Good morning, Gainesville.

Florida Fish and Wildlife officials closed Silver River at Ray Wayside Park after an alligator bit a woman Sunday and she was taken to a hospital.

University of Florida awarded degrees to over 3,100 graduates at its Summer 2026 Commencement Ceremony at the Stephen C.

O'Connell Center in Gainesville on Aug. 8, and family members joined faculty as UF President Stuart Bell conferred the new degrees.

School zone speed cameras returned on Monday, Aug.

9 as students went back to class, with new cameras placed by Alachua County (near Wiles Elementary and between Chiles and Kanapaha) issuing $100 fines that do not affect licenses.

Drivers in eastern Alachua County must plan for delays as the US 301 on-ramp closes at 5 a.m. Monday, forcing those headed west toward Gainesville to find an alternate route for the first day of school.

UF students have five new dining spots within walking distance of campus including The Swamp Restaurant and Piesanos Stone Fired Pizza, offering a sports bar and gourmet pizzas, along with brunch at HASS Kitchen and soon a Texas-style barbecue at Midpoint Park and Eatery (details coming soon).

The Gators won a 7-1 exhibition match against FIU on Saturday, with seven players scoring & the win highlighting their depth ahead of the season in Gainesville.

The Jaguars signed offensive lineman Geron Christian on August 8 to boost their roster after he saw limited action with the Browns in 2024 — the Ocala native has played 63 NFL games with 25 starts since 2018.

Jac Caglianone became the first MLB player this year to hit two doubles and two homers against the Cubs on Sunday, Aug.

9; he finished 4-for-4 with four RBIs (a first for a Royal since 2015) and is the youngest to record four extra-base hits in one game.

The Gainesville Sun has ranked the top 30 players from the 1996 Gators championship team (with James Bates at No. 7).

Bates (first-team All-SEC honoree with 137 tackles) remains a celebrated local sports figure with ties to the community through his work as a broadcaster and artist.

Coach Bryant Frye led the Trenton Tigers from five wins to a seven-win playoff team last season & is building a winning culture with energetic Friday night games for this upcoming season.