El Caimán

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NEWS  |  CAMPUS

UF ends investigation into whether six faculty ‘interfered’ with Hamilton Center following pressure from union, major donor

By Timothy Wang and Garrett Shanley | July 8

Following pressure from its faculty union and a major donor, UF has closed its investigation into whether six College of Liberal Arts and Sciences faculty “interfered” with the curriculum development of the Hamilton Center, the university’s state-mandated civic center which has been fast-tracked to become a college.

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NEWS  |  CAMPUS

GAU holds first-ever ‘Queens at Capones’ drag show

By Grace McClung | July 8

A crowd clustered around Capones’ stripper poles, faces illuminated in neon purple light, captivated by the pounding bass and holding out dollar bills. Donning yellow fur coats, animal print bodysuits, knee-high leather boots and sequined dresses, four drag queens strutted and shimmied to pop hits at the first-ever “Queens at Capones” drag show July 5.

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METRO  |  K-12 EDUCATION

Florida bill limits citizen-led school book objections to once per month

By Sara-James Ranta | July 8

Following state education reforms allowing the removal of elementary through high school level books containing themes including race, sexuality and gender among others, new legislation aims to limit the number of citizen book objections to school district library materials. Local politicians, teachers and parents expressed differing opinions concerning the state of Alachua County book challenges. 

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SPORTS

UF pickleball club ranks top 10 in the US

By Alyssa Britton-Harr | July 8

In its new wave of popularity, UF's club pickleball team found a title as one of the most prestigious pickleball clubs in the country.

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THE AVENUE  |  ART AND THEATER

From skulls to sage: whimsical small business Onyx and Iris arrives in Gainesville

By Noor Sukkar | July 8

With suncatchers peeking through the window and color oozing from the inside, Onyx and Iris opened its doors at noon July 6.Housing the creations of 15 different artists, the store offers an array of unique pieces: animal bone art, watercolor, crochet, crystals, upcycled fashion, jewelry, candles, incense and more.

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NEWS  |  CAMPUS

Iranian government sanctions former UFPD chief following pro-Palestinian protestor arrests

By Avery Parker | July 8

Iran sanctioned former UF Police Department chief Linda Stump-Kurnick and ten other law enforcement leaders across the nation July 4 for “flagrant violation of human rights by suppressing [the] pro-Palestine student protest movement.”

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THE AVENUE

Countywide Fourth of July events bring spectacular fireworks, mixed patriotism

By Carlos Alemany and Bonny Matejowsky | July 8

Patriotic festivities spanned across the week of July 4 in Alachua County, bringing a host of people with differing backgrounds and opinions.

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OPINION  |  COLUMNS

Intersectionality as a solution to activism burnout

By Cassie Urbenz | July 8

As you become more entrenched in activism at UF and in Gainesville, you quickly begin to see familiar faces. It can be rewarding, but sometimes it can feel like you are the only ones organizing, and it gets rough when you need to plan action and get a LOT of things done in a short amount of time… all on top of your schoolwork, job and personal life.

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OPINION  |  COLUMNS

Presidential debate: calamities or promise

By Abraham Hilu | July 8

The presidential debate June 27 presented a clearer picture of what both candidates have in mind for policies in the United States. A general concluding theme is President Joe Biden is mentally compromised, while former President Donald Trump arguably performed one of his best presidential debates. People from both parties realize Biden doesn’t have the strength to continue the most demanding job in the country.

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SPANISH

De calaveras a salvia: llega a Gainesville el negocio pequeño peculiar Onyx and Iris

By Noor Sukkar and Jose Carmona | July 8

Con atrapasoles asomándose por la ventana y color emanando desde el interior, Onyx and Iris abrió sus puertas al mediodía del 6 de julio.

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SPORTS  |  OTHER SPORTS GOLF

Parker Bell and Jack Turner’s chemistry elevates Florida men’s golf

By Aiden Wacksman | July 8

Parker Bell and Jack Turner’s close friendship, both on and off the golf course, has fueled their strong performance in the 2023-24 season. 

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SPANISH

GAU celebra el primer espectáculo de drag ‘Queens at Capones’

By Grace McClung and Eneida Escobar | July 8

Con abrigos de piel amarillos, bodys de estampado animal, botas de cuero hasta la rodilla y vestidos con lentejuelas, cuatro drag queens desfilaron y bailaron al ritmo de éxitos pop en el primer espectáculo de drag “Queens at Capones” el 5 de julio.  

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THE AVENUE

Elderly community cat Precious potentially ‘cat-napped’

By Bonny Matejowsky | July 5

Precious, a brown and white striped community cat who has resided in UF’s College of Public Health and Health Professions since 2008, went missing from the area July 2.  

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THE AVENUE  |  NIGHTLIFE

MacDinton’s opening night wakes up summer nightlife

By Sydney Johnson | July 3

MacDinton’s Gainesville wants to make one thing clear: It is nothing like its predecessor. Adorned with Guinness on tap and a painting of Leonardo da Vinci’s “The Last Supper” featuring Gainesville icons, Macdinton’s is distinct. 

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SPORTS  |  BASKETBALL

Florida basketball lands Slovenian guard Urban Klavžar to finalize 2024-25 roster

By Jack Meyer | July 1

Following an action-packed 2024 offseason, the Florida Gators men’s basketball team has officially finalized its roster with the addition of Slovenian guard Urban Klavžar. 

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NEWS  |  CAMPUS BREAKING NEWS

Undercover Messianic Jewish activist who sought to entrap Muslim professors trespassed from UF campus

By Grace McClung | July 1

The undercover Messianic Jewish activist who tried to bait UF Muslim professors into admitting bias against Israel and conservatives has been trespassed from all UF properties for three years by the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office.

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SPORTS  |  OTHER SPORTS TRACK

Five Gators book tickets to the Paris Olympics

By Liana Handler | July 1

As the Olympics loom near, two current Gators made Team USA, and Parker Valby stands on the verge of qualification. 

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OPINION  |  COLUMNS

It’s Joever: Biden is old, unpopular and should not be running for President

By Rey Arcenas | July 1

I tuned into the first Presidential debate of the election season with alcohol in hand. My friends sat around the couch, watching the live political spectacle alongside 51 million other viewers. Drinks ran dry as both candidates made gaffe after gaffe. While former President Trump lied about abortion “even after birth” and denounced Biden as a “bad Palestinian,” our current President’s age became painfully visible as he struggled to form coherent answers to Trump’s rhetoric. Even when silent, Biden unnervingly stared off into space, looking visibly confused.

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OPINION  |  COLUMNS

Recognizing queer student activists at the frontlines of struggle

By Rey Arcenas | July 1

I co-organized my first protest the spring of my freshman year, opposing House Bill 1557 or the “Don’t Say Gay” bill. During our march through Gainesville, dozens of community members swelled the crowd while others heckled us with homophobic slurs. 

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OPINION  |  COLUMNS

Leave it to the professionals: The trend of legislative attacks on higher education in Florida

By Cassie Urbenz | July 1

Almost a year ago on July 1, the Florida Legislature passed Senate Bill 256 — a bill specifically intended to limit the power of unions in the state. The challenge that the Florida Legislature forced upon us has developed in several ways. While we have seen a growing community stand behind our unions, we have also seen an escalation of attacks on the groups we have a responsibility to protect.