Sophia Bailly

Staff Writer

Sophia Bailly is a second-year journalism major and covers politics for the enterprise desk. Some of her favorite things include The Beatles, croissants and Agatha Christie books. When she's not writing stories she's either reading or going for a run.

Patricia Pascual

NEWS | CAMPUS

Hamilton Center: Emphasizing apolitical position following controversial foundation

By Sophia Bailly and Alissa Gary | Dec. 4

The Hamilton Center began with $3 million from the state after The Council on Public University Reform — a conservative think tank — lobbied to begin a civic education center at UF. A deliberative back-and-forth between UF leaders and the state ensued — a process that deviated from the typical creation of an academic unit at UF.

An attendee of UF SJP’s discussion in Turlington wearing a Palestine keffiyeh neck scarf on Thursday Oct. 12, 2023.

Evelyn Miguel

METRO | POLITICS ENTERPRISE

UF pro-Palestine organization remains active despite DeSantis’ termination order

By Sophia Bailly | Nov. 13

Florida chapters of the pro-Palestine organization, Students for Justice in Palestine, have not been deactivated by Gov. Ron DeSantis, despite the order released by State University System’s chancellor Ray Rodrigues more than three weeks ago.

Diego Perdomo

METRO | POLITICS ENTERPRISE

Special legislative session emphasizes Florida lawmakers’ support for Israel

By Sophia Bailly | Nov. 13

Roughly one month after Hamas attacked Israel Oct. 7, Florida lawmakers convened in Tallahassee for a special session focused on showing support for Israel in its war against the Palestinian militant group.

Courtesy to The Alligator

METRO | ALACHUA COUNTY

Newest Alachua County sheriff speaks out on staffing shortages

By Sophia Bailly | Nov. 6

New Alachua County Sheriff Emery Gainey has spent his first month combatting staff shortages and advocating for increased funding from the state and county.

Evelyn Miguel

METRO | POLITICS ENTERPRISE

DeSantis administration demands deactivation of pro-Palestinian university student chapters

By Sophia Bailly | Oct. 24

Gov. Ron DeSantis and Chancellor of the State University System of Florida Ray Rodrigues ordered Florida universities to deactivate two state chapters of a national pro-Palestinian organization Tuesday, claiming the organizations show support for "Hamas terrorism."

Evelyn Miguel

METRO | POLITICS ENTERPRISE

Jewish UF students show support for Palestinians

By Sophia Bailly | Oct. 23

Since the violence began two weeks ago, Clay Robinson said Palestinian and anti-Zionist voices have been largely neglected. Zionism is the Israeli national ideology that Judaism is both a nationality and religion and that Israel is an ancestral land that exists for the Jewish community.

Pictured is the U.S. Federal Building & Courthouse where David Emanuel was sentenced to prison Thursday, Oct. 19, 2023.

Adriel Bolocon

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Rosewood man sentenced to a year in prison for hate-crime charges

By Sophia Bailly | Oct. 19

A Rosewood resident was sentenced to federal prison a year after an attack against six Black men.

Patricia Pascual

SPANISH

Los votantes hispanos del condado de Alachua aportan diferentes perspectivas políticas

By Sophia Bailly and Nicole Beltran | Sep. 25

Florida, que alguna vez fue un estado indeciso durante mucho tiempo, se ha vuelto más rojo desde las elecciones presidenciales de 2016 y el gobernador Ron DeSantis asumió el cargo en 2018. Hay 5,2 millones de republicanos registrados y 4,7 millones de demócratas registrados en el estado al 22 de agosto, según el sitio web de la División de Elecciones de Florida.

Patricia Pascual

METRO | POLITICS ENTERPRISE

Alachua County Hispanic voters bring varying political perspectives

By Sophia Bailly | Sep. 25

In Alachua County, the Hispanic community brings a variety of perspectives and beliefs to the importance of voting and political issues.

Brandon Ludwig addresses the audience at the Young Republican National Convention in Dallas, Texas on Tuesday, Aug. 18th, 2023.

Courtesy to The Alligator

METRO | POLITICS ENTERPRISE

UF conservative voices persist among Gen Z

By Sophia Bailly | Sep. 18

Younger generations tend to lean more politically liberal. Conservative voices share their experiences as Republicans in Gen Z.