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MONDAY, JULY 7, 2025
VOLUME 119 - ISSUE 37 Not officially associated with the University of Florida
Published by Campus Communications, Inc. of Gainesville, Florida
Environmental scientists weigh in on proposed development near Paynes Prairie Single-family housing may harm Florida’s only wild bison population By Logan McBride Alligator Staff Writer
Jordan Klucharich // Alligator Staff
The Language Party gathers outside Boxcar Beer & Wine Garden at Depot Park on July 3, 2025. Read more on pg. 4.
UF child abuse pediatrician resigns after investigation into workplace conduct BARBARA KNOX LEFT POSITIONS IN WISCONSIN AND ALASKA OVER SIMILAR COMPLAINTS By Avery Parker Alligator Staff Writer
A human resources investigation into UF Jacksonville Health child abuse pediatrician Barbara Knox substantiated accusations she created a hostile work environment while leading the University of Florida’s Child Protection Team, a child pediatric clinic handling cases of suspected child abuse and neglect. In January, an investigation into
Knox uncovered complaints that she bullied employees and created a hostile work environment at First Coast CPT in Jacksonville, which specializes in pediatric forensics. Knox held forensic pediatric roles in Wisconsin and Alaska, where she faced scrutiny over her workplace professionalism and medical accuracy. She eventually resigned from both positions under intense pressure. A Wisconsin court even overturned a ruling that relied on Knox’s testimony alleging parents had abused their child. Some raised concerns about Knox’s hiring at UF as early as February 2024. The criticism reached new heights when First
Coast CPT employees accused Knox of pressuring workers who wanted her to quit, exhibiting racism toward coworkers and families of color and neglecting medical responsibilities. The accusations led UF to launch a human resources investigation into Knox, led by investigator Noah Deutsch, which was completed March 31. According to the report, the investigation began in October 2024, when UF Jacksonville College of Medicine Dean Linda Edwards requested UF Human Resources look into claims Knox created a toxic work environment following a letter
SPORTS/SPECIAL/CUTOUT
The Avenue: Summer jobs
Federal funding cuts impact forecast pg# accuracy. Read more on pg. 5.
Photo gallery
Hurricanes Story description finish with comma,
SEE KNOX, PAGE 4
Students juggle workloads to afford tuition, pg. 6 A look into Fourth of July protests, pg. 7
Florida’s only wild bison roam the savanna of Paynes Prairie State Park, but a proposed housing development has environmental scientists concerned for the future of the park’s endangered species. American bison, which are native to Florida, were once a staple in the United States. Commercial hunting and habitat loss brought the species to extinction in Florida by 1830. To restore the population, 10 Nebraska bison were brought to Paynes Prairie State Park in 1975. Around 50 to 70 genetically pure bison reside in the park following a statewide effort led by the Florida Park Service to restore the state’s natural landscapes and wildlife. The bison roam over 22,000 acres of parkland with little to no human contact. Maronda Homes LLC, a residential construction company, requested a zoning change to subdivide 73 acres of land to build 134 single-family homes. About 24 of the 73 proposed acres would be developed, leaving the remaining acres open. Micah Hébert, a 39-year-old environmental science teacher at Palm Beach Central High School, said he was concerned about the potential development’s impact of light pollution on Paynes Prairie’s wildlife, especially its bison. “They won’t be able to sleep,” Hébert said. “It’s going to affect their breeding patterns, their migration patterns. There’s a whole cascade of effects. If anybody questions that, just try to sleep with your lights on and tell me that doesn’t make a difference.” Animals typically follow the brightest light source in the night sky for navigation, especially
during migration. Artificial lights used by residential areas can disorient animals, he said. Development would likely impact the prairie’s ecosystem because light pollution will bleed “well beyond” the development’s square footprint, he said. The prairie’s bison also attract tourists, and developments harming the bison could “sell out” public benefit, he said. “That’s a heritage that is priceless,” Hébert said. “They almost went extinct, and we were able to save them. I’m not going to let them take out the bison twice.” Florida’s bison aren’t the only species that could be harmed by light pollution. Anna Mavrodieva, a 23-yearold Gainesville resident and environmental scientist, works with Alachua Audubon and Alachua Conservation Trust and is an outreach educator at the Florida Museum of Natural History. Mavrodieva said she was concerned about other endangered species in the prairie, including the snail kite, a small bird that experienced population declines in the early 2000s. Habitat fragmentation, a loss of groundwater recharge areas and an increase in polluted runoff can harm the prairie’s ecosystems, she said. Agricultural and urban runoff are major nonpoint sources of nutrients and contaminants in Florida waters. The impact of light pollution could also draw a host of insects toward neighborhood light sources at night, in turn attracting frogs, snakes and other nocturnal animals that eat insects. For example, drivers often hit frogs, snakes and opossums because they follow car headlights, she said. “Even if they build the most
SEE PAYNES PRAIRIE, PAGE 3
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