Daily
Gainesville
Wednesday, March 18th, 2026
Good morning, Gainesville. Here's your local news at a glance for Wednesday, the 18th of March.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ St. Francis House in downtown Gainesville is closing its services due to a funding shortfall; day services end Friday while emergency shelter programs close April 16 (the organization hopes to reopen at a new location). WCJB
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ Gainesville-based band Less Than Jake raised $6,000 for GRACE Marketplace and Bread of the Mighty at its Wake and Bake Weekend event on March 17. City officials, including Mayor Harvey Ward and Commissioner Bryan Eastman, honored the group with a key to the city. The Gainesville Sun
ECONOMY NEWS
- ➤ Alachua County is beginning Phase II of its Fresh Food Pathways Project to study a community food hub that will support local farmers and expand access to fresh produce. The county will pilot a 10-month initiative with Frog Song Farms — collecting market data and enhancing distribution networks. Mainstreet Daily News
- ➤ Gas prices jumped as Palm Beach County hit over $4 a gallon Tuesday, March 17, according to AAA while Gainesville stations saw prices at $3.91 and state averages climbed to $3.86. Seasonal changes and high cost-of-living factors are driving the rise. The Gainesville Sun
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ Commissioner of Education Anastasios Kamoutsas emailed Florida parents on March 17 to share updated federal guidance on religious expression in public schools. The guidance affirms individual prayer rights, limits official school prayer, and sets equal rules for religious and secular speech (complaints can be submitted through a dedicated process). Alachua Chronicle
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ On Saturday, March 21, the Gainesville Chapter of The Links, Inc. will host a free Black Family Wellness Expo at Church of God by Faith, 735 SE 15th Street. The expo — free and open to everyone — will offer stroke, heart health, and breast cancer services to help the community. Alachua Chronicle
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ The Gainesville Sun is hosting its weekly Athlete of the Week poll for high school sports performances from March 9-15. Voting closes at noon on Friday (Mar. 20) as local baseball, softball, flag football and lacrosse teams see their stats go head-to-head. The Gainesville Sun
- ➤ Florida holds the No. 1 seed in the South Region for a second straight NCAA Tournament and will see its first opponent decided today as First Four games continue before Thursday's Round of 64. WRUF
- ➤ Florida softball moved into the top eight of national polls after sweeping Missouri and Kentucky for a 6–0 start. The Gators will host No. 1 Tennessee in a three-game series starting Friday, March 20. GatorSports
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Josh Meloy Live
7-9:30 p.m. — Heartwood Soundstage — Tickets available — Experience the storytelling magic of Josh Meloy supported by rising Oklahoma artist Trenton Fletcher.
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Jimmy Buffett's Escape to Margaritaville Musical
7:30 p.m. — Gainesville Community Playhouse — Ticket prices vary — Experience a hilarious musical filled with Jimmy Buffett's beloved classics.
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BTS Comeback Kpop Cupsleeve Event
12-5 p.m. — Pearson Professional Center — Reserve your spot — Celebrate BTS’s comeback with themed drinks, contests, and fun activities.
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Accomplice: A Thrilling Whodunit
2-4 p.m. — Hippodrome Theatre — Check website for ticket prices — Immerse yourself in a sharp, fast-paced thriller full of rivalries and deception.
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Florida Gators Softball vs. Stetson Hatters
6-9 p.m. — Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium — Check for ticket prices — Catch the thrilling softball matchup between the Florida Gators and Stetson Hatters in Gainesville.
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Spring Winds and Classics
7:30-9:30 p.m. — Lyceum Concert Hall at Santa Fe College — Cost not specified — Enjoy a performance by the Concert Band showcasing classical and modern works.
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Stop Children’s Cancer Sapphire Soirée
5:30-10 p.m. — Reitz Union Food Court — Cost information not provided — Celebrate 45 years of impact while supporting childhood cancer research.
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The Legends Gala
5:30-8:30 p.m. — Spurrier's Gridiron Grille — $1,250-$3,750 — Have a once in a lifetime opportunity to dine with all 3 legendary UF Heisman Trophy winners.
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Easy Honey Concert
7-10 p.m. — Heartwood Soundstage — $33 general admission — Experience the energetic sounds of Easy Honey in an intimate Gainesville venue.
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Gainesville Asian Festival
10 AM – 4 PM — Bo Diddley Plaza — Free entry — Celebrate Asian and Pacific Islander culture with performances, food trucks, and craft vendors.
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
Help others achieve their dreams and you will achieve yours.
~ Les Brown
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