1 - The Independent Florida Alligator

The Duck House Airbnb is filled with duck decor for guests in Pine Park, Gainesville.

METRO

Gainesville residents both welcome and criticize Airbnb growth

By Zoey Thomas | Sep. 25, 2023

Alachua County holds 606 short-term rental units. In The Magnolia Plantation owner Cindy Montalto’s words, “You can’t swing a dead cat in Gainesville without hitting an Airbnb.” Short-term rental (STR) units are residential spaces usually rented for under 30 days at a time and managed through online platforms like Airbnb. The industry is growing in Gainesville. AirDNA, a STR data analysis platform, ranked Gainesville among the top 15 best U.S. cities to invest in vacation rentals in 2021, 2022 and 2023.

Florida starting pitcher Hurston Waldrep delivers a pitch during the Gators' 4-0 win against South Carolina Saturday, June 10, 2023.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Former Gators pitcher Hurston Waldrep promoted to Triple-A

By Jackson Reyes | Sep. 25, 2023

Former Florida pitcher Hurston Waldrep became the second Gators rookie to make his debut at the Triple-A level of minor league baseball this season.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Gainesville mother arrested after her daughter had 69 unexcused school absences

By Jordan Ramos | Sep. 25, 2023

A Gainesville mother was arrested after her child had 69 unexcused school absences and nine tardies during the 2021-2022 school year. Forty-two of the absences occurred from August to April of 2021, according to a truancy affidavit from Alachua County Public Schools.

Attendees gather for a showing of “From the Land to Your Table” at the Florida Museum of Natural History on Friday, Sept. 22, 2023.

THE AVENUE

Performances, films honor Latin American culture during Hispanic Heritage Month

By Bea Lunardini | Sep. 25, 2023

The tango performance was just one part of the two-week-long celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month organized by the Latina Women’s League in Gainesville.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Dancing between two worlds

By Nicole Beltran | Sep. 25, 2023

In the vibrant palette of American multiculturalism, my experience stands as a testament to the beauty of diversity, the profoundness of heritage, and the challenges and joys of dancing between two distinct worlds.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Barriga llena, corazón contento:To curb feelings of alienation, Latin Americans turn to the palate

By Valentina Sarmiento | Sep. 25, 2023

Today, as a Hispanic student living in Gainesville, my life consists of pseudo-religious as well as biweekly visits to Mi Apa and Flaco’s. However, despite the ease and comfort evoked by Hispanic fast food, nothing beats la comida casera.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Beyond bilingualism: Understanding code-switching in the Hispanic diaspora

By Evelyn Miguel | Sep. 25, 2023

The Hispanic community faces a unique and complex challenge: the art of code-switching. This linguistic duality allows us to navigate a world where cultural identity, professional advancement and social integration come together.

Senior pitcher Aleshia Ocasio threw her final outing for the Gators in their 2-0 lost to Oklahoma at the Women's College World Series. Ocasio and starter Kelly Barnhill combined for only three hits, but their efforts weren't enough to save UF's season.

SPORTS

Hispanic student-athletes at UF: A history

By Topher Adams and Jackson Reyes | Sep. 25, 2023

For Hispanic Heritage Month, alligatorSports is highlighting some of these trailblazers and Gators legends whose stories can sometimes get lost in the world of Gators sports.

SPANISH

Profesora de la UF trae raíces argentinas a Gainesville

By Megan Howard and Nicole Beltran | Sep. 25, 2023

María Gabriela Puscama es docente, investigadora y coordinadora de Español Inicial 1 de la UF. De Argentina, esta mujer de 34 años emigró a Estados Unidos en 2014 para proseguir su maestría en la Universidad Estatal de Luisiana.

NEWS

UF lecturer brings Argentina roots to Gainesville

By Megan Howard | Sep. 25, 2023

María Gabriela Puscama came to the U.S. in 2014 to complete her master's degree. Nine years later, she's sharing her culture and knowledge with the UF community.

Redshirt freshman tight end Arlis Boardingham celebrates his first career touchdown with his teammates in the Gators’ 22-7 win against the Charlotte 49ers on Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Florida ranked No. 22 in AP Poll despite uninspiring performance

By Luke Adragna | Sep. 25, 2023

Florida (3-1, 1-0 SEC) defeated the 49ers (1-3, 0-0 AAC) 22-7 Sept. 23 and is on a three-game win streak for the first time since 2020. Despite the victory, there were glaring deficiencies in the Gators’ performance, which allowed Charlotte to stay close throughout a majority of the contest.

