PROTESTS SPIKE IN OGDEN AMID TRUMP ADMINISTRATION
By JAMES GORDON Reporter
Lewdness arrest
On March 7, Weber State University police officers arrested a man for lewdness after a March 6 incident in a communal area. Officers were dispatched when a man was reported to be engaging in self-gratification but fled by the time police arrived at the scene. Police were able to identify and locate the man in the same area the next day using descriptions and video footage. The suspect was also found in possession of illegal drugs.
Caught in the dormitory
On March 8, WSU officers responded to a drug violation at University Village. Officers met with the resident advisers, who guided police to the dorm room. Officers described an odor of marijuana in the hallway that grew stronger
when the dorm room door was opened. Officers spoke with the residents, who admitted to using the substance. Information was passed to housing, and the residents’ charges were diverted.
Library message sparks concern
On March 10, the WSU Police Department responded to a report of possible vandalism and alleged hate speech in the Stewart Library. The library notified police when they found a 2-by-2 inch cartoon image of revolutionist Che Guevara with the words “Whiteness must be destroyed, diversity is our strength, most leftist group in America.” Complainants said similar images have been stamped in books in the past and expressed concerns of hate speech. The report was kept for documentation.
Harassment report
On March 11, WSUPD responded to a harass-
ment report at Lampros Hall, where the suspect was allegedly yelling at the victim and using derogatory language. The officer contacted the complainant and followed up with both parties involved.
Strange sounds at McKay
On March 13, a Weber State police officer responded to the McKay Education Building over reports of “wailing and crying” from the construction zone. Officers walked around the area and surrounding buildings but were unable to locate anything suspicious.
No more free refills
On March 15, officers were informed of an individual in the Dee Events Center sitting in a row with a Taco Bell cup full of vodka. The individual refused to comply with police and was transported to jail for public intoxication and drinking in a public space.
Caught in the act
On March 15, WSUPD was informed of a group of juveniles vaping in a bathroom at the Ice Sheet. On arrival, an officer found the juveniles in the reported location with a vaping device. The officer informed the juveniles of tobacco laws and released them with an educational warning.
Handicap spaces
From March 8-11, Weber State officers located five separate cars at University Village parked in handicap spaces without a visible handicap identification. Two of the five cars were issued citations for parking in a handicap spot; the remaining three were issued warnings.
WSUPD advises students to not park in handicap parking spaces unless they have a visible handicap parking permit.
OGDEN TAKES CENTER STAGE: PROTESTS PERSEVERE IN UTAH
By JAMES GORDON Reporter
In March, protests against the Trump administration and Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency swept across Utah, with Ogden emerging as a central hotspot. Since President Donald Trump’s election, demonstrators have gathered in cities across the U.S. protesting against the series of executive actions made by Trump, Musk’s involvement in Government and federal
layoffs executed by DOGE.
The assemblies remained consistent and rallied at the Capitol weekly. As weeks passed, small groups grew, and a series of protests sparked in Ogden.
On March 8, a large banner was draped over the 32-story Cache Valley building with the words “Americans/Trump Betrays/ You!” It is unknown who is responsible, but they are at risk of facing charges if found.
“Conduct constituting criminal mischief (damaging property), trespassing, the
blockage of sidewalks or roadways, obstructing businesses, or engaging in disorderly behavior is criminal and is not acceptable in our city,” Ogden Police said in a Facebook post. “Should the individuals responsible be identified, they will face prosecution for all applicable crimes committed.”
A week after the incident, approximately 200 demonstrators marched from the Ogden Municipal building to the Ogden Arch.
The march was organized by a local branch of 50501, a nonprofessional political organization spread throughout the United States.
People trickled in front of the Ogden Municipal building, where speeches were held from 1-2 p.m. Protestors held signs criticizing Trump and his cabinet members and waved a variety of flags, such as Canada, Mexico and Ukraine.
The group was led by Cameron Shirts, Weber State student and local organizer with Ogden 50501. Before the march, Shirts gave a speech outlining demands from 50501.
“We, the people, demand that all executive orders issued since Jan. 20, 2025, be fully reversed; DOGE and Elon Musk must be removed from influence of government, and his fired federal employees must be reinstated to their former position with back-pay,” Shirts said.
