1 - The Independent Florida Alligator

OPINION | COLUMNS

Keep it local and support Gainesville businesses

Oct. 29, 2017

Last week, I went to a show at High Dive featuring two Florida-native bands: The Hails and Surfer Blood. This was not my first High Dive show, nor will it be my last. Not only is it a blast to hear great live music, but it’s also awesome to give your love and support to local businesses, especially the art and culture hubs around Gainesville.

NEWS | CAMPUS

New labs open in the UF McKnight Brain Institute

By Kacey Finch | Oct. 29, 2017

Cognitive researchers will no longer have to drive their subjects in golf carts across campus to use an MRI scanner.

NEWS | CAMPUS

UF researchers hope to find drug for rare child disease

By Anna Cappelli | Oct. 29, 2017

When Brittany Harvey hugged her 6-pound, 10-ounce newborn in 2005, she couldn’t imagine her daughter being anything less than healthy.

METRO | K-12 EDUCATION

Science tournament to be hosted at UF next year

By Olivia Sahnger | Oct. 29, 2017

In January, the Florida Science Olympiad Northern Regional competition will be hosted at UF for the first time.

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

Shands dedicates room for sexual assault survivors

By Jessica Giles | Oct. 29, 2017

UF Health Shands Hospital unveiled a new private room for sexual assault survivors Wednesday.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Florida Museum hosts night of astronomy, stargazing

By Iesha Jones | Oct. 29, 2017

Under a pitch black sky, Maureen Malles put her eye to a telescope and saw the moon’s craters in new detail.

NEWS | CAMPUS

UF, GAU continue to push stipend contract past deadline

By Romy Ellenbogen | Oct. 29, 2017

Tensions flared at a Graduate Assistants United bargaining meeting Friday, held months after the Summer deadline to resolve contracts.

Rianna Haniff, a 20-year-old UF biochemistry and molecular biology junior, conducts her first blood pressure screening on Steve Mclain, a Gainesville resident. The screenings have taken place every Sunday since September and are a part of the new UF chapter of the organization Hearts for the Homeless.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Student organization aids homeless with heart health

By Benjamin Cabral | Oct. 29, 2017

A group of UF students spends their Sundays taking blood pressure and giving health information to Gainesville’s homeless population.

NEWS | CAMPUS

‘American Horror Story’ actress to speak at UF

By Cohron | Oct. 29, 2017

An “American Horror Story” actress will speak at UF on Monday and introduce herself to students.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

GPD: ACSO jail captain arrested for driving drunk

By Meryl Kornfield | Oct. 29, 2017

An Alachua County jail captain was arrested early Sunday morning for driving drunk, Gainesville Police said.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

GPD: Suspect in downtown shooting arrested

By Meryl Kornfield | Oct. 29, 2017

A Hawthorne man was arrested Friday for a September shooting in the downtown Checkers and Rally’s parking lot that wounded one bystander.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Library West to give out candy, prizes for Halloween

By Renee Castro | Oct. 29, 2017

Students can trick or treat Tuesday for Halloween at Library West, no costume required.

Leeson Chen, a 21-year-old UF computer science sophomore, chases Isabelle Lady, a 20-year-old UF biology junior, as she finishes the last leg of the Gator Zombie 5K. Participants wore flag football belts as they ran while volunteer zombies chased them and tried to pull them off.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Gator Zombie 5K run draws 100 students

By Julia Renner | Oct. 29, 2017

Over the chatter of runners mingling and the “Ghostbusters” theme song playing on the speaker, Anthony Sanchez gathered the crowd for the Gator Zombie 5K on Saturday morning.

UF coach Jim McElwain and the UAA mutually agreed to part ways on Sunday. McElwain leaves UF with a 22-12 record.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

FIRED: Jim McElwain out as Gators football coach

By Matt Brannon | Oct. 29, 2017

After a third consecutive loss and a media circus surrounding Jim McElwain’s claims that death threats were leveled against members of the UF football program, Florida fired McElwain on Sunday. He finished with a 22-12 record over two and a half seasons.

Reports by ESPN state that UF boosters believe they may be able to avoid paying the full buyout because of coach Jim McElwain’s claim Monday that threats, including some death threats, had been leveled against Florida players, coaches and their families.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

After blowout loss, Gators coach Jim McElwain addresses rumors of firing

By Matt Brannon | Oct. 28, 2017

Gators coach Jim McElwain knew something was wrong before the game even started. Walking into Florida’s pregame meal, he was informed of rumors that he could be losing his job.

UF quarterback Malik Zaire led Florida’s lone scoring drive of the game, a 9-play, 71-yard series that ended in a 1-yard touchdown run by Mark Thompson, on Saturday in the Gators' 42-7 loss against Georgia at EverBank Field in Jacksonville.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Notebook: Zaire lone bright spot in loss; Toney, Cleveland ineffective in return

By IAN COHEN | Oct. 28, 2017

When examining Florida’s 42-7 loss — one in which UF’s offense appeared lifeless, its defense appeared lethargic and its coach appeared unsure of his job security — there was at least one positive to glean from the Gators’ performance: Malik Zaire.

UF coach Jim McElwain addresses the media with his arms folded after Florida's 42-7 loss to Georgia on Saturday at EverBank Field in Jacksonville.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Column: I get why Jim McElwain should go. But remember he’s human, too

By Ethan Bauer | Oct. 28, 2017

JACKSONVILLE — I felt something on Saturday I’ve never felt before when listening to Jim McElwain speak. It was some combination of pity, sadness or, really, any emotion other than frustration, which I’ve felt plenty with McElwain in the past.

Feleipe Franks completed 7 of 19 passes for a season-low 30 yards against Georgia in a 42-7 loss on Saturday.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Georgia thrashes Florida in 35-point blowout

By Dylan Dixon | Oct. 28, 2017

Feleipe Franks laid face down on the 3-yard line of EverBank Field, his body dejectedly limp as Georgia’s players celebrated scoring another touchdown.

Rhamat Alhassan jumps up to block the ball during Florida's 3-0 win against Florida A&M on Sept. 15, 2017, at the O'Connell Center.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

Gators defense dominates Gamecocks for 11th sweep of the season

By Andrew Huang | Oct. 27, 2017

Rhamat Alhassan launched herself straight up in front the net, as if she was on a pogo stick, and did what she does better than all but two players in the country.

UF runner Marshall Dillon led all Florida runners with a personal-best time of 25:03.9, good enough for 38th place and a spot on the SEC All-Freshman team.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS CROSS COUNTRY

Gators’ Marshall Dillon records personal best at SEC Championships in Georgia

By Alana Gomez | Oct. 27, 2017

Marshall Dillon hasn’t wasted any time making an impact for the UF men’s cross country team. In his third career race for the Gators, the redshirt freshman posted a personal-best time and 38th-place finish at the SEC Championships on Friday in Athens, Georgia.

El Caimán