Metro

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METRO  |  POLITICS ENTERPRISE

Florida university faculty, students share mixed opinions on 2024 legislative session academic freedom bills

By Diego Perdomo | Jan. 22

As the legislative session ramps up, newly proposed bills that could alter the higher education landscape have faculty and students bracing themselves after last year’s education regulations.  Following the state’s 2023 move to defund public universities’ diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, the Florida State Board of Education prohibited the usage of public funds for DEI programs in Florida’s 28 public state colleges, according to a Florida Department of Education news release Jan. 17.

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METRO

Gainesville residents, officials reflect on continuous housing crisis

By Kairi Lowery | Jan. 22

Dumas noticed large chain corporations like Walmart and Publix taking over isn’t the only change the city is facing; it’s also facing rising interest rates, causing an affordable housing crisis for potential homebuyers.

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METRO  |  POLITICS ENTERPRISE

DeSantis suspends presidential campaign, endorses former President Donald Trump

By Rylan DiGiacomo-Rapp | Jan. 21

Faced with the upcoming 2024 Republican primary election, Gov. Ron DeSantis has suspended his presidential campaign. Former President Donald Trump and former Gov. Nikki Haley of South Carolina will compete head-to-head for the Republican nomination. 

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METRO  |  CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Bradford woman arrested for leaving baby inside a car while at work

By Daniel Bednar | Jan. 21

A Bradford County woman was arrested in Gainesville Friday afternoon on suspicion of leaving her baby inside a car while going to work.

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METRO  |  CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Man accused of stabbing roommate with steak knife in Gainesville apartment

By Daniel Bednar | Jan. 21

A Gainesville man was arrested Saturday after he allegedly stabbed his roommate twice with a steak knife.

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METRO  |  CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

GRU Authority delays decision on Government Services Contribution

By Henry DeAngelis | Jan. 18

In its Wednesday meeting, The Gainesville Regional Utilities Authority board voted to reduce payments it makes for unused city services, and to organize a joint meeting with the city commission to discuss alternatives to cutting GRU’s annual $15.3 million Government Services Contribution (GSC). 

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METRO  |  CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Alachua man arrested on suspicion of animal cruelty after death of one pitbull

By Daniel Bednar | Jan. 18

An Alachua man was arrested Thursday on multiple counts of animal cruelty after officers discovered one dead  and three extremely malnourished pitbulls in his home.

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METRO  |  ALACHUA COUNTY

Sidewalks and substances: The Gainesville cyclist’s experience

By Bailey Diem | Jan. 16

Gainesville bicyclists often face concerns of distracted or impaired drivers, paths in poor condition and limited bike lanes.

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METRO  |  K-12 EDUCATION

Alachua County School Board moves not to amend school zone boundaries

By Megan Howard | Jan. 12

The Alachua County School Board voted against rezoning the existing school boundaries for the 2025-2026 school year in a special hearing Thursday night. 

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METRO  |  CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

Alachua County Commission asks community to rewrite ceasefire resolution, discuss Florence landfill next steps

By Henry DeAngelis | Jan. 11

Despite severe weather warnings across Alachua County, the County Commission met Tuesday to discuss a ceasefire resolution and provide an update on the Florence landfill special use permit.

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METRO  |  CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Stephen Foster Elementary School teacher arrested for drug possession, DUI charges

By Megan Howard | Jan. 10

 Andres Correa III, 29, was arrested around 1 a.m. Jan. 7 on suspicion of  possessing a controlled substance, resisting an officer without violence and driving under the influence. 

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METRO  |  POLITICS ENTERPRISE

‘Stay the course’: DeSantis delivers 2024 State of the State address

By Rylan DiGiacomo-Rapp | Jan. 9

Gov. Ron DeSantis delivered the State of the State address Tuesday, Jan. 9. A joint session of the Florida legislature received his remarks in the House of Representatives Chamber.

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METRO  |  CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Armed woman shot by deputies at Gainesville hotel

By Daniel Bednar | Jan. 9

A woman staying at the Gainesville La Quinta Inn was shot by deputies Monday, after she refused to obey commands to drop the handgun she was holding.

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METRO  |  BREAKING NEWS

Alachua County Public Schools closed Tuesday for severe weather

By Megan Howard | Jan. 8

Alachua County Public Schools will be closed Tuesday due to bus safety concerns as a result of the National Weather Service’s wind advisory.

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METRO  |  CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Newly enacted laws upend Florida’s criminal justice system

By Daniel Bednar | Jan. 8

Gov. Ron DeSantis signed three new criminal justice bills during the legislative session that modify pretrial detention, tighten penalties for those accused of child sexual abuse and lower the threshold to apply the death penalty.

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METRO  |  POLITICS

Gainesville residents, organizations fight GRU bill

By Bailey Diem | Jan. 8

The law went into effect July 1. It establishes the Gainesville Regional Utilities Authority, a board made up of five governor-appointed members to oversee GRU in place of its general manager. The board took over Oct.1.

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METRO  |  ALACHUA COUNTY

Alachua County Court Judge Walter Green retires: What is to come?

By Kairi Lowery | Jan. 8

Defense attorney Eric Atria applied to fill this vacancy. Atria, known across Florida for being “sucker punched,” by his defendant in 2022, hit the ground running with his judicial campaign by seeking endorsements from county commissioners. 

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METRO  |  POLITICS ENTERPRISE

Local activists, politicians and community members discuss prospective bills for Florida’s 2024 legislative session

By Rylan DiGiacomo-Rapp | Jan. 8

The 2024 Florida regular legislative session begins Jan. 9 with over 1,000 bills filed. The proposed legislation has sparked discussions on a wide range of issues including abortion access, firearm regulations, education reform, environmental protection, insurance rates and hurricane relief. 

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METRO  |  CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Judge lowers bail for former UF biological scientist accused of child abuse

By Daniel Bednar | Jan. 7

A Gainesville judge reduced bond Wednesday for a former UF biological scientist accused of locking her two children in cages while going to work.

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METRO  |  CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

Gainesville City Commission hires permanent city clerk, agrees to 2.5% pay increases for charter officers

By Henry DeAngelis | Jan. 5

At its regular meeting Thursday, the Gainesville City Commission voted 6-0, with Commissioner Desmon Duncan-Walker absent, to appoint Interim City Clerk Kristen Bryant in a permanent capacity, filling the last of the city’s charter office vacancies.