Good morning, Gainesville.

Communities celebrated Memorial Day with ceremonies honoring service members in several areas.

Gainesville city and county leaders gathered at Evergreen Cemetery to place flags at over 1,100 graves + Bradford County opened a new veterans park, and hundreds also joined the commemoration at Ocala-Marion County Veterans Memorial Park.

Former NBA and Florida point guard Jason Williams said his family declined to press charges after a fan hit his youngest daughter with objects during the Gainesville Super Regional on Monday, May 25, and the fan was ejected by campus police.

Gainesville households are feeling the pinch as rising fuel prices and higher housing costs mirror statewide trends, with a University of Florida survey showing lower-income groups report less confidence while wealthier families continue to spend.

Experts warn that these trends may further challenge local affordability today.

UF’s Presidential Search Advisory Committee named Stuart R.

Bell as its sole finalist on May 18 amid online debate over his DEI record. He will visit Gainesville on June 3 and host forums at Emerson Hall (1 p.m.) for students, faculty and staff.

Gainesville Christian Community School held its 13th graduation on May 22 in a nearly full gym.

Twelve seniors graduated while school leaders announced plans to expand dual-enrollment courses, add AP STEM classes, and build a new chemistry lab next year.

UF/IFAS researchers released a guide called 'See Smoke?

Smell Smoke? Be in the Know' that explains how prescribed burns lower wildfire risk and advises locals to use free online tools to check fire activity & air quality. The publication is available now through UF/IFAS Extension.

County commissioners will decide today at 11:30 a.m. on three art proposals for the fire rescue headquarters' exterior at the county administration building (12 SE 1st St.).

The options include a sculpture, a mural, and a relief design with a total project cost estimated at $70,000.

Mayor Harvey Ward sent his Memorial Day message on May 25, urging Gainesville residents to honor fallen heroes and the sacrifices they made for liberty and justice.

He referenced a passage by Eleanor Roosevelt (originally written during World War II) to stress the city's gratitude.

Florida lost to Texas Tech 10-8 on Friday at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium in a tense Super Regional game that marked Texas Tech’s first win over the Gators.

Game 2 will be played on Saturday at 12:30 p.m. on ABC.

Yesterday, the NCAA baseball tournament selection show revealed the 64-team field after several conference champions lost in their tournaments.

The Gainesville Regional features Florida (8), Miami (28), Mercer and Milwaukee, giving local fans a fresh bracket to follow.

Florida baseball, the No. 8 seed, will host an NCAA Regional at Condron Ballpark starting Friday, May 29 at 1 p.m. ET + its first game against Rider will kick off a series of matches running through Monday, June 1 in Gainesville.

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.

Bird and Byron Acoustic Performance

6-9 p.m. — Heartwood Soundstage — Check event page for pricing — Experience indie rock and soul with heartfelt songwriting from the Nashville-based duo Bird and Byron.

Eden Brent Live Blues Performance

7-10 p.m. — Heartwood Soundstage — Ticket prices vary — Enjoy an evening of piano-driven blues and storytelling from award-winning artist Eden Brent.