Metro - The Independent Florida Alligator

METRO | POLITICS

Breaking down the ballot: Who Gainesville residents will see in the general election

By Heather Bushman | Nov. 8, 2022

The Nov. 8 general election has arrived, and with it, a slew of candidates for Alachua County residents to choose from. The Alligator analyzed every candidate slated on Alachua County ballots, breaking down political history, platforms and primary polling performance for a quick look at the playing field.

Voters listen to local candidates speak at the Souls to the Polls event held outside of the Alachua County Supervisor of Elections Office Sunday, Nov. 6, 2022.

METRO | POLITICS

Residents rally at Soul to the Polls on final day of early voting

By Mickenzie Hannon | Nov. 7, 2022

The event, which originated during the civil rights movements in an attempt to mobilize churchgoers to vote after church, included free food, giveaways, entertainment and church involvement. Attendees also heard from elected officials and candidates.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Gainesville weathers vandalism, hate messages against minority groups

By Lily Kino | Nov. 7, 2022

But the Florida Department of Law Enforcement has declared three crimes in Gainesville this year to be “hate crimes,” according to Gainesville Police Department records as of Oct. 17. Following vandalism of the National Pan-Hellenic Council Garden, The Pride Community Center of North Central Florida, the Alachua County Democratic Party and a Planned Parenthood center — only one has been given the hate crime designation as of the same date.

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

Alachua County elected officials’ residence requirement problem

By Aidan Bush | Nov. 7, 2022

Alachua County elected officials face legal trouble with Florida's residence requirements. The lawsuit against Wheeler was dismissed in circuit court Nov. 3. The suit was filed by Alachua resident Eugene Garvin.

METRO | POLITICS

Students, candidates cite abortion rights as top election issue

By Heather Bushman | Nov. 7, 2022

The U.S. Supreme Court’s overturn of Roe v. Wade and tightened abortion restrictions have heightened the importance of reproductive rights in the general election.

METRO | POLITICS

The poll worker’s plight

By Heather Bushman | Nov. 7, 2022

Amid election distrust and new districting criteria, poll workers and election officials are encouraging voters to double-check their precinct information and have confidence in Alachua Countyu2019s election process.

Nine members of the UF wildlife ecology and conservation department’s Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Access Committee wrote a letter criticizing the guidelines and called upon the UF community to advocate for transgender healthcare access for children.

METRO | POLITICS

Florida medical boards approve measure to ban gender-affirming care for minors

By Melanie Pena | Nov. 6, 2022

The Nov. 4 ruling prohibits the use of puberty blockers, hormone therapy and surgery that alters primary or secondary sexual characteristics to treat gender dysphoria in adolescents.

METRO | POLITICS

Has Kat Cammack delivered on campaign promises?

By Heather Bushman | Nov. 6, 2022

The Republican incumbent, who now seeks reelection as the representative for Florida’s 3rd Congressional District in the U.S. House, often voted with her Republican colleagues in her first term but broke away in notable moments. The Alligator looked into some of Cammack’s most notable legislative moments before she faces Democratic challenger Danielle Hawk in the Nov. 8 election.

Shattered glass and blood on the sidewalk after Saturday's shooting

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Shooting outside The Gator Store sends 4 people to the hospital

By Lily Kino | Nov. 6, 2022

The Gainesville Police Department received a call at 1 a.m. Saturday about a shooting at 500 SW Second Ave, across from The Gator Store, GPD Lt. Steven Bradford said.

METRO | BREAKING NEWS

Pedestrian killed on Archer Road after being hit by two cars

By Lily Kino | Nov. 4, 2022

A pedestrian was hit and killed by two different vehicles Friday morning on Southwest Archer Road.

Dr. Nancy Ruzycki speaks about teaching design thinking to Symposium attendees at the Herbert Wertheim Laboratory for Engineering Excellence Wednesday, Oct. 19, 2022.

METRO

‘AI is the future’: UF faculty help roll out artificial intelligence courses in Florida K-12 schools

By Sophia Bailly | Oct. 31, 2022

Some Florida K-12 schools are implementing artificial intelligence into curriculum with the help of UF.

