Issue No. 6 Fall '25

The Signal ^Spooky

https://www.tcnjsignalnews.com/

Vol. LIV, No. 6

Serving The College of New Jersey since 1885

October 31, 2025

A breakdown of President Trump’s $300 million White House construction

By Abigail Holliday Copy Editor President Donald Trump’s 90,000 square foot, $300 million revamp of the East Wing is now underway, with this being the first construction on the historic building since President Harry Truman.

The construction project was first announced on July 31 of this year, stating the White House’s inability to host guests without pitching a tent on the lawn. The White House State Ballroom consists of approximately 90,000 square feet, housing 1,000 guests and seating 650 and will be finished before the end of his term as president in 2029.

President Trump aims to modernize the East Room and make the new space an ideal place to entertain other world leaders and host events, upgrading the wing by including a more modern interior and bulletproof glass.

According to President Trump’s post on Truth Social, demolition began on Oct. 20 despite lacking approval from the National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC). The NCPC is an executive branch agency that oversees construction and renovations to government buildings, according to PBS. President Trump claims that this $300 million project will come at no expense to the taxpayers thanks to the generosity of patriotic

Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons President Trump has begun his $300 million construction on the East Wing of the White House.

donors, including the President himself.

However, President Trump is also in the process of suing the federal government for $230 million. He has filed two claims with the Justice Department seeking damages from when the FBI searched his Mar-aLago property looking for proof of working with Russia during his campaign in 2016. If President Trump is awarded the money for

New Jersey gubernatorial candidates discuss issue stances at debates

By Gloria Vittadello Staff Writer With New Jersey’s gubernatorial election fast approaching, knowing where each candidate stands can be helpful before heading to the polls on Nov. 4.

The candidates for governor are Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill (D), a former United States Navy helicopter pilot and federal prosecutor, and Jack Ciattarelli (R), a New Jersey native, entrepreneur and former state assemblyman.

The candidates have faced off in two official debates: the first at Rider University on Sept. 21, and the second at the New Brunswick Performing Arts Center on Oct. 8.

In each discussion, the two candidates tackled topics such as education, youth mental health, affordability, New Jersey transit, property taxes, electricity rates, public safety, immigration and more.

Though both candidates talk about driving down the cost of living and other topics, Sherrill displays a more progressive approach when it comes to LGBTQ+ and reproductive rights.

Ciattarelli focuses more on law and order and aligning himself with President Donald Trump.

Here’s what the candidates had to say about issues during the debates: Education, youth mental health and segregated school districts

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Sherrill said that she would pass a safety act for children that would drive more mental health resources into schools. She said she is deeply concerned about New Jersey’s public school system and wants to strengthen phonics education to improve literacy outcomes.

Ciattarelli agreed, saying he is also very concerned about the youth mental health crisis in the state. Ciattarelli says he wants to work with the 21 counties of New Jersey to create community mental health centers, so people could have easy and convenient access to highquality care.

Ciattarelli brought up Policy 5756, which discusses the rights of transgender and nonconforming students in New Jersey, during the first debate. He said he wasn’t in support of the policy’s promotion to keep secrets from parents on behalf of students when it comes to their gender identity.

Since 2018, New Jersey has been embroiled in a lawsuit that alleges more needs to be done to improve the state’s segregated school districts.

During the debate, the candidates were asked, “Would you continue fighting this in court, and what do you think New Jersey can do to achieve less segregated schools?”

In regard to the segregated schools, Ciattarelli emphasized school choice, advocating for publicly funded scholarships, vouchers and charter

FEATURES

WTSR history

see VOTERS GUIDE page 2 page 3

WTSR has held its home at the College for almost 70 years.

the alleged damages, the money will be taken directly from taxpayer money, according to PBS. This is not the first round of renovations the Trumps have made in the White House.

In 2020, First Lady Melania Trump made the edition of a 1,200 square foot tennis pavilion on the South Lawn, and in 2025, President Trump funded the installation of two 88 foot

flagpoles on the North and South Lawns, as well as replaced the Rose Gardens with a $2 million installation of limestone tiles and renovated the Oval Office to add gold accents and portraits, according to The White House.

This project will also erase the entire Jacqueline Kennedy Garden adjacent to the East Colonnade and tear down at least six historical trees. Two of these trees are southern magnolias planted in 1947 and were dedicated to Presidents Warren G. Harding and Franklin D. Roosevelt, according to Elle Decor.

Additionally, President Trump has announced yet another renovation on Oct. 27 for the Kennedy Center. The Kennedy Center elected President Trump as Board Chair on Feb. 11, replacing David M. Rubenstein, also firing their current president and appointing Richard Grenell as interim Kennedy Center President.

According to President Trump’s post on Truth Social, he plans to make the “TRUMP KENNEDY” Center the “finest Arts and Entertainment Center anywhere in the World,” renovating the ceilings, chandeliers, wall coverings, stages, seating, carpeting, heating, air conditioning and more.

“I am doing the same thing to the United States of America, but only on a ‘slightly’ larger scale!” he said.

Men’s soccer looks back on season after Senior Day win

By Nick Kurti Staff Writer On Oct. 25, the men’s soccer team celebrated five seniors for their last home game of the regular season. After a 2-0 victory over William Paterson, The Signal spoke with them all on their thoughts following four years of the program.

“We’ve all been here for four years, and we’ve obviously seen what it was like for the past three years,” senior Ray Frost told us, “so we know what it’s like to have a losing season.” Indeed, when these seniors got here as freshmen in 2022, the Lions finished with an New Jersey Athletic Conference record of 2-7.

Now, the class of 2026 has qualified for their first ever NJAC playoffs. “We obviously want the program to do very, very well, and that’s what we’re trying to portray down to all the younger guys is, you know, just honestly care a lot, put all your effort in and try to do your best every single day.”

The finance major’s hopes seem to be working, as two underclassmen would get the scoring started on Saturday afternoon. After rattling off four shots on Pioneers keeper Luca Misko, junior Chris Meder would breakaway with the ball in the 27th minute. After his shot was saved by Misko, freshman Matt Will would slam it back into the net, marking the eighth

OPINIONS

Severe allergens need more options The College should do better with manging severe allergies.

page 6

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Lizzo Lawsuit

Singer and rapper Lizzo is facing a second lawsuit for copyright infringement.

goal of his debut season. This helped Will nab his second NJAC Rookie of the Week award.

“We’re the first senior class under [Coach] Steve [DeMatteo] and I think we’re a great group of guys to set the way and set the example for what guys have to do going forward,” senior Ryan Super told us. The kinesiology major knows the potential players like Meder and Will have. “There’s a lot of talent in the team, so, it’s an honour to just kind of step out on the field and be like, yeah, we’re here, we’re ready to go, and hope that tradition just keeps him going.” When sorted by points this season, Meder and Will are first and second respectively.

That’s not to discredit the seniors either; senior captain Massimo Rodio is looking to leave behind a good legacy for the College. “We’re just taking little steps every single day and we’re multiplying exponentially, and you can see that through setting standards, and doing the right thing every day. I think by being performance-driven, we’re playing a lot better, and getting results.”

A mere 54 seconds later, Meder drove a pass to Rodio who beat a defender and slid a shot sharply past the post to make his Senior Day 2-0.

“We want to be remembered as a class that started this going in the right direction,” senior J.J. Zaun told us. “Obviously, we’ve had some losing see SOCCER page 16 page 12

SPORTS

Women’s Soccer

page 16

The College’s women soccer team added a win and tie to their season record.

page 2 The Signal October 31, 2025

VOTERS GUIDE/ Governor A picture of a rocketship panicked students: Canvas shut down due to AWS outage

Photo courtey of Flickr Students and faculty struggled to complete assignments and some deadlines had to be moved around with Canvas being down.

Photo courtey of Wikimedia Commons New Jersey voters will have to choose between Mikie Sherrill or Jack Ciattarelli for the new Governor.

Continued from page 1 schools to give families in struggling districts more options. He also advocates for a more rigorous curriculum in schools, ultimately aiding students where they need to be.

Sherrill declared how deeply she cares about the New Jersey school system, and she promises to make performance better. She also said artificial intelligence should be implemented into the curriculum.

Sherrill said she plans to “attack segregation” in New Jersey’s schools, though she did not provide specific policy details.

Affordability The cost of living in New Jersey is higher than the average for the nation.

Property taxes and housing prices are contributors to this, according to the World Population Review.

Ciattarelli said on his first day in office, he would pull New Jersey out of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative.

“This policy has cost New Jersey $300 to $500 million a year for home owners, tenants and businesses, and it’s been a failure,” Ciattarelli said.

He said he would tackle high property taxes by implementing a new school funding formula, building more strategic affordable housing, capping property taxes at 1% of a home’s assessed value, making the first two years after high school or college taxfree, allowing seniors to deduct 100% of their property taxes, freezing property

taxes for those 70 and older, and making sure all retirement income is tax-free for seniors.

Sherrill said on her first day in office, she would declare a state of emergency on energy prices, freezing rate hikes. She said she would tackle managers who drive drug prices up.

She says this would drive down New Jersey’s healthcare costs. She also said she is going to confront landlords who are driving up rent prices for those who are not homeowners.

Sherrill also wants to “Join the court case against the tariffs that the president is implementing right now. These tariff costs are raising everything from a cup of coffee to the groceries [New Jerseyans] they buy at night.”

Employment The national unemployment rate is a little bit over 4%, but in New Jersey, it’s around 5%. There are further hiring concerns due to tariffs, AI and inflation, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Sherrill’s approach to employment focuses on supporting workers’ rights, strengthening unions, supporting legislation that creates jobs, federal funding and economic development initiatives.

She says she is for collective bargaining rights, supporting fair wages and benefits, expanding job opportunities for young people and advocating for small businesses.

Read more on our website!

By Adamarie Tait Correspondent Due to a major Amazon Web Services outage on Oct. 20, many websites that students use at the College, such as Amazon, Zoom and Canvas, were out of order.

The website’s shutdown took place beginning at 3 a.m. Monday and persisted until 6:01 p.m., when it was resolved.

The College’s information technology department sent out a campus-wide email about the issue just before it was resolved. The email said access to Canvas was unavailable and could impact deadlines. The IT department said it was monitoring the issue and referred students to a website where they could also track the issue.

Many professors moved due dates around because of the shutdown, but a number of students say they still experienced anxiety and stress about being unable to access assignments.

Amaya Zarrillia, a sophomore elementary education and English major, told The Signal that one of her midterms was pushed back. She was able to study because she printed out a copy of the study guide ahead of time. However, Zarrillia said, “The only thing I was stressed about was that the multiple choice section was only available on Canvas.”

Sofia Sorvino, a sophomore mechanical engineering major, said she noticed around 11:30 a.m. that Canvas was down. She originally thought it was a wifi issue, but when she attempted to load Canvas on her phone she had no luck.

Sorivino wanted to know if anyone else was experiencing this, so she went on the social media platform Fizz. Students at the College can communicate with each other anonymously on Fizz. She posted the question, “Is Canvas down for any of you guys?” Which received 249 upvotes, which Sorivino interpreted as agreement from other students.

According to Sorivino, the services Peason and Mylab were down, often used for physics assignments at the College.

“The Pearson website was working, but the moment you tried to access the Mylab section, it just didn’t work. It was like nothing … so I was out of luck because I was like I can’t do both of these things. Like, this is ridiculous.”

Sorvino also mentioned that even though WebAssign, an online instructional system that provides homework, tests and other educational tools, wasn’t directly affected by the AWS outage, it is much easier to access the site through Canvas, so getting onto this site was a challenge as well.

Sorvino said that after this situation, she had the realization of how many things are run by Amazon.

College students weren’t the only ones affected by the AWS shutdown.

The outage also affected travel. Delta and United Airlines had issues with their online check-in systems, and ridesharing apps such as Lyft were down as well.

The outage also affected people financially, since Venmo and banking apps were reportedly down. Even apps involving safety, such as Life360, and those corresponding with Ring and Blink devices for home security, experienced disruptions as well.

Cop Shop: Theft, threats and trashing

By Natalia Tomczak Opinions Editor

The Signal and Campus Police work together on a weekly basis to inform the campus community about crime on and around campus. All records given to The Signal are public records and do not contain personal information.

Some information provided may be triggering for some students.

Oct. 20: Door Decor Theft Campus Police received a report that several door decorations had been stolen in New Residence Hall, and that someone had been tampering with them since Oct. 13. One item disappeared per day.

Among the missing items were name tags, Post-it notes, dry-erase markers and a board, and com-

mand strips. The dry-erase board has since been returned, and no potential suspects could be identified after a Campus Police investigation.

Oct. 22: Trashing The College At around 1 a.m., a building services employee found vandalism in Bliss Hall’s first-floor men’s bathroom in the handicap stall. The door and the wall both had #FuckTCNJ written on them in black Sharpie. The person who vandalized the stall has not been identified.

Oct. 23: Stranger Danger At around 12:30 p.m., two students were threatened by an unknown man outside the Business Building.

One student reported what

happened. After leaving his class in Armstrong Hall, the student walked towards the Business Building and saw his friend being confronted by an unknown man.

He approached the two of them and tried to diffuse the situation.

