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Vol. 1 · No. 35 · Thursday, June 4, 2026

The Gainesville Ledger

Education

UF presidential finalist Stuart Bell faces DEI questions during campus forums

Stuart Bell, the sole finalist to become the University of Florida’s 14th president, visited campus Wednesday to meet with students, faculty, and staff in a series of public forums. Bell, who previously served a decade as president of the University of Alabama, fielded questions about his approach to diversity, equity, and inclusion, urging those with concerns to examine his track record. The UF Board of Trustees is scheduled to interview Bell and vote on his nomination on June 10.

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Sources: Mainstreet Daily News · WCJB TV20 · The Independent Florida Alligator · WUFT News · The Gainesville Sun

Education

School Board delays Citizens Field vote, weighs new funding options

The Alachua County School Board postponed a vote Tuesday night on a proposal that would transfer ownership of Citizens Field from the city of Gainesville to the school district and unlock millions of dollars in facility improvements. Some board members wanted to proceed, but others needed more time to review the plan. The board held a workshop Wednesday to explore funding mechanisms, including certificates of participation, and is scheduled to revisit the agreements at a special meeting on June 16.

Sources: Mainstreet Daily News · WCJB TV20

State & National

GOP gubernatorial candidate Paul Renner campaigns in Newberry

Former Florida House Speaker Paul Renner made a campaign stop in Newberry on Wednesday, roughly two and a half months before the Republican gubernatorial primary. He outlined positions including opposition to new AI data centers, which he argued are harmful to the aquifer, a preference for gas energy over solar, and support for home rule while opposing community redevelopment agencies.

Sources: WCJB TV20 · Mainstreet Daily News

City

In Brief

Education

In Brief

Public Safety

Suspected explosive device prompts evacuations on High Springs street

Residents near Northwest 242nd Street in High Springs were evacuated Wednesday evening after a homeowner discovered what appeared to be an old grenade on the property. Multiple law enforcement agencies responded, and a bomb squad worked the scene around 8 p.m. The area was cleared and residents were allowed to return to their homes.

Sources: WCJB TV20

Business

In Brief

Sports

In Brief

Environment

In Brief

Community

Graffiti reports rise in Gainesville; nonprofit mobilizes cleanup crews

The Gainesville Police Department reports a growing number of graffiti complaints across the city. Keep Alachua County Beautiful, a local nonprofit, is actively working to remove the vandalism, with executive director Carlos Gonzalez describing graffiti as a form of visual pollution that affects residents’ well-being.

Sources: WCJB TV20

In Brief

State & National

In Brief

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