Lauren Brensel

Staff Writer

Lauren Brensel is a journalism sophomore and a metro reporter for The Alligator. In her free time, she's found going on mental health walks, being silly with friends, hiding from the public and reminding those around her that they did this song on Glee.

Minca Davis

METRO | K-12 EDUCATION

State law to make all students eligible for private school vouchers

By Lauren Brensel | Apr. 10

Scholarship amounts for the 2023-24 school year depend on the level of funding provided by the legislature to each school district, Florida Department of Education spokesperson Cassandra Palelis wrote in an email. They won’t be set until the end of the legislative session when the state budget will be finalized.

Kate McNamara

METRO | K-12 EDUCATION

Alachua County School Board halts rezoning, will rezone in 2024-25 school year

By Lauren Brensel | Apr. 5

After two months of discussing a spot rezone, the Alachua County School Board voted Tuesday to halt that plan entirely. Instead, the board will comprehensively rezone the district in the 2024-2025 school year.

Namari Lock

METRO | K-12 EDUCATION

Pause the period: State bill would ban mention of menstruation in elementary schools

By Lauren Brensel | Mar. 27

Rep. Stan McClain, R-Ocala, is the sponsor of House Bill 1069, which would also limit discussions of sexuality, reproduction and sexually transmitted diseases to grades six through 12. The bill passed through each of its committees and will be heard on the Florida House of Representatives floor March 30.

Diego Perdomo

METRO

First Black Alachua County Supervisor of Elections Kim Barton works to restore trust

By Lauren Brensel | Mar. 20

As the first Black person to be elected Alachua County’s Supervisor of Elections, Kim Barton, 60, said she’s come full circle since then.

Two UF students are arrested by University Police Department officers in Turlington Plaza Friday, March 10, 2023.

Amanda Friedman

NEWS | CAMPUS BREAKING NEWS

University Police Department detains 2 UF student abortion rights protestors

By Lauren Brensel | Mar. 10

Two UF students, including the co-president of Graduate Assistants United, were arrested by the University Police Department at an abortion rights protest in Turlington Plaza Friday afternoon.

A sign in front of the Alachua County Public Schools district office building is seen Sunday, June 6, 2021.

Houston Harwood

METRO | K-12 EDUCATION

Rezoning controversy in Alachua County Public Schools, explained

By Lauren Brensel | Mar. 9

To the dismay of some parents, Alachua County Public Schools will rezone four of its 22 public elementary schools by August to balance enrollment.

Gainesville community members gather at Heartwood Soundstage in protest of Florida’s Don’t Say Gay bill Saturday, March 19, 2022.

Ashleigh Lucas

METRO

Pride Community Center of North Central Florida may relocate after building sale

By Lauren Brensel | Mar. 6

After about 16 years serving the community in its current location, the Pride Community Center of North Central Florida may relocate by April.

Diego Perdomo

METRO | K-12 EDUCATION

UF, Alachua County Public Schools grant to improve mental health services

By Lauren Brensel | Feb. 20

A UF and Alachua County Public Schools grant will see 15 graduate student trainees through UF’s School Psychology, School Counseling and Mental Health Counseling programs over the next five years.

METRO | K-12 EDUCATION

Advanced Placement African American Studies course sparks controversy

By Lauren Brensel | Jan. 30

In response to his administration blocking Advanced Placement African American Studies from Florida classrooms, Gov. Ron DeSantis said Florida “want[s] education, not indoctrination.”

Kanapaha student crosses a sidewalk at the intersection of Tower Road and the entrance of Kanapaha Middle School Saturday, Jan. 14, 2023.

Gabriella Aulisio

SPANISH

El condado de Alachua evaluará pasos peatonales en las escuelas

By Lauren Brensel and Valentina Sandoval | Jan. 29

La intersección cerca de Kimball Wiles es el paso peatonal al centro de la investigación del Departamento de Trabajo Público del Condado de Alachua sobre choques en el área. En los últimos cinco años, han habido 13 choques a 200 pies de la esquina — dos de ellos involucraron pasos peatonales o peatones, dijo Thomas Strom, gerente de ingeniería de transportación.