Issuu

HIGHLANDER

THE

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, RIVERSIDE

VOL. 73 ISSUE 12

For the week of 14, JANUARY 2025

est. 1954

The LA Fires: A growing disaster The rapidly expanding LA fires now encompass over 37,000 acres of LA and Ventura Counties.

By: Mata Elangovan, Managing Editor

n Jan. 7, 2025, the Los Angeles (LA) fires began, and have rapidly grown encompassing over 37,000 acres as of Jan. 12, 2025. The fires have spread across LA County, leaving regions such as Pasadena, Altadena and Malibu ablaze. These LA fires have been dubbed as the Palisades, Eaton, Hurst and Kenneth fires. The Palisades Fire is currently the largest of the four, and has set over 23,000 acres on fire on its own. According to Cal Fire, the Palisades Fire is 13 percent contained. So far, there are 24 people who died as a result of the destructive wildfires in the Los Angeles area. Around 180,000 people have been forced to evacuate, and thousands of structures have been destroyed.

Image courtesy of Maxar Technologies

VCSA Brian Haynes attempts to reject ASUCR divestment bill

R’Perspective: Trader Joe’s is popular for good reason, but let’s not get carried away Trader Joe’s lives up to the “hype” for its affordable prices and high-quality food, but at the end of the day, it is still just a supermarket.

ASUCR calls for student intervention in VCSA Haynes’ attempt to overrule the Ethical Spending Clause.

By: Cecile Diroll, Opinions Editor

By: Alex Kupisiewicz, Contributing Writer

he Associated Students of the University of California, Riverside (ASUCR) are currently facing pressure from UCR administration to overturn the SR-W24-005. Otherwise known as ASUCR Boycott and Divestment from Israel and Corporations Complicit in the Ongoing Genocide in Gaza, this bill was passed on Feb. 23, 2024, in what ASUCR described as their “largest senate meeting in years.” The senate heard 37 individual statements from students, faculty and alumni expressing concerns for and against the bill. The statements included appeals from Palestinian students and concerns of antiSemitism raised on behalf of Hillel. The vote that followed passed the bill with a

Wildfire smoke advisories were implemented for many areas in Southern California, extending throughout northern LA County, Orange County and the Inland Empire. Overall, fire and smoke threat remain “very high” as Santa Ana winds continue blowing northeast. Read more on page 5, News

THE HIGHLANDER// Senna Omar

unanimous 15-0-0 result. The bill itself details the set of corporations, taken directly from the Boycott, Divest, and Sanctions (BDS) movement list, from which purchases for student events will not be reimbursed.

rader Joe’s (TJ’s), a grocery chain known for its various frozen products, affordable prices and tropical-themed stores, will open three more locations in Tarzana, Northridge and Sherman Oaks in 2025. Growing at a fast rate in Southern California, the company opened eight new locations in 2024, including South Pasadena, Northridge, Sherman Oaks, Ladera Ranch, Murrieta, Poway and Santee. Since opening its first store in Pasadena in 1967, TJ’s has gained widespread popularity for its frozen food selection and affordable produce. According to a 2022 Times survey, TJ’s has the lowest prices in Southern California.