Monday, July 11, 2022

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VOLUME 116 ISSUE 40

MONDAY, JULY 11, 2022

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Sexual assault investigation into Keyontae Johnson halts THE STATE ATTORNEY’S OFFICE WILL NOT PROSECUTE THE FORMER FLORIDA BASKETBALL PLAYER

By Karina Wilson Sports Writer

Samantha Harrison // Alligator Staff

Former Florida basketball player Keyontae Johnson during Florida's game against the Auburn Tigers Saturday, Feb. 19, 2022. A woman reported Johnson sexually assaulted her Feb. 26. The State Attorney's Office will not prosecute Johnson.

Florida appeals controversial 15-week abortion law ruling, reinstates ban

Judge Cooper ruled the ban was unconstitutional, but his temporary statewide injunction was scrapped minutes later

By Carissa Allen Alligator Staff Writer

Florida’s 15-week abortion ban went back in effect Tuesday afternoon after the state appealed a judge’s injunction blocking the ban, nullifying it in less than an hour.

Judicial Circuit Court Judge John Cooper said the abortion restriction violated the Florida Constitution’s privacy prong in a verbal ruling Thursday. The ban could not be blocked until he signed an official written ruling. The injunction will

SPORTS/SPECIAL/CUTOUT Talent beyond the track

remain temporarily blocked until the District Court of Appeals hears it.

“We knew that that was likely going to be what was decided in that case,” Gov. Ron DeSantis said at a press conference Friday. “We knew that we were going to have to move forward and continue the legal battle on that.”

UF Levin College of Law professor Danaya Wright said she would be surprised if the appeals court removes Cooper’s injunction because that would overturn state precedent

Story description finish with comma, pg# Alissa Braxton, Florida triple jump star, develops more than her athletic abilities.

Read more on pg. 11.

SEE ABORTION, PAGE 5

The Alachua County State Attorney’s Office abandoned a sexual assault case against Keyontae Johnson Wednesday after a monthslong investigation into the former Florida basketball player.

The 23-year-old 2020 SEC Preseason Player of the Year was under investigation after a woman accused him of sexually assaulting her while she was intoxicated at a Feb. 26 pool party at Johnson’s residence in Canopy Apartments, less than two miles away from UF’s campus.

“This has been a really difficult situation for everybody involved,” Johnson wrote in a statement Wednesday. “I just hope that we all can move forward from here and find peace. My goal now is to choose a school where I can continue my education and basketball career.”

The recent graduate entered the transfer portal May 1 amid the investigation, which lasted more than three months. Johnson confirmed in a May 2 Instagram post he was medically cleared to compete after he sought additional opinions.

Johnson collapsed during a December 2020 game against Florida State University and made his first appearance on the court since with a ceremonial start on Florida’s Senior Day March 5. The alleged in-

cident took place one week prior, a few hours after the Florida basketball team defeated the Georgia Bulldogs in Athens, Georgia.

Johnson admitted he was aware of the accuser’s drunken state in a phone call monitored by police.

The two previously had consensual intercourse dating back to August 2021, according to reports, but the accuser denied Johnson’s advances and made it clear she did not want to continue having sex.

In the last year, the State Attorney’s Office investigated two men with ties to UF who faced separate sexual assault charges. Michael Nanosky Jr., a former philanthropy chairman for the Theta Chi fraternity, avoided jail time and pleaded guilty to aggravated assault, a lesser felony, March 17. Oscar Vargas, a 20-yearold Santa Fe College student and past social events chair of the UF fencing club, was released from the Alachua County Jail on a $100,000 bond and pleaded not guilty ahead of his next court date July 18.

Ron Kozlowksi, Johnson’s attorney, said he was confident the state attorney’s investigation would find more information than initial reports reflected.

“We were confident from the beginning that once the state attorney had the opportunity to look hard at the facts and talk to a lot of witnesses that they would come to the same conclusion that we did,” he said, “that Keyontae didn't do anything wrong here.” @kk_rinaa kwilson@alligator.org

UF student under investigation for death threat INVESTIGATION COMES ABOUT 2 WEEKS AFTER TIKTOK STAR JOSH RICHARDS CANCELED HIS JUNE 29 EVENT

By Faith Buckley Alligator Staff Writer

University police lodged a felony complaint against a UF student Friday afternoon after a death threat forced a guest speaker to cancel his appearance on campus, police say.

Ryan Marin, an 18-year-old UF microbiology sophomore, shared an edited photo to Instagram June 15 depicting “a UF guest speaker” with bullet wounds and portraying himself as an anime character, Kaworu Nagisa, standing behind the speaker with a gun, according to a UFPD sworn complaint. The image could be viewed as a threat to kill, police said.

The threat caused the speaker to suffer “a major financial loss” and “was one of the deciding factors for canceling his event at UF,” according to the complaint.

The criminal investigation comes about two weeks after TikTok star Josh Richards pulled out of his June 29 event two days before it was scheduled, citing an unfore-

Campus COVID-19 cases climb

COVID-19 cases in Alachua County swell as Summer B semester starts, but school offers no new policy changes, pg. 5

seen family obligation. Marin’s alleged post was reported to police June 28.

Richards, a 20-year-old Ontario native with 25.6 million TikTok followers, was the first guest Student Government’s Accent Speakers Bureau recruited since Olympic skier Lindsey Vonn spoke March 21. The bureau announced Richards’ $60,000 visit was postponed indefinitely in a June 27 Instagram post.

Marin said he was not made aware of the investigation and denied the allegations he made an Instagram post about Richards.

Richards’ contract maintains UF is obligated to reschedule, but it is unclear when he will resume plans to speak to students.

Accent Chairman Tyler Kahan declined to comment on the complaint and directed The Alligator to UFPD. UFPD Captain Latrell Simmons did not respond to two calls, two emails and one voicemail from The Alligator as of Saturday. The police department was closed when The Alligator visited Saturday.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates. @_faithbuckley fbuckley@alligator.org

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New UFPD mental health initiative

Department one of 14 learning sites for initiative with mental health counselors partnering with officers, pg. 3

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2 ALLIGATOR MONDAY, JULY 11, 2022

Today’s Weatheraround Presidential searches the nation reflect UF’s own DESIRED PRESIDENTIAL QUALITIES VARY, BUT SECRECY REMAINS CONSISTENT

By Lindsay Schindler Alligator Staff Writer

UF’s ongoing secretive presidential search follows similar private searches at other institutions — a reflection of shifting national dynamics as search firms encourage confidentiality.

In the past two years, institutions such as Harvard University, State University of New York at Oswego, Pennsylvania State University and Temple University have undergone or are undergoing their own presidential searches. While prioritized qualifications vary based on the community’s needs, the searches’ similarities and secrecy can be seen across the nation.

Little is known about UF’s search as it enters its fourth month. Public record bills passed in March permit the names of Florida schools’ presidential candidates to remain private; the list of presidential candidates is released only 21 days prior to the official selection of the new university president.

UF’s search began in March, three months after UF President Kent Fuchs announced he would resign from his position to become a professor of electrical and computer engineering.

UF’s Board of Trustees chose SP&A Executive Search, a search firm specializing in serving higher education sectors, because of its experience conducting Florida State University’s and the University of South Florida’s presidential searches, UF Board of Trustees member Tom Kuntz said. Search firms have become increasingly popular in recent

years, and they often advise universities to keep the search confidential to recruit candidates without jeopardizing their current positions at other universities.

In a UF presidential search listening session May 24, Andrew Treadwell, Indian River State College’s Pruitt Campus president and UF alumnus, said UF’s next president should have the traditional academic background and understand the duties of a tier-one research institution.

The candidate should also have interpersonal skills, such as philanthropy and fundraising prowess, and be an expert communicator with media, faculty and students, Treadwell said.

“You’re looking for a unicorn in today’s day and age.”

- Andrew Treadwell, Indian River State College

Nina Jablonski, an anthropology professor at Penn State and member of the search committee, said the election process at her university was similarly secretive. Everyone on the 2021 presidential search committee had to sign a confidentiality agreement.

“The search committee took this very seriously because we knew that a leak could entirely derail and delegitimize the process,” she wrote in an email.

Penn State sought a president with a holistic understanding of academia; it wanted someone equipped to deal with multi-campus research and teaching institutions, Jablonski said. Penn State has 20 undergraduate campuses, and the university wanted someone who could sufficiently manage them all. Neeli Bendapudi, former president of the University of Louisville, was named Penn State’s 19th president May 9.

VOLUME 116 ISSUE 40

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A former student’s lawsuit arguing UF violated its contract when it required the student body to pay for on-campus amenities despite COVID-19 restrictions will see the Florida First District Court of Appeals in Tallahassee July 20.

Anthony Rojas, a UF alumnus, filed the class action lawsuit in Alachua County April 2021.

UF did not provide contracted services like transportation, athletics, activities and health care, and access to bus routes around campus was heavily reduced or shut down when UF moved classes online March 2020 per the Florida Board of Governors instructions, according to the lawsuit. The unavailable services cost students $46.21 per credit hour.

