Issue No. 9 Spring '26

Vol. LIV, No. 9

The Signal

https://www.tcnjsignalnews.com/

February 6, 2026

Serving The College of New Jersey since 1885

Internet stars Noel Miller and Connor Wood perform on campus

Photo by Andre Paras

Connor Wood performs at the CUB Spring Comedy Show.

By Jennifer Ampofo, Sandra Abrantes & Natalia Tomczak Correspondent, Multimedia Coordinator & Opinions Editor The College Union Board hosted its annual Spring Comedy show at Kendall Hall on Feb. 3, with this year’s guests being Noel Miller and Connor Wood. With the announcement garnering over 3,000 likes on Instagram the week it was posted.

“I was very excited to go to a comedy show and spend time with friends,” said Diane Saint-Louis, a sophomore psychology student.

Both Miller and Wood have amassed major followings across their social media platforms over the years. With Miller sur-

passing a million followers on Youtube, Instagram and TikTok. Miller has been creating content and doing comedy for over a decade. Wood has been creating for around six years, with his transition into stand-up comedy more recently.

The two are on separate tours for 2026, with Miller on his “New Supply” tour and Wood on his “Fibs & Friends.” The two stopped by the College in between shows for their tours.

The show, free for all students, began at 8:30 p.m., but wristbands were required. Tickets were handed out starting at 6:30 p.m., and many stayed in line up until doors opened at 7:30 p.m. in attempts to get front row seats.

“We got in line about 30 minutes be-

He joked mostly about fatherhood fore CUB started handing out wristbands,” and tried out some new jokes at the end, said Abby Eisner, a freshman history and which was a special moment. He also secondary education major. “After we got made references to things he has said on our wristbands we were able to leave and his YouTube channel. He ended the show come back to watch the show.” by commending students for choosing to The show began with a 45-minbe in college, telling students that this is ute performance by Wood in which he something not everyone does, and they interacted with the crowd, bringing the should be proud. energy up. He asked the audience what “I liked the show,” said Saint-Louis, “I they like about the College and provoked appreciate that TCNJ offers students the them about the ongoing controversy of if opportunity to watch popular comedians.”

Central Jersey exists.

The event ended at around 10 p.m., He began the night by asking what everyone wants to talk about, then prompted leaving the crowd enlivened and in high spirits. the audience by asking if anyone had a New Year’s Eve kiss, and shared an awkward story about his experience. He spent the set talking about various topics like roommates, college, anxiety, living alone, celebrity lookalikes, Valentines Day and singleness.

Before Miller began, Wood ended by reflecting on his favorite Valentine’s Day experience in 2010, which was a middle school dance, and reenacted it with the song “No Hands” playing. “I liked the part in Wood’s set when he talked about his middle school dance,” said Eisner.

After light-hearted laughs and engagement, the audience welcomed Noel Miller on stage for his set at around 9:20 p.m.

Miller’s performance started off his upcoming comedy tour. His set consisted of lively and provocative jokes that kept the audience awake as the night went on.

He would mess with the audience, and called someone out for filming by noncha Photo by Andre Paras lantly telling them the quality will be bad, Noel Miller performs while on his “New and they should just live in the moment.

Supply” tour.

TCNJ awarded $20 million in state grants for campus repairs Stitched stories

By Isabella Darcy Editor-in-Chief

The New Jersey Office of the Secretary of Higher Education in January awarded the College $20 million in grants to fund campus repairs, infrastructure upgrades and an energy savings project.

Led by Vice President of Operations Sharon Blanton, a team of representatives from the College applied for the grants last summer. The College was one of 23 institutions statewide selected to receive funding for development projects from the OSHE, a state agency that administers funding to higher education institutions.

“It’s a lot of money and it will go really far to take care of our most critical needs,” Blanton said.

Work on grant-funded initiatives has already begun. Those considered most urgent — especially those that would improve campus safety — are being prioritized, according to Blanton.

Modernizing aging campus infrastructure For years, limited funding has forced the College to delay non-urgent repairs and upgrades to campus infrastructure. The grants allow for deferred maintenance to be addressed in a more timely manner.

“It’s hard to think of buildings that won’t

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be touched by these projects,” Blanton said.

One of the College’s focuses is fire safety.

A three-year fire alarm system upgrade, already underway, will be completed in one year. Fire doors, dampers and shutters will also be upgraded, according to Blanton.

“We are modernizing … to enhance our ability to be as safe as possible,” Blanton said.

Grant funding will also support Campus Police’s transition to New Jersey’s new digital 911 system, which uses geolocation technology to locate callers and more accurately direct calls to the closest call center.

“If a caller cannot give an accurate location, the GPS will allow first responders to reach the caller,” said Timothy Grant, the Chief of Campus Police. “Ensuring the 911 calls are sent to the right [911 call center] will increase response time.”

Additionally, funding will be used to add ID card swipe access to buildings that do not have it, like some Townhouses. Roof repairs, elevator replacements, Americans with Disabilities Act compliance upgrades and some building-specific improvements will also be supported.

Improving campus energy efficiency and sustainability The College generates a portion of its electricity from solar panels and the Central Utilities Plant. It does not make enough to power the whole campus, so it buys from an

FEATURES

page 3

Number of book bans soar TCNJ students have mixed opinions on book bans sweeping the country.

OPINIONS

electric company to meet its needs.

“We are always trying to figure out how to reduce the amount of electricity we purchase,” Blanton said. “Electricity has become outrageously expensive, so [you do] anything you can do to reduce those costs.”

Grant funding will allow the College to upgrade existing electricity production systems and invest in new ones. The Central Utilities Plant uses cogeneration, a process that produces electricity and harnesses the steam generated during production to provide heating, hot water and cooling to almost all campus buildings.

Steam is infamous on campus because of the geyser-like eruptions found outside of Green Hall. Repairing the cause is at “the top of our list,” Blanton said.

Additional priorities include replacing a control system in the Central Utilities Plant, modernizing plant equipment and renovating Kendall Hall to reduce heat loss.

It is unknown when all the granted-funded initiatives will be complete, and there will always be more maintenance to address.

Having funding to pursue infrastructure improvements is “absolutely critical,” according to Blanton.

“It would be better if we had state funding that we could just rely on,” Blanton said.

“Instead of us always wondering ‘hmm I wonder whether there might be another program available to us.’” page 4

‘Stranger Things’ ship

Hit characters Will and Mike should have had a relationship onscreen.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

and powdered perspectives

By Devyn Briones Arts & Entertainment Editor

Clothing carries memories, preserves stories and speaks for those who feel mute.

Rachel Breen and her art traveled from Minneapolis to Ewing to showcase her pieces at the College.

Breen and Professor Kathleen Webber have been planning this event, “Unraveling Threads: Climate, Labor and the Clothes We Wear,” since last summer.

With only 20% of donations considered useful, Breen’s art repurposes abandoned clothes from Goodwill and other second-hand stores. She flips the garments inside out, takes them apart and transforms them into symmetrical, compelling art pieces. Her work upcycles textile waste that would otherwise go largely unused or end up overseas.

Breen’s journey began with a spontaneous decision to purchase a $3 sewing kit from a garage sale. see GALLERY page 2 page 9

2026 Oscar Nominations Find out which of today’s biggest stars are nominated for the prestigious Academy Awards.

SPORTS

Men’s basketball

page 11

Basketball wins sixth in a row as Nick Koch’s heroics continue.

page 2 The Signal February 6, 2026

Changes proposed to sexual harassment policy as TCNJ prepares for an AI future

Photo by Lakshita Kapoor

The College’s Girls Who Code co-presidents Lakshita Kapoor and Krittika Verma discussing the organization to interested members.

By Franc Romanowski Correspondent The Office of Title IX and Sexual Misconduct has proposed new updates to the sexual harassment policy, adding material relating to artificial intelligence, according to a Dec. 3 email from Chelsea Jacoby, the office’s director.

The new rule, which is under review by the Committee on Student and Campus Community, will prohibit the creation or sharing of artificially generated materials of individuals engaging in explicit activities, according to the email. Specifically, the rule looks to target what are known as deepfakes, or digitally altered media to spread false information, in an attempt to meet the rapid advancements and dangers posed by AI. “The creation or distribution of deepfakes poses serious risks, including reputational harm, privacy violations, and significant emotional distress, and can have real legal and disciplinary consequences,” Jacoby wrote in the email. “The College does not condone or tolerate the use of deepfake technology for these malicious means,

and any such behavior will be addressed promptly and appropriately (once this updated policy is approved).”

The proposed changes come after the College gave the campus community access to three AI products: Google Gemini, Microsoft Copilot and Google Notebook LM. The campus-wide email that announced the access also came with a reminder from the College’s Vice President for Operations and Chief Information Officer Sharon Blanton, as well as other administrative staff of the College, to explore the technology mindfully.

