Volume 74, Issue 13

The Highlander

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, RIVERSIDE

For the week of Tuesday, January 20, 2026

VOL. 74, ISSUE 13

OPINIONS

Op-ed: Counseling and Psychological Services at UCR left students without answers

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SPORTS Highlanders dominate defensively to earn a 81-72 win against Cal State Fullerton Despite early season struggles in Big West play, UCR notches a crucial conference win.

ALONDRA ORDAZ / THE HIGHLANDER

The UCR Counseling and Psychological Services are making decisions behind closed doors that not only impact their staff but the patients who use their services.

CAL PLETT (THEY/THEM) FOURTH-YEAR PH.D CANDIDATE, DEPARTMENT OF MUSIC

More than 2,000 students utilize the Counseling and Psychological

Services program (CAPS) according to the most recent data provided by the University of California, Riverside (UCR), totaling over 11,000 appointments made in the 20192020 academic year. Since 2020, it is likely these numbers have only increased.

I myself have used the CAPS services for over three years and would argue that the center has deeply impacted my success at UCR. Specifi-

cally, I am indebted to my previous counselor, Dr. Heather Johnson, for her dedication as a medical provider.

But given my recent experience with underhanded professional practices and concerning deceptiveness from the center’s leadership, I do not plan to return.

Johnson, as explained in an article published by The Highlander... ► SEE OP-ED: CAPS ON PAGE 8

NEWS Councilmember candidates kickstart their campaigns in public forum Candidates for wards two, four and six opened their campaigns by discussing development concerns.

KASSANDRA AGUIRRE Staff Writer

ALONDRA ORDAZ / THE HIGHLANDER

With elections for councilmember positions coming up for Riverside’s wards two, four and six in June, 11 candidates began their campaigns during an open forum at the Orange Terrace Community Center on Jan. 9. Hosted by the Mission Grove Neighborhood Association (MGNA), candidates from the three electing wards were asked to deliver opening statements, respond to two pre-assigned questions along with one question from the audience and deliver...

ELENA VERSAGE / THE HIGHLANDER

IZZY GRAHAM Contributing Writer

This past Saturday, the University of California, Riverside (UCR) men’s basketball team hosted California State University, Fullerton (CSUF) for their sixth Big West conference game of the year.

The Highlanders entered Saturday’s game on a six game losing streak, sitting in last place in conference with a 1-5 record. On the other hand, CSUF came into this game with a record of 3-4 in conference coming off a loss to UC Davis.

UCR opened the game with a layup from BJ Kolly after the Highlanders won the tip. Kolly has started every game this season at center and scored 12 points for the Highlanders on Saturday.

Ben Waller, a freshman guard, scored a season high of nine points, almost double of his previous... ► SEE SATURDAY MBB ON PAGE 24

► SEE CITY COUNCIL FORUM ON PAGE 5

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[Today,] I am a chaperone [at UCR.] We brought a group of 50 [high school] seniors who have submitted their UC or CSU applications and most of them have applied to UCR. So it’s just an opportunity [for them] to view the campus if they haven’t actually had the opportunity [or have] only seen it online. Right now, [the students] have free time to wander the campus and then we’ll meet back up and process what they thought.

UCR [has] a beautiful campus. I have [former] students that went here or are currently going here and they love their experience [at UCR.] They’ve connected a lot with faculty and they have been really helpful [on this tour.

For example,] in offering to give our students tours of their dorm rooms, which is something you usually don’t get [on a campus tour.]

I’ve been dyeing my hair for 11 years now. It started just because I wanted to and the first color I did was pink. But when I started my job as an attendance counselor. It [became] an incentive for [my] students.

‘If you meet this attendance goal at the end of the year, you can vote what color I dye it.’ So it’s been pink, it’s been green, blue, half and half and all of them at the same time. But pink and blue are generally [are the colors] where I think I’m gonna stay [with for awhile.]”

