Saturday, June 20, 2026 · The Gainesville Ledger

Vol. 1 · No. 50 · Saturday, June 20, 2026

State & National

Florida AG subpoenas MLB over religious discrimination claims tied to Pride Night

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced Friday that he has issued an investigative subpoena to Major League Baseball, seeking to determine whether the league’s enforcement of its dress code during Pride Night events constitutes religious discrimination. The probe follows an incident involving San Francisco Giants players who added Bible verses to their uniforms during a Pride Night game in California.

Read the point / counterpoint →

Sources: The Gainesville Sun · WCJB TV20

Public Safety

Gainesville mother arrested on aggravated child abuse charge after toddler found unresponsive

Alachua County Sheriff’s deputies arrested 29-year-old Jessica Wilson after a 2-year-old was found unresponsive at a residence on Southwest 24th Avenue Thursday night. Medical staff at the hospital documented skull fractures, bruising on the head, chest, and back, and possible internal bleeding. Wilson faces a charge of aggravated child abuse.

Sources: WCJB TV20 · Mainstreet Daily News

City

City Commission moves to sell Ironwood Golf Course, advances Citizens Field development

The Gainesville City Commission is seeking a buyer for Ironwood Golf Course while also moving forward with plans for Citizens Field, both efforts aimed at bringing new community spaces and development to East Gainesville. The two initiatives represent the city’s broader push to activate underutilized publicly owned land on the east side of town.

Sources: The Independent Florida Alligator

State & National

Former FWC employee files wrongful termination suit over social media post

A former Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission employee from Marion County has sued the agency’s executive director, alleging her firing for a Facebook comment made after the death of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk violated her constitutional free speech rights. Haley Massung, who had worked at FWC for a decade and was named duty officer of the year in 2018, was terminated over the remark. Her attorney argues the dismissal is unconstitutional, noting the lawsuit is one of multiple wrongful termination suits filed against FWC over similar firings.

Read both sides →

Sources: WCJB TV20

Education

In Brief

Santa Fe College trustees approve updated fees and fines for 2026-27 — Mainstreet Daily News
UF to host panel on 250 years of American democracy June 30 — UF News
UF research: routine eye exams may flag Alzheimer’s risk years early — UF News
UF study finds young frogs prioritize growth over immune defense when sick — UF News
UF College of Dentistry: Act within 30 minutes to save a knocked-out tooth — UF News
UF receives $9.5M gift to fund cattle pest and mosquito research — UF News

Public Safety

Alachua County man sentenced to 12 years for child pornography offenses

Alex Boatwright, 35, received a 12-year prison sentence after entering a no contest plea in an Alachua County child pornography case. Investigators linked him to a Google account used to upload and store child sexual abuse material. He will also serve 10 years of sex offender probation following his release.

Sources: WCJB TV20

Gilchrist County man, 85, heads to jury trial over Stand Your Ground dog shooting

Larry Boiven, an 85-year-old Bell resident, is scheduled for a jury trial next month on aggravated animal cruelty charges after shooting a neighbor’s dog in October. Boiven contends he acted in self-defense under Florida’s Stand Your Ground law, saying the dog approached him growling and that his age, legal blindness, and physical instability made him fear an attack. Video evidence reviewed by a sheriff’s deputy reportedly shows the dog backing away at the moment of the shooting, which investigators say undermines the self-defense claim.

Read both sides →

Sources: WCJB TV20

Gainesville teen escapes ER while handcuffed, recaptured hours later

A 16-year-old arrested on a felony warrant slipped away from the Millhopper Emergency Room on Northwest 43rd Street just after 3:40 a.m. Friday while being held for medical clearance, despite having his hands cuffed behind his back. Gainesville Police officers located and re-arrested Jomorian Green several hours after the escape, adding new charges to his existing felony warrant.

Sources: WCJB TV20

Business

In Brief

Coterie Market on W. University Ave. plans coffee trailer and second location — The Independent Florida Alligator

Sports

In Brief

Florida baseball players tracking well in early MLB Draft projections — The Gainesville Sun
Stricklin addresses where UF stands on NIL spending among college programs — The Gainesville Sun

Environment

In Brief

Opinion: UF’s Graham Woods faces calls for restoration and stewardship — The Independent Florida Alligator

Community

In Brief

Free ‘Shared Journeys’ event brings cancer survivors and caregivers together in Gainesville — WCJB TV20
Bricks & Minifigs offers free daily LEGO building for kids through Aug. 3 — Mainstreet Daily News
Gainesville marks Juneteenth with community gathering at Bo Diddley Plaza — WCJB TV20
UF faculty and students carve pocket-sized tokens for cancer patients at UF Health — UF News

State & National

In Brief

Florida’s ‘Tomatoflation’ linked to rising grocery prices statewide — The Gainesville Sun