COVID-19 - The Independent Florida Alligator

For those who missed out, last week I wrote a column detailing our Student Government representatives’ lack of visibility. In an attempt to highlight the disparities in SG presence during election time as compared to that of the rest of the year, I mentioned that Swamp Party has a recurring pattern of abandoning their social media platforms after elections. Thankfully, Blake Murphy, SG director of external affairs, wrote a letter to the editor informing me of an election code that prohibits political parties from making posts outside of election cycles. Murphy also brought attention to another YouTube account, one of three unverified ones, that releases “SG TV” episodes. He went on to mention that SG hosts dozens of events because visibility and transparency are their priorities.

News

We should allow black bear hunting, but not to reduce populations

By Richard Barker | Feb. 10, 2015

Edit: (This post has been modified in light of input from a bear expert.)

From left: Mara Abeleda, 25, Chris Abeleda, 21, CJ Abeleda, 24, Chris’ mother Victoria Abeleda, and father Charlie Abeleda, embrace the morning before CJ undergoes bone marrow donation surgery.

News

UF student preps for senior year after bone marrow transplant

By Alyssa Fisher | Feb. 9, 2015

Chris Abeleda now has two birthdays.

Daymond John, branding expert, speaks about entrepreneurship to a full crowd at the Phillips Center of Performing Arts on Monday. The cast member on ABC's "Shark Tank" was brought to UF by the UF Black Student Union and ACCENT Speaker's Bureau.

News

‘Shark Tank’ star, entrepreneur shares advice, success story

By James McLaughlin | Feb. 9, 2015

A crowd of UF students cheered and laughed at stories and entrepreneurial advice shared by a self-made fashion designer and TV star Monday evening in the Phillips Center for the Performing Arts.

Tyler Richards, an 18-year-old UF biomedical engineering freshman, speaks with a student about Access Party’s platform. Members of Access Party and Swamp Party stood around Turlington Plaza asking students for their input about issues that affected them.

News

Swamp, Access parties crowdsource for platforms

By Ariana Figueroa | Feb. 9, 2015

Students walking through campus were met with wide grins from political party representatives holding large white notepads.

Dan Mathews, senior vice president for PETA, speaks to an audience in Pugh Hall on Monday night about marketing strategies used by the organization.

News

PETA discusses marketing methods, use of nudes to attract attention

By Alexandra Booth | Feb. 9, 2015

Students trying to find out more about animal rights Monday evening got more than they bargained for.

News

GatorWell takes up battle for waistlines as obesity rates rise

By Veronica Garcia | Feb. 9, 2015

As national obesity rates rise, UF fights back.

News

Nationwide search for Counseling and Wellness Center director ends

By Marisa Stelnicki | Feb. 9, 2015

A new director of UF’s Counseling and Wellness Center has been selected after a thorough nationwide search.

News

Second annual Cupid’s Consent Week to raise awareness for sexual safety

By Christy Piña | Feb. 9, 2015

The days leading up to Valentine’s Day are full of love, but they’re also a time to review sexual safety.

News

UF environmental club to host 'Global Divestment Day' rally against fossil fuels

By Patricia Rosario | Feb. 9, 2015

UF students are taking control of the conversation on climate change.

Metro

Stolen bike found by University Police before owner notices it’s missing

By EMILY COCHRANE< | Feb. 9, 2015

University Police arrested a Gainesville man Sunday evening for reportedly stealing a bike and violating a campus trespass warning.

A photo of the Hallmark store in the Oaks Mall on Thursday afternoon. The locally owned store, which has been open for 37 years, will close on Feb. 28.

Metro

Oaks Mall Hallmark closing after 37 years

By Carla Vianna | Feb. 9, 2015

Shoppers scanned rows of holiday cards Thursday morning — one of their last chances at The Oaks Mall Hallmark.

Construction workers fill out the exterior of Burrito Bros' remodeled restaurant on Monday. Northwest 14th Street, between Gator Wesley and Burrito Bros., was closed due to the restaurant's remodelling.

Metro

Burrito Bros. expanding, requesting donations from community

By Eric Heubusch | Feb. 9, 2015

After nearly 40 years of service, a local burrito joint is undergoing major reconstruction with a little help from locals.

Metro

New stores coming to Butler Plaza: Tuesday Morning, Carter's

By Carla Vianna | Feb. 9, 2015

Mark Frantz is excited to see the empty space next to his store filled.

Opinion

Bush can’t escape embarrassment from staff member's tweets

Feb. 9, 2015

The Republican with seemingly the best chance of sitting in the Oval Office used to occupy a parallel room in the Florida Governor’s Mansion.

Opinion

GOP: There’s nothing ‘beautiful’ about rape

Feb. 9, 2015

A Republican state lawmaker insulted women and sexual assault survivors nationwide Thursday when he spoke about rape exemptions in a bill that would ban abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy. During West Virginia’s House Health Committee meeting, delegate Brian Kurcaba argued that rape and incest victims shouldn’t be exempt from the ban because even pregnancy from rape has a silver lining.