What’s new in Davis this September?
BY ALMA CULVERWELL city@theaggie.org
e redevelopment of the former University Mall into e Davis Collection is beginning to take shape. Approved as a commercial-only project under the city’s University Commons plan, the project retains the existing Trader Joe’s and introduces over 100,000 square feet of new commercial retail space. Alongside new landscaping, circulation improvements and gathering areas, several major tenants have recently opened this summer, with more on the way later this year.
The following includes recently opened businesses at e Davis Collection:
Nordstrom Rack, the !rst anchor tenant to debut at the center, brings discounted fashion, shoes and accessories from Nordstrom’s popular brands.
PetSmart opened July 2025 as a new resource for local pet owners and was the second storefront to open at the center.
PetSmart carries pet food and supplies as well as grooming services and adoption events.
J.Crew Factory opened July
2025. J.Crew Factory expands fashion choices in Davis, featuring classic styles and accessories at outlet prices. Ulta Beauty, which opened August 2025, brings a mix of cosmetics, skincare and haircare products, along with salon services. Mendocino Farms
Second Friday, first adventure
Fall, friends and Davis’ art-filled nights await
Welcome home Aggies!
As the leaves begin to blush into shades of red and orange and the Davis bike paths come back to life with sounds of ringing bells and calls of “on your left,” the familiar endearments of fall are !nally arriving. ere is so much to be excited about, but most especially your very !rst 2nd Friday ArtAbout.
For the uninitiated, every second Friday of the month, the heart of Downtown Davis throws on its very best creative out!t. Local artists and galleries open their doors, set up booths and invite students and community members to explore. e sidewalks are packed with visitors, and downtown is more bustling than ever.
It’s the perfect place to spend a Friday afternoon, especially when you need a fun evening with your friends and want to appreciate the local art scene.
But what should you visit !rst and why should you participate? Now we’re asking all of the right questions.
A cornerstone and beloved treasure of the 2nd Friday ArtAbout is the Pence Gallery, located at 212 D St. “ e Pence Gallery is packed with
art throughout our two oors, featuring three gallery spaces for exhibits,” Jenna Matsubara, a marketing associate at the Pence Gallery, said.
Admission is always free, and the gallery provides an artwalk map to help you explore other local stops.
“You can view art of all types, meet local artists and even get to know the friendly businesses in town,” Matsubara said.
Each month, the Pence Gallery also o$ers something new.
“You can participate in a fun, artthemed scavenger hunt by exploring the art on display at the Pence and completing all of the clues,” Matsubara said.
From October to November, you’ll !nd new exhibits at the Pence Gallery featuring artists like Robert Ortbal, whose exhibition “Encounters” includes a 20-foot sculpture, and Raquel Cox, an oil painter whose works capture moments of beauty and poetry on canvas. Each visit feels new and exciting, whether you’re returning for your second ArtAbout or your 20th.
Now, what about your next stop?
e answer is e Artery, a repeat champion of the category “Best Place to Buy a Gift” in e Davis Enterprise’s
“Best of Yolo” survey.
“Discover a world of artistic expression as you explore our gallery, featuring a breathtaking array of decorative and functional ceramics, exquisite woodwork, captivating glass creations, intricate !ber arts, timeless sculpture, vibrant paintings, evocative drawings, captivating prints, and stunning photography,” e Artery website reads.
Currently, e Artery is showcasing works by elma Weatherford, John Scott, Jerry DeCamp and Schorré Chevalier Oldham until Sept. 29 — a perfect preview of local art to check out before your !rst ArtAbout.
But, don’t stop there: Davis has many must-visit places. ere’s truly something for everyone — Logos Books for literary wanderers, the Davis Craft and Vintage Fair for collectors of handmade charms and e Paint Chip for anyone who wants to pick up a paintbrush.
If you’re a long-time art lover or just looking for a fun, Friday night adventure, the 2nd Friday ArtAbout is the perfect way to engage with Davis’ creative community and ventures. So, grab some friends, take a stroll downtown and let the art (and maybe the bike bells) guide you.
Vintage and Tequileros Taqueria. One 1,300-square-
remains
e Davis Collection held a celebratory event, “ e Davis Collection Unwrapped,” on Wednesday, Sept. 10, from 3 to 5 p.m., according to the city of Davis. e community celebration marks the o cial unveiling of the shopping center, which replaced the former University Mall. e event featured a ribboncutting ceremony as well as live music from a local blues band, tastings, store promotions, face painting and giveaways. Along with speeches by Gregory Finley, president of the west region for Brixmor, and Davis Vice Mayor Donna Neville. The Davis Collection redevelopment marks one of the largest retail additions in the city in years. With a mix of national brands and new dining options, the project aims to serve both UC Davis students and the wider Davis community.
UC Davis Fire Department welcomes new chief Nathaniel Hartinger
The department begins a new chapter following the departure and criminal indictment of its former chief last year
BY VINCE BASADA campus@theaggie.org
e UC Davis Fire Department has o cially sworn in Nathaniel Hartinger, a department mainstay and UC Davis alum, as !re chief. For over 25 years, Hartinger has served the campus, aiding in hazard prevention training and the cultivation of new university programs.
“I’m incredibly proud and honored to be sworn in as the 7th !re chief of the UC Davis Fire Department,” Hartinger said via email. “Looking back to my start as a student !re!ghter over 25 years ago, I never could have imagined that I would one day be leading the department!”
Hartinger graduated from UC Davis and holds dual degrees in sociology and communication. He began working as a student !re!ghter as an undergraduate and later worked himself through every rank in the department, including captain, battalion chief and deputy chief. During that time, he was involved in founding the UC Davis Emergency Medical Technician certification program and Health 34, the 24-hour mental health support unit. As chief, he will be responsible for overseeing these programs, alongside traditional fire services and the department’s almost 60 employees.
Hartinger brings a fresh start for the fire department following the indictment of his immediate predecessor Nathan Trauernicht over allegations of misappropriation of public funds last year. Alongside his former Executive Assistant Meagan McFadden, Trauernicht has since been
charged in the case. e Davis Enterprise has reported, based on search warrant a davits that e California Aggie has not been able to obtain or verify, that Trauernicht approved fraudulent timesheets over a two-year period that resulted in $42,000 in overtime pay for McFadden.
Hartinger has been serving in the role on an interim basis since Trauernicht left the position last October; his o cial swearing-in ceremony took place on Aug. 11.
In a press release announcing Hartinger’s promotion, Chancellor Gary May commended his dedication to the university.
“Chief Hartinger’s leadership re ects the best of UC Davis — a commitment to service, a collaborative spirit and a deep love for this community,” May said. “His experience and heart are unmatched, and I’m grateful to have someone of his caliber protecting our campus.”
Hartinger told e Aggie that he is aiming to get the department more involved in the campus community, and he invites students to say hello to him and other members of his team should they see them doing outreach on-campus — including at sporting events or at new student Moove-in.
“I am so thankful to be surrounded by amazing people at UCD Fire,” Hartinger said. “Our student and career employees are what make our department such an exceptional place to work and are what drive our excellence in delivering service to our community. Talented people are the building blocks of any great department.”
Pence Gallery in downtown Davis. (Aggie File)
The Davis Collection under construction in spring. (Aggie File)
BY IQRA AHMAD arts@theaggie.org
Nathaniel Hartinger, a UC Davis alum and longtime fire department member, was recently sworn-in as fire chief. (Courtesy / UC Davis Fire)
UC Research and Public Service
Professionals vote to form new union
RPSP-UAW will represent some 7,200 workers across the UC system
BY VINCE BASADA campus@theaggie.org
7,200 research and public service professionals across all of University of California’s (UC) campuses have voted to form a new union.
e ballot, held in early September, tallied 3,080 to 612 in overwhelming favor of the creation of the Research and Public Service Professionals-United Auto Workers (RPSP-UAW).
e new union represents workers across a broad set of skills in the UC’s academic and research missions, including data analysts, research administrators, grant o cers and eld researchers. eir elds of study can vary from addressing public health and homelessness to astronomy and energy.
Aside from wanting to have input over their pay, bene ts and working conditions, RPSP-UAW said that they formed in part due to recent threats from the federal government. On their website, the union expresses its belief that UC administrators have not been providing research and public service professionals enough of a say in their responses to changes at the federal level.
“Forming a union has never been more important with higher education under increasing attack,” Deborah Ferguson-Fitch, a research administrator at UC San Francisco, said in a press release. “We are joining a movement of research and professional employees in UAW who have been at the forefront of ghting funding cuts and protecting jobs and values in higher education.” e sentiment was echoed by regional union leaders.
“As the Trump administration continues its assault on workers, it’s never been more important to join the movement of tens of thousands of higher education workers throughout the country who are standing up for social and economic justice at their jobs and in their communities,” Mike Miller, UAW Region 6 director, said in the same press release. “UAW members across the country look forward to standing with RPSPs in their ght to improve their working conditions, to protect research funding, and to create the better world we all deserve.”