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TUESDAY, JANUARY 20, 2026

20 Tuesday

21

Upcoming Events

Wednesday

22

Thursday

23 Friday

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Saturday

Crafts with CHASS F1RST 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Humanities & Social Sciences 1500 Care Packages Through Compassion 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Costo Hall 111

Iranian Cinema Night 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Costo Hall 111 Men’s Basketball vs. UC Irvine 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

SRC Arena

Rework, Rewear 1 p.m. to 1:45 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 2:45 p.m.

HUB 269

RoseHack 8 a.m. to 11:59 p.m.

Winston Chung Hall Women’s Basketball vs. UC Davis 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

SRC Arena

25 Sunday

RoseHack 12 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Winston Chung Hall

26

Decoden Dream 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

HUB 269

Monday

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Women’s Tennis vs. San Jose State 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

SRC Tennis Courts

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NEWS

4 TUESDAY, JANUARY 20, 2026

highlandernews.org/category/news

News Trump proposes massive increase in 2027 defense spending

TRUMP PROPOSES INCREASING DEFENSE BUDGET BY TWO-THIRDS IN LIGHT OF “DANGEROUS TIMES.” LEO PRETTO Contributing Writer

F

ollowing the US military operation in Venezuela on Jan. 3, which spirited President Nicolas Maduro swiftly out of the country in order to bring him to court for narcoterrorism charges, President Donald Trump has called for an increase in the military’s budget to $1.5 trillion, a 66% increase. Trump defended his proposition by citing the “dangerous times” facing the world at present.

Recently, after the capture of Maduro, Trump informed the public in detail about his expansionist policy around the Americas, citing his “Donroe Doctrine,” referencing the framework President James Monroe enacted that shaped the U.S. foreign policy for nearly a century.

Trump has been considering several potential military operations which would further involve the U.S. in other

countries’ affairs, including openly considering military operations in Colombia similar to the one in Venezuela and has reopened the discussion on a U.S. takeover of Greenland, a Danish territory. In addition, he has offered Cuba an ultimatum, after blockading life-preserving Venezuelan oil imports to the country, among other regions.

The Trump administration is yet to provide explanations of where the funding for the increase would come from.

Trump has claimed that tariff revenue would be sufficient to cover the $600 billion required. However the U.S. government’s own estimates put total tariff revenue at greater than $200 billion.

Tariff revenue has also been promised to multiple different civil interests, such as granting US citizens $2000 rebate checks and subsidizing the domestic farming industry.

With the economy down in all non-tech sectors and affordability becoming a major

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issue nationwide according to TIME Magazine, experts are doubtful that the American people will swallow further military investment.

The increase comes at a time when the U.S. is struggling to address its ever-ballooning debt, which according to experts cannot begin to come down until the country ceases spending in deficit. According to reports by the United States Congress Joint Economic

ASUCR

ASUCR Senate Meeting THE LATEST SENATE MEETING CONCLUDED QUICKLY WITH BRIEF UPDATES.

Congressional reactions to the suggestion were mixed.

House Appropriations Chair Tom Cole, a Republican, stated, “I’ll take any request the President makes seriously and we’ll see”. Cole has previously stated he believes defense spending “needs to go up,” but has not been clear by ■H how much.

Crime Watch: Uber driver stabbed by passenger A RIVERSIDE UBER DRIVER WAS STABBED IN HIGHGROVE, MOTIVE UNKNOWN. ANDREW HAGLER Staff Writer

OVI MATHIVANAN Staff Writer

On Jan. 14, 2026, the Associated Students of the University of California, Riverside (ASUCR) meeting began at 7:01 p.m. and adjourned at 7:11 p.m., with no new business announced.

The Senate approved previous ASUCR Finance Committee minutes 16-0-0.

Due to a current vacancy in the Vice President of Finance position, individuals were encouraged to reach out to ASUCR professional staff for further inquiries and guidance on understanding the finance minutes. No new Legislative Review Committee and Green Campus Action Plan

Committee, the country is already at a 120% debt-toGross Domestic Product ratio.

However, the U.S. dollar’s position as the worldwide reserve currency provides itself some insulation from a global loss of confidence in its value. Experts warn that dubious spending decisions would further concern international investors, who can be further incentivized to move away from the dollar.

reports were reviewed.

