Vol. 71, Issue 13

THE PAISANO

Student, faculty veterans counter THC ban

Erick Henriquez Camargo/The Paisano

By Marisela Cruz News Editor

Gov. Greg Abbott and Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick vetoed the state THC ban on June 22 under Senate Bill 3. Now, at the federal level, THC retailers could experience new obstacles with President Donald Trump signing the funding bill to reopen the government, including a measure banning nearly all THC products.

The new restrictions on hemp products would cap the amount of THC permitted in a product to 0.4 milligrams per package. The majority of THC products would need to be removed from shelves if the ban takes effect next year.

Kentucky Sen. Mitch McConnell added the THC provision into the spending bill. U.S. representatives, including Dan Crenshaw, Sylvia Garcia and Marc Veasey, opposed the hemp ban amendment.

There have been studies documenting the benefits that THC and cannabis products have on veterans who struggle with post-traumatic stress disorder. Pain from injuries and various mental illnesses can be soothed by THC products as well. Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. sent a letter to Congress on Nov. 13 explaining the importance of THC products as an alternative to prescription drugs.

“These could offer a real alternative to the heavy prescription drugs so many of our veterans are given for PTSD, anxiety, pain and sleep problems,” VFW stated. “Every day, doctors hand out strong sedatives and psychoactive meds to help veterans cope. They work for some, but too many end up hooked, numb or dealing with brutal side effects.”

U.S. Army veteran and UT San Antonio Mechanical Engineering student Rod Reshel commented on the THC ban being a barrier to accessible pain management for veterans.

“We have an issue with both pain, both physically, emotionally, stuff like that, as veterans, depending on our

situation,” Reshel explained. Thus far, the primary way that’s been treated is with pharmaceuticals. The one issue is that a lot of the medical organizations do not consider the medications contradicting each other, causing negative effects.”

Reshel reflected on his experience of taking “manmade” drugs, leading to him having unwanted side effects and harmful life alterations. Instead of his doctors suggesting medical marijuana first, they offered him other types of medications. He explained how he felt like a guinea pig while taking so many pharmaceuticals.

Reshel said medical marijuana worked well for him and helped him stay functional. He thinks the federal ban is not about the health of veterans but about politics.

“The problem is, you can provide all the factual data that shows it and that demonstrates clearly this is exactly what they need. But if a political perspective is not

anxiety. It helps manage my PTSD symptoms. The relief is a lot more immediate than some of the anti-anxiety medications and PTSD medications were given.”

She elaborated on the benefits she has experienced from consuming THC and cannabis.

“It’s better than taking five pills a day than smoking a couple of joints. The relief is immediate, and it really does have a relaxing effect that feels a lot better than some of the worst side effects in prescription medications,” she explained.

When asked about the possibility of this ban next year and its effect on veterans, she thinks people will continue to use THC products illegally.

“You’re not going to stop people from using it, whether it’s legal or not. I mean, there are people whose lives have been saved, honestly, from using it,” the Navy veteran

Nirenberg announces his bid for county judge

By Jake Mireles Editor-in-Chief

Former San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg has announced his bid for Bexar County judge. Nirenberg seeks to unseat fellow Democrat and incumbent Judge Peter Sakai. Nirenberg runs on a platform he describes as “proactive,” juxtaposing the “reactive” nature of Sakai’s tenure. Nirenberg has been a vocal critic of Sakai, seeking to upset the current judge over disagreements on

“I don’t think the office is performing the way it should.”

leadership and direction for Bexar County.

“I don’t think that the office is performing the way it should,” Nirenberg said in an interview with SA Report. “It’s been reactionary to major issues. And frankly, we need strong leadership.”

Despite the title, the county judge does not commonly preside over a traditional court. Instead, they are the presiding officer of the Bexar County Commissioners Court — the governing body of Bexar County. Essentially, the county judge is the mayor’s counterpart at the county level. The county judge oversees all departments of the county government, while fulfilling a plethora of other duties, like approving beer license applications, signing

delayed birth certificates and performing wedding ceremonies.

Sakai was elected in November of 2022, and his term will expire on Jan. 1, 2027. During his bid for county judge and his tenure, Sakai has pursued numerous initiatives centered around community engagement, public safety, economic development and infrastructure improvement. According to Bexar County, Sakai has worked to ensure collaboration between educational and workforce systems to promote financial success among the Bexar County youth. Additionally, Sakai has also increased available resources for law enforcement and strengthened economic bonds with neighboring counties and regions. The judge also focused on expanding infrastructure projects for county roads and bridges, as well as flood control and broadband infrastructure.

Nirenberg’s including focus on public safety, improving economic opportunities and improving transportation infrastructure. However, Nirenberg has highlighted finding regional solutions to the affordable housing crisis, implementing sustainable development and environmentally-conscious initiatives and strengthening healthcare access. As his campaign is in its infancy, specific policies and practices Nirenberg will employ to accomplish these goals remain largely unclear.

Both candidates boast extensive resumes that speak

to their qualifications for the position. As the incumbent, Sakai has direct experience and accomplishments he can reference to support his case for reelection. Sakai also possesses an extensive legal background, serving as the Appellate Assistant D.A. in the Bexar County District Attorney’s Office and the Associate Judge of the Children’s Court, while also operating a solo Nirenberg has little legal experience on his resume, his platform gained experience as the longest-serving Mayor of San Antonio. Nirenberg seemed to be popular among his constituents, boasting a 56% approval rating according to polling conducted by UT San Antonio’s Center for

upcoming primary election for Bexar County Judge will be on March 3, 2026. Early voting will begin on Feb. 17 and will run until Feb. 27, 2026. The general election will take place on Nov. 5,

Marijuana plants grown by Sweet Sensi in Austin, Texas. Sweet Sensi also grows hemp plants which are pending a federal ban set to take effect in November 2026.

Researchers initiate program to study Alzheimer’s, dementia

By Johnpaul Buwule Staff Writer

UT San Antonio researchers secured a grant from the National Institute on Aging to fund their research hub, the San Antonio Center for Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias, Population Aging and Social Studies. The research will have a multidisciplinary approach — combining neuropsychology, demography, public health and biology — to address the social and biological factors for Alzheimer’s and dementia in aging populations.

Dr. Fernando Riosemena, a psychology and sociology professor, co-leads CAPAS with Dr. Rebecca Wong, a professor in the Department of Population Health Sciences. During an interview with The Paisano, Riosmena shed light on CAPAS and its meaning for the future of Alzheimer’s studies and UT San Antonio.

Riosmena highlighted how the center’s focus will differentiate from previous examinations with groups studied.

“There tends to be household-based surveys in which a full diagnosis of Alzheimer’s is complicated. It’s lengthy. It requires a couple of visits to a memory clinic, for example, or a specialized physician. Translating those kinds of diagnoses to a population is complicated,” Riosemena said. “Our center focuses a lot on Hispanic [people], especially the health of folks as well in the city and the region through some studies.”

When explaining the importance of focusing on the Hispanic population, Riosmena stated, “Hispanics are one of the largest groups in the country, in terms of racial groups.” He continued, “There’s a lack of research on Hispanics. To some degree, the data infrastructure has improved, but these data sources are relatively new or emerging.”

Through focused examination of the Hispanic population and the development of Alzheimer’s, Riosmena and his colleagues hope to mend the research gap in Hispanic health disparities.

“What we proposed is to kind of catch up or help researchers catch up by promoting research that uses this data, so our center not only includes promoting or helping fund work for research that examines different Hispanic [Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias], it will also promote easier access to many of these data,” Riosmena said.

Riosmena unpacks the current challenges in measuring Alzheimer’s from large blood samples or traveling to local clinics, citing blood spots as a potential remedy.

“The research we will be supporting kind of tries to improve our understanding of how to measure [Alzheimer’s and

dementia] in different ways. One of them is with biomarkers, with blood measures,” Riosmena detailed.

He explains how their studies will examine “[if] it’s possible to measure [Alzheimer’s] with a blood spot instead of a full puncture,” and look into the practicality of measuring Alzheimer’s using a blood spot.

In addition to lab tests, CAPAS aims to understand the cultural and social factors driving Alzheimer’s disease.

“Anything that relates to educational opportunities, equality and quality of education is potentially related to [Alzheimer’s and dementia],” Riosmena highlighted when discussing how building knowledge over time can protect against the effects of Alzheimer’s.