In an email, UC Office of the President spokesperson Heather Hansen told e California Aggie that the University recognizes the union’s vote.
ese UC employees play a vital role in advancing UC’s mission at a time when both research funding and union rights are under attack nationally,” Hansen said. “We respect the decision of these workers and are committed to bargaining in good faith toward a rst contract that strengthens UC’s research, public service and the workforce that makes both possible.”
Members of the RPSP-UAW now join some 50,000 academic and research workers systemwide who have already unionized with the United Auto Workers.
“Many of our closest colleagues at UC are already a part of this movement, and through an incredible organizing e$ort, we have now gained the same rights and bargaining power as them,” Ferguson-Fitch said.
The union plans to collectively bargain with the UC sometime this fall.
Trump administration seeks $1 billion settlement with UCLA after freezing federal grants
The proposal to restore funding suspended over alleged antisemitism has been criticized by UC and local leaders
BY ROBIN FRANKLIN campus@theaggie.org
e Donald Trump administration is calling on the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) to accept a $1 billion settlement, alongside other political concessions, to restore federal funding grants. These grants were frozen following a Department of Justice (DOJ) investigation, wherein the school was found to have failed to address alleged antisemitism.
As reported by CNN in early August, proposed political concessions from UCLA would include guaranteed single-sex housing for women and recognition for athletes assigned female at birth, at the expense of transgender athletes. It would also require UCLA’s hospital and medical school to stop providing gender-a rming care. e settlement also calls for an end to race and ethnicity-based scholarships along with changes to protest policy.
On July 29, a DOJ investigation found UCLA to be in violation of federal law by “violat[ing] the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 by acting with deliberate indi$erence in creating a hostile educational environment for Jewish and Israeli students,” according to a DOJ press release.
On Aug. 12, a federal judge partially restored some of the $584 million in
Incoming Aggies prepare for their first year
First-year students describe their experiences before moving in
BY GRACIELA TIU
is past week, many incoming first-year UC Davis students have been preparing to leave their homes and transition into their college lives. New students can experience a range of emotions — excitement, nervousness, sadness and more — upon moving into the dorms and acclimating to life on campus. is will be my rst time not being with my family for a long period of time,” Seren Mah y Busch, a rst-year animal science major, said. “I’ve never even traveled without my parents or anything like that, so I would de nitely say that’s very new for me. I would also say my family is very, very close-knit, so I’m worried about getting homesick and stu$ like that.”
As Mah y Busch said, a signi cant aspect of the change for many incoming students includes leaving family, friends and loved ones.
“ e hardest part is saying goodbye to the people I care about,” Rachel Pangilinan, a first-year philosophy major, said. “But at the same time, I’m excited to have the chance to meet more
people I’ll care about, too.” The transition to college can feel di$erent for every student depending on their background and previous experiences.
“I feel a sense of powerlessness as I’ve only ever gone to small schools where everyone knows each other, and now I’m going from 400 students to 32,000,” Mah y Busch said. With the uncertainty of a big transition, many incoming students feel pressure to quickly make connections and meet new people.
“Just nding my people — everyone seems to say that they found their lifelong friends in college — adds this pressure to nd the perfect people right away, even though that’s not realistic,” Katie Coppersmith, a first-year international relations major, said. “I know I will nd my people in time, but it’s de nitely something on my mind.”
When anticipating what to expect, many incoming students turn to social media to try to get a sense of what college life is like.
“Social media de nitely portrays a version of college that highlights the best parts without showing the challenges,” Coppersmith said. “I just
try to remind myself that everyone’s experience is di$erent, and [as] with all things social media, it’s best to take it with a grain of salt.”
A unique element of the transition for many University of California students, in particular, is the timing of the quarter system — especially in comparison to the semester system.
“[My friends] have been moved out for a while now, whereas I’ve been feeling a kind of [fear of missing out], almost like I’m taking a gap [year] or something like that,” Mah y Busch said. “I’m three months out from high school graduation, but I haven’t [necessarily] taken the next step. It feels like something so abstract, especially because all my friends have been telling me about their college experiences.”
Despite the nerves that come with moving away from home, this year’s incoming class of students are still looking forward to the opportunities their rst year can bring.
“A successful first year for me would mean finding my purpose here,” Pangilinan said. “UC Davis has so many resources, and I’m excited to take advantage of them to gure out who I want to be.”
grant funding to UCLA, which was suspended by the Trump administration as part of a class-action suit. is suit was independently pursued by UC San Francisco and UC Berkeley professors over earlier grant cancellations, according to the Los Angeles Times.
The proposed settlement has received criticism from top university leaders, including recently appointed UC President James Milliken.
“As a public university, we are stewards of taxpayer resources and a payment of this scale would completely devastate our country’s greatest public university system as well as in ict great harm on our students and all Californians,” Milliken said in a statement. Governor Gavin Newsom also rmly rejected the idea of accepting the settlement.
“It’s not just about UCLA, it’s about anybody or any institution that disagrees with them,” Newsom said at a Politico Summit on Aug. 27. “So how could you possibly accept the ne? A ne for what? e guy who had dinner with Nick Fuentes, telling us about antisemitism, are you kidding me?” e university received support from Hillel at UCLA, which was one of the organizations that recently received part of a $2.3 million settlement from the UC system, stemming from a lawsuit alleging campus-enabled antisemitism.
“I’ve spoken with students who have felt unsafe or isolated, and I’ve seen
the changes UCLA has made rsthand to resolve their concerns,” Howard Welinsky, board member for UCLA Hillel and former chair of Jewish Public A$airs Council of California, said in a press release. “Jewish students want to feel seen, heard, and protected, and UCLA is moving in the right direction. Pulling federal support will put UCLA 10 steps behind the e$ort to curb antisemitism.”
The UC system receives over $17 billion annually from the federal government, including $5.7 billion in research funding and $1.9 billion in student nancial aid, according to a letter by Milliken to state lawmakers on the e$ects of federal funding cuts.
“Classes and student services would be reduced, patients would be turned away, tens of thousands of jobs would be lost,” the letter reads. “We would see UC’s world-renowned researchers leaving our state for other more seemingly stable opportunities in the U.S. or abroad.”
“If the University loses the federal funding I mentioned earlier, we would need at least $4-5 billion per year to minimize the damage of that loss,” Milliken said.
UC Davis has also been under investigation by the United States Department of Education for alleged antisemitism since March of this year. No UC Davis grants have been frozen over the investigation as of time of publication.
Crêpe Bistro permanently closes at the Silo
The food stall is closing after the retirement of operator Michel Bloch
BY ROBIN FRANKLIN campus@theaggie.org
e Crêpe Bistro, a favorite haunt at the Silo for students looking to satiate both sweet and savory cravings, has closed after 27 years. Operated by French expatriate Michel Bloch, the food service stall fed roughly 300 students a day, per an announcement of its closure. Bloch rst started serving crêpes out of a trailer in the Sacramento area
to thank Michel [Bloch] for serving our campus community with quality, passion and care,” Schertzer said via email.
Schertzer said the university has not yet decided what will ll Crêpe Bistro’s open storefront.
“Dining Services is currently exploring options for the space that the campus community will enjoy,” Schertzer said. “It will remain empty for fall 2025, as the notice we were given mid-summer didn’t provide enough time to develop a new dining concept.”
In a 2009 interview with The California Aggie, Bloch said that he worked to keep his desserts authentic.
“I give my secret away — and that secret is there is no secret in the ingredients of crepes,” Bloch said. “I feel like today, very few [crepe businesses] respect the real concept of crepes.” Bloch could not be reached for comment by the time of publication.
Students ride their bikes along the Tercero housing area on Dec. 7, 2019. Changes have been made to future orientations at UC Davis. (Aggie File)
UCLA is facing pressure from the federal government to accept a $1 billion settlement over allegations of failing to address antisemitism on campus. Pictured above, Royce Hall at UCLA. (Courtesy of UCLA)
Crêpe Bistro storefront in the UC Davis Silo. The bistro permanently closed over the summer. (Aggie File)
AFSCME 3299 workers on strike in February 2025. (Aggie File)
A handful of can’t-miss events this fall quarter
Three fall quarter performances worth fitting into your schedule
BY NATALIE SALTER arts@theaggie.org
As we gear up for a brand new school year, it can be equally exciting and overwhelming trying to make the most out of it. Between classes, clubs, jobs and going out with friends, it can be easy to miss most of the events offered on campus during the fall. Whether you’re a freshman hoping to discover as much as you can in your first year, or a returning student looking to make new memories you may have missed before, it’s always good to know what you can add to this quarter’s calendar.
“Rocky Horror Picture Show” with Erotic Nightmares
Frequent goers memorize chants and dances; volunteers from the crowd are invited to participate in challenges on stage; talented cast members dress up to gleefully reenact the film’s scenes. It’s a raunchy, hilarious and exciting display that is best enjoyed with friends.