During public comment, the new Vice President of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Brandon Edward Dunbar, introduced themself, announced many new initiatives are coming from their office and stated their office hours and email are always available for further discussion.

School of Education Senator Holly Lin and College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences Senator An Nguyen gave senator reports regarding their respective colleges’ town halls and upcoming programming. ■H

On Saturday morning, Jan. 10, a Riverside Uber driver was stabbed by a passenger multiple times, according to police. Officers responded to the area of California and Adams streets around 8 a.m., where the driver was found, taken to a hospital and stabilized. The passenger, 24-year-old Riverside resident Martin Svoboda, fled on foot but was found and arrested shortly after on charges of attempted murder.

Riverside police have stated that the motive is currently unclear and the attack may have been unprovoked. An Uber spokesperson speaking with CBS called what the driver experienced “absolutely terrifying,” and has stated Uber has been in contact with the victim and stands ready to assist law enforcement in their ■H investigation.

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NEWS

TUESDAY, JANUARY 20, 2026

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Councilmember candidates kickstart their campaigns in public forum CANDIDATES FOR WARDS TWO, FOUR AND SIX OPENED THEIR CAMPAIGNS BY DISCUSSING DEVELOPMENT CONCERNS.

ALONDRA ORDAZ / THE HIGHLANDER KASSANDRA AGUIRRE Staff Writer

With elections for councilmember positions coming up for Riverside’s wards two, four and six in June, 11 candidates began their campaigns during an open forum at the Orange Terrace Community Center on Jan. 9. Hosted by the Mission Grove Neighborhood Association (MGNA), candidates from the three electing wards were asked to deliver opening statements, respond to two preassigned questions along with one question from the audience and deliver concluding statements.

The eleven participating candidates included Aram Ayra, Christen Montero, Gracie Torres, Mike Vahl and Dan Florez for ward two which covers the area of University Neighborhood, Hunter Park, Canyon Crest and Sycamore. Chuck Condor, Jessica Qattawi and Rich Vandenberg, from ward four covers Alessandro Heights, Mission Grove, Orangecrest and Greenbelt. Luis Hernandez, Ozwaldo Puerta and William Smith from ward six which which covers Arlanza, La Sierra, La Sierra Hills, La Sierra South and parts of Arlington.

All candidates are registered as non-partisan, excluding Montero, Vahl, Vandenberg and Florez, whose political affiliation could not be verified.

The first question posed to candidates how they planned on managing Riverside’s “growth vs. character dilemma,” referring to the city’s struggle to “navigate state housing mandates (RHNA) that strip local control over parking and environmental standards while managing the surge in warehouse and high-density development.”

Although candidates from all wards generally agreed on the importance of following through with RHNA guidelines to avoid increased state intervention and a disapproval of the presence of warehouses, they presented differing resolutions.

Torres, Montero, Ayra, Qattawi, Hernandez and Puerta referenced the limitations state regulations

impose on city development and said that they would seek to mitigate its effects. Torres and Puerta by stating they would adhere to the city’s general planning, zoning rules and pre-existing toolkits to meet state requirements.

Montero expressed she would look to invite in “forward career” development.Ayra, Qattawi and Hernandez suggested they would invite new industry on the condition it improves residents quality of living and push back against RHNA mandates that exceed the city’s available resources.

Vandenberg and Smith emphasized the importance of not allowing RHNA mandates to stress the local economy and government.

Vahl, Conder and Florez emphasized a need to combat the state’s RHNA mandates. Vahl vocalized his intent to push back against impractical businesses such as “big pharma” and in response to RHNA mandates, leverage the city’s position as a charter city and preexisting high density of warehouses to lower state demand.

Flores stated that although the presence of warehouses in the city is not something he could combat, a sentiment shared by Conder, who stated that “the state government is overwhelming local control, we cannot give up control even though I understand there are penalties for us if we don’t,” and called for citizens to form coalitions against the RHNA mandates.

The second question asked for candidates’ opinions on “the public trust gap,” where they were asked if they believed the city had successfully upheld standards set for communal engagement in their Citywide Community Engagement Policy, which was adopted in 2023 and mandates councilmembers engage in good transparency tactics and consideration to residents.

