Issue No. 2 Fall '25

The Signal

Vol. LIV, No. 2

https://www.tcnjsignalnews.com/

September 5, 2025

Serving The College of New Jersey since 1885

Men’s soccer dominates opening weekend, scores 11 goals from new talents

By Nick Kurti Staff Writer When the Lions were nicknamed the “dark horse” of the New Jersey Athletic Conference, a start like this was exactly what they meant.

With their new head coach, Steve DeMatteo, a former UPenn assistant coach who helped their Ivy League three-peat, and four freshmen with goal contributions already, including two goals and two assists from Matt Will, the team starts 2-0 for the first time since 2019, their most recent season with a winning record.

The home opener saw Immaculata University at Lions Stadium on Friday, Aug. 29. DeMatteo and the team were feeling nervous yet ready to take on the Mighty Macs, fielding a freshman defender, midfielder, striker and goalkeeper.

“There’s a lot of nervous energy and anxiety when you’re playing your first game,” DeMatteo told The Signal. “We had a lot of young guys on the field, and then we had a lot of older guys trying to make plays.”

The first half saw the players physically neck-and-neck as aggression took over missed calls, but the College had the upper hand, outshooting Immaculata 8-0. In the 42nd minute, senior Chris Meder got the ball loose to Monroe freshman Aidan Ayar, who buried it into the bottom corner to get the scoring started.

Photo by Andre Paras

Junior Conor Campbell faces off with an Immaculata defender.

When they returned for the second half, the Lions were ruthless. In the first five minutes, senior J.J. Zaun assisted Meder in a header, and then Meder assisted junior Pablo Argueta in a beautiful behind-the-back shot to get up 3-0.

Freshmen duo Ayar and Will scored the fourth as Ayar kicked a long ball to Will, who scrambled to beat Mighty Mac goalie Matteo Paolillo and put it into the right side. This, alongside a solo Meder

breakaway, finished off the unprecedented win. It was the most goals for a season opener since 2013, where they beat John Jay 7-0.

On Sunday, Penn State Berks arrived to take on the Lions, coming off of a 3-0 shutout from Albright. The Lions commanded 28 shots and 12 corner kicks this match, whereas Berks only had one of each.

It was this performance in corner kicks

that got the College on the board, with freshman Aiden Grund taking the kick and sophomore Lawrence Mancino heading it past the keeper into the bottom left corner.

About twenty minutes later, Ayar makes a short pass to Meder, who spins past the Berks defense and through the goalie into the net.

See SOCCER page 12

Individuals behind suspicious anonymous Trump rebuffs rumors about his death posts identified, no legitimate threat found

By Isabella Darcy Managing Editor Campus Police identified two individuals yesterday who were responsible for posting threatening messages on the social media platform Fizz Social Corp. The messages were posted anonymously on Tuesday to the campus community on Fizz, which can only be utilized by those who have a valid email associated with the College.

The threats, which were non-specific in nature, were deemed false as a result of an investigation conducted by Campus Police.

The first post “To TCNJ students and on-campus jobs that have rejected me: I’m tired of the disrespect, the hate, and the doubt surrounding me. I’m tired of being overlooked and being ignored. All that stops today,” said the anonymous post on Fizz Tuesday morning.

Jordan Draper, assistant vice president for student affairs and Dean of Students, reported the post to Campus Police at around 11:20 a.m. on Tuesday. Draper also flagged the post on Fizz as being a violation of its community guidelines. It was later taken down.

Campus Police immediately submitted

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a subpoena to Fizz for “any and all contact and identifying information on the anonymous poster,” according to Campus Police records provided to The Signal.

Fizz responded to Campus Police’s requests late Tuesday afternoon with the email address and phone number associated with the account of the anonymous poster. With this information, Campus Police identified the name and residence of the person responsible.

Officers then conducted a welfare check on the individual, who admitted to making the posts. The poster, however, “denied having any plan or means for violence or any recent trigger that made [redacted] make that post,” according to Campus Police records. No weapons were found in the poster’s living space.

A second post follows At around 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Campus Police received numerous reports from students regarding another threatening message posted on Fizz. This message said, “I’m so done with college, I’ve been treated so badly all my life and I was hoping it would change. Nothing… My classes are horrible and I’m just so done.

Everyone will pay Tommorow.”

OPINIONS

See THREATS page 2 page 3

Hermit Crab Purchases

Hermit crabs are usually bought while people are vacationing at the shore, but how many people consider the underlying ethical issues behind their purchase?

NATION & WORLD

By Ally Uhlendorf Editor-in-Chief

After a week of viral rumors circulating about President Donald Trump’s death, he has offered his first in-person comments dismissing the online conspiracy theories.

During a televised press conference in the Oval Office on Sept. 2, Trump was asked by a reporter whether or not he was aware of the whispers regarding the state of his health. In response, the president stated that did not see any of these speculations.

“How did you find out over the weekend that you were dead?” the reporter asked Trump at the conference. “Did you see that?”

Brushing it off, the president replied to the over 1 million user engagements regarding his demise with a simple “no… last week I did numerous news conferences — all successful, they went very well, like this is going very well — and then I didn’t do any for two days and they said ‘there must be something wrong with him.’”

Trump had not been seen in public from Tuesday afternoon until Saturday morning.

Prior to his disappearance from the public eye, he attended a more-than-three-hour on-camera Cabinet meeting, the longest conference of his term thus far. On Aug. 29, “Trump Is Dead” and “Where Is Trump?” began trending on X. Adding to the speculation that somepage 5

Minneapolis Shooting

TCNJ alumn, and global head of Dossier Development and Operatios, Melissa Mertzman shares her experiences.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

thing was severely wrong with his health, Trump was spotted with a reoccuring large bruise on his hand that, until recently, was concealed by makeup. In February, the White House stated that the bruise was a result of Trump’s “constantly working and shaking hands all day every day.” In July, his doctor wrote that Trump takes aspirin as part of a “cardiovascular prevention regimen” and that the bruising is a side effect of the medication. The physician insisted at the time that despite Trump’s diagnosis, he “remains in excellent health.”

Trump’s very own Vice President, JD Vance, also fueled suspicions regarding his health. “Yes, terrible tragedies happen.

But, I feel very confident the President of the United States is in good shape, is going to serve out the remainder of his term and do great things for the American people,” Vance told USA Today. “And if, God forbid, there’s a terrible tragedy, I can’t think of better on-the-job training than what I’ve gotten over the last 200 days,” he said.

At the Sept. 2 conference, the president went on to reveal that he was aware of the public questioning the state of his health due to reports he recieved, but was not aware of the conspirarcies that he died.

Read more on our website! page 8

Sabrina Carpenter Ablum “Man’s Best Friend” once again showcases Carpenter’s talent for pairing catchy pop with sharp, witty lyrics.

SPORTS

Field Hockey

page 11

Field hockey wins first two season games, setting a strong impression.

page 2 The Signal September 5, 2025

THREATS / How the anonymous posts on Fizz were addressed and two possible violations of the Student Conduct Code, the Office of Student Conduct will evaluate each case separately and determine what happens next.

“What we’re looking at is what kind of harm was caused to the community or to an individual, and then how can we repair that harm as an institution through educational and, or punitive sanctions or consequences,” Draper told The Signal.

Even on anonymous social media platforms like Fizz, posts can be traced back to the person making them.

Continued from page 1 The post was removed by Fizz within hours of being uploaded.

Campus Police again sent urgent requests for information to Fizz. The social media platform responded Wednesday with the email address associated with the anonymous post.

Officers once again identified the poster ’s name using the provided email, and then went to their living space to search for weapons and requested that they go to Campus Police headquarters for questioning.

No weapons were found.

At Campus Police headquarters, the individual admitted to posting the threatening message Tuesday night. The individual said that while scrolling on Fizz Tuesday, they saw another post that was similar to the one they would go on to make.

The individual told Campus Police that they decided to make a similar post because they thought the post they saw was a joke. They also said they had no intention of harming themself or others.

Next steps Chief of Campus Police Timothy

Photo by Erin Reilly

Grant informed the campus community of both false threats on Wednesday through two emails: one in the morning when only one individual had been identified and another, almost five hours later, when the second individual had also been identified.

“Hoaxes or false reports of threats or violence will be investigated and carry severe consequences,” Grant said in both emails.

Any type of threat is a violation of the College’s Student Conduct Code under the personal abuse section.

Because there are two posters

Concerns nationwide Illegitimate threats to colleges and universities have been a concern on many campuses nationwide.

At least a dozen institutions have received false reports of an active shooter on campus in the past week, according to The Washington Post.

Such reports, which are categorized as hoaxes or swatting calls, were specific and designed to cause havoc.

The Fizz posts were neither hoaxes nor swatting calls.

