Metro | Alachua County

Gainesville Mayor Harvey Ward speaks to a crowd at the Matheson History Museum as he launches his reelection campaign, Friday, Feb. 20, 2026, in Gainesville, Fla.

Harvey Ward kicks off reelection campaign at Matheson History Museum

By Bailey Diem | 11:43am

To Ward, conversing with voters is easy. It’s the state and federal governments he’s found more difficult to work with.

Gainesville voters decided to return control of GRU to the City Commission, dissolving the state-appointed GRU Authority.

GRU authority cautions higher utility rates if city denies new resolution

By Maria Arruda | Feb. 19

A one-way street sign stands along SE Second Place, Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026, Gainesville, Fla.

Gainesville’s new one-way streets draw mixed reactions from commuters

By Mia Giannicchi | Feb. 16

Alachua County greenlights Melrose Wildflowers Music Festival after 6 hours of debate

By Kaitlyn McCormack | Feb. 11

Gainesville and GRU take their battle over utilities to Tallahassee

By Bailey Diem | Feb. 10

The Alachua County Administration building presides at 12 SE 1st St., Wednesday, Feb 4, 2026, in Gainesville, Fla.

‘Absurd’: Gainesville reacts to ban on non-English driver’s license testing

By Dulce Rodriguez-Escamilla and Angelique Rodriguez | Feb. 8

More Metro | Alachua County

The Department of Government Efficiency recently published its report for Alachua County.

METRO | ALACHUA COUNTY

County officials, grant recipients express frustration over DOGE criticisms

By Kaitlyn McCormack | Feb. 8

While leading an art therapy workshop, Sarah Falk taught young girls how to make vision boards and prayer boxes — helping them set boundaries and build self-esteem with an activity called “creating your own Garden of Eden.”

A forage field that experienced yellowing at the UF Dairy Unit in Gainesville, Fla., Sunday, Feb. 1, 2026.

METRO | ALACHUA COUNTY

Alachua County’s fluctuating winter temperatures, low rainfall stunt forage growth

By Caroline Walsh | Feb. 4

The temperature range in Alachua County this winter has been a rollercoaster ride. While people can simply add or subtract layers, the temperature extremes pose a larger problem for farmers.

A new Florida bill to prevent migrants from having bank accounts and insurance from covering them is being introduced.

METRO | ALACHUA COUNTY

Proposed banking and labor restrictions target migrants in Florida

By Dulce Rodriguez-Escamilla | Feb. 3

The proposed legislation has raised concern among immigrant communities and legal experts throughout Alachua County for its potential impact on employment, banking and housing stability.

Blaise Ingoglia, Florida's chief financial officer, speaks at a press conference in Alachua, Fla., on Thursday, Sept. 25, 2025.

METRO | ALACHUA COUNTY

What did the state say about Gainesville and Alachua County in its DOGE audit?

By Maria Arruda and Kaitlyn McCormack | Jan. 30

The report, which criticized diversity initiatives and excess spending, came around five months after Gov. Ron DeSantis announced DOGE would conduct on-site audits of cities and counties accused of wasteful expenditures.

Alachua Public County Schools take action against rise of H3N2 subclade K, a mutated strand of influenza A.

METRO | ALACHUA COUNTY

Back-to-school means flu cases on the rise in Alachua County

By Caroline Walsh | Jan. 29

Had the flu lately? If so, you’re not alone.

The number 33 bus stops at the Hub Food Court in Gainesville, Fla. Friday, Jan 16, 2026.

METRO | ALACHUA COUNTY

Gainesville RTS cancels contract with disability van service, launches in-house app

By Maria Arruda | Jan. 28

The app is designed to be more convenient for users

Recycling Services of America center sorts items at 2874 NE 1st Terrace in Gainesville, Fla., Friday, Jan, 9, 2026.

METRO | ALACHUA COUNTY

What can you recycle in Alachua County, and where?

By Lily Hartzema | Jan. 27

UF, in addition to the county, are investing in both community education and smart recycling technologies to help prevent pollution and reduce environmental impact.

The St. Francis House sits on South Main Street, in Gainesville, Fla., Thursday, Jan. 15, 2025.

METRO | ALACHUA COUNTY

Cold nights, open doors: How Gainesville accommodates its community in the winter

By Maria Arruda | Jan. 26

The Cold Night Shelter program is made available by the City of Gainesville and normally runs between Nov. 1 and March 31.

The Millhopper Family Dentistry and UF host free dental clinics in February for the Gainesville community.

METRO | ALACHUA COUNTY

Millhopper Family Dentistry, UF to host free dental clinics in February

By Lily Hartzema | Jan. 25

Millhopper Family Dentistry will host its free dental clinic, Care to Share, Feb. 28 beginning at 8 a.m. for the first 100 people on a first-come, first-served basis. Free dental services include fillings, extractions and cleanings, according to the Care to Share flyer.

The lesser nighthawk was spotted in Alachua County for the first time since 1999, bringing crowds to its temporary location in Sweetwater Wetlands Park.

METRO | ALACHUA COUNTY

This rare bird hasn’t been seen in Alachua County since 1999 — until now

By Juliana DeFilippo | Jan. 22

After he caught word of the lesser nighthawk sighting in Alachua County, Tim Hardin went to see it for himself. It took him three days to finally catch a glimpse of the speckled bird, with its small pointed beak and sharp eyes, against the backdrop of Sweetwater Wetlands Park Dec. 19.

Protestors demonstrate outside detention facility in Baker County, Florida.

METRO | ALACHUA COUNTY

Florida residents protest new ‘Deportation Depot’ detention center

By Angelique Rodriguez | Jan. 20

The state-run facility drew in a crowd of protestors Sunday afternoon

Parade participants carry a sign for The Martin Luther King, Jr., Commission of Florida as they lead Gainesville's MLK Day Parade, Monday, Jan. 19, 2026.

METRO | ALACHUA COUNTY

Gainesville community honors Martin Luther King Jr. with 42nd annual parade

By Julianna Bendeck | Jan. 20

Organizers held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the reopening of the renovated Martin Luther King Memorial Garden.

Sunrise Wildlife Rehabilitation director Joe Soistman holds Kernel, a corn snake, while Vanessa pets the snake at the Florida Master Naturalist Program’s 25-year anniversary celebration in Gainesville, Fla., Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026.

METRO | ALACHUA COUNTY

Florida Master Naturalist Program marks 25 years of wildlife education

By Colby Kistner | Jan. 19

From young environmental enthusiasts to retirees, the Florida Master Naturalist Program has spent 25 years educating citizens.

Judy Gardner, a tree planting volunteer, digs a hole during an Arbor Day festival at Earl P. Powers Park in Gainesville, Fla., Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026.

METRO | ALACHUA COUNTY

Alachua County Arbor Day Celebration offers morning of ecological escape, education

By Kaitlyn McCormack | Jan. 17

On a breezy Saturday morning, Earl P. Powers Park buzzed with the sounds of people chatting, children playing and dogs barking as over 75 volunteers came to celebrate Arbor Day in Alachua County.