Philharmonia Orchestra at Mondavi Center on Oct. 17
If you’re looking for a performance with a little less shouting and dancing, a brief perusal of the Mondavi Center’s fall offerings may point you in the right direction. Incoming students are given a courtesy ticket to see one show at the Mondavi for free, an opportunity that you shouldn’t let pass you by. e Mondavi hosts an array of
to be missed — comes from UC Davis’ students themselves. Taking a contemporary twist on the classic live ensemble, the Video Game Orchestra blends the digital and musical worlds to create a downright magical experience for all who attend. Though avid gamers will be especially delighted by this orchestra’s offerings, which cover hundreds of unique video games from across the genre, you don’t need to be one to appreciate the spectacle of the show.
Further, beyond the music itself, there are collectible gifts on sale at each performance and a raffle whose winner can pick a song to be performed the next quarter. Coming back every quarter is certainly worth it, as the orchestra picks a new theme each time — ranging from
Davis Sunset Rotary Club hosts movie nights in Central Park
The service club puts on free outdoor movies every Saturday night through Sept. 20
BY GIA LOOMIS city@theaggie.org
Each Saturday of September, the Davis Sunset Rotary Club is showing weekly movies in the park. e Movies in the Park event is free to all and shows family-friendly movies including “Sonic 3” on Sept. 6, “Moana 2” on Sept. 13 and “Paddington in Peru” on Sept. 20. ese outdoor movie nights are hosted in Central Park and begin at sunset, and attendees are encouraged to bring blankets and chairs.
e event is largely supported by volunteers who aid in set up, equipment assistance and selling snacks such as popcorn, cotton candy and lemonade during the viewing. Additionally, Movies in the Park is supported by several organizations who make the event possible like Western Health Advantage, Swim America and Yolo Berry.
Beginning in 2006, Movies in the Park was organized and hosted by the city of Davis before budget cuts no longer allowed for the event. is led the Sunset Rotary Club to pick up the event in 2011.
Many Davis residents appreciate the Davis Rotary Club’s continuation of Movies in the Park. Long-time resident Gloria Aldrich reminisced on the tradition of the outdoor movie nights.
“I remember bringing my kids to Movies in the Park almost 10 years ago,” Aldrich said. “I’m happy to see that the
their founding by Paul P. Harris in Chicago in 1905.
e Rotary Club’s origins can be found in the extensive history located on their website.
“Paul P. Harris, called three friends to a meeting,” the Davis Rotary Club’s History of Rotary reads. “What he had in mind was a club that would kindle fellowship among members of the business community. It was an idea that grew from his desire to find within the large city the kind of friendly spirit that he knew in the villages where he had grown up.”
e Rotary Clubs found their way to the West Coast in 1908, with the founding of the San Francisco chapter. e clubs expanded soon after, and by 1921, a Rotary Club could be found on every continent. Eventually, the club found its way to Davis where the local chapter was chartered on March 10, 2003.
As the club grew, their objectives managed to stay close to their original values — their focus remaining on service, especially to their community. In order to keep their objectives clear, all Rotary Clubs adhere to the same Objects of Rotary and Avenues of Service.
e Davis Rotary Club’s website describes their Avenues of Service based on their Objects of Rotary.
“For over 70 years (since 1927), the program of Rotary has been carried out on four Avenues of Service (originally called channels),” the Avenues of Service
Picnickers enjoy entertainment at Central Park. (Aggie File)
The Mondavi Center for Performing Arts. (Aggie File)
OPINION
Juxtaposition on wheels
Loving the craft while hating the craftsman: Teslas and Elon Musk
MAYA KONYEYEVA / AGGIE
BY VIOLET ZANZOT
vmzanzotl@ucdavis.edu
If you need a surgery — a surgery so rare and specific that you feel cosmically unlucky to need it — I’m sure that finding the perfect surgeon would be a priority.
When searching for this surgeon, wouldn’t you be likely to consider their morals and ideals? If their morals very specifically contradicted your own, which do you sacrifice: the surgery from the best doctor or the insistence on upholding your strongest conviction?
The separation of surgeon and surgery, art and artist, craft and craftsmen is a quandary that broadly peaks my interest. Using the controversy around Elon Musk and his company, Tesla, as an example, it becomes clear exactly how nuanced the question really is.
Let me paint you a picture. It’s 2023, Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act
passed almost a year ago, you just got a bonus at work and you are in the market for a new car. With their popularity exploding in your San Francisco suburb and their stock prices clearly rising — not to mention the tax credit advantages — a Tesla seems to be the most enticing option.
Now, flash forward two years: a new man is in office and the air feels heavier. As you drive to the job you feel lucky to still have, you reflect on the recent madness. You find yourself stuck thinking about the guy whose company made the car you proudly bought. He has been such a central character in the media cycle for almost two years —- his notoriety makes you angry.
You get home from work that day and the only thing you can think to do is buy a bumper sticker that reads: “I bought this before Elon went crazy.” You feel you have done your part; You love the craft, but you hate the craftsman. Teslas are juxtapositions on wheels.
The ‘Love Story’ of
Lessons from Miss Americana herself
ey demonstrate why conflating the art and the artist is a one-dimensional way to look at a three-dimensional problem.
ink about the product itself: it’s a tech forward, eco-friendly and expensive automobile. With that in mind, the target audience should be futurefocused, wealthier people who care about protecting the environment. And yet, Elon Musk’s political involvement with Trump seems to attract the opposite demographic. He is marketing himself to an entirely different audience than his company’s product might naturally attract.
Part of the complication in separating the art from the artist is that they may have different intended audiences. Musk and Teslas are designed for different shoppers, but sold in the same store. is discrepancy that arises between the creator and their product leads to another predicament. Generally, the
the ages
BY MOLLY THOMPSON
mmtthompson@ucdavis.edu
It’s been a great summer to be a ‘Swiftie’; As the TikTok videos flooding my feed proclaim, “Mother has been feeding us.”
On Aug. 11, Taylor Swift announced her 12th studio album and cover reveal, “ e Life of a Showgirl.”
On Aug. 13, she guest-starred on a twohour podcast episode with her NFL superstar boyfriend Travis Kelce and his brother Jason. And, on Aug. 28, Swift announced her engagement to Kelce, which included a photo of the $5 million rock she now has on her finger — so much for “paper rings.” All this is to say, she has been very present in the societal landscape recently.
While she’s in the spotlight arguably more than ever before, I (as a selfproclaimed Swiftie of at least a decade) wanted to take the opportunity to highlight what I think are some of the most valuable lessons we can all learn from our favorite blonde pop princess — Miss Swift herself.
Swift is infamous for her “long list of ex-lovers.” As featured in her autobiographical Netflix documentary, “Miss Americana,” she received a lot of flack earlier in her career for being a serial dater and focusing too much of her discography on her many tumultuous relationships. Long story short, she’s been through the dating wringer.
Although it’s true that the average marriage age of younger generations is rising, it’s undeniable that a lot of societal pressure is put on marrying and starting a family by a certain age milestone. Swift is currently 35 years old and will turn 36 in December. She didn’t meet the man she’s going
to marry until she was 33. While this is not “old” by any means, what I hope our generation can learn is that it’s okay if you don’t find the love of your life in your 20s.
If Swift, one of the most beloved and renowned people of our generation, didn’t find “the one” until her mid-30s, then we, as college students in our late teens and early 20s, should try to let go of our fears of falling behind or missing out. If you rush things or settle into a relationship that simply isn’t serving you, you could very well miss out on your “So High School” moment. It took Swift years of heartbreak and turmoil, but it was all worth it in the end. So, take a deep breath, trust your gut and trust the process. If “Miss Misery” can find her Prince Charming, then so can you. Along a similar vein, Swift’s highly autobiographical discography can teach us that just because things don’t always work out the way we expect them to, it doesn’t mean that life is worse for it.
For example, Swift dated British actor Joe Alwyn for six years and seemed to expect to be with him for the rest of her life. While all theories regarding who she writes her songs about are alleged, she wrote songs during her relationship with Alwyn including “Lover” (“can we always be this close / forever and ever”), “Paper Rings” (“I like shiny things but I’d marry you with paper rings”) and many more that alluded to marriage or “forever” in one way or another. Later on however, she ended up writing songs about the same man and the same relationship that depict a devastating and heartbreaking end, such as “You’re Losing Me” (“how long could we be a sad song ‘til we were too far gone to bring back to life?”), “So Long,
London” (“I’m just mad as hell ‘cause
I loved this place for so long, London / had a good run / a moment of warm sun / but I’m not the one”) and others with similarly bereft sentiments.
She’s an incredible storyteller, and it’s tangible in her songs just how ruinous her breakup with Alwyn felt. I mean, the end of a six-year, formative relationship with someone you were (at one point) counting on marrying is inevitably a life-shattering experience. I would bet money on the fact that, in the depths of the breakup, she genuinely believed that she might never recover or find a better man.
