Enterprise - The Independent Florida Alligator

Drag queen Elena La Fuega performs at University Club on Saturday Dec. 2, 2023.

ENTERPRISE | POLITICS

‘It’s a start’: Gainesville drag community celebrates temporary lift on Florida ban of children at shows

By Zoey Thomas | Dec. 4, 2023

On Nov. 16, the United States Supreme Court refused the state of Florida’s request to re-enact a law punishing businesses for allowing children into drag shows. Artists like Garrepy are taking the opportunity to celebrate the rare legal victory, which follows a flurry of Florida anti-LGBTQ laws passed over recent legislative terms.

An attendee of UF SJP’s discussion in Turlington wearing a Palestine keffiyeh neck scarf on Thursday Oct. 12, 2023.

ENTERPRISE | POLITICS

UF pro-Palestine organization remains active despite DeSantis’ termination order

By Sophia Bailly | Nov. 13, 2023

Florida chapters of the pro-Palestine organization, Students for Justice in Palestine, have not been deactivated by Gov. Ron DeSantis, despite the order released by State University System’s chancellor Ray Rodrigues more than three weeks ago.

ENTERPRISE | POLITICS

Special legislative session emphasizes Florida lawmakers’ support for Israel

By Sophia Bailly | Nov. 13, 2023

Roughly one month after Hamas attacked Israel Oct. 7, Florida lawmakers convened in Tallahassee for a special session focused on showing support for Israel in its war against the Palestinian militant group.

Bread and Roses Women’s Health Center on Friday, Nov. 10, 2023.

ENTERPRISE | POLITICS

Petition to limit protests on Gainesville abortion clinic’s sidewalk reaches 700 signatures

By Zoey Thomas | Nov. 13, 2023

Andrew Scholberg has been arrested 13 times. But that doesn’t deter the 71-year-old freelance writer and pro-life activist from continuing the work he’s been doing for almost 50 years — standing outside abortion clinics to pray and offer alternatives to women entering the building. A MoveOn petition created Nov. 2 asks the Gainesville City Commission to deter abortion critics like Scholberg from gathering outside Bread & Roses, one of Gainesville’s two abortion clinics. The petition, which gathered over 700 signatures in the week and a half since its creation, encourages signers to ask the commission for “No Loitering or Solicitation” signs along Northwest 10th Avenue.

A crowd of 150 pro-Palestinian protestors stand in the middle of the intersection chanting in unison for an end to the siege of Gaza Saturday, November 4, 2023.

ENTERPRISE | POLITICS

Pro-Palestinian groups march downtown to call for ceasefire

By Zoey Thomas | Nov. 5, 2023

Car horns blared at South First Avenue and South Main Street Saturday afternoon, when oncoming traffic found the road blocked by a crowd of 150 pro-Palestinian protestors standing in the middle of the intersection. Of the crowd, some carried roses, while others carried children on their shoulders — all chanting in unison for an end to the siege of Gaza.

ENTERPRISE | POLITICS

DeSantis administration demands deactivation of pro-Palestinian university student chapters

By Sophia Bailly | Oct. 24, 2023

Gov. Ron DeSantis and Chancellor of the State University System of Florida Ray Rodrigues ordered Florida universities to deactivate two state chapters of a national pro-Palestinian organization Tuesday, claiming the organizations show support for "Hamas terrorism."

ENTERPRISE | POLITICS

Jewish UF students show support for Palestinians

By Sophia Bailly | Oct. 23, 2023

Since the violence began two weeks ago, Clay Robinson said Palestinian and anti-Zionist voices have been largely neglected. Zionism is the Israeli national ideology that Judaism is both a nationality and religion and that Israel is an ancestral land that exists for the Jewish community.

ENTERPRISE | POLITICS

UF student group fights corporal punishment in K-12 public schools

By Zoey Thomas | Oct. 23, 2023

Six students from UF Florida Student Policy Forum visited Tallahassee Oct. 18 during the legislature’s interim committee weeks to advocate an amendment to the state statute that would ban corporal punishment for students with disabilities and require parental consent for use of corporal punishment in all cases.

ENTERPRISE | POLITICS

Alachua County Hispanic voters bring varying political perspectives

By Sophia Bailly | Sep. 25, 2023

In Alachua County, the Hispanic community brings a variety of perspectives and beliefs to the importance of voting and political issues.

Brandon Ludwig addresses the audience at the Young Republican National Convention in Dallas, Texas on Tuesday, Aug. 18th, 2023.

