1 - The Independent Florida Alligator

BEN SASSE

A look ahead at Ben Sasse’s presidential ascension

By Christian Casale and Peyton Harris | Nov. 7, 2022

In the coming months, Sasse is expected to be confirmed by the Florida Board of Governors, resign from his seat in the Senate and become officially installed as UF’s 13th president. Sasse was unanimously confirmed by the Board of Trustees Nov. 1, including a controversial vote by Student Body President Lauren Lemasters that has led to an impeachment resolution filed against her in the Student Senate.

Lauren Lemasters, UF’s Student Body president, listens to public comment at the Board of Trustees confirmation vote Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2022. Some students have criticized her pro-Sasse vote amid student backlash.

BEN SASSE

Lauren Lemasters faces impeachment for Sasse vote

By Alissa Gary | Nov. 7, 2022

Lemasters, the student body president, voted in favor of U.S. Sen. Ben Sasse for UF president, eliciting backlash from other Student Government leaders who disapproved of her decision and have called for her impeachment.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Gainesville weathers vandalism, hate messages against minority groups

By Lily Kino | Nov. 7, 2022

But the Florida Department of Law Enforcement has declared three crimes in Gainesville this year to be “hate crimes,” according to Gainesville Police Department records as of Oct. 17. Following vandalism of the National Pan-Hellenic Council Garden, The Pride Community Center of North Central Florida, the Alachua County Democratic Party and a Planned Parenthood center — only one has been given the hate crime designation as of the same date.

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

Alachua County elected officials’ residence requirement problem

By Aidan Bush | Nov. 7, 2022

Alachua County elected officials face legal trouble with Florida's residence requirements. The lawsuit against Wheeler was dismissed in circuit court Nov. 3. The suit was filed by Alachua resident Eugene Garvin.

METRO | POLITICS

Students, candidates cite abortion rights as top election issue

By Heather Bushman | Nov. 7, 2022

The U.S. Supreme Court’s overturn of Roe v. Wade and tightened abortion restrictions have heightened the importance of reproductive rights in the general election.

METRO | POLITICS

The poll worker’s plight

By Heather Bushman | Nov. 7, 2022

Amid election distrust and new districting criteria, poll workers and election officials are encouraging voters to double-check their precinct information and have confidence in Alachua Countyu2019s election process.

Florida women's basketball head coach Kelly Rae Finley during her team's game against Missouri Feb. 27, 2022.

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Finley, Gators confident for new season

By Jose Tovar | Nov. 6, 2022

Florida women’s basketball is back and expectations are high. The Gators, under second-year head coach Kelly Rae Finley, will start their season Monday against Florida A&M at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center.

Nine members of the UF wildlife ecology and conservation department’s Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Access Committee wrote a letter criticizing the guidelines and called upon the UF community to advocate for transgender healthcare access for children.

METRO | POLITICS

Florida medical boards approve measure to ban gender-affirming care for minors

By Melanie Pena | Nov. 6, 2022

The Nov. 4 ruling prohibits the use of puberty blockers, hormone therapy and surgery that alters primary or secondary sexual characteristics to treat gender dysphoria in adolescents.

METRO | POLITICS

Has Kat Cammack delivered on campaign promises?

By Heather Bushman | Nov. 6, 2022

The Republican incumbent, who now seeks reelection as the representative for Florida’s 3rd Congressional District in the U.S. House, often voted with her Republican colleagues in her first term but broke away in notable moments. The Alligator looked into some of Cammack’s most notable legislative moments before she faces Democratic challenger Danielle Hawk in the Nov. 8 election.

Shattered glass and blood on the sidewalk after Saturday's shooting

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Shooting outside The Gator Store sends 4 people to the hospital

By Lily Kino | Nov. 6, 2022

The Gainesville Police Department received a call at 1 a.m. Saturday about a shooting at 500 SW Second Ave, across from The Gator Store, GPD Lt. Steven Bradford said.

