1 - The Independent Florida Alligator

Kai Christmas, regional organizer of Planned Parenthood, paints at the Sex Positive Art Fest Sunday, Dec. 4, 2022.

THE AVENUE | ART AND THEATER

Art fest encourages sex positivity, eliminating stigma among youth

By Lauren Brensel | Dec. 5, 2022

Paintings, embroideries and stickers were displayed outside The Bull from 2-5 p.m. when five artists showcased their work centered around body positivity, reproductive justice and sex education. The event, deemed the “Sex Positive Art Fest,” was hosted by Planned Parenthood of South, East and North Florida.

A Florida football helmet, pictured during a game against Florida Atlantic on Sept. 4, 2021.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Florida guard O’Cyrus Torrence declares for the 2023 NFL Draft

By Topher Adams | Dec. 4, 2022

Florida guard O’Cyrus Torrence declared for the 2023 NFL Draft Sunday night in an announcement posted on Twitter. The junior lineman played one season for the Gators after transferring in from Louisiana.

UF head coach Billy Napier during the Gators' rivalry game against Florida State Friday, Nov. 25, 2022.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Florida to play in Las Vegas Bowl against Oregon State

By Topher Adams | Dec. 4, 2022

The Florida Gators will play in the Las Vegas Bowl against the No. 17 Oregon State Beavers Dec. 17 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Associate head coach Carlin Hartman daps up sophomore guard Will Richard during Florida's game against Florida Atlantic Monday Nov. 14, 2022.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Florida cruises past Stetson, chalks up second-straight victory

By Jackson Castellano | Dec. 4, 2022

Florida defeated Stetson 89-51 Sunday. Five Gators tallied double-digit points in the win, as sophomore guard Will Richard led the way with 14 points.

Sophomore outside hitter Merritt Beason rises high above the net to hit the ball during Florida's match against Iowa State Saturday Dec. 3, 2022.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

No. 12 Florida sweeps Iowa State to reach round of 16

By Ethan Eibe | Dec. 3, 2022

No. 12 Florida swept the Iowa State Cyclones in the second round of the NCAA tournament to advance to the round of 16. The Gators will travel to Madison, Wisconsin, to play the Pittsburgh Panthers next Thursday, Dec. 8.

Spectators fill three stories of the Reitz Union to watch the World Cup match between the United States and the Netherlands Saturday, Dec. 3, 2022.

SPORTS | FEATURES

World Cup frenzy floods UF, Gainesville despite U.S. elimination

By Brandon Hernandez and Kyle Bumpers | Dec. 3, 2022

Gainesville residents took to UF’s campus and nearby sports bars to watch the United States Men’s National Team on the largest stage it's been on in years. After failing to qualify for the World Cup in 2018, it advanced to the round of 16 where it fell to the Netherlands.

The Florida Gators volleyball celebrates during its first round win over the Florida A&M Rattlers Friday, Dec. 2, 2022.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

Florida dominates Florida A&M to open NCAA Tournament

By Brandon Hernandez | Dec. 2, 2022

No. 12 Florida advanced past the first round of the NCAA Tournament with a victory over the Florida A&M Rattlers in straight sets Friday night. Sophomore middle blocker Gabrielle Essix led the way for UF with eight kills and a hitting efficiency of 63.6%.

Bob Belmont browses the McGuire Center’s collection of moths and butterflies. The center currently houses around 12 million specimens.

METRO

Community science welcomes amateurs with ‘open arms’

By Fernando Figueroa | Dec. 2, 2022

A growing community of retirees, bus drivers and hobbyists have casually jumped aboard the quest for scientific discovery. It doesn’t require a PhD and oftentimes no experience — only some passion and maybe a smartphone.

Members of the Florida volleyball team look on in support during its match with the LSU Tigers Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022. The Gators begin their postseason Friday evening against the Florida A&M Rattlers.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

Take 32: Mary Wise, Gators volleyball ready for another NCAA tournament bid

By Ethan Eibe | Dec. 2, 2022

The No.12 Florida Gators will look to answer that question starting Friday night when they host the Florida A&M Rattlers for the first round of the 2022 NCAA Volleyball Tournament at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center.

