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Vol. 1 · No. 138 · Tuesday, November 3, 2026

The Gainesville Ledger

Sports

UF men’s and women’s basketball both open seasons with wins

The top-ranked Florida men’s basketball team defeated No. 14 Miami in its season opener, erasing painful memories from last year’s NCAA Tournament. On the women’s side, UF launched the Tammi Reiss era with a dominant victory over Bucknell, with Kiyomi McMiller and Vanessa Harris combining for 57 points. Thomas Haugh was also noted as a key contributor in the men’s win over Miami.

Sources: The Gainesville Sun · The Independent Florida Alligator

City

Election Day arrives in Alachua County with local measures on the ballot

Voters across Alachua County and the broader North Central Florida region headed to the polls Tuesday for midterm elections, with charter amendments and referendums on the ballot in Gainesville, Alachua County, Archer, and neighboring communities. WUFT also spoke with UF students about how younger voters are engaging with the midterms.

Sources: WUFT News

State & National

Heavy Rainfall Sweeps Florida Ahead of Election Day

A developing storm system has dropped between three inches and over a foot of rain across parts of Florida, with an additional one to three inches expected before conditions begin to ease Tuesday. South Florida is bearing the brunt of the system, with dangerous surf, rip currents, and coastal flooding threatening Atlantic beaches.

Sources: WUFT News

City

In Brief

Education

UF to inaugurate President Stuart R. Bell on Nov. 18 at Phillips Center

The University of Florida will hold its 10th presidential inauguration ceremony on November 18 at 2:30 p.m. at the Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, marking the first time the event has been held at that venue. Stuart R. Bell, confirmed earlier this year as UF’s 14th president, will be formally inaugurated with remarks from university dignitaries, musical performances, and historical video presentations. A free public celebration in the Cultural Plaza will follow at 4 p.m., featuring food, student performances, and interactive exhibits from UF’s 16 colleges.

Sources: UF News

In Brief

Public Safety

Toddler dies after crawling onto Newberry Road while family did yard work

Florida Highway Patrol released details about a fatal incident in the Jonesville area west of Gainesville in which a 1-year-old boy wandered from his family’s yard onto West Newberry Road and was struck by a westbound vehicle. The family had been doing yard work and searched for the child before he reached the roadway. Authorities say no charges are expected against the parents or the driver.

Sources: WCJB TV20

In Brief

Community

State & National

In Brief

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