At 2 p.m., Shirts led the group north on Washington Boulevard, using a megaphone to start chants. The group marched until they reached the Ogden Arch near Park Boulevard.
Some drivers showed their support by tapping their horns and fist pumping, while others opposed the march by blaring their horns and making obscene gestures.
The march to the Ogden Arch was not the only assembly 50501 participated in. On March 22, demonstrators gathered outside Timbermine Steakhouse in protest of a GOP luncheon featuring Rep. Blake Moore; on March 29, local organizers gathered at a Tesla dealership in South Salt Lake, protesting Elon Musk’s involvement in DOGE.
This comes after public officials released statements regarding vandalism of Tesla products across the country.
“The Department of Justice is committed to ending all acts of violence and arson directed at Tesla properties and otherwise,” Attorney General Pamela Bondi announced in a press release. “Let this be a warning: if you join this wave of domestic terrorism against Tesla properties, the Department of Justice will put you behind bars.”
Gov. Spencer Cox also warned Utah protestors regarding criminal acts towards Tesla. “It’s stupid, and it’s evil, and we will arrest you and we will send you to jail,” Cox said in a monthly press conference with PBS. Cox finished his press conference expressing approval of the recent protests.
“Look, I love that we live in a nation where you have the freedom to protest,” Cox said. “That’s one of our fundamental rights and values, that’s what freedom is about, that‘s what the First Amendment is about and people should protest to their heart’s content.”
TOP LEFT: Speakers address the audience that arrived to participate in the protest organized by Ogden50501.
BOTTOM LEFT: Protestors march to the Ogden Arch, to hold up handmade signs and chant to passing cars in a protest called the “March Against Fascism in Ogden.”
BOTTOM RIGHT: A protestor wearing the Ukrainian flag holds a flag pole with a Canadian, Mexican-American and a rainbow American flag reading, “We the People Means Everyone.”
OGDEN TOMA EL ESCENARIO CENTRAL: PROTESTAS PERSEVERAN EN UTAH
Por NATHANAEL STOUT Traductor
Por JAMES GORDON Reportero
En marzo, protestas contra la administración de Trump y el departamento de eficacia gobernal de Elon Musk (DOGE) surgieron por Utah, y Ogden emergió como un foco central.
Desde la elección de Donald Trump, manifestantes se han congregado en ciudades por los EE.UU., protestando contra la serie de acciones ejecutivas hechas por Trump, el involucramiento de Musk en el gobierno y los despidos federales hechos por DOGE.
Las asambleas quedaron consistentes y se reunieron en la capital semanalmente. Al pasar las semanas, pequeños grupos crecieron, y una serie de protestas surgieron en Ogden.
El 8 de marzo, una gran banderola se colocó sobre el edificio de Cache Valley de 32 pisos con las palabras “Americanos/Trump Te Traiciona/ a Tí!” Es desconocido quien es culpable, pero hay un riesgo de enfrentar cargos si se encuentra.
“El conducto que consiste de delito contra la propiedad, invasión de la propiedad, la obstrucción de aceras, calles, empresas, o la participación en conducta desordenada es criminal y no es aceptable en nuestra ciudad”, dijo la policía de Ogden en una publicación en
Facebook. “Si se identifican los culpables individuales, enfrentarán la acusación para cada crimen aplicable hecho”.
Una semana después del incidente, aproximadamente 200 manifestantes marcharon del edificio municipal de Ogden al arco de ogden.
La marcha fue organizada por una filial del 50501, una organización política no profesional con miembros de todo el país.
La gente se congregó frente del edificio municipal de ogden, donde discursos se compartieron entre la una y las 2 de la tarde. Los manifestantes tenían carteles críticos de Trump y sus miembros del gabinete y ondeaban una variedad de banderas, como de Canadá, México y Ucrania.
El grupo fue dirigido por Cameron Shirts, un estudiante de Weber State y organizador local con el 50501 de Ogden. Antes de la marcha, Shirts dio un discurso que resumía las exigencias del 50501.
