2 - The Independent Florida Alligator

METRO

Organization offers students a ride to early-voting poll

By Catherine Dickson | Oct. 23, 2016

An organization is helping UF students get to the polls for early voting today.

METRO

A day of pride: Thousands attend LGBTQ+ celebration in Gainesville

By Carly Breitbart | Oct. 23, 2016

West University Avenue resembled a moving rainbow Saturday afternoon, with hundreds of people carrying colorful flags as they marched for LGBTQ+ pride.

NEWS | CAMPUS

UF students celebrate life, community in traditional Indian dance

By Paige Fry | Oct. 23, 2016

Hundreds of students twirled in colorful skirts Friday night, celebrating another year of experiences.

Civil War re-enactor and Vietnam War veteran Walter Anderson, 69, rides his horse, Sonney Boy, during the re-enactment. "History, don't get it twisted," Anderson said atop his horse after acting as a cavalry member for the Confederate side. "That's why I do what I do, so history can get untwisted."

METRO

Civil War re-enactors face off at Battle of Gainesville

By Emma Green | Oct. 23, 2016

Walter Anderson slumped over his horse Sunday, feigning injury during a re-enactment of the Battle of Gainesville.

Meggie Dougherty Howard shoots the ball during Florida's 6-0 win over Alabama on Oct. 20, 2016, at Donald R. Dizney Stadium.

SPORTS | SOCCER

UF soccer team sends senior class off with win

By Lauren Staff | Oct. 23, 2016

Eight seniors took the field on Sunday at Dizney Stadium for their final regular-season home game.

Caroline Knop serves during Florida's 3-0 win over Jacksonville at the Lemerand Athletic Center on Sept. 16, 2016.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

Snyder, Holston dominate in UF’s sweep of Georgia

By Ray Boone | Oct. 23, 2016

When Florida volleyball player Caroline Knop went to serve during the third set of Sunday’s matchup against Georgia, she was trying to put the match away for the Gators.

Adam Ray, a UF biology junior, poses with his 9-month-old Dachshund Bowie following the dog's first-place win in Sunday's Halloweener Derby. The second annual Dachshund-only race, held at Westside Park, raised about $5,000 for the pediatric oncology unit at UF Health Shands Hospital.

METRO

Dachshund derby raises $5,000 for cancer patients

By Melanie Mueller | Oct. 23, 2016

Bowie, a 9-month-old Dachshund, ran about 15 yards, winning a derby against 25 other hounds Sunday.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Man with weed tries shoplifting from Macy’s

By Caitlin Ostroff | Oct. 23, 2016

Gainesville Police arrested a man Friday for trying to steal more than $1,000 worth of merchandise from the Macy’s department store at The Oaks Mall.

Tyrie Cleveland (89) runs toward the end zone during Florida's 40-14 win over Missouri on Oct. 15, 2016, at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Roundtable: Who will be UF football’s breakout player?

Oct. 23, 2016

Jalen Tabor. Alex Anzalone. Marcus Maye. Jordan Scarlett. Halfway through the season, each has proven they can contribute to the No. 14-ranked Florida football team.

OPINION | EDITORIALS

Trump and Sanders have changed politics forever

Oct. 23, 2016

What great nation has lasted an eternity? Some empires come to mind when we try to answer this question. The Roman Empire lasted roughly 507 years. While Judaism is roughly 2,500 years old, the Jewish nation has come and gone many times over the course of that history. This year, our democracy in America rejoiced in its 240th birthday.

OPINION | COLUMNS

RIP to the birds, the bees and sex euphemisms

Oct. 23, 2016

An aspect of parenting we usually like to avoid is the birds and the bees. The beasts with two backs. The dirty deed. Dipping the wick — OK. No one says that, but that’s the point. Have you noticed how we have so many euphemisms for sex? That shows just how much we try to avoid the conversation, but it’s necessary in order to be healthy and safe.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Why it's OK to have opinions and perspectives in your news coverage

Oct. 23, 2016

Journalism is a pretty conservative field. The Associated Press Stylebook has yet to accept that “they” can be a singular pronoun and The New York Times still uses Mr. and Ms., which reinforce the gender binary. Student journalists are taught to be objective, to get both sides of every story — present the facts and tie them together.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Let’s talk about taboo topics: being open about feelings and mental health

Oct. 23, 2016

Who decides what is OK to talk about? How do we all just seem to know what a taboo topic is? If there is a yearly workshop, I wasn’t invited. But somehow, I’m still aware of what we are supposed to avoid talking about. At a party, we’re told to steer clear of discussions about sex, politics, religion and the like. I don’t know what parties these people were talking about, because every party I attend somehow turns into a spirited political debate. Regardless, I maintain that this is a commonly used list of topics to avoid. Another common addition to this list is health. We’re told that no one wants to hear about our recent ailments or your visit to the doctor, and this may be true. People often get weird when others share personal information. Further, there is one topic that makes many people extremely uncomfortable. If you want to quiet a room full of people, bring up your mental-health struggles.