The man then left.

After speaking with his friend, the student started to walk to Lot 4, when the man approached him again by the benches near the Business Building. He threatened him, saying, “I am not a student, so I could beat you up,” and “I could stab you.”

He followed him until he reached Lot 4, where he eventually walked away towards the Football Stadium. After reviewing footage, the man was not identified and Campus Police were unable to track where he went after he

walked towards the stadium.

Oct. 20: Door Damage The Social Science Building’s door facing the Brower Student Center was found to have been damaged. The bottom bolt of the door handle was missing, and a considerable amount of force would have been necessary in order to have knocked the bolt loose.

The bolt was not found in the area.

Fire Alarms There were seven incidents of fire alarms between Oct. 20 and 25. They occurred in Eickhoff Hall, Decker Hall, Wolfe Hall and Norsworthy Hall. They were due to a hair dryer, popcorn in the microwave, a washing machine, an air fryer used to cook bacon and a curling iron.

Underground history: ‘Open Your Mind’ with WTSR Trenton

WTSR has been a staple at the College for almost 70 years.

By Danica Ward Staff Writer For almost 70 years, the College has been home to the WTSR radio station which serves the larger Ewing Township community. Running 24 hours a day, seven days a week with a focus on local and alternative music, the station is a key figure in the College’s community.

For decades, the radio station has been changing lives. Mark Simon ‘97 reminisces about his time with the station. After taking the small step of asking the College’s public affairs and sports directors about how to get involved, WTSR became a huge part of his life for four years, starting that next day.

Simon, who has worked as a podcaster, content creator and contributor for ESPN, says his involvement “began on one of my first days of school in 1993” and continued

Photo courtesy of WTSR.org

with 2 years as sports director.

WTSR Trenton was first licensed by the Federal Communications Commission in 1966, but its programming started as a tiny operation eight years prior. With relentless help from station manager Hans Krucke and faculty advisor Warren Nutt, the station finally became licensed to broadcast on Sept. 12, 1966. At that time, the station’s call identification also changed from WTSC to its final form, WTSR: “W” for it being east of the Mississippi River, and “TSR” for Trenton State Radio.

As the station gained popularity, it began to perform as “a communicator between news-making groups and the student body, and to extend to the student body an opportunity to engage in a type of activity not found with other extracurricular activities,” as is stated on the station’s website.

One of the station’s defining events

was when it changed transmitters in the fall of 1974. A major upgrade, WTSR went from a 10 watt transmitter to a 1,500 watt one, expanding its reach to the larger community. Despite previously being labeled at 89.7 fm, the executive board illegally set up range extenders on the roofs of buildings on campus to expand the signal’s reach in protest. As a result of their defiance, WTSR was upgraded to 91.3 fm and a larger transmitter that can now reach a 30 mile radius outside of the campus.

Addie DiPietro, a junior history and secondary education major, raves about the station’s inclusivity and welcoming environment she has experienced.

“I know that I can step out for a walk on campus and run into someone I know from the station…making our own little community feel so large,” she said in a statement. DiPietro is the program manager and an executive board member of the station.

Photo courtesy of Andre Paras

No License is one of several bands who performed a set at WTSR Underground.

Located in the basement of Kendall Hall, the WTSR studio is divided into

rooms. The station boasts a colorfully decorated lounge with memorabilia and band posters, a library with its collection of physical music media and the actual studio, where live broadcasts are hosted on-air.

There have also been so many people who were integral to the evolution of the station. From appearances by rock band Ween to the involvement of local booking agent and DJ Randy “Now” Ellis, the station has had its fair share of influential forces.

One unique aspect of WTSR are its shows hosted by community volunteers, or CVs. Current shows include “The Continuing Music Adventures of Ms. Sue Ms. Sue,” “Solid Gold Review” with Joe Accardi, “Transmission Control” with Tom Kelley, and “Legacy” with Peter Kernast.

Ranging from electronic to folk, CVs add to the diversity that the station offers.

DiPietro believes that the CVs “bring a sense of real extended community to the station that a completely student run station would simply lack.”

“Many of our CVs have been running their shows for years, and they have fans and listeners all over the country,” she added. “Our station would not be half as good or fun as it is without all those guys (and the others!) making the station not just a thing or a place but an institution!”

WTSR is also known for highlighting many genres of audio media. Before the station’s slogan was “Open Your Mind,” it was “The Alternative.”

Read more on our website!

Reexamining the importance of African American studies at TCNJ

Photo by Andre Paras

African American studies at the College have a legacy of historical and cultural importance.

By Keasia Jenkins Correspondent The College’s African American studies program teaches social, political, economic and cultural history of people of African descent. It creates a safe space and community, as well as breaking down social constructs of race. It strengthens students’ research and writing skills.

However, under President Donald Trump’s administration, there has been a push against Black studies and history in schools across the United States, history is being erased or obscured in federal agencies because it’s seen as an “old issue” according to the New York Times. At a time like this, it is becoming even more important to have knowledge on Black history, and the College’s African American studies program is a key way to pursue it.

The program was founded in 1971 by

professors Stephen Chukumba, Donald Evans, Gloria Harper Dickinson and Kim Pearson. It was introduced when the U.S. was going through many major racial changes and Black people, especially Black students, were fighting for equality in their day to day lives and education.

The first Black studies program in the country, under the name “Ethnic Studies,” was introduced at San Francisco State College in 1969 after a five-month-long protest. The protest started in 1968, headed

by Black students who felt the school should have created a learning space for specifically African American lived experience. By 1970, 1,000 colleges had organized Black studies courses, programs or departments.

“It’s essential to study Black history because the legacy of slavery in this country haunts us,” said Piper Kendrix Williams, the chairperson of African American studies at the College.

Williams is entering her last year of a six year term as the chairperson of African American studies. She’s a professor in the program, and has been at the College since August 2002. Williams has created multiple classes within the program, including “Early African American Literature” and contemporary African American classes.

Williams is currently teaching “Recovering the Black Past Through Fiction And Nonfiction.”

“All the forms of evil, cruelty, the task system, the separation of families, the white supremacy, and if you don’t know your past you cannot face the future. There shouldn’t be anything scary when learning about history because it already happened,” said Williams.

One of William’s passions is teaching students new things and opening up their eyes on topics they’ve never learned before. Her favorite class to teach is a senior capstone, as students are able to take hold of the class and present their ideas.

African American studies is also uniquely interdisciplinary, and can be used in a multitude of career fields because of what it teaches about people and the world around you.

“I think that there’s such a hugely untapped history that we don’t talk about in mainstream education that I was very angry that I had never had the chance to learn.

That was one of the really big things that brought me to the African American studies department.” said Artemis Fraine ‘21.

“African American studies is an expansive field that welcomes thinking and working outside of the box. One of my favorite professors in Africana studies was also a practicing therapist. Her understanding of African spirituality and black feminism informed her approach to her students and clients. Here at TCNJ, the AAS classroom

is full of students from a variety of majors and it makes the classroom experience so dynamic,” said Professor Samira AbdurRahman.

Abdur-Rahman began teaching at the College in the fall of 2021. She is a core faculty member in the English department, and also teaches classes in African American studies and environmental studies. Her favorite class within the department is “Literature of Black Childhood.”

Not only does African American studies provide practical skills, but it provides emotional and cultural skills that can help students navigate intercultural relationships and connections within their personal and professional lives.

“Police need African American studies majors because then they will understand that Black people are human and worthy of their respect and dignity. Doctors and nurses need it because many still believe that black people are fundamentally different from white people and that Black women can tolerate more pain than other women.

That’s why Black women are dying more in childbirth. The teachers need it, the engineers need it. It’s an anecdote for racism because racism is endemic through everything,” said Williams.

“I think AAS teaches me about the necessity of struggle, commitment and love.

I’m amazed by the strategies of survival and artistry that African people, globally, have created and continue to create,” said AbdurRahman.

Read more on our website!

Correction Oct. 29: A previous version of this story stated that Kim Pearson, a professor emeritus, was a co-founder of the College’s African American studies progam. This is false, she was not. The Signal regrets the error.

page 4 The Signal October 31, 2025

TCNJ students canvas to boost voter turnout ahead of N.J. election

Photo courtesy of Keya Amin

Professor Cecilia Colbeth’s “Rebel Girls” class partnered with the League of Women Voters to promote voter participation on campus.

By Jack Salaki Correspondent As the New Jersey gubernatorial election approaches, many college students across the state are getting ready to vote. However, numerous students are still unsure of how voting works or if their vote matters.

That’s where Professor Cecilia Colbeth’s freshman year seminar class comes in. The course, part of the Women in Learning and Leadership program, is titled “Rebel Girls: How Girls Do Activism.” The class partnered with the League of Women Voters, a non-profit, non-partisan organization with over 1 million members and supporters across

all 50 states. The organization’s goal is to ensure that everyone has access to voting and to empower voters by helping them register and understand the process.

The freshmen class also partnered with the Million Voters Project, located in New Jersey The project is non-partisan and consists of community organizations, faith groups and labor unions, with the goal of getting 1 million voters engaged in the upcoming gubernatorial election through canvassing efforts.

Many students in Colbeth’s class were already interested in politics. Canvassing was simply a way to get more directly involved in making an impact.

“I’ve always been around politics.

My grandfather was mayor for 16 years.

I want to work in government one day, maybe even as a congresswoman,” said Madison Graham, a history major and canvasser.

Canvassing was a new experience for Graham.

“Canvassing really opened my eyes.

It showed me how many people don’t realize how important every election is — not just the presidential ones,” Graham said.

Many canvassers said the students they met were either uninterested or unaware of how the voting process worked.

“A lot of people were either uninformed or really only understood the presidential election and didn’t understand the point of the gubernatorial election,” said Shrika Dogiparthi, an economics major and canvasser.

Gianna Facciponti, a nursing major and canvasser, echoed this point. “A lot of people didn’t think voting would affect them, even when the issues directly would,” she said.

Canvassers said that students who were uninterested in the governor’s race often felt uneducated about the candidates and what they represented.

“Because of how busy college is, people don’t put it on their list of priorities,” said Mary Januszka, an education major and canvasser.

Another point that canvassers made was about the publicity of the gubernatorial race. Many students said the race hasn’t been as talked about or publicized in the same way as the presidential race last year, which is why they didn’t know much about the candidates.

The canvassers knocked on 30 doors

across campus to reach out to students.

Zoe King, a chemistry major and canvasser, said that 17 people answered their doors out of the 30 she knocked on, and six of those were registered to vote.

Canvassers said many students didn’t go into detail about specific issues they cared about, since the effort was mainly about encouraging voter participation.

However, two of the most common issues mentioned were reproductive rights and the cost of living in New Jersey.

Colbeth reflected on what her students learned from the project.

“As one of my students stated, every seat or vacancy that there is an election for is just as important as voting for a U.S. Representative and Senator, a governor, or a president. School Board positions, local or township positions, state level representatives all play a critical part in our democracy and the future well-being of our country as a whole,” she said.

Canvassing on campus also taught students that the freedom to vote is a nonpartisan issue, according to Colbeth.

“No matter which party you align with, using the power of your vote is vital,” Colbeth said.

Early voting for the gubernatorial election began on Oct. 25 and continues through Nov. 2. Hours are Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Election Day is Nov. 4. Polls will be open from 6 a.m. until 8 p.m.

Check your voter registration status at https://voter.svrs.nj.gov/registrationcheck!

Coffee creates community at the College’s Library Café

Photo by Isabella McHugh

The Library Café has a wide range of food and beverage options.

By Isabella McHugh Staff Writer In the early mornings, Matthew Trifiro makes his usual stop at the College’s Library Café, delighting in both his coffee and the café’s lively yet cozy community.

Trifiro, a senior interactive multimedia major, visits every day. Though he often gets work done, he sometimes just sits and reflects with a coffee or snack. He typically stays between one and two hours.

“Having a drink or food does invite me to stay for longer,” he said. Trifiro enjoys the Library Café’s ambiance, which is the main reason he frequents it.

Photo by Isabella McHugh

The Library Café has a wide range of food and beverage options.

This corner of the R. Barbara Gitenstein Library is home to a vibrant community.

As soon as you step inside, the scent of freshly brewed coffee fills the air, the hum of the machines blending with the constant chatter of students. A long line of

customers isn’t an uncommon sight, and between the morning and middle of the day, almost every seat is filled.

One of the baristas, Jayden Foster, said the café is always bustling in the mornings when students are heading to their first classes. Foster said the purpose of the Library Café “is for students who really need a different space to just do whatever.

Whether it be studying, doing homework or even just communicating with friends, chilling with them.”

Many students agree, and some even shared their personal experiences there.

One thing everyone who spoke to The Signal agreed upon is that the Library Café is a major part of campus culture.

“It’s so lively, and everyone is happy,” said freshman nursing major Olivia White, who described the Library Café as the “heart” of the College.

White believes the café is a small community since it has become a staple in many people’s routines including her own.

She said the Library Café is her favorite place on campus besides her dorm.

“Everyone knows the lib-caf,” junior nursing major Kleo Andritsopoulos said, referring to the café by its popular nickname.

Orientation leaders even mentioned how much they love the spot during the first week of school. It’s definitely one of the College’s hot spots.