Alachua County Circuit Court Judge Monica Brasington’s decision to not dismiss the case prompted UF to file an appeal. The university asked the judge to dismiss the charges based on a claim to sovereign immunity, a doctrine stating a government entity cannot be sued without its consent, but Brasington said Rojas’ class schedules, tuition invoice and UF’s Financial Liability

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Similarly, in February 2021, Temple’s presidential search committee said its ideal candidate should focus on students’ needs and have experience managing large, complex organizations. Mitchell Morgan, Board of Trustees Chairman at Temple, said its next president should have significant fundraising experience. Jason Wingard was selected to be Temple’s 12th president in June 2021.

SUNY Oswego’s search began in November 2021 after President Deborah F. Stanley announced she would retire in May 2021 after 26 years in the position. Oswego said its next president should be innovative and put the students first. Oswego has not released a list of candidates.

Harvard President Larry Bacow announced last month he would step down from his role, and the names of the search committee were announced Thursday.

As more students return to campus for Summer and Fall classes, information on UF’s search remains hidden, but its rival schools may offer an expected timeline. FSU released a list of 22 applicants May 10, 2021; Richard McCullough, the former vice provost of research at Harvard University, was named president two weeks later. @lindsschindler lschindler@alligator.org

UF appeals class action lawsuit for Spring and Summer 2020 fee refund THE FLORIDA FIRST DISTRICT COURT OF APPEALS WILL DECIDE WHETHER UF MAY BE SUED FOR CHARGING STUDENTS FEES WHILE COVID-19 CLOSED CAMPUS

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Agreement proved there was a contract for UF to provide services for those fees.

“When a governmental entity enters into an express, written contract that is authorized by the powers granted to it by the [Florida] Legislature, it waives its sovereign immunity,” Brasington wrote Oct. 18, 2021, in a court document referring to a previous Florida Supreme Court case decision in Pan-Am Tobacco Corp. v. Dep’t of Corr.

Brasington did not rule whether UF breached the contract, only that it could be sued for potentially doing so.

All three judges assigned to the appeal have ties to UF; two are graduates and Judge Scott Makar is an adjunct professor at UF’s Levin College of Law. Makar disclosed his position to all parties May 17 and said he didn’t believe it was a basis for recusal. Neither party raised an objection to Makar sitting on the panel.

Similar cases asked the University of South Florida, Miami-Dade College and Florida State University to pay back fees charged to students; Florida’s district courts have come to different decisions concerning whether cases like this should be considered, and some of these cases are still in progress.

UF administration discussed reducing fees in 2020, but the idea did not come to fruition despite President Kent Fuchs and Provost Joe Glover’s approval; the difference would have been eight cents per credit hour. @sn_mcdonald smcdonald@alligator.org

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MONDAY, JULY 11, 2022 ALLIGATOR 3

University police reevaluate active shooter procedures, launch mental health initiative Tactical trainings remain unchanged, new initiative strives to better handle mental health issues

By Kyle Bumpers & Troy Myers Alligator Staff Writers

UF’s police department will not change its campus safety protocols after recent school shootings invoked fear nationwide, but it will implement a first-of-its-kind program in Fall: mental health counselors will partner with its officers.

The new initiative, called the Behavioral Health Co-Responder Support Team, will have one or two counselors employed by August, according to UFPD’s Assistant Director for Behavioral Services Meggen Tucker Sixbey. The department hired one clinician and hopes to onboard a second by the Fall semester.

“The hope for the future is that there will be a counselor 24/7/365 paired with an officer.”

- Meggen Tucker Sixbey, Assistant Director for Behavioral Services

UFPD’s model mirrors nationwide city and county programs that deploy both a counselor and an officer responding to calls. If the situation is deemed safe, the officer will leave, and the counselor will stay as long as needed to connect the affected persons with appropriate resources.

UF Co-Responder clinicians respond to calls with situations involving a mental health component, UFPD Captain Latrell Simmons and Sixbey wrote in an email, such as someone who is suicidal, appears disoriented or is in an escalated emotional state.

“Police get called for so many non-police matters,” Sixbey said. “I think a lot of departments across the country are saying, ‘What else can we do?’”

UFPD Officer Scott Silver declined to give specific details about upcoming UFPD tactical training but said the recent shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, sparked conversation about what did and did not work for law enforcement during the tragedy.

Officers regularly patrol campus and train for active shooter situations, Simmons said.

The community service department also provides presentations, active assailant training and GatorSAFE app tutorials to professors and organizations upon request.

In the event of a shooting, UFPD would need to rule the scene safe before it deploys counselors, Simmons said. Co-responder clinicians would work with a larger counseling organization, such as the Counseling and Wellness Center, to address incidents’ repercussions.

People should follow the RUN HIDE FIGHT protocol, Silver said, which directs people to run if the assailant’s location is known, hide if the shooter’s location is unknown and fight as a last resort in active shooter situations.

Everyone should also take three to five seconds to come up with an escape plan when they walk into a new room, UFPD Lieutenant Jacob Pruitt, an active shooter training course instructor who taught UFPD officers, said.

Pruitt’s active shooter safety course is a priority for new UF hires. Library staff is required to complete annual training, and every College of Medicine employee hired in the last two years has taken the course.

Hope Lee, a 20-year-old public relations and piano performance senior, said she assumed there were resources for active shooter training, but she wasn’t told about any. She learned what to do in “dangerous situations” when she trained for her student assistant position at Newell Hall in Fall 2021, but she said she did not learn what to do with active shooters.

Lee relies on the GatorSAFE app, which warns her of potential nearby sexual assaults and kidnappings.

“If I didn’t check those, I would have never known. For all I know, that could have been me or my roommates.”

- Hope Lee, UF student

She said UF is not present enough in conversations students regularly have about active shooters; students should still try to be aware, but the university holds the responsibility to inform and protect students, she said.

AMBIENT EVENING WITH KANE POUR CHAIR MASSAGE

BY SW REC SPORTS FREE FOOD

Heather Bushman // Alligator Staff

The University Police Department is located at 1555 Museum Road next to Jennings Hall.

“We have to all put into perspective that this can happen anywhere, and we need to be vigilant at all times,” Lee said. “I do have that subconsciously hiding in the back of my head.”

A behavioral consultation team at UF meets once a week to discuss any threats to the student community. UFPD, the CWC, the Department of Housing and Residence Education, Human Resources, Ombuds office, Office for Accessibility and Gender Equity, the Dean of Students Office and the General Counsel’s office all have representation, Sixbey said.

UFPD was one of the original six departments chosen to be a learning site for the U.S. Department of Justice’s police-mental health collaboration program, which encourages partnerships with health care providers and mental health advocates to provide safety for all, effectively respond to calls, improve access to the services and support people with mental health problems.

Today, there are 14 total learning sites, including UFPD. Other police departments include the Los Angeles Police Department, Mi-

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ami-Dade Police Department and the Salt Lake City Police Department.

The developing counselor program will reflect models like the Eugene, Oregon, based CAHOOTS, Portland Street Response and Denver STAR, Sixbey said.

The CWC’s staff also worked with officers during crisis intervention team programs to learn how to better handle students with mental distress living in on-campus housing, said Dr. Rosa West, the assistant director of outreach and consultation for the CWC. Dr. West looks forward to spreading the word about UFPD’s initiative and reassuring students who may need to contact the police that they can feel safe doing so.

“I think that’s where UF kind of stands above the rest,” West said. “We are innovative, especially around things related to mental health.” @BumpersKyle kbumpers@alligator.org @Troy_Myers1 tmyers@alligator.org

4 ALLIGATOR MONDAY, JULY 11, 2022

Gainesville police investigating shooting 11 Gainesville men indicted outside Clarence R. Kelly Community Center for 5 years of crimes Police are still searching for 1 man

NO ONE WAS HARMED

By Omar Ateyah

By Jackson Reyes Alligator Staff Writer

Alligator Staff Writer

Gainesville police are investigating a shooting that happened outside the Clarence R. Kelly Center Friday.

Multiple bullets hit the building, located at 1701 NE 8Eighth Ave. near the East Gainesville Walmart, but staff and children were not harmed, Gainesville Police Department spokesperson Graham Glover said. It is not clear whether the shooter was targeting the center as of Sunday.

The community center, which reopened after renovations June 19, declined to comment on the shooting.

A grand jury recently indicted 11 Gainesville gang members for crimes including the Gainesville American Legion shoot-out, which killed a 13-year-old boy last year.

Gainesville police are asking anyone with information about the incident to contact the Com-

A grand jury indicted 11 Gainesville gang members in May for crimes including deadly shootings like the Gainesville American Legion shoot-out, the state attorney announced last week.

The alleged criminal activity occurred in a five-year period from April 2017 to May 2022.

The racketeering offenses include murder, attempted murder, robbery, burglary, drug possession and battery. Eight of the 11 defendants were indicted for firearm or ammunition possession by a delinquent.

Ten of the 11 defendants are being held at the Alachua County Jail. Police are still searching for the eleventh defendant, 18-year-old Elton Banks Jr. The indictment accuses Banks of burglarizing vehicles and fleeing from law enforcement on multiple occasions. It also accuses him of illegal drug possession and shooting at an

Fernando Figueroa // Alligator Staff

Gainesville Police Department monitors Clarence R. Kelly Center Sunday, July 10, 2022. bined Communications Center at 352-955-1818. To remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 352-372-7867.

Federal grand jury indicts former Gainesville preschool teacher for child pornography TREVOR HRUBY WAS ARRESTED LAST YEAR FOR SEXUALLY ASSAULTING A CHILD

By Omar Ateyah Alligator Staff Writer

A federal grand jury indicted a former Gainesville preschool teacher on child pornography charges June 28.

