RUNNING CLUB AT UCR CROSSES THE FINISH LINE TOGETHER
RUNNING CLUB AT UCR PROVIDES A HOME FOR THOSE WHO WANT TO RUN AMONGST FRIENDS.
SANJANA THATTE Features Editor
Trying something new is integral to the University of California, Riverside (UCR) college experience. Be it rock climbing, crocheting or even baking, this is the perfect time in your life to try something new. Even so, finding ways to maintain your favorite hobbies and interests from your time before college can be a perfect way to ground yourself and find community.
Running Club at UCR has provided a safe space on campus for runners since 2008. The club’s inclusivity and openness allows for runners of all walks of life to grow and develop alongside those
they share a passion with.
Joining Running Club is a spontaneous venture for many. As Andy Zhang, fourth year electrical engineering major and club president explained, “I started out [at Running Club] my third year around week three. I was training for a marathon and I’d seen a flyer for the running club. I knew it existed already, but I hadn’t had the guts to go out and run. But I finally went my third week and I haven’t stopped since … I realized how much fun ...t was and how inclusive the club has been.”
Riverside County and UCR students must show up and vote in this election
WITH TWO CONGRESSIONAL SEATS POTENTIALLY CHANGING HANDS AND FEDERAL ELECTION MONITORS DEPLOYED IN RIVERSIDE
MORE THAN EVER.
THE EDITORIAL BOARD
The Highlander
In Aug. 2025, California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed the “Election Rigging Response Act,” setting up a special election in November where Californians will decide whether to allow lawmakers to redraw the state’s House of Representatives’ congressional map.
Known as Proposition 50, the measure would allow the California legislature to take over redistricting from the state’s independent commission beginning in 2026 until the 2030 United States (U.S.) Census. If passed, Prop 50 would give Democrats five additional seats in Congress, effectively countering Texas’ recent gerrymandering efforts, which awarded the GOP five new seats.
The redistricting battle began when Texas Gov. Greg Abbott introduced mid-decade redis-
tricting legislation to maintain the GOP’s narrow majority in the House ahead of the 2026 midterm election. In protest, Texas Democrats left the state for weeks to prevent the vote, but the legislation ultimately passed, prompting other states, such as California, to take action.
Gov. Newsom has defended Prop 50, arguing that California’s approach differs from Texas’ because it asks for voters’ permission rather than bypassing the state electorate. However, the measure carries significant political stakes for many Californians, particularly Riverside County residents and young people, who stand to gain or lose — depending on the outcome.
For example, two out of the five seats that would be redistricted to favor Democrats are in Riverside County. Rep. Ken Calvert (CA41), who represents a large portion of Riverside
County, would likely lose his seat under the new map, which is expected to lean towards Democrats by 20 percentage points. Additionally, Rep. Darrell Issa (CA-48), representing portions of Riverside and San Diego Counties, would face a district with four percentage points more for Democrats than Republicans.
Riverside County will also play a major role in voter participation. The Department of Justice announced on Oct. 24, 2025, that it would deploy election monitors to five California counties, including Riverside, Fresno, Los Angeles, Orange and Kern Counties, at the request of the California Republican Party.
The DOJ said the initiative is aimed at “promoting transparency and...open flow of communication between poll observers and election monitors to ensure that elections proceed...
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Corrections to Volume 74 Issue 04, published October 28, 2025.
The Highlander recognizes its ethical responsibility to maintain transparency in its coverage and promptly correct any errors published, large or small. Located on pg. 8, the Opinions article entitled “It’s time for Taiwan to have its own Iron Dome system” the graphic was incorrectly attributed to Adelia Urena. The artist of the graphic is Holly Dawson. We apologize for this editorial oversight. Located on pg. 23, the Radar article titled “Seeing Through Smog: The opening of 4QS with Smog Fowler-Hurst” incorrectly featured a photograph from last year’s UCR is Dancing production, depicting undergraduate student Neveaha Garcia, rather than the artist of the performance, graduate student Smog Megan Fowler-Hurst. The Highlander is taking steps to strengthen our editorial and verification processes to ensure the accurate and respectful representation of student artists and their research in all future coverage. All corrections have been updated in our online version and can be viewed at https://issuu.com/ucrhighlander.
Halloween [used to be] the day where I get to eat candy and whatnot. But as times go on, trick-or-treating becomes less common. [Now] I just like [Halloween] for the vibes. I [love] all the spooky vibes [and] the idea of dressing up and getting to be something else.
I just wanted to go as a wizard [this year]. I’ve had a few people mistake me for something more specific, but I just wanted to go as a wizard. I [really] wanted to make myself a cloak. And then from that point, I just started [putting] the other pieces together.
For Halloween, [I’m] going to spend some time on campus [before] I go home to go [trick-or-treating with my sibling]. They are 12 years-old and they are going as a taco. [It’s] one of those food costumes.
Funnily enough, [plant science is one of the smallest majors here at UCR]. We had a little classroom that was introducing us to the major. [The class] had less than 30 students in there [and made up the entire plant science major at UCR].
[After graduation], I’m looking to get into research that deals with plants. [Sort of] like a botanist. I’ve already made a few steps towards that by working at the lab over here. [The lab] specializes in plants, and specifically quinoa.”
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Compiled by Isaac Solnick, Managing Editor
Candidates for California’s next governor to participate in open forum at UCR
HOW CANDIDATES FOR CALIFORNIA’S NEXT GOVERNOR WILL ADDRESS THE CONCERNS OF THE INLAND EMPIRE’S RESIDENTS.
KASSANDRA AGUIRRE Contributing Writer
With the governor elections coming up next November, leading candidates are beginning to look for ways to connect with Californians. The first “Health Matters: A Conversation with California’s Next Governor” is one such event looking to broadcast candidates’ platforms. It will be hosted at the University of California, Riverside (UCR) on Nov. 7 beginning at 1:30 p.m. and ending at 3 p.m.
The event is being organized by 11 philanthropic organizations. Moderators Paulette Brow-Hinds of Voice Media Ventures and Colleen Williams of NBC4 News will ask the four participating candidates, Tony Thurmond, Antonio Villaraigosa, Betty Yee and Xavier Becerra, to respond to questions about what the hosting organizations have discerned as the most pressing issues amongst
Californians statewide and in the Inland Empire (IE).
These, as listed on Health Matters website, include aid for aging citizens, lack of accessibility to housing and healthcare amidst the state’s highly competitive economy and climate concerns.
Health Matters intentionally chose to host the event in the IE in light of the area’s distance from more populated and economically robust areas of the state, such as Los Angeles. Its isolation creates a tendency for the IE’s citizens to be overlooked and experience a disconnect from state politics.
As described by the Health Matters website’s Free Response Questions (FRQ) section, hosting the event in the IE creates an opportunity for the candidates to “respond to questions from communities often left out of policymaking because of where they live, their income, race and ethnicity, and barriers to participating in the democratic process.”
ASUCR Senate Meeting
STUDENT LEADERSHIP MEETINGS WITH HIGHER ADMINISTRATION DEBRIEFED AND ASUCR BYLAW TITLES ALTERED.
KASSANDRA
AGUIRRE Contributing Writer
The Associated Students of the University of California Riverside (ASUCR) meeting on Oct. 29, 2025 began at 7:01 PM and concluded at 7:44 PM.
All agenda and prior meeting minutes were approved and no comments were made in the public forum.
During new business
ASUCR President Leila Haidar and Vice President of External Affairs Briana Trujillo discussed the state of senior and extended leadership meetings with the school’s Chancellor Jack Hu and UC system President James Milliken.
Notably debriefing UCR’s compliance with the Safe Act SB98, the potential installation of a North District 3, Milliken’s focus on defending UC’s amidst federal budget cuts and the upcoming vote to implement a cohort tuition model.
In committee reports, College of Natural and Agricultural Sciences (CNAS) Senator Anthony Ching reviewed senate bill SB-F25-007, which altered the language of bylaw titles. Following debate amongst senators regarding the necessity of certain adjustments the bill was passed (15-0-1).
According to hosting organization the Scan Foundation, 89% of Californians ages 75 and over are at risk of losing their financial resources to afford private healthcare by 2033 and over 40% of residents in Riverside and San Bernardino rely on Medi-Cal according to Health Matters.
Due to these specifics,
moderators are likely to hone in on the topics of accessibility to healthcare and economic opportunity.
All four participating candidates are registered Democrats and have independently asserted their intent to improve both of the prominent issues.
UCR students, staff and faculty had the opportunity to enter into a lottery, which
would afford them admission to the event, which has since closed. Those who are not admitted into the event but still would like to watch may join the School of Medicine in their watch party, which starts at 1 p.m. or stream it through NBCLA or Telemundo’s respective websites.
Crime Watch:
San Bernardino Deputy killed
SUSPECT INVOLVED IN FATAL SHOOTING ARRESTED AFTER SURRENDERING TO POLICE.
ANDREW HAGLER Contributing Writer
At about 12:37 p.m. on Monday afternoon, Oct. 27, San Bernardino County Sheriff Deputies were dispatched to the 12300 block of Hollyhock in Rancho Cucamonga, responding to reports of an armed man threatening a woman with a firearm. After arriving, they were shot at immediately before the suspect fled by motorcycle, leading law enforcement on a chase along the 210 freeway.
Twenty-eight-year-old deputy Andrew Nunez died from “a single gun shot to the head,” Sheriff Shannon Dicus stated Monday, speaking at the hospital Nunez was taken to.
While fleeing law enforcement at over 150 mph, the pursuit ended when an off duty narcotics officer intentionally collided with the suspect in his vehicle. The suspect was injured and taken to a hospital by the Sheriff’s office. He has not yet been identified as law enforcement works to investi
gate and interview him.
Anyone with additional information should contact Detective Mike Smith at (951) 353-7103 or MikeSmith@RiversideCA.gov, or Detective Ricky Barajas at (951) 353-7213 or EBarajas@RiversideCA.gov. ■ H
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First ever California Big City Mayors C13 summit takes place in San Francisco
THE MAYORS OF 13 MAJOR CITIES IN CALIFORNIA GET TOGETHER TO ADDRESS HOMELESSNESS AND HOUSING AFFORDABILITY.
JIHOON KWON Contributing Writer
On Oct. 22, 2025, mayors from across California gathered in San Francisco for the inaugural California Big City Mayors C13 summit. The focal point was to address homelessness prevalent throughout the state.
The bipartisan coalition consists of California’s 13 largest cities San Francisco, Riverside, San Diego, Sacramento, Oakland, San Jose, Los Angeles, Fresno, Irvine, Long Beach, Bakersfield, Anaheim and Stockton with Mayor of Riverside Patricia Lock Dawson as the chair. Together, they represent nearly 11 million California residents.
In their hour long press conference held at the San Francisco City Hall, the mayors highlighted the efforts their cities have made in reducing the housing issues and collectively urged the state to support them through the Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention (HHAP) Grant Program.
According to California Department of Housing and Community Development, HHAP funding’s aim is to make “available grant allocations to cities, counties, and continuums of care with flexible funding to prevent and end homelessness in their regions.” As of 2024-25, the state provided one billion dollars in funds for the HHAP program. However, this budget was subsequently cut in
half this year.
The mayors emphasized that HHAP funding has made a tangible difference regarding the housing issues. According to the coalition, San Diego saw a 14 percent reduction in the past four years. Sacramento saw a 30 percent reduction in homelessness between 2022 and 2024 which is the largest decrease in California. Los Angeles saw a decrease in homelessness for two consecutive years for the first time in city history. These changes were made possible through HHAP funding. Despite the progress, the mayors warned that continued support from the state was imperative.
