1 - The Independent Florida Alligator

(From left to right) Paul Tash, Chairman and CEO of the Times Publishing Company, Tampa Bay Times Executive Editor Mark Katches, UF journalism professors and Times reporters Kathleen McGrory and Neil Bedi, and former Deputy Editor of Investigations Adam Playford cheer on McGrory and Bedi as they are announced as the winners of the Pulitzer Prize for Local Reporting on June 11, with the McGrory family pet beagle, Susan, sitting on the couch.

NEWS | CAMPUS UF ADMINISTRATION

UF’s media prominence rises to No.4 as faculty experts speak on international platforms

By Camila Pereira | July 28, 2021

In the past two years, UF’s faculty has been called upon to share their expertise on a variety of current events and topics on respected media outlets such as NPR and the Washington Post. Major topics faculty members have contributed to include COVID-19’s impact on life expectancy, the virus’ Delta variant, the humanitarian crisis and protests in Cuba and this year’s hurricane season.

SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey speaks to reporters during the NCAA college football Southeastern Conference Media Days Monday, July 19, 2021, in Hoover, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Texas and Oklahoma request to join SEC

By Jesse Richardson | July 27, 2021

SEC presidents and commissioners will vote Thursday to approve an invitation for Texas and Oklahoma to join the conference.

United States' Michelle Moultrie catches a fly out during a softball game against Japan at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Tuesday, July 27, 2021, in Yokohama, Japan. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Team USA, former Gators lose to Japan in gold medal game, take silver

By Julianna Reichenbach | July 27, 2021

Former Gators Michelle Moultrie, Kelsey Stewart and Aubree Munro are silver medalists after 2-0 loss to Japan in the gold medal game Tuesday.

Dr. Leon Haley Jr., the CEO of UF Health Jacksonville and Dean of UF College of Medicine — Jacksonville. Dr. Haley Jr. died Saturday during a watercraft accident.

NEWS | CAMPUS BREAKING NEWS

Dr. Leon Haley Jr., CEO of UF Health Jacksonville, dies in a watercraft accident

By Juliana Ferrie | July 26, 2021

Dr. Leon Haley Jr., the CEO of UF Health Jacksonville and dean of UF College of Medicine - Jacksonville, died in an accident Saturday in South Florida.

THE AVENUE | LIFESTYLE

Alumnus’ debut novel is a nostalgic homage to UF student life

By Brenna Sheets | July 26, 2021

Described as “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” meets “The Catcher in the Rye” on Amazon, Dan Ymas’ debut novel is UF’s newest coming of age story.

Miranda Campos, 20, the stage director at the Acrosstown Repertory Theatre, steps outside before a showing of "The Complete Works of WIlliam Shakespeare” on Saturday, July 24, 2021. The show runs from July 22 to August 8 at the theater’s 619 S Main Street location; the compilation production transforms 37 historical plays, tragedies and comedies into a single 90 minute show.

THE AVENUE | ART AND THEATER

Acrosstown Repertory Theatre reopens with ‘The Complete Works of William Shakespeare’

By Bryce Brown | July 26, 2021

Acrosstown Repertory Theatre, a Gainesville-based non-profit organization, reopened July 23 after a year and a half of being shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

THE AVENUE | MUSIC

Local musician caro releases newest album

By Heather Bushman | July 26, 2021

The 22-year-old UF electrical engineering senior, who makes music as caro, released “Introspection” July 9. The album blends Garcia’s classical piano beginnings with chillwave and R&B, representing the array of musical influences in her production.

NEWS | CAMPUS UF ADMINISTRATION

Keeping students committed: UF admissions to focus on retaining admitted students

By Eve Thompson | July 26, 2021

UF’s melt rate, the rate of students who rescind their commitment to the college, is 2-3%, according to Tammy Aagard, associate vice president for enrollment management — a number significantly lower than the national average of 10-20%. Aagard also said UF’s melt rate has been similarly low in previous years.

Few students are seen wandering around UF’s campus on August 31, 2020, in Gainesville Fla., due to the social distancing guidelines and mask requirements set in place. However, the Campus Connector and RTS buses still operate with frequent trips across campus.

NEWS | CAMPUS

UF welcomes first Ph.D. plant breeding program, first in Florida

By Isabella Douglas | July 26, 2021

UF will welcome its first class of Ph.D. plant breeding students Fall. The new program is one of six in the country and the only one in Florida.

