1 - The Independent Florida Alligator

METRO | K-12 EDUCATION

State removes Alachua County Public Schools LGBTQ support guide

By Peyton Harris | Jan. 9, 2023

In mid-November, Alachua County Public School and other districts in the state received instruction from the Florida Board of Education to cease using LGBTQ support guides because some of the policies were inconsistent with the state’s Parental Rights in Education Act — a controversial law some critics dubbed the “Don’t Say Gay” bill.

Graduate student guard Kyle Lofton celebrates after scoring and drawing a foul against the Georgia Bulldogs Saturday, Jan. 7, 2023.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Gators start Southeastern Conference play with heartbreak, resolve

By Brandon Hernandez | Jan. 9, 2023

Florida Gators men's basketball began Southeastern Conference play with back-to-back one-possession losses. In a game against their former head coach Mike White and the Georgia Bulldogs, the Gators won their first SEC game.

Florida senior guard KK Deans scored 21 points in a loss against the Georgia Bulldogs Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023.

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Florida falls at home to Georgia after fourth-quarter flurry

By Topher Adams | Jan. 8, 2023

Florida (12-5, 1-3 SEC) fell at home to Georgia (13-5, 2-2 SEC) 82-7 Sunday afternoon after the Bulldogs outscored the Gators by 14 points in the fourth quarter. Deans led the way for Florida with 21 points, including five made 3-pointers.

Florida senior center Jason Jitoboh embraces former Gators head coach Mike White following Florida's victory over Georgia Saturday, Jan. 7, 2023. White left the Gators to coach the Bulldogs Sunday, March 13, 2022.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Florida gets first conference win in Mike White’s return to Gainesville

By Brandon Hernandez | Jan. 7, 2023

Florida (8-7, 1-2 SEC) defeated Georgia (11-4, 1-1 SEC) 82-75 Saturday to earn its first SEC victory of the season. Fifth-year forward Colin Castleton finished the game with a season-high seven blocks.

Library West is seen on Thursday, Oct. 14, 2021.

NEWS | CAMPUS BREAKING NEWS

Library West temporarily closed due to water damage

By Sophia Bailly | Jan. 7, 2023

Library West will remain closed into the beginning of the Spring semester after a break in the water line caused an estimated 60,000 gallons of water to flood the library’s first, second and third floors for several hours.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Police arrest 42-year-old Gainesville man for Gamma Phi Beta burglary

By Elliot Tritto | Jan. 7, 2023

A 42-year-old Gainesville man was arrested and booked at the Alachua County Jail Friday for burglary of dwelling and petit theft at a UF sorority house.

Florida graduate student Trinity Thomas dismounts the bars at the end of her routine in a quad meet against the West Virginia Mountaineers, Ball State Cardinals and the Lindenwood Lions Friday, Jan. 6, 2023.

SPORTS | GYMNASTICS

Gators break season-opening score for fifth year in a row

By Kyle Bumpers | Jan. 6, 2023

The Gators were dominant in their opening meet, finishing the night with a 197.750. They earned their highest score in a season opener in Florida program history for the fifth season in a row.

Florida guard Trey Bonham throws a pass in the Gators' loss to the Connecticut Huskies Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2022.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Gators men’s basketball seeks first conference win against former head coach

By Jackson Reyes | Jan. 6, 2023

The Gators (7-7, 0-2 SEC) will look to end their three-game losing streak against a hot Bulldogs team (11-3, 1-0 SEC) that has won its last four games. Georgia most recently picked up a 12-point win over the No. 22 Auburn Tigers Wednesday.

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

City Commission restores exclusionary zoning, will recruit city manager

By Siena Duncan | Jan. 6, 2023

The Gainesville City Commission voted 4-3 to restore exclusionary zoning, which nullified the previous controversial ordinance that eliminated single family zoning.

Pedro Bravo testifies in court Thursday to share his version of the events of the day Christian Aguilar disappeared and the days following.

NEWS | CAMPUS

ABC’s ‘Death in the dorms’ revisits the murder of a UF student

By Sophia Bailly | Jan. 6, 2023

“Death in the Dorms” documents six killings across U.S. college campuses. Episode Two, titled “Christian Aguilar,” tells the story of how the romantic obsession of Aguilar’s friend Pedro Bravo mutated into a grisly murder.

