COVID-19 - The Independent Florida Alligator

Florida thrower Imani Washington competes in the women’s weight throw during the Jimmy Carnes Invitational in Gainesville, Fla., Friday, Jan. 16, 2026.

Sports

Van Daalen dominates discus field as Florida women qualify 16 entries at NCAA East Regional

By Paul Hof-Mahoney | May 30

Across two days of competition in Lexington, the Florida women’s track and field team earned 16 bids to the NCAA Outdoor Championships, set to be held inside Hayward Field at the University of Oregon from June 10-13. The Gators will send 17 women’s entries in total, as sophomore Pauline Bikembo had already qualified in the heptathlon.

Dressed as Barbie and Ken, Alice Mizer and Benedict Down perform at Mascuerade at University Club in downtown Gainesville, Fla., Tuesday, May 26, 2026.

News

University Club’s ‘Mascuerade’ brings drag kings to the main stage

By Brandy Sumner | May 30

University Club’s weekly “Now That’s What I Call Tuesdays” show began a monthly drag king spotlight in January, called the Mascuerade.

Florida sprinter Jayden Horten-Mims competes in the men’s 300 meter dash during the Jimmy Carnes Invitational in Gainesville, Fla., Friday, Jan. 16, 2026.

Sports

Braun’s historic 400-meter leads 11 Gator men’s qualifiers at NCAA East Regional

By Paul Hof-Mahoney | May 29

There were plenty of nice moments for the Florida men’s track and field team in Lexington, as the University of Kentucky played host to the NCAA East Regional. Across two days of competition, the Gators secured 11 bids – 10 individual and one relay – to the NCAA Championships, hosted in Eugene, Oregon, from June 10-13.

Florida infielder Brendan Lawson (11) runs to first base during an NCAA baseball game against Jacksonville University, Tuesday, March 31, 2026, in Gainesville, Fla.

Sports

Lawson’s walk-off homer lifts Florida past Rider in Gainesville Regional opener

By Colton Veres | May 29

Lawson’s blast capped off a dramatic comeback as Florida (40-19, 18-12 SEC) survived Rider (33-19, 22-8 MAC), 8-7, Friday in the opening game of the Gainesville Regional.

Lovebugs pile on the outside of Frenchmen Street Food, located at 439 S Main St in Gainesville, Fla., Thursday, May 28, 2026.

News

Gainesville’s skies are filled with a little more love this summer

By Logan McBride | May 29

Every year, Gainesville residents are welcomed into summer by bug-splattered windshields and black-speckled walls — a sign of one of Florida’s most notorious seasonal occurrences: lovebugs.

Florida head coach Kevin O’Sullivan stands at the mound for a pitching change during an NCAA baseball game against Jacksonville University, Tuesday, March 31, 2026, in Gainesville, Fla.

Sports

Florida baseball set to host Gainesville Regional

By Colton Veres | May 28

The Gainesville Regional begins Friday as Florida returns home to face Rider University in its first game of the weekend. Florida secured a top-eight national seed and hosting rights for the fourth time in the last six seasons.

Criser Hall sits at 11478 Union Rd in Gainesville, Fla., Friday, April 10, 2026.

News

UF to add early decision admissions option for Fall 2027 application cycle

By Hailey Kon | May 28

UF will implement an early decision admissions option beginning with students applying for Fall 2027 enrollment, the university announced Thursday.

Bryan Eastman talks with Richard Allen and Wes Jones at his city commission campaign kickoff at Cypress and Grove in Gainesville, Fla., Wednesday, May 27, 2026.

Election

Gainesville commissioner Bryan Eastman kicks off reelection campaign

By Olivia Lofaso | May 28

On Wednesday, Eastman spoke to a crowd of more than 40 community members to discuss the future of Gainesville.

Shawn Maschino in front of his art displayed at Dad’s Bar located in THE AUK MARKET in Gainesville, Fla. on May 27, 2026. (Photo by Riana Sage)

News

Collage artist kicks off rotating gallery at Dad’s Bar

By Mackenzie Haas | May 28

In Dad’s Bar, surrounded by live music, colorful fairy lights and a boutique right next door, hangs artwork by Maschino, the first artist to be showcased in the bar.