But not too long after, Kelce walked into her life with a friendship bracelet and a dream (we can just go ahead and ignore the existence of Matty Healy). I can almost guarantee that she prefers this outcome — her new fiancé — over what she thought her life with Alwyn was going to look like. My point is, we can plan all we want, and yet sometimes life takes unexpected turns. But they won’t always be turns for the worse; In fact, it’s likely that whatever unexpected twists come your way will eventually be blessings in disguise.
All of this is to say, you’re going to be okay. Even if you haven’t met your soulmate by the age of 22 (although congratulations to those of you who have), it’ll be okay. Even if the plans that you counted on become foiled, it’ll be okay. It’ll probably be better in the end. Trust that you’ll find your place in this world; You still have so much time ahead of you.
Disclaimer: e views and opinions expressed by individual columnists belong to the columnists alone and do not necessarily indicate the views and opinions held by e California Aggie.
product is largely intended to be a positive addition to society. Many people purchase Teslas because they want reliable cars that are less harmful to the environment. So, if the product is beneficial, does it matter who created it?
To add in another layer, I beg the question of how important a product’s creator should be to the consumer. Or, is it more important to focus on their expertise? If a person is very good at baking and that is where their knowledge lies, must we take their opinions on something like film seriously, or should we just accept the fact that they are speaking not as an expert, but as an interested novice?
e answer to that question may lead directly into the other dilemma: cancel culture.
Our society is quick to judge creators — we dismiss someone’s products all together if we find out they committed a moral injustice that is unrelated to what they sell. Often, we
decide how related a person’s actions are to their product based on the extent to which their actions bothered us.
Would it be better to find the separation between someone’s personal and business endeavors before we discount them on account of a sensational story?
At the end of the day, the question of whether or not we should separate the art and the artists (or craftsmen and their craft) is not as simple as individual preference.
e product and the producer are not always the same — we may love the product and it might benefit the world. Teslas are driving oxymorons and demonstrate how hard it is to be a consumer of both products and people in the modern world.
Disclaimer: e views and opinions expressed by individual columnists belong to the columnists alone and do not necessarily indicate the views and opinions held by e California Aggie.
How to get into the flow-state I got you girl, from right here
BY NEVAEH KARRAKER nakarraker@ucdavis.edu
“Lord of the Rings.” “Star Wars.”
“Harry Potter.”
It’s easy to get lost in the lore of incredible stories like these. I can spend hours studying elvish runes, ancient wars and the distinct fighting styles of each Jedi without a hint of boredom.
And yet, when it comes to a basic Canvas assignment, I struggle to even start — that red and white logo just stares back at me with judgement, and frankly, a sense of looming doom. I can’t imagine the things I’d accomplish if I approached my academics with the same enthusiasm I do with my hobbies. However, that sense of wonder doesn’t just disappear — it becomes buried underneath the stress of deadlines and exams. By overpowering passion with pressure, academic institutions indirectly suppress a students’ desire to learn — which is ironically the exact quality they’re looking to nurture. It’s like when your parents ask you to wash the dishes right as you’re about to do them on your own; the task has now been reduced to an obligation instead of a choice.
So, how do we revive that wonder?
Let’s be real, taking unique classes that pique our interest is not always a possibility. Higher education will always come with unwanted assignments, so it becomes the student’s responsibility to generate their intrinsic motivation.
Take this as a sign to try and see your coursework as an opportunity: an “I get to” rather than an “I have to.” Here are some tips that I’ve gathered to help you resist intellectual burnout — a little more than the standard advice to “get eight hours of sleep” (although that is equally important).
1. Fuel your body. Eat fruit and salty foods throughout the day to boost your electrolytes and consume protein to stimulate neurotransmitters tied to concentration and mood. Food is brain fuel, after all.
2. Romanticize the grind. Buy some new stationary, fix a snack of sliced apples, crank the volume up on a good playlist — treat studying as you would arts and crafts during the summer: wield that yearning for creativity and nostalgia.
3. My personal favorite tip: trick your mind. Being immersed in a novel
feels like entering a flow-state. ose that get it, get it (bookworms know exactly what I mean). at effortless, consuming focus you slip into when a story grabs your attention can be recreated with schoolwork by fabricating the environment around you. Set the mood with candles that dimly light the room and send the scent of tea wafting through the air. Can’t take a crack at that painstaking essay just yet? You’re not a history student, you’re a wizard at Hogwarts: that chemistry homework is just a polyjuice potion recipe.
4. Create a reward system. A second part of this little trick is to construct an incentive program, and take it seriously. Rewiring your brain to bestow mini dopamine shots every time you pick up your Apple pencil can be a very effective technique of motivation — fully embrace neuro-manipulation. Every time you finish a paragraph, treat yourself with a bite of chocolate. Hit play on your favorite show only once you’ve started studying. And, if you can’t focus in your room, go to the CoHo and make a firm rule: matcha is only for solving calculus problems. With consistency, you will have successfully correlated studying with the things you love the most, making your brain look forward to doing work.
Now, these tips are merely tools to reframe your attitude; ey are not substitutes for balance or masks for exhaustion and burnout. Don’t forgo rest if you need it — nourishment is essential for productivity.
In the end, you have the power to respond to the rigid systems around you, even though your “laziness” is justified by them.
Because you’re not truly lazy, you’re simply uninterested.
If you can get emotionally invested in the politics of Middle Earth, you can learn how to become invested in your education. We can’t blame everything on the system; now that’s lazy. ere’s only so much others can do for us. My role is telling you this; Romanticize everything. e rest is up to your own drive and discipline.
Disclaimer: e views and opinions expressed by individual columnists belong to the columnists alone and do not necessarily indicate the views and opinions held by e California Aggie.
MAYA KONYEYEVA / AGGIE
MAYA KONYEYEVA / AGGIE
MEET THE
2025-26 EDITORIAL BOARD
Learn about the people who bring this paper together
WRITTEN BY THE EDITORIAL BOARD
!e California Aggie is the o cial student-run newspaper for the UC Davis community. Without a journalism major or program at UC Davis, !e Aggie is the best opportunity for students to gain hands-on experience reporting for a newspaper, as well as contributing photos, graphics, videos and layout designs. Each week, !e Aggie publishes an in-print edition of our paper, as well as daily articles and content on our website. !e Aggie has seven desks, each run by di erent editors that provide unique content for our paper. Our Editorial Board writes and publishes opinion pieces on a variety of topics twice a week to share our student opinions on local and global issues. Before we jump into our regular schedule, here’s a quick introduction for each member of !e Aggie’s 202526 Editorial Board.
Alyssa Crevoiserat, Editor-inChief I’d be lying if I told you I came to UC Davis to be a journalist. Even now, I’m not sure that description entirely ts me. I’ve always been an editor at heart, sure, and have sought out ways to torture others with semantics, burn my eyes from staring at a computer screen for too long and go to war for the Oxford comma and em dash. !ough, while I may not consider myself a journalist, !e California Aggie has become inextricably tied to my identity. Unfortunately, in my three (going on four) years at !e Aggie, I have become a full- edged newspaper nerd. Watching students read our paper outside of a lecture hall or seeing the latest issue in local businesses lls me with intense pride and satisfaction. Working at !e Aggie is chaotic at its best, but I couldn’t imagine my college experience without jump-starting a newspaper van in the Picnic Day Parade, treating the o ce like a second home or spending all of my time with the same seven people each week.
If you’d have told the copy reader in me three years ago that I’d be beginning my last year at UC Davis as !e Aggie’s Editor-in-Chief, I would’ve rolled up a newspaper and whacked you in the head with it. !is paper is an educational opportunity for students, a free source of fair, balanced journalism for the community and a long-standing part of university culture. !e Aggie is special, and I can’t wait to see what our talented team covers this year.
I love !e California Aggie in all of its stressful deadlines, midnight messages and weird wall quotes, and I hope that I’m able to leave a little part of me with it when I graduate. If you’re thinking of joining !e Aggie, there’s something here for everyone — and print journalism is cool, I promise!
Maya Kornyeyeva, Managing Editor
Being able to speak your mind in a way that is direct yet nuanced, both stylized and concise, is a skill hardlearned and endlessly gratifying. As an opinion columnist for !e California Aggie since my freshman year (then as the Opinion Editor, and now Managing Editor), it is this skill that I have honed and treasured over these last three years.
Working alongside the dedicated sta at !e Aggie is nothing short of mesmerizing. Listening to the other editors debate an online trend, address national policy and banter over the latest stories never fails to impress me. !e Aggie, like many student organizations on campus, has its very own avor of wonderful — in learning from everyone’s niche passions, their wit and humor, I have netuned my own style and voice, discovered the topics I positively itch to write about and expounded on my thoughts in ways that I could never vocalize. I’ve found that I love to write about our campus and downtown culture, and, on occasion, dive deep into global political discourse. I’ve also discovered my love for mentorship: helping my writers gure out the ow of their columns, catch grammatical errors and nd topics that feel dear to their hearts.