The CAPAS program’s multidisciplinary research joins prestigious institutions, such as the University of California at Berkeley and Johns Hopkins University, to use NIA grants to study the effects of Alzheimer’s. According to UT San Antonio Today, CAPAS is helping UT San Antonio advance its mission to become a research powerhouse.

Courtesy/Fernando Riosmena

Federal dispute over Texas usage of Congressional map for midterm

By Henry Holmes Staff Writer

Spring elections are growing closer, but federal courts are currently undecided on which map Texas will use for its congressional races. On Nov. 18, a federal court suspended the state from using its newly drawn map resulting from gerrymandering; however, that decision has since been temporarily blocked by Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito.

Gov. Greg Abbott signed a mid-decade map for Texas Congressional districts in August. The map was issued after requests from President Donald Trump and will likely give Republicans five additional seats in the House of Representatives. The map’s passage came after Texas democratic representatives fled the state in protest, citing partisan and racial gerrymandering.

Austin, Houston and Dallas were predominantly affected, with several districts flipping from Democrat to Republican majorities. In the San Antonio area, the map drew Progressive Congressman Greg Casar, District 35, who represents east and downtown San Antonio, out of his district. Under the 2025 map, Casar would run in District 37, currently occupied by fellow progressive representative Lloyd Doggett.

In response, the League of United Latin American Citizens, the nation’s largest and oldest Hispanic organization, sued Abbott and other Texas officials to overturn the map. The lawsuit alleges that “[substantial] evidence shows that Texas racially gerrymandered the 2025 Map.”

According to the lawsuit, the head of the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division sent a letter to Texas lawmakers stating that four districts in Texas were unconstitutional since they were majority nonwhite, with no racial group holding a majority. The letter states the DOJ would press legal action if the racial issues were not rectified.

The lawsuit also highlights testimony from Dr. Moon Duchin, a statistics professor at the University of Chicago, explaining that race-based decision-making best describes the 2025 map. Duchin ran a program simulating hundreds

State of the City Week of 11/25

By Maria Wence Assistant Multimedia Editor

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of thousands of potential districts and compared the average racial makeup of the districts with the 2025 map. If the new map were race-neutral, then current demographics would fall within a hypothetical range. In the Houston and Dallas areas, four and three districts were statistical anomalies, respectively, while Austin-San Antonio had three districts on the outer edges of expectations. Duchin concluded that it was highly unlikely that the map was drawn without race in mind.

The three-judge Western District Court of Texas for the U.S. agreed with LULAC, restoring the previous 2021 map, stating, “[the] 2025 Map’s racial characteristics did not result from the blind pursuit of partisan gain, but from the intentional manipulation of the districts’ racial makeup.”

Casar praised the decision.

“The Trump-Abbott maps are clearly illegal, and I’m glad these judges have blocked them,” said Casar. “If this decision stands, I look forward to running for reelection in my current district.”

The governor’s office shot back by immediately appealing the decision to the Supreme Court, asking for SCOTUS to overturn the district court’s decision. The state asserts that the decision happened too close to the spring elections and that LULAC should have produced an alternate map, a factor that is usually required.

The appeal was sent to Alito through the Supreme Court’s increasingly controversial shadow docket. It was not accompanied by oral arguments or a response from LULAC. Alito granted the state’s request, independent of the rest of the court. His ruling will stay in place, pending a further decision from the other eight justices.

Yesterday, LULAC was due to respond to the application, and the case will likely be ongoing for the next few weeks or month.

The court’s ultimate decision is uncertain as it is currently hearing a challenge to Louisiana redistricting and the Voting Rights Act. In the past, the court has shifted away from race-based solutions, believing that those “remedies are permissible for a period of time,” not indefinitely. Readers can stay up to date at paisano-online.com.

Drunk driver hits pedestrian in South Side

An intoxicated driver was accused of striking and killing a pedestrian on the South Side. The crash happened around 2 a.m. on Nov. 23 on the 4900 block of South Flores Street. It resulted in the inebriated suspect’s arrest. The pedestrian was crossing South Flores Street when a speeding truck struck them. The 41-year-old victim was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver, a 21-year-old man, was found to be intoxicated. The investigation remains ongoing.

International student enrollment declines

By Matthew Ybarra Staff Writer

The Institute of International Education, the leading source of data on international students, published its preliminary data report of recent international student enrollment trends, known as “Open Doors.” This collection of data, released this month, featured a smaller sample size in comparison to Open Doors’ typical survey of 3,000 higher education institutions. However, the reduced size of 828 institutions still accounts for 63% of the entire population of international students.

IIE and its partnering research associations found a 17% decline among new international students in comparison to the previous year. Additionally, the research unveils that 57% of the institutions report a decrease in new international student enrollments overall, 29% note an increase and 14% indicate consistent trends. International student applications for next year have waned, as the number of total applications by Nov. 1 fell 9% from 2024.

Within the IIE report, 96% of the institutions indicated visa application concerns as an issue for enrollment. Some experts attribute the decrease in enrollment to actions taken by President Donald Trump’s administration, including the visa revocations of 6,000 students, suspensions of visa interviews and a travel ban on 19 countries.

Fanta Aw, CEO of NAFSA: Association of International Educators, the world’s largest nonprofit focused on international education, spoke on the enrollment downturn.

“It is an overall sentiment from international students that they’re no longer welcomed in the U.S.,” Aw stated. Experts are also monitoring the economic effects of these trends, as NAFSA estimates a $1.1 billion hit to the U.S. economy. Additionally, NASFA found that during the 2024–25 academic year, international students contributed around $43 billion to the U.S. economy while occupying over 355,000 jobs. In Texas, international students contributed an estimated $2.4 billion to the economy within the same academic year. NAFSA projects the number of international students will drop by roughly 80,000 to 94,000, or 15%, across Texas. This would result in a $388 million decrease in international students’ usual contribution to the state’s economy.

Universities across Texas are preparing for a financial hit. The University of North Texas is expecting a $47.3 million loss from international tuition. The University of Texas at Arlington estimates a loss of 300 undergraduate students due to a policy change that excludes in-state tuition for those without legal status. The university with the most international students among universities in Texas, The University of Texas at Dallas, is anticipating a $28 million decrease in tuition and fees this academic year. The Paisano reached out to UT San Antonio for data on their international student enrollment, but did not receive a response.

Raul Jimenez’s Thanksgiving Dinner

Volunteers for the annual Raul Jimenez Thanksgiving Dinner work to feed nearly 30,000 people this Thursday for what is anticipated to be the largest turnout in years. It has become one of the largest Thanksgiving benefits in the country, and this year it looks to serve approximately 29,000 people in person and deliver roughly 4,600 meals for those who cannot leave their homes. In total, 678 turkeys have been purchased for this year’s feast.

to the Texas Department of Public

weapons and drugs were

speeding in a

a

Side

zone during a traffic stop. The department announced in a social media post that more than 100 THC vape cartridges, 258 grams of THC, 4.91 ounces of marijuana and multiple handguns were found. Out of the three males found inside the car, one suspect had an active warrant out of Lytle; the others were taken into custody.

Pictured above: Professor of Psychology and Sociology Fernando Riosmena.

OPINION

Texas’ 2025 map amplifies racial voting disparities

Supreme Court temporarily allows the state to gerrymander based on race

Editorial

After District Judge Jefferey Brown struck down the Texas’ 2025 redistricting map because it was racially contrived, Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito issued a temporary pause on Brown’s ruling, allowing Texas to tentatively use the 2025 map. The Supreme Court’s ruling is only a drop in the endless ripples of rulings that have unsettled decades of constitutional precedent and normalcy. For decades, Texas has redistricted after every new census, which happens every ten years. Following a call from President Donald Trump in July to create a new map, Texas redistricted after redrawing its map not even five years prior in 2021. This allowed Texas to gain five congressional seats ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. Texas’ 2025 map not only deviates from the decades-old cycle but does so with the intention of showing subservience to the executive branch, detailing the lengths the Trump administration is willing to go to meddle and interfere with election results.

Redistricting is already a polarizing political act, but it should not be done at the service or authority of any other political official besides the representatives of the redrawn districts.

the 2025 maps only worsen it. Texas districts are drawn in a way that not only places Democrats at a disadvantage but also limits the voting power of lower-income individuals and people of color, with white people making up 40% of the Texas population and controlling 73% of Texas’ congressional seats.

