Metro - The Independent Florida Alligator

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

METRO | POLITICS

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.

METRO | BREAKING NEWS

2 Gainesville men charged with human trafficking for forcing homeless woman to have sex with multiple men

By Lily Kino | Oct. 5, 2022

Kevarius King, 20, and Justin Hoyt, 25, are accused of coercing a woman to perform sexual acts for about two weeks at Safe Hands Group Home, located at 1221 NW 31st Ave. They are each being held on a $250,000 bail at the Alachua County Jail.

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.

METRO | POLITICS

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.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Gainesville Police Department warns city residents about scammer impersonating officer

By Lily Kino | Oct. 4, 2022

The Gainesville Police Department issued a fraud warning Monday to alert people about scammers pretending to be an officer.

A screenshot from the UF Public Safety Instagram showing Jasmine Welman's missing person bulletin.

METRO | BREAKING NEWS

University Police Department issues purple alert for missing woman

By Halima Attah | Oct. 4, 2022

Jasmine Welman, 24, was last seen near UF Health Shands Hospital Monday, according to the purple alert issued by Florida Department of Law Enforcement.

Rabbi Berl Goldman, director of the Chabad UF Jewish Student and
Community Center, runs a Hurricane Ian relief drive for affected
communities, Sunday, Oct. 2, 2022. This is the organization’s third
full shipment of practical supplies since Thursday, Sept. 29.

METRO

Gainesville looks to aid Southwest Florida families in Ian’s wake

By Alissa Gary and Aidan Bush | Oct. 3, 2022

While Gainesville students and residents alike felt only indirect effects from the storm, many have families further south who witnessed the full extent of the disaster.

A tree smashes through a house in the Stephen Foster neighborhood the day Hurricane Ian hit Gainesville Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2022.

METRO

Gainesville left mostly unscathed after Hurricane Ian

By Fernando Figueroa | Oct. 3, 2022

Hurricane Ian sideswept Gainesville on the afternoon of Sept. 28, causing gusts that toppled an Oak Tree, crushing Edna Hamilton's carport, shattering the windows of her 2002 Honda Accord and blocking her front door.

METRO | POLITICS

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.

University Women’s Club members gather for a social event held between the years 1969 and 1970.

METRO

University Women’s Club will be no longer despite 100-year celebration

By Anushka Dakshit | Oct. 3, 2022

With a centennial celebration underway, the University Women’s Club has some unconventional plans: the organization will be dissolved after their 100th anniversary.

METRO | POLITICS

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.

METRO | POLITICS

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.

P.K. Yonge is one of four Florida K-12 schools directly affiliated with a university.

METRO | K-12 EDUCATION

P.K. Yonge: A UF laboratory school with rich history

By Sophia Bailly | Sep. 30, 2022

P.K. Yonge is one of four Florida K-12 schools directly affiliated with a university, serving as its own school district. P.K. Yonge isn’t affiliated with Alachua County Public Schools and has its own superintendent. All P.K. Yonge employees carry GatorONE Cards, follow the regulations and policies set by the university and work under UF’s Board of Trustees.

Satellite image of Hurricane Ian from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

METRO

Alachua County under tropical storm watch, storm shelters open to public

By Fernando Figueroa | Sep. 27, 2022

Alachua County announced it is under a tropical storm watch and flood watch as of Tuesday evening.

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

METRO | K-12 EDUCATION

Alachua County Public Schools closes schools in preparation of Hurricane Ian

By Sophia Bailly | Sep. 27, 2022

Alachua County Public Schools announced Tuesday morning all offices and schools will be closed Wednesday through Friday in preparation for Hurricane Ian. Extracurricular activities are also canceled.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Gainesville man kidnaps, threatens to fatally shoot girlfriend

By Lily Kino | Sep. 26, 2022

Ronald Schol Jr. is being charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and false imprisonment, according to court records. Schol was arrested on scene and was booked into the Alachua County Jail at 5:24 Monday morning.

METRO | BREAKING NEWS

Tropical Storm Ian expected to become hurricane, make landfall in Florida

By Fernando Figueroa | Sep. 26, 2022

As of 8 p.m. Sunday, the National Hurricane Center said Tropical Storm Ian maintains maximum sustained wind speeds of 60 mph and is expected to reach major hurricane strengths Monday night. AccuWeather said the storm could reach Category 4 wind speeds between 130 and 156 mph.

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.

METRO | POLITICS

‘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.

METRO | POLITICS

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.

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

Gainesville lawsuit against Florida’s anti-riot law clears first hurdle with long journey ahead

By Aidan Bush | Sep. 26, 2022

The city of Gainesville won its first victory in what’s expected to be a prolonged battle against Florida’s anti-riot law championed by Gov. Ron DeSantis.

METRO | BREAKING NEWS

Gainesville man arrested for DUI manslaughter in Waldo

By Lily Kino | Sep. 23, 2022

Kevin Burgess, a 49-year-old Gainesville resident, was charged with DUI manslaughter and driving without a valid driver’s license.