Issuu

@thedailycougar www.thedailycougar.com Wednesday, September 23, 2026

Est. 1934

Issue 3, Volume 92

MICAH CLAY | sports@thedailycougar.com

FOOTBALL

Battle of inches: No. 22 Houston falls to No. 13 Texas Tech 28-26 MICAH CLAY

SPORTS EDITOR

@ MC_5ONE

After two weeks of the college football season, Houston has become one of the biggest names in the Big 12. With a win over Oregon State and a shutout over Southern, the No. 22 Houston Cougars were looking to be one of the best teams in the conference. Heading into their week three matchup against the No. 13 Texas Tech Red Raiders, Houston looked ready to deliver an upset in Lubbock. With new tools in the offensive playbook and a brand new defense, the Cougars were ready to take on the notorious Red Raiders. “We’re going to have to play a really clean game you know, can’t make simple mistakes,” said Head Coach Willie Fritz before their game against Texas Tech. “This is by far the best team we’ve played so far.” However, Houston was defeated after a failed two-point conversion sealed the game late in the fourth quarter. Following this defeat, The Cougars were also dropped down to No. 25 in the AP polls, while Texas Tech moved to No. 11.

After losing in such a heartbreaking fashion, how did the Cougars fare against their first in-conference opponent and what does this mean for the rest of their season?

Entering the second quarter, Texas Tech knew they had to respond quickly if they wanted to stay in this game. They began the second quarter with a touchdown catch from Texas Tech

Game recap In the first quarter, Houston started off hot early in the game. On their opening drive, Houston fifth-year quarterback Conner Weigman was able to get the Cougars in field goal range, allowing Houston to go up three. After Texas Tech failed to respond on their own offensive drive, Houston took the ball and immediately set up for another score. With Houston senior wide receiver Amare Thomas hauling in an 11-yard touchdown pass from Weigman, the Cougars were up 10-0 throughout the rest of the first quarter.

senior wide receiver Kenny Johnson, putting the Red Raiders on the board. Texas Tech began to build on their score after a quick touchdown from their senior quarterback Thomas Castellanos, B:10.25" 14-10 late in leading the Cougars T:10" the second quarter. S:9.75" Houston responded with their

own touchdown before halftime, with Houston wide receiver Koby Young scoring a 46-yard pass to put the Cougars up 17-14. After a quick halftime, both teams were fighting to stay alive in the game. With only a threepoint gap between these two ranked teams, the following shootout in the third quarter allowed Texas Tech to regain their lead and keep the score at 28-20. With the fourth quarter having only a few minutes left on the clock, the Houston Cougars prepared themselves to tie the game with their last offensive drive. Houston ended up getting touchdown, but barely missed out on a game-tying two-point conversion ending the game at 28-26. “The guy we were going to, didn’t do a good job getting open, so Conner (Weigman) was forced

to run it,” said Fritz after being asked about the failed two-point conversion. “So that’s kind of what happened for me.” Weigman also weighed in on his thoughts on the two-point conversion. “You’ve got to reach out and try and get the two-point conversion. I gave it all I got.”

What’s next? Cougars had a stellar performance throughout the game. “I’m really proud of the effort our guys put forth tonight, I thought we played extremely hard,” said Fritz in a postgame conference. “There’s a bunch of areas we’ve got to improve in.” The offense was lethal, but fell on its own face at the end “That’s what we were saying in the locker room. We’ve got to focus on what we’ve got left,” Weigman said. “So nine games left, we’ve got to go make it happen so we can see them again.” They now look ahead to face Georgia Southern on Sept. 26 in Statesboro, GA. sports@thedailycougar.com

T:1.5"

S:1.25"

2 Wednesday, September 23, 2026

news INTERNATIONAL

Duration of Status removal temporarily blocked by US federal court GAURAANGI GUPTA EDITOR IN CHIEF @GAURAANGIGUPTA

A U.S. federal district court in Massachusetts has temporarily blocked the implementation of removal of Duration of Status for F-1 and J-1 non-immigrants. As a result, the D/S framework remains in place for now and no immediate action is required by international students. The UH international community was informed about the same by the International Student and Scholar Services Office through an email. “For now, please continue to follow your usual immigration requirements and maintain your status as you normally would,” ISSSO said. “There is nothing additional you need to do regarding the “Duration of Status” guidance at this time.” While this is a relief, it is important to understand that the postponement of implementation is temporary and not a final judgement invalidating the rule. The new proposed rule by the Department of Homeland Security would restrict visa holders to remain in the US with fixed admission periods of two to four years, making extensions beyond four years challenging. The court has scheduled an in-person status conference for Oct. 2, 2026. The ISSSO continues to monitor federal guidance, court proceedings and immigration regulations closely and will keep students informed if there are any new changes impacting the students. “We understand that changes in immigration policy can be concerning and we appreciate your patience as this situation continues to develop,” ISSSO said. “Please know that we are here to support you and will share information as soon as we have meaningful updates.” news@ thedailycougar. com

