1 - The Independent Florida Alligator

NEWS

Will 'J. Edgar' earn Leonardo DiCaprio a long-awaited Oscar?

By Karilla Dyer | Dec. 4, 2011

It seems outrageous that Leonardo DiCaprio has not won an Oscar after three nominations. After a practically flawless acting career spanning almost 20 years, DiCaprio deserves the highest recognition there is for any actor. It is obvious that DiCaprio commits himself fully to each role, putting in his blood, sweat and tears to bring each performance together.

Angela Zhang collects canned food on the Reitz Union Colonnade on Friday during a food drive hosted by the the Center of Leadership and Service and The 15 percent.

NEWS | ONLINE EXCLUSIVES

Local groups collect food for the needy

By Maria Galindo | Dec. 4, 2011

Seven thousand and seven hundred Alachua County children don't know where their next meal will come from, and 594 Alachua County students don't know where they are sleeping tonight.

METRO

Man still seeks driver who ran him over

By Morgan Watkins | Dec. 4, 2011

James Clark never saw the car coming.

President Bernie Machen discussed his strategic plan for UF during the Board of Trustees meeting Friday.

NEWS | CAMPUS UF ADMINISTRATION

Machen, Trustees call for financial independence

By Erin Jester | Dec. 4, 2011

Asserting financial independence was a major theme of President Bernie Machen's strategic discussion at UF's Board of Trustees meeting Friday.

METRO

Marijuana legalization debate reaches new high

By Justin Jones | Dec. 4, 2011

Talks about legalizing marijuana for medicinal uses are lighting up across the state.

METRO

Occupy protesters host health care discussion

By Meredith Rutland | Dec. 4, 2011

Protesters gathered at a health care speak-out event Saturday afternoon to discuss their grievances with current U.S. health care policies.

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

Deadline to register to vote in Alachua County approaching

By Meredith Rutland | Dec. 4, 2011

Election Day is Jan. 31, and you have to be registered by Jan. 3 to vote in the election.

Florida sophomore defensive tackle Dominique Easley suffered an injury to the ACL in his left knee during Florida’s 21-7 loss to Florida State on Nov. 26. He will undergo surgery Wednesday and will miss the Gator Bowl on Jan. 2.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Notebook: Easley to undergo surgery on ACL, miss Gator Bowl on Jan. 2

By TOM GREEN | Dec. 4, 2011

Florida sophomore defensive tackle Dominique Easley will miss next month’s TaxSlayer.com Gator Bowl while recovering from knee surgery.

Florida junior guard Mike Rosario said he is still adjusting to his role with the Gators after sitting out for a year following his transfer from Rutgers.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Rosario still adjusting at UF

By JOHN BOOTHE | Dec. 4, 2011

After spending a season on the sidelines, Rutgers transfer Mike Rosario admits his transition back to the court is still a work in progress.

UF grad Michael Branciforte teamed up with friend Jordan Rozansky and "Full House" actor Dave Coulier to create the web show poking fun at '90s celebrities trying to find their way back into the spotlight.

NEWS | FEATURES

Alumnus pairs with Dave Coulier, ‘90s stars to produce web series

By Aubrey Primer | Dec. 4, 2011

A UF alumnus has teamed with "Full House" actor Dave Coulier to create a web series poking fun at '90s celebrities trying to find their way back into the spotlight.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Florida, Ohio State set to meet in Gator Bowl

Dec. 4, 2011

Almost one year after becoming the head coach, Muschamp is finally getting a clean break from the Urban Era.

Florida outside hitter Kristy Jaeckel (center) and right-side hitter Kelly Murphy (left), both seniors, combined for 57 kills in the Gators’ first- and second-round victories in the NCAA championship.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

Unseeded Gators earn trip back to Gainesville for Sweet 16

By MEGAN WALSH< | Dec. 4, 2011

When the NCAA selection committee put together the pool last Sunday for this year’s volleyball tournament, Florida found itself in a tough spot.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Pointless prose; Common Reading Program isn't relevant

By The Alligator Editorial Board | Dec. 4, 2011

What is the point of the UF Common Reading Program?

OPINION | COLUMNS

Personal responsibility is the solution

By Travis Hornsby | Dec. 4, 2011

I am tired of a lack of personal responsibility in America. It is never my fault. It's always the person standing next to me. There are thousands of people around the world angry at the wealthiest 1 percent of Americans, saying everyone's troubles will be solved if we just tax them more and spread the wealth around. The 99 percent does more to keep itself stuck in that category than the 1 percent ever could. Instead of focusing attention on how much better (you think) our lives would be if only we could hit Billy Donovan and Will Muschamp with 90-percent tax rates, we should focus instead on what we can do with personal finance and consumer decisions that empower us, the 99 percent.

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

New Medicare policy overlooks importance of dietitians

By Chrissy Carroll | Dec. 4, 2011

Medicare announced late Tuesday that it would now allow coverage for obesity screening and counseling - services that were previously not covered. Sounds great, right? The problem with this is that the plan only allows reimbursement to physicians and nurses in a primary care setting - dietitians are not included.

NEWS

Clarification

Dec. 4, 2011

In Friday's edition of the Alligator, an article about the UF Board of Trustees meeting stated that protesters left the meeting room after speaking to the board. Two protesters - graduate students - did speak on behalf of Graduate Assistants United, after which many graduate and undergraduate protesters left the room. No other protesters were scheduled to speak.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

Gators volleyball advances to round of 16

Dec. 3, 2011

For the second game in a row, Florida’s season looked in doubt at the end of the first set. The nation’s most efficient offense was out-worked and defeated 25-16 at the hands of Northern Iowa.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Road win at Syracuse eludes Florida

By JOHN BOOTHE | Dec. 2, 2011

Billy Donovan has rarely enjoyed any of his 40 minutes stays in the Carrier Dome.

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

UF women fall prey to Rutgers' press

By LANDON WATNICK< | Dec. 2, 2011

Entering as heavy underdogs against Rutgers on Friday night, Florida hoped to rouse its offense with a little bit of defensive spirit.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

Florida rallies past Mizzou and into second round

By MEGAN WALSH< | Dec. 2, 2011

In the first set of Florida’s opening-round NCAA matchup Friday against Missouri, the Gators never saw a lead.

El Caimán