The Independent Florida Alligator

Ben made video news packages to complement print stories in The Independent Florida Alligator. He began this position in January 2023 and was promoted to Multimedia Editor in December 2023.

Vision Party wins Spring 2024 executive ticket, majority Senate seats

As Supervisor of Elections Ethan Halle stood on the stairs above the Reitz atrium, the ground floor came to a hush as students set down their Sprite cups and lowered their cardboard cutouts of candidates’ heads.

​The results were in. Vision Party swept the executive ticket of the Spring 2024 SG election, electing John Brinkman as student body president. Laura Thomas and Saketh Damera, both from Vision, will serve as vice president and treasurer.

Mind Over Stigma Journalist Roundtable
Caitlyn Schiffer talks with Topher Adams, Sophia Bailly, Jared Teitel and Kat Tran in this roundtable podcast about their own mental health experiences as journalists. Filmed and edited by Ben Nielsen.

The Alligator Podcast:

​The nation's largest student newspaper, the Independent Florida Alligator, brings you the latest in news, sports and much more.

​Ben Sasse’s inauguration as UF’s 13th president
​UF President Ben Sasse was formally inaugurated as UF’s 13th president at 3 p.m. Thursday in the University Auditorium.

The ceremony included Sasse’s inaugural address, remarks from dignitaries, the presentation of UF’s ceremonial symbols, UF’s ROTC Color Guard and music performed by UF School of Music students, according to UF’s website. 

​Gainesville continues its celebration of Pride with events, museum exhibits and feelings of community
Despite being a city submerged under waves of orange and blue, Downtown Gainesville was repping the rainbow Oct. 21. 
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For eight hours, drag queens dipped, folding fans flipped and locals laughed with family, friends, neighbors and strangers as they celebrated Pride Community Center of North Central Florida’s (PCCNCF) 2023 Gainesville Pride Festival at East University Avenue’s Bo Diddley Plaza. 

​Gator Growl celebrates 100th birthday with Jason Derulo performance
Before the clock struck 7 p.m., a stampede of students raced through the O’Dome’s doors, flooding the seats of UF’s premier basketball stadium and performance arena. 

​Thursday, the Stephen C. O’Connell Center celebrated 100 years of Gator Growl, inviting UF students and the city of Gainesville to the party. 

Vision Party wins Senate majority, over 12,000 UF students vote in Fall Student Government elections

Vision Party dominated the ballot in the first UF Student Government election under new redistricting. 

Candidates heard Fall election results Wednesday night at the Reitz Union — hugs, tears and White Claws followed.

Vision Party, which ran for the first time, gained 40 seats while Change Party won nine on-campus seats; the Graduate and Family Housing seat was left vacant. 

President Joe Biden flies into Gainesville Airport
President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden arrived at the Gainesville Regional Airport at around 1 p.m. Saturday to address damages in the aftermath of Hurricane Idalia.

The president’s visit comes after the passing of Hurricane Idalia, a Category 3 storm that devastated areas of Florida’s Big Bend region earlier this week.

​Don Toliver lights up the stage at first day of school concert

The Stephen O’Connell Center was full of bright lights and smoke throughout the night, with students cheering and enjoying the first event of the Fall as they returned to their classes. 
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UF Student Government Productions kicked off its first event of the Fall by hosting Don Toliver alongside Kaliii in a sold-out show Aug. 23 at the O'Connell Center. 

The cast of Gainesville’s Rocky Horror Picture Show leaves summer audiences ‘shivering with anticipation’
It came from outer space and settled on a small stage in Gainesville. 
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The feature crept up in the form of a summer-themed production of The Rocky Horror Picture Show.

​The show, presented by Glory Days & Frankie and The Pretenders, will be held at the High Dive, located at 210 SW 2nd Ave, until Aug. 2. 

Generations of Barbie fans wear pink for Gainesville early screening

About 145 patrons, donned in pinks from neons to pastels, trotted toward a life-sized doll box display sprawled in the corner of a Gainesville theater and waited for their turn to pose playfully while channeling their plastic inspiration.
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The Barbie Blowout Party took place at the Regal Celebration Pointe 10 & RPX theater July 19. The Gainesville theater was one of the select theaters to host a celebration for the early screening.

Gainesville residents bring superheroes to life

What started as a simple walk down Newberry Road in a Batman suit for a 24-year-old Gainesville resident has turned into an opportunity to share joy with the local community.
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Joey Alfonso has spent the past four months sporting his Batman cosplay in Gainesville and neighboring cities, sharing positivity associated with the character he loves. 

Gainesville native rockstar Laura Jane Grace returns to her roots
A full house of punk-rockers dressed in their best black tank tops, skinny jeans and fishnet tights met Laura Jane Grace’s heavily anticipated return to Gainesville. 

​Frontwoman of former punk band Against Me!, Grace embarked on her 24-show spring tour earlier this month with Weakened Friends, performing at the High Dive Friday.

Gator wins executive seats, Change achieves first-ever UF Student Senate majority
Candidates, canvassers and campaign managers gathered at the ground floor of the Reitz Union, their excited chatter hushing as Supervisor of Elections Ethan Halle approached the second floor balcony Wednesday night.
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Both Student Government parties could justify their exuberance as the Gator Party swept the executive ticket while the Change Party flipped the Student Senate in the largest turnout for an SG election since 2015. 

Matheson History Museum exhibit offers flashback to Gainesville music in the ‘70s
It’s hard to imagine Gainesville’s music scene without staples such as the Heartwood Soundstage and the High Dive. In the early ‘70’s, Jim Forsman and Jeffrey Meldon came together to create the Great Southern Music Hall, a first-of-its-kind performance space in Gainesville that paved the way for future venues. 

Sweetwater Greenway Loop Festival encourages connection in historic neighborhoods
Community members came together at Roper Park, surrounded by music and artistry, to celebrate their neighborhood and the unity created by the upcoming city-planned greenway corridor. 
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Sarah’s Sweetwater Greenway Loop Festival, which took place Feb. 16- 20, expanded across five historic neighborhoods in Gainesville where the city approved a greenway, or a strip of land dedicated to recreational use, to connect them. 

Hundreds march in Gainesville Martin Luther King Jr. parade

Matthew Bowman III, a 14-year-old Gainesville resident, marched down East University Avenue declaring “I am a man. I have a dream.”
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Bowman is a mentee of the 100 Black Men of Greater Florida GNV, Inc., which is a group dedicated to improving the lives of African Americans. He was one of hundreds who participated in the King Celebration Annual Commemorative Parade Monday.