The U.S. Justice Department announced the indictment of Trevor Hruby, a 24-yearold Gainesville resident, on four counts of child pornography production and one count of possession July 1. He also faces charges for allegedly sexually assaulting a child last year at A Child’s Dream preschool, where he was a teacher. He has been in the Alachua County Jail since September 2021.

A judge told him his charges June 29 before returning him to U.S. Marshals Service’s custody. He allegedly possessed pornographic material involving children younger than 12, according to a U.S. Attorney’s Office press release.

The Justice Department said the investigation was a joint effort between the FBI and the Gainesville Police Department.

Hruby’s next court date is a case management set for July 27. His federal trial for the child pornography indictment is set to begin Aug. 3, according to the Justice Department’s release. @OAteyah oateyah@alligator.org

@JacksnReyes jacksonreyes@alligator.org

occupied residence.

Javari Baptiste, an 18-year-old, was indicted for his involvement in the June 2021 Gainesville American Legion shoot-out that led to the death of a 13-year-old bystander.

The grand jury also indicted two men, 18-year-old Orion Davis and 20-year-old Montrell Carter, for October 2021 firearm possession; the two men were allegedly involved in a shooting outside Green Apple Liquor at that time that injured a woman.

Tyree Johnson, an 18-yearold, was indicted for the alleged premeditated murder of Kiontaya Presley around Jan. 1.

The youngest defendant is 17-year-old Delonte Bing, who allegedly sold cannabis at Fort Clarke Middle School in 2018, according to the indictment. He also allegedly participated in a 2019 theft of a firearm from a vehicle, a 2020 assault and a 2021 shooting. @OAteyah oateyah@alligator.org

Student Government considers third censure of the Summer The UF SG Senate Rules and Ethics Committee will complete two censure hearings Friday against Judiciary Chairman John Brinkman and Senator Jonathan C. Stephens

By Sandra McDonald Alligator Staff Writer

The UF Student Government Senate Rules and Ethics Committee will complete two censure hearings into legislative body members Friday.

Separate censure petitions were filed against Senator Jonathan C. Stephens and Judiciary Chairman John Brinkman.

The censures said Stephens acted disrespectfully and Brinkman actively abused his power.

A potential censure into Senator Stephens concerns his behavior during Senate meetings. Majority Party Leader Emily Pecora alleged Stephens made motions mocking disabled people during the May 24 Senate meeting and made sexist and personal remarks about Senate President Elizabeth Hartzog during the July 5 meeting, according to the petition.

Stephens received two warnings from Hartzog July 5 for disrupting Senate business.

“Senator Stephens’s actions have repeatedly disrupted the regular business of the Senate and are subject to disciplinary action,” Pecora wrote in the censure petition. “Furthermore his inappropriate actions represent conduct that is unbecoming of a University of Florida Student Senator and are deserving of a formal reprimand.”

Stephens said he didn’t remember making any offensive motion during the May 24 meeting; he acknowledged

his tendency toward loud and dramatic physical motions but said it was never meant to degrade any community. He said the claim was unfounded based on his outward advocacy for equal rights for women and those with intellectual and physical disabilities.

His alleged attack on Hartzog was also untrue, he said. He said he tried to lighten the mood at the end of the tense July 5 meeting by touching on an inside joke between members of the Senate. His statement, he said, was not made with ill intent and was not meant to offend Hartzog.

Stephens said moving forward he would be more careful with his comments.

“These allegations are very shocking because, looking at my record this is just not something I stand for.”

- Sen. Jonathoan C. Stephens

A second censure petition alleged Judiciary Chairman John Brinkman actively abuses power by allowing his committee to avoid citing the five criteria — constitutionality, implication, legality, format and clarity — in which it reviews legislation, incorrectly applying the criteria and not informing an author on which criteria his or her bills failed.

Brinkman’s censure is in response to the committee’s postponement and subsequent failure of Senator Oscar Santiago Perez’s legislation, which would have reimbursed students for 50% of contra-

ceptives costs, emergency contraceptives, abortions, travel costs for abortion care in- and out- of- state and post-abortion counseling. Brinkman ruled it illegal and unconstitutional.

“Once again, we see a situation where when Change Party does not get their way politically, they result to starting a scene, going on a baseless witch hunt, and abusing the Senate procedures for partisan political gain,” Brinkman wrote on his political censure in an email to The Alligator July 3. “Their claims here are once again entirely without merit.”

Senator Mason Solomon serves as a member of the Rules and Ethics Committee and the vice chairman of the Judiciary Committee. He actsserves as an unbiased member in both committees, he said, and did not believe there was a conflict of interest which would constitute recusal.

As Brinkman’s vice chairman, Solomon makes most of the motions to postpone legislation indefinitely.

Rules and Ethics Chairwoman Tanner Thompson said Sunday she would check the student body codes to see if there were rules concerning Solomon’s potential recusal.

The hearings are set back-to-back Friday at the Reitz Union starting at 1 p.m.

The next Senate meeting will be held in the Reitz Union Senate Chambers 7 p.m. Tuesday. @sn_mcdonald smcdonald@alligator.org

MONDAY, JULY 11, 2022 ALLIGATOR 5

Ban resumes ABORTION, from pg. 1

expanding privacy protections to abortions.

Once the case reaches the Florida Supreme Court, which would likely take over a year, Wright predicted, the 15-week ban would be upheld. The restriction may be an infringement of privacy, she said, but it is not an outright denial.

Planned Parenthood and the American Civil Liberties Union are also prepared to fight the 15-week ban up to the Florida Supreme Court.

On behalf of Florida abortion providers, the ACLU, ACLU of Florida, Center for Reproductive Rights, Planned Parenthood, and Jenner & Block — a law firm — released a joint statement in response to the state’s appeal.

“Everyone deserves the ability to access the abortion care they need, and we’ll continue fighting for that right with every tool at our disposal,” the release said.

Teetering between the 24-week ban and 15-week ban can confuse both patients and health care staff, communications and marketing director of Planned Parenthood of South, East and North Florida Christina Noce said. Abortion care is still legal in the state but can only be provided prior to 15 weeks of pregnancy for now.

“Those that oppose safe, legal abortion — they want this to be confusing, they want this to be challenging and have patients undergo hurdles to get care. And that's exactly what's happening.”

- Christina Noce, Planned Parenthood

The state has a 24-hour mandatory delay in place, meaning anyone seeking an abortion must visit the doctor twice before receiving the procedure — another hurdle elongating and complicating the process of scheduling an abortion.

Bread and Roses and All Women’s Health Centers offer abortion services within three miles of UF’s campus.

Planned Parenthood will continue to add appointments, extend hours and even fly physicians into the state to help provide care over the coming months. @carissaallenn callen@alligator.org

Namari Lock // Alligator Staff

More than 100 protesters stand outside a downtown Gainesville courthouse on Tuesday, May 3, 2022 to support abortion rights after reports the Supreme Court would overturn Roe v. Wade.

COVID-19 cases rise as UF freshmen arrive Gainesville: The Rise of GRU CASES IN ALACHUA COUNTY HAVE RISEN SINCE APRIL 8

By Jackson Reyes Alligator Staff Writer

Evan Hadam moved into Mallory Hall at the start of the Summer B semester. After two weeks on campus, the 18-year-old UF computer science freshman said more than three of his floormates tested positive for COVID-19.

While he’s had some anxiety living in the dorm, Hadam said washing his hands and making sure his room is sanitized helps him feel safe.

“As long as I kind of do my own thing, I think I’ll be okay.”

- Evan Hadam, UF student

Amid a recent uptick of COVID-19 cases, UF’s policy — which has been in place since March 23 — does not require or expect masks on campus, but it does require them in all UF Health facilities. The university also no longer offers easy-access COVID-19 test sites as of June 17 due to the increased accessibility of at-home tests and testing provided by retail pharmacies.

Alachua County had 964 new positive cases the week of July 1, according to data from the Florida State Health Department. The county saw this year’s lowest number of

positive cases — 108 — just three months ago during the week of April 8. These numbers do not include positive cases from at-home COVID-19 tests.

Alachua County’s 22.4% new case positivity rate is higher than the state’s 19.4%, according to the Florida State Health Department.

The state reported 74,481 cases from June 24-30, according to data from the Florida State Health Department. Numbers have consistently increased since the state reported 26,533 new cases the week of April 22.

With the county’s COVID-19 positivity rate on the rise, Hadam hopes UF will bring back its testing sites instead of relying on students to self-test and report through retail pharmacies, primary care physicians and at-home test kits. Without UF’s guidance, he said, students will likely infect others when they opt to leave their room to attend class or party instead of quarantining.

Other state universities have also relaxed COVID-19 regulations.

The University of Central Florida discontinued updating its websites to reflect case numbers at the end of the Spring semester. Heather Lovett, UCF’s director of media relations, wrote in an email that the university still makes hand sanitizer and masks available for students.

Florida State University does not require students to wear masks in

its buildings, but students can still test on campus with a form of payment or insurance information, according to FSU’s University Health Services.

All three universities continue to offer vaccines on campus. UF students can receive their vaccine through the UF Student Health Care Center or the Alachua County Health Department.

Michael Sullivan, a 22-year-old UF economics graduate student, is vaccinated and boosted, he said.

Sullivan comfortably rides the Gainesville RTS bus daily, even though it ended its mask mandate April 19.

