City Council moves forward with development of new $100M UF satellite campus
The plan to build a University of Florida graduate satellite campus is one step closer after a Jacksonville City Council rules committee took up the measure Monday to fund $20 million in 2023 and another $30 million at a later date.
City council committees to discuss how to bring UF satellite campus to Jacksonville
The answers are still few and far between when it comes to a possible University of Florida satellite campus in Jacksonville. But, legislation is in the works to try and bring the high tech financial and medical graduate program here.
Florida scientists ask people to watch out for potentially invasive ‘Jesus lizard’ that can run across water
Scientists from the University of Florida are asking people to be on the lookout for the brown basilisk, a nonnative lizard also known as the “Jesus lizard,” because the reptiles have the potential to become invasive in Florida.
Florida Gators QB Jalen Kitna bonds out of jail after arrest on child porn charges
Florida Gators backup quarterback Jalen Kitna bonded out of jail Thursday evening after he was arrested Wednesday on two charges of distribution of child exploitation material and three charges of possession of child pornography.
UF won’t allow protests inside campus buildings after Sen. Sasse hiring forum drew large, chanting crowd
In an effort to crack down on future protests, current UF President Kent Fuchs on Monday issued a statement saying the university will resume enforcement of a regulation on the books for at least two decades, prohibiting protests inside campus buildings.
Tim Tebow to speak at UF’s 2022 spring commencement
Former University of Florida quarterback Tim Tebow, who went on to play professional football and baseball and is known for his philanthropy and motivational leadership, will serve as UF’s university-wide commencement speaker this spring in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, the university announced.
‘Do not pay attention to the politics’: UF Health Jacksonville’s chief of pediatrics says ‘vaccines work’ for kids
Health experts are quickly denouncing Florida’s plans to issue guidance urging parents not to vaccinate healthy children against COVID-19. They say the policy is dangerous for our children.
Gators Breakdown: Quarterbacks adjusting and getting comfortable as season progresses
At the halfway point of the season, the Gators sit 4-2 and quarterbacks Emory Jones and Anthony Richardson are showing growth according to Dan Mullen. Heading into the two biggest tests remaining on the schedule in LSU and Georgia, Florida needs that growth to continue.
Republican state lawmakers put pressure on UF after suspension of conservative groups
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Republican state lawmakers are putting pressure on the University of Florida after it suspended three conservative student organizations for allegedly violating COVID-19 rules at an on-campus event. YAF, along with the Network of Enlightened Women and Turning Point USA, were the three organizations suspended by the university. He’s tweeted photos of other UF students that he claimed are evidence the rules aren’t being uniformly applied. Sponsor state Rep. Spencer Roach, R-Fort Myers, said the bill creates protections for students and students government officials facing disciplinary action. The student groups said they hope they’ll be able to work with UF to resolve the issue soon.
UF temporarily suspends 3 student groups
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The University of Florida has temporarily suspended three student groups for violating policies on event and pandemic practices, according to a statement posted on the college’s website Sunday night. These groups are Turning Point USA, Young Americans for Freedom and the Network of Enlightened Women. The statement accused the groups of planning an organized event, but failing to register it with the university. UF goes on to explain they have photographic evidence of the event failing to follow these pandemic policies. “In accordance with our standard practice, the university has not taken, and would not take, action against a student or registered student group based on the viewpoint they represent or the content of their speech,” the statement read.
FSU to resume in-person instruction, graduation ceremonies
In another indicator of the push to restore pre-pandemic higher education norms, FSU and the University of Florida will hold in-person graduation ceremonies for spring-semester graduates. Both institutions have announced a series of upcoming reduced-capacity commencements that will mark the universities’ first in-person graduation ceremonies since December 2019. The “condensed” graduation programs will make social distancing possible, university officials said in a press release issued Thursday. As with the plan to reintroduce in-person instruction, FSU is leaving open the possibility that the face-to-face graduation ceremonies could change. “There will be no processional, nor recessional, no platform party, and college deans will not be shaking hands with students,” the university wrote in a news release outlining changes from previous in-person graduation ceremonies.
UF veterinarians remove zipliner’s shoe from stomach of St. Augustine Farm crocodile
Dr. Garrett Fraess attempts to remove a shoe by accessing it via the crocodile's esophagus. Earlier this month, a 10.5-foot Nile crocodile from the St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park stopped by the UF Veterinary Hospitals to have a shoe removed from her stomach. The crocodile, named Anuket, swallowed the sneaker in December when it fell off a zipliner at the Alligator Farm and into the reptile’s habitat. The 341-pound crocodile was seen eating the shoe and regurgitating it before gobbling it back up. AdThe UF College of Veterinary Medicine reports that the Anuket returned home after an overnight stay and has been recovering at the Alligator Farm -- hopefully without any stomachaches!
