Rylan DiGiacomo-Rapp - The Independent Florida Alligator

Diego Perdomo

METRO | POLITICS ENTERPRISE

‘It has turned back the clock’: Florida Democrats fear approaching six-week abortion ban

By Rylan DiGiacomo-Rapp | Apr. 22

The Florida Supreme Court upheld the state’s 15-week abortion ban April 1, concluding the years-long legal challenge and instituting a new six-week ban. On the same day, the court also approved an opposing state constitutional amendment to appear on the November general election ballot, leaving the fate of abortion access in the hands of Florida voters.

The University of Florida's Century tower, as viewed from Newell Drive on Thursday, July 22, 2021. The tower commemorates UF students who fought and died in World War I and World War II -- the tower also commemorates the 100th anniversary of UF's founding in 1853.

Houston Harwood

NEWS | CAMPUS

UFF-UF holds virtual teach-in to discuss academic freedom, future of higher education

By Rylan DiGiacomo-Rapp | Apr. 18

The click of a Zoom link brought over 30 people together April 17 for a discussion of academic freedom through the lens of UF professors, students and Gainesville community members.

Karis Dunnam

METRO | POLITICS ENTERPRISE

Approval of Florida recreational marijuana ballot initiative draws mixed opinions from state residents

By Rylan DiGiacomo-Rapp | Apr. 8

The Florida Supreme Court approved Amendment 3 to appear on the November general election ballot April 1, an initiative that would authorize recreational marijuana for adults 21 years of age and over if approved by 60% of Florida voters. Statewide advocacy groups along with local residents, students and businesses expressed varying opinions on the potential amendment to the Florida constitution.

Diego Perdomo

METRO | POLITICS ENTERPRISE

Florida Supreme Court upholds 15-week abortion ban, gives voters a chance to oppose it

By Rylan DiGiacomo-Rapp | Apr. 1

The Florida Supreme Court upheld the current 15-week abortion ban Monday, providing a conclusion to the years-long legal challenge. In contrast, the court also approved the inclusion of a constitutional amendment protecting abortion access on the 2024 general election ballot, giving voters a chance to oppose the legislation.

Sign displayed at Madison Street Baptist Church in Starke, Fla. during presidential primary elections on Tuesday, March 19, 2024.

Ashley C. Hicks

METRO | POLITICS ENTERPRISE

Alachua County primary election season reflects low voter turnout, lack of faith among Republicans

By Rylan DiGiacomo-Rapp and Diego Perdomo | Mar. 25

Alachua County Republican presidential preference primary voter turnout displays an overall decline since 2004, falling below the 2024 state average turnout of approximately 21.2%. As state ballot counts are finalized, the 17 remaining presidential preference primaries will take place nationally spanning the end of March through the beginning of August. The chosen Democratic and Republican candidates will be finalized prior to the November general presidential election.

Melanie Pena

METRO | POLITICS ENTERPRISE

Biden v. Trump: A local examination of the presidential ‘lesser of two evils’ debate

By Rylan DiGiacomo-Rapp | Mar. 18

In light of the quickly approaching election season, UF students, professors and Gainesville residents have begun examining the impacts of political polarization and weighing the most likely presidential candidates to emerge from the primaries: President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump. Florida’s primary election is slated for March 19, with 22 others remaining nationwide before the finalization of which Republican and Democrat candidates will advance to the November general election.

Confederate memorial monument known as “Old Joe” pictured at Oak Ridge Cemetery on Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2024.

Ben Nielsen

METRO | POLITICS ENTERPRISE

Florida bill could hold local governments liable for removing Confederate monuments

By Rylan DiGiacomo-Rapp | Feb. 23

Senate Bill 1122 — cited as the “Historic Florida Monuments and Memorials Protection Act” — was filed by Sen. Jonathan Martin, R-Fort Myers, in December 2023. If enacted, it would protect historic monuments and memorials from removal, holding local governments legally liable for enforcing ordinances or rules around those withdrawals.

Ben Nielsen

METRO | POLITICS ENTERPRISE

Florida education reform initiatives limit African American studies, DEI funds

By Rylan DiGiacomo-Rapp | Feb. 12

Various education reform bills have altered curriculum and cut funding to certain programs in public K-12 schools and universities since the beginning of Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration. The initiatives have targeted a wide variety of subject matter including diversity, equity and inclusion programs as well as all critical theory, a blanket term that encompasses the idea of critical race theory. The passage of new legislation, both in support and opposition of past initiatives, faces the state legislature in 2024.

Melanie Pena

METRO | POLITICS ENTERPRISE

Florida bill could lower the bar for defamation lawsuits against media organizations

By Rylan DiGiacomo-Rapp | Feb. 5

House Bill 757 titled “Defamation, False Light, and Unauthorized Publication of Name or Likeness” seeks to lower the bar for public figures filing these lawsuits. Proposed by Rep. Alex Andrade, R-Pensacola, the initiative would widen the scope of actual malice, work to discredit anonymous sources, limit the use of artificial intelligence, establish 60-day veracity hearings and authorize venue expansion.

Republican presidential candidate Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks during a Republican presidential primary debate hosted by NBC News, Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2023, at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County in Miami. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

Rebecca Blackwell

METRO | POLITICS ENTERPRISE

DeSantis suspends presidential campaign, endorses former President Donald Trump

By Rylan DiGiacomo-Rapp | Jan. 21

Faced with the upcoming 2024 Republican primary election, Gov. Ron DeSantis has suspended his presidential campaign. Former President Donald Trump and former Gov. Nikki Haley of South Carolina will compete head-to-head for the Republican nomination.