1 - The Independent Florida Alligator

The University of Florida's Century tower, as viewed from Newell Drive on Thursday, July 22, 2021. The tower commemorates UF students who fought and died in World War I and World War II -- the tower also commemorates the 100th anniversary of UF's founding in 1853.

SPANISH

Cinco profesores adicionales dicen que UF intentó silenciarlos para que no testificarán contra el estado

By Melissa Hernandez De La Cruz and Elena Barrera | Nov. 3, 2021

Los profesores Jeffrey L. Goldhagen, Kenneth Nunn, Sarah K. Wolking, Teresa Jean Reid y Mark Fenster han dado un paso adelante además de los tres profesores iniciales de ciencias políticas que iniciaron la lucha por la libertad intelectual, según un informe del Times / Herald Tallahassee Bureau.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Pathways to opportunity and involvement at UF

Nov. 3, 2021

At a school with more than 60,000 students, it seems paradoxical that engaging with campus can be difficult.

A mostly deserted evening along Newell Drive at the University of Florida’s Gainesville campus on Tuesday, July 22, 2021. The upcoming fall semester will see tens of thousands of students return to Gainesville, although an increase in the number of delta variant COVID-19 infections raises concerns about viral spread among unvaccinated people.

NEWS | CAMPUS BREAKING NEWS

Five additional professors say UF tried silencing them from testifying against state

By Elena Barrera | Nov. 3, 2021

Professors Jeffrey L. Goldhagen, Kenneth Nunn, Sarah K. Wolking, Teresa Jean Reid and Mark Fenster have stepped forward in addition to the three initial political science professors that ignited the fight for intellectual freedom, according to a Times/Herald Tallahassee Bureau report.

Cooper Brown, UF student body president, delivers the State of Campus Address at the University Auditorium on Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2021.

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT GOVERNMENT

Student Body President reflects on his term in State of the Campus Address

By Allessandra Inzinna | Nov. 3, 2021

The annual address allows SG’s executive branch to list their accomplishments of the semester and what is to come. Tuesday’s address was the first in-person address since 2019, as SG held the most recent address online due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

A "Suburban Heights" sign sits at Northwest 23rd Avenue on Thursday, May 20, 2021.

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

Gainesville City Commission to hold workshop for community input on Suburban Heights development

By Meghan McGlone | Nov. 3, 2021

The City Commission discussed a new development plan, including a six-story building with 220 residential units, of which 10% would be affordable housing. As it stands now, the plan has room for retail, professional and restaurant services.

COVID 19

COVID-19 Update: Local cases, Shands hospitalizations continue falling as Florida surpasses one million booster shots

By J.P. Oprison | Nov. 3, 2021

There were 160 new cases in Alachua County this week — 35 fewer than the prior week. Weekly cases fell by nearly 90% since the week of Aug. 27, when there were 1,526 cases reported.

METRO | BUSINESS

Gainesville Nothing Bundt Cakes location to open in February

By Faith Buckley | Nov. 3, 2021

Amber and Derrick Robinson, the owners of the new Nothing Bundt Cakes franchise, will open a store in Butler Esplanade, located at 3228 SW 35th Blvd., in February 2022.

COVID 19

Santa Fe College COVID-19 Update: Four positive cases reported in the last week

By Eve Thompson | Nov. 3, 2021

Santa Fe College reported four positive cases from students from Oct. 26 to Nov. 1. No employees reported testing positive.

Bobby Orlando stands on the ring ropes during the FEST Wrestling Liquid Death Battle Royale at Knockin' Boots Saloon on Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021.

THE AVENUE | LIFESTYLE

FEST: We Are Family 4 blows the roof off Knockin’ Boots

By Jesse Richardson | Nov. 3, 2021

A new champion was crowned to top off the FEST: We Are Family 4 wrestling event on Oct. 30. The spectacle took place at Knockin’ Boots Saloon in downtown Gainesville for four hours of high flying and pile drivers.

Florida goalie Alexa Goldberg makes a save against Kentucky on Sept. 23, 2021. Goldberg made a few clutch saves to keep the Gators at a draw, but a second-half concesion lead to a 1-0 UF loss.