“As with all technologies, these tools should be used responsibly,” the Oct. 2 email read in part. “Students should be mindful of course policies and instructor expectations surrounding the use of any AI tools,” the officials added.

Already, students across the United States have become victims of explicit and intimate deepfakes, including in the surrounding area. In one of the most recent incidents, students at Radnor High School in Pennsylvania were subjects of an “inappropriate” deepfake video, according to a report from Elizabeth Worthington of 6abc

Philadelphia on Dec. 9. The Radnor Police Department is calling the investigation “active,” according to Worthington’s reporting.

Women are the most at risk of becoming victims, as they are among the largest targets of deepfake technology.

99% of deepfake videos on the internet are targeted towards women, largely of pornographic content.

“We need to kind of reckon with this new environment and the fact that the internet has opened up so many of these harms that are disproportionately targeting women and marginalized communities,” said Nina Jankowicz, founder of the American Sunlight Project.

The American Sunlight Project is an organization whose mission is to fight disinformation so Americans “have access to trustworthy sources to inform the choices they make in their daily lives,” according to their website.

As a result, more women are finding themselves taking more precautions with their online activity.

“The full impact of deepfakes on society is still coming into focus, but research already shows that 41 percent of women between the ages of 18 and 29 self-censor to avoid online harassment,” wrote Barbara Rodriguez and Jasmine Mithani for The 19th News.

The lack of diversity within the field of computer science is the main reason Lakshita Kapoor, a sophomore computer science major and copresident of the College’s chapter of Girls Who Code, believes this technology is ripe for targeting women. “...I feel like if we had a diverse group of people, I think that it wouldn’t be an issue,” she said.

According to the international Girls Who Code website, only 24% of computer scientists are women, down from 37% in 1995. It’s one of the reasons why Kapoor and the other TCNJ Girls Who Code co-president, Krittika Verma, also a sophomore computer science major, have joined

the club.

In the meantime, the U.S. is trying to take steps to combat the rise in harmful deepfakes, especially those targeting women. Earlier this year, the Take It Down Act was signed into law, which “criminalizes the nonconsensual publication of intimate images, including ‘digital forgeries’ (i.e., deepfakes), in certain circumstances,” according to an article by Victoria Killion on congress.gov.

“It also requires certain websites and online or mobile applications, identified as ‘covered platforms,’ to implement a ‘notice-and-removal’ process to remove such images at the depicted individual’s request.”

Verma believes the law will make women safer “to an extent.” Kapoor thinks the law will not completely discourage everyone from using the technology for malicious purposes, as no law has.

Until the laws and policies surrounding deepfakes are amended and can better protect everyone, Verma and Kapoor believe education about AI is key to keeping everyone aware and safe. They believe students at the College should take the AI courses the computer science department offers.

“Specifically, I think we ought to be educated in the way we’re using it because I feel like some people don’t even know and they’re using it,” Verma said, adding “that’s where the threats come.”

Kapoor went further, recognizing that the courses may have prerequisites or students may not have the time to take a course. She wants the department to host weekly “voluntary workshops” where anyone can come learn about the technology.

More information on how the College deals with harmful AI usage can be found in the Student Code of Conduct policy. Additionally, victims of illicit deepfakes or sexual misconduct can find information and resources through the College’s Title IX website.

Cop Shop: Snowball attacks, stolen LEGO set and fire alarms

By Devyn Briones Arts & Entertainment 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.

J a n . 2 3 : To r c h e d S m o k e A l a r m At approximately 10:57 a.m. on Jan. 23, officers were dispatched to the Auto Shop in the Maintenance Building for an activated fire alarm. Upon arrival, no signs of fire were observed inside the building. Staff advised they were using a torch indoors, which caused the alarm t o a c t i v a t e . E w i n g To w n s h i p a n d Prospect Heights fire departments responded, cleared the area, and reset the alarm. The cause of the activation was determined to be the indoor use of the torch.

Jan. 25: Struck by Snowballs At approximately 7:44 p.m., a student and her girlfriend reported they were struck by snowballs thrown by three males near Metzger Drive and C-Street.

The caller followed the group t o w a r d To w n h o u s e E a s t a n d b e g a n recording them. No injuries or significant property damage were reported.

Jan. 30: 3 a.m. Fire Alarm At approximately 2:58 a.m., a fire alarm was a c t i v a t e d i n Tr a v e r s

a n d Wolfe.

Residents w e r e escorted to the

Recreation Center to avoid the c o l d w e a t h e r. T h e a l a r m activation was determined to have originated from dust in the eighth-floor elevator lobby o f Tr a v e r s H a l l . A t a p p r o x i m a t e l y 3:26 a.m., the alarm was reset, and residents were permitted to

reoccupy the building.

Jan. 30: A missing LEGO treehouse A student reported the theft o f a L E G O Tr e e h o u s e s e t s h e had won in a competition at the College. After receiving the prize, the student realized she d i d not have space i n either h e r d o r m or her home a n d

decided to place it on display in the Biology Building. On the morning of Jan. 30, the student noticed the LEGO set was missing, though the LEGO box remained.

The student was unsure when the set went missing but believed

the last time she saw it in place was Dec. 23. While a security camera is present in the area, the display location was not within t h e c a m e r a ’s f i e l d o f v i e w, a n d the system only retains footage for approximately 15 days. After Campus Police reviewed footage from Jan. 15 through Jan. 30, no suspects were identified.

Jan. 30: Dryer six At approximately 9:06 a.m., smoke was reported in the groundfloor laundry room of Centennial Hall. Upon arrival, Campus Police observed a light smoke condition in the hallway and an o d o r o f b u r n t r u b b e r. T h e l a u n d r y r o o m d o o r w a s c l o s e d . H o w e v e r, a heavier smoke condition was observed once entered. No fire was located. All machines were off except for dryer six.

The dryer was disconnected and removed from the laundry room, at which point the fire alarm system activated, resulting in a full building evacuation. Ewing F i r e To w e r 3 0 , P r o s p e c t H e i g h t s To w e r 3 1 a n d We s t Tr e n t o n To w e r 31 responded to the scene. Fans were utilized to ventilate the area, and once conditions were deemed safe, students were permitted to reenter the building.

February 6, 2026 The Signal page 3

Features

Recent book banning in U.S. leaves mixed opinions at TCNJ

Photo courtesy of Isabelle Herrada

Isabella Herrada, a junior and education major at TCNJ, student teaching to her class.

By Lauren Czenszak, Sean Margarum ideas at the time, but also contextualize & Franc Romanowski so that the student who comes across Correspondents it in our collection doesn’t think that that represents the state of current As incidents of book bannings knowledge?” Ackerman added. continue to rise across the country, some When incidents like the one at New students and faculty at the College are College of Florida occur — where books growing concerned, worried about the about LGBTQ+, African American or personal effect such bans can have on women characters are discarded — it others. sends a clear message to students who There were at least 6,870 instances of can identify with those books: we’re not book bans across 23 states and 87 public wanted in society. school districts in the 2024 to 2025 school “It tells us that our existence is wrong; year. The most book bans were recorded that we don’t deserve to exist; that we in Florida, Texas and Tennessee. Florida should be hidden back in the closet or alone accounted for over 2,300 bans, just, like, die…,” said PRISM President according to ABC News.

Mac Ziminsky.

Book banning isn’t as simple as one Even students who don’t identify complaint removing a book from state with those communities also see a risk libraries. Books are first challenged in the bans. before they are banned, meaning that it Mary “Mac” Ziminsky gives a is in contention of being removed, while lecture on LGBTQ+ rights and the New a book ban means it has been removed Jersey gubernatorial candidates during from the library and is no longer PRISM’s “Know Your Vote” event in the accessible.

