Good morning, Gainesville.

Leaders at the Ronald McDonald House of North Central Florida announced that a record-breaking Red Shoe Affair on Saturday raised $590,000 at the O’Connell Center and that more than 830 guests and 100 sponsors joined the event, which featured family stories and launched a warm-meal program (Chicken Nugget Champion).

Rotary Club of Gainesville honored Roy Hunt, 93, with its 2025-26 Service Above Self Award on Aug.

19 to recognize his decades-long work preserving historic buildings. His efforts in safeguarding UF landmarks & securing National Historic Landmark status for local sites left a lasting impact on the community.

Quality Fresca filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and will close 14 Moe's Southwest Grill restaurants in Florida, including the Gainesville outlet (3832 Newberry Road, Suite 1-E), because of less income, higher costs, and inflation.

Fans may soon need another spot for their burritos and chips and queso.

Partnership for Strong Families held back-to-school events on August 19 in Gainesville that supported 1,500 students by providing school supplies and backpacks filled with grade-level materials to over 400 out-of-home care students.

Local community and partner organizations took part in the drive.

P.K. Yonge Developmental Research School in Gainesville was ranked as the top public high school in north central Florida on Aug.

19, as it placed No. 1 regionally, No. 49 statewide, and No. 655 nationally in U.S. News and World Report High Schools ratings. The honor underlines its academic achievements.

The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences launched the new FFL Plants & Pollinators App on August 19 to help residents and professionals choose water-wise plants that support pollinators (it combines features of the former plant guide, bee gardens, and butterfly gardens apps).

AccuWeather lowered its forecast for the 2026 hurricane season on Aug.

19, predicting 8-11 named storms and fewer hurricanes while still expecting 3-5 direct U.S. impacts. Gainesville residents are advised to stay alert as warm coastal waters may spur rapid storm intensification.

Florida state Rep. Angie Nixon won the Senate primary on Aug.

19 with 56% of votes and will face incumbent Sen. Ashley Moody on Nov. 3; Nixon campaigns on a platform that includes free childcare and Medicare for all (her trespassing trial is set for September).

Paige's Kitchen posts an easy recipe for Muffuletta Pinwheels that offers a quicker version of the classic muffuletta sandwich.

The recipe explains how to mix olives, cream cheese, and meats on tortillas then chill before slicing for a tasty local twist.

The Santa Fe Raiders improved to seven to four and advanced to the state playoffs last season under Coach Earnest Graham + they expect another strong run in Class 3A District 5 with games starting Aug.

21. Standouts include senior Jasiah Powell and rising quarterback Gavin Peterson.

Florida football players from UF have been named to the preseason coaches' All-SEC team and various award watch lists, including the Doak Walker and Ray Guy lists, as announced yesterday.

Junior running back Jadan Baugh led the honors plus other players earned recognition for their strong play.