1 - The Independent Florida Alligator

Election Day for Gainesville City Commission was on Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2021. Polls were open across Gainesville from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Two candidates held watch parties later in the evening. The special election was held to fill the seat vacated by Gail Johnson when she resigned. Matt Howland, Cynthia Chestnut, Scherwin Henry, Patrick Ingle and Gabe Kaimowitz faced off for the open seat, but none prevailed yet. Howland and Chestnut will face off in January during the runoff election.

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

Cynthia Chestnut and Matt Howland progress to City Commission runoff

By Alligator Staff report | Nov. 16, 2021

Neither candidate received more than 50% of the vote, which resulted in a necessary runoff election on Jan. 25. Chestnut received 46% of the votes, with a 560 lead over Howland, who received 41%. More than 13% of the nearly 90,000 eligible Gainesville voters turned out in the election, according to the Supervisor of Elections Office.

Karl Anderson, Upper Room Ministries pastor, hands out free mugs at the end of the Souls to the Polls event at the Alachua County Supervisor of Elections Office on Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021.

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

Black Voters Matter organize voter engagement event for Gainesville’s Special Election

By Erina Anwar | Nov. 16, 2021

The event targeted Black voters in Gainesville and featured many performances, including gospel singer Keyla Richardson as well as speeches from candidates, city commissioners and other community leaders.

Kenneth Nunn, UF law professor, listens to a speech during the Cotton Club Museum and Cultural Center's re-opening reception on Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021.

METRO

Cotton Club Museum and Cultural Center reopens

By Zachary Carnell | Nov. 16, 2021

More than 100 people attended the event, which lasted from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. State Sen. Keith Perry made a brief appearance, and Gainesville Mayor Lauren Poe made a short, two-minute speech.

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT LIFE

UF students hold “Squid Game” inspired event

By Jenny Rogers | Nov. 16, 2021

About 117 UF students played the games, modeled after the South Korean show streamed on Netflix, on Nov. 6 as part of the university’s Gator Humans versus Zombies club. The students also peppered in zombie tag and Nerf guns.

Florida's Lauren Dooley during a match against Texas A&M on Oct. 16.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

No. 20 Florida heads back to Gainesville to take on Auburn

By Kaitlyn Wadulack | Nov. 16, 2021

No. 20 Florida looks to keep its 25-0 home series advantage clean against Auburn Wednesday.

West Orange receiver Jayden Gibson committed to Florida in October, but he and the Gators have been on a collision course his entire life.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Gators recruit carries on Florida family legacy

By Elena Barrera | Nov. 16, 2021

West Orange wide receiver Jayden Gibson committed to the Gators in October, but for the son and nephew of former Florida football players, Ben Hill Griffin Stadium has always been his destiny.

Gator guard Lavender Briggs facing Longwood University in November 2019. The Utah native scored nearly 1,000 points in over two seasons with the Gators.

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Florida exits WNIT classic with a much-needed win against Wofford.

By Brenda Bogle | Nov. 15, 2021

Florida salvages WNIT Preseason Classic with a dominant win against Wofford Monday.

Cincinnati Reds' Jonathan India (6) throws to first base during the team's baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals on Aug. 30, 2021, in Cincinnati. India won NL Rookie of the Year honors on Monday night, Nov. 15, eight months after earning the team's second base job during spring training and never letting it go during a stellar first season. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean, File)

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Jonathan India named National League Rookie of the Year

By Ryan Zehnder | Nov. 15, 2021

Former Gators second baseman Jonathan India was named NL Rookie of the Year after posting a .376 OBP with 21 home runs.

Florida's Sarah Dahlstrom during a match against Central Florida on Feb. 9, 2021. The Gators women's team shut down Ole Miss, 7-0 Friday night.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

The Dahlstrom storm hits the court just in time to close out the fall for the Gators

By Brenda Bogle | Nov. 15, 2021

Sara Dahlstrom goes 3-0 in singles play for the Gators at the UNF Invitational.

SPANISH

Resumen: primera semana del grupo de trabajo sobre conflictos de intereses de UF

By Camila Pereira and Saira González | Nov. 15, 2021

Los miembros acordaron dividir la investigación en dos fases para presentar recomendaciones al presidente Fuchs antes de la fecha límite propuesta del 29 de noviembre.

