1 - The Independent Florida Alligator

Chairman Mori Hosseini's mask slips down his face as he participates in the discussion after public comment. Later in the meeting, Hosseini removed his mask and talked at length while the board approved action items.

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT GOVERNMENT

Faculty and community groups clash with UF Board of Trustees during second day of meeting

By Corbin Bolies | Dec. 5, 2020

The Board of Trustees approved new housing rate increases and were presented with the final version of a furlough policy. Trustees at Emerson Alumni Hall listened to 16 students, professors and Gainesville residents speak against in-person classes in the Spring during the second day of their meeting.

Los estudiantes de la Universidad de Florida han convertido su tiempo de aislamiento en algo positivo al crear sus propios negocios.

NEWS

Estudiantes de UF mantienen negocios exitosos durante la pandemia de COVID-19

By Arlette Garcia | Dec. 5, 2020

Estudiantes convierten su tiempo de aislamiento en algo positivo al crear sus propios negocios.

Florida guard Kiara Smith scored 19 points in 35 minutes of the Gators' win over Cincinnati Saturday.

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

UF pounds Bearcats 81-58

By Declan Walsh | Dec. 5, 2020

The #Gators secured a quality win over Cincinnati Saturday, scoring 81 points to the Bearcats' 58.

Joe Yzaguirre (en el medio) dio positivo para COVID-19 a mediados de mayo. Después de una batalla de 17 días contra el virus, falleció el 5 de junio.

NEWS

UF IFAS trabaja para mejorar las condiciones de los trabajadores agrícolas durante la pandemia

By Sofia Echeverry | Dec. 5, 2020

El centro de IFAS en Immokalee se une al departamento de agricultura de la Florida mientras el club de estudiantes abre una conversación sobre los derechos de los trabajadores agrícolas

Gainesville indie-rock group Driptones will release new seaside-inspired single "Wave Sounds" and B-side "Sun Sick" Dec. 18. (Courtesy to The Alligator / Cosima West)

THE AVENUE | ART AND THEATER

Gainesville indie group Driptones to release new music this month

By Heather Bushman | Dec. 5, 2020

The group returns with a new batch of beach-inspired songs

An employee of Crave food truck is seen taking orders during the Christmas Party and Food Truck Rally at Destiny Community Church on Friday, Dec.4, 2020. This event was hosted by DCC and each vendor committed to donate 10% of their sales to to changing the lives of children locally and globally. (Lauren Witte/Alligator Staff)

METRO | BUSINESS

Newberry church celebrates with food trucks after Christmas tree fundraiser

By Nora O'Neill | Dec. 5, 2020

Half of the money from the Christmas tree sales will go to help children in countries such as Guatemala and Cambodia.

Carlee Simon, who was selected as interim superintendent, has over almost two decades of education experience.

METRO | K-12 EDUCATION

School district selects interim superintendent

By Sophie Feinberg | Dec. 4, 2020

The Alachua County Public School board voted 3-2 in a meeting Friday to select Carlee Simon as interim superintendent.

METRO | K-12 EDUCATION

As COVID-19 cases rise, the public school district prepares to continue digital learning

By Sophie Feinberg | Dec. 4, 2020

Alachua County Public Schools can continue offering digital learning in the spring, according to a state emergency order enacted this week.

David Chalmers served in the U.S. Army and was in Europe at the close of World War II. He later became a professor and scholar at UF as well as an activist outside and inside the classroom. (Courtesy to The Alligator)

NEWS | CAMPUS UF ADMINISTRATION

Remembering UF Emeritus Professor David Chalmers

By Aurora Martínez | Dec. 4, 2020

David Chalmers, UF emeritus professor of American history, died Oct. 25 in his Gainesville home in the company of his family. He served in the U.S. Army and was in Europe at the close of World War II. Later in life, he became a professor and scholar at UF as well as an activist outside and inside the classroom.

