‘It's not really where we see the future of our department going’
Master's of Science in Journalism to see its final graduating class, cites low enrollment
By MADELYN DURKEE Staff Writer
Earlier this year students in the 3+1 Journalism program heard a rumor that Quinnipiac University decided to end the journalism graduate program. This comes after School of Communications Dean Nadine Barnett Cosby joined the university in 2024 and reimagined all programs within the School of Communications last year.
“At this time, no decision has been made regarding the future of the graduate journalism program,” John Morgan, associate vice president for public relations, wrote in a statement
to The Chronicle. “Any potential changes to academic programs undergo a thorough and deliberate review process through the appropriate university governance channels. Should a decision be made about the program, the program ‘teach out’ plan would allow all students enrolled in the program to complete their degree. The university would also make a formal announcement of any such change.”
However, The Chronicle can confirm plans to end the journalism graduate program have been put in motion. The master’s in sport journalism
along with all other communications graduate programs will continue and there are no plans to sunset the Bachelor’s of Journalism.
The final decision was made about a week ago when 3+1 and 4+1 senior students and their advisors were notified the program would not continue before the registration period begins. A formal announcement is yet to be made.
“It kind of made my stomach drop when I saw the email,” senior in 3+1 journalism undergraduate program Amanda Dronzek said. Those students will be expected to move
to the Master’s in sports journalism and media program or another program within the School of Communications.
“Last year we made some major changes to the undergraduate journalism curriculum and the masters in sports journalism curriculum,” Ben Bogardus, professor and chair of the journalism department said.
He hopes to use the new curriculum to shape the department into a unique opportunity for stu-
Students and professors reflect on Quinnipiac's switch from Blackboard to Canvas
By NATHAN ROJAS Staff Writer
Quinnipiac University began the switch from Blackboard, its previous learning management system (LMS), to Canvas, over the summer of the 2025-26 academic year. This decision was first announced in January of 2025.
However this switch has only been part way, with some of Quinnipiac’s schools still using Blackboard. This inconsistency has resulted in some classes being on Canvas and some still on Blackboard, impacting professors and students.
While some have found the switch to be a
challenge, many began to favor Canvas. Antoaneta Vanc, public relations and public diplomacy program advisor, has been working with Blackboard since they began working at Quinnipiac in 2009.
“It’s been a positive change,” Vanc said. “Canvas is easier to navigate, so organizing class materials and communicating with students feels straightforward”
Justin Kile, professor of industrial engineering, echoed Vanc’s sentiment.
“Overall, I see Canvas as being a better platform for both students and faculty,” Kile said.
Many professors find Canvas’ additional features useful.
“I think Canvas, when it comes down to it, has a little bit more to offer,” Katie Place, professor of public relations said. “It provides more tools and organizational features that are going to benefit us.”
Kile agreed with this sentiment.
“The interface from the faculty side seems more intuitive and less time consuming,” Kile said.
Some of these features include a student’s view, allowing professors to see what students see. Additionally, the “modules” feature has helped professors remain organized. “It’s kind of like a one stop shop each week,” Place said.
Unlike Blackboard, Canvas is fully com-
patible with mobile devices, supporting its own mobile app.
Michael Vieth, senior teaching instructor in the department of biological sciences, said, “It is the little things that I do not think about… but it has made the cognitive load a little lighter.”
One aspect of the change that has impacted both students and faculty is the learning curve Canvas presents. Many professors have been using Blackboard for their entire career at Quinnipiac.
See CANVAS Page 3
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JOURNALISM from cover
dents, “something to set all of our programs apart from the competitors and also to prepare students for when they go out into the world of journalism,” Bogardus said.
As all programs were reassessed, the journalism graduate program fell short.
“We had some great things in the undergraduate programs, some great things in the sports journalism program, but the masters in journalism just felt stuck in place,” Bogardus said.
This change marks a significant shift for the department moving forward.
“While we hate to see it go and it has a long history that we are very proud of, it’s not really where we see the future of our department going, given society, given the resources that we have and given the interest frankly of our students,” Bogardus said.
Enrollment in the program has been struggling. For several years, fewer than 10 students have enrolled in the master’s program.
“It really makes it hard to have a different and unique program that students can really get something out of because if we can’t fill a class, we can’t offer that class,” Bogardus said.
With the low enrollment rates in recent years the decision to end the program was inevitable. “Less than five students are impacted by it at this point,” Bogardus said. “The students currently in the program will graduate as normal.”
Some students have expressed concern over the graduate program ending and what this means for the future of journalism at Quinnipiac.
“This isn’t an indication of any lack of interest in journalism among the university, or society or the School of Communications. This is really a decision that’s based on low enrollment currently,” Bogardus said.
“We decided to concentrate on the undergraduate degree and Master’s in sports, both of which are doing great enrollment wise,” he added.
The undergraduate program and Master’s in sports journalism and media program are designed to give students the skills to succeed in the industry today. They have a focus on visual journalism, social media and content creation which have become the forefront of reporting in today’s digital age.
“We are really excited to offer more classes in (media), and that is something we can do now because we don’t have to worry about filling and creating classes for the graduate level,” Bogardus said.
Students have also expressed concern for print journalism within the curriculum with the new focus on digital media. Bogardus assures that print journalism still has a place at Quinnipiac. Students interested can work with advisors to take elective courses that fit that niche.
“When I initially came here I wanted to do sports journalism for a Master’s and then I found out it was very broadcast heavy so I chose to do journalism Master’s because it was more writing ,” Dronzek said. “(But) they’re redoing the curriculum which is making it more even, so it’s writing a a little bit of broadcast,” Dronzek said.
This eased Dronzek’s worries, however those
without any sports background may disagree.
“I was actually okay in the end with changing this, but I think that was just my experience,” Dronzek said. “I think for other people it might have been more shocking because they were like ‘I don’t know what else to do.’”
Bogardus believes removing the Master’s in journalism program will help increase the quality of the undergraduate program by allowing the university to refocus its resources.
“We can put more effort into creating new and distinct classes and work with the new curriculum that we developed,” Bogardus said.
Courses from the graduate program will also be integrated into other graduate programs within the School of Communications, along with the new offerings from the journalism department. The hope is to create comprehensive programs available for journalism 3+1 students.
“So, while the program is going away, we are finding ways to sprinkle the skills that a journalist graduate student would get in other programs here,” Bogardus said.
This change reflects a declining interest in the program in the current climate. However, Bogardus said they are not opposed to bringing the program back given increased interest in coming years.
“If in the future there comes a need or a desire for it, we’d be all for bringing it back. This isn’t a decision that any of us like to make,” Bogardus said.
Barnett Cosby was not available for comment prior to publication.
New KindCats club aims to spread kindness on campus
By VIVIAN GAGE Copy Editor
Two Quinnipiac University students were shocked when they discovered a kindness club didn’t already exist on campus — so they made one.
They called it the Quinnipiac KindCats club.
“We thought it already existed, because we were like, ‘How could a kindness club not already exist?’ It seems like the most basic, simple thing,” club President and co-founder Genesis Camejo, a senior psychology and health science studies double major, said.
Camejo said that students already display little acts of kindness on campus and were in need of an outlet. People leave sticky notes with positive messages on mirrors and clubs incorporate acts of kindness into their missions. Sororities and fraternities are deeply involved with philanthropy, but this is not their entire goal.
“There’s no place where people can go to actually have just (kindness) be the focus,” Camejo said. “I would say that’s the purpose, and to brighten people’s day.”
Vice President and co-founder Mikayla Hyman, a junior health science studies major, agreed.
“You see little acts of kindness everywhere, but I feel like you need a hub for everything,” she said. “We have so much breadth in our org, so we can go into so many different categories. We can have so many different events.”
In Camejo’s words, KindCats is more of an “umbrella” because they can really tap into anything.
According to its page on Bobcat Central, the club’s purpose is to create “a welcoming and inclusive environment for all” and to “facilitate new friendships for students rooted in kindness through meaningful event programming and exciting opportunities...”
The KindCats’ e-board is currently full, with senior criminal justice major Brigid Murphy as the events coordinator, second-year health science studies major Casey O’Toole as the treasurer and senior interdisciplinary studies major Gianna Marconi as the secretary, in addition to Camejo and Hyman.
Unlike traditional clubs, there won’t be weekly or bi-weekly meetings for general members. Instead, the club will be event-focused.
“A lot of the time, I know people say, ‘Oh I had no idea that was happening on campus’ or ‘Oh, I have no time to do that.’ That’s fine,” Camejo said. She understands that people have busy schedules and doesn’t want the club to be a big time commitment for its members.
The majority of meetings will be just for the e-board to plan the club’s events, but there will be some open meetings for general members to come with ideas, questions, or to say ‘hi.’
According to Hyman, the club has also toyed with the idea of creating a g-board, offering
members a chance to “come and help set up” when needed.