Sam Dolson, left, and Jon Roosenraad look at the list of graduates in Weimer Hall during the 1992 Spring graduation.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Remembering Roosenraad: Beloved UF faculty member left impact on students, colleagues and family

By Bailey Diem | Sep. 25, 2023

UF journalism professor emeritus Jon A. Roosenraad died Sept. 13 at age 78. "Rosey" was known for the way he enjoyed life and supported everyone he crossed paths with.

Lionel receives kisses from Office Manager/Board Secretary of Critter Creek Sheena Drost at Critter Creek on Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023.

ENVIRONMENT | ENTERPRISE

Alachua County community debates ethics of local meat production

By Kylie Williams | Sep. 25, 2023

For many, agriculture and animal farming is a way of life. Supporters of animal agriculture claim it provides a wealth of jobs and economic benefits. Yet, a growing number of activists and scientists say the local meat production industry harms the environment and subjects animals to severe abuse.

Dual language teachers Mayte Ambite-Calvo, Desiree DiPerna, Gabby Smolenski and Ana Zuber sit at the front of Ambite-Calvo's classroom at Terwilliger Elementary School on Friday, Sept. 22, 2023.

SPANISH

Programa de inmersión dual en una escuela primaria de Gainesville inicia su segundo año

By Alissa Gary | Sep. 25, 2023

Terwilliger es la primera y única escuela pública del condado de Alachua en ofrecer inmersión en los dos idiomas como programa magnético, siendo ese idioma el español. El programa está en su segundo año, con su primer clase de estudiantes empezando primer grado.

METRO | K-12 EDUCATION

Dual language immersion program at Gainesville elementary school enters second year

By Alissa Gary | Sep. 25, 2023

Terwilliger is Alachua County’s first and only public school to offer dual language immersion as a magnet program, with that language being Spanish. The program is in its second year, with its first class of students starting first grade.

SPANISH

Los votantes hispanos del condado de Alachua aportan diferentes perspectivas políticas

By Sophia Bailly and Nicole Beltran | Sep. 25, 2023

Florida, que alguna vez fue un estado indeciso durante mucho tiempo, se ha vuelto más rojo desde las elecciones presidenciales de 2016 y el gobernador Ron DeSantis asumió el cargo en 2018. Hay 5,2 millones de republicanos registrados y 4,7 millones de demócratas registrados en el estado al 22 de agosto, según el sitio web de la División de Elecciones de Florida.

ENTERPRISE | POLITICS

Alachua County Hispanic voters bring varying political perspectives

By Sophia Bailly | Sep. 25, 2023

In Alachua County, the Hispanic community brings a variety of perspectives and beliefs to the importance of voting and political issues.

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT GOVERNMENT

Student government agency ACCENT Speakers accused of conflict of interest, misallocating student funds

By Vivienne Serret | Sep. 25, 2023

Obtained documents, a Reddit post and public record requests on the UF Student Government agency ACCENT Speakers allege the agency has financial conflicts of interests to the Florida Blue Key institution.

Florida Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo, front left, gestures as speaks to supporters and members of the media before a bill signing by Gov. Ron DeSantis, front right, Nov. 18, 2021, in Brandon, Fla. This week, Ladapo asked the state medical board to draft new policies that would likely restrict gender dysphoria treatments for transgender youth. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara, File)

NEWS | CAMPUS UF ADMINISTRATION

Florida surgeon general disagrees with UF over efficacy, safety of new COVID-19 boosters

By Garrett Shanley and Jinelle Vazquez | Sep. 25, 2023

Florida’s controversial surgeon general Joseph Ladapo — who is also a tenured professor of medicine at UF — is at odds with the university over whether the public should receive new COVID-19 boosters.

Record collector Jude Singleton shows off their prized Eraserhead vinyl on Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023.

THE AVENUE | MUSIC

UF students revive the past by collecting CDs and records

By Bonny Matejowsky | Sep. 25, 2023

Gone are the days of flipping turntables and shuffling through stacks of jewel cases. Streaming services like Spotify and Apple Music have taken today’s generation by storm. At least, for some people.

El Caimán