1 - The Independent Florida Alligator

METRO

Florida Sen. Perry proposes extra check on federal courts

By Meryl Kornfield | Feb. 26, 2017

A bill introduced by Florida Sen. Keith Perry on Tuesday proposes a new check on federal courts.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Marion County deputy fired after leaving work to go on Tinder date

By Meryl Kornfield | Feb. 26, 2017

Contact Meryl Kornfield at mkornfield@alligator.org and follow her on Twitter at @MerylKornfield

Destinee Collins, a 25-year-old drummer for the cover band timesUp and a worker at Dough Religion Pizza, jams out to cover songs like “Brick House” on Jan. 6, 2016 at the Oozoo Bar.

METRO

Dough Religion, ooZoo bar to close after a year of business

By Molly Vossler | Feb. 26, 2017

Following the sale of their building, Dough Religion restaurant and ooZoo bar will close this week.

NEWS | CAMPUS

‘Dr. Miami’ talks Judaism, plastic surgery at Chabad

By Alexandra Regueiro | Feb. 26, 2017

The star of an upcoming WE TV soap opera, a cosmetic surgeon named “Dr. Miami” spoke to students Friday about how he finds compatibility between Judaism and plastic surgery.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Students start nonprofit to make prosthetics for kids

By Isaac Heller | Feb. 26, 2017

Two UF students are planning to make 100 prosthetic arms by August to give to children in less developed countries.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Instill the value of feminism to the next generation

Feb. 26, 2017

A few days ago, I went to visit a friend of mine who was tabling on Turlington Plaza for the Women’s Student Association’s Women’s Empowerment Week. She was there for a good portion of the day alongside other members of the organization, passing out “Girl Boss” temporary tattoos and collecting clothes to donate to Peaceful Paths, a local domestic-abuse shelter.

OPINION | COLUMNS

An ode to the journalists I know (and even the ones I don’t)

Feb. 26, 2017

This column begins with a disclaimer: Although I served on staff at the Alligator during the past year, I have never claimed to be a journalist. I pulled some long nights with my fellow editors, I helped writers revise their ledes, and I wrote many a headline in my time — but I’ve never gone out and gotten the scoop or snapped the photograph. With that said, I believe my outsider-turned-insider perspective might shed some light on the hard work your local journalists — and their counterparts around the globe — do each day to get the story and get the story right.

OPINION | EDITORIALS

We must continue to fight hate crimes

Feb. 26, 2017

Last week in Kansas, three men were shot — one killed — by a shooter who was tossing ethnic slurs at two of the men, who were from India (the third had jumped in to help). Last Friday, near the Tampa area, a prayer-hall in the Islamic Society of New Tampa was intentionally set on fire. That’s just in the last week.

METRO

Officials: Gunman killed after firing at Sabal Trail, fleeing law enforcement

By Martin Vassolo | Feb. 26, 2017

A man wielding a high-powered rifle was shot and killed in Citrus County, Florida, on Sunday after firing at the Sabal Trail Transmission pipeline and leading local law enforcement on a car chase, authorities said.

UF pitcher Brady Singer throws a pitch during Florida's 2-0 win against Miami on Feb. 25, 2017, at McKethan Stadium.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Florida blanks Miami, makes history in series win

By Patrick Pinak | Feb. 25, 2017

Of all the great teams and rotations Florida has had throughout the program’s years, none have accomplished what Florida did Saturday.

UF shortstop Sophia Reynoso bats during Florida's 9-3 win over Northwestern State on Feb. 17, 2017, at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Gators softball team earns two very different wins

By Skyler Lebron | Feb. 25, 2017

Two entirely different offensive performances from the Florida softball team met the same result Saturday afternoon in games three and four of the Citrus Classic in Orlando.

Kentucky's Malik Monk, left, looks for an opening on Florida's Justin Leon during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Saturday, Feb. 25, 2017, in Lexington, Ky. (AP Photo/James Crisp)

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Kentucky beats UF as Monk scores 33

By Matt Brannon | Feb. 25, 2017

Malik Monk looked like a mythical animal in Lexington.

Best-selling author James Patterson being interviewed by best-selling author and UF alumnus Michael Connelly during GatorNights in the Reitz Union on Friday.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Best-selling authors talk philanthropy, passion for writing at GatorNights

By Michael Smith Contributing Writer | Feb. 25, 2017

Saige Drecksler asked James Patterson if his teen novels are a break from his usual crime and terror stories during Patterson’s first UF visit Friday.