Good morning, Gainesville.

At Eastside High in Gainesville, students fundraised and negotiated with school officials to install free period product dispensers in restrooms after initial efforts with period boxes met miscommunication over the Parental Rights Act—students received a $1,000 grant and secured two Aunt Flow dispensers to help classmates facing period poverty. The program, which expanded last year to more bathrooms, will rely on students to restock the products as the district will not handle refills after the school year ends.

UF Interim President Donald Landry announced on November 17 that former Florida Supreme Court Justice Charles T.

Canady — known for his strict ways — will be the new director of Hamilton School for Classical and Civic Education with a base salary of $500,000 — almost double his pay as a justice — as he gets ready to lead the UF school that teaches students how to think, not what to think.

UF Engineering has refreshed the Weil Hall clock tower by adding two new clock faces—the Gator Chomp and Log10 Clock—and refurbishing the other two, though they are not yet running without the needed electrical work.

Student Hadyn Rhodes and professor Mike Griffis led the project that now brightens the busy campus courtyard.

Lincoln Middle School’s Thespian Troupe 88521—led by Jackie Collins—was selected to perform Mean Girls Jr. on the MainStage at the Florida State Junior Thespian Festival on February 6, 2026, after earning Best in Show for the fourth consecutive year at District 1.

The troupe will also perform at the festival’s Opening Ceremonies on February 5, 2026, in front of about 2,500 attendees.

Florida football coach Jon Sumrall signed a six-year contract that pays him $7.45 million a year — more than doubling his Tulane salary.

The deal included postseason bonuses and provided him with a $16.3 million annual assistant budget — details released on Dec. 1.

Florida's men's basketball split games at the Rady Children's Invitational after an 84-80 loss to Texas Christian University and a 90-78 win over Providence.

The Gators face Duke today at 7:30 p.m. at Cameron Indoor Stadium as they work to improve ball control and lower foul counts.

Tyreak Sapp finished his college career in a game where the Gators beat Florida State 40-21 at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium—he reflected on his journey from a young fan to a leading defensive player while thanking his family for their support.

His farewell marked a career that saw him play nearly every game since his redshirt freshman season and set him on a path toward the NFL.

Florida women’s basketball played in the Cayman Islands Classic over Thanksgiving weekend when the Gators beat Memphis 74-60 and Georgia Tech 65-56, with sophomore Liv McGill scoring 27 points in each game and earning Most Outstanding Player honors—continuing her streak of scoring at least 10 points in 10 straight games. The team will play Thursday at 5 p.m. at Virginia Tech as part of the SEC/ACC Challenge—aiming to build on their strong performance.

Gator football hired Jon Sumrall as its 31st head coach — student reactions were mixed as the team gears up for the 2026 season.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Tulsa Golden Hurricane at Florida Gators Women's Basketball

2:45 p.m. — Stephen C. O'Connell Center — Tickets available — Cheer on the Gators as they face off against Tulsa in women's basketball action.

Dartmouth Big Green vs. Florida Gators Basketball

6-7:30 p.m. — Stephen C. O'Connell Center — Admission varies — Watch the Gators take on Dartmouth in an exciting basketball showdown, followed by postgame layups!