GAINESVILLE

MARION COUNTY, Fla. — Two Alachua County men were arrested in connection with a string of mail thefts in Marion County over a four-month period, according to the US attorney’s office. Marion County mail thefts On October 21, 2022, at 10:33 PM, a blue Dodge Charge is captured on surveillance video at the Canopy Oaks Center parking near the USPS Collection Box. (United States Postal Inspection Service)On Wednesday, deputies from the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, with the help of the U.S. Watch: Helicopter video shows arrest of two Alachua men charged in Marion County mail thefts (WFTV)Read: Union leaders say postal police could protect mail carriersWhen investigators searched the car, they found several pieces of stolen mail and a USPS Arrow Key in the backseat. Both men were arrested and charged with theft of mail and possession of a stolen or reproduced postal key.

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The University of Florida is strongly recommending students and faculty stop using the popular social media app TikTok. The university sent out a letter explaining there could be a ban put in place for all university networks and devices. Watch: Police respond to deadly shooting near Sanford barOfficials said the security risks go beyond users themselves. Soon, federal employees will no longer be able to use TikTok on government-issued devices. Read: Woman pulled from storm drain for the third time in 2 years, Florida police sayFlorida already implemented a TikTok ban for state employees in 2020.

A person familiar with the situation says Florida quarterback recruit Jaden Rashada has requested a release from his national letter of intent after a $13 million name, imagine and likeness deal fell through.

An interloper from Gainesville is set to take on a neighborhood stalwart in a turf war for sushi supremacy. That might sound like the opening...

Officially Orlando goes into the books with the temperature at 2.3 degrees warmer than normal.

The College Football Hall of Fame’s class of 2023 was announced Monday. The group features 18 players and four coaches and is headlined by two Heisman Trophy winners, Florida quarterback Tim Tebow and USC running back Reggie Bush. Tebow won the Heisman in 2007 and also helped lead the Gators to two national championships during his time in Gainesville. Though he’s still not considered an official Heisman winner, Bush will now be a Hall of Famer following a vote from the National Football Foundation, which runs the College Football Hall of Fame. "We are extremely proud to announce the 2023 College Football Hall of Fame Class," said NFF chairman Archie Manning.

The Florida Gators led 1-0 before their game against Texas A&M even started. That's because the game was delayed due to the Aggies missing their uniforms.

University of Florida professors are asking a federal judge to dismiss a lawsuit that challenged a controversial conflict-of-interest policy that gave school administrators discretion over allowing faculty members to serve as expert witnesses in litigation.

A Gainesville teen is facing felony charges in connection to an alleged sexual assault on a pre-teen girl.

“Like a scene from Home Alone,” Gainesville police wrote.

As many areas of the U.S. have suffered from harsh blizzards and disastrous tornadoes, a cold front closing in on Central Florida this week may also bring severe weather.

"It’s a sad, tragic event for all the people involved," Napier said.

For more than a generation, the Unicorn Hill Christmas Tree Farm has played host to countless holiday memories. Families select their tree from six different varieties of pine, cut it down and have it strapped to their car’s roof for a ride to its new home.

Florida has formally dismissed quarterback Jalen Kitna from the team following his arrest on five child pornography charges that police said included an image of a man having sex with a young girl.

Florida has formally dismissed quarterback Jalen Kitna from the team following his arrest on five child pornography charges that police said included an image of a man having sex with a young girl. Kitna, 19, returned with his parents, retired NFL quarterback Jon Kitna and wife Jennifer, to Burleson, Texas. Although Kitna remained enrolled in classes Friday, the University Police Department issued him a trespass warning that bars him from campus for three years, pending the outcome of his court case.

19-year-old Florida Gators quarterback Jalen Kitna has been released from custody in Gainesville after posting a $80,000 bond. The redshirt freshman and son of former...

Florida Gators quarterback Jalen Kitna was arrested Wednesday on child pornography charges, according to the Gainesville Police Department.

Three key takeaways from the state’s football scene this past weekend -- and a glimpse at what’s to come next week.

Montrell Johnson ran for a career-high 161 yards and a touchdown, Anthony Richardson accounted for three scores in what might have been his final home game at Florida and the Gators steamrolled South Carolina 38-6 on Saturday.

