Volume 72, Issue 14

The Highlander

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, RIVERSIDE

For the week of Tuesday, January 30, 2024

VOL. 72, ISSUE 14

RADAR

est. 1954

THIS YEAR’S R&B CONCERT WAS ONE FOR THE BOOKS.

Winter SOULstice 2024: A cool night with even chiller vibes BRENDAN VO Radar Editor

Of the many things UCR students can look forward to, Winter SOULstice stands tall. With the Associated Student Programming Board (ASPB) behind the annual winter quarter event, the R&B and soul music concert promises a chill night with few attractions and food trucks. Juxtaposed to the other hyped and excitable annual UCR concerts like Block Party and Spring Splash, ASPB notes Winter SOULstice “caters to a crowd that wouldn’t necessarily be drawn to our other concerts on campus.”

Theme

This year, the concert’s aesthetic and theme was a mix of goth cottage core and alternate fairy. Featuring a

skeleton with wings as a major motif, the merchandise also reflected the style fashionably. The designed shirt and crew neck were the main draw for concertgoers.

Lineup

The lineup for the event for this year’s Winter SOULstice was not as recognizable as past years’ lineups. For 2024, the three artists were Jay Wile, Dreamer Isioma and headliner Destin Conrad. While many participants would say that the lineup was not very recognizable, many would still end up enjoying the music heavily.

► SEE SOULSTICE PAGE 14

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MEMBERS FROM PODER SHARE THEIR EXPERIENCES IN SAN FRANCISCO AND NEWS DISCUSS PLANS FOR THE OFA CAMPAIGN. UCR Students and ASUCR External attend Regents meeting BRENDA JOVEL AND MATA ELANGOVAN Editor-in-Chief and News Editor

On Thursday, Jan. 25, eight students from the University of California, Riverside (UCR) attended the University of California (UC) Regents meeting to support Regents Policy 4407: Policy on Equitable Student Employment Opportunities. During the meeting, Regents Policy 4407, which would provide equal employment opportunities for undocumented students, was suspended by the Regents Board for a year. In attendance from the UCR community was Providing Opportunities, Dreams and Education in Riverside (PODER) and Associated Students of the University of California, Riverside’s (ASUCR) External Affairs.

Emmanuel Aguilar-Ampudia, Co-President of PODER, explained how PODER members were made aware of the addition of Regents Policy 4407 to the Regent’s agenda. Aguilar-Ampudia stated that an emergency Opportunities for All (OFA) meeting on Thursday night was called when news came that Regents Policy 4407 had

been added. Despite this last minute addition, they claim that no public announcement was made. Ampudia explains, “the whole UC student association [External branches] … didn’t know until [ASUCR Vice President of External Affairs] Ángel [Rentería] told all of them.”

Quick discussions of what to do next ensued within the organization. Five PODER members were able to receive flights from ASUCR External to attend the UC Regents meeting, landing Wednesday morning in San Francisco.

Once in San Francisco, Maria Hernandez Brambila, Co-President of PODER, highlighted the sense of unity she felt with other UC students. “We made a lot of connections in regards to undocumented students from all 10 campuses … that were able to make the drive.”

Mario Arce Acosta, Treasurer of PODER, also shared his experience. “The room for the UC Regents meeting was charged with emotion on the students’ side, given that we were all

COURTESY OF EMMANUEL AGUILAR-AMPUDIA

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TUESDAY, JAN 30, 2023

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Political Recap:

Three Democratic Representatives and one long shot Republican squared off in a debate for an open U.S. Senate seat

FOUR CANDIDATES HIGHLIGHT THEIR CONTRASTING VALUES OVER A RANGE OF TOPICS TO CONTEST FOR VOTERS IN CALIFORNIA. AAZAM KHAN Contributing Writer

This year, the state of California will decide the next United States (U.S.) Senator to permanently replace Dianne Feinstein. On Jan. 22, four candidates qualified for the Fox 11/Politico debate held at the University of Southern California. For the first time in front of a live audience, the candidates were able to express their differing values on the Israel-Gaza conflict, congressional earmarks and health care.

The widest range of opinions was on how the U.S. should conduct their relations with the state of Israel during and after Israel’s military operations in Gaza. Steve Garvey, a former Major League Baseball player expressed his utmost support for the state of Israel. “I stay with Israel, yesterday, today, and tomorrow for whatever their needs are … we have to give Israel the opportunity to fulfill their sovereignty, to fight back … it’s naive to think that we can ask our government to tell them or try to influence them to cease fire.” Not only was Garvey the only Republican on the stage, but he was also the only candidate who publicly opposed a two-state solution between Israel and Palestine.

“I feel it’s also naive to think that a two-state solution can happen.”

Rep. Barbara Lee was on the farthest opposing end of the spectrum from Steve Garvey with regard to the Israel-Gaza crisis. Lee immediately called for a permanent ceasefire less than 24 hours after the Oct. 7 attacks carried out by Hamas. She condemned the “horrific attacks of Oct. 7” but argues that continuing a “war in Gaza that has killed 25,000 people” is “counterproductive to Israel’s security.”

Rep. Lee elaborated on her opinion by explaining her thought process in previous international conflicts. “I voted against the authorization to use military force right after the horrific attacks of 9/11. I said then, and I’m saying now, it could spiral out of control. You see what’s happening?

It’s escalating in the region … as this war escalates, as the Arab nations pull back, then what do we have? We do not have a path to Israel’s security, nor do we have a path to a Palestinian state.” Lee believes that the only way to find a “path to peace and to secure Israel and a secure state for the Palestinians … should be a two-state solution.”

Among the Democrats on the stage, Rep. Adam Schiff was the most committed of Israel’s interests in Gaza. “The magnitude of that horror [on Oct. 7] is still shocking to me … the [U.S.] should support Israel in defending itself.”

Schiff explained that before there can be an implementation of a two-state solution, Israel still needs to complete their military operations in Gaza and a ceasefire at this current point would be impractical. “We have to get back [to a two] state solution, but Israel has to defend itself. We can’t leave Hamas governing Gaza. They’re still holding over a hundred hostages, including Americans. I don’t know how you can ask any nation to ceasefire when their people are being held by a terrorist organization.”

Rep. Katie Porter’s view on the Israel-Gaza conflict is a blend between Rep. Lee and Rep. Schiff. “I joined millions of Americans around the country in mourning what has happened, the loss of Israeli lives and the loss of Palestinian lives. And we need as the [U.S.] to be pushing for the conditions that can get us to a bilateral durable peace.”

Porter differs from Rep. Lee in the sense that Rep. Lee is advocating for an immediate ceasefire, while Rep. Porter believes that a ceasefire should come later with time. “The parties to this conflict are Israel and Hamas. Ceasefire is not a magic word. You can’t say it and make it so.”

Aside from the differing views on the Israel-Gaza conflict, the three Democrats teamed up to pummel Steve Garvey in his support of former President Donald Trump.

Rep. Schiff criticized Garvey, “You voted for him twice.

You saw what he did on Jan. 6. You have to see what a threat he is to the country … What more do you need to see of what he’s done to be able to say that you will not support him?” Rep. Lee reprimanded Garvey for “[supporting] the M.A.G.A. extremist agenda, led by Donald Trump to dismantle our democracy.” Rep. Porter asserted that if Donald Trump wins the 2024 presidential election, “[t]hen we will lose credibility on the world stage. It will set us back decades”. Garvey defended Trump. “Economists say that he did an exceptional job for our economy. … [H]e created jobs for minorities, more than any [president] in this history.”

The candidates had divergent perspectives on healthcare.

Representatives Lee and Porter both had unwavering endorsements for a single payer Medicare for All program. Katie Porter attempted to separate herself from Lee by claiming that many of the lifelong politicians are responsible for the lack of progress in health care. “These career politicians are talking about their fights 30 and 40 years ago for Medicare for All. But where are we? We are not there. Health equities are getting worse.”

Rep. Schiff was more fond of the current Obamacare program. “I fought to pass the Affordable Care [Act], and it has extended coverage to millions of people.” Schiff likes the idea of a Medicare for All program but doesn’t endorse a single-payer system. “If you are in a union and negotiated a good policy or like your doctor, I think you should be able to keep your policy and keep your doctor.”

Steve Garvey believes that government intervention in health care is less effective and that health care should be more privatized for the free market. “[W]e can look at our insurers and start to really find out what the bottom line’s going to be. And they’ll start to compete, as good competitors do, who want to win, want to have a better bottom line.”

Earmarks was another topic with differing viewpoints.

Whenever Congress drafts massive pieces of legislation, some members vote in affirmation with the condition that

a provision is written to allocate funds to certain areas of a state or district. These additional spending provisions can be a tool for incumbents to campaign on in their bid for re-election.

Katie Porter was the most vocal in opposition to them.

“Earmarks is just a fancy word for Washington politicians substituting their personal interests, including getting earmarks for their big donors, for what our needs are. Look, the problem here is that earmarks invite corruption. They invite self-dealing and they do not prioritize what we need, especially our communities of color.”

Meanwhile, Adam Schiff conveyed his support for earmarks citing how Feinstein utilized them to enhance California. He also explained that without them, California would be left behind other states economically. “Diane Feinstein brought billions back to California, for water infrastructure, for housing, for healthcare. I’m going to fight to bring that money back to California. [W]e are a donor state, which means that we send far more back in tax dollars to Washington than we get back. Any Senator from California that says, no, I’m not going to fight for those resources, that’s going to be wonderful news to 49 other states who’ll be thrilled to have that money.”

Barbara Lee was not willing to support ending earmarks entirely, but was open to making reforms. “[E]armarks must be transparent and there must be accountability. Secondly, it would really be a dereliction of my duty to my constituents if I did not fight for every single dollar that I could find.

Because, yes, California is a donor state, they deserve their tax dollars back. And, no, it may not solve all the problems, but it sure has filled in the gaps.” Lee then mentioned why she disagreed with former President Obama’s decision to try to end earmarks. “I said to President Obama, ‘You are denying communities of color who don’t have the resources but know how to provide the services, the jobs and the opportunities. You’re denying them the opportunity to deliver these kinds of services.’”

Steve Garvey used the topic of earmarks to make a claim that unlike his Democratic opponents, he is not bought out from outside interests. “I’m quite sure my three opponents owe people who have contributed to their funds, who have asked them, we need this money. Can you provide money for us through earmarks? I owe no one. I’m a fresh face. I’ll have fresh ideas. I will listen to the needs of Californians just as I’ve done.”

The first debate for the Senate seat placed a spotlight where the candidates stood and differed on the key issues that many California voters care about. The last day to vote in this primary election is March 5. In the jungle primary system, out of the four candidates on the debate stage, only two will advance to the general election. Voters will have to H decide which candidate resembles their values the closest.■

4 TUESDAY, JAN 30, 2024

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UC Regents suspends policy which would open opportunities for undocumented students

REGENTS POLICY 4407 WOULD HAVE ALLOWED UC TO HIRE UNDOCUMENTED STUDENTS WHO DO NOT QUALIFY FOR FEDERAL WORK AUTHORIZATION. BRENDA JOVEL AND MATA ELANGOVAN Editor-in-Chief and News Editor

From Jan. 23 to Jan. 25, the University of California (UC) Board of Regents met at the University of California, San Francisco. On the meeting agenda for the 25th, it was noted that the Regents would be voting on Regents Policy 4407: Policy on Equitable Student Employment Opportunities. At the end of Open Session, a motion was made to suspend implementation of the policy for one year, with ten regents voting in favor, six regents voting against, and one regent abstaining from the vote.

Regents Policy 4407: Policy on Equitable Student Employment Opportunities is outlined to provide “equitable access to quality higher education for all of its students regardless of immigration status.” As well as to provide UC students the “same opportunity to realize the benefits of University student employment.” This proposal would allow for undocumented students to be employed in UC campuses.

This policy was originally approved May 18, 2023, and within it stated that the Chair of the Board of Regents would assemble a working group, who would work with the President of the University to pursue the goal of “equal access to University employment opportunities.”

This group would not authorize employment for undocumented students, but rather spend the time allotted considering the proposal. The deadline for this part of the process was declared to be Nov. 30, 2023.

The campaign to push Regents to create Regents Policy 4407 began in 2022. The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Center for Immigration Law and Policy delivered an “Opportunity for All” Campaign Law Scholar Sign-On Letter on Sept. 7, 2022. This letter, which UCLA Law explains, is backed by “29 of the most respected immigration and constitutional law professors from around the country” provides reasoning for why undocumented students can be hired for positions within the UC system.

The core argument, as explained in their letter, claims that “The federal prohibition on hiring undocumented persons as a general matter is codified in the 1986 Immigration Reform and Control Act, or IRCA, in particular 8 U.S.C. § 1324a. Under governing U.S. Supreme Court precedents, if a federal law does not mention the states explicitly, that federal law does not bind state government entities. Nothing in 8 U.S.C. § 1324a expressly binds or even mentions state government entities.”

This argument, which is explained throughout the UCLA Law letter, led to their conclusion that “IRCA likely does not bind the States, and that California State entities, including the University of California, are free under current law to hire undocumented people.”

On Nov. 16, 2023, prior to the Regents’ self-imposed deadline for considering and making progress on the proposal, a closed session was held by the Regents.