Although this is my last year at UC Davis (and, unfortunately, at !e Aggie), I hope to continue carrying that chaotic charm into every weekly issue. At the end of the day, I am beyond excited to continue serving you, the UC Davis student body and the broader Davis community, and help bring the stories within our community to life. Jordan Poltorak, City News Editor Like many freshmen, I came to Davis with no idea what I wanted to do after college. I applied as an English major because I have always loved to write and had a passion for storytelling. After applying for !e Aggie on a whim, I knew that journalism was for me.
!e rst article I wrote was a Drag Brunch put on by ASUCD. As I nervously stepped in the room, hands sweating, questions ready on my notes app, I was immediately put at ease by the way it all seemed to come naturally. At times, I worried my lack of prior journalism experience would put me at a disadvantage. However, I was welcomed with open arms by everyone at the campus news desk. I
am always amazed by the passion for storytelling that is present throughout this organization. Every pitch meeting ends with people buzzing excitedly about their latest article idea or o ering to help other writers out.
As I head into my fourth year living in Davis and take on this new position, I cannot wait to showcase all that this community has to o er.
I have absolutely fallen in love with this city and it is an honor to be able to continue to provide coverage on all things Davis.
Vince Basada, Campus News
Editor I’m a news junkie at heart. You’d be hard pressed to nd me not listening to a news podcast when walking between classes or working out at the gym, or scrolling news sites on my phone in my ( eeting) spare time. I started writing in journalism in high school and have been hooked ever since; I’ve been working at newspapers almost non-stop for the past three years. I love having a hand in creating the headlines and stories that inform those around me.
As a sta writer at !e Aggie, I covered everything from labor disputes to contracts with PepsiCo, but I cut my teeth covering student government. I became the paper’s de facto ASUCD reporter, and I have both fond and terrible memories of wading through student government drama and spending hours a week reading legislation and proposals. !is will be my rst full academic year as an editor; I initially took on the job of leading the Campus News Desk at the start of Spring Quarter 2025. I’m committed to covering this university in a transparent and balanced way, putting pressure on leaders to ful ll their duties while also shedding light on under-reported stories. It’s an honor to work with so many amazing journalists and writers and to serve the students with every single issue we take to print.
Zoey Mortazavi, Features Editor I fell into journalism during my second year of high school; I loved writing and was searching for a somewhat professional-seeming outlet for it, but I didn’t at all expect to fall in love with the process of writing and editing the way that I did. I love the collaboration of journalism, the fast-paced nature of the work and the honesty of it — I love being able to shed light on unbiased truths and highlight the people that make communities special. As the features editor for !e Aggie, I have spent the last two years getting to know and love the communities and niches that make up Davis’s campus. We have such a unique and diverse student body that deserves to be showcased and celebrated, and I hope to spend this year doing exactly that.
Beyond my own experience in it, journalism is a rapidly changing eld; my love for it and background in it has driven me to constantly observe its patterns, and I constantly nd myself looking for connections between history, modern politics and the journalistic eld. I admire the journalists all over the world who have used their reporting to continue informing the world about injustices and remind all of us who and what we should constantly be ghting for: honesty, transparency, equality and education, among so many other things. I think that college journalism o ers a truly unique opportunity for students to engage with issues ranging from on-campus to international, using our education to fuel the pieces that we put out.
Features has allowed me to grow as both a mentor and as a person; I have worked with incredibly intelligent students and sta , and I am proud to be able to cover the very best of Davis (the features desk’s Best of Davis issue to come in spring)! I hope this year serves as another opportunity for growth, cultural celebration and collaboration; I’m very grateful to !e Aggie for allowing me to both celebrate and help inform my community.
Savannah Anno, Arts & Culture
Editor
I’ll let you in on a little secret: when I rst started writing for !e Aggie in the fall of my sophomore year, I didn’t think I’d stick around very long. While I glowed over seeing my name in print each week, I wasn’t quite sure how writing AP style articles t into my interests — I envisioned myself as a poet, not a journalist. But then, one December morning, I conducted my rst long-form interview. While I may have not been born with a typewriter in hand or some spiritual call to become a reporter, I can now say that choosing to stay with !e Aggie has been the best decision of my college career.
Two years later, and I’m still just as amazed at people’s willingness to share their stories with us. I have grown to love our promise of delivering the truth, our dedication to readership accessibility and our commitment to painting the most accurate, colorful representation of our community as we possibly can. I think much of that color shines through the work of the arts & culture desk. I’m so excited to continue uncovering the creative process behind the newest local art exhibits, the current events responsible for the latest media trends and the stories inspiring the songs we all love
to scream aloud at house shows. As I begin my year as arts & culture editor, I hope to become even closer with both the Davis community I admire so much and the passionate, talented sta at !e California Aggie — which I’ve learned to never doubt again.
Molly ompson, Opinion Editor
I stepped onto the news scene at the beginning of my freshman year here at UC Davis when I sent in an application to every desk at !e Aggie that I felt quali ed for. I started writing opinion articles and quickly fell in love with journalism beyond what I’d experienced from purely a reader’s perspective. Since then, my appreciation, admiration and passion has only grown. I started taking classes to improve my writing and understanding of news, and I had the incredible opportunity to join Dr. Amber Boydstun (Chair of the UC Davis Department of Political Science) in her research on the relationship between news and politics.
I study both political science and communications — the combination of which has taught me how integral journalism is to society as a whole, especially in our modern political atmosphere. My two years writing for the opinion desk have further proved the value of proper reporting, and I intend to continue to pursue and uphold that value as Opinion Editor.
Without newspapers — without writers — our community, our livelihoods and our democracy are at stake. Allowing people to have a space to share their voices and to acquire unobscured information is at the very core of our society, and I am honored to be a part of the incredible team here at !e Aggie that upholds the journalistic center here at UC Davis.
Beyond that, my time at !e Aggie so far has given me a sense of purpose, camaraderie and growth that I have yet to experience in any other eld. Writing and editing have taught me so many invaluable lessons and allowed me to grow as an individual and as an academic beyond what I ever envisioned for myself. I’ve always loved writing as an art, as a pastime and as a creative outlet, and !e Aggie has allowed me to transform that passion into something meaningful. Katie Hellman, Science & Technology Editor
!is will be my third year as the Science editor and my fourth year working at the California Aggie, which also means it will be my nal year at UC Davis.
I have loved writing for as long as I can remember; I used to spend my free time crafting short stories when I was in elementary school, making magazines to keep myself busy during long road trips and developing newsletters with my cousins during holiday gatherings. Editing my siblings’ and friends’ essays was one of my greatest joys (in the academic sense… I have other hobbies, I promise) and as someone who grew up on the more introverted side, my passion for writing opened my eyes to a new world of communication.
!ere are so many things I love about writing; I love that everyone has their own unique writing style (for example, you’ll notice that I tend to use a lot of semicolons and that I am a huge proponent of the em dash), I love that it connects people in so many di erent ways and I love that there is so much creative freedom involved.I’m planning on entering the medical eld after my time in Davis, and joining the Aggie has allowed me to research subjects I’m interested in, such as healthcare and bioengineering. Another thing I love about being an editor is that my writers have taught me so much about their own knowledge in elds like physics, astronomy and zoology. !e only real constant I’ve had during my time in college has been the newspaper, and I am so grateful for the people I have met here.
I can’t wait for another year of latenight storyboard meetings, editing sessions at the oval table and basement all-sta events. I know that writing will always be an important aspect of my life, and I have the Aggie to thank for the opportunities I’ve had to do what I love.
Megan Joseph, Sports Editor
It feels like just yesterday that I walked into the California Aggie o ce, feeling nervous and excited for my interview to be a volunteer writer with the then Editor-in-Chief and Managing Editor. !at interview was over three years ago, and it’s safe to say the time has own by. I still remember being a naive freshman, rst hearing about the newspaper and deciding what desk I wanted to apply for. Now, I have served as the Sports Editor for the last two years and it was one of the best decisions I have ever made. As I’m starting my nal year here at UC Davis, I look back at my experiences at the Aggie with fondness. It has truly been an amazing three years getting to know all of my fellow editors and writers. I can’t wait to continue to learn and create even more fun stories for our readership.
Sports—whether it’s on the eld or on paper— have always been one of my greatest passions, and I’m excited to share it with all of you. See you on the back page of the paper!