'Fox & Friends' enterprise reporter Lawrence Jones and 'Fox & Friends Weekend' co-hosts Will Cain, Rachel Campos-Duffy and Pete Hegseth speak to voters on key issues.

Hill House Manor homeowner Linda Hill explains why she believes her Texas rental property is haunted by 'sexual ghosts' on 'Jesse Watters Primetime.'

The University of Florida is going to start enforcing a decades-old prohibition against indoor protests following a raucous demonstration earlier this month against the selection of U.S. Sen. Ben Sasse as a finalist for the school president’s job.

Three key takeaways from the state’s football scene this past weekend.

A Central Florida task force sent to the southwest part of the state to help in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian is coming home.

A Georgia K-9 deputy helped drug agents find $172K worth of fentanyl tablets at a Hall County delivery hub last week that had been sent from California.

Police in Georgia discovered nearly 600 grams of fentanyl worth $172,000 during a routine search at a local package delivery hub in Gainesville.

Come and enjoy everything from brews, an expanded beer garden, and a Bat Barn!

With just 12 hours’ notice, a handful of volunteers and a few thousand dollars’ worth of supplies, outreach groups from Alive Church in Orlando and Gainesville made the journey to Southwest Florida to help Hurricane Ian victims.

HALL COUNTY, Ga. — A woman in Gainesville, Georgia, was arrested for allegedly attacking a man with a meat cleaver. >> Read more trending newsAccording to WSB-TV, Cristal Hernandez, 28, was arrested early Monday morning at a house in Gainesville. Investigators told WSB-TV that Hernandez allegedly attacked a man during an argument in her garage. She allegedly used a meat cleaver. According to WSB-TV, Hernandez remains in jail with no bond.

An academic discusses the logistics of evacuating 2.5 million Floridians.

South Florida relocated its Saturday game against East Carolina from Tampa, Florida, to Boca Raton. Although South Carolina is a safer distance from the major storm, the Gamecocks didn't want to wait to make a decision regarding their game against South Carolina State. South Carolina State also relies on its “paycheck game” from South Carolina. “There’s no perfect plan, but we’re trying to put together the best thing for our team at this moment,” South Carolina coach Shane Beamer said. ___AP Sports Writers Pete Iacobelli in Columbia, South Carolina, and Tom Withers in Cleveland contributed.

OCALA, Fla. — An Ocala boy was killed Thursday morning after being hit by truck while walking to school. According to police, the 13-year-old had been riding on the back of a motorcycle being driven by his mother on SW 20th Street, near SW 30th Court, when he saw a friend walking on the sidewalk. Read: Bond set for Palm Bay police officer accused of having sex with girl, 13, while on duty“Our hearts go out to his family during this extremely difficult time,” Ocala police said in a statement. Investigators have not released the name of the child or the driver involved in the crash and said the crash is still under investigation. See map of location below:Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.

18 Florida rally to beat South Florida 31-28 on Saturday night. South Florida was a 24 1/2-point underdog and for the 20th time in 24 games under third-year coach Jeff Scott. THE TAKEAWAYSouth Florida: The Bulls fell to 0-3 against Florida, but this one was considerably closer than the previous two. It could be a sign USF is closing the gap on the Gators, who remain the only Sunshine State team that hasn’t lost to South Florida. Florida has been outscored 24-0 by Utah, Kentucky and South Florida in the frame.

Trevor Etienne’s 3-yard touchdown run with 5 minutes remaining helped No. 18 Florida rally to beat South Florida 31-28.

No. 20 Kentucky intercepted Anthony Richardson twice, Keidron Smith returned one of those interception 65 yards for a touchdown, and the Wildcats toppled 12th-ranked Florida 26-16 in the Swamp.

OPENINGS + CLOSINGS: Sweet Buns, the Tampa-based Asian bakery with a location in Gainesville, will open on East Colonial Drive in Colonialtown North early next...

Though he currently lives in Gainesville, Steven Head has an extensive pedigree in left-field Orlando music, so we're claiming his as our own. And he's...

