Kaitlyn McCormack is a senior journalism student serving as the County Commission Reporter for The Alligator's Spring 2026 metro desk. In her free time she enjoys journaling and drinking too much coffee
Following a 6-month search, only one candidate is in the running to become Alachua County Animal Resources’ next shelter director.
Community concern soon led to a group investigation effort into ACAR's alleged mistreatment of animals. In an effort spearheaded by a volunteer, community members filed public records requests from ACAR.
The county aims to one day use AI to increase productivity, streamline internal operations and create faster, more efficient responses to community inquiries.
But in under a month, the shelter will permanently close its downtown facility due to funding and staffing challenges. Some fear the closure will result in a resource gap for one of Gainesville’s most vulnerable populations.
The whistleblower email came from the former outreach coordinator of Alachua County Animal Resources. He introduced himself as “Anthony” but did not provide a last name.
Funding for cities and counties across the state may be impacted by a bill that would provide property tax relief to Florida homeowners.
Gainesville civil rights activist Rosa B. Williams, known affectionately as “Miss Rosa,” died Feb. 12 at age 92. She was a local pioneer for the Black community, and those who knew her remember her as a catalyst for change who touched countless lives in Gainesville.
Nearly 250 community members attended the meeting
While leading an art therapy workshop, Sarah Falk taught young girls how to make vision boards and prayer boxes — helping them set boundaries and build self-esteem with an activity called “creating your own Garden of Eden.”
The report, which criticized diversity initiatives and excess spending, came around five months after Gov. Ron DeSantis announced DOGE would conduct on-site audits of cities and counties accused of wasteful expenditures.
A mural on the front of Alachua County Animal Resources on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, in Gainesville, Fla.
A volunteer walks a dog at Alachua County Animal Resources on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, in Gainesville, Fla.
Shelter dogs wait for potential adopters in kennels at Alachua County Animal Resources on March 31, 2026.
A chart at Alachua County Animal Resources tracks which dogs have been let out of their kennels on March 31, 2026.
Alachua County Animal Rescue volunteers attended the Board of County Commissioners meeting in matching shirts to comment on the ongoing Animal Resources investigation on March 10, 2026, in Gainesville, Fla.
Solutions by The State News
