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Vol. 1 · No. 98 · Monday, August 10, 2026

The Gainesville Ledger

Education

UF holds summer commencement under new president Stuart Bell

The University of Florida graduated more than 3,100 students across three ceremonies at Exactech Arena on August 7 and 8, marking the first commencement presided over by President Stuart Bell. Chemistry professor Matthew Disney of the Herbert Wertheim UF Scripps Institute delivered the keynote address, urging graduates to focus on making a difference rather than seeking credit and to embrace failure as part of learning.

Sources: UF News · The Gainesville Sun

Public Safety

Alachua County school zone speed cameras begin issuing fines Monday

The Alachua County Sheriff’s Office activated automated school zone speed cameras as students returned to class, with drivers caught going 11 mph or more over the posted limit receiving a $100 fine by mail. Two new camera locations were added in April — outside Wiles Elementary and in the corridor between Chiles and Kanapaha middle schools. Citations issued by the cameras carry no license points and do not affect insurance rates.

Sources: WCJB TV20

Education

UF researcher finds dexrazoxane protects pediatric cancer patients’ hearts 15+ years later

A long-term study led by a UF College of Medicine faculty member found that the cardioprotective drug dexrazoxane significantly reduced chemotherapy-related heart damage in childhood cancer survivors more than 15 years after treatment. The research, published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, tracked nearly 900 survivors who had received anthracycline-based chemotherapy for leukemia, lymphoma, or sarcoma. The findings may eventually allow doctors to reduce the frequency of cardiac screening for survivors who received the drug during treatment.

Sources: UF News

Education

UF astronomer co-leads study linking gas stream to tilted planetary orbits

A University of Florida astronomy professor helped lead new research suggesting that a massive flow of gas falling into a triple-star system in the Orion constellation gradually warped its planet-forming disk, causing the rings to become misaligned with one another. The study, published August 6 in The Astronomical Journal, offers an alternative to earlier theories that blamed the three stars themselves for the unusual arrangement of GW Orionis. Researchers say the next phase of work involves surveying many more young stars to determine how frequently such gas flows occur and how much they shape the structure of developing planetary systems.

Sources: UF News

City

In Brief

Education

Newberry Community School opens Monday under new charter model

Newberry Community School is launching the new academic year as a charter school, enrolling roughly 360 students in kindergarten through fourth grade after the structural transition took effect July 1. The school now operates with its own governing board and greater autonomy over curriculum, scheduling, and daily operations. New offerings include extended care hours, a family walking program before the school day, dedicated bus service, and gifted and talented choice classes.

Sources: WCJB TV20

In Brief

Business

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Sports

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Arts & Culture

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Environment

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State & National

Florida consumer confidence hits lowest point since late 2023, UF survey finds

A University of Florida survey found that Florida consumer sentiment dropped 2.1 points in July to 69.3, marking the fifth straight monthly decline and the weakest reading since December 2023. All five components of the index fell, with expectations for personal finances a year out taking the sharpest hit, down 3.8 points. UF economist Hector Sandoval attributed the slide to persistent price pressures tied in part to a Middle East energy shock, a state unemployment rate running above the national level, and elevated borrowing costs.

Sources: UF News

In Brief

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