Metro - The Independent Florida Alligator

METRO | POLITICS

In 2020, Democrats must remember down-ballot races

By Ben Lima | Sep. 5, 2019

It goes without saying that the presidential election will be the main event of the 2020 campaign cycle. The White House is now home to a historically polarizing and unpopular president who is tearing away at the moral fabric and reputation of the country — and the Democrats must take it back. But we cannot forget the other fronts on which Democrats must play both offense and defense.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Two minors threaten to ‘shoot up’ Westwood Middle School on a fake Instagram profile, police say

By Dana Cassidy | Sep. 5, 2019

A Gainesville child didn’t want to go to school, so he and another child made a fake school shooting threat on Instagram.

This GOES-16 satellite image taken Saturday, Aug. 31, 2019, at 16:00 UTC and provided by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), shows Hurricane Dorian, right, churning over the Atlantic Ocean. Hurricane Dorian bore down on the Bahamas as a fierce Category 4 storm Saturday, with new projections showing it curving upward enough to potentially spare Florida a direct hit but still threatening parts of the Southeast U.S. with powerful winds and rising ocean water that causes what can be deadly flooding.(NOAA via AP)

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

Dorian expected to make east coast landfall late Labor Day Weekend

By Melissa Hernandez | Aug. 31, 2019

The latest predictions of Hurricane Dorian show that the storm is moving east, away from central Florida and possibly from even making landfall.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Two men stole game consoles and more from Gainesville Place

By Dana Cassidy | Aug. 29, 2019

Authorities arrested a Gainesville man and are in pursuit of a second who allegedly stole and tried to sell about $2,000 worth of game consoles and electronics.

FILE - In this June 30, 2015, file photo, an endangered cassowary roams in the Daintree National Forest, Australia. On Friday, April 12, 2019, a cassowary, a large, flightless bird native to Australia and New Guinea, killed its owner when it attacked him after he fell on his property near Gainesville, Fla. Cassowaries are similar to emus and stand up to 6 feet (1.8 meters) tall and weigh up to 130 pounds (59 kilograms). (AP Photo/Wilson Ring, File)

METRO

Newly released autopsy report from cassowary attack clears up confusion over cause of death

By Alex DeLuca | Aug. 29, 2019

New details have surfaced about the fatal attack in Alachua County earlier this year from what ornithologists describe as “the world’s most dangerous bird.”

Arian Britto fills containers with gasoline at BJ's Wholesale Club in preparation for Hurricane Dorian, Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019, in Hialeah, Fla. Hurricane Dorian is heading towards Florida for a possible direct hit on the state over Labor Day. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

Dorian is coming to Florida. Here's what we know.

By Melissa Hernandez | Aug. 29, 2019

Gainesville residents are preparing for a hurricane that they’re not sure is even coming toward them.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

UF Resident Assistant charged with battery after student accused him of trying to 'finger her,' police say

By Dana Cassidy | Aug. 29, 2019

A UF resident assistant was arrested Wednesday night after a female student told police he tried to sexually batter her.

National Hurricane Center Director Ken Graham, left, looks on as Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks about Tropical Storm Dorian outside of the the National Hurricane Center, Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

METRO

Hurricane Dorian now expected to hit Florida as Category 4

By Melissa Hernandez | Aug. 29, 2019

Hurricane Dorian could potentially hit Florida as a Category 4 storm Sunday evening.

This GOES-16 satellite image taken Wednesday, Aug. 28, 209, at 17:20 UTC and provided by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), shows Dorian, a Category 1 hurricane, crossing over the U.S. and British Virgin Islands. Forecasters say it could grow to Category 3 status as it nears the U.S. mainland as early as the weekend. (NOAA via AP)

METRO

Hurricane Dorian expected to make landfall in Florida as Category 3 storm

By Melissa Hernandez | Aug. 28, 2019

Gov. Ron Desantis has declared a state of emergency following Hurricane Dorian’s expected landfall in Florida.

