1 - The Independent Florida Alligator

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.

COVID 19 | UF

Traces of COVID-19 found in UF residence halls wastewater

By Isabella Douglas | July 9, 2021

A UF Health Screen, Test and Protect email sent Thursday morning warned students of COVID-19 found in the wastewater around a residence hall or Greek house. The email was sent along with a text alert to students living near Mallory Hall, informing them of traces of COVID-19 detected in the area’s wastewater. The hall is near Sorority Row next to Yulee, Reid and Cypress Hall.

Tampa Bay Rays' Mike Zunino hits a solo home run during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park, Tuesday, June 29, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Gators in the MLB - former Florida stars shine in pros

By Jesse Richardson | July 9, 2021

With the MLB season in full swing, Jesse Richardson ranks the best of the active UF alumni in professional baseball.

A deserted Toyota RAV-4 on Northwest Fourth Boulevard in Gainesville on Wednesday, July 7, 2021. The Gainesville Police Department stated this vehicle and one other got stuck after drivers attempted to cross the flooded street.

METRO

Tropical storm Elsa brings torrent of damages and hazards for county residents

By Phong Huynh | July 9, 2021

Gainesville residents experienced heavy downpour and damages in their communities in the aftermath of tropical storm Elsa.

David Kaplan, an associate environmental engineering professor at UF, gives the Summer Engineering Experience for Kids attendees a tour of Sweetwater Wetlands Park on Monday, June 28, 2021. Kaplan hopes the camp can serve as "motivation to look to nature for a way to design things that minimize human impact."

METRO | K-12 EDUCATION

Environmental conference for Florida high school students held in Gainesville

By Eve Thompson | July 8, 2021

SEEK, an environmental conference for Florida high school students, was held in Gainesville June 28 to July 1 . SEEK stands for Save the Earth’s Environment through Knowledge, and the program aims to expose high school students to careers within environmental science.

COVID 19

International students watch restrictions loosen in Gainesville as COVID-19 rages at home

By Isabella Douglas and Alexandra Harris | July 8, 2021

Almost 6,000 international students from 140 countries, more than half of them graduate students, attended UF in Fall 2020, according to the UF International Center. Students witnessed inequality, civil unrest and vaccine shortages while in their home countries. Others read about their country’s pandemic in the news and listened to their loved ones overseas.

THE AVENUE | LIFESTYLE

Papo’s Pop Shop to hold ‘Snack Attack’ market

By Brenna Sheets | July 8, 2021

Papo’s Pop Shop will hold its second vendor market on July 10 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at 808 NW 13th St. In addition to Papo’s exotic snacks, the Snack Attack event will feature a variety of items from 12 local vendors, such as throwback clothing from Beasy Vintage, handmade jewelry from Whole Heart Goods and art from Fillup G.

Attendees enter the Hippodrome State Theatre in downtown Gainesville to view a performance of “It’s a Woman’s World, Songs of Celebration” on Friday, July 2, 2021. The Hippodrome, which which moved into the historic old Federal Building in downtown Gainesville in 1979, aims to provide a first-class artistic space to North Central Florida residents.

THE AVENUE | ART AND THEATER

Hippodrome celebrates female empowerment with ‘It’s A Woman’s World’

By Heather Bushman | July 8, 2021

"It's a Woman's World" featured a slew of hits from female artists through the ages. Serving as a celebration of female empowerment, it ran July 1-3 and acted as part of the Hippodrome’s return to live shows.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Man robs Gainesville bank

By Jake Reyes | July 7, 2021

A man is arrested after robbing a Gainesville PNC bank and threatening to deploy a bomb

COVID 19 | UF

COVID-19 Update: Testing increases by over 70% as students settle into Summer B

By Alexandra Harris | July 7, 2021

UF reported seven positive cases out of 532 tests from June 28 to July 4, compared to four positive cases out of 309 tests from June 21 to June 27.

