1 - The Independent Florida Alligator

The latest installment in the Democratic Party's disappointing slew of failures occurred Tuesday when the public option for health insurance was voted down in the Senate Finance Committee. Five Democrats joined the Republicans in voting the option into oblivion.

METRO

Dove World Outreach Center protests festival

Oct. 4, 2009

12:30 p.m.: Across from Fran Ingram lies a pile of white signs that read, "Homo leads to Hell" and "God loves you, but…"

METRO

About 4,500 attend local Pride Parade

By Jared Misner | Oct. 4, 2009

University Avenue was quiet with only the sound of the sporadic train of speeding cars breaking the silence of an unusually warm October afternoon-until 1:09 p.m.

OPINION | EDITORIALS

Darts and Laurels

By The Alligator Editorial Board | Oct. 4, 2009

Happy Monday!

METRO

Festival gives out more than 100 international beers

By MARIA PIQUET | Oct. 4, 2009

A 20-foot inflatable Red Stag bottle stood out among throngs of blue, white, gold and green canopies to show newcomers where to go.

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT GOVERNMENT

SG parties respond to low turnout

By CAROLYN TILLO | Oct. 4, 2009

There are 14 million reasons why students should have voted in this fall's Student Government elections.

METRO

Fire Rescue gives tips to kids for Halloween safety

By ALISON SCHWARTZ | Oct. 4, 2009

It took Pat Dean about an hour to get ready Saturday night.

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

SG politics not surprising

By Joyce Dewsbury | Oct. 4, 2009

It was disheartening to read the article "Records reveal SG criminal charges" in the Sept. 29 issue of the Alligator. However, given the many shenanigans that have occurred during student elections and the various behaviors on the part of different party members in the past, it is not surprising. For a long time I have felt that participation in Student Government is an interesting training ground for later activity in local, state, or national elections or offices.

METRO

City to share tips for fire prevention week

By RENEE MONTALTO | Oct. 4, 2009

Gainesville's version of National Fire Prevention Week kicked off Sunday as a way to show people how to keep homes safe and avoid burns.

SPORTS | SOCCER

Gators tie Bulldogs despite being outplayed on muddy field

Oct. 2, 2009

Mississippi State beat Florida on Friday - just not on the scoreboard.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

Kentucky edges out Florida in first regular-season loss at home since 2004

By ADAM BERRY | Oct. 2, 2009

As Kristy Jaeckel's attack hit the O'Connell Center floor just beyond the in-bounds line, every player on the Florida volleyball team faced an outcome they had never been a part of: a regular-season loss at home.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Campaign urges UF students to wear scooter helmets

By CAROLYN TILLO | Oct. 2, 2009

The helmet sat under her scooter seat, but Ashley Groves decided not to wear it.

METRO

Experts suggest simple steps to combat high electric bills

By KATHERINE EMMETS | Oct. 1, 2009

Now that the first electricity bill of the new leasing year has made its way to the mailboxes, students are scrambling to figure how to lower utility costs. Most people know about using fluorescent light bulbs and not leaving windows open while the air is running, but some tips go beyond the obvious energy-saving strategies to keep bills at bay.

METRO

Friction, time critical for proper handwashing

By Bridget Higginbotham | Oct. 1, 2009

It's that life lesson that came right after potty training: how to wash your hands.

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Article revealed disappointing trend

By CHRIS MOODY | Oct. 1, 2009

The paper was right to have published the news about the students and their personal records. It just seems to be a trend that we have seen in the paper the last few weeks: a student arrested for a DUI, an entire group of people that was investigated for a large party consisting of underage drinking, and much more. All this happened within the last few months.

El Caimán