COVID-19 - The Independent Florida Alligator

Audience members at the Thomas Center listen intently to the Artspeaks poems, occasionally snapping and humming in response, on Sept. 7, 2025.

Metro

Gainesville poets share emotions, verses at downtown showcase

By Teia Williams | Sep. 9

This story has been updated to reflect the spelling and definition of a pantoum.

News

Mini crossword for Sept. 9, 2025

By Rohit Paranjape | Sep. 9

Play The Alligator's original daily mini crossword

Sports

Florida men’s golf falls flat in season opener at Sahalee Players Championship

By Brooke Bastedo | Sep. 8

The Florida men's golf team fell flat in its 2025 season opening tournament.

Florida soccer redshirt senior Charlotte McClurre (8) attempts to gain posession of the ball.

Sports

Florida soccer falters in second half of final non-conference match

By Nicole Lopez | Sep. 8

Florida soccer lost its final non-conference matchup before kicking off conference play.

Florida Ice Hockey Club celebrates its first National Championship win on Wednesday, March, 13, 2024.

Sports

Florida hockey completes weekend sweep against Embry-Riddle

By Daniela Ortiz | Sep. 8

Florida hockey improved to 2-0 following a lopsided victory over Embry-Riddle.

Florida Gators wide receiver TJ Abrams (4), wide receiver Eugene Wilson III (3), quarterback DJ Lagway (2) and offensive lineman Jake Slaughter (66) link arms during the alma mater in front of the band and student section after a loss in a football game between the South Florida Bulls and the Florida Gators on Sept. 6, 2025, at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Fla.

Sports

Sweat, spit and sobs: Brendan Bett’s ejection draws response from Gators team leaders

By Curan Ahern | Sep. 8

Brendan Bett was ejected for spitting on USF offensive lineman Cole Skinner.

Florida head coach Billy Donovan speaks with Florida guard Chris Chiozza (11) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the quarter final round of the Southeastern Conference tournament against the Kentucky, Friday, March 13, 2015, in Nashville, Tenn.

Sports

Legendary Gators basketball coach joins Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame

By Jeffrey Serber | Sep. 8

Donning a black suit and gray tie, addressing his family and thousands of basketball fans, Billy Donovan received one of the highest honors in basketball Sept. 6.

Florida Gators head coach Billy Napier runs off the field after a loss in a football game between the South Florida Bulls and the Florida Gators on Sept. 6, 2025, at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Fla.

Sports

History repeats itself as Florida falters during the Billy Napier era

By Max Bernstein | Sep. 8

The Gators committed 11 penalties for 103 yards, including two costly penalties on USF’s game-winning drive.

Residents prepare for products to get more expensive as shifting tariffs leave Florida business leaders struggling to plan for the state's economic future.

Enterprise

Gainesville coffee company, Indian grocery store talk tariff impacts

By Kaysheri Haffner | Sep. 8

As the owner of Sweetwater Organic Coffee Company in Gainesville, Pomeroy is one of many local business owners seeing smaller profits and less supplies since the Trump administration imposed sweeping tariffs in January.

Swamp Records and Unlitter UF join forces to host their annual R.I.P. ROCKFEST live music event at the How Bazar on Oct. 23, 2024.

The Avenue

The day. The band. The venue. The making of a concert.

By Christopher Rodriguez | Sep. 8

The stage is set, the guitars are amped and an eager crowd is ready to hear its favorite local band. With affordable tickets and a short drive from campus, the live performance is by students, for students.

News

Mini crossword for Sept. 8, 2025

By Rohit Paranjape | Sep. 8

Play The Alligator's original daily mini crossword

News

UF return-to-work policy sparks commute chaos, staff ‘disillusionment’

By Swasthi Maharaj | Sep. 7

Long traffic backups and packed parking lots have become the norm for UF employees after the university’s full return-to-work mandate took effect in August.

Florida Gators setter Alexis Stucky (5), middle blocker Alec Rothe (25) and libero/defensive specialist Lily Hayes (13) laugh together during a volleyball match against the Norfolk State Spartans on Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025, at the O'Connell Center in Gainesville, Fla.

Sports

Florida sweeps Ohio State behind Byrd’s 15 kills

By Isis Snow | Sep. 7

The Florida volleyball team logged its second sweep in three matches after a dominant performance against Ohio State.

The company sign for GRU stands outside its secured government complex in North Gainesville, on Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024.

Opinion

A message from Gainesville Regional Utilities' CEO

By Ed Bielarski | Sep. 7

Unlike many of your hometown utilities, Gainesville Regional Utilities is a one-stop shop. We provide electric, natural gas, water and, for those who live in a GATOR NET community, high-speed internet. We also treat wastewater at our two local facilities and work with the City of Gainesville to bill for their solid waste and stormwater services.

City Commissioner Susan Bottcher calls to congratulate District 3 winner Craig Carter. Bottcher’s term comes to an end in May.

Opinion

Why you should vote YES on Local Public Utilities Nov. 4

By Susan Bottcher | Sep. 7

The state legislature forcefully placed our locally owned public utility, Gainesville Regional Utilities, under the control of Gov. Ron DeSantis in 2023. This stripped Gainesville voters of their power to choose who controls GRU, despite the stated will of its ratepayers in two previous elections. DeSantis appointed five people to the new Gainesville Regional Utilities Authority Board, who answer only to him.

Florida Gators head coach Billy Napier during warmups before a football game between the South Florida Bulls and the Florida Gators on Sept. 6, 2025, at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Fla.

Sports

Florida falls out of AP Top 25 Poll

By Max Bernstein | Sep. 7

The Florida Gators football team fell outside the AP Top 25 rankings following an upset loss against South Florida.

News

Mini crossword for Sept. 7, 2025

By Rohit Paranjape | Sep. 7

Play The Alligator's original daily mini crossword

Florida Gators head coach Billy Napier talks to a referee during a football game between the South Florida Bulls and the Florida Gators on Sept. 6, 2025, at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Fla.

Sports

‘Spot the ball’ (five yards back): Gators collapse to Bulls in penalty-ridden affair

By Luke Adragna | Sep. 6

Throughout the weeks leading up to the Gators’ season opener, head coach Billy Napier coined the phrase, “Spot the ball.” Florida spotted the ball several times on Saturday — 15 yards, 10 yards and five yards behind the line of scrimmage.

The Florida Gators face off against the USF Bulls at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025, in Gainesville, Fla.

Sports

Florida vs. South Florida: Live updates

By Max Bernstein | Sep. 6

The No. 13 Florida Gators (1-0) are set to face off against the South Florida Bulls (1-0). Florida is fresh off a 55-0 victory over Long Island, while South Florida defeated then-No. 25 Boise State 34-7 last week. Follow along for updates throughout the contest.

Government agencies are watching immigrants’ social media more closely, which makes many people afraid to post online, causing censorship.

El Caimán

Social media vetting is now part of the visa application process

By Sofia Alamo | Sep. 6

Social media surveillance is now a matter of national security. After a three-week suspension in May, international student visa appointments resumed on June 19 — this time, with new regulations from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.