Metro | Alachua County - The Independent Florida Alligator

Thomas Vu, candidate for Alachua County School Board, takes a phone call at The Swamp Restaurant on Oct. 21, 2024, in Gainesville, Florida.

METRO | ALACHUA COUNTY

Thomas Vu: newly elected school board member discusses childhood and accountability

By Sara-James Ranta | Nov. 1

Vu won the District 2 seat on the Alachua County School Board on Aug. 20, defeating incumbent Diyonne McGraw. Now, as the 37-year-old Gainesville resident prepares to take his seat on the ACSB, Vu said he is driven to make that same safe, empowering environment a reality for every student and teacher in the district.

METRO | ALACHUA COUNTY

The Alligator 2024 Voter Guide

By The Alligator Editorial Board | Oct. 29

Election Day is less than a week away. In anticipation of an influx of early voters, the Alligator has crafted a voter guide outlining candidates from the county level to the state level.

In Florida, there is a lack of state-wide curriculum for sex education.

METRO | ALACHUA COUNTY

ACPS community discusses sex education for students

By Sara-James Ranta | Oct. 29

With no statewide curriculum for sexual education in Florida, school districts are left to decide what type of sex education they provide to students, if any. In Alachua County, advocates say these gaps leave youth unprepared.

The market of political betting in Gainesville is on the rise with the election in sight.

METRO | ALACHUA COUNTY

As presidential candidates make closing arguments, billions in bets roll in

By Natalie Kaufman | Oct. 28

The political gambling phenomenon has captured Gen Z's attention. Some experts hope it will propel young people to the polls.

(left to right) Candy Birch, Veronick Rodrigues and Erika Ghersi gather as members of the Latina Women's League for its voter literacy event, Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024. Photo courtesy to the Latina Women's League.

METRO | ALACHUA COUNTY

Las organizaciones sin ánimo de lucro organizan un evento de educación electoral para la comunidad hispana local

By Isabela Reinoso | Oct. 26

La Liga de Mujeres Latinas colaboró con la Liga de Mujeres Votantes del Condado de Alachua y el Museo Matheson para hacer más accesible la información sobre las papeletas electorales a la comunidad hispana y crear más confianza en los residentes que ejercen su voto.

METRO | ALACHUA COUNTY

Nonprofits host voter literacy event for local Hispanic community

By Isabela Reinoso | Oct. 25

Latina Women’s League partnered with the League of Women Voters of Alachua County and the Matheson Museum to make ballot information more accessible for the Hispanic community and create more confidence for residents exercising their vote.

Returned books wait to be reshelved at Alachua County Tower Road library on Oct. 20, 2024.

METRO | ALACHUA COUNTY

A look into Gainesville’s local bookstores shows paper books remain preferred

By Sofia Meyers | Oct. 24

Instantaneous access to e-books through large retailers has raised the question of whether paper books will become something of the past, but Gainesville book stores are confident patrons will continue to seek out physical copies.

Debris fell on UF campus after Hurricane Helene.

METRO | ALACHUA COUNTY

FEMA canvasses Alachua County for Hurricane Helene damage

By Natalie Kaufman | Oct. 22

The Federal Emergency Management Agency arrived in Alachua County Tuesday to survey the damage wrought by Hurricane Helene, which ravaged Florida’s coast Sept. 26.

A sign in front of the Alachua County Public Schools district office building is seen Sunday, June 6, 2021.

METRO | ALACHUA COUNTY

Alachua County School Board postpones decision on interim superintendent

By Sara-James Ranta | Oct. 22

Before and after Andrew’s final day, ACSB discussed whether to have an “acting” superintendent or an “interim” superintendent.

Numerous Gainesville residents are turning to online platforms to bet on sports.

METRO | ALACHUA COUNTY

What’s behind the meteoric rise of online gambling among college men?

By Natalie Kaufman | Oct. 22

The American Gaming Association expects fans to wager more than $35 million on NFL games this year, up nearly 33% from 2023. UF students and Gainesville mental health specialists weigh in on gambling habits in Alachua County.