By redrawing the map, a lower court has found that the 2025 map exacerbates already racially polarized, drawn-out districts, making it clear that — along

Texas is a heavily gerrymandered state, and

with Samuel Alito’s temporary block — Texas is set on attaining its red hue by minimizing the voices of people of color through maximizing the white vote. Throughout the 2025 map, districts are meticulously

A&M trashes tolerance

Commentary

By Audrey Villar Web Editor

Censorship has set sail with The Texas A&M University System at the helm. The A&M System Board of Regents voted unanimously to ban teaching “race and gender” ideology in classes on Nov. 13 unless teachers obtain signed permission from each campus president. A&M System defined race ideology as “a concept that attempts to shame a particular race or ethnicity,” including labeling any race as an “oppressor.” Gender ideology is described as “a concept that selfassessed gender identity should replace the biological category of sex.” This sweeping ban represents Texas A&M System’s stance on diversity, equity and inclusion, and it poses a great risk to the values of higher education, culture and academia.

This instance is not the system’s first stand against inclusion and diversity, and it will likely not be the last. In September, Texas A&M University fired Professor Melissa McCoul after a lesson on gender identities was recorded and posted by a student. The lesson was ultimately found to violate President Donald Trump’s order that there are only two sexes. The university failed to back McCoul and allowed the unjust termination of her and two other innocent staff members’ jobs.

Following that controversy, A&M System put the last nail in the coffin. Officially banning the teachings of race and gender is the system’s final say in the matter of diversity teachings — efforts toward inclusion and advocacy for acceptance are not admissible within university walls.

By affirming this ban, Texas A&M System creates opportunities for harmful racist and homophobic rhetoric to flourish

on what is already one of the most conservative college campuses in the U.S. Official bans only further support the presence of bigotry on campus. University systems ought to be the strongest advocates of free speech and diversity as institutions of knowledge, not vessels for intolerance.

This ban not only hinders the embrace of diversity but also course accuracy. Racism and LGBTQ+ intolerance play vital roles in history and present-day job training. History cannot be accurately taught without the inclusion of racism’s impact on families, industries and political climates. For A&M System to omit racism from lessons, the university promotes historical revisionism. Understanding LGBTQ+ and racial differences is vital, especially as intolerance remains prevalent in patient and client care. By not teaching students “race and gender ideology,” Texas A&M System denies them the comprehensive education they are paying for.

A&M System has failed once again to preserve the values that any respectable university should carry. The regents have turned their backs on their students’ well-being and education, choosing to favor bigotry and insularity over cultural acceptance. Universities must fight against closed-mindedness, not fan the flames of intolerance.

drawn in a manner that relies on a low turnout rate of Texas’ Hispanic population. The 2025 map has combined or modified districts, such as appending San Antonio’s District 118 with conservative Guadalupe, to attain a higher turnout of white voters. Even though Gov. Greg Abbott and Republican legislators would like the public to think they are supporting a diverse group of voters, they are strategically redistricting to ensure the fortification and retention of their power through white votes — the very reason Brown struck down the map. In the lower court’s case, Texas claimed that these maps were drawn race blind, but as Brown notes in his 2-1 majority opinion, it is “extremely unlikely” that Texas drew the map blind to race. When taking into consideration that Republicans redrew the map in a way that relies on a lower voter turnout of people of color, it should be abundantly clear that the 2025 map will amplify racial disparities ahead of the 2026 midterms, giving Republicans a racist edge over Democrats. Texas has a long, decrepit history of denying people of color the right to vote and minimizing their voting power since the Civil Rights Act of 1965 was passed. The map is only emblematic of the state’s past. Texas has not put behind its racist past, but rather, has only transformed it to make bigoted tactics legally and socially permissible.

Dethrone Bo French

By McKenzie Siller Staff Writer

Bo French unwillingly stepped down as Tarrant County’s Republican Party Chairman on Nov. 12, announcing it via an X post. With his resignation came the announcement of his intention to run for the Texas Railroad Commission in the 2026 election. After being forced out of one station of power, he now attempts to flee to another. French should not be elected for this new position.

The ex-chairman did not resign from his previous position on his own terms; he was forced out by his fellow Republican leaders. French has a history of publicly making bigoted comments online. For instance, he posted a poll on X asking, “Who is the bigger threat to America?” with the answer choices being “Jews” or “Muslims.” He also used “gay” to describe a male voter’s advertisement, as if it were an insult. These are just some of the many intolerant statements French has made, and with every post, the public’s uproar swelled.

Outcries grew to the point where the Republican Party Leaders urged French to resign. French used his position of power to express whatever racist thoughts came to mind, gaining a following through his seemingly reckless posts. Now that he has lost his power and security, he seeks a new spot to take its place.

In French’s campaign announcement,

he stated, “I’m running for Railroad Commissioner to put American citizens, American interests and American energy first.” Yet, he has degraded many Americans with his hate speech. He says that he will fight for American citizens, despite targeting them with his close-minded rhetoric. He says that he will protect his people and defend them from harmful organizations, such as “radical Islamists” and the Chinese Communist Party. Yet, he sits on his high horse and debases the people of his country, the very people he swore to protect. He expects voters to believe him when he claims he will be an exemplary leader. time between French’s retort on Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program users and his resignation as chairman, followed by the commissioner campaign announcement, was not long enough for a sudden code switch in his brain. The influence he had as chairman is why he felt so comfortable spewing his hateful beliefs, but he no longer has that security. If French were to become Railroad Commissioner, he would have that power back in his arsenal, giving him the ability to continue bashing groups he deems inferior. French must be left vulnerable so that his slander can be leashed.

Bo French is a man of prejudice and of hypocrisy. He claims to protect the people, then turns his back on those he deems unworthy of his “protection.” Do not give French another platform; he does not need a new megaphone for his hate speech.

America still quakes in presence of strong women

Commentary

By Luna Infante Opinion Editor

This country is not ready for a woman to lead it. Not because women are incapable of leadership, or are too emotional or impulsive — but because the country still behaves unjustly towards women’s mere existence. America is nowhere near ready to handle a woman in charge. In the U.S., a woman still earns 81 cents to a man’s dollar and has no guaranteed bodily autonomy. Even more concerning is the nation’s complacency in being led by someone so clearly marked and moved by misogyny.

The disgraceful President Donald Trump paves the way for new levels of sexism in U.S. politics, referring to women as “piggy,” “crazy,” “nasty,” “horse face” and “play toyHe is the same man who said to grab women by the “p–ssy.” As Michelle Obama recently called out, no, the U.S. is not ready for a woman president.

At a promotional event for Obama’s new book, “The Look,” the former first lady answered actress Tracee Ellis Ross’ question about whether there has been

“enough room” created for a woman president.

“As we saw in the past election, sadly, we ain’t ready,” Obama said. “That’s why I’m like, don’t even look at me about running ‘cause you all are lying. You’re not ready for a woman,” she persisted.

“We got a lot of growing up to do, and there’s still a lot of men who do not feel like they can be led by a woman and we saw it.”

Although disheartening, it is true — the nation has yet to respect women in politics the same way it respects men in general. If an ounce of the same respect and trust given to Trump were given to women in political leadership, and the country felt comfortable and empowered under a woman president, the path toward gender equality would glow brighter. Women are underrepresented in decision-making worldwide, and the U.S. only exacerbates this by supporting a misogynistic, tyrannic sexual abuser as a president and spitting on the very name of feminism.

Kamala Harris and Hilary Clinton have fallen victim to disgusting portrayals of sexism in their respective elections against Trump. Slogans like “Joe and

The Hoe Gotta Go” have been plastered on fan-made flags, while Trump has shamefully tweeted, “If Hillary Clinton can’t satisfy her husband what makes her think she can satisfy America #MakeAmericaGreatAgain.” This is the environment the U.S. has created, the one its leader continues to foster.

Although humanity has made steps toward gender equality for centuries, this country continues to recklessly unravel years of progress. The longstanding fight for gender equality cannot be for nothing. Women are not treated as equals, much less in this country and even less by its leader. People have begun to wake up to the Trump administration’s infringements on free speech and flashes of fascism, yet the sneaky, seemingly easily dismissible issue of sexism continues to be swept under the rug.