A Florida man who stole a box truck in Hillsborough County Tuesday morning managed to reach Alachua County before he was caught on camera, investigators said.

The preseason edition of the USA Today coaches poll was released Monday and Georgia came in at No. 3 behind Alabama and Ohio State. Alabama, of course, lost to UGA in last year’s CFP title game while Ohio State fell short of winning the Big Ten championship for the first time since 2016. Alabama received 54 of the 65 first-place votes while Ohio State received five and Georgia received six. Michigan, on the heels of its first win over Ohio State since 2011 and its first outright Big Ten title since 2003, is ranked No.

Florida ranked fourth in the country for total reported cases of sexually transmitted diseases in a June study released by Innerbody Research, an organization providing health information and research.

GAINESVILLE, Ga. — A Georgia woman has been arrested for allegedly killing her elderly fiancé and living with his body. >> Read more trending newsThe Associated Press says Tabitha Zeldia Wood, 45, was arrested on Thursday for allegedly killing her fiance, Leroy Frankin Kramer Jr., 82, and living with his body for two months. Deputies arrived at his home and found his body, according to the AP. Wood allegedly told them that he had died at the beginning of April and she had been living with his body since. An autopsy concluded that Kramer’s death was a homicide but no further details have been released, according to the AP.

A Gainesville attorney facing a total of 22 felony counts related to what he allegedly did to an 8-year-old girl while taking care of her is an attorney no more.

Pride events happening around Central Florida during the month of June

Mick Hubert, the unmistakable “Voice of the Gators,” is retiring.

Researchers had no idea if anything would sprout in the harsh moon dirt and wanted to see if it could be used to grow food by the next generation of lunar explorers. Plants actually grow in lunar stuff. Ferl and his colleagues planted thale cress in moon soil returned by Apollo 11′s Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin, and other moonwalkers. Most of the moon plants ended up stunted. One solution might be to use younger geologic spots on the moon, like lava flows, for digging up planting soil.

Researchers had no idea if anything would sprout in the harsh moon dirt and wanted to see if it could be used to grow food by the next generation of lunar explorers. Plants actually grow in lunar stuff. Ferl and his colleagues planted thale cress in moon soil returned by Apollo 11′s Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin, and other moonwalkers. Most of the moon plants ended up stunted. One solution might be to use younger geologic spots on the moon, like lava flows, for digging up planting soil.

Scientists for the first time have grown plants in soil from the moon collected by NASA’s Apollo astronauts.

Gov. Ron DeSantis is set to hold a news briefing Wednesday at a restaurant near Gainesville.

Two teens were involved in a deadly car crash in Ocala Tuesday morning, leaving one dead, Ocala police said.

(AP Photo/Phil Sears) (Phil Sears)TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — (AP) — Voting rights groups sued Florida on Friday over a congressional map drawn by Gov. Ron DeSantis and passed by the GOP-controlled Legislature, saying it will diminish the state's Black representation and benefit Republicans. The League of Women Voters of Florida, the Black Voters Matter Capacity Building Institute, Equal Ground Education Fund and others filed the suit in a state court in Tallahassee. Democrats say the map strongly favors the GOP and would dismantles two districts currently held by Black members of congress. Many political observers have said the DeSantis map could give Republicans a 20-8 advantage, though Florida’s vast number of unaffiliated voters can swing elections.

Voting rights groups have sued Florida over a congressional map drawn by Gov. Ron DeSantis and passed by the GOP-controlled Legislature.

If you head out, be safe, be cool. Wolf-Face 10-Year Anniversary Show: These Tampa cult heroes play punk rock while dressed as an all-Teen Wolf...

A pair of teens led deputies on a chase through Marion County after they were spotted with a car stolen from a pizza delivery driver in Gainesville, according to the sheriff's office.

A University of Florida investigation has found no merit to allegations that state or university officials pressured researchers to suppress or destroy COVID-19 research data.

Three-time Funny Car season champion Matt Hagan gave Tony Stewart Racing its first NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series victory Sunday, racing to his first career win at the historic Gatornationals at Gainesville Raceway. In the final round, Hagan powered his Dodge Charger Hellcat SRT to a run of 3.910-seconds at 330.96 mph to beat Blake Alexander for his 40th career victory and first in three races this year with Tony Stewart Racing.

