Florida executes man for 1976 Winter Garden murder
By Alexa Ryan | May 1The state of Florida executed 70-year-old James Hitchcock at 6:12 p.m. Thursday for the 1976 murder of his 13-year-old stepniece.
Enterprise
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Gainesville could see population boom as climate change progresses
By Juliana DeFilippo | Mar. 28As more South Florida residents are priced out of the area and climate threats loom, Central and North Florida are changing to accommodate emerging migration patterns.
Enterprise
Florida panthers made a comeback in the ‘90s — where do they stand now?
By Juliana DeFilippo | Mar. 26Cars are now the leading danger to panthers, accounting for 466 deaths since 1978, according to data from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
Enterprise
Book clubs become language-learning tools at Alachua County Library District
By Alexa Ryan | Mar. 23Club members also receive their own books to keep, courtesy of funding from Friends of the Library Alachua County Library District. The nonprofit organization hosts public book sales to raise money to support local literacy efforts in Alachua County.
Metro
What to know about Alachua County’s persisting K-12 racial achievement gaps
By Julianna Bendeck | Mar. 22For decades, Alachua County’s schools have faced scrutiny over stark racial achievement gaps that have proven difficult to narrow. Despite various initiatives, community members and education experts say disparities persist — shaped by ineffective state policy, high staff turnover and historic inequities.
Enterprise
Florida man executed for 2008 Sarasota rape, murder
By Alexa Ryan | Mar. 18He was the fourth person to be executed in Florida this year, following a record-setting 2025 in which the state carried out 19 executions.
Enterprise
Why do Florida lawmakers retry bills they know won’t pass?
By Alexa Ryan | Mar. 13Bills can die in committees when opposing legislators refuse to act on the measures or push to not have them heard, until eventually it’s too late for the bills to pass.
Enterprise
Gainesville’s Iranian community watches war unfold at home
By Julianna Bendeck | Mar. 5An estimated 416 Iranians — including 96 international students at UF — live in Gainesville. Though the war has caused difficulties in daily life, it's also filled some with a sense of pride.
Enterprise
Florida bill would cap out-of-state enrollment at top public universities
By Alexa Ryan | Feb. 26A bill, which passed its final Florida House committee Feb. 26, would require at least 95% of new full-time, first-time college students enrolled at each of Florida’s four preeminent state research schools — including UF — to be Florida residents starting in 2030, based on an average across three years. The bill’s next step is a full floor vote in the House.
Enterprise
Florida man executed for 1986 Palmetto murder
By Alexa Ryan | Feb. 24The state of Florida executed 66-year-old Melvin Trotter at 6:15 p.m. on Tuesday for the murder and robbery of Manatee County grocery store owner Virgie Langford in 1986, according to the Florida Department of Corrections.
Enterprise
UF presidential search member’s ties to Epstein appear stronger in latest file drop
By Alexa Ryan | Feb. 23The newest documents give a deeper insight into Band’s relationships with Epstein and Maxwell, many of which contain flirtatious language between Band and Maxwell, though Band has denied any physical relationship.
Enterprise
How one Gainesville compost company is rebuilding without city funds
By Juliana DeFilippo | Feb. 22Since Beaten Path’s city contract ended, a new compost company has entered the area — partnered with Alachua County, rather than the city of Gainesville. O-Town Compost, based in Orlando, launched its rural collection center program Jan. 3.
Enterprise
High Springs launches free Narcan distribution program
By Savannah Wroath | Feb. 22The program is a preventative measure to empower the community to respond to opioid overdoses before first responders arrive.
Enterprise
UF computer science instructor says emails with Epstein didn’t extend beyond STEM
By Alexa Ryan | Feb. 20The emails featured requests for advice, favors and information on Epstein’s life experiences, in addition to the scheduling of in-person and Skype meetings.
Enterprise
Florida’s new state-approved sociology textbook omits units on race, gender, sexuality
By Sara Dhorasoo | Feb. 14Marsiglio, a UF sociology professor who has taught the introductory course for four decades, said the revised textbook is an “affront on academic freedom.”