Florida Athletic Director Scott Stricklin, photographed during Florida’s football game against Alabama on Sept. 18, received several emails from a player’s mother further detailing the abuse of women’s basketball coach Cameron Newbauer early in 2019.

SPORTS | FEATURES

Emails show Stricklin acknowledged Newbauer abuse

By Zachary Huber | Nov. 15, 2021

“I don’t know what it is going to take for you to truly consider this something as real and dangerous,” B.B. Staples, the mother of former women’s basketball player Corey Staples wrote to Florida Athletic Director Scott Stricklin.

Florida quarterback Emory Jones drops back to pass against Samford during the Gators’ 70-52 win on Nov. 13.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Jones rises from ashes, defensive dumpster fire could prove suffocating

By Ryan Haley | Nov. 15, 2021

Emory Jones vanquished some demons Saturday, but his emergence was overshadowed by Florida’s defensive inferno.

Students protest against UF for initially denying three professors the ability to testify in a case against the state on Friday, Nov. 12, 2021 on the corner of West University Avenue and Northwest 13th Street.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Students, faculty unite to protest amid academic freedom controversy

By Elena Barrera | Nov. 15, 2021

Ever since UF denied three political science professors the ability to testify against the state, many have expressed their dismay toward the university. The events led roughly 40 protesters to band together Friday on the corner of West University Avenue and Northwest 13th Street.

The area of the Reitz Union where the sexual assault happened is seen on Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021.

NEWS | CAMPUS BREAKING NEWS

UF sophomore details sexual violence at Reitz Union

By Isabella Douglas | Nov. 15, 2021

UPD is asking anyone who has information regarding the man to contact UPD or submit a tip to its silent witness portal. The victim encourages others to use their best judgment.

NEWS | CAMPUS UF ADMINISTRATION

Recap: First week of UF’s conflict of interest task force

By Camila Pereira | Nov. 15, 2021

President Fuchs’ Task Force on Outside Activities had its first two meetings last week following heavy scrutiny on UF’s decision to limit eight professors from testifying in lawsuits against the state.

METRO | K-12 EDUCATION

Alachua County Public Schools to lift mask mandate after winter break

By Bryce Brown | Nov. 15, 2021

The Alachua County School Board voted 3-2 on Wednesday to allow parents to opt their students out of masking from Nov. 12 to Dec. 17. The board also voted to make masking completely optional for students of all grade levels after winter break. The decision is consistent with State Department of Education and State Department of Health requirements.

Florida tight end Kemore Gamble fights off Samford safety Midnight Stewart during the Gators 70-52 win over the Bulldogs on Nov. 13.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Gamble shines in mother’s return to the stands

By Michael Hull | Nov. 15, 2021

Tight end Kemore Gamble’s breakout game Saturday was extra special, as his mom returned to the stands to root on her son after two months in the ICU.

Graphic of Gainesville City Hall and the County Administration Building

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

Will Gainesville combat historic voter turnout lows in upcoming City Commission election?

By Meghan McGlone | Nov. 15, 2021

As of Sunday, almost 8,000 ballots have been cast according to the Supervisor of Elections Office — representing about 8.8% of total eligible voters in Gainesville. More than 6,000 of the ballots have been mailed in.

NEWS | CAMPUS UF ADMINISTRATION

Alachua County Commission postpones vote on UF’s Campus Development Agreement due to affordable graduate housing

By Eve Thompson | Nov. 15, 2021

Citing the UF’s lack of a plan to provide affordable graduate housing, the Alachua County Commission delayed its vote on Campus Development Agreement until December.

Southeast First Street is seen on Nov. 4, 2021. The Downtown Gainesville Strategic Plan will focus on improving safety and lifestyle in the area with more stop lights, better housing, wider sidewalks and more community events.

METRO

City plan outlines new future for downtown Gainesville

By Bryce Brown | Nov. 15, 2021

The Downtown Gainesville Strategic Plan process began last fall when city management and elected officials met to create ways to improve the city.

El Caimán