News

A Gator’s guide to local politics

By Olivia Lofaso | Aug. 12

If you ask about local politics in Gainesville and Alachua County, many will likely describe the area as a “blue dot in a sea of red.”

A Florida property tax bill could cause local governments to lose money.

‘This will make Florida a worse place to live’: Local leaders weigh in on proposed property tax amendment

By Olivia Lofaso | Aug. 3

Broward Hall sits at 680 Broward Drive, on UF's campus in Gainesville, Fla.

The art of living together: Tips on adjusting to dorm life

By Kendall O'Connor | Aug. 12

UF’s international center is located inside The Hub on campus.

New country, new perspective: What international students wish they’d known before arriving at UF

By Swasthi Maharaj and Hailey Kon | Aug. 12

Alachua County offers students a variety of opportunities to meet and interact with animals.

Local places to spend time with animal friends

By Teia Williams | Aug. 12

No car? No problem. Gainesville transportation services, such as RTS, help students and residents get around the city with convenient and accessible public transportation options.

A student’s guide to navigating Gainesville without a car

By Logan McBride | Aug. 12

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Century Tower at 375 Newell Dr, Sunday, July 26, 2026, in Gainesville, Fla.

News

UF ranked No. 1 best-value public university

By Hailey Kon | Aug. 3

The ranking evaluated public institutions based on affordability, graduation rates and median earnings upon graduation, emphasizing return on investment for undergraduate students.

Alachua County Public Schools issued nonrenewals and reassignments to teachers amid a nationwide teacher shortage.

Metro

ACPS teacher reassignments create confusion ahead of preplanning week

By Grace Larson | Aug. 1

On Tuesday, nearly 20 Alachua County Public School teachers received calls telling them they’ve been reassigned to another school. By Thursday, the district had revoked eight of the changes.

Alachua County residents speak with vendors at a disability awareness expo in Gainesville, Fla., Wednesday, July 29, 2026.

Metro

Alachua County provides community outreach with Disability Awareness Expo

By Teia Williams | July 31

Alachua County held its annual Disability Awareness Expo on Wednesday.

Alachua County School Board Superintendent Dr. Kamela Patton listens to a speaker at 620 E University Ave. in Gainesville, Fla., Tuesday, March 3, 2026.

Metro

Alachua County School Board votes to move forward on Citizens Field proposal, considers alternate sites

By Grace Larson | July 31

The Alachua County School Board voted on Thursday to move forward with environmental evaluations of Citizens Field. The board will also consider five alternate sites.

Kamilah Marion looks to the sky as she listens to the sermon for Dominick Anthony Occhicone to demonstrate against his execution and the death penalty in front of the Florida State Prison in Raiford Tuesday, July 28, 2026.

Metro

Florida executes two men hours apart in the state's first double execution since the 1960s

By Julianna Bendeck | July 28

Florida carried out a rare double execution Tuesday, putting two men to death — just under six hours apart — for the first time in 62 years as the state continued its historic pace of executions under Gov. Ron DeSantis.

The state of Florida has passed a bill making the use of AI-generated content to create child pornography a felony.

Metro

A new Florida law makes the creation of AI-generated sexual material of children a second-degree felony

By Teia Williams | July 27

The creation or transmission of child sexual abuse material generated by artificial intelligence went from a third-degree felony to a second-degree felony in Florida at the start of July.

Average teacher salaries have increased in Florida, but the state continues to rank second to last in the nation for educator pay.

Metro

Average teacher salaries increased throughout Florida, but the state still struggles to meet the national average

By Grace Larson | July 27

Though average teacher salaries are on the rise in Florida, the state still ranks 50th in the nation.

A new policy was proposed and voted on by the Florida State Board of Education to prohibit undocumented students from attending any of Florida's 28 public colleges.

Metro

Florida State Board of Education bans undocumented students from state colleges, GED programs

By Logan McBride | July 27

Under a new Florida ruling, undocumented students will lose access to 28 state colleges.

Gainesville City Commissioner Desmon Duncan-Walker speaks at a community meeting in East Gainesville, Fla., Wednesday, July 22, 2026.

Metro

East Gainesville residents gather for community event

By Olivia Lofaso | July 23

More than 50 Gainesville residents and local leaders gathered Wednesday to discuss the future of East Gainesville.

Board member Leslie Hayes-Morrison speaks during a Newberry Charter School board meeting, Monday, Feb. 23, 2026, at The Little Red Schoolhouse in Newberry, Fla.

Metro

Newberry Community School Board says goodbye to Chuck Clemons, accepts Title I plan

By Grace Larson | July 21

The Newberry Community School Board wished Chuck Clemons, a former board member, farewell at a meeting Monday. They also confirmed Title I plans ahead of the 2026-27 school year.

UF presidential finalist Stuart Bell speaks with Rahul Patel and Matthew Bravo at a forum at Emerson Hall, Wednesday, June 3, 2026 in Gainesville, Fla.

News

The road ahead for Stuart Bell: Experts, faculty leaders discuss expectations for UF’s 14th president

By Swasthi Maharaj | July 20

For now, faculty leaders and higher education experts say Bell’s upcoming time in office may be assessed by how he can rebuild institutional trust among faculty, while also navigating the political landscape around Florida’s public university system.

Metro

Gainesville City Commission postpones decision on local anti-ICE petition amid federal funding risks

By Olivia Lofaso | July 17

The Gainesville City Commission discussed a resolution responding to the Gainesville Immigrant Neighbor Inclusion Initiative’s anti-U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement proposal on Thursday, but commissioners postponed the decision after 17 people spoke during public comment.

Harvey Ward Jr., incumbent mayor and City of Gainesville mayoral candidate, speaks at the candidate forum for the Alachua County Democratic Party on Wednesday, July 15, 2026.

Metro

Gainesville mayoral and commission candidates address GRU, housing, East Gainesville

By Logan McBride | July 16

The Alachua County Democratic Party held its fourth and final candidate forum Wednesday ahead of the Aug. 18 primary elections.

The Alachua County Animal Services building is located along NE 53rd Avenue in Gainesville, Fla.

Metro

Alachua County concludes Animal Resources investigation, finds several claims unsubstantiated

By Olivia Lofaso | July 16

The whistleblower investigation into the Alachua County Animal Resources shelter concluded earlier this month. The 31-page report dated July 1 found several of the initial allegations against the shelter were unsubstantiated.