October 3, 2022

Dolly Parton literacy program coming to Oklahoma, p. 4 Florida governer shows true character, p. 5 Guide to Tulsa thrifting, p. 6

Tulsa star receiver takes scary hit, p. 8 Highlights of Stitt’s term, p. 9

News

The Collegian: 2

‘Gangsta’s Paradise’ rapper Coolio dies at age 59 Jonathan Landrum Jr. and Andrew Dalton AP Entertainment Writers ‘LOS ANGELES (AP) — Coolio, the rapper who was among hip-hop’s biggest names of the 1990s with hits including “Gangsta’s Paradise” and “Fantastic Voyage,” died Wednesday at age 59, his manager said.

Coolio died at the Los Angeles home of a friend, longtime manager Jarez Posey told The Associated Press. The cause was not immediately clear.

Coolio won a Grammy for best solo rap performance for “Gangsta’s Paradise,” the 1995 hit from the soundtrack of the Michelle Pfeiffer film “Dangerous Minds” that sampled Stevie Wonder’s 1976 song “Pastime Paradise” and was played constantly on MTV. The Grammy, and the height of his popularity, came in 1996, amid a fierce feud between the hip-hop communities of the two coasts, which would take the lives of Tupac Shakur and The Notorious B.I.G. soon after.

Coolio managed to stay mostly above the conflict.

“I’d like to claim this Grammy on behalf of the whole hip-hop nation, West Coast, East Coast, and worldwide, united we stand, divided we fall,” he said from the stage as he accepted the award.

Born Artis Leon Ivey Jr., in Monessen, Pennsylvania south of Pittsburgh, Coolio moved to Compton, California. He spent some time as a teen in Northern California, where his mother sent him because she felt the city was too dangerous.

He said in interviews that he started rapping at 15 and knew by 18 it was what he wanted to do with his life, but would go to community college and work as a volunteer firefighter and

October 3, 2022

Cincinnati opens AAC defense with 31-21 win over Tulsa Jonathan Landrum Jr. and Andrew Dalton AP Entertainment Writers

courtesy Associated Press Coolio at Riot Fest in Chicago on Sept. 18, 2022.

in airport security before devoting himself fulltime to the hip-hop scene.

His career took off with the 1994 release of his debut album on Tommy Boy Records, “It Takes a Thief.” It’s opening track, “Fantastic Voyage,” would reach No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100.

A year later, “Gangsta’s Paradise” would become a No. 1 single, with its dark opening lyrics: “As I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I take a look at my life and realize there’s nothin’ left, ‘cause I’ve been blastin’ and

Coolio accepts the Best Rap Video award at the 1996 MTV Video Music Awards.

courtesy Associated Press

laughin’ so long, that even my mama thinks that my mind is gone.”

Social media lit up with reactions to the unexpected death.

“This is sad news,” Ice Cube said on Twitter.

“I witness first hand this man’s grind to the top of the industry. Rest In Peace, @Coolio.”

“Weird Al” Yankovic tweeted “RIP Coolio” along with a picture of the two men hugging.

Coolio had said in an interview at the time it was released that he wasn’t cool with Yankovic’s 1996 “Gangsta’s Paradise” parody, “Amish Paradise.” But the two later made peace.

The rapper would never again have a song nearly as big as “Gangsta’s Paradise,” but had subsequent hits with 1996’s “1, 2, 3, 4 (Sumpin’ New)” (1996), and 1997’s “C U When U Get There.”

His career album sales totaled 4.8 million, with 978 million on-demand streams of his songs, according to Luminate. He would be nominated for six Grammys overall.

And with his distinctive persona he would become a cultural staple, acting occasionally, starring in a reality show about parenting called “Coolio’s Rules,” providing a voice for an episode of the animated show “Gravity Falls” and providing the theme music for the Nickelodeon sitcom “Kenan & Kel.” He had occasional legal troubles, including a 1998 conviction in Stuttgart, Germany, where

TULSA, Okla. (AP) — Ben Bryant threw two touchdown passes, Cincinnati added two other scores on fourth down and the two-time defending American Athletic Conference champion Bearcats opened league play with a 31-21 victory Saturday night over Tulsa.

Bryant’s 61-yard pass to a wide-open Tyler Scott gave Cincinnati (4-1, 1-0) a 14-7 lead in the final minute of the first quarter and the Bearcats led the rest of the way in winning their fourth straight.

Deshawn Pace had an 18-yard pick-6 for the Bearcats’ first points. Cincinnati intercepted Davis Brin twice, had 11 sacks and held the Golden Hurricane (3-2, 0-1) to 36 yards rushing.

Bryant threw for 166 yards with a pick and Corey Kiner rushed for 106 yards, including a 19-yard TD on fourth down for a 21-7 lead.

Brin, who returned to action after leaving with an injury in the second quarter last week in a loss to Mississippi, threw for 237 yards, going over 5,000 for his career, but was intercepted twice. Keylon Stokes had 106 yards on six catches and went over 200 career receptions.

Tulsa came in ranked fourth nationally in passing yards at 358.5.

Deneric Prince scored on 8- and 2-yard runs for Tulsa, the second score cutting the lead to 24-21 but Bryant’s 2-yard toss to Josh Whyte on fourth down made it 31-21 heading into the fourth quarter.

Cincinnati notched its 17th straight win over an AAC team, dating to 2019 and took an 1817-2 series lead.

Tulsa had a chance to cut the lead in the fourth quarter after Jaise Oliver’s interception at the Bearcats 21 with under seven minutes remaining. But despite two personal foul penalties and a pass interference call on Cincinnati, Tulsa was halted at the 1.

Bearcats linebacker Ivan Pace Jr., who came in as the nation’s leader in tackles for loss with 11, added 2.5 more as part of his 10 tackles. an boutique shop owner said he punched her when she tried to stop him from taking merchandise without paying. He was sentenced to six months probation and fined $30,000.

He was married to Josefa Salinas from 1996 to 2000. They had four children together.

With pomp, bluster and ceremony, Putin defies West in speech Vladimir Isachenkov Associated Press MOSCOW (AP) — Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday cast his move to absorb four Ukrainian regions as part of an existential battle for Russia’s very survival against an aggressive West, a blustery show of his readiness to further up the ante in the conflict in Ukraine that has now entered its eighth month.

The fiery speech that Putin delivered before signing the treaties for the Ukrainian regions’ absorption into Russia marked some of his harshest criticism of the West to date. He accused the U.S. and its allies of trying to bring Russia down on its knees and enslave its people, and he vowed to use “all means available” to fend off attacks — a clear reference to the country’s nuclear arsenals.

“They want to see us as a colony,” Putin said. “They don’t want equal cooperation, they want to rob us. They want to see us not as a free society, but a crowd of soulless slaves.”

Putin’s televised speech took place at the opulent white-and-gold St. George’s Hall in the Grand Kremlin Palace and was frequently interrupted by applause from an obsequious audience of top officials and lawmakers.

After signing the accession treaties with the Moscow-backed leaders of the four regions, Putin linked hands with them in a show of unity. That was startling — unusually close physical contact for the 69-year-old Russian leader who has kept most of his interlocutors at a long distance since the start of the coronavirus pandemic.

In a sweeping attack on the U.S. and its Western allies, Putin castigated their history of colonial gains, slavery, the destruction of indigenous people and cultures and other actions that he described as “running contrary to human nature, truth, freedom and justice.”

Putin denounced the U.S. for carpet bombings during the Korean and Vietnam wars. He particularly noted that the U.S. has been the only country to use nuclear weapons, dropping them on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in the closing days of World War II. “They created a precedent, by the way,” Putin said in what some analysts saw as a veiled reference to his declared readiness to use “all means” to deter

Ukraine from pressing on with its counteroffensive.

“The West has continued looking for a way to strike us, weaken and break up Russia,” Putin declared. “They simply can’t accept the existence of such a big, great country with all its territory, natural riches, mineral resources and the people who can’t and won’t follow someone else’s bidding.”

