1 - The Independent Florida Alligator

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT LIFE

Books, naps and games: UF libraries are for more than just studying

By Annie Wang | Jan. 15, 2024

The start of every semester brings about a new wave of academic goals and resolutions, with students scrambling to find the best tips and tricks for productivity. While there’s no doubt that building healthy study habits is important, finding the perfect space to implement those habits is just as important.

Florida sophomore Bente Spee competes in her doubles match during the Gators' 4-1 win over the Michigan Wolverines Wednesday, March 22, 2023.

NEWS

Gators come up empty-handed in 2024 Freeman Memorial Tournament

Jan. 15, 2024

In what has become an annual tradition, Gators women’s tennis started their season at the 21st annual Freeman Memorial Tournament at the Fertitta Tennis Complex in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Redshirt senior Allison Wilson points to the sky after she finished first for the Florida Gators in the Mountain Dew Invitational at Mark Bostick Golf Course on Friday, Sept. 15, 2023.

NEWS

Gators Track and Field bursts into 2024 with nine event wins

Jan. 14, 2024

Both the Florida men’s and women’s track and field teams headed to College Station, Texas to compete in the McFerrin 12-Degree Invitational Saturday. Of the 58 athletes representing Florida, 39 men and 19 women competed in 24 total events. The Gators competed against Baylor, TCU, Oklahoma and Texas A&M.

Senior guard Leilani Correa takes a jump shot in the Gators' 82-65 win against the North Florida Ospreys.

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Gators hold off Bulldogs for first SEC win of 2023-24 season

By Jack Meyer | Jan. 14, 2024

The Florida Gators women’s basketball team survived a close contest with the Georgia Bulldogs Sunday for their first conference win of the season.

Florida sophomore Nate Bonetto hits the ball in the Gators' 4-3 loss to the Georgia Bulldogs Sunday, April 9, 2023.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Fresh off the Fighting Illini Invite, Gators tune up for regular season

By Chandler Hawkes | Jan. 14, 2024

The Gators men’s tennis team traveled south to Delray Beach, Florida, to participate in the Fighting Illini Invite. The two-day event served as a tune-up event for both teams heading into the regular season, starting this Friday.

Graduate student forward Tyrese Samuel shoots a 3-pointer in the Gators' 90-68 win over Arkansas on Saturday, January 13, 2023.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Florida breaks through for first SEC win with 90-68 victory over Arkansas

By Max Tucker | Jan. 13, 2024

The Florida Gators men’s basketball team defeated the Arkansas Razorbacks 90-68 to pick up their first victory in conference play this season.

Angel Espinosa poses with his daughter Julianne Espinosa in Miami on January 22, 2017.

ENTERPRISE | HEALTH

‘I am her voice, she is my heart’: UF alumni dedicate their lives to daughter with rare disorder

By Alexandra Burns | Jan. 13, 2024

In the comfort of her Miami home, 34-year-old Julianne Espinosa lies in bed captivated by videos of Disney princesses flashing across her television screen. As echoes of “The Little Mermaid” fill her room, she smiles brightly, silently expressing the words she cannot say.

Sophomore Lori Brubach performs her floor routine in the Gators’ season opener in the Stephen C. O’Connell Center, Friday, Jan. 12, 2024.

SPORTS | GYMNASTICS

Florida gymnastics dominates in season-opening meet with all-around sweep

By Krisha Sanghavi | Jan. 12, 2024

Anya Pilgrim shined in the Gators’ season-opening meet. Her strong performance contributed to Florida’s all-around sweep in the quad meet.

A sign in front of the Alachua County Public Schools district office building is seen Sunday, June 6, 2021.

METRO | K-12 EDUCATION

Alachua County School Board moves not to amend school zone boundaries

By Megan Howard | Jan. 12, 2024

The Alachua County School Board voted against rezoning the existing school boundaries for the 2025-2026 school year in a special hearing Thursday night.

Senior guard Aliyah Matharu shoots a jumpshot in the Gators' 83-69 win against the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats on Thursday, Nov. 9, 2023.

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Gators women's basketball drops to 0-3 in conference play following 88-81 loss to Tennessee

By Jack Meyer | Jan. 11, 2024

The Gators women’s basketball team dropped their third consecutive SEC matchup in a close contest against the Tennessee Volunteers.

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

Alachua County Commission asks community to rewrite ceasefire resolution, discuss Florence landfill next steps

By Henry DeAngelis | Jan. 11, 2024

Despite severe weather warnings across Alachua County, the County Commission met Tuesday to discuss a ceasefire resolution and provide an update on the Florence landfill special use permit.

Sophomore Leanne Wong performs her floor routine in Session II of the SEC Championship in Duluth, Georgia Saturday, March 18, 2023.

SPORTS | GYMNASTICS

Florida gymnastics braces for 2024 season

By Alyssa Britton-Harr | Jan. 11, 2024

The Gators gymnastics team opens their season at home Friday in a quad meet against Fisk State, George Washington and Talladega College.

Florida freshman Tanapatt Nirundorn celebrates after winning a point in his match against the Texas Longhorns Sunday, Jan. 15, 2023.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Florida Gators men’s tennis set to open season at Illini Invitational

By Chandler Hawkes | Jan. 11, 2024

The Florida Gators men’s tennis team is set to begin their season Friday at the Illini Invitational.

Graduate student guard Zyon Pullin drives with the ball in the Gators' 89-68 win against the Florida State Seminoles on Friday, November 17, 2023.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Florida dismantled by Ole Miss 103-85 in first road SEC matchup

By Max Tucker | Jan. 11, 2024

The Florida Gators men’s basketball team (10-5, 0-2 SEC) fell to the Ole Miss Rebels (14-1, 1-1 SEC) 103-85 in their first Southeastern Conference road game of the season.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Stephen Foster Elementary School teacher arrested for drug possession, DUI charges

By Megan Howard | Jan. 10, 2024

Andres Correa III, 29, was arrested around 1 a.m. Jan. 7 on suspicion of possessing a controlled substance, resisting an officer without violence and driving under the influence.

FILE - Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks after being sworn in to begin his second term during an inauguration ceremony outside the Old Capitol on Jan. 3, 2023, in Tallahassee, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky, File)

NEWS | CAMPUS UF ADMINISTRATION

DeSantis orders Florida universities to waive certain transfer requirements for Jewish students

By Zoey Thomas | Jan. 10, 2024

Gov. Ron DeSantis directed Florida universities to waive application requirements for Jewish transfer students fearing antisemitism Tuesday.

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT GOVERNMENT

UF Student Senate elects new leadership

By Annie Wang | Jan. 10, 2024

Four Vision Party candidates were elected to UF Student Senate leadership during a Tuesday night meeting.

Republican presidential candidate Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks during a Republican presidential primary debate hosted by NBC News, Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2023, at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County in Miami. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

ENTERPRISE | POLITICS

‘Stay the course’: DeSantis delivers 2024 State of the State address

By Rylan DiGiacomo-Rapp | Jan. 9, 2024

Gov. Ron DeSantis delivered the State of the State address Tuesday, Jan. 9. A joint session of the Florida legislature received his remarks in the House of Representatives Chamber.

THE AVENUE | LIFESTYLE

#UNLITTER: The Snapchat caption that sparked a global movement

By Molly Seghi | Jan. 9, 2024

The global #UNLITTER Movement created by a University of Florida friend group empowers sustainable and positive living.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Armed woman shot by deputies at Gainesville hotel

By Daniel Bednar | Jan. 9, 2024

A woman staying at the Gainesville La Quinta Inn was shot by deputies Monday, after she refused to obey commands to drop the handgun she was holding.

El Caimán