Metro | Politics - The Independent Florida Alligator

The loan forgiveness plan will reduce or erase the debt of up to 43 million Americans, including select UF graduates, if the U.S. Supreme Court doesn’t block it.

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Biden’s student loan relief plan temporarily blocked

By Heather Bushman | Oct. 22, 2022

The court temporarily halted the forgiveness plan, which would see some federal student loan borrowers receive up to $20,000 in relief, to consider a lawsuit that challenged the plan’s constitutionality. The White House can still review applications while the ban is in effect, and borrowers are still encouraged to apply.

Just two miles away from DeSantis’ keynote speech at the Alachua County Republicans’ annual fundraiser in Alachua, Florida, protesters made their voices heard at a street corner.

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Demonstration rages near closed-door Gov. Ron DeSantis speaking engagement

By Heather Bushman | Oct. 21, 2022

Around 40 protesters decried the governor and his bid for reelection as DeSantis spoke in Alachua city's Legacy Park

Gov. Ron DeSantis addresses a crowd at Clark Plantation Wedding Venue in Newberry, Florida, on Monday, Sept. 13, 2021.

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Closed to the press: Alachua County DeSantis fundraising event latest in continued trend of media blackouts

By Heather Bushman | Oct. 20, 2022

The Alachua County Republicans office informed The Alligator and other local outlets it won’t allow press at their annual Ronald Reagan Black Tie and Blue Jeans fundraising event, where DeSantis is set to deliver the keynote speech.

Nine members of the UF wildlife ecology and conservation department’s Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Access Committee wrote a letter criticizing the guidelines and called upon the UF community to advocate for transgender healthcare access for children.

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‘It’s hard to exist’: Transgender community grapples with ban on gender-affirming health care Medicaid coverage

By Melanie Pena | Oct. 17, 2022

Many transgender Floridians are being impacted by the Agency for Health Care Administration’s ban on gender-affirming care coverage, which went into effect Aug. 21. A motion for a preliminary injunction was heard and denied by a judge Oct. 12. The preliminary injunction would’ve temporarily blocked enforcement of the AHCA’s Medicaid policy during the trial.

Voting booths are seen in the Career Connections Center at the Reitz Union on Tuesday, Nov.16, 2021.

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How to register to vote before the November midterms

By Heather Bushman | Oct. 10, 2022

Floridians must register to vote by Oct. 11 to participate in November’s election.

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Florida gender affirming care policy heads to court this week

By Melanie Pena | Oct. 10, 2022

The temporary blockage of a ban on Medicaid coverage for gender dysphoria treatments may be on the table in a Florida court this week. The Southern Legal Counsel and co-counsel filed a motion for a preliminary injunction on Sept. 12. The hearing for the motion will be Oct. 12.

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Voters ask for climate action after Hurricane Ian

By Fernando Figueroa and Heather Bushman | Oct. 10, 2022

Candidates across the aisle have proposed legislative and executive action in response to prepare the state for the worsening conditions of climate change, but some voters say it isn't enough.

U.S. Rep. Val Demings talks to UF students at Plaza of the Americas Friday, Oct. 7, 2022.

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A day in Gainesville with US Senate candidate Val Demings

By Heather Bushman | Oct. 8, 2022

The Gainesville tour saw Demings live like a local. She laughed with and listened to voters at staple locations like the Pride Community Center of North Central Florida and Grace Marketplace, braved the Gainesville traffic amid street closures to catch UF’s homecoming parade and even dug into a few slices at Satchel’s Pizza.

Rep. Kat Cammack poses with students from UF College Republicans Tuesday, October 4, 2022. She visited campus to touch on policy points and encourage students to become politically involved.

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Kat Cammack makes pre-election stop with UF College Republicans ahead of potential 'red wave'

By Heather Bushman | Oct. 5, 2022

It’s up to young people like those in UF College Republicans to stay politically involved and secure a Republican presence in Congress, Cammack said.

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Federal student loan forgiveness plan limits eligibility, faces legal backlash

By Heather Bushman | Oct. 3, 2022

The White House announced Sept. 29 its debt forgiveness plan will no longer apply to around 770,000 private loan borrowers.

