2 - The Independent Florida Alligator

NEWS | ONLINE EXCLUSIVES

Paterno death shows problems with 24-hour news cycle

By David Williams | Jan. 26, 2012

It all happened in 15 minutes. At 8:45 p.m., the Penn State student news website Onward State said Joe Paterno died. CBSSports.com picked up the story next, prompting other news outlets to follow. But they got it wrong. It was Paterno's son who made the call to CNN stating Joe Paterno was in critical condition, not dead.

NEWS | ONLINE EXCLUSIVES

Gainesville celebrates Arbor Day, 28th year as a Tree City USA community

By Chris Burg | Jan. 26, 2012

About 30 Gainesville residents gathered at the Thomas Center on Thursday to observe Arbor Day, a holiday that promotes planting and caring for trees.

Florida sophomore shortshop Cheyenne Coyle is one of the players the Gators will be relying on to architect a small-ball feel to this year’s offense. Coyle finished second among returning players in OBP and stolen bases last year.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Gators softball taking small-ball approach after exodus of power hitters

By JONATHAN CZUPRYN< | Jan. 26, 2012

Failing to muscle up enough for a championship last season, Florida now looks to finesse its way to the top.

METRO

Organization surveys city's homeless

By Meredith Rutland | Jan. 26, 2012

About 50 people who went around the city Tuesday completing surveys for the Alachua County Coalition for the Homeless and Hungry Inc.

Florida junior Ashanée Dickerson fell on beam for the first time in her collegiate career last season against Arkansas, registering a disappointing 9.275.

SPORTS | GYMNASTICS

Florida gymnastics looking to avenge only loss from last year

By LANDON WATNICK< | Jan. 26, 2012

Facing a top-ranked team like Arkansas may seem like a daunting task, but the Gators have a score to settle with the Razorbacks.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Study: Citrus bacteria has cost Florida economy billions

By Kelsey Grentzer | Jan. 26, 2012

A study published by UF this month found that a bacterial disease that kills Florida citrus trees has cost the state economy about $3.6 billion in the past six years.

U.S. Department of Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan speaks about agriculture and its importance in the U.S. at the Straughn Extension Professional Development Center on Thursday night.

NEWS | CAMPUS

USDA official talks locally grown food

By Alli Langley | Jan. 26, 2012

"Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food" is the USDA's effort to encourage direct farmer-to-consumer connections and strengthen access to locally produced foods.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

UF men's tennis to host qualifying matches

By ELI MARGER | Jan. 26, 2012

After a quarterfinal exit in last year’s ITA Team Indoor Championships, the Gators enter 2012 qualifying as the team to beat.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TRACK

Gators women's track team to face stiff test

By KYLE EVERS< | Jan. 26, 2012

Florida is looking to regain some of the program’s lost swagger this week.

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

Candidates face off at debate

By Adrianna Paidas | Jan. 26, 2012

Tensions ran high Thursday afternoon as Gainesville City Commission candidates discussed their final thoughts on the city's biomass contract, fiscal condition and job creation at a debate at Santa Fe College.

OPINION | EDITORIALS

Darts & laurels

By The Alligator Editorial Board | Jan. 26, 2012

We have a lot to cover today, so without further ado, it's time for our does-anyone-even-read-this-introductory-part-anyway edition of...

NEWS | CAMPUS

Spring admits are part of Gator Nation, too

By Colleen Wright | Jan. 26, 2012

I can still clearly remember the joyous epiphany I had when I saw that 15-letter word on the UF website.

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Few things missing from "Shire" column

By Peter Colverson | Jan. 26, 2012

This is a letter in response to Luke Bailey's column regarding the Shire as an ideal economic model. Being a Brit and a Tolkien nut myself, I thought I would provide you with a couple of insights that you appeared to be lacking based on your article.

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Guest columnist wrong about STEM degrees

By Brent Melvin | Jan. 26, 2012

I applaud the underlying premise of Austin Swink's column regarding STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) majors. There is a need to encourage students to pursue these fields because they provide a large part of the foundation upon which our economy and society rest. However, his proposal that raising the tuition for these students will increase the number of graduates with these degrees is wholly false.

NEWS

Correction

Jan. 26, 2012

An article in Thursday's Alligator incorrectly stated Craig Adams, an aggravated assault suspect, is a Vietnam veteran.

NEWS

Fla. House Education Committee approves school bus ads bill

By Erin Jester | Jan. 26, 2012

TALLAHASSEE — The Florida House of Representatives Education Committee on Thursday approved a bill that would allow school districts to put commercial advertisements on school buses.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Student Senate Jan. 24 meeting recap

By Samantha Shavell | Jan. 26, 2012

During Tuesday's Student Senate meeting, the Senate approved three new senators and two new committee members.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Dean of College of Journalism and Communications to step down

By Clare Lennon | Jan. 26, 2012

The dean of the College of Journalism and Communications announced Wednesday in an email to faculty and staff that he will step down in January 2013.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Man cannot elude assault charges after apartment fire

Jan. 25, 2012

Craig Adams threatened to take Eisha Steele's life Tuesday evening. Just four hours later, she saved his.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Students head to Capitol today to lobby lawmakers

By Joey Flechas | Jan. 25, 2012

A group of about 20 UF students will join hundreds more students in Tallahassee today to lobby for an end to tuition hikes and budget cuts, as well as fair representation on the board that governs the State University System.

COVID-19