They hope members, as well as others on campus, will show up to the club’s events, a majority of which will be held during the Common Hours.
Their first planned event is in cooperation with the Comfort and Joy Holiday Card Drive.
“We’re going to be essentially making holiday cards for isolated older individuals. It will essentially be (a series of) events that people, students, faculty, truly anyone can come to, stop by and pop in,” Camejo said.
By Dec. 10, all the holiday cards need to be collected, so getting people to make as many cards as possible is the club’s main focus right now. The KindCats also have ideas for some other events, like tabling and sending candygrams to spread kindness.
The club is open to, and searching for, partnerships. They have already made plans to partner with the weekly Wellness Wednesday program in the Recreation and Wellness Center for their card-making event.
“We’re going to have our little holiday cardmaking station and it’s going to be added on… So we will also be targeting the group in the gym, not just (people in) the student center, which I think is great,” Camejo said.
Currently, Camejo thinks the KindCats’ biggest challenge is making their club known.
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“Our goal is definitely not to recruit the most people, but get the most people aware of this club and aware that it exists,” she said. They want people to “not only see the acts of kindness that are happening around them, but feel it, and have it happen to them too.”
Recruitment may not be the main goal, but it is a necessary step in the club’s infant stages.
“We just got recognized this semester…we are recognized but uncharted. So essentially that means we don’t get a budget,” she said. “That’s why recruitment, getting people to see what we’re all about, what we’re trying to do and gauge interest is super important.”
Both Cemejo and Hyman say they are most excited for the club’s first event, to see kindness in action.
“This really is just for our community, and I hope (everyone) can see the value in that,” Camejo said.
RYLEY LEE/CHRONICLE
KindCats executive board from left to right: Secretary Gianna Marconi, Vice President Mikayla Hyman, President Genesis Camejo, Event Coordinator Brigid Murphy and Treasurer Casey O’Toole.
Quinnipiac earns historic ranking, rising 40 spots on WSJ's list
By AVA HIGHLAND News Editor
The Wall Street Journal ranked Quinnipiac University No. 51 in its 2026 Best Colleges in America list. This is the highest ranking the university has been awarded and is significantly higher than the previous year’s No. 91 ranking.
Quinnipiac is the second highest ranked Connecticut school, after No. 3 Yale University. Aside from Yale and Quinnipiac, only two other Connecticut universities — No. 81 Fairfield University and No. 88 University of Connecticut — made it into the top 100.
“It was incredibly exciting and affirming to see Quinnipiac climb 40 spots to No. 51 in the WSJ/ College Pulse rankings,” Provost Debra Liebowitz wrote in a statement to The Chronicle. “This significant jump demonstrates national recognition for the university’s commitment to student success, real-world outcomes, and top-notch learning environments. It’s especially meaningful given that Quinnipiac now ranks second among Connecticut institutions — just behind Yale.”
In collaboration with their research partners College Pulse and Statista, the WSJ ranks the 584 eligible universities. The schools are given an overall score and rated based on student outcomes, diversity and survey results.
“The components and weights of the various metrics used in the rankings vary across rankings and may change over time” Liebowitz wrote. “Our philosophy is not to invest for the sake of rankings but rather to prioritize investments in student success.”
This year Quinnipiac received an overall score of 80.2, leaving the university tied with No. 52.
California State University, Northridge. For perspective, Quinnipiac’s score for the previous year was 77.
Both the student outcomes and survey results are broken down into subcategories. Quinnipiac’s scores improved in almost every category, with the exception of salary impact score which decreased from 97 to 81.
The most significant increase was in diversity which increased from 64 to 79.
Liebowitz found several factors that contributed to the over- all increase in ranking — im- provement in graduation rate impact, value added to
WSJ #51
graduates’ salaries and return on investment as well as stronger scores spanning learning environment metrics and recognition of the university’s efforts to foster inclusion
In addition to the several categories in the methodology, part of the ranking reflects current and former students as well.
“It’s important to note that 20% of this ranking is based on direct feedback from students and alumni,” Liebowitz wrote. “That makes it especially meaningful—it reflects not just institutional performance, but lived experience. The WSJ methodology prioritizes real-world impact, and Quinnipiac’s performance shows that we’re delivering on our promise to prepare graduates for meaningful careers and lives.”
Quinnipiac’s ranking benefits outside perspective of the university as well.
“This ranking sends a powerful message to prospective students and families: Quinnipiac delivers strong return on investment: a high-quality education with excellent career outcomes and a supportive and relevant learning environment,” Liebowitz wrote. “For employers and partners, the WSJ ranking reinforces the quality and preparedness of QU graduates and affirms our visibility and reputation as a national leader in student-centered, career-ready education.”
Quinnipiac's new common hour rules cause confusion amongst student organizations but offers a variety of programs
By CHLOE GRANT Staff Writer
This school year, Quinnipiac University launched common hour. This programming is devoted to allowing students time out of their busy schedules to pause and focus on engagement and campus participation.
Common hour takes place on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 12:30 to 1:45 p.m. Tuesdays are set aside for faculty and staff-led programs, whereas Thursdays allow students the freedom to lead their own programming.
However, recent conflict amongst student organizations and clubs suggest that these new rules have not been made clear from the beginning, as many have held their meetings during the common hour on Tuesdays, unaware that that was not permitted.
“Tuesdays are reserved for university-wide and office/department-sponsored programs,” Office of Campus Life wrote in the monthly student organizations newsletter. “Student organizations are not able to hold meetings/ events during the Tuesday common hour. We apologize for any disruption this has caused in your event planning; the policy was shared after organization training had been completed.”
With growing confusion and frustration amongst students, they are encouraged to share any thoughts in regard to common hour with the Student Government Association.
According to Chief Experience Officer, Tom Ellet, “I think it’s about connection. I think it’s about engagement. I think it’s about skill or
learning development. Those would be the big three that I would suggest,” Ellet says. “There’s four or five theme weeks during common hours. One was through the engagement fair… How do we engage people? Career Week is coming up. We will have Health Week next week. So the Health Fair will go on during common hour … I think those are another element to the common hour that I don’t think would have evolved without the common hour.”
Continuing to elaborate on the activities and programming to go on during common hour, Ellet ensures that with evaluation, assessment and reflection, Quinnipiac hopes to make common hour a part of its culture and something to be
even transfer your course content from Blackboard over to Canvas,” Place said. “So it was a little bit more complex than I thought.”
enjoyed by students, faculty and staff. “I don’t want to lead and participate in anything that’s causing students strife, because what does that do? So I’m saying, let’s reflect. Let’s see what’s working. Let’s see what’s not working,” Ellet said.
According to The Chronicle, the school proposed a new ‘common time’ to give a midday break to students in February 2025, after 28% of students said it’s difficult for students who commute or live off campus to attend late night club meetings.
With that, following the end of each week, each session and program submits an evaluation detailing how many students
showed up and if the event was worthwhile. With the recent changes made to common hour, Ellet explains how because programming has only been running for the past five weeks, it’s difficult to determine yet what is and isn’t working. However at the end of the fall semester, students will receive a “summative evaluation” where they can share their thoughts on the events they attended.
Students receive information on Tuesday common hour events every Sunday night via email. More information can also be found on TV screens across campus that include information about the events happening each week. Students currently enrolled in a first-year seminar class should receive an announcement every week from their professor sharing the events happening during the week.
Along with attending common hour events for educational purposes Ellet suggests attending for the social aspect as well.
“All I can say as a closing is, this was something that your predecessors have asked for because they felt there was a void, …” Ellet explains. “I think too often, young people think they have found their friend group in their freshman year, and sometimes, unfortunately, the friend group breaks up, and then in their junior year, (they’re) starting all over again. If you put yourself out there constantly, you can still hold on to the friends you like, but you can actually have more.”
The main difference between the systems is the new terminology and layout of Canvas, with the buttons being in different locations than Blackboard.
While professors have welcomed the switch, some students have found it frustrating.
Wilson Chen, second-year computer science major, believes that Canvas is “ just another Blackboard copy.”
“The switch to Canvas impacted my summer, and it took quite a lot of time… to learn about Canvas and how Canvas is structured and how to create the modules and how to
“Truth be told, I kind of liked Blackboard better. It’s not that Canvas isn’t good. It’s just
that I was used to everything being on Blackboard and being able to go to one spot and seeing all of my grades, and now I can’t do that anymore because it’s split between two different websites,” Patrick Hawkins, third-year elementary education major said. With the inconsistencies between courses being on Blackboard and Canvas, students are confused by the university’s decision. “It feels kind of rushed, and like considering that a bunch
of classes that were supposed to be migrated to Canvas this year haven’t, I feel like it’s kind of a sloppy move on the university’s part,” Chen said. Vieth is also one of the faculty that worked on comparing the systems. “The soft rollout makes sense, but that leaves summer 2026 for all faculty to have to move over to Canvas,” he said. “I think it is wrong that first-year students have to learn both systems, just for Blackboard to go away.” CANVAS from cover
TYLER MIGNAULT/CHRONICLE
Students gather on the quad during Common Hour for the Jordan Porco Foundation Fresh Check Day to raise awareness for mental health.