This closed session involved a discussion of “Legal Issues Related to Equitable Student Employment Opportunities.” When the board met again later on in the day for the Health Services Committee, Board, Investments during open session, UC President Drake delivered a statement on the current status of the working

groups. He claimed that the conversations that they held earlier showed how “complex and delicate the issue is” and after many discussions came to the conclusion that “it would be in everyone’s best interest to study the matter further.” The UC Regents would not speak about the proposal again until Jan. 2024.

So on Jan. 25, 2024, when Regent Chair Richard Leib opened the board meeting for public comment; over 190 speakers were prepared to speak about various policies and events. Out of all the speakers who signed up to speak, only a fraction had a chance to speak. Several UC students and faculty voiced their thoughts regarding Regents Policy 4407.

Dr. Erica Lubliner, double-board certified psychiatrist and Director of the UCLA Spanish-speaking Psychosocial Clinic spoke about the Opportunity for All (OFA) campaign, which influenced Regents Policy 4407. She explains how during her time in the medical workforce, she has “witnessed firsthand the need for greater diversity in the medical profession, [in particular] the need for Spanish-speaking mental health professionals. Some of the most engaged and promising medical students at the UC — the ones most capable of meeting that need — are undocumented.”

Karen Musalo, a law professor at the University of California College of Law in San Francisco, shared her support for the proposed policy. “I am very persuaded by the analysis of my colleagues at UCLA School of Law, that the federal prohibition on hiring undocumented [individuals] in the 1986 Immigration Reform and Control Act does not bind states as their persuasive analysis details if federal law does not [mention] the states explicitly, it does not bind state government entities.”

UCLA student, Karen Arellano, spoke about her personal experience as an undocumented student in the UC. “I have fought for my education … and worked hard to be where I am today… I have been banned from access to these opportunities that you promised … I am asking for you all to remove these barriers. I am asking that you [allow] our applications to be considered. That’s all we’re asking for. This does not end with us.”

As Regent Chair Leib concluded public comment, people from the audience were heard exclaiming that 190 speakers within 30 minutes was not enough time.

After the Regents discussed during closed session, they returned and opened up the board meeting for the

afternoon session. During this time, UC President Drake claimed that “the proposed legal pathway is not viable at this time, and in fact carries significant risk for the institution and for those we serve. For that reason, it is inadvisable for the University to initiate implementation right now.” Due to this significant risk, he maintains that passing Regents Policy 4407 may endanger students or their families, due to “the possibility of criminal prosecution, deportation, or anything that may force a change in their immigration status” or to human resources or legal professionals who may be subject to prosecution if “they knowingly participate in hiring practices deemed impermissible under federal law.” He also contends that it would be a [risk] to the UC institution because it “would be subject to civil fines, criminal penalties, or debarment from federal contracting,” if the UC is found to violate the Immigration Reform and Control Act. After UC President Drake delivered his statement expressing concerns, UC Regent Ana J. Matosantos made a motion to suspend the policy for one year. UC Regent John A. Pérez then expressed his disappointment in open session. He believes that they “were taking a pause at a crucial moment on an issue that requires [their] commitment.” UC Regent Pérez expressed that he is not surprised by the outcome of their discussion.

“We have gotten so focused on the question of what the law clearly says today, that we are losing sight of the moral imperative of what the law should be interpreted as being.”

Potential reasoning for the Regents’ decision may be tied to political pressure. The day before the Regents meeting, an article published by POLITICO reported that four unnamed university officials claimed that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) pressed them “to reconsider what it saw as a direct challenge to federal law during an election year.” Adding on, the article stated that DHS officials had contacted the university and informed them that “the Biden administration might be forced to sue or take administrative action” if the policy were approved.

Opposition was not only brought by DHS, but also by political entities within the state. Republican Congressman Darrell Issa from California, wrote to California Gov. Gavin Newsom on May 15, 2023 to express his opinion on the proposed policy, three days before the Regent’s meeting approved Regents Policy 4407. In the letter he states “I write to express opposition to consideration of plans to hire illegal immigrants by the University of California system.”

According to POLITICO, the Communications Director at Congressman Issa’s office has had “several conversations with the University of California and its representatives” since that initial letter in order to urge H the UC to not adopt the policy. ■ Disclaimer: If you wish to learn more about where the information came from, check the online issue to see all the linked sources.

COURTESY OF EMMANUEL AGUILAR-AMPUDIA / CO-PRESIDENT OF PODER

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UCR Students and ASUCR External attend Regents meeting MEMBERS FROM PODER SHARE THEIR EXPERIENCES IN SAN FRANCISCO AND DISCUSS PLANS FOR THE OFA CAMPAIGN. BRENDA JOVEL AND MATA ELANGOVAN Editor-in-Chief and News Editor

On Thursday, Jan. 25, eight students from the University of California, Riverside (UCR) attended the University of California (UC) Regents meeting to support Regents Policy 4407: Policy on Equitable Student Employment Opportunities. During the meeting, Regents Policy 4407, which would provide equal employment opportunities for undocumented students, was suspended by the Regents Board for a year. In attendance from the UCR community was Providing Opportunities, Dreams and Education in Riverside (PODER) and Associated Students of the University of California, Riverside’s (ASUCR) External Affairs.

Emmanuel Aguilar-Ampudia, Co-President of PODER, explained how PODER members were made aware of the addition of Regents Policy 4407 to the Regent’s agenda.

Aguilar-Ampudia stated that an emergency Opportunities for All (OFA) meeting on Thursday night was called when news came that Regents Policy 4407 had been added.

Despite this last minute addition, they claim that no public announcement was made. Ampudia explains, “the whole UC student association [External branches] … didn’t know until [ASUCR Vice President of External Affairs] Ángel [Rentería] told all of them.” Quick discussions of what to do next ensued within the organization. Five PODER members were able to receive flights from ASUCR External to attend the UC Regents meeting, landing Wednesday morning in San Francisco.

Once in San Francisco, Maria Hernandez Brambila, CoPresident of PODER, highlighted the sense of unity she felt

with other UC students. “We made a lot of connections in regards to undocumented students from all 10 campuses … that were able to make the drive.”

Mario Arce Acosta, Treasurer of PODER, also shared his experience. “The room for the UC Regents meeting was charged with emotion on the students’ side, given that we were all there for topics revolving around basic rights, employment, death, war and hope.” Acosta explained that though PODER members had signed for public comment for Wednesday, they were unable to attend due to flight delays.

Recalling the atmosphere outside the board meeting, Acosta highlighted the presence of police officers outside of the office, describing it as a “whole department of [officers] … It was ridiculous.”

During both days of public comment sessions, Melissa Castillo, a member of OFA’s internal work group, noted how only a few people from the hundreds of signed-up individuals were selected. “We were able to enter the room and [hear] public comments about other student issues, but unfortunately, they didn’t really allow us to speak up on [OFA] on both days,” Castillo said.

As a form of “civil disobedience,” PODER wore blue shirts reading “Opportunity for All” and had duct tape over their mouths to send a message to the regents during open session.

While some members of PODER went to San Francisco to attend the Regent’s meeting, others on Wednesday night, Jan. 24, hosted a candlelight vigil at the Bell Tower from

7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. in an effort to promote awareness of the ongoing situation. Other UC schools had also joined in at the same time to host their own vigils that night.

As the vigil came to an end at UCR, an anonymous undocumented student gave their thoughts about the regent’s voting on Policy 4407, expressing that “this is a great opportunity for [the regents] to see that … as much as they want to shut us down, [we are] still here. We’re still here to stand. We’re here fighting for what they had already promised us … If they’re able to take this from us, what else are they going to take away from us?”

As Policy’s 4407 decision was delayed to a year, PODER is in discussions about future steps. They plan to work alongside ASUCR External as there have been conversations among both organizations about teachings during Immigrant Awareness Week with the goal of informing UCR students about the matter. Castillo also added, “I would really appreciate it if we [started] reaching out to more council members around Riverside. [We could be] putting this information out in high schools and middle schools because there’s another generation of undocumented students that will be coming in, and they should be getting informed about this.”

For future updates and events from PODER, follow @poderatucr. For information regarding resources for undocumented students and updates on OFA, check out UCLA Dream Resource center on instagram, @UCLA_ DRC and Undocumented Student-Led Network @undoc_ H sn. ■

ASUCR tenth Senate Meeting ECAB REPORT AND VPEA STATEMENT FROM REGENTS MEETING. MATA ELANGOVAN News Editor

The tenth Associated Students of UCR (ASUCR) Senate meeting took place on Thursday, Jan. 25, 2024. All senators were present, excluding President Pro Tempore Abby Choy, who was excused, Senators Rayhan Khan, Leila Haidar and Grace Su, who were excused, and Senator Natali Trutalli, who was absent. The meeting was called to order at 7:01 p.m.

Before the agenda was approved, a friendly amendment was made to add External Affairs to Ex-Officio reports.

The motion to approve the agenda with the amendments was made by CNAS Senator Kaden Ho and seconded by Senator Naia Pizarro and passed 13-0-0.

Next on the agenda was approving the previous week’s meeting minutes. A motion to approve Senate Meeting Minutes #9 was made by Senator Pizarro and seconded by Senator Crystal Toral and passed 13-0-0.

During Public Forum, Senate Intern Sofia Jimenez announced an event that she is organizing on Feb. 7 from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. The event is blind date thrifting where students get to trade clothes with other students. She then directed to the Senate to reach out if they are interested in assisting, and then to the public to show up if they want to.

Next was Ex-Officio Reports which began with approval of ECAB Meeting Minutes #1. ASUCR President Ankita Ahluwalia explained the various initiatives that were covered during the meeting. A brief recap includes: meeting with financial aid, working with alumni relations, Global Fair planning, preparing for the Senior Barbeque, setting up R’Gear and Highlander Action Committee working on the rent a bike initiative and getting scooters banned. The motion to approve the minutes were made by Senator Pizarro and seconded by CNAS Senator Ho and passed 12-0-0.

Vice President of External Affairs (VPEA) Ángel Rentería then delivered a statement on the recent UC Regents Meeting. He explained how eight UCR students went to UC San Francisco to attend the meeting, something that hasn’t been done since 2019, and that he was disheartened by what he witnessed. He claimed that an abundance of police force was used against students peacefully protesting for a ceasefire in Palestine and that during that protest, 13 students were arrested. He continued explaining how the amount of people let in for open sessions were limited, and that most of them had to wait outside of the chamber, and delivered a personal anecdote where he had to be escorted by a police officer to go to the bathroom, as students were not allowed to do so by themselves.

One of the things covered at the Regents Meeting was Opportunity for All (OFA), which was a campaign to allow for undocumented students in the UC system to be able to get hired on campus. VPEA Rentería explained how the Regents had set a self-imposed deadline of November of 2023 that they missed, and that during this meeting postponed implementing their policy for one year. He reports that only six regents voted in favor of passing OFA and that UCR Chancellor Kim A. Wilcox has been silent during these meetings. VPEA Rentería said that Wilcox needs to recognize his responsibility to serve undocumented students along with the rest of the student population. He ended his statement with the claim that External Affairs is always here to support the undocumented community and that they are going to organize with Providing Opportunities, Dreams and Education in Riverside (PODER) and Undocumented Student Programs, and offer them the resources to help uplift their voices, and the voices of other marginalized communities.

There was nothing on the agenda for New Business.

Committee Reports brought with it three different documents. The first was Finance Meeting Minutes #2 which was read aloud by CNAS Senator Ho. A motion to approve the minutes was made by Senator Anjana Narasimhan and seconded by CHASS Senator Philson Ho and passed 12-0-0.

Legislative Review Committee proposed SB-W23001 Updating Chapter XIII: President Pro Tempore & Legislative Review Committee. This legislation is a bylaw update to remove the PPT from the Senate Internship Program as the creation of the Senate Intern Director causes redundancy. A motion to approve the bylaw update was made by CHASS Senator Ho and seconded by Senator Pizarro and passed 12-0-0.

Green Campus Action Plan proposed Green Grant W24 #1: Lab Coat Recycling along with its Budget Sheet.

Senator Narasimhan explained that the grant is to be used to recycle lab coats, collecting them at the end of winter quarter and at the beginning of spring quarter. This would allow for a stable way to reuse lab coats, and make it more accessible for students as lab coats are expensive. A motion to approve the Green Grant was made by CNAS Senator Ho and seconded by CHASS Senator Ho and passed 120-0.

No one came to the podium for public comment.

During Senator Reports, Senator Narasimhan announced that the Global Fair is planned for Feb. 24, from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. and that in March she is planning to put on

a unity event where she is going to host professors from all fields. Senator Pizarro announced that she has been working with the SOE senator to plan their Town Hall for Feb. 21, 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. in the Highlander Union Building (HUB).

During Roundtable and Announcements, Senator Teesha Sreeram announced that the Campus Advocacy, Resources and Education (CARE) office is hosting their “being healthy week” next week.

A motion was made to adjourn the meeting by Senator Pizarro and seconded by Senator Kevin Nguyen. The vote H passed 12-0-0 and the meeting adjourned at 7:42 p.m. ■

IRENE TU / THE HIGHLANDER

6 TUESDAY, JAN 30, 2024

NEWS

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Women’s Resource Center displays 50 years of Highlander history

THE WOMEN’S RESOURCE CENTER CELEBRATES YEARS OF STUDENT-RUN EVENTS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS. ALEXANDRA CELIS ARCENAS Contributing Writer

University of California Riverside’s (UCR) Women’s Resource Center (WRC) celebrates 50 years of history with visual displays located on the first floor of the Rivera Library. The display was available for visitors up until Jan. 19.

