diff --git a/controllers/story.js b/controllers/story.js
index 0e7744071a..83c64ec94b 100644
--- a/controllers/story.js
+++ b/controllers/story.js
@@ -119,10 +119,14 @@ exports.storySubmission = function(req, res, next) {
         .replace(/[^a-z0-9]/gi, ' ')
         .replace(/\s+/g, ' ')
         .toLowerCase();
+    var link = data.link;
+    if (link.search(/^https?:\/\//g) === -1) {
+        link = 'http://' + link;
+    }
     var story = new Story({
         headline: data.headline,
         timePosted: Date.now(),
-        link: data.link,
+        link: link,
         description: data.description,
         rank: 0,
         upVotes: 0,
diff --git a/views/stories/stories.jade b/views/stories/stories.jade
index 9122d66c37..c3dcc96caa 100644
--- a/views/stories/stories.jade
+++ b/views/stories/stories.jade
@@ -19,11 +19,6 @@ h3
 
                             $(li).html("<div class='row text-left'>" +
                                             "<div class='col-xs-3 col-sm-1'>" +
-                                                "<div class='row'>" +
-                                                    "<div class='col-xs-12 big-ion-up-arrow'>" +
-                                                        "<i class='ion-arrow-up-b'></i>" +
-                                                    "</div>" +
-                                                "</div>" +
                                                 "<div class='story-up-votes'>" +
                                                     "<span>" + rank + "</span>" +
                                                 "</div>" +