1 - The Independent Florida Alligator

NEWS | CAMPUS

UF professor and peers call for more funding for Black researchers

By J.P. Oprison | Feb. 12, 2021

In a paper calling upon the National Institutes of Health and other funding agencies to address racial disparities, UF professor Josephine Allen and 18 of her colleagues argued that without adequate research funding, Black scientists can become discouraged and quit the profession – leaving fewer Black researchers to serve as role models and mentors for the next generation.

Florida forward Faith Dut sizes up a Missouri defender on Feb. 11, 2021. Dut scored 12 points and grabbed five rebounds in just 22 minutes Thursday as the Gators fell by 18 against Ole Miss.

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Gators edge Tigers in an overtime thriller

By Griffin Foll | Feb. 11, 2021

A combined 40-point performance by star guards Lavender Briggs and Kiara Smith lifted Florida to its third conference win of the season as the Gators defeated LSU 73-66.

The Gators fall in five sets to the undefeated Wisconsin Badgers Monday afternoon. Photo from UF-Texas A&M game in 2019.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

Gators tame Tigers on back-to-back nights

By Michael Hull | Feb. 11, 2021

The Gators survived a sloppy, error-driven performance and beat the LSU Tigers 3-1.

Junior Sydney Berlin partnered with freshman Amber McGinnis to secure a dominant 6-2 victory in the opening match on Thursday

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Florida Gators break slump, score second win

By Jesse Richardson | Feb. 11, 2021

After two long weeks of agony and defeat, No. 21 Florida's three-game losing skid finally came to a close Thursday afternoon after defeating South Florida 5-2

UF gymnast Savannah Schoenherr announced she will return to the Gators' program for her fifth and final year of eligibility.

SPORTS | GYMNASTICS

No. 1 Florida prepared for “meet of the century” versus No. 2 LSU

By Zachary Huber | Feb. 11, 2021

No. 1 Florida faces its toughest test when it confronts No. 2 LSU Friday at 7:30 p.m. in Baton Rouge.

Freshman Joe Pagdin will hit No. 3 for the Gators this weekend as they prepare for the 2021 Gators Invitational

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS GOLF

Florida looks to defend home turf at Gators Invitational

By Michael Hull | Feb. 11, 2021

The Gators aim to carry the momentum from their first spring tournament against a stacked field in Gainesville.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Florida-Texas A&M game postponed due to Aggies’ positive COVID-19 tests

By Dylan O'Shea | Feb. 11, 2021

Saturday’s cancellation marks the third straight game Florida lost from its schedule.

A collection of tombstone shaped signs and a banner calling for the end of in-person classes at the University of Florida was set-up on the corner of 13th Street and University Avenue on Thursday, Feb. 4, 2021.

NEWS | CAMPUS UF ADMINISTRATION

UFF elevates concerned voices as UF’s re-opening plans rev on

By Alexander Lugo | Feb. 11, 2021

UFF held the meeting to lay out five demands aimed at university administration. The requests mainly center around in-person teaching and how it endangers faculty at a time when COVID-19 cases are still high, a more contagious variant of the disease is in town and students are still flocking to bars and clubs on the weekend.

A fire engine sits under a newly constructed shed at the Alachua County Fire Rescue Station 25 on Tuesday, Jan. 26, 2021. The station didn’t have an enclosed space for the engine and was not recognized as a fire station when it opened last January, despite being on call and operating as one.

METRO

Newly finished Fire Station construction could reduce homeowner’s insurance

By Lucille Lannigan | Feb. 11, 2021

Homeowners within 5 miles of Fire Station 25 can receive lower insurance rates and an advanced life support response following renovations at the station.

Three UF students founded Sister Sweets & Treats just in time for Valentine's Day.

THE AVENUE | SEX

Local businesses offer ways to get festive this Valentine’s Day

By Kristin Bausch | Feb. 11, 2021

Five local businesses share how they’re catering to the community for Valentine’s Day.

Sister-musician duo Faith & Majesty Smith moved to Gainesville in 2019 and recently signed to local music label Swamp Records.

THE AVENUE | MUSIC

Faith & Majesty to release first single under Swamp Records

By Veronica Nocera | Feb. 11, 2021

The sister-musician duo will release quarantine anthem “Premise” Friday.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

UF returns home, finishes LSU in straight sets

By Noah Ram | Feb. 10, 2021

Florida’s volleyball team was without one of its main weapons — middle blocker Nnedi Okammor — for Wednesday’s match against LSU, but it didn’t matter.

Marlee Zein, pictured above, and her partner McCartney Kessler won their first doubles match against UCF Tuesday night. Photo from the Tuesday UF-UCF game.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Gators desperate to end losing streak against USF

By Jesse Richardson | Feb. 10, 2021

No. 22 Florida will play the unranked USF Bulls for the first time since 2016 Thursday at 2 p.m.

Relying on two stars guards (Lavender Briggs and Kiara Smith) to shoot more than 70% of Florida’s points, like during the Arkansas game, isn’t sustainable. Photo from UF-Mizzou game January 2021.

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Florida looks for third conference win to LSU as season end approaches

By Grethel Aguila | Feb. 10, 2021

Florida shouldn’t expect a W in Baton Rouge if it repeats the same mistakes it has made the entire season — especially overreliance on Briggs and Smith.

NEWS

Gators top AAC Preseason Poll

By Karina Wilson | Feb. 10, 2021

The orange and blue were unanimously given first-place votes, topping Vanderbilt, Temple, Cincinnati, East Carolina and Old Dominion.

UF redshirt senior Holly Carlton highlighted her team’s focus on controlling serves.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

Florida looks to the service line against LSU

By Zachary Huber | Feb. 10, 2021

Florida recorded a season-high 14 aces in its second match against Ole Miss

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Letter to the Editor: From Union Party, With Love

Feb. 10, 2021

This is not the end of the Union Party dream — it is the beginning of a new era for the indie movement. It’s time for change.

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Letter to the Editor: Joining Forces to Fight for Change

Feb. 10, 2021

The Change Party will strive to lead by example and truly give every Greek Gator, minority Gator, Graduate Gator, and international Gator a seat at the table.

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT GOVERNMENT

Wednesday is the last day to request an absentee ballot for the Spring elections

By Carolina Ilvento | Feb. 10, 2021

Students who are not living in Gainesville or don’t feel comfortable voting in person can request an absentee ballot to be sent by mail by filling out a request form through the SG website.

COVID 19 | UF

UF COVID-19 Update: Quarantine numbers drop to lowest record for Spring while total student cases pass 1,000

By Manny Rea | Feb. 10, 2021

While UF's positivity rate may look minimal, there are still about 50 to 70 cases a day, Dr. Michael Lauzardo, the head of UF Health’s Screen, Test and Protect program, said Friday at a Ben Hill Griffin stadium vaccination event.

El Caimán