Planned Parenthood serves the Gainesville community on Northwest 13th Street on Tuesday, August 12, 2025.

News

Gainesville Planned Parenthood to close due to decline in patients

By Julianna Bendeck | May 27

Planned Parenthood announced Wednesday its Gainesville clinic will be closing its doors June 26.

News

Florida restored HIV assistance funding after an abrupt cut. Patients worry it’s only temporary

By Swasthi Maharaj | May 26

Over 132,000 people in Florida live with HIV, according to 2024 state health data. In Alachua County, approximately 370 of every 100,000 residents live with the virus.

Innovation Academy students now face nearly an entire academic year of online learning.

News

Innovation Academy turns Summer semester into its centerpiece

By Hailey Kon | May 26

Summer is anything but a slow season for innovation students. It’s one of the program’s primary semesters, focused on hands-on projects, design challenges and collaborative coursework intended to prepare students for careers built around entrepreneurship and problem solving.

News

UF continues pause on out-of-state, international transfers

By Swasthi Maharaj | May 26

Over two months after UF temporarily halted transfer admissions for out-of-state and international students, the restriction remains in place.

As Florida's healthcare worker shortage continues, Santa Fe College has implemented a new radiation program in an effort to meet the rising need for healthcare providers in Florida.

News

Santa Fe College adds new radiation certificate program

By Tess Lippincott | May 26

Santa Fe College introduced a Radiation Therapy Specialist Program earlier this month. It’s a hands-on program relating to cancer treatment and oncology care.

Undeveloped data center at 12705 NW US HWY 441 In Gainesville, Fla.

News

Rumored data center packs public meetings in Alachua

By Julianna Bendeck | May 26

When Sherri McCormick saw a real estate listing advertising land for a potential data center, she said she wasn’t shocked.

Florida infielder Ethan Surowiec (10) slides to second base during an NCAA college baseball game against Auburn at Condron Family Ballpark in Gainesville, Fla., Friday, April 17, 2026.

Sports

Florida’s offense powers deep run in SEC Tournament before heartbreak in the semifinals

By Colton Veres | May 26

UF powered its way to dominant wins over No. 12 seed Vanderbilt and No. 4 seed Alabama behind explosive hitting performances from multiple players, but a late-game collapse against No. 1 seed Georgia ended the Gators’ run one game short of the SEC Championship game.

Florida's Softball team poses with the regionals bracket sign after winning their NCAA Regional softball game against Georgia Tech, Sunday, May 17, 2026, in Gainesville, Fla.

Sports

Errors and exits: What went wrong at Super Regionals

By Curan Ahern and Zach Moore | May 26

To say the least, the 2026 campaign has been a whirlwind of a time for Florida softball. Despite the raw power and long-term dominance the Gators flashed throughout the season, they fell short of their 14th Women’s College World Series. After three hard-fought games in the NCAA Super Regionals, UF saw its season end at the hands of the Texas Tech Red Raiders.

Florida head coach Todd Golden claps out his team after winning an SEC Men's Basketball Tournament quarterfinal game against Kentucky, Friday, March 13, 2026, in Nashville, Tenn.

Sports

The return: Florida basketball primed for another title run

By Nicole Scura | May 26

With guard Xaivian Lee graduating and multiple Gators expected to test the waters of the NBA Draft, questions arose about whether Florida could rebuild a championship-caliber roster. Nonetheless, four out of five starters will make their return for the 2026-27 season, providing the Gators with a promising, experienced core and a high level of continuity.

Florida women's golf assistant coach Ashley Sease talks with junior Paula Francisco before tee off during the Gators Invitational golf tournament, Friday, March 6, 2026, in Gainesville, Fla.

Sports

Florida eliminated in top-eight cut of national championship

By Colby Kistner | May 25

Thanks to a rough Round 4, UF couldn’t continue its upward climb and missed out on match play, accumulating an 1168 (+16). It finished in 11th and five strokes behind eighth-place Pepperdine.

News

Announcement of UF presidential finalist stirs online controversy

By Swasthi Maharaj and Sofia Meyers | May 25

Despite Bell’s lengthy experience in academia, his selection brought up a flurry of controversy online questioning the finalist’s stance on DEI and the transparency of the search.