1 - The Independent Florida Alligator

A Florida player touches his helmet during warmups before a game against Florida Atlantic on Sept. 4.

NEWS

Five-star defensive lineman LJ McCray signs with Florida

By Krisha Sanghavi | Dec. 20, 2023

LJ McCray signed his letter of intent to the Florida Gators football team Wednesday evening.

Florida’s Ben Shelton prepares to hit a ball against Auburn on Feb. 21, 2021. Shelton helped his team reach the Sweet 16 in a Saturday victory over Miami.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Florida tennis products compete in the first round in singles at Wimbledon

By Jeffrey Serber | 12:45pm

The University of Florida’s tennis programs had three former athletes represented in the singles bracket at the 2025 Wimbledon championships, with men’s tennis star Ben Shelton advancing to the second round.

UF’s presidential search process faces mounting influence from Republican lawmakers, raising concerns over political interference.

SPANISH

Los republicanos reanudan el enfoque en la búsqueda presidencial de UF

By Maria Avlonitis and Candy Fontana-Verde | July 2

Mientras se avecina la tercera búsqueda presidencial en tres años en UF, una palabra se ha vuelto omnipresente: política.

The Millhopper Library helps the community improve literacy rates by staying open seven days a week to the public, pictured Sunday, June 29, 2025.

SPANISH

El costo escondido del analfabetismo en las familias del condado de Alachua

By Avery Parker and Logan McBride | July 2

Casi uno de cada cinco adultos en el condado de Alachua no pueden leer suficientemente bien para navegar la vida diaria.

Florida Gators Head Coach Todd Golden points at one of his players during a basketball game against Auburn University on Feb. 8, 2025, in Auburn, Ala.

SPORTS | BASKETBALL

Florida basketball’s non-conference schedule revealed for 2025-26

By Curan Ahern | July 1

Florida basketball released its non conference schedule for the 2025-26 season.

UF tennis player Alicia Dudeney just completed her senior season with the Gators. Hailing from the UK, her legacy continues to grow from the University of Florida.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Florida women’s tennis player has breakout season in final collegiate year

By Jeffrey Serber | July 1

Florida women's tennis graduate Alicia Dudeney had a stellar senior season after recovering from surgery.

Florida Gators gymnast Taylor Clark preforms on the floor in a gymnastics meet against Auburn University in Gainesville, Fla., on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025.

SPORTS | GYMNASTICS

‘Mommy and me’ to SEC: Taylor Clark reflects on gymnastics career

By Ava DiCecca | July 1

Navigating Taylor Clark's journey from amateur gymnastics to her first season at Florida.

Dr. Robert Ainsworth, an assistant professor of economics at the University of Florida, answers a question about Trump’s budget bill at a “Just the Facts” town hall at Upper Room Ministries on Thursday, June 26, 2025.

METRO | ALACHUA COUNTY

Alachua County residents raise their concerns about budget bill

By Alanna Robbert | June 27

Over 75 people gathered Thursday night in a church-turned-town hall to discuss the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, a budget bill passed by the U.S. House May 22.

UF basketball player Olivier Rioux (32) high-fives teammate Sam Alexis (4) during the game against the Tennessee Volunteers on Jan. 7, 2025.

SPORTS | BASKETBALL

Olivier Rioux set to compete with FIBA U19 Canadian team

By Luke Adragna | June 27

Florida 7-foot-9 center Olivier Rioux is set to compete with Canada's FIBA U19 team over the summer.

Gators track and field commit Sydney Sutton poses at the New Balance Nationals Outdoors at Franklin Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania June 22

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TRACK

High school national championships give glimpse of Florida track and field’s future

By Paul Hof-Mahoney | June 27

Future Gators ran at the New Balance Nationals Outdoors (NBNO) and Nike Outdoor Nationals (NON) from June 19-22.

Florida Gators guard Will Richard (5) holds the national championship trophy and smiles after winning the National Championship against the Houston Cougars in the NCAA Tournament on Monday, April 7, 2025, in San Antonio, Texas.

SPORTS | BASKETBALL

Will Richard selected by Golden State Warriors with No. 56 pick

By Luke Adragna | June 26

Former Florida guard Will Richard was selected in the second round of the 2025 NBA Draft.

Florida Gators guard Will Richard (5) and guard Alijah Martin (15) celebrate with a hug after winning the National Championship against the Houston Cougars in the NCAA Tournament on Monday, April 7, 2025, in San Antonio, Texas.

SPORTS | BASKETBALL

Alijah Martin gets selected by Toronto Raptors with No. 39 pick

By Luke Adragna | June 26

Florida guard Alijah Martin was selected in the second round of the NBA Draft.

Florida Gators guard Walter Clayton Jr. (1) takes a post game interview with ESPN after the Gators win a basketball game against Auburn University on Feb. 8, 2025, in Auburn, Ala.

SPORTS | BASKETBALL

Walter Clayton Jr. goes No. 18 overall to the Utah Jazz

By Luke Adragna | June 25

Florida guard Walter Clayton Jr. was selected 18th overall to the Utah Jazz.

Former UF assistant coach Mark Daigneault’s path from Gainesville to the NBA.

SPORTS | BASKETBALL

Mark Daigneault’s rise: former Florida coach becomes NBA Champion

By Luke Adragna | June 24

Former Florida assistant coach Mark Daigneault led the Oklahoma City Thunder to their first championship in franchise history.

No. 6 Florida was shut down by Texas A&M Saturday afternoon, 5-0.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Gators softball adds rising senior infielder Kendall Grover

By Ava DiCecca | June 23

Rising senior third baseman Kendall Grover announced her transfer from Eastern Illinois to Florida for the 2026 season.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Tup Tim Thai: A pinch of Thailand in the Gainesville melting pot

By Aidan Ragan | June 20

Tup Tim Thai is tucked between a McDonald’s and a Marriott, and flanked by Hass Kitchen and the rebranded Biscuits & Burgers, formerly known as Bagels & Noodles. From the decor to the ambiance, this place doesn’t just serve Thai food, it drops you into it.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Escaping the headline

By Andres Arguello | June 20

When we live every day trapped in a cage of intertwining bars of online news, it gets exhausting. So, how do we cope?

Crowds gather at the Cotton Club Museum and Cultural Center to celebrate Juneteenth on Thursday, June 19, 2025.

METRO | ALACHUA COUNTY

Cotton Club hosts sold-out Juneteenth breakfast and Black Music Month celebration

By Alanna Robbert | June 19

The Cotton Club Museum and Cultural Center welcomed a full house Thursday morning for its Juneteenth Breakfast and Black Music Month Celebration.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Gainesville man arrested on felony child pornography charges

By Logan McBride | June 19

An 84-year-old Gainesville man was arrested Wednesday on multiple felony charges of child pornography, according to a Gainesville Police Department report.

Women have faced the effects of internalized misogyny since the beginning of time. One of the more modern effects of this is hating the color pink, but thankfully, this has begun to change.

THE AVENUE | LIFESTYLE

The evolution of pink: Reclaiming a color beyond gender roles

By Autumn Johnstone | June 19

“The ‘I hate pink’ phase was never about the color,” an Instagram post reads. With more than 20.9 million views, the post’s comments are rooted in a concept that has driven society’s perception of femininity for the past eight decades.

El Caimán