Sexism and misogyny in the U.S. stand strong not only because of the president and political leaders, but because of those who tell

a woman she is too aggressive as a boss, or beautiful for someone so smart. To those who question women’s intelligence, their abilities as mothers, leaders and human

Commentary

Marcela Montufar Soria/The Paisano

Jasmine Williams/ The Paisano

Kara Lee/The Paisano

Philip Murphy/The Paisano

Welcome to hell, ‘cemetery of living’

Commentary

By Lyna Arraour Assistant Opinion Editor

In a deeply troubling three-country arrangement, 252 Venezuelan migrants in the U.S. were rounded up and shipped to a notoriously inhumane prison in El Salvador, Centro de Confinamiento del Terrorismo. White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson defended the move, stating President Donald Trump’s administration was “grateful for [their] partnership with Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele to help remove the worst of the worst violent criminal illegal aliens from American communities.”

However, the government’s own records — reviewed by outlets including the Texas Tribune and ProPublica — tell a drastically different story. Only 3% of migrants deported had been convicted of violent offenses and over 82% had no criminal record in the U.S., Venezuela or any Latin American country. So, they are not the “worst of the worst” — just individuals seeking safety, opportunity and the American dream.

One Venezuelan man, a children’s soccer coach unable to earn enough in his home country, attempted to immigrate

under former President Joe Biden’s administration’s CBP One program, a mobile application. At his appointment, officials flagged his tattoos, isolated him for months and eventually sent him to El Salvador. In response, the Department of Homeland Security insisted that these migrants were members of the Tren de Aragua and MS-13 gangs from Venezuela, stating the groups are “some of the most violent and ruthless terrorist gangs on planet earth” that “rape, maim and murder for sport.” To identify individuals as dangerous based solely on a tattoo — whether the DHS admits it or not — is bigoted and a frightening intrusion upon residential rights and fundamental human rights that every detainee is owed.

According to the Human Rights Watch and Cristosal, 252 American dreamers were subjected to arbitrary detention and enforced disappearance under international human rights law. The public’s silence regarding the U.S.’ continuous breach of global law, harming thousands of innocent lives, speaks volumes to citizens’ complacency toward an increasingly fascist society.

Upon arrival at their designated prison, the Center for the Confinement

of Terrorism, a prison official told the migrants, “You have arrived in hell.” He was not exaggerating.

Reports of starvation, beatings, torture and cells tightly packed with hundreds of detainees are routine. El Salvadorian prisons, with an official capacity for 70,000 people, now hold more than 109,000. It was reported that 3,300 children have been arrested, with over 66 cases of children subjected to torture, and 350 prisoners have died. Several reported suicidal thoughts; at least one attempted suicide.

Prison officials allegedly told the men that “nobody knew they were here,” that they “would never get out alive” and that “their families had abandoned them.” As ProPublica reporter Melissa Sanchez reported, “The men I’ve spoken to can’t sleep. They close their eyes and remember being beat constantly.”

Frequent reports from detainees, relatives and lawyers continue to reveal the abuse within the Salvadorian prison system, including incessant beating, verbal degradation and in some cases, sexual abuse.

Continue reading online at paisano-online.com

Trillion for Musk, nothing for people

Commentary

By Neha Nathwani

Copyediting Coordinator

Money was never meant to remain stagnant and work against the people. It was meant to move — from paycheck to groceries, from taxes to schools and from one set of hands to another. But money does not seem to circulate anymore; it pools. It collects at the top like rainwater in a broken gutter, rising higher and higher into the social strata until one person can stand on the roof and look down at the peasants. Now, somehow, Americans live in a world where one man holds more wealth than entire nations.

Elon Musk could become the world’s first trillionaire. His company, Tesla Inc., secured shareholder approval for a compensation plan that could, if every target is met, hand him up to $1 trillion in stock options. That is not a payday. That is a monopoly. This windfall is not immediate income. To meet this standard, Musk must steer Tesla to a market value of about $8.5 trillion by 2035, deliver 20 million vehicles in a decade, deploy 1 million robot taxis and “humanoid” robots and stay CEO for at least seven and a half years.

While Musk already has more money than most Americans could spend or earn in a lifetime, many wonder if they will have enough for baby formula, a holiday meal or a roof over their head. The wealth gap is not just wide; it is a black hole swallowing Americans entirely.

People can say what they want about entrepreneurship, vision and risk-taking, and Musk might have an astounding work

ethic or revolutionary ideas. However, this kind of wealth accumulation — especially when built atop sprawling corporate structures, worker issues and environmental costs — should raise every eyebrow.

Musk cashes in on the myth that trillionaires are made through grit, not the kind of exploitation one can practically see from space. Tesla did not just climb its way

into history on “innovation;” it relied on workers pulling brutal shifts, discrimination lawsuits stacking up like Amazon boxes and safety violations the company referred to as “misunderstandings.”

Hard work does not create fortunes this large; systems do. Musk was lucky to

have an environment that rewarded his decisions, including billions of dollars in government contracts. If Musk reaches trillionaire status, it will not be proof of his brilliance; it will be proof that exploitation is a business model. Musk just happens to be its star employee of the century.

That is the problem with the idea that wealth is equivalent to hard work. If wealth were a meritocracy, then nurses, construction workers, farmers and teachers would be millionaires, billionaires or trillionaires. Musk should not earn more than the combined salaries of every elementary school teacher in America. It is not because average Americans do not work hard, but because they do not walk away with stock options worth more than the gross domestic product of most countries.

Society should not just build on whoever amasses the most, but rather on what people primarily need. Money must flow. When one person hoards astronomical sums, the rest do not get the benefits of circulation, including higher consumption, more jobs and stronger growth rates. When wealth concentrates, society becomes imbalanced.

Citizens do not need trillionaires to worship. They need systems that respect the majority. They need value that is not just about stock options and valuations, but about people, dignity and real redistribution. The danger does not lie in one man becoming a trillionaire, but rather, the rest barely being able to reach it.

Trump kills fourth estate trust

Commentary

By Jake Mireles Editor-in-Chief

During his political career, President Donald Trump has engaged in a seemingly endless war with multiple fronts, combating numerous pillars of the political establishment of the U.S. Trump maintains very public feuds with prominent Democratic politicians, former President Joe Biden, members of the Republican Party and former members of his administration. However, Trump’s most well-known and vicious battle has been with the press. This war escalated exponentially when Trump defended Saudi

and the fourth estate is a hallmark of authoritarian rulers — a tool historically used to consolidate power. Major authoritarian rulers of the 20th century — including Adolf Hitler, Joseph Stalin and Mao Zedong — promoted distrust of news publications and journalists to entrench their influence. These dictators made the public question the reliability of journalists who reported information unaligned with their respective regimes’ messages, leaving state propagandists as the only reliable source for information.

Trump is no different. Since he first assumed office in 2017, Trump has accused the press of being an “enemy of the American people.” This inflammatory language was dangerous before, as it delegitimized the work of reporters who informed the public on important issues affecting their well-being. This comment strengthened an echo chamber of misinformation pushed by the administration. Moreover, Trump has now alluded to accepting the ordered murder of journalists. The leader of the free world is excusing the killing

The Paisano

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of Khashoggi. This is a dangerous escalation of Trump’s authoritarianism that should not be overlooked.

News media is an essential tool for the public to receive information about local, state and national events that affect their everyday lives. The press helps voters form and conceptualize their political ideologies, providing them with the groundwork to engage in the U.S. political process. The war on this essential pillar of U.S. democracy only serves to harm the nation and entrench Trump’s political power.

The defense of a journalist’s killing is a heinous and unjustifiable act unfitting for the office of the president. Journalism as a profession and a resource must be protected at all costs. Labeling journalists as liars and accepting their murder may be the stance of this administration, but this cannot translate into a widely accepted practice.

Trump’s war with the press has created an environment of confusion within the American public — no one knows what is real, what is not and who to trust when it comes to the dissemination of information. This may be the most detrimental consequence of his administration.