KAREN WEI News Editor @thedailycougar

CAMPUS

The dying art of student protest KAREN WEI

NEWS EDITOR @KAREN_FEIWEI

Campus today is quieter than it used to be. UH saw only half the number of student protests in the 2025-26 year compared to the year before, from 12 to six, according to an analysis by The Cougar. This marks the second consecutive year of decline from the 2023-24 academic year, which saw 15 protests. Prominent student activists attribute the decline to changes in the national political environment, fears over deportation and a sense of frustration over the inefficacy of protests. Recently, UH was also ranked 183 out of 261 schools in the 2027 College Free Speech Rankings with a score of 58 out of 100 and an overall grade of F in speech climate, published by The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression. But in Texas, recent legislative restrictions have also limited the scope and scale of student protests. Senate Bill 2972 went into effect Sept. 1, 2025, resulting in a host of new constraints.

that student and faculty outrage isn’t as obvious as it was.”

A history of outrage There certainly is no shortage of topics to be outraged about, according to student protestors. Jimenez points to safety for immigrant students and the rise of Flock cameras as two major areas of concern, in addition to what have become staples in the protesting sphere: Palestine, restrictions on DEI and specific to UH, safety on campus. There are also other topics that have strayed to the edges of popular consciousness but have historically been motivators for large-scale student protests: a new international war, major blows to environmental progress and large-scale funding cuts for U.S. health and humanitarian agencies. In the 1960s and 70s, the Vietnam War provoked massive protests at college campuses across the nation; now, though the Iran war has received attention at UH, no such collective demonstrations have emerged.

aimed at raising awareness about ongoing boycotts of Starbucks and McDonalds due to their alleged funding of Israel. The momentum persisted: in spring 2024, students protested everything from Senate Bill 17 to President Renu Khator’s rejection of Student Fee Advisory Committee recommendations and a new sculpture installation on campus. Calls for divestment also escalated over the course of six separate student-led events: protests, an encampment, a weeklong sit-in from 8 a.m. to midnight at the Student Center steps and a community prayer. Even then, student protests weren’t always welcome: two students were arrested at the UH encampment. That same spring, students at the University of Texas at Austin set up a pro-Palestine encampment that was dismantled by law enforcement -who also arrested over 100 protestors. Then, Donald Trump was elected as president. In addition to continued calls for divestment -- which was the subject of four protests from fall 2024 to spring 2025 -- students rallied against Trump himself

Nina To/ The Cougar

Student protesters are now prohibited from using amplification devices, engaging in “expressive activities” during the last two weeks of a semester or between 10 p.m. and 8 a.m., making encampments and wearing facial coverings. Students must also present proof of identity upon request. The bill has already been called unconstitutional and criticized for its vagueness and the potential for overregulation. But if its intended effect was to muffle student voices, it is perhaps succeeding. “It is quite obvious that there is a lack of student protests and a lack of political outbursts compared to recent years,” said political science and philosophy senior Rafael Jimenez, who formerly served as the co-chair of the UH branch of the Young Democratic Socialists of America. “My first year here as a student, campus political culture was definitely much more intense. Then you compare that to events recently and it’s much more clear

Young people were at the forefront of climate protests in the 2010s, but college campuses have been largely silent about major rollbacks on climate policy. While the shutdown of USAID has triggered international humanitarian crises, no domestic movement has emerged. “It’s a combination of complacency, student frustration and incredibly hostile state and federal policy that makes organizing on a campus like ours incredibly difficult,” Jimenez said. “I think we’re going to continue to see less political action as this policy becomes more and more aggressive.” In fall 2023 alone, students protested the closure of the LGBTQ Resource Center, held two protests for Palestine and two separate walkouts, one in support of Palestine and the other in protest of the closure of DEI offices. Near the end of the semester, Students for Justice in Palestine also staged a sit-in on the steps of Student Center South

and the effects of his policies on immigrant communities. It was at this time that UH students also held what Deeds at UH President Mina Vuong remembers as an extraordinarily successful protest. The focus? Safety on campus after a series of high-profile crimes. “It was something that I could noticeably see that a lot of students were involved in -- not just students in organizing, but also just students who cared or were affected or passionate about student safety on campus,” Vuong said. “I felt very good about that protest.” Both Vuong and Jimenez agree that protests dwindled in the 2025-26 academic year -- but not immediately. Even after SB 2972 went into effect, there were four student protests in the fall, including a hunger strike for divestment.

PROTESTS

Continues on next page

Wednesday, September 23, 2026

CAMPUS

Nina To/ The Cougar

PROTESTS

Continued from previous page In the spring, there were only two: a protest against the deadly crackdown on Iranian demonstrators and a call for divestment at a Board of Regents meeting. Vuong doesn’t attribute the decline to state policy, though -- she said she actually didn’t know that SB 2972 existed. “I think a very, very big reason that I had no idea is that you don’t protest on these people’s terms,” Vuong said. “These are the oppressors and the very institutions that we are protesting against. It’s not very effective to protest on their terms. That would defeat the whole purpose of the protest.”