Yellow cardinal: A rare yellow cardinal was spotted on the University of Florida campus last month. But this month, a yellow cardinal has soared to the top of the university’s popularity list. >> Read more trending newsThe rare bird, a male Northern cardinal, has been spotted in a wooded area on the Gainesville campus, the Gainesville Sun reported. A yellow cardinal was first spotted in Alabaster, Alabama, in late January 2018 in the backyard of Charlie Stephenson. Experts believe there are only 10 to 15 yellow cardinals in North America, the Sun reported.

Menacing gator: A nearly 12-foot alligator that came within inches of a paddleboarder last September has been killed. (Bob D'Angelo/Cox Media Group)GAINESVILLE, Fla. — A nearly 12-foot alligator that swam within inches of a terrified paddleboarder last September has been killed, Florida wildlife officials said Wednesday. The alligator had been a popular sight among kayakers and paddleboarders at the Central Florida state park, as it was usually seen sunning itself on the banks of the Silver River, WUFT reported. >> Watch: Paddleboarder films close encounter with alligator in FloridaFlorida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission spokesperson Tammy Sapp confirmed to Fresh Take Florida that the alligator killed on Feb. 22 was the same one seen in the viral videos and photographs. In a separate video posted on Facebook after the encounter, Baker said she believed someone had been feeding the alligator.

Lavon Bracy made history when she and two other students integrated Gainesville High School in 1965.

The color and excitement of The Villages Balloon Festival doesn’t just come from the balloons. Visitors to the event, which starts at 1 p.m. Friday through Sunday at The Villages

A Florida school superintendent who defied Gov. Ron DeSantis on pandemic masks for students has been fired by the local school board.

The Tigers (24-3, 12-2 Southeastern Conference) lost their second straight on the road and dropped their first game in regulation. Appleby had everything to do with this one, which was Florida’s 14th straight over Auburn in Gainesville. The senior made 6 of 9 shots in the second half, including 4 of 6 from 3-point range, and was perfect from the free-throw line. Coach Bruce Pearl’s team used a solid second half – its opening 20 minutes were close to abysmal – to take control. Florida: The Gators needed a victory like this to improve their chances of making a fifth straight NCAA Tournament.

Tyree Appleby scored 20 of his 26 points in the second half, Colin Castleton added 19 and Florida rallied to beat No. 2 Auburn 63-62 to extend its home dominance in the series.

LaVon Bracy and Ingrid Burton Nathan talk about their experiences with racism and hate in the face of desegregating Florida schools.

A Silver Alert has been issued for Gregory Vincent Devon Heverling, 72, of Altoona, according to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.

His father was the first black doctor to acquire membership in the Florida Medical Association, so it’s no surprise that when George Jr.’s opportunity to make history arrived, he took it. On a sunny September day in 1958, Starke Jr. walked into a classroom at the University of Florida and became the first Black student in the school’s history. “It had been in the news about desegregation had been ordered in Gainesville, and I decided to apply,” Starke said. A few years ago, he was recognized by the University of Florida with an honorary doctorate of law. He was also recognized last year by state leaders for his contribution to Florida history and education.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Wednesday announced an $89 million investment in career and technical education to support workforce training initiatives at state colleges and school districts statewide.

Officials say shark attacks increased around the world in 2021 following three consecutive years of decline, though beach closures in 2020 caused by the COVID-19 pandemic could be making the numbers seem more dramatic than they are.

Researchers with the International Shark Attack File recorded 73 unprovoked incidents last year, compared to 52 bites in 2020, according to a new report. The United States, Brazil, New Zealand and South Africa each had a single unprovoked fatal shark attack. Provoked attacks are defined as when humans initiate contact, such as divers trying to touch a shark or fishermen removing a shark from a fishing net, according to the International Shark Attack File. Florida has led the U.S. and the rest of the world in unprovoked shark bites for decades, and the trend continued in 2021, researchers said. The single fatal unprovoked shark attack in the U.S. in 2021 was in California.

