Daily
Gainesville
Saturday, January 17th, 2026
Good morning, Gainesville. Here's your local news at a glance for Saturday, the 17th of January.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ WCJB TV20 will launch 'Weekend Wakeup,' its new weekend morning newscast on Jan. 24, airing (6 a.m. to 8 a.m.) on Saturdays and Sundays. WCJB
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ A major Popeyes franchise in Florida filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on Jan. 15 because of the pandemic, rising prices and labor problems. Most restaurants should stay open as the company works to reorganize under court rules. The Gainesville Sun
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ Florida schools will close Monday, Jan. 19 for Martin Luther King Jr. Day, giving students a three-day weekend, while Alachua schools observed a teacher work day on Jan. 16 (resulting in a four-day break). The Gainesville Sun
- ➤ UF scientists at the Crop Transformation Center in Gainesville and Lake Alfred are using gene editing and AI to develop citrus trees that may resist greening — they are testing these promising lines with Florida growers to help protect local crops. The Gainesville Sun
- ➤ Buchholz High School teacher Christin Vinson was named national Amazing Teacher of the Month on Jan. 15 — earning a $5,000 award sponsored by Florida Credit Union in partnership with The Sun — for her classroom achievements. The Gainesville Sun
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ Alachua County Victim Services & Rape Crisis Center is launching a free 10-week writing support group for women and nonbinary survivors starting in late February and meeting on Wednesday afternoons from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Participants can call or text to complete an intake and receive session details. Alachua Chronicle
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ Florida Gators track and field kicked off their indoor season at the two-day Jimmy Carnes Invitational at the Alachua County Sports and Event Center on Thursday, Jan. 15, and raced against rivals (Florida State, Miami and UCF) on Friday amid collegiate and high school competition. WRUF
- ➤ Kevin Roberts Jr. signed with Florida baseball earlier this week and confirmed his commitment to the Gators while stressing the school’s strong academic program (he plans to earn his master’s degree) despite coaching changes. The versatile athlete from Jackson Prep is drawing attention ahead of the upcoming draft. GatorSports
- ➤ Florida's basketball team will face Vanderbilt at Memorial Gymnasium today at 2 p.m. on ESPN as the Gators, ranked No. 20, seek to use their strong rebounding & guard play to counter Vanderbilt's challenges after its first loss. GatorSports
- ➤ Florida football under first-year coach Jon Sumrall continues to build its 2026 roster with new transfer additions and returning starters. More than 20 players entered the transfer portal while key players like Jayden Woods, Jadan Baugh, and Dallas Wilson remained with the team. The Gainesville Sun
- ➤ Florida women's tennis, ranked No. 23 in the nation following a strong fall season, is set to open the spring season today when the Gators travel north to face Charleston Southern University at 1 p.m. EST. The Independent Florida Alligator
- ➤ Florida coach Todd Golden said basketball guard AJ Brown will redshirt this season as he recovers from a torn labrum from last season; Brown will continue practicing with the team to maintain his skills. The Gainesville Sun
-
Race for Rehab: Recovery Remix 5K
1-4 p.m. — 1104 Gale Lemerand Dr, Gainesville, FL — Registration fees support community outreach — Dash towards health in a fun, throwback-themed run for recovery.
-
Some Enchanted Evening
Jan 28, 2 PM — Hippodrome Theatre — Ticketed event — Experience a romantic musical journey featuring timeless classics from beloved shows.
-
Alabama Crimson Tide at Florida Gators Basketball
6:59-10:59 p.m. — Stephen C. O'Connell Center — Ticket prices vary — Witness a thrilling college basketball showdown between the Alabama Crimson Tide and Florida Gators.
-
Florida Indoor High School Championships
9 AM – 3 PM — Alachua County Sports & Event Center — Admission info not specified — Experience thrilling high school track and field events with heats and finals.
-
Reverend Horton Heat Live Performance
7-10 p.m. — Heartwood Soundstage — Tickets available — Experience a high-energy mix of rockabilly, country, and punk in a vibrant live performance.
-
Galentine’s at Raise Your Glass Wine Bar
7-9 p.m. — Raise Your Glass Wine Bar & Food — $ — Celebrate friendship and enjoy fabulous energy and wine with your best friends.
-
Bella Notte - A Valentine's Day Event
7-10 p.m. — Sweetwater Branch Inn — $20 deposit, $89 per person — Experience a romantic evening with Italian cuisine, fine wine, and live music for Valentine's Day.
-
Roy Book Binder with Corey Hall
7-9 p.m. — Heartwood Soundstage — Ticket info not provided — Enjoy storytelling blues and a blend of musical styles from Roy Book Binder.
No new real estate listings today. You can submit one here.
No new job posts today. You can submit one here.
No new community announcements today. You can submit one here.
TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
The chains of habit are too light to be felt until they are too heavy to be broken.
~ Benjamin Franklin
About Daily Gainesville
Welcome to the Daily Gainesville, your community newsletter that's anything but snooze-worthy, packed with positive, impactful local news + events across the Gainesville, Florida community. If you like the Daily Gainesville, support us by subscribing to our email newsletter and sharing us with your friends and family in Gainesville.
Advertising Opportunities
Advertising with us will make sure you stay at the top of everyone's mind—in Gainesville and across Florida. You can learn more here. We'll work together to build a custom plan to hit your goals this year.
Alternatively, you can submit events, announcements, real estate listings, and job postings. We'll include them in our newsletter on whichever dates you like.
Community, delivered
Our hyper-local media company activates communities through daily email newsletters that curate the most positive, impactful local news + events – all for free.
Subscribe to Daily Gainesville
A free Gainesville community newsletter.
- Daily local news
- We curate the most positive, impactful local news + events.
- 6AM City
- A publication of 6AM City, the nation's leading local newsletter-first media network. Nominate your city.
© 6AM City Inc. 2025. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy. Terms of Service. Questions? Contact us here
Sitemap: https://dailygainesville.com/sitemap