At the height of the pandemic, Sullivan said he preferred hybrid courses, but he found himself enjoying in-person classes after getting vaccinated.

Lola Aronovitz, a 17-year-old UF family, youth and community sciences freshman, said she feels safe in class despite getting COVID-19 her first week being on campus.

At some point, UF shouldn’t be responsible for students getting COVID, she said.

“We’re adults,” Aronovitz said.

“You get sick sometimes, so if you can prevent it, it’s nice but it's not really up to [UF].” @JacksnReyes jacksonreyes@alligator.org

RESIDENTS EXPERIENCE RISING UTILITY RATES

By Mickenzie Hannon Alligator Staff Writer

As inflation continues and gas prices soar, Gainesville residents fear monthly utility bills.

A Facebook post linking a petition to lower-climbing Gainesville Regional Utilities rates garnered 263 comments as of Sunday. Angela Casteel, a 46-year-old Gainesville resident who made the petition, said her June bill was about $100 more than in previous months. Residents can voice concerns during public comment at the utility advisory board meeting July 19.

David Warm, the director of communications for GRU, wrote that while residents' bills often increase during summer months because they use more power to cool homes, a global surge in natural gas prices caused higher-than-anticipated energy bills across the country.

GRU increased the fuel portion of its electric bill to keep up with rising costs. Due to supplier costs, GRU’s fuel adjustment fee more than doubled from 3 cents per kWh-hour to 8 cents per kWh-hour, he said.

“What people pay at the pump is just a fraction of the cost of what GRU has to pay to power the natural gas turbines,” City Commissioner and mayoral candidate David Arreola said.

Arreola said the Deerhaven Renewable Generation Station, one of three energy plants the city bought

for $750 million in 2017, is one of the top fuel-efficient biomass energy plants in the country.

“Even though GRU is a leader in the state, for renewable energy, we rely heavily on natural gas, and so those prices have just skyrocketed,” Arreola said.

GRU’s electric bill has two components: a base rate that covers operation costs and the fuel adjustment fee that is rising alongside rising natural gas prices, Edward Bielarski, the former GRU general manager, said.

Homes that are not energy-efficient can exacerbate the problems with prices. Residents, especially students, who rent older houses see higher utility rates, Arreola said.

City regulations requiring landlords to abide by and adapt older homes to modern energy efficiency standards will go into effect over the next four years. The city also offers payment plans to assist residents with their bills. Warm said customers struggling to pay their utility bills should call GRU’s customer service department and follow energy saving tips.

Jasmine Reyes, a 19-year-old Santa Fe College dental hygiene sophomore who lives at The Nook, works overtime to pay her utility bill, which she said more than doubled in the past month.

“Rent alone is too high for students to meet, and utilities being nearly a quarter of the rent is even more ridiculous,” she wrote. @MickenzieHannon mhannon@alligator.org

MONDAY, JULY 11, 2022 www.alligator.org/section/the_avenue

MUSIC

Matt Maeson to appear at the High Dive amid Independent Venue Week

The singer’s acoustic set Thursday will highlight the allure of local venues

By Averi Kremposky Avenue Staff Writer

Even with a couple of Billboard Alternative chart-toppers, a history of playing prominent festivals, more than three million monthly listeners on Spotify and a new album on the horizon, Matt Maeson’s success hasn’t steered him away from small venues.

Armed with only his acoustic guitar, the Virginia-native singer commenced a small-scale tour of independent venues July 7. Maeson, known for his hit song “Hallucinogenics,” will play six shows across Florida, including a stop at the High Dive Thursday.

The laid-back, isolated string

of shows contrast Maeson’s typical show atmosphere, which will be seen in his 26-show fall tour for his new album, “Never Had To Leave,” backed by a full band and large crowds.

“I came to the realization of like, ‘Dude I don’t have to sit here and plan out this extravagant tour,’” Maeson said. “I can just take my acoustic guitar, hop in my car and drive to venues.”

Maeson’s appearance at the High Dive coincides with Independent Venue Week, a national campaign highlighting the importance of small venues to local communities. This year’s celebration will occur from July 11-17.

Independent venues have

more character than corporate venues, Maeson said. Even in his daily life, the choice between pretentious and homely is easy.

“I’d much rather go to some shitty dive bar than go to a Dave & Buster’s,” Maeson said.

The High Dive, which is commemorating its 11-year anniversary in July, is a registered Independent Venue Week participant.

Local venues should be celebrated as a hub for new talent and a sanctuary for fans to get close to artists who might one day play stadiums, according to the Independent Venue Week’s website.

Local venues’ close quarters help Maeson and his fans feel

more present during performances, he said. In a small crowd, people remain more attentive to Maeson’s lyric-driven songs.

“As soon as you get to a thousand people, that’s a big crowd, and it’s a lot harder to keep everybody’s attention in one place,” Maeson said.

Small shows also give artists more creative freedom, he said.

Major tours with complicated production and thousands of attentive eyes keep artists on a rehearsed schedule. The rigidity can create a stressful environment, Maeson said.

Alone on a modest stage, Maeson can control his performance and even change his setlist on a

whim. It’s one of the reasons the singer doesn’t mind packing his large-scale success into a small venue.

During Independent Venue Week, Maeson is looking forward to the culture each Florida venue cultivates, including the High Dive. Doors open at 8 p.m. Thursday and tickets are available for purchase on the venue’s website.

“If you like an experience where you’re able to enjoy the music but also be able to feel connected and look at yourself, it’s a perfect show for you,” Maeson said. @averijkremposky akremposky@alligator.org

CULTURE

Gainesville car scene thrives amid gas prices and noise complaints THE NOMADIC COLLECTIVE HOSTS WEEKLY MEET-UPS, GETS PUSHBACK FROM RISING GAS PRICES AND POLICE CRACKDOWNS

By Anna Ward Avenue Staff Writer

The red interior of Max Nagel’s father’s fully-restored Oldsmobile Cutlass was mesmerizing; it awakened his love for cars and kickstarted his future fleet.

“He would drive it around and he would get looks from everyone,” Nagel said. “I kind of made my own bond to it, as I did with all my cars.”

The Tires Plus certified technician has collected cars since he was 16, starting with a $500 1997 Honda Civic coupe. Colorful sports cars like the 1999 Mitsubishi Eclipse and the 2018 Volkswagen GTI soon followed.

Gainesville’s car scene is his gallery. It’s a space where he can display his work and appreciate others’.

Under a weekly Tuesday and Friday night sky, attendees liven empty parking lots with headlights, car speakers, dogs and drinks.

Friends park their matching red sedans in a row and others open their doors, blaring their speakers with chill trap music as admiring eyes devour the sight.

The meets are a simultaneous social event and showcase, but increasing gas prices and police presence can pose obstacles for the onlookers.

Attendee ages range from 17 to 28 years old, but some older enthusiasts attend as well. Regulars and newcomers show up in cars, on motorcycles and on skateboards.

Trent Withers, a 23-year-old Buchholz Paint and Autobody employee who owns a gunmetal gray 2013 Hyundai Elantra Limited, said the environment is welcoming and people are generally treated equally for their rides.

“We enjoy coming out here to look at other people’s vehicles,” he said.

His friend, Michael Stewart, a 27-year-old parts associate at Buchholz Paint and Autobody who owns a black and red 2013 Chrysler 300 S, said cars are judged on the time, money and labor put into them.

Soaring gas prices can put a damper on the drivers and limit how much they can invest.

“It hurts so much to go to the pump,” Nagel said, noting he now has to limit his racing. “It definitely has limited some of my contact with people I’ve met here.”

Colton Maddux, a 19-year-old Hyundai automotive technician who drives a blue 2017 Ford Focus RS Hatchback, said he doesn’t attend meets if they’re far away and he’s more cautious with his driving.

Others find the prices draining — a frustration expressed through tongue-in-cheek Facebook posts. A June 6 post in “Gainesville Car Friends” depicts a siphoning gas with mouth image with the text: “Cute date ideas” above it. Another depicts a car made of rocks

Keep up with the Avenue on Twitter.

Tweet us @TheFloridaAve.

and logs with the text: “My car if gas prices keep going up” above.

“When gas used to be $1.60, I used to drive around to clear my mind, now these thoughts are livin with me lol,” the caption, posted by Ra’ed N Ayoub said.

But the packed “Park ‘n’ Chill” provides evidence that high prices can’t stop the committed. Nagell said the prices have not been able to dial back the community. Some members opt to enjoy their more practical rides.

“I ride a motorcycle now,” said Hector Jayson Crespo, a 28-year-old UF mechanical engineering graduate student and the driver of a yellow, gray and blue custom wrapped Honda CBR 600 f4. “The fuel economy is pretty good.”

David Glass, a 20-year-old Murray Ford mechanic, said variety is valued.

Some keep their cars in their original condition, while others customize theirs, even “murdering them out” — a term for stylishly blackening a car. The process covers every detail down to the windows and tire plates.

Facebook groups “Alachua County Car Meets” and “Gainesville Car Friends” provide the main communication for Gainesville’s decentralized car scene. There, motor enthusiasts get the latest updates for where to meet.

The “Friday Night Park ‘n’ Chill” meets are a constant, but the location isn’t. According to attendees, police have shut down meets, so they often shift spots.

“We’re like nomads,” Stewart said. “We

go wherever the parking lots take us.”