ENTERPRISE | POLITICS

UF conservative voices persist among Gen Z

By Sophia Bailly | Sep. 18, 2023

Younger generations tend to lean more politically liberal. Conservative voices share their experiences as Republicans in Gen Z.

ENTERPRISE | POLITICS

Abortion care providers, advocates navigate statewide restrictions

By Valentina Sandoval | Sep. 18, 2023

The Florida Supreme Court heard oral arguments Sept. 8 for the landmark case Planned Parenthood of Southwest and Central Florida v. State of Florida, which challenges the 15-week ban on abortion in Florida’s House Bill 5. Local and statewide reproductive health providers and advocacy organizations are leading efforts to offer women abortion care resources in the face of uncertainty.

ENTERPRISE | POLITICS

Hamilton Center hosts political thinkers for event

By Sophia Bailly | Sep. 15, 2023

The public event ‘Truth-Seeking and Democracy’ was co-sponsored by the African American Studies Program and Bob Graham Center for Civil Service. The speakers, Cornel West and Robert George, are known for their close friendship and widely different political ideologies.

FILE - Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks after being sworn in to begin his second term during an inauguration ceremony outside the Old Capitol on Jan. 3, 2023, in Tallahassee, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky, File)

ENTERPRISE | POLITICS

DeSantis pauses presidential campaign for Hurricane Idalia

By Sophia Bailly | Sep. 5, 2023

Gov. Ron DeSantis, who announced his candidacy for president May 24, put his campaign on hold to focus on the storm’s impact on Florida. He held 16 press briefings or live-streamed updates throughout the week and issued mandatory evacuations for 46 counties, including Alachua, Levy and Citrus counties.

Democratic presidential candidate former Vice President Joe Biden speaks Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2020, in Wilmington, Del.

ENTERPRISE | POLITICS

President Joe Biden flies into Gainesville Airport

By Sophia Bailly | Sep. 2, 2023

President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden arrived at the Gainesville Regional Airport at around 1 p.m. Saturday to address damages in the aftermath of Hurricane Idalia.

Republican U.S. Sen Ben Sasse, of Nebraska, applauds President Kent Fuchs at the Board of Trustees meeting to discuss his candidacy at Emerson Alumni Hall Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2022.

ENTERPRISE | POLITICS

Lawmakers reflect on UF President Ben Sasse’s strategic plan

By Sophia Bailly | Aug. 28, 2023

Florida legislators from both the majority and minority parties clarified that Sasse's proposals won’t have an immediate impact on the university.

ENTERPRISE | HEALTH

Fitness for all: Gainesville fitness instructors uplift plus-sized community

By Jared Teitel | Mar. 4, 2022

The world is beginning to embrace plus-sized beauty in the media and fashion industry. Some Gainesville studios and personal trainers are advocating for inclusivity.

Adam Bouhamdan, a 21-yearl-old UF microbiology and cell science third-year, founded the club in light of the challenges brought on by his own health.

ENTERPRISE | HEALTH

UF Gastro Student Organization brings light to gastrointestinal health disparities

By Tara Carroll | Dec. 10, 2021

A UF student started the Gastro Student Association in light of the health disparities caused by gastrointestinal illnesses.

The Plant Life exhibit is seen at the Harn Museum of Art on Tuesday, Nov. 30, 2021.

ENTERPRISE | HEALTH

Harn Museum exhibit reflects on the connection between plants and humans

By Kendra Westmoreland | Dec. 8, 2021

The Harn Museum of Art's newest exhibit, entitled “Plant Life,” tcontains 12 pieces of artwork from the museum’s permanent collection that reflect the influence of plants on human society. The exhibit will remain open until Feb. 20 of next year.

Studies have shown that, contrary to stereotypes, young adults are more susceptible to struggle with addiction than other age groups.

ENTERPRISE | HEALTH

Young adults struggle with alcohol misuse more than other age groups

By Luigi Bencosme | Nov. 29, 2021

While many may expect older people to be affected, data shows those aged 18 to 25 have the highest rate of alcohol use disorder.

The UF Trans Health + Wellness Initiative executive board presents at their meeting on "Gym 101" with RecSports Oct. 4, 2021.

ENTERPRISE | HEALTH

Welcoming every body: UF Trans Health + Wellness Initiative partners with RecSports to provide students with 'Gym 101'

By Kristine Villarroel | Oct. 21, 2021

UF Trans Health + Wellness Initiative hopes to provide queer students with the tools they might need to start their fitness journey free from stigma and social barriers. On Oct. 4, the club hosted a meeting in collaboration with RecSports to provide students with an introduction to gym facilities and exercise techniques.