Daily
Gainesville
Tuesday, May 12th, 2026
Good morning, Gainesville. Here's your local news at a glance for Tuesday, the 12th of May.
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen opened May 11 at Butler Plaza’s former Bahama Breeze location (3989 Plaza Boulevard). The new 7,900 sqft restaurant held a ribbon-cutting ceremony hosted by the Greater Gainesville Chamber and offers made-from-scratch comfort food to energize Gainesville’s dining scene. Alachua Chronicle
ENVIRONMENT NEWS
- ➤ The exceptional drought lowering water levels in Florida may lead to fewer alligators surviving next year as larger ones compete for food and become more aggressive if they lose their fear of people. A University of Florida expert advised residents not to feed the animals. WUFT
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ Officials cut the ribbon Friday at City Hall to mark the new plaza's opening after seven months of construction. The plaza features memorials to Gainesville's history, rainbow bricks (recovered from a downtown crosswalk), and a Sister Cities Monument Garden honoring 12 sister cities. WUFT
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ UF Health Shands Hospital earned a five-star rating from the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services on Monday, May 11, placing it among fewer than 10% of hospitals nationwide for quality care and patient safety. Alachua Chronicle
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ The Florida Gators softball team is set to host the NCAA regional in Gainesville today — they earned the No. 6 seed despite recent setbacks, and Coach Tim Walton aims to bolster the pitching staff behind star Keagan Rothrock. GatorSports
- ➤ Florida softball received its NCAA Tournament bracket (unveiled Sunday, May 10 at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN2) and projections placed the team among the top eight seeds with a Gainesville Regional hosting Washington, USF, and Florida A&M, leaving its Super Regional hosting potential in question. GatorSports
- ➤ Newberry's Brandy Whitfield earned the title of Big School Girls Basketball Player of the Year + she explained in a recent school interview that the honor recognizes her hard work and inspires her to keep excelling on the court. The Gainesville Sun
- ➤ Florida softball hosts the 2026 NCAA Regional from Friday, May 15 to Sunday, May 17 at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium (tickets for the public go on sale today at 10 a.m. through the UAA ticket office). GatorSports
- ➤ Gators shortstop Brendan Lawson broke his hitting slump after practicing with his father at P.K. Yonge before UF’s series win against Kentucky, and the team rebounded as Caden McDonald excelled as a hitter and pitcher while Cash Strayer + Jackson Barberi returned to boost the lineup. The Gainesville Sun
- ➤ Florida softball will host the NCAA Gainesville Regional today at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium, where the Gators will rely on ace Keagan Rothrock and need a reliable second pitcher. Coach Tim Walton’s strong home record hints the team is set to advance, despite challenges from Texas State and other opponents. The Gainesville Sun
-
81st Annual Newberry Watermelon Festival
9 AM – 4 PM — Newberry Watermelon Festival — Free entry — Enjoy family fun with games, crafts, and live entertainment while savoring delicious Florida Watermelon.
-
North Central Florida Women in Blues Showcase
3-6 p.m. — Heartwood Soundstage — Celebrate the power of blues music with talented female artists in an engaging atmosphere.
-
Our Town by Thornton Wilder
7:30 p.m. — Gainesville Community Playhouse — Ticket prices vary — Experience the Pulitzer Prize-winning masterpiece that explores the essential truths of life in a small town.
-
Gainesville Speed Dating for Singles in Their 20s and 30s
7:30-9:30 p.m. — Tinker Restaurant — Ticket cost unknown — Connect with up to 12 local singles through engaging 6-minute dates.
-
Ole 60 Concert
8:00 – 9:30 PM — Heartwood Soundstage — Tickets starting at $83 each — Enjoy a night of live music in Gainesville's vibrant venue.
-
UF Short Course in Horticulture
3:00 PM – 4:00 PM — Straughn IFAS Extension Center — Registration fees apply — Explore emerging environmental challenges and innovative horticultural solutions.
-
Easy Star All-Stars Concert
8:00 – 9:30 PM — Heartwood Soundstage — Tickets available — Experience reggae-driven performances that reimagine classic albums.
-
Black Uhuru Live in Concert
8-11 p.m. — Heartwood Soundstage — Kids 12 & Under get in free — Experience reggae legends Black Uhuru and local favorites Macca Reggae Samba perform live under the stars.
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 reward for conformity is that everyone likes you but yourself.
~ Rita Mae Brown
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