Enzo Whetton, a senior and political

science and mathematics major, believes the café fosters community because of its open layout.

Whetton said he thinks the space is less conducive for studying because of the heightened noise level and social interactions, but a great community for social gatherings.

In contrast, White finds the Library Café perfect for studying since she feels more comfortable in a social setting than in a dead-silent space like the rest of the library.

“I don’t feel so alone and isolated,” White said.

Whetton also says the Library Café is pretty hectic during the morning and early afternoon hours, and waiting for your order may require some patience. However, especially for people that study long hours, “if [they] don’t want to leave to go get food, it’s pretty convenient,” he said.

Many students agree that the Library Café enhances campus life and offers a space that feels uniquely their own. Like a town’s local café, it is indescribable to non-locals, but feels like magic to those who get it.

Students, including one of the café’s staff members, shared fond memories from their time at the café. Harper Klemm, a sophomore deaf and hard of hearing major, said she always picks a spot by the window to sit.

“There’s one gentleman who walks his dog and stops [her] in front of each of the windows, and that’s just so nice to see,” she said.

The baristas’ small acts of kindness always brighten Andritsopoulos’s day.

“I love the workers. There’s two that are always really nice, and they draw small smiley faces on the cup,” she said.

White recalled a time she and her roommate began talking to a group of sophomores there one day and ended up following them on social media.

Foster said he always remembers when a student orders an “exotic” drink.

He receives various drink combinations that he’s never heard of before. “Someone the other day got like pumpkin spice with white mocha. That was pretty good,” he said.

To Foster, the combinations are not only creative but also amusing.

Students have great things to say about the café’s community aspect. You walk inside and see students with notebooks and laptops, but you also see friends laughing and conversing.

Despite its inviting atmosphere, not everyone at the College feels they share in that community.

Professor Nada Jamaty, who teaches French, said she doesn’t hear of many professors going to the Library Café.

Jamaty added that the spot was never suggested by colleagues. “Maybe the café needs more exposure,” she said. “Since I’m new, I had no idea there was even a café inside the library.”

While the Library Café might not yet be on every professor’s radar, it has become a cornerstone of student life. For senior Matthew Trifiro, the café offers a peaceful space for studying, socializing, and unwinding over a cup of coffee. Students say it’s the perfect mix of calm, community and caffeine.

Photo by Isabella McHugh

The Library Café offers a variety of snacks and drinks.

Modern horror movies need more creativity

Photo courtesy of Flickr

The most popular horror films nowadays are too reliant on jumpscares.

By Tasnim Oyshi Staff Writer If you’re a horror fanatic, October might be your favorite month. After all, it is the perfect time for settling down with a blanket and snacks, turning the lights off and putting on horror movies to enjoy at nighttime. At some point in your viewing, however, you might come to the conclusion that most of the horror films that have come out in the past two decades or so follow a specific formula.

This would be the use of jumpscares.

In recent years, there has been growing

criticism of the trope, which argues that jumpscares are a cheap way to stimulate fear within an audience. While it is true that they are an easy way to scare viewers, the problem with jumpscares is not so much that they are lazy but rather that there are too many of them in a single film.

Movies such as those in “The Conjuring” series, “Annabelle” and “Hereditary” have all faced their fair share of critiques for being overly reliant on jumpscares. And overabundance eventually leads to boredom.

Audiences grow tired of being subjected to the same recipe over and over again.

This is, of course, not a new occurrence.

Once something becomes popular, it gets replicated until the trope is exhausted. This exact situation occurred in the late 1970s and 80s with slasher movies being the big thing in the horror film industry. Often considered to have been popularized by “Halloween” in 1978, the genre bred classics such as “Friday the 13th,” “A Nightmare on Elm Street” and “Child’s Play.” In the 90s and going forward, we saw less and less of them until they were no longer a staple in horror.

There are definitely ways to do jumpscares right. The typical low, suspenseful music that builds as the camera zooms in or pans across the set in search of a demon or a doll with there being nothing when the camera pauses and the music stops, only for the antagonist to show up a second later is a cliche. A good way to go about jumpscares is to be frugal about their usage and offer the audience something they wouldn’t typically expect.

However, jumpscares are not the only factor making horror movies feel bland. The main issue is a lack of creativity (which is also the reason jumpscares are so overused).

It seems that most of the horror films out there nowadays don’t have an original plot.

Many deal with the standard supernatural storyline where some evil entity has

possessed someone or something and is haunting the main characters, who have to figure out a way to get rid of it.

At a certain point, the companies and executives that keep funding the same story are beating a dead horse. This is why it’s important for directors to branch out and explore what more they can do. Movies like “The Shining,” “The Blair Witch Project” and “Get Out” are all popular examples of what can happen when horror isn’t constrained by a singular narrative. The ones making the films get to traverse their artistic abilities and horror film audiences get to witness fresh and innovative stories.

Luckily, there does seem to be a change in the mainstream horror films as of late even though it is small. With releases like “Midsommar,” the “A Quiet Place” series and “The Substance” within the last few years, it feels like we are moving away from the jumpscare trope. Although there are still films coming out such as “The Conjuring: The Last Rites” this year, there is still an audience for that. The good news is that the genre seems to be diversifying and as audiences, we need to encourage the creativity that allows filmmakers to make new and unique horror movies.

What’s the best horror-comedy of 2025? Halloween is a true divas fashion week

By Michael McKee Correspondant

“Abbot and Costello meet Frankenstein.” “Army of the Dead.”

“Scream.” The tradition of horror comedy has a long and celebrated history, and is not as contradictory as its name might imply.

This year, we saw the two most recent entries in this genre: box office smash “Weapons” and the largely unnoticed “The Toxic Avenger.” While both films are excellent in their horror and comedy elements, the question remains: which film is better?

“Weapons” caught much attention throughout the marketing process through its unique premise: “Last night, at 2:17 p.m., every child from Ms. Gandy’s class woke up, got out of bed, went downstairs, opened the front door, walked into the dark… and they never came back.”

The film is told from the perspectives of many different characters, including the teacher, Justine Gandy; the father of one of the missing kids, Archer Graff; Gandy’s policeman ex-boyfriend, Paul Morgan; drug addict, James; and the only kid who didn’t go missing, Alex Lilly. This method allows the viewer to slowly piece together the story’s mystery.

Throughout the film, there is an underlying, uneasy tension: the closer the characters get to solving the mystery, the more danger they face. This danger can surface at unexpected moments, putting the viewer on the edge of their seat, constantly questioning if the characters are safe.

With this eerie tone dominating the film, viewers would be pleasantly surprised that “Weapons” also contains high amounts of comedy.

“The Toxic Avenger” was officially released in 2023 at the Fantastic Fest film festival, but only got a wide theatrical release this year. The film is a reboot of the 1984 horror comedy cult classic of the same name and stars big names such as Peter Dinklage, Kevin Bacon and Elijah Wood.

The film concerns Winston Gooze, a widower and single stepdad, who works as a janitor for the megacorporation BTH

when he gets diagnosed with cancer. An escalating series of events occurs, leading to Gooze getting dumped into toxic BTH chemicals, mutating him into the monstrous Toxic Avenger aka. Toxie. After Toxie starts saving local residents from gangsters and other evil doers, he becomes the town’s celebrated do-gooder.

The film is also defined by its excellent ensemble cast. Dinklage does a great job of portraying the beleaguered Gooze and empowered Toxie. Bacon is really able to ham it up (pun intended) as the film’s antagonist, BTH owner Bob Garbinger.

With all this being said, which film does horror comedy better? It is important to note that both of these films do horror comedy differently.

“Weapons” is mostly focused on horror with most of the comedy being a release from the terrifying atmosphere. The comedy is subtle and derived from the characters’ personalities until it hits a crescendo in the third act with more absurd situations.

Meanwhile, “The Toxic Avenger” is more focused on comedy, with a heavily satirical tone, that takes aim at megacorporations, pollution, local corruption, mass media, alternative subcultures and the culture war. The film features graphic humor, off-the-wall zaniness, big punchlines, absurd situations and extreme contrasting personalities.

Overall, “Weapons” acts as more of a fusion between horror and comedy, in the vein of films such as “Nightmare on Elm Street,” “Evil Dead 2,” “Child’s Play,” “Scream” and “Get Out.” “The Toxic Avenger” on the other hand acts as more of a comedy with horror aesthetics, in the vein of “Abbot and Costello meet Frankenstein,” “Ghostbusters,” “Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2,” “Scary Movie” and “Shaun of the Dead.”

To actually rate the films, “The Toxic Avenger” is the better comedy, while “Weapons” is the better horror, the better film overall and does a better job fusing the two genres.

You can watch “Weapons” on HBOMax and “The Toxic Avenger” on Amazon Prime and YouTube TV.

Photo courtesy of IMDb

“...Halloween is the one night a year when girls can dress like a total slut and no other girls can say anything about it,” said Cady Heron in “Mean Girls.”

By AJ Mun Staff Writer Let’s make one thing clear: Halloween is cool. No matter what anyone says about it, we cannot deny that anyone who likes fun and joy loves Halloween. If we use our critical thinking skills, Halloween season gives us an excuse to eat all the candy we want, bring China Anne McClain’s music back from retirement and dress up as anything we want to be, all the while making an array of bad decisions and blaming it on “Halloweekend.”

Now, I know that not everyone likes to go out and drink their liver away while dressed up as Miss Piggy or sexy Gru from “Despicable Me,” but Halloween doesn’t mean you have to be inebriated to have fun. Some of my best memories come from my annual Halloween parties that consisted of getting dressed up with my friends, having photoshoots, then taking it all off and getting comfy so we can eat Chinese food and fall asleep as Drew Barrymore gets diced and cubed on the TV. But at the end of the day, what truly makes Halloween special is costumes.

How many times have you looked at the big screen and seen someone like Regina George get all of the attention and wondered, “Wow I wish I was like that.” or watched David Corenswet fly across Metropolis and thought to yourself, “I want to be a superhero.” Well, Halloween is the time to do so. I don’t know about anyone reading, but unless you want to wear a muscle padded suit, red boxers and a cape to your family reunion, let’s get dressed for Halloween.

I know what you’re thinking. You thought of hot Halloween costumes and the first thing that came to your mind was the Amazon

corset that comes in 4 billion different colors and still looks violently boring that every girl puts in the cart the minute the weather gets below 75 degrees. And to that I say, when have you ever wanted to look like everyone else at the function? If you want to make a true impression with your Halloween costume, you must learn the Halloween costume formula. After all, most things can boil down to a science.

If you want to Halloween correctly, you must first consult everyone’s old pal, Pinterest. Not only for the costume idea, but also to see what other people did for their costumes. See what parts you want to take from theirs and what parts you’d rather leave for the birds. Then, you have to remember that even though these will be some of the best looks you have for the year, we cannot spend all of our money on something that will only be worn once. For that issue, I suggest building a costume with clothing pieces you would wear again separately. This means finding tops and bottoms that can be worn alone at another point of the year, but together create something truly fierce.

Let me be the one to de-influence you.

Leave the corsets and the tutus for someone else. Level up the wardrobe and let your token Halloween obsessed friend play “Devil Wears Prada” and style you for the weekend.

Be something new! Be something fun! If you can’t think of something I promise you that some diva on TikTok has a viral video telling you what to be. There must be something you enjoy. Something deep inside of you that you loved as a child or that you wanted to be at some point in your life. Divas, get up, go shopping and eat a Kit-Kat for me when you get the chance. They’re my personal favorite.

page 6 The Signal October 31, 2025

The College needs to do better with managing severe allergens

There are too many limitations on Meal Equivalency swipes.

By Briana Keenan Correspondant I got diagnosed with Celiac Disease this summer. Bagels, pasta and fun ice cream toppings like brownie and cookie dough bites became out of the equation. But what I didn’t know then was that dining options on campus virtually were, too.

During last spring semester, I experienced several stomach issues and blamed either the College’s food quality or coffee. However, when I returned home for the summer, my stomach issues persisted.

It took my primary doctor, an allergist, a gastrointestinal doctor, a couple misdiagnoses and an endoscopy to, finally, receive a diagnosis. Once it was official, the panic for dining on campus set in.

There is no doubt that the dining experience on campus has received several negative reviews, especially with The Signal’s latest coverage of the safety violations on campus and in Campus Town.

This is just one reason why I think the College needs to take action to improve dining.

Not only are the safety violations dangerous for everyone who is eating in these locations, but those who have food allergies or severe intolerances like Celiac are put at an even higher risk. Before I was diagnosed, I remember hearing some students talk about their respective allergies and dietary needs, and I sympathized. Since my mom also has Celiac, I knew that this is a challenge across all allergens, especially with cross-contamination.

Now, I empathize with those individuals and truly see how limited the options are for people who have dietary needs.

Over the summer, I registered with the

Photo by Sky Stewart

Accessibility Resource Center, received the proper documentation from my doctor and spoke with the College’s registered dietician at the time. I was still nervous going into the semester, but I had an idea of what would be safe for me to eat on campus and in Campus Town.

