1 - The Independent Florida Alligator

Y2K trends have made a comeback, and many are nostalgic to students at UF. They indulge in these trends, reminisce on their childhood with the Bratz and look forward to the re-releasing of the original dolls in honor of their 20th anniversary.

THE AVENUE | FASHION

UF students pull inspiration from 2000s trends and Bratz dolls

By Karter Nancy | June 3, 2021

Welcome to the early 2000s. A futuristic, metallic vision defines the era: accessories are pink, iPods are likely bedazzled, low-rise jeans and velour tracksuits are in style, and Bratz dolls make their way to the shelves. These trends have made a comeback, and many are nostalgic to students at UF. They indulge in Y2K trends, reminisce on their childhood with the Bratz and look forward to the re-releasing of the original dolls in honor of their 20th anniversary.

Florida's Claire Bryant competes in the high jump during the Pepsi Florida Relays on Saturday, April 3, 2021 at Percy Beard Track at James G. Pressly Stadium in Gainesville, Fla. The women's team won the SEC Outdoor Championship Saturday, June 11, 2022. / UAA Communications photo by Tiffany Franco

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TRACK

Stark and Bryant earn SEC Women’s Outdoor Track and Field Award

By Kaitlyn Wadulack | June 2, 2021

Grace Stark and Claire Bryant named for SEC Outdoor awards after both qualify for nationals and impress at outdoor championships.

Florida's Joe Pagdin reads a putt at Mark Bostick Golf Course in Gainesville, Florida. Pagdin was one of four underclassmen to play in every spring tournament for the Gators and the SEC Freshman of the Year highlights the team's youth.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS GOLF

Young Gators look to the horizon following rocky season

By Joseph Henry | June 2, 2021

The Florida men’s golf team had a season filled with highs and lows, but youth brings promise of a bright future.

NEWS | SFC

Santa Fe College COVID-19 update: No COVID-19 positive cases were reported

By Antonia LaRocca | June 2, 2021

Santa Fe College reported no positive COVID-19 cases for the week of May 25 to Monday. The college’s total number of reported positive cases is now 757.

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT LIFE

UF students reflect on Asian Pacific Islander Desi American Heritage Month

By Juliana Ferrie | June 2, 2021

Asian Pacific Islander Desi American Heritage Month was celebrated across the U.S. in May, commemorating Asian American and Pacific Islander culture and history. UF students shared what the month and their heritage means to them.

NEWS | SFC

Santa Fe College promotes diversity and inclusion with events and trainings

By Antonia LaRocca | June 2, 2021

Santa Fe College promotes diversity and inclusion with events and trainings. Students and staff learned about AAPI heritage with activity bags and a trivia night.

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT GOVERNMENT

Senate completes first meeting of the Summer in person

By Alexandra Harris | June 2, 2021

After calling an emergency meeting to fill the excessive number of vacant Senate seats, 60 Senators met Tuesday in person in the Reitz Union Grand Ballroom — completing not only Senate’s first meeting of the semester, but also its first successful in-person meeting since the COVID-19 outbreak.

METRO | K-12 EDUCATION

About 70 Alachua County Public School students and staff are in quarantine

By Jasper Wittig | June 2, 2021

Alachua County Public Schools had 72 students and faculty members in quarantine as of Tuesday evening — an increase of about 20 cases since May 25, according to the school district’s COVID-19 dashboard.

COVID 19 | UF

COVID-19 Update: UF reports zero positive cases out of 246 tests conducted

By Alexandra Harris | June 2, 2021

UF saw a 0% positivity rate Friday with only two positive COVID-19 cases out of 691 tests conducted within seven days.

UF AD Scott Stricklin announced the extensions of three Florida coaches Tuesday

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Mullen, White and Newbauer Extend Contracts

By Julianna Reichenbach | June 1, 2021

In breaking news, three UF coaches receive a contract extension. One will receive a real raise before the NCAA football and basketball seasons begin in 2021.

