1 - The Independent Florida Alligator

Bridget Sloan sticks her landing after her dismount from the balance beam during Florida's win over Alabama on Jan. 28, 2016, in the O'Connell Center.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Bridget Sloan leading Gators gymnastics by example

By Alejandro López | Feb. 8, 2016

Leadership can be characterized in a number of ways.

Coach Tim Walton walks back to the dugout during Florida's 1-0 win over Florida Atlantic on May 17, 2015, at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium.

NEWS | CAMPUS

UF softball preparing for season-opening tourney

By Matt Brannon | Feb. 8, 2016

Florida’s softball team enters the 2016 season with a target on its back.

Eleanna Christinaki drives into the paint during Florida's 85-79 win over Kentucky on Jan. 31, 2016, in the O'Connell Center.

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Newcomers making splash for UF women’s basketball

By Ethan Bauer | Feb. 8, 2016

For a team loaded with veterans, Florida’s women’s basketball team has asked a lot of its newcomers.

Senior Josie Kuhlman scored the deciding point in Florida's 4-2 win over Arkansas in the semifinals of the SEC Tournament. The Gators will face either Ole Miss or Vanderbilt for the title on Sunday.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Doubles point proving to be major factor in Florida’s success

By Jake Dreilinger | Feb. 8, 2016

Florida women’s tennis coach Roland Thornqvist has stressed the importance of doubles play.

Maria Torres tees off during the 2015 SunTrust Gator Invitational at UF's Mark Bostick Golf Course.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS GOLF

UF women’s golf sits in third place after second round of tourney

By Alfredo Morales | Feb. 8, 2016

Following UF’s decisive first-place victory at the Florida Challenge last week, the Gators have their eyes set on a larger prize.

METRO

Workshop offers felons a chance to restore rights

By Madison Behm | Feb. 8, 2016

In light of the 2016 presidential elections, more people are expected to attend the Restoration of Civil Rights Workshop on Thursday.

Dan Barker, co-president of the Freedom From Religion Foundation, speaks to about 60 students and Gainesville residents about atheism and the meaning of life. “We give value to things that are rare,” he said. “So we atheists and non-believers acknowledge that our lives are brief, which gives them more value.”

NEWS | CAMPUS

‘There is no meaning to life:' Speaker discusses atheism, meaning of life

By Katelyn Newberg | Feb. 8, 2016

Dan Barker told about 60 students and Gainesville residents that there is no meaning to life Monday night.

About 200 students watch and applaud as the executive ticket candidates are introduced for the Student Government debate in the University Auditorium on Monday. The debate, which lasted just more than an hour, is the only one that will occur prior to SG elections, which will take place Feb. 16 and 17.

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT GOVERNMENT

SG Smackdown: Student Government executive ticket candidates clash in debate

By Melissa Gomez | Feb. 8, 2016

At the only Student Government debate before elections, both Impact Party and Access Party spent the majority of the time hurling insults at each other.

Greg Bello, a 20-year-old UF biology sophomore, takes a photo of a sign at Chipotle explaining how to obtain a coupon for a free burrito. Chipotle closed all its stores Monday for a nation-wide company meeting that lasted until 3 p.m.

METRO

Chipotle closes Monday for E. coli meeting, offers free burritos instead

By Molly Donovan | Feb. 8, 2016

At 2:34 p.m. Monday, the Chipotle on West University Avenue was empty.

METRO

Matheson Museum exhibit to reveal hidden histories

By Mary-Lou Watkinson | Feb. 8, 2016

Two Ku Klux Klan robes covered mannequins at the Matheson History Museum.

METRO

Alachua County to offer free disaster-response training

By Janiece Sebris | Feb. 8, 2016

Alachua County Emergency Management will host a free seven-week program designed to help citizens respond to crises.

METRO

Global films come to Gainesville festival this weekend

By Brenna McKenna | Feb. 8, 2016

The 7th Annual Cinema Verde International Environmental Film and Arts Festival is coming to the Hippodrome State Theatre from Thursday to Sunday.

NEWS | CAMPUS

UF group looks to overcome taboos about sex

By Kristen Solorzano | Feb. 8, 2016

A UF group will educate students about safe sex and healthy relationships this week.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Police: Man nailed roommate in the forehead with hammer

By Martin Vassolo | Feb. 8, 2016

Across from a church, a man was hit with a hammer.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Gainesville Police investigate unsolved weekend UF Alert

By Martin Vassolo | Feb. 8, 2016

After a UF Alert on Sunday, Gainesville Police are still looking for the suspect of an afternoon robbery.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Research Roundup: babies' development, rafting animals, Johnny Cash tarantula

Feb. 8, 2016

Research shows prenatal stress can affect babies’ development

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

‘Basketball Cop,’ kids invited to NBA game

By Martin Vassolo | Feb. 8, 2016

About three weeks after they were reported for “loudly” playing basketball, nine Gainesville kids and a handful of police officers sat courtside at an NBA game Sunday afternoon.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Column: Do pastors really need protecting?

Feb. 8, 2016

As enticing and accessible as the 2016 presidential election is, there are other issues we Floridians ought to concern ourselves with. I’m speaking in particular of the Pastor Protection Act, which would absolve pastors of any liability to perform marriage ceremonies for same-sex couples.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Column: Book lovers and the Amazon expansion

Feb. 8, 2016

As an English major, it goes without saying that books are a huge part of my life. They pile up on any and every flat surface in my apartment, slowly accumulating and overtaking my space. With my meager Ikea bookshelf packed to the brim, I’ve started using bedside tables, coffee tables, dressers and desks in an effort to contain them. I roll my eyes at anyone who dares suggest I buy a Kindle and wring my hands when my mother mentions our family history of hoarding. There are books worn and dog-eared from frequent readings, books I’ve only half-read, books I promise myself I’ll read one day (hello, “Infinite Jest”), and books that, let’s be honest, are just there for aesthetic purposes.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Column: Rubio's policies are not truly conservative

Feb. 8, 2016

As the Republican contention for who will win the party’s primary boils down to just nine candidates — only seven being worthy enough for Sunday night’s stage — a favorite and hopeful among Republican voters is Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla. Particularly popular among Republican youth, Rubio has gained clout in staying relevant to voters despite having to contend with the show-stealing bravado of the party’s two frontrunners, Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, and the braggart billionaire Donald J. Trump, placing third in the Iowa caucus just behind “The Donald” himself.

El Caimán