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR -INCHIEF
Guide to The California Aggie for new and returning UC Davis students
BY ALYSSA CREVOISERAT editor@theaggie.org
Dear Reader, Welcome to UC Davis! Whether you’re taking your rst stroll downtown or returning to a campus you know and love, The California Aggie’s Orientation Issue is a great place to start. It’s a new academic year, and it can be overwhelming to notice just how many opportunities are available to you. While I, for one, am looking forward to reuniting with Newsbeat and Unitrans, check out insider tips from !e Aggie’s sta writers to get started in this college town. For those of you who don’t know, !e California Aggie is UC Davis’ leading, student-run newspaper — made up of over 100 sta writers, designers, photographers, editors and more — that works to provide you, a student and Davis resident, with a trusted print issue each week. Our newspaper has something for everyone, so be sure to peruse our sections, check out our podcast, !e Aggie Angle, and stay tuned for our annual special editions. Now, I may be old and cynical in my last year at UC Davis, but I have a couple pieces of advice for the new Aggies out there: get involved, go outside and make use of the resources available to you. It can be tempting to hide in your room, but make an e ort to join a club or organization and take advantage of our college campus. Whether it’s working for the newspaper, joining a Registered Student Organization or running for student government, there’s a balance to be struck between comfortability and exploration. As a shameless self-plug, !e California Aggie is currently hiring its fall sta . Our volunteer and paid positions — including sta writers, translators, photographers, copy readers, videographers, graphic designers and layout artists — are available until Sept. 18 and Sept. 21 on the ASUCD vacancies page. Be sure to visit the site to view application deadlines and requirements. Any questions can be directed to our Managing Editor at managing@theaggie.org. Don’t forget to check out our weekly print edition of !e Aggie every !ursday at 30 di erent locations on campus and in the city of Davis. Newsstands can be found in popular places like the Memorial Union, Teaching and Learning Complex and Shields Library. When in doubt, visit our website, theaggie.org, for daily articles and our social media pages, @ thecaliforniaggie, for newest updates and features. If you ever wish to reach out to me, please don’t hesitate to send me an email at editor@theaggie.org. I’m here to answer any and all questions about !e California Aggie and make this paper as accessible and welcoming as possible. Good luck to all the new Aggies; we’re excited to have you!
Sincerely, Alyssa Crevoiserat Editor-in-Chief
ARTS & CULTURE
BY ALYSSA CREVOISERAT
arts@theaggie.org
Song: “Who’s the Clown?” by Audrey Hobert (2025)
Addicting and charming, Audrey Hobert’s “Who’s the Clown?” is the ultimate debut album for the odd, off-putting and strange. Marked by a synthesizer, saxophone and staple guitar, Hobert evokes a strange sense of nostalgia and yearning in the album’s 12 tracks. “Who’s the Clown?” is my favorite album of the year, and Hobert’s witty stream of consciousness has become nothing short of an obsession.
!e tracks’ composition is unique and compelling, and Hobert’s narrative-style lyricism has become a trademark of her songwriting. Songs like “Wet Hair” and “Sex and the City” take the listener down fictional paths that speak to feelings typical of a woman in her 20s — sparkly crown on her head and wine bottle in hand. Hobert’s references to pop culture and nods to a shared human experience make the album relatable and authentic.
“Who’s the Clown?” encourages listeners to channel their inner weird girl, embrace eccentricity and accept awkwardness as an embarrassing yet endearing inevitability.
“Who’s the Clown?” is a 2000s coming-of-age movie that Hobert writes, directs and stars in, and its tracks are pop perfection for anyone looking for the catchy, witty and personally relatable. If you haven’t listened to the album or watched its equally compelling music videos, what better place to give it a try than a small college town?
Book: “ e Scorched rone” duology by Sara Hashem (2023-2025)
!e Scorched !rone” duology, consisting of “!e Jasad Heir” and “!e Jasad Crown,”
is Sara Hashem’s Egyptian-inspired adult romantic fantasy series. My favorite fantasy reads of the year, this duology is the perfect blend of grounded worldbuilding, compelling characters and relationship dynamics that go beyond tropes and buzzwords. Unlike some of the other books that populate this genre, Hashem’s blend of cultural history and mythology, believable character arcs and commitment to rich, epic storytelling are a testament to her craft.
!e series focuses on Sylvia, a fugitive who was once heir to the Jasad throne, who has taken up residence in a small village. With no intention of returning to Jasad and reclaiming the throne, her people — Jasadis, individuals who possess magical capabilities — have been demonized, hunted and killed in the decade following Jasad’s destruction.
!e Jasad Heir” follows Sylvia as she is roped into a series of trials and rebellion schemes in order to free herself from persecution and a lifetime of hiding. Sylvia and Arin plague my mind, and unfortunately, I have cried in the car several times thinking of trips to a mist-covered bridge, sesame candies and a fig necklace.
Song: “Janie” by Ethel Cain (2025)
Ethel Cain’s newest album, “Willoughby Tucker, I’ll Always Love You,” is filled with haunting, melancholic tracks, and “Janie” is no different. Brimming with self-loathing, loneliness and mournful resignation, “Janie” denotes the unique sense of abandonment that comes from the change and growth of someone you love — “Please don’t leave me / I’ll always need more / Please leave open your most quiet door.” Cain’s delicate yet intense vocals wash over each of the track’s lyrics, and every second of the song’s five-minute run is lyrically beautiful.
In the track’s opening verse, the narrator’s desperation and torment is overwhelming, as she longs for something to leave a tangible mark — “Shoot me down / Come on, hurt me / I’m wide open and deserving” — rather than the slow decay of neglect and betrayal. Cain’s character considers herself inextricably tied to Janie, and with the death of their friendship comes the loss of Cain’s identity and purpose. With lyrics like, “I can see the end in the beginning of everything / and in it, you don’t want me,” Cain creates a selffulfilling prophecy where what was once a possibility is now an inevitable loss. If you’re looking for a new song to accompany you on lonely nights, look no further than “Janie.”
TV Show: “ e Paper” (2025)
!is one goes out to the unique community that appreciates a sitcom and newspaper crossover — if you’re reading !e California Aggie Culture Corner, that’s probably you. !e Paper,” a spinoff of “!e Office” with the same documentary crew, follows a local newspaper in Toledo, Ohio. Part of a paper company that also specializes in toilet paper, the Toledo Truth-Teller consists of untrained reporters, borderline unethical practices and a newly hired Editor-in-Chief with a passion for journalism.
While the show is not quite on the same level as its predecessor, “!e Paper” is not another victim of a spinoff cash grab. !e characters are likeable and unique, and the show pays homage to the original without losing originality and charm. For those looking for a comforting, wholesome series: “!e Paper” has already been renewed for a second season, and you can watch the first 10 episodes on Peacock now!
Summer of screams
A review of this past season’s most exciting horror releases
BY BELLA PETERSON arts@theaggie.org
!is summer, we’ve seen no shortage of releases in the horror genre — both returning titles and newer stories. With this fresh surplus of movies for horror fans to enjoy, it’s difficult to know where to begin. Here’s a highlight of which ones deserve a watch.
“Sinners” dir. by Ryan Coogler
In April, we saw arguably the most loved film on this list as it rose to popularity: “Sinners.” !e film was another creation of the praised mind of Ryan Coogler. Known for directing “Creed” and “Black Panther,” Coogler is no stranger to delivering amazing movies. To no surprise at all, his take on the horror genre was instantly embraced. It was truly satisfying for horror fans to get a Southern gothic tale as well put together as “Sinners,” taking place in 1932 along the Mississippi Delta. !e film follows twin brothers Smoke and Stack, alongside their younger cousin Sammie, as they navigate the opening of their own business — which comes to be disrupted by both vampiric and
Review: Second season of ‘Wednesday’ is woefully underwhelming
The show’s better qualities are obscured by a slow start and bloated cast
BY JULIE HUANG arts@theaggie.org
After nearly three years, the second season of “Wednesday” has finished airing on Netflix. Split into two parts, the first four episodes were released on Aug. 6, followed by the last four episodes on Sept. 4.
The decision to spread these episodes out over a month was presumably intended to build up suspense and excitement, and yet it ends up detracting instead of adding to the viewing experience.
Though the show retains the dramatic visuals and generally dark atmosphere that season one became noteworthy for, the first half of the new season is unbearably slow.
Some lingering threads from season one are quickly brushed off, such as what happened to Wednesday’s potential love-interest Xavier !orpe (transferred to an academy in Switzerland), after actor Percy Hynes White left the show in 2023 after being accused of sexual misconduct, which he denies.
New characters, from a new love interest for Wednesday’s roommate Enid to a suspicious psychiatrist named Dr. Fairburn, are introduced left and right, but they mostly serve as landmarks in the background while titular character Wednesday runs around in circles. It is true that some of these new figures, such as new headmaster Principal Barry Dort, play more important roles in the second half of the season, but it still feels wasteful to introduce so many new faces just to have them spend half of a long-awaited season standing around.
It is also not quite clear what Wednesday herself accomplishes in these four episodes. She spends every one conducting an investigation; first to uncover the identity of her new stalker, then to uncover the identity of a new murderer and then to find a way to save her roommate and best friend Enid from an unclear but impending doom.
In theory, exciting stuff. Yet much of this excitement is lost in the process of execution, because the show insists on adding an overwrought feeling of intrigue to nearly every moment of every episode without distinction. Instead of cultivating a cohesive experience, this heavy-handed emotional homogeneity makes it impossible for tension to crescendo in an organic manner. Every new twist and reveal is treated with the same level of intensity, no matter how insipid.