Everyone got their start somewhere.

Gainesville Police Department spokesperson Graham Glover said he was not aware of reported incidents, but there aren’t any filed reports referencing the meets. Attendees said police intervention can shut down a spot and force the scene to find new locations. Noisy revs, pulls and pops and smoked-out-lots create conflict for the community.

PSA posts about police presence aren’t uncommon in the Facebook groups, which also implore members to behave when they pull up to meets.

“Please respect the spot we do not want to get booted,” a capitalized May 27 Alachua County Car Meets admin Facebook post read.

“They like to hate,” Crawl said about the police. “They think we’re going to do crazy stuff.”

Burnouts, donuts, spinning tires, smokedout-lots and exhaust-pipe flames-remain.

The car scene has maintained its current locations, the Electronics World, located at 1261 NW 76th Blvd., and Harbor Freight Tools, located at 2520 N Main Street, for the past few meets.

To outsiders, it’s just another car-filled lot. To the scenes’ supporters, it’s a starlit showcase of the streets. @AnnaWard_ award@alligator.org

Billy Napier lands 4-star trio

The Gators’ class stands 12 commits deep. Read more on pg. 11.

Scan to follow the Avenue on Spotify

MONDAY, JULY 11, 2022 ALLIGATOR 7

CREATIVITY

An introduction to Gainesville’s DIY arts scene

How local creativity thrives in an ever-changing scene

By Kristine Villarroel Avenue Staff Writer

The spirit that drove Gainesville — the former punk hotspot of Florida — to its local prominence transmuted. Embracing its resourcefulness by any means necessary, it did not lose its decentralized creative community after the ‘90s. It thrives in the form of DIY artists and venues.

By definition, the “do-it-yourself” philosophy focuses on rallying resources to create a product. Artists use the resources already at their disposal and collaborate to put on shows at unconventional venues, like houses, storage units or bookstores. Buildings and businesses, like Roadhouse DIY, How Bazar and the Moisturizer Gallery, offer non-traditional spaces for local creatives to explore their art.

For musicians, this can look like independently recording music and booking shows, while for visual artists, it can look like using affordable materials as the base of their craft.

This scene, while supportive and interesting, hides within underground venues and word-of-mouth promoting. Advertisements restricted to flyers posted in local small businesses or social media promotion sometimes limit newcomers’ access — finding the trenched treasures is a matter of following the right people and going to the right places.

It’s all about showing up, Roadhouse DIY event coordinator Bri Reed said.

Reed’s home houses an independent organization and live music space, which puts on about six live shows — from punk, rock and folk to rap and indie pop — every month.

Some attend for the music, while others attend for the community of it.

“I want to give everybody that plays music a chance to showcase that,” Reed said. “Just get in here. Just play a show, just see what happens. And that’s I feel like a big part of DIY, too; just figure it out. Let’s roll with it, no pressure.”

- Brian Reed, Roadhouse DIY

House shows’ intimate, homey feel breaks the ice for new visitors who might not be familiar with playing or attending live shows. Reed often approaches new faces to help them feel welcome.

This same close-knit atmosphere also keeps disrespectful concertgoers away from the shows. After all, no one wants to cause trouble at someone’s house, and Reed doesn’t welcome trouble either.

At Roadhouse shows, accessibility is a priority. The shows operate on sliding scale door fees to make sure they’re affordable to anyone interested in having a good time.

Flyers, stickers and chalk art unveil DIY events to patrons paying attention to the dates and locations on display.

Owned by Phillip “Worm” Harris, Books and Music, Wormhole offers a hand-curated selection of about 10,000 books, records and art displays on 1801 NE 23rd Avenue, near local favorites Satchel’s Pizza, the Repurpose Project and spiritual shop Blu Crystal.

“The rule of thumb for me is if I think it’s something that I would read, I try to put it out there,” Harris said. “More than anything, I try to curate.”

The bookstore exemplifies how the DIY approach looks in local creative spaces. Visual

artists display and sell their art, with all the proceeds going directly to them. Local or statebased authors can sell their books and have them displayed in a section at the front of the shop, and poets can read their work for a live audience.

Its live music events feature different genres, from eccentric electronic sounds to laid-back jazz performances.

The Civic Media Center also offers space for creative events among a collection of books.

Workshops, gatherings, discussions and readings foster community building and social advocacy on 433 S. Main Street.

Four blocks away, The How Bazar regu-

larly hosts arts markets and other live events focused on the display of local arts and music.

The creative community exists beyond physical spaces; media, either online or printed in zines, discuss creative, cultural and political topics, and outline upcoming events.

The Ashtray rallied for its roots with its latest front page announcing Fox Lounge and the Hardback Cafe’s recent closures. A proclamation for the future of the scene sprawled across the edition’s typical photocopied collage of illustrations and words.

“Now is the time, more than ever, for house/DIY shows if you have the ability to organize,” the Ashtray wrote. @ktnedelvalle kvillarroel@alligator.org

Julia Coin // Alligator Staff

Daniel Villamil crowd surfs at a performance by local punk band The Real You at DIY venue The Moisturizer Gallery Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2019.

CULTURE

Gainesville Nerds United: a local platform for black voices in anime culture

Taking a look at the diverse, local collective that frequents anime conventions across Florida

By Amanda Friedman Avenue Staff Writer

Dennis Walton Jr., a 29-year-old local musician who goes by Azazus, began watching anime in middle school to escape the tribulations of his low-income upbringing in Alabama. The underdog archetype commonly portrayed in anime inspired him to power through his struggles.

After he relocated to Gainesville to study business at Santa Fe College in 2013, Azazus eagerly looked for a sense of community in a new city. He found it in Gainesville Nerds United (GNU), a local Facebook group of Black cosplayers and anime fans who participate in anime-related activities together. He immediately joined the group and attended his first anime convention, Omni Fandom Expo in Orlando, within a year.

“I had no idea it was that huge of a community,” he said. “That was my first time seeing a whole community of people becoming these characters that a lot of us look up to.”

Gainesville anime convention, SwampCon, has decreased in popularity since the COVID-19 pandemic, so Azazus is thankful to have a group of people to travel to conventions or watch anime with, he said.

With recent anime conventions

like Anime Festival Orlando 2022 and Metrocon 2022 happening across Florida, groups like GNU attempt to get a piece of the action.

The collective often attends these conventions to participate in panel discussions and cosplay — where people dress in costumes depicting characters from anime, video games, television shows and film.

In 2013, a group of broke, animeobsessed Santa Fe College students banded together to find a way to attend anime conventions for free.

They also found a family.

Devon “Verglas Prince” Chambers, a 30-year-old cosplayer and GNU co-founder, started the group when he and his friends discovered they could receive free tickets to anime conventions through hosting group panel discussions. He is thrilled that the group has blossomed into so much more.

“I wouldn’t change it for the world.”

- Devon “Verglas Prince” Chambers, GNU co-founder

The Gainesville native began watching anime during his childhood and has cosplayed his favorite anime and television characters for roughly eight years. He also hosts

panel discussions and judges cosplay competitions at conventions.

Chambers participated in several cosplay events around the state and the world, including Clara Cow’s Cosplay Cup, a cosplay competition in the Netherlands. Along with his best friend and fellow cosplayer and cofounder of GNU Porsha ‘“Fudgie” Stiglich, the pair cosplayed as characters Esmeralda and Frollo from Disney’s “The Hunchback of Notre Dame.” They were the competition’s first contestants from the United States.

The timeline for creating cosplay costumes varies from a few days to months. Chambers learned to sew and build props through Youtube videos and Stiglich’s mentorship.

Although he polished his skills over time, Chambers remembers anxiously throwing together costumes on the day of conventions.

“You are frantically making costumes, styling wigs, making props and making sure you have everything,” he said. “You can go through a couple of sleepless nights.”

As a Black, plus-size individual, Chambers prioritizes highlighting the discrimination of marginalized communities in anime culture. He tries to host panels on body positivity in fashion and racism within an-

ime culture at every convention he attends to spread awareness and enact change. He recently hosted both panel discussions at Tallahassee’s FreeCon, which took place March 26-27.

“If I can instill just a little bit of confidence into somebody and have them be whatever character they love,” he said, “That’s pretty much all that I’m trying to do.”

Original GNU member Deon Durr, 28, like his brother Chambers, also recognizes the racism and fatphobia within anime culture.

Scrutiny of Black cosplayers for portraying non-Black characters and Blackface among non-Black cosplayers are common issues in the community, Durr said. He is thankful for the support system GNU provides him when tackling these concerns, he said.

“I feel like that’s what Gainesville Nerds United was — a platform for Black voices in the nerd culture cosplay community,” Durr said.

Durr does not cosplay, but he loves hosting panels on different debatable topics in anime culture, like the “anime big three,” which describes the debate about the current three best anime shows. He also enjoys spending quality time with his GNU friends and engaging with

other anime fans throughout the country.

Although many of GNU’s original members have left Gainesville, the group continues to grow and welcome all talents and backgrounds.

Durr credits many of his happiest memories to the friendships he fostered through GNU. “We have grown from friends to family,” he said. “It’s been a wonderful ride.”

Azazus credits like-minded creatives in GNU and at the conventions with motivating him to fuse his passion for urban culture and hip-hop with anime to create anime rap: a genre of hip-hop inspired by anime characters and storylines.