METRO | BUSINESS

Gainesville-born hair professional is returning to teach classes

By Lucille Lannigan | July 26, 2021

Tabreshia Bloodworth, owner of Healthy Hair Tresses, will host a $250 class on Aug. 1 at Hairport Salon and Barber Suites. She also developed her own silk press system, which uses six products to maintain healthy and shiny hair after receiving a silk press, a process that straightens hair with a flat iron.

United States men's 4x100m freestyle relay team of Bowen Beck, Blake Pieroni, and Caeleb Dressel react after winning the gold medal at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Monday, July 26, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS SWIM AND DIVE

Caeleb Dressel leads USA to another gold medal

By Karina Wilson | July 25, 2021

UF alumnus Caeleb Dressel swam to victory in Tokyo in the men’s 4x100 meter freestyle relay Sunday, earning the United States its 12th medal.

ABOUT US

Staff applications are now open! Join our Fall team

July 25, 2021

Are you interested in growing your career in media and communications? Are you ready to join a network of alumni at organizations like the New York Times, Washington Post, Axios and Wall Street Journal? The Independent Florida Alligator is looking for its next team of reporters, editors, photographers and more for the Fall semester.

Natalie Hinds, bottom, of the United States is congratulated by teammates after swimming the fourth leg during a preliminary round of the women's 4x100m freestyle relay at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Saturday, July 24, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS SWIM AND DIVE

Hinds lands bronze in relay, Gators get second medal of night

By Ryan Haley | July 24, 2021

Natalie Hinds served as the third leg of the US 4x100-meter freestyle relay and helped the States win bronze, her first Olympic medal.

Kieran Smith, a senior who took home a bronze medal in the 400-meter freestyle at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, finished first in the 200-meter freestyle (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS SWIM AND DIVE

Kieran Smith takes home bronze medal

By Ryan Haley | July 24, 2021

Florida swimming powerhouse Kieran Smith got his hands on his first Olympic medal Saturday night with a 3:43.94 performance in the 400-meter freestyle, good enough for the third stand on the podium.

Former longtime Florida head coach Becki Burleigh is expected to take a coaching job with the NWSL's Orlando Pride in her first work beyond the Florida Gators.

SPORTS | SOCCER

She’s back: Becky Burleigh out of retirement and into Orlando

By Jesse Richardson | July 23, 2021

Former Florida Gators head coach Becky Burleigh will reportedly unretire to become Orlando Pride interim coach.

Florida golfer Tyler Wilkes walks down a fairway at Mark Bostick Golf Club. The Florida men's golf team released its 2021-22 schedule Friday.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS GOLF

Florida men’s golf team announces 2021-22 schedule

By Joseph Henry | July 23, 2021

Florida men’s golf’s 2021-22 schedule features four fall and five spring events before postseason play in the heat of the summer.

Caeleb Dressel participates in the men's 50 freestyle during wave 2 of the U.S. Olympic Swim Trials in Omaha, Neb on June 20, 2021. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS SWIM AND DIVE

Florida swim takes the Olympic stage

By Faith Buckley | July 23, 2021

Eight Gators of the present and the past take to the pool in Tokyo with swimming competitions beginning July 24. @_faithbuckley laid out when the champions of UF swim are competing in this year’s Games.

Gainesville Place Apartments, a student housing center, sits on Southwest 35th Place on Wednesday, July 14, 2021.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Public masturbation and lack of communication leaves tenants of Gainesville Place worried for their safety

By Sam Schaffer | July 23, 2021

There have been more than 60 reports of crimes ranging from suspicious incidents to burglary and assault at the Gainesville Place apartments at 2800 SW 35th Pl. in the last two years, according to Gainesville Police Department records.

Grog, a bar in midtown Gainesville, closed after a city inspection uncovered structural defects in the building. “The city under code enforcement has shut down Grog House 1718 W University Ave.,” Gainesville City Commissioner David Arreola tweeted Wednesday. “The floor is unstable and could collapse into Balls downstairs.”

METRO | BUSINESS

Grog House deemed unsafe after inspection

By Alexander Lugo | July 23, 2021

The city of Gainesville shut down Grog House indefinitely after it was deemed structurally unstable, and the decision incited a slew of responses from students online.

University of Florida Disability Resource Center located at Reid Hall on Tuesday, July 20, 2021. The DRC provides services to students with physical, learning, sensory or psychological disabilities.

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT LIFE

July amplifies the voices of the disabled community

By Jasper Wittig | July 23, 2021

July brings the disabled community together to reflect on common experiences and celebrate differences as the month commemorates the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act on July 26, 1990.

El Caimán