Intercultural Center on Oct. 12. (Photo “The whole movement is very courtesy of Mac Ziminsky) political, you can see that there is a Ziminsky sees problems for very close connection with school board individuals who may be looking for these members, council members or even books to find information, or at least higher state level politicians who use someone who they can identify with. school board meetings as a platform “[A]s a queer kid, I thought it for their own political agenda,” said was wrong because I never had that the College’s Education Librarian Ewa representation, so I thought [the people Dziedzic-Elliott. in my life] were hiding it from me for Recently, there has been a significant some reason,” Ziminsky said. “So other growth in bans recorded by PEN kids are going to feel that way as well; so America. “Over the last four school it’s just going to create a whole culture years, the organization has tracked of shame, I feel like.” nearly 23,000 cases of book bans across Growing up, Ziminsky recalls not 45 states,” according to the New York being exposed to much literature or media Times. with LGBTQ characters. Then, when he Institutions of higher education have saw a same-sex kiss between two of the not been left unscathed. In August 2024, characters in Raina Telgemeier’s graphic there were “hundreds of books” dumped novel, “Drama,” he was shocked. in the garbage at New College of Florida, “I felt like – because I had never seen many covering topics concerning it before – that it was wrong because typically marginalized communities, clearly someone was hiding this from according to ABC News. me, and that means it’s wrong,” Ziminsky “Something that a lot of academic said. “And thankfully, I had good friends libraries have been grappling with is in, like, fourth and fifth grade that had how do we deal with books or knowledge older siblings that were aware of this. or information in our collection that They’re like, ‘No, no, Mary. Being gay is outdated — not only outdated, it is okay.’” was wrong when it was written,” said “For marginalized students, having the College’s Library Director Erin books that reflect them … is crucial,” Ackerman. “You have pseudo science wrote Grace Pickering in the 2023 edition that is racist … that is sexist.” of “The Serials Librarian” on the harm “How do we, as academic libraries, book bannings do to adolescents. “In navigate needing to potentially keep addition to diminishing representation some of this as a record of the historical and inclusivity, denying Black and

LGBTQIA+ students (and students of all marginalized identities) the ability to read books that authentically reflect their lives without stereotyping does them damage.”

That “damage” includes an “increased risk for mental health problems” for adolescents who identify as an LGBTQ individual, according to Pickering. A contributing factor for the increased risk Pickering goes on to write about is how the lack of exposure to the topic prevents others from getting the “opportunity to develop a sense of empathy toward [LGBTQ individuals].”

Through PRISM’s in-office library and resource center, the organization is looking to fill the void of information and provide anyone who desires material about the LGBTQ community with such material.

“Not everybody can bring explicitly queer or trans books to their own homes,” Ziminsky said, “so just having a place where they can read them and have access to them, if they ever desire, is really important.”

There are some parents with concern about certain topics being exposed to their children. They believe they should have the right to control what their children are being taught. There are others that believe children should learn and be exposed to all content in the current world because it is important.

Isabella Herrada, a junior double majoring in Education with a concentration in Special Education and Sociology at the College, weighed in with her opinion as a future educator on this issue, and voiced her concerns and understanding.

“I think it’s important, even if that’s not your situation, to learn about others and appreciate others for who they are.” said Herrada.

Herrada voiced it may be beneficial to place “warnings on books in the library for children.” The idea is that this could prevent or help children from taking books that aren’t appropriate for their age.

Herrada said, “Kids should be exposed to everything because it does exist in the world. I do think there’s ways to do it at a kid’s level and not an advanced or adult level. There’s ways to do it in, like, child vocabulary.”

Opinions of others differ with Herrada, believing it may not be appropriate for children or too controversial to discuss

in school.

“I personally will choose to teach my kids about LGBTQ+ and am supportive of that, but there are families that may want to teach their children about that at home and not have them learn it in a classroom.” says Christian Angileri.

“Teaching it in a classroom can be kind of going behind the parents’ backs a little bit.”

There are individuals who believe this should not be the case and it is infringing on parents rights. More specifically, books with sexually explicit content are brought to the discussion with this point.

“I understand young children or K-12 not being exposed to sexually explicit content,” says Angileri. “I think once kids are in high school they should be able to have access to those books, but before that it should be up to the parents as to what they want to expose their children to.”

The focus is mostly on books of LGBTQ+, but there is also a ban on some literature discussing race, racism, rape and disabilities. “Of Mice of Men” by John Steinbeck and “To Kill A Mockingbird” by Harper Lee are two books that have been banned at some schools and can provide important lessons for older kids.

“I don’t think taking books out of libraries completely is the answer, because a lot of books being banned are classic literature.” says Herrada when asked about “Of Mice of Men” and “To Kill a Mockingbird” being taught and banned in schools. “There’s a reason why it’s called classic literature. These books do discuss heavy topics, but they tell a story and in high school, students are more mature.”

As book bans rise across schools in the United States, educators and parents will continue to debate how to balance age appropriate content with access to different perspectives. While some will argue certain content is unsuitable or incomprehensible for children, others say introducing topics like LGBTQ+ experiences, race and social issues can widen perspectives and help students understand the world around them.

Concern for sexual content being exposed to children too young continues, and others view it as important for children to know. Many suggest content warnings and parental guidance as a way to navigate these challenges without fully banning the access to these books.

Photo courtesy of Sean Margarum

Erin Ackerman talking about her experience with bans at the TCNJ library on Nov. 24.

page 4 The Signal February 6, 2026

The “Byler” plot had potential to be a defining queer love story

Fans around the world were disappointed.

By AJ Mun Staff Writer With the release of the “Stranger Things” series finale starting off 2026, fans have been buzzing with various opinions on how the show had come to a close. One plot line specifically being mourned, is that of a potential love story between Will Byers and Mike Wheeler, thus birthing the ship name “Byler”.

Prior to this show’s most recently released season, it was widely known by audiences that Will had feelings for Mike. However, slowly over time, fans began going back into earlier seasons and picking up hints and breadcrumbs of Mike’s possible sharing of those feelings.

One prime example of this could be Florence’s line in Season 1, “Only love makes you that crazy,” then having Mike say to Will in Season 2, “If we’re both going

Photo courtesy of IMDb

crazy, we’ll go crazy together, right?” Minor “coincidences” like that happen regularly throughout the show’s lifespan.

Some “coincidences” being “the Will voice.” Audiences noted that Mike would usually speak to Will in a softer and more gentle tone, even when they were kids.

Another example would be the consistent use of blue and yellow to symbolize Mike and Will. These colors are a callback to Season 3 in which Robin says, “When blue meets yellow in the west.” While the quote has nothing specifically to do with Mike and Will, fans began to speculate it was foreshadowing Will’s move to the west coast.

Additionally, Mike and Will’s arc has frame-for-frame line ups with scenes of Robin and Vickie, the only queer relationship on the show. Scenes show Robin and Will, looking at their respective love interests, Vickie and Mike, with a significant other of the opposite sex. Then, at the end of Season 4, all of the

show’s canon couples can be seen standing together behind Eleven: Joyce and Hopper, Johnathan and Nancy, and beside them are Mike and Will.

Moving on to some of the last major evidence, is that the Duffer brothers tweeted that they did not believe in love at first sight, but Mike had claimed to have known that Eleven was the one when he met her, meanwhile Mike and Will had the perfect slow burn arc. Coincidence? I think not.

Not to mention that Lucas quite literally says to the audience “I don’t believe in coincidences” further pushing the audience to believe that everything is intentional and specific.

Oh, and I almost forgot, right before Eleven, quite literally, dies, she tells Mike that she loves him and yet Mike still does not say it back despite them having an entire fight over his lack of use of the word in Season 3.

If you feel as though you need more evidence just type “Byler proof” into TikTok and those investigative reporters have done all the work for us, and compiled endless compilations of moments, parallels and signs that Mike and Will had a mutual romantic interest in one another.

Though “Byler” may not have come to fruition in front of our eyes, it cannot be denied that their love could’ve been monumental in terms of representation in popular television.

The show premiered in July 2016. In those 10 years, fans have grown up alongside these characters and watched them grow in return.

One could easily imagine how much of an impact it could have had on current,

and future, audiences to have seen their friendship blossomed into something more.

Not to mention the impact it would have had to have seen the subtle questioning of Mike’s sexuality and his coming to terms with realizing that he had always treated Will differently than anyone else would have.

Just think of how rewarding it would have been to have seen a full confession of love on that radio tower instead of a corny “best friends” line. It was quite literally the end of the world, if ever a time for it to happen, it was then.

It isn’t that Mike and Eleven shouldn’t be together, it’s about how Mike and Will should. Their arc could’ve shown the real tribulations of struggling with your sexuality when you believe to be one thing and inside you know you’re another.

It would’ve displayed just how troubling young queer love can be, especially in the ‘80’s, a time where queerness was in the hot seat and not widely accepted by the masses.

That fact alone could’ve justified why it took years and years for Mike to come to terms with his emotions and his fears of admitting his love for Will.

When all is said and done, the show has come to an end and many fans, including myself, mourn the loss of “Byler” again and again, as another sad TikTok edit to a Conan Gray song comes up on our for you page.

But just as some fans choose to believe that Eleven is still alive, I choose to believe that Mike and Will found each other again in the ‘90s and were able to live happily ever after.

At least that’s what I see in my head.

ICE raids invite anti-Latino rhetoric in American life

Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids have increased.

