Olivia Lofaso is a third-year journalism student and the Summer 2026 city/county commission reporter. She previously worked as a contributing writer at The Alligator. In her free time she enjoys visiting art museums and solving crosswords.
In June, the Florida Legislature passed the "Save our Homes from Excessive Property Taxes” joint resolution, a proposal to amend the state’s non-school homestead tax exemption from $50,000 to $150,000.
More than 50 Gainesville residents and local leaders gathered Wednesday to discuss the future of East Gainesville.
The Gainesville City Commission discussed a resolution responding to the Gainesville Immigrant Neighbor Inclusion Initiative’s anti-U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement proposal on Thursday, but commissioners postponed the decision after 17 people spoke during public comment.
The whistleblower investigation into the Alachua County Animal Resources shelter concluded earlier this month. The 31-page report dated July 1 found several of the initial allegations against the shelter were unsubstantiated.
Voters gathered with candidates for the Alachua County Commission District 2 seat for the Democratic Party’s open forum at the Freedom Community Center Tuesday night.
As the nation celebrates 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence, local leaders and community advocates reflect not only on the nation’s past, but also on the future of policymaking and advocacy in their communities.
Bomb detection dogs Bailey and Libby traded their usual collars for birthday bandannas and headbands as the four-legged members of UF Police Department celebrated their special day on Tuesday.
The Florida Department of Health confirmed on Monday Alachua County’s first case of the West Nile virus this year. There were no reported cases of the virus in the county last year.
On the night of April 3, Maria Del Aguila was riding her scooter at the intersection of Northwest 10th Avenue and Northwest 13th Street when she was struck by a car.
Within the next two years, Alachua County could have a new landfill. The Alachua County Commission discussed the possibility at its meeting Tuesday.
Gainesville City Commissioner Desmon Duncan-Walker speaks at a community meeting in East Gainesville, Fla., Wednesday, July 22, 2026.
Solutions by The State News
