1 - The Independent Florida Alligator

Addie Dalton, a board member for Gigi’s Playcenter, a nonprofit organization for children with Down Syndrome, snips a ribbon at the center’s grand opening on Oct. 11, 2015. The center provides a space for children and families with down syndrome to build confidence through learning, performing and socializing.

METRO

First GiGi’s Playhouse in Florida opens in Gainesville

By Daniela Bulla | Oct. 11, 2015

Mika Vuto’s daughter, Mia, was born with Down syndrome.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Undergrads receive hands-on medical practice

By Martin Vassolo | Oct. 11, 2015

Harvey’s heartbeat thumped through a speaker as a stethoscope lay on his bare chest. The patient simulator’s blue eyes stared up at the ceiling above his head.

NEWS | CAMPUS

UF students play childhood game, celebrate Asian culture

By Paisley Papineau | Oct. 11, 2015

UF students relived two childhood games — capture the flag and hide-and-seek — Sunday night.

METRO

Durty Nelly’s bans smoking indoors to bring in customers

By Jennifer Louissant | Oct. 11, 2015

Gainesville’s oldest Irish pub has decided to become smoke-free.

NEWS | CAMPUS

UF students participate in Indian dance

By Martin Vassolo | Oct. 11, 2015

Dressed in blue, red, yellow and pink — they came to dance, leaving their shoes at the door. About 200 UF students twirled in wavering circles Sunday night.

UF outside hitter Carli Snyder racked up double-digit kills and eight digs in UF's four-set win over Texas A&M on Wednesday in the O'Connell Center.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

Florida volleyball sweeps Auburn to cap off perfect home weekend

By Brian Lee | Oct. 11, 2015

It’s not how you start, it’s how you finish.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Weekend Crime Roundup

By Giuseppe Sabella | Oct. 11, 2015

Police arrest local man after fight causes $400 in damage

Freshman Caeleb Dressel jumps into the pool at the start of the 200-yard breaststroke event during Day 3 of the 2014 Pinch A Penny Invitational

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS SWIM AND DIVE

Florida men’s swimming and diving defeats Minnesota while women tie Gophers

By Lauren Staff | Oct. 11, 2015

After the No. 5 Gators women’s swimming team routed the Vanderbilt Commodores with a 193-69 victory on Thursday, the team traveled to Minneapolis, Minnesota to meet with the UF men’s squad to take on No. 9 Minnesota on Saturday for a dual-competition.

NEWS | CAMPUS

WakeFest fundraiser held in Fall for first time, brings 800 people

By Gabriela DeAlmeida | Oct. 11, 2015

After the rain passed, about 800 UF students and alumni in patterned bikinis and bright board shorts crowded Lake Wauburg’s South Shore on Saturday.

Students hold candles on Turlington Plaza at a vigil on Oct. 9, 2015, for the victims of the Oct. 1 shooting at Umpqua Community College in Oregon. Roo Poage, right, a 19-year-old UF architecture sophomore, said she was terrified when she first heard about the shooting because her close friend lives near the college.

NEWS | CAMPUS

UF Student Government holds vigil for Umpqua shooting victims

By Caitlin Ostroff | Oct. 11, 2015

UF students and faculty lit candles Friday morning with solemn faces as nine names were read.

UF forward Savannah Jordan takes a shot during Florida's 2-1 win against LSU on Oct. 11, 2015, at James G. Pressly Stadium.

SPORTS | SOCCER

Gators soccer pounces on LSU early in 2-1 victory

By Kyle Brutman | Oct. 11, 2015

Florida’s Betsy Middleton is a quiet assassin.

Florida defensive back Jalen Tabor, left, celebrates with teammates after he returned an interception for a touchdown during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Missouri, on Oct. 10 2015, in Columbia, Missouri.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Third down is indeed the money down for the Gators’ defense

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Oct. 11, 2015

The signs are present on the field.

Finance major Peyton Hilford (left) looks at film negatives and slides with 20-year-old UF graphic design junior Maitane Romagosa inside the Repurpose Project during the Fall Trash Festival. “I love trash,” said Hilford, a 20-year-old UF junior.

METRO

Trash festival engages community in sustainability

By Gaby Newman | Oct. 11, 2015

In the middle of the lot Saturday, children decorated a dome.

Gainesville mayoral candidate Lauren Poe mingles at his first fundraiser on Oct. 9, 2015, at First Magnitude Brewery. During his speech, Poe said he plans to focus on children, quality of life and transportation.

METRO

Lauren Poe holds fundraiser for 2016 mayoral race

By Hunter Williamson | Oct. 11, 2015

Southern rock music, cold beer and local politics drew dozens to Gainesville mayor hopeful Lauren Poe’s first fundraiser Friday evening at First Magnitude Brewery.

UF guard Brandone Francis-Ramirez shoots during the Gators Madness three-point shooting contest on Oct. 2, 2015, in the O'Connell Center.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

UF players progress in first week of practice under Mike White

By ALEX MAMINAKIS | Oct. 11, 2015

The first full week of practice for the men’s basketball team under Mike White is in the books.

UF running back Kelvin Taylor runs in for a touchdown during Florida's 21-3 win against Missouri on Oct. 10, 2015, at Faurot Field in Columbia, Missouri.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

‘NEVER SATISFIED’: Gators want 6-0 start to be just the beginning

By GRAHAM HALL | Oct. 11, 2015

COLUMBIA, Mo. — Few thought the Gators would be undefeated heading into Saturday’s road matchup against Missouri.

Florida teammates celebrate with fans after a 21-3 win against Missouri on Oct. 10, 2015, on Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium in Columbia, Missouri.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Florida’s offense must improve before LSU

By GRAHAM HACK | Oct. 11, 2015

Against the Tigers from Columbia, Missouri, the Gators’ offense was good enough to get the job done.

OPINION | EDITORIALS

The flu ought to bring UF to a grinding halt

Oct. 11, 2015

The Fall Flu: Even if you’ve never had it, you’ve certainly come into close contact with it. For those of you who are new to UF — or just have really strong immune systems — the Fall Flu is the annual time of year when cold- and flu-like symptoms ravage the Student Body. Some call it Gator Flu or, even more charmingly, the UF Plague. GPAs are crippled, dates are ruined, everything becomes miserable for a solid week or so and Netflix (note the absence of "chill") becomes one’s top weekend priority.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Faith has its place on college campuses

Oct. 11, 2015

Faith is a subject many students brush aside or simply disregard. School and job opportunities and personal experiences leave little time for spiritual contemplation.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Turlington and the totalitarian architecture

Oct. 11, 2015

"In the past the man has been first; in the future the system must be first." — Frederick Winslow Taylor, "Principles of Scientific Management"

El Caimán