The coalition urged the governor to work with them in a more collaborative effort to address this issue California is facing. Mayor of San Diego Todd Gloria said in his statement that it is more crucial than ever that the cities work with the state especially “as Washington D.C. takes steps back from engaging and supporting cities and states,” which poses a threat to their ability to address homelessness.
To combat homelessness, the mayors pledged to open more affordable housing for the Californian residents. Mayor of San Francisco Daniel Lurie mentioned during his opening speech of the plan to construct
new housing on the north and west sides of the city while supplementing more housing on the east side and the downtown. Mayor of Fresno Jerry Dyer pointed out it is important to not just increase housing but make it affordable as affordable housing is “not limited to people with low income households” and that it “also impacts the middle income families” as they earn too much money to qualify for subsidized housing and not enough for market rate.
161,548 Californians experience homelessness which is 28% of the entirety of the U.S. total. This is the highest rate in the nation. Dawson said in her statement that “the path forward is clear” in addressing housing issues through “the commitment of every mayor [present at the summit] that will turn our shared vision into meaningful results.”
Marine Corps birthday demonstration ends with shrapnel across highway
ANGELICA BRIANNA ACOSTA Assistant News Editor
On Oct.18, 2025 California Governor Gavin Newsom ordered the temporary closure of a major Southern California highway causing significant delays and major traffic gridlocks in both San Diego and Orange counties. Public transits like the Amtrak Pacific Surfliner also had a temporary shutdown of select routes from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Interstate 5 was closed from Harbor Drive to Basoline Road from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. This was done as precaution to the White House’s decision to launch a demonstrative 60 rounds over the coastal sections of the highway in celebration of the 250 year anniversary of the United States Marine Corps.
Newsom declared in a statement, “The President is putting his ego over responsibility with this disregard for public safety. Firing live rounds over a busy highway isn’t just wrong — it’s dangerous.” Gregory Dreibelbis, the spokesperson for the Marine Expeditionary Force at Camp Pendleton claimed, “Weeks of deliberate planning and rehearsals ensured success at every phase of execution.”
Around 15,000 people attended the Marine Corps celebrations including Vice President JD Vance who was the keynote speaker and Secretary of War Pete Hegseth. The Marine Corps re-
leased a statement on Oct. 15 that claimed “All training events will occur on approved training ranges and comport with established safety protocols. No public highways or transportation routes will be closed.”
The Marine Corps representatives also claimed that they fire artillery regularly at Camp Pendleton. Governor Newsom chose to close the interstate anyway, after consulting with traffic safety experts from California Highway Patrol. Newsom claimed, “It’s reckless, it’s disrespectful, and it’s beneath the office he holds. Law and order? This is chaos and confusion.”
The demonstration at Camp Pendleton led to a misfire and pieces of shrapnel scattered across the closed interstate damaging two highway patrol vehicles with no reports of injury. Representative Mark Levin sent a letter to Hesgeth asking for the details behind the planning. In the letter Levin commented, “While we are relieved no one was injured, we are deeply concerned by the decision-making that led to this incident.” 26 other members of California congress also signed the letter.
The letter also consisted of 13 questions Levin and the other Californian representatives wanted answered by Oct. 29, 2025. Among those questions were, “Who made the final decision that the
federal government would not require the closure of Interstate 5?” As of Oct. 30, 2025 there has been no public announcement by Hesgeth or Levin on whether or not Hesgeth responded to the letter.
After the misfire Newsom released a statement on X, “We love our Marines and owe a debt of gratitude to Camp Pendleton, but next time, the Vice President and the White House shouldn’t be so reckless with people’s lives for their vanity projects.” California Highway Patrol has yet to release a statement on the extent of the damages and the cost.
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The second round of New York’s mayoral debates
DEBATE INCLUDES PRESSING TOPICS: ICE RAIDS, HOUSING POLICIES AND CRIME
MARIBEL HERNANDEZ Contributing Writer
On Oct. 22, 2025, the three candidates for New York’s mayoral office joined the stage to participate in the second round of the mayoral debates. The candidates include former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo who is running as an Independent, Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani and Republican nominee Curtis Silwa.
While Cuomo served three terms as New York’s Governor, he was forced to resigned from office after 13 sexual harassment accusations against him came to light. Zohran Mamdani may be the freshest face out of the three candidates, but he has been representing parts of Queens in the New York State Assembly since 2021. Lastly, Curtis Silwa is widely recognized for his signature red beret, a symbol of his founding of the Guardian Angels. This is a non-profit organization that has conducted unarmed community patrols since 1976.
Some highlights in the debate include the handling of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) raids and federal jurisdiction overreach, housing-policy proposals as well as public safety and policing plans.
Silwa opens the debate by asserting his campaign as being “about the people,” distinguishing how “it’s us versus them,” of which includes his opponents. Cuomo emphasizes the city’s necessity in electing a candidate who is going to “save this city … [and] get it done, not just talk about it,” and mocks Mamdani’s qualifications by saying “he’s never had a real job.”
Mamdani retorts with how his counterparts “spend more time trying to convince the other to drop out… [instead of] proposing policies, speaking only of the past because that’s all they know.” By the five-minute mark, there’s a clear tension present amongst the candidates.
When moderators questioned the candidates as to how the mayor and New York Police Department (NYPD) should have handled the confrontation on Canal Street where ICE swarmed street vendors, Mamdani critiqued ICE for disregarding “the law and caring even less for the people they’re supposed to serve.” He proposes ending Mayor Adams and the federal government’s collaboration, along with passing street vending reform bills that have been “overridden by Mayor Adams.”
Cuomo claimed he would call the president and threaten to have the NYPD forcefully stop ICE when outside of their jurisdiction as policing illegal vendors is “a basic policing function for NYPD [and] consumer affairs.” Finally, Silwa maintains that the federal government overstepping its jurisdiction “can’t tolerate citizens attacking our federal law enforcement forces … because that will just lead to anarchy.”
Moderators followed by asking about each candidate’s housingpolicy proposals. Mamdani’s main focus surrounded rent-stabilization, building 200,000 “truly affordable” homes (based on the $700,00 median household income) across the five boroughs—Manhattan, Brooklyn, the
Bronx, Queens and Staten Island –and increasing the “Every Child and Family is Known” program which links a child living in a homeless shelter with an employee of the public school system, encouraging improved school attendance and a “sense of belonging” in their community.
Cuomo disagrees about the effectiveness of rent-stabilization, and proposes focusing on building affordable housing as the core solution. Silwa deviates from both his counterparts and argues that bringing teachers into homeless shelters would tackle the issue quickly and head-on as it “takes 5 years to build affordable housing.”
The mayoral candidates were questioned as to their specific public safety and policing plans aimed at addressing crime. Mamdani addressed his focus on incorporating the use of having mental health experts to respond to mental health crises. He seeks to create a department of “community
SOLUTIONS.
safety… [which] focuses on the mental health crisis, homelessness crisis, and ensuring police officers can focus on serious crimes,” which is believed to help improve their response times to serious crimes.
Both Cuomo and Silwa critiqued this “social worker” approach, proposing that hiring thousands more police officers to patrol the subways would be more efficient. To be specific, Cuomo proposed hiring 5,000 officers and Silwa 7,000 officers to the NYPD force.
Ultimately, each mayoral candidate demonstrated their diverging views on how to solve pressing issues New York has recently faced including ICE raids, housing policies and rising crime rates.
On Nov. 4, 2025, New Yorkers will elect their new mayor, who will later be inaugurated on Jan. 1, 2026. The winning candidate will oversee New York’s municipal government for the following four years.
Newsom announces $140 million in Planned Parenthood investments
STATE INVESTMENTS WILL HELP CALIFORNIA PLANNED PARENTHOOD CLINICS REMAIN
OVI MATHIVANAN Staff Writer
On Oct. 23, 2025, Governor Gavin Newsom revealed a $140 million state investment intended to support over 100 Planned Parenthood health centers across California, enabling the clinics to continue providing healthcare services through the end of the year.
This announcement comes in the wake of recent judicial and policy changes in the country that have posed growing challenges to reproductive health. It also comes two weeks after Planned Parenthood of Orange and San Bernardino Counties, which serves areas near Riverside County, revealed it will be closing its primary care practice, Melody Health by Dec. 13, 2025.
A key challenge to reproductive rights in the country is the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which was signed into law on July 4, 2025 by President Donald Trump. The bill restricts federal funding resources for healthcare providers like Planned Parenthood and has created challenges to reproductive care nationwide.
The legislation, as well as subsequent
judicial rulings, has disenfranchised millions of individuals from their fundamental reproductive rights creating barriers for patients seeking health services such as contraception, cancer screenings, wellness exams, STI testing and gender-affirming care. The bill also opens a gap in education provided by Planned Parenthood reproductive and sexual health education programs as centers across the country have found themselves having to decide which services to pare down on.
In light of the threat to reproductive rights at the federal level, California has taken steps “to protect reproductive freedoms.”. Still, while the $140 million investment will provide immediate relief in the short term, California legislators are exploring how to support Planned Parenthood and other reproductive care resources in the long term. Newsom has expressed his intent to work with state legislators to identify and secure additional funding in 2026 to ensure Planned Parenthood centers can continue to offer health services to patients for years to come.
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Trump’s lashout over Canadian leader’s antitariff ad featuring Ronald Reagan
TRUMP ANNOUNCES AN ADDITIONAL 10% TARIFF ON CANADA AFTER SUSPENDING TRADE TALKS.
ALAN LOK Contributing Writer
On Oct. 25, 2025, President Donald Trump announced he is sanctioning Canada with an additional 10% tariff on goods, intensifying his feud over a television ad sponsored by Ontario’s provincial government that played an 1987 audio recording of former President Ronald Reagan admonishing the use of tariffs and promoting free trade.
This continues the ongoing saga from Oct. 23, where Trump had already suspended all trade talks with Canada, the United States’ (U.S.) second-largest trading partner, over the anti-tariff advertisement. He announced that decision on Truth Social, stating, “Based on their egregious behaviour, ALL TRADE NEGOTIATIONS WITH CANADA ARE HEREBY TERMINATED.”
Although the ad reproduced the late president’s words in a different sequence, Trump insists it was “FAKE” after Ronald Reagan’s Presidential Foundation released a statement saying it made “selective” use of the original address aired in 1987.
Ontario’s Premier, Doug Ford, responded to Trump’s retaliation in an interview, announcing, “It was an ad to inform the people in the U.S. [of Trump’s Tariff agenda], and mission accomplished.” He even went as far as to say it was “the most successful ad in the history of North America.”
Ford, who leads Canada’s largest province, has
been the leading Canadian figure in opposing the Second Trump Administration’s tariff agenda, especially when Trump has floated the idea of merging Canada to become America’s 51st state, as Prime Minister Mark Carney rushes to handle the fallout from the uneasy trade relations between Canada and the U.S., which have often been dictated by Trump’s mercurial nature.
This comes at a time when both Trump and Prime Minister Mark Carney are in Asia this week for the 2025 Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit, although Trump insisted to reporters that meeting with Canada’s Carney wasn’t on the agenda and won’t be “for a long time.” When reporters asked Trump for details on Monday, Oct. 27, regarding the tariff
hike, he said, “I don’t know when it’s going to kick in, and we’ll see, but I don’t really want to discuss it.”
