1 - The Independent Florida Alligator

Elio Piedra, 27, a Latin DJ in Gainesville, first learned how to play the drums in Cuba when he was in the fourth grade. He moved to the U.S. in 2010, when he was 19. “For most, it’s like two pieces of wood,” he said. “But for me, it’s like extensions of my arms.”

METRO

From Cuba to Gainesville: DJ Elio Piedra drums up Latin culture

By Christina Morales | Apr. 18, 2019

He plays more than 270 events every year

OPINION | COLUMNS

The US healthcare system shouldn’t discriminate against transgender people

By Chasity Maynard | Apr. 18, 2019

Many transgender people nationwide battle hatred, ostracization and discrimination in their interactions with random people and even with their friends and families. Hate is a nearly unavoidable part of life for the LGBTQ+ community in the U.S. today. Unfortunately, achieving tolerance and acceptance is a process that takes time and education.

FILE - This Aug. 15, 2017, file photo shows an arrangement of pills of the opioid oxycodone-acetaminophen in New York.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Community given chance to dump drugs safely

By Abraham Hunt | Apr. 18, 2019

The drug take-back day will take place April 27

[FILE PHOTO] Andrew Persons, a Gainesville city planner, and Wendy Thomas, the city’s director of the department of doing, present information on gnvRISE affordable housing program at the beginning of a six-hour meeting.

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

City Commission accepts audit despite controversy

By Karina Elwood | Apr. 18, 2019

The Reichert House audit is to be reviewed by a third party

NEWS | CAMPUS

UF startup combatting mosquito diseases featured at national showcase

By Jordyn Kalman | Apr. 18, 2019

The research costs $500,000

NEWS | CAMPUS

Bite Squad to offer UF students, faculty discount during finals week

By Lina Ruiz | Apr. 18, 2019

It can be used from April 24 to May 3

OPINION | DARTS LAURELS

Darts and Laurels: April 19, 2019

Apr. 18, 2019

You’re on your way to your final exam of the semester, and you should be going over equations in your head. Instead, your mind is thinking about summer days spent sleeping in and on home-cooked meals. The semester has flown by. There have been a few wins and a few losses, but you’ve made it through all the same. You find yourself with a small smile on your face, allowing yourself to revel in a little self-pride.

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Letter to the Editor: What SG and others can learn from Public Policy Career Day

Apr. 18, 2019

On March 21, Chomp the Vote hosted the Public Policy Career Day inside of the Reitz Grand Ballroom. To put on the event, Chomp the Vote partnered with the Bob Graham Center, the UF International Center, the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Beyond 120, the political science department, the College of Journalism and Communications, the Career Resource Center and Civic Duty Florida. The event featured more than 20 universities with public policy and administration programs, such as Tufts University, Johns Hopkins University and Columbia University, as well as employers from the public and private sector. The event director and planning team within Chomp staff created this event with the intention of bringing an event on campus for students to be exposed to educational and professional opportunities within the public policy sector.

NEWS | CAMPUS UF ADMINISTRATION

UF President Fuchs’ last message of the semester

Apr. 18, 2019

The world watched in horror and grief on Monday as Notre Dame Cathedral burned. Her lead-covered wood roof and majestic spire collapsing into red flames as Parisians sang hymns on roads and bridges. Some 13 million people annually enter the cathedral. I have been one of those awestruck visitors on several occasions. Notre Dame is an exquisite example of French Gothic architecture and an unforgettable symbol of Paris, with its beautiful rose windows, flying buttresses and rib vault. Lost in the news of the past few days is the fact that Notre Dame is foremost a place for worship, particularly for Catholic Christians.

OPINION | COLUMNS

SG banquet: Mac and cheese, prayer and cowboys

Apr. 18, 2019

Well, I made it into the Student Government banquet this year, and it was a rather interesting event. For starters, they dropped around $20,000 on a banquet and ended up drinking out of disposable plastic cups. They are humble people, aren’t they?

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Police looking for two men involved in shooting

By Katherine Wallace-Fernandez | Apr. 18, 2019

A third man is still unidentified

People eating at The Swamp Restaurant in 2019. Gainesville's iconic restaurant will return at a new location closer to downtown in 2022.

METRO

Florida lawmaker proposes amendment to make The Swamp Restaurant a landmark

By Karina Elwood | Apr. 18, 2019

Luxury student housing may lead to demolition

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT GOVERNMENT

SG’s $20,000 end-of-the-year banquet welcomes new officers

By Hannah Beatty | Apr. 18, 2019

The night featured awards, farewell speeches and the swearing in of new officers

NEWS | CAMPUS

UF Law has second highest bar passage rate in Florida

By Christina Mouttet | Apr. 17, 2019

Ten of the 13 students who took the February exam passed

A packed crowd at The Swamp Restaurant watch the Super Bowl between the New England Patriots and Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday night. There were jerseys from both teams present.

METRO

The Swamp Restaurant and other’s fates are in limbo. Here’s what we know so far.

By Karina Elwood | Apr. 17, 2019

Luxury student housing may lead to demolition

Shortstop Sophia Reynoso and the rest of the Gators' infield could have their hands full tonight against a speedy Georgia team.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Gators earn statement win against Seminoles on the road

By Brendan Farrell | Apr. 17, 2019

The biggest issue that the Florida softball team has faced this season has been getting offensive production from players not named Amanda Lorenz or Kendyl Lindaman.

Junior Marta Perez leads the Gators with four top-10 and six top-25 finishes this season. Her 72.8 stroke average is the best mark on the team.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS GOLF

Gators end Day 1 of SEC Tournament tied for first

By Victor Prieto | Apr. 17, 2019

Three players finished under par for the Gators women’s golf team in Round 1 of the SEC Women’s Championships.

Jasmine Robinson, 23, of Archer, is a pregnant woman who has been reported missing since Feb. 20. She was last seen on Feb. 18.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

ACSO offering $8,000 reward for information on missing pregnant woman

By Katherine Wallace-Fernandez | Apr. 17, 2019

Jasmine Robinson was last seen in February

This combination of undated photos released by the Jefferson County, Colo., Sheriff's Office on Tuesday, April 16, 2019 shows Sol Pais. On Tuesday authorities said they are looking pais, suspected of making threats on Columbine High School, just days before the 20th anniversary of a mass shooting that killed 13 people. (Jefferson County Sheriff's Office via AP)

NEWS | NATIONAL

Miami Beach teen seen as threatening Columbine found dead

By Associated Press | Apr. 17, 2019

LITTLETON, Colo. (AP) — A young Florida woman who traveled to Colorado and bought a shotgun for what authorities feared would be a Columbine-inspired attack just days ahead of the 20th anniversary was found dead Wednesday in an apparent suicide after a nearly 24-hour manhunt.

Freshman gymnast Trinity Thomas will compete on the bars and floor events at the NCAA Championships in Fort Worth, Texas, on Friday.

SPORTS | GYMNASTICS

Four UF gymnasts prepare for individual competition

By River Wells | Apr. 16, 2019

There will still be Gators under the lights in Fort Worth, Texas, on Friday.

El Caimán