In a blunt statement, Putin also accused the “Anglo Saxons” — a term

fools. Russia is a great country with a 1,000-year history, an entire civilization and it won’t live according to those forged, fake rules.”

He charged that the U.S. troop presence in Germany, Japan and South Korea effectively amounts to their “occupation” and reminded the audience the U.S. had eavesdropped on their leaders, saying it was a “shame not only for those who did it but also for those who slavishly swallowed that.”

where our destiny and history have called us” to fight for the “great historic Russia, for future generations, for our children and grandchildren.”

The Russian leader described his move to absorb the four Ukrainian regions as the restoration of historic justice, showing his contempt and disdain for Ukrainian statehood.

Putin claimed that “referendums” this week in the four regions in Ukraine — which the West says are completely il-

courtesy Associated Press A crowd watches as Putin addresses annexing four Ukrainian regions.

Russian officials use to refer to the U.S. and Britain — of sabotaging the Russiabuilt Nord Stream 1 and 2 gas pipelines under the Baltic Sea to Germany.

He didn’t name a specific country and didn’t offer any proof to back up his allegations. U.S. President Joe Biden’s administration on Friday rejected Putin’s pipeline claim as “disinformation” designed to distract from his annexation of parts of Ukraine.

Putin described the U.S. push for a rules-based world order as a hypocritical attempt to cover up the “U.S. diktat based on crude force.”

“We hear them say that the West upholds the rules-based order, but where do these rules come from?” Putin said.

“Those are ravings and plain cheating, double or triple standards intended for

As part of his sweeping diatribes against the West, Putin also fired broadsides at Western gender policies that he described as “satanic,” citing the Bible to declare that “those poisonous fruit have become visible, not only to people in Russia, but also many in the West.”

The Russian president cast Western efforts to contain Russia as racist and discriminatory, charging that “the Russophobia articulated today across the entire world is nothing but racism.”

“Russia realizes its responsibility before the global community and will do everything to bring those hot heads to their senses,” Putin said. “It’s obvious that the current neo-colonial model is doomed.”

He described the showdown with the West over Ukraine as a “battlefield

legitimate and took place under Russian occupation — reflected an “inalienable right of the people based on historic unity, the sake for which generations of our ancestors have won their victories.”

“Our common destiny and our 1,000year history are behind the choice that millions of people have made,” he said.

He called on Ukraine to halt its counteroffensive — which has recaptured some territory in the northeast — and sit down for talks, but bluntly warned that the accession of the four regions into Russia is non-negotiable. That tough stance leaves no prospects for peace negotiations.

“People in the four regions are becoming our citizens forever,” Putin said, vowing that “Russia will not betray them.”

News

October 3, 2022

The Collegian: 3

NFL’s handling of concussions questioned after Tua’s injury Rob Maaddi AP Pro Football Writer

The NFL’s handling of concussions has evolved dramatically from the days when players were given smelling salts on the bench and sent back into the game.

The league and the NFL Players Association have implemented extensive protocols and hired unaffiliated neurotrauma consultants (UNC) to work with team physicians at each game to diagnose concussions.

Still, football is a violent sport and injuries similar to the frightening one Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa suffered Thursday night seem unavoidable unless the NFL bans tackling and turns the game into flag football like it did for the Pro Bowl.

That’s not happening, and the most effective means of protecting players remains enforcing strict concussion protocols, which players, fans and others are concerned didn’t happen with Tagovailoa.

It would be difficult to prevent what happened to Tagovailoa when 6-foot-3, 340-pound Bengals defensive tackle Josh Tupou slammed him backward into the turf. The main question is why he was even playing just four days after he stumbled off the field and was unable to walk following a hit to his head during a home game against Buffalo.

Tagovailoa’s hands froze up and his fingers flexed awkwardly in front of his facemask for several seconds as he laid on the turf in Cincinnati, a scary scene witnessed by millions of viewers. He remained on the ground for several minutes until he was taken away on a stretcher and sent to a hospital.

This time — unlike Sunday when he seemed to exhibit concussion symptoms but was cleared by a team physician and UNC to return — Tagovailoa was diagnosed with a concussion. He was released from the hospital and flew home with the team. Flying hours after suffering a concussion raised questions, but NFL chief medical officer Dr. Allen Sills said the hospital makes that decision.

Tagovailoa’s quick return Sunday prompted a joint review by the NFL and NFLPA. The interview process has started and results aren’t expected for at least another week. Tagovailoa and the team explained his legs were wobbly because of a back injury.

It’s unknown whether there’s any correlation between the two incidents. Concussions are common in the NFL, especially when a player is thrown to the ground by a man Tupou’s size and his head hits the turf.

Sills said “it’s impossible to know” if the injury Tagovailoa sustained Thursday was exac-

erbated by the hit he took Sunday.

“That’s one of the factors that we want to look at,” Sills said on NFL Network. “Every injury is one we want to prevent.”

Chris Nowinski, a founder of the Concussion Legacy Foundation who played football at Harvard, is adamant Tagovailoa sustained a concussion against Buffalo and shouldn’t have played at Cincinnati.

“Tua showed five distinct signs of concussion,” Nowinski told The Associated Press.

“Anybody who has any training on concussions or cares about Tua as a human is not putting him on field four days after what he showed on Sunday, so this makes it so much worse because we know that this could be career-ending or season-ending. It should be season-ending, in my opinion. And it just shows just a lack of care for him as a human being.”

The league and the NFLPA instituted concussion protocols in 2011 when Colt McCoy took a helmet-to-helmet hit in a game and returned without being tested for a concussion.

The protocols have been expanded since.

There are three UNCs, who are paid jointly by the NFL and NFLPA, at each game. They work in conjunction with team physicians to diagnose whether a player has a concussion.

Independent certified athletic trainers (ATC spotters) sit in a booth and monitor the players on the field to have someone removed from the game if they see an impact to the head. Team trainers, coaches or physicians, teammates, game officials, sideline UNCs or booth ATCs also can initiate the protocol.

All players who undergo any concussion evaluation on game day must have a follow-up evaluation conducted the following day by a member of the medical staff. Sills said Tagovailoa was evaluated every day leading up to the game, even though he wasn’t in concussion protocol.

Several players have spoken about passing protocol even when they had concussions. Andrew Whitworth, the former Rams offensive lineman, said on Amazon’s broadcast he once played through a concussion during a game until a teammate noticed he wasn’t right and alerted doctors.

The league has experimented with other means to mitigate head injuries. This year, offensive linemen, defensive linemen, tight ends and linebackers were required for the first time to wear Guardian Caps — a soft-shell, padded covering on top of their helmets — during practices from the start of training camp until the second preseason game.

The average number of concussions among those positions groups dropped from 23 over the previous three-year period to 11 this sum-

mer, the league said. Of those 11 concussions, six resulted from blows to the facemask, which didn’t have added protection.

Tagovailoa is under pressure to perform this season and has battled injuries in the past, so it’s natural for him to want to play regardless of injury. Former players who have criticized the decision to let him play Sunday say they want to protect players from themselves.

“We are all outraged by what we have seen the last several days and scared for the safety of one of our brothers,” NFLPA president JC Tretter wrote on Twitter. “What everyone saw both Sunday and last night were ‘no-go’ symptoms within our concussion protocols. The protocols

The decision to allow Tagovailoa to return Sunday was made by the team physician and UNC. It was determined Tagovailoa’s instability was caused by a back injury. The joint review by the league and NFLPA will examine the steps taken and a report will be issued.

“Based on everybody I’ve talked to and I know a lot of doctors who are brain injury people and sports medicine people, I don’t know anybody who thinks it’s sound medicine just based on the observation of what was seen on the field and him stumbling afterward to say it’s OK for him to play again in that game and then four days later,” said attorney Brad Sohn, who has represented hundreds of players in concus-

courtesy Associated Press Tagovailoa showed seizure-like symptoms after getting hit in Thursday’s game.

exist to protect the player and that is why we initiated an investigation. Our job as the NFLPA is to take every possible measure to get the facts and hold those responsible accountable.

