Boasting more than 80 distinct ecosystems, Florida is a biodiversity hot spot. More than 4,000 animal species, in fact, are native to the Sunshine State.

The Jacksonville City Council approved the land swap deal, officially making way for the University of Florida’s graduate campus.

University of Florida’s Chair of the Board of Trustees (BOT) spoke out in a written statement about the Florida Board of Governors’ decision not to confirm Dr. Santa Ono as the next president.

An unexpected change is coming at the University of Florida after the Board of Governors voted Tuesday to block the presumptive next president of the university from getting the job.

The state university system’s Board of Governors on Tuesday rejected the appointment of former University of Michigan President Santa Ono as president of the University of Florida.

The Jacksonville City Council will meet to discuss details of a potential land deal for the University of Florida’s graduate campus.

Americans have long heard about the health benefits of adhering to diets rich in fresh produce and whole grains and low in red meat and processed sugars. But they may not be aware of how meal timing can affect their health.

On Tuesday, the University of Florida’s Board of Trustees unanimously approved the selection of Dr. Santa J. Ono as the school’s next president.

Scientists confirm that two of the world’s most destructive invasive termite species are not only spreading in the United States but also hybridizing – the process of two different species crossbreeding to produce a hybrid.

Jacksonville city council members met Wednesday to discuss the next steps in acquiring the property for the new University of Florida graduate campus. While no decisions were made at the meeting, council members were given a chance to direct questions toward the Downtown Investment Authority and Gateway Jax CEO Bryan Moll.

Jacksonville city council members are set to meet Wednesday to discuss the next steps in acquiring the property for the new University of Florida graduate campus. In a one-on-one interview with News4JAX, Bryan Moll, CEO of Gateway Jax, expressed his commitment to bringing the UF grad campus to Jacksonville.

Another option is on the table for the city of Jacksonville’s prospective acquisition of the privately held Interline Brands Inc. building to provide for the University of Florida’s graduate campus in LaVilla.

The University of Florida Presidential Search Committee has unanimously selected Santa J. Ono, Ph.D., as the sole finalist to be considered by the Board of Trustees for the position of the University’s 14th president.

Tomatoes represent a $1.9 billion annual crop, nationwide. They’re planted on 330,000 acres across 18 states, but diseases such as bacterial spot can ravage the popular crop.

About 22 million people already live in Florida, and it’s expected to grow to 33 million by 2070. Those who irrigate lawns tap into the same water, much of it from the Floridan aquifer.

A new University of Florida study tracking more than 5 million trees over nearly three decades reveals a troubling trend for the future of forests in the United States – the loss of native trees.

The Mayor’s Budget Review Committee voted unanimously on Monday to support a proposed land swap between the City of Jacksonville and a downtown developer.

Risky human behavior, not aggression by alligators, is the leading cause of alligator bites, according to a groundbreaking study by scientists at the University of Florida and Centre College in Kentucky.

Dozens of University of Florida students are asking for an immigration attorney to be added on campus following the deportation of an international student who was initially arrested over a traffic violation.

Florida Gators fans continue to celebrate the men’s basketball team’s national title. Check out the new gear you could wear to The Swamp on Saturday, where the team will be recognized during the annual Orange & Blue game.

Across the United States, more than 440 national parks and 7,400 urban parks offer a variety of recreational green spaces for people and pets.

When you think of termites, you probably don’t imagine them aboard yachts, cabin cruisers, sailboats or other watercrafts floating across oceans.

University of Florida researchers now believe they have discovered an idea that might ultimately lead to an effective treatment for the inflammation-related loss of the sense of smell.

Leave it to the Gators. It was a nail-biter. But they are the National Champions Florida’s first title win since going back-to-back in 2006 and 2007. They pulled out a 65 to 63 win against Houston’s ferocious defense with a second-half rally to claim their third national championship.

Tourism in St. Augustine got a delicious boost last winter, when UF researchers introduced a free exhibit to the city about the history of chocolate called “Sweet Beginnings: Unwrapping St. Augustine’s Chocolate Legacy.”

As the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office continues investigating the potential disturbance of historic gravesites in Crescent City, deputies have requested the help of the University of Florida.

The University of Florida Police Department is investigating an incident involving a shot fired early Thursday.

The fall semester at the University of Florida officially started Thursday, and state transportation officials reminded students about the importance of pedestrian safety.

The University of Florida President Ben Sasse announced Thursday night that he will resign from his position on July 31.

A lawsuit about whether the University of Florida should return fees to students because of a campus shutdown early in the COVID-19 pandemic will go before the Florida Supreme Court on Wednesday.