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

Gainesville’s ‘lame-duck’ period, and how it affects officials until January

By Aidan Bush | Oct. 31, 2022

Gainesville City Commission will see a potential voter majority leave in January, as four commissioners term out. The commissioners mention their priorities for the final months in office, as well as how they look to help the oncoming commission.

A Clothesline project display located in the Gainesville Chamber of Commercefeatures a shirt created by a domestic abuse survivor and an infographic that explains how to get help Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2022.

METRO

Domestic Violence Awareness Month highlights education on abuse in Gainesville

By Alexa Herrera | Oct. 31, 2022

During the month, the organization held multiple events to promote awareness, including a guest chef cocktail party Oct. 6, which is an annual fundraiser. During the event hosted at Oak Lane Wedding and Events, guests tried food from different vendors and could bid on items in a silent auction. The event raised the organization’s goal of $100,000 to help fund the services Peaceful Paths offers.

Delegates from Poland accept $20,860 presented to them by Mayor Lauren Poe and Commissioners Reina Saco and Harvey Ward, Oct. 26, 2022.

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

Gainesville donates $20,000 to Polish sister city to aid Ukrainian refugee efforts

By Aidan Bush | Oct. 27, 2022

The Gainesville City Commission welcomed delegates from Rzeszów and presented them with $20,860 for their efforts in aiding refugees from Ukraine over the past few months.

Attendees watch the mayoral debate between Harvey Ward and Ed Bielarski at UF Levin College of Law Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2022.

METRO | POLITICS

Ward, Bielarski face off in mayoral debate hosted at UF

By Mickenzie Hannon | Oct. 26, 2022

Because neither Ward nor Bielarski secured a majority of votes cast in the Aug. 23 primary election, both candidates will compete in a run-off for the seat in the Nov. 8 general election.

Voting booths are seen in the Career Connections Center at the Reitz Union on Tuesday, Nov.16, 2021.

METRO | POLITICS

Follow the money: Ward leads Bielarski, Cammack clears $2 million in campaign contributions

By Heather Bushman | Oct. 25, 2022

With data from the Federal Election Commission, the Florida Division of Elections and the Alachua County Supervisor of Elections, The Alligator looked at where candidates stand financially ahead of the Nov. 8 election.

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

Alachua County to expand zoning for tourists looking to stay on farmland

By Aidan Bush | Oct. 25, 2022

The Alachua County Commission voted 3-1 Tuesday to adopt a proposal adding farm stays as a new form of overnight accommodation, similar to hotels and bed-and-breakfasts.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Man arrested for connection to fatal Southwest Parking Garage shooting in May

By Lily Kino | Oct. 25, 2022

Ny’trell Perry, 23, is being charged with aggravated battery using a deadly weapon in connection with the shooting at the Southwest Parking Garage located at 105 SW 3rd St., according to court records.

Alachua County and UF student teachers sit during a discussion held by Stephanie Killingsworth on the second day of the Chewing on Change professional workshop at the Florida Museum of Natural History Sunday, Oct. 23, 2022.

METRO | K-12 EDUCATION

Alachua County teachers get hands-on science education experience at Florida Museum of Natural History

By Aidan Bush | Oct. 25, 2022

Educators toured fossil exhibits at the Florida Museum of Natural History alongside mammal paleontologists. Afterward, teachers made posters charting the horse’s evolution using what they learned, experiencing a lesson plan from the seat of a student.

The loan forgiveness plan will reduce or erase the debt of up to 43 million Americans, including select UF graduates, if the U.S. Supreme Court doesn’t block it.

METRO | POLITICS

Biden’s student loan relief plan temporarily blocked

By Heather Bushman | Oct. 22, 2022

The court temporarily halted the forgiveness plan, which would see some federal student loan borrowers receive up to $20,000 in relief, to consider a lawsuit that challenged the plan’s constitutionality. The White House can still review applications while the ban is in effect, and borrowers are still encouraged to apply.