Opinion
The government shut down, now what?
By JOANNA FARRELL Contributing Writer
As of midnight on Oct. 1, our government has officially shut down. But what is a government shutdown and why does it happen?
Government shutdowns happen when a budget cannot be passed through Congress due to a lack of votes. Contrary to popular belief, government shutdowns are pretty normal and happen every handful of years, with our last one happening in 2018 and lasting for 35 days — the longest government shutdown in history.
But this doesn’t mean that government shutdowns are a good thing, nor are they exactly an effective way to push a budget.
Government shutdowns are the result of an extremely partisan Congress, where those on either side of the aisle will not negotiate a deal that satisfies both parties and makes their constituents happy.
The government shutdown will impact millions of Americans. Workers deemed as essential will continue their jobs, but they will not get paid. This includes military members, those in manufacturing companies, federal law enforcement agencies and so many more. However, workers will receive back pay for the time worked.
In Connecticut, we will certainly be feeling the impact. The naval submarine base in New London, Connecticut, employs nearly 8,000 federal workers along with the Coast Guard academy that employs 1,000. This is just a fraction of the federal workers
in Connecticut and an even smaller fraction of people who will be impacted as a whole.
Nationwide, everyday citizens will feel the impacts of the shutdown. Necessities for many like Social Security, Medicaid, veterans’ claims, housing assistance and more will be put on hold until the government can come to an agreement on the federal budget this year. This is on top of the nearly 750,000 federal employees whose jobs will be suspended for the entirety of the shutdown.
Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, a Republican serving Louisiana’s fourth district, is putting the blame on Democrats, taking to the social platform X, saying, “Democrats have officially voted to CLOSE the government.”
Former Vice President Kamala Harris has also been posting on X about the shutdown: “President Trump and Congressional Republicans just shut down the government because they refused to stop your health care costs from rising. Let me be clear: Republicans are in charge of the White House, House, and Senate. This is their shutdown.”
With all the finger-pointing, it can be hard to break down where the blame lies, if there is blame at all. Throughout the whole process of passing this budget, Republicans have been hard pressed to budge on President Donald Trump’s proposal. It would be a misstep to say that Democrats are solely to blame for the shutdown. The night before the shutdown House Democrats tried passing a stopgap — a bill that would give the government a temporary spending plan until the
end of October to allow further deliberation on a new spending bill. The bill failed as republicans voted it down 57-47.
What’s happening right now in our government feels a lot like a toddler holding their breath because their mom won’t buy them the toy they wanted from the store. Republicans are holding their breath and threatening to run away because the Democrats won’t vote on a bill that cuts VA-benefits, Medicaid, SNAP programs and housing assistance.
I can’t even begin to imagine what families will be going through for the duration of the shutdown. Waking up in the morning to go to work and you won’t even receive your check at the end of the week. Rent and mortgage payments don’t stop just because the government does.
But what pains me more to imagine is the millions of Americans who will lose their healthcare, or someone’s grandma losing her Medicaid benefits, or my friends losing their homes because housing assistance was reduced or cut altogether.
I don’t think Democrats are sticking it to the man by not voting yes on the budget. I think they’ve been voting down this budget time after time because they’ve seen exactly what I’ve seen: How these programs impact real lives. It’s how hardworking people are waiting for their SNAP benefits to hit each month so they can provide food to their family because the average rent in the state
of Connecticut is nearly $2,000. This is not a matter of budgeting, this is a matter of human decency, and which party is willing to allow Americans like you and me to suffer for a little extra change in their pockets.
The world of K-pop needs regulations
By GABRIELLA COZZI Contributing Writer
The K-pop industry has a problem. This should be obvious to anyone looking but it’s been covered in glamour and production value. Smoke and mirrors, fan service and attractive idols shield the sinister nature of most K-pop companies.
As someone who has been following the world of K-pop for several years now, I can say personally that I have seen time and time again the abuse that is inflicted on members of
K-pop groups at the hands of their managers. Recently, I had a sobering experience. Scrolling through social media, I came across a K-pop group that had a sound I particularly enjoyed: CORTIS. Imagine my surprise when I found out four out of the five of the members were younger than 18, my age.
K-pop idols who debut over the age of 18, in fact, are rare. Most K-pop companies like HYBE or SM Entertainment are looking for 10-17 year olds when auditioning potential trainees. Even if they debut at 18, they are completing years of training and intense dance rehearsals before, with school on top of that.
MADEIN’s own Yeseo is one glaring example of idols debuting too young. Born in 2005, she debuted at just 5 years old with the group CutieL. Now 20, she has debuted in three, nearly four, separate K-pop groups since then.
BTS’s Jungkook, who might be a more recognizable example, became a member of BTS when he was in just eighth grade, after comprehensive training and audition processes starting from even further back in seventh grade. He debuted just a couple years later.
You might be thinking, child stars exist. Yes they do, but there are laws preventing the exploitation of minor workers in America. Very intense laws, actually. South Korea has them, yes, but what can be considered work exactly? Dance practices? Performing a concert? Production companies have their own level of power, and are usually not
questioned by the government when they violate these laws.
Pertinently, idols don’t immediately see the profits of their work due to taking out loans from companies to fund their training, which take years to pay off. On top of that, with the amount of people in their managing teams that need to be paid for their work, they receive a small fraction of the money they bring in for their respective companies.
You can see, then, why it is so sinister to target young children with these deals. The younger you are, the less reasoning you have to look into the future. Only a small number of idols debut, and what happens to them when their dreams fail and they’re left in crippling debt to a company for training them?
Beyond the industry itself, Saesangs, otherwise known as stalkers, are extremely problematic. There are an abundance of cases where a fan will follow an idol around for days or weeks on end, sitting outside their dorms, going to every concert, taking pictures of their private life, and more. K-pop companies do try and stop this, yes, but at the same time they encourage it.
Extreme fanservice encourages parasocial relationships between fans and idols that blur the line between fan and friend. When a fan is made to feel like an idol really cares for them personally, even if they may not, it can quickly become obsessive.
In one case, there was a scandal involving the idol Woojin. Rumors were spread that another idol, Jungwoo, was involved as well. A saesang that was
following Jungwoo took to social media to assure people that no, Jungwoo didn’t leave his house the night the scandal happened so he couldn’t be involved.
More examples of abuse in K-pop are the mistreatment of members of Loona and New Jeans. One of the members of Loona, Chuu, filed a lawsuit against her management company for alleged mistreatment. This included withholding of earnings, and even not being allowed to go outside during the day.
The company was taking large chunks of the money she earned as a soloist from brand deals as well. She won her lawsuit and terminated her contract, along with four other members of the group who all cited mistreatment from the company. The remaining seven members are still under contract.
New Jeans, or NJZ, is a group under HYBE Entertainment. In April 2024, they attempted to break away from the company and rebrand as NJZ, alleging workplace harassment, manipulation and unfair treatment. This court case is still ongoing, with many K-pop fans divided over the issue. Some call them selfish, but many rally behind them.
These are just a few of the many examples of manipulation, mistreatment and abuse that K-pop idols go through on a daily basis. There needs to be reform in the industry and in K-pop spaces to further work towards treating idols as the human beings they are.
DILIFF VIA WIKIMEDIA COMMONS
This is the second time the government has shut down under the Trump administration.
PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY GABRIELLA COZZI
Park Seonghwa of K-pop band Ateez perfoming at Citifield in New York City on July 13.
‘Have
you ever tried this one,’ Kermie?
Disney's choice to revive ‘The Muppet Show’ can be a blessing or a curse
By CLAIRE FRANKLAND Sports Editor
Growing up, I was always captivated by the Muppets. As a matter of fact, I’ve probably watched every Muppet movie over and over again. Kermit the Frog, Fozzie Bear, Gonzo and the gang always knew how to put a smile on my face with their antics.
However, recently it feels like the Walt Disney Company is starting to let go of the Muppets with the closure of Muppet Courtyard at Disney’s Hollywood Studios on June 7. Keep in mind, Muppet Courtyard was the last project Jim Henson, the creator of the Muppets, worked on before his death in 1990.
Yet, on Sept. 17, the Disney Company announced some of the best Muppet news I’ve heard in a long time, with “The Muppet Show” making a special return on Disney+ in 2026 for the 50th anniversary of the original show.
