Metro

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METRO  |  POLITICS

‘Unsettling’: Asian American locals criticize Florida bills targeting China

By Amanda Friedman and Jacob Sedesse | May 22, 2023

Han Yi, who immigrated to the U.S. from China, feels betrayed by the state she’s called home for roughly 10 years due to a bill restricting Chinese citizens from purchasing real estate in Florida. Yi, the vice principal of the HuaGen Chinese School in Gainesville, is one among the many frustrated Asian American and Pacific Islander locals speaking out against three bills signed into law by Gov. Ron DeSantis aimed at limiting the Chinese Communist Party’s influence on the state. 

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METRO  |  BUSINESS

Asian American-owned Coterie Market turns pop-up into brick-and-mortar store

By Emma Parker | May 22, 2023

While attending local farmers markets, Kate Yeung noticed the lack of representation of Asian American business owners among the vendors. The 23-year-old Gainesville resident left her 9-to-5 banker job to start her own business, Coterie Market, empowered by her family’s experience owning businesses in Hong Kong and Singapore.

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METRO  |  CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Gainesville man arrested on a dozen child pornography charges

By Gabriel Velasquez Neira | May 19, 2023

A Gainesville man was taken into custody May 17 on charges of 11 counts of possession of child pornography and one count of distribution of child pornography. 

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METRO  |  K-12 EDUCATION

State education bill expands Asian American representation

By Amanda Friedman | May 15, 2023

A new bill signed into Florida law could allow Asian American students to see their efforts reflected on a statewide level with the introduction of AAPI history into the public school system.

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METRO  |  CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Gainesville man arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after fanny pack firearm discharges

By Jacob Sedesse | May 15, 2023

A Gainesville man was arrested Saturday night on suspicion of his gun discharging and striking a victim in his apartment’s parking lot.

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METRO  |  BREAKING NEWS

Gainesville man arrested after a three hour negotiation for alleged shooting

By Emma Parker | May 10, 2023

A Gainesville man was arrested on Wednesday morning on suspicion of shooting a man near a Chevron.

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METRO  |  K-12 EDUCATION

DeSantis signs AAPI history K-12 education bill into law

By Amanda Friedman | May 10, 2023

Gov. Ron DeSantis signed House Bill 1537 into law May 9, requiring Asian American and Pacific Islander history in K-12 curriculum. The legislation’s enactment marks a milestone in a two-year-long battle to make AAPI history a mandatory part of Florida public school education led by Mimi Chan, director of Make Us Visible Florida, the state’s chapter of a nonprofit dedicated to integrating AAPI history into K-12 classrooms. 

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METRO  |  CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

Alachua County recommits to investing in East Gainesville

By Gabriel Velasquez Neira | May 10, 2023

Alachua County will re-acquire 13 acres of land in East Gainesville, originally intended for affordable housing, from the nonprofit Dogwood Village for $1,840,934. The total settlement will cost the county $2,964,730.60.

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METRO  |  BREAKING NEWS

Gainesville Police Department investigates fatal downtown shooting

By Claire Grunewald | May 6, 2023

A man was killed in a downtown Gainesville shooting Saturday morning, according to a press release from the Gainesville Police Department.

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METRO  |  CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Gainesville police responds to downtown shooting

By Claire Grunewald | May 6, 2023

A victim was severely injured in a downtown Gainesville shooting, according to a press release from the Gainesville Police Department.

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METRO  |  CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Gainesville man arrested on suspicion of sexual battery toward 5-year-old

By Aidan Bush | May 5, 2023

A Gainesville man was taken into custody Wednesday on charges of sexual battery toward a 5-year-old. Emilio Avalos Angel, 45, was charged with one capital felony count of sexual battery to a victim under 12. Avalos Angel allegedly battered her countless times throughout 2014, according to his arrest report. At that time he served as her caretaker and guardian.

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METRO  |  K-12 EDUCATION

First-grader unknowingly brought handgun to Meadowbrook Elementary School

By Aidan Bush | May 5, 2023

Parents were startled Wednesday after Alachua County Public Schools reported a first-grader accidentally brought a loaded gun to his classroom. No criminal charges were filed as the gun landed in the boy’s backpack from a series of events unknown to both the child and his mother, according to a release from Alachua County Sheriff’s Office

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METRO  |  CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Gainesville man arrested on suspicion of attempted murder over a stolen lighter

By Aidan Bush | May 1, 2023

A Gainesville man was taken into custody after he allegedly stabbed another man multiple times. Torrance Lee, 38, was charged with one felony count of attempted homicide without premeditation.

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METRO  |  BUSINESS

Historic Black neighborhood honored in 43rd annual 5th Avenue Arts Festival

By Aidan Bush | Apr. 30, 2023

The Cultural Arts Coalition hosted the second day of its 43rd-annual 5th Avenue Arts Festival Saturday. From 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., attendees browsed vendors selling cultural items, singing performances and a variety of local-made art. The festival is held each year to celebrate Fifth Avenue, the city’s oldest Black neighborhood, according to Gainesville Neighborhoods United. 

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METRO

The cold, metal heart of a robot warmed by friendship

By Jake Lynch | Apr. 27, 2023

Nat 20 is Howard W. Bishop Middle School’s highest-rated robotics team, and they aim to prove themselves later this month at the VexIQ Middle School World Championship in Dallas, Texas. In the meantime, the team has plenty of work to do. 

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METRO

Museum program expands scientific learning for children

By Nicole Beltran | Apr. 26, 2023

Funded by the Institute of Museum and Library Services, Museum in the Parks is run by the Florida Museum of Natural History in Gainesville and focuses on enhancing children's understanding of and engagement with wildlife by teaching them about topics such as plants, animals and entire ecosystems.

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METRO

Gainesville students participate in state-wide walkout

By Aubrey Bocalan | Apr. 24, 2023

At noon Friday, students at UF, P.K. Yonge Developmental Research School and Eastside High School walked out of their classes to protest what they feel is government censorship in education. 

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METRO

‘Ava’s Law’ could expand protection for pregnant women after Gainesville tragedy

By Aidan Bush | Apr. 24, 2023

Florida Senate Bill 730 — referred to as “Ava’s Law” after the child former inmate Erica Thompson lost after giving birth in the Alachua County Jail in August 2021 — would allow women charged with felonies to request to delay their sentence until after they’ve given birth.

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METRO

Caring and Sharing Learning School celebrates Earth Day with tree planting, poem reading

By Aidan Bush | Apr. 22, 2023

Kids of all ages danced, sang and performed poetry under the warmth of the sun Thursday morning, celebrating the environment and its impact.

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METRO  |  CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

Gainesville Regional Utilities will move forward with solar plant

Apr. 21, 2023

The City Commission voted unanimously Thursday to approve a solar contract with Origis Energy, making construction of a plant in Archer the first solar project for Gainesville Regional Utilities.