It didn’t take long for me to realize that this was not fully the case. The Brower Student Center has limited options with prepared gluten free wraps and sandwiches, many times having none displayed in the refrigerated case. The Education Cafe has been the same, and I have had no success at the Library Cafe — even if I can still get a classic iced caramel macchiato or iced chai beverage.

Over the summer, one dining option that I was informed of is eating gluten free pasta from the Lion’s Den in the student center.

One worker — who has probably been the kindest to me during this entire journey — is very well-equipped and knew to change her gloves, get a fresh pan and a differentcolored spatula even before I got into my cross-contamination spiel.

I’ve also had success at the Fresh Pride Cafe in the student center, where I’ve been able to order smoothies — a safe and healthy option that I’ve enjoyed for breakfast or lunch when I knew I needed to have something but wasn’t super hungry. The Traditions salad is a solid option, too, and I like to add grilled chicken for some protein when I get food there with others for lunch or dinner.

Traditions was actually the first dining location that I tried since being diagnosed. I went up to the window when it was quiet and asked the worker about cross-contamination since I knew the salad was gluten free, but I wasn’t sure how it was prepared. He then got

his manager for me, who then got the chef directly from the kitchen because she wanted to make sure I wouldn’t be sick. He reassured me that the grilled chicken is grilled on a separate, clean part of the grill where none of the breaded chicken or fries go, and all of the salads are prepared in one place.

Even though Traditions has this as a solid option, it definitely is not sustainable and they can improve on their gluten free options.

Plus, the student center staff as a whole can be better trained on gluten free preparation and cross contamination.

On another occasion when I went to the pasta station, the person who was working at the time was confused when I tried to order the gluten free pasta. She told me, “there’s no meat in any of the pastas…I have the round noodles, the circle noodles, and the spiral noodles” when I told her it was pasta without wheat. After trying to explain in different ways, I politely thanked her and didn’t order.

It wasn’t worth getting sick.

Instances like these make me more anxious to advocate for myself.

At T-Dubs, I was informed that the burrito bowls are a safe option for dinner. I am not a frequent T-Dubs visitor, but after trying the bowl, it became a hyperfixation. I’ve ordered it several times and had no issues, until one night.

I got out of my 5:30 p.m. class early and decided to go to T-Dubs for dinner since my gluten free turkey sandwich from the student center was dry and not very filling. I ordered the same chicken bowl that I usually get, but when I was finished eating and started walking back to my dorm, something was immediately off.

I was having such bad stomach pain that I started to panic a bit. As someone with Celiac who is basically a seasoned stomach ache survivor, I usually know when and when not to panic. This instance proved that my gut was right…and it wasn’t doing well.

Based on my experience with Celiac and my reactions to being glutened, I can 100% confirm that my dinner was either crosscontaminated or accidentally glutened that night.

Then, there’s The Atrium at Eickhoff Hall. This is alleged to be the “safest” option for people with Celiac because there is the Simple Servings Zone with a completely gluten free microwave, toaster and crock pot.

However, in the times I have been there, the

rice has been cold, the fridge is nearly empty and the shelves have limited options.

I will say, my most recent visit to Eick left me surprised in a few positive ways. The fridge had Amy’s gluten free mac and cheese, which is a gluten and dairy free staple meal that is easy and yummy to make, and they had gluten free chocolate chip muffins and Made Good mini gluten free cookies. It’s a step in the right direction, but I know that the College can do better.

Through Eick, students with allergens are also able to pre-order meals a week in advance specifically catered to them, cooked by a personal chef who is equipped to prepare allergen-safe meals. I tried these meals for the first time this week, and they were actually pretty solid.

I ordered scrambled egg and cheese on gluten free bread (which I recognized to be Schar’s brand) for breakfast and gluten free pasta with marinara sauce for lunch. I was given so much pasta that I ate it for lunch and dinner!

The taste was pretty good, but of course, it is still dining hall quality food. Again, the safety violations, while improving, are still a concern, especially with the number that Eick has in comparison to other dining locations.

When I filled out the dining feedback survey that was recently emailed to students, I shared my experience as someone who has Celiac, and as I was writing my ideas, I thought of a possible solution to improving the dining experience for Celiacs. Not only did I suggest training for the workers in the dining locations with the registered dietician, but I also thought of including students in this training process, too.

I know two other students who have Celiac, and we share experiences of struggling to eat on campus. With direct input from us, it can provide more of an understanding when workers encounter students who are ordering allergen-safe meals and how to prepare them safely.

As students with allergens, we are not expecting luxury dining from college dining locations. We know that it will not compare to home-cooked meals or the elite gluten free recipes that experts make. What we are advocating for is equal opportunity for safe options that are of sustenance and workers who are equipped to prepare these meals in a safe way.

Political campaigns have become a form of entertainment

By Tasnim Oyshi Staff Writer

With the New Jersey gubernatorial election and the New York City mayoral election coming up on Nov. 4, you might have seen clips on TikTok or Instagram from debates or even political advertisements that criticize specific candidates. Whether it’s Zohran Mamdani being questioned about legally purchasing marijuana or the “High Tax Jack” ads, my feed has been filled with memes, ads and edited clips from the campaigns for the past few days.

This was the case in 2024 as well during the presidential election season. It seems that over the years, political campaigns have become more and more of an online event.

With the widespread access to phones and online platforms, this is not necessarily a surprise. However, combining social media with political campaigns appears to have brought on a new kind of attention to them.

While there are still people who feel passionate about elections and take them rather seriously (as they should), recent campaigns have taken on more of a humorous tone in online environments. This is most clear in the NYC mayoral race, with

candidates having been the inspiration for viral moments, such as Mamdani’s rapping about his grandmother or Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa’s criticisms of Democrat Andrew Cuomo.

It is not just voters who have contributed to the meme-ification of politics nowadays.

Elections have always been about making one candidate look more desirable than the others. This may be why many politicians seem to have taken a more relatable approach to promote themselves.

Mamdani, in particular, has been very successful in utilizing TikTok to talk about the issues he wants to address as mayor and being interviewed by influencers on the app, such as Kareem Rahma from the series SubwayTakes. Sliwa has also been known for being blunt about his opinions on Cuomo and his passion for the city. His signature red hat and ownership of several cats has also made him a recognizable figure in the election.

This can be a good way for candidates to familiarize voters with their policies and gain new supporters. It is not dissimilar to doing interviews with news stations. It just so happens to be a less serious method, which can be helpful in getting the attention

of younger voters who appreciate the casual and transparent tone recent candidates seem to be using.

There is the concern, however, of whether or not politics intertwining with online culture will come with consequences.

For one, it could make people take the elections less seriously if all they see online is memes of the candidates rather than their actual views and policies. Candidates being vague about their policies is not a new critique but focusing on showing voters a relatable personality can take more focus away from the actual issues at hand.

Of course, there will also most likely be people who vote based on how funny they think a candidate is, instead of looking at their actual opinions. This seems to already be happening with Sliwa, who has gained a substantial amount of online fame after clips of him from the mayoral debates have gone viral.

Although it is true that Sliwa’s comments are appealing to the humor of Gen Z and his attitude and love for New York is respectable, he is still a politician first. While many comments online understand that and joke about him becoming a “court jester” or “getting a TV show,” there are certain

people who have begun to want him as the new mayor of New York solely because they find his phrase “slapping fannies and killing grannies” funny.

Politicians understand that being personable, while it might not be the deciding trait, is an important factor in gaining support and ultimately, winning the race. This allows for people online to build a one-sided and rather parasocial relationship with them. I’ve seen reels on Instagram that talk about how “babygirl” Sliwa or Mamdani are and though this can be entertaining, it can contribute to erasing the line between politician and a regular celebrity.

Ultimately, politicians are not influencers. Therefore, they should not be held to the same standards that one might typically expect of an influencer or celebrity.

We need to see politicians for who they are: people with positions in government. It is significant to our everyday lives and the lives of those around us that we do proper research and understand the people we choose to vote for. We can have our fun watching electoral candidates insult each other or make funny comments, but we should not forget that these politicians have real power that can affect us all.

Political leaders are using AI. Where is the outrage?

Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

Poltical leaders have been using AI to create propaganda.

By The Signal Editorial Board As journalists, we constantly hear the warning bells about artificial intelligence taking our jobs, which have been grouped into the “creative works” genre. While some governments and public leaders utilize AI for good, others have joined the ranks of wrongdoers who exploit the emerging technology’s power, and there is not enough outrage.

Artificial intelligence can be used for good measures. We’ve seen this with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention using AI to manage public health data more efficiently. Some chatbots can also help answer pressing questions at late hours, like helping to find that database for your essay due in an hour.

Artists of various media have been given a silent sword to fight against the computer beast that haunts our career dreams and aspirations, but we are not the only ones who should be speaking up.

While we can nod our heads in acknowledgment of the good that has been done, we can’t look past some of the bad, like an AI-made minister or government

officials using AI for deepfakes and making a mockery of others.

Journalists can report on the misdeeds of software usage, but how is the public supposed to protest any usage when it’s infiltrating our lives more every day? A simple Google search is always accompanied by an AI overview now (although if you put “-AI” at the end of your search, most times it prevents the overview).

There is less outrage about problematic AI usage because of how often it appears in people’s lives, to the point where some people may find themselves numb to it after seeing funny AI-generated videos and using ChatGPT to help them brainstorm ideas. People may even be unaware of its pervasiveness, as around 64% of Americans use AI and do not realize it, according to Gallup News.

Despite this growing normalization of AI, it is dangerous to ignore the negative impact AI can have on politics. AI is being used in political campaigns, which determine how people vote for local and world leaders, which determines how local and global events will be handled. It is, in fact, that deep.

The New York Times writes that “the era of A.I. propaganda is here.” Propaganda has always been designed to elicit an emotional response, but the use of AI to do so is especially worrisome, as it can lead to the spread of disinformation while appearing realistic or believable.

Some states have laws regarding political deepfakes. Twenty-four require disclosure of its usage, but there is no regulation at the federal level. With fragmented laws, as some argue to speed up AI usage while others think it should slow down, it’s easy to see how this disorganization will lead to confusion.

Social media has changed ways of life in many ways, and society has adapted. Hateful content would be seen as unprofessional in the hiring process for the average person and could negatively impact their career.

That being so, why is it not considered unprofessional for world leaders to post AIgenerated propaganda content on their social media platforms? This is hypocrisy.

On top of this, the tech companies that lead in AI research and development have power, inadvertently, over information and politics. No one knows what to do about the AI push from tech companies, with some welcoming it and others shunning it, leading to insufficient oversight. Some people theorize that AI could be a detriment to humanity, causing more net harm than good, but the developments are so new that people are largely unsure. AI companies are currently being left somewhat unchecked, with a lack of regulations that could be a danger to society.

In other nations, AI is being used in politics to an even higher degree than they are used in the United States. In Albania, an AI chatbot was given a cabinet-level position, a first for the entire world. It was named the “Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence.” It’s name is Diella and it is depicted wearing a traditional dress. In a response video, the AI minister said, “Some

have labeled me unconstitutional because I am not a human being. That hurt me.”

When AI is designed to assist with decision-making in politics using algorithms, it raises the question of whether or not AI would be programmed to be corrupt, even if leaders, like Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama, claim they are not. It is misleading to say that a chatbot like Diella is designed to fight corruption when it was created by human minds. How can it be ensured that the chatbot actually works to serve the country?

Political leaders are meant to be public servants as they make some of the most important decisions in the world, affecting humanity directly. Delegating such a task to AI could lead to biased decisions made under the guise that they are not.

AI has been shown to have bias in various fields, potentially exposing ill intentions behind its creators. AI usage in U.S. healthcare systems showed bias by prioritizing healthy White patients over sickly Black patients for additional care management, because the focus was on cost data and not care needs.

AI’s infiltration of politics is irresponsible. Using AI in any capacity to mislead the public is unethical. AI is a tool, but humans are the users. It can so easily be corrupt and used for manipulation, just as any other tool, even if that was not the aim of the invention.

People have expressed becoming exhausted from political news and climate, and adding on being an AI watchdog onto one’s plate could be the breaking point.

Citizens should be able to focus on the policies and actions taken by their political leaders, and not their unethical AI usage.

A world where nobody knows what to trust as real or unreal due to AI’s pervasiveness is a dystopia nobody wants to live in. Where there are benefits to AI, there are also downsides, and now the only way forward is to understand how to regulate it.

Critical thinking is important more than ever.

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Millions in jewels stolen from the Louvre in Paris heist

Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

perimeter protections were insufficient.

She then offered her resignation, but was refused by the culture minister.

“Today we are experiencing a terrible failure at the Louvre, which I take my share of responsibility in,” she said.

The theft comes months after Louvre employees went on strike, warning of understaffing and lack of resources for protection, with too few eyes on too many rooms.

“We did not detect the arrival of the thieves soon enough,” des Cars said.

The director stated that the museum’s alarms had worked properly that day, but that there is currently no full video surveillance of the perimeter outside the museum.

She also suggested barriers to prevent vehicles from parking alongside the museum’s buildings, and stated that she would fight to add a police station inside the museum, which welcomes 30,000 visitors a day and 2,300 workers.

The museum reopened three days after the heist, but the museum said its Apollo Gallery remains closed until further notice.