Florida hired New York Giants offensive line coach Rob Sale to a similar position Tuesday.

GAINESVILLE, Texas — That will be one patty melt with jalapeños, one junior cheeseburger -- and one wedding ceremony. >> Read more trending newsA Texas couple stopped at a local Whataburger for a fast-food lunch and a quick wedding, KXII-TV reported. “She’s everything to me,” Mitchell told the television station. That is when he asked Phillips about a quick wedding at the Whataburger. “I was like, ‘I love you so as long as we’re married,’” Phillips told KXII.

Robbie Roper, a Georgia high school quarterback who'd seen some interest from the Florida Gators, among others, died Wednesday at a Gainesville hospital.

UCF’s long wait for another shot at Florida is over.

Police say a 57-year-old Florida man angry over his neighbors’ parking habits sprayed fire from a commercial flamethrower toward a car with three teenagers inside.

Beverly Jerome and her husband have been caught in a state unemployment “return to work” issue dating back to Sept. 22, 2020.

Armed with a flamethrower, which is not a regulated weapon, the man allegedly sprayed flames toward a car with three teens inside in parking dispute.

Previously winless Texas Southern stunned No. 20 Florida 69-54 behind PJ Henry’s 16 points and a perfect shooting night by Joirdon Karl Nicholas.

Texas Southern Florida Basketball Texas Southern forward Joirdon Karl Nicholas (5) celebrates with forward Brison Gresham (44) and guard PJ Henry (3) after playing against Florida during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Monday, Dec. 6, 2021, in Gainesville, Fla. (AP Photo/Matt Stamey) (Matt Stamey)GAINESVILLE, Fla. — (AP) — Previously winless Texas Southern stunned No. 20 Florida 69-54 on Monday night behind PJ Henry’s 16 points and Joirdon Karl Nicholas’ perfect shooting performance. Texas Southern became the first Southwestern Athletic Conference team to beat a ranked SEC program in The Associated Press poll era dating to 1936, ESPN Stats & Info said. The Tigers were coming off a 27-point loss at Louisiana Tech and catching a Florida team trying to rebound from its first loss. Texas Southern is led by former LSU coach Johnny Jones, who evened his record against White at 2-2.

Previously winless Texas Southern stunned No. 20 Florida 69-54 behind PJ Henry’s 16 points and a perfect shooting night by Joirdon Karl Nicholas.

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — (AP) — Nearly two decades after earning a place in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and more than four years after his death, rock icon Tom Petty has been awarded an honorary Ph.D. from the University of Florida. READ: Central Florida woman wins $1M from scratch-off ticketThe school’s board of trustees unanimously voted to award Thomas Earl Petty a posthumous doctoral degree in music during a Friday meeting. Born and raised in Gainesville, Petty once worked as a groundskeeper at UF as he tried to make it in the music industry, but he was never enrolled. READ: BP oil spill fund: $103M to projects in 3 Gulf statesPetty passed away from an accidental drug overdose in October 2017. Days later during a UF home football game, the song “I Won’t Back Down” was played at the stadium as a memorial to Petty.

Anthony Richardson came off the bench and led Florida to a 24-21 victory over rival Florida State on Saturday that made the Gators bowl eligible a week after firing coach Dan Mullen.

A U.S. House subcommittee is investigating whether the University of Florida interfered with academic freedom and free speech when it stopped three professors from testifying as experts in a lawsuit challenging Florida’s controversial election law.

20 Florida State 71-55 on Sunday to end a seven-game losing streak in the series. Florida (2-0) won its first game against its biggest in-state rival since 2013 and took a huge step forward in coach Mike White’s seventh season. The last meeting was marred by Florida forward Keyontae Johnson’s collapse on the court in Tallahassee. POLL IMPLICATIONSFlorida State might fall out of the next AP college basketball poll, which gets released Monday. ___More AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball and https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://twitter.com/AP_Top25Copyright 2021 The Associated Press.

Colin Castleton had 15 points, a career-high 16 rebounds and six blocks as Florida knocked off No. 20 Florida State 71-55 to end a seven-game losing streak in the series.

Emory Jones accounted for 550 yards and seven touchdowns, delivering a career performance in Florida’s come-from-behind, 70-52 victory against lower-division Samford.

