Daily
Gainesville
Wednesday, February 18th, 2026
Good morning, Gainesville. Here's your local news at a glance for Wednesday, the 18th of February.
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ Gainesville rapper Mr. Gainesville launches a new coloring book today that blends his song lyrics with drawings of local landmarks. The book is made to inspire youth to celebrate their city. WCJB
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier has accepted a part-time teaching role at UF's Levin College of Law (2025-2026 academic year) and will advise the Law and Government Program on campus. The Gainesville Sun
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ The Gators kept their win streak alive with a 7-3 softball win over UNF — Erickson’s two-run homer and Rothrock’s pitching held off a comeback rally. They will face Longwood at KSP on Friday at 3:30 p.m. in the Florida Tournament. WCJB
- ➤ The Buchholz Bobcats girls lacrosse team lost 17-3 to the Oviedo Lions on Monday night + they will face St. Augustine Wednesday at 7 p.m. in a return match. WRUF
- ➤ The Gators rallied to a 17-13 win at Loyola Maryland after a slow start was overcome by Clark Hamilton’s career-high seven goals. The team will host an exhibition versus Scotland today & face No. 8 Clemson on Saturday. WCJB
- ➤ The Gators beat Stetson 12-2 as Kyle Jones hit a grand slam and stole two bases (marking a strong comeback after injuries). The team now prepares for its 6 p.m. game today at Condron Family Ballpark. WRUF
- ➤ Florida men’s basketball has earned five straight SEC wins & showed promise with a win over Kentucky as it aims for a top-three seed for March Madness. It will face Arkansas in Gainesville on Feb. 28 to secure home advantage in Tampa. WRUF
- ➤ As the baseball season gets underway in Gainesville, coaches and team doctors are focused on preventing pitching injuries. Florida Gators have seen six players undergo Tommy John surgery since 2024, with team physician Kevin Farmer warning of higher risk amid fast pitching (two pitchers are out for the season). WRUF
- ➤ Florida's frontcourt led the Gators to a 76 to 62 win over South Carolina on Tuesday, with Alex Condon and Rueben Chinyelu scoring high. The team extended its six-game win streak and will play Ole Miss at noon on Saturday in Oxford. The Independent Florida Alligator
- ➤ Three Gators volleyball stars — Lily Hayes, Alec Rothe, and Taylor Parks — will attend the Women’s National Team Collegiate Training in Colorado Springs from Feb. 19–22 at the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Training Center, where they will receive professional development and coaching. WRUF
- ➤ Florida Gators transfer Kendall Grover was named NFCA Player of the Week Tuesday, Feb. 17, after she hit five home runs & drove in 14 runs in a key win over Marshall. She is the eighth player in program history to earn the honor. The Gainesville Sun
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AM/FM Festival
1-10 p.m. — How Bazar — Free entry — Celebrate Gainesville’s music scene with a showcase of local artists from various genres.
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2026 Florida Ruminant Nutrition Symposium
Feb 23-25 — Best Western Gateway Grand — Cost varies — Explore cutting-edge strategies in dairy and beef cattle nutrition at this premier symposium.
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Thornebrook Spring Arts Festival
10 AM - 5 PM — Shoppes at Thornebrook — Free entry — Explore a vibrant collection of art and creativity in various mediums at this community festival.
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Makaya McCraven Live Performance
9:30 p.m. — Heartwood Soundstage — Check for ticket details — Experience the innovative sounds of drummer and composer Makaya McCraven blending jazz, hip-hop, and global traditions.
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Comedian Angelo Colina Live
7-11 p.m. — The Wooly — Tickets available — Enjoy a night of laughs with Venezuelan comedian Angelo Colina as he brings his stand-up in Spanish to Gainesville.
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Gator Steps for Lung Disease 5K
8-11 a.m. — UF Genetics Institute — $35 to participate — A community-focused 5K run/walk supporting lung disease research and patient education.
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2026 Gainesville Guitar Festival
7-10 p.m. — Heartwood Soundstage — Tickets available — Celebrate guitar music with performances, workshops, and gear swaps at this annual festival.
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Taste of the Bayou Love & Food Fest
12-6 p.m. — The Oaks Mall — Free entry — Celebrate local flavors with delicious bites and lively music in Gainesville's food fest.
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2026 Escape the Swamp Triathlon
12-3 p.m. — 250 Gale Lemerand Dr, Gainesville, FL — Registration fee applies — Challenge yourself in this exciting sprint and super sprint triathlon event.
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She Means Business Networking for Women
5:30-7:30 p.m. — Depot Village — Free entry — Connect with inspiring women in a supportive community focused on personal and professional growth.
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 first step toward success is taken when you refuse to be a captive of the environment in which you first find yourself.
~ Mark Caine
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