“It’s time to play the music, it’s time to light the lights, it’s time to get things started as The Muppet Show returns for a triumphant event on Disney+ in 2026 with special guest star Sabrina Carpenter!” Disney+ wrote on X. “This brandnew installment from The Muppets Studio and Point Grey Pictures will feature Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear, Gonzo and the gang as they return to the Muppet Theatre to put on a variety show filled with music, comedy, and plenty of chaos.”
Disney launching this special can only foreshadow what’s to come, with The Hollywood Reporter saying the special will serve as a backdoor pilot for more to follow.
And honestly, I think it’s a great idea for not only the Walt Disney Company, but for fans as well.
“The Muppet Show” first aired in 1974,
The UK ignores elders' rights Opinion
By REX NAYLOR Contributing Writer
Over the summer, British police made over 1,300 arrests at Palestine Action protests. This is five times more arrests for terrorism-related protests in the United Kingdom than in all of 2024.
The Defend Our Juries campaign group has organized many Palestine Action protests over the last couple months. This all comes after individuals supporting Palestine Action snuck into an air base in the U.K. and spray painted a Royal Air Force (RAF) Voyager plane.
Those who attend the protests don’t march through the streets, or push back against the police. Instead, they sit or stand in an open area and hold signs that say “I oppose genocide, I support Palestine Action.”
In July 2025 the United Kingdom government banned the support of the protest group Palestine Action. Under the Terrorism Act of 2000, Palestine Action is a part of the list of terrorist organizations. This puts Palestine Action alongside groups such as al-Qaida and Islamic State group (IS). The law makes clothing, items, cards or posters supporting Palestine Action a criminal offense.
This protest isn’t a one-off however, in recent months the protests have grown in length of time and in participation. Protests have popped up all over the U.K. from London, to Liverpool, to Manchester, even Glasgow.
In late September protests were held in Liv-
before transforming into a regular series in 1976. The show aired 120 episodes over the course of five seasons, before ultimately ending in 1981.
During its five year prime run as a series, the show amassed large audiences from all generations, in part due to its element of bringing in celebrity guests to host episodes.
For instance, the series’ highest rated episodes feature singer-songwriter Elton John and the cast of Star Wars, with actor Mark Hamill, actor An-
thony Daniels and actor Peter Mayhew, according to IMDb.
And with the pilot episode launching in 2026, Disney aims to utilize this same practice to draw audiences in, with the announcement that the first celebrity host will be singer-songwriter Carpenter. Carpenter has exploded in popularity within the last two years, with the release of her sixth studio album, “Short n’ Sweet,” in 2024 and the recent release of her seventh studio album “Man’s
Best Friend.” After its release, “Short n’ Sweet” spent three consecutive weeks in No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart, and as of Sept. 2025, has surpassed 8.1 million streams. “Man’s Best Friend” spent two consecutive weeks in the No. 1.
From these two albums, Carpenter has become known for her sexy, risky lyrics and messages embedded throughout her songs, along with her stage presence.
Despite being a self proclaimed lover of Carpenter, I honestly find this part of the announcement a little interesting by Disney, and not in a good way.
While Carpenter’s past relations with the company, including her starring in the show “Girl Meets World” and voice acting in “Sofia the First,” may have influenced its decision to select her, Carpenter’s new persona makes me question Disney’s decision.
And while these songs and lyrics have become widely popular for teens and older audiences, the younger audience that enjoys “The Muppet Show” may not be the best for Carpenter to host.
Since many of the original viewers of the television series are older now, they are going to want to pass the joy of the show down to their kids and grandkids. However, these grandkids run the risk of being exposed to Carpenter’s new hypersexual persona.
I mean, is she gonna ask Kermit if he’s ever tried this one? I’m honestly expecting it at this point, with the hope it goes over the heads of younger audiences.
Time will be the only testament to how this pilot will go and if the company can truly revive the once hit show.
In the meantime, it’s time for Disney to play the music, light the lights and get things started.
erpool outside the Labour Party’s conference, where dozens were arrested. The demonstrations have drawn criticism of the Labour Party and their handling of the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict. Many citizens believe the government has become complicit in the genocide of Palestinian people.
An elderly man named Richard WhitmoreJones had never protested in his life, but at the age of 74 he has been arrested three times for peacefully protesting and he now faces three sets of terrorism charges, for which he must appear
carried away in handcuffs by police officers. Videos online show other older people who can barely walk and can easily be hurt being picked up and forcibly carried into the back of a police car.
On Sept. 6, 1,500 people took part in a protest where nearly 900 people were arrested, all for peacefully protesting and supporting Palestinian Action. People held the same signs saying “I oppose genocide, I support Palestine Action” at 1 p.m. that day. Not long after, Metropolitan police started to make arrests.
The protest organizers, Defend Our Juries, believe officers assaulted
ban is lifted.
A Defend Our Juries spokesperson shared their thoughts about the current state of speech in the U.K. where many can relate to their feelings. Many believe that what is going on is nothing short of a scandal, that thousands are arrested for protesting a genocide. Those arrested range from priests, to students and healthcare workers. Many feel the right of free speech and protest have been stripped away to protect business interests rather than the people.
ally they said the tinue until the
Banksy, the famous street artist and political activist, had a mural covered up by metal barriers, and is guarded by two officers have been spotted guarding the area. The art depicts a judge in a traditional powdered wig striking down a protester with blood sprayed on the placard.
Although his art isn’t depicting literal events, it is a wake up call to many. All of a sudden, basic rights have been stripped from the U.K. citizens. Those being arrested aren’t violent crime offenders, or dangers to the general public. Many of them are ordinary people and people who are doing what is right.
There is hope for the Palestine Action group however, as a High Court judge ruled the cofounder, Huda Ammori can challenge the ban of the organization under anti-terrorism laws. What is happening in the U.K. is simple: it is a restriction of the people’s right to protest and a display of the government’s complicity in a genocide.
ILLUSTRATION BY JACOB FOWLER
Arts & Life
‘That's show business for you, baby’ Taylor Swift's ‘The Life of a Showgirl’ dazzles with catchy pop hits
By GINA LORUSSO Managing Editor
On Friday, Oct. 3, singer-songwriter Taylor Swift released her 12th studio album, “The Life of a Showgirl” — and she definitely picked up her glitter gel pens for this one.
The album features 12 songs and has a running time of 41 minutes, her shortest full-length project since her 2006 self-titled debut album.
I didn’t know what to expect from this record, but I can tell you it’s definitely different from anything she’s put out in recent years. There are no sappy breakup ballads — something I felt the album was missing — but hey, good for her, she’s engaged and in love, you can’t blame her.
The album was produced by Swedish producers Max Martin and Shellback who have worked with Swift on projects like “Red,” “1989” and “Reputation” — or as I like to call them, “the big three.”
Her 2024 release, “The Tortured Poets Department,” was filled with these sprawling, poetic lyrics that “The Life of a Showgirl” just lacks. And I’m not saying the album is bad, I actually like the theater-esque songs, it’s lighter and brighter, and more fun — something you can dance to.
Sonically, Swift channeled her “1989” self to produce upbeat tracks with hints of soft rock and synth pop. The album opens with “The Fate of Ophelia,” my favorite, a track dominated by piano and call-and-response lyric sequences. It sits on the crossroads of her past pop hits and narrative tracks with deep
lyrics but a catchy beat that you can’t escape. The layered vocals are simply gorgeous in this one, I think it’s something she should do more often since it gives the song that elevated feel. Overall, it’s a polished song and can easily slot into her radio rotation.
One thing about Swift is she doesn’t put out disstracks too often. I was surprised to see that fans are speculating that track seven, “Actually Romantic,” is a jab at singer-songwriter Charli XCX.
The lyrics “I heard you call me ‘Boring Barbie’ when the coke’s got you brave/ High-fived my ex and then you said you’re glad he ghosted me/ Wrote me a song saying it makes you sick to see my face/ Some people might be offended/ But it’s actually sweet,” fuel the rumor mill that is the alleged drama between the two artists.
When Charli XCX released her album “Brat” in 2024,
fans wondered if the track “Sympathy Is a Knife” was about Swift, considering Charli’s husband, George Daniel of The 1975, is a bandmate of Matt Healy, whom Swift dated for a short time in 2023.
In “Sympathy Is a Knife,” Charli sings, “Don’t wanna see her backstage at my boyfriend’s show/ Fingers crossed behind my back, I hope they break up quick,” potentially alluding to Swift. Swift’s response was undeniably sharp — way to go, Tay.
The title “The Life of a Showgirl (featuring Sabrina Carpenter)” was a song I didn’t expect to like, but ended up falling in love with it after realizing how well their voices work together. It’s energetic and exaggerated, just like a theater show, and leans into the album’s central message — performance personas and
navigating life in the spotlight.
In the song, the duo thanks their fans for the “lovely bouquets” but, at the end of the day, they don’t know what life’s like behind the curtain. From the outside it looks glamorous and almost effortless, but there’s an immense amount of isolation and pressure that comes with the job.