Many members of the central Florida anime rap community credit him for popularizing the genre, he said.

Over the last year, Azazus shifted from visiting anime conventions to performing his anime rap on stage as a featured artist. He drew an almost 40-person crowd at Anime Festival Orlando, which took place June 2426.

“These shows are made for everybody,” he said. “It’s ok to be Black … and nerd out.” @afriedmanuf afriedman@alligator.org

El Caimán

LUNES, 11 DE JULIO DE 2022 www.alligator.org/section/elcaiman

Florida apela el fallo de ley controversial sobre el aborto tras 15 semanas y restablece la prohibición ligatorio de 24 horas, lo que sigEl juez Cooper dictaminó que la prohibición era inconstitucional, pero nifica que cualquier persona que un aborto debe visitar al su orden judicial temporal en todo el estado se eliminó minutos después busque médico dos veces antes de recibir Por Carissa Allen Escritora del Caimán

Traducido por Ana Trias Escritora del Caimán

La prohibición del aborto de más de 15 semanas de Florida volvió a entrar en vigencia el martes por la tarde después de que el estado apeló la orden judicial de un juez que bloqueó la prohibición, anulándola en menos de una hora.

El juez del Tribunal del Circuito Judicial, John Cooper, dijo que la restricción del aborto violaba la vertiente de privacidad de la Constitución de Florida en un fallo verbal el jueves. La prohibición no podía bloquearse hasta que él firmara un fallo oficial por escrito. La medida cautelar quedará bloqueada temporalmente hasta que sea escuchada por la Corte de Apelaciones.

“Sabíamos que probablemente eso sería lo que se decidiría en

ese caso”, dijo el gobernador Ron DeSantis en una conferencia de prensa el viernes. “Sabíamos que íbamos a tener que seguir adelante y continuar la batalla legal al respecto”.

Danaya Wright, una profesora de la Facultad de Derecho de la UF, dijo que le sorprendería si la Corte de Apelaciones elimina la orden judicial de Cooper porque eso anularía el precedente estatal que amplía las protecciones de privacidad a los abortos.

Una vez que el caso llegue a la Corte Suprema de Florida, lo que probablemente tomaría más de un año según Wright, se mantendría la prohibición de 15 semanas.

Ella dijo que la restricción puede ser una violación de la privacidad pero no es una negación absoluta.

Planned Parenthood y la Unión Estadounidense de Libertades Civiles (ACLU, por sus siglas en inglés) también están preparados para luchar contra la prohibición de 15 semanas hasta llegar a la

Corte Suprema de Florida.

La ACLU, la ACLU de Florida, el Centro de Derechos Reproductivos, Planned Parenthood y Jenner & Block, un bufete de abogados, emitieron una declaración en conjunto como respuesta a la apelación del estado en nombre de los proveedores de servicios de aborto de Florida.

“Todos merecen la posibilidad de acceder a la atención médica de aborción que necesitan, y continuaremos luchando por ese derecho con todas las herramientas a nuestra disposición”, dice el comunicado.

Christina Noce, la directora de comunicaciones y marketing de Planned Parenthood del sur, este y norte de Florida, dijo que titubear entre la prohibición de 24 semanas y la prohibición de 15 semanas puede confundir tanto a los pacientes como al personal de atención médica. La atención medica para el aborto sigue siendo legal en el estado, pero por

ahora solo se puede brindar antes de las 15 semanas de embarazo.

“Aquellos que se oponen al aborto legal y seguro, quieren que esto sea confuso, quieren que sea un desafío y que los pacientes se enfrenten a obstáculos para recibir atención y eso es exactamente lo que está sucediendo” dijo Noce.

El estado tiene un retraso ob-

el procedimiento, otro obstáculo que alarga y complica el proceso de programar un aborto.

Planned Parenthood continuará agendando citas, extenderá su horario e incluso traerá médicos de otros estados para ayudar a brindar atención en los próximos meses @carissaallenn callen@alligator.org

Heather Bushman // Personal del Caimán

Alrededor de 40 personas se reunieron a las afueras del tribunal penal Stephan P. Mickle, Sr., el viernes 24 de Junio del 2022, para protestar el fallo que revoca Roe v. Wade.

La administración de la UF está estancada, SG bloquea la legislación anticonceptiva después de la anulación de Roe v. Wade FUNCIONARIO DE SALUD DE LA UF COMENTÓ QUE LA UNIVERSIDAD NO ES RESPONSABLE DE LAS DECISIONES SANITARIAS DE LOS ESTUDIANTES

Por Kyle Bumpers & Troy Myers Escritores del Caimán

Traducido por Ana Trias Escritora del Caimán

En las semanas posteriores a la decisión de la Corte Suprema de los EE.UU de anular a Roe v. Wade el 24 de junio, la UF permanece en silencio mientras los líderes del campus permanecen estancados en el cambio de política.

La UF no ha emitido una declaración sobre la decisión de la Corte Suprema desde el 4 de julio y no tiene intención de hacerlo, escribió la directora interina de comunicaciones estratégicas de la UF, Cynthia Roldan, en un correo electrónico a The Alligator. Otras universidades, como la Universidad de Michigan y la Universidad de California, comentaron oficialmente sobre el fallo tras la decisión.

El Comité Judicial del Senado del Gobierno Estudiantil de la UF también bloqueó un posible proyecto de ley del Senado del SG que proponía reembolsar a los estudiantes el costo

de anticonceptivos y otras formas de atención médica reproductiva.

Los estudiantes deben hacer su propia investigación para ver qué forma de anticoncepción es mejor para ellos, dijo el Dr. John Smulian, presidente del departamento de obstetricia y ginecología de la facultad de medicina de la UF, y no es función de la UF invadir las decisiones de atención médica de los estudiantes.

“El sistema de educación sexual de Estados Unidos es terrible”, dijo. “Es interesante que el hospital [UF Health] no haya dicho nada, porque siento que eso sería algo más probable”.

UF Health recibe fondos para investigación del gobernador Ron DeSantis, quien respaldó la legislatura contra el aborto.

Algunos estudiantes creen que la administración de la UF no hablará sobre la revocación para evitar una clara afiliación política.

La universidad puede temer la pérdida de posibles estudiantes y solicitantes, dijo Grayson Sweeney, un estudiante de 18 años que cursa el primer año de biología en la UF. “Esa [declaración] puede causar mucha controversia para ellos mismos”, dijo. “Pueden perder estudiantes, especialmente si se ponen de un lado”.

Si la UF fuera una universidad privada, dijo,

Mantente al día con El Caimán en Twitter.

Envíanos un tweet @alligatorElCaiman.

podría darse el lujo de afiliarse de una forma u otra, pero no le convendría hablar dada su dependencia financiera al gobierno.

Un proyecto de ley del Senado del SG de la UF, pospuesto indefinidamente por el Comité Judicial el domingo, habría reembolsado a los estudiantes el 50% de los costos de anticonceptivos, anticonceptivos de emergencia, abortos, costos de viaje para la atención del aborto dentro y fuera del estado, y asesoramiento posterior al aborto.

El Senador Oscar Santiago Pérez (Cambio Distrito D) fue el autor del proyecto de ley en respuesta a la anulación de Roe v. Wade.

“Esta es la forma en que quería mostrar esencialmente que el Senado Estudiantil puede y debe hacer algo sobre este tema”, dijo Santiago.

El comité judicial votó unánimemente para impedir que el proyecto de ley llegase al Senado. El presidente del Poder Judicial, John Brinkman (Gator - CLAS), dijo que el proyecto de ley violaba la separación de poderes entre el legislativo y ejecutivo al obligar a la presidenta del Cuerpo Estudiantil, Lauren Lemasters, a ejercer su autoridad ejecutiva para nombrar a los directores de cada agencia.

Horas después de la reunión del Poder Judicial del domingo, Santiago presentó una investigación de censura contra Brinkman por

All-American Florida gymnast returns Nya Reed elects to stay in Gainesville for a fifth year, pg. 12.

abuso de poder, negligencia y mala conducta.

También presentó un caso ante la Corte Suprema del SG el domingo, que abordará el caso cuando se reúna nuevamente en otoño.

Santiago dijo que Brinkman abusa activamente del poder al permitir que su comité evite citar los cinco criterios (constitucionalidad, implicación, legalidad, formato y claridad) en los que el comité puede revisar la legislación, aplicar incorrectamente los criterios y no informar a un autor sobre qué criterios fallaron en su proposición.

"Una vez más, vemos una situación en la que cuando Change Party no se sale con la suya políticamente, dan lugar a una escena, a una cacería de brujas sin fundamento y a un abuso de los procedimientos del Senado para obtener ganancias políticas partidistas.

Sus afirmaciones aquí son, una vez más, totalmente sin mérito”, escribió Brinkman en un correo electrónico a The Alligator el domingo por la noche.

Lea el resto en linea en alligator.org/section/elcaiman.

Síganos para actualizaciones

Para obtener actualizaciones de El Caimán, síganos en línea en www.alligator.org/section/elcaiman.

@BumpersKyle kbumpers@alligator.org @Troy_Myers1 tmyers@alligator.org

How to Place a Classified Ad:

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In Person: Cash, Check, MC, Discover, AMEX or Visa @The Alligator Office: 2700 SW 13th St. M-F, 8am - 4pm

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By Mail: P.O. Box 14257 G-ville 32604 Credit cards or checks only.