Yelling into a void But students often don’t have a choice anymore. Without megaphones or speakers, students are having to simply cup their hands and shout their message, according to Jimenez. They’re also scared about potentially being surveilled at protests or risking their visa status. Even those who aren’t concerned about their immigration status still have to contend with the threat of facing criminal prosecution. “It hinders the ability to create a proper disruption,” Jimenez said. “If you’re unable to really do what a protest

is supposed to do and be loud and somewhat disruptive, then what’s the point? You might as well just write a little notecard to President Renu Khator and pray that she reads it.” It feels like yelling out into a void, futile and potentially perilous, Jimenez said. But that’s not to say student activists have been idle -- protest is far from the only form of political expression available to the American people. Politically active student organizations, from YDSA and SJP to the Progressive Student Union and Coogs RISE, were hosting regular meetings and film showings and training sessions even as protests declined in number. “It’s this internal dissent that if these traditional types of protest aren’t working, what else can we do?” Jimenez said. “As long as UH and the state government try to continue limiting these protests, I think the conversation is always going to be: What else can we do in order to get our message across?” It still isn’t certain what campus political life will look like this year.

Jimenez, who will be a member-at-large of YDSA, plans to prioritize the comfort and safety of students. “That’s one of the most heartbreaking things about being a student organizer: at the end of the day, we are still students, and we still have all our lives ahead of us,” Jimenez said. “Organizing is just an unfortunate thing that we have to do because we feel like something is so unjust that we have to do it.” A note on the methodology: Protests are defined by the language used by the organizing groups. For instance, while healthcare advocacy efforts by graduate students in spring 2026 garnered widespread attention, Graduate Student Solidarity student organizers did not

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define their press conference as a protest. Protests included in the analysis were led by or involving UH students and took place either on-campus at UH or at the location of a UH Board of Regents meeting. Further, ‘one’ protest is typically contained on one day and oriented on a single topic, but longer demonstrations that centered on a single theme were counted as just one protest. The hunger strike led by Students for Justice in Palestine lasted for weeks but is counted as one protest. news@thedailycougar.com

4 Wednesday, September 23, 2026 CAMPUS

UHPD, parking provide free U-locks to students AUDREY SZETO

STAFF WRITER @AUDREYYYSZ_

To combat theft, UH Police Department and Parking and Transportation Services are providing free U-locks to students for the third year. Since the beginning of the semester, around eight bicycles and scooters have been stolen, according to UHPD crime prevention officer Amir Watkins. To get the U-lock, students must register their bicycle or scooter on their myParking portal and input its serial number, which can be found indented underneath the bicycle’s pedals or on the neck at the bottom of a scooter. After registering their bicycle or scooter, students can go to either the main police station or the substation to pick up the U-lock. UHPD will give students the lock upon verifying registration. “It’s free and it’s a nice lock that the University and parking partnered together to pay for so you guys can keep your things safe,” Watkins said. To use the lock properly, students

Scooters secured by U-locks on September 15, 2026, in Houston, Texas.. | Karen Wei/The cougar

should put the lock around the neck of the scooter or around the frame of the bicycle. Students should also not lock

their bicycle/scooter on anything other than a bike rack. “If it’s stairs or ramps, that is a fire

hazard,” Watkins said. “Fire marshals are going to start strictly enforcing that.” If a student’s bicycle or scooter is stolen, they should contact UHPD as soon as possible. UHPD will put it in their system and run the serial number if they find it. Registering bicycles and scooters gives information to police, so they can return it to students if found. “The more U-locks we put out, the more people take advantage of,” Watkins said. “I believe the theft of scooters and bicycles are going down, but we have to get more people involved in taking advantage of U-locks and using the U-locks correctly.” Along with keeping their bicycles and scooters safe, student riders also have a responsibility to keep others safe. “Safety is not only when it’s locked up, but being safe when it’s being ridden as well,” Watkins said. “There’s a lot of traffic around campus, so be aware of your surroundings so we all can maneuver and get around campus safely.” news@thedailycougar.com

ELECTION

Students voice concerns over voter suspensions ahead of midterms

Voter holds up their sticker at the student center on Tuesday Feb 3, 2026, in Houston, Texas. | Raphael Fernandez/The Cougar

