1 - The Independent Florida Alligator

SPANISH

Las decisiones estatales siguen guiando los recortes presupuestarios de la Comisión de la Ciudad de Gainesville

By Amanda Friedman and Nicole Beltran | June 19, 2023

Los esfuerzos para combatir la creciente deuda de los Servicios Regionales de Gainesville (GRU) podrían realizarse a costa de los propietarios de viviendas y de la financiación de iniciativas de servicio público, según las decisiones estatales y las propuestas presupuestarias del año fiscal 2024 de la ciudad.

NKwanda Jah sits in her office at Wilhelmina Johnson Center on Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2022. Jah runs an afterschool science program from her office.

METRO | ALACHUA COUNTY

NKwanda Jah: a lifetime of community advocacy

By Gabriel Velasquez Neira | June 19, 2023

NKwanda Jah never obtained a degree or had Black female role models throughout the majority of her life. Yet today, she leads the non-profit organization Cultural Arts Coalition, which serves disadvantaged Gainesville residents' needs through summer employment, cultural enrichment programs and after-school programs.

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT GOVERNMENT

Senate president exonerated of all filed charges

By Vivienne Serret | June 19, 2023

The UF Student Government Rules and Ethics Committee met June 17 for nearly four hours to consider the expulsion of Student Senate President Oscar Santiago Perez (Change-District D).

The new Raising Cane’s restaurant is seen on 1680 W University Ave. on Tuesday, June 13, 2023

THE AVENUE | FOOD

Raising Cane’s delights students with Gator decor

By Alexia Paz | June 19, 2023

Hungry with anticipation, students have eagerly waited for the opening of Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers for months.

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

State decisions continue to guide Gainesville City Commission budget cuts

By Amanda Friedman | June 19, 2023

Efforts to combat Gainesville Regional Utilities’ rising debt could come at the expense of homeowners as well as public service initiative funding, according to state decisions and the city’s 2024 fiscal year budget proposals.

Florida starting pitcher Hurston Waldrep delivers a pitch during the Gators' 4-0 win against South Carolina Saturday, June 10, 2023.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Gators rake past Oral Roberts in College World Series

By Jackson Castellano | June 18, 2023

Florida (52-15, 20-10 SEC) defeated Oral Roberts (52-13, 23-1 Summit League) 5-4 in the winner’s bracket opener of the College World Series. The Gators picked up their 135th home run of the year, a new program record for most in a single season.

TIAA Bank Field, the home stadium of the NFL’s Jacksonville Jaguars, also serves as host for the annual Florida-Georgia game. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

NEWS | CAMPUS UF ADMINISTRATION

UF Jacksonville campus to receive $75 million

By Sally Brown | June 18, 2023

Gov. Ron DeSantis approved $75 million for UF’s proposed Jacksonville campus amid half-a-million dollar budget vetoes.

Austin Simmons flipped his commitment to Ole Miss Saturday, June 17, 2023.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Florida commit Austin Simmons flips to Ole Miss, reclassifies to 2023

By Jackson Castellano | June 17, 2023

Class of 2025 commit Austin Simmons chose to flip his commitment to Ole Miss Saturday, reclassify to 2023 and enroll early this summer, per Hayes Fawcett of On3 Sports.

Florida freshman Luke Heyman rounds the bases during the Gators' 3-0 win against Florida A&M Friday, June 2, 2023.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Gators rally, Heyman walks off Virginia in College World Series opener

By Luke Adragna | June 16, 2023

The Florida Gators (51-15, 20-10 SEC) emerged victorious against the Virginia Cavaliers (50-14, 19-11 ACC) 6-5 and move on to the winner’s bracket in Omaha, Nebraska.

UF President Ben Sasse talks with attendees of the press conference held at Jacksonville City Hall about plans to open a new graduate campus, Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2023.

NEWS | CAMPUS UF ADMINISTRATION

President Sasse names Scott Angle as interim provost

By Garrett Shanley | June 16, 2023

UF President Ben Sasse announced Scott Angle as interim provost in a press release Thursday.