We need to figure out how and why the decisions were made last Sunday to allow a player with a ‘no-go’ symptom back on the field.

“Until we have an objective and validated method of diagnosing brain injury, we have to do everything possible, including amending the protocols, to further reduce the potential of human error. A failure in medical judgment is a failure of the protocols when it comes to the well being of our players. We have come a long way over the past 15 years but the last week proves how far we have left to go.”

sion litigation and is among the possible successors to NFLPA executive director DeMaurice Smith.

NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said there has never been an incident where a team physician and the UNC disagreed about a concussion.

In 2017, Seattle was fined $100,000 and the coaching and medical staffs were required to attend remedial training regarding the protocol after a joint review determined the team didn’t follow the protocol when Russell Wilson was directed to the sideline for an evaluation after the referee, Walt Anderson, concluded that a medical examination was warranted.

First female premier poised to take helm of Italy government Nicole Winfield, Frances d’Emilio and Giada Zampano Associated Press ROME (AP) — A party with neo-fascist roots won the most votes in Italy’s national election, setting the stage Monday for talks to form the country’s first far right-led government since World War II, with Giorgia Meloni at the helm as Italy’s first female premier.

Italy’s lurch to the far right immediately shifted Europe’s geopolitics, placing Meloni’s euroskeptic Brothers of Italy in a position to lead a founding member of the European Union and its third-largest economy. Italy’s left warned of “dark days” ahead and vowed to keep Italy in the heart of Europe.

peared to be voting for change, analysts said.

The victory of Meloni’s just 10-yearold Brothers of Italy was more about Italian dissatisfaction with the decadeslong status quo than any surge in neofascist or far-right sentiment, said Nathalie Tocci, director of the Rome-based Institute of International Affairs.

“I would say the main reason why a big chunk of (voters) ... will vote for this party is simply because it’s the new kid on the block,” she said.

The election’s sharp swing to the right, “confirms that the Italian electorate remains fickle,” said London-based political analyst Wolfango Piccoli, noting that an estimated 30% of voters went for a different party than their choice in 2018 elections.

courtesy Associated Press Italian far-right leader Melonia poses with sign saying “Thank you Italy.”

Right-wing leaders across Europe immediately hailed 45-year-old Meloni’s victory as sending a historic, nationalist message to Brussels. It followed a rightwing victory in Sweden and recent gains by the far-right in France and Spain.

Still, turnout in the Italian election Sunday was a historic low of 64%, and pollsters suggested voters stayed home in protest, disenchanted by the backroom deals that had created the country’s last three governments and the mash-up of parties in outgoing Premier Mario Draghi’s national unity government.

By contrast, Meloni was viewed as a new face in the merry-go-round of Italian governments and many Italians ap-

Meloni, whose party traces its origins to the postwar, neo-fascist Italian Social Movement, tried to sound a unifying tone, noting that Italians had finally been able to determine their leaders.

“If we are called to govern this nation, we will do it for everyone. We will do it for all Italians and we will do it with the aim of uniting the people,” said. “shechose us. We will not betray it.”

Near-final results showed the centerright coalition netting 44% of the parliamentary vote, with Meloni’s Brothers of Italy snatching 26% in its biggest win in its decade-long meteoric rise. Her coalition partners divided up the remainder, with the anti-immigrant League party led by Matteo Salvini winning 9% and

Forza Italia of ex-Premier Silvio Berlusconi taking around 8% of the vote.

The center-left Democratic Party and its allies had around 26% support, while the populist 5-Star Movement — which had been the biggest vote-getter in the 2018 parliamentary election — saw its share of the vote halved to 15%.

While the center-right was the clear winner, the formation of a government is still weeks away and will involve consultations among party leaders and with President Sergio Mattarella. In the meantime, Draghi remains in a caretaker role.

The elections, which took place six months early after Draghi’s government collapsed, came at a crucial time for Europe as it faces Russia’s war in Ukraine and related soaring energy costs that have hit ordinary Italians as well as industry.

A Meloni-led government is largely expected to follow Italy’s current foreign policy, including her pro-NATO stance and strong support for supplying Ukraine with weapons to defend itself against Russia’s invasion, even as her coalition allies take a different tone.

Both Berlusconi and Salvini have ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

While both have distanced themselves from his invasion of Ukraine, Salvini has warned that EU sanctions against Moscow are hurting Italian industry.

Berlusconi has even excused Putin’s invasion as an event foisted upon him by pro-Moscow separatists in the Donbas.

A bigger shift and one likely to cause friction with other EU nations is likely to come over migration. Meloni has called for a naval blockade to prevent migrant boats from leaving North African shores, and has proposed screening potential asylum-seekers in Africa, not Europe.

Salvini has made clear he wants the League to recapture the interior minister post, where he once imposed a tough anti-migrant policy. But he may face an internal leadership challenge, with Meloni’s party outperforming the League even in its northeastern stronghold.

On relations with the EU, analysts note that for all her euroskeptic rhetoric, Meloni moderated her message during the campaign and has little room to maneuver, given the economic windfall Italy is receiving from Brussels in coro-

navirus recovery funds. Italy secured 191.5 billion euros, the biggest chunk of the EU’s 750 billion-euro recovery package, and is bound by certain reform and investment milestones to receive it all.

That said, Meloni has criticized the EU’s recent recommendation to suspend 7.5 billion euros in funding to Hungary over concerns about democratic backsliding, defending autocratic Prime Minister Viktor Orban as the elected leader in a democratic system.

French far-right leader Marine Le Pen praised Meloni for having “resisted the threats of an anti-democratic and arrogant European Union.”

Santiago Abascal, the leader of Spain’s far-right Vox opposition party, tweeted that Meloni “has shown the way for a proud and free Europe of sovereign nations that can cooperate on behalf of everybody’s security and prosperity.”

Meloni is chair of the right-wing European Conservative and Reformist group in the European Parliament, which includes her Brothers of Italy, Poland’s nationalist Law and Justice Party, Spain’s far-right Vox and the right-wing Sweden Democrats, which just won big there on a platform of cracking down on crime and limiting immigration.

“The trend that emerged two weeks ago in Sweden was confirmed in Italy,” acknowledged Democratic Party leader Enrico Letta, calling Monday a “sad day for Italy, for Europe.”

“We expect dark days. We fought in every way to avoid this outcome,” Letta said at a somber news conference. “(The Democratic Party) will not allow Italy to leave the heart of Europe.”

Thomas Christiansen, professor of political science at Rome’s Luiss University and the executive editor of the Journal of European Integration, noted that Italy has a tradition of pursuing a consistent foreign and European policy that is bigger than individual party interests.

“Whatever Meloni might be up to will have to be moderated by her coalition partners and indeed with the established consensus of Italian foreign policy,” Christiansen said. ___ Colleen Barry contributed from Milan.

October 3, 2022

News

The Collegian: 4

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library to expand children’s book access Dolly Parton’s free book program is expanding into all Oklahoma counties and will be available to children ages five and below.

Aurora Stewart Student Writer The famed country music star Dolly Parton has created a legacy even beyond her iconic discography by working to help combat illiteracy all over the world. Her Imagination Library program delivers a free book every month to children ages five and under.

Parton’s library is expanding its reach into new Oklahoma counties. The program was previously only available in select rural areas of OK, but is now spreading county by county.

The Oklahoma State department announced it will dedicate $2.5 million of its federal stimulus funds to cover half the $2.10 per-child cost of this program as a way to increase literature access in all 77 counties. They will allocate this federal funding through 2024. The rest of the cost will fall to nonprofits, school districts, businesses and other local affiliates. To make the library available to children in their county, the cost will be $1.05 per child.

Access to this program is available to families of any income level, as long as they have a child between birth age and five years old.