A top-ranked quarterback from the 2023 recruiting class is suing Florida Gators Coach Billy Napier and a University of Florida booster alleging fraud.

Speaking on the campus of the University of Florida, Gov. Ron DeSantis on Wednesday condemned pro-Palestinian protests on college campuses across the country.

Speaking on the campus of the University of Florida, Gov. Ron DeSantis on Wednesday condemned pro-Palestinian protests on college campuses across the country.

Legendary pro wrestler Ric Flair claimed he was kicked out of a Gainesville restaurant over the weekend after attending graduation ceremonies at the University of Florida.

As pro-Palestine protests continue on college campuses across the country, Friday is graduation day in Florida for students at the University of Florida, Florida State University and the University of North Florida.

Dorian Finney-Smith, a former University of Florida basketball player who currently plays for the Brooklyn Nets, was reunited with his father this week after nearly three decades apart.

Traffic stops are the most common police interactions in the United States, but they can also be among the most dangerous, with risks for both law enforcement officers and civilians. A recent incident in Camden County, where a traffic stop escalated into a deadly shooting, has raised questions about the need for a safer approach to traffic stops. Civil rights activists are now pondering whether a different approach at the beginning of such stops could prevent such tragic outcomes.

Jacksonville native Alex Fudge didn’t hear his name called Thursday night during two rounds of the NBA Draft, but he will still get the chance to make an NBA roster, and possibly play alongside LeBron James.

Gov. Ron DeSantis on Thursday set aside $75 million for a new satellite campus in Jacksonville when he signed the state’s record $117 billion budget.

Dave and Will answer questions on the UF quarterbacks and transfer portal.

Due to weather concerns, the baseball game between the University of Florida and Florida State University at 121 Financial Ballpark in Jacksonville scheduled for Tuesday has been postponed, officials announced.

A News4JAX Insider can win four (4) tickets to see Florida State and Florida renew their rivalry on the baseball diamond at 121 Financial Ballpark.

The mayor and city council call it a game changer for Jacksonville--a new University of Florida grad school near downtown that will focus on medical, financial and even artificial intelligence education.

The plan to build a University of Florida graduate satellite campus is one step closer after a Jacksonville City Council rules committee took up the measure Monday to fund $20 million in 2023 and another $30 million at a later date.

New details about a potential University of Florida satellite campus coming to Jacksonville are slowly emerging weeks after it was first announced.

During a meeting Tuesday of the JEA board, News4JAX learned some new details about a potential University of Florida satellite campus coming to Jacksonville.

The answers are still few and far between when it comes to a possible University of Florida satellite campus in Jacksonville. But, legislation is in the works to try and bring the high tech financial and medical graduate program here.

Scientists from the University of Florida are asking people to be on the lookout for the brown basilisk, a nonnative lizard also known as the “Jesus lizard,” because the reptiles have the potential to become invasive in Florida.

Mayor Lenny Curry is following through with his plans to bring an expansion of the University of Florida campus to Jacksonville.

The University of Florida and the city are working on plans to build a new graduate satellite campus in Jacksonville.

A person familiar with the situation says Florida quarterback recruit Jaden Rashada has requested a release from his national letter of intent after a $13 million name, imagine and likeness deal fell through.

Florida Gators quarterback Anthony Richardson on Monday announced his decision to enter the 2023 NFL draft.

Florida has formally dismissed quarterback Jalen Kitna from the team following his arrest on five child pornography charges.

This installation, constructed in August, highlights some of the challenges, struggles, triumphs and achievements of members of UF’s Black community and how those experiences and contributions helped to shape the university today.

Florida Gators backup quarterback Jalen Kitna bonded out of jail Thursday evening after he was arrested Wednesday on two charges of distribution of child exploitation material and three charges of possession of child pornography.

Nebraska U.S. Sen. Ben Sasse won final approval Wednesday to become the 13th president of the University of Florida, capping a swift and sometimes contentious process.

The University of Florida Board of Trustees on Tuesday voted unanimously to select U.S. Sen. Ben Sasse as the school’s 13th president.

Florida has dismissed pass rusher Brenton Cox for what coach Billy Napier called “more of a cumulative effect here.”.

The University of Florida’s Faculty Senate on Thursday passed a resolution saying members have no confidence in a presidential search process that led to U.S. Sen. Ben Sasse being the sole finalist to lead the university.

In an effort to crack down on future protests, current UF President Kent Fuchs on Monday issued a statement saying the university will resume enforcement of a regulation on the books for at least two decades, prohibiting protests inside campus buildings.

Nebraska U.S. Sen. Ben Sasse faced pointed questions and loud protests Monday during his first visit to the University of Florida as the lone finalist for the school’s presidency.

