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.

News

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

By Swasthi Maharaj | 9:00am

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.

A new policy was proposed and voted on by the Florida State Board of Education to prohibit undocumented students from attending any of Florida's 28 public colleges.

Metro

Florida State Board of Education bans undocumented students from state colleges, GED programs

By Logan McBride | 9:00am

Florida center Rueben Chinyelu (9) shoots a layup during the first half of an SEC Men's Basketball Tournament semifinal game against Vanderbilt, Saturday, March 14, 2026, in Nashville, Tenn.

Sports

Florida men’s basketball announces 2026-27 schedule

By Jeffrey Serber | 11:56am

Florida, an early favorite for the 2027 national championship, announced its 2026-27 regular season ...

Gainesville residents gather to practice Spanish by conversing, reviewing vocabulary, and reading a short passage about the latest film adaption of The Odyssey, Friday, July 24, 2026.

El Caimán

‘Two-year-olds speak Spanish. So can you’: Inside the Headquarters Library's Spanish Conversation Club

By Aaron Zagal Yaji | 9:00am

Angela Couret's phone rings in the middle of Spanish Conversation Club, and instead of silencing it, ...

The state of Florida has passed a bill making the use of AI-generated content to create child pornography a felony.

Metro

A new Florida law makes the creation of AI-generated sexual material of children a second-degree felony

By Teia Williams | 9:00am

The creation or transmission of child sexual abuse material generated by artificial intelligence went ...

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Monday, 7/27/2026

New issues of The Independent Florida Alligator are available every week.

Campus

UF presidential finalist Stuart Bell speaks with Rahul Patel and Matthew Bravo at a forum at Emerson Hall, Wednesday, June 3, 2026 in Gainesville, Fla.

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

By Swasthi Maharaj | July 20

For now, faculty leaders and higher education experts say Bell’s upcoming time in office may be assessed by how he can rebuild institutional trust among faculty, while also navigating the political landscape around Florida’s public university system.

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

Florida Board of Governors appoints UF’s 14th president

By Swasthi Maharaj | July 1

Metro

Gainesville City Commissioner Desmon Duncan-Walker speaks at a community meeting in East Gainesville, Fla., Wednesday, July 22, 2026.

East Gainesville residents gather for community event

By Olivia Lofaso | July 23

More than 50 Gainesville residents and local leaders gathered Wednesday to discuss the future of East Gainesville.

Newberry Community School Board says goodbye to Chuck Clemons, accepts Title I plan

By Grace Larson | July 21

‘It’s just lost’: Outreach Thrift moves forward after April fire

By Addison Gload | July 20

Gainesville City Commission postpones decision on local anti-ICE petition amid federal funding risks

By Olivia Lofaso | July 17

Gainesville mayoral and commission candidates address GRU, housing, East Gainesville

By Logan McBride | July 16

Sports

Florida women's soccer player Nylah Norris is set to begin her freshman season under head coach Nick Zimmerman in 2026.

Florida soccer’s Nylah Norris embraces new era under Nick Zimmerman

By Colby Kistner | July 25

Nylah’s competitive mindset helped shape her path to the University of Florida, where she enters her freshman year under first-year head coach Nick Zimmerman. The connection between the two stems back to Zimmerman’s days as Mississippi State head coach. He recruited Nylah and planned to host her for a visit. However, she decided to commit to the Gators to be closer to her family, who had recently moved from Texas.

Sizing up the Gators: A look into Florida volleyball’s 2026 roster

By Nicole Scura | July 25

Florida announces Gators Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2026

By Jeffrey Serber | July 21

Former Gators continue to shine across AUSL in second season

By Zach Moore | July 20

Florida emerges largely intact after 2026 MLB Draft

By Colton Veres | July 20

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

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The Avenue

"Hadestown: The Musical" released in theaters on July 24, 2026.

‘Hadestown: The Musical’ brings Broadway to the big screen

By Brandy Sumner | 9:00am

“Hadestown: The Musical,” a live theater capture film of the production, released on Friday. The movie will be shown in theaters for a limited five-night run.

Steve Lacy's third studio album 'Oh yeah?' is his most vulnerable yet

By Christopher Rodriguez | July 20

First Magnitude Brewing, Florida Springs Council bring the ‘Swamp’ to Gainesville

By Brandy Sumner | July 19

Christopher Nolan’s telling of ‘The Odyssey’ is worth the runtime

By Alanna Robbert | July 19

New Gainesville tattoo shop Emerald Scarab creates quite the buzz

By Brandy Sumner | July 19

Opinions

Count Binface, the candidate persona of British writer Johnathan David Harvey, has been known to contest UK elections as a way to boost voter participation. The politician is easily recognizable by his intergalactic attire and bin shaped helmet.

OPINION: Why America is where satire goes to die

By Sasha Morel | 9:00am

Vermin Supreme has been running for president since the 1980s. He wears a rubber boot on his head, carries a giant toothbrush and promises every American a free pony. In 2011, he was so committed to the bit he glitter-bombed a rival candidate at a minor-league debate.