All candidates, with the exception of the only

incumbent candidate Condor agreed that the community engagement policy had not been sufficiently adhered to. Grievances with the sitting councilmember’s practices were raised by some candidates who cited the practice of the council cutting speaking time at meetings from the allocated three minutes, such as Hernandez, who stated “if you don’t want to spend the night there when there’s something important that people want to talk about, don’t run for city council,” among others.

For the final portion of the form, the MGNA pulled from question cards they had handed out to the audience before the form began. In response to a large request for a response to the issue, they asked candidates to respond to how they would have voted on the rejected proposal for an affordable housing project on University Ave., which had been voted on the day before.

Conder, who had been in the prevailing vote during the meeting, expressed that he had chosen to vote against the measure as he believed “it was rushed through by a certain individual trying to make it as a campaign piece for her going to Sacramento.” Vahl, Puerta and Florez also stated that they would have voted against the project.

Citing uncertainties in its effectiveness and lack of accompanying services.

Ayra, Montero, Qattawi, Vandenberg, Hernandez and Smith stated they would have voted in favor of the project due to its potential to aid the community, among other factors.

Torres opted to not vote, stating that she couldn’t without proper community engagement.

The second form is set to take place on Jan. 21 at the La Sierra Senior Center and is open to the ■H public.

NEWS

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highlandernews.org/category/news

California Senate Bill 19 takes effect THREATS DIRECTED AT INSTITUTIONS, NOT JUST SPECIFIC INDIVIDUALS, ARE CRIMINALIZED. JIHOON KWON Staff Writer

California Senate Bill 19 (SB 19), also known as the Safe Schools and Places of worship act, took effect Jan. 1, 2026, expanding protections for schools and places of worship against criminal threats.

SB 19, drafted by Senator Susan Rubio and Assemblymember Dr. Darshana Patel, strengthens California Penal Code Section 422 which criminalizes threats of violence to address the limitation of the existing law. California Penal Code Section 422 states that any form of threat made to another person, regardless of whether the action is carried out or not, is to be considered a threat. SB 19 clarifies that threats made towards institutions, not just to specific persons, are criminalized as well.

In her statement, Senator Rubio argued that recent cases have demonstrated the necessity for SB 19, citing multiple incidents in which the existing law

failed to adequately provide a legal framework for prosecution. A notable example was the case of a 38-year-old man who was accused of sending over 350 emails threatening to commit a mass shooting at an elementary school. His case was initially dismissed as the threats weren’t targeting a specific person. Prosecutors later named the principal as the victim.

SB 19 was signed by Governor Gavin Newsom on Oct. 11, 2025. Newsom stated he is “proud to give prosecutors the tools necessary so they can stop violence before it starts” and that “California families deserve to feel safe when they drop their kids off at school, go to a doctor’s appointment or practice their religion.”

The bill faced criticism from opposition. According to The Observer, the Black Parallel School Board

shared their concern that SB 19 could be wielded as a weapon to criminalize marginalized students rather than providing a protection. They argued that “factors such as explicit and implicit bias unfairly influence how teachers and administrators interpret student behavior, resulting in disproportionate adverse effects on Black, brown and disabled students.”

According to a report by American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California, presence of law enforcement in schools have shown a disproportionately heightened rate of arrest and referrals for students with color and disabilities as “Black students are three times more likely to be referred to law enforcement compared to white students.” Opponents of SB 19 believe that the bill H will be used to widen the school-to-prison pipeline.■

Gov. Newsom delivers his final State of Address LACKS COMMENT ON CALIFORNIA’S $18B BUDGET DEFICIT.

MARIBEL HERNANDEZ Staff Writer

On Jan. 8, 2025, California’s Governor Gavin Newsom delivered his final State of Address, where he labeled California as being a leading state in manufacturing, agriculture, education and technology.

In his speech, he reported a 9% drop in the state’s unsheltered homeless people, a contrast to the 18.1% increase in homelessness seen nationwide, to which Newsom proclaimed these statistics are evidence that “our investments are paying off.”

