Sara-James Ranta is a journalism senior, minoring in sociology of social justice and policy. She previously served as Metro's K-12 education reporter. In her free time, SJ is watching a new show, listening to EDM or discussing Star Wars.
The commissioner’s rebuke about the death of celebrity wrestler Hulk Hogan caps off a volatile week for the Alachua County School Board – one that began with a Facebook post and ended in political condemnation, threats against Rockwell’s family and a board meeting that broke into chaos.
The Alachua County School Board addressed controversy over a comment on Hulk Hogan’s death and approved the tentative budget and millage rate at a budget hearing Thursday night.
In less than one day on the job, newly appointed Florida Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia stated he will audit the City of Gainesville after sending a seven-page letter to Mayor Harvey Ward.
Over 250 people gathered in the beating sun July 19 to protest what could become Florida’s next immigration detention center. Protesters gathered across a nearly mile-long stretch across the road from Camp Blanding Joint Training Center in a heat index near 105 degrees.
Kirk Moss stood in the pouring rain carrying a 12-foot-tall papier-mâché caricature of President Donald Trump. The structure’s orange skin, puckered lips, navy suit and red tie – a classic Trump fashion choice – blew in the breeze.
On a hot and humid Saturday, two protests 40 minutes apart in Gainesville and High Springs were part of a nationwide series of over 2,000 “No Kings Day” demonstrations opposing President Donald Trump and his administration.
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier issued a warning to the Alachua County School Board Friday following a “credible complaint” alleging two “biological boys” were housed in a second-grade girls’ cabin at Camp Crystal Lake.
The Alachua County School Board unanimously approved the Newberry Community Charter contract Monday morning. The five-year charter contract will give Newberry Community School Inc. the authority to operate the school starting July 1, 2026.
The Alachua County School Board heard reports from a local literacy needs assessment and voted to table the Newberry Charter contract at a meeting Tuesday night.
The Alachua County School Board voted in an emergency meeting to shut down Constellation Charter School, displacing nearly 90 students just weeks before the end of the academic year.
The Juneteenth flag, studded in red, white and blue, was raised in front of Gainesville City Hall on May 20, 2025.
Boradesha Bryant stands with her daughter, La’Lee McClendon, at One Community Family Resource Center on Sunday, July 21, 2024.
Patrons stretch at a First Magnitude Brewing Company drag yoga event on Sunday, June 23, 2024.
Solutions by The State News