CELENE BOURESLAN

NEWS ASSISTANT EDITOR @CELENE_BOURESLAN

More than 1.2 million registered voters were listed on the Texas Secretary of State’s voter suspense list as of March 2026. Students are concerned that being on the Texas voter suspense list might discourage their peers from voting in the upcoming November midterm elections. Finance sophomore Sarah Anighoro, who leads the civic engagement project Ballots & Belonging, said that students on a voter suspense list may be less likely to participate in future elections if they do not know how to verify their registration. “I’m concerned that if a student sees that their registration has been placed on this list, they may not know what to do next or be disheartened from voting,” Anighoro said. “So my goal is to let people know that voter suspense lists don’t make students ineligible to

vote and that their next steps can be as simple as going online and updating your address.” Election officials can determine who is and isn’t eligible to vote in a local based on changes in state identification records, including address records or driver’s licenses. If officials determine that a person is no longer living in a given geographic area, that person may be removed from that area’s active voter registration list, said political science professor Jonathan Williamson. In Texas, officials place voters on the suspense list if they have reason to believe that their address is not the one that is listed on their registration records. Anighoro recommends that students check their registration status before the Oct. 5 registration deadline. After her freshman year, biotechnology sophomore Audrey Haper moved from Cougar Village I to the Quad. She believes that this change in address was why she got placed on the voter suspense list.

Haper said that she was frustrated that Texas does not proactively inform voters when they are placed on the suspense list. “Even though registrars had my email and phone number on my registration form, I never received a notification that I was a suspended voter,” Haper said. “I was nervous because I desperately wanted to make sure I could vote in the upcoming midterm election.” A misconception that some students have is that being on the suspense list means they cannot vote. However, a voter on the suspense list can still cast a regular ballot if they fill out a “Statement of Residence” at the polling place to confirm their current address. There are also other solutions to getting off the suspense list, like re-registering to vote. The Student Centers often have voter registration tables to guide students through the registration process. The Student Government Association’s Department of External Affairs also directs registration drives. “I removed myself from the suspense list by resubmitting a form at the Student

Government Association office,” Haper said. Anighoro said that most student voters may neglect checking their registration status regularly. Unless students are actively checking it, many may not even know that they’ve been placed on the list. “Voting is already something that can feel complicated for a lot of young people and first-time voters,” Anighoro said. “So the added confusion with all these suspensions might lead to some deciding that voting is too complicated or that they’re not eligible.” Anighoro said that social media provides student voters with important political information. She also believes that social media can offer the necessary guidance to students on the suspense list. “Social media has done a great job in letting young people know about the suspense list and providing voters on the list with the next steps,” Anighoro said. news@thedailycougar.com

The Student Center welcomes voters on Election Day, Monday, Nov. 3, 2025 in Houston, Texas. | Lexine Solis/The Cougar

Wednesday, September 23, 2026

sports

MICAH CLAY Sports Editor @thedailycougar

FOOTBALL

Fans share their experience on the new TDECU Stadium changes

DANIEL CONTRERAS

SPORTS ASSITANT EDITOR @DANTHESPORTMANS

Houston is kicking off its season with a bang as the Cougars begin their season undefeated at home. With wins over Oregon State and Southern University, TDECU Stadium has become one of the top destinations for Houston football. The stadium has undergone some major reorganization this past offseason and many fans are experiencing some major improvements from the past few years. While some changes may be smaller than others, Houston has put in a lot of time and effort when it comes to the evolution of the fan experience at TDECU. When it comes to Houston’s home field advantage, what were some of the biggest changes that students have noticed throughout the first few games of the year?

What Changed? Starting off with the student section, many changes were added when it comes to the environment of the stands. For starters, there have been two new sections to the 130 sections with a DJ above the stands. Not only did this impact the Houston home-field advantage, but it also allowed more noise in

Gillian Wisniewski / The Cougar

crucial moments when the Cougars needed support. “The student section has become more active and present in these past games,” said junior Ivan Reynosa. “They’ve shown up for games and continue to cheer on every group that is also there to cheer the team like the Cougar Dolls, the Frontiersman, the cheer team and the band.” The beginning of the game also had some major theatrics, with a cherry red car leading out the Cougars onto the field. This is a major way to introduce the Cougars, but a very

well-received one when it came to the fan experience. “I really appreciate the slab (car) they bring out for the team intro,” said Houston senior Ryan Wayner. “Things are on the up and up atmosphere wise.” When it came to the interaction with the team, many felt the new changes impacted the way fans can connect with the roster and the University. “I have seen more fans interact with the team, especially in the student section,” said Houston junior Fernando Gonzalez. “But

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it’s not just the football team, as I feel that the spirit, band and mascots are receiving increased support from fans.” However, some issues still popped up when it came to the home games, as some fans expressed concern about some missed opportunities or their experience in the stadium. “I think attendance is the weakest part of our game day experience,” said Wayner while at the home opener against Oregon State. “It feels like we’re surrounded by a sea of burnt orange and maroon fans.” There were also some major issues when it came to the times of the games, as some fans felt that the home opener was hosted too early in the day. “I wish the games were held during a cooler time of day, but I know that’s out of the control of the university,” said Houston senior Zackary Danheim. “I think more people would come out if they weren’t afraid of sunburn and heatstroke.” While there still seem to be some issues at home, fans have accepted the new changes with open arms. Not only will this be a brand new season for the Cougars, but it will also be a big new season for the fans. sports@thedailycougar.com

