DeLauder | Sep. 29

Gators Henry Jefferson and Tanapatt Nirundorn dominated in the doubles at the ITA All-American Championships in Tulsa, Oklahoma, across Sept. 22-28.

Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks about Florida's higher education at Emerson Alumni Hall on the University of Florida’s campus on Monday, Sept. 29, 2025.

News

Gov. Ron DeSantis visited UF Monday morning. Here’s what to know.

By Swasthi Maharaj and Maria Arruda | Sep. 29

Gov. Ron DeSantis commended UF’s accomplishments and Florida’s success in higher education, earning praise from university and state officials alike, at a Monday morning news conference on campus.

Gators hockey winger Nicholas Ho sets up a shot against the South Carolina Gamecocks

Sports

UF hockey evens series with victory over South Carolina

By Daniela Ortiz | Sep. 29

The Florida Gators (4-2) erupted for four goals in the final period to cruise past the Gamecocks (2-3), claiming a 6-2 victory at Flight Adventure Park in Irmo, South Carolina.

A group of customers take a photo with Frozen Frog Shaved Ice’s mascot during Waldo’s Third Annual Homecoming celebration on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025, in Waldo, Fla.

Metro

Third Annual Waldo Homecoming rallies community in spite of rain

By Teia Williams | Sep. 29

Growing up, Julie Stokes remembers crossing Kennard Street to enter a wonderland of live music, food and endless booths and vendors.

Florida volleyball players celebrate scoring a point against Alabama at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center on Sunday, Sept. 28, in Gainesville, Fla.

Sports

Florida flexes depth and grit in conference victory against Alabama

By Isis Snow | Sep. 29

After a back-and-forth battle full of momentum swings, Florida (5-5) emerged with a 3-1 victory over Alabama (8-4) Sunday night at the Exactech Arena in the Stephen C. O’Connell Center.

Sports

Top NFL agent finds his niche in signing former Gators

By Luke Adragna | Sep. 29

Jonathan Perzley has signed hundreds of athletes during his career, far more former Gators than anyone in the business, and he currently represents 56 players in the league. That’s over 3% of all NFL players.

Florida Gators forward Tatum O'Coyne (3) makes a pass during the first half of team’s 4-2 win over the Towson Tigers at Donald R. Dizney Stadium on Thursday, Aug. 21, 2025.

Sports

Tatum O’Coyne celebrates tiny victories on journey back from ACL tear

By Adrian Carmona | Sep. 29

On Aug. 3, 2024, Tatum’s soccer career took a sharp detour during an exhibition match against the South Florida Bulls.

Florida Gators outside hitter Jordyn Byrd (14) celebrates with her teammates after scoring a point in a volleyball match against the Mississippi State Bulldogs on Friday, Sept. 26, 2025 in the O’Connell Center in Gainesville, Fla.

Sports

Jordyn Byrd breaks free from the sidelines to take Florida volleyball by storm

By Ava DiCecca | Sep. 29

Jordyn Byrd assumed a dominant role for the Gators, establishing herself as the team’s go-to pin hitter on the outside.

Opinion

UF shut down its last satire magazine in the ‘60s. We need another one.

By Dylan Santana | Sep. 29

A university that can’t take a joke has a bigger problem than the joke itself.

News

Mini crossword for Sept. 29, 2025

By Rohit Paranjape | Sep. 29

Play The Alligator's original mini crossword.

UF revoked retired law professor Jeffrey Harrison’s emeritus status for a post he made on his Facebook about the Sept. 10 assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.

News

Retired professor cut off for Charlie Kirk post says UF is ‘silencing dissent’

By Swasthi Maharaj and Leona Masangkay | Sep. 29

In an email response to The Alligator, Harrison wrote he didn’t expect his words to draw so much backlash.

Amy Trask, a victim of domestic violence, introduces a pair of bills to protect other Floridians from facing the same.

Metro

Amy Trask to run again for Florida House District 22 after falling short last year

By Teia Williams | Sep. 28

Amy Trask has experience losing — from custody battles to elections. But the 32-year-old hasn’t given up and continues to rebuild.

A sign reads "free flu shots" outside of Walgreenes.

Enterprise

Gainesville residents struggle to get COVID-19 vaccine amid new CDC guidelines

By Sofia Bravo | Sep. 28

CVS Health and Walgreens limited access to the vaccines in Florida because of a lack of guidelines from the CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices.

Kenneth Nunez holds a cup of ice cream while he grabs a spoon on opening day of Foxtail Coffee Co.'s new location on Northwest 13th Street, on Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2025. (Photo by Libby Clifton)

The Avenue

Kelly’s Ice Cream comes to Gainesville in a new shared space with Foxtail Coffee Co.

By Summer Johnston | Sep. 28

Coffee lovers and ice cream fanatics waited to get their caffeine and sugar fixes at the new Kelly’s Ice Cream and Foxtail Coffee Co. shared space after the sweet treat stop opened just off UF’s campus on Wednesday.