The Captain’s Log
CNU performs for London:
Marching Captains perform at London’s New Year’s Day Parade
ALYSSA TILLMAN
ALYSSA.TILLMAN.22@CNU.EDU
The Marching Captains travelled to London, England, to perform in The 39th running of London’s New Year’s Day Parade on Wednesday, Jan. 1. The Captains got to live like locals and see famous historical landmarks and sites during this six day trip. They arrived on Sunday, Dec. 29, after a six and a half hour flight. They received pock-
et-sized itinerary books, which contained a detailed daily schedule as well as maps and directions around the city.
The Marching Captains received London New Year’s Day Parade (LNYDP) wallets containing their own Visitor Oyster Card, which allowed them to travel on London’s underground and 24 hour bus network. This allowed them to go anywhere in London both at their leisure and for their guided tours. On Monday, Dec. 30, the Captains took a spectacular tour of London’s most famous landmarks,
including the Palace of Westminster, home of the two Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, St. Paul’s Cathedral and the Tower of London.
There were an additional four unique audio walks to choose from, including London: Rock & Roll Capital of the World, Southbank Stroll, Harry Potter’s London and Princes, Palaces and Power.
On Tuesday, Dec. 31, the Marching Captains experienced the delights of the county of Oxfordshire with a visit to the City of Oxford. Known as the ‘city of dreaming spires,’ the university buildings and the 39 colleges dominate the centre of the city. They got to visit the Christ Church College, founded in 1546 by King Henry VIII. Its grounds contain a number of architecturally significant buildings including Tom Tower and the Great Dining Hall, which have both been featured in the Harry Potter series.
To ring in the new year on Wednesday, Jan. 1, the Marching Captains performed at the London New Years Day Parade. They marched two miles down the route headed east to Piccadilly Circus before going down Regent Street St James’s. They performed the Christopher Newport University Fight Song, ‘Sweet Caroline’ by Neil Diamond and ‘Let’s Dance’ by David Bowie. Friends and family were able to watch through a live satellite broadcast, with nearly half a million people watching.
On Thursday, Jan. 2, the Marching Captains boarded a Thames River boat for a 40 minute cruise, going as far upstream as Southwark Bridge, passing the Palace of Westminster and the London Eye and as far downstream as Tower Bridge. After arriving at the Tower Pier, they took a tour of the Tower of London, learning about some of the most remarkable stories from across the centuries.
Snow
The Marching Captains performing at LNYDP. Photo from the Associated Press
International Affairs Update:
BRE DORRIAN BREANNA.DORRIAN.23@CNU.EDU
Talk of ceasefire in Gaza
AP News also reported on Jan. 14 that officials stated Hamas has accepted a potential agreement to ceasefire in the Gaza Strip to end the current on-going 15 month conflict. These negotiations also include freeing “dozens of hostages.”
Amidst these discussions, AP News reported on Jan. 13 that “some 200 soldiers signed a letter saying they’d stop fighting if the government didn’t secure a ceasefire.”
AP News also stated that both President-elect Donald Trump and President Joe Biden have called for a ceasefire deal by Jan. 20.
Canadian Prime Minister resigns
BBC News reported that on Jan. 6, the Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that he will be resigning from his role. Prime Minister Trudeau served for approximately nine years as Canada’s leader, however his decision to step down stems from receiving pressures from his party.
In a press conference Trudeau expressed he was facing “internal battles” with his party and that he is not the best option for the country in its next election, which is scheduled for Oct. 25. With United States President-elect Donald Trump soon taking office, many economists have speculated concerns regarding his push to implement a 25% tax on imported goods from Canada. BBC News reported that economists are warning of the negative impact this tax will bring on Canada’s economy. This imposition stems from Trump’s push to “increase security on its shared border” with Canada.
Jimmy Carter dead at 100
Nation mourns the loss of former U.S. president
CHLOE GRELL CHLOE.GRELL.21@CNU.EDU
The 39th President of the United States, Jimmy Carter, died on Dec. 29, 2025 at age 100. Federal offices were closed and flags were flown at half mast as the nation mourned the loss of Carter. There was a funeral service held for Carter on Jan. 9 with notable attendance of former Presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris and President-elect Donald Trump.
President Joe Biden and many others delivered eulogies praising Carter’s work and career as a public servant.
Clips of the streamed funeral service found its way onto many social media feeds. Many of the political figures’ actions, such as Donald Trump and Barack Obama conversing before the service began, sparked speculation amongst constituents about political relations.
Marching Captains perform at London New Years Day Parade
Story continued from cover
ALYSSA TILLMAN
ALYSSA.TILLMAN.22@CNU.EDU
The Tower held many famous prisoners from the highest levels of society and the Captains were able to visit the places of their confinement and read the graffiti left by prisoners from over 500 years ago.
On their last day of the trip, the Marching Captains took a visit to Windsor, where they experienced the delights of the county of Berkshire. They got to experience the beautiful historic country town, renowned for its cobbled lanes and narrow passages. At the heart of the town is the castle which for over 900 years has been the residence and fortress for the British monarch. They visited St. George’s Chapel, which is the burial place of 11 English monarchs including Queen Elizabeth II, Henry VIII and Charles I.
The Marching Captains departed on Saturday, Jan. 4 and took home memories of their visit to the capital city.