As students and faculty celebrate homecoming this week, there’s controversy around a University of Florida committee’s pick for the school’s next president.

U.S. Sen. Ben Sasse of Nebraska is the sole finalist to become the president of the University of Florida, the school said Thursday.

The University of Florida was ranked one of the top five public universities in the nation for the second year in a row, according to the annual rankings released Monday by U.S. News & World Report.

Fentanyl is a deadly synthetic opioid that can easily mix with other drugs to the point where you may not know it’s there.

One year ago Sunday, UF Health Jacksonville lost a beloved leader when CEO Dr. Leon Haley died in a WaveRunner accident in South Florida.

Florida Gators quarterback Anthony Richardson said in a statement on Sunday that he will no longer use the nickname “AR-15″ due to having similarities with the weapon often used in mass shootings.

Sean Kelley has been hired as the next “Voice of the Gators,” replacing the legendary Mick Hubert who retired earlier this year, the University Athletic Association announced Wednesday.

Mick Hubert -- the unmistakable “Voice of the Gators” who has excited Florida fans for more than three decades with his signature “Oh, my!” -- is retiring.

Former University of Florida quarterback Tim Tebow, who went on to play professional football and baseball and is known for his philanthropy and motivational leadership, will serve as UF’s university-wide commencement speaker this spring in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, the university announced.

Health experts are quickly denouncing Florida’s plans to issue guidance urging parents not to vaccinate healthy children against COVID-19. They say the policy is dangerous for our children.

Russian troops on Friday seized Europe’s largest nuclear power plant after an overnight attack.

Not even a day after authorities said a University of North Florida student threatened a mass shooting on social media, another threat was made on the same app. This time, it was at the University of Florida.

University of Florida President Kent Fuchs announced Wednesday he plans to step down and transition to a professor.

Located in the Nocatee Town Center, the wine bar was started by two UF students with a passion for travel and nature.

A large lizard that is sometimes kept as a pet is wreaking havoc on Florida’s native wildlife and scientists at the University of Florida are working on a solution.

At the halfway point of the season, the Gators sit 4-2 and quarterbacks Emory Jones and Anthony Richardson are showing growth according to Dan Mullen. Heading into the two biggest tests remaining on the schedule in LSU and Georgia, Florida needs that growth to continue.

Mosquitoes. The good news, there are some devices that promise to keep them at bay, and one that’s about to hit the market is designed to be unlike any other.

The University of Florida is among the top five public universities in the nation, according to the annual rankings released Monday by U.S. News & World Report.

A high school lesson more reliable way of estimating the size of megalodon shows the massive extinct shark may have been bigger than previously thought.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Republican state lawmakers are putting pressure on the University of Florida after it suspended three conservative student organizations for allegedly violating COVID-19 rules at an on-campus event. YAF, along with the Network of Enlightened Women and Turning Point USA, were the three organizations suspended by the university. He’s tweeted photos of other UF students that he claimed are evidence the rules aren’t being uniformly applied. Sponsor state Rep. Spencer Roach, R-Fort Myers, said the bill creates protections for students and students government officials facing disciplinary action. The student groups said they hope they’ll be able to work with UF to resolve the issue soon.

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The University of Florida has temporarily suspended three student groups for violating policies on event and pandemic practices, according to a statement posted on the college’s website Sunday night. These groups are Turning Point USA, Young Americans for Freedom and the Network of Enlightened Women. The statement accused the groups of planning an organized event, but failing to register it with the university. UF goes on to explain they have photographic evidence of the event failing to follow these pandemic policies. “In accordance with our standard practice, the university has not taken, and would not take, action against a student or registered student group based on the viewpoint they represent or the content of their speech,” the statement read.

In another indicator of the push to restore pre-pandemic higher education norms, FSU and the University of Florida will hold in-person graduation ceremonies for spring-semester graduates. Both institutions have announced a series of upcoming reduced-capacity commencements that will mark the universities’ first in-person graduation ceremonies since December 2019. The “condensed” graduation programs will make social distancing possible, university officials said in a press release issued Thursday. As with the plan to reintroduce in-person instruction, FSU is leaving open the possibility that the face-to-face graduation ceremonies could change. “There will be no processional, nor recessional, no platform party, and college deans will not be shaking hands with students,” the university wrote in a news release outlining changes from previous in-person graduation ceremonies.

