Alachua County School Board rejects Citizens Field purchase, seeks alternatives

The Alachua County school board voted against buying Citizens Field from the city of Gainesville, with most members citing concerns about cost, lack of public input, and the site’s brownfield contamination status. A full demolition and rebuild of the stadium — shared by Buchholz, Eastside, and Gainesville high schools — could run as high as $25 million according to district documents. The board voted 4-1 to direct staff to evaluate all remaining options, including a possible three-stadium approach, before making any further decision.

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

UF receives $9.5M donation for livestock disease research amid screwworm spread

The University of Florida has received a $9.5 million gift from the Earls family, longtime Florida residents, to fund research into insect-borne infections that affect livestock and pets. The donation comes as the New World screwworm, a parasite that causes suffering and death in animals, has been detected in Texas and New Mexico. North Central Florida’s agricultural communities could face significant strain if the pest spreads further.

Sources: WCJB TV20