Former Superintendent Karen Clarke, left, Moore’s mom, Tedreyonce' Moore and Deputy Superintendent Donna Jones smile on Oct. 28, 2019, the day Moore received her laptop. Clarke and Jones were Moore’s mentors. (Courtesy of The Education Foundation of Alachua County)

METRO | K-12 EDUCATION

Public schools, nonprofits address digital divide in light of COVID-19

By Sophie Feinberg | Dec. 4, 2020

Eight months since Alachua County Public Schools went virtual due to COVID-19, students continue to struggle with the change. With many students still not physically back in schools, education morphed to fit into an increasingly virtual world through digital or hybrid learning. Even in brick-and-mortar classrooms, digital access is a necessity.

Quarterback Kyle Trask (left) was a finalist for the Heisman Trophy in 2020. He finished with the most passing touchdowns in the country that season (43) while racking up the second most passing yards (4,283). Tight end Kyle Pitts (right) was a unanimous first-team All-American in 2020. He finished the year with 43 catches for 770 yards and 12 touchdowns, despite only playing in eight games.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

No, the Gators aren’t this year’s LSU

By Brendan Farrell | Dec. 4, 2020

A wildly inconsistent defense and less productive run game keeps UF from reaching 2019 LSU's level of production.

Sophomore Tre Mann’s (pictured) development has been a key part of Florida’s NCAA Tournament push

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Gators dominate Eagles, move to 2-0 in young season

By Michael Hull | Dec. 4, 2020

Florida scored 90 points in its win over Boston College, the most against an ACC school since 1999.

Robert Rosa (left), 52, a member of the Borinquen Taino nation and Stuart Flores (right), a member of the Algonquin Maya nation, kneel together, during the protest, in honor of their ancestors on Thursday, Dec. 3, 2020. The two explained that in Native American culture ancestors return to the soil after they pass away.

NEWS

‘We, as a town, object’: Native Americans, Micanopy residents gather in protest of proposed Dollar General location

By Alan Halaly | Dec. 4, 2020

The store could be built on a battlesite from the Second Seminole War if approved by the county

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

New downtown development project, police advisory council coming in January

By Tristan Wood | Dec. 4, 2020

Downtown renovations will total more than $385,000

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT LIFE

UF looks toward Spring in first day of Board of Trustees meeting

By Corbin Bolies | Dec. 3, 2020

The first of a two-day UF Board of Trustees meeting Thursday, the board’s first in person since June, was dominated by timetables for COVID-19 vaccines, the specifics of mandatory testing and what UF will look like as students return to campus.

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

Gainesville experienced extreme weather. Here’s how to stay safe

By Anna Wilder | Dec. 3, 2020

Temperatures in Gainesville reached 32 degrees Fahrenheit Tuesday, and are expected to drop further throughout December. To help residents get through inclement weather circumstances, Gainesville has programs and mechanisms to prepare people and keep them safe.

NEWS

Comedian Rob Riggle tells students to learn from mistakes Wednesday night

By Lianna Hubbard | Dec. 2, 2020

Accent Speakers Bureau, a UF Student Government agency, hosted Riggle over Zoom Wednesday night in its final Fall event.

Florida guard Kiara Smith contributed 15 points to her squad's win over Charleston Southern Wednesday.

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

UF bests Charleston Southern after slow start

By Declan Walsh | Dec. 2, 2020

The Gators defeated the Charleston Southern Buccaneers by 15 points Wednesday.

Gators guard Tre Mann finished with 17 points and eight rebounds, willing Florida to a comeback victory on Tuesday against Ole Miss

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Florida dominates second half to sneak away with season-opening win

By Dylan O'Shea | Dec. 2, 2020

The Gators managed a comeback win over Army on Wednesday in their first game of the season.

Gainesville rapper Azazus and cousin and fellow artist Jeshua Oneal released, "Need A Friend" Thursday. With the song, the two are aiming to open a dialogue about mental health and support systems.

THE AVENUE | ART AND THEATER

Azazus and Jeshua Oneal open up about mental health with new single ‘Need a Friend’

By Marlena Carrillo | Dec. 2, 2020

“Need a Friend” tackles mental health struggles and details the necessity of finding support. Jeshua Oneal, who worked on the song with Azazus, said the artists were inspired by their own battles with anxiety and depression.

El Caimán