6 Wednesday, September 23, 2026 BASKETBALL

UH Basketball release men’s, women’s 2026-2027 schedule MICAH CLAY, CODY STRICKLER

SPORTS EDITOR, STAFF WRITER @MCJOSH_BTW_PODCAST, CODY_S_2020

With the recent release of both men’s and women’s basketball schedules, many matchups carry serious implications. Here’s everything to keep an eye out for :

Women’s schedule Houston women’s basketball will start in an exhibition match against Division II Eastern New Mexico. This is the first meeting in program history for both teams. Opening the season, the Cougars will face Hampton, which is another firsttime meeting for Houston. The Cougars will host a six-game Texas home stand against Sam Houston, Stephen F. Austin, Houston Christian and Texas Southern, none of which Houston has played since 2023 and end seven straight Texas college opponents against Rice, whom the they have lost two straight games to. The biggest non-conference challenge for Houston will be against LSU on Dec. 13 at Toyota Center. The Tigers have reached the Elite Eight the past two years. Starting in conference play, the Cougars will face Baylor on Dec. 21 in Fertitta Center. Baylor finished third in the Big 12 last year. In 2027, West Virginia will visit the Cougars on Jan. 6 and the Lady Mountaineers won the Big 12 tournament after upsetting the regularseason champions TCU, whom Houston played twice on Feb. 7 in Fort Worth and at home on Feb. 20. The Cougars will travel to Lubbock on Feb.17 to take on Texas Tech. The Lady Red Raiders were

ranked as high as 16 in the AP Polls last year. Houston will face Cincinnati twice on Jan. 9 and at home on Feb. 23 as the last home game of the season. The Bearcats were the Cougars’ sole win in Big 12 play last season at home. The Cougars will end the season on Feb. 27 on the road against UCF.

Men’s schedule For the men’s basketball schedule, there are a ton of ranked teams they face in this upcoming season. The first major game is on Oct. 25 against Michigan, which won the National Championship last year ; however, it is only an exhibition game. Houston’s overall series record against the Wolverines is 0-1, with the only game being played in the 2017-18 season, where Michigan won 64-63. The Cougars will then face smaller colleges such as La Salle, Jackson State and Rutgers. Then, on Nov. 17, Houston will be competing in the Players Era 8 Tournament, facing off against Rutgers in the first round, the winner between Florida/Notre Dame in the second round on Nov. 18 and the winner between UNLV/Auburn/West Virginia/Kansas on Nov. 19. This tournament will be conducted in Las Vegas, Nevada. After the tournament, on Dec. 8, Houston will face Alabama in the Jimmy V Classic at Madison Square Garden in New York. Against Alabama, the Cougars are 0-3, with the Crimson Tide beating Houston 85-80 the last time they faced each other in 2024-25. The next game is LSU at the Toyota Center on Dec. 13. Both teams are tied at five apiece and the last time they played, Houston won 82-76 in 2018. Finally, the last major game to close out the non-conference schedule is against Florida State in Jacksonville, Florida. Houston leads the only meeting which was in 2025 when the Cougars won 82-67 against the Seminoles. To open their conference schedule in 2027, the Cougars will face off against Kansas State, Baylor and Iowa State. Houston will then face Texas Tech, a team they beat once and lost the other last year. They are currently tied five apiece in the overall series record and will play twice this year on Jan. 19 and Feb. 15. Moving on to Feb. 6, the Cougars play the reigning Big 12

Houston forward Joseph Tugler (11) hits a lay up against Arizona State. | Oscar Herrera/The Cougar

champions, the Arizona Wildcats. They also play them in their final regular-season game on March 6. The Cougars beat several teams last year and Houston could get revenge on some of them. Overall, both the men’s and women’s teams will face some of the best teams in their respective sports, meaning they will have to play hard and earn the win. sports@thedailycougar.com

Houston head coach Kelvin Sampson reacts on the sideline during an NCAA men’s college basketball game. | Oscar Herrera/The Cougar

Houston Cougars guard Kyndall Hunter (7) drives to the basket against the Colorado Buffaloes at an NCAA women’s college basketball game. | Oscar Herrera/The Cougar

Houston guard, TK Pitts, looking up in disbelief Wednesday, January 7, 2026 in Houston, Texas. | Abigail Sapp/ The Cougar

Wednesday, September 23, 2026

opinion

NASHLY RAMIREZ Opinion Editor @thedailycougar

ARTIFICAL INTELLIGENCE LAWS

AI exposes dangerous gaps in outdated CSAM laws “hyper-realistic images of prepubescent children engaging in sexually explicit acts” using the generative AI Stable Diffusion. Anderegg, a software engineer with a background in AI models, was charged with producing, distributing and possessing the material, as well as transferring it to a minor under 16.