The Paisano is published by the Paisano Educational Trust, a non-profit, tax exempt, educational organization. The Paisano is operated by members of the Student Newspaper Association, a registered student organization. The Paisano is NOT sponsored, financed or endorsed by UTSA. New issues are published every Tuesday during the fall and spring semesters, excluding holidays and exam periods. The Paisano is distributed on the UTSA Main Campus. Additionally, Paisano publications are distributed at a variety of off-campus locations, including Tri-point and a variety of apartment complexes near the UTSA Main Campus. All revenues are generated through advertising and donations. Advertising inquiries and donations should be directed to: 14526 Roadrunner Way Suite 101 San Antonio, TX 78249 Phone: (210) 690-9301 © 2025 The Paisano The University of Texas at San Antonio’s Handbook of Operating Procedures states in 5.03 that: The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) will not exercise control over the format or content of Student Publications, but will regulate distribution on campus. Student Publications will be free of censorship and advance approval of copy, and their editors and managers are solely responsible for editorial and content policies and decisions. Editors and managers of Student Publications will not be subject to arbitrary suspension/ expulsion or removal from their positions within a Registered or Sponsored Student Organization (Student Organization) by the University because of student, faculty, administrative, or public disapproval of editorial policy or content. Student Organizations that distribute Student Publications are afforded the same rights and privileges as Student Organizations that do not distribute Student Publications.

ARTS & LIFE

Explore poet Sam Brammel’s lexicon

By Natalia Loera Contributor

Crises surrounding drugs are common in the U.S., such as the popularization of fentanyl, the impactful crack cocaine epidemic in the early 80s and the normalization of steroids. Samuel Brammell, a senior English major with a concentration in creative writing, is writing his thesis on the major opioid epidemic and his experiences with recovery through a poetic voice.

The creative writer, who was born in Houston, Texas, before residing in Smithville, Texas, attends UT San Antonio. He wants to surround himself with books and gain professorship for teaching and publishing.

His thesis project — “The Art of Catching Smoke” — splits into three sections of poetry. The writer takes inspiration from Ocean Vuong, Terrence Hayes,Victoria Chang and his advisor David Ray Vance.

The first section titled “Personal Inventory” houses “We the Hungry,” a poem which represents the settings of active addiction. Brammell uses the imagery of staggered lines to portray the exhaustingly longwinded voice of dependence. The organization of the poem reflects intensely on the feeling of it. The neverending continuity of his wording creates an exhausting desperation, absorbing readers into the world of addiction that reflects the experience semantically and structurally.

The second section, “The Rooms,” speaks on the experience of rehabilitation. Epiphanically, the poet realizes that isolating a single experience can be slippery.

“[It] can lead to fetishizing the experience of addiction, which is popular in canonical literature,” Brammel commented. “There is not a lot of conversation about recovery, but there is a lot when it comes to the sad moments.”

Brammell also mentions the difficulty of obtaining rehabilitation resources in his writing, especially with expensive insurance rates. Community and advocacy is underscored in this section. Leaning on communities, such as Alcoholics Anonymous and student bodies, the poet celebrates three years of sobriety.

“Various communities have all employed this incredible strategy that involves taking to the street and naming their oppressors and advocating for themselves, and history demonstrates that it works, even if slowly and painfully,” Brammell said.

Tying ideas of active addiction to rehabilitation, Brammell criticizes the perfectly-fitting puzzle pieces between drug usage and contemporary America in his last section, “The Living & the Dead.”

“It is about what it is to live in contemporary America,” Brammell described. “Living in the 24hour news cycle, constant dopamine stimulation, people getting polarized, the aftermath of the Sackler family and Purdue Pharma and the whole big quaking magnanimity of the whole thing.”

The current political and social state of the nation makes it a fast paced living hell that encourages drug usage. The writer mentions the nation’s current state follows a similar structure to his first poem in a “longwinded, intense, relentless poetic voice.” His usage of that same form of writing mirrors the fatigue of dealing with drug addiction — due to personal issues and the pharmaceutically driven nature of America.

In terms of self-criticism, Brammell says that even when revising constantly, there are parts that will never be satisfactory.

“Once you write and start trying to share it with people, it’s not just yours anymore,” Brammell reflected “It is not just about my experience but also about that mother or child who overdosed.”

The poet stated that it is very important for aspiring creative writers to believe in themselves. Organization is also critical.

“Make a spreadsheet and never delete prose — ever,” he advised.

Brammell’s “The Art of Catching Smoke” poetically demonstrates and advocates for people and recovery, all while declaring a very powerful political statement. It is an inspiringly magnificent approach that reflects the light at the end of the tunnel and understanding for people dealing with addiction.

Brammell will read from his thesis on Dec. 4 at 4 p.m. in the McKinney Humanities building in room 2.01.08. The event will be free and open to the public.

Documenting Godard’s style

By Marisela Cruz News Editor

A reimagined documentation of the process that took place for Jean-Luc Godard’s “Breathless” was recently released on Netflix directed by Richard Linklater. The notable director, known for his “Before” trilogy, successfully portrayed the 1960 film from the French new wave, “Breathless” in “Nouvelle Vague,” which stars Zoey Deutch as Jean Seberg and Aubry Dullin as Jean-Paul Belmondo.

“Nouvelle Vague” documents Godard’s sporadic directing style, his spontaneous character alongside his crass attitude as a film critic. One of the many great lines Godard’s character says during the film is, “the best way to criticize a film is to make one.”

The Paisano sat down with Assistant Department Chair of Modern Languages and Literatures Dr. Robert Watson, to discuss his particular analysis of the latest Linklater filwm. Monsieur Watson, as some students refer to him as, taught a French new wave cinema class last spring. He recalls that his class favored “Breathless” out of all the films they watched that semester.

“The French New Wave, a good thing to know about it is that it wasn’t a very well defined movement at the time,” Watson explained “It’s only in retrospect that people have come to see all these different directors as being part of this somewhat coherent group of people who were trying to change the way French cinema worked.”

Watson went into great detail on how Godard was a film critic as well as his many counterparts. Describing how the french cinephiles would proudly acclaim how cinema saved their lives.

“Movies basically gave them a creative way of looking at the world and interacting with the world,” Watson emphasized.

When describing Linklater and his film processes, Watson detailed how this was not his first time directing a film set in France as “Before Sunset” was shot in Paris, where “Breathless” takes place.

Linklater goes to great lengths in the film to show what Godard was doing was very unusual and completely against

By Christopher Delgado Arts & Life Editor

all norms of cinema at the time,” Watson said. “Against the doxa of how you should make a film in 1959-1960

Number one, he’s not shooting it in the studio. Number two, he’s not shooting it with very famous actors.”

In retrospect, the film was not a great success in 1960 as Watson recalls from his knowledge about the film’s history. Watson defends the film as holding up to the test of time and demonstrating how it continues to inspire cinephiles and aspiring directors alike. To create art on limited means and resources is possible and remains to be.

“I think it’s important that the film be made at this moment because some of the lessons of the New Wave have been forgotten by mainstream cinema. Films today, they’re not necessarily challenging or innovative or improvising in any way. ” Watson emphasized.

Next semester, Watson will instruct CSH 2113 Mediterranean Cinema, including coverage on the French new wave alongside Italian neorealism.

Foster teaches love in music

By Sarah Quintanilla Graphic Editor

Caroline Foster’s senior recital titled “To Fall In Love” boldly commences with the Spanish-inspired piece “Bolivar” by Eric Cook. Nervousness is evident in her playing. A beam of light illuminates onto Foster before she begins the next piece, “Ages” by Susan Mutter.

Foster and Deskakova are not in tandem in terms of pacing, but the resilience to stand in front of a large audience and play with such passion is a commendable act of bravery. There are mishaps and abrupt endings throughout, yet a sea of applause inundates the room as her zeal shines through and emotions show on her face. Tears well up under Foster’s red glasses during the fourth piece titled “Romance” by Axel Jorgensen, endearing the audience.

Foster came back with her partner and tenor trombone player Jayden Zunker-Trevino to prepare for an emotional piece composed by Foster herself, titled “Person~alities.” Both play in unison as the couple participates in a paused conversation with their instruments.

Foster reenters the stage wearing a polka dot palazzo. Foster’s father Frank Foster, Don Marchand, Rod Leonard and Lio Palacios accompany her. The performance of “Morceau Symphonique” by Alexandre Guilmat is the highlight of the night, as the vibrant piece, led by the drums, makes the audience bob their heads in enjoyment. It is reminiscent of “When the Saints Go Marching In” by Louis Armstrong.

Sitting in the audience on the far-left corner of the hall, a group of teenagers with blue shirts watch in awe. As a matter of fact, they are the surprise performers for her last piece. Foster introduces them as the Northside Independent School District wind symphony orchestra — a group that Foster has been teaching. In between tears, Foster thanks her loved ones, expressing her undying love for teaching and her plans to continue in the profession. She takes the role of conductor to interpret the last piece of the night: “Sweet Caroline” by Neil Diamond.

