Daily
Gainesville
Friday, May 15th, 2026
Good morning, Gainesville. Here's your local news at a glance for Friday, the 15th of May.
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ Today, a SpaceX Falcon 9 will launch a Dragon spacecraft loaded with supplies to the International Space Station from Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. This follows two delays earlier this week + creates potential for sonic booms visible from Jacksonville to West Palm Beach. The Gainesville Sun
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ University of Florida leaders announced that comedian Nikki Glaser will headline Gator Growl, the student-run event held on campus. The celebration will offer comedy acts & interactive activities for students and visitors. WCJB
- ➤ TV20 named Elio Piedra as chief ambassador for Telemundo Gainesville yesterday. The media personality (founder of the local Latino radio station) is expected to boost community cultural events and bring major Latin music stars to Gainesville. WCJB
- ➤ The City of Gainesville invites neighbors to the sixth annual Journey to Juneteenth, a monthlong series of events honoring emancipation and Black history (kicking off with a flag-raising at City Hall Plaza on Wed., May 20 from 10-11 a.m.) with additional festivities planned through June 19. Alachua Chronicle
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ The school board voted 3-2 on May 5 to keep Irby Elementary as a Pre-K (through second grade) campus and expand Mebane Middle School for grades 3-8; attendance boundaries will change on Aug. 10 as part of a broader restructuring plan. Alachua County Today
ENVIRONMENT NEWS
- ➤ The Florida Department of Environmental Protection announced free day-use admission to state parks for Memorial Day weekend from May 23 to 25, and national parks will waive entry fees for U.S. residents on Memorial Day (May 25). The Gainesville Sun
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ WRUF airs a live series this summer counting down the 35 greatest Gators in University of Florida history starting with a May 14 show and continuing every Thursday at 2 p.m. through July 2, featuring interviews, listener texts, and a bracket vote for the top moment. WRUF
- ➤ Former Florida football quarterback Anthony Richardson Sr. had his No. 2 jersey retired at Citizens Field on May 14 — a hometown tribute recalling his early triumphs. The former high school star now readies for his final NFL contract year with the Colts while cherishing his connection to Gainesville. GatorSports
- ➤ Buchholz Baseball clinched its FHSAA 6A Regional Finals by sweeping top-seeded Pace and will face Martin County today at Hammond Stadium in Fort Myers & the Bobcats have won their last 13 games while relying on a strong pitching staff to aim for a state title. WRUF
- ➤ Trenton + Union County played in the FHSAA Rural State Championship on May 14 at Hammond Stadium in Fort Myers. The all-local matchup guaranteed a Gainesville baseball champion for the first time since 2021 as both teams came off strong postseason wins. The Gainesville Sun
- ➤ Florida Gators softball will play Florida A&M at 11 a.m. today in the Gainesville Regional where four teams vie for a Super Regional spot, and the team hopes to beat pitching struggles + lean on hot bats led by Taylor Shumaker for a playoff run. WRUF
- ➤ Florida baseball faces LSU in a three-game SEC series; game 1 aired on May 14 at 7:30 p.m. on SEC Network, game 2 is set for today at 7:30 p.m., and game 3 is scheduled for Saturday at 3 p.m. on SEC Network. GatorSports
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Easy Star All-Stars Concert
8:00 – 9:30 PM — Heartwood Soundstage — Tickets available — Experience reggae-driven performances that reimagine classic albums.
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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.
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FREE Live on the Lawn: The Savants with The Shambles
6-9 p.m. — Heartwood Soundstage — Free entry — Enjoy a relaxing outdoor concert featuring classic rock favorites in Gainesville.
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Gainesville Toddler Multi-Sport Program
9:00-10:50 a.m. — Veterans Memorial Park — $90 — Engaging multisport activities for toddlers aged 18 months to 4 years during summer.
No new real estate listings today. You can submit one here.
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No new community announcements today. You can submit one here.
TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
The shoe that fits one person pinches another.
~ Carl Jung
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