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Vol. 1 · No. 30 · Saturday, May 30, 2026
Sports
Florida baseball defeated Rider on a walk-off home run by Brendan Lawson in the opening game of the Gainesville Regional, held Friday at 1 p.m. The win marks Florida’s fourth time hosting an NCAA regional in six years.
Sources: The Independent Florida Alligator · The Gainesville Sun · Mainstreet Daily News
State & National
Florida lawmakers approved a $114 billion state budget, directing more than $11 million to the Alachua County Early Learning Coalition as part of nearly $1 billion allocated statewide for school readiness programs. The budget also includes tax cuts on firearms, school supplies, and slot machines, according to reporting from the Gainesville Sun. Surrounding North Central Florida counties are set to receive additional shares of the school readiness funding.
Sources: The Gainesville Sun · WCJB TV20
Community
A blue moon — the second full moon in a single calendar month — will appear in the sky on May 31, and this one also qualifies as a micromoon, meaning it occurs near the moon’s farthest point from Earth. Floridians hoping to catch the sight should be aware of local cloud cover conditions that could affect visibility.
Sources: The Gainesville Sun
Environment
Alachua County has ended its burn ban following significant rainfall that brought close to five inches of precipitation to the area. Across north-central Florida, several counties are rolling back similar restrictions, though Union County extended its ban through June 5.
Sources: The Gainesville Sun · WUFT News
County leaders in North Central Florida are stress-testing their budgets against Gov. Ron DeSantis’ proposal to raise the homestead exemption to $250,000, which Alachua County estimates would strip more than $36 million from its general fund property tax revenue. That would leave roughly $11.5 million available for general government services including emergency management and animal resources. Commissioner Ken Cornell noted the blow may be somewhat smaller here than in other counties because only 67% of Alachua County’s property — excluding tax-exempt institutions like UF and Santa Fe College — is on the tax roll.
Sources: WCJB TV20
In Brief
In Brief
Brooke Smith, a 24-year-old University of Florida nursing student who was weeks away from earning her degree, was fatally shot in Gainesville on Tuesday night. Friends, family, and the UF College of Nursing confirmed her identity and expressed grief over the loss. Smith had been set to complete her Bachelor of Science in Nursing in August and also worked at a local yoga studio.
Sources: WCJB TV20
An Alachua County Sheriff’s Office deputy was taken into custody early Friday morning after Dixie County investigators say he attacked several women at a Cross City residence and threatened to shoot people at the scene. Deputies responding around 3:37 a.m. identified the suspect as Leviticus Murray, who was reportedly at a home after being out at a bar in Fanning Springs earlier that evening. The Alachua County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the arrest of the deputy.
Sources: WCJB TV20
Federal prosecutors have charged three men in connection with a dog-fighting operation dismantled in Union County in December 2025, when more than 80 dogs were rescued. Anthony Crosby and Leroy Halbert were arrested last Friday, while Drew Geer, who was taken into custody at the time of the original raid, is scheduled to appear in federal court in July. All three are alleged to have owned at least three dogs found at the fighting operation, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.
Sources: WCJB TV20
The Outreach Thrift Store, a Gainesville nonprofit that has operated for nearly 30 years on Northwest 6th Street, will reopen Monday at a temporary location on Northwest 13th after a fire on April 28 forced it to close for more than a month. Alachua County Fire Rescue has not determined the cause of the blaze, which owners say started outside the building. The closure left staff without income during the shutdown period.
Sources: WCJB TV20
Eleven University of Florida men’s track and field athletes earned berths at the NCAA Championships following strong performances at the NCAA East Regional, led by a record-setting 400-meter run from Braun. The Gators’ regional showing positions the program as a significant contender heading into the national meet.
Sources: The Independent Florida Alligator
In Brief
In Brief
A widening drought across north Florida is rapidly lowering water levels in creeks and along shorelines, uncovering objects that had long been hidden underwater. The newly exposed relics are prompting questions about the rules and ethics surrounding their collection.
Sources: WUFT News
A University of Florida researcher has developed “zero-day” projections estimating how long Alachua County’s oak forests outside protected conservation areas will survive as development continues to encroach on remaining woodland. The analysis highlights the accelerating loss of tree canopy as undeveloped land is converted, raising concerns about the long-term viability of unprotected forest stands in the county.
Sources: WUFT News
Florida Democratic Party leaders and progressive activists are at odds over how best to challenge Republicans in areas long dominated by the GOP, despite sharing the same ultimate goal of making the party more competitive statewide. The dispute centers on strategic differences rather than ideology, reflecting broader tensions within the party over how to rebuild in a state that has trended increasingly Republican.
Sources: The Gainesville Sun
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