Good morning, Gainesville.

Gainesville residents remembered the nearly 3,000 lives lost on Sept.

11 during a memorial ceremony Thursday morning at City Hall Plaza where community members and city leaders observed silence and tolling bells. Mayor Harvey Ward later proclaimed Sept. 11 as Patriot Day in Gainesville—urging locals to honor the legacy through service.

Girl Scouts announced Exploremores—a cookie with chocolate, marshmallow and almond flavored crème inspired by rocky road ice cream—as a new addition to the 2026 cookie lineup.

Sales will start at different times by location in Florida and all proceeds will support local troop programs.

On Sept 11, 2025, over 250 UF community members gathered on the Plaza of the Americas to mourn conservative activist Charlie Kirk, who was shot on Sept 10 while speaking at Utah Valley University—police maintained security during the vigil.

More than 100 UF students gathered Wednesday at Turlington Plaza to protest funding cuts that reduced RTS service by 28% and eliminated several routes.

Protesters marched to the Hub bus stop—holding handmade signs and sharing personal stories—while calling on UF to restore the bus system.

UF students with Turning Point USA held a prayer vigil at the Plaza of the Americas to honor Charlie Kirk—killed on Wednesday—as 150 to 200 attendees prayed, sang hymns, and shared personal stories about his influence on free speech.

UF police monitored the event closely, and state officials ordered flags to remain half-staff to honor Kirk.

Santa Fe College will host a college fair at the Blount Center in downtown Gainesville on Sept.

17 — more than 50 schools will share details on admissions, financial aid and courses for students and families. The free event will feature major in-state universities along with out-of-state institutions and trade schools.

Today, as fall semester begins, the City of Gainesville and the University of Florida join forces to support student safety with shared patrols and reporting tools.

City police regularly patrol neighborhoods around campus while university officers secure facilities with cameras and blue light phones (measures aim to protect students on and off campus).

The Alachua County Medical Society urged lawmakers to maintain vaccine mandates after Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo proposed repealing them—medical groups warned that ending these requirements could lead to more preventable disease outbreaks and school absences.

Health officials in Alachua County warned residents after a stray cat infected with rabies was found south of Hawthorne off Southeast US Highway 301 on Aug.

28 — they advised avoiding contact with wild animals during the 60-day alert period; anyone exposed is urged to get treatment immediately.

Florida's leadership has clarified plans to fire football coach Billy Napier if the team's poor play continues—setting a steep yet digestible nearly $22 million buyout after a recent loss to South Florida.

The move comes as the university installs a new interim president and extends the athletic director's contract to clear the path for change.

After losing to USF last Saturday, Florida remains calm as the team works on fixing mistakes and plans to face No. 3 LSU at 7:30 p.m. Saturday (led by seniors and tight end Hayden Hansen), to turn the season around.

Week 3 of college football features key matchups — No. 3 Georgia will visit No. 15 Tennessee and No. 4 LSU will host Florida — while experts offer predictions for contests such as South Florida versus Miami and Notre Dame against Texas A&M.

Gators coach Todd Golden said on Thursday that Boogie Fland and AJ Brown have been fully cleared for all basketball activities.

The two players, who transferred from Arkansas and Ohio, are expected to step in and replace departed teammates — boosting the squad for upcoming games.

Florida Gators soccer coach Samantha Bohon leads a team that now has a 4-3-0 record after a 5-0 loss to Florida State early this season.

The Gators will face Arkansas Razorbacks Thursday at Donald R. Dizney Stadium—Bohon said they are focusing on one game at a time as they rebuild.

Run for Recovery 5k

8 a.m. – 12 p.m. — Depot Park — Registration required — Participate in a vibrant 5k run aimed at supporting recovery efforts in the community.

Sugaray Rayford Live in Concert

8-11 p.m. — Heartwood Soundstage — Tickets required — Experience the powerful voice and message of Sugaray Rayford in a vibrant live performance.

Florida Gators Volleyball vs. Mississippi State Bulldogs

7-8:30 p.m. — Stephen C. O'Connell Center — VIP tickets and packages available — Catch the Florida Gators take on the Mississippi State Bulldogs in an exciting volleyball showdown.

D & S Classic Car and Antique Tractor Show

8 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. — The Barn at Rembert Farms — $25 per vehicle — Cruise into nostalgia with classic cars and antique tractors on display.

JJ Grey & Mofro Live

6:30-9 p.m. — Heartwood Soundstage — $TBD — Experience powerful southern soul and rock with gritty vocals and personal songwriting.

Magic City Hippies Live in Concert

7:00-10:15 p.m. — Heartwood Soundstage — Tickets available — Groove to the sun-soaked funk and indie tunes of Miami's Magic City Hippies.

Bingo for Carson Springs Animals

6-8 p.m. — Swamp Head Brewery — Ticket proceeds benefit local animal nonprofit — Enjoy a fun-filled evening of bingo for a good cause.

The Bridge City Sinners "Break the Chain" Tour

6-8:30 p.m. — Heartwood Soundstage — All Ages — Experience an eclectic fusion of dark folk, Americana, and punk from the Bridge City Sinners and special guests.

40th Annual Fall Arts Festival

10 a.m.-5 p.m. — Shoppes at Thornebrook — Free entry — Experience a weekend of creativity and community spirit at Gainesville's beloved arts festival.

Vanderbilt Commodores at Florida Gators Women's Volleyball

1-2:30 p.m. — Stephen C. O'Connell Center — Free entry for youth — Enjoy an SEC volleyball showdown featuring giveaways for kids.