Parton and the state aim to bring the Imagination Library to all 264,000 Oklahoman children

ages five and below. Regarding the expansion, Parton said “Together let’s inspire a love of reading and learning in every child in Oklahoma,” Dolly Parton created her library to honor her father who could neither read nor write. It started

in 1995 in her home county in Tennessee, and quickly expanded. It can now be found in many different states, Native American communities and even foreign countries. According to Parton, “When I was growing up in the hills of East Ten-

“Parton ... to bring the Imagination Library to all 264,000 Oklahoma children...”

courtesy ImaginationLibrary.com Dolly Parton is an advocate for literacy in the United States and other countries.

nessee, I knew my dreams would come true. I know there are children in your community with their own dreams. They dream of becoming a doctor or an inventor or a minister. Who knows, maybe there is a little girl whose dream is to be a writer and singer. The seeds of these dreams are often found in books and the seeds you help plant in your community can grow across the world.”

According to the World Population Review, the literacy rate in Oklahoma is 87.7%. Research proves how important the targeting of young children is in increasing the rate of literacy. An analysis by the National Early Literacy Panel corroborates that early childhood exposure to reading and at home parent involvement in reading have a significant correlation with increased literacy capacities.

Oklahoma is joining ten other states who have also implemented this program state-wide. A bill from state Rep. Tammy Townley, R-Ardmore and state Sen. John Haste, R-Broken Arrow, was created back in 2020 and encoded the Imagination Library Fund in state law. This came after Muskogee and Cherokee counties lost the necessary funds to continue making the Imagination Library available.

The oversight of implementing the new funding program falls to the state department of education. This funding has already allowed new families in Muskogee and Cherokee counties to utilize the program. Based on this immediate impact alone, it can be assumed the expansion of this program will help books find their way into many new homes all throughout Oklahoma.

Historic Oklahoma City church demolished early last week Preservationists protested the demolition of the Historic Oklahoma City church but were ultimately unsuccessful.

Myranda New Student Writer On Monday Sep. 26, an iconic Oklahoma City structure was demolished after standing since 1956. Known as the egg church, First Christian Church was torn down within the same day its permit to be destroyed was approved.

Sitting at Walker Ave. and Northwest 36th St., the place of worship was well-recognized for its avant-garde architecture featuring a dome atop the main entry designed

by Conner & Pojezny. Many residents say the dome gave it character and that it made the city special.

cost. One of these costs was the asbestos removal effect that had been ongoing.

Crossings Community Church approached the market in 2019 and considered buying the church to turn it into another location. Months later, they declined the purchase, saying “the overall cost was much higher than we anticipated.”

Around the same time, an owner focused on redevelopment considered the purchase, but also it fell through, sparking the conversation on what would ultimately come of the church.

Petitions supporting the church have been flooded in an attempt to prevent its demolition, including getting the church on the National Register of Historic Places. But this does not protect the church when it is under a non-federal owner, such as in this scenario. This is the second landmark in Oklahoma City on the National Register of Historic Places to

makes the city special, and it’s not another condo project, and it’s not another convenience store, and it’s not another Starbucks,” Faulk said.

There are no current public announcements on what will be built in replacement.

“‘...as we bulldoze all of our history in Oklahoma city, we’re taking our character away.’”

Local activist Mark Faulk was interviewed by KOCO 5 News following the demolition. He has been outspoken about this project since the beginning of its demolition threats years prior.

“You get it approved at 8:01, and they’re tearing it down at 8:02,” Faulk said.

“There’s not another building like it in the entire world, and as we bulldoze all of our history in Oklahoma City, we’re taking our character away.”

After the Oklahoma City Bombing in 1995, First Christian Church was a location of refuge, where numerous families went to be reunited or soughtmedical and resourceful support. Over the course of sixteen days, the American Red Cross worked out of its walls. For a period of time, the church also doubled as a preschool where Oklahoma City residents were educated. It was more than a space meant for those of a specific religion.

In 2016, the church was placed on the market, where it sat dormant for years. The upkeep expenses were massive, forcing the owners to recognize the extent of its overall

be demolished, after John M. Johansen’s Mummers Theater.

The Architect’s Newspaper reached out to Chantry Banks, the executive director of Preservation OKlahoma to get a statement.

“We are saddened by the sudden demolition of the First Christian Church here in Oklahoma City,” Banks said. “Several concerned citizens in the community had been assured over the last few months that the structure was safe and nothing was being done, except for asbestos abatement.”

Banks then goes on to describe how actions were being done to make the church look more desirable for a buyer, and within weeks before its demolition, the church was receiving offers. It seemed that the offers would go through, but instead, a demolition permit was obtained, and the church was down within the hour. Banks described how there were no barriers during the demolition, and people were walking freely to view it.

“I hope that looking forward our city council and people in charge in Oklahoma City will stop and think about what

courtesy Facebook @Abandond Oklahoma Protestors fought to try and keep the Egg Church standing, but were unsuccessful.

courtesy Facebook @Abandond Oklahoma The Egg Church was an iconic figure of the OKC skyline until its demolition early last week.

October 3, 2022

Commentary

The Collegian: 5

Why you should get the COVID-19 booster

COVID-19 is still very relevant, despite the discontinued mandates.

Boosters are the answer to continued protection.

Matthew Montanio Student Writer All around us, there are arguments why we shouldn’t try to pursue a policy of vaccination and maintaining booster shots for COVID-19. For starters, COVID is a disease that has critically affected the popula-

tion. More than 3.5 million people in the U.S. alone have died from COVID, and even more have been infected, so it is a prevalent problem. Those reading this article have more than likely contracted COVID at least once or twice in the years it’s been around.

Despite these circumstances, the U.S. did not follow through with many COVID regulations beyond an initial quarantine and halfhearted mask mandates. Even now, most if not all regulations have been discontinued for almost a year. However, despite being surrounded by an environment that almost discourages COVID vaccination, it is still an important responsibility to stay vaccinated and protected not only for your sake, but for others.

Unfortunately, the threat of COVID is still noticeable. According to the latest map and case count as reported by the New York Times, the cases have recently dropped over the summer and are at the lowest for this year. It makes sense as to why there is no desire to change lifestyles. However, upon closer inspection of the data, if the case rate mirrors that of last year, then by winter there should be a dramatic increase in positive case results. Last year, there was a recession of cases over the summer that heralded record-level infection rates in many different areas in the country.

Over 3.5 million people have died of COVID-19 in the U.S.

vaccine options and ensure that the vaccine you choose works best for you with the least side effects.

Hopefully, by acknowledging the need to vaccinate is similar to the need to be hygienic, then the psychological barrier might be that much less. Much like regular brushing or regular showering contributes to your hy-

“... the need to vaccinate is similar to the need to be hygienic ...”

courtesy wikimedia commons The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine is approved by the FDA.

Yes, there have been concerns about the side effects of COVID vaccines and it is still an ongoing process. But there are now vaccines which are fully approved by the FDA that people can receive in response to COVID if they haven’t already. I’m not advocating for blind trust in vaccines, so it is still a sensible idea to research the different

giene or how regular pet vaccinations contribute to theirs, getting regular vaccination against diseases, including one as prevalent as COVID, should be a no-brainer.

It’s still strange how quickly most, if not all, health measures were rolled back once they became optional. Although masks have become a less frequent phenomenon here in

courtesy wikimedia commons

the states, they remain relevant. Even if people don’t social distance in their daily routine anymore, there needs to be some form of precaution that substitutes the protection that it would have provided. The demand has not changed for necessary precautions; we have only set ourselves lower standards.

At the core, enough people need to take a vaccine or change their lifestyle for everybody to benefit from collective immunity against the disease, so the need still remains for as many people to get the vaccine as possible. If people are against receiving the vaccine, they could simply change their lifestyle and begin adhering to COVID safety measures. Just because COVID is relevant doesn’t mean that vaccination is the only way. As long as there is some form of precaution, whether it be vaccines or good practices, we can be better protected against these health threats.

DeSantis sends migrants to Martha’s Vineyard

In a widely criticized political stunt, the Florida governor relocates nearly 50 migrants to the summer colony.

