Metro - The Independent Florida Alligator

Marvin Dunn interacts with an attendee of a Teach The Truth tour through Rosewood, Fla., on June 25, 2023.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Rosewood man found guilty of hate crime against Black historian

By Valentina Sandoval | Aug. 23, 2023

David Emanuel, a 62-year-old Rosewood resident, was convicted on six counts of federal hate crime charges July 26 for a racially motivated attack in September 2022, according to court records. Emanuel, who was Marvin Dunn's neighbor, reportedly yelled the N-word and nearly hit the professor and five other Black individuals with his truck on Dunn's property in Rosewood.

Kat Cammack celebrates a victory against Danielle Hawk for House of Representatives District 3 Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022.

METRO | POLITICS

Rep. Kat Cammack files late financial disclosure

By Sophia Bailly | Aug. 23, 2023

U.S. Rep. Kat Cammack (R-FL), who serves Florida’s third congressional district and represents Alachua County, failed to submit her annual financial disclosure on time for the second year in a row. Cammack submitted her financial disclosure Aug. 17, 94 days after the May 15 deadline, according to the clerk of the House’s records.

METRO | K-12 EDUCATION

Gainesville families choose to educate children from home

By Alissa Gary | Aug. 23, 2023

About 1.3% of students in Alachua County were registered for home school from 2021 to 2022. Across Florida, home schooling rates have risen since 2015. The sharpest increase was in 2020 — during the pandemic — with a 35.2% change, according to a Florida Department of Education report.

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

Gainesville City Commission considers repeal of open container alcohol ordinance

By Kat Tran | Aug. 23, 2023

The Gainesville City Commission voted 4-3 last Thursday to revert the city’s open container ordinance back to how the city regulated alcohol prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. This bans open-canned alcohol outside businesses, as well as parks and streets.

A GRACE Marketplace moving truck is parked at GRACE Marketplace in Gainesville, Fla., on Friday, Aug. 18, 2023.

METRO

Gainesville homeless population suffers through record-breaking heat

By Kylie Williams and Zachary Carnell | Aug. 23, 2023

The local homeless population, which often lacks reliable access to resources like air conditioning and water, has become especially vulnerable due to the recent heat waves slamming Florida. GRACE Marketplace is scrambling to address the increased need for its resources.

METRO | BREAKING NEWS

Gainesville man faces charges of murder and robbery

By Jordan Ramos | Aug. 18, 2023

The Gainesville Police Department arrested a man Thursday in connection to a shooting of a juvenile earlier this month. The investigation is ongoing.

A sign in front of the Alachua County Public Schools district office building is seen Sunday, June 6, 2021.

METRO | K-12 EDUCATION

Alachua County School Board hosts workshop to discuss rezoning issues

By Ella Thompson | Aug. 17, 2023

Alachua County School Board members and concerned parents met in a workshop meeting Wednesday to discuss the district's comprehensive rezoning plan.

METRO | ALACHUA COUNTY

Alachua County RV parks: Finding friends and financial freedom on the road

By Aidan Bush | Aug. 16, 2023

Alachua County resident Catherine McGuire dreamed of living the ‘van life’ since van lifestyles videos started trending on TikTok during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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)

METRO | K-12 EDUCATION

AP Psychology remains an option for high school students

By Gabriel Velasquez Neira and Amanda Friedman | Aug. 7, 2023

After a two-day quarrel between the Florida Department of Education and the College Board, high school students will get to keep AP Psychology on their class schedules.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Gainesville students concerned about gun laws, safety after deadly shooting

By Vivienne Serret | Aug. 7, 2023

A deadly July 30 shooting raised several questions about the future of gun safety around university campuses — particularly in Florida — with the passing of HB 543.

Eli Tragash (left) and Virginia Carr (right) perform with their band, The Front Porch Backsteppers, at the Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Historic State Park on Saturday, August 5, 2023.

METRO

Cross Creek celebrates late author Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings’ birthday

By Emma Parker | Aug. 7, 2023

On a hot summer day, Cross Creek residents gathered in front of Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings’ house and celebrated the late author’s birthday.

Alachua Habitat for Humanity, Santa Fe professors and construction workers prepare to place the second half of a modular home as two spectators watch at High Springs on Thursday, June 8, 2023.

METRO | POLITICS

Affordable housing, tenancy legislation impact Gainesville residents

By Amanda Friedman | July 31, 2023

When Tina Days, a 44-year-old mother of four, drives through Gainesville to deliver DoorDash orders, she is always taken aback by the increasing number of lavish apartment complexes cornering UF's campus.

METRO | K-12 EDUCATION

Florida to vote on reinstating partisan school board elections

By Gabriel Velasquez Neira | July 31, 2023

In the 2024 general election, voters will decide whether district school board candidates should run under a political affiliation. House Bill 31 proposes to amend Florida’s constitution. If passed, voters can expect to see party affiliation next to the names of candidates running for district school board positions.

METRO | POLITICS

Disapproved by DeSantis: The failed bills of the 2023 session

By Ella Thompson | July 31, 2023

About 41 bills failed to pass the 2023 Florida legislative session and local marginalized communities are now facing the consequences.

METRO | K-12 EDUCATION

Local educators, students fear inaccurate Black history coverage in wake of new standards

By Alligator Staff report | July 31, 2023

Educators worry about the classrooms of future students after the Florida Board of Education issued a new set of standards for African American history instruction in public schools.

METRO | BREAKING NEWS

Two dead following shooting on University, more injured

By Ella Thompson | July 30, 2023

A shooting Sunday morning killed two people and left several others injured near 900 West University Ave.

The UFORA apartment complex is seen at 1404 W University Ave. in Gainesville on Thursday, June 20, 2023.

METRO

UFORA apartment delays leave students scattered in August

By Gabriel Velasquez Neira | July 24, 2023

UFORA residents are unsure when they can move in as the school year creeps up.

Senator Geraldine Thompson, addresses the State Board of Education about Florida's State Academic Standards and teaching African American studies to public schools students in Orlando, Fla., Wednesday, July 19, 2023. The State Board of Education was meeting in Orlando to adopt a number of rules required by new state laws. (Willie J. Allen Jr./Orlando Sentinel via AP)

METRO | K-12 EDUCATION

Florida Board of Education releases new standards for Black history curriculum

By Nicole Beltran | July 24, 2023

The Florida Board of Education issued a new set of standards for African American history instruction in Florida public schools, evoking controversy about how students should be learning about American history.

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

New car center, arts center to come to Gainesville

By Emma Parker | July 24, 2023

Gainesville City Commission approved the construction of a Tesla car center and a dance cultural center by unanimous decision.

Sam Harris, former navy pilot and UF alumni, works on a model B-17 flying fortress at his home in Ormond Beach on Wednesday, June 14, 2023.

METRO

Seventy-nine years since Florida Gator plane crash

By Ella Thompson | July 24, 2023

Flying “The Florida Gator” — a blue plane with bright orange trim, and a large alligator mouth with orange lips — Durst approached the French coast at 24,000 feet as the third plane in the formation with nothing but speed and a camera.