1 - The Independent Florida Alligator

OPINION | EDITORIALS

Editorial: Dozier represents US at its worst

Jan. 31, 2016

As journalists, it is our obligation to maintain a cool head when parsing through information and drafting a story. Although we in the Opinions section are not held to the same standards of objectivity as the rest of the paper, it is still up to us to collect and pore over as much information as possible; whether our findings align with our worldview, it remains our job to share and dissect what we may stumble upon in a comprehensive manner.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Column: Supporting Bernie Sanders is lazy and cowardly

Jan. 31, 2016

I am not a conservative per se — as a Jew, a woman and a first-generation American, it wouldn’t be becoming of me to join the openly racist, sexist and xenophobic right wing. But if conservative could mean something else, it might mean this: Things exist, and exist for reasons, and we’d better think about what they are before we burn it all down.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Column: A local election debate in unnecessary detail

Jan. 31, 2016

I’m sad and disappointed most UF students — probably an overwhelming majority — don’t participate in local politics. We spend practically four years of our lives in Gainesville. We eat, live and spend a lot of money in this fair city. When issues of utility rates, transportation and public safety are brought up in local politics, students should pay close attention — is there a better time to get involved in Gainesville politics than right now?

OPINION | COLUMNS

Column: Has Barbie caught up to the 21st century?

Jan. 31, 2016

The new generation of Barbie dolls represents many different kinds of women of different shapes and sizes. For many little girls, these dolls aren’t sidekicks – they ARE Barbie. Often for girls they symbolize an ideal to aspire to. Many of Barbie’s incarnations have been different professions, including careers in the military, medicine and public service. The point of these has been to show girls this message: “You can do it, too!”

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Gainesville woman arrested after police say she took prescription drugs from customer

By Martin Vassolo | Jan. 31, 2016

Police arrested a Gainesville woman Friday evening after they said she stole prescription pills from a man at Walgreens.

NEWS | CAMPUS

UF students host Model UN, high school students participate

By Katelyn Newberg | Jan. 31, 2016

High school students from across the state travelled to UF this weekend to debate global issues while acting in two new committees.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Experience Islamic traditions with appreciation month

By Rebecca White | Jan. 31, 2016

Students can now wear hijabs and get free henna tattoos as part of Islam Appreciation Month.

Jacob Tillmann, 38, removes coral ardisia, an invasive plant species, with his son Grant Tillmann, 6, from the Evergreen Cemetery during the Great Invader Raider Rally event Saturday morning. “Grant can look at a species and say, ‘Hey, that's a bad plant,’” Tillmann said. “And that's because of these events.”

METRO

Volunteers work to remove invasive plants at local rally

By Nate Phillips | Jan. 31, 2016

Gainesville residents waged a war against invasive plants Saturday.

Attendees wait in line for Cora's Kitchen food truck at the third-annual Original Gainesville Food Truck rally in January, 2016.

METRO

High Dive hosts third anniversary of truck rally

By Levi Bradford | Jan. 31, 2016

High Dive continued a tradition of food and charity during the Original Gainesville Food Truck Rally’s third anniversary Saturday.

Chance Wolf (center) jumps in celebration after scoring his first goal for the UF club ice hockey team.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

UF student fell to his death, police say

By Martin Vassolo | Jan. 31, 2016

Gainesville Police are investigating the death of a 20-year-old UF student after he fell six stories from an apartment balcony Sunday morning.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TRACK

Gators end Razorback Invitational with strong showing

By Lauren Staff | Jan. 30, 2016

After two days of competition at the Razorback Invitational, the Gators wrapped up a memorable weekend filled with record-breaking performances from members of both the No. 1 men’s team and the No. 6 women’s team.

Diego Hidalgo returns a serve during Florida's 6-1 win over Troy on Jan. 17, 2016, at the Ring Tennis Complex.

NEWS | CAMPUS

UF men's tennis falls to Trojans in second straight loss

By Dylan Dixon | Jan. 30, 2016

After starting off the year with a series of strong performances in doubles play, Florida’s men’s tennis team suffered a setback against Southern California on Saturday that would ultimately cost them their fourth victory of the season.

Caeleb Dressel touches the wall at the end of his leg of the 400 meter freestyle relay during Florida’s meet against Auburn on Jan. 23, 2016, in the O’Connell Center.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Gators swimming and diving dominate Vols in regular season finale

By Sean Doty | Jan. 30, 2016

There is perhaps no better way for a team to finish the regular season then by prevailing over a conference rival.

Dorian Finney-Smith dunks during Florida’s win over West Virginia on Jan. 30, 2016, in the O’Connell Center.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Florida upsets West Virginia in physical battle

By IAN COHEN | Jan. 30, 2016

For what seemed like a few seconds, Dorian Finney-Smith hung in the air, the result of a long stride into the paint after a devastating pump fake from the corner.