Nonetheless, the College and Campus Police take any and all threats to the campus community seriously. Campus Police encourages anyone who witnesses suspicious activity or threatening behavior to report it immediately, as such reports can help keep the campus safe. “​T hese being reported very quickly and by students in our community was really helpful,” Draper said. “It gave us the information we needed to act very quickly.”

If you become aware of suspicious behavior or information, please contact Campus Police immediately at 609-771-2345.

Missed us in the summer? Former Ewing Stewart’s Root Beer owner and beloved family member Here’s a summer news passes at 84 wrap up

By Raeanne Raccagno News Editor Recent recognitions The College earned praise for being named to Phi Theta Kappa honor roll for the second year in a row, named in Princeton Review’s Best 391 Colleges for 2026 and for remaining a national leader for producing high school physics teachers.

Physics department awarded The physics department has earned a bronze award from the Physics and Astronomy SEA Change Committee after dedicating work to making its department a more diverse, inclusive and supportive physics department. To earn the award, the department created a five-year action plan with quantifiable outcomes to address structural and systemic challenges identified. Any challenges identified were found through a complete departmental self-assessment, examining the demographics, policies, procedures, culture and climate.

New Vice President for College Advacement David Muha was officially named the permanent vice president for college advancement at the end of July. Muha assumed the interim role in January after John Donohue retired.

First New Jersey youth entrepreneurs academy The College hosted New Jersey’s first Young Entrepreneurs Academy, or YEA!,

after partnering up with the Princeton Mercer Regional Chamber of Commerce.

The program allowed 30 students to become entrepreneurs through a 30-week experiential learning program.

African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey’s Juneteenth celebration New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, Chamber President John Harmon and the College’s President Michael Bernstein all spoke at the African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey’s third annual Juneteenth Black Business Expo on June 12. This year’s theme was “Resilience is our Heritage,” and highlighted more than 50 corporations, Black-owned businesses, community partners and state agencies.

Strike out hunger On June 10, the College hosted the United Way of Greater Mercer County for the fifth year as part of the organization’s annual Strike Out Hunger event. Over 100 volunteers, along with 10 campus community members, boxed more than 40,000 servings of chicken soup.

New minor oppurtunity The College added a sports and communications minor to help keep up with the quickly growing sports business industry. The minor will help students gain knowledge for jobs in sports marketing, sports agencies, sales, general management, external relations, community relations, broadcasting, coaching, recruiting, intercollegiate athletics and data analytics.

By Raeanne Raccagno News Editor

Irene Nyktas, a former Ewing resident and a devoted family m e m b e r, p a s s e d a w a y o n A u g . 1 8 at 84.

Irene was born on June 6, 1941, in Agios Georgios Sikousis, Chios, Greece. She married her husband, John (Ioannis) Nyktas on Dec. 29, 1963, and they lived 61 treasured years tog e t h e r. S h e a n d h e r h u s b a n d h a d o n e d a u g h t e r, Va l a r i e ( Va s i l i k i ) , in November 1964.

Nyktas and her family immigrated to the United States in December 1965 and resided in Tr e n t o n , N . J . a n d l i v e d t h e r e f o r four years until moving to Ewing, N.J. Irene and her husband lived there for 42 years, where they owned and operated the S t e w a r t ’s R o o t B e e r i n E w i n g f o r 40 years.

S t e w a r t ’s R o o t B e e r, w h i c h started out selling root beer and popcorn, expanded its business to fast food restaurants and began franchising its business in 1 9 3 1 . T h e S t e w a r t ’s R o o t B e e r in Hamilton, N.J. recently had a grand reopening on May 7, 2025, and is still loved by customers t o d a y.

When she was not tending to her customers, she loved to cook, garden her flowers and vegetables, sew and help raise

her three grandchildren with endless love. She raised a proud G r e e k f a m i l y, p a s s i n g a l o n g the culture by teaching recipes, the Greek language and important traditions. Irene was also a faithful member of St. George Greek Orthodox Church and the Greek Orthodox Ladies Philoptoc h o s S o c i e t y.

Reaching retirement, Irene a n d J o h n m o v e d t o H o l i d a y, Florida, where they have lived for the past 14 years. She deeply adored spending summers in Chios, where she could reunite with family and lifelong friends.

I n h e r m o s t r e c e n t y e a r s , I r e n e ’s greatest happiness came from spending time with her seven great-grandchildren.

She is survived by: her husband John Nyktas (Ioannis) of H o l i d a y, F L ; h e r d a u g h t e r Va l a rie Michailides (Eleftherios) of Ewing, NJ; her grandchildren, I r e n e S t e n s o n ( J i m ) o f Ya r d l e y, PA , D e m e t r i a B a r r y ( B r e t t ) o f N e w t o w n , PA a n d Yi a n n i s Michailides (Allison) of Phila d e l p h i a , PA ; h e r g r e a t g r a n d c h i l d r e n , J i m m y, T h e o d o r e , Daphne Stenson, George, Amalia, Sophia Barry and Alexander Michailides; and her brother Stelios Pouleros (Katerina) of C h i o s , G r e e c e . S h e i s a l s o s u rvived by many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews and other family and friends.

The way hermit crabs are sold today is inhumane

Graphic by Sandra Abrantes

The level of care needed to raise hermit crabs is often underestimated.

By Sandra Abrantes are inclined to believe this is the environment Correspondant they are suited for, when in reality, hermit crabs should have at least a 10 gallon tank, Have you ever gone to the beach or with a regulated temperature from 75 to 80 boardwalk and begged your parents to get degrees, with both freshwater and saltwater you a hermit crab, only for it to die within bowls, a variety of food choices to maintain the week? Maybe they warned you before- health, toys, and natural foliage, leaves or hand, saying “no, they aren’t worth the mon- moss to forage. ey,” or “OK, but just remember not to get too These are simply the basics that are reattached.” Both of which are wrong to say. quired to keep crabs healthy, yet when they There are many rules that go along with are sold, there is a thin, sometimes nonexowning a pet. A dog, for instance, has needs istent layer of sand, toxic painted rocks to and requirements in order to live. Namely: entice buyers, little to no water and a small water, food, a place to sleep, toys, outdoor plastic carrying box not meant to be liveable. space and walks. Every pet, no matter what The way that hermit crabs are marketed and species, has a list of “do’s and don’ts,” and it seen is exactly why they are treated like they is no different with hermit crabs. aren’t living creatures who deserve a happy The metal cages you most commonly see and healthy life. hermit crabs in are just about the opposite In addition to these examples of poor livof their needed environment. These cages ing conditions, hermit crabs are at risk to die do not keep in warmth, allow for digging or quickly because they are marketed towards provide any kind of comfort. You wouldn’t children. What many people do not know is keep your dog or cat in a cold metal cage all that the brightly painted and colorful rocks, day, every day, without a blanket or a bed, if shells and furniture offered by sellers are you love them, that is. some of the most harmful things you can do By showcasing crabs in this way, people for them.

If you find yourself drawn to the painted “Batman” logo, or your favorite color, shiny on the back of a hermit crab’s shell, stop. You are falling into the trap that is set to attract buyers to purchase crabs, their accessories and the harmful products that are not meant to help them. The paints and glazes used on their shells can flake off, and because hermit crabs are foragers, they are very prone to eat what is around them.

When hermit crabs ingest the dried paint, which is toxic for consumption, they are likely to be poisoned and die, so when selecting shells for your crabs, it is crucial to find natural, non-toxic shells of different sizes. But, of course, no seven-year-old is going to want a crab with a brown or natural shell when there is the option for a “Spider-man” or hot pink “Barbie” logo painted on their shell.

In fact, many people are not aware of how hermit crabs even come into captivity. How do they appear in pet stores and gift shops by the hundred with brightly painted shells?

An article from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals released shocking and gut-wrenching news about Brelean Corporation, a known captive hermit crab supplier to mainstream pet stores and many small beach shops throughout the country.

The company kept piles of hermit crabs on hardwood floors, sweeping them together to fit more in the cramped, depriving environment. The dead, who couldn’t survive the hostile treatment of being transported in sacks, having their natural shells forcefully broken off, their bodies crushed with a manual lever press or the lack of any of their necessary means to survive, are sorted from the live crabs and thrown away.

Even still with this method of “sorting” the dead and alive to throw out or sell, many live crabs have been found grouped with the dead. Hermit crabs are taken from their

homes, deprived of everything they need and tortured until they either die, or are bought by a sticky-handed seven-year-old that will not give it what it needs.

A video released by PETA on YouTube in 2016 that was attached to the article has garnered over 200,000 views. It portrays the horrifying truth behind the hermit crab industry, and a deep-dive into the conditions Brelean Corporations was subjecting their captive crabs to. While nowadays this number of views is not especially high, those who have seen it should spread awareness and communicate the truth about these jarring conditions.

