1 - The Independent Florida Alligator

A display on recent presidential elections at the "Voices and Votes: Alachua County" exhibit at the Matheson Museum.

METRO

‘Voices and Votes: Alachua County’ exhibit opens at Matheson Museum

By Morgan Vanderlaan | June 29, 2024

Following its opening Wednesday, the “Voices and Votes: Alachua County” exhibit focuses on Alachua County democracy, spanning as far back as the 18th century when the Spanish and British Empires fought for control of Florida. The display continues to modern day, showcasing historical predicaments like the 2000 election dispute between former President George W. Bush and former Vice President Al Gore.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Gainesville man arrested on suspicion of attempting to run a man over with his car

By Lee Ann Anderson | June 28, 2024

On Wednesday, a Gainesville man allegedly attempted to run over a man with his car following a heated argument about money.

METRO

Gainesville Regional Utilities Authority makes Ed Bielarski permanent general manager

By Morgan Vanderlaan | June 27, 2024

In its Wednesday meeting, the Gainesville Regional Utilities Authority approved a motion to make former authority Chair Ed Bielarski permanent GRU general manager.

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

Alachua County’s initiative to help English-limited residents passed its second phase

By Morgan Vanderlaan | June 26, 2024

The commission unanimously passed the second phase of Alachua’s Language Access Policy, which works towards breaking down language barriers within the community.

Patrons stretch at a First Magnitude Brewing Company drag yoga event on Sunday, June 23, 2024.

METRO | BUSINESS

First Magnitude’s Drag Yoga sessions combine inclusivity with introspection

By Sara-James Ranta | June 25, 2024

Under a canopy on a warm day, about 30 attendees gathered to practice mindfulness, grounding and positive affirmations at a drag yoga session June 23.

Women's rights protesters organize in front of at City Hall on Monday, June 24, 2024.

METRO

Women’s March marks the second anniversary of the overturn of Roe v. Wade

By Avery Parker | June 24, 2024

The sun glared down on about two dozen demonstrators Monday as they marched down West University Avenue chanting “bans off our bodies.”

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Law enforcement respond to unfounded Oaks Mall active shooter, hostage situation

By Lee Ann Anderson | June 23, 2024

On June 21, the Gainesville Police Department and Alachua County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call made about a possible active shooter and hostage situation inside of a bathroom at The Oaks Mall, which later turned out to be unfounded.

UF Faculty Senate members vote to delay the COVID-19 no-confidence resolution in the Reitz Union Chamber on Thursday, Oct. 21, 2021.

NEWS | CAMPUS UF ADMINISTRATION

UF Faculty Senate holds special meeting to approve Hamilton Center degrees, discuss post-tenure review

By Timothy Wang | June 23, 2024

The UF Faculty Senate held its first-ever summer meeting Friday over Zoom to vote on approval of two degree proposals for the Hamilton Center, the university's state-mandated civic center which has been fast-tracked to become a college by 2025.

NEWS | CAMPUS BREAKING NEWS

UFPD seeks trespass order for undercover activist who targeted UF Muslim professors

By Grace McClung | June 23, 2024

The UF Police Department is still working to trespass an undercover Messianic Jewish activist who sought to bait Muslim UF professors into admitting bias against Israel and conservatives, despite a previous case report declaring the man was “not considered a threat” and wouldn’t be trespassed.

UF track and field athlete Alissa Braxton competes in Eugene, Oregon, June 11, 2022. Photo provided by Isabella Marley // UAA Communications.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TRACK

Eleven Gators head to USA Track and Field Olympic Trials

By Liana Handler | June 22, 2024

Twenty-six Florida athletes – 11 current and 15 former Gators – traveled to Eugene, Oregon, for the USA Track and Field Olympic Trials. The ten day competition starts today with the men’s 100-meter decathlon.

People board and exit an RTS bus Wednesday, July 24, 2019 by the The Hub at UF.

METRO

RTS app outages cause riders difficulty

By Morgan Vanderlaan | June 21, 2024

Riders of the Regional Transit System reported experiencing app glitches since Tuesday, and the technology is still not working properly.

Unveiled on Wednesday, June 21, 2024, the Waldo Remembrance quilt hangs at the entrance of the Alachua County Library District Waldo Branch to remind visitors of Alachua County’s history of racial violence.

METRO | ALACHUA COUNTY

Alachua County Remembrance Project quilt displayed in Waldo Branch library

By Morgan Vanderlaan | June 21, 2024

On Friday, a remembrance quilt was temporarily displayed at the Alachua County Library District Waldo Branch honoring the lives of five lynching victims from the Waldo, Hawthorne, Rochelle and Campville areas.

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT LIFE

UFPD, GPD end investigations into undercover Messianic Jewish activist who sought to entrap Muslim professors

By Grace McClung | June 21, 2024

An undercover Messianic Jewish activist who sought to bait Muslim UF professors into admitting bias against Israel and conservatives will not be trespassed from campus and is “not considered a threat” by the UF Police Department.

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

Gainesville City Commission passes single room occupancy ordinance through second reading

By Morgan Vanderlaan | June 20, 2024

In its Thursday meeting, the Gainesville City Commission passed an ordinance covering restrictions on single room occupancy (SRO) residences through a second reading.

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

Gainesville Regional Utilities attorney requests supervisor of elections stop GRU referendum

By Morgan Vanderlaan | June 20, 2024

On June 19, GRU Attorney Scott Walker wrote a letter to Alachua County Supervisor of Elections Kim Barton debating the legality of the GRU referendum slated to be placed on the November general election ballot.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Newberry Education First board member arrested for soliciting sex with a minor

By Lee Ann Anderson | June 20, 2024

Searby initiated conversation with the 15-year-old boy through Snapchat June 19 and sent a detailed description of sexual encounters Searby had with older adults when he was around the same age as the boy.

Florida baseball head coach Kevin O'Sullivan sits with two-way star Jac Caglianone following the Gators’ 5-4 win against the North Carolina State Wolfpack at the College World Series in Omaha, Nebraska on Monday, June 17, 2024.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Florida’s miraculous postseason run comes to an end at the Men’s College World Series

By Max Tucker | June 20, 2024

The Gators, who had just put up 15 runs on the No. 2-ranked team in the nation in Kentucky just hours prior, were blanked by a variety of Aggie’ pitchers Wednesday night leading to a scoreless outing offensively.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Gainesville homeless man charged with attempted murder of girlfriend’s son

By Lee Ann Anderson and Rylan DiGiacomo-Rapp | June 19, 2024

On Monday, William Briscoe was arrested on suspicion of the attempted murder of his girlfriend’s son, who escaped the incident unscathed.

METRO

Downtown Juneteenth Jubilee commemorates emancipation, Black history

By Morgan Vanderlaan | June 19, 2024

Bo Diddley Plaza was brought to life on Juneteenth with bubbles and hula hoops strewn across the lawn. People young and old lined the brick walls, eyes glued to the performances on the center stage to celebrate Black history.

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

Gainesville City Commission passes GRU authority oversight referendum for the fourth time

By Morgan Vanderlaan | June 19, 2024

In a Tuesday special meeting, the Gainesville City Commission unanimously passed the second version of a GRU authority oversight referendum, which will allow constituents to determine where the power will fall in the November general election.

El Caimán