1 - The Independent Florida Alligator

OPINION | COLUMNS

The chase for prestige: a required cost or misallocation

By Abraham Hilu | Aug. 26

Ben Sasse, former president at University of Florida, sent out a public statement via X on July 18, stating he decided to resign after 17 months due to a long history of family health issues. I first felt surprised and melancholy. However, I looked back at an insightful lesson my professor taught me which is “Gators have thick skin.” This means to become resilient during challenging times.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Welcome back, students!

By Hub Brown | Aug. 26

OK, so it’s not SO quiet. But what is generally missing is the sound of your voices. What is missing is your energy. You transform this place, and we’re glad you’re back. From my first days as a lecturer and graduate student, I’ve been involved in higher education for 36 years, and still, the first days of class never get old.

Reina Saco has been Commissioner at-Large since May 2020.

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

La comunidad hispana local reflexiona sobre la pérdida de representación en el gobierno de Gainesville

By Eneida Escobar | Aug. 26

Gainesville da la bienvenida a los funcionarios locales recién elegidos. Los miembros que forman parte y están involucrados en la comunidad hispana se encuentran reflexionando sobre lo que depara el futuro para su representación en la política local.

The Love Island drama continues in the reunion, released for streaming on Aug. 19, 2024.

THE AVENUE | MOVIES AND TV

Rate and Review: 'Love Island USA’ reunion episode loses touch with fans

By Juliana DeFilippo | Aug. 26

'Love Island USA' reunion episode delivers drama without depth.

Inflation continues to cause problems for students at the University of Florida.

METRO | ALACHUA COUNTY

Inflation rocked the Gainesville community. How are the locals faring?

By Natalie Kaufman | Aug. 26

With financial assistance from the state hard to acquire, steady cost increases on essentials have caused many Alachua County residents to rein in their discretionary spending.

Mori Hosseini has been the UF Board of Trustees chairman since 2018.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Mori Hosseini: a trail of university power, past and present

By Annie Wang and Vivienne Serret | Aug. 26

Mori Hosseini, chairman of UF's Board of Trustees, has long maintained strong influence over university affairs and administration.

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

Local Hispanic community reflects on loss of representation in Gainesville government

By Eneida Escobar | Aug. 26

Members part of and involved in the Hispanic community find themselves reflecting on what the future holds for their representation in local politics as new local government officials make their way to office.

Kevin Edengren plays against a North Florida player on Jan. 19, 2024.

SPORTS | BLOGS

Kevin Edengren seeking to carry momentum after solid finish to spring season

By Chandler Hawkes | Aug. 26

This year’s team features seven returning players, including sophomore Kevin Edengren, who won five singles matches in a row to end the regular season and will be seeking to continue his strong play this fall.

Santa Fe College hosted the Heritage Foods Symposium on Friday, Aug. 23, 2024, and featured information about local farms and food.

NEWS | CAMPUS

‘Food connects us all’: Community gathers at Santa Fe’s food symposium

By Timothy Wang | Aug. 26

Santa Fe College hosted Florida Heritage Foods Project's final food symposium on Friday.

Redshirt junior Sophie White shoots the ball in the Gators' 2-2 tie against the UCF Knights on Sunday, Aug. 25.

SPORTS | BLOGS

Gators rally, fight back for tie against UCF

By Amanda Roman | Aug. 25

Surrounded by a crowd of 1,143 fans, the Florida Gators soccer team took the pitch in hopes of keeping its undefeated record alive.

Florida head coach Billy Napier greeting fans during Gator Walk Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Florida lands 2025 four-star receiver Naeshaun Montgomery

By Chandler Hawkes | Aug. 25

After receiving a commitment from 2025 four-star receiver Naeshaun Montgomery, the Florida football team made another jump in the recruiting rankings.

Florida's McCartney Kessler competes during a Feb. 26, 2021 match against LSU. Kessler helped secure a doubles win with freshman Alicia Dudeney, 6-2.

SPORTS | BLOGS

Former Gators women’s tennis star McCartney Kessler wins first WTA Tour title

By Jack Meyer | Aug. 25

Former Gators women’s tennis star McCartney Kessler comes away victorious at the Tennis in the Land tournament for her first WTA Tour title.

Eesaa Razzaq reza durante un evento de Islam on Campus en el O’Connell Center Jueves, Octubre 17 del 2019.

NEWS

Fe, compañerismo y comida gratis: una guía de las organizaciones religiosas de la UF

Aug. 25

Con tres cuartas partes de la población de Florida identificándose con una fe religiosa, la UF tiene una variedad de organizaciones basadas en la religión para su cuerpo estudiantil. Aquí hay algunas organizaciones alrededor del campus.

Eesaa Razzaq, an 18-year-old UF business administration freshman prays Thursday night at the Fast-A-Thon event at Stephen O’Connell Center.The event was hosted by Islam on Campus and designed to raise money for Gators for Refugee Medical Relief, a local charity dedicated to helping refugees locally and abroad, and NuDay Syria, a non-profit organization focused on bringing humanitarian aid to Syria.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Faith, fellowship and free food: a guide to UF’s religious organizations

By Avery Parker | Aug. 25

Here is a guide to different religious organizations available to University of Florida students.

The Gators football team prepares to run out of the tunnel before their 22-7 win against the Charlotte 49ers on Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Position profile: Florida linebackers

By Max Tucker | Aug. 24

After missing the last four games of the season due to injury, junior linebacker Shemar James is primed to be leader for the Gators’ youthful position group. A deeper look into Florida’s linebackers this season.

The Florida Gators women’s volleyball team celebrates a point during the second set of its game against the Georgia Southern Eagles on Saturday, Aug. 24.

SPORTS | BLOGS

Kennedy Martin sets strong pace for Gators in exhibition victory

By Max Bernstein and Shaine Davison | Aug. 24

In its first match of the season, Florida opened with a strong performance in front of an electric crowd at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center, defeating Georgia Southern 3-1.

Students enjoy drinks prior to the first day of classes inside of the Salty Dog Saloon on Wednesday, August 21, 2024.

THE AVENUE | FOOD

Ave Roundtable: Gainesville’s best bars

By Carlos Alemany , Sabrina Castro and Noor Sukkar | Aug. 24

To help you navigate, The Avenue’s summer staff compiled a list of our favorite places to grab a drink. From hidden gems to popular game-day getaways, these are the spots that keep us coming back, time and again.

The UF club men’s ice hockey team poses for a picture after winning the Savannah Tire Hockey Classic tournament.

SPORTS | FEATURES

Gators Ice Hockey Club Rides National Championship Win Into Division I Status

By Max Bernstein | Aug. 24

After a Division II National Championship victory last season, the Florida Gators Ice Hockey Club team is gearing up for a massive move to Division I.

Julisia Hernandez, a 21-year-old mechanical engineering senior, celebrates after winning a flying disc that Kyle Eastman, a 29-year-old alumnus, holds at Alpha Omega Campus Ministry’s booth at the the Spring Student Org Fair on Wednesday. “Anybody can come join,” Eastman said about the ministry.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Manatee medicine, fashion shows and cook-offs: How to get involved at UF

By Avery Parker | Aug. 24

The University Florida is home to more than a thousand student organizations.

Running back Montrell Johnson Jr. is lifted up in celebration by offensive lineman Austin Barber after a Florida touchdown against LSU Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Position profile: Running backs

By Max Tucker | Aug. 23

With senior running back Montrell Johnson Jr.’s status for Florida’s game against Miami in jeopardy, it creates a chance for one of UF’s other running backs to step up in a big way.Some key players to watch that could have a breakout start to 2024.

El Caimán