Former University of Florida Researcher Indicted for Scheme to Defraud National Institutes of Health and University of Florida
The indictment, returned by a federal grand jury on Dec. 15, 2020, was unsealed today. “The FBI will always investigate those who break the law by taking federal money while hiding their foreign business and government ties. Among other things, Yang was required to disclose his foreign research support and financial conflicts of interest, including his ownership of, or interest in, a foreign company. Yang traveled to China in August of 2019 and has yet to return to the United States. Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen M. Kunz for the Northern District of Florida is prosecuting the case with assistance from the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence & Export Section.
justice.gov5 UF students struck, 1 fatally, after 2 cars collide, Gainesville police say
The Gainesville Police Department responded around 7:30 p.m. to the crash at West University Avenue and Northwest 17th Street, near UF’s Fletcher Hall. Police said a Honda Civic traveling east on West University Avenue and a Honda Accord attempting to turn south from westbound West University Avenue collided. Police said the Civic then skidded sideways, striking a pole and five pedestrians -- all UF students. Later that night, one of the pedestrians -- Sophia Lambert, a 19-year-old from Miami -- died, police said. The statement said the university is providing counseling services, outreach and other support for the students and communities affected.
Jacksonville’s best wine bar: Coastal Wine Market & Tasting Room
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Located in the Nocatee Town Center, Coastal Wine Market and Tasting Room -- your choice for Jacksonville’s best wine bar -- was started by two UF students with a passion for travel and nature. In 2006, Steve lived in Los Olivos, California, where he fell in love with the wine tasting culture. As written on the wine bar’s website, Shaun spent time in Italy and Spain, and shared a similar wine affinity. You’ll find it at the Coastal Wine Market. Runners up:2) The Wine Bar 3) Vito’s Italian Restaurant
Consumer confidence in Florida drops ahead of holiday season, UF study finds
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Consumer confidence in Florida is falling ahead of the holiday season, a study from the University of Florida found. After the largest one-month gain in consumer confidence since the pandemic started in September, the study found that consumer sentiment among Floridians dropped 2 points in October to 84.4 from a revised September figure of 86.4. “The two components reflecting Floridians' views about current economic conditions weakened in October,” UF researchers wrote in a press release. “Views of personal financial situations now compared with a year ago dropped 3.7 points from 71.1 to 67.4. Sandoval said November’s consumer sentiment reading will be important to gauge Floridians' opinions and expectations about their economic prospects after the presidential election.
Study suggests flu shots help people with COVID-19
Another limitation was the researchers only reviewed the records of patients at UF Health. More investigation is needed to confirm the findings, but if confirmed they would be a boost for flu vaccination efforts, said Arch G. Mainous III, the study’s senior author. It’s not clear why a flu vaccination could potentially be beneficial for COVID-19 patients. One theory is that cells the influenza vaccine primes to kill the flu virus could also destroy the novel coronavirus. Another theory is that components, or “adjuncts," are added to the flu vaccine to make it more effective.
UF emergency medicine researchers taking part in five COVID-19 studies
Researchers are actively enrolling eligible patients at UF Health Jacksonville in COVID-19-related research studies. The efforts contribute to important work being conducted around the world to help researchers and clinicians better understand and more effectively target treatment options for COVID-19 patients. “UF Health emergency medicine is leading the way around COVID-19 research on our campus. An additional study involves enrollment in the Indiana University COVID-19 Registry to allow UF Health Jacksonville to share information on COVID-19 patients, containment and care escalation efforts. “Our team of emergency medicine physicians engaged in COVID-19 studies exemplifies the spirit of our division and our commitment to contributing to the greater good of the medical community,” said Hendry, associate chair of emergency medicine research at the UF College of Medicine – Jacksonville.
UF researcher gets sickle cell therapy grant
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – A researcher at the University of Florida College of Nursing has been awarded a $2.6 million grant to determine whether relaxation therapy can help reduce pain and manage stress for patients with sickle cell disease, negating the need for opioids. “Historical and contemporary prejudices and stereotypes are associated with those who suffer from sickle cell disease because of their racial background,” Ezenwa said in a prepared statement. “Stress from sickle cell disease symptoms and social factors have been magnified by the public health crisis related to the opioid overdose epidemic in the United States.”Studies indicate as many as 100,000 people could be living with sickle cell disease in the United States. According to a June 2019 report from the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Office of Minority Health, 55,349 Medicaid beneficiaries nationwide had sickle cell disease in 2012, the latest available data. With 5,395 Medicaid beneficiaries with the once-fatal disease, Florida had the second-largest sickle cell Medicaid population behind New York.
UF, FSU ranked in top 20 public universities
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The University of Florida and Florida State University remained ranked among the top 20 public universities in the country Monday, as U.S. News & World Report released annual ratings that have become a closely watched scorecard for colleges. UF tied with the University of California-Santa Barbara for sixth in top public universities, after being ranked seventh last year. UF also was tied for 30th among national universities, the top ranking of Florida public or private schools. The University of South Florida tied for 46th among public universities, while the University of Central Florida tied for 77th and Florida International University was in a tie for No. Among national universities, the University of Miami was tied for 49th, the second-highest ranking in the state behind UF.
Small fire causes scare at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville
A small fire billowed black smoke into the air Saturday at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, causing a brief stir near the University of Florida campus. Firefighters had it doused in less than 15 minutes, according to UF Police Lt. Jake Pruitt. Pruitt said a small tractor parked on a ramp on the south side of the stadium caught fire. Police got the call at 3:25 p.m., and the fire was out less than 15 minutes later, Pruitt said. The only damage was some black soot that was left on nearby columns of the stadium, Pruitt said.