“I am just incredibly grateful that people showed up and [were] able to do this with people [who] love me and surround me,” Foster expresses. “I love music. Music Education is so important here in Texas, and it’s such a vital part of these kids’ growth and the way that people grow up. They need music. Everyone needs music, and it connects to so many people.”

Foster shares this beautiful moment with her students, which ends in a two-minute standing ovation. Foster’s enchanting ending gets better as she invites people to grab the mysterious boxes at the door that contain palm-sized cookies. A night full of details and well-thought-out preparations end Foster’s senior recital in a charming success.

Ezequiel Peña/The Paisano

in France.

Miles Jones/The Paisano

ARTS & LIFE

Congress stones THC products

Dialogue with employees of Hazel Sky and Cloud Factory about THC ban

By Natalia Loera Contributor

President Donald Trump signed a federal ban on most tetrahydrocannabinol-infused products, bringing back the limit to 0.4 milligrams of THC in products on Nov. 12. The ban will not go into effect until November 2026. The Paisano interviewed employees of two smoke shops, Hazel Sky and Cloud Factory, for their thoughts on the ban. They opted to remain anonymous.

Both stores had similar ambiance, with low lighting, LED lights and music playing softly in the background; it was a very relaxed atmosphere, and the employees were marvelously welcoming. As of now, both stores are stocked with items such as vapes, cannabis beverages and prerolled joints.

In regards to the amount of this new limitation, the Cloud Sky employee stated that the quantity is extremely small, but that it is doable since there are alternatives, such as THCA and THP. The Hazel Sky employee agreed

but stated some products already on their shelves would not apply to the ban.

Due to the decrease of THC allowed in products, some users’ preferred items will be taken off of shelves once the ban takes effect. Products like THC-infused gummies and drinks will be unavailable.

This matter is echoing through news stations nationwide. CNBC stated that the “threshold will wipe out 95% of the $28 billion hemp retail market when it takes effect in a year.”

“It is similar to when Texas tried to ban vapes as well. There was a significant portion of our business that would be affected, and some items were pulled off the shelves for weeks. I think we should have options that don’t impede people from doing business,” a Hazel Sky employee stated.

People struggling with their mental and physical health will also be affected by the removal of these products. The staff expressed their concerns.

“We have already noticed some nervousness around our clientele surrounding these limits being put into place,” the Cloud Factory employee mentioned. “We get a lot of customers who use it for various reasons; we get people with anxiety, insomnia and general health issues. We also get a lot of veterans with PTSD. The use of marijuana is not as recreational as people may think. THC, Delta-9 and marijuana have a lot of therapeutic properties that could arguably be more beneficial than prescriptions.”

“It will affect a lot of our customers,” the Hazel Sky employee commented. “Some people don’t want to smoke a joint, a preroll or flower, so that’s why we have the gummies and drinks. It will definitely affect our community.”

When discussing whether the ban should be regulated by the state or federally, both stores agreed that the answer is undefined; there are negatives and positives when comparing state and federal bans.

“[It is] probably better regulated through the federal level, so there is at least some sort of understanding of the legal landscape,” the Hazel Sky employee argued. “That, and I think at the end of the day, we don’t want to go backwards; we are all for regulation.”

Customers entering the store were buying prerolls, THC drinks and various vapes. They offered insight about needing these products in their lives to sleep, regulate anxiety and other medical issues. The lack of these products will affect not only users, but also those working in dispensaries.

Get lit with Light up the Lawn

By Emma Cavanaugh Staff Writer

Despite pouring rain, Roadrunners queued up in the HEB Student Union Ballroom on Nov. 20, awaiting their entrance to a night of diverse and fierce dancing at Light up the Lawn. The event is traditionally placed in the Brenan Lawn, where ‘Runners are invited to enjoy food and dance performances while participating in the lighting of the grounds. Nonetheless, Roadrunners persisted; a little bit of rain has never killed the Roadrunner spirit — time to party inside.

UT San Antonio knows exactly how to fill students with holiday joy, lining the walls with hot cocoa that satisfies one’s taste buds and warm, soft baked cookies that dance in one’s belly. During a stressful time of the year, hosting events to celebrate the holiday season and get students’ minds off their next deadline is a must. Recognizing the importance of gatherings to aid students in relieving stress deserves much praise.

A Roadrunner cannot help but line dance to Flex by Cupid. Students were poppin’ and lockin’ as the DJ spun tracks that demanded a jiggy. Finally, the Spirit of the Roadrunners came to the stage and introduced the first performance of the night.

Waving the ends of their dresses, women filled the stage, mesmerizing the crowd. The Folklórico dance team stole the spotlight that night. Mariachi songs and gritos echoed in the background. Stomping with each step and demanding attention, the men chill the room. Every dancer on that stage

exemplified the flirty Folklórico dance. Each dancer pranced into the audience and pulled an attendee to the stage to dance with them. The audience spun and clapped with the dancers; joy was abundant and bursting out of the room.

“This is a form of artistic expression, especially with regards to the culture of Mexico,” President of UT San Antonio Folkórico Jimena Martinez said. “It brings people together.” She highlighted that “to perform [at Light up the Lawn] is really special to us, because we don’t get to perform a lot.”

Red and blue lights swirled while girls in the cutest outfits of the century line into formation. With pop music blasting and the dancers hypnotically moving about, “K-pop stars” in black and white plaid skirts, with angel wings to boot, dazzled the stage.

Co-Captain of K-pop dance group Crown and sophomore physics major Anna Ramirez explained that “All of our dances are choreographed already by professional choreographers from Korea, so all of our dances are already done by K-pop groups and we just cover them.”

As Cardi-B boomed, the Citrus Diamonds Majorettedance team brought drama to the stage. It was difficult not to be in admiration for their sharp moves and bodacious attitudes. Every time the girls drop it low, the room erupts; the dancers knew exactly how to get the crowd hyped.

President of Citrus Diamonds and senior cybersecurity and information technology major, Adori Harrison, gave more insight into Citrus

“We take inspiration from different HBCUs around the country,” Harrison said. “We do this to bring our black culture to UTSA.”

Their dance was striking.

Co-Captain of Citrus Diamonds and sophomore health aging and society major with a sociology minor Rodneesha Dynes described how the performance came together.

“We did a little hip-hop inspiration and a little majorette inspiration, combine the two and voila,” Dynes said.

Although she made it sound simple, it was apparent that the work these girls put into this performance was anything but that.

Shor, an all girls Bollywood Fusion dance team, combined Indian dance with hip-hop to excite the crowd. The girls kept the event attendees screaming with each hair flip.

Manager of Shor and sophomore physics major Jeslyn Mulangan explained more about their team.

“We’re a Bollywood fusion dance team, so this year we wanted to go for something more flashy, more attention grabbing, which is why we were wearing gold and blue. It looks kind of Indian but also eye-catching,” Mulangan said.

Between the costumes, the dance moves and the radiant energy, they captivated everyone.

The crowd stuck around for as long as possible. The DJ blasted tunes that demanded participation. One could not count the number of line dances Roadrunners got down and dirty with.

It was an extravaganza indeed, showcasing the talents at UT San Antonio can never go wrong. If

Finals, holidays, Black Friday

By Edmond Cartegena Staff Writer

As the fall semester comes to an end, students at UT San Antonio prepare for final exams and the approaching holiday season. ‘Runners decide between Friendsgiving and Thanksgiving while commenting on what Black Friday deals they will take advantage of.

This week, The Paisano interviewed first-year psychology major Xanna Herrera, junior finance major Gavin Contreras, senior management major Soraya Castoreno and senior computer science major Cameron Watson.

How do you feel about final exams?

“I’m not ready,” Herrera says. “I’m not ready at all, but you will see me studying in my room — studying for a week.”

Both Contreras and Castoreno mention their lack of anticipation regarding math exams. “Math is the one I’m struggling on right now,” Contreras notes. “If I can get past that one, I’m a happy man.”

“I am a little worried about accounting, but I’m gonna study hard,” Castoreno says.

“There’s always going to be nerves,” Watson says before mentioning that he is going to “hope for the best.”

How are you planning on celebrating the holidays this year?

Watson plans on spending time with his grandma on Thanksgiving.

“For Christmas, whenever we do the big break, I’m gonna go back to Houston,” Watson says, adding that he is going to spend quality time with his family.