With the release, Swift hosted watch parties at an AMC Theater in the Upper West Side of Manhattan. It was an 89-minute film featuring a video on “The Fate of Ophelia,” behind-the-scenes footage and lyric videos for the remainder of the album.
The album is great, especially when there isn’t some loser yapping in your ear about how bad they think it is. Us real Swifties don’t need your negative opinion. However, I will admit there aren’t any songs I can see becoming big hits like “Shake It Off” or “You Belong With Me” — it takes a lot to beat out her iconic discography.
Whether you like it or not, you have to give Swift props. She just finished a massive world tour, performing three-hour shows every week, while producing an album simultaneously.
Overall, the album is fun, polished and confident, and even though it doesn’t have the same lyrical sophistication as her past hits, it’s a celebration of her charisma. She’s full of personality, and so is “The Life of a Showgirl.” So even though this album may not reach emotional heights, it’s a sparkling and worthwhile addition to her catalog.
Universal's Stardust Racers plagued with fatality and lawsuits just months after opening
On May 22, Universal Orlando opened its new theme park, Epic Universe, comprising five themed lands: Super Nintendo World, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic, How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk, Dark Universe and Celestial Park.
While these new themed lands are full of exciting new attractions, dining and immersive experiences, issues have begun to arise in one area of the park for fans.
Celestial Park is an area of the park “where thrilling rides, entertainment, dining, shopping, plus Universal Helios Grand Hotel, all come together to create an amazing world of discovery and excitement,” according to the Universal Orlando website.
The land comprises multiple dining and shopping options, with two attractions: a thrill ride, Stardust Racers, and a children's ride, Constellation Carousel.
However, Stardust Racers has been the hot topic of theme park news recently, after a 32-yearold man died after riding the attraction.
According to ABC News, Kevin Zavala became unresponsive while riding the attraction and was transported to a local hospital, where he was then pronounced dead. Zavala was born with a spinal cord atrophy and used a
wheelchair; however, he was not under any restrictions that would have prevented him from riding the attraction.
After his passing, a local medical examiner ruled his death to be accidental, as a result of a blunt force object, ABC News reported.
However, Zavala’s lawyer, Ben Crump, believes there is a secret about his death that Universal is hiding. And he is determined to uncover the truth.
And the problems don’t end there for this
According to News6, the woman claimed that her “head shook violently and slammed into the seat’s headrest throughout the ride.”
However, as of the time of publication, the lawsuit has been settled.
On the Universal Orlando Resort website, the attraction is categorized as a thrill ride, with a minimum height requirement of 48”. Universal further adds the description of, “Share a race across the cosmos on Stardust Racers, a breathtaking, dual-launch coaster reaching incredible speeds up to 62 mph. Board a comet furthest reaches of the stars, 133 feet along 5,000 Race along an crisscross, known ‘Celestial Spin’ dazzling display blazing colors and ethereal
parkgoers, Universal Orlando’s safety guide indicates that Stardust Racers is not suitable for guests with back, neck or similar physical conditions, according to News6. However, Zavala’s lawyer argues that no one had told Zavala he was unable to ride the attraction, despite being wheelchair bound due to his spinal atrophy.
The attraction has remained closed since Sept. 17, as many have observed on the Universal app. As of the time of publication, it is unknown when the attraction will reopen.
WESH2 News obtained a statement that the Universal Orlando Resort President and Chief Operating Officer Karen Irwin, sent to Universal Orlando team members regarding the incident.
Despite complaints from
“Our internal findings to date confirm that the ride systems functioned as intended, equipment was intact at the ride’s start, throughout the duration of the ride and upon the ride vehicle’s return to the station, and our Team Members followed procedures,” Irwin wrote. “The attraction remains closed as we continue to work through a comprehensive review process in cooperation with the ride manufacturer of record. Safety is, and always will be, at the forefront of everything we do.”
However, the Zavala family has yet to receive any direct contact from Universal since the incident occurred.
By CLAIRE FRANKLAND Sports Editor
ILLUSTRATIONBY
EMILY KATZ
How to communicate in the age of ghosting
By SOPHIE MURRAY Staff Writer
Have you ever been left on read and wondered what went wrong?
In the age of instant messages, disappearing Snaps and read receipts, communication has never been more confusing.
There is a pretty good chance you have heard the saying, “communication is key,” and it is true. Whether you are at work, in school, with family, friends or in a relationship, knowing how to communicate effectively is essential. But with everyone saying how important it is, nobody talks about how to actually do it, especially now when most of our conversations are through the screen. Communication has evolved vastly in the past decade. Normal face-to-face conversations are limited compared to the ones we share online. There are endless ways to communicate. We FaceTime instead of meeting up. We send Snaps or direct messages instead of having realtime conversations.
We have learned to say less with our words and more with emojis, abbreviations or even complete silence. While yes, it is fast, convenient and works well, online communication creates a whole set of new challenges, and one of the biggest is being ghosted.
Ghosting refers to the sudden end of
communication without explanation. No goodbye, no closure, just radio silence.
In this age of digital communication, if you have never been ghosted, consider yourself lucky. Chances are, though, that you have experienced it or even done the ghosting.
Ghosting is not just someone disappearing, it is a symptom of how uncomfortable we have become with confrontation. Yes, it is extremely difficult to tell someone face to face we are not interested in them; however, we hurt others more
by disappearing in silence. It has become so simple to disappear behind a screen and avoid necessary real life interactions.
With this, understanding how to navigate this new communication landscape is essential for maintaining meaningful connections and fostering healthy relationships. So, the big question is, how do you become a good communicator in the age of ghosting?
Whether online or face-to-face, the best thing you can do is be honest. I know, it is way easier
said than done. It is a big risk to take and requires a lot of vulnerability. It means saying things to people that they don’t want to hear. This is the foundation of being a strong communicator.
The No. 1 reason people turn to ghosting is because they want to avoid honesty. Instead of facing an awkward or difficult conversation, they choose silence because it feels easier in the moment, but easy is not always right.
While yes, it is always important to tell others the truth and not lead people on, why does this actually matter in the long run?
Communication is everywhere, in how we work, love, argue, forgive and live. The more we practice honest, intentional communication now, the more prepared we will be to handle what comes next, on or offline.
Every time you avoid a conversation, you are not just dodging a moment, you are missing an opportunity to grow. The more you hide from difficult conversations now the less equipped you will be when life demands them. Eventually, there will not be an option to ghost your way out.
In a world where silence is the default response, speaking up is a powerful thing. It shows you have vulnerability, courage and respect. So, next time you are tempted to ghost, choose communication instead.
Bad Bunny expected to make history at Super Bowl LX Halftime Show
By VIVIAN GAGE Copy Editor
In the spirited words of Benny Johnson, a popular right-wing podcaster, “the NFL leadership has decided to hire a cross-dressing, Americahating, ICE-hating Puerto Rican dude” for the halftime show.
My honest response? It’s about damn time.
The NFL, Apple Music and Roc Nation announced Bad Bunny as the Super Bowl LX halftime performer on Sunday, Sept. 28. He will make history as the first solo, male Latino artist to headline the show.
There have been rumours going around claiming that the show has been cancelled due to immense pressure on the NFL, but luckily for fans like me, these are untrue, and he is still expected to perform.
The 2026 halftime show is set to take place on Sunday, Feb. 8, at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.
In a statement released by the NFL, Bad Bunny said what he was feeling goes beyond himself.
“It's for those who came before me and ran countless yards so I could come in and score a touchdown… this is for my people, my culture, and our history,” he said. “Ve y dile a tu abuela, que seremos el HALFTIME SHOW DEL SUPER BOWL.”
If you didn’t already know, the decision to hire Bad Bunny for one of the biggest performances in the world is quite controversial. Lots of people think he’s wrong for the job, many claiming they’ve never heard of him.
Bad Bunny has won three Grammys and 12 Latin Grammys so far in his career. He is a Puerto Rican musician, born in Vega Baja in 1994, known for his global following and commitment to singing in Spanish.
His 2020 album “El Último Tour del Mundo” became the first all-Spanish album to debut at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and his next three albums were just as successful. In 2020, he performed at the Super Bowl Halftime with Shakira, Jennifer Lopez and J Balvin. In 2022, his fourth studio album “Un Verano Sin Ti” became the first album to receive an album of the year nomination at both the Grammys and Latin Grammys.
He is an obvious choice for the Super Bowl
didn’t before? Rihanna, Shakira, Paul McCartney, Coldplay, Sting, The Weeknd and The Rolling Stones are all artists who aren’t American and gave great performances at the Super Bowl Halftime Show.
Jimmy Failla, a guest on a recent Fox News segment, had some advice for angry conservatives.