I can only hope that those who are aware of this injustice do something about it.

Whether that is by speaking out about these issues, or informing friends, family, or anyone who will listen about this animal abuse and endangerment that is out of the minds of many people. Instead of ignoring hermit crab welfare, you can choose to educate yourself and stand for what is morally right. This can take the form of protesting, researching or sharing your thoughts about this topic.

While conducting my own research about hermit crabs before I got two of my own, I stumbled upon Janie Groeling, a YouTube and TikTok creator who educates and offers consultations on how to take care of hermit crabs, their needs and how to ethically keep them as long-term pets. Through her insight, I have been able to successfully keep two hermit crabs, Myrtle and Winky, alive and thriving for two months and counting.

Perhaps the next time you visit the beach or a mainstream pet company, you too will see the truth about these small, defenseless crustaceans. Maybe the next time you overhear someone talking about how they aren’t worth the money or time, you can let them know the truth about these tortured animals.

Emil Wakim was wrongly fired Obsession over style kills creativity

By Adriana Tamayo Correspondent

This past week has been an absolute wild ride for any fans of the late-night sketch comedy show Saturday Night Live. Earlier this year, showrunner Lorne Michaels confirmed that there would be a significant “cast shake-up” for the upcoming season 51.

Out of the three new Season 50 cast members, the only one cut was Emil Wakim, which stings a little because one season for him was not nearly enough.

Along with Wakim, three more cast members are confirmed to be leaving.

On Aug. 27, Wakim took to Instagram to announce his departure, writing, “i won’t be returning to snl next year. it was a gutpunch of a call to get but i’m so grateful for my time there.”

Many were devastated by this post. As for me, I felt like Wakim had so much to offer the show, but wasn’t given nearly enough time to showcase it.

Wakim comes from a background in stand-up comedy. In 2022, he made his late-night television debut on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.” That same year, Wakim was named a New Face of Comedy at the Just for Laughs Comedy Festival. He had also previously opened for comedians Roy Wood Jr., Nikki Glaser and Hasan Minhaj.

While on SNL, Wakim portrayed satirical versions of Luigi Mangione and Prince Mohammed bin Salman, as well as a couple of other smaller roles in various sketches. He was also featured twice on the “Weekend Update” segment to perform

stand-up comedy bits, which I believe was his chance to shine.

The addition of Wakim to the cast was huge in terms of the diversity of the show.

He was the first Lebanese-American cast member on SNL as well as one of the few Middle Eastern cast members, along with SNL alum Nasim Pedrad and Aristotle Athari.

A lot of Wakim’s comedy and writing comes from his experiences growing up and living as a Lebanese-American with an immigrant father. With Wakim gone, SNL is robbing Arab-American viewers of a cast member who makes them feel seen through jokes and writing.

Wakim’s perspective is so important to have on a show like SNL because, generally, diversity leads to more relatable comedy and could, in turn, create better sketches and memorable moments.

I’m aware that this isn’t the first time that SNL has abruptly fired fan-favorite cast members, and I don’t know what goes on behind the scenes. But from an audience standpoint, I still certainly believe that Michaels is missing out on what Wakim could’ve been if he had kept him on the show for at least another season.

Wakim is a very talented stand-up comedian and I think that he was a very good performer on the show. Even though he wasn’t in very many sketches, he was given a variety of different characters to play and he did them justice every time.

Regardless, I’m beyond devastated that Wakim wasn’t asked back for SNL’s 51st season, but I’m excited to see where he goes next as his self-proclaimed biggest fan.

Photo courtesy of Flickr

Consistent style limits creative freedom.

By Natalia Tomczak Opinions Editor Obsession with style suffocates creativity. In a world of algorithms, we’re constantly fed the message that consistency and style are everything. But when writing is endlessly polished, at what point does the message fade away?

By all means, polish your writing until it is dull! Box yourself into one style! Readers will marvel at how meaningless it is! Inspire them with your singularity!

A point can be made for the necessity of style and consistency in writing. But in a world of artificial intelligence, creativity is a unique gift, and using it wisely is a protest against the idea that writing is strictly formulaic. Style can be replicated, but unpredictability cannot be automated.

Writing is an act of freedom. From the moment the thoughts form, to the second the paragraphs construct themselves, writing is liberation.

It would be a paradoxical argument to say that style constrains it, because is not the act of writing still an act of freedom?

Therefore, it would be weak to compare

writing style to a kind of prison, because it is by no means punishment nor is it torturous, until, of course, it is. Rather, style is more like an imaginary box. Imagination cannot constrain you, can it?

But the concept of a signature style is a trap — one that has replaced fluidity. For example, I may feel confident in knowing who I am today, but when I look back with hindsight, I see how much more I’ve learned about my identity as the years passed, and I foresee more learning is to come.

Identity is not always static. If I stick to one style, I might find I’ve outgrown it; to cling to it is to allow it to hold me back.

Many writers have seen their styles change over the years. Ernest Hemingway, known for his journalistic style, was a staple in many classic American novels, was known for writing with short sentences and punchy descriptions. He later wrote in a style more lyrical and symbolic, like in “The Old Man and The Sea.” Had Hemingway stuck to only one type of style, we would not have known the beauty of what other kinds of writing he was capable of. The duality is impressive.

An icon of the American novel, Hemingway’s “style” still shifted. Does that make him a traitor to his own self? Or does that make him the hero? If the human experience is dynamic, it makes sense that someone’s writing journey will be too.

You don’t need to have a “style” to be memorable. To argue that a distinct, static, curated style is of utmost importance is to argue that this, too, is how humans ought to be. We are not machines. Free yourself from the invisible chains of style and pursue creation.

Editorials

Just because it’s anonymous, doesn’t mean you should post

Photo by Andre Paras

Students need to be cautious of what content they are posting on “anonymous” platforms.

By The Signal Editorial Board With the academic year back in full swing, many students have returned to Fizz Social Corp., a social media app that students can post anonymously on. Fizz is popular at many higher education institutions, because of its campus community option.

Fizz campus communities allow users who sign up using their school-issued email to share content and connect exclusively with others who attend their institution. This anonymity allows for a space to vent, complain and observe without fear of judgement.

However, the freedom that comes with anonymity can often be misused.

On Aug. 26, Campus Police identified two individuals respons ible for posting threatening messages on the social media platform. In this instance, the second person posted their threatening message after finding humor in the first, similar, threatening post.

As evident by this recent ordeal, even when contained within a comedic capacity, sowing discourse on anonymous message apps, such as Fizz, can have harmful effects.

In such a tumultuous time, where many dangers pose serious threats to college students, burying those with other less-intended threats can lea ve room for more serious ones to go unnoticed.

Aside from the recent threats

posted on Fizz, the app has also been flooded with inappropriate and mocking comments against students in various organizations on campus. In many posts, students are called out by their first and last names, likely without their knowledge or consent.

Such threatening or harassing posts simply have no need to exist, especially on a plat form where identity is so easily obfuscated.

Just because a post is anonymous does not preclude the poster from accountability, nor does the post itself enter a vacuum with which there are no real consequences, whether they be intended or not.

Students who post anything that could be perceived as threatening, wherever that post may be made,

The Signal

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Editorial Staff Ally Uhlendorf Editor-in-Chief Isabella Darcy Eddie Young Managing Editors

are subject to investigation by both Campus Police and the Office of Student Conduct. Threatening messages are a violation of a violation of the College’s Student Conduct Code under the personal abuse section.

Fizz also has its own standards that users agree to follow when they sign up for the platform.

The Fizz website describes the platform as “a space designed for every user to be their authentic self, and user safety and privacy is the core of all we do. We build inclusive communities where every user can be honest, be vibrant, and, above all else, be who they truly are.”

Fizz is also clear on its online chatting standards, with the website also stating, “to start, we believe that the safest online communities involve only verified members. Everyone who joins Fizz must verify a phone number. For college communities, users must verify they are students of their school before gaining access to anything in the community.”

While such sentiments can sound like obvious and empty platitudes, the distinction is clear: encouraged honesty does not, and should not, insinuate that speech is without consequence. What happened on Fizz last week was an example of the kind of posts that can get normalized if such behavior is promoted, and that was arguably the least dangerous version of how such events have often gone in our current age.

Community-based apps, especially on a college campus, should be used to connect students in a friendly and fun environment.