“It’s fam. You gotta spend time with the fam,” Contreras says.

Castoreno is going to cook a special Thanksgiving dinner with her mom this year. “We try to make our own twist on our turkey, so I’m thinking cranberry this year,” she explains.

Although Herrera does not have many plans for Thanksgiving, she does have plans for Christmas.

“For Christmas, I’m going to Mexico to spend it with my family,” Herrera mentions.

What is more entertaining, friendsgiving or Thanksgiving?

“Friendsgiving, hands down,” Contreras states.

“As much as I love my family, I love Friendsgiving. I love spending it with my friends,” Herrera responds.

“I find both highly entertaining, but I think Friendsgiving is way funnier,” Castoreno notes. “I love playing truth or dare with my friends, and the dares can get pretty entertaining.”

“I don’t think nothing beats family time, so I’m really looking forward to that,” Watson counters.

What are you buying on Black Friday this year?

Castoreno mentions that she has a job in retail, so she will not be shopping outside of work.

“I do have my stockpile set aside for when I get off shift,” Castoreno says.

Contreras says he will be going to Best Buy.

“They hate to see me comin’,” he mentions.

“There better be good deals,” Herrera says.” I’m hoping for Pandora charms, James Avery charms and a lot of clothes. You know I need it.”

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Cloud factory faces THC bans.

UTSA hockey fries Rice in weekend home stand

By Sarah Quintanilla Graphic Editor

SAN ANTONIO – For the fourth-straight game, UTSA hockey conquered Rice University during this weekend’s sweep at the Ice & Golf Center at Northwoods. After a very close battle, UTSA came out on top with a 6-2 win on Friday and a 9-5 barn burner win on the following day.

Game One

UTSA hockey had a slow start in the first period. No goals were scored as both teams rushed to snatch the biscuit from each other.

After 10 minutes of short-distance saucer passes and battles to obtain the puck, graduate defenseman Jordan Nolan scored the first goal of the night in the second period. Shortly after, Rice scored a goal that made the scoreboard even, until freshman defender Justin Trevino slapshot an insurance goal in the 15th minute. As time ran out, UTSA got a powerplay of 5-on-4 while a player from Rice visited the penalty box, ending the period with an even score of 2-2.

“[Junior forward] Brandon Perez stepped up,” head coach Zac Swank shared. “He’s been playing two different positions all year long, and he was a solid, solid defenseman tonight. He played really well.”

The game picked up pace when Nolan, sophomore forward Corey Devereux and junior forward Jaylen Mendez each scored a goal during the first half of the third period. However, Rice secured a 5-on3 powerplay shortly after as Mendez and Nolan got sent to the penalty box. As soon as Nolan got out, he glided through the ice with the sole mission to score the last goal of the game on minute 15.

“We played a pretty good all around game,” sophomore forward Jackson Stubblefield said. “I mean, there are obviously some things that we can improve on, but from this, you just have to take away the mistakes and be mindful of them going into the next game.”

Game Two

Cheering and hollering from Greek night attendees energized UTSA hockey in the first period, until the first goal was scored by Rice five minutes in. As pressure built up early on, senior defenseman Noah Dow got sent to the penalty box in the ninth minute for roughing, but the Rice 5-on-4 power play did not stop senior forward Jonathan Blum from scoring a shorthanded goal.

A rough body check from the UTSA defensemen line led to a game stoppage at minute 12. A Rice player laid on the ice injured as the medical team rushed to help.

While freshman defenseman Thad Bielanski sat in the penalty box for tripping, Stubblefield got a puck in deep that would end in an even score of 2-2.

“I think we could be better. We have a higher standard, so the scoreboard doesn’t really reflect everything, and we got a lot to work on,” graduate left wing forward Travis Sorce shared regarding what the team is looking to improve on. “Those puck battles, back checking, the simple things that no one really wants to pay attention to because it’s not always about scoring goals.”

A close battle between both teams led the scoreboard to be 4-4 in the second period until Mendez clinched the game at 5-4, a minute before the time ran out.

Senior forward Joshua LeComte scored effusively five minutes into the third period. Rice scored their fifth goal while Mendez was in the penalty box. In the second half of the period, freshman defenseman Matias Gallardo and Sorce scored a goal each to take the lead.

“Rice has a very short bench and we should’ve controlled the game a lot more,” Swank said. “I think we let them stay in the game for two periods every single game and decided to actually start playing in the third period. And I think later in the year that’s going to cost us against better opponents.”

An impressive body check by Trevino made a Rice player fly in the open air, becoming the highlight of the game. The period took a far more aggressive turn with a fistfight between Dow and another Rice player. It resulted in both being ejected three minutes before time ran out and both teams playing 4-on-4 until Nolan lit the lamp to end the night, securing UTSA’s victory.

“Emotions got a little high,” Dow reflected after the game. “I took a couple skates to the chest on some kicks and lost my cool. It’s not how we should play, and honestly, it’s not our Roadrunner hockey, because it was selfish and it put the team down.”

Next, UTSA will play an away game against Texas A&M University at 10 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5, at Spirit Ice in College Station.

Athlete of the Week: Mia Hammonds

Jake Mireles Editor-in-Chief

As the reigning American Athletic Conference regular-season champions, UTSA women’s basketball has a lot on the line and much to prove this season. Following a record-breaking season and the departure of star forward Jordyn Jenkins, the Roadrunners experienced a leadership power vacuum that has seen many young athletes step into the spotlight.

Sophomore guard Mia Hammonds is one of those players. The 6-foot-3 defensive powerhouse has made a huge impact on the team in the early days of their 2025–26 run. Towering over her opponents, Hammonds is one of the team’s strongest defensive disruptors and boasts impressive rebounding stats. However, as one of the team’s top-three scorers, Hammonds has developed into a robust, dualthreat player. With the season in its infancy, she has a high ceiling and a long road ahead of her.

“This is my first year playing heavy minutes,” Hammonds said. “Even though I’m not always scoring the ball, even though I know I can, defense is what’s really gonna be my thing.”

While Hammonds is no stranger to winning championships — collecting many accolades and an Area Championship title during her time at Cibolo Steele High School — playing on a collegiate-championship team as a freshman is something seldom experienced by college athletes. This early success helped Hammonds comfortably step into her role as a leader.

“I learned a lot from last year’s team. I know kind of what it takes to be on a championship team. It’s been like that since high school,” Hammonds noted. “Coming in here and working every day, trying to get my teammates on the same level and slowly to where we’re supposed to be. It’s still November. We don’t start playing conference [games] until January. We have so much time to get where we need to be in March.”

The long road to March is a daunting one for many collegiate athletes. In a time where mental health and wellbeing are forefront issues in athletics, Hammonds strives to bring a more holistic approach to her lifestyle as a student athlete.

“Basketball is a lot of my life. I feel like I spend a lot of time in the gym. Last year, my peace and happiness really depended on how good or bad I was doing in basketball,” Hammonds said. “This year, I’ve been trying to get away from that, separating myself in

basketball from myself in real life.

“I’m trying to have peace no matter what happens in basketball.”

Hammonds has found support in her mission from the coaching staff as well. Assistant coach and UTSA alumna Amber Gregg has been a guiding figure in preserving her mental health during the season.

“[Gregg] really just tries to help me with my mental health, [keeping] myself on top, making sure I know that basketball isn’t my whole life and that I’m a different person,” Hammonds explained. “Outside of basketball, my mistakes don’t represent who I am as a person.”

Over the course of her career, Hammonds has taken a lot of inspiration from her family. Her decision to play for UTSA, while heavily influenced by head coach Karen Aston, was also due to her close proximity to her family and friends in Cibolo. Her number, five, is not only an homage to No. 32, Jenkins, but also to her family of five. Hammonds is the youngest of three siblings, who, along with her parents, were all basketball players at one time or another.

In an endeavor to ensure success no matter where her collegiate basketball career takes her, Hammonds is majoring in mass communication to become a broadcaster. Her love for broadcast journalism came from taking part in Cibilo Steele’s broadcast program, where Hammonds helped produce the school’s news broadcast entitled “The Knightly News.”

“Hopefully, you can’t find it anywhere. I think being part of production, being behind a camera and being able to create our own skits and do fun stuff, knowing that’s a profession I could do as I get older, that’s what really drew me in,” Hammonds noted.

