Metro

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METRO  |  CRIMINAL JUSTICE

UF spearheads nationwide effort to combat retail theft

By Daniel Bednar | Feb. 26

From Target to Topgolf, 85 of the nation’s largest retail stores rely on technology developed by the Gainesville-based Loss Prevention Research Council (LPRC) to deter shoplifting. The SaferPlaces Lab, a simulated storefront located at the UF Innovation Hub, is at the forefront of this nationwide initiative to protect retail shoppers financially and physically.

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METRO  |  CRIMINAL JUSTICE

UF student on pretrial release arrested on suspicion of indecent exposure, urinating on bottles of alcohol at Total Wine & More

By Bailey Diem | Feb. 25

A UF student on pretrial release was arrested by the Gainesville Police Department Thursday night on suspicion of indecent exposure.

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METRO  |  POLITICS ENTERPRISE

Florida bill could hold local governments liable for removing Confederate monuments

By Rylan DiGiacomo-Rapp | Feb. 23

Senate Bill 1122 — cited as the “Historic Florida Monuments and Memorials Protection Act” — was filed by Sen. Jonathan Martin, R-Fort Myers, in December 2023. If enacted, it would protect historic monuments and memorials from removal, holding local governments legally liable for enforcing ordinances or rules around those withdrawals. 

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METRO  |  K-12 EDUCATION

New initiative would change Newberry public schools to charter schools

By Megan Howard | Feb. 20

 Newberry Education First initiative wants to convert Newberry public schools into charter schools beginning in the 2025-2026 school year.  The three Newberry schools, Newberry Elementary, Oak View Middle and Newberry High, would operate under unified leadership addressing pertinent issues relevant to Newberry. 

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METRO  |  ALACHUA COUNTY

Budget adjustments spur questions about Gainesville’s approach to gun violence prevention

By Henry DeAngelis | Feb. 19

“This is my path,” she said. “My purpose is to reach survivors, to get them resources and to bring about the awareness that this is a growing public health issue.” 

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METRO  |  ALACHUA COUNTY

Gainesville to begin $2.5 million-plus venue project for larger outdoor events

By Bailey Diem | Feb. 19

However, its frequent location changes in recent years have made the 55-year-old Gainesville resident question whether her city has the space for such events.

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METRO  |  ALACHUA COUNTY

Pickleball creates competition, community in Alachua County

By Kairi Lowery | Feb. 19

Pickleball, a sport very similar to tennis, has taken the world by storm. First originating from boredom and badminton equipment in 1965, pickleball has now emerged as the fastest-growing sport with a 40% increase in popularity in recent years.

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METRO  |  CRIMINAL JUSTICE

UF student arrested for allegedly pushing, threatening African American fraternity member

By Daniel Bednar | Feb. 18

A UF student was arrested Saturday at the Florida Invitational Step Show on suspicion of battery, possession of a concealed weapon and distribution of written threats to kill.

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METRO  |  CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Two Gainesville men arrested in connection with Valentine’s Day drive-by shooting

By Daniel Bednar | Feb. 16

Two Gainesville men were arrested Wednesday for allegedly participating in a drive-by shooting and high-speed chase on Valentine’s Day. 

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METRO  |  CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

Gainesville mayor discusses gun violence, traffic safety in 2024 State of City Address

By Henry DeAngelis | Feb. 13

Taking the podium at Santa Fe College’s Blount Center, Gainesville Mayor Harvey Ward started his annual State of the City Address by talking about snow.

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METRO  |  POLITICS ENTERPRISE

Florida education reform initiatives limit African American studies, DEI funds

By Rylan DiGiacomo-Rapp | Feb. 12

Various education reform bills have altered curriculum and cut funding to certain programs in public K-12 schools and universities since the beginning of Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration. The initiatives have targeted a wide variety of subject matter including diversity, equity and inclusion programs as well as all critical theory, a blanket term that encompasses the idea of critical race theory.  The passage of new legislation, both in support and opposition of past initiatives, faces the state legislature in 2024. 

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METRO  |  ALACHUA COUNTY

Matthew Lewey: A story left behind

By Kairi Lowery | Feb. 12

However, Matthew Lewey, an unknown name to most, is an important part of Florida’s history, said renowned author and historian Paul Ortiz.

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METRO  |  CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

GRU remodels Gainesville services relationships, still split on GSC

By Henry DeAngelis | Feb. 9

In its Feb. 6 meeting, the Gainesville Finance Committee worked to revise the city’s budget to make up for the $1.4 million in payments withheld by the Gainesville Regional Utilities Authority. Its proposal, which the City Commission will discuss Feb. 15, makes up the difference by dipping into contingency funds for designated programs such as at-risk youth and gun violence prevention.

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METRO  |  CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Gainesville man arrested on suspicion of beating 15-year-old son with belt

By Daniel Bednar | Feb. 9

A Gainesville man was arrested on suspicion of child abuse Wednesday evening, after his 15-year-old son escaped their apartment and was found naked inside a local Walgreens begging for help.

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METRO  |  CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Santa Fe College student charged with battery

By Kairi Lowery | Feb. 8

A Santa Fe College student was arrested and charged with battery, a first degree misdemeanor, Thursday. 

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METRO  |  K-12 EDUCATION

Alachua County School Board approves superintendent’s contract

By Megan Howard | Feb. 8

After over two hours of deliberation, amendments and rants from school board members, the Alachua County School Board approved a new contract for Superintendent Shane Andrew in a 3-2 vote. 

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METRO  |  CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Man indicted for cold case murder of Buchholz High School student

By Daniel Bednar | Feb. 5

A man was indicted by a local grand jury on murder and burglary charges in the cold case killing of a Buchholz High School student that occurred 13 years ago.

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METRO  |  K-12 EDUCATION

Gainesville community shares concerns about opportunity gaps in Alachua County schools

By Nicole Beltran | Feb. 5

Florida’s graduation rates for the 2022-2023 school year soared with a record high of 88%. Alachua County’s rates, which include both public and charter high schools, fell to 84.2%, lower than its rates the last five years. Educators, students and parents wonder what contributes to underperformance and what is being done to address it. 

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METRO  |  POLITICS ENTERPRISE

Florida bill could lower the bar for defamation lawsuits against media organizations

By Rylan DiGiacomo-Rapp | Feb. 5

House Bill 757 titled “Defamation, False Light, and Unauthorized Publication of Name or Likeness” seeks to lower the bar for public figures filing these lawsuits. Proposed by Rep. Alex Andrade, R-Pensacola, the initiative would widen the scope of actual malice, work to discredit anonymous sources, limit the use of artificial intelligence, establish 60-day veracity hearings and authorize venue expansion. 

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METRO  |  CRIMINAL JUSTICE

‘Uncarcerated’: Giving a voice to those released from prison

By Kairi Lowery | Feb. 5

“Uncarcerated” began with an online-ordered microphone, a tiny soundboard and a pursuit to find more meaning in life. Leigh Scott started his podcast to process the trauma he experienced within the criminal justice system, he said.