“Nosotros, la gente, exigimos que todos las órdenes ejecutivas publicadas desde el 20 de enero de 2025 se reviertan, el DOGE y Elon Musk tienen que quitarse de la influencia del gobierno, y los empleados despedidos deben ser reincorporados a sus puestos originales con pago retroactivo”, dijo Shirts.
A las 2 de la tarde, Shirts dirigió al grupo al norte en el bulevar de Washington, usando un megáfono para empezar coros. El grupo
marchó hasta llegar al arco de Ogden cerca del bulevar de Park.
Algunos conductores mostraron su apoyo al sonar sus bocinas y levantar el puño, mientras que otros se opusieron a la marcha por atronar su bocinas y hacer gestos obscenos.
La marcha al arco de Ogden no fue la única asamblea en que el 50501 participó. El 22 de marzo, los manifestantes se congregaron fuera del restaurante de carne de Timbermine para protestar por una merienda del GOP que incluía al representante Blake Moore. El 29 de marzo, organizadores locales se congregaron en un concesionario de Tesla en el sur de Salt Lake, protestando por el involucramiento de Elon Musk en el DOGE.
Esto viene después del lanzamiento por oficiales públicos de declaraciones sobre el vandalismo de productos de Tesla por el país.
“El departamento de justicia está comprometido a terminar cada acto de violencia e in-
cendio intencional dirigido a las propiedades de Tesla y lo demás”, anunció la Procuradora General Pamela Bondi en un comunicado de prensa. “Que sirva como aviso: si te unes a la ola de terrorismo domestico contra las propiedaddes de Tesla, el departamento de justicia te pondrás en el carcel”.
El gobernador Spencer Cox también desaconsejó a los manifestantes de Utah contra los actos criminales contra Tesla. “Es tonto, es malo, y te arrestaremos y te enviaremos al carcel”, dijo Cox en una conferencia de prensa con PBS. Cox terminó la conferencia con una expresión de aprobación de las protestas recientes.
“Mira, me encanta que vivimos en una nación donde tenemos la libertad de protestar”, dijo el gobernador Cox. “Es uno de nuestros derechos y valores fundamentales, de eso concierne la libertad, y la Primera Enmienda y la gente debe protestar todo lo que quiera”.
Gente que atiende la protesta de Ogden firma los referendos para las recientes leyes de estado .
ANNA KUGLAR The Signpost
WSU’S EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING INITIATIVE: HELPING STUDENTS FILE TAXES FOR FREE
By SKYLER MUNDELL Contributer
Weber State University’s School of Accounting & Taxation is offering students the opportunity to connect with a professional to file their tax returns this year, free of charge.
Eric Smith, WSU professor of taxation, along with Darcie Costello, WSU associate professor of accounting, co-direct WSU’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance site in partnership with the IRS. The program allows students to sit down with a tax expert and file their tax returns for free, a service that often costs $100 or more.
WSU’s VITA site is operated by 14 student volunteers from WSU’s taxation and accounting school, who participate in exchange for school credit and a chance to gain experience relevant to their future careers in accounting.
“We run a really high-quality site; we don’t make mistakes,” Costello said. “Student volunteers prepare the return, and a second set of eyes, either a master’s student or faculty member, reviews the return before it is submitted to the IRS.”
The undergraduate students who volunteer in the program get the chance to hone their skills as tax experts through this experiential learning opportunity, according to Smith and Costello.
“We hear a lot at Weber State about experiential learning, and this is, to me, the most significant experiential learning experience these students can have,” Smith said. “We’re viewing
it as both a community service and a really important element of our accounting experience because we’re giving students the opportunity to experience what the profession is really like.”
Costello and Smith said volunteering for WSU’s VITA program gives accounting students a chance to apply the tax skills they’ve learned in the classroom in a professional context, working with real clients to file real tax returns.
“Part of the beauty of experiential learning is that students have to build critical thinking skills and figure things out on the spot,” Costello said.
According to Smith and Costello, every tax prep session they’ve held has been completely booked, and reservations for the remaining sessions are filling quickly. So far, they estimate that they’ve filed over 100 tax returns through the program this year, with hopes to file 225 tax returns by the end of tax season.