Attack on New Year’s Day leads to at least 10 people dead
ISIS flag found in assailants vehicle during attack
BRE DORRIAN BREANNA.DORRIAN.23@CNU.EDU
According to a statement released by the FBI, at least 10 individuals were killed with several injured in an attack in the early morning of Jan. 1. The U.S. citizen who committed the crime, proceeded to “[drive] a pickup truck into a crowd of people on Bourbon Street in New Orleans” and proceeded to leave his vehicle to fire shots at the local law enforcement, who fired back at the subject. The assailant was “pronounced deceased at the scene.”
As of Jan. 13, the FBI has been actively working to identify “the subject’s potential associations and affiliations with terrorist organizations” after finding an ISIS flag within the individual’s vehicle. Law enforcement also discovered various weapons and improvised explosive devices (IED).
“The FBI is the lead investigative agency, and we are working with our partners to investigate this as an act of terrorism,” the FBI wrote in its statement. “We are aggressively running down all leads to identify any possible associates of the subject.”
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, photo from WikiCommons.
Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, photo from WikiCommons.
Police officers, photo from Unsplash.
The Richmond water crisis
Moument in Richomnd, VA, photo from Unsplash
Virginia residents left without water for days
On Jan. 6, 2025, Richmond’s water treatment facility lost power and failed to automatically switch over to its main backup power source. According to AXIOS Richmond, an Electrician was called in to manually switch the system over to the backup power source, but the loss of power caused the plant’s main computer system, SCADA, to crash. Dominion Energy then fully restored power to the plant, but was yet to be operational.
At 1:00pm that day, Richmond Mayor Danny Avula was informed about the water plant issues that had occurred early in the morning. Reports then slowly started circulating around the media that communities had no running water.
Later that day, residents in the Richmond, Henrico and Hanover area started losing water pressure. A boil advisory then went into place due to potential contamination in the water supply. These individuals were also urged to conserve water.
In this time of crisis, people were frustrated with Mayor Avula for providing little to no information about what was going on. Surrounding counties were relying on promised deadlines for their water supply to return. These deadlines then come and go.
On Jan. 7, several neighborhoods in the surrounding area did not have access to water.
According to AXIOS Richmond, Mayor Avula stated that there wasn’t “actual continued functioning” of a pump filling water tanks until Tuesday. However, Henrico County was able to regain water supply thanks to the Henrico Water Treatment Facility.
Communities in need of water were given locations where they could pick up packs of water. However, supply was limited as many individuals went home empty handed. Hanover County residents were urged to go to Cold Harbor Elementary School and Atlee High School to get free water, but lines were extremely long,
stretching miles and miles and blocking roads and intersections. YMCA’s located all over Henrico offered free showers for those affected in Richmond and Hanover locations. Businesses in these areas had to close down due to employees not being able to use the bathroom; many larger chain stores such as Kroger and Publix had brought porter potties for individuals to use.
That afternoon, water production was fully restored to the plant, but will take several hours for residents to receive running water. On Jan. 9, most of the region had running water, but was placed under a boil advisory for 48 hours.
Water was then tested for any potential contaminants, and the boil advisory was then lifted on Jan. 11.
Residents showcased great concern with how such little snow could completely deplete the region of water. According to Virginia Mercury, “a 2022 U.S Environmental Protection Agency audit cited Richmond for multiple violations, including corroded pumps, cracked filters, insufficient maintenance and outdated emergency response plans.”
There isn’t an exact confirmation if aging infrastructure could have been a potential cause for power and water failures, but evidence shows it played a big role. 8News was able to get their hands on a 114 page report compiled by the EPA, in which they found concerning discoveries. The most concerning findings are as follows: staff were not prepared for emergency situations, there was degrading, broken and unreliable infrastructure, inspectors found debris, rust, corrosion and standing water, parts of the system were poorly monitored and several other threats were identified across the system.
Residents remain hopeful that eventually these concerns will be addressed before the next winter storm. Until then, this experience has taught many individuals the art of conserving water and using their resources.
Presidential Update:
The Election
President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration is set to take place on Jan. 20, 2025 at the United States Capitol building in Washington, D.C. According to The Associated Press (AP), the Republican candidate won the 2024 U.S. presidential election with a majority vote of 49.9%, being 77,303,573 individual votes and 312 electoral votes. Trump previously served as the 45th president of the United States for the duration of 2017 through 2021 alongside former Vice President Mike Pence. For Trump’s upcoming term as the 47th President of the United States, Vice President-elect J.D.Vance will serve alongside him. The Captain’s Log will conduct an analysis on the President-elect’s inauguration in the next issue of the newspaper on Jan. 23, 2025.
Press Conference
On Jan. 7, 2025 at the Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida, the President-elect held a press conference highlighting key issues and plans he has for taking office. According to a recording released by AP News, Trump stated that at a later date he plans to announce that he is “going to be changing the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America, which has a beautiful ring.”
Trump claims this initiative is in opposition to his former opponent, President Joe Biden. The push for change stems from ongoing tensions the United States has faced with Mexico
“Because we do most of the work there and it’s ours,” Trump said.
‘Hush Money’ Case
AP News reported on Jan. 10 that the President-elect was found to be sentenced to “no punishment” in the ‘hush money trial’ in which Trump was facing 34 felony accounts for “falsifying business records” to cover payments made to an adult film star.
According to the National Public Radio (NPR), this means “he will not face fines, prison or any other penalties.”
United States Capitol Building in Washington, D.C., photo from Unsplash.
Mike Vrabel hired by Patriots
TREY GREENWELL TRAJAN.GREENWELL.21@CNU.EDU
Mike Vrabel has agreed to a contract that will make him the next head coach of the New England Patriots.
