2 - The Independent Florida Alligator

Rescue workers inspect the scene where a Ukrainian plane crashed in Shahedshahr, southwest of the capital Tehran, Iran, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2020. A Ukrainian airplane with more than 170 people crashed on Wednesday shortly after takeoff from Tehran's main airport, killing all onboard. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)

NEWS | NATIONAL

Iranians shot down airliner, Western leaders declare

By Lolita C. Baldor | Jan. 10, 2020

LOLITA C. BALDOR and ZEKE MILLER

The new billboard, located near the Park-and-Ride Lot on West Newberry Road, was unveiled Thursday.

METRO

Newberry billboard displays updated info on cold case

By Sarah Mandile | Jan. 10, 2020

The reward was recently increased from $8,000 to $10,000

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

At least 17 cars burglarized in Gainesville subdivision

By Samia Lagmis | Jan. 10, 2020

Police said two cars were stolen

The UF Small Animal Hospital discovered that Nancy, a sulcata tortoise, is allergic to orchardgrass hay.

NEWS | CAMPUS

UF documents first tortoise with allergies

By Anna Wilder | Jan. 10, 2020

She is allergic to orchardgrass hay

Dignity Village stopped accepting new residents in October. The city expected to close the camp Jan. 1, but the plan is taking longer than expected.

METRO

Dignity Village closing delayed through homeless transition

By Samantha Chery | Jan. 10, 2020

Alachua County will focus on other housing interventions

NEWS | FEATURES

Doctoral student demands response to UF sexual assault cases on website

By Hope Dean | Jan. 10, 2020

Records show some cases weren't handled correctly by faculty

Noah Locke, Scottie Lewis and Andrew Nembhard

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Florida aims to continue perfect start to SEC play

By Tyler Nettuno | Jan. 9, 2020

Last season, Florida’s men’s basketball team sleepwalked through the beginning of SEC play, starting 1-3.

SPORTS | GYMNASTICS

Florida begins season against Arkansas at home

By Noah Ram | Jan. 9, 2020

The Gators gymnastics program has been among the best in NCAA history.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

UF starts the season ranked No. 1

By Dylan O'Shea | Jan. 9, 2020

The UF men’s tennis team comes into the 2020 season ranked No. 1 in the Oracle/ITA Rankings.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

The 21st-ranked Gators open up season in the Bahamas

By Dylan O'Shea | Jan. 9, 2020

Florida’s women’s tennis team will take to the Caribbean to open its 2020 season.

NEWS | CAMPUS

What is the UF Board of Trustees?

By Hannah Phillips | Jan. 9, 2020

Its decisions impact students every day, a spokesman said

After explaining to Bee College 2018 attendees how to split beehives, Rob Horsburgh, 43, demonstrates the steps Friday, Oct. 14, 2018. The event was hosted by the UF IFAS Honey Bee Research and Extension Lab and offered a variety of classes on beekeeping.

NEWS | CAMPUS

What's all the buzz about? UF introduces new beekeeping class

By Marlowe Starling | Jan. 9, 2020

Entomology and nematology department offers new online Beekeeping II class

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Gators trounce Tigers for back-to-back conference victories

By Bryan Matamoros | Jan. 9, 2020

Freshman guard Nina Rickards has struggled to find the bottom of the net since coach Cam Newbauer inserted her into the starting lineup in mid-December.

METRO

The last straw: Gainesville ban takes effect

By Grethel Aguila | Jan. 9, 2020

Businesses can be fined $250 for having plastic straws

Abby Farah, a 20-year-old nutrition junior, tours the new La Casita space on Wednesday. “I think it is fantastic that the La Casita space is open to us, especially for this class," Farah said. "I think it’s going to be really important for us to appreciate the space that the university has provided and that so many students have worked so incredibly hard for."

NEWS | CAMPUS

La Casita hosts class on Latinx Studies – the first class the institute has ever held

By Kaelyn Cassidy | Jan. 9, 2020

There are a limited number of seats left for the credited class

President Donald Trump addresses the nation from the White House on the ballistic missile strike that Iran launched against Iraqi air bases housing U.S. troops, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2020, in Washington, as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley, Vice President Mike Pence, and others look on. (AP Photo/ Evan Vucci)

METRO | POLITICS

US, Iran step back from the brink; Trump opts for sanctions

By The Associated Press | Jan. 8, 2020

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. and Iran stepped back from the brink of possible war Wednesday, as President Donald Trump indicated he would not respond militarily after no one was harmed in Iran's missile strike on two Iraqi bases housing U.S. troops.