Prime Minister Mark Carney has refused to chastise the Ontario government’s anti-tariff ad campaign that angered Trump, but told reporters on Oct. 26, in Malaysia for the ASEAN Summit that it is “the sole responsibility of the government of Canada to have those [trade] discussions with the United States, and it’s the best way forward.” Carney later told reporters his government remained committed to landing a trade deal with the U.S and that “Canada stands ready to build on the progress that we have been making in our negotiations, our discussions with our American counterparts.”
Brain cancer found to erode the skull and rewire the immune system
SCIENTISTS HAVE DISCOVERED THAT GLIOBLASTOMA CAN DISSOLVE PARTS OF THE SKULL AND CHANGE THE
ALEXA RODRIGUEZ
Contributing Writer
For years scientists have believed that glioblastoma (GBM), the deadliest form of brain cancer, stayed within the walls of the skull, but a new study challenges that belief. Scientists at Montefiore Einstein Comprehensive Cancer Center (MECCC) and Albert Einstein College of Medicine have revealed that GBM actually erodes parts of the skull and changes the bone marrow within it, affecting immune balance and response. GBM is a rare, invasive and aggressive cancer that rapidly grows in the spinal cord or brain and is resistant to most interventions including radiation, surgery and chemotherapy.
Using advanced imaging on mice and human patients, the researchers discovered that the tumor eats away at parts of the skull while also damaging brain tissue. Skull thinning and erosion were particularly noticeable around the sutures, where bones
meet. As the skull wears down, the bone marrow inside begins to change and its balance gets altered.
There are tiny bone channels that the tumor sends signals through causing the bone marrow to make inflammatory immune cells and less protective ones, such as T cells and B cells. These inflammatory cells travel from the bone marrow to the brain fueling the tumors to grow and create a feedback loop that continues to affect the skull and immune defense.
The discovery shows that GBM can manipulate the body’s immune response by changing what happens within the bone marrow in the skull, meaning that brain cancer is not just a local but a systematic illness. The cancer spreads beyond the brain’s borders and reshapes the bone marrow to its advantage.
These findings raise questions about implications for treatments due to their interaction with the body if the adverse
effects are worth the risk. Scientists have tested drugs to prevent bone loss, finding that this stopped skull erosion but allowed the tumors to become more aggressive via the feedback loop in the bone marrow.
In some cases the same medications also affect the body’s normal immune defense. Suggesting that when treating GBM cannot only focus on the brain but must consider the broader effects on bone and immunity to avoid unintended consequences.
Every year around 15,000 people in the United States are diagnosed with GBM, according to the National Cancer Institute, most live only about 15 months after diagnosis. This study will change the way doctors view the disease instead of being a confined brain problem, but as an illness that affects multiple systems in the body. By studying the connection, scientists aim to use the knowledge to develop interventions that stabilize bone marrow and lessen infection while addressing bone erosion.
Mamdani’s support goes beyond New York
DEMOCRATIC SOCIALIST AND STATE ASSEMBLYMAN
JOSÉ DEL ÁNGEL News Editor
New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani has emerged as a prominent figure in national politics, particularly among younger voters, who according to recent polls are disillusioned with the current political system. The 34-year-old Democratic Socialist and state assemblyman has built his campaign around one central theme: affordability.
Mamdani’s platform includes proposals to freeze rent for rent-stabilized units, construct 200,000 new affordable apartments and create city-run grocery stores. He has also pledged to make city buses and childcare free initiatives aimed at easing the financial strain on working and middle-class residents. While critics have called these policies unrealistic, they have attracted significant attention and support from voters under 35, both inside and outside New York City.
In the June primary, Mamdani achieved an upset victory over former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo. Notably, voters aged 18 to 29 recorded the highest turnout of
HAS BUILT HIS CAMPAIGN AROUND ONE CENTRAL THEME: AFFORDABILITY.
any age group, highlighting the strength of Mamdani’s appeal to younger demographics. Polls now show him as the frontrunner ahead of the upcoming general election.
Researchers say Mamdani’s popularity among young people reflects a growing generational shift in American politics. “When a candidate is able to speak to the concerns of the populace and validate those concerns, that has a big impact especially on young voters,” said Ruby Belle Booth, who studies youth engagement for the nonpartisan research organization CIRCLE. Booth noted that only 16% of Americans under 30 believe democracy is currently working for them, suggesting widespread frustration with traditional political structures.
That frustration is evident among young people across the country. Lea Ash, a 26-year-old from Gulfport, Mississippi, says Mamdani’s campaign has given her hope, even though she cannot vote in the New York election. “He’s been the only bright spot for me this year,” Ash commented, citing his
focus on listening to everyday citizens and addressing rising costs.
Similarly, 26-year-old Emily Wilson from St. Petersburg, Florida, believes Mamdani’s focus on affordability transcends party lines. Wilson argues that a candidate promoting similar policies could find success in other states if they understand local concerns.
In rural Michigan, 25-year-old Daisy Lupa expressed a similar sentiment: “The things Mamdani is trying to do in New York are needed even more in the Midwest because we don’t have them at all.”
Despite his growing popularity, some remain cautious about the feasibility of Mamdani’s promises. Dillon Robertson, a 32-year-old student from Connecticut, supports Mamdani’s vision but questions whether his policies can be fully implemented. “A lot of what he says sounds great,” Robertson questions, “but I wonder if it’s actually possible.”
IRiverside County and UCR students must show up and vote in this election
With two congressional seats potentially changing hands and federal election monitors deployed in Riverside County, your voice matters more than ever.
n Aug. 2025, California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed the “Election Rigging Response Act,” setting up a special election in November where Californians will decide whether to allow lawmakers to redraw the state’s House of Representatives’ congressional map.
Known as Proposition 50, the measure would allow the California legislature to take over redistricting from the state’s independent commission beginning in 2026 until the 2030 United States (U.S.) Census. If passed, Prop 50 would give Democrats five additional seats in Congress, effectively countering Texas’ recent gerrymandering efforts, which awarded the GOP five new seats.
The redistricting battle began when Texas Gov. Greg Abbott introduced mid-decade redistricting legislation to maintain the GOP’s narrow majority in the House ahead of the 2026 midterm election. In protest, Texas Democrats left the state for weeks to prevent the vote, but the legislation ultimately passed, prompting other states, such as California, to take action.
Gov. Newsom has defended Prop 50, arguing that California’s approach differs from Texas’ because it asks for voters’ permission rather than bypassing the state electorate.
However, the measure carries significant political stakes for many Californians, particularly Riverside County residents and young people, who stand to gain or lose — depending on the outcome.
For example, two out of the five seats that would be redistricted to favor Democrats are in Riverside County. Rep. Ken Calvert (CA-41), who represents a large portion of Riverside County, would likely lose his seat under the new map, which is expected to lean towards Democrats by 20 percentage points. Additionally, Rep. Darrell Issa (CA-48), representing portions of Riverside and San Diego Counties, would face a district with four percentage points more for Democrats than Republicans.
Riverside County will also play a major role in voter participation. The Department of Justice announced on Oct. 24, 2025, that it would deploy election monitors to five California counties, including Riverside, Fresno, Los Angeles, Orange and Kern Counties, at the request of the California Republican Party.
The DOJ said the initiative is aimed at “promoting transparency and an open flow of communication between poll observers and election monitors to ensure that elections proceed with a high degree of security.” In response, California Attorney General Rob Bonta
announced that California will deploy their own observers to the same polling locations in the five counties where the DOJ is also sending election monitors.
While it is common for both political parties to deploy poll watchers, the focus on specific counties, such as Riverside, appears to be targeted. This may be because Riverside County’s political landscape is a “purple region,” and its population is more than 50% Latinos — raising concerns that targeting could create pressure or intimidation for these voters.
As a region often overlooked politically by Los Angeles and San Diego Counties, Riverside County’s voice will matter more than ever in this special election. Residents — especially young people at the University of California, Riverside (UCR) — must turn out to vote.
Redistricting decisions will affect your federal representation in Congress. With growing political polarization and razor-thin majorities in both the House and Senate, this special election will have real consequences in your daily life — particularly in Riverside County, where congressional representation may change if Prop 50 passes.
From the grocery prices and healthcare coverage to immigration policy, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the quality of education, this vote will
touch every aspect of your life. If you don’t vote, your voice won’t be heard. This is your opportunity to make a difference and shape your future.
Young people also have a great deal at stake in this election. The next few years will determine students’ access to financial aid, research and internship opportunities, basic needs programs, job prospects after graduation and much more. Your participation is essential to taking control of your future and building the life you want.
The saying “every vote counts” often sounds like a cliché used by politicians, but in today’s climate of growing tension and division across the country, it carries a deeper and more urgent meaning.
To find your local polling location, visit Riverside County’s Polling Place Locator or the California Secretary of State website. All vote-by-mail ballots must be postmarked on or before Election Day and received no later than Nov. 12, 2025.
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.
HOLLY DAWSON / THE HIGHLANDER
UCR Republicans and Democrats weigh in on Proposition 50
HEAR DIRECTLY FROM UCR’S COLLEGE OF REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS ABOUT PROP 50.
COMPILED BY CECILE DIROLL Opinions Editor
California College Republicans at UCR
Supporters of Proposition 50 argue that the proposition is necessary to counter partisan redistricting efforts in other states, such as Texas, and protect California’s representation in Congress. However, opponents say it undermines California’s voter-approved independent redistricting system. What impact do you think Proposition 50 would have on Republican representation in Congress — both in Riverside County and across California?
“Proposition 50 would have a detrimental impact on the political environment of both our nation and the Inland Empire. As the Inland Empire’s black and brown population continues to gradually shift right, establishment Democrats in Sacramento fear losing grasp over the IE, hoping that Prop 50 will keep Democratic congressmen in power. Proposition 50 eliminates competition in congressional elections across the Inland Empire, weakening constituent engagement and reelection efforts for candidates across the region. This, in turn, reduces voter and constituent participation, weakening the ability of the Inland Empire’s multiracial population from being represented in Congress.”
Proposition 50 would temporarily transfer redistricting power from the independent California Citizens Redistricting Commission to the Legislature through 2030. How do the California College of Republicans at UCR feel about shifting this power to elected legislators for several election cycles? How confident are you that the system will revert to the independent commission as promised?
“The California College Republicans at UCR don’t believe California will revert to an independent commission; Democrats will most likely hold on to these congressional districts beyond 2030. If other states continue gerrymandering efforts, Democrats will mobilize under the guise that they are fighting Republican congressional expansion past 2030, when in reality they’re more interested in preserving the seats of establishment Democrats to continue their consolidation of power across the state and nation.”
Regardless of which side someone supports in this election, voter participation is important. Why should young people — especially college students at UCR — care about this election and make the effort to vote?
“College students at UCR should be as concerned about this election as any. California voters and students shouldn’t allow Sacramento politicians to remove their focus from their needy population on expensive political stunts. The Sacramento government is willing to hold back on its promises, spending $300 million in taxpayer dollars to weaken voter and constituent participation through Prop 50, when our needy student population faces $272 million in funding cuts across the UC system.”
California College Democrats at UCR
Supporters of Proposition 50 argue that it’s necessary to counter partisan redistricting efforts in other states, such as Texas, and protect California’s representation in Congress. However, opponents say it undermines California’s voter-approved independent redistricting system. How do you think Proposition 50 would impact fair representation — both in Riverside County and across California?