Florida guard KK Deans follows through on a jumper in the Gators' 83-55 win over the Florida A&M Rattlers Monday, Nov. 7, 2022.

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Florida gets blown out on the road against Arkansas

By Topher Adams | Jan. 5, 2023

The Florida Gators (12-4, 1-2 SEC) fell on the road to the Arkansas Razorbacks (15-3, 2-1 SEC) in a 102-74 blowout loss. Arkansas became the first opponent to score 100 or more points against the Gators since No. 1 South Carolina in 2020.

BEN SASSE

UF President-elect Ben Sasse bids farewell to US Senate

By Alissa Gary | Jan. 5, 2023

Sen. Ben Sasse delivered his farewell address on the Senate floor Wednesday after eight years representing Nebraska. He will resign his seat this week to assume his role as UF president in February.

Harvey Ward (left) and Rev. Fletcher of Holy Trinity Episcopal Church (right) clapping after a speech delivered at the swearing-in ceremony for Gainesville Mayor Thursday, Jan. 5, 2023.

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

Gainesville swears-in Mayor Harvey Ward, commissioners

By Aubrey Bocalan | Jan. 5, 2023

The city of Gainesville held its swearing-in ceremony Thursday morning, officially inducting Gainesville Mayor Harvey Ward and three commissioners into office.

Florida guard Trey Bonham dribbles the ball in the Gators' 75-54 loss to the Connecticut Huskies Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2022.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Gators' late comeback falls just short against Texas A&M Aggies

By Jackson Reyes | Jan. 4, 2023

The Florida Gators (7-7, 0-2 SEC) lost to the Aggies (9-5, 1-0 SEC), 66-63, in the Stephen C. O’Connell Center Wednesday night. The Gators finished the game with 20 turnovers, and Texas A&M found 21 points from those mistakes.

Florida center Ra Shaya Kyle puts up a shot in the Gators' win over the Florida A&M Rattlers Monday, Nov. 7, 2022.

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Florida earns 800th program win in defensive battle against Texas A&M

By Topher Adams | Jan. 1, 2023

Florida (12-3, 1-1 SEC) held off the Texas A&M Aggies (5-7, 0-2 SEC) in a defensive battle to win its first Southeastern Conference game of the season. The Gators outscored the Aggies 36-14 in the paint, dominating the interior throughout the game.

A Florida football player during the Gators' game against Eastern Washington Sunday, Oct. 2, 2022.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

The Alligator Sports 2022 year in review

By Alligator Editorial Board | Dec. 31, 2022

Before 2022 ends, don't miss out on our best Sports coverage of the year.

Greta Gerwig, left, and director Noah Baumbach pose for photographers upon arrival for the premiere of the film 'White Noise' during the 2022 London Film Festival in London, Thursday, Oct. 6, 2022.

THE AVENUE | MOVIES AND TV

Rate and Review: ‘White Noise’ masterfully navigates its plot-driving fear of death

By Kyle Bumpers | Dec. 31, 2022

Director Noah Baumbach’s newest film played in theaters for a limited time before its wide release on Netflix Dec. 30.

Shaquille O'Neal, also know as DJ Diesel, plays music for over 3,000 people at his Halloween party Monday, Oct 31, 2022.

THE AVENUE

The Florida Avenue 2022 year in review

By Alligator Editorial Board | Dec. 30, 2022

Before 2022 ends, dive into our most powerful, heartfelt and colorful coverage of the year.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Gainesville man arrested for molestation of 15-year-old child

By Aidan Bush | Dec. 30, 2022

A Gainesville man was arrested Wednesday afternoon and charged with molesting a 15-year-old girl multiple times over Christmas week.

Florida guard Alberte Rimdal weaves through the defense in the Gators' victory over the Florida A&M Rattlers Monday, Nov. 7, 2022.

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Tennessee towers over Florida in SEC opener

By Heather Bushman | Dec. 29, 2022

The Florida Gators (11-3, 0-1) fell to the Tennessee Lady Volunteers (9-6, 1-0) in their first SEC battle, sans senior guard Leilani Correa. The conference opener saw Rocky Top stay on top 77-67, extending Tennessee’s lead in meetings between the two programs 55-5.

El Caimán