“Don’t be mad that we have a cross-dresser who doesn’t speak English doing the halftime show, because if Kamala won, he would’ve been a cabinet member,” he said, while clips of Bad Bunny wearing a white, backless suit jacket with flowers on the sleeves at the 2023 Met Gala flashed across the screen.
Talks of Bad Bunny’s fashion have come up often in the recent controversy, with many conservatives using the word “cross-dresser” as an insult. Bad Bunny has always subverted gender norms and incorporated masculine and feminine elements into his fashion, wearing a skirt on the cover of Harper’s Bazaar and doing drag in his music video for the song “Yo Perreo Sola.” Bad Bunny’s gender-bending fashions are no doubt a tribute to Puerto Rican culture, where drag has a rich history with queer and trans activism.
Despite the naysayers, many people are happy about the NFL’s decision. California Governor Gavin Newsom posted on X that California is excited to welcome Bad Bunny to the Super Bowl. His team even called out conservative complaints about Bad Bunny doing drag, posting an old picture of Vice President JD Vance on X where he is wearing eyeliner and a blonde wig, with the caption “‘Im bOyCoTtInG ThE SuPeR BoWl bEcAuSe bAd bUnNy dReSsEd iN DrAg.’”
On Oct. 4, Bad Bunny responded to the criticism he’s been facing while hosting Saturday Night Live. He played an edited montage of Fox News broadcasters saying he was their favorite musician, then delivered a moving monologue in Spanish about the contributions of Latinos and Latinas in America. He finished his speech in English, saying, “If you didn’t understand what I just said, you have four months to learn.” I, for one, can’t wait for this halftime show. I hope Bad Bunny doesn’t utter a single word in English and revels as millions of Americans, including myself, listen to songs we can’t understand, but probably should.
ILLUSTRATION BY SOPHIE MURRAY
Jane Goodall: Legacy and lessons
By
On Oct. 1, Dr. Jane Goodall died during her speaking tour in California. In her 91 years of life, she trailblazed as an ethologist, anthropologist and a woman.
In school, many of us learned year after year and heard story after story about her groundbreaking discoveries. For good reason too, because Jane Goodall was a treasure.
From a young age, the curiosity that would shape her inspiring life was evident. When she was a child, she was curious about how chickens laid eggs. While many children would simply ask an adult, she craved answers, and her need to know was too strong to wait.
In true Jane Goodall fashion, she sat and observed for hours to see the process for herself. She crawled into the hen’s habitat and stayed there. While her mother was frantically searching for her, she was exactly where she wanted to be: studying nature and immersing herself in a new world.
Goodall was always drawn to nature and exploration. She tamed birds from her bedroom window. She was inspired by storybook characters like Dr. Dolittle, Tarzan and Mowgli.
As she began her career, she faced the same struggles that many of us women in maledominated fields face: a lack of respect. In an interview with Time Magazine, she expressed that when she was a child, she dreamt of being a man because she wanted to travel to Africa and explore.
She was drawn to the all-male characters that inspired her, because there weren’t any female explorers.
I remember being in elementary school, sitting in that reading circle, excited to hear more about her.
I didn’t understand the complexities of hypotheses or the scientific method, all I understood was that there was a woman who was able to coexist with animals in the jungle and learn from them.
She became that female explorer in books that she didn’t have growing up to so many young girls.
In a world where humans are actively trying to take away others’ cultures from their own species through processes like forced assimilation, Goodall spent so much time learning from animals and their culture, accepting it in order to understand. It was and is, a unique perspective.
While her mother encouraged her dedication, the men in her life were focused on getting her married, or becoming a lady-inwaiting to Queen Elizabeth II.
Not only was she a woman, but she didn’t have a formal degree. She couldn’t afford one. She worked as a waitress to save up money to be able to travel to Kenya.
Though she didn’t have a formal degree, her unique, empathetic approach to her craft was different than others. She flipped such a technical field upside down.
She gave the chimpanzees she worked with names instead of numbers. She recognized the emotions of primates.
Growing up around farm animals, I was taught that every animal has their own unique personality. I thoroughly believe it. I always say that my horse Cash has the personality of a teenage boy, Rugar is sophisticated and the barncat Toes has a big heart to match his big body. It may sound like something out of a children’s book, but it’s true.
It sounds magical, not scientific. But Jane Goodall showed that it can be both.
In a world where we crave instant gratification, Goodall emphasized patience. Even in the story of the hen, she was patient. When she first went to Africa, the chimps ran away from her, but after months, one approached her. The reward came later, and it was worth it.
She also encouraged humility and the idea that it’s important to live as a student, always open to learning more.
Whether it be other wild animals, our pets or even each other, Jane Goodall should be seen as the blueprint for how we treat and learn about other living things.
Yankees-Red Sox rivalry burns deep in the souls for generations
By ANTHONY ANGELILLO Staff Writer
You might ask, “What is the big deal?” or “Why do people care so much?” This is only baseball after all. Well, the answer is simple. This rivalry is more than a game. It is history, heartbreak and identity rolled into nine innings.
I have been a New York Yankees fan since birth and last Thursday, I saw the Yankees defeat the Boston Red Sox 4-0 to win the American League Wild Card Series. For most fans, it was a big win. For me, it was everything. This was the first time in my life I had seen the Yankees eliminate Boston in October.
Over the course of more than a century, these two teams have been defined by heartbreak, unforgettable moments and events that have shaped their history and the memories of their fans.
The imbalance began with the Curse of the Bambino, marked by the sale of pitcher Babe Ruth to the Yankees in 1919, a move that led to the Red Sox not winning another World Series for 86 years. Meanwhile, the Yankees built a dynasty, winning 27 championships and becoming the most successful franchise in sports history, creating resentment in Boston and arrogance in New York.
Every game became a battle for bragging rights, and every October meeting felt like a heavyweight fight.
I grew up on stories of infielder Aaron Boone’s walk-off in 2003 and the gut punch of 2004 when the Red Sox came back from 3-0 to stun the Yankees. I watched highlights of shortstop Bucky Dent’s homer in 1978 and
the chaos of pitcher Pedro Martinez tossing infielder Don Zimmer in the 2003 ALCS.
That is why Thursday night mattered so much. For years, Boston had owned the Yankees in October. They beat us in the 2004 ALCS, the 2018 Division Series and the 2021
Game one was a nightmare. Pitcher Garrett Crochet dominated the Yankees, striking out 11 in a 3-1 Boston win. Even when first baseman Paul Goldschmidt, outfielder Aaron Judge and outfielder Cody Bellinger loaded the bases with consecutive singles starting the bottom of the
Wild Card Game. Until now, I had never seen New York flip the script.
Some say the rivalry has cooled in recent years. Both teams have had ups and downs, and the game has changed. But when these two meet in October, the energy is different. This series reminded us why.
ninth inning, Red Sox closer Aroldis Chapman recovered to get the save when he struck out hitter Giancarlo Stanton, retired infielder Jazz Chisholm Jr. on a shallow flyout, and struck out center fielder Trent Grisham to end the game.
Game two was a nail-biter. Yankees second baseman Chisholm Jr. scored the go-ahead run
from first on a catcher Austin Wells single in the eighth and Yankees closer David Bednar closed it out. That set up Thursday’s winnertake-all game.
Rookie pitcher Cam Schlittler took the mound for the Yankees and delivered a masterpiece: eight scoreless innings, 12 strikeouts, no walks. A franchise record for a rookie in his postseason debut. On the other side, Boston’s rookie pitcher Connelly Early cracked in the third inning.
Bellinger’s hustle double sparked a rally with shortstop Amed Rosario singling in the first run, shortstop Anthony Volpe added another, and two more scored on an error from first baseman Nathaniel Lowe.
That was all New York needed, and for the first time in 22 years, the Yankees sent Boston home in October.
What keeps this rivalry alive is not just the games. It is the culture. It is the way New York and Boston see themselves, as two cities that refuse to back down.
It is the fans like me who argue with friends and family for hours every season and winter about why we are a better team and why you guys suck.
It is history that never fades, no matter how many years pass. Through all the stories my dad told me, whether about heartbreaks or triumphs, I have finally added my own memory to the list. This is why people should care. YankeesRed Sox is not just baseball; it is a rivalry at its purest form.
As long as these two teams exist, the fire will never go out, and the rivalry will never die.
ILLUSTRATION BY REBECCA COLLINS
LILLIAN CURTIN Opinion Editor
PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY QUINNIPIAC UNIVERSITY
Renown primatologist and anthropologist Jane Goodall speaks at Quinnipiac University's “Reverence for Life Visited: Albert Schweitzer's Relevance Today” conference in 2005.
AI ASMR might be the worse use of artificial intelligence
By ALEXANDRA MARTINAKOVA Editor-in-Chief
I don’t know about everyone else, but I cannot go a day without some good ASMR. It has completely taken over my feed on social media. I can’t stress how many hours I have spent scrolling on my phone, listening to various “triggers” to either relax or fall asleep.