Obscenity versus the right to privacy

Nina To/The Cougar MARIA KRYLOVA SENIOR STAFF WRITER @PAPAS_MARIARIA

In August 2026, the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that a federal law criminalizing the private, in-home possession of obscene, entirely virtual AI-generated child sexual abuse material, or CSAM was unconstitutional as applied to the defendant. The court relied on multiple Supreme Court precedents concerning privacy, obscenity and the First Amendment.

This decision demonstrates how outdated legal precedents can leave courts struggling to address technology that did not exist when those decisions were made. It is unacceptable that U.S. law has not kept pace with AI’s ability to generate increasingly realistic abusive material.

The possession charge was dropped by Judge John Lee due to several Supreme Court precedents. First, the landmark 1969 case Stanley v. Georgia established First Amendment protection for the private possession of obscene material in the home. Researchers have raised concerns that engagement with virtual CSAM could contribute to escalation in some offenders, including progression toward material involving real children or contact offenses.

The facts of the case

Obscenity in relation to fictional CSAM

The decision came in United States v. Anderegg. The facts of the case are as follows: a Wisconsin man was caught producing

The second Supreme Court precedent Lee cited was the 2002 case Ashcroft v. Free Speech Coalition, which struck down restrictions on certain computer-generated

CSAM because no real children were harmed in its production. AI now complicates the distinction between fictional and real victims, particularly as generated images become increasingly lifelike. If virtual CSAM is protected because the child depicted is technically fictional, where is the line drawn when an AI-generated image closely resembles a real child?

Lack of government enforcement creates loopholes Judge Lee acknowledged that the Supreme Court precedents behind the ruling came “nearly twenty-five years ago,” when today’s AI technology was “likely unimaginable.” Because lower courts remain bound by those precedents, Congress attempted to address the legal gap with the 2025 ENFORCE Act, which has yet to become law. Courts are applying decades-old precedents to technology the Supreme Court could not have imagined, leaving the law struggling to keep pace. opinion@thedailycougar.com

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8 Wednesday, September 23, 2026 ELECTIONS

Midterm elections: What students need to know YOCELIN REAL

ASSISTANT OPINION EDITOR @THEREALBYLINE

It’s hard to believe that the presidential election was less than two years ago, yet here we are again preparing for another one. Midterm elections often don’t receive the same publicity, campaign rallies and continuous coverage as the presidential election, but their results are equally significant. With less than three months until Nov. 3, voting is not just needed, but vital.

What’s at stake Unlike presidential elections that select the next head of state, midterms decide which party controls Congress. As of this term, Republicans hold a majority in both the House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate. All 435 House seats and 33 Senate seats will be on the ballot, possibly shifting the balance of power. With President Donald Trump in office, the midterm results could affect how much of his agenda passes through Congress. This will further correlate to how they may respond to his policies. Because Congress is currently controlled by a Republican party aligned with Trump, the administration has greater congressional support for carrying out its agenda. However, a Congress controlled by a

Democratic party could create a different balance of power and provide more oversight.

Election rules are changing Beyond congressional control, the current administration has sought to change how federal elections are managed. In March, Trump signed an executive order aiming to change procedures behind federal elections. This order proposed states use federal information to verify that registered voters are U.S. citizens and suggested new rules for mail-in voting. His administration says these measures are planned to protect election integrity and stop those who are ineligible from voting. These changes have met legal challenges and federal courts have since blocked central parts of the order. Recently, a nationwide injunction was issued to stop key provisions of the administration’s mail voting rules ahead of the midterms. To which the Trump administration has requested the Supreme Court’s intervention. U.S. District Court Judge, Denise Casper has also prevented implementation of a suggested citizenship verification requiremen. This would have required voters to show proof of U.S. citizenship when registering to vote.

A guide for UH voters

Lily Huynh/The Cougar

This legal back and forth is why students should remain informed and pay close attention. First, make sure to check your voter registration. Texas requires eligible voters to register 30 days before Election Day, leaving the deadline on Oct. 5. If you have moved since the last election, double-check your address. Make sure all your information is up to date before Election Day. Once that is in order, familiarize yourself with your ballot. VOTE411 is a useful source that will help you see what’s on the ballot. Finally, make a plan for when and where you’ll vote. As a student, making time between classes and work can be hectic. So make sure to find your nearest polling

location before Election Day so you can plan your schedule accordingly.

Your vote matters So as we reach the final months before midterm elections, take time to check your registration, know your ballot and map out a plan to vote. The presidential election may feel like it happened yesterday, but the political landscape continues to change. Midterms may not have a presidential race at the top of the ballot, but they will determine who influences the remaining two years. Every vote made by a Cougar is a critical one. opinion@thedailycougar.com

WOMEN

Sydney Sweeney’s Novig ad sets women in sports back

Lily Huynh/The Cougar NANAKI MATHARU SENIOR STAFF WRITER @NANAKIMATHARU

Women have spent decades fighting to be recognized in sports for their athletic ability rather than their appearance. Yet Sydney Sweeney’s latest advertisement for Novig, a sports prediction platform, shows how quickly that progress can be undermined when sexualization is used to generate attention. The campaign features Sweeney posing nude with strategically placed sports equipment, using her body as the central attraction in a sports-focused advertisement. While the marketing may have

succeeded in generating attention, it raises a larger question about what the industry believes women are worth. At a time when female athletes are building larger audiences and demanding equal recognition, choosing to market a sports platform through the sexualization of a woman feels like a return to the very attitudes they have spent years challenging.