BUY IT. SELL IT. FIND IT. 373-FIND MONDAY, JULY 11, 2022

Cancellations: Call 373-FIND M-F, 8am - 4pm. No refunds or credits can be given. Alligator errors: Check your ad the FIRST day it runs. Call 373-FIND with any corrections before noon. THE ALLIGATOR IS ONLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE FIRST DAY THE AD RUNS INCORRECTLY. Corrected ads will be extended one day. No refunds or credits can be given after placing the ad. Corrections called in after the first day will not be further compensated.

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Wanted

St. Francis House is a homeless shelter located in downtown Gainesville.

Our mission is to empower families with children to transition from homelessness to self-sufficiency by providing case management, housing, food, training and educational resources in a secure environment.

If interested in volunteering please contact the volunteer coordinator at 352-378- 9079 ext 317 or sfhcoor@stfrancis.cfcoxmail.com St Francis House depends on monetary support from individual donors and community businesses in order to provide meals to the homeless and the hungry.

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or loss arising from contacts made through advertising. We suggest that any reader who responds to advertising use caution and investigate the sincerity of the advertiser before giving out personal information or arranging meetings or investing money.

TM

R

7-11-22

3

4 5

6

7

ACROSS CLUE 1. Frightened 5. Eternal ____ 6. Swap 7. Bed for a baby DOWN CLUE

1.

2.

3.

4.

Be in pain AC ____ Variety of beryl Hinder

ANSWER ARDCSE MAFEL TAERD DRACEL ANSWER UFSFRE A R E PA D T MEADERL DEMIEP

CLUE: His first appearance was in 1937.

BONUS

How to play

Complete the crossword puzzle by looking at the clues and unscrambling the answers. When the puzzle is complete, unscramble the circled letters to solve the BONUS. 2022 Tribune Content Agency, LLC

& Hoyt Designs. All Rights Reserved.

ANSWERS: 1A-Scared 5A-Flame 6A-Trade 7A-Cradle 1D-Suffer 2D-Adapter 3D-Emerald 4D-Impede B-Elmer Fudd

Send comments to TCA - 160 N. Stetson, Chicago, Illinois 60601 or DLHoyt@HoytInteractiveMedia.com

solution on page 10

©2022 King Features Synd., Inc.

answer on page 10 Release Date: Monday, July 11, 2022 Release Date: Tuesday, July 5, 2022

Los Puzzle Los Angeles Angeles Times Times Daily Daily Crossword Crossword Puzzle Edited Lewis Editedby byPatti Patti Varol Varol and and Joyce Joyce Nichols Nichols Lewis

ACROSS ACROSS 1 1Apple Seat discard that may 5 Cash dispensers swallow the 9 Edinburgh remote control resident 5 U.K. soccer teams 13 8Highest point Tappable 14 Metal corrosion symbols 1513Novelist Happy kitty sound who 14Tokarczuk Washer capacity the Kreme 2018 buy 16won Krispy 17Nobel ThingPrize in 18Literature “Pitch Perfect” 16 Where toKendrick watch actress and 19pillars Residence 20frames? *Financial plan 19 Professional followed by org. a 20 Big name in mayor 23ridesharing From square one “Totally!”

2124Observe “It’s __-win 2225“Rugrats” dad situation” 24 “Almost Famous” 26director Breakfast syrup Cameron choice 26 Low-scoring tie *Nests, (down) as a set 2928Guzzles of measuring 32 Serious hwy. cups crime Olympian’s 3332One-sixth of goal 35an Technical inch, to asch.

36typesetter Big primate Words that clarify 3537Uncommon spelling 36 Where to watch 38Stonehenge Some postgrad and degs.

Big Ben? 39 Bermuda shorts 40 Bengay target endpoint 41 Smell Automobilegoop 4240Ultrasound 41 Way out there 43 “Onwards!”

43 No longer vivid 46 Put a hex on 44 *Achieve one’s 48 Play idly, goal as a specific 48guitar Repeated slogan 5049Stitching target Frying liquid 5150“Frankly,” in texts Some laptops 5353Coup Fish d’__: often grilled, sudden regime on menus 55change “Seize the day!,” 55 Modern and what the creatures answers that to the are technically starred clues dinosaurs literally have 5958Where to watch Odds partner 60tracks Take and five tunnels?

61 Score in a tennis 62 Facts and figs. shutout 6362Egg on domain Royal 6463Volcano Fill untilon fullSicily 6564“The Martian” Scissors sound Damon 65actor Annual cable 66 Writes wrong sportsthe awards 66ZIP Drug used in code, say microdosing 67 Filter (through) therapies, for short DOWN Snakelike 167Spanish house swimmers 2 Magnum __: masterpiece

3 GymDOWN sets, briefly 41Tell-all news Like hot wings 2story Belly button 5 Flight update type 3abbr.

Guitar neck 6 Ballet skirt features 74“The WestBeat PointWith Ari Melber” team 5broadcaster Show off 8 Has the wheel shamelessly 96Female pig units Time-share 107From a short on Participated distance, with karaoke night 8“at” Mont. neighbor 119Big, mean Bright bluegiant 12 Help oneself to pigment 17 floor tots 10Ocean How some count to with five dwellers 11many Readyarms for skinny-dipping 18 Sci-fi film with 12light Instant Pot dish cycles 15Aussie Mailer-__: 23 colleges programs 25 Wave a redthat send flag at automated messages 26 Postal scale unit 21Workforce Skip out (on) 27 22during License theplates 27wee Vet’shours patient 28Amazon Autograph 28 gadget seeker by activated 29saying Wonder “Alexa” Woman’s 30 Set loose headpiece 31 Unload for cash 30Start Fencing blade 32 a card 31game Woodwind insert

34 32 Rock Nameband associated with album with the supersonic “Powerage” speed 37 “__ we forget” 33 Actor Morales 38 34 Length Really of many TV dramas inexpensive 39 38 Joyful Holds Spanish weight 39 shout Kit __ Klub: 44 Mushroomed “Cabaret” setting 45 41 Power “I see now!”

42 interruption __ shui 47 Treats with petty 43 Perceived 45 malice How prosciutto is 49 City hall bigwig sliced

51 Cooks Barbershop 46 in an request oven 52 Talented “Dirty John” actor 47 Eric 50 Naturally inclined 54 (to) Ruler of imperialist 51 Courteous Russia 52 Pedometer units 56 For Solemn 53 a __ pittance observance 54 St. crossers 57 Color “All finished!”

56 named for 58 aOne of the Rice duck Krispies 57 Besides trio 60 Texting “Thanksformat, a __!”

59 61 briefly QB stats

ANSWER PREVIOUS PUZZLE: PUZZLE: ANSWER TO PREVIOUS

By Karen Lurie ©2022 Tribune By Justin DaneauContent Agency, LLC ©2022 Tribune Content Agency, LLC

07/04/2022 07/05/22

07/11/22

07/05/22 07/11/22

10 ALLIGATOR MONDAY, JULY 11, 2022

Help Wanted

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Looking for student to help keep up home / yard. Move in / live RENT FREE, in furnished efficiency apt. Close to UF. No pets. ● OR ● Part-time job $15/hr.

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by Fifi Rodriguez 1. GEOGRAPHY: Which country has the most islands?

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3. LANGUAGE: What does the LatTELEVISION: Whomean did Jim Halpert marry in the in4.prefix “sub-” in English? long-running sitcom "The Office"?

4. U.S. PRESIDENTS: Who was the only president serve 5. HISTORY: Which to country soldtwo Alaskanonconto the United secutive terms?

States (1867) for $7.2 million?

5. LITERATURE: Which 20th-cen6. MUSIC: rock groupthehad an album titled tury movieWhich star penned autobiogra"Dark“Me: Side of the Moon"? phy Stories of My Life”?

HISTORY: was the a first 7.6.LITERATURE: WhichWhat novel introduces character National Monument named Lisbeth Salander? proclaimed in the United States?

8.7.SCIENCE: What is the name for magma after it GEOGRAPHY: Where is the has erupted? island of Luzon located?

9.8.U.S. STATES: Which statesci-fi was themovie first tohas join the MOVIES: Which the a thing of the uniontagline, after the“Reality original 13iscolonies? past”?

10.

ANATOMY: WhatKNOWLEDGE: is also known as theWhat voice box 9. GENERAL in human anatomy? was the name of the United States’ first nuclear-powered submarine? © 2022 What King Features Synd.,four Inc. rail10. GAMES: are the road properties in Monopoly? answers below Answers 1. 63,360 inches 2. Search for extraterrestrial intelligence 3. Below or insufficient 4. Grover Cleveland 5. Katharine Hepburn 6. Devils Tower, 1906 7. The Philippines 8. “The Matrix” 9. The USS Nautilus 10. Pennsylvania, Short Line, Reading and B&O

EYES UP. PHONE DOWN. DON'T TEXT & DRIVE.

It can be overwhelming when searching for a preschool. Many schools focus on literacy, reading and writing. While this is, of course, extremely important, numeracy skills are equally important too.

Children who participate in math at an early age develop critical thinking and problem solving skills, which are important for all academic areas of growth. The University of Irvin California conducted a study which shows children who do well in math entering into school, generally continue to do well throughout school It has been estimate that children receive up to 1000 hours of literacy before entering school.