The exhibit stretched over time, with pieces dating back to before the creation of the WRC in 1973. It was created by a team that included both current and former employees that worked closely with the program. One such member was Yvonne Chamberlain-Marquez, a former student program coordinator, who helped contribute to the collection. However, WRC’s Director Nina Ruedas explains that the WRC was in a fortunate position because most of the pieces were already being collected by the University Archivist, Andrea Hoff. Over the years, the WRC would donate items of importance to the archives. With that preexisting relationship they had with the archive, the WRC received a lot of support to make the event possible.

The planning stages of the exhibit were facilitated by Archivist Hoff. She developed different layouts of the pieces and gave suggestions for the arrangement of the display. Director Ruedas explains the process, mentioning that Archivist Hoff, some of the student staff and herself would give feedback on the items and the layout. In the end, the team made sure to pick items that reflected the values of the WRC and what was “important to them.”

Director Ruedas states that “it was a very collaborative effort” to build the display.

The exhibit consists of two display cases and two poster walls. The poster walls display flyers over the years to show the various events that happened during their time period. According to Director Ruedas, the flyers are original. Most of the flyers that were saved

are handwritten copies. The flyers are calling to support protests for women’s rights, advertising women speakers and spreading awareness about self defense and other topics important to the student body of that period.

Director Ruedas comments that she “loves the heart and the emotion” that comes from seeing the handwritten print. She goes on to explain that the present WRC uses the popular graphic design platform, Canva, to make their posters and flyers because “nowadays we might be more fixated on developing a brand.” However, she states that the students of the past were also able to accomplish this with handwritten flyers, saying that “maybe they were more focused on the message and getting the vision across.”

In the display box were pins, article clippings, pictures and other memorabilia. The pins showed support for ideals such as Pro-choice, domestic violence awareness, body positivity and the LGBTQ+ community. The pictures were from events such as a speaker event on International Women’s Day with Flo Kennedy in 1978.

There were also pictures of protests that took place in 1975.

With the display, Director Ruedas wanted to not only commemorate the years of WRC, but also “remind people that they are part of something great and are contributing to WRC history.” She wants to highlight how much the WRC has grown and “the different iterations” of the program by celebrating their successes and accomplishments of supporting Highlander women. She believes that looking at the past will inspire innovative ideas and new projects, stating that “there’s so much to work towards, so hopefully it will motivate us to do more of the great work we still have infront of us.”

Of all the accomplishments of the WRC, Director

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Ruedas comments that she “is most proud of the students because they organize events that are important and relevant to them.” She adds on, since the WRC is student focused; the values of the program are dynamic and changing due to the changes in the student body over time.

She states that the students “remind us to be energetic and innovative, and hold us to a greater standard.”

Thus, the flyers in the exhibit demonstrate the changing values of the different events for students, made by students. Director Ruedas mentions that the WRC was formed by students; therefore, she expresses that “it always comes back to them,” giving full credit to the students who formed the WRC in 1973.

For the future, Director Ruedas shares some plans for the WRC. She has been Director of the WRC for a year now and has a few ambitions for what is to come for the program. She hopes to be “more connected to Alumni” to draw on their experiences to share. The WRC is also involved in student-parent support. So, she plans on developing and saving memorabilia to show support towards that population of students. Lastly, she hopes to lead an oral history presentation. She describes it as similar to a podcast, for students, alumni and staff who have worked or volunteered with the WRC to share memorable moments and thoughtful advice. Director Ruedas does share that she is hoping to hire “two new professional staff” to help her tackle her ambitions for the WRC as well as maintain and update websites and resources.

The display at Rivera Library celebrates the works of the Women’s Resource Program and demonstrates to future student generations that their voice is heard. For more information about the Women’s Resource Center and the history behind it you can visit their website.■ H

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OPINIONS

TUESDAY, JAN 30, 2024

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THE HIGHLANDER EDITORIAL

California’s criminalization of homelessness is a hateful policy the Supreme Court can’t be counted on to stop

AS CALIFORNIA OFFICIALS COMPLAIN ABOUT NINTH CIRCUIT RULINGS ON THE UNHOUSED, THEY SHOULD LOOK TO THEMSELVES FOR BLAME. The Highlander editorials reflect the majority view of the Highlander Editorial Board. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Associated Students of UCR or the University of California system.

The unhoused are up next on the Supreme Court’s chopping block as they agreed to hear a decision made by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, which ruled that it is cruel and unusual punishment to deny the homeless a place to sleep. The Ninth Circuit’s ruling on Johnson v. City of Grants Pass has impacted how California addresses homelessness; complaints by California officials regarding this new ruling are unfounded and highlight the government’s cruel, unsympatheticness towards its own.

In light of this ruling, Gov. Newsom and city attorneys from several major cities that fall within the Ninth Circuit’s jurisdiction, among others, have called for a restoration of their control over public areas that the homeless occupy. The briefs they filed yielded fruit as the Supreme Court announced they would hear the case.

Petitioners claim that this ruling makes the law unclear whether the government has the right to remove homeless encampments when they refuse other temporary shelters.

There has been a lot of blame placed on the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals for California’s worsening homelessness and housing crisis. Newsom went as far as to say that “rulings from the bench have tied the hands of state and local governments to address this issue.” They claim their rulings have built a huge roadblock to offering these individuals the services they need and deserve. However, it’s unclear how this ruling is the squeaky wheel when California’s failure to address homelessness and the failure of Californians to care long predates 2022.

When government officials say they feel they no longer have the tools to address this issue, it’s plain to see that they mean they no longer have the tools

needed to hide it. They mean that it is harder to make homelessness illegal and harder to criminalize poverty. The blame deflected onto the Ninth Circuit is a clear misplacement when the blame truly falls on years of failed policies and a lack of compassion.

The cases decided before this appellate court have not prevented local officials from addressing issues surrounding homelessness, including encampments.

What Gov. Newsom is asking of the Supreme Court is permission to penalize the unhoused for a “collective government failure to provide affordable housing and adequate shelter across the state.” The state and many Californians have already decided that it’s easier to criminalize homelessness rather than actually address it.

The Supreme Court case will primarily focus on the Ninth Circuit’s assertion that these anti-camping and anti-sleeping laws, thinly veiled to target homeless populations, violate the Eighth Amendment, which protects against cruel and unusual punishment. Punishing people for the unfortunate circumstance of being homeless is, sadly, not the first time that California law has made an effort to criminalize behavior that represents the symptoms of a problem. The Supreme Court ruled in Robinson v. California against the state of California and struck down a law that allowed Lawrence Robinson to be arrested for narcotics addiction, a disease, not a crime. It is cruel to arrest and prosecute people for being targets of a systemic problem. In fact, research indicates that enforcing these laws is only exacerbating the problem and causing irreparable harm.

While these individuals may not

have the Constitutional right to camp in public parks and streets, the government certainly does not have a right to do greater harm in response by denying them the very, very least. Furthermore, beyond the Constitutional issues, this is a human rights issue at its core. Housing, shelter and basic safety are universal human rights that California has been trampling on for far too long. The inhumanity in state and federal government’s treatment of the unhoused makes it obvious that California officials need to find another way to do their job that doesn’t involve violations of basic decency.

The justice system has held, since Weems v. United States in 1910, that the Eighth Amendment “may acquire wider meaning as public opinion becomes enlightened by humane justice.” This was reinforced and accepted in Trop v.

Dulles, which established interpreting the amendment “must draw its meaning from the evolving standards of decency that mark the progress of a maturing society,” a concept that the current Supreme Court appears to be unfamiliar with. The Highest Court in the land repeatedly makes case decisions that emphasize circumstances that characterized the late 1700s rather than a contemporary and reasonable standard of humanity.

There is little hope with the Supreme Court agreeing to hear this case as fear mounts that they will overrule the Ninth Circuit. The decision to strip down protections for the homeless is terrifyingly likely and will allow the homeless to be repeatedly victimized and targeted by the California government. It will vindicate legislators’ efforts nationwide to do the same, and the state of the nation will be H worse for it. ■

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OPINIONS

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Vetoed bill to require free condoms in public high schools would cost less than the alternative ALEX KUPISIEWICZ Contributing Writer

The bill being turned down due to economic worries fails to consider long-term medical costs for the state.

At the end of 2023, Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoed a bill requiring free access to condoms in all California public high schools, citing the state’s ongoing “economic risk and revenue uncertainty” as the main reason. However, these teenagers’ inability to take proper care of their sexual health is the more expensive choice.

The benefits for the students are obvious: they would receive the protection they need from STIs and unplanned pregnancies for no cost and in a subtle and nonjudgmental way.

This protection is especially important today as the demise of Roe v. Wade still dictates everything from state political decisions to personal biases and the confidence to voice them.

Cases of STIs have been rising in California for nearly a decade now, especially in teens and young adults. This makes the decision to have unprotected sex a potentially life-altering one, but one that is made all the more frequently with the difficulty of access for some people, especially young people.

In a survey, approximately 45% of adolescent girls in the United States reported having two or more sexual partners in the past year, as well as just over 50% of adolescent boys.

While California has long since required sex education to be included in the public school curriculum, there is still opposition

There is also the school’s requirement to provide information regarding the curriculum to parents ahead of time, and parents

to the requirement. The curriculum is required to include information on abstinence.

are then allowed to opt-out. The ease with which information can be withheld makes it

all too easy for students to be susceptible to misconceptions that lead to unwanted pregnancies, unhealthy relationships and STIs. STIs can often be asymptomatic but result in long-term health problems. HIV, for example, has symptoms that may not present themselves until 10 or more years after contraction, including persistent fatigue, headaches and ease of infections. Syphilis is also an infection that can be asymptomatic and, if left untreated, can cause paralysis, blindness and dementia.

This is a major health problem for the people affected and could also negatively impact the state. Low-income students, who would be the ones to benefit the most from better sexual education and protection programs, will likely be on some form of medicare program in the coming years when these health problems are manifesting. This means that the state would be paying the medical bills that are made necessary because of this lack of protection they caused.

Given that buying in bulk can cost as low as eight cents per condom, these long-term problems will cost far more than packs of H condoms provided at public school. ■

The 118th Congress turns out to be do-nothings, passing three laws in the Inland Empire during 2023 APRIL BUTLER Contributing Writer

In-house fighting, motivated by a culture of polarization between legislators, has hindered the House of Representatives ability to get anything done.

Inter-party conflict has been an obstacle that circumvents the duties of the legislative branch, primarily their duty to collaborate.

These conflicts have encroached on efforts to pass legislation by Inland Empire (IE) representatives, who only managed to sponsor three laws in the past year. While these laws are necessary, there are more pressing issues to be resolved in IE, such as rising homelessness, addiction, the mental health crisis and poor air quality. Congress squandered time electing a Speaker of the House in 2023 while more important concerns went ignored. There is a serious deficiency of bipartisanship in Congress, and without a collaborative partnership, there is no way to work across party lines to get laws passed.

With House representatives taking the legislative process personally, the future for the IE doesn’t look too bright. Nothing can be expected of a congressional party as complacent as this one, demonstrating reactivity and not proactivity. The 118th shows no signs of being able to anticipate problems and take steps to prevent them from happening in the first place. Instead, they create new ones or wait for things to unfold before responding.

Republican Rep. Kevin McCarthy was removed from the Speaker’s office on Oct. 3, making him the first Speaker in U.S. history ever to be voted out. Members of his party ousted him for agreeing to work with Democrats to keep the federal government open. Electing a new Speaker was the pri-

mary obstacle that hindered all 2023 legislation, leaving little time for productivity.

From 2011 through 2013, the 112th Congress managed to pass 284 bills. Congress has passed an average of 355 in the past five years during an entire two-year term. Now, the 118th has only passed 34 bills so far, putting them on track to becoming the most unproductive Congress in modern history.

In total, 34 bills were passed, three by members of the IE. Rep. Pete Aguilar, the same person who also told Southern California News Groups that “Democrats had no obligation to help Republicans out the hole they’d dug for themselves,” passed the Wounded Warriors Access Act, which provides an online tool for veterans to request records regarding Veterans Affairs (VA) claims and benefits.

Rep. Darrell Issa sponsored the “Pala Band of Mission Indians Land Transfer Act of 2023,” granting the Pala Band’s Indians’ reservation 720 additional acres of ancestral land in San Diego County. Supplementing this bill, Rep. Mark Takano sponsored the Korean American VALOR Act, making specific members of the South Korean Military eligible for VA benefits if they served between the years of 1962 and 1975. Though these motions are certainly necessary, not all bills are created equal. Passing a law that provides an online tool for veterans isn’t the same as sponsoring one that will reshape the nation. There are many other pressing issues to be addressed.

The IE currently has an extended carbon footprint of over 1.6 billion square feet due to warehouse expansion, which generates over 535,000 truck trips a day. These trucks produce greenhouse gas emissions and poison the air. While warehouses expand, so does the IE’s carbon footprint. Nothing has been done to address this issue because problems like these don’t put money into the pockets of reactive politicians and city planners who are too self-serving to find ample solutions that would benefit constituents and not the House, which seems to be working against the country instead of for it.

Drug overdoses have increased significantly in the U.S. in the past 10 years.

Compared to California and the U.S., Riverside County has had the largest increase over that period. These numbers continued to rise in 2023 and proceed, with no indication of a downtrend. Legislatures are adhering to low-budget bills that don’t cause ample change because it is easier than addressing violent crime issues in San Bernardino.