What a woman in sports looks like The backlash from female athletes has made that frustration impossible to ignore. Olympic swimming champion Ariarne Titmus and British sprinter Amy Hunt were among the athletes who publicly criticized

the campaign, arguing that it undermines the progress women have made toward recognition of their athletic ability. Their reactions reflect frustration that extends well beyond a single celebrity advertisement. Female athletes have spent decades fighting for greater visibility and recognition in an industry that has historically prioritized their male counterparts. Sweeney has every right to make decisions about her body and the opportunities she chooses to pursue. Female empowerment should not require women to hide their sexuality or conform to someone else’s definition of respectability. However, personal freedom does not place commercial decisions beyond criticism, particularly when those decisions reinforce stereotypes that affect women working in an entirely different industry. Sweeney is also an equity holder in Novig and the company’s CEO said she played a major role in developing the campaign’s visuals and messaging. That makes her involvement more substantial than simply appearing in an advertisement designed by someone else.

was never intended to represent women’s sports and Sweeney is an actress, not a professional athlete. But placing a sexualized image of a woman at the center of sports marketing still contributes to the way women are represented within sports culture, regardless of whether the advertisement was explicitly about female athletes. Defenders of the campaign may argue that advertisements have always relied on attractive celebrities and that Sweeney should not be blamed for the industry’s treatment of female athletes. One advertisement cannot undo decades of progress, and criticizing Sweeney personally misses the larger issue. She has every right to participate, but that does not mean the marketing approach should be beyond criticism simply because it generates attention. Women in sports deserve to be recognized for their accomplishments rather than their appearance. Sweeney’s advertisement does not erase the progress women have made, but it shows how easily outdated attitudes can be repackaged as entertainment. Women have fought too hard to be taken seriously in sports for their bodies to remain the industry’s easiest selling point.

Sex sells, but at what cost?

opinion@thedailycougar.com

Novig has argued that the campaign

Wednesday, September 23, 2026

HEALTH

Mental health should not remain a silent struggle

Lily Huynh/The Cougar UMNIYAH ALAZZAWI ASSISTANT OPINION EDITOR @OPINIONSBYUMNIYAH

September is Suicide Prevention Month. A month to raise awareness about suicide prevention, reduce stigma around mental health and share important resources. Globally, approximately 720,000 people die by suicide each year. Of those 720,000, a vast majority are young adults ages 15-29. In fact, suicide is the second leading cause of death among young adults. Stats aside, young adult mental health is still too often dismissed or misunderstood because of cultural taboos, long-standing stigma and generational differences. Breaking those barriers is not just about making mental health easier to talk about;

it is about making sure young adults feel safe asking for help before they reach a crisis.

Cultural taboos In some Asian, Middle Eastern, Latino and immigrant communities, cultural stigma can make conversations about mental health difficult. As a first-generation Iraqi American, I grew up around this mindset. Mental health was considered “eab,” an Arabic term used to describe something shameful or dishonorable to yourself or your family. This mentality can leave young people feeling like they have no reason to struggle as long as their basic needs are met. But mental health does not always need an

explanation. Genetics, environment and other factors can all play a role and cultural shame should never prevent someone from seeking help.

be celebrated, not stigmatized. It feels as though college students have to be embarrassed or ashamed of the fact that they have access to mental health resources.

Historical stigma

UH impact

Public stigma makes it feel impossible to have necessary conversations regarding mental health. Many individuals who deal with mental health disorders feel they might be viewed differently if they talk about their struggles. Unfortunately, discrimination surrounding mental health still exists. Public stigma can stem from misinformation and a lack of understanding surrounding mental health. In reality, poor mental well-being is closely connected with overall health.

While the exact number of UH students who have died by suicide is unclear, three campus deaths have been ruled suicides within the past decade, including two at Agnes Arnold Hall about a month apart. In response, UH installed security screens along the building’s balconies. UH also created End the Stigma, a display of 1,100 T-shirts representing the estimated number of college students who die by suicide each year. The tradition encourages conversations about mental health and challenges the stigma that can prevent students from seeking help. These efforts are important, but they are only a start. No young adult should feel they have to reach a crisis before receiving support. Mental health deserves to be discussed and it is never too late to change how we talk about it. If you or a loved one needs support, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available 24/7 by call or text.