By Adriana Tamayo on undocumented immigrants Correspondent which involved the expulsion of thousands of immigrants. In August Hispanic immigrants in this of 2025, ICE had deported around country never had it easy. With 200,000immigrants and by September, U.S. Immigration and Customs the administration claimed that a total Enforcement raids and the things of 2 million immigrants had left the people say about hispanic immigrants country through deportation by ICE on social media and in the news, it and self-deportation. created waves of more and more people On Sept. 9, the Supreme Court spreading anti-Latino rhetoric. Even made a decision that made it legal for though it’s nothing new, President ICE agents to racially profile people Donald Trump’s administration has during their raids — meaning that made it increasingly harder to ignore. ICE agents are legally allowed to In January 2025, Trump took office stop any person based on how they for his second, non-consecutive term may look, what language they speak as president. One of the big policies and detain them without knowing that he ran on during his campaign whether they are undocumented or in 2024 was a huge crackdown not. Previously, decisions had been

made by lower courts — such as the Los Angeles federal court and the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals — that this was considered illegal racial profiling but the Supreme Court was able to overturn those rulings.

This ruling is very dangerous for the Latino community as it gives ICE and border patrol the green light to stop anyone that they guess might be in the country illegally. This gives room for error, seeing as they could stop someone who is a U.S. citizen or is in the country legally. Because this is allowed to happen, Latinos have been on high alert and have been afraid to leave their homes in fear that they will be stopped by ICE and/ or detained by them.

The tactics ICE has used to round up undocumented immigrants are inhumane as well. Videos have surfaced of ICE agents tackling people, smashing car windows and even using tear gas.

Trump himself is continuously perpetuating the stereotype that undocumented, usually hispanic immigrants, are dangerous criminals.

Even though he was told that these people were just trying to do their jobs and make a living.

Anti-Latino sentiment has also made its way into pop culture. On Sept. 28, Puerto Rican artist Bad Bunny was revealed to be headlining the halftime show for Super Bowl LX. Bad Bunny was named Spotify’s No. 1 most-streamed artist globally for 2025 which shows that the artist headlining the Super Bowl makes perfect sense.

However, conservatives had

different opinions.

After the announcement, people on the right took to social media to display their concern for the halftime show. Many were upset by the fact that Bad Bunny has no songs in English meaning that the show will be completely in Spanish. They also spoke about the fact that Bad Bunny is very vocal about his resentment of the ICE raids and the Trump Administration as a whole.

With all of this backlash, the right had no choice but to boycott this halftime show. Turning Point USA, a non-profit conservation organization founded by the late Charlie Kirk, has taken matters into their own hands to put on the “All-American Halftime Show” in retaliation to the actual halftime show. They announced this show on social media with a link to the website.

The irony of the “All-American Halftime Show” is the fact that Bad Bunny technically has American citizenship as he was born and raised in Puerto Rico which is, after all, an American territory. People seem to be mostly upset by the fact that he will be speaking a language that many of them don’t understand and seem to be offended by.

The 2025 ICE raids didn’t only bring about an increase in deportations but it also brought about division between families, friends, and the country as a whole. The administration made the Latino identity seem like something foreign or “un-American” and made it something that people should be afraid of rather than something that we should all be proud of.

February 6, 2026 The Signal page 5

Sudoku

page 6 The Signal February 6, 2026

Editorials

The arrests of journalists are unconstitutional censorship

Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

Don Lemon has worked as in the journalism industry for over 30 years.

By Ally Uhlendorf Editoralist

In the past week, federal officers arrested two journalists on the premise that they had broken the law by covering an anti-immigration protest at a Minnesota church.

On Jan. 30, Don Lemon, a former CNN anchor and the host of “The Don Lemon Show” on YouTube, and Georgia Fort, a reporter from Minnesota who runs BLK Press, were taken into custody.

“You cannot be neutral about the dismantling of our democracy and still expect to be protected by it,” Fort told Columbia Journalism Review days before her arrest. “If the Constitution fails to protect US citizens, it will fail to protect the media, the free press. It’s not like there is a reality where constitutional rights don’t exist

for American citizens but they continue to exist for the press,” she said. “That’s not how this is going to go.”

Arresting the storytellers does not change the story. Arresting journalists for simply doing their job of telling a story goes directly against the First Amendment.

Today, it seems as though freedom of the press and speech apply only to speech that the government agrees with.

The First Amendment is not conditional. It does not protect only agreeable coverage or journalists who maintain a comfortable distance from conflict. In reality, this amendment exists precisely for moments like this. This amendment protects free and fair coverage, no matter the event. Courts have long recognized that journalists have the right to observe and report

on matters of public concern in public spaces, including protests.

That protection is meaningless if it disappears the minute reporting becomes uncomfortable for those in power.

Lemon and Fort did not pose a threat to the public; they were covering a protest of a significant matter in our country right now.

Whether you agree with the protest or not, that was not the point of their coverage as journalists. They were fulfilling the most basic function of a free press: bearing witness and informing the public. They did not interfere with or participate in the protest; they were attending to document how power is exercised.

Criminalizing the act of reporting on an event does nothing to enhance the safety of the public. If anything, it takes away the right of American citizens to hold knowledge and

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awareness of what is occurring in their country. Transparency itself is now perceived as a threat to our government.

The First Amendment is not conditional. Any public event, no matter what it may be, is free to be covered by the press. If Lemon and Fort were not breaking any sort of law while reporting on the protest, there should be no reason for their arrest.

Yes, journalists must follow the same rules as everyone else.

However, Lemon and Fort were technically not participating in the protest; they were attending for the purpose of reporting on a public concern. In practice, there is a long-standing understanding that enforcement must be tempered by constitutional values. In normal times, there is an expectation that even when a journalist’s conduct might technically fit the legal elements of a crime, such as jaywalking to get footage of a protest, prosecutors will use their judgement to not apply the law in a manner that chills the free press.

Journalists being arrested for doing their job not only puts their rights on the line, but also the public’s right to know what is occurring in America. We, as a country, cannot be a functioning democracy when accountability is being treated like an obstruction.

The government is slowly silencing dissenting voices, going against our very own constitutional amendment.

Silencing reporters does not give others freedom. Freedom of the press is not optional, but essential, especially in times like these.

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February 6, 2026 The Signal page 7

Protesters and federal agents clash in Los Angeles ‘ICE Out’ protests

ICE has only become more controversial as tensions rise in the areas they’ve been deployed.

By Zo Terrana Staff Writer Federal agents in downtown Los Angeles clashed with a group of protesters, when thousands marched through LA in a call to action against the expansive Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations sweeping the United States

— including the fatal shootings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis by federal immigration officers.

Protesters began assembling on Jan. 30 in the afternoon at LA City Hall. The crowd swelled in size as the protesters began marching, filling various downtown streets, according to CBS News A large group of protesters marching for

Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

about an hour settled outside the Edward R. Roybal Federal Building located in the downtown area. Armed federal agents, dressed in tactical vests and riot gear masks, guarded the complex’s loading dock where protesters began throwing “items” at the guards.

A portion of the protest group pushed a large construction dumpster in front

of the entrance after the agents deployed tear gas and pepper balls. Other protesters vandalized other parts of the complex, according to CBS News.

“Peaceful protest is a constitutional right. I urge Angelenos to exercise that right safely and not give this administration an excuse to escalate. Los Angeles stands together,” the Mayor of Los Angeles, Karen Bass, said on X. A tactical alert was issued by the Los Angeles Police Department in response to the clash, instructing officers to stay on duty regardless of their schedules. Dozens of LAPD officers dispatched to the federal building and formed skirmish lines after the tactical alert was issued, according to CBS News.

Police then issued a dispersal order and told protesters to leave the premises by 5:56 p.m. or be arrested. The police forced the protesters out of the road before the crowd started to throw bottles and rocks at the officers, according to police.

Officers began to arrest “violent agitators” after several dispersal orders were issued. While a majority of the crowd dissipated after 10 p.m., a small group from the crowd returned to the federal building, setting a large fire within the dumpster parked by the loading dock.

LA firefighters arrived on scene to then extinguish the fire, CBS News reported.

“Authorities will continue to assess arrests, property damage, and any injuries from Friday night while protest organizers plan additional actions over the weekend tied to the national ‘ICE Out’ campaign,” according to News Week.

Judge orders release of 5-year-old and father from ICE detention

Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

Liam Conejo and his dad have returned to their home in Minnesota.

By Isabel Conforme Correspondent A federal judge has ordered the release of 5-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos and his father, Adrian Conejo Arias, from a Texas immigration

detention center.

Liam and his father were detained

by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents on Jan. 20 in Columbia Heights, Minnesota, shortly after returning home from the child’s preschool, according

to school officials and family attorneys. Both were transported to a federal detention facility in Dilley, Texas, where they remained until a court intervened, according to ABC News.