According to NBC, as of Oct. 23, investigators “have found traces of DNA samples in a helmet and gloves and are aware of new video showing the thieves escaping from the museum.” However, the prosecutor’s office said it was unclear if the DNA belonged to the suspects.

The investigation is still ongoing, however some suspects have been taken into custody by French authorities, according to the New York Times.

The Louvre Museum is one of the most famous museums in the world.

By Ally Uhlendorf Empress Eugénie.

Editor-in-Chief Empress Eugénie’s tiara was dropped near the museum during the escape and Eight items were stolen from the later recovered, but was unfortunately Louvre Museum in Paris on the morning damaged. of Oct. 19, marking one of the most The thieves utilized cutting equipment audacious museum heists in recent to breach a window and smashed history. two vitrines inside the gallery. After Shortly after the museum opened completing the heist, the group exited via to visitors, within minutes, four men motorbikes and left Paris. disguised as construction workers used a The Paris prosecutors’ office estimated basket lift to reach a second-floor window the theft cost about 88 million euros of the Galerie d’Apollon, a lavishly ($102 million). decorated gallery where the French These jewels hold high significance to crown jewels have been displayed.

French culture. The items have historical The stolen items included a tiara, ties to the Napoleonic era, to royalty and necklace and earrings that belonged to the historical narrative of France. to Queen Marie-Amélie and Queen According to AP News, “Prosecutor Hortense, an emerald necklace and Laure Beccuau, whose office is leading matching earrings from Empress Marie- the investigation, said about 100 Louise and a large tiara owned by investigators are now involved in the

police hunt for the suspects and gems after Sunday’s theft from the world’s most-visited museum.”

Within hours of the heist, investigators from France’s national police and other specialized units were on the case.

Surveillance footage, vehicle traces and forensic evidence were all held for investigation, according to CBS News.

The International Criminal Police Organization, the world’s largest international police organization, headquartered in Lyon, France, also added the stolen jewels to its “Stolen Work of Art” database. This alerted cross-border law enforcement around the world.

In testimony to the French Senate, Louvre director Laurence des Cars acknowledged a “terrible failure” in the museum’s security. She stated that external camera coverage was incomplete and that

Mosquitos discovered in Iceland for the first time

Japan elects their first-ever female prime minister

By Isabella McHugh Staff Writer

By Isabel Conforme Correspondent

For as long as humans have known, mosquitoes never ventured past the chilly Icelandic borders.

Now, for the first time, three of them made it a home.

Three mosquitos were discovered by a man named Bjorn Hjaltason according to the New York Times.

Hjaltason found them on a farm in Kjós, which is just north of Reykjavík. The mosquitos were on a wine-covered rope used to attract insects made by Hjaltason, and for this method a rope is dipped in sweet wine.

“At dusk on October 16, I caught sight of a strange fly,” wrote Hjaltason in a Facebook group for insect lovers.

Hjaltason took swift action to capture three of the small bugs, one male and two female, and bring them to an entomologist, Matthías Alfreðsson, from the Natural Science Institute of Iceland.

He identified them as “mosquitoes from the Culiseta annulata species,” wrote CNN. Experts believe these mosquitoes arrived in Iceland by a vehicle of some sort, and were adjusting to the country’s climate just fine, according to NPR. There have been other reported cases of insects, and even mosquitoes, being spotted on planes and transportation vehicles.

Alfreðsson confirmed that adult mosquitoes in particular can survive the cold if they take shelter.

He wrote in an email, “this is the first time” mosquitoes were found naturally in Iceland, according to

the New York Times.

Experts believe any changes to climate can alter a country’s environment, according to the BBC. This is a reason people suspect mosquitoes arrived to begin with.

This is the first time Iceland was warm enough to host these insects.

The country experienced record high temperatures this past spring, according to the BBC. Global warming comes to mind when seeing distinct changes such as this, because as the world heats up, experts expect many such changes in response.

“We should not be surprised that we see mosquitoes popping up in very strange localities,” Bart Knols, a Dutch mosquito expert and a founder of MalariaWorld said.

Colin J. Carlson, an assistant professor of epidemiology at Yale University, said, “Climate change may have made this more likely, but I’m not convinced it’s a clear, direct impact,” according to CNN. He believes mosquitoes are more adept at surviving in colder climates than we think.

Alfreðsson said the insects would need to be observed throughout the next few seasons to see how well they fare. If the temperatures continue to rise, mosquitoes will likely populate the area more and live longer.

As of right now, only three mosquitoes have been found in Iceland, and they all came from Hjaltason’s garden.

He states in a BBC article, “But if three of them came straight into my garden, there were probably more.”

The Land of the Rising Sun has chosen Sanae Takaichi as the nation’s first female prime minister. However, not all women are celebrating this historic milestone.

Takaichi was elected on Oct. 21 by members of the lower house of parliament, replacing Shigeru Ishiba as president of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP).

She defeated her closest rival, Yoshihiko Noda, leader of the liberal opposition Constitutional Democratic Party.

While Takaichi is breaking new ground as the first woman to lead a country dominated by men, she has not made gender equality or diversity a main focus of her platform.

Takaichi set the goal to increase the representation of women in her cabinet to levels seen in Nordic countries, where the share of women ministers is between 36% - 61%. However, thus far she has only assigned two female ministers, Satsuki Katayama and Kimi Onoda. As a result, women comprise just 16% of the cabinet she heads.

“I formed my Cabinet with this idea in mind, bringing together the combined strength of all generations,” the prime minister said in a news conference the day of her election.

On foreign policy, she has expressed interest in strengthening the alliance between Japan and the United States, highlighting that Japan is an important partner for America. She has already hosted President Donald Trump on Oct. 28.

Takaichi is politically conservative, with her supporting male-only succession in the imperial family, being against permitting married couples to use different surnames and not supporting same-sex marriage.

She is from the Nara prefecture located in the center of Japan, from a family with ties to both industry and public service. Her father worked for an automotive company, while her mother was employed by the local police department.

Outside of politics, Takaichi is known for her interest in loud guitar-based music.

Since she was a student, she has been both a drummer and guitarist and noted she had an admiration for the musicians Yoshiki, Iron Maiden and Deep Purple.

She played drums in a heavy metal band.

Reportedly, there is an electronic drum kit in her accommodation at the Parliament, but she plays it with headphones so she does not disturb other members.

As the LDP faces challenges, Takaichi is widely viewed as a move by the LDP to attract conservative voters who have drifted to the far-right Sanseito party. Sanseito has recently gone from one seat to 15 running on a “Japanese First” platform with the LDP’s challenge contributing to losing its majority in both houses of legislative.

Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

Tokyo Imperial Palace, where Japan’s new Prime Minister was formally appointed.

page 10 The Signal October 31, 2025

The Supreme Court’s ruling could weaken significant provisions of the Voting Rights Act

Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

The Voting Rights Act is a long-standing legal precedent.

By Rebecca St Fleur Correspondent Oral arguments were presented to the Supreme Court on Oct. 15 in Louisiana v.

Callais, a case that challenges Section 2 the Voting Rights Act and its protections against state-sanctioned discrimination.

Passed in 1965 during the civil rights era, the Voting Rights Act was created to stop election practices that deliberately

undermined communities of color and district voting maps that were racially discriminatory. However, since 2013, the Supreme Court has gradually been cutting away at the law’s pillars.

This case first emerged with a lawsuit against Louisiana by black voters, who pushed for the state to draw a majority black congressional district, claiming that this change would be a more accurate representation of the state’s

Trump proposes banning Chinese airlines from Russian airspace

By Sarah Sankel Correspondent The Trump administration recently proposed banning Chinese flights from Russian airspace when traveling to and from the United States.

Chinese airline companies have protested vocally against such proposals, however, and have emphasized the costs and disruption of such flight paths.

The situation has escalated the ongoing trade war between the U.S. and China.

The proposition made by the Trump administration aims to stop Chinese airline companies from taking advantage of the increased international maneuverability of airspace.

According to Yahoo News, the U.S. Department of Transportation said, “Being able to use the most efficient route provides a competitive advantage because it usually results in the shortest flight time duration, thereby offering a more appealing option to travelers.”

The ban would only affect Chinese flights that are flying to and from the U.S. American airlines, as well as airlines from many other countries, have been banned from Russian airspace since Russia invaded Ukraine in March 2022, according to Reuters.

However, China’s close relationship with Russia has prevented such a ban, meaning that Chinese airlines are able to save money by taking shortcuts across Russia.

According to Reuters, a flight from Beijing to Los Angeles without using Russian airspace would take an average of 13 hours and 58 minutes.

A flight with Russian airspace would only take 12 hours and 26 minutes.

China Eastern, a major Chinese airline, said that the ban would “harm the public interest” and “inconvenience travellers,” according to AP News, emphasizing that customers from both China and the U.S. would have to pay higher fares. Air China warned that at least 4,400 passengers would be affected if the ban were to take place during Thanksgiving and Christmas. In total, six major Chinese airlines filed complaints over the proposed ban, according to AP News.

Guo Jiakun, China’s foreign ministry spokesperson, said that the ban would be “punishing” passengers around the world. David Yu, an aviation industry expert, said, “The U.S - China route historically has been a money-maker for airlines on both sides. From the Chinese carriers’ perspective, if you can go through Russia, your costs go down,” according to AP News.

Some U.S. airlines have emphasized that flights from the East Coast of the U.S. to China are not economically feasible without flying through Russia. Sometimes, reduced cargo and empty seats are necessary to make the long-distance flight possible, according to Reuters.

According to The Japan Times, Airlines for America, which includes American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines, approved the ban, but emphasized the importance of “ensuring that the level of passenger capacity stays reasonably tied to marketplace demand.”

As the Trump Administration continues to discuss the best form of action, the Department of Aviation has said that it will consider public comments before finalizing the plan, according to Yahoo News.

demographic.

CNN reports, “Louisiana drew only one congressional district out of six with an opportunity to elect a Black member of Congress, despite the fact that African Americans make up about a third of the state’s population.”

After the case went through the lower courts, the Supreme Court agreed to determine whether the electoral map of Louisiana defied the Voting Rights Act. Over the summer, however, the BBC reported, “Louisiana’s Republican officials flipped from defending their state’s legislative map, which they had said was drawn to be in compliance with the Voting Rights Act, to asking the court to do away with the law’s blackdistrict requirements entirely.”

In the hearing that was scheduled for only an hour, arguments went on for more than two. Conservatives took a racial-colorblind stance, asserting that the Voting Rights Act and any consideration of race in the law itself is a form of discrimination.

The original black voters who brought the case disagreed.

Representative lawyer Janai Nelson insists, “We only have the diversity we see across the south because of litigation that forced the creation of opportunity districts under the Voting Rights Act.” In recent decisions, the Supreme Court’s six-to-three conservative majority has mostly voted along these established party lines — shifting the political landscape and law to the right. President Trump’s administration has already declared support for this challenge against the Voting Rights Act.

The legislative and congressional district lines of states are redrawn every decade in a process known as redistricting. This is to create maps that are representative of a state’s population.

These boundaries usually have a substantial impact on who is elected, and sometimes, these lines are drawn with the intent to influence what politicians win an election.

Due to America’s chronicled past of residential segregation based on race, it is much easier for this to be done against marginalized groups.

Racial gerrymandering is not new, but its use seems to have increased in recent years. Back in July, Trump urged Governor Abbott of Texas to redraw district lines in an effort to create five additional Republican leaning congressional districts ahead of the 2026 midterms.

Reuters states, “Conservative Justice Samuel Alito questioned Nelson about the degree to which state lawmakers are allowed to draw maps to favor their own political parties and protect politicians already in office. The Supreme Court has permitted lawmakers to pursue this goal, though party affiliation and race of voters are often strongly correlated.”

The Supreme Court first heard arguments for this case back in March, but afterwards decided on wanting to hear more arguments before making a decision.

They are expected to make a final ruling by June, but if this challenge is successful, it could lead to a dozen seats or more flipping from Democrat to Republican.

Soccer fans and Palestinian protesters push for Israel to be banned from international competitions as Russia was

Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

Russia was banned from participating in the 2022 World Cup four days after their war in Ukraine, fans are wondering if the same courtesy will be given to Israel.

By Abigail Holliday Copy Editor After Russia invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022, the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) and the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) banned Russia from playing in Qatar for the 2022 World Cup only four days later.

Russia’s national team was banned from all competitions, and all Russian club teams were barred from playing in European tournaments, like the Champions League. That ban is still in effect today, restricting the national team from competing in the 2026 World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the United States.

Though the conflict technically started in 2014 when disguised Russian soldiers invaded the Ukrainian Republic of Crimea, the Russia-Ukraine War began in 2022 when a full-scale invasion was launched into Ukraine by Russia, hoping to take over their capital, Kyiv.

Over the past three years since Russian

President Vladimir Putin tried to overtake Ukraine, more than 14,000 people were confirmed killed, over twice as many injured, cities and protected buildings were demolished and what was Europe’s largest exodus that occurred since WWII, with over 700,000 people fleeing and finding refuge in Poland, Germany and the Czech Republic, according to Britannica.