“Since Proposition 50 is a temporary measure, it would not have a major impact on fair representation in California. What is most important here is that California voters actually get to decide whether or not this measure moves forward, unlike in states like Texas, where voters did not get that choice. The power is with the people, not politicians, which is what sets California apart. The measure is meant to be short-term, to ensure fair elections in the future, not to permanently change how redistricting works. For Riverside County communities, it means that their voices still matter in shaping how fair representation will look moving forward.”
Proposition 50 would temporarily transfer redistricting power from the independent California Citizens Redistricting Commission to the Legislature through 2030. How do the College Democrats at UCR feel about shifting this power to elected legislators for several election cycles? How confident are you that the system will revert to the independent commission as promised?
“Since this is only a temporary change, there is little concern about the shift in power. The UCR College Democrats trust that the system will return to the independent commission as planned, especially since California has a long-standing record of keeping redistricting fair and transparent. The state has a precedent of respecting voterapproved systems, and there is confidence that this won’t be an exception. The focus is really on maintaining fair elections in the meantime, while ensuring that any adjustments made now do not harm representation in the long run.”
Regardless of which side someone supports in this election, voter participation is important. Why should young people — especially college students at UCR — care about this election and make the effort to vote?
“The state of our democracy is at stake. Every election shapes what our future looks like, especially for young people. When you have the power to make a change, you should always use it. Not voting leads to a government that doesn’t really reflect what Californians want or need. For UCR students, this is our chance to make our voices heard and ensure that our generation is represented in the decisions being made today.”
Why you should vote
“Yes”
on Proposition 50
WHAT CALIFORNIA STANDS TO GAIN FROM THIS NEW MEASURE, AND WHY YOU SHOULD CARE.
ANDREW HAGLER Staff Writer
If you’re a Democrat in California, your vote may soon have less weight than a Republican vote in Texas this upcoming congressional election. That’s because of gerrymandering or congressional redistricting along party lines to maximize one party’s representation in the House of Representatives.
On Aug. 19, 2025, the Texas House approved a new district map, redrawing congressional districts along party lines to win the Republican Party five extra seats in the 2026 midterm election. Traditionally, congressional districts are only redrawn during census years at the end of the decade; however, the midcycle revision came at the urging of President Trump with the sole goal of giving his party an advantage in the upcoming election.
So yes, your vote might be less impactful than the average Texan Republican, but there’s something you can do about it: vote yes on Proposition 50.
Currently, California’s congressional districts are created by the California Citizens Redistricting Commission, an independent body that establishes district lines in a fair and non-partisan manner. Prop 50 aims to temporarily replace those districts with a map drawn by the California legislature to give California five more democratic congressional seats and cancel out Texas’s redistricting.
Last Wednesday, former President Barack Obama stated in a live video posted to social media, “Democracy is worth fighting for,” speaking to Californian voters about Prop 50.
“There’s a broader principle at stake that has to do with whether or not our democracy can
be manipulated by those who are already in power to entrench themselves further,” he said. “Or whether we’re going to have a system that allows the people to decide who’s going to represent them.”
He is right — party redistricting puts our democracy in jeopardy. That’s exactly why Californians should vote yes on Prop 50 in order to stand up to gerrymandering by undoing Texas’s undemocratic redistricting campaign.
MAIN ST
Redistricting along party lines is, in most cases, misrepresentative of American voters and has been argued to violate rights laid out in the Constitution, including freedom of speech by the First Amendment and the equal protection clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. Texas, however, hasn’t given us much of a choice. If we vote no on Prop 50, we’ll be telling Republican lawmakers they can get away with consolidating their power at the expense of the American people. But by voting yes, we can undo the effects of Texas’ redistricting and demonstrate that we won’t stand for this sort of electoral manipulation.
ORANGE ST
Partisan redistricting is hardly a new strategy. In 2010, political strategist Karl Rove created a national redistricting plan, which Republicans called the Redistricting Majority Project or REDMAP. It outlined how swing states, such as Pennsylvania, Ohio and Michigan, if held by Republicans in the upcoming congressional election, could redraw their maps to win Republicans a drastically higher number of congressional seats and ensure a House majority.
REDMAP targeted 11 states that were just on the verge of being shifted to Republican
control in the upcoming election in a census year. It was adopted on a broad scale by Republican politicians and lobbyists, receiving a substantial proportion of corporate funding.
The plan was a rousing success. Republicans funnelled millions into winning elections in those key states, and as a result of their redistricting plan, they held a majority in the House of Representatives for the following decade.
REDMAP was a gross misuse of congressional power, misrepresenting the votes of countless people to strengthen the power of one particular group — those already holding it. It doesn’t have to happen again. The people of California can rally together to undo the congressional shift Texas is attempting to undertake and show that voters across the country aren’t willing to let it happen elsewhere.
Prop 50 is a necessary measure to undo Texas’ redistricting efforts. Redistricting is undemocratic and misrepresents constituents when it’s done to the benefit of one party over the other. Prop 50 proposes redistricting not to create a party imbalance, but to restore it. In a way, it doesn’t propose redistricting to grant any more House seats than the Democratic Party held previously, only regaining the five that Texas took by their redistricting.
Prop 50 is a way for Californians to take power back into their own hands, undoing the effects of gerrymandering and showing the United States of America that California won’t sit idly by while a political party entrenches its power at our expense. If you want to live in a country where your vote matters, where you’re represented fairly and democratically, I implore you to vote yes on Prop 50.
Take It or Leave It: The
’80s
were the best decade for music!
FROM THE GROWTH OF POP CULTURE MOVEMENTS TO IMPACTFUL ARTISTS, THE ‘80S LEFT AN UNFORGETTABLE MARK ON THE WORLD.
NATALIE MARTIN-THOMAS
Contributing Writer
The 1980s were a decade filled with amazing movies, vibrant trends and great culture. I am a true ‘80s enthusiast and if I could go back in time, I would choose this era to live in. However, while the fashion and movies are top-tier, the most impactful part of this decade was undoubtedly the music. From solo artists to bands, I dive into ‘80s music almost every day! The ‘80s were the best for music because the artists left the most influential mark on music.
For example, an ‘80s artist that everyone knows and loves — unless you have been living under a rock — is Michael Jackson, otherwise known as the “King of Pop.” Although he began his career before the decade, he was still able to transform the music industry through the ‘80s with his visual art and stage outfits. From famous dance moves like the moonwalk and his sparkly gloves and red jackets, Jackson knew how to combine his pop music with engaging visual art — something that hadn’t been achieved before to that level.
But beyond the flashy outfits and catchy music, Jackson’s music had an important and deeper message about politics, current events or challenges we experience in our everyday lives. For example, the song “They Don’t Really Care About Us” focuses on prejudice and injustice throughout the world, serving as a political and social protest anthem.
The song is a voice for everyone, particularly marginalized groups, who all have shared similar experiences of injustice, hatred and discrimination. In today’s current political climate, the message of this song resonates even more. Jackson’s music shows how ‘80s artists knew the importance of spreading awareness about issues they
cared about through music.
Another group of artists that left a huge mark in the ‘80s is the band Tears for Fears. The song, “Everyone Wants to Rule the World,” is one of their most popular hits that many people still know and love today. The song continues to stand tall “as a thoughtful reminder of how ambition and the desire for control play out in our lives,” or in other words, how humans have the desire to control and have power over others.
However, the lyrics invoke an anthem against this greed and the desire for power. Rather, the song argues that we need to be united and work together. Many of the themes from ‘80s music continue to be relevant and discussed even decades later.
Another reason why the ‘80s have the best music is because of its pop culture influence. One major example is its influence on fashion trends, which included bright colors, big expressive hair, leg warmers, chunky jewelry and bold makeup. These bold fashion trends were a direct reflec tion of the vibrant and eclectic pop music scene that challenged previous decades. Popular cul ture fashion trends still show in today’s fashion and styles, such as oversized blazers with shoul der pads, ripped jeans and bold accessories like chunky jewelry and colored sunglasses. People expressed happiness through their fashion.
However, the rise of MTV remains the most long-lasting change from the ‘80s. The cable channel, which launched in the early ‘80s, had a major impact on the music industry and left a lasting influence on both music and artists.
For the first time, artists had a new way to show their work. MTV allowed artists to be cre
ative with the visual storytelling of their music by working on music videos, which would make the music itself stand out even more. Music videos enhance songs by adding context and a deeper understanding of the song. While music videos are now posted to YouTube, MTV culture during this time began this essential part of releasing new music and establishing new artists.
The ‘80s are the best decade for music because its nostalgic touch still impacts the world today. The era helped influence and unite people through music. Nowadays, it feels like a lot of the music we listen to can divide us and it’s hard to be united about or through different artists. When you listen to ‘80s music, it transports you to a time when many people enjoyed timeless classic music that still touches our souls today.
Features Scotty-Scopes:
What’s your fall music vibe?
Libra (Sept. 23 – Oct. 22):
Balance begins when you stop trying to hold everyone else together. Choose softness and let quiet joy be your form of self-care.
Capricorn (Dec. 22 – Jan. 19): “Rivers and Roads” by The Head and the Heart
You have carried so much responsibility that rest may feel foreign. Let this fall remind you that slowing down is still a form of progress.
Aries (March 21 – April 19): “We fell in love in October” by
You’ve been running nonstop, chasing new beginnings and next steps. This season reminds you that your fire doesn’t go out when you rest, it just grows brighter.
Cancer (June 21 – July 22): “The Night we
You’re holding memories like pressed leaves – delicate and beautiful. Let them teach you, not haunt you. Some chapters end so that better ones can begin.
Scorpio (Oct. 23 – Nov. 21):
You are moving through a transformation, but this one feels gentler. There’s less fire, more healing. Trust that release can be peaceful, too.
Aquarius (Jan. 20 – Feb. 18): “Banana Pancakes” by Jack
Your mind has been speeding ahead, but peace waits for you right here. Let stillness be your new rebellion, the world can wait while you breathe.
THE LEAVES ARE CHANGING AND SO ARE YOU.
Sagittarius (Nov. 22 – Dec. 21): “Holocene” by Bon
Your heart still longs for adventure, but this season, it is found in simplicity. Explore the corners of your own calm and call it discovery.
Pisces (Feb. 19 – March 20):
You have been everyone’s safe space, now it is your turn to find your own. This season brings healing through softness, creativity and long unhurried days.
MAIN ST
Taurus (April 20 – May 20): “Sweet
You’re craving peace in the slow mornings, warm meals and the solace of laughter. Let comfort be your form of courage this fall.
ORANGE ST
Leo (July 23 – Aug. 22):
You don’t need the spotlight to shine. Your warmth lights up the space around you even when no one is watching.
Gemini (May 21 – June 20):
Your world has been loud lately, but quiet moments are coming. Listen closely, your next idea might arrive when you finally pause to breathe.
23 – Sept.
Perfection is overrated when the world already loves you as you are. Trade control for comfort and notice how much lighter life feels.
“All Too Well” by Taylor Swift
“Breathe Me” by Sia
Iver
Johnson
“Motion Sickness” by Phoebe Bridgers
Girl in Red
Creature” by Harry Styles
“Coffee” by Beabadoobee
Met” by Lord Huron
“Golden Hour” by JVKE
Virgo (Aug.