Students who are currently unemployed are still encouraged to file their tax returns because of tax credits on out-of-pocket payments they’ve made toward their education.
“There very well could be a credit available to you if you have out-of-pocket tuition and fees paid, including books,” Smith said. “It would be worth their time to come to our VITA site because they may have hundreds of dollars worth of credits that they won’t get unless they file a return.”
WSU’s free tax prep sessions will be held at the WSU Community Education Center every Monday from 4 to 7 p.m. until the last session on April 14. Those interested need to schedule
an appointment through the free tax prep webpage on WSU’s announcements page.
“This is such a unique thing where everybody gets to win,” Costello said. “The student volunteers win because they get to have this unique experience of doing this hands-on learning outside of a classroom. The community also benefits. It seems like everybody gets to win with the VITA program.”
Students sit together for lunch in Shepherd Union.
Weber State University students Carlos Avina (left) and Emily Rodriguez (right) grab several assortments before heading to class.
Students head together to the Wildcat Shuttle.
By JARED MITCHELL Reporter
WILDCAT RADIO GEARS UP FOR KWCR FEST 2025
Weber State University’s KWCR Wildcat Radio is organizing KWCR Fest on April 17 from 4-8 p.m. at Wildcat Lanes, located inside of the Shepherd Union building on the Ogden campus. KWCR Fest is a music festival with a lineup consisting of local Utah bands.
The bands taking the stage for KWCR Fest are Backhand, Poolhouse, Mopsy, Levelor, Vaseline the Band and Citrus. KWCR Fest takes place once every school year. Isaac Tanner, the live events engineer for KWCR, said that the event gives them a reason to host local music groups.
“It’s just a great excuse honestly to have a big social event with a bunch of local bands and put on great music,” Tanner said.
The first KWCR Fest was held in 2022.
Tanner has seen the festival grow more each year.
Planning for KWCR Fest provides challenges for the KWCR Team including scheduling, venue booking and equipment issues.
“We did have to do a last-minute board swap, you know, like a mixing board,” Tanner said. “I had someone plug it in and I didn’t think to tell them to check the voltage on the plug. So we slightly fried it and we had to swap one out last second.”
KWCR has hosted all the bands attending the fest on its “In the Fish Bowl” mini-concert series. Fish bowl concerts are a two part show. The show starts by interviewing the featured band and they end with the band giving a live performance.
Tanner said that the concert series has helped the KWCR team be better prepared for KWCR Fest.
The most recent fishbowl show featured the band Poolhouse and Tanner said it was a success.
“They were great to work with, very relaxed, very chill, but like, a lot of energy in the sound,” Tanner said.
The next “In The Fishbowl” concert will be on April 4 at 6 p.m., featuring the band Levelor. Tanner said that KWCR wants the fishbowl shows to help provide exposure for the upcoming KWCR Fest. Attendees of KWCR Fest will be able to listen to live music, go bowling and socialize.
“I think there’s something for everyone at KWCR Fest.” Tanner said, “If you like music, you can come for the music. If you just want to go bowling and get some merch and socialize with people around the local community, it’s a great event for that as well.”
Marcos Salas talks with his bandmates during “In the Fish Bowl.”
Matt Moulding jams and sings during Vaseline the Band’s performance at “In the Fish Bowl” on Feb. 21.
The KWCR office located in Shepherd Union.
LA RADIO WILDCAT SE EQUIPA PARA EL FESTIVAL DE KWCR 2025
Por NELLY HERNANDEZ TEJADA Traductor
Por JARED MITCHELL Reportero
El KWCR Wildcat Radio en la Universidad de Weber State está organizando KWCR Fest el 17 de abril desde las 4-8 de la tarde en Wildcat Lanes, ubicado dentro Shepherd Union en el campus de Ogden. KWCR Fest es un festival de música con varias bandas locales de Utah.
Las bandas del KWCR Fest incluyen Backhand, Poolhouse, Mopsy, Levelor, Vaseline the Band y Citrus. KWCR Fest es un evento annual. Isaac Tanner, el , dijo que el evento les da razón para anfitrionar a grupos de bandas locales.