Victoria Grossman Student Writer Citizens of famed Massachusetts resort town Martha’s Vineyard got quite a surprise on Sept. 14 when nearly 50 migrants arrived unexpectedly. After much confusion, Florida governor Ron DeSantis came forward to claim responsibility for the unannounced move. The event has been widely criticized by both Republicans and Democrats, and rightly so.

Relocating migrants is not a new policy

by Republican governors, but this stunt is particularly egregious in that DeSantis facilitated a move of migrants from Texas to Massachussettes, both states of which he is not the governor. He also used funds belonging to the Florida state government.

Part of DeSantis’ plan surely was to sit back and laugh as the liberal elites that frequent Martha’s Vineyard turned away the migrants in a show of hypocrisy. Unfortunately for him, he failed to consider that it is the offseason for eastern seaboard vacationing, and the town only consisted of its year-round residents. The offseason population is only around 17,000, while during the summer the population can swell to as many as 200,000 coastal elites. In either case, the 48 migrants that DeSantis plopped on the island would not exactly overwhelm the population. And, in fact, it didn’t. The residents of Martha’s Vineyard sprang into action, feeding the migrants and calling in authorities to relocate them to temporary housing.

The migrants, mostly from Venezuela, eventually ended up at a nearby military base.

From the beginning, it seemed fairly obvious these migrants were not aware that they were being relocated, despite DeSantis claiming that they had all consented. Reportedly, the “consent form” they signed was only partially translated into Spanish, leaving mentions of transportation and Massachussettes unreadable to most of the mi-

courtesy wikimedia commons The offseason population at Martha’s Vineyard is around 17,000.

grants. A class action lawsuit has since been filed on their behalf.

In addition to the lawsuit, a sheriff in Texas has officially opened an investigation into the actions of DeSantis, which ultimately cost Florida taxpayers $1.5 million.

It is worth noting that these migrants were no longer classified as illegal. In fact, many of them had court dates to continue on their immigration journey, which are now at stake due to Ron DeSantis’ political theater.

This stunt seems cruel even for him. These migrants came to the United States seeking the best country in the world, as conservatives describe it. And why shouldn’t they?

The idea that America is the “best country in the world,” however false, is touted far and wide by politicians; yet when people of color decide to be a part of that idea, they become political pawns. While it is widely accepted that some migrants must be relocated from where they originally immigrated to, this action was not taken in any sort of official capacity, with no oversight from the federal government. This type of action by Republican governors is not new, nor will it likely disappear anytime soon.

Democrats and Republicans seem completely deadlocked on the issue of immigration, so until a compromise is reached, these kinds of political stunts will likely not stop.

This cannot be the greatest country on earth if political officials kidnap migrants at will.

courtesy wikimedia commons Ron DeSantis is responsible for the relocation of the migrants from Texas to Massachussettes.

Variety

The Collegian: 6

October 3, 2022

Trust me, you do look good in that green and magenta striped turtleneck Tulsa thrift stores help you look good, save money and resist the temptation of fast fashion.

Celeste McAtee Graphics It’s now officially fall — which, admittedly, doesn’t mean much in Oklahoma until mid-November at least. But the continued heat doesn’t stop grocery stores from selling all things pumpkin-flavored, and it doesn’t stop many students from dreaming of their favorite fall outfits, even if it’s still too warm to wear them.

About this time of year, it’s often tempting to go on a pre-midterms stress-induced online shopping binge. We can’t wait to start wearing sweaters, jackets and whatever style of jeans is popular this year. Websites like Shein and Amazon make it all too easy to browse through hundreds of new styles, and compared to boutique prices, they’re incredibly inexpensive. That $8 shirt just looks so good on that model,even if you know it will fall apart in three weeks.

If you’re looking for new pieces to add to your wardrobe, but you also don’t want to contribute to the waste factory that is fast fashion, turning to expensive retailers isn’t your only option. Tulsa thrift stores offer a wide variety of clothing, and thrift store prices are often much lower than even the cheapest fast fashion retailers. And an added bonus: the money you spend usually goes towards the local economy.

Furthermore, the pieces you find at thrift stores are often far more unique, versatile and well-made than what you find online.

Clothes sewn 30 years ago were sewn to last — and trust me, they do. Many outfit essentials, like jeans, jackets and buttondown shirts can be found at thrift stores for well under $10, and these items easily mix and match with other pieces to create totally unique outfits. Sure, they won’t look exactly like that style that’s popular this season (and

will be forgotten by May), but there’s something fun and freeing about wearing a piece that’s a little quirky. Trust me, you do pull it off, and you’ll probably get plenty of compliments from people who wish they had your bold style.

At this point, you may be sold on the idea of thrift stores, but you’re still waiting for me to address one glaring problem: the effort it takes to find that perfect item.

While it can be annoying to dig through racks upon racks of clothing, only to find

the 99 cent Mondays, Quality Thrift’s prices tend to run a little higher than average. This thrift store is particularly good for t-shirts, dresses, bedding, table cloths and (oddly enough) unused Target liquidation. Keep in mind that Target liquidation items are going to be up-charged significantly from their liquidation prices, so you may do better simply purchasing straight from a Target clearance rack — an experience not dissimilar from a thrift store in the amount of digging required.

“Furthermore, the pieces you find at thrift stores are often far more unique, versatile and well-made than what you find online.” one thing that maybe works, I argue that the laborious process of thrift shopping actually contributes to its appeal. The thrifted items you buy seem to carry more significance because you had to work for them in a very tangible way. It’s easy to throw away that $6 sweater from Shein because it was easy to buy. But that $6 pair of shorts from Salvation Army…well, you might just hang on to that one for a bit longer. It’s easy to forget the meaning behind things we don’t have to work for. The difficulty and time commitment of securing a great thrifted piece reminds us that we don’t have to be mindless consumers ensnared by a give-me give-me culture. We can be thoughtful about the things we buy and do so in a responsible way.

That said, some thrift stores are better than others. While all thrift stores are going to require some digging, a few Tulsa stores stand out as consistently reliable and rewarding for your search. Here, I list the three that, in my opinion, consistently offer great items at very reasonable prices.

3. Quality Thrift, 51st and Peoria This thrift store is popular among TU students for its 99 cent Mondays, where clothing items with certain colored tags can be purchased for 99 cents. However, outside of

2. Family and Children’s Services Thrift Store, 6th and Utica Only a mile or so from campus is this charming store. It’s smaller than the other two listed in this article, but it’s still far more often a hit than a miss. This store has a great selection of button down shirts and house decor items, but you’ll find valuable goods in all sections. On top of that, this store supports a charity. Not only can you help out by purchasing items, but you can also donate

your old, unwanted clothing, saving those 3-sizes-too-small shorts from a landfill and someone in need from unemployment.

1. Prime Thrift Store, 31st and Mingo This massive thrift store is a bit of a drive from campus, but it has everything. I’ve purchased dozens of shirts, shorts, pants and jackets from this place. Heck, I even bought two perfectly-fitting floor-length purple sequin evening gowns (nevermind why I needed two, let alone one). It’s unlikely you’ll walk in and not find something worth spending a few bucks on. In addition, the housewares selection contains surprisingly good finds. Nowhere else will you find such funky drinking mugs and dish sets for such a low cost. You might just have to devote a few minutes to scrubbing off the crayon-ed on “.99” when you get back home.

If you’re looking to wear something new this fall, try one of these stores before scrolling through a fast fashion site. You’ll likely save money, reduce waste and find an item you’ll cherish for years. Oh, and while I’m here — if you’re looking to borrow a floorlength purple sequin dress any time soon, feel free to shoot me an email.

Thrift stores are a great way to save money and practice sustainability.

courtesy Wikimedia Commons

“Love on the Brain” review Ali Hazelwood’s recent book accurately represents women in STEM.

Myranda New Student Writer There is nothing better than an engineer and a neuroscientist who hated each other in graduate school being forced to work on a revolutionary project together at NASA where they slowly realize they do not actually hate each other. For her second novel, “Love on the Brain,” this enemies-to-lovers theme is what Ali Hazelwood focused on, the most unlikely research team that turned into a lot more than what they started as by the end of the summer.