Generation gaps Some young adults still encounter attitudes that dismiss conversations about mental health as being “soft” or “dramatic,” particularly across generational lines. According to the National Library of Medicine, “The idea that you can just ‘switch off ’ or ‘stop over-thinking’ about your psychological state still exists within the Generation X.” This mindset is unfair and even cruel. Younger generations having greater access to mental health resources should

opinion@thedailycougar.com

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Be Well Do Well

10 Wednesday, September 23, 2026

life and arts

Karen Wei News Editor @thedailycougar

Graphic by Isabel Bustos, Lily Huynh, Nina To Writer: Gia Mejia

i The Cougar

The campus rotation: Top songs trending with Coogs Students all over campus navigate their day to day life with a variety of music. From quiet study sessions to high energy nights,

each Coog steps in the rhythm of their own personalized soundtrack. Here is what students on the scene are listening to. Soundtracking the scenes For students looking back on the warmer months, party playlists are driven by nostalgia and vibrant sounds. ‘“Memories” by David Guetta and Kid Cudi, it’s very nostalgiainducing and party-esque,” said civil engineering sophomore Erasyl Serikov. “Also very reminiscent of the summer, which never seems to fade.” Songs by SLAYYYTER are

favorites of construction management sophomore Jane Descant, who said that they’re good party songs. As the weather shifts, however, seasonal trends begin to take over. ‘“Obsessica” by Malcolm Todd and songs from Girl in Red, since fall season is coming up,” said computer engineering sophomore Genesis Sandoval. A similarity among students is using music as a way to unwind from school work. “I would say a common theme is danceability,” said Gavin Mcmahon from Coog Radio. “When students want to take a load off and have fun, they want to dance.” For gym-goers at the Recreation Center, music can be a personal choice or a form of momentum. “I heard “Goosebumps” by Travis Scott at the Rec twice,” said art sophomore Katie McDonald. “I think rap is good workout music because it usually has a good beat and working out involves a lot of rhythmic actions.” The campus consensus When it comes to mainstream music on campus, students look at viral trending moments of the year. “Probably something by a Bad Bunny, for me personally “Tití Me Preguntó”,’ McDonald said. “He’s kinda had a chokehold on everyone since the Super Bowl.” “Oh yeah?” by Steve Lacy, which featured in Spiderman: Brand New Day, is civil engineering sophomore Erasyl Serikov’s choice. As game day energy becomes more important as tailgate season begins, music for football game days becomes a heavy

thedailycougar.com

EDITORIAL BOARD EDITOR IN CHIEF

Gauraangi Gupta MANAGING EDITOR

Anjali Martinez NEWS EDITOR

Karen Wei

SPORTS EDITOR

Micah Clay

influence in students’ listening habits. “This fall would be lots of hype music as it’s football season, at a lot of the tailgates you’ll hear like Zedd, Kendrick Lamar and more 2000s classics,” said Adalyssa Jimenez from Coog Radio. Although pop hits dominate the campus, others find motivation in different genres. “I hope students are listening to jazz, I think it pushes you to do work,” said biology freshman Johan Leonides Andino.

In the earbuds Cullen College of Engineering: “Girls on the Beach” by the Beach Boys -- mechanical engineering technology freshman Maddie Cortez. “Oh My My” by Ricky Montgomery -- electrical engineering senior Emiliano Martinez. College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences: “Yesterday Once More” by The Carpenters -- digital media sophomore Audrey Chen. “The feeling” by Steve Lacy -- psychology senior Sefunmi Adewumi. Katherine G. McGovern College of the Arts: “Cubicles” by My Chemical Romance -- art sophomore Katie McDonald. C.T Bauer College of Business: “Rough Boy” by ZZ Top -supply chain management junior Hunter Hudman. “Unlimited love” by Underscores -- economics junior Queenie Tran. College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics: “Need you now” by Lady A -- biology freshman Johan Leonides Andino. Andy & Barbara Gessner College of Nursing: “Human Nature” by Madonna -- nursing freshmen Eriel Tocson. news@thedailycougar.com

OPINION EDITOR

Nashly Ramirez SENIOR STAFF WRITERS

April Badmus Maria Krylova Nanaki Matharu Patrick Sammon

PHOTO EDITOR

Gillian Wisniewski CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Lily Huynh WEB EDITOR

Kelsey Williamson ASSISTANT EDITORS

Celene Boureslan Isabel Bustos Daniel Contreras Oscar Herrera Gia Mejia Yocelin Real Nina To David Soto Umniyah Alazzawi

ISSUE STAFF CLOSING EDITORS

Gauraangi Gupta Anjali Martinez

COVER

Lily Huynh Nina To Gillian Wisniewski

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

The Cougar welcomes letters to the editor from any member of the UH community. Letters should be no more than 250 words and signed, including the author’s full name, phone number or e-mail address and affiliation with the University, including classification and major. Anonymous letters will not be published. Deliver letters to N221, University Center; e-mail them to letters@thedailycougar.com; send them via campus mail to STP 4015; or fax to (713) 743-5384. Letters are subject to editing.

ABOUT THE COUGAR

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