22): “Come Away with Me” by Norah Jones
KARMEN LEON Contributing Writer
SPOTLIGHT NORM’S NOOK
The Robert and Elizabeth Lang memorial garden
It’s midterm season and you are desperate to find a nice and quiet place to put your brain to work. You hopelessly wander around campus looking for peace and quiet. The people in your dorm hallway are blasting music, the lawns are being hit by the scalding sun and the library is filled with the inescapable hustle and bustle of students. The Robert and Elizabeth Lang memorial garden is the solution to your quandary. The garden was named in honor of the two librarians
upon their retirement. This secluded area beside the Rivera Library, is a spot overlooked by many students. It is located behind the brick wall enclosure around Rivera library, right after the Life Sciences 1500 lecture hall. The space can be accessed from the outside where a door is usually open or from the inside on the ground floor of the library. This area is perfect for literature lovers as the tall glass windows provide an enchanting look into countless rows of
HORROR MOVIES
books. Benches and tables with yellow umbrellas are scattered around the area and the quiet is perfect for avoiding distractions. The ivy covered brick gives the courtyard a magical feeling, which is sure to help you master your midterm revisions in no time. Next time you feel overwhelmed or in need of a study spot, try to visit the Robert and Elizabeth Lang memorial garden. ■ H
32. Media exec Roger
McShane and McKellen
German scoff
Filing tool
Les _____-Unis
Razor brand
In the style of
Viewed
It’s a wrap
Film featuring a Rhode Island farmhouse haunting
“Socrate” composer
Gaming novice
Meteorological concern
“Insecure” actress
59. Canadian Native American Tribe 60. Movie with the classic line “Here’s Johnny!” 62. Bring up the ____ 63. Date tech blocker in “Haikyuu”
Prefix with comic
____ and crafts 66. Casual tops 67. Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, e.g. Down 1. Baja resort 2. “That’s ___ _ ask” 3. Close tightly 4. Onassis and others 5. Runs naked 6. Longfellow’s words before “O Ship of State!” 7. Gallery display
Half of MCDX
Tennis great Arthur
Taylor Caldwell’s “Answer __ _ __”
Solitary sort
Worker with a pick
Cubic meter
Corduroy ridge
Sluggers’ stats
24. “The NFL Today” analyst
___ morgana (mirage)
Iranian currency
Actress Jessica
Nintendo’s Super ___
Tit for ___
Nav. rank
Longfellow’s “The Bell of ____”
Ocean Spray
GRAPHICS BY LAYNA LAPIKAS / THE HIGHLANDER
NOLA PERIFEL / THE HIGHLANDER
NOLA PERIFEL
Assistant Features Editor
SUDOKU
DIFFICULTY: EASY
What is your learning style?
Find out what your learning style is and study more effectively!
By: Nola Perifel, Assistant Features Editor
1. My notes are usually…
A. Organized with diagrams, mindmaps and flowcharts.
B. Short outlines of the lesson with key words and essential information.
C. Colorful, highlighted and hand-written with mnemonic devices and drawings.
2. When studying, I tend to…
A. Read lecture notes over and over while trying to memorize graphs, charts and images.
B. Listen to audio recordings from lectures or podcasts on the subject and repeat information out loud.
C. Walk around the room, associate hand gestures with material and learn using flashcards or physically re-writing notes repeatedly.
3. In lectures, I sometimes…
A. Zone out easily or have difficulty following long lectures that do not provide slides.
B. Get easily distracted by background noise and struggle to understand material through readings or books.
C. Fidget and have difficulty sitting still for long periods of time.
4. I am good at …
A. Visualizing scenes and images in my mind.
B. Remembering details from conversations I have heard.
C. Remembering physical gestures and sensations.
answer key
If the answer you picked more often was “A,” you are a visual learner. This means that you learn more effectively with visual information that you can retain in your memory. You like to study with colors, images, shapes and diagrams. Videos and images are very helpful for studying, but you can have a tough time retaining information from podcasts and listening to lectures. You require a lot of concentration to understand and follow lectures effectively. Sometimes taking notes is not just about copying words down, but giving them meaning through symbols and colors.
If the answer you picked most was “B,” you are an auditory learner. This means that it is easier for you to remember information by listening to it, not just looking at it. You do well in lecture settings and podcasts can be helpful for memorization. You probably like to record the audio of your lectures and listen to it on replay later. If you struggle with understanding and remembering readings and text, use text-to-speech tools to hear the material as it is being read to you. It might also be helpful to read your notes out loud, as hearing and repeating the information might help you commit it to memory.
If the answer you picked more often was “C,” you are a kinesthetic learner. This means that you find it easier to learn with sensory information. For you, that could look like repeatedly writing down information to remember it effectively, or walking around a room when reviewing study guides. Like visual learners, you like to highlight information and form connections within your notes. You might also find it easier to remember information using mnemonic devices and gestures. This probably means you prefer hands-on-experiences as opposed to theoretical concepts. Use flashcards to memorize information and play Quizlet games or explain concepts to people around you to physically retain the information.
Being a mix of two or all three learning styles is common so if that is the case, try to implement different learning strategies from each style to study effectively.
NOLA PERIFEL / THE HIGHLANDER
Surviving midterm season: Guide to studying smarter, not harder
BEFORE YOU DIVE INTO ANOTHER ALL-NIGHTER, HERE’S HOW TO STUDY SMARTER AND STAY SANE THIS MIDTERM SEASON.
NAYSHA AGARWAL Contributing Writer
It’s that time of the quarter again – coffee cups are piling up in Orbach and the campus buzzes with the midterm panic. Here’s a guide to help you through it.
Space it out - Plan ahead and stay organized
Take the time to make a study plan. Make a list of all your exams along with their respective dates and times, and take note of the topics each one will cover. Break down these topics into smaller sections and schedule specific times to study them. A good rule of thumb is to start reviewing at least one week in advance. Using tools like calendars, planners or other organizational apps can help track progress and prevent last minute cramming.
Test yourself - Active recall
One of the most powerful methods to check if you have retained information is testing yourself. Practice with past exams, sample questions, flashcards or quizzes. Try summarizing concepts in your own words or teaching them to a friend. One good way to check understanding and memory is to explain the topic as if teaching it to a five-year-old.
Create a productive study space - Remove distractions
Your environment plays a big role in how effectively you study. Choose a quiet, organized space with little to no distraction. It could be a library, your room or even a cafe. Turn off notifications and keep only the materials you need nearby. A consistent study routine helps your brain associate that space with focus and productivity.
Take breaks, prioritize health, stay hydrated
Midterm preparation isn’t just about constant studying, it’s about balance. Sleep is crucial for memory consolidation, so avoid all-nighters. Eat nutritious meals, stay hydrated and incorporate short breaks between study sessions. The Pomodoro Technique – 25 minutes of focused work and five minutes of break – can help maintain concentration and prevent burnout.
Collaborate and ask for help
If certain topics feel confusing, ask for help! Attend office hours and review sessions, meet with professors and teaching assistants or join
study groups. Explaining material to others and hearing different perspectives on course content can deepen your understanding and boost confidence.
Midterm preparation is not about last-minute cramming. It’s about consistent, intentional effort. By planning ahead, using active learning strategies and maintaining balance, you can turn studying into a productive and even rewarding process. Remember: effective studying is not about how much time you spend with your books, but how well you use that time.
First-Gen Life: Joy looks different for us
KARMEN LEON
Contributing Writer
THE KIND OF JOY THEY DON’T SHOW ON COLLEGE BROCHURES.
The purpose of this column is to support you. First-Gen Life will offer tips, stories and guidance to help first generation students not just survive, but thrive here at the University of California, Riverside (UCR).
Everyone talks about how hard it is to be first-gen, but no one really talks about what it feels like when something actually goes right. For some, joy is a weekend brunch or a spontaneous trip. For me, it’s my dad calling to say he told his clients from work, “My daughter goes to UCR.” It’s the quiet smile my siblings give me when they see me finishing an assignment at the kitchen table after a long day. Our version of joy doesn’t always look like the college brochures, it’s quieter, scrappier and made from small victories that keep us going.
College teaches us that happiness comes from big moments, such as internships, Dean’s List emails or gleaming LinkedIn posts. However, joy for students like us lives in smaller spaces. Joy shows up when we figure out how to navigate a system no one in our family has seen before. It’s finishing
a FAFSA form without crying or hearing our parents say they are proud of us even if they don’t understand our major. Our joy might not be picture-perfect, but it feels real.
I used to think I had to hide how different my experiences were. The group study sessions, the campus events, even the way classmates talked about “going home for the weekend.” It all sounded as if it was another language. Over time, I realized my happiness did not need to match anyone else’s. It just needed to make sense to me.
Joy comes when the refund check clears, when a professor calls your name from memory or when your younger sibling texts asking for advice about college because suddenly you are the role model. These moments are not glamorous, but they carry an immense weight. Each one whispers, you’re doing it.
Sometimes the wins are even smaller –getting through a week without skipping meals, turning in an essay you actually had time to proofread, saying no to an extra
shift because you are choosing rest over exhaustion. These are the milestones we celebrate quietly, the ones that remind us we’re still standing.
Of course, the pride we feel comes with pressure. Our families see us as proof that their sacrifices mattered. That love can translate into expectations so high they touch the clouds. But I’ve started to see that pressure differently. It isn’t just weight, it is a shared energy. Every time I succeed, my family succeeds too. Their pride is not something to escape, it is something to honor.
Being first in the family to do anything means writing the script as I go, which means success is not about perfection or prestige. It is about persistence. It is finding joy where others might overlook it, and refusing to let comparison erase gratitude.
Joy is not a reward waiting at graduation, it is something we build quarter by quarter, piece by piece. Our version might look different, but it is not less bright. Because joy, for us, isn’t a luxury. It’s proof that we made it and that we are still succeeding.
ADELIA URENA / THE HIGHLANDER
Running Club at UCR crosses the finish line together
RUNNING CLUB AT UCR PROVIDES A HOME FOR THOSE WHO WANT TO RUN AMONGST FRIENDS.
SANJANA THATTE Features Editor
Trying something new is integral to the University of California, Riverside (UCR) college experience. Be it rock climbing, crocheting or even baking, this is the perfect time in your life to try something new. Even so, finding ways to maintain your favorite hobbies and interests from your time before college can be a perfect way to ground yourself and find community.
Running Club at UCR has provided a safe space on campus for runners since 2008. The club’s inclusivity and openness allows for runners of all walks of life to grow and develop alongside those they share a passion with.
Joining Running Club is a spontaneous venture for many. As Andy Zhang, fourth year electrical engineering major and club president explained, “I started out [at Running Club] my third year around week three. I was training for a marathon and I’d seen a flyer for the running club. I knew it existed already, but I hadn’t had the guts to go out and run. But I finally went my third week and I haven’t stopped since … I realized how much fun it was and how inclusive the club has been.”
Nicole Kennedy, fourth year neuroscience major, and club historian shared a similar experience, saying that she too felt somewhat intimidated before joining the club, “My third year, I finally went up to them, and I met Emmanuel, [who] was our prior … president of the club, and he just told me to come out. And when I actually came out, everyone here just started running with me. They stayed with me the whole time, and it encouraged me to come back all the time.”
Inexperienced runners have plenty of guidance as much of the board has experience with running, and as Zhang explains, “We try to be inclusive for anyone so whether you have experience or not,
we’re providing officers that are running at whatever pace you want to run at to improve your endurance. And then on top of that, just be able to enjoy running more, [providing] an outlet for runners to be more comfortable doing more physical tasks.”
David Campos, fifth year economics major explained that Running at UCR was a way for him to continue his hobby even in college, “I think starting in middle school, I had some interest in running, so I joined the cross country team and then the track team as well [in] high school, and then I just pretty much haven’t looked back since then. Once I found the Running Club at UCR that helped me [to] just keep running and staying in shape and meeting new people.”
