Good morning, Gainesville.

Ashlee Graves and her daughter now serve free hot meals from their Have a Heart Kitchen outside their East Gainesville home using local donations + neighbor support.

They plan to expand their service with a food trailer to help more residents.

HippCinema at the Hippodrome Theatre announced its August slate for Gainesville with eight films spanning comedy, drama, documentary, musical and horror, featuring screenings from Aug.

6 to Sept. 6 and a post-film discussion with producer Lauren DeFillippo and director David Alvarado on Aug. 29 at 6:00 p.m.

The 2026 Summer Gator Fire Games drew 180 youth and 80 advisors to the Alachua County Sports and Event Center for seven challenges — an event celebrating its fifth anniversary that helps aspiring firefighters learn key skills.

Hosted by ACFR through the Florida Fire Chiefs Association, the games showcased local talent today.

Nearly 20 ACPS teachers received calls Tuesday about reassignments to other schools (eight moves were reversed by Thursday) ahead of preplanning that starts tomorrow and school beginning Aug.10.

The district made changes under state law to encourage effective teachers to move to low-performing schools.

Lubee Conservancy is raffling its 200th custom-built bat house to help bats control pests — tickets require a $100 donation and entries close Aug.

28.

The Alachua County Commission is accepting applications for its Small Grant Initiative, which will provide up to $5,000 to local non-profits + small businesses with 25 or fewer full-time employees.

Applications must be submitted online by 2 p.m. on Aug. 26 for grants covering Oct. 1 through Sept. 30.

Nike released Florida Gators-themed Vomero 18 running shoes for $165 on Aug.

1 in Gainesville (designed for cushioned comfort during summer runs). The sneakers are expected to sell out quickly as fans gear up for football season.

The Gainesville Sun is counting down the top 30 players from the 1996 national championship team and today highlights offensive lineman Donnie Young as No. 11 for his role in protecting a Heisman-winning quarterback and earning All-SEC first team honors — including the Jacobs Trophy for best blocker.

Florida football under first-year coach Jon Sumrall is sharpening its special teams with early practice drills led by coordinator Johnathan Galante (from Tulane) where kicker Patrick Durkin and punter Alec Clark (from Australia) are expected to boost play while receiver Vernell Brown III practices returns for a potential touchdown.

Florida football is improving its special teams play under first-year coach Jon Sumrall as fall camp begins (coordinator Johnathan Galante and specialist players Durkin and Clark sharpen skills), setting the stage for a strong season.