Congress does not have viable solutions to resolve the problems

within the republic because representatives are too busy creating conflict. This leaves the IE and the rest of the country in the same turmoil as last year. Even with the predicted upcoming spike in bills this October, since the president does not sign half of them until the last three months of the congressional term, the 118th Congress will have only enacted a determined total of 102 pieces of legislation. With a working pace as sedated as this, it’s no wonder Representatives have done so little to achieve anything that would merit any indication of improvement in the IE. ■ H

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TUESDAY, JAN 30, 2024

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Shohei Ohtani LA Dodgers’ deal calls attention to the pressing need for tax reform LILIANNA ANGEL Contributing Writer

THE UNFORTUNATE REALITY OF POLITICAL DIVISIONS, ESPECIALLY WITH A REPUBLICAN MAJORITY IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, CASTS A DARK SHADOW OVER THE PROSPECTS OF ACHIEVING A FAIR TAX SYSTEM. Former Angels baseball player Shohei Ohtani recently signed a 10-year $700 million deal, most of which will be paid in deferred payments, with the Los Angeles Dodgers last month — setting a record as the largest Major League Baseball deal in history. However, with the historic deal arises the matter of how high-earners like Ohtani impact federal taxes and the state’s economy.

On the state level, high-income earners can make unlimited deferrals, allowing individuals like Ohtani to avoid paying approximately $98 million in taxes.

California State Controller Malia Cohen is urging Congress to cap deferred payments to prevent high earners from perpetuating socioeconomic inequality. Although having a cap on deferred payments would be ideal, it most likely will not be enacted.

The main issue California faces concerning federal tax law when dealing with high earners like Shohei Ohtani is the House Report 104-389 — State Taxation of Pension Income Act of 1995. Ohtani’s deal with the LA Dodgers falls under this plan as long as he does not spend much time in California to be considered a resident or domicile. What this means for Californians is that a portion of the tax

revenue that would have been collected to help fund public services such as education, healthcare and corrections is no longer collected. Vital public services rely on tax revenue from the state, and with high earners like Shohei Ohtani m a k i n g money in Califor nia, it becomes a situation where money is taken out of the state and not recirculated.

This poses a potential strain on essential services and hinders the state’s capacity to invest in its wellbeing.

Unfortunately, the state cannot address the loss of income tax revenue due to the previously mentioned House Report 104-389. This federal roadblock is a frustrating obstacle that prevents muchneeded changes for a more progressive tax system. California’s ability to lift people

out of poverty and secure a brighter future is hampered, and it’s disheartening to see such hurdles in the way of meaningful progress.

Shohei Ohtani’s use of a deferred compensation plan will not only allow him to lower his tax liability legally but also show that this system only benefits the wealthy.

Not only does this create an unfair atmosphere, but also puts the public’s trust in the tax system at risk.

There needs to be tax reform in both the federal and state governments to tackle these loopholes and guarantee a fair and progressive tax burden among all residents.

Tax law reform is crucial because it would ensure a fair and more equitable distribution of the tax burden by closing loopholes that let some avoid their fair

share of taxes. Limits on these high earners can increase equity. Unfortunately, this will not spark a change in federal tax law because Congress, particularly in the House of Representatives, is controlled

by Republicans. Unless that changes, these tax revisions won’t see the light of day. Republicans tend to favor profits and have a conservative outlook on their policies. Additionally, the current state of the Republican Party is chaotic; internal disagreements, particularly regarding the selection of a house speaker and the split between Trump and non-Trump supporters, present many challenges for their party. Their lack of cohesion is evident, whereas a chicken running without a head might have better direction.

Despite Cohen’s calls for a cap on deferrals, the enactment of such measures remains dead in the water. The need for a progressive tax system to address inequality is clear, but navigating political roadblocks and existing loopholes poses significant challenges. Until Democrats secure a strong majority in the House and Senate, substantial changes in federal tax law are unlikely, showing the ongoing complexities in achieving a fair and H balanced tax system. ■ IMAGE COURTESY OF WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

The “brain drain” is real, but it won’t last forever SONALI WHITTLE Staff Writer

AN INCREASED NUMBER OF COLLEGE GRADUATES ARE LEAVING CALIFORNIA DUE TO HIGH LIVING COSTS. California is a hub for all kinds of opportunities, with the largest tech hub like Silicon Valley and major cities like Los Angeles and San Francisco. The Golden State is a popular destination for many in an attempt to establish a career and put down roots. The benefits of living in California are valuable, and the costs of living here reflect that. Generally speaking, California is an expensive place to live compared to other states. Despite this, California is irresistible to many

IMAGE COURTESY OF FREEPIK

students; filled with universities and colleges, students from around the world come to pursue an education.

Over the past few years, there has been an ongoing trend of losing educated residents due to relocation to other states.

Although a flow of residents coming in and out of the state seems normal, California is experiencing what is referred to as a “brain drain.” A “brain drain” is an emigration of highly trained or educated people from a particular

location.

Higher-educated residents decide to move to other places due to California’s increasing living expenses.

There is a net loss of college graduates with the peak being almost 90,000 or more college graduates. This “brain drain” that California is experiencing is significant, but it is temporary, and the equilibrium will be restored eventually. The impact this phenomenon will have will be mainly seen in taxes, revenue and voting.

There is a correlation between education and voting patterns. If people leave, an impact is made through what are now absent votes. This influences policies and the leaders chosen to execute certain governmental roles and responsibilities within the state.

In addition to voting, state taxes are affected as well. Individuals with higherpaying jobs contribute more in taxes, and with higher education people leaving, taxes will increase due to inflation. The increase of taxes to make up for the loss as a result of the “brain drain” will put a strain on lower and middle-income Californians. An analysis done on increasing the corporate tax found that within 10 years, 66.3% of the tax burden will fall on lower and middle-income taxpayers. The effect of people leaving impacts taxes and voting far more than it affects housing prices.

The effect of the “brain drain” on different aspects of California living tells what role and importance these college graduates hold in California. Although the effects are undeniable, the “brain drain” seems temporary. The housing prices are still fairly high, which reflects the unwavering prices regardless of the “brain drain.”

California actually added more homes to its housing market, with the average living cost being $791,490 for a singlefamily home. The evidence of unwavering housing costs proves that the demand for living in California is still high regardless of the “brain drain” experienced. The effects of the “brain drain” on voting numbers, taxes and revenue are due to college graduates leaving. Still, there are so many educated people searching for opportunities with the same kinds of academic and professional backgrounds looking to live in California. The number of college students graduating each year outweighs the 90,000 people leaving the state, with the college graduation rates for the 2022-2023 academic year being 56% from a total of 2,555,136 students. The equilibrium between the people leaving and those moving to California balances out the “brain drain” and furthermore H reverses the effects this has on the state. ■

10 TUESDAY, JAN 30, 2024

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LA’s City Council is ready for change SPANDANA JANAPATI Contributing Writer

LA Council member Kevin de León expresses concern about political donations as elections come closer.

Los Angeles City Council member Kevin de León and his team expressed outrage toward City Attorney Hydee Feldstein Soto for failing to provide adequate legal protections from activists alongside her supposed political favoritism to one of de León’s opponents, Assemblymember Miguel Santiago.

This past December, Feldstein Soto donated the maximum amount of $900 to Santiago’s election campaign, which de León criticized as politicizing her career and showing a clear lack of impartiality. Although de León raises an important issue regarding political donations, he doesn’t have the proper evidence to claim her actions were done with malice towards him or his future campaign.

The crux of de León’s accusation rests on Feldstein Soto’s inaction after a violent altercation he had with an activist in 2022.

At a children’s Christmas toy giveaway, de León and LA activist Jason Reedy exchanged charged words and entered into a physical fight, resulting in both parties filing police reports, which ultimately led to no criminal charges. Reedy filed a lawsuit against de León and the city for insufficient security and police presence at the event. De León publicly expressed his concern over the city’s negligence, especially since his team had already complained and sought out legal action after they endured hostile

comments and stalking. While no evidence has been found to support the claim that his female staff members were being stalked, de León wrongfully directed his outrage toward Feldstein Soto.

De León fails to see the difficulty in determining who or what caused the altercation to escalate. Opposing statements and an intangible video can make it difficult for any prosecutor to determine the true assailant. A combination of Feldstein Soto’s inaction and significant campaign donation to Santiago pushed de León to claim bias and favoritism falsely.

With council member elections in March 2024, de León faces Assemblymember Wendy Carillo alongside Santiago. Feldstein Soto’s donation could be a declaration of her support for Santiago and a call for a fresh start for the city council. However, Feldstein Soto is not the first and likely won’t be the last public official to donate to campaigns. Other political figures have also contributed to Santiago’s campaign, such as CA State Representative Damon Connolly, who donated $250.

De León’s reelection campaign and his unknown future on the council become apparent as more individuals enter the election. As the incumbent runner, de León has more chances to interact with voters, which

he has taken to his advantage by visiting neighborhoods throughout LA. Regardless of his past, labor officials believe de León has a chance at winning reelection because of his community-level work and due diligence with constituents.

De León also has the advantage of the time passed since the scandals that plagued the city council in 2022 and a reformation narrative that paints him in a more positive light. A significant deficit in de Leon’s campaign is a lack of funds. In his 2020 bid, de León had nearly $1 million in donations and 52% of the public vote. This is concerning as research shows that candidates with more money are more likely to win elections. Anger from Feldstein Soto’s generous donation to an opponent and worry about his campaign funds could have pushed de León to publicly accuse Feldstein Soto of impartiality where none is present.

Like all American citizens, political officials and leaders have

the right to vote for their representatives and officials. While Feldstein Soto’s donation to Santiago can express her preference for a council member, it doesn’t inherently reduce her abilities as the city attorney. Calling Feldstein Soto impartial for a donation can be the same as calling her impartial if she were to vote for Santiago, which is her right. The district craves change if Santiago and Feldstein’s Soto’s support is any indication. As de León faces off against Carillo and Santiago, perhaps he should focus more on raising the necessary funds to make his campaign successful and his future on the city council rather than calling out Feldstein H Soto for exercising her constitutional rights. ■

IMAGE COURTESY OF PEXELS

Among California’s new laws for 2024 are alerts for missing Black children LEILANI ACOSTA Contributing Writer

California offers a new way to combat kidnapping and gaps in the Amber Alert system.

Gov. Gavin Newsom plans to combat not only abduction and kidnappings but also the racial disparities that flourish in them. Senate Bill 673, also known as “Ebony Alerts,” creates a separate alert system for Black women and youth who are either “at risk, developmentally disabled or cognitively impaired” or are missing “under unexplained or suspicious circumstances.” SB 673 will reduce kidnapping misclassifications based on race and implement a more equitable method to disseminate information about abduction-related crimes.

SB 673 is important because it solves underlying issues with previous legislation. In the past, America has relied on an alert system called America’s Missing: Broadcast Emergency Response, also known as Amber Alerts. The U.S. government has relied on Amber Alerts since the early 2000s. However, many researchers raise concerns about the relationship between a victim’s ethnic background and their chance of being considered and published as an Amber Alert.

After all, there are certain criteria needed for a case to be classified as an Amber Alert, or else people would be getting constantly notified. Some of these classifications include imminent danger to the victim, description of the victim and abductor and other critical data elements. If these requirements are not met, then the missing victim shall be labeled

as a runaway rather than an abductee. Many Black victims are misrepresented as “runaways” instead of “abductees,” resulting in little to no media coverage and dissemination of vital information. Ebony alerts will address this clear racial inequity issue.

While Black children make up 33% of missing persons cases, African Americans make up only 13% of the population. Essentially, this means that a disproportionate amount of people who are going missing are AfricanAmerican.

Supporters of this bill highlight systemic racism that targets Black people and how it could be attributed to the lack of coverage for ethnic minority missing children. Conversely, the opposite is true of white missing persons to the point that the phenomenon has a name: Missing White Woman Syndrome.

The syndrome is described as “the media’s fascination with, and detailed coverage of, the cases of missing or endangered white

women — compared to the seeming disinterest in covering the disappearances of people of color.” This was the case with Gabby Petito, who was murdered in 2022 by her fiance, making national headlines. All victims deserve the justice and remembrance they deserve. Violent crimes are painful for not only the victim but also their families and loved ones. By spreading awareness about crimes like these, kidnappings and murders can be reduced.

It’s important to note that the main entity that determines if a child has been abducted is law enforcement. If a child is determined to be a runaway, they will not be broadcasted on the alert system. The child will still be searched for, and police will ask for tips, but the Amber Alert aspect will not be utilized. In the case of Charlotte Sena, a 9-year-old abducted from a campsite with her family, an Amber Alert wasn’t published until 15 hours later. This was a vital period

of time that should’ve been used to search and spread information about her disappearance. Still, law enforcement was hesitant about broadcasting an alert for fear that a family member may have kidnapped her.

Mercifully, twenty hours after issuing the alert, Sena was found hidden in a cupboard and had been abducted by a stranger to her and the family. Children of all races are slipping through the cracks and to combat human error in mislabeling these victims, a better solution would be to implement a middleman, such as another law enforcement individual, to verify that this child is missing or has run away.

