1 - The Independent Florida Alligator

OPINION | COLUMNS

It’s time to take a stand against the statue vandals

Oct. 31, 2017

Over the past several months, Americans across the country have taken it upon themselves to destroy, deface and rewrite American history with the removal of historical statues and monuments. Virtually unchallenged, this small segment of the public has attempted to bully fair-minded citizens into accepting a new American reality: one without our Founding Fathers.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Gainesville to participate in worldwide dance event

By Josephine Fuller | Oct. 31, 2017

After a divisive visit from Richard Spencer, an Gainesville resident is hoping to inspire kindness through dance.

METRO

GFR puts out 3 fires in 12 hours

By Meryl Kornfield | Oct. 31, 2017

After firefighters put out three fires Sunday night and Monday morning, Gainesville Fire Rescue is investigating any connections between the incidents.

NEWS | CAMPUS

After Hurricane Irma, Miami Blue butterfly holds on

By Olivia Sahnger | Oct. 31, 2017

When Sarah Steele Cabrera found an organism she thought would have been made extinct by Hurricane Irma, she laughed and high-fived her colleague.

Florida associate coach Randy Shannon speaks to the media during the university's NCAA college football media day in Gainesville, Fla. on Aug. 5, 2016. Shannon is shaking things up as Florida's interim coach. The former Miami head coach replaced Jim McElwain and needed less than a day to make changes. Shannon opened up the quarterback job. He promoted Chris Rumph to defensive coordinator. And he elevated former Idaho head coach Robb Akey to defensive line coach. He also tweaked parts of practice and put an increased emphasis on special teams. (AP Photo/Phil Sandlin, File)

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Shannon making changes as he takes over as Florida’s head coach

By Dylan Dixon | Oct. 30, 2017

Randy Shannon isn’t concerned with the past.

UF interim coach Randy Shannon confirmed on Monday that running back Malik Davis is "definitely" out for the rest of the season.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Gators RB Malik Davis, LB Kylan Johnson expected to miss rest of season

By Matt Brannon | Oct. 30, 2017

As the Gators try to move forward after the firing of Jim McElwain, they’ll have to do it without one of their top playmakers.

Georgia quarterback Jake Fromm (11) throws a pass against Florida in the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 28, 2017, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Column: A way too early prediction of the College Football Playoff

By Jake Dreilinger | Oct. 30, 2017

Let me start off by saying I am no college football expert. I just watch games and form opinions based on what I see, like any other fan of the sport. With that being said, there are less than five weeks left until the field of the College Football Playoff is announced. Here are my picks for which teams will fill those four spots.

UF defender Rachelle Smith received Second Team All-SEC honors alongside defender Kristen Cardano.

SPORTS | SOCCER

Gators’ theme going into SEC Tourney: Revenge

By Morgan McMullen | Oct. 30, 2017

The Gators have a shot at redemption. Some on the team are calling it an opportunity for payback.

METRO

GFR: House catches fire, one resident hospitalized

By Katelyn Newberg | Oct. 30, 2017

A one-story house caught on fire Sunday night, resulting in one person being taken to the hospital.

Head coach Dan Mullen observes his team in action during Mississippi State's spring college football game in Starkville, Miss., Saturday April 17, 2010. Maroon Team won 26-13 (AP Photo/Kerry Smith).

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

With McElwain out, five candidates stand out for UF job

By Ethan Bauer | Oct. 29, 2017

1. Dan Mullen, head coach, Mississippi State

Rachael Kramer goes up for a block during Florida's 3-1 loss to Kentucky on Oct. 15, 2017, at the O'Connell Center. Kramer recorded 11 kills in a win against Mississippi State on Sunday.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

Gators volleyball team sweeps Mississippi State in straight sets

By Justin Ahlum | Oct. 29, 2017

In UF’s second contest in three days, Florida controlled its match and took home its 18th win of the season on the road against the unranked Mississippi State Bulldogs (9-17, 0-11 SEC), 25-18, 25-10, 25-15.

UF football players found out that their coach, Jim McElwain, had been fired on Sunday when they logged onto Twitter and scrolled through their notifications.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Florida football players react to firing of Jim McElwain

By Dylan Dixon | Oct. 29, 2017

Nothing has gone according to plan for Florida’s football players in 2017.

Jim McElwain walks off the field after Florida's 42-7 loss to Georgia on Saturday at EverBank Field in Jacksonville. On Sunday, it was confirmed that McElwain and the UAA mutually agreed to part ways.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Column: A look at the biggest accomplishments, biggest failures of McElwain’s tenure

By IAN COHEN | Oct. 29, 2017

Jim McElwain is out as Florida’s football coach. What were some of his best and worst moments during his time at UF? Let’s take a look:

METRO

Hippodrome screens Halloween movies

By Anna Cappelli | Oct. 29, 2017

The Hippodrome Cinema is a place of horror and mystery October in celebration of Halloween.

The Gators women's golf team finished 13th at the Landfall Tradition in North Carolina. Marta Perez had Florida's highest score at 3 over par, good for a share of 28th place.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS GOLF

With final round in North Carolina rained out, Gators women’s golf team finishes 13th

By Tyler Nettuno | Oct. 29, 2017

Florida never had a chance to move up the leaderboard in Sunday’s final round at the Landfall Tradition in Wilmington, North Carolina.

Ian Burns, 20, saw the Fairy Pools tourist attraction in Scotland on May 30. Burns, a UF mechanical engineering and music sophomore, took a six-week trip to Europe over the summer with his twin sisters, Caitlin and Devin, 23.

NEWS | FEATURES

‘He radiated wherever he went’: A UF student honored

By David Hoffman | Oct. 29, 2017

Ian Burns was a tenor.

Fest 16 attendees wait in a line outside The Wooly on Sunday. They were waiting to see the artist Into It. Over it.

METRO

More than 2,600 people attend punk rock festival

By Christina Morales | Oct. 29, 2017

Steve Wozniak has been to seven Fests as an attendant, an employee and a performer.

OPINION | COLUMNS

We have power across generations

Oct. 29, 2017

Over the past few days, I have seen multiple articles detailing the lives of middle school students who chose to end their lives by killing themselves. Suicide is always tragic. Suicide should always draw our attention and ignite a desire for action and change. When those who choose to end their lives are not even teenagers yet, it can capture our attention in a particularly intense way.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Speak out against unjust organizations

Oct. 29, 2017

“If you see something, say something.” This slogan can apply to suspicious activity monitored by the Department of Homeland Security, but it should also apply to our everyday interactions.

OPINION | EDITORIALS

We all deserve a Halloween free of sexual assault

Oct. 29, 2017

If you’ve read or watched the news at all over the past few weeks, chances are you’ve seen the words “sexual assault” multiple times. After news dropped about Harvey Weinstein’s appalling past, more and more women from Hollywood have been coming out and sharing their stories. Following suit, millions of other women and men have felt empowered to share their history with sexual assault through the social media campaign #MeToo.

El Caimán