Administrative Staff Sky Stewart Multimedia Coordinator/Editorial Cartoonist Andre Paras Video Editor Abigail Holliday Copy Editor Amanda Incalcaterra Erin Reilly Social Media Managers

Rae Raccagno News Editor

Cristina Collins Joshua Post Business Managers

Alena Bitonti Arts & Entertainment Editor

Jenna Weldon Web Editor

Natalia Tomczak Opinions Editor

Kathleen Webber Faculty Advisor

Ashley Ragone Features Editor Joseph Caruso Sports Editor Lake DiStefano Nation & World Editor

S

POLICIES The Signal is published bi-weekly during the academic year. It is an independent publication. Any student may submit articles to The Signal. Publication of submitted articles is at the discretion of the editors. All materials submitted become the sole property of The Signal.

The Letters section is an open forum for opinions. Submissions that announce events or advertise in any way will not be printed.

The Signal willingly corrects mistakes. If you think we have made a mistake, contact us signal@tcnj.edu.

September 5 Signal Stories Crossword Down: Across: 1.

Which country did Trump recently impose tariffs on?

2.

Which school does field hockey take on next weekend?

3.

Opponent of the first men’s soccer game 5.

Which famous pop singer recently got engaged?

4.

Which new Italian restaurant came into Campus Town this year?

6.

This country experienced a drastic increase in their forest cover 7.

Which animal does PETA say is inhumane to own as a pet?

9.

The company that Gap aimed their ad in response to.

8.

Lead single off of Sabrina Carpenter’s new album, “Man’s Best Friend” 10.

Which zoo saw new endangered tortoise hatchlings?

Fall Word Search leaves fall pumpkin sweater harvest cool spice autumn crunch apples cider breeze

Trump orders 50% tariff on India over Russian oil purchases

Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

President Trump’s recent tariffs against India are being perceived as more of a punishment than a financial decision.

By Nikita Dhawan Correspondent P r e s i d e n t Tr u m p h a s r e c e n t l y imposed an outstanding 50% tariff on most Indian imports, punishing the country for its continuous trade with Russia for discounted oil, according to The Guardian.

The tariffs took full effect after midnight on Aug. 27 in Wa s h i n g t o n , a n d d o u b l e d a s a r e s u l t o f N e w D e l h i ’s p u r c h a s e s

o f R u s s i a n o i l , w i t h Tr u m p arguing Russian trade is directly funding the war in Ukraine. The Guardian reported that under the new tariffs, India is now one of the highest targeted countries u n d e r T r u m p ’s o n g o i n g g l o b a l t r a d e w a r.

This policy has hit Indian exporters hard.

To p i n d u s t r i e s l i k e t e x t i l e s , gems and jewelry and seafood, which depend on American consumers, are now facing

concerns about less demand and are halting production due to “worsening cost competitiveness” in the market.

Economist Santanu Sengupta warns that continued 50% tariffs could push Indian GDP growth under 6%, a stark contrast from the projected 6.5% mark.

I t ’s i m p o r t a n t t o n o t e t h a t some key items like smartphones and certain pharmaceuticals r e m a i n t a r i ff - f r e e . H o w e v e r, about 70% of Indian exports to the U.S. are under attack by high tariffs, pushing American buyers to shift their attention toward cheaper alternatives f r o m c o u n t r i e s l i k e Vi e t n a m a n d Thailand, the Guardian states.

The tariffs have prompted serious concerns about the relationship between the United States and India.

I n f a c t , S . J a i s h a n k a r, t h e external affairs minister of India, is calling the new tariffs “unjustified and unreasonable,” calling attention to the fact that Europe and other foreign entities continue to trade with Russia without repercussions.

According to the BBC, last y e a r, t h e U S t r a d e d g o o d s w o r t h an estimated $3.5 billion with Russia, further exemplifying I n d i a ’s confusion with the mixed signals given by the Tr u m p A d m i n i s t r a t i o n .

The tariffs could also have a d r a s t i c e f f e c t d i p l o m a t i c a l l y.

The Guardian reports how India, which has long had a shaky r e l a t i o n s h i p w i t h t h e We s t , h a s

started to shift its diplomatic focus onto Russia and China.

This alienation of India from t h e We s t e r n w o r l d i s f u r t h e r explored as the trade ministry plans to expand exports to other regions, particularly Latin America, Africa and Southeast Asia, according to PBS. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has already spoken out on his reluctance to submit to pressure f r o m t h e We s t , u r g i n g I n d i a n c o n s u m e r s t o b u y d o m e s t i c a l l y.

He emphasized the importance of economic self-reliance and made it clear that India will not cave to U.S. demands even if the economic impact worsens, stating “Pressure on us may increase [from the tariffs], but we will bear it,” according to The Guardian.

The Guardian also reports h o w Tr u m p , o n t h e o t h e r h a n d , has expressed no negative sentiments about I n d i a ’s isolation, stating, “I don’t care what India does with Russia, they can take their dead e c o n o m i e s d o w n t o g e t h e r, f o r all I care.”

Despite the turmoil, the two countries continue to hold talks and work together p o l i t i c a l l y. H o w e v e r , t h e s t e a d y relationship that has been built over for years is now at an allt i m e l o w. A n a n o n y m o u s s e n i o r trade official states, “It is going to take a long time to reboot, and it probably won’t happen u n t i l Tr u m p i s o u t , ” r e p o r t e d The Guardian.

Shooting at Minneapolis Catholic school leaves 2 dead, 18 injured

By Lake DiStefano Nation & World Editor

The Church of the Annunciation in Minneapolis suffered a shooting this past week on Aug. 27. The armed assailant opened fire during an active Mass attended by students of the Annunciation Catholic School, and was later found dead at the back of the church, with a gunshot wound to the head, according to NBS news.

Tw o c h i l d r e n w e r e k i l l e d a n d 18 other people were injured, of which included fifteen other children, ages 6 to 15, along with three parishioners in their 80s, according to NBC News.

The shooter was identified as R o b i n We s t m a n , 2 3 . A c c o r d i n g to NBC, police also found a wooden board, along with a gas container and a metal pull-pin on the ground.

Minneapolis police also said Thursday that they had r e c o v e r e d a t o t a l o f 11 6 r i f l e rounds and three shotgun shells from the scene. Search warrant details suggest that the shooter had left behind a total of four empty magazines from the semiautomatic rifle, with a surplus of extras to spare.

Despite this, Minneapolis public school students are scheduled to start classes this upcoming week. As classes start

back up, Minneapolis police say there will be increased patrols, while the state is dedicating extra crews to help protect places of worship as well as schools, according to Fox 9.

Police are continuing to review the online videos posted b y We s t m a n , i n w h i c h t h e s h o o t e r wrote many discriminatory messages, of which included: racism, homophobia, antisemitism and even a call for P r e s i d e n t D o n a l d Tr u m p ’s d e a t h .

The messages also contained references to the Holocaust and the Catholic Church.

“After the Mass had begun, the doors to the church were locked, so this coward had to fire from outside of the church through the church windows and into the church,” Police Chief O’Hara told reporters on Aug. 28. “And we believe [the shooter] not being able to get into the church likely saved countless lives.”

O’Hara also said all of the remaining victims are expected to survive. Five have been released after being treated at a local hospital.

Authorities are continuing their investigation into the s h o o t e r ’s d i g i t a l m e s s a g e s i n search of a motive and have gotten assistance from the FBI, according to O’Hara.

“Everything that we’ve seen so far is really a classic pathway

Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

A recent Minneapolis catholic school shooting has left a community of faith in disbelief, as details about the tragedy emerge. t o a n a c t i v e s h o o t e r, ” h e s a i d . “ We ’ v e s e e n a w h o l e l o t o f hate against a whole variety of people in what we have seen so f a r, b u t n o t h i n g s p e c i f i c t o p o i n t to as the motive for targeting this church and this particular incident.”

The tragedy as a whole has reignited discussions of gun control and reform, with the mayor of Minneapolis, Jacob F r e y, c a l l i n g f o r “ a s t a t e w i d e

and a federal ban on assault weapons.”

“Our community is so resilient.

O b v i o u s l y, r i g h t n o w w e a r e u n i t e d i n g r i e f . A n d i m p o r t a n t l y, we are also united in action. This w a s a n u n s p e a k a b l e t r a g e d y. B u t how many times have you heard politicians say exactly that and then nothing happens? Prayers are welcome. Thoughts certainly w e l c o m e . B u t t h a t ’s n o t e n o u g h , ” he said.

September 5, 2025 The Signal page 7

Good News Lions: Critically endangered species birth help with revitalization; 240,000 acres of land reversed desertification

Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

Graphic by Sandra Abrantes

The theme of this week’s Good News Lions article is climate change solutions and endangered animal recoveries.

By Raeanne Raccagno News Editor Good News Lions is the Nation & Wo r l d s e c t i o n ’s b i - w e e k l y n e w s segment, highlighting positive news in the country and around the world. The theme of this article is recent animal and land conservation accomplishments.