SB 673 will combat the racial disparity in crime and search for missing youth and adults. This issue has been going on for far too long. Every 40 seconds, a child goes missing. Hopefully, with this bill in effect for the last month, the number of kidnappings and juvenile arrests will be reduced.■ H

IMAGE COURTESY OF FLICKR

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TUESDAY, JAN 30, 2024

11

What’s in the forecast for this week?

Not a prediction of the future, but advice on how to proceed…

Aries: Page of Cups March 21 - April 19 The Page of Cups recalls your inner child, viewing the world with open eyes and an open mind. This is your sign to indulge your inner child this week – follow new ideas, explore the world around you, allow yourself to believe that anything is possible.

Don’t shut yourself down just because it seems childish.

Cancer: King of Swords June 21 - July 22 The King of Swords is a leader and an achiever, first and foremost. If you haven’t already been taking the reins, now is the time to do so. You have the experience, the wisdom and the clarity necessary to point yourself and others in the right direction. Even if some don’t get exactly what they want, you’ll know you got them exactly what they needed.

Libra: Temperance September 23 - October 22 You’ve got a lot going on. Between work, academics, and your social life, things can quickly get overwhelming. Luckily, you don’t have to sacrifice any of these facets of your life in any major way – just remember to keep things balanced. Sure, you want to hang out with your friends, but you did that yesterday, and that essay’s due tomorrow. Don’t spend too much time in any one area of your life – give everything equal weight.

Capricorn: Ten of Pentacles December 22 - January 19 Sometimes, you’ll get advice to let go of material things. This isn’t one of those times. Right now, you’ve got an attachment to a particular object, or maybe even a few. Whether that’s the complicated latte order you get every morning, or an extra-special stuffed animal you keep on your bed, don’t feel bad or embarrassed about those connections. If it makes you happy, then so be it.

TAURUS: Fool April 20 - May 20 You don’t always have to have a plan. In fact, sometimes it’s helpful to proceed with an open mind, looking for different possibilities rather than holding on to your preconceived notions. So if you don’t know what to do with yourself this week – great! Enjoy the opportunity to explore new things.

Leo: Knight of Cups July 23 - August 22 At his core, the Knight of Cups is a romantic – so indulge your romantic side, Leo! Don’t worry about being embarrassed or reserved. Take this week to see the beauty in the world around you, to dream big, and to love. Not just the people

Scorpio: King of Cups October 23 - November 21 A lot has happened since the beginning of the year, but luckily, you have the opportunity to learn from it. Take this week to think back on everything that’s happened for the past month, and consider how you can use those experiences to approach life’s challenges with a more balanced, more mature perspective.

Aquarius: Chariot January 19 - February 18 Aquarius, this is your sign to keep on truckin’. Maybe you’ve been taking things slowly these past few weeks, maybe not, but regardless, this week is your time to charge forward. Don’t let anything get in your way, especially not yourself. Doubts and worries will fall by the wayside as you push through every obstacle in your path.

Aedan Ferrara, Production Manager

Gemini: Eight of Swords May 21 - June 20 You’ve been feeling trapped, in some way – by circumstance or situation, with no clear way out. This is your reminder that things aren’t always as bad as they seem, and sometimes, part of what’s holding you back is your own mind. Sometimes, you only feel helpless because you’ve already convinced yourself that you have no other options. Take a step back, and breathe. Maybe you’re better off than you think you are.

Virgo: Six of Swords August 23 - September 22 Let’s not mince words, Virgo. You’ve had a rough go of it. This is your invitation to turn your gaze away from the past, and toward the future. Let go of whatever you can that’s holding you back, and set your mind to the horizon ahead. Things won’t get better overnight – but things are changing, bit by bit, with every second that goes by.

Sagittarius: Five of pentacles November 22 - December 21 Times are tough, Sagittarius, especially for a college student. Remember that everything comes and goes, so even when money’s tight, it won’t last forever. If you catastrophize, it’ll only make things worse – as long as you keep in mind that this isn’t the end of the world, then it won’t be.

Buckle down and weather the storm, and your cool head will be rewarded.

Pisces: Ace of Wands February 19 - March 20 This week is a time to open yourself to new ideas. You don’t have to make any big moves, or put any plans into motion just yet – take that pressure off yourself, and just give yourself the time to explore every idea and thought that pops into your head. Consider them, but don’t worry about action just yet. Now is the time for H quiet consideration.■

IMAGES COURTESY OF FREEPIK

12 TUESDAY, JAN 30, 2024

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Mission Galleria Antique Shoppe: where to find the vintage haul of your dreams IN A TIME BEFORE SONNY ANGELS AND SMISKIS, ANTIQUES WERE THE COMMONLY COLLECTED TRINKETS. LYNDSEY RANKIN Contributing Writer

Whether you wish to fulfill your 2024 resolution of finding a new style (eclectic grandpa anyone), feed your trinket obsessions or just explore the shops of downtown Riverside in your free time, Mission Galleria Antiques is the place for you.

This whimsical antique store is a stark contrast to the more modern shops next to it. Stepping through its doors immediately whisks you to a never-ending world filled to the brim with antiques of all kinds. All four floors of Mission Galleria Antiques are packed with small porcelain figurines of bears, lamps made of moonshine mason jars, loud patterned jackets fitted with thick shoulder pads and the like. Jewelry displays are in abundance near the entrance, with glass displays boasting large silver rings adorned with giant jewels, and necklaces draped from shoulder to shoulder on mannequin busts. But at times you’ll spot a glimpse of modernity in the endless aisles of the past — something that seems out of place like a gray t-shirt with a “Squid Game” graphic, Funko Pops or the classic millennial mom signs with bad kitchen puns.

Opened around 1999, Mission Galleria Antique Shoppe contains over 100 vendors who come together to sell their products and finds from the past. The store is divided up by numerical space, giving each seller their own space, clearly labeled on their own laminated paper signs. In the rightmost corner of the store, one vendor specializes in rocks, crystals and old forms of monetary currency.

Another sells antique items with a 21st century coquette aesthetic, like floral painted teapots or angelic porcelain children holding signs with slightly religious connotations.

Tony Larios, an employee at Riverside’s Main Street, was happy to recommend his favorite spots in the shop as he has a personal connection with it. His uncle helped build this store and he has worked here for about a year. As a Mission Galleria Antique Shoppe expert, he recommends looking at real antiques in Space 50 and visiting popular spaces like 2, 11, 48, 88 and 189.

To get around the store, you walk up and down red carpet-lined stairs, with slight creaks from the wooden floor that accent the feel of the historical goods lined in wooden shelves. With every new floor comes a new corner, a new space, a new shelf and a new piece of history to discover. Pieces of history that caught my eye were the American coins used in the Civil War during Lincoln’s presidency and German coins used in World War II as propaganda.

The shop also has endless aisles of antiques separated into different sections dedicated to holidays like Valentine’s Day, Halloween and Easter. Or, if the fourth floor piques your fancy, you’ll find two distinct sides to the same room; the left side is naturally lit by large windows spotlighting furniture like beautiful ornate lamps, while the right side is a vendor’s space filled with a wild assortment of vintage clothes. There are luxurious fur coats, colorful leather jackets, all the loud patterns you can dream of and enormously large society hats that look handpicked from the Regency Era (a Bridgerton fan’s ultimate dream!).

To put it in the words of the Larios, “if you weren’t a history buff, here you become a history buff.” Even if you don’t convert, I think if you visit the Mission Galleria Antique Shoppe, you’ll at least become the newest casual participant of the eclectic grandpa style. Get sucked into this world of wonders and trinkets at 3700 Main Street in downtown Riverside, open Sunday to Thursday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and until 9:00 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. This may become your new favorite weekend getaway, especially to relax and explore after those H midterms. ■

COURTESY OF FLICKR

An Ode to Groundhog Day

AN APPRECIATION FOR THIS OFTEN FORGOTTEN FEBRUARY HOLIDAY.

NATALIE DAHL Features Editor

My favorite holiday in elementary school was one that was often overlooked. I lived to go to school on the second day of February — nothing was more exciting to me than celebrating a very large rodent’s weather predictions. Sometimes my class would make groundhog headbands, sometimes we would watch the recording of Punxsutawney Phil making his prediction for the year, and sometimes we would learn fun facts about groundhogs. When I got home from school, my family and I always made groundhog cupcakes, which were an Almond Joy shoved into a cupcake with an attempt of other candy decorations to make it look like Phil.

I think why Groundhog’s Day remains one of my favorite holidays is that it’s one of the only celebrations that haven’t been taken over by consumerism like so many other holidays (cough cough Valentine’s Day). If you celebrate Groundhog’s Day, you are celebrating the mere fact of it, apart from some simple crafts or small treats, there’s no unreasonable expectations on the day. One who celebrates the holiday is simply choosing to make this random day a little bit more special for themselves or whoever they’re celebrating with. There are no expensive presents needing to be purchased, no cool or attractive costume needing to be bought or made and no special bird that needs to be roasted for an egregious amount of hours. Of course other holidays can be celebrated in simpler ways, but they often are not. (I would also make the argument that St. Patrick’s Day is a holiday that also doesn’t demand much, besides making you go into your closet to find a green shirt; it was also one of my favorites as a child.)

Even into adulthood, the joy I get from Groundhog’s Day has not changed. It doesn’t demand much of me, and I don’t demand much of it, which is what makes it so beautiful. But just because it’s simple doesn’t mean it should be overlooked — try throwing a Groundhog’s Day party this year! Use it as an excuse to make a fun dinner with your significant other while you watch the event! Make bets and stupid consequences on what Phil will predict with your friends!

If you haven’t gotten on the train of celebrating Phil’s momentous prediction before, I hope you’ve gotten my recommendation to try it out this year. Use this holiday as an excuse for connection and a little extra joy in your day, cause that’s what the holiday should be for. (And maybe it will even ease your worries from the pressure of Valentine’s Day.) I know that I for one will be watching the livestream on Feb. 2 anxiously waiting for the results.

Groundhog Cupcake Recipe

1. Stick an Almond Joy candy into a chocolate cupcake with chocolate frosting. (If you want to make it even easier, my family always skipped baking the cupcakes from scratch and used Hostess CupCakes.)

2. Cut a brown M&M’s in half and stick the two halves on the top of the groundhog’s “body” to make them into ears.

3. Cut two little buck teeth out of a white jelly bean. (Pro tip: using a sharp knife can make your life a lot easier.)

4. Cut two white eyes out of the ends of your white jelly bean. Dot a pupil in the middle using black food coloring. (Gel works best as it doesn’t run as much.)

Attach to the face using frosting, honey or something else sticky like peanut butter.

5. Add the chubby cheeks to your rodent by attaching mini brown M&M’s to the face area. If you prefer to add blush on the cheeks instead, you may do so by swapping out the mini brown M&M’s for red ones.

6. Cut out a downward triangle-shaped nose out of a red gum drop, attach to the face and admire your beautiful creation!

(Note: This recipe gives you a lot of leftover candy, which is one of the best H parts!) ■

NATALIE DAHL / THE HIGHLANDER

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TUESDAY, JAN 30, 2024

The best way to spend a winter day

13

WINTER DATES FOR YOU AND YOUR SIGNIFICANT OTHER OR FRIENDS. SENNA OMAR Managing Editor

Tis the season to be freezin’! But why be cold alone when you could be cold with your friends or your significant other; here are a few Winter date ideas perfect for you, your boo or just the girlies. Happy shivers campers.

Go to the snow

Snowfall just started in Big Bear so why be cold at home when you could be cold in the mountains. Take your significant other and go play in the snow. Have a snowball fight, make a snowman, make some snow angels and overall just have a fun time in the winter wonderland.

Cuddle up and watch a movie

The winter rain makes the perfect stay at home weather, so cuddle up with your friends or significant other and watch some feel good classics. Whether it’s Hallmark, “Harry Potter” or “Happy Feet,” there is a winter classic for everyone to enjoy cuddling under the covers.

Cooking something for the soul

Cooking together with your significant other is the perfect low-budget winter date.

Make something homely and warm such as your favorite soups or pasta to warm your frozen heart this winter season.

Stargazing

If you or your significant other are whipping a Ford F-150 (or literally any truck), fill the bed of the car up with pillows, blankets and stuffed animals, drive to Joshua Tree and stare into the stars. Although it might be a little chilly on the cold winter nights, y’all can keep each other warm in the makeshift truck bed.

H Happy dating campers! Stay warm out in these streets. ■

Ice skating

Even if you have never skated before, ice skating is the perfect date regardless of the season. You and your significant other, or homies, can hold onto each other attempting to keep each other afloat over the slippery ice.

Coffee crawl or hot cocoa crawl

Coffee warms the soul, so what better way to spend a rainy winter day than inside the many coffee shops Riverside has to offer. Grab your friends or significant other and head on over to Coffeecito House or Back To The Grind — there is a coffee shop for everyone to enjoy. For more information on the perfect coffee crawl check out Riverside Coffee Crawl by Ashley Carranza. If coffee is not your cup of tea, try a hot chocolate crawl and find the best hot cocoa in Riverside county.

Book store

Cuddling up with a good book in a cozy book store is the perfect way to spend any cold day. You and your significant other can go to a book store and pick out books for each other to read, find a corner and chow through the whole novel in an afternoon.

Afterwards, head to a coffee shop or get dinner and talk about the crazy world or characters you were just introduced to.