Dr. Garrett Fraess attempts to remove a shoe by accessing it via the crocodile's esophagus. Earlier this month, a 10.5-foot Nile crocodile from the St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park stopped by the UF Veterinary Hospitals to have a shoe removed from her stomach. The crocodile, named Anuket, swallowed the sneaker in December when it fell off a zipliner at the Alligator Farm and into the reptile’s habitat. The 341-pound crocodile was seen eating the shoe and regurgitating it before gobbling it back up. AdThe UF College of Veterinary Medicine reports that the Anuket returned home after an overnight stay and has been recovering at the Alligator Farm -- hopefully without any stomachaches!

The Gainesville Police Department responded around 7:30 p.m. to the crash at West University Avenue and Northwest 17th Street, near UF’s Fletcher Hall. Police said a Honda Civic traveling east on West University Avenue and a Honda Accord attempting to turn south from westbound West University Avenue collided. Police said the Civic then skidded sideways, striking a pole and five pedestrians -- all UF students. Later that night, one of the pedestrians -- Sophia Lambert, a 19-year-old from Miami -- died, police said. The statement said the university is providing counseling services, outreach and other support for the students and communities affected.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Located in the Nocatee Town Center, Coastal Wine Market and Tasting Room -- your choice for Jacksonville’s best wine bar -- was started by two UF students with a passion for travel and nature. In 2006, Steve lived in Los Olivos, California, where he fell in love with the wine tasting culture. As written on the wine bar’s website, Shaun spent time in Italy and Spain, and shared a similar wine affinity. You’ll find it at the Coastal Wine Market. Runners up:2) The Wine Bar 3) Vito’s Italian Restaurant

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Consumer confidence in Florida is falling ahead of the holiday season, a study from the University of Florida found. After the largest one-month gain in consumer confidence since the pandemic started in September, the study found that consumer sentiment among Floridians dropped 2 points in October to 84.4 from a revised September figure of 86.4. “The two components reflecting Floridians' views about current economic conditions weakened in October,” UF researchers wrote in a press release. “Views of personal financial situations now compared with a year ago dropped 3.7 points from 71.1 to 67.4. Sandoval said November’s consumer sentiment reading will be important to gauge Floridians' opinions and expectations about their economic prospects after the presidential election.

Another limitation was the researchers only reviewed the records of patients at UF Health. More investigation is needed to confirm the findings, but if confirmed they would be a boost for flu vaccination efforts, said Arch G. Mainous III, the study’s senior author. It’s not clear why a flu vaccination could potentially be beneficial for COVID-19 patients. One theory is that cells the influenza vaccine primes to kill the flu virus could also destroy the novel coronavirus. Another theory is that components, or “adjuncts," are added to the flu vaccine to make it more effective.

Researchers are actively enrolling eligible patients at UF Health Jacksonville in COVID-19-related research studies. The efforts contribute to important work being conducted around the world to help researchers and clinicians better understand and more effectively target treatment options for COVID-19 patients. “UF Health emergency medicine is leading the way around COVID-19 research on our campus. An additional study involves enrollment in the Indiana University COVID-19 Registry to allow UF Health Jacksonville to share information on COVID-19 patients, containment and care escalation efforts. “Our team of emergency medicine physicians engaged in COVID-19 studies exemplifies the spirit of our division and our commitment to contributing to the greater good of the medical community,” said Hendry, associate chair of emergency medicine research at the UF College of Medicine – Jacksonville.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – A researcher at the University of Florida College of Nursing has been awarded a $2.6 million grant to determine whether relaxation therapy can help reduce pain and manage stress for patients with sickle cell disease, negating the need for opioids. “Historical and contemporary prejudices and stereotypes are associated with those who suffer from sickle cell disease because of their racial background,” Ezenwa said in a prepared statement. “Stress from sickle cell disease symptoms and social factors have been magnified by the public health crisis related to the opioid overdose epidemic in the United States.”Studies indicate as many as 100,000 people could be living with sickle cell disease in the United States. According to a June 2019 report from the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Office of Minority Health, 55,349 Medicaid beneficiaries nationwide had sickle cell disease in 2012, the latest available data. With 5,395 Medicaid beneficiaries with the once-fatal disease, Florida had the second-largest sickle cell Medicaid population behind New York.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The University of Florida and Florida State University remained ranked among the top 20 public universities in the country Monday, as U.S. News & World Report released annual ratings that have become a closely watched scorecard for colleges. UF tied with the University of California-Santa Barbara for sixth in top public universities, after being ranked seventh last year. UF also was tied for 30th among national universities, the top ranking of Florida public or private schools. The University of South Florida tied for 46th among public universities, while the University of Central Florida tied for 77th and Florida International University was in a tie for No. Among national universities, the University of Miami was tied for 49th, the second-highest ranking in the state behind UF.

