Federal student loan forgiveness plan limits eligibility, faces legal backlash
By Heather Bushman | Oct. 3The White House announced Sept. 29 its debt forgiveness plan will no longer apply to around 770,000 private loan borrowers.
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Abortion ban halts, other laws on education, school safety and car music take effect
By Mickenzie Hannon | July 1While a Florida judge halted the 15-week abortion ban, nearly 150 other state laws take effect Friday, including changes to education, school safety and music in cars.
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Gainesville community protests for abortion rights after Roe v. Wade is overturned
By Anushka Dakshit | June 26About 1,000 protestors demonstrated outside the Stephan P. Mickle, Sr. Criminal Courthouse in downtown Gainesville for about three hours Saturday in response to the overturn of Roe v. Wade.
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Gov. Ron DeSantis institutes Victims of Communism Day
By Jackson Reyes | May 16HB395 will require U.S. government teachers to cover communism and those who suffered under it for at least 45 minutes on Nov. 7, “Victims of Communism Day.”
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Gainesville residents stand up for abortion rights
By Namari Lock | May 4Planned Parenthood of South, East and North Florida organized a protest outside Judge Stephan P. Mickle, Sr. Criminal Courthouse Tuesday, one day after Politico published an article including a leaked draft ruling that would overturn Roe v. Wade.
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Alachua chosen for federal support to revitalize energy efficiency
By Lucille Lannigan | Apr. 13Alachua county was chosen to participate in the US Department of Energy’s Communities Local Energy Action Program at the end of March — a huge leap in the direction of equitable sustainability. The county is one of 22 participating communities and the only Florida recipient to participate in the program, which aims to help low-income and energy-burdened communities experiencing environmental justice or economic impacts.
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Moms Demand Action encourages Gainesville to stand against gun violence in Day of Action Event
By Erina Anwar | Mar. 2Moms Demand Action is a nonprofit organization founded after the Sandy Hook Elementary massacre in 2012. Its aim is to promote safer gun legislation and encourage responsible gun ownership. The organization has chapters in every state and has advocated for gun safety on a state and national level.
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Florida’s 15-week abortion ban bill stirs up students, residents, local representatives
By Thandie Brown and Carissa Allen | Feb. 25A GOP-backed proposal banning abortion procedures after 15 weeks of pregnancy could change the narrative for women’s reproductive rights in Gainesville. The Florida Legislature is expected to pass the controversial Fetal and Infant Mortality Reduction bill, HB5. It passed the House with a 78-39 vote Feb. 17.
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‘Don’t Say Gay’ bills will silence discussion of sexual orientation, gender identity in classrooms
By Carissa Allen | Feb. 7The ‘Don’t Say Gay’ companion bills, HB1557/SB1834, are circulating through the Florida legislature. The pair of bills would limit discussions about LGBTQ+ and transgender identities “in a manner that is not age-appropriate or developmentally appropriate for students.”
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Florida lawmakers to hear Texas-style heartbeat abortion law, Gainesville residents express mixed views
By Faith Buckley | Oct. 4, 2021In Florida’s bill, abortion would be allowed until detection of a fetal heartbeat, which generally happens about six weeks into a pregnancy. With proper documentation, exceptions are available or victims of rape, incest, domestic violence or human trafficking.
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How Gov. DeSantis’ latest budget approval affects Alachua County
By Alexander Lugo | June 9, 2021DeSantis approved funding for a sports complex and vetoed two projects that would have funded transportation and medical resources to vulnerable Gainesville residents.
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Gainesville mayor to set up guaranteed income payments to former prisoners
By Alexander Lugo | June 1, 2021Gainesville Mayor Lauren Poe is working to implement a program that would give guaranteed income to formerly incarcerated people in Gainesville following their release.
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Gainesville City Commissioners take first step in potential lawsuit over House Bill 1
By Alexander Lugo | May 24, 2021Gainesville’s City Commission approved a motion that will allow two nonprofits and the city attorney to draft a formal complaint against Florida’s House Bill 1. The complaint could lead to a lawsuit that would challenge the bill in court.
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Gov. Ron DeSantis signs sweeping protest bill into law: How will it impact Gainesville?
By Anna Wilder and Alan Halaly | Apr. 21, 2021In Gainesville, a college town where the median age is about 26, organized demonstrations occur frequently. Although Gainesville protests almost never descend into violence, some students and local activists are worried about the precedent the legislation will set.
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East Gainesville pastor joins Black clergymen to lobby against Florida Senate vote-by-mail bill
By Alan Halaly | Apr. 7, 2021Vote-by-mail drop boxes can alleviate the stress of commuting to a precinct for voters of color, those in low income communities, disabled people and those in quarantine, the clergymen’s letter to Florida lawmakers read.