COURTESY OF PIXABAY

Better than sweetgreen’s kale Caesar INNOVATIVE, INEXPENSIVE AND EASY-TO-MAKE FOR SALAD AFICIONADOS. MARIBEL GAMEZ-REYES Assistant Features Editor

Sweetgreens, a fast-casual, locavore-friendly chain, offers a popular selection of organic salads and bowls. A highlight and most-asked-for option is the kale Caesar. Their variation consists of roasted chicken, tomatoes, parmesan crisps, shaved parmesan, shredded kale, chopped romaine, lime squeeze and pre-made caesar dressing. While the occasional indulgence of takeout is good, the make-up of this salad isn’t overly complicated to execute at home. In the long run, as someone who’s developed a trend of ordering this salad whenever I find myself in a sweetgreen, by making it yourself, you’ll end up being able to make more portions and save money. An additional bonus of making it yourself is customizing the recipe to your preferences. This perfect midday meal is filling and requires minimal effort for the fast-paced life of a college student.

Ingredients: 1/2 cup Mayo Juice of 1 lemon 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce 1-2 tablespoons seedly mustard (or 1/2 cup Greek yogurt as a substitute) Shaved Parmesan (to taste) Parmesan cheese crisps (to taste) 2 garlic cloves, minced 1/4 cup olive oil Salt and pepper (to taste) Kale (as much as you want, chopped or torn) Cherry tomatoes (as many as you want, halved) Chicken (your choice of cooking method, recommend grilled or breaded)

Preparation: 1. Make the dressing. in a blender (you can also use a bowl as a substitute), combine 1/2 cup mayo, juice of 1 lemon, 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce and 1-2 tablespoons seeded mustard (or substitute with 1/2 cup Greek yogurt), shaved parmesan (to taste), minced garlic cloves and 1/4 cup olive oil. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Make any adjustments according to your preferences.

2. Add chicken to the bowl. Grill or bread the chicken according to your preference.

Season with salt and pepper.

3. Wash your produce. Rinse the pre-packaged kale and cherry tomatoes in a colander under cold water and drain.

4. Assemble the salad. In a large bowl, combine kale, halved-cut cherry tomatoes (to taste), your pre-made dressing and parmesan cheese crisps (to taste). Finally, add your H chicken and enjoy your better-than-sweetgreen salad!■

COURTESY OF FREEPIK

Radar 14 TUESDAY, JAN 30, 2024

RADAR

THE HIGHLANDER // highlandernews.org/category/radar

Winter SOULstice 2024: A cool night with even chiller vibes

This year’s R&B concert was one for the books.

BRENDAN VO Radar Editor

Of the many things UCR students can look forward to, Winter SOULstice stands tall. With the Associated Student Programming Board (ASPB) behind the annual winter quarter event, the R&B and soul music concert promises a chill night with few attractions and food trucks. Juxtaposed to the other hyped and excitable annual UCR concerts like Block Party and Spring Splash, ASPB notes Winter SOULstice “caters to a crowd that wouldn’t necessarily be drawn to our other concerts on campus.”

Theme This year, the concert’s aesthetic and theme was a mix of goth cottage core and alternate fairy. Featuring a skeleton with wings as a major motif, the merchandise also reflected the style fashionably. The designed shirt and crew neck were the main draw for concertgoers.

Lineup The lineup for the event for this year’s Winter SOULstice was not as recognizable as past years’ lineups. For 2024, the three artists were Jay Wile, Dreamer Isioma and headliner Destin Conrad. While many participants would say that the lineup was not very recognizable, many would still end up enjoying the music heavily.

Attractions This year’s attractions were the Flipbook Photobooth and Memory Makers Photobooth, both equipped with fun props for you and your friends to capture some memories. The concert was also accompanied by a small array of food trucks: The Sweet Stop, Pucker Up Lemonade Co, DD’s Chick and Cat Shack and FryDay FoodTruck.

Line The 2024 Winter SOULstice line experience was indubitably much more relaxed as the tame turnout was easily handled by ASPB. Those at the front waited around 2:30 p.m. The entrance to the line, however, was slightly difficult to navigate towards as those coming from the side of the Rivera Library had to cross a slim and trippable path and the borders themselves were an obstacle for students who happened to have class Friday night.

With a late start at 6:55 p.m., the influx of students was smoothly guided by ASPB, as its team repeatedly told them to “not run,” slowing the flow’s pace. Unsurprisingly, most entrants walked into the stanchioned merchandise line and were handled in a coordinated manner. As the line quickly grew to surpass the stanchions, the overflow of the line was promptly handled. After obtaining their merchandise, there was equal interest in either hitting up the attractions or the concert venue for the first performer.

The eccentric artist demonstrated a wide range of musicality with their tracks like the upbeat, jazzy “Gimme A Chance” and the softer, romantic “Dumb In Love With You.” Dreamer Isioma had won over the most hearts in Winter SOULstice and it’s evident that they were the highlight of that night. Their performance was only thorned by an awkward exit as they were about to perform one last song and their mic was cut out due to time restrictions.

Opening with “OFF DAT SH*T (FREESTYLE),” the headliner of this year’s Winter SOULstice, DESTIN CONRAD, came onto the stage greeted by roars of the warmed-up crowd. It was clear that the 23-year-old R&B Tampa artist was incredibly comfortable onstage with a charming presence and comedic banter with the audience. With buttery vocals and feel-good vibes, DESTIN CONRAD brought out a soulful performance with songs like the suave track “LUV N DEVOTION” and the sensual single “NOBODY KNOWS.” His performance, while outshined by Dreamer Isioma’s, still feels like a solid ending to the night and is representative of the nature of Winter SOULstice concerts.

Reception Overall, the 2024 Winter SOULstice experience was a great one for many. Fifthyear public policy major, Tassfia Bari (she/her), has been to all the Winter SOULstice concerts in her attendance at UCR and cites this one as the best: “I actually really enjoyed it. The aesthetics are so nice … and everything is really good.” Second-year undeclared in CHASS major Kiera Samatra (she/her), also described her positive experience in regards to how Winter SOULstice compares to ASPB’s other concerts: “It’s very laid back, very chill … It’s definitely less packed than the other concerts that the school hosts [which] can get overwhelming sometimes.” ■ H

Set-Up The set had a screen in the background of the artists that displayed their performances for everyone to see, increasing the visibility of all the R&B artist’s showings.

When asking about the setup, third-year cell molecular developmental biology major and ASPB staff Paolo Piurque was happy to see that “everything went smooth” and “students love it.” With a prepared merchandise line experience and no notable problems, the R&B concert went off without a hitch.

Artist Performances Jay Wile opened the concert with “HOLY” in a groovy and relaxed manner. While the crowd was at first small, the Texan artist would be met with a substantially growing audience by the middle of his set. Wile’s soft and chill songs like “Where R We Now” and “Honest” charmed the crowd over and performed his newest single “Nice Trip” for the first time live. The R&B artist also treated listeners with covers of “ExFactor” by Lauren Hill and “I Don’t Trust Myself” by John Mayer.

Though, while his smooth vocals fit the vibes that Winter SOULstice would want, Wile’s performance was mellow to a fault. The R&B artist’s stage presence was on the weaker side and he couldn’t produce any real stir in the audience with his crowdwork falling flat.

The second performer, however, broke the slumber of the crowd with their infectious energy. The multiple-genre artist, Dreamer Isioma, took to the stage and immediately worked the crowd and received screams. Known for their break-out song “Sensitive,” they softly opened with “Valentina” and at the end of the song threw flowers into the crowd, which energized the audience even more. With fun backgrounds of the “Powerpuff Girls” cartoon and “Pokémon” cartoon, Isioma had listeners in a fun chokehold, moon dancing on the stage and jumping all around in their performance.

DREAMER ISIOMA IRENE TU / THE HIGHLANDER

JAY WILE IRENE TU / THE HIGHLANDER

DESTIN CONRAD IRENE TU / THE HIGHLANDER

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RADAR

TUESDAY, JAN 30, 2024

15

Neck Deep’s latest release is a masterclass in the history of self-titled albums Neck Deep returns to the pop-punk roots they can’t kick up.

EVELYN HOMAN Copy Editor

It’s courageous when a band decides to make their albums eponymous — when it’s a debut, it’s meant to make a statement about the band and who they want to be and near the end of a career, it’s a testament to how far a musician or group has come. To release a self-titled album in the middle of a well-established career, however, is ridiculously gutsy, and Neck Deep’s Jan. 16 release album pulls it off. Self-produced and completely written by the band members, rather than introducing or reminiscing, “Neck Deep” serves as a reminder that the band still knows who they are.

The album opens with “Dumbstruck Dumbf**k,” an immediate metaphorical kick to the head with punchy drums and a strong guitar sound. It’s all at once familiar and brand new, completely bright and welcoming to listeners both new and old. Vocalist Ben Barlow puts a catchy cadence into the repetitive lyrics without being annoying as well as sweetly self-deprecating. The chorus especially feels like a genre staple, with perfectly timed pauses at “I’m just a useless, doofus” to offer a break in the drum fills.

These classic power-pop vibes are continued into the following track, “Sort Yourself Out,” which encapsulates the more moody lyrical subject matter of a failed relationship, while maintaining a perfectly singable chorus and galloping drums. Barlow takes some time to show off some vocal prowess with a few runs in the pre-chorus. To say that a few shoes will be lost in the circle pit to this one is an understatement.

“This Is All My Fault” slows things down, reminiscent of early Fall Out Boy’s “Take This To Your Grave” — work that Neck Deep has admitted influenced them — with slightly more mellow vocals and instrumentation that crescendos at the perfect part of the choruses. Although it’s calmer than the previous two songs, it maintains its tempo, keeping it from feeling like a filler song. It certainly isn’t the most standout on the album, but it harkens back to early influences.

“We Need More Bricks” addresses the state of the world today, as the young are waking up to the broken systems they have been raised in. “We need more punks,” Barlow sings and it’s obvious that he is putting meaning into every word. While not world-shattering, it is sincere and the call to revolution woven throughout this song is an admirable touch back to the punk world.

“Heartbreak of The Century” is simply one of the best songs that the band has ever written. With a killer bass line and an earworm chorus, it harks back to the single “She’s A God” that the band released in 2019 with a soaring chorus and lyrics simple enough to be memorable and complex enough to be entertaining. However, the mix on the album tones the vocals down and muddles the bass line from the single mix. Although this song is still fantastic, the single is hands-down the better version.

“Go Outside!” isn’t particularly memorable, but once again, it incorporates staples like a more fuzzy opening guitar and lyrics about losing oneself. Following that, “Take Me With You” incorporates another love note to a Neck Deep influence, blink-182, by singing about aliens. With a nihilistic take on blink-182 singer Tom DeLonge’s number-one love, the song is humorous without being crude or juvenile.

The last three songs on the album take the chance to dig into more lyrical standards of pop-punk: “They May Not Mean To (But They Do)” tackles hating your parents, “It Won’t Be Like This Forever” discusses reassuring a romantic partner, and “Moody Weirdo” tells fans that it’s okay to be one. “They May Not Mean To…” is a cynical but necessary takedown of how parents can “f**k you up” without thinking — a different stance from other songs that take down a father’s alcoholism or mother’s emotional distance specifically. “It Won’t Be…” is the slowest song on the album but is certainly no snooze, and “Moody Weirdo” caps the album with a reminder to “Ride your own wave / Soak up the rain / Make way for the hurricane.” These last two songs act in tandem almost as a reassurance to listeners that the band isn’t going anywhere and will still be soundtracking elder emo lives for years to come.

In only 10 songs, Neck Deep encapsulates not only the elements that make them stand out as a band — creative guitar and vocal hooks, intensely catchy choruses and a lot of heart — they also craft an essential love letter to a once again waning genre. They remember and reinvigorate their influences into an album that may well be Pop-Punk 101, proving that, despite their sarcastic band tagline, the band are hardly making “generic pop-punk.” ■ H

Verdict: “Neck Deep” is a perfectly crafted love letter to Neck Deep’s fans, influences and chosen genre, making a powerful statement about the band’s identity while providing some absolute bangers.

DISTRIBUTED BY WE ARE TRIUMPHANT

‘Hazbin Hotel’ is one hell of a watch

This series is an edgy musical ride that you might wanna hop on.

MATA ELANGOVAN News Editor

Three years after dropping the pilot episode, “Hazbin Hotel” released the first four episodes of its first season on Jan. 19, 2024, on Amazon Prime Video. This new series features an assembly of chaos, antics and frighteningly good songs and motifs that will keep you glued to the screen. “Hazbin Hotel,” created by Vivienne Medrano, more commonly known as Vivziepop, follows the journey of Charlie Morningstar, the princess of hell. Charlie works toward a steadfast goal which is finding a way to redeem the sinners in hell, allowing them passage to heaven and hopes to do so through her Happy Hotel.

Charlie begins with her plan of Happy Hotel rehabilitation to prevent the overpopulation of hell and The Extermination, a culling event. Vaggie, one of the main protagonists and manager of the hotel, works to make a new commercial for the hotel, but a surprise news release sets some of their plans to ruin. Within a side plot, the Vees, a triad of major antagonists, get shaken up by the return of the Overlord Alastor, a demon with a penchant for chaos, who seems to only be helping Charlie with the hotel for his amusement.

The story moves fast with the first four episodes. At first, the pacing seems all over the place, which is to be expected with an eight-episode season. With each episode a measly 20 minutes long, there is only so much of a plot and story that can be explored within such a short time. If each episode had a few more minutes of screen time, there would be more time for scenes to have a transitional period that allowed the viewer to process the plot and have it feel less rushed.