Mayor Harvey Ward speaks on the proposed 2024 fiscal year budget on the Wednesday, June 14 City Commission meeting.

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

Gainesville City Commission continues with 2024 budget proposals

By Amanda Friedman | June 15, 2023

In light of pressure from state lawmakers, the Gainesville City Commission heard proposals for drastic cuts for the 2024 fiscal year budget at a special meeting Wednesday.

Florida outfielder Wyatt Langford during the Gators' 3-0 win against Florida A&M Friday, June 2, 2023.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Florida set for College World Series opener

By Luke Adragna | June 15, 2023

The Florida Gators (50-15, 20-10 SEC) begin the quest for their second College World Series Championship and face the Virginia Cavaliers (50-13, 19-11 ACC) in the opening round 7 p.m. Friday at Charles Schwab Stadium in Omaha, Nebraska.

Judiciary Committee Chairperson Jonathan C. Stephens (Change-District D) and Minority Party Leader Bronson Allemand (Gator - District A) have a discussion after a three minute recess was requested on the Tuesday, June 13 Senate meeting.

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT GOVERNMENT

Student body president presents executive order, case filed against senate president

By Vivienne Serret | June 14, 2023

UF Student Body President Olivia Green issued an executive order recognizing Pride Month and supporting LGBTQ students at a June 13 Senate meeting.

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT GOVERNMENT

Student Government celebrates Pride Month, demonstrates allyship

By Vivienne Serret | June 13, 2023

Student Body President Olivia Green believes pride should be celebrated all year round, but she said June is a special month recognizing the individuals who fought for the queer community, honor their experiences and continue to advocate for their rights.

New UF President Ben Sasse addresses a crowd during a press conference at Jacksonville City Hall Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2023.

NEWS | CAMPUS BREAKING NEWS

UF Hamilton Center director has personal, political ties to President Sasse

By Garrett Shanley | June 12, 2023

UF President Ben Sasse announced William Inboden, a former Senate campaign donor and close friend of Sasse, as the new director for the Hamilton Center for Classical and Civic Education in a press release Monday.

Florida baseball sophomores Jac Caglianone and Blake Purnell give head coach Kevin O’Sullivan a Powerade bath after the Gators’ 4-0 win against South Carolina Saturday, June 10, 2023.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Florida baseball comes together on road to Omaha

By Luke Adragna | June 12, 2023

Florida baseball advanced to its first College World Series since 2018 after the Gators defeated South Carolina June 10.

Coach Mike Holloway shares a smile after the Gators qualify for the 2018 NCAA East Preliminary meet finals.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TRACK

Florida track and field bring home men’s national title, seven medals from NCAA Outdoor Championships

By Hailey Hurst | June 12, 2023

The Florida men's and women's track and field teams earned the men's national championship and several individual medals at the NCAA Outdoor Championships in Austin, Texas, June 7-10.

Dawayne Bryan, a construction worker, pulls the modular home into place at High Springs on Thursday, June 8, 2023.

METRO | ALACHUA COUNTY

Alachua Habitat for Humanity and Santa Fe builds more affordable housing for local residents

By Gabriel Velasquez Neira | June 12, 2023

For the 12th consecutive year, local families have an opportunity to change their future trajectory and access affordable mortgages, largely due to Santa Fe College and Alachua County Habitat for Humanity.

METRO | BUSINESS

Proposed East Gainesville cultural arts center strives to uplift community

By Amanda Friedman | June 12, 2023

City Commission plans to bring a cultural arts center to East Gainesville as an effort to support at-risk youth and Black residents. The proposed center aims to provide arts and cultural programming, workforce development, skill cultivation and after-school activities resources, according to a January 2022 General Policy Committee meeting presentation.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Finding hope as history repeats itself

By Ruka Scarlett | June 12, 2023

How I wish I had better news. It’s Pride Month after all — one of many occasions throughout the year when we celebrate diversity in a world that doesn’t always embrace such a thing. I’m happier with myself than ever, living my truth has been a blessing, allowing me to thrive. Unfortunately, being happy with oneself, is a different thing from being happy with one’s situation, even further removed, being happy with the state of things.

El Caimán