As a woman in STEM, I absolutely love Ali Hazelwood’s books. I came across “The

and lows of graduate school and of being a woman in STEM. Her books are fun and light while still being emotional and hitting home when they need to.

What also needs to be said, though, about Hazelwood’s books is that they started as Reylo fanfictions. Reylo is the ship name for Rey and Kylo Ren from the latest “Star Wars” trilogy. Like a number of authors becoming popular lately, Hazelwood started in fanfiction, publishing stories online that she wrote about characters in universes already created, sort of as a “what if” scenario.

I think it’s incredible that so many authors are coming into the spotlight from their fanfiction experiences. These are people with experience self-publishing, self-marketing and writing what they enjoy as opposed to writing for a paycheck. Fanfiction brings back the excitement and passion of writing, of creating characters and scenarios to just see what happens after the plot is penned. If

“The creative weaving of science into a romantic comedy novel was so tastefully done”

courtesy @EverSoAli on twitter “Love on the Brain” by Ali Hazelwood was released on Aug. 23, 2022.

Love Hypothesis” in a Book of the Month club box, and I was obsessed with every second of it. The creative weaving of science into a romantic comedy novel was so tastefully done. It made me feel so intelligent while reading it because I was privy to every engineering fact or geeky reference, while still incorporating the lightheartedness of a romance novel that should not be taken too seriously.

More than that, Hazelwood writes books that women in STEM, unfortunately, relate all too well to. Seen in the dialogue between characters or in the way her protagonists are treated by their coworkers, it brings to light the reality of what the STEM world is like for too many.

That is what makes Hazelwood such a terrific novelist. She understands where we all came from. She understands the highs

someone has not seen “Star Wars,” though, they will not be missing anything. The novel is understood well enough to stand on its own.

“Love on the Brain” puts Dr. Bee Königswasser front and center, a neuroscientist who has spent her entire life moving around the world after the death of her parents.

While her sister continues to travel the world, going on a new adventure every day, Bee wants roots, and she is actively seeking somewhere to settle down. After a failed engagement, this seems more hopeless than ever to achieve, until she gets her dream of-

fer. Finally, it seems like she can settle her roots in a lab all her own; if only she did not have to share that lab with Dr. Levi Ward, the engineer who jaded her graduate school experience. It seems like there is no possible way they will work things out for the sake of their project, but with every other roadblock they run into, they realize that working together may not be the worst thing.

While I did enjoy “Love on the Brain,” there were some parts that I thought were done better in her debut as opposed to this novel. Near the end, the plot felt rushed, which certainly did not make up for how

Nevertheless, “Love on the Brain” was a very fun read, and once it got going, it really went, and I was unable to put it down.

It can certainly hold its own against Hazelwood’s debut novel, and it can be found at any bookstore near you. Also, keep an eye out for her steminist novellas that are currently electronically published, but will be physically published in 2023.

“It can certainly hold its own against Hazelwood’s debut novel, and it can be found at any bookstore near you”

Ali Hazelwood has published 4 novels throughout this year (2022)

courtesy @EverSoAli on twitter

slow the beginning was and how long it took me to get into it. Maybe it is because of the scenery change, this novel focusing on a professional lab as opposed to a graduate program, but I was more enthralled with the pacing of her first novel.

At least the characters are charming, such as Bee’s assistant Ro- cio, or the astronaut Bee is working on the project with, Guy. The side plots are incredibly amusing, like watching Bee train for a 5K, and as someone who has been to the Johnson Space Center in Houston, TX, I was easily able to envision the entire setting.

courtesy @EverSoAli on twitter “The Love Hypothesis” was published in 2021

October 3, 2022

Variety

The Collegian: 7

College cooking survival guide: breads Learning to schedule for cooking!

Matthew Montanio Student Writer Bread is one of the easiest things to cook for beginners. It’s cheap to make, low maintenance and versatile. Whether by itself or a component to a larger meal, bread comes in so many forms that you could create good bread for any situation. You could make bread a side to your pasta dishes, a component for a good sandwich, the foundation for beautiful croutons or French toast. The list goes on and on.

for around 30 minutes. This helps the flour begin to soak in water and bind together.

Once 30 minutes has passed, add a little salt and then begin kneading. Kneading techniques may vary with the bread type, but they all fundamentally work to rearrange gluten structures to facilitate a good rise, making fluffy, airy bread. For basic bread, it’s best to knead with a technique of pushing and rolling the dough on itself.

Continue to knead until the dough takes a silky smooth texture. Then, set the dough aside for the proofing stage.

Proofing your dough is so important, yet it is always overlooked. Proofing is important for bread because it develops flavor and helps the dough grow in volume. During this stage, wait until the dough has doubled

“Most breads could be made with either bread or all-purpose flour, active dry yeast and water, and that’s the best to begin for college students on a budget.”

Making bread is a remarkably simple process that lends a lot of room for creativity.

To start, I’m only going to really cover leavened breads. There are still more types like pita or tortilla that are made without yeast, but explanations for those and their cooking processes are too different to talk about in one article.

For leavened bread, the primary components are really flour, yeast, salt, a liquid and sometimes fat. Each of these ingredients adds an important component to bread.

Most breads could be made with either bread or all-purpose flour, active dry yeast and water, and that’s the best to begin for college students on a budget.

To make basic bread, there are four main stages. First, there is the mixing stage. This is where you mix the flour, liquid and yeast.

The yeast should be added to warm water and left to sit for a few moments. To get an idea to know how warm the water should be, imagine that you are heating milk up for a baby. It should be as warm as possible so that you could comfortably have the liquid on your wrist. Once the water/yeast mixture is made, flour should be added to the solution and then mixed until a shaggy dough forms. Then, the dough should be left alone

in size or until a soft finger press leaves a small indent that slowly fixes itself like memory foam. Sometimes, this may take hours or the whole day, so only judge the bread by its status. However, as much as the time may vary, this stage makes it easy to prepare bread and allows you to study, work or go to class. Once this stage is finished, then there is final shaping.

During the final shaping stage, bread dough is taken, parceled out and prepared to get baked. You should punch down your dough and set it up into a shape that looks pleasing to you. Rolling into rolls or into longer strips are easy techniques to try and shape your bread, but this is a phase that loves experimenting. Once you create a shape that you’re happy with, set it aside for one final proofing.

courtesy Matthew Montanio Making bread should be at the top of the list for beginners.

into a hot oven, usually set around 450-500 degrees Fahrenheit. Once the bread is baking, add some method to steam inside your

“From here, the bread should harden and a pleasant smell should take over the kitchen.”

A final proofing doesn’t develop as much flavor as the initial rise, but it helps the dough settle into its new shape. Give this stage about an hour, and then put the bread

oven to facilitate the growth. Personally, I add water to a pan under the bread in the oven to generate steam. Once the steam is added, turn down your heat to a fourth of

the original temperature to further help the bread grow. Once the dough has risen completely in the oven, turn the heat back up to 450-500 degrees. From here, the bread should harden and a pleasant smell should take over the kitchen.

Once the bread is cooled, it’s all for you to enjoy! There are still ways to experiment, too. Flour and water could still be switched out for things like butter, milk, different flours, but with the basic process down, all bread should be easy to make.

The Band CAMINO album review

A year after its release, The Band CAMINO’s debut is prime for rediscovery.

Mary Lickona Business Manager This past Sept. 10 marked the one year anniversary of The Band CAMINO’s selftitled first full album. If I had found this album last September, who knows, maybe I would have had a better junior year. But this past summer I finally listened to the record in its entirety after previously listening to about three or four of their songs. Needless to say, I am now in love. I listen to this album weekly, if not daily, something that I haven’t done in a long time.

This album hits all the spots, even if you’re like me and have yet to experience a heartbreak. There’s just something to be said about listening to an album that embodies what it means to be in your twenties and trying to figure out who you are while simultaneously experiencing nostalgia and heartbreak. In spite of, or maybe even because of that, this album is a hopeful one, which seems to say, “Screw it, I’ll live and love big, despite what happens.”

