1 - The Independent Florida Alligator

OPINION | COLUMNS

Republican legislators in Arizona not interested in compromise

Mar. 12, 2015

As a political science major, it is my job to understand what motivates political actors to make certain decisions. The natural inclination is to assume that political actors — like, I don’t know, let’s just say the Arizona Legislature — base their decisions on a well-informed, rational basis — or, at the very least, a basic sense of fundamental human decency.

NEWS

Taking the “Student” Out of “Student Athlete”

By Ethan Bauer (@ebaueri) | Mar. 12, 2015

This past Saturday, the Kentucky Wildcats put a cap on their perfect regular season by beating the visiting Florida Gators by a decisive score of 67-50. The game was pretty close until about halfway through the second half, when Kentucky’s depth and, well, talent overpowered the struggling Gators and sent them away with their first losing record in the regular season since Billy Donovan’s second season as the head man at Florida in 1997-98. The Wildcats will enter the NCAA tournament looking to be the first team to completely run the table since the 1975-76 Indiana Hoosiers.

Florida forward Dorian Finney-Smith (10) shoots over Alabama guard Justin Coleman (5) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the second round of the Southeastern Conference tournament, Thursday, March 12, 2015, in Nashville, Tenn. Florida won 69-61.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Florida tops Alabama to keep season alive

By GRAHAM HALL | Mar. 12, 2015

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Gators aren’t ready to go home just yet.

A member of drag racer Terry McMillen’s pit crew services the Top Fuel dragster at a National Hot Rod Association media event near Piesano’s Pizza on Wednesday at noon. Pit crew members at the event demonstrated starting the dragster’s engine, removing it, rebuilding it and then reattaching it before starting it again.

METRO

Dragster engine rebuilt as teaser to GatorNationals

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Mar. 11, 2015

In advance of the 2015 GatorNationals — the third race event in the 2015 National Hot Rod Association Top Fuel series — nine-year professional drag racing veteran Terry McMillen and his crew from Amalie Motor Oil demonstrated just how much work goes it takes to prepare to drive down the quarter-mile track.

Neal Singh, 24, a second-year dental student wraps Narayan Kulkarni's head in a Sikh turban as part of the Sikh Students Association bi-annual Turban Day.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Bi-annual Turban Day educates students on Sikh customs

By Cresonia Hsieh | Mar. 11, 2015

Although the weather was in the 80-degree range this afternoon, students lined up to wrap their heads in various colored Sikh turbans.

Hannah Gutman, a 22-year-old Santa Fe theater senior, holds a sign reading “This was not on my campus tour,” at an abortion rights protest held on the Plaza of the Americas on Wednesday afternoon. Dozens of people gathered on the plaza to protest the graphic abortion imagery shown by Created Equal, an Ohio-based organization.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Students take to plaza to protest anti-abortion video

By Aaron Zeiler | Mar. 11, 2015

Usually when Ohio-based anti-abortion group Created Equal makes its regular stop at UF, students do their best to ignore the graphic images of aborted fetuses set up on the Plaza of the Americas and Turlington Plaza.

Both 32-ounce jugs and one-gallon jugs of beer, sold at Swamp Head Brewery, are legal container sizes in Florida. Lobbyists are trying to legalize the 64-ounce size beverages.

METRO

Growler bills hold promising changes for Florida craft beer industry

By Carla Vianna | Mar. 11, 2015

Florida craft beer lovers may soon be able to purchase 64-ounce growlers.

NEWS | CAMPUS

UF’s CLAS confirms new dean, vice president after long search

By Hunter Williamson | Mar. 11, 2015

After weeks of searching, the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences revealed its new dean Tuesday.

Scherwin Henry is a District 1 city commissioner candidate.

METRO

Scherwin Henry aims to bring job diversity, better economy to Gainesville

By Hunter Williamson | Mar. 11, 2015

Scherwin Henry is a family man.

Chris Weaver is a District 1 city commissioner candidate.

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

Chris Weaver aims to reduce GRU rates, engage students in city

By Ariana Figueroa | Mar. 11, 2015

Chris Weaver wants voters to know that even though he hasn’t lived in Gainesville long, he is still qualified to represent them.

Dalton Guthrie swings at a pitch during Florida's 8-7 win against Fairfield on March 10 at McKethan Stadium. Guthrie scored the go-ahead run for Florida in its 9-7 win against Vanderbilt on Saturday.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Florida baseball defeats Fairfield, shifts focus to SEC play

By IAN COHEN | Mar. 11, 2015

With strong play from its relievers and help from several early inning runs, Florida earned its second win against Fairfield Wednesday night.

Amanda Butler stares down the court during Florida's loss to No. 1 South Carolina on Monday in the O'Connell Center.

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Amanda Butler receives contract extension through 2019

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Mar. 11, 2015

Amanda Butler isn’t leaving Gainesville anytime soon.

Hugh Graham Jr. (left) hugs Arman Hall after winning the 4x400m relay during the NCAA Outdoor Championships in Eugene, Ore., on Jun. 8, 2013.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TRACK

Gators sprinters readying for NCAA Championships

By Kyle Brutman | Mar. 11, 2015

Heading into this weekend’s NCAA Indoor Championships, the No. 1/2 Florida men’s and women’s track and field teams will feature 22 athletes at the meet, including a wide array of jumpers, throwers and distance runners.

METRO

Advisory board discusses issues in tent city surrounding shelter

By Emily Cardinali | Mar. 11, 2015

Gainesville’s Empowerment Center Oversight Advisory Board discussed Wednesday how to govern the tent city around Grace Marketplace, called Dignity Village, after the city acquires the land from the state in the next few weeks.

NEWS | CAMPUS

UF Law back on top as No. 1 law school in Florida, 24th public school in nation

By Cyanne Dunn | Mar. 11, 2015

The UF Levin College of Law has reclaimed its position as top law school in the state.

NEWS | SFC

Santa Fe College Senate holds debate for student candidates

By Hunter Williamson | Mar. 11, 2015

Santa Fe College senators passed several bills and held a debate for Student Government election candidates Wednesday night.

OPINION | EDITORIALS

Right on, students who exercised First Amendment rights

Mar. 11, 2015

Wednesday was the second day the so-called “Justice Riders” brought their message to campus. This time, they brought a Jumbotron to the Plaza of the Americas, from which they broadcasted footage of abortion procedures.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Well-rounded classes better for students

Mar. 11, 2015

Change is all around us. While change is a constant force, industries in this country are struggling to adapt. The changing industries that get the most press attention are print journalism, cable television and book publishing.

Actor Nick Frost, known for his roles in “Shaun of the Dead” and other British comedies, stars in “Unfinished Business” with Vince Vaughn and Dave Franco.

THE AVENUE | MOVIES AND TV

Q&A with British 'Shaun of the Dead' actor Nick Frost

By Melissa Mihm | Mar. 11, 2015

You may know him as Ed from the 2004 film “Shaun of the Dead” or the voice of Flynn from “Ice Age: Continental Drift.” But even though he’s mainly known for his roles in British comedies and being Simon Pegg’s closest pal, Nick Frost has teamed up with Vince Vaughn and Dave Franco in “Unfinished Business,” which was released in theaters March 6. Keep reading if you want to hear all about Nick’s latest American film, how he prepared for his role, how he balances out being an actor and a family man and his plans for the future.

THE AVENUE | FOOD

Evolution of the Kitchen: from servants' domain to heart of a home

By Keri | Mar. 11, 2015

When you walk into a newly constructed house, you will likely find the kitchen to be a main focus. Often described as the “heart,” the kitchen is designed to be the center of the home. This wasn’t always the case.

El Caimán