Featured Stories

Consumer sentiment in Florida declined for the fifth consecutive month in July, falling 2.1 points to 69.3 from a revised figure of 71.4 in June. In contrast, national consumer sentiment increased. “With July’s decline, consumer sentiment has reached its lowest reading since December 2023, following five consecutive months of deterioration. The last time confidence declined...

The most advanced robotics lab in the U.S. dedicated to industrialized construction opens its doors this fall semester at the University of Florida, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony held today, aimed at three converging challenges: Florida can’t build homes fast enough to stay affordable, an estimated 41% of construction workers will be at or near retirement...

Bagels and Sneakers: See What’s New at Butler There is always something new to discover at Butler Plaza and the shopping center has recently announced two exciting updates to share with our Gainesville community. Jeff’s Bagel Run Celebrates Its Grand Opening Jeff’s Bagel Run joins Butler Esplanade at 3254 SW 35th Blvd., next to 4...

For the third time in as many months, the City of Gainesville has broken ground on a public safety facility. The latest project is the Southwest Public Safety Center, a hurricane-hardened complex under construction near Archer Road and Interstate 75. The center will include a fire station with four engine bays, a dedicated Public Works...

The University of Florida’s Hamilton School for Classical and Civic Education has announced 21 faculty additions for the 2026–27 academic year, including 14 newly hired professors, one visiting professor, one professor of practice, two lecturers, and three previously announced professors who are arriving on campus this year. The appointments bring wide-ranging expertise in philosophy, political...

The University of Florida has been ranked the No. 1 best-value public university in the nation in 2026 by SmartAsset, reflecting the university’s combination of affordability and strong student outcomes. SmartAsset, a New York-based financial technology company, evaluated more than 500 public colleges and universities nationwide to identify institutions that provide the strongest value for...

UF Innovate | Accelerate client Beyond the Benchmark Engineering’s “Introduction to Engineering Interactive Lab Kit” was nominated to compete in the 2nd annual “Coolest Thing Made in Florida” competition, hosted by the Florida Chamber of Commerce. This competition serves to identify and celebrate manufacturing companies in Florida, with the ultimate goal of moving Florida into...

The City of Gainesville is accepting public comments on its Draft State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) Annual Report for a 30-day review period beginning Monday, July 20, 2026 and ending Friday, Aug. 21, 2026. The SHIP Annual Report summarizes how the City used SHIP funding to implement the Local Housing Assistance Plan (LHAP) and provide...

New population estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau show migration to Florida slowed significantly in 2025, with the steepest declines occurring in some of the state’s largest, most expensive counties. The latest data show Florida added 201,191 residents through domestic and international migration in 2025 — about 551 people per day. That marks a sharp...

Alachua County Community Support Services has announced that it has been awarded an AmeriCorps Seniors Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) Grant from AmeriCorps, the federal agency for national service and volunteerism, to expand volunteer opportunities for older adults. Receiving this grant is a significant achievement, as this year’s national funding cycle was highly competitive....