Running Club meetings start with introductions, as there are usually new members who join throughout the year. People introduce themselves with their name, major and answer the icebreaker question of the day. Then, the board members introduce themselves and make sure that new members sign safety waivers, before moving on to group stretching and then starting the route. The routes themselves range in terms of location sprawling across campus, parts of Downtown Riverside and the Box Springs Mountains.
Zhang elaborates on some of the events that the club hosts: “we have a catalog on our Instagram which describes each of our events. We’re basically just planning ahead of time what races we’re going to be doing. We tend to try to do one to two races [a] quarter. We try to have one to two hikes. And then we try to do collabs with other colleges. We’ve done … Cal Poly Pomona collabs, collabs with the University of California, Los Angeles… [and] other running clubs.”
Zhang continued saying that these races are a
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great opportunity for runners on campus because of the discounted rates that they receive as a club, “races are really expensive, and we tend to get discounts when we apply for them in groups. So just being able to provide that when people probably have never gotten the chance to race, or they have raced and they want to get the chance to beat their personal records (PRs) or stuff like that is just a great opportunity to provide for people.”
During their club meetings, members are often trying to build their endurance and improve their times for these races to see their hard work pay off.
The club has made an effort to make the space more welcoming to everyone.]. Kennedy mentioned that in her first few years at UCR, the club was primarily composed of men, something that intimidated her. She brought up this concern to the vice president and president at the time and learned from them that “[they were] meaning to get more women out to run with us, and even getting more women on board.” Kennedy shares that they then added a few more women to the board, and noted that “a lot more girls and women came out to run, and it made [Running Club] feel more welcoming.”
Campos himself believes that the same inclusive and welcoming environment is what makes Running Club at UCR so unique, “I noticed that a lot of other running clubs are a lot more serious. They’re very focused on just training, so they’re more aimed towards people who have been running a lot and seriously. They’re almost like a competitive team. I think we’ve pushed in a direction where we want to be. You don’t have to be incredibly fast or incredibly talented at running, you just have to want to run. And then you’ll find a place within our running club.” ■ H
ISAAC SOLNICK/ THE HIGHLANDER
Finding the perfect club for you
AN OVERVIEW OF WHAT CLUBS ARE OPEN, HOW TO FIND THEM AND HOW TO GET INVOLVED WITH THEM.
TYLER YANG Contributing Writer
As a transfer student who just arrived at the University of California, Riverside (UCR), navigating the social scene and finding new connections has been a challenge. When I first arrived on campus, I wasn’t sure where to start or what to do. There are over 20,000 students here at the university, so how would I be able to connect with others like me and find those with shared interests? Luckily, there are opportunities that are available to everyone.
One way to make your journey easier is to find a club that interests you. UCR has a diverse selection of clubs. With around 500 registered student organizations on campus, there is sure to be something for everyone. There are clubs that help students explore their cultural roots or connect with others of the same faith. There are clubs whose sole purpose is to build your professional skills. If you are looking to play your favorite sport or game with people on campus, there’s definitely a club for it as well. There’s a club for almost everything. Some professional clubs even form to serve students of a specific community.
Go to tabling
I’d suggest speaking with members of a club inperson to learn more about it. Every Wednesday, many clubs set up stands around the bell tower by the center
of campus. The Highlander Newspaper even has a stand here as well (which is how I first learned about it)! This club showcase starts at 10 a.m., and even though I have seen clubs set up earlier before, I recommend going at around 11 a.m. or noon to see as many clubs as possible. I tend to look for activities that interest me and join the respective club once I’ve found it. Don’t be afraid to approach the club representatives as they’re usually very friendly and make sure to take advantage of the opportunity to learn more about their organization.
Lean into your interests
Generally, the club representatives will explain what their club is about, their activities and other details. While they’re explaining, you should ask yourself if their club interests you and if it’s something you enjoy doing. At the last club showcase, I spoke to dozens of club representatives to learn more about their club and find out whether it was a good fit for me. Many of them have social media pages, usually on Instagram, so I decided to follow them to get a better idea of what the club did, how many people were in the club, etc.
While a club having friendly and open people is a factor you should consider, I would encourage you to also choose a club because it has an activity that genuinely interests
you. Building familiarity with people takes time, and it’s good to have an activity you genuinely enjoy, like a sport or a hobby, to motivate you to attend meetings regularly. It’s also good to know how often the club meets. Most clubs meet weekly, but there are some that meet biweekly or even less frequently than that. I prefer weekly meetings to get to know people the best, but of course it depends on the person.
Go in person
Finally, there’s the step of actually going to the club meeting. This can be scary, but it’s important if you truly want to get to know the club. Even if it’s scary, just remember there are probably at least a few others who are new too! It’s best to speak to the club leaders you met previously and ask them to try and introduce you to others to make getting to know other people easier.
I really hope that this guide will help you find the perfect club this quarter. I understand that it’s not easy for some people, and it might be difficult to find a club that fits you at first. However, I want to encourage those who are currently struggling. Hopefully someday, you can look back and be glad that you put in the effort to find a community of like-minded people!
Always Almost
THE CONFESSIONS OF A WORK-IN-PROGRESS.
NAYSHA AGARWAL Contributing Writer
This piece lays bare the quiet agony of invisibility, the feeling of existing on the edge of others’ joy, always reaching but never reached for. It’s the lament for the heart that keeps offering love into the silence, still burning softly into the dark, waiting to be seen.
Why is it never me?
Why am I always the one looking in, Face pressed to the glass, Watching a world where everyone else gets chosen?
Why am I never the favorite?
Never the one their eyes light up for –
Just a name they remember
When the room is empty, Or when no one better shows up. Why is it never me?
Why am I never the one they see?
I scream in silence, But all they hear is noise.
I’m always the almost, The afterthought, The echo of someone they’d rather have. Always the shadow, never the tree. I stand, rooted in quiet pain, Growing in places no one notices. My leaves stretch toward a sun
That never warms me.
I bloom in the dark,
But who cares for flowers no one sees? Why is it never me?
Why am I never the favorite?
Why am I always the one reaching, While they run to someone else?
My heart is a gift still wrapped, Still waiting, Still untouched.
I’m the last to be grabbed, If I’m chosen at all –
Like a coat left behind on a warm day, Useful only in the cold.
A whisper in a room full of sound, Drowned out by louder, brighter souls. A lost star –
Not fallen. Just forgotten. Still burning, But never wished upon.
Why is it never me?
Why do I keep hoping, When hope has sharp edges?
Why do I keep loving, When love never turns back to look at me?
Maybe one day… But no.
Even my maybes are tired now. Even my dreams look the other way.
EDWIN BASURTO / THE HIGHLANDER
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Born This Way / Holly Dawson Mirror Madness / Chloe-Jane Cuevas
By: Chloe Jane Cuevas
Dewy’s Adventures / Emily Mata
‘Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere’ is on fire
THE FILM POIGNANTLY PORTRAYS THE MAN BEHIND THE BOSS.
IAN PALMA Radar Editor
It’s about time Bruce Springsteen received his own biopic. The singer-songwriter, whose rock and roll sound and candid lyrics encapsulated the lives of teenage rebels and working class heroes in prominent songs such as “Born to Run” and “Glory Days,” was due for a cinematic analysis. Even though his ‘70s and ‘80s rock star heyday is long gone, his timeless hits and commitment to social justice has made him a relevant figure today. With his latest squabble with President Trump and the ongoing deterioration of American society, there hasn’t been a better time to remind everyone who Springsteen is and what he stands for.
Set in the early ‘80s, the film follows Springsteen, played by Jeremy Allen White, at the pinnacle of his musical career. In a career-defining move, he decides to ditch his usual heartland rock tone for a more stripped-down acoustic sound, ultimately ending up in the creation of the influential album “Nebraska.” Alongside this, Springsteen must contend with problems such as unresolved childhood trauma, ongoing relationship issues and record executives trying to force him to replicate many of his previous hits.
Focusing on a specific time in Springsteen’s life, the film seems to share more in common with “Nowhere Boy” than it does with the more conventional biopics such as “Bohemian Rhapsody” and “Rocketman.” The movie isn’t a regurgitation of The Boss’ life story, but rather a character study on Springsteen himself. Viewers are invited to take a peek into some of his work ethics, mannerisms and conflicts.
From works by Flannery O’Connor to the Charles Starkweather murders, the bleak influences on his album, “Nebraska,” are laid bare for the audience to see. The film also flashes back to Springsteen’s rough childhood, further setting the desolate tone for his album. Unlike
other musical biopics, there are only a few brief instances of him playing at concerts and gigs, instead choosing to highlight Bruce during his downtime from touring.
The utilization and emphasis of Springsteen’s softer, acoustic songs from “Nebraska” underscores the film’s depressing tone. Jeremy Allen White’s vocals are almost indistinguishable from that of Bruce, which is all the more surprising when he covers Springsteen’s more somber and introspective songs such as “Atlantic City.”
Springsteen’s more recognizable and upbeat songs such as “Born in the U.S.A.” and “I’m On Fire” have also made an appearance in the film. Although not being released until a few years after when the movie is set, they do serve an important purpose to the story rather than being mere fan service.
The most compelling aspect of the film arguably comes from its humanization of Springsteen. To many, Bruce has always been a symbol of masculinity. Being raised by an abusive and toxically masculine father, it would only be reasonable for him to reject this title. The choice to have the film focus on one of the most vulnerable points of his life works to strip the idea in which he should be considered the prime example of machoness. Instead, reinforcing the idea that he is just like the film’s themes of rejecting toxic masculinity is superbly delivered almost on the same level as Sean Durkin’s film “The Iron Claw.”
It does take a bit of time for Jeremy Allen White to settle into the role of Bruce Springsteen, especially for those who only remember him as being that one guy from “The Bear.” At times, his performance seems to be more of a pale imitation of The Boss rather than being a one for one copy. Although this does leave some freedom for Jeremy Allen White to make the character into his own, it certainly will be off-putting for the more
diehard Springsteen fans.
Additionally, some of the conflicts that Springsteen faces are a bit undercooked, especially when it comes to the pushbacks that he faced from executives when trying to release his unpolished album. Some of the conflicts are either resolved quickly or not at all which, as realistic as that may be, leaves viewers feeling a bit unsatisfied.
Unlike most musical biopics, “Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere” is a film with something to say. It doesn’t have to needle drop his most famous songs every five minutes in order to keep the audience invested. The movie instead chooses to place Springsteen’s mental struggles in the front seat while reminding viewers that underneath the rock god facade, he’s just a man. The film, as much of a snippet as it is on the life of Bruce Springsteen, is enough for everyone to enjoy.
Verdict:
“Springsteen: Deliver Me
From Nowhere” isn’t your typical musical biopic, nor does it try to be. The contemplative take on his life is enough for casual, diehard or new listeners of Bruce Springsteen to take in and enjoy.
‘A House of Dynamite’ is a meticulously crafted, dreadful portrayal of
nuclear missile crisis
ACADEMY AWARDS WINNER KATHRYN BIGELOW’S NEWEST FILM SHOWS HOW TECHNOLOGY AND BUREAUCRACY FAILS TO CREATE ORDER IN THE FACE OF UNCERTAINTY.
*This review contains spoilers*
An intercontinental nuclear strike is detected and headed towards Chicago. The officials in both the Situation Room and the Pentagon can’t identify its origin and every attempt to stop it fails. This is the depiction of the United States (U.S.) upon a threat from an unidentified enemy in Oscar-winning director Kathryn Bigelow’s first feature film in eight years, “A House of Dynamite.”