The incident drew widespread attention after images of Ramos, wearing a bunny hat and a SpiderMan backpack, surrounded by ICE officers in his driveway began circulating online, according to AP News. School officials and witnesses said agents used the child as “bait,” instructing him to knock on his front door in an attempt to draw out his mother, a claim the Department of Homeland Security has strongly denied.

DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin wrote on X that ICE “did NOT target or arrest a child,” asserting that agents were conducting a “targeted operation” to arrest Arias, whom they described as an “illegal alien from Ecuador.”

According to ABC News, Arias fled on foot, abandoning his son, and officers attempted to place Liam with his mother, who allegedly refused custody. The agency said the father requested that his son remain in his custody.

The family’s attorney, Marc Prokosch, said Ramos and his father entered the U.S. legally in 2024, using the CBP One app to schedule an asylum appointment at a border entry point in Brownsville, Texas. Prokosch emphasized that the family has complied with all legal requirements, attended court hearings, and posed no safety or

flight risk, stated BBC News.

U.S. District Judge Fred Biery, presiding in San Antonio, Texas, issued a scathing order on Jan. 31, directing ICE to release Ramos and his father “as soon as practicable,” but no later than Feb. 3. The judge barred any removal or transfer of the pair while the order was in effect and required ICE to notify the family’s attorney before release, according to Fox News.

In his written opinion, Judge Biery sharply criticized the government’s enforcement tactic, calling the case “ill-conceived and incompetently implemented” and rooted in the “pursuit of daily deportation quotas, apparently even if it requires traumatizing children.”

The judge’s order followed days of protests outside the Dilley detention center and visits from Texas Democratic lawmakers, including Reps. Joaquin Castro and Jasmine Crockett.

Community members in Columbia Heights celebrated Ramos’s return, gathering outside the family’s home with balloons and gifts to support the child and his family.

Ramos and his father have a pending asylum case and no deportation order, according to their attorney and school officials. Their first court hearing is scheduled for later this month.

The case has intensified scrutiny of ICE’s enforcement practices and the conditions in family detention centers, as well as sparking calls for broader reforms to U.S. immigration policy.

page 8 The Signal February 6, 2026

Trump administration calls for arrest of journalists covering protests against ICE

Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

The deployment of ICE in Minnesota has made politcal tensions rise in the area.

By Rebecca St Fleur Correspondent Amid the Trump administration’s crackdown on immigration in Minnesota, several journalists have been arrested for reporting from protests against Immigration and Customs Enforcement at the direction of Attorney General Pam Bondi.

Don Lemon, a former reporter for CNN turned independent journalist, was arrested by federal agents on Jan. 29, as were Minnesota journalist Georgia Fort and two others. They were “...indicted on one count each of conspiracy against

religious freedom at a place of worship and injuring, intimidating and interfering with the exercise of the right of religious freedom at a place of worship,” according to CBS News.

Following Lemon’s arrest, the official White House account on X posted a photo of Don Lemon with the caption, “When life gives you lemons...” and an emoji of chains.

Bondi tweeted on X, “At my direction, early this morning federal agents arrested Don Lemon, Trahern Jeen Crews, Georgia Fort and Jamael Lydell Lundy, in connection with the coordinated attack on

Cities Church in St. Paul Minnesota.”

The protest the journalists covered occurred on Jan. 18 at a church in St. Paul.

The church’s pastor is also a field director for ICE in Minnesota. Anti-ICE protestors and activists entered the building during a Sunday morning service in the wake of the killing of Renee Nicole Good by an ICE agent.

Both Lemon and Fort were present at the protest, documenting the incident and interviewing participants.

“The footage shows that he was with activists before the protest and followed them to the church, where he spent approximately 45 minutes and spoke with four parishioners and five protesters. In all but one instance, the exchanges appear to be calm. The footage does not show him participating in the chants that disrupted the service. A pastor at one point asks him to leave. Seven minutes later, he exits the church building,” wrote the Washington Post after reviewing videos from the protest.

Prior to Lemon’s indictment, the U.S. Department of Justice originally tried to secure an arrest warrant against him but failed to obtain it twice due to a federal magistrate judge blocking it. However, Bondi pushed on and Lemon was arrested.

According to a video Georgia Fort posted on Facebook, she was arrested by agents who showed up at the door of her home.

Lemon and Fort were released on Jan. 30, but Lemon’s next hearing is scheduled for Feb. 9.

“Last night, the DOJ sent a team of federal agents to arrest me in the middle of the night for something that I’ve been doing for the last 30 years, and that is covering the news. I have spent my entire career covering the news. I will not stop now,” Lemon told reporters after being released.

“In fact, there is no more important time than right now, this very moment, for

a free and independent media that shines a light on the truth and holds those in power accountable. Again, I will not stop now. I will not stop ever. … The First Amendment of the Constitution protects that work for me and for countless other journalists who do what I do. I stand with all of them, and I will not be silent. I look forward to my day in court. Thank you all.”

As for Fort, she has been similarly vocal about her feelings regarding the implications of such an arrest.

“There’s been a strategic attack on the free press for quite some time,” Fort said following her release, according to The Hill. “But recently it is intensifying, and I would say that the arrest of myself and Don Lemon is a new level to threaten taking someone’s freedom away for them simply doing their job, to try and criminalize

Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

Don Lemon was arrested Jan. 29.

FBI raids a Georgia election office to seize 700 boxes of records, alleging voter fraud

Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

This comes as national tensions continue to intensify closer to midterm elections.

By Rebecca St Fleur “The search warrant,” he continued, Correspondent “I believe, is not proper, but I think that there are ways that we can limit The FBI raided an elections of- it. We want to ask for forensic acfice in Fulton County, Georgia on counting, we want the documents to Wednesday, Jan. 28. Agents seized stay in the State of Georgia under over 700 boxes of records, voter seal, and we want to do whatever we rolls and tabulator tapes from the can to protect voter information.”

2020 presidential election, but it is Rob Pitts, the chairman of the not clear yet who is being investi- Fulton County Board of Commisgated, according to Fox 5 News. sioners, pushed back at the FBI’s Fulton County Commissioner actions, saying, “Fulton County is Marvin Arrington Jr. announced in now, has been, and always will be a news release on Monday, Feb. 2 committed to upholding the law, no that the county will file a motion matter what anyone else does.” In against President Donald Trump’s regards to the actual ballots taken, administration contesting “the le- Pitts and the public remain in the gality of the warrant and the seizure dark. “While they were here, they of sensitive election records, and were safe and they [were] secure. force the government to return the Once they left Fulton County… I ballots taken,” reports NBC News. don’t know where they are, I don’t

know who has them, I don’t know what they’re doing with them,” according to Fox 5 News.

In the days following, Pitts spoke to CNN about his concerns that this raid was laying the groundwork for the federal government to intervene in this year ’s upcoming midterm elections by sowing doubt in voter security and the election process.

Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard was also spotted at the raid scene. This has brought attention due to the fact that the DNI has no jurisdiction to conduct or oversee investigations and has provoked questions as to why she was there in the first place.

In response, the office of the Director of National Intelligence released this statement: “Director Gabbard recognizes that election security is essential for the integrity of our republic and our nation’s security. As DNI, she has a vital role in identifying vulnerabilities in our critical infrastructure and protecting against exploitation.”

In addition, the New York Times revealed that Gabbard met with some of the same FBI agents conducting the inquiry and arranged a meeting with Trump: “Ms. Gabbard used her cellphone to call Mr. Trump, who did not initially pick up but called back shortly after, the people said.

The president addressed the agents on speakerphone, asking them questions as well as praising and thanking them for their work on the inquiry…”

These actions are unusual and unprecedented in traditional law enforcement, according to report-

ing in the New York Times, which also states that according to a U.S. official, Trump ordered Gabbard to Georgia for the raid himself.

Trump has repeatedly claimed that the 2020 election was stolen from him on the basis of voter fraud, but judges across the nation and two recounts have found no evidence of this.

Trump lost the battleground state of Georgia and then afterwards contacted the then secretary of state to “find” 11,780 ballots. However, even if Georgia’s electoral votes were overturned in Trump’s favor, he would still not have obtained enough votes to win the election.

He once again repeated these same claims in the wake of the raid, posting on Truth Social: “TRUMP WON BIG. Crooked Election!”

In August 2023, Fani Willis, Fulton County’s District Attorney, acquired a 41 count indictment against Trump and 18 others, accusing them of illegally trying to overturn the election. The case was later on dismissed.

Kristin Nabers, the state director of All Voting Is Local, a voting rights group, said, “The administration is using Fulton County as a blueprint to see what they can get away with elsewhere. If they’re allowed to take ballots here, then what would stop them from seizing ballots or voting machines in any future election in a county or state where their preferred candidates lose?... This is an attempt to take your vote away,” she said. “This is all about November 2026,” reported the Guardian.