As a former Patriot linebacker, Vrabel helped contribute to three Super Bowl titles and was named a First-team All-Pro during the 2007 season for his play. His familiarity with the organization as well as his current coaching resume made him a viable candidate for the job. As a coach, Vrabel spent three seasons with Ohio State before returning to the National Football League (NFL) as an assistant coach for the Houston Texans. His efforts as the defensive coordinator during the 2017 season attracted the attention of the Tennessee Titans, who hired him prior to the 2018 season.
In his time with the Titans, Vrabel posted a 54-45 regular season record as well as a 2-3 playoff record. He was named Coach of the Year in 2021 after leading the team to a 12-5 record and the number one seed in the American Football Conference (AFC). Vrabel was dismissed after the Titans posted a
TREY GREENWELL
The beginning of a new era
“As a former Patriot linebacker, Vrabel helped contribute to three Super Bowl titles and was named a First-team All-Pro during the 2007 season for his play. His familiarity with the organization as well as his current coaching resume made him a viable candidate for the job.”
76ers reverse new stadium
TRAJAN.GREENWELL.21@CNU.EDU
A surprising move
“Instead of moving locations, the new stadium plan is to demolish Wells Fargo Center and build a new arena in South Philadelphia for both the 76ers and Flyers.”
The Philadelphia 76ers have decided not to build a $1.3 billion downtown arena.
The announcement occurred several weeks after the team received approval for the new stadium from the city council. The team confirmed a new change in plans, but reasons for the announcement have not been disclosed.
The 76ers currently play at the Wells Fargo Center, an arena they share with the National Hockey League’s (NHL) Philadelphia Flyers. The arena’s owner, Comcast Spectacor, have agreed to a new deal with the 76ers which was key to halting their current stadium plan.
The initial plan was to bring a new stadium to Market Street in Center City Philadelphia, an area that encompasses the central parts of Philadelphia. The arena would have been located on the intersection of Market and Filbert streets.
6-11 record in the 2023 season. This past season, Vrabel has been with the Cleveland Browns as a coaching and personnel consultant. Once his contract expired on Dec. 30, Vrabel was free to interview with teams for head coach openings. After nearly two weeks of interviewing with different NFL franchises such as the Chicago Bears and New York Jets, Vrabel was named the next Patriots head coach.
Vrabel will be replacing Jerod Mayo, who was fired after overseeing a 4-13 record that was fifth worst in the league. The Patriots also interviewed Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, former Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich, and former Houston Texans offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton for the job.
Vrabel’s past ties to the organization as well as his success with the Titans made him a good fit for the job. His ability to elevate suboptimal rosters will be helpful as the Patriots look to continue building around quarterback Drake Maye.
plans
However, the new plan keeps the team in their current area. Instead of moving locations, the new stadium plan is to demolish Wells Fargo Center and build a new arena in South Philadelphia for both the 76ers and Flyers.
The announcement was controversial to many people. Some saw the late switch as a victory, keeping several workers employed and expanding South Philadelphia. However, others criticized the way this decision had been reached as it showed that the 76ers had not maintained a positive relationship with the city.
The 76ers have been playing at the Wells Fargo Center since 1996. Their lease is set to expire at the conclusion of the 2030-2031 season. The initial plan included demolishing parts of Center City to make room for the new stadium. However, the state’s inability to provide funding towards the Center City arena remained an
obstacle in the team’s quest to find a new home for the 2031-2032 season. With the 76ers remaining in their current area, they can now focus on the design of the stadium and how it compares to where they currently are.
Mike Vrabel coaching the Tennessee Titans during a 2022 regular season game. Mike Vrabel Titans by All-Pro Reels is licensed under the CC BY-SA 2.0 Generic Deed.
Wells Fargo Center prior to a Philadelphia 76ers vs Los Angeles Lakers game during the 2011-2012 NBA season. Wells Fargo Center by Dphilmore is licensed under the CC BY-SA 3.0 Unported Deed.
Jimmy Butler requests trade
TREY GREENWELL TRAJAN.GREENWELL.21@CNU.EDU
Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler has requested a trade from the team.
After being away from the team with an illness, Butler returned to the court on Jan. 1 against the New Orleans Pelicans and went on to feature in the team’s next game against the Indiana Pacers a day later. However, Butler only recorded nine points in 27 minutes of play and did not feature for the entire fourth quarter. When he was asked about his reduced role, Butler said that he was not happy on the court and that could not be solved in Miami.
Following Butler’s comments, the Heat suspended him for seven games due to conduct detrimental to the team. The team also stated that they were willing to listen to trade offers for the six-time All-Star. This could lead to an awkward return for Butler to play for the Heat on Jan. 17 at home against the Denver Nuggets or a trade.
The frustration began last summer when Butler
A lengthy saga
“The one team Butler has shown interest in is the Phoenix Suns, a franchise that is looking for a player that can push them towards the playoffs.”
did not receive an extension from the Heat after becoming eligible for one. The team’s main reason for not giving one was the large portion of regular season games missed by Butler during
his five and a half seasons with the team.
If a team were to acquire Butler, they would have to receive assurances from Butler and his agent that he would have interest in signing a two-year, $121 million extension. The one team Butler has shown interest in is the Phoenix Suns, a franchise that is looking for a player that can push them towards the playoffs.
Despite Butler’s desire to join the Suns, the financial obstacles are preventing an imminent trade from happening. The main one is the contract of guard Bradley Beal, who has a no-trade clause that can allow him to choose which team he wants to play for. Unless the Suns are able to find a team Beal is willing to go to, they will be unable to bring Butler out west. As a result, Butler will likely be stuck in Miami for the foreseeable future.