The film’s portrayal of the U.S. characterized with uncertainty and powerlessness is a sharp distinction to Bigelow’s other previous films that deal with the United States (U.S.) in a global stage like “The Hurt Locker” and “Zero Dark Thirty.” These films, which were nominated for and received countless awards inducing seven Academy Awards, both impose a sense of recklessness and even a goal-oriented obsession in its depiction of the U.S. military complex.
Despite the internal failure, whether it is self-destructive indulgence in the pursuit of adrenaline from a war or moral failure in the pursuit of “justice,” both films do not undermine the strength and effectiveness of the U.S. However, such portrayals of
government officials are not a direct commentary on the incompetence of the U.S. system itself. Rather, Bigelow seeks to dissect the illusion of control in the face of fragile stability which leaves even the socalled higher-ups helpless.
Another point in which this film diverges from Bigelow’s previous works lies in what it shows, and more importantly, what it refuses to show. The audience and the characters are separated from the nuclear missile itself. Subsequently, this missile only exists in the form of information throughout the film and allows merely the gaze through the lens of technology. Despite having directed one of the most iconic bomb explosion scenes in the past, Bigelow refrains from showing anything in that nature explicitly in this film.
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Bigelow has certainly brought together the most suitable crew of people to bring her vision onto the screen. Bigelow’s films have heavily relied on the heightened suspense through her hyper-realistic cinematography. Much of that is credited to Barry Ackroyd whom she has been working with since “The Hurt Locker” and has collaborated again in this film. Ackroyd’s handheld cinematography creates the sense of urgency by giving it a documentary-like quality. As the camera trembles with anxiety, so does the audience.
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The film’s anticlimactic ending may leave viewers leaving a bit unsatisfied. However, this is not a failure on the part of the filmmaker but rather a deliberate attempt to emphasize the theme of the film: collapse of certainty. In the failure of a system which was so confident in the illusion it held on to, the audience is left wondering what truly can be done going forward.
In the production of this film,
The score is from Oscar-winning composer Volker Berelmann, who has shown his ability to heighten the tension throughout the film through compositions in “Conclave,” keeps the audience at the edge of their seats at all times. The atmosphere of the film itself switches as the tempo of the string violins accelerates, as if it were to reflect the sense of instability and the loss of control.
This isn’t to say that the film is without its own weaknesses. Despite the conceptual and the technical excellence, there are moments where the script, written by the former president of NBC news Noah Oppenheim, falls short. The structure of the narrative, which is divided into three segments, each
happening simultaneously and subsequently telling the exact same story, doesn’t serve any purpose other than stylistic merit which ends up feeling shallow. And the repetitiveness of this structure kills the heightened suspense by the time the audience gets to the third act as they already know what to expect. This film, which is trying to thrive through anxious anticipation of a catastrophe, takes that away from itself through such narrative choice.
The language used throughout the film may deter the audience from fully immersing themselves into the film as well due to the excessive use of bureaucratic terminology which seems to be arbitrarily thrown. However, this could be interpreted as the failure of the bureaucracy itself as despite the characters’ reliance on procedural language they are unable to create order in the face of a nuclear apocalypse.
VERDICT:
In the age where dependence on technology and the physical distance from warfare has reached its peak, this film questions the reliability of the system itself as it unflinchingly depicts its failures, ultimately exposing the uncertainty that still remains ubiquitous in the midst of the illusion of normalcy.
COURTESY
JIHOON KWON Contributing Writer
Think piece: Adéla
AN UNDERRATED, MULTITALENTED GENIUS THAT NEEDS MORE ATTENTION.
RUBAITA IQBAL Assistant Opinion Editor
In an era where pop music can often feel more algorithmic than artistry, Adéla Jergová is a reminder of what passion used to sound like. The 21-year-old Slovak singer-songwriter has arrived with The Provocateur, her debut EP released through Capitol Records in 2025 – a project so sharp in identity and vision that it feels less like an introduction and more like a declaration.
The music world first met Adéla two years ago when she competed on the global survival show “Dream Academy,” the same program that produced the girl group Katseye. She was the first contestant eliminated, but what could have been the end of a short-lived reality TV stint became the beginning of something far more interesting.
“I realized I didn’t want to be shaped by someone else’s idea of me,” Adéla told Teen Vogue earlier this year, “I wanted to build something that was mine.”
After the show, she moved to Los Angeles, taught herself the basics of production and began writing her own material. Her 2024 independent single “Homewrecked” turned heads with its moody storytelling and cinematic sound – a mix of defiance, heartbreak and self-possession. It was enough to earn her a major-label deal but more importantly, it proved she was serious.
That seriousness is all over The Provocateur. The seven-track project is tight, deliberate and bursting with character. It balances sleek pop production with personal bite. On “SexOnTheBeat,” she merges glossy synths and breathless confidence, while “Go” explores frustration and emotional detachment over layered percussion. Even “Finally Apologizing,” one of the softer moments, feels like a cathartic purge rather than a plea.
What’s striking about the EP isn’t just its polish but its conviction. Adéla sounds hungry – the way pop artists used to. There’s a fire in her delivery, a drive to prove herself that feels increasingly rare among her peers.
So much of modern pop has grown safe and overly curated, guided by streaming strategies and social media algorithms. The spark that once defined the early days of icons like Beyoncé, Britney Spears or Lady Gaga – the hunger to dominate a stage, to perfect a performance, to say something real – can feel diluted in today’s landscape of viral trends.
Adéla, however, seems cut from that older cloth. She performs as if she has something to lose and sings as if she has everything to prove. That hunger shows in how she approaches every part of her craft. Her visuals, choreography and even her interviews reveal a deep commitment to her artistry. She’s not chasing trends – she’s chasing excellence. Her work ethic, paired with a refusal to lean on nepotism or gimmicks makes her stand out in a generation where so many are content to coast on aesthetics and exposure.
The Provocateur captures that energy perfectly. Each song feels like it’s been labored over but never overproduced. The writing is both cinematic and confessional, with lyrics that straddle vulnerability and defiance. In tone and execution, it recalls the work of artists like Charli XCX or Grimes but Adéla’s voice – literal and figurative – is distinctly her own.
There’s also something refreshingly unmanufactured about her rise. Adéla isn’t a viral industry plant or a label-engineered experiment. She’s a young woman who took rejection, redirected it and turned it into motivation. Her success feels earned, not orchestrated.
In that sense, she’s a throwback to the kind of artist who used to define the pop industry: am-
bitious, meticulous and relentless. It’s not just nostalgia – it’s a reclamation of standards. Pop wasn’t always about quick hits and social metrics; it was about building a body of work. And with The Provocateur, Adéla has done just that.
The EP itself is brief, under 20 minutes but never slight. It’s packed with personality, proof that brevity and quality can coexist. Fans have compared it to Rebecca Black’s critically praised 2025 album for its conciseness and cohesion. Like Black, Adéla understands that listeners crave intention over excess. Going solo was the best thing that could’ve happened to her. The statement feels prophetic.
Looking ahead, she’s already announced The ProvocaTour and a supporting slot on Demi Lovato’s 2026 tour. The pieces are in place for her next leap. But even with rising fame, she doesn’t seem interested in simply being famous. She wants to make pop matter again.
In an industry saturated with content but starved of conviction, Adéla Jergová’s emergence feels vital. She’s not just reviving the spirit of pop – she’s restoring the passion behind it. Because the truth is, not many artists sound this alive anymore. Not many are this willing to work, to perform, to feel. Adéla does. If she keeps moving with this same hunger, in six or seven years, she could be one of the most popular names in pop music, not just another artist in the new wave, but its defining force.
She’s not here to fit in with pop. She is here to remind people why they loved it in the first place.
And she just might.
Radar Replay: Why ‘The Thing’ should be revisited
THE FILM’S THEMES OF PARANOIA AND DISTRUST PARALLEL THE STATE OF OUR WORLD TODAY.
ANTHONY ASCIENO-CARVAJAL
Contributing Writer
*This review contains spoilers*
“Trust is a tough thing to come by these days.” No truer words have been said by Kurt Russell playing R.J. MacReady in John Carpenter’s 1982 horror classic, “The Thing.” The line foreshadows the destabilizing relationship amongst the brotherhood of the research crew within the movie. However, the line is more than just a statement of melancholy acceptance. It is an affirmation that resonates with the attitudes of today’s society.
The film involves a group of researchers in an Antarctica based United States (U.S.) outpost. The plot starts to settle in when the mysterious helicopter flown in by the Norwegians scientists aims to take down a runaway dog. When this happens, it’s clear that MacReady’s crew is not alone. An intergalactic species of shapeshifting creatures known in the film as “the thing” has infiltrated the outpost as a dog with no suspicion from the crew.
While the “dog” of questionable origin makes itself at home in the facilities, R.J. MacReady and Dr. Blair, played by Wilford Brimley, take a trip to see how the rest of the Norwegian scientists are holding up in their outpost. This is where the conflict begins. As the camera pans from discussion amongst crew members to eerie cutaways focused on nothing but the background of empty rooms and hallways, this creates the feeling of paranoia.
Once at the Norwegian scientist facility, several pieces begin to come together one by one. If one can look past the uncomfortable feelings the film may evoke, the sci-fi elements within the details of the story such as the experiments on the creatures cellular activity are sure to peak interest.
Each of the designs from the creature are made with the help of Rob Bottin, who was nominated for an Oscar for Best Makeup back in 1986, and worked on several films outside of horror, like “Robocop” and” Fight Club.” His great monster designs are what make witnessing “The Thing” firsthand so great.
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The creature works well in assimilating itself into the group through not just convincing appearances, but through deception that puts crew members against one another. The growing suspicions behind the things no one can see are what make this a bigger problem. It asks the question: “Who can trust who? Who can believe what each person says if any one of them could be “the thing?” What can they do besides panic?” This story is not just about the thing, but more importantly, the “thing” everyone is struggling with.
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During the making of this film, the Cold War was still a looming worry in the minds of the people in the West. Around the time of the 2011 prequel “The Thing,” the Occupy Wall Street movement was in full effect. The government bailed out failing banks that included Wells Fargo and Bank
of America, at the expense of the American people who suffered the most impact from the 2008 recession. The recent pandemic of the COVID-19 virus pitted civilians scrambling for diminishing supplies against each other. The human disconnect apparent in American society paralleled MacReady and his crew’s struggles to trust and reconnect within their own group.
One invaluable truth to be gained from the film is how the story showcases the differences between humans and the “thing.” Humans are more than just carbon based lifeforms succumbing to the nature of mistrust. The creature was shown to be a whole being, in which every cell’s intent was to maintain its survival at all costs. While desiring to change their fatal fate, the crew matured significantly, by changing their goals from wanting to just survive to wanting to protect the planet at the expense of their lives.
Overall, there is a hopeful message that the viewer can take away from this film. As incredible as this specimen thing is, the essence of the human heart cannot be imitated. While the thing could only care about itself, human hearts were designed for compassion. As cruel as the “things” people battle with are, human hearts are made to give love and peace, especially when it has to do with more than just one’s self.
Highlander Hot Take: Sports gambling is essential to modern sports culture
THE RISE OF PRIZEPICKS AND STAKE IS NOT SLOWING DOWN ANYTIME SOON.
AAKIF IQBAL Assistant Radar Editor
Gambling culture is not a new phenomenon to the world of sports. Especially in recent years, interviews and documentaries have revealed that players like Michael Jordan and Wayne Rooney had irresponsible relationships with gambling. From being in casinos the night before a game to calling bets on hotel phones, the idea of athletes gambling is not shocking.
