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UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA

Landmark study investigates spread of COVID-19 among vaccinated college students.

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Hundreds of students attending the University of Florida are taking part in a landmark study investigating the spread of COVID-19. One thousand students will be vaccinated as part of a nationwide study involving more than 20,000 college students and 25,000 of their close contacts. Researchers said the results of the study could determine how long we need to continue preventive measures such as wearing masks and social distancing. AdThe study also showed that non-standard forms of employment, including working from home, aggravated the ability to control the time spent on work. Researchers said businesses with returning cardiac patients need to adopt programs to boost job retention and help with disease management.

UF freshman from Miami dies after being struck by a car

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – A University of Florida student from Miami died after being struck by a car. Police said 19-year-old Sophia Lambert died at the hospital hours after the crash on West University Avenue, which happened around 7:30 p.m. Saturday. The freshman student, along with four others, were hit by a car in the 1700 block of West University Avenue. A subsequent investigation by Gainesville Police revealed that a Honda Civic traveling eastbound on West University Avenue and a Honda Accord traveling westbound on the same street collided as the driver of the Accord attempted to turn south. This is the second fatality involving a UF student on the same roadway in the last two months.

Danielle Cohen Higgins appointed to Miami-Dade Commission

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. – Danielle Cohen Higgins was appointed and sworn in as Miami-Dade County’s new commissioner for District 8 on Monday, filling the seat vacated by new mayor Daniella Levine Cava. Cohen Higgins, a civil law attorney, was selected by a 10-1 vote in a special meeting. The process took only about 10 minutes as commissioners decided to make the appointment rather than hold a special election for district residents. Cohen Higgins was considered a frontrunner from the get-go among a list of seven contenders. Relatively drama-freeMiami Dade commission votes 10-1 to appoint Danielle Cohen Higgins to fill D8 seat, left open as predecessor Daniella Levine Cava became county Mayor.

Gators halt football activities following COVID-19 outbreak

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The University of Florida has shut down football activities following a COVID-19 outbreak among the team on the school’s Gainesville campus. Florida’s athletic director released a statement saying the team has experienced a spike in positive coronavirus cases among players this week, and for that, team activities are being paused. The statement read:“The University of Florida football team has experienced an increased in positive COVID tests among players this week. Out of an abundance of caution, team activities are paused as of Tuesday afternoon. After the game, Gators head coach Dan Mullen said he wanted to pack the swamp for the LSU game, saying he wanted 90,000 fans to be allowed into the stadium.

Miami-Dade County first place in U.S. where invasive snail from India found, it’s not good news

Found in India, it is a horntail snail (Macrochlamys indica), UF scientists discovered and FDACS confirmed it. Miami-Dade County is the first known place where a horntail snail has been found in the United States. Research is continuing to gather further information about the horntail snail, according to Commissioner Nikki Fried, who heads the FDACS. “The horntail snail is an invasive pest with the potential to cause serious health implications for Floridians,” she said. Inspectors combed the area where it was found and discovered more of the snail sites in Miami-Dade County.

UM and FIU join UF and FSU on Spring Break 2021 cancellation

CORAL GABLES, Fla. – Spring break is an institution in South Florida, but two South Florida institutions of higher learning won’t be having it in 2021. The University of Florida and Florida State University previously said they will also cancel spring break this school year. University of Miami President Julio Frenk said his school’s spring semester will begin a week later than initially scheduled, on Jan. 25, and students will also get two “Wellness Wednesdays” off. “I know it hasn’t been easy, and I can’t promise that it will become any easier anytime soon. FIU has proposed a calendar in which classes would end a week earlier rather than taking a week off for spring break.

Florida officials direct public universities to transition to online classes

MIAMI – The State University System of Florida directed public universities on Wednesday to start transitioning to online classes “immediately.”“This directive will be reevaluated as the situation continues to develop,” the state education officials said in a statement about the new strategy to help prevent COVID-19 cases in Florida. The directive includes state universities with students who have returned from spring break, which includes Florida Gulf Coast University, Florida International University, Florida Polytechnic University, and the University of Florida. Public university officials will be encouraging students from other public schools to return home for at least two weeks or to not return to campus. This includes students at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, Florida Atlantic University, Florida State University, New College of Florida, the University of North Florida, the University of Central Florida, the University of South Florida, and the University of West Florida. Miami Dade College and 27 other public colleges in Florida are following the recommendation of the Florida Department of Education to remain open.

U. of Florida band director says he was attacked after football game

The University of Florida's marching band director was attacked following a football game against Miami. ORLANDO, Fla. - The University of Florida's band director says he was attacked Saturday night after the school's football game against the University of Miami in Orlando. The band was marching in uniform from the stadium to its buses following the game when a female Miami fan tried to cross the line of band students, University of Florida spokesman Steve Orlando told CNN, based on the director's account. Orlando police told CNN affiliate WKMG the department is investigating the incident and may release more information on Monday. Watkins has been the director of the UF Gator Marching Band since 2006.

U. of Florida band director says he was attacked after football game

The University of Florida's marching band director was attacked following a football game against Miami. ORLANDO, Fla. - The University of Florida's band director says he was attacked Saturday night after the school's football game against the University of Miami in Orlando. The band was marching in uniform from the stadium to its buses following the game when a female Miami fan tried to cross the line of band students, University of Florida spokesman Steve Orlando told CNN, based on the director's account. Orlando police told CNN affiliate WKMG the department is investigating the incident and may release more information on Monday. Watkins has been the director of the UF Gator Marching Band since 2006.

6 South Florida Hispanic students awarded college scholarships from McDonald's

MIAMI - Six Hispanic students from South Florida have been awarded McDonald's HACER National Scholarships. A total of 30 Hispanic high school seniors from around the country were awarded the scholarship to pursue their dreams of higher education. Below is a list of the well-deserving seniors from South Florida: Kendra Da Silva, of Coral Glades High School, who is attending Harvard University. Kimberly Ramos, of Palm Beach Gardens Community High School, who is attending the University of Central Florida. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Hispanic college enrollment is at a record high.

University of Florida, Florida State University crack top party schools list again

The University of Florida ranked 16th and Florida State University ranked 18th on the 2020 list released Tuesday. Florida made the top party school list for a 27th consecutive year. Syracuse University topped the list for the 2019-20 academic year, followed by the University of Alabama, University of Delaware, West Virginia University and Tulane University. The University of California-Santa Barbara, Colgate University, Wake Forest University, Bucknell University and University of Rhode Island round out the top 10. 18 Florida State University Tallahassee, Fla. No.

Tim Tebow says he won't speak at Republican National Convention

PEMBROKE PARK, Fla. – Tim Tebow said he won't be speaking at the Republican National Convention next week. "I wake up this morning to find out that I'm speaking at the Republican National Convention," Tebow said. "So let's come together on that. "Let's forget about our quarrels and our differences and let's come together on one nation under God." Tebow has been out of football since being released by the Philadelphia Eagles before the start of the 2015 season.

Longtime Florida athletics director retiring

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Longtime University of Florida athletics director Jeremy Foley, one of the most successful college sports leaders in the country, is retiring. Foley, 63, informed his staff and head coaches of the move Monday, calling it quits after 40 years at Florida. He will remain at Florida as emeritus athletic director for the duration of his current contract. Florida President Dr. Kent Fuchs thanked Foley for his years of service and commitment to the Gators. "I firmly believe my time as athletics director is ending so that I can move into the next phase of my life, and I eagerly look forward to this next phase," Foley said.