Good morning, Gainesville.

Frazer School students Bach Ngo and Michael Wei won National Merit Scholarships on May 18.

Ngo will attend the University of Chicago and Wei will enroll at Princeton University this fall.

The UF Presidential Search Committee announced that Dr. Stuart Bell is the sole finalist to become the next UF president.

He must be approved by the UF Board of Trustees + Florida Board of Governors, and his experience as University of Alabama president is expected to guide UF forward.

El Niño brings stronger upper-level winds that tear apart Atlantic hurricanes and is expected to reduce storm numbers, but residents must still prepare for potential impacts.

NOAA will release its forecast on May 21, and experts warn that even one storm can have lasting effects.

The CDC warned that this tick season may be the worst in decades + University of Florida experts advise Gainesville residents to remove ticks within 24 hours to lower the risk of Lyme disease and other illnesses.

The Flourish program trains postpartum doulas to support new mothers in Alachua County through intensive coursework and four months of mentorship (covering postpartum recovery, newborn care, and emotional support).

It has trained nearly 30 doulas and will launch its next training in the fall.

Gainesville locals can savor acai bowls at spots like Playa Bowls on Southwest Fifth Avenue, Rush Bowls on West University Avenue, GainzVille Hub downtown, and Vale Food Co. on Southwest Archer Road, with Shake Smart near UF serving options - each offering a twist from tropical decor to health menus.

Florida basketball star Rueben Chinyelu has not decided if he will enter the NBA Draft or return to college after weighing his draft position at last week's combine (he is expected to decide by May 27).

Florida baseball's Aidan King was named the 2026 SEC Pitcher of the Year on Monday, May 18, making him the first underclassman since 2018 (the fourth Gator to earn the honor).

Gator Baseball is set to play in the SEC Tournament this week after earning a bye and sweeping LSU; the team will face the winner of Vanderbilt & Kentucky on Wednesday as they overcome early season challenges.

Florida softball will host Texas Tech in the 2026 NCAA Gainesville Super Regional at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium.

The three-game series starts Friday, May 22 at 11 a.m. on ESPN2, with Saturday’s game at 12:30 p.m. on ABC and a possible game Sunday if needed.

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.

Tech Coffee Social

9-10 a.m. — Resident Coffee — Free entry — Kick-start your day with stimulating conversations and connections among tech professionals.

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.

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.