However, with news of Portland Trailblazer’s head coach Chauncey Billups and Miami Heat player Terry Rozier being arrested recently for a massive gambling scandal, it raises an interesting question: Can coaches or athletes really be blamed for profiting off of such a burgeoning industry in sports gambling?
Go to any Super Bowl party or watch party for a championship and see the bets get placed left and right. In the end of those nights, not only are the losing teams depressed by the outcomes but so are the gamblers who did not win. Though losing the game may be affecting the team, those who lost thousands, sometimes millions, of dollars on a bet arguably lost more.
With the advent of social media and gambling apps and websites, it has only made this more accessible. Whereas calling in a bet used to involve a bookie and the cash in hand, it can now be done by pressing a couple of buttons. Though it’s been outlawed in a variety of states like California and Texas, it does not stop fanatics from getting in on the fun via the use of apps like Fliff.
“[Fliff] technically allows you to bet fake money, but then there’s this little setting that you can switch to real if you wanted to, so that’s how people get around in California. Or they use other types of websites with VPNs,” stated a 23-year-old male who wishes to stay anonymous because of his religion.
When asked what keeps him coming back to sports gambling, he responded it’s because of the “possibility of the thrill of winning.”
“Losses happen every now and then but most of the time, that feeling of winning, there’s nothing better than that feeling.” And that feeling can be attached to a pretty big payout. When asked what the most he’s seen a friend win, he said “One of my friends bet 23 cents on a 17 leg parlay to win $17,250” but not before gambling it again and losing “most of it.”
When asked about the future of sports gambling, the male responded he doesn’t think it’s stopping anytime soon. “Unless it gets completely outlawed, I cannot see it stopping at all, by any means. It’s gonna exponentially continue to grow.”
While the FBI may find it necessary to arrest players and coaches involved in gambling scandals, it is surprising to consider that more partnerships have not been made between leagues and gambling institutions.
Though leagues like the NBA or MLB have partnered with Fanduel and DraftKings, the difference comes down to the nature of gambling being allowed. Sites used more for their robust system for fantasy leagues are partnered with leagues but not those that bet against the house, like Stake and Prizepicks. While these leagues continue most of what sports gambling entails, they are continuing to lose out on the large sums of money these apps are racking in.
This is not to say that the ethics of gambling or rigging games is to be celebrated but simply to say that it is a missed opportunity to not go deeper into partnerships with these gambling companies. For now, those already partnered with the leagues can get access to statistics and games. But it’s only a matter of time before viewers can place bets on parlays within the NBA or NFL app. Because these scandals are not likely to stop anytime soon, leagues may as well get ahead of the curve.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF WIKIMEDIA COMMONS
Highlander Hot Take: Sports gambling is a modern plague on our youth
GAMBLING APPS ARE OVERLY ACCESSIBLE TO A YOUNG, IMPRESSIONABLE DEMOGRAPHIC.
SOFIA MAJEED Assistant Sports Editor
It’s nearly impossible to watch, attend or get informed on anything in professional sports without being bombarded with advertisements, promoting various sports betting platforms. In recent years, professional sports leagues have seemed to change their outlook on gambling, with most leagues in America involving themselves in some sort of deal with various sports betting companies.
The American sports betting industry made $13.71 billion in 2024, the highest it has ever been, according to the American Gambling Association’s (AGA) annual report. ESPN is involved in a tenyear deal with PENN Entertainment, beginning in August of 2023 that led to the creation of ESPN BET, a PENN operated online sportsbook. This billion dollar deal is just one of the many examples of sports media companies and professional sports leagues, getting incredible sums of money to promote sports betting to an even wider audience.
Whether it’s the National Basketball Association (NBA) making DraftKings and FanDuel official sports betting partners or Major League Baseball (MLB) making FanDuel a partner, it’s obvious that the integration of gambling and professional sports is not going away anytime soon. The question is, what are the long term effects of the normalization of sports gambling and who is going to be most affected by this?
Across most professional sports in the United States, the majority of the audience is men, with the age range differing depending on the sport. A large portion of this audience is younger men and teenage boys, who are easily susceptible to getting involved in online sports betting. Although it is technically illegal to be underage and on betting
apps, it is easily bypassable. As a result there is limited data on just how many young individuals, who are under 18,19 or 21 are participating in sports gambling.
Regardless of the exact numbers, it does not take a data scientist to recognize it is a large problem. That is exactly what companies like Stake, Prizepicks, etc are betting on: reaching enthusiastic, young (mostly male) sports fans at a young age and getting them addicted to using these apps. This trend is already concerning some parents and those involved in the industry, because gambling is an addiction.
Problem gambling, also known as a gambling addiction, is not just a financial problem, it’s an emotional regulation issue. Individuals are not addicted to the money, they are addicted to the dopamine hits involved in risk. Moreover, sports betting companies market their apps to seem like gambling is a knowledge based endeavor, when in reality, it’s risky.
Online gambling and sports betting is seeming to be the drug of choice for our generation, and although we have not seen the long-term consequence of this addiction, we will very soon. The lack of stigma surrounding gambling is furthered by how it is so mercilessly promoted by the industry. The NBA, NFL and MLB actively exploit their young audience to make a profit, while simultaneously normalizing an addiction which will ultimately have extremely negative consequences.
The lack of guardrails can easily lead to individuals being financially irresponsible, accumulating excessive debt, being unable to save and or invest. Additionally, young people
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are significantly more at risk to become addicted, as their brains are more vulnerable to the thrill of gambling. This addiction comes with a mental toll as well as a financial one, those who gamble are more likely to experience anxiety, depression, extreme guilt or stress.
This industry has a moral responsibility to stop promoting gambling to its audience. However, it is unrealistic to have that expectation as sports betting companies are contributing such large amounts of money through sponsorships, advertisements, etc.
However much profit these companies have led you to believe that you are winning, the real winner is the corporations who have now successfully gotten entire generations hooked on gambling away their hard-earned money. The money betting companies are losing is inconsequential to them, not to you.
Highlanders beat 3-1 by Hawai’i
HIGHLANDERS FALL TWO GAMES BEHIND HAWAI’I AND OUTSIDE THE PLAYOFF PICTURE.
MATA ELANGOVAN Editor-in-Chief
The University of California, Riverside (UCR) women’s volleyball team fell short 3-1 in sets to the University of Hawai’i on Saturday Nov. 1. Coming off their third straight loss in conference play, the Highlanders faced Hawai’i for a rematch after taking them to five sets earlier this season in Hawai’i at the Stan Sheriff Center. UCR is now 3-9 in conference play and sits eighth in the Big West standings.
The first set started at breakneck speed with an intense rally, the point falling to Hawai’i with a kill from their outside hitter Reid Cha’lei. The Wahine got into the game with an early 5-2 lead over UCR until the Highlanders subbed in defensive specialist Misu Nguyen. The tide was finally on the Highlander’s side as a series of kills was hammered in by outside hitters Sophia Ewalefo and Mia Delahoussaye bringing them up 9-6.
Hawai’i extended their lead in the first set up 19-14 until the Highlanders called for a timeout. Struggling to catch up, the Highlanders lost to a mean kill from middle blocker Bri Gunderson, ending the set 25-19. The Rainbow Wahine conquered the set with a 0.382 on offense sporting 16 kills and only three errors.
In the second set, UCR went up early 11-5 after losing the first two points to the Wahine, keeping a close eye on Cha’lei and outside hitter Gunderson to prevent them from scoring. On UCR’ssixth point Delahoussaye crushed the ball with a cross-court spike, catching Hawai’i off guard with Ewalefo following up with a kill of her own. Hawai’i called a timeout, attempting to recover from the slow start.
Nguyen brought the score up to 14-5 with two service aces and setter Makena Tong took the moment to shine with a kill, keeping UCR well in the lead. Delahoussaye crushed her 11th kill of the night, maintaining her high offensive energy from the first set and putting up UCR 19-10. Highlander libero Jessica Dean showed off with her digs throughout the set but captured the crowd when she dove to save the ball after a spike from the Wahine, setting up a prime moment for middle blocker Layla Hooks to come in for the point, making the score 23-13. Hawai’i called one last timeout but fell short as UCR’s middle blocker Kylie Proctor won the point, ending the set 25-14. Set three started off on Hawai’i’s side, 3-0, until outside hitter Andrea Brewer snuck in a spike for the Highlanders. From here, UCR and Hawai’i kept trading points, tying the score twice until the Rainbow Wahine got their footing and surged up the board with kills. The Highlanders called two timeouts in quick succession, aiming to overthrow the lead, but Hawai’i kept up the energy as the score ballooned to 19-10. Coming off a rough patch, UCR fought off the Wahine with four consecutive set points, but Hawai’i remained up 19-14. Emboldened after calling a timeout, Hawai’i locked in for the set with impressive kills from Gunderson and outside hitter Tyla Reese Mane bringing it to set point 24-15. The Highlanders turned the tables once again, carrying the momentum with spikes from Ewalefo and Delahoussaye scoring another five consecutive points. But Mane returned after the comeback
with a kill, ending the set 25-19. Hawai’i maintained their strong defense throughout the set, with six blocks to UCR’s one, and stood their ground with only one attack error to UCR’s eight.
UCR initially started off strong in the fourth set, leading 9-7. UCR lost the next three points, and a media timeout was called on the floor. From there, Hawai’i’s offense began to click on all cylinders. After a strong kill by Hawai’i’s Ravyn Dash, Hawai’i led 20-16, five points away from winning the game.
In a precarious situation like set three, the Highlanders had no choice but to up their offense for the remainder of the game. But the Highlanders fell short of catching up to the Rainbow Wahine and the set ended 25-19. Offensively, UCR played well in the set, with a 0.323 hitting percentage, but Hawai’i outperformed them with their highest in the game at 0.433.
While the Highlanders may not have come away with the win, many of their players recorded high achievements in the game. Nguyen delivered three aces in the game, with two of them back to back in the second set. It was also the second time this season Mia Delahoussaye recorded 20 kills in a game.
Coming off the loss, UC Riverside will be going on a two week road trip covering four matches. The next game will be on Friday, Nov. 7 where they’ll play Cal State Fullerton.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF ELENA VERSAGE
Women’s Soccer - Oct. 26
UC Riverside VS. UC Santa Barbara 1-3 L
UCSB: Camryn Sailor 14’
UCR: Sarah Mahfoud 51’
UCSB: Sophia Moness 73’
UCSB: Mya Delaney 86’
Women’s Volleyball - Oct. 28
UC Riverside VS. UC Davis 3-0 L
UCR Team Leaders:
Kills: Andrea Brewer (10)
Assists: Makena Tong (22)
Digs: Jessica Dean, Sophia Ewalefo (8)
spOrts
Sports
Women’s Soccer - Oct. 30
UC Davis VS. UC Riverside 1-0 L
UC Davis: Genavieve Fontes 67’
Women’s Volleyball - Nov. 1
Hawai’i VS. UC Riverside 3-1 L
UCR Team Leaders:
Kills: Mia Delahoussaye (20)
Assists: Makena Tong (39)
Digs: Jessica Dean (16)
Men’s Soccer - Nov. 1
UC Riverside vs. UC Irvine 3-2 L
UCI: Misael Gonzalez Lopez 28’
UCR: Ethan Gonzalez 45’
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UCI: Marcus Lee 48’ 58’
UCR: Brady Elliot 75’
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Be locked in.
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