Coming soon in CNU Sports:
*Games listed are happening at CNU
January 17th: Men’s Tennis CNU v. Old Dominion University (Exhibition)
Location: Norfolk, VA Time: 7:00 PM
January 18th:
*Women’s Basketball CNU v. Salisbury University
Location: Newport News, VA Time: 2:00 PM
January 20th: Men’s Basketball
CNU v. Cairn University
Location: Langhorne, PA Time: 3:00 PM
January 22nd:
*Women’s Basketball CNU v. Virginia Wesleyan University
Location: Newport News, VA Time: 6:00 PM
To look at events off campus and for future weeks, visit cnusports.com
Jimmy Butler shoots a three-point shot during the 2022 NBA All-Star Game. Jimmy Butler by Erik Drost is licensed under the CC By Attribution 2.0 Generic
SNAPSHOT Snow Days
Lifestyle Editor Claire Hall taking a selfie in the snow at her home over break, taken by Claire Hall
Lifestyle Editor Claire Hall’s snow-covered yard at night, taken by Claire Hall
News Editor Breanna Dorrian’s snow-covered backyard, taken by Breanna Dorrian
Snapshot Editor Amanda Eacho’s snow covered backyard, taken by Amanda Eacho
Eight inches of snow in Fort Belvoir, Virgina, taken by Katherine Zickel
Pablo the Snowman, taken by Katherine Zickel
Image of the Paul and Rosemary Trible Library in the snow
Image of a walkway beside the DSU covered in snow
Image of the Belltower and Forbes Hall in the snow
Image of Christopher Newport Hall in the snow
All photos taken by Samuel Ellyson
Bad Bunny’s bold tribute to Puerto Rican heritage “DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS” album review
JANELLE PINEDA
JANELLE.PINEDA.22@CNU.EDU
Bad Bunny has once again fascinated the world with his latest album, DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS, released on Jan. 5, 2025. This project, already surpassing charts and opening deep conversations, is way more than just music. It is a tribute to his homeland, Puerto Rico and a critique of the island’s changing landscape. Through the lyrics, collaborations and a documentary he released alongside the album, Bad Bunny explains the struggles and beauty of Puerto Rican culture to the public eye, ensuring his place as a global artist with a deep, personal mission.
The album’s title, DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS (“I Should Have Taken More Photos”), conveys a universal message about not taking anything for granted. But, the project dives deeper. Bad Bunny’s expiration of gentrification, cultural erosion and resilience is visible throughout the album and its documentary, directed by legendary Puerto Rican filmmaker Jacobo Morales.
The documentary follows an older Puerto Rican man and his friend, Concho, a sapo concho puertorriqueño, a native frog species that was thought to be
extinct but was rediscovered. This moving storyline reflects Puerto Rico’s own struggles for survival against threatening its cultural and natural identity. As the man mourns the loss of the past, he struggles with the fast modernization of his neighborhood, illustrated in a scene at a local bakery where the simple act of buying quesito (a pastry) becomes a confrontation with cultural change. The film ends with a powerful phrase “Seguimos aquí” (We’re still here), which was said by a younger Puerto Rican man who steps in to help the older man. Its message of toughness and hope highlights the younger generation’s commitment to save Puerto Rico’s heritage.
Musically, the album blends modern beats with traditional Puerto Rican sounds, such as bomba and plena which showcases Bad Bunny’s dedication to honoring the island’s African and indigenous influences. ‘BAILE INoLVIDABLE’ is a track that shows this come into place. It began with a modern beat before transforming into vibrant salsa arrangements. An innovative choice that made the song the first salsa song to top Apple Music’s global charts. Other tracks like ‘LO QUE LE PASÓ A HAWAii’ tackles gentrification directly. In this powerful and defiant song, Bad
Bunny sings about the exploitation of Puerto Rico’s natural resources and the displacement of its people, calling out wealthy investors who treat the island as a playground while forcing locals out of their homes.
While the album has been widely appreciated by fans around the globe, some listeners have expressed disappointment with its orientation. Unlike Bad Bunny’s earlier work, which has combined Puerto Rican culture with global appeal, this album is solidly based on his personal experience. For others, the lack of English tracks or popular pop hits feels alienating. But, this is precisely the point. In interviews, Bad Bunny has emphasized that his art is not about appeasing global expectations but about expressing his identity truthfully.
Bad Bunny’s refusal to weaken his message for mainstream appeal is proof of his artistry. By collaborating with young Puerto Rican musicians and independent artists like RaiNao, he reinforces the album’s themes of legacy and community. He even worked with a music school for musicians between the ages of 18 and 21, really showing us what it means to be in his shoes, to be Puerto Rican and to understand his lived experience.
In this album, he was able to craft a project that resonates with Puerto Ricans while letting in the world to witness the beauty and challenges of his homeland, giving us a reminder that art can be both personal and political, a love letter as well as a call to action. It’s clear that Bad Bunny isn’t just documenting Puerto Rico’s past but instead he is fighting for its future.
Coming from a Hispanic background and having the opportunity to visit various Spanish-speaking countries, I’ve seen firsthand how things are evolving in ways that sometimes feel like a shift from the past. When my parents tell me stories of their experiences growing up, their nostalgia for a simpler way of life resonates deeply with the themes Bad Bunny explores in this album. I found “*DeBÍ Tirar Más FOToS*” very meaningful. It’s more than
“Bad Bunnys refusal to weaken his message for mainstream appeal is proof of his artistry.”
just music. It is a reminder of the importance of remembering where we come from. Although some might not appreciate it because it’s “not like his previous ones,” I think it’s one of his most powerful projects. The way he incorporates the history of Puerto Rico into this album, mixing modern and traditional sounds, was great. Songs like ‘BAILE INoLVIDABLE’ and ‘LO QUE LE PASÓ A HAWAii’ aren’t just catchy, they’re educational and emotional. These tracks allow listeners to reflect on what it means to preserve culture while things are changing.