However, recently a different kind of ASMR has graced my feed — and it is not one that I ever wanted to see.
AI ASMR is probably the most useless use of artificial intelligence.
Now, I am not a big fan of AI in general. There is a lot of debate whether it is “good” or “bad” and whether it should be used at all or not, but I don’t think the people who have worked so hard on creating it were expecting people to use it to create viral clickbait videos of honey keyboards.
Sometimes it might be hard to distinguish which ASMR videos are AI at the first glance. But I promise you, you have definitely seen one or two of them before.
And honestly, sometimes they can get very strange. The viral honey keyboard video is tame enough — many actual ASMR creators have even recreated it many times — but then you get to the different types of beds, animals being spread on toast or lava/cactus make-up — and that’s just scratching the tip of the iceberg.
AI ASMR often follows the recent trends — like mukbang for example — but adds a certain twist to it. As in, instead of eating Raising Cane's,
the AI generated person eats a glass strawberry or drinks pure light.
The reception for these differs. Some people are in love with AI ASMR, as it is really eyecatching. There are also those who believe that
While you do need to be subscribed in
order to use this service, simply type in as much detail what you want to see on your screen and the program does it for you. Granted it might take some back and forth to iron out the details and errors — after all, AI is not personal and lacks the emotion that content created by humans has — but once you master that skill, it only takes a few minutes to create the next viral video.
Google Veo 3 was launched earlier this year back in March, and unlike its predecessors, it can create video alongside audio and dialogue, making it seem more realistic than ever before.
Simple, easy, fast — and
definitely lazy.
Anyone can open Google and type a quick sentence into a program that creates the video for you. A quick upload to TikTok, millions of views later, and the paychecks will just keep coming.
However, there are real people who dedicate their entire accounts into creating entertaining videos of different types of ASMR, a minute-long videos that often take hours and hours of work on their end with setting up, shooting and editing, only to end up with less than 100 views for months before they get any sort of real following.
AI has been also known to use an extreme amount of water so using it for something like ASMR quite frankly just seems unnecessarily wasteful.
There have been instances where AI was used to help doctors figure out if someone has cancer or not. AI Chatbots have improved customer service for many companies as they are a 24/7 resource for customer complaints and questions without needing to overwork some poor intern. AI can have many useful uses, outside of using it to pass that one class that you really don’t care about.
But AI ASMR does nothing but take the revenue and attention from actual hardworking content creators that go above and beyond to make sure their content is new and entertaining. So next time you come across an “eating lava as honey” video, maybe continue scrolling.
Tyreek Hill injury turns spotlight on controversial legacy
By ANTHONY ANGELILLO Staff Writer
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill suffered a devastating knee injury on Sept. 29 that could lead to him never being the same player again. Hill dislocated his left knee and tore multiple ligaments, including his ACL, during the third quarter of Miami’s 27-21 win over the New York Jets.
The injury occurred when Hill was tackled near the sideline, causing his leg to bend at an unusual angle. Hill, writhing in pain, was then carted off the field, waving and blowing kisses to the crowd, making people believe that he was happy about his injury.
However, after Hill underwent surgery on Tuesday morning, his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, said the surgery “went very well” and that Hill plans to return in 2026.
Medical experts note that a knee dislocation with multiple ligament tears is one of the most severe injuries in football. Recovery can take a year or more, and even then, players often struggle to regain full speed and agility. At 31 years old, Hill faces an uphill battle to return to his All-Pro form. For some, the timing feels like more than bad luck. In September, his estranged wife, Keeta Vaccaro, accused him of eight instances of domestic violence during their 17-month marriage. Court filings allege physical abuse, including shoving, pulling hair and spitting. Hill has denied the allegations, calling them a “shakedown.” The NFL has opened an investigation, but no criminal charges have been filed.
strangulation after an incident involving his then-pregnant girlfriend while at Oklahoma State University.
He received three years’ probation and was removed from the football program. In 2019, Hill made national
injury and renewed scrutiny over his past has fueled a wave of public reaction, with some fans calling the injury “karma.”
Social media has been divided, with sympathy from Dolphins supporters clashing against critics who point to Hill’s
active receivers.
Hill is an eight-time Pro Bowler, a fivetime All-Pro and a Super Bowl champion with the Kansas City Chiefs. His 2023 season was historic, leading the league with 1,799 yards and 13 touchdowns.
These allegations add to a long list of controversies that have followed Hill since college, including in 2014, when he pleaded guilty to domestic assault and battery by
investigated for child abuse after his three-year-old son suffered a broken arm, though no charges were filed.
More recently, Hill faced a lawsuit from a woman who claimed he broke her leg during a football drill at his home.
The combination of a career-threatening
traction in the court of public opinion.
On the field, Hill’s résumé is undeniable. Since entering the league in 2016, Hill has been one of the NFL’s most electrifying players. He has 11,363 receiving yards and 83 touchdowns, ranking among the top
Hill’s speed and agility redefined the wide receiver position, making him nearly impossible to defend. However, those traits are also the most difficult to recover after a significant knee injury. Even if Hill returns, it is uncertain whether he can regain the explosiveness that defined his career.
The Dolphins now face a significant decision. Hill’s contract carries a $51.8 million cap hit for 2026, but none of that money is guaranteed. Miami can save more than $36 million by releasing him after this season, a move that seems increasingly likely given his age, injury, and off-field baggage.
Hill has vowed to return and wants to play for the Dolphins next season, posting on social media that “surgery went great” and thanking fans for their support.
However, the reality is harsh. Even if Hill completes his rehab, the Dolphins are unlikely to keep him at his current salary.
A pay cut or a one-year incentive-based deal with another team could be his only path back.
If this is the end, Hill leaves behind a complicated legacy. He was one of the most dynamic players of his generation, capable of changing a game with a single play.
Yet his career has been overshadowed by allegations of violence and legal disputes that never fully went away.
Whether viewed as a tragic twist of fate or a reckoning long overdue, Hill’s story is a reminder that in the NFL, greatness on the field does not erase a lifetime of controversy.
ILLUSTRATIONBYEMILY KATZ
ILLUSTRATION BY EMILY KATZ
Quinnipiac basketball programs showered with praise in Preseason Coaches Poll
By MICHAEL PETITTO Associate Sports Editor
Quinnipiac men’s and women’s basketball received high honors in the annual MAAC Preseason Coaches Poll as both programs look to return to the MAAC Tournament this year and get the job done by bringing home the MAAC Title.
Here’s a breakdown of where Quinnipiac placed in both polls and the preseason honors that Bobcat players received from the annual poll, which is voted on by each MAAC head coach.
MEN’S BASKETBALL
Quinnipiac has been voted the favorite to win the MAAC Championship for the second year in a row despite falling to Iona in the MAAC tournament this past April.
Despite never winning a conference title, Quinnipiac has dominated the MAAC in the regular season, posting a 15-5 record against MAAC opponents in the last two seasons, earning back-to-back regular season MAAC titles in 2023-24 and 2024-25.
The Bobcats were able to retain the services of senior forward Amarri Monroe and sophomore guard Jaden Zimmerman, two crucial pieces to last season’s squad that will help to keep Quinnipiac afloat in the challenging world of MAAC play.
Besides Monroe and Zimmerman, the
look of the team is almost completely different compared to last season. Eight players either transferred to a different program or graduated, meaning head coach Tom Pecora and company had to rely on new recruits and the transfer portal to fill out the roster.
It seems like coaches from across the MAAC see the upside that new faces, such
son and Preseason All-MAAC First Team.
The reigning MAAC Player of the Year looks to add another record-breaking campaign to his Quinnipiac career.
Zimmerman was awarded Preseason All-MAAC Second Team after a stellar freshman campaign.
Only time will tell if Quinnipiac can bring a third consecutive regular season MAAC title back to Hamden, completeing
gram history in guard Gal Raviv this offseason, Quinnipiac was picked second to win the MAAC.
Fairfield, who bested the Bobcats in the MAAC title game in April, was unanimously picked first.
Besides Raviv, the program is returning all of its key players along with some new pickups in the transfer portal and recruitment cycle. Head coach Tricia Fabbri will continue to lead a well-oiled machine in the Bobcats as they set out to prove they can keep up with the Stags.
ing one ented
Junior forward Anna Foley and graduate student guard Jackie Grisdale received Preseason All-MAAC First Team honors. Foley put together an impressive sophomore campaign and Grisdale continues to be one of the top three-point bucket getters in the entire MAAC conference.
Junior guard Karson Martin was awarded with Preseason All-MAAC Second Team honors. Martin saw her role and usage decline last season as Raviv was a significant portion of the Bobcats’ offense. Without the reigning MAAC Player of the Year on the roster, Martin will see a significant increase in usage, something that coaches across the conference seem to agree with.