While FIFA is a sports organization, having no political affiliations, they still have 211 members, all of which have their own opinions on the war in Ukraine, pressuring them to make a decision about Russia, according to ESPN. On the other hand, Gaza, which was home to 2.3 million people, has been repeatedly under fire from Israel causing the displacement of 750,000 Palestinians, a larger exodus than Ukraine’s, killing over 68,000 people and destroying schools, cultural landmarks from the fifth century and attacking over over 800 mosques, according to Al Jazeera.

The Israel-Hamas War started on Oct. 7, 2023 when Hamas launched an attack on Israel by land, sea and air from the Gaza Strip. Since then hospitals and refugee camps have been bombed, a famine was confirmed in Gaza and humanitarian aids, like Greta Thunberg, were tortured for just trying to bring food and medical supplies to Gaza.

On Oct. 10 of this year, a ceasefire was agreed upon by both parties and three days later any remaining hostages were released, according to Britannica.

Despite all of this, Israel has been playing qualification matches for the 2026 World Cup. When asked, FIFA’s president Gianni Infantino said in a press release, “FIFA cannot solve geopolitical problems, but it can and must promote football around the world by harnessing its unifying, educational, cultural and humanitarian values.”

Read more on our website!

October 31, 2025, The Signal page 11

The International Court of Justice demands Israel allow U.N. relief agency to administer aid in Gaza

Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

A United Nations meeting.

By Zo Terrana Staff Writer The International Court of Justice, the United Nations top legal body, stated that Israel must grant “The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East” or UNRWA to provide humanitarian aid to the Palestinian territory.

The court, which is based in The Hague, Netherlands was asked by the U.N. General Assembly last year to settle Israel’s legal obligations after

Israel decided to enact laws banning the agency from operating in Gaza. UNRWA is the main provider of Gazan aid to the Palestinian people according to AP News.

Israel has barred the UNRWA from administering aid supplies since March 2025. However the agency is operating in Gaza, including running health centers, mobile medical teams, sanitation services and children school classes. According to AP News, the agency has reported it has 6,000 trucks of supply waiting to enter the territory.

The Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin

Netanyahu has ridiculed the UNRWA, saying that the group is infiltrated by Hamas. The agency has rejected that claim.

The U.N. court stated that the population of the Gaza strip had been insufficiently supplied and that Israel was required to protect the basic needs of the Gaza population, according to AP News.

An advisory opinion made last year by the U.N. court stated Israel’s occupation in the Palestinian territory was unlawful, calling an end to the Israeli occupation.

The ruling by the ICJ levied moves to unilaterally recognize the Palestinian state according to AP News.

The United States State Department echoed these claims made by the Israeli government, rebuffing the ruling from the ICJ on Oct. 22 according to Politico.

Posting on X, the State Department stated, “Another corrupt ruling by the ICJ. As President Trump and Secretary Rubio work tirelessly to bring peace to the region, this so-called “court” issues a nakedly politicized non-binding “advisory opinion” unfairly bashes Israel and gives UNRWA a free pass for its deep entanglement with and material support for Hamas terrorism.”

According to Politico, the Trump administration has been looming the decision of cutting ties with the UNRWA

due to claims that various members were involved in the Oct. 7 terrorist attack on Israel.

However the ICJ stated that Israel, “has not substantiated its allegations that a significant part of UNRWA employees ‘are members of Hamas ... or other terrorist factions.’”

The ICJ said the UN’s Office of Internal Oversight Services conducted an investigation in coordination with Israel into 18 UNRWA staff members and dismissed nine members who may have been involved in the Oct. 7 attack.

The court stated that the investigators found no significant evidence to support the participation of the other ten investigated persons, as stated by Politico.

The court also stated that Israel should “co-operate in good faith” with the U.N. by administering assistance to the Gaza region.

The court wrote in a statement, “The State of Israel has an obligation under international human rights law to respect, protect and fulfill the human rights of the population of the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including through the presence and activities of the United Nations, other international organizations and third States, in and in relation to the Occupied Palestinian Territory.”

U.S. Forces bomb alleged drug trafficking vessel in the Caribbean, killing six

Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

U.S Navy in International waters.

By Isabella McHugh Staff Writer The United States carried out its fifth bombing on Caribbean waters, killing six people according to the New York Times.

President Donald Trump announced these bombings have been taking place since the beginning of September. The target was a vessel from Venezuela that contained alleged drug traffickers. He did not specify which group they were associated with.

Four other strikes took place before this, with the first being on Sept. 2, leaving 11 people dead.

The second strike took place on the 15th, leaving three dead. The third strike took place on the 19th, which also left three dead. The fourth attack was on Oct. 3, and killed four people.

On Oct. 14, President Trump stated, “Intelligence confirmed the vessel was trafficking narcotics,” and it “was associated with illicit narcoterrorist networks,” according to the New York Times. He said the strikes were on international waters, and that U.S. Forces were safe.

Attorney George Conway, former Republican, stated, “That’s 27 lives taken without even a semblance of a

legal justification under domestic or international law.”

In response to the commotion, Trump’s officials said that they were only acting in self-defense to protect the United States from drug trafficking. The bombings have occurred frequently this past month, with each one tiptoeing around the line of illegality.

Many maritime law experts have claimed that the United States’ actions might have violated the laws after BBC interviewed them.

Prof. Luke Moffett of Queen’s University Belfast claimed that the United States acted illegally since the use of violence on seas must only be used “in self-defense where there is immediate threat of serious injury or loss of life to enforcement officials.”

Trump believes the group was targeting the U.S and that the strike was necessary.

He released an unclassified video of the strike which depicted black and white footage of a boat floating in the ocean and then a big explosion moments later.

“Unlike some previous announcements, the president did not identify the nationality of the people who were killed or name a specific drug cartel or criminal gang with which

they were supposedly associated,” wrote the New York Times.

Regarding Venezuela, President Trump stated that the U.S. “gets something way worse” than drugs.

“They send their criminals into the United States, and they send [prison gang] Tren de Aragua.” He later added, “they emptied their prisons into the United States. They empty their mental institutions into the United States,” according to the

New York Post.

Despite the mention of that particular gang in his commentary, Trump never mentioned the vessel targeted in the fifth strike was a part of that cartel.

The legal debate surrounding the strikes continues. There is the possibility of further strikes made by U.S. Forces as there have already been five in less than a two-month timespan.

Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

What to expect from cinema in the coming months

By Mahnoosh Arsalan Correspondent

2025 has been a powerful year for cinema, with movies like “One Battle After Another” and “The History of Sound” shaping and redefining the boundaries of film.

Iconic filmmakers like Park Chan-Wook, Guillermo del Toro and Gus Van Sant have each made their promise to return to the silver screen this year, along with filmmakers such as Kelly Reichardt and Lynne Ramsay, who have recently gained a great deal of cinematic recognition.

Though there are so many films in the future of the film industry, there are a select few gaining rave reviews and critical acclaim, posing the argument of which film will be this year’s Oscar-sweeping masterpiece.

Chan-Wook’s newest film “No Other Choice” is said to be a bloodsoaked thrill. It follows a man recently laid off from his job attempting to reclaim every ounce of his dignity, no matter how violent and extreme.

After being presented at Venice Film Festival, The Guardian refers to Chan-Wook’s film as the “sensational state-of-the-nation satire” of the

Jennifer Lawrence in Lynne Ramsay’s “Die My Love.” year, mixing comedy with tragedy and crisis, and ultimately leaving the audience stunned. Despite his lack of Academy acclaim for his previous films, I would not be shocked to see the iconic director of “Oldboy” and “The Handmaiden” win an Oscar for this film.

Ramsay’s “Die My Love” starring Jennifer Lawrence and Robert Pattinson is one of the most talked about thrillers coming out this year.

The story follows a pair of newlyweds struggling in the early

Singer Lizzo has been sued for copyright infringement

Photo courtesy of IMDb

Singer and rapper Lizzo has been sued for copyright infringement.

By Tasnim Oyshi Staff Writer On Oct. 21, Lizzo and her label, Atlantic Records, were sued for copyright infringement in California by a company based in Georgia named the GRC Trust.

The claims made against the rapper stated that she sampled the song “Win or Lose (We Tried)” without permission, the rights to which are owned by the GRC Trust.

According to Variety, “Plaintiff Jimmy Ginn is listed as the owner of the publishing rights for “Win or Lose (We Tried)” in BMI’s database. Sam Dees is listed as the composer of the song, one of his 399 credits registered to the repertory.”

The song in which she allegedly used instrumental and vocal parts from “Win or Lose (We Tried)” is unreleased. In a nowdeleted post on Instagram and TikTok from August, Lizzo introduced a segment of the song called “I’m Going’ in Till October” or “Good Jeans” by fans, according to the

BBC. In the short video, she made a reference that parodied the recently controversial American Eagle jeans commercial with Sydney Sweeney. She wrote the lyrics, “I got good jeans like I’m Sydney.”

The GRC Trust’s lawyers have stated that Lizzo and Atlantic Records made a profit by infringing on their rights and that because they could not resolve the matter “informally,” they had to take it to court, according to Variety. GRC is currently attempting to stop future distribution of the song and “seeking any profits Lizzo and her label made, as well as damages and attorneys’ fees.”

In a statement to the BBC, Lizzo’s representatives expressed their surprise at the lawsuit. “To be clear, the song has never been commercially released or monetised, and no decision has been made at this time regarding any future commercial release of the song,” they stated. Additionally, it has yet to be copyrighted by Atlantic.

This will be Lizzo’s second time facing issues over copyright. In 2020, Lizzo was sued by Justin and Jeremiah Raisen and Justin “Yves” Rothman for copying their collaborative song with Lizzo, “Healthy” when making her hit track, “Truth Hurts.”

In early August, however, the claims were dismissed by Judge Dolly M. Gee in the Ninth Circuit, according to Variety. They later came to an agreement out of court, as stated by the BBC. Regarding the same song, singer Mina Lioness also made a claim that Lizzo’s usage of the line, “I just took a DNA test, turns out I’m 100% that b----” came from one of her past social media posts. The same line was also apparently used in “Healthy.” Unlike the Raisens and Rothman, however, Lioness was later added as a co-writer of the song.

It is unclear how Lizzo and Atlantic Records will proceed with the case as “I’m Going’ in Till October” is an unreleased song and has not been copyrighted. So far, there have not been further updates in the case.

Photo courtesy of IMDb

stages of marriage, going on a sinister journey, and has been compared to a previous film starring Lawrence titled “Mother!”

Time is detailing the film as Lawrence’s “best performance yet,” and the story as “complex” and “unsettling”. This is my most anticipated film of the year, just from early looks at the visuals, cinematography and snippets, the film seems to encapsulate my personal favorite things about film.

Maggie Gyllenhaal is returning

to her director title this year with “The Bride!” a film following the chaos behind the reimagined story of Frankenstein’s bride. The film seems to incorporate influences from “Bonnie and Clyde” and “Young Frankenstein” according to Fangoria.

There is one final film you can expect to see in your local theater in the next few months, and that is Emerald Fennel’s adaptation of Emily Brontë’s “Wuthering Heights”.

The film has gotten very degrading and unpromising opinions since its announcement, due to the problematic nature of Fennel’s casting.

Brontë’s story details the racial prejudice of the 19th century and the hardships of love and family, and Fennel’s retelling seems to highlight none of those themes. Fans complain that Fennel will turn Brontë’s love story into a story driven by pure lust, especially due to her previous film “Saltburn,” which was a lust-filled retelling of “The Talented Mr. Ripley”.

Ultimately, this year holds promise for film. These are just some of the many films to look out for in the foreseeable future. Keep the cinematic future alive—go to a local theater to see these films and more!

Depp takes on Dickens: Johnny Depp to star as Ebenezer Scrooge

Photo courtesy of IMDb

Johnny Depp is casted to be Ebenezer Scrooge in the 2026 retelling.

By Devyn Briones Staff Writer After playing characters like the man with scissor hands to a legendary pirate of the seven seas, Johnny Depp has been casted for the role of the irritable Ebenezer Scrooge in Paramount’s upcoming film “Ebenezer: A Christmas Carol” directed by Ti West, to be played in theaters on Nov. 13, 2026.

Ti West is known for directing horror films, such as “Pearl,” “X” and “MaXXXine.”

One of Charles Dickens’ most famous stories, “A Christmas Carol,” tells the tale of Ebenezer Scrooge, a bitter, miserable old man who learns a life-changing lesson about compassion and consideration through the journeys he takes with each spirit that visits him. The ghost of his former business partner warns him that his greed and selfishness will grant him an eternity weighted down by heavy chains.

He is then visited by three other ghosts: the Ghost of Christmas Past, who shows him the innocence and warmth of his childhood, the Ghost of Christmas Present, who reveals the happiness and generosity of his nephew’s family and the Ghost of

Christmas Yet to Come who presents a preview of Scrooge’s lonely death if he refuses to change.

However, this adaptation of the story has an eerie twist. West’s version will have more of a thriller feel.

The project has been described as, “a thrilling ghost story set in Dickens’s London, follows one man’s supernatural journey to face his past, present and future and fight for a second chance,” according to Radio Times.

Alongside Depp, Andrea Riseborough will be co-starring in an undisclosed role, according to The Playlist. She’s known for playing the lead as an alcoholic mother in the film “To Leslie,” which led to her Best Actress Oscar nomination. She is also seen in films “Oblivion,” “The Death of Stalin” and “Birdman.”