Bad Bunny was able to create something that feels personal to Puerto Ricans but also relatable to anyone who values their heritage. For me, it was a connection between my parents’ stories of the past and the reality I see now in Hispanic countries. As Bad Bunny would say, art like this doesn’t need to appeal to everyone’s tastes, it’s meant to challenge, preserve and start conversation. “*DeBÍ Tirar Más FOToS*” does that and it does it in an amazing way.
DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS album cover. Photo from @badbunnypr on Instagram
It ends in court:
Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni locked in legal battle
ALYSSA TILLMAN
ALYSSA.TILLMAN.22@CNU.EDU
“It Ends With Us” co stars Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni are locked in a legal battle that doesn’t appear to be wrapping up anytime soon. After months of speculation of on-set drama from fans, Lively shocked the internet with a lawsuit filed against Baldoni, his company Wayfarer Studios and others in New York Dec. 31. Lively alleged she “and other cast and crew experienced invasive, unwelcome, unprofessional and sexually inappropriate behavior” by him and his company’s CEO/producer Jamey Heath (who is also listed as a defendant in both filings) on the set of “It Ends With Us.”
A California Civil Rights Department complaint was submitted by Lively earlier that month that stated in the filings that she “attempted to address and resolve the problems on set” before returning to production and that her attorneys sent Wayfarer’s lawyer a “Protections for Return to Production” document in November 2023. According to her filings, a meeting attended by Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds, Baldoni, Heath, other producers and a representative for the film’s distributor Sony Pictures took place in New York on Jan. 4, 2024 to “address the hostile work environment that nearly derailed production of the Film.”
After discussing “at length the details of concerns that had been expressed by Ms. Lively and others,” her filings state, “the parties agreed to implement and follow the Protections for Return to Production to ensure that the Film could be completed, marketed, and released safely and successfully.”
Lively alleged in her complaint that Baldoni and his Wayfarer associates “embarked on a sophisticated press and digital plan in retaliation” for her voicing her concerns about purported misconduct on set—with her saying she and other cast and crew members “experienced invasive, unwelcome, unprofessional and sexually inappropriate behavior” by Baldoni and Heath. The actress added the alleged campaign against her caused “substantial harm” to her personally and professionally.
The accusations listed in the
complaint include sexual harassment; retaliation; failure to investigate, prevent and/or remedy harassment; aiding and abetting harassment and retaliation; breach of contract; intentional infliction of emotional distress; negligence; false light invasion of privacy and interference with prospective economic advantage.
In a libel lawsuit Baldoni filed against The New York Times Dec. 31 for its Dec. 21 article about an alleged retaliatory smear campaign, the plaintiffs purportedly orchestrated against Lively—with the article citing her CRD complaint—they accused her of embarking on a “hostile takeover of the production.” “Lively waged war on Baldoni, weaponizing innocuous interactions from May and June 2023—long before there was any tension between them—to vilify and discredit him,” the lawsuit adds.
The New York Times published a report about a retaliatory smear campaign Baldoni and his associates allegedly waged against Lively— citing her CRD complaint. CNN reports that Talent agency William Morris Endeavor (WME) dropped Baldoni after The New York Times’ article was published on Dec. 21.
The lawsuit also says Wayfarer “promptly agreed to her terms” in the Protections for Return to Production document “despite disagreeing with the insinuations underlying them”—adding that some terms were already in place. “Neither Wayfarer, Heath, nor Baldoni had engaged in any of the behavior alluded to in the Return to Production document, nor did they plan to,” the lawsuit reads. “They thought that was the end of it, and they were ready to move ahead and make a great film.”
In The New York Times lawsuit, the plaintiffs alleged Baldoni, Heath, other producers and the Sony representative went to Lively and Reynolds’ New York penthouse Jan. 4 to discuss resuming filming the next day. “Instead, they were blindsided by Lively and Reynolds, who presented a list of grievances that were both anticipated and troubling,” the lawsuit adds.
“Reynolds launched into a tirade, berating Baldoni in what Baldoni later described as a ‘traumatic’ encounter, stating he had ‘never been spoken to like that in his life.”
NAACP Image Awards Announce Nominees for 2025
ALYSSA TILLMAN
ALYSSA.TILLMAN.22@CNU.EDU (Netflix)
The nominees have been announced for the 56th NAACP Image Awards, celebrating the achievements of Black entertainment creatives across film, TV, music and more. The awards ceremony is set for Saturday, Feb. 22, at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium, broadcasting on BET and CBS at 8 p.m., with winners in multiple categories to be announced at the Creative Honors Ceremonies on Friday, Feb. 21, streaming on the awards’ website. See some of the nominations below.
