Metro - The Independent Florida Alligator

METRO | POLITICS

Column: Is executive pay a cause of income inequality?

Feb. 17, 2016

Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and Donald Trump may seem extremely different in their views, but they are noticeably similar in their public appeal. Bernie is a democratic socialist who favors the European socialist way of running government, which involves government-imposed wealth equality via hefty taxes. Trump lies on the opposite end of the spectrum, believing in the magical powers of capitalism and pure competition. That’s right — a democratic socialist and the single-most capitalistic name in history could be duking it out this November. We may be in for quite the show.

METRO

Exhibit seeks art from violence survivors

By Jessica Schein | Feb. 17, 2016

The Alachua County Victim Services and Rape Crisis Center recently invited survivors of interpersonal violence to submit artwork by March 4.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Police arrest potential suspect in serial masturbations

By Martin Vassolo | Feb. 16, 2016

Gainesville Police said they may have caught the man responsible for exposing himself to a dozen women since December.

Twenty-nine-year-old author William Kamkwamba speaks at the Headquarters Library on Tuesday about his life in Malawi, Africa. At 14 years old, Kamkwamba built a windmill from scraps, providing electricity for his village.

METRO

Author, innovator from Wimbe, Malawi shares his story

By Lauren Johnson | Feb. 16, 2016

Rebekah Robbins found inspiration Tuesday night.

Walter Irvin (third from left), Charles Greenlee and Samuel Shepherd stand in a jail after being accused of raping a 17-year-old white girl in Lake County, Florida, in 1949. Since then, Greenlee’s daughter, Carol Greenlee, has petitioned to exonerate her father and the other African-American men who were charged alongside him, known as the Groveland Four.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

UF student seeks justice in decades-old sexual assault case

By Martin Vassolo | Feb. 16, 2016

Josh Venkataraman has more than 8,000 signatures, but he’s missing one.

METRO

Zika virus has little effect on student travels

By Molly Donovan | Feb. 15, 2016

As the Department of Health’s website posts daily updates on the Zika virus, traveling UF staff and students are taking precautions.

METRO

Python Challenge ended Sunday, 102 pythons captured

By Sydney Denninger | Feb. 15, 2016

As of Sunday, South Florida has 102 fewer pythons.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Police: Inmate threatens officers after unsatisfactory brownie

By Martin Vassolo | Feb. 15, 2016

After she didn’t like her brownie, a Sanford, Florida, woman threatened officers with a dust mop handle.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Police: Local man shoves, bruises father

By Martin Vassolo | Feb. 15, 2016

A Gainesville man with “laugh now” and “cry later” tattooed on his biceps was arrested Sunday after police said he pushed his father around.

METRO

Aerial performers to serve drinks during aerial bartending show

By Madison Behm | Feb. 15, 2016

Flying through the air and serving drinks is only part of Corey Souza’s job.

METRO

Evergreen Cemetery to celebrate 160 years of history

By Eugenia Blaubach | Feb. 15, 2016

Evergreen Cemetery’s first headstone still sits on the 53 acres of historical land.

METRO | POLITICS

Column: Post-mortem, post-Trump rally musings

Feb. 15, 2016

I’ve deliberately abstained from writing about the 2016 election. In both the Alligator and elsewhere, we are so constantly bombarded with election coverage and “hot takes” that I think the last thing the world needs is another college kid’s narrow perspective. However, I feel the need to describe my experience last Friday at the University of South Florida Sun Dome.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Police: student crashed near Hub, charged with DUI

By Martin Vassolo | Feb. 14, 2016

Police arrested a UF student Saturday night after they said he drove his Mazda off a small brick wall near the Hub.

METRO

Program helps veterans create businesses

By Jessica Rodriguez | Feb. 14, 2016

The Veterans Entrepreneurship Program, which helps disabled veterans start and run businesses, is accepting applications until Feb. 29.

METRO

Vigil honors fallen GPD officer 15 years after death

By Martin Vassolo | Feb. 14, 2016

On the side of Northwest 16th Avenue, a group of Officer Scott Baird’s family, friends and colleagues lit candles in his memory.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Police: student punched, threw shoe at officers

By Martin Vassolo | Feb. 14, 2016

A UF student was arrested Sunday morning after police said he fought them outside Fat Daddy’s Bar on West University Avenue.

Lexie Matheo, a UF health science freshman, dances with Rosemary, 19, at Night to Shine. Matheo was Rosemary’s buddy, accompanying her the entire night. “It is almost like you're not even volunteering,” Matheo said. “It’s so fulfilling.”

METRO

Prom crowns guests with special needs during local event

By Felicia Solazzo | Feb. 14, 2016

After they posed for a photo with UF’s Albert and Alberta, people of all ages walked down a red carpet at Friday’s Night to Shine, a prom for people with special needs.

METRO

Conference teaches at-risk children to overcome violence

By Kristen Solorzano | Feb. 14, 2016

At-risk children from Marion County and Alachua County learned about overcoming violence Saturday.

METRO

Tinder couples celebrate Valentine's Day

By Elizabeth Pantaleon | Feb. 11, 2016

About three months ago, Juan Juarez swiped right.

METRO

Local tech companies recruit at UF

By Nate Phillips | Feb. 11, 2016

Pizza, beer and innovation filled the old Firestone building on University Avenue on Thursday evening.