Gainesville celebrates Martin Luther King Jr. Day
By Vivienne Serret | Jan. 21While Alachua County residents celebrated Martin Luther King Jr. Day, President Donald Trump's return to the White House happened simultaneously.
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Presidential debate sparks watch parties across Gainesville
By Morgan Vanderlaan | Sep. 11From border concerns to “the opportunity economy,” both Trump and Harris did not shy away from tough topics on the Philadelphia stage. In a 90-minute period, both candidates were tasked with presenting their own policy points while also defending themselves from opposing attacks.
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C.B. Parker Elementary community struggles with transportation
By Sara-James Ranta | Sep. 11Without courtesy buses, some elementary school students inside of the two-mile radius have to walk across dangerous roads or rely on neighbors for transportation to school.
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In case you missed it: Alachua County primary election results
By Morgan Vanderlaan , Nicole Beltran and Vivienne Serret | Aug. 20A little over 35,000 voters participated in the election with mail-in ballots being the most popular voting method. This year’s election cycle saw 33% less voter turnout than the 2022 primary election, which had over 50,000 votes cast.
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Protestors unite at Depot Park in solidarity with Venezuela
By Delia Rose Sauer | Aug. 18While those protests continue to erupt in Venezuela, community members in Gainesville are showing their solidarity from afar.
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The trials and tribulations of local voter registration during a heated election season
By Morgan Vanderlaan | Aug. 14Florida constituents can only vote in person on Election Day at an assigned precinct correlated with their registered address, which new college students often forget to update.
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‘Unite our nation’: Biden steps down, endorses Harris as Democratic presidential nominee
By Morgan Vanderlaan and Rylan DiGiacomo-Rapp | July 22Biden withdrew from the race July 21 following criticism from party allies concerning his turbulent second campaign for the presidency. Though Biden will carry out the remainder of his current term, he endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris for the Democratic nomination.
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DeSantis vetoes all state arts and culture funding, leaving local organizations with uncertain futures
By Morgan Vanderlaan | July 1Over 600 state organizations apply for the grants annually. Alachua County organizations requested over $1 million, and though some applications were initially approved, all funds were later denied.
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‘It has turned back the clock’: Florida Democrats fear approaching six-week abortion ban
By Rylan DiGiacomo-Rapp | Apr. 22The Florida Supreme Court upheld the state’s 15-week abortion ban April 1, concluding the years-long legal challenge and instituting a new six-week ban. On the same day, the court also approved an opposing state constitutional amendment to appear on the November general election ballot, leaving the fate of abortion access in the hands of Florida voters.
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Approval of Florida recreational marijuana ballot initiative draws mixed opinions from state residents
By Rylan DiGiacomo-Rapp | Apr. 8The Florida Supreme Court approved Amendment 3 to appear on the November general election ballot April 1, an initiative that would authorize recreational marijuana for adults 21 years of age and over if approved by 60% of Florida voters. Statewide advocacy groups along with local residents, students and businesses expressed varying opinions on the potential amendment to the Florida constitution.
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Campaign efforts for Florida House of Representatives District 22 gear up
By Kairi Lowery | Apr. 8This election will determine Rep. Chuck Clemons’ (R-22) replacement after his eight-year run in the Florida House of Representatives.
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Gainesville groups gather downtown to fight against Florida’s six-week ban
By Nicole Beltran | Apr. 7In the midst of downtown traffic and an afternoon sun, around 50 community members gathered together in Gainesville City Hall Plaza on East University Avenue April 6 at 1:00 p.m. to protest against Florida Supreme Court’s six-week abortion ban taking effect May 1.
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POLITICS ENTERPRISE
Florida Supreme Court upholds 15-week abortion ban, gives voters a chance to oppose it
By Rylan DiGiacomo-Rapp | Apr. 1The Florida Supreme Court upheld the current 15-week abortion ban Monday, providing a conclusion to the years-long legal challenge. In contrast, the court also approved the inclusion of a constitutional amendment protecting abortion access on the 2024 general election ballot, giving voters a chance to oppose the legislation.
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Alachua County primary election season reflects low voter turnout, lack of faith among Republicans
By Rylan DiGiacomo-Rapp and Diego Perdomo | Mar. 25Alachua County Republican presidential preference primary voter turnout displays an overall decline since 2004, falling below the 2024 state average turnout of approximately 21.2%. As state ballot counts are finalized, the 17 remaining presidential preference primaries will take place nationally spanning the end of March through the beginning of August. The chosen Democratic and Republican candidates will be finalized prior to the November general presidential election.
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POLITICS ENTERPRISE
Alachua County residents prepare for presidential primaries, discuss low turnout rates
By Nicole Beltran | Mar. 18This election season reminds Alachua County residents to inform themselves about new legislation and be mindful of deadlines. Turnout for primaries tends to be lower because citizens may not participate as often as the general elections due to a lack of knowledge on the candidacy, policies and importance of their vote. The process can also be overwhelming, eliciting fear rather than advocacy.