Entertainer of the Year:
Cynthia Erivo
Keke Palmer
Kendrick Lamar
Kevin Hart
Shannon Sharpe
Outstanding Social Media
Personality of the Year:
Kai Cenat
Keith Lee
RaeShanda Lias
Shirley Raines
Tony Baker
Outstanding Motion Picture: Bad Boys: Ride or Die (Sony Pictures)
Bob Marley: One Love (Paramount Pictures)
The Piano Lesson (Netflix)
The Six Triple Eight (Netflix)
Wicked (Universal Pictures)
Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture:
André Holland — Exhibiting Forgiveness (Roadside Attractions)
Colman Domingo — Sing Sing (A24)
John David Washington — The Piano Lesson (Netflix)
Kingsley Ben-Adir — Bob Marley: One Love (Paramount Pictures)
Martin Lawrence — Bad Boys: Ride or Die (Sony Pictures)
Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture:
Kerry Washington — The Six Triple Eight (Netflix)
Lashana Lynch — Bob Marley: One Love (Paramount Pictures)
Lupita Nyong’o — A Quiet Place: Day One (Paramount Pictures)
Regina King — Shirley (Netflix)
Cynthia Erivo — Wicked (Universal Pictures)
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture:
Brian Tyree Henry — The Fire Inside (Amazon MGM Studios)
Corey Hawkins — The Piano Lesson
David Alan Grier — The American Society of Magical Negroes (Focus Features)
Denzel Washington — Gladiator II (Paramount Pictures)
Samuel L. Jackson — The Piano Lesson (Netflix)
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture: Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor — Exhibiting Forgiveness (Roadside Attractions) Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor — Nickel Boys (Orion Pictures/Amazon MGM Studios)
Danielle Deadwyler — The Piano Lesson (Netflix)
Ebony Obsidian — The Six Triple Eight (Netflix)
Lynn Whitfield — Albany Road (Faith Filmworks)
Outstanding Animated Motion Picture:
Inside Out 2 (Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures)
Kung Fu Panda 4 (DreamWorks Animation)
Moana 2 (Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures)
Piece by Piece (Focus Features) The Wild Robot (DreamWorks Animation)
Outstanding Comedy Series: Abbott Elementary (ABC) How to Die Alone (Hulu) Poppa’s House (CBS) The Neighborhood (CBS) The Upshaws (Netflix)
See the full list of nominations and vote for your favorites at naacpimageawards.net.
LIFESTYLE Back to the grind:
Four things to do to help get back into the semester
BREANNA DORRIAN
BREANNA.DORRIAN.23@CNU.EDU
Welcome back, Captains! We hope you had a wonderful winter break. Coming back from a long break has its ups and its downs. A few challenges may be getting back into the groove of things. New classes are exciting, but change can be daunting. Here are a few things to help get your mind off of vacation mode and back into Captain mode.
1: Organize your work
Staying organized is crucial. By the end of the semester when you’re tired and ready for summer break, you don’t want to be kicking yourself for realizing you forgot an assignment or project. One helpful way to stay organized is to put all of your course assignments with their corresponding due dates into a Google Sheet. You can also utilize folders and binders to help keep loose papers organized.
2: Set a routine
This past break, I was staying up until 2 a.m. and waking up at noon or later almost every day. Now that I am back, I have a 5 a.m. alarm clock that is breaking my messed up sleep schedule. Starting a routine and sticking to it is hard, but once you get used to it after some time, it will make your day to day so much easier. Your body and mind will get used to the consistency of your newfound routine,
which can help with keeping your energy levels and stamina up throughout the day to help you be most productive.
4: Utilize your resources
Christopher Newport University offers many fabulous tools and faculty to help us not only graduate, but thrive as our time during and after college. Do not be afraid to reach out to the Office of Student Success, the Center for Career Planning, Peer Tutoring or even your advisors and professors to help you be the best you this semester. They are here to help!
5:
Visit the
Involvement Fair
The Involvement Fair is this Friday in the David Student Union (DSU). Whether you’re a freshman, a transfer, senior or anywhere in between, the involvement fair offers an excellent opportunity to see all that this campus has to offer. Join a club or an organization or simply go to connect with your fellow captains. There are a ton of different ways to get involved on campus, go find what works for you!
This campus offers so many incredible opportunities, classes and experiences. Let’s make this semester a great one. Go Captains!
Frosty fun!
Unique activites
to do when it is snowing
CLAIRE HALL CLAIRE.HALL.22@CNU.EDU
Seeing snowfall in Virginia for the first time in a few years was quite a magical experience. Many people took this time to go out and play in the snow, doing traditional activities such as building a snowman, making a snow angel or engaging in a snowball fight. However, there are so many more unique activities that you can do the next time it starts to snow. I’ve listed some of these activities below.
1. Snow art
Did you know that you can create snow art? This is a very easy and fun activity to do. First, you just need to grab a set of watercolor paints. You can find these practically at any craft store. From there, you just paint the snow as you would a sheet of paper. The best part about the snow is that the color spreads and creates these beautiful patterns in the snow. This is such a good way to test your creativity and make some very beautiful paintings.
2. Freezing bubbles
This was an activity that I enjoyed doing when I was younger. The concept behind this activity is to blow a bubble and place it gently on a very cold surface. Once the bubble sticks to the surface, it will start to freeze, creating this icy sphere. In order for this to happen, the temperature outside will have to be under 32 degrees Fahrenheit.
3. Snow fort competition
Trying to build the biggest snow fort was one of my favorite
winter activities, especially when the snow is the perfect texture for it. However, turning it into a competition is even more fun as it gets everyone amped up and excited. This is the best time to showcase your problem solving skills all while having a little bit of fun!
4.
Use the snow to draw
Having a thick blanket of snow covering your backyard is one of the coolest things ever. Not only does it look absolutely beautiful, but can be used as a drawing pad as well. You can draw practically anything in the snow and maybe even play a game of tic tac toe. Nothing sounds better than having a free canvas to draw on.
5. Snowflake photography
If you like photography, you will love taking pictures of snowflakes. Using a macro lens on your camera can help with zooming in and capturing the true beauty of a snowflake. For those who don’t have a high definition camera, using your iPhone camera could also work with the correct lighting and zoom settings.
