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Vol. 1 · No. 127 · Friday, October 23, 2026

The Gainesville Ledger

Environment

EPA maps out next steps for long-running Cabot-Koppers Superfund cleanup in Gainesville

Federal environmental regulators have outlined the next phase of remediation at the Cabot-Koppers Superfund site in Gainesville, a contamination case that has stretched on for decades. Work already completed includes removal of tainted soil and improvements to stormwater drainage. The cleanup project is expected to continue through mid-2027, with additional phases of work planned into 2030.

Sources: WUFT News

Arts & Culture

The Fest 24 brings hundreds of bands to downtown Gainesville this weekend

The Fest returns for its 24th year, running October 23–25 across multiple downtown Gainesville venues, with performers including The Bouncing Souls, PUP, and Lagwagon among hundreds of acts. The event also features comedians and wrestlers, and organizers note that some programming at Bo Diddley Plaza and elsewhere will be free and open to the public without a ticket. Wristband registration begins Friday at First Magnitude Brewing Company from noon to 7 p.m.

Sources: WCJB TV20 · WUFT News

Environment

Out-of-control prescribed burn near Lake City sends smoke across I-75, I-10

A prescribed burn in Hamilton County near State Road 6 at Bee Haven Bay grew beyond its intended boundaries, prompting Florida Highway Patrol to warn drivers of reduced visibility on Interstates 75 and 10, particularly overnight and into early morning. The fire, which started at 200 acres, was 80 percent contained Thursday night. Florida Forest Service officials planned a burnout attack covering an additional 2,000 acres in a controlled manner to stop the fire from spreading further under expected windy conditions.

Sources: WCJB TV20

Education

UF students and faculty rally to sever UFPD’s agreement with ICE

Students and faculty gathered at the University of Florida to protest an existing agreement between the UF Police Department and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, calling on university leadership to terminate it. Demonstrators described the arrangement as harmful, with participants at the rally characterizing it in strongly critical terms. The protest was covered by both the Gainesville Sun and the Independent Florida Alligator.

Read both sides →

Sources: The Independent Florida Alligator · The Gainesville Sun

City

Gainesville commissioners vote 5-2 to explore automated parking enforcement

Gainesville City Commissioners approved a review of automated parking enforcement technology Thursday, with the measure passing 5-2. The devices use radar and license plate cameras and are projected to generate roughly $160,000 annually for the city. Commissioners Casey Willits and Cynthia Chestnut voted against the review, while Bryan Eastman supported it after noting that no Florida city currently uses this particular enforcement mechanism. Any formal adoption would require a change to city ordinance.

Read both sides →

Sources: WCJB TV20

Education

UF researchers find Caribbean was the original home of barn owl diversity

A study from the Florida Museum of Natural History determined that barn owls first reached the Caribbean after crossing the Atlantic from Eurasia sometime before five million years ago, then diversified there before spreading to the Galápagos and the American continents. Paleontologists have uncovered fossils of several now-extinct giant barn owl species in the region, including one that stood roughly a meter tall and may have survived until humans arrived in the mid- to late Holocene. Researchers believe these massive owls likely inspired local Caribbean folklore about a giant creature called the chickcharney.

Sources: UF News

In Brief

Business

In Brief

Sports

In Brief

Arts & Culture

Gainesville seeks artists for $80K public art commission at new fire station

The City of Gainesville is accepting qualifications from professional artists and artist teams to create original artwork for the new Gainesville Fire Rescue Station #3, now under construction. Funded through the city’s 1% for Public Art Program, the selected piece must serve as a privacy wall spanning roughly 27 by 7 feet, with a total project budget of $80,000 and up to three finalists each receiving a $1,000 honorarium. Submissions are due November 22 through the Artwork Archive platform.

Sources: WCJB TV20 · City of Gainesville

Environment

In Brief

Community

In Brief

State & National

UF students respond to Florida push to label CAIR a terrorist group

Florida officials are attempting to designate the Council on American-Islamic Relations, the nation’s largest Muslim nonprofit, as a terrorist organization, prompting reactions from students at the University of Florida. Such a designation would force UF students who support CAIR off campus. The story captures student perspectives on what the move could mean for Muslim campus life and civil liberties.

Read both sides →

Sources: The Independent Florida Alligator

In Brief

This date in Gator history

2001

No. 6 Gators dominate No. 15 Georgia 24–10 in Jacksonville rivalry clash

On October 27, 2001, the sixth-ranked Florida Gators handled the 15th-ranked Georgia Bulldogs 24–10 at Alltel Stadium in Jacksonville, with Rex Grossman throwing two touchdowns to Jabar Gaffney and Reche Caldwell. The win kept Florida perfect in SEC play at 4–0 and extended the Gators’ dominance in the rivalry, which they had owned for over a decade. Florida went on to finish the season ranked 5th nationally and crushed Maryland 56–23 in the Orange Bowl.

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