SPANISH

En memoria de Joshua Toledo: “Dame todo esta noche, porque no sabemos si obtengamos mañana”

By Saira González | July 6, 2021

El 12 de junio, Toledo falleció en un accidente automovilístico cuando se dirigía de Gainesville a Panama City para celebrar la despidida de soltero de su mejor amigo.

Florida Task Force 8 members bow their heads in front of a memorial wall in Surfside, Florida. Gainesville Fire Rescue sent eight members to Surfside to aid in rescue efforts after the partial collapse of the Champlain Towers South condominium on June 24.

SPANISH

El equipo de bomberos de Gainesville ayuda con los esfuerzos en el colapso del condominio de Surfside

By Valeria Pagnani | July 6, 2021

El Departamento de Bomberos de Gainesville envió un equipo para ayudar con los esfuerzos en el colapso de Surfside Condo, todos los cuales son parte del Florida Task Force-8

SPORTS | PODCAST

Fantasy football talk with Jamey Eisenberg

By Jesse Richardson and Joseph Henry | July 6, 2021

On this episode of the alligatorSports podcast, Jesse and Joe sit down with CBS Sports Fantasy Analyst Jamey Eisenberg to talk fantasy football, Eisenberg's time with the Alligator and more!

NEWS | CAMPUS BREAKING NEWS

UF and Santa Fe cancel classes for Tropical Storm Elsa

By Makiya Seminera and Antonia LaRocca | July 6, 2021

UF and Santa Fe College campuses will be closed Wednesday ahead of Tropical Storm Elsa.

METRO

Gainesville Fire Rescue team helps with efforts in the Surfside Condo collapse

By Julia Cooper , Jake Reyes and Isabella Barnet | July 6, 2021

The Gainesville Fire Rescue sent a team to help with the efforts in the Surfside Condo collapse, all of whom are part of Florida Task Force-8

METRO

Tropical Storm Elsa signals start of hurricane season for North Central Florida

By Phong Huynh | July 6, 2021

The approach of tropical storm Elsa signals the need for Gainesville residents and students to prepare for future storms in the midst of hurricane season

Sarah Headley, a pet groomer at Scenthound, sprays water on Daisy, the dog, on Tuesday, May 25, 2021.

METRO | BUSINESS

‘Clean Start’ program provides grooming to rescued dogs

By Maya Erwin | July 6, 2021

A new partnership between the Humane Society of North Central Florida and Scenthound encourages an increase in dog adoptions

An empty parking lot located at 2286 SE Hawthorne Road on Sunday, July 4, 2021. A proposed new grocery store, called Bravo supermarket, that would buy locally grown food options, may be built in this area.

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

A new proposal for a grocery store in East Gainesville leaves community members concerned

By Lucille Lannigan | July 6, 2021

Gainesville City Commissioners are considering accepting a deal to build a new supermarket in East Gainesville, but some community members feel they have been left out of the decision process.

A white cat sits at the window of the Feeline Good Cat Café on Sunday, July 4, 2021. At the café, visitors can pet cats while enjoying beverages.

NEWS

Cat cafe opens in downtown Gainesville

By Jasper Wittig | July 6, 2021

The Feeline Good Cat Cafe opened on June 21 and gives guests a chance to meet a variety of cats that are up for adoption.

NEWS | CAMPUS

New sexual assault prevention measures will launch at UF in Fall

By Makiya Seminera | July 6, 2021

The new training and app — led by the Office for Accessibility and Gender Equity — aim to educate the UF population on sexual harassment, methods of reporting sexual misconduct and tools to avoid dangerous situations.

Curvy Confidence members at the Summer Swim Soiree on Saturday, June 12, 2021, at Mickler Landing, Florida. (Photo by Jonathan Vickers | Courtesy to The Alligator)

THE AVENUE | LIFESTYLE

Curvy Confidence meetups celebrate body positivity across Central Florida

By Brenna Sheets | July 6, 2021

Curvy Confidence is a social group that organizes dinners, pool parties and beach get-togethers to promote the acceptance of all body shapes and sizes. Currently, the group’s meetups are held in Gainesville, Jacksonville and Orlando.

El Caimán