1 - The Independent Florida Alligator

OPINION | COLUMNS

Our society needs modern, intelligent Renaissance thinkers

Apr. 15, 2014

History is full of influential thinkers, philosophers and stoics. These men pondered life’s existence, wondered what feats mankind could endure and grasped the abstract. They were experts in their fields and interested in the world around them: They were “Renaissance men.” Thomas Jefferson, our third president and author of the Declaration of Independence, took that term to its rightful extreme. He was an inventor, philosopher, writer and politician. He was truly a man of thought with an impressive intellect.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Lawmakers decide who to ruin next

Apr. 15, 2014

WASHINGTON — Congress has reached a stalemate, the effects of which haven’t been felt since the government shutdown in 2013. Apparently, this stalemate was reached after Sen. Simpson, D-Ohio, filibustered a bill concerning whom to completely screw over next.

METRO

Homeless couple stays together through racism, harsh weather

By Adriana Barbat | Apr. 15, 2014

Preston Lewis opened a door, and the afternoon sun streamed in.

OPINION | EDITORIALS

U-No-Poo: Pick up after your dogs, Gainesville

Apr. 15, 2014

Listen up, Gainesville dog owners: It’s time to cut the s**t.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Energy companies bring ‘crony capitalism’

Apr. 15, 2014

In the Florida Legislature, the state’s largest energy companies wield extraordinary influence.

METRO

Stop Googling symptoms: Health answers online iffy at best, UF study finds

By Nicole Giaquinto | Apr. 15, 2014

Students surfing the Internet for solutions to health-related concerns should be wary about their search results.

METRO

Organic produce providers in Gainesville not worried about Wal-Mart campaign

By Brandon Krumins | Apr. 15, 2014

Local organic grocers and farmers are generally unconcerned by Wal-Mart’s recent partnership with Wild Oats, an organic food brand that will bring cheaper products to its shelves.

METRO

UF entrepreneurial students to visit businesses in 1.5 mile startup crawl

By Megan Kelly | Apr. 15, 2014

Students can stroll through Gainesville’s startup central Thursday night.

METRO

Operation Catnip providing spaying, neutering to 100 feral cats

By Melissa Mihm | Apr. 15, 2014

Cat overpopulation is about to paws.

The blood moon, caused by a total lunar eclipse, was visible at about 3 a.m. today for the first time since 2010.

METRO

Blood moon appeared this morning for first time since 2010

By Amanda Kastrinos | Apr. 14, 2014

Stargazers who were awake early this morning may have noticed something a little off about the moon — namely, a blood-red tint.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Jury: Gainesville Police officer who shot, killed man did no wrong

By Jenna Lyons | Apr. 14, 2014

A grand jury ruled Monday that a Gainesville Police officer lawfully shot and killed the man who stabbed a UF employee in March.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Oculus Rift headset technology brings Mayan history to life at UF

By Sean Stewart-Muniz | Apr. 14, 2014

An ancient Mayan civilization has come alive again at UF thanks to virtual reality technology.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Vermont man arrested in Waldo with 9.2 grams of weed in underwear

By Jenna Lyons | Apr. 14, 2014

Waldo Police arrested a Vermont man Sunday who hid marijuana in his underwear.

Ali Brody’s friend started a GoFundMe page to help raise money for medical and living expenses during her recovery. She was hit by a drunken driver Saturday night and was released from the hospital Monday.

METRO

Jimmy John’s biker hit by drunken driver

By Shayna Posses | Apr. 14, 2014

Even when Ali Brody wasn’t delivering GoJoe coffee or Jimmy John’s subs, she wore her helmet.

METRO

Pillow talk: Consistent nappers linked to earlier deaths, research says

By Ellen Kirkness | Apr. 14, 2014

When late-afternoon fatigue hits and happy hour at Dunkin’ Donuts is not an option, losing an hour of the day to the sweet serenity of a nap on the living room couch seems like a fair trade-off.

In this photo from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, a gopher tortoise moves through freshly sprouted vegetation following a prescribed burn.

METRO

Gopher tortoises active and threatened, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission reports

By Jessica Hundley | Apr. 14, 2014

As spring continues, Floridians can expect to see more gopher tortoises poking their heads out.

Sam Linhoff, 29, and Jake Lehn, 29, drink beer at Swamp Head Brewery on Monday afternoon. The brewery won a gold medal for its smoke beer, Smoke Signal, on Friday at the World Beer Cup.

METRO

Gainesville's Swamp Head Brewery wins gold medal at World Beer Cup

By Adriana Barbat | Apr. 14, 2014

Gainesville’s own Swamp Head Brewery hopped its way to a gold medal at the World Beer Cup last week.

Rachel Spicer performs a floor routine during Florida’s 197.525-196.025 win against Arkansas on Feb. 14 in the O’Connell Center. Spicer and the Gators start the NCAA Championships on Saturday.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Gators prepare for championships

By ERICA A. HERNANDEZ | Apr. 14, 2014

With five days left in the 2014 gymnastics season and just one practice before the Gators depart for the NCAA Championship, the finish line is clearly in sight.

Briana Little bats during Florida’s 2-0 win against Ole Miss on March 9 at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium. Little has hit well despite limited playing time this season.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Reserves come up big for Florida in nonconference weekend

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Apr. 14, 2014

After starting 53 games and hitting 11 home runs in 2013, Briana Little has seen less time on the field this season.

Students and residents gather at the Lubavitch-Chabad Jewish Student and Community Center for Seder on Monday evening. The event celebrated the first night of the Jewish holiday of Passover.

MULTIMEDIA | PHOTO NEWS

Lubavitch-Chabad Jewish center's Seder draws nearly 600 people

By Taylor Widom | Apr. 14, 2014

Rabbi Berl Goldman said he remembers when he had to host Passover Seder in a tent.

El Caimán