1 - The Independent Florida Alligator

OPINION | COLUMNS

UF Student Body President Ian Green welcomes students back for Spring semester

Jan. 31, 2019

What’s up, Gator Nation?

Gainesville Mayor Lauren Poe speaks to about 100 attendees Wednesday during the 2019 State of the City address at the Cade Museum for Creativity and Invention in downtown Gainesville. “As we begin to celebrate our city’s 150th anniversary, we commit to learning from our past in order to foster a greater future for ourselves and our posterity,” Poe said. The event also included speeches from Deborah Bowie, the interim city manager, and Ed Bielarski, the general manager of Gainesville Regional Utilities.

METRO

Gainesville officials reflect on 2018 at the State of the City Address

By Karina Elwood | Jan. 31, 2019

As the City of Gainesville turns 150, city leaders recapped 2018 and discussed goals for the coming year at the annual State of the City Address Wednesday afternoon

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bill into law on Monday, Jan. 28, 2019 that will make post-secondary education more available to students. A goal of the bill is to increase the percentage of people in the Florida workforce with post-secondary education from 49 to 60 percent by 2030. The bill also has a Last Mile program to financially assist students who dropped out of college within 12 credits of their degree.

METRO

Florida Governor wants to overhaul school standards

By The Associated Press | Jan. 31, 2019

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis says he wants to overhaul the state's school standards in the next year.

METRO

Florida governor outlines plan for increasing college grads

By The Associated Press | Jan. 31, 2019

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis says he wants to make it easier for students who don't graduate from a university to get an associate degree.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Circle K employee accused of stealing $1,300 from store

By Katherine Wallace-Fernandez | Jan. 31, 2019

The money was taken from refunds

Senior guard KeVaughn Allen scored 21 points with five assists in the Gators' 90-86 overtime win over Ole Miss.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Allen’s three forces overtime, Florida tops Ole Miss

By Alanis Thames | Jan. 30, 2019

KeVaughn Allen had very little time.

Freshman forward Keyontae Johnson made his fourth career start against Ole Miss on Wednesday. He finished with 15 points and six rebounds in the Gators' 90-86 overtime win over the Rebels.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Freshmen shine in overtime victory against Mississippi

By Tyler Nettuno | Jan. 30, 2019

Freshman forward Keyontae Johnson did his best Superman impression on superhero night at the O’Connell Center. He took flight and snagged a lob thrown from under the basket by fellow freshman Andrew Nembhard and emphatically slammed it down.

Museum Road from Woodlawn Drive to Center Drive is blocked, Barber said. UPD is advising people through Twitter to use Stadium Road and Mowry Road.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

UF waste truck causes spill on Museum Road

By Katherine Wallace-Fernandez | Jan. 30, 2019

The spill was cleaned after about three hours.

Mayor of Tallahassee and gubernatorial candidate Andrew Gillum laughs while speaking at a rally on UF's campus Friday afternoon. During the event, hosted by the Andrew Gillum campaign, Gillum walked with students to the polls.

METRO

Andrew Gillum endorses Mayor Lauren Poe for mayoral race

By Karina Elwood | Jan. 29, 2019

Both are Gainesville High School alumni

NEWS | CAMPUS

UF researchers feel effect of Airbnb sanction

By Danielle Ivanov | Jan. 29, 2019

State employees can no longer use Airbnb for work travel

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT GOVERNMENT

Student Government senators look to rename Reitz Union

By Hannah Beatty | Jan. 29, 2019

Some senators want to change name to civil rights advocate

NEWS

Three scholarships to be awarded across Florida

By Wadney Julien | Jan. 29, 2019

Deadline to apply is March 29

This Tuesday, April 10, 2018 file photo shows vaping devices, including a Juul, center, that were confiscated from students at a high school in Marshfield, Mass. On Tuesday, Nov. 13, 2018, San Francisco-based Juul Labs Inc. announced it had stopped filling orders for its mango, fruit, creme and cucumber pods but not menthol and mint. It will sell all flavors through its website and limit sales to those 21 and older. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

METRO

Students express feelings on tobacco law change

By Karina Elwood | Jan. 29, 2019

County changed purchasing age from 18 to 21

UF men’s tennis sophomore Oliver Crawford is the No. 9-ranked collegiate player. He is one of three Gators ranked in the top 50.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Same goal, different start for Gators men’s and women’s teams

By Victor Prieto | Jan. 29, 2019

Florida’s women’s tennis team hasn’t had an ideal start to the season.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Russell Westbrook: normalizing the abnormal

By Kyle Wood | Jan. 29, 2019

Russell Westbrook plays basketball like he’s mad at the world. In return, the world is mad at him.

Alachua County and the Alachua Conservation Trust purchased 578 acres within the Lochloosa Forest Project area on Jan. 15 for $1.3 million for conservation.

METRO

County, conservation trust buys 578 acres of forest

By Katherine Wallace-Fernandez | Jan. 29, 2019

The deal costs $1.3 million

Florida guard Delicia Washington is expected to return for Thursday's game against Tennessee. She took a hit to the head against Mississippi State on Jan. 24 that forced her to sit out a game as she went through concussion protocol.

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Undersized UF hindered by Moore's injury

By Dylan Rudolph | Jan. 29, 2019

The Gators tried to get one last shot off before the buzzer sounded. They had an excellent opening quarter on Sunday against Arkansas and were up by 12.