Depp is known for his quirky roles, but hasn’t been casted for anything big since his defamation-lawsuit with ex-wife Amber Heard in 2022. Heard lost the case, leaving Depp with $50 million in damages, according to NBC News.

Before you grab your popcorn or your ghostly chains, keep in mind that Depp may redefine ‘bah, humbug’ for the next holiday season.

October 31, 2025, The Signal page 13

Faith, flaws and finding peace: Inside Daniel Caesar’s ‘Son of Spergy’

Photo courtesy of Apple Music

The album signifies a return to faith.

By Olivia Suh Correspondent

Daniel Caesar released his fourth album, “Son of Spergy”, on Oct. 24, a journal-like reflection on his selfgrowth and spiritual awakening.

After the controversy surrounding his rant on an Instagram Live defending influencer YesJulz, who was accused of cultural appropriation and making demeaning comments about Black women, Caesar faced backlash.

“I was canceled for, you know, speaking my mind,” Caesar told Billboard. “I was canceled for being drunk and foolish in public. But that

was something I was always allowed to do. No one gave a s— [until I started to get famous].”

As Caesar has been confronted with the pressures of fame in the past few years, his newly released album, “Son of Spergy,” signifies his growth and realization.

“I almost feel like I’m starting again, and I love it,” he explained to Billboard.

The album begins with “Rain Down,” featuring Sampha, greeting listeners with what seems to be a mixture of prayer, confession and self-reflection, a spiritual outpour from Caesar accompanied by a gospel choir in the back.

The repeated lyrics, “Lord, let your blessings rain down on me,” seem as if a plea for renewal, rain symbolizing forgiveness and rebirth.

Caesar then continues with being “cleansed with your blood’s power,” tying with Christian ideology of forgiveness and salvation.

As the first track wraps up, the mention of “Spergy” creates a personal twist, as if Caesar is having a conversation with both God and himself. Lyrics such as “Spergy is stuck, can I see him?” and “Spergy, your son” create a visual of Caesar struggling with balancing his identity and faith.

‘PHOLKS’: Leon Thomas is here to impress

Photo courtesy of Apple Music

The cover for Leon Thomas’ EP “PHOLKS.”

By Molly Tursi Staff Writer

Within the interior of music production, there are numerous outlets for creatives to flourish in their musicality. Audio engineers, songwriters, producers and artists are all vital to the essence of sound as their respective creativity contributes to the final product.

Acclaimed as one of the most standout producers working today, Leon Thomas III has lent his musical brilliance to the music industry for over a decade. As heard in “Snooze” by the R&B powerhouse SZA, “Tattooed Heart” by pop sweetheart Ariana Grande or “Tell Me That You Love Me” from the hit Nickelodeon show “Victorious”, it is clear to the ear that Thomas is any artist’s lucky charm.

After playing an integral part in the formation of other artists’ sound, Thomas released his debut album “Electric Dusk” in 2023. Continuing to produce, his work on SZA’s “Snooze” went on to win a Grammy for Best R&B song in 2024.

Led by a force of momentum, Thomas’ sophomore album “MUTT” released in September of the same year.

The album reached meteoric success as it holds the title of Billboard’s No. 1 R&B album of 2024, with its titular song garnering the most streams out of

the tracklist.

On Oct. 24, Thomas released his second EP since 2018, “PHOLKS.” The EP runs seven tracks long and expands his R&B sound with fusions of soul, funk, hip-hop, and a trace of psychedelic rock.

Thomas sets the EP in motion with a jackrabbit start, opening with the beat and bass driven tracks “Just How You Are” and “My Muse.” The songs introduce the presence of funk on the EP and maintain a steady yet fast-track pace all the way through.

Teasing the EP, Thomas had released “Just As You Are” as a single in early October, accompanied by a music video featuring actress Lovie Simone.

“I watched a documentary before I made that record [“Just As You Are”], and it was really talking about how Prince would rehearse in the studio for, like, three or four hours,” Thomas told NPR’s Juana Summers. “And then he would make a record, and he would jump from instrument to instrument and not think too hard. And that record came from me trying to be Prince.”

Descending into the third track, “5MoreMinutes” affects a mellow tune with twangy instrumentals and composed rhythm. The song likens to indie rock, namely with a sound similar to that of Steve Lacy.

Thomas explores a sound that veers on the heavy side of rock with invigorating tracks “Trapped” and “Baccarat.” Both songs, replete with stinging guitar riffs and thrashing drum beats, emphasize the use of instruments to band together the compelling tracks.

Closing out the album, Thomas winds down with “Feel Alive” and “Lone Wolf (feat. 4batz).” Despite the slow tempo, the songs are still as exciting as the rest of the album and showcase Thomas’ musical acuity.

“PHOLKS” stands strong as an eclectic approach to music from Thomas, and paces perfectly as an EP. Each song offers up something different and interesting, making for a wellrounded addition to Thomas’ sensational discography.

The song “Moon,” featuring Bon Iver, discusses Caesar ’s selfawareness. He sings, “I’m not who I wanna be at the moment,” an admission to inner struggle and frustration, but remains hopeful that change might come, “maybe soon.”

The lyric continues with, “Fighters keep fighting,” creating an image of an individual pushing through hardships regardless of exhaustion and pain. Then Caesar raises the question, “Who’s going to be my Jesus?” displaying vulnerability, as if he’s fed up with fighting and wants someone or something to stand up for him the way he’s tried for others.

A message hidden in “Touching God,” featuring Blood Orange and Yebba, is taken from the Bible, 1 Corinthians 13:11, where Blood Orange sings, “When I was a child, spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put away childish things.”

This message signifies growth, remembering when life was simpler, looking at the world through innocent eyes. This verse goes beyond the realization of the different perspective he observes his surroundings.

The repetition of “When I was a child…” then finally shifting to “I

became a man,” it sounds as if he is looking back at a version of himself that was more naive, acknowledging how the challenges of life forced him to grow up.

Listeners have praised “Son of Spergy” for its depth and honesty.

On Album of the Year, one fan comments, “This album is one of the best Christian/gospel albums I’ve heard in a long time.” Another described it as a “coming-of-age journey through heartbreak, regret and redemption,” while another states, “The vocal delivery from Daniel is also just angelic. The lyrics in general are also just very deep and have a lot of meaning to them.”

With the release of “Son of Spergy,” Daniel Caesar resets his narrative, acknowledging past mistakes through a meditation focusing on faith, forgiveness and identity. The album plays out like pages taken from a personal diary, where he questions himself, leans towards his faith and slowly creates peace with his past.

Instead of defending his past mistakes, Caesar focuses on who he wants to become. “Son of Spergy” is Caesar ’s hard reset, his effort to start fresh, humbled, truthful and finally comfortable with his process of figuring it all out.

Tame Impala’s ‘Deadbeat’ finds new life in electronic shift

Photo courtesy of Apple Music

Parker and his daughter on the album cover of his newest release.

By Devyn Briones Staff Writer “Deadbeat,” Tame Impala’s fifth album, was released on Oct. 17, and fittingly, the more you know the better.

The album consists of 12 songs, three of which were made public as singles before the big drop.

The musical genius behind the scenes is Kevin Parker, known as Tame Impala, an Australian singer, songwriter, musician and record producer. Parker is a oneman show, whereas he writers, performs, records and produces all of his own music.

“Another album that almost killed me. 2 years of sweat and tears and selfneglect but I wouldn’t have it any other way,” Parker wrote in an Instagram post.

“I wouldn’t give you anything that didn’t take my all to make.”

Along with his newest drop, he has also released “InnerSpeaker,” “Lonerism,” “Currents” and “The Slow Rush.”

The cover art is a photo of him and his daughter Peach, born in 2021, hinting that the album is about the era of his life as a father. His daughter wasn’t intended to be on the cover until she photobombed Parker’s photoshoot.

“The photo just has this sort of energy to it. I even feel like the expression on her face is kind of just one of those sort of

intriguing uncertain things,” Parker said in an interview. “I just sort of get lost in that photo.”

Parker’s newest album is a bit different than his others. While his previous releases use numerous instruments to give the psychedelic feeling, this album focuses more on its beats, giving an EDM, housemusic feel.

The first song featured on the album is titled “My Old Ways.” The song begins slowly with a soft hint of piano, but picks up once the beat drops, introducing an electric vibe as he sings the lyrics “Back into my old ways again.”

“Not My World” is the halfway point of the album. This four-minute creation focuses less on the lyrics and more on the beats. Like most of the other songs, the background gives more of an electro ambience.

“Ethereal Connection,” the ninth listed song, is also a faster paced piece with an evident techno tone. Towards the end, Parker transitions the music from a house music mood to a slower tempo, but still keeping the electronic vibe. He sings, “Don’t you know that I’ll stand by / By your side / ’Til the end of time?” This is the longest song of the album, pushing almost eight minutes.

Read more on our website!

page 14 The Signal October 31, 2025

YouTube duo Dan Howell and Phil Lester confirm relationship of 16 years

By Tasnim Oyshi Staff Writer

On Oct. 13, longtime YouTubers Dan Howell and Phil Lester shocked the internet when they posted a video titled, “Are Dan and Phil in a Relationship? The Truth.” The description states, “Is ‘Phan’ real?

One of the biggest conspiracies in the history of the internet. We’re gonna talk about it.”

In the 46-minute video, Howell and Lester answer questions that fans have had for years about the nature of their relationship, such as if they really are dating, why they have never mentioned it before, and why they are finally addressing the topic. With a humorous tone, they talk to the camera while sitting on a bed that viewers will recognize has Phil’s iconic old bedsheets on.

Filmed in a style that combines a vlog and a documentary, the video goes back and forth between their conversation, footage from older videos with a voiceover narration, clips of them parodying reporters trying to dox them, scientists explaining why the “Phan” ship was so beloved and even extreme shippers.

The British comedy duo talked about how they are not strangers to dating rumors or shipping culture,

with people speculating the status of their relationship for much of their online careers. They brought up the fanfictions and edits that many have made about them and jokingly brought up how they recently won a shipping poll against Jesus and Judas.

On a more serious note, they mentioned parasocial relationships and how the both of them were affected by the intensity with which many looked into their lives. They went in-depth about how filming with each other since the day they met and shooting such private and domestic parts of their lives fueled people’s desire to know more about them. Because they were being authentic online, it invited both positive and negative attention to their accounts.

On the note of why they had kept their relationship a secret, they spoke about their right to privacy and how revealing their dating status would have taken away from their focus on building themselves up as a comedy duo.

In addition, they mentioned how there would have been tons of homophobic people who would not have watched their content and instead, would have scrutinized their relationship. Howell makes the important note that if there

Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

Howell and Lester revealed that the “Phan” ship has been real since 2009. were troubles in their personal life, it would have the potential to ruin their career as well.

Howell and Lester also discussed the pressure and stress they felt from so many people trying to out them for years. In particular, Lester mentions a Valentine’s Day video he had made privately for Howell that had ended up being shared due to a glitch. They both expressed how it felt like a violation to have viewers try to explore more of their lives than they wanted to share.

They shared their boundaries with their audience and explicitly stated they want their content to remain comedic and not revolving around their relationship. In a symbolic gesture, Howell and Lester got rid of the bed and entered a new studio, announcing a new era of the Dan and Phil YouTube channel where they can be fully genuine with their fans.

Howell and Lester ended the video by announcing the Dan and Phil podcast, which will release episodes every Monday on their channel.

‘forwards beckon rebound’: An Adrienne Lenker anniversary

The cover art for “songs” by Adrianne Lenker.

By Danica Ward Staff Writer Oct. 23, 2020. Five years ago during the height of the pandemic.

It was a time when solemnity and loneliness plagued the lives of many.

But for Adrianne Lenker, frontwoman for indie folk band Big Thief, it was a time of reflection and appreciation for life. “songs,” Lenker’s sixth solo LP release, acts as an antidote for all of the world’s ailments. With an 11-song tracklist, produced by record label 4AD, Lenker proves that music really does heal all.

Recorded in the mountains of western Massachusetts, the album has a raw, demo-esque quality that makes it feel like you’re lounging in a chair listening to your friend play the guitar. Tracks like “come” and “not a

Photo courtesy of Apple Music

lot, just forever” were recorded on a portable walkman cassette, and “my angel” starts with a two-minute long guitar interlude, highlighting even more the informal sound quality of the album. “songs” feels like a hug, in the simplest terms. Not only is Lenker’s guitar playing completely masterful, but it evokes such strong emotions that seem to melt away pain. Though tracks like “forwards beckon rebound” have been social media-fied, appearing in the background of various video edits across platforms, the album still seems niche and hidden, just like the cabin that it was recorded in.

In addition to the gentle but powerful acoustic guitar, the tracks are supplemented with rain sounds, creaking floorboards, wind chimes and even ad-lib from Lenker herself.

The messages of “songs” seem to

have transcended time, resonating just as well now as they did when first released. “anything,” as an example, perfectly highlights the complex emotions that the album encapsulates.