!e first half of the season ends on a cliffhanger that feels contrived from its inception and is indeed swiftly resolved
in the first few minutes of the very next episode.
The second half of the season improves in viewing experience as the show begins to devote time to developing the characters in ways that last. Five-minute revelations are replaced with plot twists and character interactions that begin to build on each other. Surprisingly, one such moment occurs when Enid and Wednesday’s stalker have a touching moment of connection.
One of the major strengths of “Wednesday” is how it portrays the dynamics between a cast of characters that all have their own quirks and oddities, each an “outcast” in their own way. In season one, the relationship between Wednesday and Enid provided entertainment through the exaggeration of their more extreme character traits in contrast with each other.
!is season, new student Agnes DeMille is among the more notable introductions. !e interplay between her obsessive nature and Wednesday’s standoffish attitude is promising, especially by season’s end.
Greater focus is also given to other Addams family members, with varying degrees of success. Wednesday’s younger brother Pugsley starts at Nevermore, the school for outcasts, but his troublemaking friend is treated as a plot driver while its potential for emotional payoff is largely ignored. Viewers are repeatedly informed of Wednesday’s feud with her mother Morticia, though the reasons for its existence feel flimsy and unjustified.
Some of these open-ended character dynamics, along with certain plot threads, have doubtless been left unresolved in order to leave new material for a third season, which has already been announced by Netflix.
The choices made surrounding release timing is reflected in the narrative structure and quality of this season. !e first half is less devoted to the development of characters and their relationships. Instead, the show attempts to cultivate a threatening atmosphere of paranoia that fulfills the show’s aesthetic, casting a shadow onto the stronger second half, whose handling of character development could have stood on its own but struggles to make up for the emptiness of the preceding episodes.
!e second season of “Wednesday” makes obvious missteps during the process of building up to a satisfying conclusion. Still, when taken as part of an ongoing project that promises further plot and character development, it may reveal itself to be worth the watch nonetheless.
Bloodlines.”
of risks; many films
their identity in the hands of the
people or sometimes have
many ambitions for
Luckily, the film
to fall right back into the rhythm of its previous installments. As the legend of “Final Destination” goes: after an individual receives a premonition of a fatal catastrophe and intervenes to save lives, death returns to reclaim the survivors’ lives one by one through unnatural, gruesome events. !e film manages to surprise its audience by revealing the method of how their universe works. Being a part of that audience, I can attest to its impact — as it didn’t stray away from its roots. !e fresh reintroduction to the series reignited the faith in future installments the franchise lost some movies ago. !is movie serves as a positive sign for other horror series that have quietly left the scene, almost forgotten. Overall, it proved to be a fun film to kick off the summer. ”Final
Destination: Bloodlines” was welcomed
Jenna Ortega in “Wednesday” season 2. (Netflix / fair use)
Theatrical release poster for the horror film “Weapons.” (New Line Cinema / fair use)
A guide to UC Davis’ College of Biological Sciences
Learn about the majors in this college, including their unique requirements and the potential career paths you can pursue after graduation
BY KATIE HELLMAN science@theaggie.org
If you’re new to UC Davis: First of all, welcome! !ere’s a good chance that if you’re reading this, you’re majoring in a STEM field; after all, around 56% of undergraduates here decide to pursue a STEM degree. It’s common to be unsure of exactly what you want to major in or to switch your major until you find the right fit for you, especially with so many options to choose from. Sooner or later, you’ll figure out what you’re interested in, whether that be a degree in biological sciences, computer science, engineering or something completely different.
There are four colleges at UC Davis: Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Biological Sciences, Engineering and Letters and Science. Many of the majors within these colleges have distinct requirements and clear differences in the types of careers students pursue post-graduation, but some majors are very similar in these aspects.
!e College of Biological Sciences, in particular, offers majors that might seem similar at first glance, leaving students admitted to this college to have potential difficulty deciding what to specialize in. Use this guide to learn a little more about some of the biology majors that are offered at UC Davis and what careers you can pursue with each degree.
This college incorporates the following majors: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biological Sciences, Cell Biology, Genetics and Genomics, Human Biology, Marine and Coastal Science-Marine Ecology and Marine Organismal Biology, Molecular and Medical Microbiology, Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior, Plant Biology and Systems and Synthetic Biology.
!ese classes require foundational coursework in subjects like biology, physics, general chemistry, organic chemistry and calculus, in addition to upper-division coursework specific to each major. Here is a little more information about each of these majors and the associated potential career paths.
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology: !is major provides insight into life at the molecular level. Possible career paths include laboratory technologist, pharmaceutical/biotech researcher, healthcare clinical researcher, production manager and agricultural technologist.
Biological Sciences: This major incorporates a wide range of topics and interests, including medicine, the environment and other living organisms. Common career paths include pharmacist, food scientist, technical writer, conservation biologist, teacher and veterinarian.
Cell Biology: !is major teaches you about how a cell, the basic unit of all living organisms, works. Future careers include doctor, research analyst, legal analyst, teacher and biotechnologist.
Evolution, Ecology and Biodiversity: !is major provides insight into the diversity of life and how populations evolved over time. Careers include horticulturist, forester, environmental consultant, wildlife biologist and environmental lawyer.
Genetics and Genomics: This major educates you on the inheritance of characteristics in living organisms and the basis of heredity. Possible career options include genetic counselor, biotechnologist, physician, researcher and agricultural technologist.
Human Biology: This major includes a curriculum regarding genes, cells, tissues and organism/ environmental interactions. Careers include doctor, professor, dentist, nurse and physical therapist.
Marine and Coastal Science— Marine Ecology and Marine Organismal Biology: !is major caters to students interested in ocean and coastal sciences. Career paths include coastal geologist, environmental chemist, ocean policy coordinator and oceanographer.
Molecular and Medical Microbiology: !is major offers insight into microorganisms and their impact on health, and they provide a great
background for careers in the health sciences. Common career paths include doctor, biotechnologist, science teacher and lab technician.
Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior: !is is the most popular major in the College of Biological Sciences and has a strong focus on organism/ environmental interactions. Career paths include doctor, nurse, dentist, pharmacist, researcher and teacher.
Plant Biology: !is major educates students on how plants interact with the environment and how they operate as living organisms. Career paths include plant biologist, cellular biologist, geneticist and science teacher.
Systems and Synthetic Biology: !is major is relatively new (as of fall 2022) and it aims to educate students on the common principles of biological regulation. Career paths include biomedical scientist, agricultural technologist and nutrition scientist.
Even though the foundational courses for these majors are similar, each of the degrees provides unique insight into an area of interest with a wide range of possible career routes to pursue after graduation. For a more comprehensive look at all of UC Davis’ majors and requirements, you can visit https:// www.ucdavis.edu/academics/majors.
Highlighting the importance of cleaner fish in coral reefs
Microbial exchanges via cleaner fish in reef environments bring new levels of understanding to reef
ecology
BY MADELINE HASS science@theaggie.org
Species-driven microbial transfers within ecosystems have become a growing area of interest within microbial ecology.
One way to study these interactions is through research conducted on species aggregation hubs, which are areas where a concentration of species will gather for a particular purpose, such as feeding or spawning.
A team of researchers consisting of scientists from UC Davis and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute (WHOI) in collaboration with the University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science set out to study these microbial interactions within coral reef communities.
!e group’s study, published in the Marine Ecology Progress Series journal, is one of the first to take a closer look at the effects that cleaner fish stations have on microbial diversity. Cleaner fish stations are a classic example of aggregation hubs. Cleaner fish will be stationed in one consistent area and attract groups of client fish to swim up and be cleansed of any bacteria or parasites, creating microbial hotspots.
Anya Brown, an assistant professor in the Department of Evolution and Ecology at UC Davis and the Bodega Marine Laboratory, as well as a corresponding author of the study, spoke on the importance of studying these cleaner fish.
“We had expertise and interest in cleaner behavior, and we realized just how much physical contact is involved in the interaction between the cleaner
and the client fish,” Brown said. “We also know from previous studies, and as showcased in this study, that if you manipulate the cleaner fish it will completely change the abundance and density and diversity of other fish.
So, because you’ve got cleaner fish attracting a wide range of fish to that site, all of which are bringing their own microbes with them, you create this potential for these cleaning stations to be these hotspots for the exchange of microbes.”
!e team focused their study on specifically cleaner gobies within two separate reef systems, one in Puerto Rico and the other in St. Croix, as they set out to investigate the microbial diversity around the cleaning hubs.
“One of the reasons why we chose cleaning gobies is because they’re conspicuous, they’re easy to find and easy to see,” Brown said.
“You can find lots of these cleaning gobies in all of the places we were going to in the Caribbean, and the interaction[s] between cleaners and clients are quite obvious while also happening very frequently.
!e range of cleaning gobies is also pretty small — they don’t travel much further than a meter from their home base or their major habitat.”