February 6, 2026 The Signal page 9

Stitched stories and powdered perspectives: ‘Banners for a Common Future

Rachel Breen’s repurposed textile artwork highlights the hidden labor and stories.

By Devyn Briones Arts & Entertainment Editor Rachel Breen and her art traveled from Minneapolis to Ewing to showcase her pieces at the College.

Breen and Professor Kathleen Webber have been planning this event, “Unraveling Threads: Climate, Labor and the Clothes We Wear,” since last summer.

With only 20% of donations considered useful, Breen’s art repurposes abandoned clothes from Goodwill and other second-hand

stores. She flips the garments inside out, takes them apart and transforms them into symmetrical, compelling art pieces. Her work upcycles textile waste that would otherwise go largely unused or end up overseas.

Breen’s journey began with a spontaneous decision to purchase a $3 sewing kit from a garage sale.

After her sewing machine ran out of thread, she discovered a technique in which her stitches resemble those used in pouncing, a Renaissance technique. This sewing pattern is first pricked with tiny holes,

Photo by Devyn Briones

then placed onto fabric and dusted with powder, leaving a trail of dots.

Breen uses a similar method in her wall art. From afar, her drawings look like simple lines, but up close, they are revealed to be composed of tiny dots. Soft pastels are turned into powder and “pounced” onto painted walls, creating stencil images derived from pieces of clothing.

Through her wall drawings and unraveled garments, Breen communicates a deeper message about what really happens behind the seams.

“My work is about collective

power,” Breen said. “I really want to ground the work within the fact that levels are complex, but also cross borders and past time.”

Incidents such as the Triangle Shirtwaist garment factory fire and the collapse of Rana Plaza in Bangladesh are only just some of the backstories underpinning her pieces. Her work draws attention not only to these tragedies but also to the ongoing struggles of workers in factories with dangerous conditions and unfair wages.

Breen has traveled to Bangladesh to conduct research and uncover the realities surrounding garment factories.

Shein, for example, is one of the many companies that mistreat their workers, who earn an average of 6,000 to 10,000 Chinese yuan per month, equivalent to about $831 to $1,385 in U.S. dollars.

When discussing different materials and clothing categories, she said, “that’s a way I remind people about the fact that somebody made these. A human made all of our clothes.

Breen’s pieces highlight colors of red and gold, reflecting her emotions about factory workers, and political turmoil around the world. Red conveys urgency, rage and disappointment, while yellow and gold represent hope and the courage to speak up.

While most clothes contain written texts, Breen’s has symbols. One symbol, in particular, shows two halves of a circle surrounded by the mark of a stitch, representing solidarity and unity.

“The banners themselves contain history and serve as a reminder of the impact of the garment industry,” Breen said.

Editor’s note: Professor Kathleen Webber is The Signal’s faculty advisor. She was not involved in the production of this story.

‘Beetlejuice’ and ‘Home Alone’ star Catherine O’Hara dead at 71

Photo courtesy of IMDb

Actress Catherine O’Hara has died from a “brief illness.”

By Abigail Holliday Copy Editor

Catherine O’Hara, beloved “Beetlejuice,” “Home Alone” and “Schitt’s Creek” actress, died in Los Angeles on Jan. 30 at 71-years-old.

The Canadian actress began her rise to fame starring as the understudy as Gilda Radner with the Second City, an improv troupe based in her

home town of Toronto, according to the New York Times. Second City then led to Second City TV (SCTV), Saturday Night Live’s Canadian parallel, where she became a regular cast member in 1976, starring in 52 episodes, according to IMDb. She worked alongside Rick Moranis, John Candy, Andrea Martin and Eugene Levy, and remained as a cast member through its entirety, coming to an end in 1984.

O’Hara kickstarted her acting career by being cast as Delia Deetz, the on-screen mother to Winona Ryder in Tim Burton’s famous cult-classic, “Beetlejuice.” The film skyrocketed in popularity, earning well over $73 million and battled “Rain Man” and “Big” for top movie of 1988. The film remains relevant, earning itself a cartoon show, a Broadway musical adaptation, a sequel starring Jenna Ortega and more.

Soon after, O’Hara starred in the iconic 1990s Christmas movie, “Home Alone” as Kate McCallister, mother to free spirit Kevin McCallister. Played

by Macaulay Culkin, Kevin was left

behind on his family’s trip to Paris and was forced to fight to protect his home from burglars. “Home Alone” was a huge success, earning $477 million worldwide on an $18 million budget, making it the highest grossing holiday movie of all time and remains on every Top 10 Christmas movie list.

O’Hara also played the eccentric Moira Rose on Eugene and Dan Levy’s “Schitt’s Creek,” a Canadian sitcom, for all six seasons from 2015 to 2020.

Moira Rose was a once soap opera star married to Johnny (Eugene Levy) and mother to David (Dan Levy) and Alexis Rose (Annie Murphy) where they are forced to move to Ontario’s “Schitt’s Creek” after losing their fortune. O’Hara received her first acting Primetime Emmy award, a Golden Globe and a Screen Actor’s Guild Award due to her performance as Moira Rose.

Outside of her beautiful onscreen presence, O’Hara also was the voice behind many famous animated characters. Including Sally from “The Nightmare Before Christmas,” Brooke Ripple from “Elemental,” Grandma

Frump from “The Addams Family,” “Chicken Little,” “Frankenweenie,” “Barbie in the 12 Dancing Princesses” and more.

O’Hara passed away in her home following “a brief illness,” confirmed by representatives to the New York Times.

Many of her on-screen children have written about her passing such as Macaulay Culkin, posting on Instagram saying, “Mama. I thought we had time. I wanted more. I wanted to sit in a chair next to you. I heard you. But I had so much more to say. I love you. I’ll see you later.”

Dan Levy, Jenna Ortega and Annie Murphy also left beautiful posts in remembrance of the great Catherine O’Hara, sharing the time they had together with the actress.

In 2024, TMZ asked O’Hara, “When all is said and done, which role would you most like to be remembered for?” to which O’Hara replied, “Mother of my children.”

O’Hara leaves behind her husband, Bo Welch, and their two sons, Luke and Matthew Welch.

page 10 The Signal February 6, 2026

2026 Oscars: What to expect at the upcoming Academy Awards

Michael B. Jordan and Miles Caton in “Sinners.”

By Mahnoosh Arsalan Staff Writer Last year was incredible for the arts, specifically film. With award winning movies like “Sinners,” “One Battle After Another,” “Hamnet” and so many more, 2025 had an impressive reign.

The 2026 Oscar nominations were announced on Jan. 22 with Ryan Coogler’s “Sinners” gaining 16

Photo courtesy of IMDb

nominations, including Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor and Actress, Best Director, and Best Picture.

“Sinners” is officially the most Oscar nominated film of all time, the record previously belonging to “La La Land,” “Titanic” and “All About Eve” with 14 nominations.

Paul Thomas Anderson’s “One Battle After Another” was nominated for 13 Oscars and has been dominating

Don Toliver hits full throttle on ‘OCTANE’

Don Tolver dropped his new album.

By Molly Tursi Staff Writer Rebounding after a three-year hiatus, the genre bending musician Joji has returned to music for the first time under the liberty of his own record label, Palace Creek.

Hailing from a former comedy stint as the YouTube persona FilthyFrank, George Kusunoki Miller was encouraged to refine his career into the moniker Joji after a series of grievous health concerns and creative burnout. Since announcing his departure from YouTube in 2017, the Japanese singer and songwriter has released three studio albums, garnering public and professional traction with songs “SLOW DANCING IN THE DARK,” “Die For You” and “Glimpse of Us.” With a fourth record set for Feb. 6, Joji released a sporadic series of singles throughout the fall of 2025. To bind the four songs together, the musician released the four tracks from his upcoming album “Piss In The Wind” to Spotify in EP format twice — first with “LOVE YOU LESS” and again with the five-tracked “Last of a Dying Breed.”

As the newest addition to the album’s pre-releases, the titular “Last of a Dying Breed,” pushes the latest EP to a novel start.

Opening with an elegiac pace of sound and instrumentation, the song invites a wash of grief and sorrow to the table. The symbolism of the lyrics delves into being in love with

Photo courtesy of Apple Music

the qualities of a person despite knowing the love is impermanent and metaphorically, a dying breed.

The EP continues on this note with “LOVE YOU LESS,” a song about conflicting attachment issues stymying the development of a relationship. The guitar defines this track, creating an electric wail amongst the full sound of strumming and Joji’s somber vocals.