I hope you end up trying one or two of these new activities for when it snows again! Even if you don’t like the snow, getting creative and making the best out of the situation will lift your spirits about the wintery weather. Just remember that creativity has no limits!
Winter Night, photo taken by Claire Hall/TheCaptainsLog.
Forbes classroom, photo taken by Holly Haydon/TheCaptainsLog.
From frantic to fabulous
How to prepare a healthy breakfast in less than five minutes
CLAIRE HALL
CLAIRE.HALL22@CNU.EDU
College can become very busy, especially if you are like me and schedule all your classes earlier in the morning. However, one of my goals for 2025 is to eat a more hearty breakfast, not just a fruit cup or a cereal bar. So I decided to come up with some breakfast hacks to help get a delicious meal on the table in little to no time.
Prep overnight
One of the easiest ways to speed up the process of making breakfast is to prep the ingredients overnight. Set out all the dishes, utensils, and non-refrigerated ingredients the night before for easy access the next morning. Make sure to measure dry ingredients ahead of time to save time the next morning. This works best if you are making food such as pancakes and waffles.
Meal prep for the whole week
When making items such as pancakes and waffles, batter can be frozen for the week ahead. This means that you will have breakfast for the entire week, saving you so much time. You can also make a lot of oatmeal and store that as well in the fridge.
Make breakfast smoothies
One of the easiest breakfasts to make are smoothies. You can portion out of ingredients the night before and seal them away in bags. Then the next morning, you can take out whatever fruits you need to and add them to the blender. If you want your smoothie to have a little more protein, you can add a scoop of protein powder.
Toast is your best friend
On days where you are really in a crunch and don’t want to use a lot of dishes, toast is your best friend. There are many different food items you can make with toast that are packed with nutrition and protein. These include banana and peanut butter toast and avocado toast. These are also very easy to pack and take on the go
The next time you find yourself limited on time but want to try eating more in the morning, try out these amazing recipes. After all, breakfast is the most important meal of the day!
Your go-to advice column for college
CLAIRE HALL CLAIRE.HALL.22@CNU.EDU
Why did you create an advice column?
Hello fellow Captains! I hope you guys had a wonderful winter break and a good first day of classes! For this issue of my advice column, I wanted to do something a little different this time. Usually, I ask individuals what advice question they want me to write about, but this time, I decided to answer my own question.
I know many of you are thinking, why did you choose to write this advice column? I stumbled upon the idea of creating an advice column randomly. While searching through old newspapers years and years ago, our old Editor-in-Chief found an advice column we used to have in our paper. I jokingly mentioned how cool it would be to start my own advice column, but then turned my joke into a reality. The second semester of my sophomore year, I experimented with the idea, writing more and more advice every week. I started loving it and continued to write advice.
However, there was another reason why I chose to start this advice column. Being the oldest in my family and a first generation college student, I had to learn everything on
my own. I had to learn how to apply to colleges, how to use student loans, how to pick my major, practically everything. College for me then became more difficult to navigate as I didn’t receive much advice from my friends and family. My anxiety started to skyrocket and simple tasks started to feel incredibly daunting. However, after completing my first year of college, everything started becoming easier. I was able to navigate both my problems and my feelings.
The goal of my advice column was to touch the hearts of students; that no matter what their circumstances or issues are, they always have someone giving them helpful advice that may solve their problems. College can be hard, and I want my advice column to be an assistance to those who are lost or struggling. I want to be the person that I wish I had met when I started at Christopher Newport University.
I want the CNU community to know that there is always someone there to answer their questions, no matter how big or small. I want to be the big sister that you can lean on for support.
Photo courtesy of Claire Hall /TheCaptainsLog
OPINIONS
12
“The Captain’s Log is free to write anything it pleases and CNU fully respects the Freedom of the press.”— CNU Chancellor Paul Trible
CNU students vs. Facebook parents Are CNU parents taking it too far on Facebook?
The CNU Facebook Group, photo courtesy of Breanna Dorrian past life as a donkey will give sufficient experiences when learning to register for classes and deal with a messy roommate. We all need help here and there, especially from our parents. However, it seems that this new style of helicopter-parenting is taking things a step too far.
The answer is yes. College is all about growing up and learning to fend for yourself in this big wide world. Part of which means your parents pushing you out of the nest, forcing you to use those little measly wings of yours. You either learn to soar or hit the ground trying. Now of course, it’s everyone’s first time living life. Unless you believe in reincarnation, I highly doubt your
The Facebook group Christopher Newport University Parents, Alumni, Students & Staff is a useful little online
community with over 3,000 members serving as a way for those involved with CNU to communicate and share helpful information. Some parents, however, seem to be using this outlet as a way of manifesting and projecting their own personal worries and anxieties about their children onto everyone else. Don’t worry, parent, your baby of 240 months is perfectly capable of reading their email all on their own!
All joking aside, yes, it can be super helpful to have a parent ask a question or find out information for those unable or to just serve as an additional source. However, some students have expressed that they feel some parents are taking it too far. College really is about learning how to be an adult. Part of that includes trial and error of falling on your face. Unfortunately, yes your child is going to fail a time or two. Yes, your child is going to face push back and adversity. It’s all a part of the process. We know a parent’s anxiety comes from a place of love and care. To that, thank you parents! We appreciate all that you do! Do not fear, CNU does their very best to ensure we are set up for success. Trust me, if you saw the number of emails we
get, you’d wonder how anyone has any questions about anything. With that being said, the next time your kid calls you upset about something that is likely somewhere in their email, maybe consider closing out of Facebook and saying “suck it up, buttercup!”