This album is the alternative/pop-rock group’s first full-length after their previous two EPs and the several singles they have released in the past. According to Apple Music, this album “proves that [The Band CAMINO] are a band in the business of big feelings - and it feels good,” and I couldn’t agree more. The three-man band from Memphis provides a heartfelt list of fourteen tracks, with each song going harder or hitting deeper than the last.

TRACK BY TRACK: The album starts out with the ironically optimistic “EVERYBODYDIES” and “Roses,” with drums and electro-pop beats that bring home the jaded youthfulness of living through tough times, i.e., growing up and figuring (sh)it out. “Roses” was my gateway drug into The Band Camino and would have remained my favorite song, if my favorite didn’t change every time I listen to the album, but it still holds a special place in my heart as the beginning of a fabulous album.

The next three tracks focus more on the struggles and joys of relationships. “Underneath My Skin” is a reflection on the person you just can’t stop going back to, the story

courtesy @thebandcamino on twitter The Band CAMINO’s album dropped in September 2021 and consists of 14 songs.

you just can’t end and the promises they make but you still believe them every time.

I consider this a sister song to a later track “Damage,” but I’m getting ahead. Track number four is one of my all time favorite TBC songs, “I think I like You.” A bop and a half, this bubbly and easy song is perfect for a little dance and a little crush. On the flipside, if you ever wanted to scream “you

“Look Up” is quite the standalone of the album, with it not focusing on heartbreak or anger, but on the isolation that a digital world brings. I most definitely rolled my eyes when first hearing this one, but there is a nugget of truth in the loss of human connection in favor of virtual connections.

And then, track thirteen is what I view as the most heartbreaking song on the album.

“Help Me Get Over You” is a plea to someone who has only hurt you by leaving you.

“Even if you have to lie / There must be something you can do / Help me get over you” will never not hurt me. If you take nothing else away from my lengthy review, go listen to this song.

And finally, “Get It Your Way” eases you out of the album, after traveling the emotional highs and lows. The final track rounds up the old friends of “The Band CAMINO:” hurt, angst, bitterness and brutal honesty.

“The Band CAMINO” may just speak to my angsty tendencies, but I think it can be felt by anyone who has been hurt and struggles to forgive, or who feels angry and lost.

It reminds us that those big feelings demand to be felt, and that it’s healthy to scream out your angst once in a while. Those big feelings will not be big forever, but the spaces they’ve left in our hearts will have stretched them for better loves and better lives.

concept, but one I find tinged with a bittersweet nostalgia. “Sorry Mom” will hit if you struggle with familial relationships, but may lead to some reflection on those relationships. How they can hurt, but how you can still miss them because they were integral to the changes that shaped you.

“Just a Phase” and “1 Last Cigarette” are great angry tracks, pumping with frustration

“This album hits all the spots, even if you’re like me and have yet to experience a heartbreak.” told me I would always be the only one” at your ex, might I interest you in track five, the bitter, bangin’ break-up anthem, “Know It All.” This one is a serious head-banger that I have definitely screamed along to in the shower.

Tracks six and seven are softer in sound, but heavier on the heart. “Who Do You Think You Are” makes you pause and look at your past self and wonder how the hell you ended up where you are now. A somewhat somber

and angst. I personally find they hit the hardest when you’re confused at the world and sick of others living your life for you. The following track, “Song About You” was one of my songs of the summer, with a catchy chorus that circles around and around, stuck on the one you can’t get over. “Damage” focuses on loving someone so much that you’re willing to be second choice, to be used just to be held (not a sustainable love, but a consuming one).

courtesy @thebandcamino on twitter The Band CAMINO Performed in Tulsa this past June.

Sports

The Collegian: 8

October 3, 2022

Tulsa volleyball defends home court in conference opener Sports writer Joe McCurdy covers TU volleyball’s first two conference wins against East Carolina and Temple. reigning AAC Champs UCF, who is currently undefeated and ranked No. 24 in the country.

First up on the docket was ECU, who currently sits at 5-9 overall and 0-2 in conference play, at the bottom of the AAC standings. Coming into the game on a twogame winning streak, the Golden Hurricane was coming into the game ready to play and had the confidence to back it up. That confidence was evident in the first two sets as the Golden Hurricane was rolling. Winning

caped the comeback attempt and got their first home win of the season.

Next up was Temple, who currently sits at 6-7 overall and 0-2 in conference play, sitting at 8th overall in the AAC standings. While Temple’s record is nothing to write home about, they’ve kept themselves in close games against tough opponents.

Looking to fix the mistakes made in the first match, Tulsa couldn’t take Temple for granted as they’ve been season wreckers in the past. It’s safe to say that the Golden Hur-

“Tulsa stands as one of three AAC teams who are currently 2-0 in conference play, they look to continue working towards their goal of being a prominent force in the American Athletic Conference.”

courtesy @TulsaVolleyball on Twitter

The Tulsa women’s volleyball team had their first two home games this weekend versus two in-conference opponents East Carolina University and Temple. After finishing their non-conference schedule 7-5 with wins against teams like Oral Roberts University, Stephen F. Austin State University and University of Texas at El Paso, it

was time to start their run for the American Conference Title. Their first season test came against ECU and Temple, who were 9th and 10th in the American Athletic Conference last year. This was Tulsa’s opportunity to start the season 2-0 in the conference where they finished middle of the pack last year before going on the road against the

the first two sets 25-18 and 25-21. With a 3-0 sweep on the horizon, it looked like it was going to be a shoo-in for Tulsa, but after going on a 5-0 run to start the 3rd set, ECU started to fight back. Winning the next two sets 25-21 and 25-15, it looked like ECU was set to reverse sweep the Golden Hurricane. ECU had all the hope, the momentum and the vision for them to close out the comeback. Tulsa needed a huge momentum shift to swing the energy back in their favor and that’s exactly what happened. A huge 8-0 run coming off a serving run by setter Avery Kalsu took back any hope that ECU had built, and evaporated in a matter of minutes. With a 15-6 5th set victory, Tulsa es-

ricane didn’t give Temple any hope during their match. After winning the first two sets with a dominant score of 25-17 and 25-14, Tulsa looked to close out the match in the third, avoiding the mistakes made in the ECU match. Winning the 3rd set 25-13 is exactly the conclusion Tulsa was looking for to end the weekend with a 2-0 conference record. Kayley Cassidy finished the match with 17 kills on 33 attacks, earning her 3rd AAC Honor Roll of the season.

As Tulsa stands as one of three AAC teams who are currently 2-0 in conference play, they look to continue working towards their goal of being a prominent force in the American Athletic Conference.

Ole Miss safety ejected for targeting Tulsa receiver Sports editor Caspian Denton reports on the controversial play from TU’s matchup with Ole Miss.

Tulsa’s football matchup against Ole Miss on Sept. 24 wasn’t only a close completion, but also included a play that gained a great deal of media attraction. The play occurred with less than a minute and thirty seconds remaining in the third quarter. It consisted of second-string quarterback, Braylon Braxton, scrambling to find a receiver. Braxton eventually locates TU star wide receiver, Keylon Stokes, for a twenty-yard catch.

Stokes had control of the ball only for a brief second before getting hit helmet-tohelmet by safety Otis Reese. The forceful hit caused Stokes to fumble the ball and get picked up by Ole Miss’ second safety Trey Washington. After the initial hit, Stokes is seen attempting to stand up and continuing to stumble and fall. Teammates and Tulsa’s medical staff quickly rushed to accompany him.

During the play, a flag was thrown after Reese’s tackle. The referee then stated that the play is under review reading if Reese’s tackle was targeting and if Stokes completed the catch. Targeting is the act of when a player lowers their head and makes helmetto-helmet contact with another player. After review, Stokes did not have control of the ball, so there was no fumble. As for the tackle, it was classified as targeting, which resulted in the ejection of Reese from the rest of the game and the first half of Ole Miss’ next match. While the play was un-

der review, Stokes was able to walk back to the medical tent by himself where he went through the protocol to be checked for a concussion. Stokes was cleared to return within minutes and was back on the field within a single set of downs.