Rabbi Berl Goldman and his son Boruch stand in front of attendees at the Solidarity and Unity Rally held at Chabad UF Jewish Student and Community Center Friday Nov. 4, 2022.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Gainesville community unites against antisemitism through rally

By Claire Grunewald and Malori Malone | Nov. 5, 2022

The Lubavitch Chabad Jewish Student Center along with community leaders held a solidarity and unity rally Friday after an antisemitic message was projected in Jacksonville at the Florida-Georgia football game Oct. 29.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Where’s the outrage?

By Stuart Floyd | Nov. 5, 2022

OPINION: The rights and benefits most important to your generation are just a vote away. If you don’t vote, don’t complain about the outcome.

Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson during the Gators' game against Georgia Saturday, Oct. 29, 2022. Richardson announced he will leave Florida to enter the NFL Draft Monday

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Gators empty tank, escape Aggies

By Jackson Castellano | Nov. 5, 2022

Florida escaped Texas A&M 41-24 Saturday in a crucial road victory. With the win, the Gators take their first step to finishing the season on a high note and securing bowl eligibility.

Senior outside hitter Marina Markova rises high above the net for a kill during Florida's match with LSU Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

No. 12 Florida stretches conference win streak against Missouri

By Brandon Hernandez | Nov. 5, 2022

The No. 12 Gators defeated the Missouri Tigers in three sets (25-22, 25-17, 25-23) while holding the visitors to a .144 hitting percentage. Florida’s outside hitter duo of senior Marina Markova (16 kills) and Beason (13) led the way for UF offensively.

Rahul Patel, chair of the UF presidential search committee, presents the findings of the group at Emerson Hall Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2022.

BEN SASSE

More than half of UF presidential search candidates were white males

By Makiya Seminera | Nov. 4, 2022

Nearly two-thirds of more than 700 UF presidential candidates were white or men, according to presidential demographics data obtained by The Alligator.

Florida redshirt sophomore cornerback Jaydon Hill between first-half plays against Georgia Saturday, Oct. 29, 2022.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Gators travel to face struggling Aggies

Nov. 4, 2022

At 4-4, the Gators still have a chance to end Billy Napier’s first season strong. That home stretch starts Saturday in College Station, Texas, against the Texas A&M Aggies.

METRO | BREAKING NEWS

Pedestrian killed on Archer Road after being hit by two cars

By Lily Kino | Nov. 4, 2022

A pedestrian was hit and killed by two different vehicles Friday morning on Southwest Archer Road.

Five seniors on the UF soccer team — Francesca Faraci, Kouri Peace, Cameron Hall, Syd Kennedy and Alivia Gonzalez (left to right) — end their collegiate careers having played for three different head coaches.

SPORTS | SOCCER

Florida soccer seniors forge bond after four grueling seasons

By Jackson Reyes | Nov. 4, 2022

Midfielders Cameron Hall and Syd Kennedy, forwards Kouri Peace and Alivia Gonzalez and goalkeeper Francesca Faraci each come from different backgrounds, but have formed tight-knit bonds and learned to lean on each other through adversity.

THE AVENUE | ART AND THEATER

Art from The Arc: Disabled Alachua artists will sell jewelry, paintings at expo

By Lauren Brensel | Nov. 4, 2022

The Arc of Alachua County, a nonprofit organization that services people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), will hold its first arts and crafts expo Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Arc, located at 3303 NW 83rd St., administers day programs and staffs group homes for around 107 people with IDD. All proceeds from the sale will go toward the artists.

Eryn Brazlavsky gets her face painted by Haley Damon at the MASA Día de los Muertos celebration Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2022.

NEWS | CAMPUS

UF Mexican-American Student Association hosts annual Día de los Muertos celebration

By Peyton Harris | Nov. 3, 2022

Día de los Muertos is a traditional Mexican holiday where relatives honor the spirits of deceased relatives. It’s believed that upon death, people travel to the Land of the Dead, or Chicunamictlán — from there, they embark on a seven-year journey to their final resting place. It marks efforts to help the deceased on their journey to that resting place and is celebrated during the first and second days of November.

El Caimán