The third track, “Past Won’t Leave My Bed,” is a lyrical rumination of heartbreak and an unforgettable past. Offering itself as the most vulnerable track on the album, its emotions are felt as Joji lays everything to bare.

“If It Only Gets Better” complements the prior track with the simple encouragement of moving forward after love and loss. Joji sings, “If it only gets better from here / Then what’s there to change about it?” emphasizing the importance of allowing time to heal.

The final song, “PIXELATED KISSES,” channels a louder and abrasive sound than heard before. While forceful in sound, the song is the weakest of the EP and is eclipsed by the preceding tracks of the EP. Joji’s “Last of a Dying Breed” holds a heavy and brooding sound for a succinct yet lingering 11 minutes, whispering what is to come with his forthcoming album. Running 21 tracks long with 16 songs excluded from the two EPs, “Piss In The Wind” will be available to stream on Feb. 6.

this awards season, including Best Picture. Taking the charge at both the Golden Globes and Actor Awards, Anderson’s epic seems to have a bright future at this year’s Oscars.

Surprisingly, Chase Infiniti was not nominated for her show-stopping performance as Willa in Anderson’s film. Her co-star Leonardo DiCaprio spoke out on this snub, saying that “she was the fabric of this movie. She was the heart and soul” of the film.

DiCaprio was nominated for Best Actor, as well as Michael B. Jordan in “Sinners,” Timothee Chalamet in “Marty Supreme,” Wagner Moura in “The Secret Agent” and Ethan Hawke in “Blue Moon.”

Chloé Zhao’s “Hamnet” is also gaining a lot of Academy attention this awards season. Jessie Buckley has been continuously winning Best Actress throughout the season, and “Hamnet” previously won Best Motion PictureDrama at the Golden Globes. Buckley’s performance as Agnes in Zhao’s film was gut-wrenching, visceral and harrowing. She was nominated alongside Rose Byrne in “If I Had Legs I’d Kick You,” Kate Hudson in “Song Sung Blue,” Renate Reinsve in “Sentimental Value” and Emma Stone in “Bugonia.”

Audiences were shocked to see Jacob Elordi’s name in the Oscar race this year. He was nominated for Best Supporting Actor for his brilliant portrayal of The Creature in Guillermo del Toro’s “Frankenstein.” Many still think Elordi as an amateur actor, however his role in “Frankenstein” truly changed that in the eyes of the Academy. His performance was absolutely haunting yet completely charming.

Other nominees include Sean Penn and Benicio del Toro in “One Battle After Another,” Stellan Skarsgård in “Sentimental Value” and Delroy Lindo in “Sinners.”

Another shock within the Oscar nominations was Joseph Kosinski’s “F1” being nominated for Best Picture.

While the film held exciting, touching and passionate moments, people did not expect to see it up against the aforementioned films. Kosinski’s film was also nominated for Best Editing, Visual Effects and Sound.

Ultimately, the 2026 Oscars present a lot of competition, as well as a lot of promise. You can watch the 98th Academy Awards on March 15 hosted

by Conan O’Brien. For the full list of nominations, check out the Academy Website.

‘Last of a Dying Breed’: Joji’s fragmentary EP

By Olivia Suh Correspondent Don Toliver dropped his fifth studio album, “OCTANE,” this week. The Houston-born artist has been giving his fans no time to rest. “OCTANE” arrives just a year-and-a-half after his punk rap album, “Hardstone Psycho.”

“OCTANE” is an upbeat, high-energy R&B mixture, making it a perfect album for late-night vibes. The title itself evokes fuel, speed and combustion, themes seen throughout the album.

Unlike Toliver’s last album, “Hardstone Psycho,” this project does not fall under just one aesthetic. In “OCTANE,” Toliver diversifies his sound with different styles. The immersive 18-track album alternates between club bangers and introspective, chill vibes.

“OCTANE” is as intentional as the title suggests. Toliver utilizes this album as a personal outlet, where he discusses balancing fatherhood and introspection.

With the album cover including a car as well, going hand in hand with its title, it seems to represent Toliver’s life — living in the fast lane.

“OCTANE” greets its listeners with “E35,” a funk-inspired vibe with maximalist production, almost imitating the feeling of a revved engine. Here, Toliver is confident, rapping about his status and independence. The repetition in his lyrics not only makes his message clear but also seems to reflect how his life

Joji’s Album “Piss in the Wind.”

has been: fast, loud and without pausing to reflect on his accomplishments.

The tension is more evident to listeners on “Gemstone,” where Toliver discusses the struggles he faces between luxury and loneliness. The lyrics focus on diamonds, money and power, yet the hook sounds more weary than celebratory.

Toliver’s voice is not confident, hinting that his success hasn’t brought the fulfillment it promised, reinforcing the idea that something is missing even when everything looks perfect.

As fans continue to listen, Toliver shifts into discussing his struggles with exhaustion. On “Call Back,” the vibes slow down, and the words start to feel more personal. Toliver sings about missed connections, delayed responses and emotional distance, capturing how his fame has complicated communication with his peers. The repetition of phrases places emphasis on how these issues are recurring and unresolved.

In “OCTANE,” Don Toliver displays the truth: success does not come without consequences. The album flows between confidence and vulnerability, highlighting the emotional weight behind fame and luxury.

The production is upbeat, while the lyrics are the opposite. Toliver dives into his exhaustion, distance and reflection.

“OCTANE” stands as a reminder that even when everything appears to be moving forward, there are moments when slowing down becomes necessary.

Photo courtesy of Apple Music

February 6, 2026 The Signal page 11

Women’s basketball stays hot, takes down NJAC rivals

Women’s basketball continues winning ways.

By Ryan Conway & Joseph Caruso Staff Writer & Sports Editor The College’s women’s basketball team kept on rolling this past week, defeating Stockton 75-59 on Jan. 28 and blowing out Ramapo 83-47 on Jan. 31. Since losing their first six games, the Lions have been on an impressive 11-3 run.

On Wednesday, the College hosted the Ospreys of Stockton at Packer Hall for a white out, trying to continue their hot streak since NJAC play started having won nine of their past 12 games after starting winless through their first six contests.

The game was tight through a highscoring first quarter, where the College led by just two points by a score of 1816 after the first ten minutes. However, in the second period, the Lions defense completely shut down the Stockton offense, holding them to just four

Photo courtesy of Nick Kurti

points in the second quarter, as the College went into the half leading 3520.

In the second half, the Lions continued their hot shooting, and ended up winning the game 75-59.

The College made 12 threes, led by Sophomore Brooke McFadden, who gave all credit to the team.

“I really couldn’t have done it without my teammates,” McFadden said. “I’m really lucky to have them honestly.”

McFadden led the way scoring 21 points, with sophomore Amanda Baylock also tallying 16 points. The second-year duo terrorised the Ospreys from beyond the arc, combining for eight threes.

On Saturday, the Lions faced off against Ramapo on the road. Similarly to their last contest, it was a hot start for the College, who jumped out to an early 34-15 lead at the half.

The second half was even more convincing, as the College finished the game shooting six of seven from deep in the fourth quarter, as they dismantled another NJAC rival, destroying Ramapo 83-47. Five Lions picked up double-digit points, and they never even trailed as they won their third straight game.

In a game where the Lions were on fire, including shooting over 50% from three with 14 made as a team.

McFadden and Baylock had another stellar game, where Baylock finished with a team-high 13 points in a balanced Lions attack, and two guards hit four combined shots from beyond the three point line.

It’s been a remarkable turnaround for the Lions, who lost their first six games of the season. Not only have they not stopped winning, but they have done it in very convincing fashion.

In five of their last seven games, the Lions have won by 20 points, with the only loss in that stretch coming in a 61-47 defeat to William Paterson.

This remarkable turnaround now has the team sitting at 11-9, with the New Jersey Athletic Conference tournament just a few weeks away.

In a Wednesday pink out, the College hosted Rutgers-Camden trying to continue their winning ways. Similarly to their first matchup against Stockton, it was a stellar second quarter that catapulted the Lions ahead, outscoring Rutgers-Camden 24 to 12 in the second period, going into the half up doubledigits.

Senior Katie Fricker and junior Riley Ahrens each led the way with 18 points a piece, with Fricker knocking down four three pointers.

In another dominant fourth quarter, the College secured their fourth straight win 81-61, bringing their record to 12-9 including 11-3 in the NJAC. The College now has the NJAC playoffs in their sights, but they have four more NJAC contests before then, the first being Saturday, Feb. 7.

TCNJ Athletics Schedule

Men’s and Women’s Track Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 6-8.