“Honestamente es una buena excusa para tener un evento social grande con bastantes bandas locales y poner buena música”, dijo Tanner.
El primer KWCR Fest fue en 2022. Tanner ha visto el festival crecer cada año.
Planear KWCR Fest ha sido un reto para el KWCR Team incluyendo crear el horario, rentar un salón y problemas con el equipaje.
“Tuvimos que hacer un cambio de tablero de última minuto, sabes, como una mesa de mezclas”, dijo Tanner. “Yo tenía a alguien que lo enchufaba y no se me ocurrió decirles que verificarán el voltaje en el enchufe. Así que se quemó un poco y tuvimos que cambiarla en el último segundo”.
KWCR ha organizado los conciertos de todos los grupos asistentes al festival en su miniconcierto “In the Fish Bowl”. Los conciertos son dos partes. Comienzan con una entrevista con el grupo y terminan con un concierto en directo.
Tanner dice que la serie de conciertos ha ayudado al equipo de KWCR a prepararse mejor para el KWCR Fest.
El último concierto fue de la banda Poolhouse y Tanner dijo que fue un éxito.
“Fue muy bueno trabajar con ellos, muy relajado, muy tranquilo, pero como, una gran cantidad de energía en el sonido”, dijo Tanner.
El próximo concierto “In the Fishbowl” será el 4 de abril a las 6 de la tarde, con la banda Levelor. Tanner dijo que KWCR quiere que los conciertos ayuden a dar a conocer el próximo KWCR Fest. Los participantes en el KWCR Fest podrán escuchar música en vivo, jugar al boliche y socializar.
“Creo que hay algo para todos en el KWCR Fest”, dijo Tanner. “Si te gusta la música, puedes venir por la música. Si sólo quieres ir a jugar al boliche y conseguir artículos y socializar con gente de la comunidad local, también es un gran evento para eso”.
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WOMEN’S SOFTBALL OPENS CONFERENCE PLAY 2–1
By CORY MATER Reporter
Weber State University’s softball team started their Big Sky Conference games 2–1 against the Portland State University Vikings in a 3-game series on March 28 and 29. Over the last 15 years of competing against each other, the Wildcats’ record is 22 wins and 30 losses against the Vikings.
The Wildcats went into the series on a two-game winning streak after beating the University of San Diego 6–5 on March 22 and Utah State University 4–3 on March 25.
The ‘Cats started the first game gaining a 2–0 lead after the first inning with Sadie Kirk hitting a single and causing two RBIs scored by Taegan Smith and Riley Whalen. They kept adding pressure by scoring additional runs in the fourth, fifth and sixth innings to secure the 6–1 win, holding Portland State to score
only one run. Pitcher Cali McCraw won the contest 5–4.
For the second game of the doubleheader on March 28, the Wildcats were looking to jump on the Vikings early. At the end of the first inning, the game was tied 1–1 with runs scored by Lorraine Alo for the Vikings and Smith with a home run for the ‘Cats. The game was close as the Vikings took a 4–3 lead in the third inning and never stopped. They kept adding insurance runs to get the win.
The weekend series was tied as the Vikings took the second game 6–9.
In the third and final game of the weekend, Weber got their first of two runs in the second inning with a home run from Olivia Birkinshaw, and Whalen had a sacrifice fly out to center field, sending freshman Jordan McMahon to score. Abby Grundy hit a home run in the fourth inning, and Whalen scored off of a fielder’s choice call on Kirk. With this,
the ‘Cats shut down the Vikings and won the final game 4–0, winning the weekend series in conference play 2–1.
On March 31, the ‘Cats played at home against in-state rival Utah State. These two had already played this season twice, with the Wildcats winning 4–3 on March 25 and losing 11–10 on Feb. 21.
The Wildcats started off slow, being down 1–0 through the first two innings but got the ball rolling by scoring four runs in the third.
Taegan Smith, Kiaira Smith and Birkinshaw all hit a home run to take a 3–1 lead. Birkinshaw also hit another home run in the fifth inning which led the Wildcats to a 7–6 win. Brooke Merrill got the win as the pitcher in the contest.
Weber State University softball catcher Mika Chong high-fives another WSU player.
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