Daily
Gainesville
Friday, November 21st, 2025
Good morning, Gainesville. Here's your local news at a glance for Friday, the 21st of November.
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ A new Chick-fil-A restaurant will hold its grand opening this Thursday at 16310 Northwest US Highway 441 in Alachua — the site, a decade in the making, will feature a play space for children and offer a free meal to guests in cow attire. WCJB
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ Hyle Ismail, a junior at P.K. Yonge Developmental Research School, earned a perfect 1520 on the PSAT on November 20th — a rare score held by less than one percent of students nationwide. Alachua Chronicle
- ➤ UF & its graduate assistants' union reached an impasse in contract negotiations after more than two years as the union asked for a higher minimum stipend while UF said tuition waivers count as part of compensation. A special magistrate will make a recommendation on Dec. 19 to help resolve the dispute and union leaders fear the Board of Trustees may ignore the advice. The Gainesville Sun
- ➤ Gainesville High School teacher Lauren Watts was disciplined after months of investigation for giving a student a superlative titled 'Most Likely to Become a Dictator.' She was suspended one day without pay and required to complete sensitivity training and a written reflection—steps taken after a parent's complaint and the later dismissal of a related administrative charge by a judge. WCJB
- ➤ The Alachua County School Board extended interim Superintendent Kamela Patton’s contract through June 2027 with a 3% raise at its Nov. 19 meeting, and elected Thomas Vu as chair and Leanetta McNealy as vice chair. The board also announced a rezoning initiative as part of the Our Schools Future Ready plan and will hold the first community planning session on Dec. 4 at Mebane Middle School Media Center (5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.). The Gainesville Sun
- ➤ Florida Education Commissioner Anastasios Kamoutsas filed an administrative complaint against resource teacher Emily Caylen Grace at Talbot Elementary in Alachua County for asking students to use the non-binary title Mx.—he alleges this practice violates state law and that the Education Practices Commission may impose sanctions if the complaint is upheld. WCJB
- ➤ Frazer School academic teams competed nationally this past weekend, with the Science Bowl finishing 4th at MIT and a middle school robotics team winning the Triple Crown in Clermont — the Quiz Bowl team went undefeated in Jacksonville to win first place and qualify for High School Nationals in May. Alachua Chronicle
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ Florida women’s basketball defeated Florida State 89-67 on Thursday night at the O’Connell Center for its first win over the Seminoles since 2021. Junior Laila Reynolds scored a career-high 21 points and Liv McGill added 27 as Coach Kelly Rae Finley said the team forced 25 turnovers—boosting their confidence for the season. GatorSports
- ➤ Buchholz High girls basketball lost 75—38 to St. Augustine Tocoi Creek last Wednesday as the Toros built an early 6—4 lead and then extended it with runs including a 13—0 spurt in the second quarter. The team played again at 7:00 p.m. Thursday against 2—0 Newberry to add to their season record. WRUF
- ➤ Florida basketball hosts Merrimack today at 7 p.m on SEC+ in a sellout game, with the team aiming to extend its winning streak after defeating Miami 82—68. Coach Todd Golden said the team will meet challenges with Merrimack's zone defense and must avoid extra turnovers to secure a win. GatorSports
- ➤ After a 34—24 loss to Ole Miss on Saturday, the Florida Gators dropped to a 3—7 record, marking one of their worst seasons since 1953. They will face Tennessee and Florida State at home to try to avoid finishing with only three wins. WRUF
- ➤ Florida athletics announced a deal with Geico Insurance that will add the company’s logo to Steve Spurrier-Florida Field at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium for the Gators’ final two home games of the season. The sponsorship follows new NCAA rules that now allow on-field advertising during regular season play — a change that will generate extra revenue for the school. GatorSports
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Thanksgiving Buffet at Covey Kitchen + Cocktails
Traditional Thanksgiving Buffet — 7 a.m. - 9 p.m. — Covey Kitchen + Cocktails — $30 and under — Celebrate with a blend of seasonal favorites in a warm and inviting atmosphere.
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Postmodern Jukebox Performance
7-9 p.m. — Curtis M. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts — Ticket prices vary — Experience a holiday-themed swing concert reimagining today’s hits.
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Thornebrook Holiday Market
5-8 p.m. — Shoppes at Thornebrook — Free entry — Experience a winter wonderland with local vendors, food trucks, and festive tree lighting.
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Newberry's Tree Lighting Ceremony
6-8 p.m. — City of Newberry — Free entry — Celebrate the season with Santa photos, hot cocoa, and fun kids activities.
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Florida Gators Women's Basketball vs. South Alabama
2-4:30 p.m. — Stephen C. O'Connell Center — Check website for ticket info — Cheer on the Gators as they face off against South Alabama in a thrilling basketball matchup.
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Candlelight Christmas Carols on Strings
6:30-8:30 p.m. — Hippodrome Theatre — Tickets required — Experience the magic of Christmas through beautiful string renditions of your favorite holiday carols in a candlelit setting.
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Gainesville's Ugly Sweater Pub Crawl
4:30-9:00 p.m. — Silver Q Billiards & Sports Bar — Tickets required — Dress in your ugliest holiday sweater for a night of festive fun with games, contests, and prizes.
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Florida Gators vs. St. Francis (PA) Red Flash
7 PM — Stephen C. O'Connell Center — Ticket prices vary — Catch an exciting NCAA basketball matchup featuring the Gators and the Red Flash.
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Dance Alive National Ballet - The Nutcracker
7:30-9 p.m. — Curtis M. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts — Ticket prices vary — Experience the magic of The Nutcracker with live music by the Ocala Symphony Orchestra.
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Jingle Bell Jog 5k and Holiday Social
1-5 p.m. — Haile Plantation — Free entry — Celebrate the season with a family-friendly 5k jog followed by festive food and games.
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No new community announcements today. You can submit one here.
TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
There are always two reasons for doing anything: a good reason and the real reason.
~ J.P. Morgan
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