Pedestrians walk down West University Avenue on Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2021. Signs down the road redirect traffic due to ongoing construction on the road, near UF campus and Midtown.

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT LIFE

West University Avenue changes prioritize pedestrian safety

By Isabella Douglas and Phong Huynh | June 1, 2021

Nearly a year after three deadly accidents took place on West University Avenue, the city of Gainesville is working with UF and the Florida Department of Transportation to address traffic safety near campus. Efforts include decreased speed limits, license plate readers, LED message boards, increased police patrols, signal retiming and crosswalk enhancements.

METRO | POLITICS

Gainesville mayor to set up guaranteed income payments to former prisoners

By Alexander Lugo | June 1, 2021

Gainesville Mayor Lauren Poe is working to implement a program that would give guaranteed income to formerly incarcerated people in Gainesville following their release.

NEWS | SFC

Santa Fe College to go maskless

By Antonia LaRocca | June 1, 2021

At Santa Fe College, people can now be maskless outside and will soon not have to wear masks indoors due to the college's updated COVID-19 safety protocols.

Josh Ketterer, 29, attempts a skate trick called a “50/50” at the Gentleman’s Club, a DIY skate park in Gainesville, Florida on Sunday, May 30, 2021. The skate park was built by skaters on private property and the city has ordered it to be torn down by June 20.

METRO

Gainesville skateboarders oppose destruction of local skate spot

By Sam Schaffer | June 1, 2021

More than 1,300 people have signed a petition to save The Gentleman’s Club, a DIY skate spot in Gainesville that the city ordered to be demolished by June 20.

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT LIFE

Electric Scooters Are Coming to UF

By Eve Thompson | June 1, 2021

The city of Gainesville plans to introduce electric scooters, or e-scooters, throughout UF and surrounding areas this month. E-scooter companies Bird, Spin and Veo will be allowed to install small fleets of scooters available for rent.

OPINION | COLUMNS

What does the Israeli-Palestine conflict mean to an Israeli?

June 1, 2021

“Kill their moms, rape their daughters,” is what people heard from their windows in London on May 16.

OPINION | COLUMNS

What does the Israeli-Palestine conflict mean to local Palestinians?

June 1, 2021

On May 18, Palestine observed quiet streets. As business owners shuttered their shops and deserted their markets, citizens across Palestinian cities and villages mobilized in central squares and demonstrated their opposition to the brutal Israeli military occupation.

METRO | K-12 EDUCATION

Alachua County Public School teacher a finalist for national culinary education award

By Maya Erwin | June 1, 2021

Pamela Bedford, the director of the Institute of Culinary Arts at Eastside High School, was nominated as one of four finalists for the American Culinary Federation’s national Chef Educator of the Year Award — an annual recognition of a culinary educator who has led by example to enhance the cooking skills of their students and guide them to success.

At the corner of Flaco’s and Vecino’s, a Block Party Weekend transformed 2nd Street into an ambient gathering space for two nights of live music, Cuban food, craft cocktails and more.

THE AVENUE | LIFESTYLE

Like a good neighbor: Flaco’s and Vecino’s host block party weekend

By Heather Bushman | June 1, 2021

At the corner of Flaco’s and Vecino’s, a Block Party Weekend transformed 2nd Street into an ambient gathering space for two nights of live music, Cuban food, craft cocktails and more. As Flaco’s expands and live shows make their return, the block party was just one event among the many Flaco’s plans to host in the future.

The cafe is locally owned by second-generation Vietnamese American My Duyen Ti Ho, and she is excited to bring banh mi, rice paper rolls, phở and bubble tea to Gainesville.

THE AVENUE | FOOD

T-Yummi Cafe brings fast-casual Vietnamese cuisine to Butler Plaza

By Melissa Hernandez de la Cruz | June 1, 2021

T-Yummi Cafe and Vietnamese Pho Bowl joined Butler Plaza’s growing list of restaurants set to open in August. The Vietnamese shop plans to reinvent the tradition of healthy, fresh and great-tasting food.

El Caimán