1 - The Independent Florida Alligator

BEN SASSE

Sasse’s China rhetoric prompts concern of anti-Asian hate from UF Chinese students

By Omar Ateyah | Oct. 24, 2022

As Ben Sasse stands as the only finalist in the running to be UF’s next president, his comments about China are concerning for many Chinese community members on campus. Sasse has characterized himself as a staunch opponent of the Chinese government, but he’s also been criticized for hostile comments on China’s role in the pandemic.

A cyclist passes by the new Santa Fe College Blount Hall building in downtown Gainesville on Friday, Jan. 28. It's located on the northeast corner of Southwest Sixth Street and West University Avenue.

BEN SASSE

Santa Fe College students, faculty weigh Ben Sasse’s impact on transfer decisions

By Claire Grunewald | Oct. 24, 2022

Strong ties between the two educational institutions have left SFC staff and students to debate whether the announcement of the UF presidential candidate has any effect on their nearby campus.

UF athletic director Scott Stricklin talks with president Kent Fuchs during Florida's search committee meeting on Sept. 27, 2016, at the Kelly Smith Conference Room.

BEN SASSE

Stricklin to serve as bridge for athletics between Fuchs’ presidency, his successor

By Kyle Bumpers | Oct. 24, 2022

Sen. Ben Sasse is currently in line to take over for Fuchs as he’s the sole candidate to be named president of the university. Sasse, or whoever becomes the next president, likely won’t have this same hurdle as Stricklin is set to be in charge for the foreseeable future.

BEN SASSE

Sasse’s political history alarms UF climate activists, scientists

By Fernando Figueroa | Oct. 24, 2022

A look into Sasse’s campaign contributions reveals thousands of dollars from the fossil fuel industry. However, Sasse has more recently affirmed his belief in climate change. And yet, he remains skeptical about the federal government's role in mitigating climate change.

BEN SASSE

Here’s what to expect from Ben Sasse’s Nov. 1 UF visit with Board of Trustees

By Anushka Dakshit | Oct. 24, 2022

The coalition is calling their plan of action “Spook Sasse Out of Our Swamp.” One part of the plan includes attending President Lauren Lemasters’ office hours on Oct. 27 at 8 a.m. The second part of the plan is a protest during the final interview between the Board of Trustees and Sasse from 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. outside of Emerson Alumni Hall.

Gainesville city commissioners vote to eliminate exclusionary zoning despite opposition from some residents and elected officials Monday, Oct. 17, 2022.

BEN SASSE

Gainesville-UF relations uncertain after Sasse appointment

By Aidan Bush | Oct. 24, 2022

As both the UF president and Gainesville mayor look to term out in the coming months, Mayor Lauren Poe reflects on the improvement of city-university relations. Looking to the future, candidates for mayoral elections were interviewed on their opinions on Sasse as well as how they would continue to strengthen those relationships.

Sophomore defender Madison Young during Florida's match with Arkansas Thursday, Oct. 6, 2022.

SPORTS | SOCCER

Florida soccer misses out on SEC Tournament for the first time ever

By Jose Tovar | Oct. 23, 2022

No. 3 Alabama rolled past Florida 2-0 Sunday to sink the Gators to the bottom of the standings. After chaining losses to Vanderbilt and the Crimson Tide this week, Florida’s been eliminated from contention for the 10-team SEC tournament for the first time in program history.

The loan forgiveness plan will reduce or erase the debt of up to 43 million Americans, including select UF graduates, if the U.S. Supreme Court doesn’t block it.

METRO | POLITICS

Biden’s student loan relief plan temporarily blocked

By Heather Bushman | Oct. 22, 2022

The court temporarily halted the forgiveness plan, which would see some federal student loan borrowers receive up to $20,000 in relief, to consider a lawsuit that challenged the plan’s constitutionality. The White House can still review applications while the ban is in effect, and borrowers are still encouraged to apply.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Free UF rally urges students to take to the polls

By Christian Casale | Oct. 22, 2022

Free UF, a broad coalition of faculty, staff, students, and local advocacy groups who banded together to oppose what they describe as a state encroachment on academic freedom, officially organized the event at the Plaza of the Americas. About a dozen students attended the rally.

BEN SASSE

UF Faculty Senate will consider vote of confidence on Ben Sasse, presidential search process

By Christian Casale and Mickenzie Hannon | Oct. 22, 2022

The Faculty Senate will hold an emergency meeting Oct. 27 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. to debate and possibly adopt a resolution of no confidence in the selection process of the 13th president of the university. A vote of confidence would signal that a majority of the Faculty Senate feels that Sasse’s selection was inadequate.