Eight R a re S o c o r ro Doves hatched f ro m zoo experts’ efforts Socorro doves are extremely rare and have only been present in bird specialists since their extinction in the wild in 1972.

C u r r e n t l y, a r o u n d 2 0 0 d o v e s a r e being cared for throughout Europe and North America, according to C h e s t e r Z o o ’s w e b s i t e .

Conservationists at Chester Z o o i n C h e s t e r, U n i t e d K i n g d o m , have successfully paired two adult Socorro doves, leading to eight healthy hatches over the s u m m e r. T h e c h i c k s ’ p a r e n t s came to Chester Zoo from London Zoo through an international conservation breeding program, C h e s t e r Z o o ’s w e b s i t e a l s o s a i d . “ S a d l y, t h e S o c o r r o d o v e w a s overlooked by conservationists f o r m a n y y e a r s , a n d i f i t w a s n ’t f o r t h e e ff o r t s o f a g r o u p o f

German aviculturists, who created a breeding programme for the species, it would have been lost f o r e v e r, ” A n d r e w O w e n , h e a d o f the bird department at Chester Zoo, said on their website.

16 critically e n d a n g e re d G a l a p a g o s To r t o i s e s H a t c h a t Philadelphia Zoo A n e a r l y 1 0 0 - y e a r- o l d f i r s t - t i m e We s t e r n S a n t a C r u z G a l a p a g o s tortoise mom gave birth to 16 total babies at the Philadelphia Z o o i n A u g u s t 2 0 2 5 . T h e m o t h e r, o r b e t t e r k n o w n a s M o m m y, o n e o f t h e z o o ’s o l d e s t r e s i d e n t s a l o n g with the father Abrazzo, gave birth to seven hatchlings earlier i n t h e y e a r, a n d t h e n g a v e b i r t h to another nine near the end of t h e s u m m e r, a c c o r d i n g t o t h e P h i l a d e l p h i a Z o o ’s w e b s i t e .

The Philadelphia Zoo reported the babies are a part of the Association of Zoos & Aquariums Species Survival Plan breeding program.

Including the newcomers, there are 60 total Galapagos tortoises in the managed AZA population. “ T h e s t o r y o f M o m m y, A b r a z z o and their now 16 babies has captured the imaginations of people around the world,” said P r e s i d e n t & C E O D r. J o - E l l e

Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

Mogerman, according to the a r t i c l e o n t h e z o o ’s w e b s i t e . “ I t ’s made us all think about what legacy means when it comes to conservation and protecting what i s p r e c i o u s . I t ’s P h i l a d e l p h i a Z o o ’s m i s s i o n t o m a k e s u r e t h e s e hatchlings are living on a healthy p l a n e t 1 0 0 + y e a r s f r o m n o w, w h e n t h e y m i g h t b e h a v i n g o ff s p r i n g o f their own.”

environmental scientists, according to Good News Network.

Locals have been determined to make a change in their decadesl o n g e ff o r t s t o r e s t o r e t h e l a n d by hand-planting saplings. The c o u n t y ’s l a n d h a s a n a n n u a l precipitation of 400 millimeters and the semi-desert soils also h a s a n i n c a p a b i l i t y t o h o l d w a t e r.

To c o m b a t t h e i r s u r r o u n d i n g conditions, locals put river mud

Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

2 4 0 , 0 0 0 a c re s o f f o re s t l a n d re s t o re d i n a r u r a l C h i n e s e county Yo u y u C o u n t y n e a r t h e c i t y of Shuozhou in China was once described as a heavily desertified area that is unfit for human habitation by visiting

Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

at the bottom of planting holes and “fish scale pits” innovations t o c o l l e c t m o u n t a i n s i d e r a i n w a t e r, a c c o r d i n g t o C h i n a D a i l y.

T h e c o u n t y ’s f o r e s t c o v e r w e n t from 0.3 percent to 57 percent, with around 130 million trees planted, turning it into a “green oasis,” China Daily reported.

Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

‘Man’s Best Friend’: More of what works for Sabrina Carpenter

By Alena Bitonti Arts & Entertainment Editor

Pop sensation Sabrina Carpenter released her seventh studio album titled “Man’s Best Friend” on Aug. 29. The album follows “Short n’ Sweet,” her sixth studio album released last August, which earned praise for its clever lyricism and perfect blend of bubblegum pop with influences from R&B, country, folk, rock and disco.

Following the album announcement in June, the singer received backlash for the cover of her new record. In the image, Carpenter is shown on her knees next to a faceless person in a suit, grabbing her hair, which some argued made her appear submissive and could be seen as degrading to women.

Carpenter told Interview magazine, “When I came up with the imaging for it, it was so clear to me what it meant. So the reaction is fascinating to me. You just watch it unravel and go, ‘Wow.’” With her latest project, Carpenter leans further into the sound that helped launch her into stardom, beginning with the playful lead single, “Manchild.”

Released back in June alongside an accompanying music video the following day, the track describes the annoyance of dealing with an immature man delivered through an upbeat melody. She even pokes fun at her habit of choosing emotionally unavailable partners, singing “Oh, I like my boys playing hard to get / And I like my men all incompetent.”

On Aug. 1, Carpenter revealed the title of the album’s second track and single,

“Tears,” with an Instagram post featuring a photo of her standing next to a puppy on a white director’s chair. Through provocative metaphors, the song expresses a desire for a partner who is polite and respectful, essentially the opposite of a man-child. A music video for “Tears” coincided with the drop of the album.

“My Man on Willpower” complements the previous track. It describes a man who has become self-restraining and is no longer as “obsessed” with Carpenter as he once was, which causes her to feel unwanted. In “Sugar Talking,” Carpenter continues airing her grievances, declaring she’s ready to take control. She twists the idiom “put your money where your mouth is” into “Put your loving where your mouth is,” implying that her partner should back up his words with affection.

Similarly, “We Almost Broke Up Again” centers on another imperfect relationship, recalling the cycle of falling in and out of love and using intimacy to make up after fights. Despite the pair knowing they aren’t right for each other, they return to the same toxic behaviors and continue their relationship.

Carpenter leans into her signature contrast between upbeat melodies and cutting lyrics on the sixth track, “Nobody’s Son.” The lyrics critique a man’s upbringing as the source of his behavior, a theme she also touches on in the album’s opener.

In “Never Getting Laid,” Carpenter insists she isn’t angry after a breakup and wishes her ex a lifetime of happiness.

At the same time, she hopes he develops agoraphobia, an anxiety disorder that makes

people fearful of leaving safe spaces, so his “sunny days” are seen only from a window inside. Ultimately, Carpenter wishes him a forever of never finding the satisfaction that she once gave him.

The next song on the album, “When Did You Get Hot?” is a personal favorite of mine. It has some of the funniest lyrics on the album, paired with a flirty pop/hiphop sound.

When I first saw “Go Go Juice” listed as a track name, I was immediately reminded of Carpenter’s hit song “Espresso.”

However, it doesn’t refer to coffee – or juice at all. In the context of this song, “Go Go Juice” refers to alcohol. Parts of the chorus serve as a clapback to her exboyfriend, Irish actor Barry Keoghan.

Keoghan and Carpenter began dating in December 2023, and confirmed their relationship when they made a public appearance together at the W Magazine Grammys after-party in Feb. 2024.

Keoghan starred in the music video for Carpenter’s song “Please Please Please” last summer, playing a criminal that she keeps bailing out of jail. The couple reportedly broke up in December 2024 after about a year of dating.

The singer shows off her range in the closing stretch of the album, both as a vocalist and storyteller. “Don’t Worry I’ll Make You Worry” has elements of Taylor Swift’s album “Folklore,” in addition to beautiful vocal layering and cheeky lyrics.

This isn’t surprising, as producer Jack Antonoff worked on both records.

“House Tour” seems to be quickly growing as a fan favorite. It first appears to be a song about inviting someone home

Photo courtesy of Apple Music

The singer received backlash on the cover for her new record. after a date. Despite her claim that “None of this is a metaphor,” it becomes apparent that Carpenter uses the idea of touring a house as a sexual innuendo.

Although she never names Keoghan by name, the twelfth and final song on the album is a clear anthem for her recent breakup. “Goodbye” serves as a closing to the album and a farewell to her past relationship, with Carpenter even saying goodbye in multiple languages. The song carries an ABBA-esque sound and a bittersweet ending to the record.

“Man’s Best Friend” once again showcases Carpenter’s talent for pairing catchy pop with sharp, witty lyrics. This record feels like an extension of her last — many of the tracks sound similar, which can make the album feel underwhelming at first. Still, the record is solid overall and grows on you the more you listen.

It’s a love story, Taylor just said yes! Blood Orange’s “Essex Honey”: an album mixed with grief and nostalgia

By Devyn Briones Correspondent

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce at a Kansas City Chiefs game.