Planned Parenthood of South, East and North Florida offered free breast exams during Pink Project Day on Oct. 21, 2024.

METRO | ALACHUA COUNTY

Pink Project Day provides women’s health care to underinsured

By Natalie Kaufman | Oct. 22

Breast cancer runs in Diana Torres’ family. Her sister, a young survivor, recently recovered from the disease. Thirty-year-old Torres said that was the wake-up call she needed to start taking charge of her health.

The superintendent of the Alachua County school board was fired on Oct. 15, 2024.

METRO | ALACHUA COUNTY

Alachua County School Board fired its superintendent. What’s next?

By Sara-James Ranta | Oct. 21

Shane Andrew’s firing came after recent evaluations of his position were completed by each board member. Behind the scenes, each board member had their own reasons for voting the way they did.

Spooky home decor has taken over Gainesville as University of Florida students await Halloween.

METRO | ALACHUA COUNTY

Does Gainesville plan to be more thrifty this Halloween?

By Natalie Kaufman | Oct. 17

Last year, U.S. consumers spent a record-breaking $12.2 billion on Halloween supplies. With Oct. 31 drawing near, budget-conscious Gainesville residents appear reluctant to splurge.

METRO | ALACHUA COUNTY

Alachua County School Board terminates its superintendent

By Sara-James Ranta | Oct. 15

The motion passed in a 3-2 vote, with board members Tina Certain and Sarah Rockwell in dissent. The termination will be effective Nov. 15.

A woman celebrates Indigenous Peoples’ Day at the City Hall Plaza on Oct. 14, 2024.

METRO | ALACHUA COUNTY

Gainesville replaces Columbus Day to celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day

By Sara-James Ranta | Oct. 15

Out of 411 cities in Florida, Gainesville is the only one to celebrate and officially recognize Indigenous Peoples’ Day on Oct. 14, Gainesville Mayor Harvey Ward said. The holiday honors the history of Native American cultures.

Burgeoning artificial intelligence tools can help discover malignant tumors in women, such as those in breasts and ovaries.

METRO | ALACHUA COUNTY

What’s the newest step in AI? UF researchers say combating breast cancer.

By Natalie Kaufman | Oct. 11

Artificial intelligence is helping UF Health doctors detect tumors and prescribe tailored treatments.

METRO | ALACHUA COUNTY

DeSantis updates state on preparation for ‘ominous’ Hurricane Milton

By Rylan DiGiacomo-Rapp | Oct. 8

Milton is predicted to make landfall on the west coast of Florida Wednesday evening, the first hurricane to hit Tampa Bay directly in nearly a century. The storm — which has regained its Category 5 distinction after a brief Tuesday morning downgrade — is predicted to be deadly.

METRO | ALACHUA COUNTY

Actualizaciones en directo: Todo lo que necesitas saber sobre el huracán Milton

By Nicole Beltran and Alligator Staff report | Oct. 8

El huracán Milton tocará tierra el miércoles en la costa oeste de Florida. Las proyecciones actuales son que Milton llegará a la zona de Tampa Bay, lo que convertiría la tormenta en la primera en tocar tierra allí en alrededor de un siglo.

METRO | ALACHUA COUNTY

Live updates: Everything you need to know about Hurricane Milton

By Alligator Staff report | Oct. 8

Update: Traffic lights are out on Northwest 39th Avenue between 83rd Street and 98th Street, according to a City of Gainesville post on X.If there are no signal lights at an intersection, the post recommends treating it like a four-way stop. Red flashing lights should be treated as a stop sign. Under yellow flashing lights, drivers should proceed with caution only when traffic permits. Power has been restored to the outage near Saint Francis Catholic Academy, according to GRU’s outage map.

METRO | ALACHUA COUNTY

Gainesville community rallies for amendment returning GRU leadership to city

By Zoey Thomas | Oct. 7

Attendees rallied to support an amendment that would return the company’s leadership from state to city control. It will appear on the general election ballot Nov. 5.