The team tested the effects of cleaner fish by experimentally removing cleaner gobies to create numerous di ff erent treatment zones with and without the presence of cleaner gobies. !ey then monitored the microbial communities of the nearby reef areas, while also paying special attention to the amount of client fish present in each treatment zone and the effects on damselfish.
Overall, the researchers found the presence of cleaner gobies attracted significantly more visitors, while also quantifiably influencing the diversity of microbes living in the reef.
Damselfish showcased effects on their microbiome by the presence of cleaner gobies as well. !e study further went on to note that the microbial impact shifts depending on the type of seafloor or reef territory, as each reef territory has a distinctive microbial environment.
Paul Sikkel, a research professor
in the Department of Marine Biology and Ecology at the University of Miami Rosenstiel School, remarked more on the group’s findings.
“Cleaner fish seem to be able to facilitate the recovery of the microbiome of the client fish; If it’s been stripped, like with antibiotics, they can help recover that,” Sikkel said.
“Say we have a mass heating event that could affect the microbiome of the client fish. Well, the cleaners may help them to regain their natural microbiome, which is essential for
protecting against diseases.”
!is discovery is a large step forward in understanding microbial interactions, and poses as a stepping stone in implementing new reef management strategies through a reef restoration lens. Sikkel described the potential implications of the study.
“If you have a heavily fished-out reef, the cleaning stations can act like [...] the hubs of recovery,” Sikkel said. “!ey can attract what fish are left, and maybe even fish from other areas, which could then help restore that section of the reef.
!ere are lots of implications and possibilities that we’re only beginning to sort of see and know what the potential is.”
Brown further commented on the importance of microbes.
“One thing here that we’re excited about is providing some foundational knowledge of how microbes are moving around the reef,” Brown said. “In a more foundational science sense, this is giving us an idea of where we might have hotspots of transmission of microbes, and we’re suggesting that cleaning stations may be one of them.”
!is study makes the vital role of cleaner fish in facilitating microbial exchanges abundantly clear.
Further research of the influence of species-driven microbial transfers within these coral reef systems could offer even more insight into coral reef resilience and new reef management strategies. !is study can serve as a reminder that sometimes an ecosystem’s survival relies on the smallest interactions.
Green Hall at UC Davis where the College of Biological Sciences is located. (Aggie File)
Cleaner fish helps spread microbes in a coral reef. (FishFocus / Courtesy)
SPORTS
UC Davis alum Lan Larison signs contract with New England Patriots, injury cuts season short
A foot injury in a preseason game against the Washington Commanders placed Larison on injured reserve
BY COLINA HARVEY sports@theaggie.org
Interview contributions by Lilia McCann, reporter for California Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo Mustang News.
In his five seasons with UC Davis football, running back (RB) Lan Larison made a name for himself on the field. He started his college career strong, leading the team in rushing yards as a first-year. In his first season, he was also named to the All-Big Sky Second Team, quickly becoming a well-known, successful player.
In the next few seasons, he continued to rack up a long list of accolades; he was named All-Big Sky First Team three years in a row (2022, 2023, 2024), Big Sky Offensive Player of the Year (2023) and 2024 Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) All-American, according to various publications including the Associated Press.
In his last season with the UC Davis Aggies, he broke a school record, recording 2,387 all-purpose yards. He also ended the season with 1,465 rushing yards and 17 rushing touchdowns to go along with 874 receiving yards and six receiving touchdowns.
He declared for the National Football League (NFL) draft in 2025, and while he was not selected, he
was signed as an undrafted free agent
(UDFA) by the New England Patriots after the draft. In the contract, Larison was guaranteed $175,000, which is a greater amount than other late draft picks received.
Signing as a UDFA also gave Larison more control over which team he ended up with. In an interview with Larison during the New England Patriots Training Camp this July and early August, he cited Patriots Coach Mike Vrabel as a key reason for choosing the team.
“He’s an awesome guy, blue collar, and I kind of like that about his personality,” Larison said.
Further, he described the transition from the FCS to the NFL.
“Everything’s a little bit quicker, everything’s a little bit faster, but it’s still football,” Larison said. “It’s awesome, just learning how to be a professional and how you practice. [...] It’s a big step forward, and it’s been fun.”
He also described how the UC Davis program prepared him for the NFL.
“I would say that we play at a very high tempo at UC Davis, so that’s kind of how you have to play in the NFL,” Larison said. “[ e UC Davis] playbook was broad, and it’s even broader here, so it definitely helped prepare me to play at a higher level.”
When asked about his formula for
securing a spot on the roster, Larison said it was to “just come every day, do my part, do my job and compete.”
Larison also described one of the biggest differences between his time at UC Davis and in the NFL.
“All the fans at practice,” Larison said. “It’s definitely different, but it’s fun.” In the Patriots’ preseason opener
against the Washington Commanders, Larison showcased his hard work by scoring a touchdown, along with 35 rushing yards and nine receiving yards.
Unfortunately, Larison broke his foot in the same game, for which he later underwent surgery. As a result, the Patriots placed him on injured reserve, meaning that he will not play this season.
e Patriots then signed running back Deneric Prince to fill the fourthstring RB position. While Larison will not see the field this NFL season, Aggie fans should stay tuned for Larison’s future performance with the New England Patriots and keep an eye on the UC Davis alum’s post-collegiate career in the NFL.
DANIELLE WIRNOWSKI
represents a long-term tennis tradition. Just over the span of three weeks, history was made by both the men’s and women’s singles champions. Aryna Sabalenka, at just 27 years old, has demonstrated outstanding focus and powerful play for a rare repeat at the US Open. She became the first woman to win back-to-back singles titles at the US Open since Serena Williams in 2014.
fter seeing unsuccessful finals matches this year at the Australian Open and French Open, Sabalenka earned a major trophy for 2025 at the US Open and fourth overall Grand Slam title in her career.
With only a 45% likelihood of winning the match, according to pre-match odds, against 24-yearold Amanda Anisimova, Sabalenka demonstrated her strength and determination to win the finals in just two sets, with a score of 6-3, 7-6.
Anisimova has come up short in consecutive Grand Slam finals, where earlier this year, she fell to Iga Świ$tek with set scores of 6-0, 6-0 at Wimbledon. Anisimova’s determination and skill show great promise for the young player’s career.
As for the men’s singles, Carlos Alcaraz defeated Jannik Sinner in the finals match over four sets: 6-2, 3-6, 6-1, 6-4. ese two challengers went back and forth across the match, each set bringing the stakes higher and higher.
While the start of the match had Alcaraz at a 56% likelihood of winning the match, according to pre-match odds, the chance only increased across the sets, despite the fact that he lost the second set to Sinner. is set would be the only one that Alcaraz dropped throughout the entire tournament.
This was Alcaraz’s second US Open title and his sixth overall Grand Slam title across his career. is year’s title moved him back up to the No. 1 Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) ranking across the world, putting him in a very strong position heading into 2026 and future tournaments.
Sinner, despite losing the men’s finals, has reached all four major finals in one calendar year — a rare feat — and has won two Grand Slam titles in 2025. It demonstrates a strong determination from the young player, having achieved a remarkable streak. e US Open also experienced both men’s and women’s wheelchair singles,
as it has for the past 20 years when it was first added in 2005. Yui Kamiji won the women’s singles, taking three sets to defeat Xiaohui Li in the finals match and scoring 0-6, 6-1, 6-3. Tokito Oda defeated Gustavo Fernández in the men’s singles match with a third-set tie-break. Similar to the wheelchair women’s singles, these players went to three sets with a score of 6-2, 3-6, 7-6. As for men’s doubles, Marcel Granollers and Horacio Zeballos won their second Grand Slam title in 2025, previously having won at the French Open. eir final match was both exciting and competitive, as they dropped the first set, rallied in the second set with a tiebreak and then pulled through and clinched their win in the third, and final, set. e final score for their winning match was 3-7, 7-6, 7-5. Notably, the defending champions from 2024 did not repeat for the title. Max Purcell was suspended from playing, and Jordan ompson lost within the first round with a new partner.
e women’s doubles match was striking as well. Gabriela Dabrowski and Erin Routliffe, the No. 3 seeds, defeated the No. 1 seeds in straight sets in the final match. eir final score was 6-4, 6-4. This would be Dabrowski and Routliffe’s second US Open title in just three years. Dabrowski made a personal comeback that was particularly inspiring — having been diagnosed with breast cancer in 2024, she defeated it and recovered within a year, returning to win titles. e defending women’s champions from 2024, though they played at this year’s US Open, did not play together. ey each played with different partners and lost within the first round. e 2025 US Open demonstrated a new generation of dominance; the spotlight is moving solidly onto the younger players, especially those in their 20s. It also reinforces the importance of consistency, as seen through Sabalenka’s back-to-back wins and Alcaraz’s clean run. While the US Open was the last Grand Slam in 2025, there are still plenty of other championships left in
for
Larison runs
Aryna Sabalenka, Belarusian tennis player, at the 2025 Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Courtesy of Vbrunophotog / Creative Commons, CC by 4.0)