By Mia Shea Correspondent After years of American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift being scrutinized for her past relationships and judged under a microscope, she has decided to settle down with the Kansas City Chiefs’ tight end Travis Kelce.

The couple announced their engagement via a collaborative Instagram post on Aug. 26 with the caption “Your English teacher and your gym teacher are getting married” causing the internet to lose their Swiftie minds.

Billboard reported that in just one hour of being posted, the announcement post earned 14 million likes.

Kelce and Swift dated for about two years before the engagement, and their relationship was very public from the beginning due to their level of fame.

In the engagement post, Taylor showed off her new ring. People Magazine had an interview with the executive vice president and chief laboratory and research officer at the Gemological Institute of America, where he shared that stones of that caliber date back to the 1800s, “when each diamond had to be

Photo courtesy of IMDb

shaped entirely by hand.”

In Swift’s 2009 song titled “Fifteen” from the album “Fearless,” she wrote “in your life you’ll do things greater than dating the boy on the football team,” a lyric many fans now find ironic, and took to TikTok to share the humor in this.

Swift is also releasing her 12th studio album titled “The Life of a Showgirl” on Oct. 3, which she announced on Aug. 12 via Kelce’s podcast.

Swift is arguably one of the most influential celebrities, and her relationship with Kelce has been admired and critiqued since the beginning, with people claiming that their relationship is simply a publicity stunt.

Writer Emily Rella from People Magazine and a longtime Swiftie shared, “when I think back to why I teared up over the engagement photos of someone I don’t even know on a personal level, I realize what was happening.

I had watched for over a decade as someone sang and wrote about this ultimate form of love and now she finally found it.”

Read more on our website!

Devonté or Dev Hynes, professionally known as “Blood Orange,” has left over 10.5 million monthly listeners eager for a new album. His last album, “Angel’s Pulse,” came out in 2019, and now, six years later, he’s satisfied both loyal fans and new listeners with a deeper, more personal release.

Before the big drop, he teased his audience with two singles from the album. On June 26, “The Field” was streaming, and “Countryside” was released just two days before the album drop.

This past Friday, the album “Essex Honey” launched with 14 songs and over 10 features, including artists Lorde in “Mind Loaded” and Daniel Caesar in “The Field.”

Throughout the album, he kept the same feelings, mood and ambiance as his previous discographies. His songs fall into the Indie/Alternative R&B genre, but his music is distinctively different from other artists of the same musical style.

Blood Orange produces music that leaves you with an ethereal feeling, especially with his use of instruments and techno beats, which is clearly heard throughout his new album. However, his inspiration for this project compared to others is a bit more intimate.

In May 2023, Hynes’ mother passed away. The album was inspired by his personal experience with grief and a reminiscence of his nostalgic hometown, Essex, a town in the East of England, hence the album title.

While listening to the album, it’s evident that every song has a more upsetting feeling compared to his other creations. The first song of the album, “Look At You,” has a slow, sad feeling. He sings, “Falling away

/ How can I start my day knowing the truth about love and a loss of youth?” These lyrics tie into Hynes’ recollection of his early days as a child, a time he was able to experience and share with his mother.

While “The Field,” has a more upbeat feeling compared to other songs on the album, the lyrics are still a reflection of heartache. The lyrics “hard to let you go” are repeated throughout the song, demonstrating Hynes’ ongoing battle with grief.

Despite the trauma that inspired this album, Hynes composed the songs with a beautiful, melodic feel that lingers with its listeners. This collection is a perfect choice to shuffle, whether it’s a quiet walk back from class or late-night drives.

More than just music, “Essex Honey” can be viewed as a personal diary into Hynes’ thoughts and feelings, glimpsing into his healing process. The album is a deeply personal project that uses music to express his emotions, offering comfort to those in the audience who’ve ever loved and lost.

Photo courtesy of IMDb

Blood Orange’s new album cover for “Essex Honey.”

American Eagle vs Gap: Who did it better?

Photo courtesy of Apple Music

Gap responds to American Eagle with their “Better in Denim” campaign, featuring the global girl group, KATSEYE.

By Olivia Suh Correspondent

then followed by a voiceover stating, “Sydney Sweeney has great jeans.”

While the wordplay was intended to A month after American Eagle’s focus on the jeans, viewers interpreted campaign with Sydney Sweeney it as a reference to eugenics and sparked backlash, Gap has fired back. white supremacy, leading to negative The American Eagle commercial is reactions. simple. Sweeney begins by saying, “​​ The voiceover being, “Sydney Genes are passed down from parents Sweeney has great jeans,” has viewers to offspring, often determining traits observing that the ad isn’t just talking like hair color, personality and even about the jeans but more about her eye color. My genes are blue.” It is overall physical appearance obtained

September 5, 2025 The Signal page 9

through actual genes. The confusion causes a shift in what viewers should actually be focusing on: the jeans or her looks.

The ad has taken social media by storm, with many responding with mixed emotions. One Instagram user commented, “Usually do my fall shopping at AE. Walked right past it this year.” Another user said, “Love this ad. This is what an ad should be. A beautiful model. Keep it up.”

As this controversy has caused all eyes to turn on American Eagle and the denim industry, Gap responded with its own twist, promoting its jeans collection.

Gap’s “Better in Denim” campaign features KATSEYE, a global girl group featuring members from South Korea, the Philippines, Switzerland and the United States.

American Eagle dwindled on controversy as their method of marketing, while Gap veered toward a more acceptable advertisement focusing on inclusivity and joy.

The commercial is lively, with the girls dancing to the hit “Milkshake”

by Kelis. The popular lyrics, “Damn right, it’s better than yours,” seem as if they’re slapping back at the American Eagle ad.

An Instagram user commented, “This is what a 2025 brand should embody.” Another user comments, “Katseye has great jeans,” tying the two ads together.

While both campaigns boosted their denim sales, their contrasting approaches reveal the different marketing tactics in 2025, leaving many to ask the question: who did it better?

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‘Saturday Night Live’ Season 51: Who won’t be returning to the cast

By Jack Beja Correspondent As Saturday Night Live’s 51st season premiere approaches in the fall, fans of the show have been intrigued by who’s joining the cast and crew while simultaneously scared for who’s departing.

In the last few years, stars like Pete Davidson, Kate McKinnon and John Mulaney have all left the late-night show, and despite initial reactions of sorrow for their departure, their careers have skyrocketed through movies, TV shows and comedy specials since their SNL stint.

In the last week, the first batch of cast and crew members leaving have been released, many of whom were fan favorites.

The latest cast member on the chopping block was Emil Wakim, who started his SNL career during the show’s most recent season. Wakim was a fan favorite over the course of the 50th season, with his performances on the show frequently gaining attention online. He took to Instagram announcing his departure, writing, “it was a gut punch of a call to get but I’m so grateful for my time there.”

The news of Wakim’s departure has upset many people online. Many have taken to X, TikTok, and Instagram expressing their disappointment.

Tweets were receiving hundreds of likes within minutes as he trended following the announcement.

Another departing is third-year cast member Devon Walker. He took to Instagram with a heartfelt goodbye.

“Me and the show did three years together, and sometimes it was really cool. Sometimes it was toxic as hell,” he wrote. “But we did what we made

the most of what it was, even amidst all of the dysfunction.”

This departure did not surprise fans of the show due to his lack of screentime in the last season, as opposed to Wakim, who was a frequent player in many episodes and had a large following.

The day after Wakim’s departure, two more major players announced their leave from the show. After a three-season run, Michael Longfellow has left, and Heidi Gardner, who has been a part of the cast for eight seasons, announced she would be leaving.

Longfellow, in a similar fashion to his former coworkers, took to Instagram to show his disappointment with not returning.

Many fans online, among the sea of sadness, are also optimistic for the cast’s careers, citing their performances on the show as potential for bright futures ahead for them.

During his time on SNL, Wakim had many comedy shows in and around New York City that grew a following.

Especially a prior exposure, when opening up for comedian Nikki Glaser, who grew to popularity due to her roasts in comedy specials such as “The Roast of Tom Brady.”

Gardner has amassed a wide following after being on the show for nearly a decade, and has been prominent in commercial acting since she began working on the show.

Longfellow, despite being a newer SNL cast member, has grown in popularity, especially in his social commentary segments on the Weekend Update section of the show.

Walker has already faced mild success on comedy stints and worked on shows like Big Mouth, further

Photo courtesy of IMDb

Saturday Night Live’s premiere on Oct. 4 will feel a little emptier without beloved cast and crew members. gaining success in the comedy world.

