1 - The Independent Florida Alligator

METRO | ALACHUA COUNTY

Alachua County seeks to expand drug rehabilitation efforts

By Ella Thompson | Aug. 28, 2023

In Alachua County, emergency services responded to 1,451 overdose calls in 2022. The previous year there were 1,405 overdose calls with 62 fatal overdoses. In an effort to combat overdoses, Alachua County and the city of Gainesville have implemented multiple services to assist people with addictions seeking help and recovering addicts like the now 51-year-old farmer who requested anonymity.

SPANISH

Iniciativa de investigación de la UF se junta con otras dos universidades para colaborar con los ciudadanos hispanos

By Nicole Beltran | Aug. 28, 2023

Para profesor asistente de la UF, Hance Ellington, comprender qué cuestiones ambientales (como la silvicultura, el cambio climático y la biodiversidad) son más apremiantes para un estado con una gran población hispana es una cuestión que requiere más representación.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Swamp Kings inspires current players, leaves viewers wanting more

By Lacey Rogers | Aug. 28, 2023

Former Gators Tim Tebow, Dan Mullen and Meyer told the story of the behind-the-scenes events that occurred during this era for the Gators. What’s left unsaid draws the most criticism from students, but the documentary served as a source of inspiration for the 2023 football team.

Akshat Pant (left) and Nishant Nagururu (right) promote Candor, an app that connects UF students to Student Government, at the Curtis M. Phillips Center on Saturday, Aug. 26, 2023.

NEWS

UF students create app to connect Student Government with student body

By Vivienne Serret | Aug. 28, 2023

Akshat Pant, a 20-year-old UF computer science junior, and Nishant Nagururu, a 19-year-old UF computer science sophomore, had a vision to design an application streamlining students’ connection with SG. The app is called Candor — meaning open, honest and sincere. Pant and Nagururu picked the name after realizing they wanted to make an app providing those qualities to the student body.

The Alan and Cathy Hitchcock Field & Fork Pantry is seen at the Reitz Union North Lawn on Saturday, Aug. 26, 2023.

METRO | ALACHUA COUNTY

Students across Gainesville struggle with food insecurity

By Jinelle Vazquez | Aug. 28, 2023

The food insecurity rate in Alachua County has remained higher than the overall rate in Florida since 2014. A 2021 report from the city based on USDA data identified 11 food deserts — low-income areas where a substantial number of residents have low access to a supermarket or large grocery store — in Gainesville.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Taking a look at the data: UF’s sexual assault cases over the past five years

By Jordan Ramos | Aug. 28, 2023

At UF and surrounding campus areas, rape and sexual assault has fluctuated throughout the years. There have been 67 reported cases of rape and sexual assault on UF campus and six for the surrounding campus areas in the past five years, according to data from the UF Crime Map.

Graduate student forward Molly Grant celebrates her goal in the Gators' 8-0 win against the Stetson Hatters Sunday, Aug. 27, 2023.

SPORTS | SOCCER

Gators soccer off to a historic start to 2023 season

By Austin Stirling | Aug. 28, 2023

Following a scoreless draw against the Miami Hurricanes, the Gators currently sit at 3-0-1 and have outshot their opponents in all four of their early matches. UF opened the 2023 season with four shutouts for the first time in program history.

Patrons visit The Rowdy Reptile and Fat Daddy’s on its final weekend open on Friday, Aug. 25, 2023.

METRO | BUSINESS

UF Midtown favorites The Rowdy Reptile and Fat Daddy’s to be replaced by Lil Rudy’s

By Alexandra Burns | Aug. 28, 2023

After 12 years of business, The Rowdy Reptile and Fat Daddy’s — located at Midtown on the corner of University Avenue and Northwest 17th Street — announced Aug. 25 they will be closing their doors and reopening under new ownership.

ENVIRONMENT | ENTERPRISE

Gov. Ron DeSantis issues state of emergency for Alachua County ahead of Tropical Storm Idalia

By Kylie Williams | Aug. 28, 2023

Tropical Storm Idalia, which started brewing in the Gulf of Mexico, is showing signs it could organize into a hurricane. The storm is projected to hit the Florida Big Bend region by early Wednesday, though its exact path is still uncertain.

Republican U.S. Sen Ben Sasse, of Nebraska, applauds President Kent Fuchs at the Board of Trustees meeting to discuss his candidacy at Emerson Alumni Hall Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2022.

ENTERPRISE | POLITICS

Lawmakers reflect on UF President Ben Sasse’s strategic plan

By Sophia Bailly | Aug. 28, 2023

Florida legislators from both the majority and minority parties clarified that Sasse's proposals won’t have an immediate impact on the university.