If there’s one thing to take away from the Coaches Poll for both teams, it’s that Quinnipiac basketball is in good hands.
Women's ice hockey roars past Providence Friars in 5-0 win
By COOPER WOODWARD Staff Writer
HAMDEN – It was a day of firsts for the Bobcats, as Quinnipiac women’s ice hockey defeated Providence College in a 5-0 win on Saturday afternoon.
The win completed the Bobcat’s weekend sweep over the Friars, taking the win in Friday night’s contest by a score of 5-2. It also extends the Bobcat win streak to four in a row to start the year, as well as moving them to 8-11-2 against Providence.
The first period began with Quinnipiac’s high pressure offense coming out of the gate hot. It put the pressure on Providence early, forcing graduate student goaltender Hope Walinski to flash the leather, sav ing shots from sophomore center Taylor Brueske and senior center Emerson Jarvis.
Quinnipiac’s biggest loss however came with seven minutes left in the first period, when junior center Alex Law, who record ed a hat trick in Friday’s game, went down hard with an injury.
Law’s departure from the game was an other loss to an already depleted Bobcat at tack, with senior forward Tessa Holk and freshman center Jade Barbirati absent from Saturday’s contest.
Despite the offensive volume, this was a quiet period for the Bobcats, as well as the Friars. Neither team was able to put the puck in the net and both squads matched each other in shots with nine apiece.
In the second frame, however, Quinni piac turned up the heat.
Right from the first puck drop, the Bob cats continued where they left off, keeping their foot on the gas. By the time it hit the halfway point in the second period, the Bob cats had put over ten shots on Walinski.
The breaking point came when sophomore defensemen Makayla Watson halted what would be a Friar breakaway. She would take the puck back into the Providence end, send it across the crease to junior forward Kahlen Lamarche, who would slip it behind Walinski for her first goal
The Bobcat’s offense would continue to be relentless. Forty seconds after Cormier’s goal, graduate student forward Laurence Frenette would pass the puck to sophomore defenseman Ansley D’Ottavio right in front of Quinnipiac’s bench. She would launch a wrist shot from the blue line, and
continue to put the pressure on Providence as it entered the final frame, wasting very little time adding to the score.
Four minutes into the third period, D’Ottavio received a pass from Brueske just shy of the left zone in the Providence end. With the puck on her stick in prime goal territory, she ripped a wrist shot into the back of the net for her second goal of the game, extending Quinnipiac’s lead 4-0.
“Tav is an offensive player,” head coach Cass Turner said. “We expect this from her, she expects this from herself, and I think she’s ready to make those confident plays for us.”
The Bobcats would round out the scoring ten minutes later at the 14 minute mark. Watson would poke away the attack from Providence sophomore forward Emma Hofbauer, sending the puck to Bobcat sophomore forward Avery Bairos. She would put a shot on Wallinski, which the goalie would deflect, only for freshman forward Ruby Rauk to put in the loose puck and add to the Bobcat lead.
“I was kind of surprised that the puck just happened to pop right onto my stick with a wide open net,” Rauk said. “It was pretty awesome.”
The Quinnipiac defense would hold for the rest of the game, only allowing one more shot from the Friars and sealing the team’s first shutout of the season and the fifth of Frank’s career.
“A great team win,” Turner said. “They were relentless on the puck, really connected were and on a mission to win today’s hockey game”
The Bobcats will travel to Syracuse, N.Y. to face the Syracuse Orange Friday, Oct. 10. Puck drop is set for 5 p.m.
PHOTO: QU Athletics Fights Cancer, Bobcats wear pink to raise awareness
Men's ice hockey takes down the Eagles, 4-3, in a 2024 NCAA Regionals rematch
By CLAIRE FRANKLAND Sports Editor
Quinnipiac men’s ice hockey opens up its season with a 4-3 win Friday night against No. 6 Boston College.
“It’s a great win for us, I thought both teams battled hard,” head coach Rand Pecknold said. “It’s a very unique situation when you play the first game of the season, so obviously it’s even for both of us.”
Yet, this game was not like any other to open up both teams’ seasons.
The last time these two faced off was in 2024 at the NCAA Tournament, where the Eagles sent the Bobcats back to Hamden in overtime fashion, 5-4.
Between two nationally ranked opponents that have only met a handful of times, the tension and stakes were high in Conte Forum Arena, where the Bobcats last competed in 2022.
Junior goaltender Dylan Silverstein got the start in net for the Bobcats, after ending last season with a .903 save percentage in 24 games played. Against the Eagles, Silverstein was a brick wall in net, making 12 saves with a .800 save percentage.
“He’s doing great, big win for him obviously… I was excited for him tonight, to give him a start,” Pecknold said.
From the high intensity preseason matchup, here are the important notes.
BOSTON BRUINS PROSPECTS
Tension was increasingly high among the eight Boston Bruins prospects between both squads, with two representing Quinnipiac and six representing Boston College.
From the Bobcats, this would include sophomore forward Chris Pelosi and sophomore defenseman Elliot Groenewold.
For the Eagles, this would include freshmen forward William Moore and defenseman Kristian Kostadinski, sophomore forward James Hagens and forward Dean Letourneau, as well as senior forward Oskar Jellvik and forward captain Andre Gasseau.
“It was pretty cool seeing everyone out there, you know knowing everyone out there. But at the
end of the day it’s our team vs. their team, we kinda just put our heads down and forgot who knows who,” Pelosi said.
COACHES MATCHUP
Along with the athletes, the coaches in this matchup added a further interesting element.
Boston College head coach Greg Brown is the winningest coach among active Division I coaches in career win percentage, with a .697. Brown, a former Eagle defenseman, has coached BC for 19 years, serving 14 seasons as an assistant coach before being named head coach.
For Quinnipiac, Pecknold is the winningest coach among active Division I coaches in career wins, starting the 2025-26 game with 666, in his 32 seasons in Hamden.
And both coaches have great respect for each other.
“Brown and his staff do a great job,” Pecknold said.
PRESSURE IS PRIVILEGE
Quinnipiac got the momentum going early with freshman forward Antonin Verreault
ward Mason Marcellus honed in on this idea of pressure, fighting and pushing through the Eagles’ defense multiple times in the first period to get quick shots off on junior goaltender Jan Korec.
In its third goal, Quinnipiac forced a turn over on the Eagles, leaving the puck sliding in front of the net to the stick of freshman defenseman Graham Sward, alone in front of BC’s net.
“Our team was on a roll the whole game. You know hitting them and getting pucks in, you know playing hard and doing our job,” Pelosi said.
Even the Bobcats’ fourth goal of the game would be further aided by pressure, with senior forward Jeremy Wilmer throwing it in from the point and getting the puck lost behind Korec in the crease. Pelosi would follow the shot, crashing the net to stuff it in past the Eagles netminder, scoring the game-winning goal.
The hard pressure the Bobcats put on the Eagles forced them to panic and throw the puck, resulting in turn overs and control of the game by Quinnipiac.
would put this on display in Friday’s matchup, giving them that extra edge over the Eagles.
For the Bobcats, Wilmer would strike first, using his patience and stick handling to toe drag it around the sliding body of sophomore defenseman Michael Hagans, giving himself space to snipe it past Korec.
The college hockey rookies got their time to shine, with freshman forward Ethan Wyttenbach feeding a nice puck to freshman forward Matthew Lansing to put Quinnipiac in the lead once again.
“They’ve been awesome, they want it… it’s really exciting to see them chip in and you know they’re going to be a big piece of our team,” Wilmer said.
FACEOFF MOMENTUM
With winning 32 faceoffs, the Bobcats used their wins to explode off the faceoff and generate opportunities in center ice and the offensive zone.
Quinnipiac’s faceoff positioning gave it chances to burst off its faceoff wins with a man rushing to the net hard.
While these chances do no always result in goals, with another man rushing hard to the net, goals are bound to come from rebound chances, as the pressure builds on the netminder.
KEEP MINUTES DOWN
ized by puck control, speed and bined create teams that have strong reads of the ice and plays, knowing when it’s the best moment to strike. Many of the Bobcats
Quinnipiac’s flaw of the game was its penalties, taking three throughout the game
Quinnipiac dominated full strength play, easily shutting down multiple Eagle attempts, yet with a man down, the Bobcats struggled to hold strong.
While the Bobcats played a good box formation with great stick control to deflect an Eagles pass into the corner on a couple occasions, Boston College would score two powerplay goals on three opportunities.
On the other hand, Quinnipiac could not generate on the man advantage, with a weak powerplay tonight going 0-2, with only three shots.
Quinnipiac will travel to Providence, R.I. to face off against the Providence Friars on Oct. 5. Faceoff is set for 2 p.m.