Behind the scenes in Studio 8H, the writers’ room has also undergone changes. Writers Celeste Yim and Rosebud Baker have been the first two announcements to depart from the show. The latter has left to embark on a comedy tour, and Yim has been writing some of the most popular sketches for the show, including working heavily

with comedian and prominent cast member Bowen Yang and hosts like Anya Taylor-Joy and Dan Levy.

Saturday Night Live’s premiere on Oct. 4 will feel a little emptier without these cast and crew members, but there is sure to be new talent that can become fan favorites, and we can’t wait to see where the departed comedians go from here.

page 10 The Signal September 5, 2025

Summer 2025 film recap: How did the box office fare this past season?

“Superman” stars David Corenswet, an up-and-coming actor most recognized for his role in “Hollywood.”

By Jack Salaki Correspondent With the summer movie season now complete, it is a good time to look back at how films performed financially. Going into the summer, things looked strong.

Hollywood had a diverse lineup of movies, from “F1” to “Superman.”

According to a Reuters article released in April, studios had hoped that this summer would turn around a declining box office. After many years of problems for movies, whether it be the COVID-19 pandemic wrecking box office returns or the writers’ strikes pushing back multiple films, this year was viewed as the return to normal.

It wasn’t just big studios that had expected high returns, but also movie theaters. Right from the start, 2025 was jam-packed with movies. Despite some concerns over too many films placed together, like “F1” and “Jurassic World” being five days apart, many cinema operators were glad to have a full schedule.

After all, more movies should mean more

money.

Variety also reported on how studios were bullish on the summer release schedule. The expected mark for this summer was $4 billion. That’s what many experts had bet on. It seemed to make sense since there were a good number of bigbudget films being released. Not only that, but there were also strong franchises that brought large fanbases to the table. Large franchise names like Mission Impossible, Jurassic World and Superman had fanbases excited.

However, according to the article, between May 1 and Aug. 24, all the films released only amounted to a gross $3.53 billion. This number came way under the initial target that studios and movie theaters had hoped for.

So how did this happen? The issue wasn’t an issue of quality. In fact, many films that played across the world this summer were reviewed quite well. Instead, there was nothing that encouraged people to come out in droves to movie theaters.

Sure, there were strong films, but none of them were cultural events.

Photo courtesy of IMDb

Additionally, films that were expected to perform strongly, such as “Superman” and “Fantastic Four,” ultimately flopped at the box office.

While they were both well-reviewed films, with “Superman” earning an 83% critics and a 90% audience rating on Rotten Tomatoes, it only grossed $611 million according to Box Office Mojo.

Meanwhile, “Fantastic Four” grossed a measly $506 million, despite strong reviews. In recent years, superhero movies have become a sort of litmus test for the movie industry, specifically the box office.

Both major superhero movies would end up failing that test.

It wasn’t just the big superhero movies that failed this summer. If that were the case, then this summer’s box office would simply be a case of superhero fatigue.

Rather, it seemed that culturally, people just weren’t showing up to the movies.

For example, “Elio,” a fresh Pixar film, only grossed $152 million. Many Pixar fans have hoped for fresh concepts instead of sequels. That’s exactly what “Elio” did. It’s not like it did poorly either.

The film earned an 83% critics’ score on Rotten Tomatoes and a 90% audience score. Additionally, “Weapons,” a highly acclaimed horror film, just barely broke the $200 million mark.

It’s important to note that the string of box office failures doesn’t necessarily apply to every film. Without a doubt, there were successes. One of the most notable is Disney’s “Lilo and Stitch” live-action remake. The movie was the only film this summer to gross over $1 billion worldwide.

There are two main reasons why the box office numbers ended up where they did.

The first reason is that the landscape for movies has changed. In the past, viewers didn’t have access to a wide catalog of films. With the advent of streaming services, anyone can stream anything.

Accessibility is key, and in a time when movie tickets are more expensive than ever, to many viewers, if a film isn’t truly special, then it just isn’t worth the price. Many studios have also damaged their own brands by releasing films relatively quickly after their theater runs.

The Hollywood Reporter cited a study by Sony that revealed one in three Americans believes they can see a film within a month of its release. This contradicts the fact that many studios wait 40 or 45 days before making a film available on demand. Still, it shows a shift in how people interact with movies.

Another factor in this past summer’s box office decline was Hollywood’s overreliance on sequels. When you look at the movies released this past summer, many were sequels or part of cinematic universes – “Mission Impossible,” “Jurassic World,” “Smurfs,” “Superman,” and the “Fantastic Four,” just to name a few. It’s not that fanbases don’t exist for these properties, but that general moviegoing audiences aren’t tapped into them unless they are groundbreaking.

If Hollywood learns anything from this past summer’s box office returns, it should be to spend less on movies. The fact is simple: streaming will likely only grow en masse and movie ticket prices will not stop increasing. They can’t change that.

Yet, Hollywood can change the movies it makes. Instead of making sequels, there’s an opportunity to make creative films for a reduced budget.

and a civil penalty of $25,000, also claimed that witnesses, such as the Cardi B cleared of assault charge in trial damages equaling $24 million. Dr. Brent Moelleken, receptionist and doctors of the office, were

Photo courtesy of IMDb

Cardi B has been cleared of all allegations in an assault and battery trial.

By Abigail Holliday Copy Editor

After the jury deliberated for an hour, Cardi B was declared innocent of any alleged assault and battery charges after a very public trial.

Cardi B, born Belcalis Marlenis Almánzar, is a 32-year-old rapper from the Bronx who debuted in 2018 and rose to win a Grammy, two ASCAP Songwriter of the Year awards, six Guinness World Records and eleven BET Hip Hop Awards, according to IMDb. Almánzar was involved in an altercation with her obstetrician’s security

guard in February 2018. The lawsuit, first filed in February 2020 by security guard Emani Ellis, began on Aug. 26, lasting around a week, ending on Sept. 2.

The “altercation” occurred when Almánzar arrived at her obstetrician’s office, which was closed for the day to give her privacy, considering her pregnancy with ex-husband, Offset, was not yet made public, not even to her parents. According to The Cut, as Almánzar was stepping off the elevator, Ellis recognized her and began holding her phone in a way that looked as if she was recording the rapper.

The alleged actions that followed are what sparked the lawsuit and trial that spanned over five years. Almánzar confronted Ellis in what she claimed was a verbal debate only, asking Ellis to respect her privacy. She also admitted in court to saying, “get the f— out of my face.”

Ellis maintained that Almánzar physically attacked her “violently, unlawfully, intentionally, suddenly and maliciously” by hitting, screaming curses and racial slurs, and spitting and even scratching her face so hard she required surgery, as reported by The Cut. According to CourtTV, Ellis’ lawyer, Ron Rosen Janfaza, argued that Almánzar be fined for medical expenses, damages for loss of past and future earnings due to Ellis losing her job after the incident, punitive

Ellis’s plastic surgeon, who evaluated and operated on scarring from “three vertical, parallel marks” likely made from fingernails. This occurred in November 2022, four years after the alleged incident.

Almánzar’s lawyer, Peter Anderson, argued from his opening statement that the judge and jury will agree that Ellis and her lawyer will not present enough evidence to prove that Almánzar physically assaulted her.

Almánzar had requested security footage multiple times from the office, but none was ever given, according to CourtTV, leading Ellis to claim that Almánzar was paying off people to erase the footage. Ellis

also paid off to support Almánzar’s claims.

When Ellis was asked by reporters if she was disappointed by the outcome, she responded that she was not, but maintained that what occurred in court did not reflect the truth and blamed a flawed justice system for her loss.

Almánzar spoke to the press after the trial came to a close, saying, “I will say it on my deathbed, I did not touch that woman.” According to The Cut, Almánzar also warned those who may think of filing a “frivolous lawsuit” in the future, saying, “I am not that celeb that you sue and you think is going to settle… Especially when I’m super completely innocent.”

THE SIGNAL SEPTEMBER FAVES Parachute

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Can’t Stop The High Lady Gaga 12 to 12 sombr

September 5, 2025 The Signal page 11

No. 23 Field Hockey off to a flying startback to start the season

Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Gladstone

Head coach Sharon Pfluger led her team to two wins in their first two games.

By Jhett Laurie Staff Writer The College’s field hockey team started its season off hot, securing two wins. The first game took place on Aug. 30 against the Catholic University of America at the College’s Field Hockey and Lacrosse Complex.

The No. 23-ranked Lions started

strong, dominating the Cardinals offensively. An onslaught of shots, led by Senior Jaydn Huff, saw the team outshoot Catholic 5-0.

Defensive mishaps aided this, as four penalty corners set up the College’s offense. Unfortunately, none of the shots were able to fall.