Mayor Lauren Poe, city officials and members of #UNLITTER line up around the bottle cap mural after its unveiling at City Hall Thursday, Oct. 20, 2022.

THE AVENUE | ART AND THEATER

#UNLITTER bottle cap mural unveiling highlights need for recycling efforts

By Luna Boales | Oct. 21, 2022

About 30 students, city officials and residents gathered at City Hall Thursday in anticipation of the mural’s unveiling. Members also called for a change in the city’s refusal to recycle bottle caps, despite a recent zero waste ordinance.

Just two miles away from DeSantis’ keynote speech at the Alachua County Republicans’ annual fundraiser in Alachua, Florida, protesters made their voices heard at a street corner.

METRO | POLITICS

Demonstration rages near closed-door Gov. Ron DeSantis speaking engagement

By Heather Bushman | Oct. 21, 2022

Around 40 protesters decried the governor and his bid for reelection as DeSantis spoke in Alachua city's Legacy Park

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

Gainesville City Commission extends e-scooter hours, improves cyclist safety

By Aidan Bush | Oct. 21, 2022

Only the parking ordinance saw a split 4-3 vote, with Commissioners David Arreola, Adrian Hayes-Santos, Reina Saco and Mayor Lauren Poe in favor.

Bob Beatty (left) discusses his new book with attendees at the Matheson History Museum on Wednesday, Oct. 19, 2022.

THE AVENUE

Matheson History Museum hosts author Bob Beatty’s Allman Brothers Band book talk

By Ben Crosbie | Oct. 20, 2022

Beatty gave his presentation Wednesday night at the Matheson History Museum to a crowd of about 40 people. During the talk, he discussed the writing process for his new book, which was published this month and is titled “Play All Night!: Duane Allman and the Journey to Fillmore East.”

Social at Midtown is seen on Friday, Sept. 24, 2021.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

UF student released from jail after being arrested for assaulting an employee at a Gainesville bar

By Lily Kino | Oct. 20, 2022

Kaleb Wiswall was arrested and booked into the Alachua County Jail Tuesday. He was originally held on a $20,000 bond but had the fee reduced to $2,000 by working through a bondsman, according to the jail.

Florida sophomore defender Madison Young controls possession during the Gators' match with Arkansas Thursday, Oct. 6, 2022.

SPORTS | SOCCER

Gators lose high-scoring match to Vanderbilt

By Jackson Reyes | Oct. 20, 2022

The Vanderbilt Commodores beat the Florida Gators 5-2 Thursday night at Donald R. Dizney Stadium. The Commodores scored three of their goals in the opening 45 minute and never looked back.

Dance Alive National Ballet has partnered with LifeSouth, a non-profit community blood bank that supplies hospitals in Florida.

THE AVENUE | ART AND THEATER

‘Dracula’ ballet adaptation encourages blood donations

By Naomi Volcy | Oct. 20, 2022

Dance Alive National Ballet is ready to welcome the Halloween season with its adaptive performance of Bram Stoker’s novel “Dracula.” Dracula will hit the stage Saturday at the Curtis M. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Gov. Ron DeSantis addresses a crowd at Clark Plantation Wedding Venue in Newberry, Florida, on Monday, Sept. 13, 2021.

METRO | POLITICS

Closed to the press: Alachua County DeSantis fundraising event latest in continued trend of media blackouts

By Heather Bushman | Oct. 20, 2022

The Alachua County Republicans office informed The Alligator and other local outlets it won’t allow press at their annual Ronald Reagan Black Tie and Blue Jeans fundraising event, where DeSantis is set to deliver the keynote speech.

Satellite image of Hurricane Ian from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

NEWS | CAMPUS

UF assessment estimates between $768 million, $1.5 billion in state agricultural losses from Hurricane Ian

By Fernando Figueroa | Oct. 20, 2022

Around 4.7 million acres — almost five times the size of Rhode Island — of agricultural land were affected by the storm.

Libero Elli McKissock (left), defensive specialist Trinity Adams (center) and outside hitter Marina Markova prepare for a point during Florida's match with the LSU Tigers Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

Unranked Georgia Bulldogs upset Gators in the O’Dome

By Brandon Hernandez | Oct. 20, 2022

No.11 Florida was defeated by Georgia in three sets (22-25, 23-25, 20-25) Wednesday night. The Gators struggled, posting a .090 hitting percentage and failing to adjust to the Bulldogs’ waves of points.

El Caimán