Senior hurricane specialist Stacy Stewart monitors the progress of Tropical Storm Dorian at the National Hurricane Center, Tuesday, in Miami.

METRO | POLITICS

Potential hurricane may make landfall in Florida

By Ana Escalante | Aug. 27, 2019

Labor Day weekend plans might be rained out.

Anthony Richardson, 17, will be featured on season 4 of the Netflix show "QB1: Beyond the Lights." Richardson is the star quarterback of the Eastside High School football team.

METRO

Eastside High School star quarterback chosen for Netflix show

By Melissa Hernandez | Aug. 27, 2019

A local football star is coming soon to a screen near you.

The door of Weaver Hall was broken late Monday night or Tuesday morning. University Police does not know who did it, and the department is investigating the case.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

UF Police unsure who broke Weaver Hall door overnight

By April Rubin | Aug. 27, 2019

An unknown individual broke the main glass panel door of UF’s Weaver Hall between late Monday night and early Tuesday morning.

METRO

Free meal program to feed Micanopy Academy students

By Lina Ruiz | Aug. 27, 2019

All 79 students at Micanopy Academy can enjoy their breakfast and lunch without worrying about their wallets.

METRO | POLITICS

Rise above the memes this election season

By The Alligator Editorial Board | Aug. 27, 2019

There is a presidential feud taking place over the news and on social media. Surprisingly, President Donald Trump doesn’t appear to be in the middle of it. It started when Brazil’s President Jair Bolsonaro took offense at France’s President Emmanuel Macron’s suggestion to the G7 summit leaders that their countries band together to aid Brazil extinguish the Amazon fires. It escalated when one of Bolsonaro’s supporters posted a meme on Bolsonaro’s Facebook page with an unflattering comparison between the two leaders’ wives. Bolsonaro’s reply to the meme seemed to support the insult. Macron responded by expressing sympathy for the Brazilian people stuck with such a shameful president, and said his hope is that Bolsonaro will soon be replaced with a more dignified leader. Bolsonaro is now refusing the G7 countries’ offer of $20 million to aid fighting the Amazon fires until Macron apologizes.

Johnny Ho, the co-owner of Lulu’s Gelato, takes a break in his food truck Sunday afternoon during the First International Food Truck Rally at First Magnitude Brewing Company. Ho and his wife, Tina, have been in the food industry for close to five decades, but now they focus on their gelato truck which they named after their granddaughter Lulu. They make small-batch gelato and sorbetto. Their food truck is normally located at the Jonesville Persimmon and Fruit Tree Nursery.

METRO

First international food truck rally comes to Gainesville

By Lina Ruiz | Aug. 25, 2019

First Magnitude Brewing Company hosted a trip around the world on Sunday.

METRO

Hippodrome to collaborate with American Institute of Architects on film series

By Priya Dames | Aug. 25, 2019

Known as the architectural centerpiece of Gainesville’s Historic downtown, the Hippodrome State Theatre is featuring a new film series on architecture.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Talent manager arrested after alleged sexual assault, voyeurism of minors

By Dana Cassidy | Aug. 25, 2019

The discovery of a bathroom spy camera led to the arrest of a Gainesville talent manager for sexual coercion, massages and filming of minors, police said.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Ocala man arrested in 2018 DUI manslaughter

By Dana Cassidy | Aug. 25, 2019

An Ocala man was arrested Friday after he allegedly killed a 53-year-old woman in the passenger seat while driving drunk in 2018, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Three-year-old boy injured in hit-and-run in Marion County

By Dana Cassidy | Aug. 25, 2019

Florida Highway Patrol is looking to identify a suspect involved in a hit-and-run that hit a 3-year-old boy Friday afternoon.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Elderly woman found dead by Newberry Road

By Dana Cassidy | Aug. 23, 2019

Gainesville Police said they found the body of an “elderly” woman Thursday morning who they believed got lost and fell into a ditch.