The pilot may have set the scene for this show, but the series fleshes it out. The characters are dynamic; they react with and influence each other, constantly growing and getting shot down. While they may not have the time to spare to goof around with each other, each interaction they have is impactful. Each character is also uniquely designed, with a personal musical motif and color scheme. Some standout characters, in both looks and personality, include Valentino, a dirtball with stunning moth wings, and Sir Pentious, whose name is probably a pun on the word serpent and also looks like one.

The narrative and pacing are perfectly accompanied by the songs in the show. The animation is zestful and the musical accompaniment matches the mood set. The music enhances the characters and builds off of them rather than just being forced in. There

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is a beautiful scene of Charlie out of breath, trying to convince another character of her will, but it’s seen how his dominance is established as his voice and music shine over hers. The way the characters act in each song tells the audience just as much about their personality as the lyrics and tone do, further fleshing out and developing the cast.

It takes talented voice actors to bring the music to life. Many of the voice actors in “Hazbin Hotel” have a long history of both acting and singing. Prominent voices are featured such as Erika Henningsen, who performed on Broadway as Cady Heron in “Mean Girls,” and Stephanie Beatriz, who played Mirabel in “Encanto” and Rosa Diaz in “Brooklyn Nine-Nine.” The shift of voice actors was a big change from the pilot where many of the singing characters would have two voice actors with one specialized in acting and the other in singing.

“Hazbin Hotel” is all about playing with emotions. The color-grading in each scene brings mood changes. The pops of light and color emphasize key moments. Similar to how you can tell something big is going to happen in “Jaws” with a shift in music, you can feel a sense of dread creep up your spine when the usually vivid characters dim. The colors draw you in like a moth to a light — it’s difficult to look away when the scene shifts, constantly demanding your attention.

The series itself can feel uncomfortable, making it hard to watch and heartbreaking at times. There are a lot of heavy topics covered with some considered to be handled more poorly than others. But it is important to remember that art is meant to comfort the H disturbed and disturb the comfortable.■

Verdict: “Hazbin Hotel” is more of an acquired taste. Its charming artstyle coupled with unconventional storytelling makes it a rollercoaster of a show.

16 TUESDAY, JAN 30, 2024

RADAR

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‘The Zone of Interest’: an undisturbed life

A decade after ‘Under the Skin,’ Jonathan Glazer returns with a story about an Auschwitz commandant and his family’s day-to-day.

LUKE LIAO Staff Writer

“The Zone of Interest” depicts life in a Nazi household right next to Auschwitz. While a lone barbed wall separates the two premises, guttural cries, gunshots and screams can be perpetually heard in the peripheral. The sights inside the walls are never shown, but the sound is unnerving enough, puncturing and debasing the silence. For the inhabitants, a family consisting of Auschwitz commandant Rudolf Höss (Christian Friedel), his wife Hedwig (Sandra Hüeller) and their children, life happens undisturbed and routinely.

Johnathan Glazer’s decision to focus on this formal disconnect reframes a story of mundanity into something deeply and consciously unsettling.

The time spent with the Höss family’s domestic tediums is intertwined with death and Glazer makes sure of this. It’s not just the fumes from the camp’s smokestacks that choke their sky that are disquiet, but also the apathetic application of lipstick from a woman no longer alive or the usage of the ashes of numerous to fertilize garden plants.

In another instance, Rudolf and the children’s leisure at a river is cut short when ashes and carbonized remains begin to seep into the water. The patriarch yells, quickly pulling them out in what’s the most amount of urgency or concern displayed in the film, with the second most panicked moment being whenever Hedwig lashes out at the housekeepers.

After, the children return home and are cleaned furiously, crying at the thought of what could’ve infringed upon them. Through these scenes and the uncannily pristine images shot by Łukas Żal, we understand the extent to which these people have embodied the doctrines of racial hygiene and sanitization.

The only time Glazer pulls significant focus away from the Höss family is to a Polish girl who sneaks onto labor sites, caching food for the prisoners. The switch, showing the smallest acts of action and humanity, is a damning contrast to what we’ve spent so much time observing. All of it is shot in thermal and, though the images are striking, it conveys a heightened sense of danger the girl is indebting herself into, which is one unconventional choice of many that doesn’t sit right in a film whose maxim is that of restraint.

Towards the film’s closing, Glazer pivots from the domestic and moves into the professional, giving more insight into Rudolf and his profane work. In one telling sequence, Rudolf appears distraught (Friderel’s performance reaches new heights after here) during an otherwise celebratory situation. Later, when he calls Hedwig, he reveals that all he could think about during the festivity was killing and how to do it efficiently. Even with the evil that we’ve attached to Rudolf from the start, it’s a shocking moment — this is a man whose identity and livelihood revolve around bloodsport.

The ending is perhaps Glazer’s biggest swing and his biggest payoff. Without mentioning any spoilers, the narrative is briefly cut, connecting the two storylines through unimaginable evil across space and time. It’s gutting, unforgettable and a more than appropriate way to conclude a story where so much human life is disregarded and absent. ■ H

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Verdict: “The Zone of Interest’s” counterintuitive approach does not try to dramatize or even depict the atrocities of the Holocaust. Rather, it observes those culpable; it’s an extraordinary accomplishment.

The Oscar Predictions are in — Lights, Camera, Action!

Rolling out the red carpet, here are the March 2024 Oscar winner predictions.

NOLA PERIFEL Contributing Writer

The 2024 nominations have been announced and everyone is left wondering who will leave the Academy Awards Ceremony triumphant this year. “Oppenheimer’s” domination over nominations is clear as Christopher Nolan’s new masterpiece may win on 13 different occasions. However, the movie’s competition is fierce as “Poor Things” and “Killers of the Flower Moon” are not ready to go down easily. Looking at five categories, here are some 2024 Oscar Winner predictions: Best Picture: This year, the nominees for the Best Picture category of the Oscars 2024 are as follows: “Poor Things,” “Barbie,” “Oppenheimer,” “The Zone of Interest,” “Anatomy of a Fall,” “Maestro,” “Killers of a Flower Moon,” “The Holdovers,” “American Fiction” and “Past Lives.”

Prediction: Leading with 13 nominations, “Oppenheimer” is the clearest choice for Best Picture. The cinematography was as unreal as the story itself. The movie told the story of Robert Oppenheimer, sticking as close to history as possible and the iconic scene of the bomb’s explosion made the movie a clear winner.

Another Possible Winner: “Poor Things” is another amazing option. The actors’ performances were top notch and the movie was subject to much interest. The story is beautiful and complicated, so “Poor Things” is a strong contender, as well.

Best Director:

The nominees for the Best Director category are: Christopher Nolan for “Oppenheimer,” Justine Triet for “Anatomy of a Fall,” Martin Scorcese for “Killers of the Flower Moon,” Jonathan Glazer for “The Zone of Interest” and Yorgos Lanthimos for “Poor Things.”

Prediction: All of the directors that have been nominated are worthy of the Oscar, but one stood out most. Christopher Nolan, the director of “Oppenheimer,” is deserving of an Oscar. His refusal to use CGI to recreate the atomic bomb explosion made his directing top-notch as his goal was to make the movie as authentic as possible — something he clearly achieved.

Another Possible Winner: If not Christopher Nolan, could be Martin Scorcese. The world-renowned director of “Killers of the Flower Moon” stuck to a true story. The exquisite cinematography of the film reflected his work and he is a possible winner for Best Director.

Best Actor in a Leading Role:

The nominated actors competing for the Oscar for Best Lead Actor are: Cillian Murphy for his role as Robert Oppenheimer in “Oppenheimer,” Paul Giamatti for his role as Paul Hunham in “The Holdovers,” Bradley Cooper for his role as Leonard Bernstein in “Mae-

stro,” Jeffrey Wright for his role as Thelonious “Monk” Ellison in “American Fiction” and Colman Domingo for his role as Bayard Rustin in “Rustin.”

Prediction: Although many actors were incredibly talented this year, the one that stood out the most was “The Holdovers” lead, Paul Giamatti. His performance was amazing as he embodied the role of a complex and embittered boarding school teacher whose true personality is a mystery slowly unveiling.

Another Possible Winner: Cillian Murphy also needs to be mentioned in this category. His representation of Robert Oppenheimer was so amazingly spot-on as his creation of the atomic bomb slowly turned into an object of guilt. His close resemblance to the historical figure also helped make his acting as admirable as it was.

Best Actress in a Leading Role:

The nominated actresses competing for the Oscar for Best Lead Actress are: Lily Gladstone for her role as Mollie Burkhart in “Killers of the Flower Moon,” Emma Stone for her role as Bella Baxter in “Poor Things,” Carey Mulligan for her role as Felicia Montelegre in “Maestro,” Sandra Hüller for her role as Sandra Voyter in “Anatomy of a Fall” and Annette Bening for her role as Diana Nyad in “Nyad.”

Prediction: For this prediction, it was a difficult choice between Lily Gladstone and Emma Stone, but Lily Gladstone’s breathtaking and emotion-filled performance in “Killers of the Flower Moon” is convincing of an Oscar for Best Lead Actress.

Another Possible Winner: If not Gladstone then Emma Stone is possibly going to be the one to take home the award. She plays Bella Baxter, a resurrected young woman on the road to rediscovery. Her spectacular performance was captivating and her win at the Golden Globes was well deserved.

Best Original Song:

The nominated songs for the Oscar for Best Original Song are: “I’m Just Ken” from “Barbie,” “The Fire Inside” from the movie “Flamin’ Hot,” “Wahzhazhe” from “Killers of the Flower Moon,” “What Was I Made For?” from “Barbie” and “It Never Went Away” from the movie “American Symphony.”

Prediction: The nominated songs are very good choices but Billie Eilish’s “What Was I Made For?” was a song that tied the entire Barbie movie together. With her last year’s hit “No Time To Die,” Billie Eilish has another chance at winning the Oscar for best original song.

Another Possible Winner: “I’m Just Ken,” a song sung by Ryan Gosling in “Barbie,” became very popular and even won at the Critics Choice Awards. Of course, its comedic aspect is a reason why it may not win the Oscar. However, it would be amazing to watch it be performed at the ■H “BarAcademy Awards Ceremony. Either way, it’s a predicted win for

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RADAR

TUESDAY, JAN 30, 2024

17

The Best of the 2024 Emmys and its future With several current Emmy Awards favorites ending, the future of the show feels bleak.

RAMITA SETTY Staff Writer

After a tumultuous year marked by historic strikes from Hollywood’s writers and actors, things seem to have returned to normal with new contracts having been negotiated.

Awards season has been in full swing since. The Emmys, which were initially delayed due to the strikes, finally happened Jan. 15, 2024. The postponed date meant that the Emmys occurred the same week as the Golden Globes and the Critics Choice Awards, leading to a glut of red carpets, fashion fails, cringe-worthy hosts, both undeserving and deserving winners and non-stop social media reactions. But as some of the biggest prestige shows of the streaming era come to an end and no new contenders appear to be taking their place, one can speculate as to what the future of the Emmys will look like.

There were no major upsets this year. No cry of outrage over any perceived snubs or winners who didn’t “deserve” it. Sarah Snook finally won her first Emmy for “Succession,” as did Kieran Culkin. Matthew Macfayden received the Drama Supporting Actor award, which rounded off the trio of “Succession” acting winners. “Succession” itself proved to be the darling of the night, as expected, with 27 nominations and 10 wins overall. It was a fitting farewell to what’s proved to be one of the best shows of the streaming era. On the other hand, one of the most critically acclaimed shows of the past decade ended its run with a tally of 52 nominations and a stunning zero wins. Despite the high quality of “Better Call Saul,” the sequel series to “Breaking Bad,” the show unfortunately never reached the same level of success as its predecessor.

Over on the comedy side, the underrated gem that is Home Box Office’s (HBO) dark dramedy “Barry” also had a disappointing awards night, along with the feel-good comedy “Ted Lasso,” as both were soundly beaten by the newcomer “The Bear.” The nominations were for season one, though the quality of season two may have influenced some voters’ decisions. With a whopping 10 nominations, “The Bear” took home six wins.

With season three somewhere on the horizon, it feels safe to say that “The Bear” will remain an awards darling. “Barry” and “Ted Lasso,” however, failed to make a large splash in what were both series’ final seasons. “Ted Lasso’s” season three received lukewarm reviews, so this is hardly unsurprising. However, “Barry” had the bad luck of airing at the same time as “Succession” on Sundays and was thus completely flattened by its cultural impact. Its outcome was disappointing but unsurprising.

With several shows that have made a considerable impact having made their last bow at the Emmys — “Succession,” “Better Call Saul,” “Barry,” “Ted Lasso” and more — one has to wonder what future shows could possibly fill those shoes. HBO in particular feels in dire need of some fresh titles. Despite consistently leading in the most number of Emmy nominations among all of their shows, it feels difficult to see how that continues now that “Succession,” its most awarded show, has ended.

“The White Lotus” and “The Last of Us” could potentially carry the torch forward, but that may not be enough for HBO to retain its iconic status. Season two of “Euphoria” received mixed reviews and season three doesn’t appear to be arriving anytime soon. “The Gilded Age” and “House of the Dragon,” held back by criticism of their writing, don’t feel like shows that could ever reach the potential awards that several predecessors like “Game of Thrones” and “Downton Abbey.” “The Regime,” a new series starring Kate Winslet, and “The Sympathizer,” an adaptation of a Pulitzer Prize-winning novel with Robert Downey Jr. attached, feel promising.