The Lions kept the pressure up in the second quarter, as Sophomore Ali Simmons was able to find the back

of the cage on a penalty corner. Huff secured the assist on the play as The Lions found a break at the start of the second quarter, as a pass from Huff on a penalty corner led to sophomore Ali Simmons finding the back of the cage. The Lions, led by famed Coach Sharon Pfluger, did not let up after this. Four more shots, along with three more corners, followed suit. Senior Mackenzie Hart and Huff each had two shots.

The Cardinals finally made their first attempt at the Lions’ goal in the waning minutes of the first half, but the shot strayed wide, missing the goal.

The Lions came out fighting, attempting two more corners, none of which landed. Catholic finally found their bearings in the eighth minute of the quarter. The Cardinals had two corners, the first of which missed the goal. The second corner saw the Lions’ senior goalie, Brigette Racey, face off with Catholic for a penalty shot. The shot flew high, striking the crossbar and keeping the Lions’ lead.

The final quarter saw a dominant performance from the Lions’ offense.

Three corners and shots were capped off by senior Emma Jordan scoring her first career goal and effectively ending the game. With only five minutes remaining, the Cardinals were unable to find the momentum

to overcome the two-goal deficit.

On Wednesday, Sept. 3, the Lions packed their things and traveled to Center Valley, Pa., to take on DeSales University. The first quarter was a defensive showdown, as the two shots attempted by the Lions were the only ones.

Huff delivered the first blow, scoring on an assist from junior Codie Sciacca two minutes into the second quarter. The Bulldogs still had some bite left, attempting four shots on goal that were all saved by Racey in goal.

The second half was a thrilling offensive show from both teams, as sophomore Rachel Tetzlaff had a penalty shot stuffed by the DeSales goalie. The Bulldogs found their first goal of the game late in the third quarter, equalizing the game.

Junior Kara Wilson struck back not even 30 seconds later, giving the Lions their one-goal lead back.

Her goal’s momentum carried over into the final quarter, as the Lions scored two goals within the first five minutes.

The Lions rode their three-goal lead until the end of the game, securing their second win of the season. They take on Juniata College on Saturday, Sept. 6, at 1 p.m. at home to try and continue their dominance this season.

Women’s soccer goes undefeated on the weekend back-to-back to start the season

Photo courtesy of Derick Zelaya

The Lions had a win and a draw in their first two matches.

By Tyler Fennell Staff Writer The College’s women’s soccer opened up their season with a lossless weekend. The College started its season on Aug. 29 against Salisbury with a 4-1 win.

The College then followed this victory with a scoreless tie against St. Mary’s on August 30.

Their first game against Salisbury showcased the team’s possession game, largely controlling the pace of play

throughout most of the game.

Junior Alyssa Alfano opened up the scoring just two minutes and three seconds into the match.

Shortly thereafter, at the 3:25 mark, sophomore Taylor Krott scored. Later on at the 32:46 mark, Senior Abby Najdzinowicz made the lead 3-0 by the end of the first period. In the second half, an uncredited goal was scored by the College at the 67:51 mark, making the lead 4-0.

The College ended up letting one goal in at the end of the second

half, reducing their lead to three, as they took their se ason opener by a score of 4-1 over a tough Salisbury team.

Regarding team stats, the College dominated in possession metrics with 15 shots to Salisbury’s seven, 12 of which were on goal as opposed to just five from Salisbury. The College maintained a disciplined game, only taking three fouls compared to Salisbury’s six.

Their second game against St. Mary’s can only be described as an enigma. Despite the score reflecting a 0-0 tie, the College dominated in almost every team metric. Their defense was outstanding, not allowing a single shot throughout the entire game.

The College, on the other hand, had 19 shots, seven of which were on goal.

However, with their clearly superior possession game, they did not have the most disciplined game, committing seven fouls, yet still outdone by St. Mary’s eight.

Another reason why the College did not walk away with a win can be attributed to their accuracy.

With only seven of their 19 shots on target, they did not showcase the same accuracy they did in their impressive win in their season opener.

The final reason as to why the College couldn’t come out with a win was a stellar goaltending performance by the St. Mary goalkeeper, posting a shutout against the relentless Lions’ offense.

Despite the College not starting the season with two wins back-toback, there is still a lot to like from their tie against St. Mary, primarily their defense and possession. The College is back in action when they host New York University in the first game of the TCNJ Classic on Saturday, Sept. 6.

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TCNJ Athletics Schedule Men’s and Women’s Tennis Saturday and Sunday, Sept.

6-7 Home for Kickoff Tournament Football Saturday, Sept. 6, 1 p.m.

Away at Lycoming Women’s Soccer Saturday, Sept. 6, 11 a.m.

Home against NYU Field Hockey Saturday, Sept. 6, 1 p.m.

Home against Juniata The College reigned victorious in opening match against Immaculata 6-0.

Photo by Andre Paras

Soccer’s hot start

SOCCER / DeMatteo leads team to two shutout wins in opening weekend Continued from page 1 Just two minutes later, Massimo Rodio put a penalty in the left side to close out the half up 3-0.

“Being a senior, I just kind of want to leave the mark on these young guys to work hard every day, and push the program forward,” Rodio, an accounting major, told us after the match. “We can stop the standards, and keep going on

an upward trajectory as a department because that’s what we’ve been doing.”

The second half was all Will. The Lions’ fourth goal came when Will’s corner came back to him from Grund, setting up a far left shot through the goalie. One minute later, another corner from Will set up roommate freshman Manny Thacher to head the fifth one in.

In the last goal, Will assisted sophomore Michael Pappas, who kicked it past the

goalie to score his first goal as a Lion. On Tuesday, Sept. 2, this performance was directly cited as he won NJAC Rookie of the Week.

The Lions are off to neutral territory this coming weekend in Newark for the Brick City Classic. They continue their streak of non-conference play against Penn State Harrisburg and Farmingdale State. Game one will kick off on Saturday, Sept. 6, at 3 p.m.

Men’s Soccer Saturday, Sept. 6, 3 p.m.

Neutral site in Newark against Penn State Harrisburg Women’s Soccer Sunday, Sept. 7, 1:30 p.m.

Home against New Paltz Men’s Soccer Sunday, Sept. 7, 3 p.m.

Neutral site in Newark against Farmingdale State

Cross country impresses in opening invitational

By Joseph Caruso Sports Editor The College’s men’s cross country team opened up its season with the annual Blue/ Gold Invitational, dominating the 5000-meter race with the Lions logging 23 of the top 26 finishers.

Sophomore Moksh Patwari finished in first, setting a career best of 16:06.60, just edging out senior Brandon Chen by one second. The first seven finishers were all from the College, with 12 differ ent Lions setting a personal best.

Patwari, a two-time AllCounty performer in high school, took home New Jersey Athletic Conference Rookie of the Week three times in his freshman season and has started his sophomore campaign with a bang. Chen is a highly decorated senior who was awarded TCNJ MVP last season for his impressive junior year that saw him recognized as a member of the All-NJAC first team.

Within a second of Chen, senior Kevin Matthews came in at 16:07.70, fifth-year Matt Granizo registered 16:07.80 and freshman Josh Santiago logged 16:08.10 in his first-ever race.

Matthews begins his senior year having had an extremely

impressive collegiate career thus far, including back-to-back years making appearances on the AllMetro and All-NJAC teams, as well as being recognized academically with two consecutive appearances on the All-Academic team.

Following the first five were senior Evan Melito (16:15.60) and senior Anthony Guarino (16:15.90), who wrapped up the consecutive Lions before Brendan Blyth of Arcadia University finished eighth.

This is now the second year in a row that the College placed first in the annual Blue/Gold Invitational, and is looking forward to building on its impressive 2024 season, which saw it finish second in the NJAC Championships and advance to the NCAA Metro Region Championship, where it placed fifth ou t of 27 teams.

On the women’s side, the Lions also re igned victorious in their Blue/Gold Invitational, logging 35 points and besting Montclair State (56 points), and Arcadia University (75 points).

Despite not having a runner finish in the top four, the College had 10 of the top 20 finishers, which was enough to secure first place.

Freshman Krista Purnell finished fifth to lead the Lions, who also

Photo by Shane Gillespie

The Lions dominated in their opening meet. had the next seven finishers in a well-rounded performance for the College. Sophomore Ava Biemuller and senior Noelle Falzone were right behind her, tying for sixth, with a time of 12:29.3 0.

Also coming off a successful season, the College finished in the top two at the NJAC Ch ampionships and advanced all the way to the NCAA Championships after qualifying in the Metro Region Championship.

Coach Justin Lindsey, now entering his 13th season coaching cross country, hopes to build on his impressive resume that features a plethora of awards, including 27 different NJAC Coach of the Year titles, eight of those being for men’s cross country. He leads an experienced squad that includes eight seniors this season.

The Lions are back in action when they host the Herb Lorenz Invitational on Friday, Sept. 12.