2 - The Independent Florida Alligator

Cole Sprouse as Will in "Five Feet Apart."

OPINION | COLUMNS

Are “sick-lit” movies romanticizing life-threatening illnesses?

Mar. 26, 2019

“Five Feet Apart” is a movie that follows cystic fibrosis patients Stella (Haley Lu Richardson) and Will’s (Cole Sprouse) relationship, as they must stay six feet apart to keep from catching each other’s bacteria. Walking out of the movie, I wondered how someone with cystic fibrosis would feel after watching “Five Feet Apart.” It also made me think about why sick characters are often used in books and movies targeted at younger audiences.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Our dreams aren’t always our reality

Mar. 26, 2019

I recently met a local attorney who likes to write short stories and poetry in his spare time. I, too, like to write creatively, and I was interested in how he has balanced his career and his writing. I was hoping for some encouragement because I plan on finding a job that will allow me time to write on the side. Instead, however, he sighed and looked at me with tired eyes. He said he has received hundreds of rejections, and he ended by saying that the world owes me nothing. Just because I have a passion or a dream does not mean either will inevitably come true.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Gas leak on campus, blocking off roads

By Katherine Wallace-Fernandez | Mar. 26, 2019

Center Drive from Museum Road to Archer Road is blocked after a gas leak was reported.

UF forward Keith Stone tore the ACL in his left knee against Georgia on Jan. 19.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Keith Stone, Mike Okauru set to transfer from Florida

By Alanis Thames | Mar. 26, 2019

Two UF men’s basketball players’ names are in the NCAA transfer portal.

Attendees wait in line for meals outside Cafe 131 at Grace Marketplace on Monday evening. The non-profit assistance shelter celebrated serving its half millionth meal.

METRO

Grace marketplace serves its 500,000th meal

By Lina Ruiz | Mar. 25, 2019

About 200 people attended the celebration

Kevin O’Leary, the 64-year-old businessman and star of the television show “Shark Tank,” speaks Monday to a packed auditorium at the Phillips Center for the Performing Arts at UF. O’Leary used clips from the television show during the presentation and took questions from the audience at the end.

NEWS | CAMPUS

‘If you can’t do this, then I guarantee you will fail’: Shark Tank star speaks at UF

By Taylor Girtman | Mar. 25, 2019

Kevin O’Leary spoke to more than 1,700 people

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

GPD’s SWAT team returns

By Katherine Wallace-Fernandez | Mar. 25, 2019

The team has 22 members

NEWS | CAMPUS

UF lobbies for first Center for Artificial Intelligence in state

By Kelly Hayes | Mar. 25, 2019

The university is requesting $7,837,400 for the center

Pastor Crystal Griffin stops to talk to a friend while shopping for her ministry on Friday afternoon at the Bread of the Mighty Food Bank. The food bank distributes to five surrounding counties, including Alachua.

METRO

How Gainesville is tackling food insecurity

Mar. 25, 2019

50,880 people in Alachua County are food insecure

A model of the unbuilt Zeta Beta Tau Fraternity House designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. The design for the house was drawn in 1954 and followed the mid-century style, but due in part to code issues, the house was never built.

METRO

Gainesville modern landmarks seek more recognition

By Lakshmi Gomez | Mar. 25, 2019

The city has five local historic districts that protect 1,500 structures

Brittni Michaelis, Jay Patel, Alexander Garcia

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

UPDATE: Two men and one woman accused of robbing dorm at Jennings Hall

By Katherine Wallace-Fernandez | Mar. 25, 2019

One of men had a hair comb that had a hidden knife in it

Justin Hosbey, Randi Gill-Sadler, Raja Rahim and Justin Dunnavant speak on a panel to discuss the challenges of collecting oral history. (Photo by University of Florida)

NEWS | CAMPUS

UF African American Oral History Symposium uses sound to connect students with history

By Mikayla Carroll | Mar. 24, 2019

Joel Buchanan’s voice flooded students ears as he discussed the hardships of segregation on Thursday.

Sophomore diver Brooke Madden earned her second career All-American honors on Friday.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS SWIM AND DIVE

Gators end year at NCAAs with several All-American nods

By Jack Braverman | Mar. 24, 2019

A season full of successes, accomplishments and accolades came to a close at the NCAA Championships on Saturday, but there were no tears to be shed.

Sierra Brooks finished tied for 22nd place (+9) in the Allstate Sugar Bowl.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS GOLF

Gators fall to sixth, Manzalini remains in first

By Bryan Matamoros | Mar. 24, 2019

Florida’s women’s golf team entered the second round of the Evans Derby Experience in second place at even par.

Victoria Emma (pictured) fell to Vanderbilt’s Georgia Drummy 6-0, 6-3 on Sunday in Florida’s 4-3 loss to the Commodores.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

UF comeback against Vanderbilt falls short

By Victor Prieto | Mar. 24, 2019

Freshman Sydney Berlin was in a familiar position.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

UPD arrests suspects accused of robbery at Jennings Hall

By Katherine Wallace-Fernandez | Mar. 24, 2019

UPDATE: Multiple witnesses told police that one of the suspects had a handgun, but no gun was found when the three suspects were arrested. Click here to read the updated story.