NEWS | SFC

New penalties for bathroom law threaten Santa Fe College students, faculty

By Bailey Diem | Aug. 28, 2023

Some LGBTQ Santa Fe College attendees fear discrimination after a law prohibiting people from using public bathrooms of their non-assigned sex can now result in firing.

NEWS | CAMPUS UF ADMINISTRATION

'Bad faith readouts': Sasse disputes previously reported accounts of his vision

By Garrett Shanley | Aug. 28, 2023

UF President Ben Sasse described previous reports of his strategic plan as inaccurate at his State of the University Address Aug. 24, but professors disagree.

Local dancer Kevin Rodriguez, also known as Woahdizzy, gets down low at the How Bazar block party on Friday, Aug. 25, 2023.

THE AVENUE | NIGHTLIFE

How Bazar’s Block Party brings together community, culture in Gainesville

By Bonny Matejowsky | Aug. 27, 2023

The How Bazar's organization’s third-ever Block Party extended across the exteriors of several buildings surrounding its official location. The event attracted crowds of people eager to immerse themselves in a community experience rarely seen in Gainesville.

Freshman forward Megan Hinnenkamp shoots the ball in an 8-0 win against the Stetson Hatters Sunday, Aug. 27, 2023.

SPORTS | SOCCER

Florida routes Stetson in dominant home showing

By Austin Stirling | Aug. 27, 2023

The Florida Gators (3-0-1) defeated the Stetson Hatters (0-4) 8-0 Sunday night at Donald R. Dizney Stadium. Florida has now one back-to-back matches against Stetson dating back to last season. UF’s eight goals marked the most goals in a mtach since 1999 when the Gators defeated Florida International 8-0.

Joshua Joseph, the chef and owner of Tropical Eatz food truck, grills at 1225 NW 10th Ave., on Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023.

METRO | BUSINESS

On-campus exposure brings off-campus success to local restaurant owners

By Zoey Thomas | Aug. 27, 2023

Chef JJ is one of several local restaurants that Chartwells Higher Education, UF’s dining partner since May 2022, brought to campus since launching the Florida Fresh Dining brand in July 2022. The brand was founded with a pledge from Chartwell to invest in local businesses — including launching the Taste of Gainesville section of the Reitz Union, which opened Summer 2022 and features two local eateries per day in a pop-up setting.

Freshman wide receiver Andy Jean completes a drill during the Gators' Spring scrimmage March 28, 2023.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Florida position previews: wide receivers and running backs

By Luke Adragna | Aug. 27, 2023

The flashy moves and long, breakaway touchdowns Florida fans became accustomed to behind former Gators quarterback Anthony Richardson’s offense likely won’t look the same this season.

Freshman setter Alexis Stucky serves against Virginia Aug. 27, 2022.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

Florida wins game two of Tampa Bay Invitational against USF

By Alyssa Britton-Harr | Aug. 26, 2023

The No. 11 Florida Gators (2-0) defeated the South Florida Bulls (0-2) Saturday night. UF played at the Yuengling Center, the Bulls home court, for the second game of the Tampa Bay Invitational.

Freshman cornerback Ja'Keem Jackson lines up against freshman wide receiver Aidan Mizell in the Orange and Blue Spring Game Thursday, Aug. 15, 2023.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Florida position previews: cornerbacks and safeties

By Jackson Reyes | Aug. 26, 2023

The secondary room went through several changes during the offseason. Of the nine defensive backs who recorded at least one start last season, five departed the team either through the NCAA Transfer Portal or through the 2023 NFL Draft.

Outside hitter Sofia Victoria celebrates a point against the Louisiana State Tigers Sunday Oct. 9, 2022. Victoria led the Gators with 13 kills against Kentucky Saturday.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

Gators bring home season-opener victory after rough start

By Krisha Sanghavi | Aug. 25, 2023

The No. 11 Florida Gators (1-0) started their season strong with a 3-1 win against the No. 8 Penn State Nittany Lions (0-1). The team traveled to Tampa for the first game of the Tampa Bay Invitational and controlled the court for a win.

Anamika Naidu and Leah Kozakevich sip Opus coffee at The Row location's grand opening event Aug. 25, 2023 in Gainesville.

METRO | BUSINESS

Opus Coffee celebrates grand opening at Row location

By Zoey Thomas | Aug. 25, 2023

Plastic cups of nitro cold brew circulated at a new Opus Coffee cafe Friday, carried by caterers offering free samples to eager coffee drinkers.

El Caimán