1 - The Independent Florida Alligator

OPINION | EDITORIALS

University of Miami sells forest land, soul to Wal-Mart

July 14, 2014

It’s easy to forget, what with daily strange Gawker headlines and a certain highly anticipated magical theme park opening, that Florida wildlife is in danger. From rising sea levels threatening the southern coast to black bears ransacking neighborhood trash as a result of overdevelopment to Big Oil drilling in the Everglades, Florida’s natural resources are under attack.

OPINION | COLUMNS

How to do the walk of shame — minus the shame

July 14, 2014

It’s 8:37 a.m. when you wake up and look around, thinking, “Wait, that Southern Tide poster isn’t mine. Whose room is this?”

OPINION | COLUMNS

Republicans can’t ignore Palin and D’Souza’s siren song

July 14, 2014

In “The Odyssey,” Odysseus must avoid the mythical sirens who lure sailors to their doom on the rocky shoreline of their island. Though the songstresses are enticing, Odysseus and his crew, with the assistance of some beeswax with which they filled their ears, force themselves to ignore the dangerous distraction in order to preserve their best interest.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Speaking out against Israeli attacks

July 14, 2014

The situation in Palestine that has taken place over the past four weeks has brought us to speak out against the unjust collective punishment being levied on the Palestinians by the state of Israel.

METRO

Camp Balance 180 helps kids stay active

By Aldo Araujo | July 14, 2014

Balance 180 kicked off its second summer camp on Monday.

METRO

Street-legal electric vehicle charges up beyond expectations

By Griffin Horvath | July 14, 2014

After Justin Jackrel, president of citECar Electric Vehicles, challenged his employees in June to create an electric car that could reach 75 miles per charge, his staff created a product that reached 30 miles beyond his expectations.

Freshman Truc Nguyen, an 18-year-old nutrition major, purchases books for her first semester from bookstore associate David Martinez, 25, Tuesday afternoon

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT LIFE

Renting books busts bookstores’ backs, benefits students

By Lindsey Cook-Saucier | July 14, 2014

For most students, the ability to rent textbooks instead of buying them saves quite a bit of cash. But for bookstores, that doesn’t always translate into more profits.

Will Muschamp looks on during the Orange & Blue Debut on April 12 in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Manage the Game: Muschamp, UF football look to rebound from 2013 season

By MORGAN MORIARTY | July 14, 2014

HOOVER, Ala. — The eyes of college football fans are upon Hoover, Ala., all week as the 2014 Southeastern Conference Media Days kicked off on Monday.

Southeastern Conference (SEC) Commissioner Mike Slive speaks during SEC media days on Monday in Hoover, Ala.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

SEC commissioner opens media day with state of the conference, ‘brag bag’

By RICHARD JOHNSON | July 14, 2014

HOOVER, Ala. — Southeastern Conference commissioner Mike Slive finished the things he does best to open SEC media days.

Jeff Driskel attempts a pass during the Orange & Blue Debut on April 12 in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Driskel looking to jumpstart Florida offense in 2014

By JONATHAN CZUPRYN< | July 14, 2014

HOOVER, Ala. — Without consistency at the quarterback position, the Florida Gators suffered a dismal fate in 2013.

Vernon Hargreaves III intercepts a pass in the end zone during Florida’s 24-7 victory on Sept. 28, 2013, at Commonwealth Stadium in Lexington, Ky.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Hargreaves, Fowler look to revamp UF defense after loss of veterans

By RICHARD JOHNSON | July 14, 2014

HOOVER, Ala. — Whether it was saying Kentucky being the best road environment he’d experienced in the Southeastern Conference, lauding Jeff Driskel as the best quarterback in college football or admitting Bryan Cox, Jr. actually has the best fade haircut on the team, Vernon Hargreaves III had a whirlwind experience at the 2014 Southeastern Conference media days.

Hunter Joyer (41) attempts to avoid a tackle from Marcel Harris (26) and Quincy Williams (12) during the Orange & Blue Debut on April 12 in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Joyer has the opportunity to play the B-position in Kurt Roper's spread offense.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Tight ends to see increased role in passing game after 2013 slump

By MORGAN MORIARTY | July 14, 2014

AlligatorSports continues its position breakdown, with this edition shining light on the tight ends. The B-position in Kurt Roper’s offense will be broken down in this piece.

Jalen Tabor carries the ball during Florida’s second open practice on March 21 at Sanders Practice Fields.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Freshman cornerback cited for misdemeanor

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | July 14, 2014

Florida freshman cornerback Jalen Tabor was cited for marijuana possession of less than 20 grams in May, according to a Gainesville Police Department arrest report.

Patric Young (right) boxes out Tennessee's Jarnell Stokes during the Gators' 56-49 win against the Volunteers in the Georgia Dome in Atlanta.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Young impresses in Summer League debut

By LAWRENCE LAGUNA< | July 14, 2014

The last time Patric Young, Scottie Wilbekin and Casey Prather played together, they were fighting for their lives in the Final Four. Now, they’re battling individually for an NBA roster spot.

NEWS

Cultural Spotlight: Photoshop me beautiful

By Pooja Majmundar | July 14, 2014

We live in a world where beauty sells. Movies, magazines and social media revere beautiful people and younger generations stress over having a “hot” face and body. We all have our own idea of what we consider beautiful, but does our perception of beauty differ from that of other countries? I recently came across an interesting article called “See What Happens When a Woman Asks Photoshoppers in Different Countries to 'Make Her Beautiful'” by Nate Jones that highlighted an important point: the idea of beauty differs from culture to culture. What may be considered beautiful in the United States might not be beautiful in Morocco or Indonesia.

"Gandalf" by Nathan Rupert, used under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

NEWS

On Trend, On a Budget: Gandalf’s Got the Goods, Hat Edition

By Elly Ayres | July 14, 2014

Audrey Hepburn, Madonna, Sarah Jessica Parker, Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, Gandalf the Grey: One of these is not like the rest.

The Hyatt Regency Birmingham hotel sits empty for now, but come Monday, it will be the site for the 2014 Southeastern Conference Media Days.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

What to expect from the SEC Media Days

By RICHARD JOHNSON | July 13, 2014

HOOVER, Ala. — Welcome to the Hyatt Regency Birmingham, better known as The Wynfrey.

THE AVENUE | MOVIES AND TV

Period drama ‘The Immigrant’ opens at the Hipp with ironic take on American Dream

By Jackson Hart | July 12, 2014

What is the American dream? Does it matter how we achieve it? How far can one go before they are unredeemable? These are all questions James Gray’s The Immigrant expects the audience to grapple with. Whether you find answers is not the film’s problem. The director James Gray is content to let the viewer come to their own decisions, which is both a weakness and strength for the film.

UF President Bernie Machen gives his State of the University speech Thursday in the Reitz Union. He talked about the development of UF eCampus, Florida Core curriculum and expanding faculty resources, among other projects.

NEWS | CAMPUS UF ADMINISTRATION

Board of Trustees approves new UF president’s salary range

By Alex Harris | July 9, 2014

UF’s next president could make more than $1 million a year.

In a panoramic photo, a crowd of students and residents gathers beneath an impending storm on campus at Flavet Field for UF’s Fanfares & Fireworks event  in 2013.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Flavet Field fireworks display fizzled

By Steven Katona | July 9, 2014

John Casse and his team waited for four hours in the rain last Thursday before being told it wasn’t safe to shoot off his fireworks.

El Caimán