Away at Staten Island Women’s Basketball Saturday Feb. 7, Away at RutgersNewark Men’s Basketball Saturday, Feb. 7 Away at RutgersNewark Women’s Basketball Wednesday, Feb. 11 Home against Rowan Men’s Basketball Wednseday, Feb. 11 Home against Rowan Women’s Swimming Thursday, Feb. 12 NJAC Championships at Hampton, VA. Men’s Swimming Thursday, Feb. 12 NJAC Championships

Men’s swimming continues hot streak with Senior Day victory

Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Gladstone

Men’s swimming reigns victorious on Senior Day.

By Joseph Caruso College was ranked inside the top Sports Editor 10 for the first time in 2026, coming in at No. 9, while also riding a three The College’s men’s swim team game win streak. posted back to back impressive In dominating fashion, the Lions victories this week, including their took first place in every single 194-68 win over Swarthmore, and a event, including first and second Senior Day rout of Montclair State place in the 200-yard medley relay, 224-74, bringing their record to 6-3 led by senior standout Andrew on the season.

Kidchob. Kidchob has continued Going into their Friday matchup to add to his already impressive at the TCNJ Aquatic Center, the collegiate career, where he has now

been named an NCAA All-American five different times.

In the 1000-yard freestyle, senior Gavin Formon took home first place with a time of 9:38:80. Not far behind him in second place was freshman Will Heinze who finished in 9:48:36.

Freshmen Gabe Beverini (1:40.86) and Derin Ozbas (1:44.31) finished in first and third in the 200-yard freestyle, with senior Brian Bull also cracking the top five. Kidchob took home another victory in the 50-yard backstroke, finishing in 22.71.

After more finishing touches, the College took home their fourth straight win by a score of 194-68, dismantling Swarthmore ahead of their Senior Day matchup.

On Saturday, the College honored their seniors, eight different swimmers including Bull, Formon and Kidchob, along with Hunter Adams, Wyatt Marble, Dylan Negron, Nate Ross and Nick Viola.

The College started by finishing top three in the 200-medley, and continued to dominate with Heinze taking home the victory in the 1000-freestyle (9:51.55).

Sophomore M.J. Hoban won the 200-freestyle, placing with a time of 1:45.18, and junior Mason Bushay reigned victorious in the

100-backstroke with a time of 53.34.

Unlike their previous matchup with Swarthmore, the College was unable to sweep the entire event as Montclair State took home two events. After the two wins claimed by the Red Hawks, sophomore Joe McChesney took home the 50yard freestyle (21.95). McChesney had an impressive week, including a victory in the matchup against Swarthmore as well.

Sophomore Tyler McGeehan took home the win in the 200-breaststroke (2:10.19), while Ozbas won the 500 freestyle with a time of 4:46.65.

The Lions continued their dominance throughout the meet, closing it out with a victory from junior Pablo Salazar, who earned a win in the 200-IM. When it was all said and done, the College won their Senior Night in wire to wire fashion, winning 224-74.

The College also participated in the divers only USMMA Memorial Invite, where the Lions saw a handful of top seven finishes.

The College wrapped up their home schedule at the TCNJ Aquatic Center winning five matches in a row, as they look towards the New Jersey Athletic Conference Championships which begin on Thursday, Feb. 12.

Photo by Nick Kurti

The College continues to dominate in conference play.

Koch heroics propels men’s basketball to sixth straight win

Senior duo continues to impress

By Joseph Caruso Sports Editor The College’s men’s basketball team continued its blistering stretch where they earned three victories this week over Stockton, Ramapo and RutgersCamden, improving their record to 165, as they boast a 11-3 record in the New Jersey Athletic Conference.

On Wednesday, the Lions hosted the latter half of a white out double-header with the women’s team, as they faced off against Stockton.

The College started off well, holding the Ospreys to just 26 points total in the first period, as they headed into the locker room up seven points, leading 33-26. All 33 first-half points were scored by seniors Nick Koch and Matt Solomon, along with junior David Alexandre, as they ended the half on a massive 12-0 run to vault them ahead.

However, the story of this game was the second half, where the game became a thriller to remember. Right out of the halftime locker room, Stockton came out swinging and quickly regained the lead, 46-42 capping off a huge run to put the pressure on the Lions.

The College responded with seven unanswered points of their own, trying to fend off Stockton down the stretch.

After two hard fought halves, the College and Stockton earned an extra period of basketball.

In the final minutes of overtime, the College found themselves trailing 72-70 in the final 60 seconds, where Koch had the first of his many heroics on the night, tying the game at 72 with a layup with just eight seconds left on the game clock, forcing a second overtime period.

Trailing 82-81 in double overtime, the Lions possessed the ball with just

seconds remaining. Koch found his spot beyond the three point line, and buried a game winning three pointer as the buzzer sounded — his sixth of the night, a career high to go along with 33 points, as the College defeated Stockton, 84-82.

“We know how to handle adversity,” Koch told The Signal. “You know, we miss a few free throws, miss a few boxouts, but I still have so much faith and trust in my teammates, and they have the faith and trust in me.”

Koch played a mind-boggling 49 minutes in the team’s victory, while Soloman and Alexandre also logged more than 40 minutes on the night.

Not to be overshadowed, Solomon put together an unbelievable night of his own, playing all 50 minutes and scoring 24 points while gobbling up 15 rebounds and dishing out six assists. Koch, Solomon and Alexandre

combined for 72 of the 84 points in the grind it out win.

“Its the best environment I could possibly be around,” Koch said. “We knew who we still were through all this adversity, and it shows a lot, this team is something special”.

Riding high from their most exciting victory of the year, the Lions traveled to Ramapo to take on the Roadrunners in Mahwah on Saturday, Jan. 31. in the first half, the College showed some leftover fatigue from their previous matchup, scoring just 24 points in the first 20 minutes and headed into the locker room trailing by four points.

Out of the break, the Lions came out blistering and didn’t look back.

Shooting nearly 60% from the field in the final half, the Lions put up 57 points on the way to a big victory, defeating Ramapo for their fourth straight win, 85-59.

Koch picked up right where he left off, making 27 points feel routine on a hyper efficient nine for 11 from the field and making three of his four three point attempts. Along with Koch, it was another strong game for Solomon who chipped in an easy 15 points and ten rebound double-double.

On Feb. 4, the Lions were back in Packer Hall hosting Rutgers-Camden looking for their sixth straight win.

In a steady game, the College found themselves trailing early on in the game, but it didn’t last long, as they went into the halftime locker room leading 34-27. In the second half, it was the Koch show again, as the star guard scored 21 of his game high 30 points in the second period propelling the Lions to victory. He also played all 40 minutes.

Solomon contributed another double-double with 19 points and 12 rebounds, along with some stellar defense for the duration of the game, as the College defeated RutgersCamden 79-68, marking their sixth straight win.

Before they can compete for the NJAC Championship again, the College still has four games remaining in the regular season, the next one is Saturday, Feb.7, against RutgersNewark.

No. 4 wrestling sweeps quad meet, wins sixth in a row

By Joseph Caruso Sports Editor The College’s men’s wrestling squad participated in the Cortland Quad meet, sweeping Oswego State, Cortland and Delaware Valley, respectively, extending their win streak to six games.

The Lions were coming off of two consecutive ranked wins last week against No. 18 New York University and No. 23 Ithaca, as the College ranked No. 4 heading into the matchup against Oswego State.

Freshman Joey DeAngelo got things started for the College, winning in just over two minutes. He was followed by junior Garett Totten, who pinned his opponent in 3:17. Totten has had a phenomenal career at the College thus far, and is currently ranked third in his best year yet.

Junior Vinnie Santaniello had an impressive 15-7 major decision over a ranked opponent, adding to his great

recent stretch. Junior D.J. Henry, ranked No. 7, claimed an 18-1 victory in 5:50. Henry was an NCAA qualifier in 2025.

To wrap things up, junior Matt Coon was awarded a forfeit, and the College took home the 36-9 victory over Oswego.

Next, the College faced off against Cortland, where they fell behind early 13-10 after three straight victories from the Red Dragons. The College regained control and won the remaining five matches, with Coon wrapping things up again, pinning his opponent in less than 30 seconds, as the Lions beat the home team 37-13.

Finally, the College faced off against Delaware Valley to finish the quad. Led by sophomore Anthony Viscido who pinned his opponent at 141 pounds, earning six points for the College. With multiple forfeits from Delaware Valley, the Lions cruised to a 47-7 victory to wrap up a perfect quad session.

Wrestling sweeps quad contest.

Head coach Joe Galante continues his unbelievable run as the head coach for the College, pacing for yet another top five ranked finish, with the College being ranked No. 4, and boasting a record of 14-6, with two of the losses being against the top two

Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Gladstone

teams in the nation.

The College, who are undefeated at home this season, will host No. 24.

Stevens in their next matchup, with just four more matches remaining until the NCAA Championships. The match will take place on Friday, Feb. 6.