“Don’t worry, parent, your baby of 240 months is perfectly capable of reading their email all on their own!
Snow yes or Snow no:
Students share their thoughts on snow
Virginia has not seen snow in quite a while, and many individuals have thoughts on the matter. While many people love the snow for its unique beauty, others find snow somewhat dangerous. Here is what the Christopher Newport community has to say about the snow.
Out of the 60 responses that I had received, 71% of individuals said that they loved the snow whereas 29% of individuals said that they did not like snow. For those who love snow, their biggest reasoning was because of the beauty it possesses. Freshman Charlyce Lashay explained that “the snow is just so beautiful.” Just like Charlyce, sophomore Bre Dorrian finds beauty in the snow as well. “I like looking at the landscape while it is snowing. It looks very pretty,” she said. Snowfall truly does add to the Virginian landscape, making everything look very scenic during the winter season.
Many individuals also loved getting to play in the snow. Senior Katherine Zickel said that she enjoyed being able to make a snowman because it reminds her of being a kid again. Having not seen snow in years, many individuals cherished this time to play in the snow, doing activities such as snowball fights, sledding
“What did students do over break?”
“I went to London.”
and making snow angels. “I like the snow because I am able to go sledding,” said junior Emily Sarar. This snowy season is perfect for going outside and trying some thrilling activities.
People also like to get creative when the weather stirs up something magical. Junior David Okonkwo said, “I love the snow because I am able to make ice cream.”
However, not everyone is a big fan of the snow. Junior Alyssa Tillman explained that she doesn’t like snow because “it creates ice and I slip and fall.”
Alongside Tillman, senior Ty Edwards also doesn’t like the snow because of how dangerous it is. “I always bust my [butt],” he said.
Everyone has mixed feelings when it comes to snow. Nonetheless, whether you like the snow or not, the season only lasts about three months. I just think that it’s exciting that Virginia was able to see snow this year. With that being said, don’t be afraid to go out and play in the snow. You never know if we will end up seeing snow again.
“I got a new puppy!”
“Watched holiday movies.”
“Met my new cat!” “Played in the snow.”
“Visited Rhode Island and massachusetts.”
“Went to see family and friends!”
Snow in Fort Belvoir, VA, taken by Katherine Zickel/ TheCaptainsLog
By Tori A.B
Sudoku
Fill the puzzle so that every row across, every column down and every 9 by 9 box contains the numbers 1 to 9
THE CAPTAIN’S LOG is the official student newspaper of Christopher Newport University. It is a public forum, which is published on Thursdays throughout the academic year.
THE EDITORS welcome letters from readers. Editors reserve the right to edit for length and AP style, as well as refuse publication. An email with a “.doc” attachment is perferable.
JOIN THE STAFF The Captain’s Log is always open to students who are interested in writing, photography, editing or graphic design.
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Contact Us
General Inquiries clog@cnu.edu
Editor-in-Chief katherine.zickel.22@cnu.edu
News Editor breanna.dorrian.23@cnu.edu
Sports Editor trajan.greenwell.21@cnu.edu
A&E Editor alyssa.tillman.22@cnu.edu
Lifestyle Editor claire.hall.22@cnu.edu
Photography Editor amanda.eacho.22@cnu.edu
Business Manager margaret.gammons.21@cnu.edu
Digital Media Manager lindsay.deyton.22@cnu.edu
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Primary mode of transportation?
Sounds of mediocrity
Employs
“On
Broadway!”Previously
Guac ingredient, informally
Star Wars princess
Bubble through
Highest grossing Broadway show of all time 19 Big name in Gummy Bears 20 Alternative to Publix or Lidl 21 Why not?
23 Popular meal for a college student 24 Bernstein musical based on Romeo and Juliet 27 Cuts up
Frozen treat from a gas station 30 One who receives private instruction
Perform (in) 32 Texted on Insta, for short
Chapel Hill sch.
The _______ of the Opera
Lemon suffix
Author who wrote Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
American currency abbr. 45 Complete, as a PDF contract
"To be or not to be" speaker
Sung-through musical about a French Revolution
Steer clear of 56 Hawaiian staple root
57 Dog's way of showing affection
60 Saw
62 Lin Manuel Miranda musical starring Lin Manuel Miranda
64 Loud sleeper
65 Swindle, hustle, or bamboozle
66 Anger
67 Language suffix
68 Prefix with skeleton or planet
69 Hot off the press
____ Land
Wicked 3 Glinda, for one 4 Large deer 5 Unauthorized bank withdrawals 6 Nose cavity 7 "If I may be frank" informally
8 Rough, irritating 9 Like most textbook PDFs
12 Farmer's kind of culture
14 Upper-class mode of transportation
15 Middle-class mode of transportation
16 Medieval peasant mode of transportation
18 Sibling's daughter
22 Official decree
25 Soak (through)
26 ____plasm
27 Small earing
28 The moon, poetically
31 Noun joiner
33 What a voter does with an absentee ballot
34 Precipice
35 Bad impression?
38 Tones
39 Useful skill
40 Breakfast, lunch, or dinner
43 Candelabra character from Beauty and the Beast
46 One of the five senses
48 Moves closer to 49 Game of Thrones streaming service
50 Places of scientific discovery 51 Level 52 Big Apple neighborhood
53 Stadium cheers
"It's _____ against time"
58 Deepest layer 59 Was aware of 61 Dr. of rap 63 "Just my two cents" in texting