1 - The Independent Florida Alligator

METRO | K-12 EDUCATION

DeSantis signs AAPI history K-12 education bill into law

By Amanda Friedman | May 10, 2023

Gov. Ron DeSantis signed House Bill 1537 into law May 9, requiring Asian American and Pacific Islander history in K-12 curriculum. The legislation’s enactment marks a milestone in a two-year-long battle to make AAPI history a mandatory part of Florida public school education led by Mimi Chan, director of Make Us Visible Florida, the state’s chapter of a nonprofit dedicated to integrating AAPI history into K-12 classrooms.

Elaine Hargrove’s life since retirement is filled with trips around the world with her husband Kevin, enjoying live music and dancing like no one’s watching. She also performs her own music for charity.

NEWS | FEATURES

Levy County’s ‘ambassador of joy’ performs for charity

By Jiselle Lee | May 10, 2023

Hargrove’s life since retirement is filled with trips around the world with her husband Kevin, dancing anywhere where there’s live music and singing for charity. Her commitment to her hippie lifestyle comes from her dedication to honoring her late best friend, Kathryn Fiedler.

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

Alachua County recommits to investing in East Gainesville

By Gabriel Velasquez Neira | May 10, 2023

Alachua County will re-acquire 13 acres of land in East Gainesville, originally intended for affordable housing, from the nonprofit Dogwood Village for $1,840,934. The total settlement will cost the county $2,964,730.60.

Florida infielder Skylar Wallace prepares to throw to first base in the Gators' 3-0 win against the Central Florida Knights Wednesday, March 8, 2023

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Kentucky held Florida scoreless in final game of regular season to clutch series

By Alyssa Britton-Harr | May 7, 2023

The No. 16 Florida Gators (35-19, 11-13 SEC) lost to the No. 23 Kentucky Wildcats 1-0 Sunday afternoon in John Cropp Stadium.

Florida pitcher Ryan Slater walks off the field in the Gators' 5-3 win against the Florida State Seminoles Tuesday, April 11, 2023.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Florida drops series to Texas A&M

By Topher Adams | May 7, 2023

The No. 4 Florida Gators (37-12, 15-9 SEC) fell 3-2 to the Texas A&M Aggies (28-20, 11-13 SEC) Sunday afternoon in College Station, Texas. The loss secured UF’s second Southeastern Conference series loss of the season.

Florida outfielder Kendra Falby jumps and catches a ball in the outfield in the Gators' 8-7 win against the Georgia Bulldogs Saturday, April 15, 2023.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Florida fell to Kentucky in second game to even weekend series

By Alyssa Britton-Harr | May 7, 2023

The No. 16 Florida Gators (35-18, 11-12 SEC) lost to the No. 23 Kentucky Wildcats on the road Saturday afternoon in John Cropp Stadium. The Wildcats’ win evened the weekend series against the Gators.

Florida pitcher Tyler Nesbitt tries to tag the runner in the Gators' 14-11 loss to the Georgia Bulldogs Friday, April 14, 2023.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Florida gives up season-high 15 runs in blowout

By Topher Adams | May 6, 2023

The No. 4 Florida Gators (37-11, 15-8 SEC) fell 15-2 to the Texas A&M Aggies (27-20, 9-14 SEC) Saturday night. It was Florida’s third run-rule loss of the season, and the most runs allowed by the Gators this season.

METRO | BREAKING NEWS

Gainesville Police Department investigates fatal downtown shooting

By Claire Grunewald | May 6, 2023

A man was killed in a downtown Gainesville shooting Saturday morning, according to a press release from the Gainesville Police Department.

Florida senior Emma Shelton sets up in the Gators' 4-1 victory against the Florida State Seminoles Thursday, Feb. 9, 2023.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Gators sting Yellow Jackets, advance to the the Sweet Sixteen of NCAA tournament

By Luke Adragna | May 6, 2023

The No. 16 Florida Gators (18-6, 9-4 SEC) defeated the No. 19 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (16-10, 7-6 ACC) 4-1 Saturday afternoon at Alfred A. Ring Tennis Complex. The win pushed the Gators to the sweet sixteen round of the National Collegiate Athletic Association tournament.

Florida attacker Liz Harrison fights for a draw control during the Gators' 14-13 loss to the Terrapins Saturday, Feb. 25, 2023

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS LACROSSE

Florida wins American Athletic Conference Tournament Championship

By Kate Wiggins | May 6, 2023

The No. 8 Florida Gators (16-3, AAC 5-1) won the 2023 AAC Championship after defeating the No. 6 and first-seed James Madison Dukes (17-1, AAC 6-0) Saturday afternoon.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Gainesville police responds to downtown shooting

By Claire Grunewald | May 6, 2023

A victim was severely injured in a downtown Gainesville shooting, according to a press release from the Gainesville Police Department.

