Opinion

Want to be a part of The Alligator? Join our Fall 2026 staff!

By Alligator Staff report | Aug. 3

Are you interested in growing your career in media and communications? Are you ready to join a network with alumni at organizations like The New York Times, The Washington Post and Wall Street Journal? The Independent Florida Alligator is looking for its next team of reporters, editors, photographers and more for the Fall semester. Applications are due Aug. 10 at 11:59 p.m.

Florida quarterback Tramell Jones Jr. (9) and Florida quarterback Aaron Philo (12) snap the ball during spring practice at the Heavener Football Training Center in Gainesville, Fla., Tuesday, April 7, 2026.

Sports

Geared for the season: Jones Jr., Philo continue quarterback battle

By Curan Ahern | Aug. 7

Century Tower at 375 Newell Dr, Sunday, July 26, 2026, in Gainesville, Fla.

News

UF ranked No. 1 best-value public university

By Hailey Kon | Aug. 3

The ranking evaluated public institutions based on affordability, graduation rates and median earnings ...

The Swamp Restaurant will be one of the many venues screening the World Cup this year.

The Avenue

Bored of Broward? Here are five new spots to dine

By Christopher Rodriguez | 9:00am

For most new students, coming to UF means a brand-new city with a brand-new food scene. If you’re ...

Gully Boys Bassist Natalie Klemond (left) and Lead Vocalist Kathy Callahan (right) play their first FEST show at Loosey's on Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021.

The Avenue

Gainesville music venues bring local art to light

By Brandy Sumner | 9:00am

Throughout the city, Gainesville overflows with music of every style and taste. This list highlights ...

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Campus

The Stop WOKE Act is a Florida law designed to limit the discussion of race and gender topics in schools and work places. Recent federal court appeals have ruled this law violates first amendment rights in higher education.

Florida’s Stop WOKE Act was blocked. Here’s what experts, faculty and students have to say

By Swasthi Maharaj | July 27

Earlier this month, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit rejected Florida’s attempt to revive the higher education provisions of the Stop WOKE Act. The Court rejected the state’s argument that professors’ classroom instruction constituted government speech, instead deciding the speech is protected under the First Amendment.

The road ahead for Stuart Bell: Experts, faculty leaders discuss expectations for UF’s 14th president

By Swasthi Maharaj | July 20

Student loan restrictions from One Big Beautiful Bill could reshape higher education

By Kendall O'Connor | July 20

UF’s $443 million housing expansion to include new Disability Resource Center building

By Swasthi Maharaj | July 14

A look into the contract of new UF president Stuart Bell

By Swasthi Maharaj | July 13

Metro

A Florida property tax bill could cause local governments to lose money.

‘This will make Florida a worse place to live’: Local leaders weigh in on proposed property tax amendment

By Olivia Lofaso | Aug. 3

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.

From railroad depot to park: Depot Park celebrates 10-year milestone

By Addison Gload | Aug. 2

Mother-daughter duo provides free hot meals to the Gainesville community

By Sam Rislin | Aug. 1

ACPS teacher reassignments create confusion ahead of preplanning week

By Grace Larson | Aug. 1

Alachua County provides community outreach with Disability Awareness Expo

By Teia Williams | July 31

Sports

Florida Gators outfielder Townsen Thomas celebrates a double during an NCAA softball game against Marshall, Friday, Feb. 13, 2026, in Gainesville, Fla.

Breaking down Florida softball’s 2027 roster

By Zach Moore | Aug. 3

The Gators added two transfers while signing a seven-player 2026 recruiting class that finished ranked No. 2 nationally and is expected to make an immediate impact. They did all of that while not losing a single player to the transfer portal. According to On3's Softball America, the 2026-27 softball transfer portal cycle featured 862 players who officially entered the portal.

What Florida baseball must improve in 2027

By Colton Veres | Aug. 3

Unexpected Florida women’s tennis duo Pawlak and Daubnerova find success overseas

By Sofia Alamo | Aug. 3

Denzel Aberdeen set to be cleared for fifth year with Florida

By Jeffrey Serber | July 31

Florida volleyball picked fourth in SEC Coaches Poll, Byrd and Rothe named Preseason All-SEC

By Sofia Alamo | July 29

Multimedia & Podcasts

More Multimedia

The Chainsmokers headlined SwampFest at Flavet Field April 14, with DJ opener Riordan. The iconic duo mixed in new material with hits like “Paris” and “Don’t Let Me Down,” also remixing classics like “Teenage Dirtbag” and “Seven Nation Army.”

SLIDESHOW

DJ duo Chainsmokers performs at SwampFest

Apr. 15

About 2,000 people gathered at Gainesville’s Cora Roberson Park on Saturday to protest the Trump administration. The protest was part of No Kings demonstrations planned across the country — the third since the series began June 14, 2025, and the first of this year.

SLIDESHOW

GALLERY: Thousands attend the first No Kings protest of the year

Mar. 29

A crowd of around 40 people gathered by a bench to watch 20 members of UF’s Lettuce Club compete in a lettuce eating competition Feb. 19. Many watched with their own pieces of lettuce in hand, and some even gripped personal bottles of dressing to complement the leafy greens.

SLIDESHOW

UF’s Lettuce Club holds its first eating competition

Mar. 10

Listen on Spotify

The Avenue

Larson playing Sally Bowles in UF’s 2022 production of “Cabaret.”

Gator grad Zoë Larson makes Broadway debut

By Julianna Munoz | Aug. 5

Before her professional career, Larson studied musical theatre in UF’s School of Theatre and Dance. Prior to her 2022 graduation, she performed in the ensemble of “Pippin” as a freshman. She starred as Sally in “Cabaret” in her senior year after the COVID-19 pandemic forced a gap between productions.

Choosing to remain: Queer resilience shines through in Gainesville Fine Arts Association ‘Florida/Woman’ exhibit

By Brandy Sumner | Aug. 3

‘No one lasts forever,' but Charli XCX is making a legacy in ‘Music, Fashion, Film’

By Mackenzie Haas | July 30

Blossom and Bloom rolls in to offer clean desserts for everyone

By Christopher Rodriguez | July 30

‘Big Fun’: ‘Heathers: The Musical’ comes to Gainesville

By Brandy Sumner | July 27

Opinions

Alanna Robbert was the Summer 2026 Senior News Director.

120 college credits to a paper I love

By Alanna Robbert | Aug. 3

I found myself as a journalism major because I was convinced, A) it would get me into UF, B) the degree correlated enough with my interests in news and fiction writing and C) it would be easy. No one told me completing a 60-credit degree in two years is not simple.