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Metro

Alachua County Commission discusses permitting for WildFlowers Music Park

By Anthony Duarte | Sep. 26

WildFlowers Music Park intends to integrate music, art and environmental conservation.

Blaise Ingoglia, Florida's chief financial officer, speaks at a press conference in Alachua, Fla., on Thursday, Sept. 25, 2025.

Metro

State claims Alachua County mounted almost $85 million in wasteful spending

By Maria Avlonitis | Sep. 25

Alachua County wasted almost $85 million in taxpayer money after a state Department of Government Efficiency audit, Florida Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia said in a press conference Thursday.

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Hawthorne road rage incident reportedly escalates to attempted murder

By Alexa Ryan | Sep. 25

On Wednesday afternoon, a road rage incident turned near-fatal for a Hawthorne driver after a 50-year-old Leesburg resident allegedly stabbed him multiple times on the side of the road.

A recent court decision suggests that law enforcement can no longer prosecute violators of Florida's "Open Carry Ban."

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Florida now allows open carry. Alachua County says it’ll fully comply.

By Grace Larson | Sep. 25

A recent Florida court decision allows gun owners to openly carry their firearms inside businesses and restaurants, effective Thursday.

Tina Certain, Alachua County School Board member, poses for a portrait at her podium at the Alachua County School District on Wednesday, Feb. 15. Certain, who graduated from Gainesville High School and the University of Florida with an accounting degree, is one of two African American women who serve on the School Board. “If you’ve seen someone who’s done it, it sparks in your mind that you can do it,” Certain said.

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State board summons Alachua School Board member for Charlie Kirk comments

By Logan McBride | Sep. 24

For the second time in two months, an Alachua County School Board member has come under fire from the Florida Department of Education for a Facebook post about the death of a prominent conservative.

Students received backpacks and safety resources at the Stop the Violence Back to School event.

Metro

Florida Board of Education approves Newberry charter conversion

By Logan McBride | Sep. 24

The Florida Department of Education unanimously approved Newberry Elementary School’s conversion to a charter school, Newberry Community School, on Wednesday.

A festival attendee checks out vintage automobiles at the Newberry’s Fabulous Fifties Festival on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2025.

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Newberry time warp: '50s themed festival draws big crowd

By Alexa Ryan | Sep. 21

Full-service DJ Twisted H Productions spun tunes from the Golden Age as locals, vendors and food trucks flooded the streets of Newberry’s Historic District Saturday afternoon for the third annual Fabulous 50’s Festival.

Metro

Gainesville Commission rejects Tom Petty Park parking lot, approves City Hall refresh

By Teia Williams and Grace Larson | Sep. 20

The Gainesville Commission voted Thursday against expanding the parking lot in Tom Petty Park, opting instead to consider partnerships with other organizations and businesses.

Malik Moore speaks during an announcement for his candidacy in the race for the Florida House of Representatives on Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025.

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Gainesville native Malik Moore announces his run for Florida House

By Logan McBride | Sep. 18

Gainesville native Malik Moore kicked off his campaign for the Florida House District 21 seat at Barbara Higgins Park in Gainesville on Wednesday, with a crowd of about 25 gathered to cheer him on.

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Gainesville High briefly locked down after safety threat

By Alexa Ryan | Sep. 18

Gainesville High School’s campus was placed on a secure hold, with all exterior doors locked, after the school resource officer received a tip that a student had a gun.

Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd holds up the mugshot of David Pittman, who was executed, and the Knowles family, whom Pittman victimized, while surrounded by members of the Knowles family. The execution was carried out at Florida State Prison on Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025.

Metro

Florida executes man for 1990 Mulberry triple murder

By Alexa Ryan | Sep. 17

On Sept. 17, 2025 at 6:12 p.m. 63-year-old David Pittman was executed for the 1990 murder of his estranged wife’s family.

Alachua County Sheriff's Office deputies blocked West University Avenue after responding to an armed suspect on Tuesday, July 29, 2025.

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New footage sheds details deputy-involved Alachua shooting from July

By Grace Larson and Delia Rose Sauer | Sep. 17

An armed suspect was killed by Alachua County Sheriff’s Office deputies after barricading himself in his apartment in July.

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UF student arrested for child pornography

By Alexa Ryan | Sep. 17

Gainesville Police and the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office arrested 21-year-old UF political science senior Tyler Do on Tuesday for viewing and distributing child pornography.

A protester leads a chant at an ICE Protest held at the Alachua County Public Schools District Office in downtown Gainesville on Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2025.

Metro

Advocates protest ICE access in Alachua County schools

By Ariana Badra | Sep. 17

Parents, students and community activists rallied outside the Alachua County Public Schools board meeting Tuesday afternoon to voice concern over policies that grant U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement access to public schools.

Trenton's Law will raise the maximum sentence for repeat offenders convicted of killing someone while driving or boating under the influence from 15 to 30 years, starting Oct. 1.

Metro

New Florida law raises penalty for DUIs and vehicular homicide

By Alexa Ryan | Sep. 16

After a driver struck and killed teenagers on two separate occasions — while driving recklessly in 2001 and again in 2023 — the victims’ parents came together to further punish repeat offenders.

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Police fatally shoot Gainesville man after 40-minute negotiation

By Alexa Ryan | Sep. 16

Alachua County Sheriff Office deputies fatally shot 55-year-old Darian Holmes in the early morning of Sept. 13 after he pointed a gun at an officer.

Alachua County Commissioner Marihelen Wheeler (left) talks with ownwe of Honeybee’s Doggie Cafe Donna Ruby about the future of the Waldo Sweet Potato Festival & Car Display in Waldo, Florida, on Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025.

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Waldo’s Sweet Potato Festival revives spudtacular small-town spirit

By Lindee Walker | Sep. 16

The smell of fall drifted through Waldo City Square as families lined up for sweets, cars and games at the town’s first-ever Sweet Potato Festival and Car Show.

David David, director of “La Frontera,” answers audience questions during the 21st Gainesville Latino Film Festival, presented by the Latina Women’s League, at the Harn Museum of Art on Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025.

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21st annual Latino Film Festival opens in Gainesville

By María José Cordero Castillo | Sep. 15

Salsa, merengue and bachata rhythms filled the Harn Museum of Art on Sept. 11 as guests gathered for the opening night of Gainesville’s 21st Latin Film Festival.

GPD Chief Nelson Moya speaking at press conference alongside Captain Latrell Simmons, UPD Chief Barts Knowls, UPD and GPD detectives at press conference held at Gainesville Police Department on Friday, September 12th, 2025.

Metro

Man accused of following UF students arrested for stalking, sexual battery

By Alexa Ryan | Sep. 12

A Gainesville man was arrested Thursday night on charges of sexual battery, loitering and prowling and stalking.

Alachua County Public School Board members convene during a school board meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025.

Metro

Alachua County School Board sets 2025-2026 final budget, millage rates

By Logan McBride | Sep. 11

The Alachua County School Board voted unanimously on Tuesday to approve its final budget and millage rate for the 2025-2026 school year.