Rylan DiGiacomo-Rapp - The Independent Florida Alligator

Courtesy of the Associated Press

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Gainesville man arrested on suspicion of possessing and distributing child pornography

By Rylan DiGiacomo-Rapp | July 25

The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children received a cybertip from Kik, an online messaging app, on “child exploitation” May 29 related to a user under the name “jamestk91.” The tip included 18 pornographic videos depicting both pre-pubescent and pubescent minors shared in private chats from April 19 to April 22, according to the arrest report.

Outgoing US president Joe Biden speaks in Wilmington, Del. on Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2020.

AP Photo

METRO | POLITICS ENTERPRISE

‘Unite our nation’: Biden steps down, endorses Harris as Democratic presidential nominee

By Morgan Vanderlaan and Rylan DiGiacomo-Rapp | July 22

Biden withdrew from the race July 21 following criticism from party allies concerning his turbulent second campaign for the presidency. Though Biden will carry out the remainder of his current term, he endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris for the Democratic nomination.

AP Photo

SPANISH

‘Unir a nuestro país’: Biden retira su candidatura y endorsa a Harris como la candidata presidencial

By Valentina Sandoval , Morgan Vanderlaan and Rylan DiGiacomo-Rapp | July 22

Biden se retiró de la carrera presidencial el 21 de julio después de críticas de parte de aliados del partido sobre su turbulenta segunda campaña presidencial. Aunque Biden terminará el resto de su término presidencial, él endorsó a a la vicepresidenta Kamala Harris como la candidata demócrata.

Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

North Carolina peeping tom arrested after ‘peeking’ at a minor in a Gainesville women’s restroom

By Rylan DiGiacomo-Rapp | July 20

Gainesville police arrested a man Thursday on suspicion of voyeurism involving a minor after sneaking into a women’s restroom to meet a woman for sex.

Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Gainesville homeless man charged with attempted murder of girlfriend’s son

By Lee Ann Anderson and Rylan DiGiacomo-Rapp | June 19

On Monday, William Briscoe was arrested on suspicion of the attempted murder of his girlfriend’s son, who escaped the incident unscathed.

President Donald Trump points his finger at the crowd during his campaign rally at the Ocala International Airport on Friday, Oct. 16, 2020.

Zachariah Chou

NEWS | CAMPUS

‘There will never be justice’: UF progressives, professors react to Trump’s conviction

By Garrett Shanley and Rylan DiGiacomo-Rapp | June 3

UF College Democrats President Connor Effrain was in Washington, D.C., roughly 20 minutes walking distance from the U.S. Capitol building when the news broke. The slack face of former President Donald Trump flashed across his phone screen beside the word “guilty.”

Zachariah Chou

SPANISH

‘Nunca habrá justicia’: Progresivos y profesores de la UF reaccionan a la condena de Trump

By Valentina Sandoval , Garrett Shanley and Rylan DiGiacomo-Rapp | June 3

Trump es ahora el primer expresidente de los EE. UU. en ser condenado por un delito grave. Él hizo historia el 30 de mayo cuando fue declarado culpable por los 34 cargos de delito grave por tratar de influenciar las elecciones de 2016 a tráves de un pago de dinero secreto a la actríz de películas adultas Stormy Daniels, quien alegó que los dos tuvieron sexo.

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.