Experimental and wondrously ethereal harp/violin duo Leya are on tour right now, and as you're reading reading this, the NYC-based duo of Adam Markiewicz (violin) and...

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — (AP) — Reversing its previous position, the University of Florida said Friday that it would allow professors to testify as experts in a lawsuit challenging a new state law that critics say restricts voting rights. Fuchs said the outside work would have to be on the professors’ own time and not use university resources. Not allowing them to testify would be "an attack on all of us,” said Paul Ortiz, a history professor who is president of the union chapter at the University of Florida. The University of Florida's president answers to its board of trustees, which has six members appointed by the governor and five appointed by the state university system’s board of governors. DeSantis’ office, in a statement earlier this week, denied being behind the decision to block the faculty members’ testimony.

The University of Florida is reversing its position, saying it will allow three professors to serve as experts in a lawsuit challenging a new state election law.

10-year-old Ja'siah Williams was struck, killed by a vehicle while walking to his bus stop.

The University of Florida has been asked by its accrediting body to explain how denying a request by three professors to serve as paid experts in a voting rights lawsuit conforms to standards for academic freedom and avoids undue political influence.

If you can make it to Gainesville for the first iteration of The Fest since 2019, you probably should. But for those of us who...

A 33-year-old Gainesville woman died after a high-speed drift that led her vehicle to a fiery crash into a tree.

After weeks of controversy that became a political issue between Gov. Ron DeSantis and one of his potential rivals in the 2022 gubernatorial election, Florida children are set to receive over $1 billion in federal relief funding.

11 Florida to a 38-14 victory over Tennessee on Saturday night and extending nearly two decades of dominance in the series. Jones ran for 43 yards on Florida’s next drive and capped it with a 9-yard TD pass to Rick Wells. Jones completed 21 of 27 passes for 209 yards on the night and ran 15 times, with a long of 49 yards. He became Florida's first QB to top 200 yards passing and 100 yards rushing since Tim Tebow in 2009 against Florida State. Tennessee came into the game allowing just 54.3 yards rushing a game.

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — (AP) — A Florida school district has received cash from President Joe Biden's administration to make up for state pay cuts imposed over a board's vote for a student anti-coronavirus mask mandate. Alachua County school Superintendent Carlee Simon said in a news release Thursday the district has received $148,000 through a U.S. Department of Education program. Simon says Alachua, where Gainesville and the University of Florida are located, is the first district in the nation to receive such a grant. Ron DeSantis and state education officials have begun cutting salaries paid to school board members in Florida who voted to require masks for students. In Alachua County, the pay reductions so far for four school board members who voted for the mask mandate amounted to $27,000, Simon said.

The 2022 Florida Gators football schedule was released on Tuesday night.

The Florida Gators will host the Tennessee Volunteers at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville at 7 p.m. on Saturday.

APTOPIX Alabama Florida Football Alabama running back Jase McClellan runs past Florida cornerback Avery Helm, left, and linebacker Jeremiah Moon, right, to score a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021, in Gainesville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux) (John Raoux)GAINESVILLE, Fla. — (AP) — Bryce Young’s first collegiate road start was a rousing success, a three-touchdown performance that helped top-ranked Alabama hold off No. 11 Florida 31-29 in the Southeastern Conference opener for both teams Saturday. 1-ranked teams at Florida Field. Florida seemingly got a break when Alabama (3-0, 1-0) was flagged for a false start on fourth-and-goal at the 1. That gave the Gators a chance to tie, and play-caller Mullen and quarterback Emory Jones directed a masterful drive.

DeSantis' spokesperson, Taryn Fenske, told Insider the governor "has never said the vaccine changes your RNA, nor is that his opinion."

JACKSONVILLE, Florida — Gov. Ron DeSantis said on Monday he will issue steep fines on local officials who fire employees who are not vaccinated against COVID-19 and is supporting a lawsuit to stop the city of Gainesville from imposing the requirement.

Gov. Ron DeSantis said Monday that Florida will fight local and federal COVID-19 vaccination mandates for public and private workers, warning that such requirements will...