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Voting barriers, inequities abound as midterm elections loom

By Omar Ateyah | Oct. 3, 2022

As the 2022 midterm general election grows near, data reveals racial disparities in Alachua County voter turnout. Limitations like suppressive voting laws and confusion surrounding the rights of those with felony convictions present further barriers across the state.

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Proposed amendment could scrap constitution revision measure

By Heather Bushman | Oct. 3, 2022

Amendment 2 could dismantle the Constitution Revision Commission, a body that reviews and proposes new provisions to the state constitution every two decades.

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Charlie Crist greets J.W. Honeysucker, a 58-year-old pastor at Grace United Ministries and Gainesville resident, at a campaign stop at the Alachua County Democratic Headquarters Saturday, Sept. 24, 2022. “I’m supporting him for the stance and the platform he’s running on,” Honeysucker said.

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‘The big answer’: Charlie Crist stops in Gainesville ahead of gubernatorial election

By Heather Bushman | Sep. 26, 2022

A crowd of about 50 people came to listen to him speak about his platform, where he tackled common concerns and emphasized his political experience.

Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Nikki Fried discusses the democratic platform for reproductive rights with congressional nominee Danielle Hawk in Gainesville, Saturday, Sept. 24, 2022.

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Nikki Fried, Danielle Hawk engage with Gainesville voters on abortion access

By Heather Bushman | Sep. 26, 2022

The pair emphasized the importance of reproductive health care and mobilizing voters ahead of November’s general election.

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Allegations of voter fraud, suppression linger following Alachua County’s primary election

By Heather Bushman | Sep. 6, 2022

Allegations of felon voter fraud, a lack of Republican ballots at select precincts and late-night result deliveries have cast doubt over Alachua County’s primary election process for some residents. A portion of voters point to what they feel is incompetence, leading to demands that Supervisor of Elections Kim Barton take accountability.

Voters watch as election results release at an election watch party at Cypress & Grove Brewing Company Aug. 23.

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Brandon Peters narrowly secures Democratic nomination for State House race, will face Chuck Clemons

By Aidan Bush | Aug. 28, 2022

Brandon Peters defeated Olysha Magruder in the race for Florida’s 22nd State House District. Peters won by a narrow margin, receiving 550 more votes than Magruder. In Nov. Peters will face off against Republican candidate Chuck Clemons.

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Biden student loan relief plan could clear up to $20,000 of some UF students’ debt

By Heather Bushman | Aug. 25, 2022

UF alumni bogged down by student loans can take a breath, as some Gators will see much of their debt forgiven. President Joe Biden announced relief provisions for those with student debt from the U.S. Department of Education Wednesday.

Two individuals hold up signs for Circuit Judge Sean Brewer Tuesday, Aug. 24, 2022.

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Sean Brewer and AuBroncee Martin advance to runoff in 8th Judicial Circuit judge race

By Topher Adams | Aug. 24, 2022

Brewer led the race with almost 38% of the votes, with Martin finishing second with more than 25%. Weisman and Skop finished third and fourth, respectively.

A graphic showing the District 2 and 3 candidates moving to the run-off, as well as the District 4 winner Bryan Eastman.

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Gainesville City Commission District 2 and 3 move to run-off, Bryan Eastman wins District 4 seat

By Christian Casale , Anushka Dakshit and Alissa Gary | Aug. 24, 2022

Ed Book and James Ingle from District 2, as well as Dejeon Cain and Casey Willits from District 3, will face off in a runoff election Nov. 8. Bryan Eastman won the District 4 race.

Harvey Ward, a candidate for Gainesville mayor, attends election watch party with supporters at
Cypress & Grove Brewing Company Tuesday, August 23, 2022.

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Harvey Ward, Ed Bielarski head to run-off in mayoral race

By Mickenzie Hannon , Jackson Reyes and Kyle Bumpers | Aug. 24, 2022

Gainesville’s primary election will determine the city’s mayor if a candidate receives the majority of the votes cast. Because Ward and Bielarski didn’t secure at least 50% of votes as of midnight Wednesday, they will compete in a runoff for the general election slated for Nov. 8.