The play went viral after being posted on Oklahoma Sports Bros’ Twitter, currently sitting at 3.8 million views. The video gained much attention due to the harshness of the tackle and the difficulty of Stokes recovering. The clip clearly shows Resse lowering his head and making contact helmetto-helmet. Hits like this frequently result in a concussion, so it was abnormal that Stokes was able to return shortly after.

The risk of concussions and head injuries, in general, has been a recurring issue within the sport of football. Because the game is fast-paced and physical, events like this are bound to happen. The National Center of Health Research has conducted studies on the very topic and has found “high rates of concussions, traumatic brain injuries, and a serious brain disorder called chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) in former players.” This is why it is crucial to take the proper precautions when a head injury does occur.

Stokes is certainly one of TU’s best-performing wide receivers, entering the season ranked ninth on the school’s all-time receiving chart with 2,550 career yards. The

courtesy @TulsaFootball on Twitter

season has already involved him climbing that ladder even closer to the top. This being said, Stokes’ health is still the priority. As already mentioned, he is said to have passed the protocol while being checked for a concussion. It feels as though after a hit such as that, the medical team should take their time to verify Stokes is good to go, rather than

put back in so quickly. The more dangerous symptoms of a concussion frequently come after already having an initial concussion.

The Collegian reached out to the director of communications for our football team to see what the protocol was and how it was approved to establish Stokes was cleared to return to the game but received no response.

Oct. 3 - Oct. 9 Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday 4

3

Thursday

5

Friday

Saturday 8

7

6

Sunday 9 Volleyball Memphis 1:00 p.m.

W Golf

W Golf

@ Barbara Nicklaus Cup @ Barbara Nicklaus Cup

All Day

All Day

M Soccer FAU 7:00 p.m.

W Soccer Cincinnati 7:00 p.m.

Volleyball SMU 7:00 p.m.

Football @ Navy 2:30 p.m.

Softball Central Arkansas 4:00 p.m.

W Soccer @ Houston 1:00 p.m.

M Soccer

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October 3, 2022

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The State-Run Media

State-Run media “Bitch I’m back out my coma” -Ye

State-Run midterm propoganda: top 10 Governor Stitt moments Looking back at the highlights of Governor Kevin Stitt’s impressive first term in office, I chose my personal favorite moments.

Aries — They say one bad apple spoils the whole bunch but that won’t matter because every cop is a bastard, and all the apples at the grocery store are mushy.

Kyle Garrison Former president of the College Republicans impeached for premarital sex.

When Governor Stitt abolished school and replaced it with mandatory Chickfil-A employment Oklahoma is known for its innovation in amazing inventions like the parking meter and the yield sign, this incredible policy put forward by Governor Stitt is no different. Who wouldn’t love how he managed to solve both our education and our labor shortage problems. This policy was accompanied by reallocating all the funds from the free and reduced cost meals program directly to oil company subsidies. He even went so far as to arm himself to escort all the kids from the schools to their new jobs.

When Gubernatorial King Kevin did an ollie on live TV while promoting neoNazi censorship policies Sure, it’s a bit concerning but you can’t deny it was pretty sick.

When John (that is his real first name) started his speech with the dictionary definition of “liberty” I am sure all professors will agree that dictionary definitions best introduce a rhetorical argument. He’s speaking my language. Before hist speech I had never heard of that word so I am glad I can add it to my lexicon.

When Jeb Stitt issued a blanket pardon for all white landowning men who aren’t communist or gay What liberals refuse to admit is Stitt is the only person to actually act on mass incarceration. By pardoning all eight straight white landowning men who had previously been held accountable for their actions our state moved to 2nd in per-capita incarceration rate.

When JK Rowling-Stitt tried to use the singular joke us conservatives have about gender identity but ended up accidentally stealing Osama bin Laden’s identity and immediately was targeted by a drone strike which missed and completely leveled the Oklahoma City Zoo Real right-wingers (let’s go Brandon, am I right fellas?) understand that when our buddy Kev said, “Oh, if gender identity is real than I identify as terrorist leader and perpetrator of the 9/11 attacks, Osama bin Laden,” he meant that gender identity isn’t real. As real conservatives, we know he never would use pronouns. Ask any Democrat and they will always argue that “they” can be singular. They need to learn gram-

Taurus — Everyone you vote for in the midterm will lose by an embarrassing margin, but at least you don’t live in Texas.

Gemini — Your landlord will evict you because you are late on rent, which he inflated at the last minute, citing upkeep costs all while he still won’t fix the fucking dryer. You have nothing to lose but your chains!

Kevin Stitt always makes schools feel safer.

mar. Also, the Oklahoma City Zoo was in need of renovations anyways.

When Stitt (former OSU accounting major) tried to annex Kansas for not criminalizing abortion but gave up because he couldn’t find the capital on the map As a pro-life man who hasn’t met a woman, I appreciate his effort to take a stand against the woke mob, even if in the end he gave up when his army of oil barons and college men that haven’t discovered hygiene got lost before they reached Wichita, which they had assumed was the state capital. Every politician has to come to terms with the fact that they will not be able to enact every policy they want, and for Stitt, this meant winnowing down his colonial goals to annexing Arkansas instead.

When he gave up on his lifelong dream to be on Broadway in order to support his family by founding a mortgage company and selling his soul to the devil Our beloved Faustian Governor inspired politicians everywhere by giving up on his dream to play Munkustrap in “Cats” just to sell his soul to the devil (mortgage companies) in exchange for all his desires to be satisfied by Mephisto (the oil and gas industry). It takes a real man to roll up your

graphic by Kyle Garrison

sleeves and become a despicable human being in exchange for wealth and power.

When Kev stole 40 percent of the state’s budget so that he could take his buddies to Vegas I admire his entrepreneurial and enterprising approach to laundering.

When Lord Kevin mistook his own Lieutenant Governor for a deer and shot him in the face You have got to love a man paying respects to the classic moments in the Republican Party’s history. Not to mention, no one really misses the guy and news sources have yet to notice that he was replaced by a similar-looking Oral Roberts alum also named Matt.

When Kevin Robinette Stitt sued President Joseph Robinette Biden for not giving him as many tanks for the OKC and Tulsa Police departments as he asked for Sure, Biden was willing to give a few tanks, but it really shows how little Democrats care about our law enforcement that he only gave enough for half of the police department to have one. Now they have to take turns. Although the legal battle ended in both parties repeatedly pardoning themselves, I think we can appreciate the effort regardless.

Cancer — Having kids is the worst thing an individual can do as far as environmental impact goes, which makes you really environmentally friendly due to your not having any sex.

Leo — The bank left their safe unlocked. This might be the big break you are looking for. It isn’t like you were going to pay off those student loans otherwise.

Virgo — You will be expelled for not doing your alcohol training video on time.

Libra — Go directly to jail.

Do not pass go. Do not collect 200 dollars.

Scorpio — You have been selected to win a $1000 Amazon gift card! Please click here for more information!

Sagittarius — Ever heard of the Titanic? Yeah …

Capricorn — You should cut out people who don’t like you. Always remember that only God can judge you. That being said, judging by the lightning bolt that will strike you, he isn’t too thrilled with you either.

Aquarius — Your name is Dick Chaney. You will be arrested under Universal Jurisdiction on behalf of the International Criminal Court and will be executed on charges of torture. If it makes you feel any better the US will retroactively invade the Netherlands on your behalf. You are still going to die but at least you will cause one more violent conflict abroad. A last hurrah as it were.

For legal reasons this is not from experience.

graphic by Kyle Garrison

Pisces -— Pisces? More like a piece of shit. Got ‘em.

Sorry about that. I have had a hard week. horoscopes by Kyle Garrison

Writers meetings held every Monday at 5:00 p.m. in Oliphant 110