As this season and her collegiate career run their course, Hammonds has a long road to developing her identity as an athlete. Her maturity, incredible athletic ability and authority are a recipe for success. Fans should keep an eye on her as the Roadrunners begin their hunt for another conference title. However, Hammonds does not play for titles, medals or plaques. To her, basketball means more.

“At first [I played] just to prove a point to other people,” Hammonds remarked. “Now, I’m really doing it for myself, my family and for God.

“That’s all I can do.”

Fans can catch Hammonds in action against Grand Canyon University at 4 p.m. Wednesday at the Comerica Center in Frisco, Texas.

UTSA football is going bowling for sixth-straight year

Three takeaways from Roadrunners’ 58-24 win over East Carolina

Rylan Renteria

Sports Editor

UTSA football ended East Carolina University’s hopes for an American Conference title with a 58-24 loss on Saturday at the Alamodome. The contest wasn’t much of a contest at all, with the Roadrunners holding a 31-point lead by the time both teams hit the locker room for halftime. The ‘Runners remain impenetrable at home against American opponents and are showing signs of late-season life as the 2025 campaign comes to a close. Here are three takeaways from Saturday:

Remember the Alamodome

There’s something about this building that gives UTSA powers beyond human comprehension. Since joining the league in 2023, there has not been a single American opponent that has been able to escape the Alamodome with a win, and the ‘Dome claimed another victim on Saturday. Coach Jeff Traylor compares it to the “Tree of Souls” from “Avatar,” or as he calls it: “the Avatar Tree.”

“We’ll give credit to the Avatar Tree,” Traylor said after the game. “It gives us some kind of special powers when we come here. It’s the only thing I can think of. I don’t know what it is. It’s crazy.”

While UTSA fans, players and coaches have known about the Alamodome advantage for a while now, fans of opposing teams are starting to take notice, with one fan stating that “the Alamodome is like an Iraqi torture chamber.” While undoubtedly a bit of an overstatement, it shows that the City of San Antonio boasts a special venue that, for now, is home to highquality football.

No

Henry Jr., no problem

After an eight-carry, 1-yard rushing performance against the University of North Carolina at Charlotte last week, senior running back Robert Henry Jr. was unable to play in the ‘Runners pivotal matchup against the Pirates. Freshman running back Will Henderson III had no problem filling the role as the ‘Runners top option, posting his second consecutive game with over 100 rushing yards.

Money McCown

Traylor said after Saturday’s game that junior quarterback Owen McCown was finally healthy — and it showed. McCown threw for five touchdowns for the first time in his collegiate career and looked like the player fans thought he would be coming into the season. There’s no better time than November to start playing elite football, and McCown seems like he’s found his groove as the Roadrunners prepare for bowl season.

UTSA will look to avenge its 2024 loss against Army West Point at 2:30 p.m. Saturday at the Alamodome.

UTSA hockey defenseman Jordan Nolan versus Rice University.

UTSA’s special teams lines up for a field goal in the Roadrunners’ 58-24 win over East Carolina.

Aarien Foster/The Paisano

Armin Suljovic/The Paisano

McCown tosses 5 touchdowns in win over East Carolina

UTSA clinches sixthstraight bowl berth, remains undefeated in league play at home

Rylan Renteria Sports Editor

SAN ANTONIO — Junior quarterback Owen McCown tossed a career-high five touchdowns as UTSA football defeated East Carolina University 58-24 on Saturday at the Alamodome — clinching bowl eligibility for the sixth-straight season.

After picking up their first roadconference win since 2023, the Roadrunners (6-5, 4-3 AC) needed to defeat an East Carolina (7-4, 5-2 AC)

team that was coming off an upset against the University of Memphis to secure bowl eligibility. McCown and freshman running back Will Henderson III helped UTSA to a 34-3 lead at halftime, a deficit that the Pirates never came close to erasing. Donning their “Black Bird” uniforms for the second time this season, the ‘Runners cruised to their second win of the season scoring 50 or more points.

“This building and those uniforms have been special for us through the years,” coach Jeff Traylor said. “That’s as good as we’ve felt all year. [East Carolina] is really good. We lost a heartbreaker to them last year to start off conference play, just a killer. Total team win.”

UTSA opened the game up with a nearflawless drive, with McCown completing 2 of 3 — including a 37-yard pass to sophomore tight end Patrick Overmyer — before connecting with junior wide receiver AJ Wilson for an 11-yard score.

On the following Roadrunner possession, McCown found his other stand out tight end — senior Houston Thomas — for a 5-yard score to give UTSA an early two-possession lead.

East Carolina forced the ‘Runners’ first three-and-out with a little under two minutes to play in the opening quarter but proceeded to allow seven consecutive scoring drives.

Sophomore wide receiver David Amador II opened up the second quarter with a 45-yard reception touchdown; sophomore running back A’Marion Peterson followed suit shortly after with an 8-yard rushing touchdown. Two field goals from sophomore kicker Michael Petro were broken up by the Pirates first score of the game: a 32-yard field goal.

Despite holding a 31-point lead at the break, the Roadrunners kept their foot on the gas in the second half. McCown capped off a 13-play, 75-yard third

quarter drive by connecting with junior wide receiver DJ Allen Jr. for a 4-yard score. UTSA tacked on two more scores, including a 21-yard pick six from senior linebacker Shad Banks Jr. to seal the win.

“Our confidence has been through the roof these past few weeks,” Banks said after the game. “We just really needed to see it. Now ya’ll see it too.”

Henderson led the team in rushing for the second straight week with 146 as senior running back Robert Henry Jr. continues to battle an undisclosed injury. McCown set a career high in passing touchdowns with five, becoming the first UTSA quarterback to toss for more than four since Frank Harris against Western Kentucky University in 2021.

UTSA will remain home for its final game of the regular season against Army West Point at 2:30 p.m. Saturday at the Alamodome.

Simpson’s 21 points lead UTSA past Southwestern Christian

SAN ANTONIO – A 21-point performance from senior guard Jamir Simpson propelled UTSA men’s basketball past Southwestern Christian University 103-70 on Tuesday at the Convocation Center.

The first half was all smiles for the Roadrunners (3-2) as they dominated the Eagles (2-3) in every aspect of the game.

The ‘Runners scored 20 points in the first seven minutes and quickly created a double-digit lead to start the contest. After establishing the lead, the Roadrunners never allowed the game to come within 10 points. UTSA’s ball movement looked effortless on the offensive end. The ‘Runners scored at will, whether from isolation sets or moving the ball around the perimeter to find the open man. Simpson feasted on the Eagles’ zone defense, scoring a team-leading 14 points in the first half. The Roadrunners consistently

found open gaps on the court, scoring 53 first-half points easily.

“We came out with a great mentality to start,” coach Austin Claunch said. “There are really no complaints about the first 15 minutes of the game. To come home and get a win, it was really important to us.” Defensively, UTSA was relentless to start the game. The ‘Runners forced 10 turnovers, registered seven steals and scored 22 points off mistakes from the Eagles and fast break opportunities.

The team did its best to contain Eagles forward Michal Wooldridge, holding him to 13 points on 43% shooting. Strategic trapping, full-court pressure and an intimidating rim presence gave UTSA a comfortable 5333 lead going into the second period.

“Quite we were really

focused on the defensive side of the ball,” Claunch said. “We switched a lot, we had a couple more things in, and we didn’t let them get off a lot of threes.”

UTSA’s defensive effort looked shaky in the second half. Leading by nearly 20 points with 10 minutes to go, the Roadrunners committed questionable fouls and allowed a brief Southwestern Christian scoring run to cut the deficit to 12. Despite their defensive miscues, the offense remained efficient and kept the Eagles at bay. UTSA faced a full-court

Photos of UTSA quarterback Owen McCown, wide receiver David Amador II and linebacker Shad Banks Jr. in the Roadrunners 58-24 win over East Carolina University.

Photos of Jamir Simpson, Kaidon Rayfield, Austin Nunez and Mo Njie versus SWC.

Rylan Renteria/The Paisano

Last week, The Paisano ran a sports commentary regarding the contract of UTSA volleyball coach Carol PriceTorok erroneously claiming that her contract expires at the end of 2025. This information was incorrect. The Paisano has since obtained a copy of PriceTorok’s contract from UTSA Athletics, confirming that it expires at the end of 2026. The Paisano regrets this error.

Logan Martinez Staff Writer

Armin Suljovic/The Paisano

Jake Mireles/The Paisano

Rylan Renteria/The Paisano