Other streaming services like Hulu had “The Bear” and “Only Murders in the Building,” but nothing else in its catalog stands out since they canceled “The Great.” Despite sweeping the comedy category at the Emmys, “The Bear” has received multiple accusations that it is not a comedy and that this is a case of category fraud — a not entirely baseless claim. Now that “Succession” has ended, it may make the jump to drama, where with no other noteworthy contenders left it could potentially dominate.

AMC+ gave the entirety of their awards campaign efforts to “Better Call Saul,” with disappointing results in the end. However, this now frees AMC+ to focus their efforts on new promising shows, such as “Interview with the Vampire,” a new take on Anne Rice’s beloved vampire novels. The first season received rave reviews from critics, but no nominations at the Emmys. However, that could potentially change for season two, with AMC’s full backing. Over at Showtime, Nathan Fielder’s first scripted series “The Curse” has been one of the most bizarre and funny shows of the decade which are all landmarks qualities of a Nathan Fielder show. “The Curse” received several Golden Globe nominations and has real potential to be a contender at the next Emmys.

The Streaming Era has been referred to as a golden age of television in regards to the sheer number of television shows that have been released in the past couple of years. But streaming was always a bubble and one that felt due to pop very soon. Already, several streaming services have had numerous financial losses and many, such as Disney+, are adding a paid tier that includes advertisements to incentivize more viewers. Several streaming services are also canning already completed series before they are ever seen for tax write-offs.

This Emmy season may have been a peak for television success. With so many great H shows ending, the future feels uncertain and more than a little scary. ■

IMAGES COURTESY OF RUTH DANIELS VIA FLICKR

Sports 18 TUESDAY, JAN 30, 2024

SPORTS

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Highlanders suffer frustrating setback in 51-43 loss to UC San Diego ISAAC SOLNICK Staff Writer

UCR’s winning streak ends at 5 games at the hands of the Tritons.

Coming off the back of five straight wins, the Highlanders were looking to make it one more at home against the Tritons. Led by back-to-back Big West Player of the Week Jordan Webster, UCR’s offense was flying high. It seemed like the hot streak would continue against the jetlagged Tritons who were coming off their third straight loss at Hawaii.

UCSD head coach, Heidi VanDerveer, younger sister of the winningest coach in college basketball (Stanford head coach Tara VanDerveer), showed faith in her younger players. She reinserted redshirt freshman guard Gracie Gallegos into the starting five.

She also continued to trust freshman point guard Sumaya Sugapong to run the show. As many would have expected, the Tritons struggled to get out of the blocks quickly.

It was UCR’s slow start that was more surprising. Despite rolling out with their usual starting lineup, the Highlanders couldn’t find their offensive rhythm. Fortunately, their defense kept it close early. The Tritons looked to feed junior forward Damilola Sule inside. UCR did whatever they could to deny passes inside. Sophomore guard Makayla Jackson’s tight on-ball defense pestered Sugapong and gave the young freshman a hard time early on.

Both teams were forced into long possessions and contested shots. Over four minutes had passed without any scoring. Makayla Jackson drove to the hoop and finally scored the game’s first basket. Looking to up the tempo, the Highlanders equipped the full-court press as RyAnne Walters checked into the contest. The fifth-year guard’s swagger was on full display. Walters set up her teammates with smooth dribble moves and no-look passes.

Unlike the Walters substitution, the full-court press wasn’t nearly as effective.

Sugapong’s playmaking often left the Highlanders scrambling on defense.

Miscommunication also proved costly on a couple of occasions. In one of these moments, Sugapong was left wide open and drilled the game’s first 3-pointer. A last-second shot from junior Izzy Forsythe put the Tritons up 7-4 at the end of the first quarter.

UCR’s offensive struggles only worsened in the second quarter. While the Highlanders languished, UCSD were finding their feet thanks to their true freshman point guard.

Her bounce pass set up senior Parker Montgomery wide-open under the basket. Then, Sugapong knocked down a transition jumper to cap off an 11-0 run for the Tritons.

Coming out of the timeout, the Highlanders needed senior guard Jordan Webster to get going. Every time Webster looked to drive to the rim, a help defender collapsed on

her each time. With their star guard frustrated, UCR’s offense was stuck in the mud.

On the other end, Makayla Jackson was tasked with taking away UCSD’s best weapon. She looked to keep the ball away from Sugapong with her aggressive off-ball defense. After realizing Jackson’s intentions, Sugapong worked the backdoor cut to her advantage. UCSD found themselves ahead 18-7 thanks to poor first-half shooting by the Highlanders. As a team, UCR shot 3-27 from the field and missed all 7 of their 3-point attempts in the first half.

With the first half in their rearview mirror, the Highlanders looked like a completely different team in the third quarter. Webster and redshirt senior forward Matehya Bryant were particularly more aggressive. The pair of seniors relentlessly attacked the basket and were rewarded with an abundance of free throws. Slowly but surely the Highlanders pulled themselves back into the game.

After RyAnne Walters swished UCR’s first triple of the evening, she asked for a double screen on the very next possession. After, Parker Montgomery trips on the screeners.

Walters drains a second straight 3-pointer to give her team a 30-29 lead. Having been quiet all evening, the SRC arena erupted as UCSD made adjustments.

Coming out of the timeout, coach VanDerveer switched from man-to-man defense to a 2-3 zone. UCR were unprepared and failed to find a soft spot in San Diego’s zone. The Highlanders were forced to settle with contested midrange jumpers at or near the end of the shot clock. After Sugapong snatched the ball from Webster, she utilized her quick first step to get a wide-open jumper. The San Diego native put the Tritons back in front 34-31 going into the fourth.

In the fourth quarter, UCSD stuck with what was working. Their 2-3 zone grinded the Highlanders to a halt. Nevertheless, UCR continued hustling on the glass. Fighting with the Tritons on the boards, Matehya Bryant lost her balance and was shaken up. With Bryant hobbling back, UCSD took advantage. They pushed the pace and found Sugapong wide-open. She drilled the triple and then another, silencing the crowd. After hitting the dagger, her scream of delight echoes throughout the arena.

With 22 points from Sumayah Sugapong, the Tritons would take this one 51-43. UCR’s winning streak ends and their record drops to 5-4 in conference play. The Highlanders will return to action next week on Feb. 3 at home against Cal State Northridge at 6:00 H p.m.■

UC Riverside men’s basketball team defeated 65-53 to Long Beach State HANSEL CHU Sports Editor

Highlanders blew a 15-point lead amid a second-half collapse.

The UC Riverside men’s basketball team suffered their second-straight loss against Long Beach State Saturday afternoon in the SRC Arena. The Highlanders dropped their last contest against Long Beach State, 75-83, on Jan. 6 when they visited the Elbees on their home floor. UCR looked to get back into the win column after a heartbreaking 6566 loss to UC San Diego from their previous game and looked to get their revenge against Long Beach State.

UC Riverside got out to a hot start as defense was a main focal point to start the game.

The Highlanders forced the Elbees to shoot 1-14 from the field to open up the game, which resulted in UCR jumping out to an early 15-3 lead. Graduate student forward Kyle Owens started the game hot with five early points and the 3-pointers started to fall for the Highlanders. Redshirt sophomore guard Isaiah Moses and junior center Ben Griscti knocked down 3-pointers of their own to give UC Riverside an early 12-point lead.

Long Beach State started to find a rhythm after trailing double-digits. Senior guard Marcus Tsohonis dropped in four straight points and the Traore brothers found easy layups down in the paint as the Elbees went on a 9-0 run to bring the UCR lead to 15-12 with 8:53 left in the first half, forcing head coach Mike Magpayo to call a timeout.

Off of the timeout, redshirt freshman Barrington Hargress started to make his impact felt as he knocked two straight jumpshots to extend the UC Riverside lead to five. On the next possession, Moses found himself open and sank a 3-pointer of his own to bring the score to 23-17 with 6:29 left until halftime. Junior forward Luke Turner checked in at the 5-minute mark and immediately made his presence felt as he knocked down two corner 3-pointers in the span of one minute to extend the Highlander lead to 13. After a missed 3-pointer from Long Beach State, redshirt junior Jhaylon Martinez was able to finish a hook shot to give the Highlanders their biggest lead of the night, 32-17, with 3:34 left until halftime. Hargress continued his stellar first half as he finished with nine points at the half and gave UCR a 36-23 lead going into the break.

The 3-pointers kept on falling for the Highlanders early in the second half as Moses and sophomore guard Nate Pickens knocked down 3-pointers of their own to keep the UC Riverside lead in the double-digits, 42-29. However, Long Beach State raised their intensity on the defensive end of the basketball and slowly clawed their way back into the ball game. The Highlanders started to turn the ball over due to stifling Elbee defense and they could not find any clean looks at the rim. After a double-team on Moses, Tshonis was able to get the steal and finish the transition bucket to trim the lead down to six.

Couple of possessions later, junior forward Aboubacar Traore finished at the rim off of an assist from redshirt freshman guard Jason Hart Jr., which brought the score to 45-44.

Hargress was able to stop the run with a mid-range jump shot but the Elbees responded with a Tsohonis 3-pointer to tie the game at 47-47 with 6:38 left in the game.

After climbing back to tie the game, Long Beach never looked back as sophomore guard AJ George knocked down a mid-range jumpshot to give them their first lead of the game, 49-47. On the next possession, George was able to finish a layup off of the offensive rebound to extend the Long Beach State lead. The Elbees went on a 12-0 run after tying up the game to flip the game upside down. UC Riverside seemed to be lost on both sides of the basketball as they kept turning the ball over and giving up offensive rebounds. With 1:27 left in the game, Tsohonis found George in the paint for a layup to put the exclamation mark in the match as Long Beach State came away with the victory 65-53 over UC Riverside.

Hargress led the way for the Highlanders with 16 points, three rebounds and three assists. Moses contributed with 13 points and four assists but also had six turnovers in the outing.

The Highlanders drop to 8-14 (3-7) on the season and will go to the Los Angeles area H to take on Cal State Northridge next Saturday, Feb. 3, at 5:00 p.m. ■ IMAGES COURTESY OF UCR ATHLETICS

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SPORTS

TUESDAY, JAN 30, 2024

19

Who the reserves for NBA All-Star weekend will be KIANOOSH NOOSHI Assistant Sports Editor

With the starters for both the Eastern and Western Conferences announced, who deserves to make the reserves.

The NBA announced the All-Star starters for the Eastern and Western Conferences this past week after returning to their traditional format of players representing their own conferences. The Eastern Conference starters include Giannis Antetokounmpo, Joel Embiid, Jayson Tatum, Tyrese Haliburton and Damian Lillard while the Western Conference starters include LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Nikola Jokic, Luka Doncic and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

Outside of Lillard there is not much debate as to whether or not any of these players deserved to start for their conference in the All-Star game. What remains is to look at the remaining pool of talent available to be included in the reserves and determine which players should be locks to be included off the bench.

Starting off with the two backcourt positions, the most deserving players from either conference are Devin Booker, De’Aaron Fox, Donovan Mitchell and Jalen Brunson. Starting with Booker, he has averaged 28.2 points and 7.5 assists enroute to the current sixth seed alongside Kevin Durant who starts in for the Western Conference. Likewise, De’Aaron Fox has also been explosive throughout this season posting his best ever numbers while leading a young and fun Kings team to the fifth seed.

Moving to the east, Donovan Mitchell is almost a clone of Fox in terms of numbers and impact with the Cavs being the fifth seed on the other side of the United States.

Jalen Brunson while putting up the least points of the four guards as well as being doubted for his leadership due to his height has the New York Knicks in the fourth seed in the East and will no doubt make his first All-Star Game this Season.

Next, the three most deserving backcourt players in each conference are Kawhi Leonard, Paul George and Anthony Davis for the Western Conference and Paolo Banchero, Jaylen Brown and Julius Randle for the Eastern Conference. Leonard and George are putting near identical numbers, 23.5 points along with around 4 assists and 6 rebounds, as the leading duo for a three seeded Clippers team while Anthony Davis has been quietly impressive by staying healthy for the duration of this season.

In the east, Banchero has been putting up baby Lebron numbers averaging 22.6 points, 4.9 assists and 7.0 rebounds leading one of the youngest teams in the league, the Orlando Magic, to a play-in spot. Jaylen Brown is a rather boring selection having had his role kept the same for several seasons now. But the man who can’t drive left has been quietly efficient once again playing number two to starter Jayson Tatum on the Celtics. In a similar manner as his teammate Jalen Brunson who was mentioned earlier, Randle has been underestimated and credited because of his reputation as someone who struggles in the postseason. However, he has had a great season alongside Brunson dragging the Knicks to the fourth seed.

There are more than five slots on the bench for each team and some wildcards could be able to sneak their way into an All-Star appearance. This by no way implies that any of the players mentioned are not deserving, just that popularity and favoritism plays a great role in selecting the All-Stars. The potential wildcard players include Stephen Curry, Alperen Şengün, Kyrie Irving, Victor Wembanyama, Jamal Murray, Rudy Gobert, Tyrese Maxey and Scottie Barnes. Regardless of who is selected, it’s nice to see the NBA moving back to its original format of Eastern vs. Western Conferences after spending many years testing gimmicky formats which were not H good additions to the weekend. ■

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