Lenker sings to a past love, asking “Weren’t we the stars in Heaven? / Weren’t we the salt in the sea?” and explaining, “I was scared, Indigo / But I wanted to.”

Motifs of tumultuous relationships, childhood memories and tinted nostalgia permeate throughout the tracklist. “half return” is a personal favorite, with the lyrics. Lenker writes, “Standing in the yard, dressed like a kid / The house is white and the lawn is dead.” The repetitive nature of the guitar throughout the song almost ramps up these bottled emotions, and Lenker beautifully symbolizes the loss of childhood innocence or happiness that is a canon event for every person.

In an interview with the magazine Loud And Quiet, she stated, “I almost feel like I’m trying to describe this same thing that I’ve had since I was like, eight.”

Another favorite of mine is “come.” The song starts with only the sound of rain falling down the windows and puddling on the floor.

The guitar strums in carefully with a long instrumental intro. Of course the lyrics are yearning and solemn, but the chords Lenker uses along with the ambient sounds are really what make the song special.

One of the most popular songs off the album is “not a lot, just forever.” Lenker repeats the titular phrase, adding on “intertwined, sewn together.” The melody is tentative, and invites the listener to lay back and reflect.

Overall, “songs” is really the perfect album to play during any moment of negative feeling. Whether it’s laying in bed in the dark, sitting outside in nature, or listening while going through family photos, Lenker’s “songs” continue to provide a safe haven for natural reflection and communal longing.

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Football gets record to 6-1 after win against Kean

Photo by Andre Paras

Football earns another key NJAC win.

By Tyler Fennell Staff Writer Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025, was the fourth New Jersey Athletic Conference game of the season. After losing their first NJAC game against Salisbury, the Lions have won three straight games, the most recent of which was against Kean University.

The Lions now sit 6-1 on the season, and 3-1 in NJAC games.

Although Kean had struggled with scoring all year and had a record of just 1-5 heading into their matchup against the Lions, this game was still an important one for the College, which was looking to grab their fourth consecutive conference win.

After a scoreless first quarter,

Field Hockey dominates senior day

By Joseph Caruso Sports Editor The College’s ranked field hockey squad won both of their games this week, including a seven-to-nothing shutout on Senior Day over Ramapo and a 4-0 victory on the road against Marywood, respectively.

The College entered their Senior Day matchup ranked No. 22 with a record of 104, facing off against Ramapo, which had a record of just 3-12 heading into the contest, ranking second to last in the New Jersey Athletic Conference.

Junior Jadyn Huff wasted no time, scoring at the 1:41 mark, and scoring her second of the match at 18:18 to put the Lions ahead by multiple scores. Huff wasn’t done, as she recorded an assist on the third goal of the game that was converted by senior Mackenzie Hart, who led the Lions with five shots on goal and recorded an assist of her own.

Huff’s three assists on the day bolstered her stats in an already extremely impressive season, which has seen her take home NJAC Offensive Player of the Week three on three occasions. As for Hart, she was awarded NJAC Offensive Player of the Week last week for her prowess.

Six different Lions scored a goal in the 7-0 rout including the aforementioned Hart and Huff, as well as senior Emma Jordan, sophomore Ali Simmons, junior Kara Wilson and junior Kendal Justus. The College tallied 37 total shots on the afternoon, just one shy of their season high. Ramapo, on the other hand, attempted just one.

Riding high off their Senior Day victory,

the Lions traveled to Scranton to take on Marywood in their final non-conference game of the season. Similar to their last match, the College got on the board first quickly. Just under four minutes into the contest, Jordan scored to put the Lions ahead on an unassisted goal. She also recorded an assist to Hart later on.

Hart continued her hot streak, scoring three goals in 13 minutes for a rare first-half hat-trick, putting the Lions ahead 4-0. She now holds a team-high 15 goals on the season Despite winning in shutout fashion, the College was outshot by Marywood, but saved by a season-best performance from senior goalkeeper Brigitte Racey, who recorded 11 saves, a season-high.

Racey has been almost perfect this season and has now recorded a shutout in six of the last seven games for the College. This was the 16th shutout of her career, and she now stands fourth all-time in saves for the College.

The College has been dominant in NJAC play, now having won four games in a row, shutting out all four opponents in that span by a score of 19-0. They are second in their conference, only behind nationally ranked Rowan, who handed them their last loss in a shootout.

Looking ahead, the College faces their toughest test yet, as they will face off against No. 4 Salisbury at home, their last game before the New Jersey Athletic Conference Tournament. The Lions have had an impressive year in 2025, boasting a 12-4 record, including 5-1 in the NJAC. Salisbury will travel to Ewing, where the Lions’ final game against the 14-2 Seagulls will begin on Saturday, Nov. 1 at 1 p.m.

Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Gladstone

Lions field hockey continues hot streak.

the game looked as if it could be a low-scoring war of attrition. Those concerns were quickly diminished after the College exploded in the second quarter to score 17 points before the first half concluded.

Junior wide receiver Alex Dille opened up the scoring with an eightyard rushing touchdown. And after Kean responded with a touchdown of their own, Dille quickly answered back with another rushing touchdown.

After Kean went for it on fourth and two and failed, they turned the ball over to the College for the Lions to close the first half with a field goal.

After another scoreless quarter in the third, senior running back Joe Visaggio opened the fourth quarter with a rushing touchdown. The stout Lions defense kept it locked down for the remainder of the game for a final score of 24-7 and a win.

The rush-heavy games continue to show results. The College had 322 yards of offense, with 258 of those yards coming from the rush. Only one opponent has been able to stop the rush so far. It remains to be seen if the College’s unique offensive style will be able to keep up in games where they fall behind early. The Lions’ defense has to continue to stymie

opponents for their ground and pound style to continue to lead to victories.

Head coach Tyler Moody has transformed the culture of the College immediately, already making his mark by leading the squad to match the win total in 2024, still with three games left to play. The College now has a 3-1 conference record, as they sit third in the NJAC only behind Salisbury and Christopher Newport, who the College will face off against in their final game of the season.

Winning three games in a row gives them a lot of momentum going into next week’s game against Rowan at home. Rowan is a very strong program. While their record of 4-2-1 is worse than the Lions, they have a much more diverse offense that can spread the ball around and speed up the College. That might not be an issue for the Lions’ defense, considering how well they’ve played in not just stopping the rush, but also the pass.

However, the College should have concerns with how effective their offense will be when confronted with a strong program. This game will be a major measuring stick to see where this offense can take them.

The College is back in action when they kick off their game against

Cross Country impresses in Conn College Invitational

Photo courtesy of Shane Gillespie

Cross country battles in Conn College Invitational.

By Joseph Caruso and Ryan Conway Sports Editor and Staff Writer The College’s men’s cross country team placed an impressive 12th place among 34 different teams, including 11 nationally ranked teams.

Senior Brandon Chen led the way for the Lions in the 8k race, finishing in 26th place with a time of 24:32.40. Chen’s career has been a stellar one, racking up a plethora of honors, including TCNJ MVP (2025), 2-time All-NJAC (1st Team: 2023, 2024) as well as NJAC Rookie of the Year (2023).

Including Chen, eight different Lions placed in the main race, which catapulted them to a 12th-place finish. Fifth-year Matt Granizo (24:54.36), senior Kevin Matthews (25:19.03) and freshman Josh Santiago (25:26.57) rounded out the top 100 for the College, finishing 45th, 84th and 92nd, respectively.

Outside of the four in the top 100, Evan Melito placed 119th with a time of 25:51.54, and Moksh Patwari was not far behind at 122nd with a time of 25:54.01.

Rounding out the top 250 was Phil Pace, who placed 169th (26:26.82), and Anthony Guarino who finished in 234th (27:32.57).

It was an encouraging showing for the

men’s team, who now will look forward to the New Jersey Athletic Conference Championships after a successful season, which they will start on Saturday, Nov. 1.

On the other side, the women’s cross country team placed 24th out of 33 teams in the Conn College Invitational, which included 16 nationally ranked teams.

Junior Nahesha Gadie was the first Lion to cross the line, finishing 94th in 22:39.57.

She was the only Lion to finish in the top 100, with Teagan Walker being next best at 117th in 22:56.18. Gadie, who had an impressive 2023 where she was named 1st Team All-NJAC, has had yet another solid season for the College.

Additionally, sophomore Ella Dally (146th, 23:14.01), senior Alex Grivas (162nd, 23:22.85), senior Savannah Hodgens (176th, 23:35.10), freshman Malissa Morabito (215th, 24:01.12), sophomore Ava Biemuller (219th, 24:10.04) and senior Noelle Falzone (256th, 25:39.37). rounded out TCNJ’s Top eight performers.

Despite the disappointing performance, the stellar competition that they faced off against serves as a litmus test for the girls ahead of the NJAC championships, taking place Saturday, Nov. 1.

TCNJ Athletics Schedule Cross Country Saturday, Nov. 1, 10:30 a.m. NJAC Championships away at Stockton Football Saturday, Nov. 1, 1 p.m.

Home against Rowan Field Hockey Saturday, Nov. 1, 1 p.m.

Home against Salisbury Women’s Soccer Saturday, Nov. 1, 4 p.m.

Home against Stockton Men’s Soccer Saturday, Nov. 1, 7 p.m.

Home against RutgersCamden Photo by Nick Kurti

The seniors have made their mark on underclassmen like Aidan Ayar.

Senior’s gut out win

SOCCER / Men’s soccer collect hard fought win on Senior Day Continued from page 1 The Pioneers in the second half let off twelve shots, but the defense of freshmen like Sean Najdzinowicz and sophomores like Jack Smyth helped keep the Senior Day shutout alive.

For their final regular season

matchup, the Lions headed to rivals Rowan on Wednesday, Oct. 29. The No. 24 Profs outshot the Lions in the first half 12-1, but Chris Meder would give the edge in the 33rd minute.

Driving the penalty kick to the bottom left corner, the Lions took the 1-0 lead.

Two goals from Rowan in the 72nd and 76th minute respectively would end

the game.

With the regular season wrapped up, the Lions’ got their first NJAC playoff match in four years as the No. 4 seed in the conference, ending the season with a conference record of 4-3-2.

The NJAC quarterfinal will be against the No. 5 seed, William Paterson, on Saturday, Nov. 1 at Lions Stadium.

Wrestling Sunday, Nov. 2, 9 a.m.

Away at Princeton Women’s Soccer Tuesday, Nov. 1, TBD NJAC Tournament Men’s Soccer Wednesday, Nov. 2, TBD NJAC Tournament

Women’s soccer continues hot streak, ties ranked Rowan

By Joseph Caruso Sports Editor

The College’s women’s soccer team played two games this week to extend their undefeated streak to six games, defeating William Paterson and earning a draw against No. 11 Rowan, respectively.

After their senior night victory last week, the College was riding a four-game win streak heading into Saturday’s matchup against William Paterson, who was just 1-5 in New Jersey Athletic Conference play prior to their game against the College.

Looking to build on their 7-4-4 record, the Lions jumped out early on the road, scoring two goals in the first half. Junior Taylor Bielan got the College started at the 10:55 mark, scoring her first goal of the season.

Not much later, sophomore Maggie Murphy converted a chance to put the Lions ahead by multiple goals in the first 20 minutes of the game. It was Murphy’s second goal of the season.

The College went into halftime dominating the Pioneers in terms of shots on goal, and by the end of the game, they outshot William Paterson by a count of 23 to two.

Shortly after the halftime break, the Lions scored twice in the first ten minutes of the second half, with

junior Caroline Freer scoring her first goal of the season at the 50:39 mark, shortly followed by junior Alyssa Alfano scoring for her ninth of the year. Alfano continued to bolster her amazing year, as she had two assists in the first half. Alfano is now 14th in the College’s history in assists with 20.

The 4-0 score would hold through the remainder of the game, as the Lions cruised to their fifth straight victory prior to their biggest matchup of the year.

On Wednesday, the College hosted No. 11-ranked Rowan in their final game of the year before the NJAC Tournament.

Rowan boasts an undefeated record in NJAC play and is 13-1-1 overall, proving to be the toughest test yet for the Lions.

The College was not intimidated, however, with Alfano picking up right where she left off, scoring the game’s opening goal just five minutes into the contest to vault the Lions ahead of Rowan.

The College kept the pressure on for the entire first half, outshooting the Profs 11-6 in the first half.

Eventually, at the 37-minute mark, the College went up multiple goals when sophomore Lexi Caruso scored her second of the season to put the Lions ahead 2-0, as that score held

Women’s soccer extends undefeated streak. into the halftime break.

Rowan flexed their muscles and proved their rank in the second half, outshooting and outscoring the College in the second half. The Profs split the lead in half when they scored less than 20 minutes into the final half, on a goal from senior Olivia Giordano.

Leading 2-1 with less than 10 minutes remaining, Rowan tied the game at two on a goal at the 81:34 mark, scored by Olivia Giordano’s

Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Gladstone

twin sister, Julianna. The teams traded shots for the remainder of the matchup, but the score held at two, making it the fifth tie of the season for the College.

Although the Lions could taste the win against the undefeated Rowan, it was a super impressive showing nonetheless, showcasing that this recent hot streak from the College is for real, as they look to ride this momentum into the NJAC Tournament that begins Saturday, Nov. 1.