Whereas mathematics is sometimes just recognizing numbers 1-10., rote counting, and sorting, we like to incorporate math into every area of our busy day. While reading, children are encouraged to count the number of items on the page. While building with blocks, we talk about structure and shapes. In housekeeping, we count baby dolls, plates, utensils, food, etc. We discuss who has more, less or the same. At cleanup, we count to see how long it takes us from one day to the next. Sometimes we switch it up and count backwards.

Other area we continue to promote math are at snack time, children are snack-monitors, they count the number of friends to set snacks out for and how much to give each friend so all have equal amounts. Pouring water into cups to promote measurement skills. We partake in cooking class, which uses measurements and science skills. We focus on all shapes, including 3D shapes, looking at size, shape, and sides. We ask open-ended questions: Where?, What?, Why?, to help improve critical thinking skills.

Preschool mathematics is much more than counting to ten. Preschool math is the doorway to the growth of future scientists, engineers, architects, chefs, etc. We are proud to give all children the correct tools they need to help succeed in school and live Louise Crisp

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Lost & Found

© 2020 King Features Synd., Inc.

Trivia Test answers

1. Sweden. 2. Goldfish crackers. 3. "Up". 4. Pam Beesly.

5. Russia. 6. Pink Floyd. 7. "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" . 8. Lava. 9. Vermont. 10. Larynx

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Welcome back to another great school year. I would like to take this opportunity to talk about the importance of incorporating math in the early education setting. Many schools get lost in the idea that literacy is the most important feature in a preschool setting. Here at The Child’s Garden, we believe in a well-rounded program that promotes all areas in early education.

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20 Events/Notices

NOTE: This newspaper assumes no responsibility for in-

jury or loss arising from contacts made through advertising.

We suggest that any reader who responds to advertising use caution and investigate the sincerity of the advertiser before giving out personal information or arranging meetings or investing money.

MONDAY, JULY 11, 2022 www.alligator.org/section/sports

FEATURE

Triple jump star Alissa Braxton proves to be triple threat THE SOPHOMORE’S OTHER TALENTS INCLUDE SINGING AND GRAPHIC DESIGN

By Curtis Michaud Sports Writer

Florida track and field triple jumper Alissa Braxton stood in the middle of the Stephen C. O’Connell Center’s court. Her guest appearance away from the track showcased a hidden talent. With her right hand over her heart, she faced the crowd to sing the national anthem before Florida women’s basketball game against Tennessee Feb. 3.

Braxton's captivating vocals provided a passionate performance in front of a familiar sea of orange and blue. Braxton excels in both athletics and performing, as well as graphic design.

She comes from a long lineage of powerful and soulful vocalists.

The Braxtons, a collection of five sisters who filled stadiums and venues across the world in the 1990s, set the foundation for one of the best-selling female R&B artists in American history: Alissa’s cousin, Grammy-award-winning singer Toni Braxton.

The talented group became famous for their soothing melodies and high-pitched sound.

As a child, Alissa always enjoyed the opportunity to perform, her father, Dirk Braxton, said. Dirk and Vannessa Braxton, Alissa’s mother, both noticed their young-

est child’s urge to venture out and let her voice be heard.

“She would always do solos,” Dirk said.

“When we moved to California, we joined a church, and she became the lead at the little kid's choir.”

Off the mic, Alissa did not shy away from being a multi-sport athlete. She watched her father coach her older brothers’ little league baseball and basketball teams, and Alissa played soccer, basketball, baseball and danced.

She finally found her niche, however, while watching her brothers launch them-

Courtesy to The Alligator

UF track and field athlete Alissa Braxton competes in Eugene, Oregon, June 11, 2022. Photo by Isabella Marley.

selves into the triple-jump sandpit. Her oldest brother competed in the long and triple jump, and her other brother competed in the high jump. Dirk said she would watch them practice and, afterward, she would jump.

“When I got to middle school, I basically forced my parents to let me do track,” Alissa said.

Dirk is proud of all his daughter has accomplished so far but knows she isn’t done impressing. He’s excited to witness Alissa’s growth during her forthcoming junior year, not just in the sand pit, but through her singing and artwork as well.

Alissa's interest expanded beyond the track once she entered high school. The now-graphic design major explored Photoshop and found a love for digital art.

Vanessa noticed her daughter’s artistic growth and presented her with a challenge: designing the packaging for her vodka company, “Black Momma Vodka.”

“My mom was like, ‘You're really good at this, you need to start making things for me,’” Alissa said.

While progressing as an artist, Alissa made strides in her track and field career.

She began to compete in the triple her junior year of high school and broke an 18year New York state record, making her a highly sought-after college recruit. Schools like UF, Florida State University and Louisiana State University showed interest, but Alissa’s relationships with jumps coach Nic Peterson and head coach Mike Holloway pulled her to Gainesville. Peterson mes-

saged Alissa on Instagram to congratulate her on her early-career record, Dirk said.

Accompanied by her parents and Sargeant, the family dog, Alissa signed to continue her track career and artistic pursuits at UF Nov. 13, 2019.

Alissa made her collegiate debut at the 2021 indoor season opener in Columbia, South Carolina. She competed in four outdoor meets her freshman year, recording a personal record of 19 feet and 5.5 inches in the long jump at the Florida State Relays.

Alissa’s stint was stunted when an ankle injury from the relays rolled over into the beginning of her sophomore campaign. She recovered with an impressive year, highlighted by a new personal best of 13.16 meters/22-5.25 in the triple jump at the LSU Invitational.

The sophomore competed in the triple jump at the SEC Outdoor Championships, catapulting herself 12.56 meters to help the outdoor women’s track and field team win its first conference title in program history. Alissa returned to the sand-pit at the NCAA Outdoor Championships, and her 12.83 meter jump in Eugene, Oregon, helped Florida bring home its first outdoor program title.

“I was able to compete, and just push as hard as I can and actually jump, without fear of pain,” Alissa said. “For me to go as far as NCAA, which I didn't even think was gonna happen, is amazing to me.” @CurtisMichaud1 cmichaud@alligator.org

FOOTBALL

Gators football lands 3 4-star commits from class of 2023 Football prospects Marcus Stokes, Treyaun Webb, Eugene Wilson III committed to UF this week

By Brandon Hernandez Sports Writer

Florida’s football program gained three four-star commits for the class of 2023 last week.

Quarterback Marcus Stokes and running back Treyaun Webb committed to UF Thursday, followed by athlete Eugene Wilson III Friday.

Stokes, a Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, native, announced he flipped his commitment to the Gators after originally committing to Penn State on Twitter April 9.

The quarterback is entering his senior year at Nease High School, the alma mater of former Florida Heisman Trophy winning quarterback Tim Tebow. He led his team to the regional finals in the Sunshine State’s second-highest classification.

Webb tweeted his commitment to the Gators 38 minutes after Stokes.

Webb, a fellow four-star recruit, is ranked fifth naalligatorSports has a podcast!

The alligatorSports Podcast releases episodes every Wednesday and can be streamed on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or your other preferred streaming platform.

tionally among 2023 running back recruits, according to 247sports. He officially visited Gainesville June 3.

Wilson, a 5-foot-11-inch and 165-pound prospect, ran an 11.36 100-meter dash, according to 247Sports. He is the son of former NFL cornerback Eugene Wilson, who won two Super Bowls with the New England Patriots during his eight-year NFL career.

Wilson is the 10th-best athlete in 247Sports’ 2023 rankings and the 30th-ranked recruit in the state of Florida, making him the highest-ranked recruit in Florida head coach Billy Napier’s 2023 class. He also courted offers from Alabama and Texas A&M before landing on the Gators.

Following the latest players’ pledges, Florida’s 2023 class now sits at 12 commitments.

Follow our newsletter

@BranH2001 bhernandez@alligator.org

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Samantha Harrison // Alligator Staff

Head football coach Billy Napier calls his teammates during a spring practice March 29, 2022. Napier added three four-star commitments to the 2023 class this week.

Follow us for updates

For updates on UF athletics, follow us on Twitter at @alligatorSports or online at www.alligator.org/section/sports.

12 ALLIGATOR MONDAY, JULY 11, 2022

GYMNASTICS

UF gymnast Nya Reed to return for 1 more season

The news comes the same week Megan Skaggs was named to the 2023 coaching staff

By Brandon Hernandez Sports Writer

Grethel Aguila // Alligator Staff

UF gymnast Nya Reed competes in a home meet against Missouri Jan. 11, 2019.

Reed announced she will return for her fifth year Friday.

Fifth-year gymnast Nya Reed will return to the Gators and wear the orange and blue for one more year.

Reed announced her return for the upcoming season via Twitter Friday with a video of her highlights from last season captioned “Last ride.” UF also announced former Gators gymnast Megan Skaggs as a new assistant coach July 7.

The Maryland native was an AllAmerican in the floor exercise last season.

Reed was also a first-team selection for the Women’s Collegiate Gymnastics Association regular-season awards and second-team on the vault her senior year.

@BranH2001 bhernandez@alligator.org

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The highest scores of her collegiate career came during Florida’s nationally televised meet against Alabama last season, when Reed earned a perfect 10 on the floor and a 9.975 on vault.

Reed’s decision to come back for a fifth year came less than a month after teammate Trinity Thomas announced she would return for one final season in Gainesville.

Thomas and Reed’s return reload a Florida team that finished only .112 points shy of the Oklahoma Sooners for the 2022 national championship.

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