Florida quarterback Jalen Kitna runs the ball against the Florida State Seminoles Friday, Nov. 25, 2022. Kitna is indefinitely suspended from the Gators football team after being arrested on child pornography charges.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Jalen Kitna dismissed from Florida football team after facing child pornography charges

By Aidan Bush | Dec. 1, 2022

Just months before his first season playing as a redshirt freshman, Kitna allegedly joined and exchanged child pornography through online social media, according to his arrest report.

UF wide receiver Justin Shorter celebrates a touchdown with his teammates during the Gators' matchup with the LSU Tigers Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Florida wide receiver Justin Shorter declares for NFL Draft

By Topher Adams | Dec. 1, 2022

Florida wide receiver Justin Shorer announced he’ll be opting out of Florida’s bowl game and entering the NFL draft. The Gators also lost receiver Daejon Reynolds and running back Lorenzo Lingard to the transfer portal.

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT LIFE

Spice Drive diversifies Field and Fork Pantry’s supply

By Alissa Gary | Dec. 1, 2022

With the help of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Leadership Institute, the pantry received more than 1,000 containers of spices.

METRO

UF students ‘not completely relieved’ after attending COP27

By Fernando Figueroa | Dec. 1, 2022

Campus Climate Corps, a joint effort of student volunteers to help address climate change, held weekly briefings breaking down what occurred during COP27. The event was hosted by Rock Aboujaoude, a UF graduate student, and had presentations by UF faculty, students and scientists.

Florida guard Trey Bonham loads up for a shot against Stony Brook Monday, Nov. 7, 2022. Bonham lead the Gators in scoring with 23 points against Florida A&M Wednesday, including seven 3-pointers.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

A perfect storm: Gators hang a hundred on Rattlers

By Joseph Henry | Nov. 30, 2022

The Gators rebounded from a rocky trip to Portland, Oregon, with their biggest win of the season over the Florida A&M Rattlers Wednesday night. A perfect 3-point shooting performance and a team-high 23 points from Bonham helped UF cruise to victory.

Senior guard Nina Rickards drives toward the basket during Florida's game against Bethune-Cookman Friday, Nov. 18, 2022.

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Gators bounce back from slow third quarter, send Panthers packing

By Kyle Bumpers | Nov. 30, 2022

The Gators scored at will early on, but stagnant second and third quarters brought the Panthers within one. Florida got back on track with an 18-point fourth quarter to secure a 68-53 victory.

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT GOVERNMENT

Senate stalls online voting amendment, passes Club Q shooting resolution

By Alissa Gary | Nov. 30, 2022

The major bill in question would allow students to vote on whether they’d prefer an remote online voting option as well as in-person ones for future Student Government elections. If passed by Senate, the amendment would be put on the Spring 2023 SG ballot, where students would vote on whether to allow remote voting for the following election.

Florida quarterback Jalen Kitna during the Gators' game against Eastern Washington Sunday, Oct. 2, 2022.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Gators quarterback Jalen Kitna suspended from team after child pornography arrest

By Aidan Bush | Nov. 30, 2022

Kitna was arrested for sharing explicit images over Discord, an online instant messaging platform, according to a Gainesville Police Department press release.

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

Florida Department of Economic Opportunity files lawsuit against Gainesville over single-family zoning

By Aidan Bush | Nov. 30, 2022

The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity filed a suit against the city Nov. 28, looking to repeal the ordinance that would allow multi-unit apartment complexes to be built in traditionally single-unit housing neighborhoods. The suit comes just weeks after filings by local residents.

SPECIAL REPORTS

SPECIAL EDITION: Roe in Review

By The Alligator Staff | Nov. 29, 2022

The Alligator completed its special edition on the overturn of Roe v. Wade. The project discusses the Supreme Court decision's impact on UF, Gainesville and Florida.

SPORTS | FEATURES

UF athletes, athletic leaders speak on reproductive health in sports

By Isabella Douglas | Nov. 29, 2022

Gators junior forward Jordyn Merritt is just one athlete who understands the ramifications of Roe v. Wade, the landmark 1973 court ruling that guaranteed nationwide abortion access, being overturned. She hasn’t seen anyone in the athletics department actively reach out to teach athletes about reproductive health in sports.

El Caimán