SPORTS | SOCCER

Postseason magic disappears for Florida

By Jesse Richardson | Nov. 2, 2021

Florida Gators can’t continue the magic against Tennessee Volunteers and fall, 5-2, to be eliminated from SEC tournament.

Florida football coach Dan Mullen refused to comment on recruiting Monday, but Georgia coach Kirby Smart said enough for both of them Saturday.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Counting stars: Dan Mullen, Kirby Smart and Florida football’s recruiting woes

By Ryan Haley | Nov. 2, 2021

Dan Mullen looked less than pleased to discuss recruiting during his brief Monday press conference, but the gap between him and Georgia foe Kirby Smart couldn’t have felt wider this weekend.

Florida senior Taylor Baksay competes during a Sept. 23 game against Vanderbilt.

SPORTS | SOCCER

Survive and advance: Florida’s late equalizer and penalty shootout win help sink Vanderbilt

By Ryan Zehnder | Nov. 2, 2021

Florida sunk Vanderbilt with a late equalizer and a penalty shootout to win round one of the SEC tournament and extend its season.

SPANISH

“Celebrando nuestra música”: Gainesville’s first Spanish radio station prepares for debut

By Isabella Barnet and Saira González | Nov. 1, 2021

Piedra goes by many titles. He’s an entrepreneur, entertainer, musician, and now a radio junkie as the pioneer behind the creation of Fiesta Media, his very own production company. Tu Fiesta Radio’s soft opening will launch Monday through the radio’s own phone-based application and website on Nov. 1.

SPANISH

“Celebrando nuestra música”: La primera emisora de radio en español de Gainesville se prepara para su estreno

By Isabella Barnet and Saira González | Nov. 1, 2021

Piedra tiene muchos títulos. Es un emprendedor, animador, músico y ahora un pionero detrás de la creación de Fiesta Media, su propia compañía de producción. La preinauguración de Tu Fiesta Radio se lanzará el lunes a través de la aplicación telefónica y el sitio web de la radio el 1 de noviembre.

NEWS | CAMPUS

UF blocks professors from testifying against the state

By Elena Barrera | Nov. 1, 2021

Three UF political science professors requested to lend their expertise by testifying in a lawsuit against the state of Florida. However, UF turned them down, telling them their participation as expert witnesses is adverse to the university’s interests.

COVID 19

As vaccine hesitancy continues, UF Health experts engage with skeptics, give the facts

By J.P. Oprison | Nov. 1, 2021

As of last week, 95% of Shands COVID-19 patients were unvaccinated. Despite high hospitalization numbers and experts reassuring people that COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective, some are still skeptical about getting the shot.

A petitioner looks for people to sign the blue petition outside the Reitz Union on Thursday, Oct. 28, 2021. "This is a good cause," he said. "The Seminoles are getting jerked around by the government." He warned that the green petition is not a good one.

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT GOVERNMENT

Petitioners solicit signatures, personal information on campus

By Serra Sowers | Nov. 1, 2021

Since September, canvassers who claim to support Seminole Native American tribes have been spotted around campus collecting signatures for a cause many students know nothing about.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Former UF resident assistant found guilty of sexual battery, kidnapping after two-year trial delay

By Isabella Douglas | Nov. 1, 2021

A former UF resident assistant was found guilty of attempted sexual battery, kidnapping and burglary Wednesday after about two years of a postponed trial. He’ll be sentenced Dec. 13.

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT LIFE

Students, state leaders discuss unease and climate action at Campus Climate Corps conference

By Alexandra Harris | Nov. 1, 2021

To introduce students and other attendees to the worldwide United Nation Conferences of Parties, about 50 attendees tuned in Sunday to the Campus Climate Corps Conference.

Kay Koons, 89, Oak Hammock resident, uses a Rendever virtual reality headset to take a hot-air balloon ride while at the Oak Hammock Health Pavilion on Wednesday, Oct. 20, 2021.

METRO

Virtual reality transports seniors down memory lane at Gainesville retirement community

By Alexandra Harris | Nov. 1, 2021

Oak Hammock partnered with Rendever, a virtual reality platform, to offer a 360 immersive experience that transports residents anywhere they want to go.

El Caimán