2 - The Independent Florida Alligator

OPINION | COLUMNS

The time has come for the Democratic Party to unite behind Hillary Clinton

May 16, 2016

While the Republicans’ voters have decided to nominate a bigoted, xenophobic and self-centered human being, the Democrats are ready to continue moving forward on President Obama’s progressive legacy. With the prospect of a President Trump becoming more and more real, the Democratic party needs to unite more than ever, and fast.

OPINION | COLUMNS

You cannot blame the establishment for everything

May 16, 2016

It is impossible to listen to the candidates of this election cycle without hearing mention of the “establishment,” a sort of shady organization within politics that prevents the goodwill of the people from being heard or legislation from being passed, and anyone who isn’t part of the establishment, it can be assumed, is not longed for the political world because they speak the truth on a certain issue the establishment does not want to let out.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Take a minute and breathe before you #BernieOrBust

May 16, 2016

I am an avid Bernie Sanders supporter. This is a fact you could deduce from simply spending five minutes on any social media platform of mine. When the Vermont senator came to UF in March, my friend and I were in line to see him speak before his motorcade was even in town. With the Democratic nomination getting closer and closer each day, we’ve seen a rise in niche-voter movements like the #BernieOrBust ideology. My response to this movement is simple: If you’re feeling the Bern, it’s probably not in your best interest to bust.

METRO

Resources abound for veterans across Alachua County

By Cameron Cobb | May 16, 2016

Though May is Military Appreciation Month, thousands of veterans make use of resources throughout Alachua County all year. About 650 veterans and 160 active-duty students currently attend UF.

Jessica Millar, a 23-year-old UF College of Medicine graduate student, stares into Jared Fish's eyes while relaxing in the grass during Kanapaha's Moonlight Walk. "It was really cute," Millar said.

METRO

Annual Moonlight Walk draws thousands to Kanapaha Botanical Gardens

By Emma Green | May 16, 2016

Vincent van Gogh may have enjoyed Kanapaha Botanical Gardens’ observance of the starry night.

From left to right, Art Wade, Elaine Spencer, Valerie Rivers and Keith Honeycutt cut the ribbon to usher in the Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings rose. It was dedicated to the author on Sunday afternoon at the Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings House and Farm.

METRO

Professors name rose after author Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings

By Catherine Dickson | May 16, 2016

Author Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings won a Pulitzer Prize before her death in 1953, and now, 63 years later, a rose is registered under her name. Two professors at Florida Southern College – literature professor Keith Huneycutt and rose expert Malcolm Manners – collaborated to make Rawlings’ dream a reality.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Gainesville resident, former teacher arrested for child abuse

By Sara Marino | May 16, 2016

A Gainesville man currently faces charges of first-degree child sexual abuse after Gainesville Police, U.S. Marshals and District of Columbia Police worked together to arrest him a week ago.

METRO

Broken Hearts of Florida holds annual May Day Picnic for congenital heart disease patients, parents, caregivers

By Jessica Rodriguez | May 16, 2016

Richard Rowell’s son, Nolan, had to undergo heart surgery at just three-weeks-old. Doctors diagnosed Nolan with a heart defect while he was still in utero. Consequently, Rowell searched for a support group on Facebook and found Broken Hearts of Florida.

Seen through a hole in the Victorian house’s dining room wall at the Florida Museum of Natural History is the garden exhibit, hosting various poisonous plants.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Florida Museum of Natural History opens new plant exhibit

By Jasmine Osmond | May 16, 2016

Equal parts haunted mansion and murder mystery, the Florida Museum of Natural History celebrated the opening of its Wicked Plants Exhibit on Saturday. The exhibit will be on display until Jan. 15, 2017.

METRO

Florida Museum Butterfly Rainforest unveils new ‘Ranching and Wrangling’ theme, extends hours in July

By Ryan Serpico | May 16, 2016

On Sunday, the museum, located at 3215 Hull Road, unveiled the Ranching and Wrangling theme, which will run through June 30. The theme is intended to educate visitors on the importance of studying butterflies from different regions.

NEWS | CAMPUS

UF Health Shands named one of nation’s best hospitals

By Jasmine Osmond | May 16, 2016

Amber Peelz was diagnosed with thyroid cancer in 2012. She spent a week in the Cancer Center at UF Health Shands Hospital and received three surgeries. Peelz said caring staff helped her through the process, holding her hand as she was put under anesthesia before a surgery that would give her another chance at life.

UF's Kourtney Keegan hits a forehand during Florida's 6-1 win over USF on Jan. 27, 2016, at the Ring Tennis Complex.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Florida advances to Round of 16 with pair of weekend wins

By Jake Dreilinger | May 16, 2016

The Gators left Gainesville in dominating fashion, finishing play at the Ring Tennis Complex undefeated this season.

Kyra Jefferson runs during the 2016 Pepsi Florida Relays on April 1, 2016, at James G. Pressly Stadium.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TRACK

Florida’s injuries contribute to disappointing SEC Championship Result

By Lauren Staff | May 16, 2016

For the second time this season, Florida’s All-American, Olympic-hopeful laden roster was embarrassingly defeated at the Southeastern Conference Championship.