Florida catcher BT Riopelle swings his bat during the Gators' 2-1 win against the Georgia Bulldogs Saturday, April 15, 2023.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Neely delivers to take first game against Aggies

By Topher Adams | May 5, 2023

The No. 4 Florida Gators (37-10, 15-7 SEC) defeated the Texas A&M Aggies (26-20, 9-13 SEC) Friday night in College Station, Texas. Senior catcher BT Riopelle led the way for UF with a pair of home runs, and Neely picked up his 10th save of the season.

Florida third baseman Charla Echols celebrates a hit in the Gators 8-7 win against the Georgia Bulldogs Saturday, April 15, 2023.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Gators defeat Kentucky in game one of weekend series

By Alyssa Britton-Harr | May 5, 2023

The No. 16 Florida Gators (38-14, 11-11 SEC) defeated the No. 23 Kentucky Wildcats (28-19-1, 8-14 SEC) Friday evening in John Cropp Stadium.

Florida senior Carly Briggs stands on the court during the Gators' match against the Pepperdine Waves Friday, Feb. 24, 2023.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Florida opens NCAA tournament with shutout victory

By Luke Adragna | May 5, 2023

The No. 16 Florida Gators (17-7, 9-4 SEC) defeated the No. 75 North Florida Ospreys (18-7, 7-1 ASUN) 4-0 Friday afternoon at Alfred A. Ring Tennis Complex to advance to the second round of the National Collegiate Athletic Association Tournament. Florida rushed out the gates with an overall phenomenal show marked by a couple of key individual performances.

Florida graduate student Axel Nefve swings his racket during the Gators' 4-3 loss to the No. 7 Georgia Bulldogs Sunday, April 9, 2023.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

No. 20 Gators end season on loss to No. 47 Cowboys in round one of NCAA Championships

By Eitan Ohana | May 5, 2023

The No. 20 Florida Gators (14-13, 5-7 SEC) fell to the No. 47 Oklahoma State Cowboys (13-13, 0-5 Big 12) 4-2 Friday afternoon in Orlando in the first round of the NCAA Championships.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Gainesville man arrested on suspicion of sexual battery toward 5-year-old

By Aidan Bush | May 5, 2023

A Gainesville man was taken into custody Wednesday on charges of sexual battery toward a 5-year-old. Emilio Avalos Angel, 45, was charged with one capital felony count of sexual battery to a victim under 12. Avalos Angel allegedly battered her countless times throughout 2014, according to his arrest report. At that time he served as her caretaker and guardian.

Florida senior Carly Briggs serves the ball during the Gators' 4-1 win against the No. 3 Michigan Wolverines Wednesday, March 22, 2023.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Gators kick off NCAA Championship Tournament action

By Luke Adragna | May 5, 2023

The Florida Gators women’s tennis team began its 2023 campaign ranked No. 18 by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association. The team had a notable 2022 season in which they reached the Sweet 16 in the National Collegiate Athletic Association Tournament — a mark they hadn’t achieved since their 2017 National Championship win.

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

METRO | K-12 EDUCATION

First-grader unknowingly brought handgun to Meadowbrook Elementary School

By Aidan Bush | May 5, 2023

Parents were startled Wednesday after Alachua County Public Schools reported a first-grader accidentally brought a loaded gun to his classroom. No criminal charges were filed as the gun landed in the boy’s backpack from a series of events unknown to both the child and his mother, according to a release from Alachua County Sheriff’s Office

An empty space remains after Pollo Tropical closed in the Reitz Union on UF's campus Friday, April 28, 2023.

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT LIFE

Reitz Union’s Pollo Tropical closes its doors

By Aidan Bush | May 5, 2023

Formerly serving citrus-marinated chicken to lines of students, an empty construction area is all that remains of Pollo Tropical since it closed on April 26. Pollo Tropical was the latest chain restaurant to close its doors in the Reitz Union food court, preceded by Papa John’s and Wendy’s.

Florida attacker Danielle Pavinelli holds up the field during the Gators' 17-8 win over the Michigan Wolverines Sunday, Feb. 12, 2023.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS LACROSSE

Gators survive Pirates in AAC Tournament Semifinals

By Kate Wiggins | May 4, 2023

The No. 8 Florida Gators (15-3, AAC 5-1 ) beat the East Carolina Pirates (9-9, AAC 2-3) 12-9 in the semifinal round of the AAC Tournament. The Gators trailed the Pirates for a majority of Thursday’s match until the final minutes of the game.

El Caimán