Daily
Gainesville
Friday, April 17th, 2026
Good morning, Gainesville. Here's your local news at a glance for Friday, the 17th of April.
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ Blues guitarist Samantha Fish performed with Tab Benoit yesterday at Heartwood Soundstage in Gainesville, showcasing her electrifying blues show (Two Tours Collide). WUFT’s Glenn Richards interviewed her about her music and the role of women in the blues scene. WUFT
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ UF's records show that AI-related academic misconduct cases jumped from 20 in Spring 2024 to 66 in Spring 2025. The university is expanding AI training in over 200 courses and refining guidelines to help students use the technology correctly + uphold academic integrity. The Independent Florida Alligator
ENVIRONMENT NEWS
- ➤ A 400-acre wildfire burned near Gainesville Regional Airport on April 16 amid a historic drought. Crews used bulldozers, helicopters, and air tankers to create fire lines while officials closed a section of State Road 26 and set a countywide mandatory burn ban. The Gainesville Sun
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ Ferdinand Mehrlich began his role as CEO at Gainesville Regional Airport on April 13 (he was previously the aviation director at Texarkana Regional Airport) and now leads operations for the facility. WUFT
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ Florida gymnast Bridget Sloan was inducted into UF Athletics Hall of Fame on April 15 after leading the team to three NCAA titles and setting records at UF, and she learned of the honor while covering the NCAA Championships on April 16, making her the ninth Gator gymnast recognized. GatorSports
- ➤ Florida baseball hosted Auburn in a top-25 SEC series, with Game 1 airing Thursday, April 16 on SEC Network, Game 2 playing today (5:30 p.m. SEC Network), and Game 3 scheduled Saturday (12 p.m. on ESPN2). The Gainesville Sun
- ➤ Florida softball beat FGCU 9-6 at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium on Wednesday as Taylor Shumaker hit a tie-breaking home run in the fourth inning+ the win improved their record to 11-0 against in-state rivals, and the team will face Auburn in its final home series this weekend. WRUF
- ➤ Florida Gators gymnastics earned a spot in the NCAA Championship with a 197.7875 score in Thursday’s semifinal meet at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth. They will face LSU and other top teams on Saturday. The Independent Florida Alligator
- ➤ Florida football added tight end Tommy Douglas as its seventh commitment for the 2027 class on April 16 — the three-star recruit from Princeton, New Jersey joins a growing group under coach Jon Sumrall. GatorSports
- ➤ Florida baseball hosted Auburn during its SEC weekend series — Game 2 airs today at 5:30 p.m. on SEC Network and Game 3 will be on Saturday, April 18 at 12 p.m. on ESPN2. The Gainesville Sun
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Florida Gators vs. Jacksonville University Dolphins Baseball
6:30-10:30 p.m. — Condron Ballpark — Support your team — Cheer on the Gators as they face off against the Dolphins in this exciting college baseball matchup.
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Yonder Mountain String Band Concert
8-11 p.m. — Heartwood Soundstage — Tickets from $81 — Enjoy an evening of live bluegrass and string band music in Gainesville.
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Singer Songwriter Showcase
7-9 p.m. — Bo Diddley Plaza — Free entry — Enjoy original performances from local singer-songwriters in a lively downtown setting.
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Spring Fling Depot Station Family Event
4-7 p.m. — Depot Park — Free entry — Enjoy family-friendly activities like mini golf, face painting, and a kids vendor market in a festive atmosphere.
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Ani DiFranco Live Performance
7-11 p.m. — Heartwood Soundstage — Ticket pricing varies — Enjoy a night with the Grammy-winning singer-songwriter passionately showcasing her influential folk and indie music.
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Free Fridays Concert Series Featuring mamish and Ricky Kendall
7-9 p.m. — Bo Diddley Plaza — Free entry — Enjoy live performances from local artists in a vibrant outdoor setting.
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Alachua County Master Gardener Spring Plant Sale
9 AM – 1 PM — Alachua County Agriculture and Equestrian Center — Free entry — Discover over 6,000 Florida-friendly plants and get expert gardening advice.
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Florida’s Story as Told by Water
1-2 p.m. — Hogtown Creek Headwaters Nature Park — Free entry — Discover Florida's narrative through water in a captivating presentation.
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Million Dollar Quartet Performance
7:00-9:30 p.m. — Hippodrome Theatre — Ticketed event — Experience the musical retelling of the iconic recording session featuring Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash.
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Florida Gators vs. Kentucky Wildcats Baseball
12-1 p.m. — Condron Ballpark — Free giveaway — Wrap up the SEC series with Florida Gators baseball facing off against Kentucky Wildcats.
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
Energy and persistence conquer all things.
~ Benjamin Franklin
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