A small fire billowed black smoke into the air Saturday at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, causing a brief stir near the University of Florida campus. Firefighters had it doused in less than 15 minutes, according to UF Police Lt. Jake Pruitt. Pruitt said a small tractor parked on a ramp on the south side of the stadium caught fire. Police got the call at 3:25 p.m., and the fire was out less than 15 minutes later, Pruitt said. The only damage was some black soot that was left on nearby columns of the stadium, Pruitt said.

The discovery, published Wednesday in Physical Review Letters, identifies an intermediate-mass black hole. The discovery serves as a connector, the missing link, between known categories of black holes: smaller black holes known as stellar-mass black holes, and the largest black holes known as supermassive black holes. Researchers observed the black hole using twin detectors of the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO) and the Virgo gravitational-wave detector in Italy. In the five years since the LIGO project discovered gravitational waves, scientists across the world have fine-tuned instruments measuring these gravitational waves to find new phenomenon in space. The gravitational waves help reveal what happens in the universe and can tell us about how black holes are formed.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. University of Florida Health announced Tuesday it enrolled two patients in a national clinical trial about convalescent blood plasma and whether it can reduce the effects of COVID-19. UF Health is one of 50 medical centers nationwide participating in the clinical trial, which is expected to enroll 600 patients. Enrolled patients must have a mild form of COVID-19 but be at risk of developing more severe cases because of immunity issues, their ages, lung disease or diabetes, Lisa H. Merck, a physician who is vice chair of research in the UF College of Medicines Department of Emergency Medicine and site principal investigator, said in a prepared statement. Researchers are interested in how patients respond in the first two weeks of their illness but will track patients for a month. It is a blind clinical trial, meaning patients wont know whether they have been given convalescent blood plasma or placebos.

GAINESVILLE, Fla. Florida coach Dan Mullen had several players miss the teams opening training camp practice Monday. We had a couple guys not practice today, but well see how that goes moving forward for us, Mullen said during a Zoom call with reporters. His father, Frank Carter, told Rivals that his son has significant concerns. First of all, hes my son and I support him, Frank Carter told the recruiting website. I think its the team thats able to adapt best to whatever situation theres a lot of moving parts and the team thats able to adapt will end up holding up that national championship trophy at the end of the season."

GAINESVILLE, Fla. Jasmine Bowers has made history as the first-ever African American student to receive a doctorate degree in Computer Science from the University of Florida. On July 15, I became the first black woman to defend a dissertation in computer science at UF, Bowers said. Bowers double majored in Math and Computer Science at Fort Valley State University and earned her masters at North Carolina A&T before receiving his doctorate, Black News said. Click here to read more.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. A major organization for higher education employees is calling for all Florida institutions to transition to remote learning for at least the fall 2020 semester. The United Faculty of Florida (UFF) made the announcement Monday, having sent letters to Gov. We all want to reopen our campuses but, more importantly, for them to remain open in the long term. If our institutions become hot-spots due to early reopenings, closing campuses mid-term once again would do real harm, mentally, physically and economically, Morian said. The union added that all of these shortcomings will very likely lead to lawsuits.

GAINESVILLE, Fla. The University of Florida on Friday announced that it will increase the number of online classes and move some classrooms outdoors to prevent the spread of COVID-19 this fall. There will be more online classes, and some will be hybrids of both in-person and online. Given the current incidence of the virus, we cannot count on that happening, but the option to convert to face-to-face is there throughout the Fall semester, UF said. The entire campus community is expected to continue the standard practices of wearing face coverings required in all UF facilities. UF also will be expanding enhanced cleaning and safety protocols in residence halls, dining facilities and classrooms with the arrival of the fall semester.

The 12 state universities continue to work on plans, which they are supposed to present June 23 to the Board of Governors. The plans will flesh out details about issues such as student housing, academics, health protocols and athletics. The universitys draft reopening plan, released on Monday, notes that students and faculty members returning to classrooms will be required to wear face masks. However, Nelson said the school will try to offer tests to people who express concerns about exposure to the virus. And the goal, along those lines, is to accommodate as many fans as our health leadership deems appropriate, Stricklin said.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - With the big October gauntlet looming, the Gators get a tune up game vs Towson. LISTEN: Catch up on previous episodes of Gators BreakdownDavid Waters is joined by Olivia Granaiola, UF student and Read and Reaction contributor, to preview the match-up and the on campus buzz behind Kyle Trask. Follow @GatorDave_SEC to stay plugged in, or click one of the following to tune in:Megaphone | A pple Podcasts | YouTube | Google PlayCopyright 2019 by WJXT News4Jax - All rights reserved.