1 - The Independent Florida Alligator

OPINION | COLUMNS

Our love of Stephen Hawking isn't scientific

Mar. 20, 2018

On March 14, Stephen Hawking passed away. He received a lot of attention on social media, complete with lots of praise for what he accomplished. Hawking was a theoretical physicist who studied black holes and time. He was famous for applying Einstein’s theory of relativity and quantum mechanics to the beginnings of time, which he predicted was a singularity that exploded (in other words: the Big Bang). He was also famous for his work on the nature of black holes.

Freshman pitcher Katie Chronister has a 1.47 ERA through 14.1 innings pitched this season.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Gators softball notebook: Assets and difficulties faced this season show resilience in all kinds of weather

By Mari Faiello | Mar. 20, 2018

After dropping two games against Georgia over the weekend, Florida’s softball team (23-3) will take the field at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium tonight at 6 p.m. against South Florida (22-12).

Located just south of Depot Park at 1220 SE Veitch St., First Magnitude Brewing Company creates delicious beer while giving back to the community.

THE AVENUE | FOOD

First Magnitude: Behind the Brewery

By Gabriella Paul | Mar. 20, 2018

Christine Denny’s orange-and-blue flannel stuck to the edges of her forearms, soaked from Gainesville’s afternoon Monday shower.

The SuicideGirls, who have toured worldwide, will take their show to the High Dive on Thursday.

THE AVENUE | NIGHTLIFE

SuicideGirls Burlesque show to hit Gainesville on Thursday

By Emma Witmer | Mar. 20, 2018

The SuicideGirls Blackheart Burlesque touring group will bring their sexually charged, cult-classic show to the High Dive stage Thursday night.

This will be one of multiple Florida shows for Badfish in March.

THE AVENUE | MUSIC

A Q&A With Bumpin Uglies’ Brandon Hardesty ahead of High Dive Show

By Taylor McLamb | Mar. 20, 2018

Fans of the band Sublime can belt out the lyrics to their favorite songs Monday as famous Sublime-tribute band Badfish performs at High Dive.

THE AVENUE | LIFESTYLE

Where to spend your weekend in Gainesville

By Natalie Rao | Mar. 20, 2018

With Spring Break a thing of the past and finals on the horizon, just six weeks remain until another semester comes to a close. Luckily for students and locals alike, there’s still plenty to do in Gainesville before we head home for the summer. In addition to the other events we’ve covered this week, here’s where to spend your weekend.

Freshman Jordan Butler has allowed six runs in his last 9.1 innings pitched

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Bullpen still seeing moderate struggles through early portion of season

By Justin Ahlum | Mar. 20, 2018

Bright rays of sunshine, a nice breeze and a partly cloudy sky engulfed Gainesville on Tuesday evening, right around the time Florida’s baseball team was supposed to have its first pitch. But a horrendous forecast earlier in the day forced UF to postpone its game against the Jacksonville Dolphins.

Guard Chris Chiozza set the all-time school record for assists during his final year with the Gators.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

UF hoops reflection: Most memorable storylines

By Andrew Huang | Mar. 20, 2018

As cliché as it sounds, it was an up-and-down season for the Florida men’s basketball team. There were peaks and valleys. Highs and lows. There’s plenty of ways to say it, but it really is that simple.

Senior Aniya Flanagan has missed UF's last two games with an undisclosed injury.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS LACROSSE

Florida takes a break from conference play to take on Towson

By Tyler Nettuno | Mar. 20, 2018

After opening Big East play with an 11-10 road victory over Vanderbilt on Sunday, the No. 6 Florida lacrosse team will take on Towson in a non-conference match today at 6:30 p.m. at Donald R. Dizney Stadium.

Senior Caeleb Dressel has a shot to set school and NCAA records this week.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS SWIM AND DIVE

SEC Champion Gators look to carry momentum into NCAA Championships

By Sam Campisano | Mar. 20, 2018

The Florida men’s swimming and diving team’s senior class, with 51 All-American honors among it, has one more chance at NCAA glory.

Sophomore Sierra Brooks led the Gators, shooting two under in the first round of the NCAA Regional.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS GOLF

Florida’s winning streak comes to a close on final day of Evans Derby Invitational

By Chris O'Brien | Mar. 20, 2018

After coming in first place in its previous two events, the Florida women’s golf team capped off a lackluster outing at the Evans Derby Invitational in Auburn, Alabama, on Tuesday afternoon.

Authorities are looking for Laurie Balthazar, who is described as being 5’3 and weighing 130 pounds. She went missing after she was last seen near the 5000 block of Northwest 27th Avenue, according to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. She’s described as a black female with black hair and brown eyes.

METRO

Authorities searching for missing 16-year-old Gainesville girl

By Melissa Gomez | Mar. 20, 2018

Authorities are looking for a missing 16-year-old girl who was last seen March 7 in Gainesville.

METRO

GRU monitors polling locations for power outages as Gainesville falls under tornado watch

By Amanda Rosa | Mar. 20, 2018

While the city remains under a tornado watch, Gainesville Regional Utilities is monitoring polling locations for city commission elections. Strong winds are likely to cause power outages.

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

Here’s what each candidate raised and spent for the city commission race

By Jessica Giles | Mar. 19, 2018

Heavy rain didn’t stop candidates for City Commission from last-minute campaigning efforts to secure votes before Tuesday’s election.

NEWS | CAMPUS

UF’s international programs recognized through national award

By Sabrina Conza | Mar. 19, 2018

UF’s international programs have been named one of the top in the nation.

Third baseman Jonathan India slugged a two-run home run in Florida 3-1 victory over Auburn on Thursday.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Over/Under: Florida baseball’s over- and underachievers this week

By Morgan McMullen | Mar. 19, 2018

The No. 2 Gators baseball team went 3-1 over the past week, and the games couldn’t have been much more different from one another.

Sophomore Sierra Brooks performed admirably, but the Gators struggled as a team on Day 1 of the Liz Murphey Collegiate Classic.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS GOLF

Gators golf stagnant after Round 2 of Evans Derby Experience

By Chris O'Brien | Mar. 19, 2018

It was much of the same for the Florida women’s golf team in Round 2 of the Evans Derby Experience in Auburn, Alabama, after a mediocre showing in Round 1 of the three-day event.

Students rush to class as torrential rainfall and thunderstorms cast gray clouds over Gainesville.

METRO

Severe storms cause power outages in west Gainesville

By Amanda Rosa | Mar. 19, 2018

7:25 p.m. Monday Update:

It was left fielder Amanda Lorenz's birthday on Wednesday. She went 2 for 3 and scored a run in UF's 5-1 win over Florida State.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Gators softball team avoids getting swept by Bulldogs on Sunday

By Mark Stine | Mar. 19, 2018

The sun shined brightly in Athens, Georgia, on Sunday afternoon as Florida’s softball team came up to bat in the top of the first inning at Jack Turner Stadium.

Guard Egor Koulechov ended his only season at Florida as the second-leading scorer with 13.8 points per game.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Losing upperclassman leaders hurts Gators' prospects moving forward

By Jake Dreilinger | Mar. 18, 2018

Florida coach Mike White said something at Saturday’s postgame press conference that made me realize just how far removed this team was from last season’s NCAA Tournament Elite Eight run.

El Caimán