Newsom highlighted California’s advancements in health care, including efforts to make insulin more affordable by pricing each dose at the low-cost of $11, raising the minimum wage for health care workers to $25 an hour and lowering the uninsured rate to a mere 6.4%, which is reportedly “one of the lowest in the nation.”

Among his noted achievements is his expansion of California’s Universal Prekindergarten initiative, which provides all four-year-old students with the opportunity to attend preschool, an educational opportunity that has proven to result in alumni being “12 percent less likely to live in poverty as adults and 29 percent less likely to receive public assistance.”

Notably, Newsom also utilized his speech as an opportunity to express his discontent with the federal government’s overreach

seen throughout President Donald Trump’s second term. He states, “The federal government is unrecognizable, protecting the powerful, at the expense of the vulnerable. Their credo is fear — fear of the future, fear of the stranger, fear of change.” Here, Newsom

released California’s Fiscal Outlook for 2026-2027 and estimated an “almost $18 billion budget problem,” and is encouraging “achievable spending reductions and/or revenue increase.” LAO theorizes that this is “being driven by enthusiasm around AI, which has

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references the intense immigration raids going on nationwide, as well as the Trump administration’s.

He continues by emphasizing that California is not “hunkering down” and is instead a “policy blueprint for others to follow.”

Despite the reported progress, the Legislative Analyst’s Office (LAO)

pushed the stock market to record highs and boosted compensation among the state’s tech workers.”

While Newsom did not address how this deficit would impact the state, he did report that the state received “revenues that are $42.3 billion higher than forecasted last year” to which he attributes as being

a result of the increasing population and economy. This figure was later clarified as being allocated for a three-year-period.

While Democratic lawmakers remain “cautiously optimistic” regarding Newsom’s budget, progressives report they plan on continuing their push for “new taxes to backfill expected federal health care cuts.” This would include Assemblymember Jasmeet Bains remaining with questions regarding Newsom’s plan to address health care disparities, and she emphasized that there are “a lot of questions that need to be answered.”

Newsom has previously expressed his interest in running as a presidential candidate once Trump’s presidential term expires in 2029, and his speech shines his leadership as governor in an effective and positive light, setting the stage for his future campaign.

In all, Newsom’s speech highlighted the progressive advancements the state of California has achieved while under his leadership, but did not mention the $18 billion dollar deficit the state is experiencing as a reported increased investment in Artificial Intelligence, which resulted in the stock market increasing to “record highs” and which in turn led to increased compensation for ■H California’s tech employees.

NEWS

highlandernews.org/category/news

TUESDAY, JANUARY 20, 2026

7

What’s happening in Minnesota

MINNESOTA ATTORNEY GENERAL KEITH ELLISON SUES THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY. ANGELICA BRIANNA ACOSTA Assistant News Editor

On Jan. 12, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison filed a lawsuit against the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for their alleged use of excessive force and dangerous tactics when conducting arrest.

In the lawsuit, he claimed that the organization has “conducted militarized raids” and carried out “dangerous, illegal and unconstitutional stops and arrests” in the Twin Cities.

Ellison alleges that while they operate “under the guise of lawful immigration enforcement,” DHS agents have used “excessive force” and are “spreading terror” to those in the area.

The lawsuit came after the people of Minnesota hosted large protests in response to the heightened presence of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, whose tactics the public often perceived as violent. These protests were further fueled by the fatal shooting of Renee Good, a Minnesota-born woman who was killed by an ICE agent in her car on Jan. 7 in Minneapolis.

Following Good’s death, U.S. Secretary

of Homeland Security Kristi Noem claimed that the agent acted in selfdefense, alleging that Good attempted to run over the agent with her vehicle —an act Noem described as “domestic terrorism.”

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey responded to Noem’s claims stating, “they are already trying to spin this as an action of self defense — having seen the video myself, I want to tell everybody directly that is bulls–t.” Frey proceeded to tell ICE officials to “Get the f— out of Minneapolis.”

Minnesota has seen a heightened presence of ICE agents since late December 2025. DHS attributes this heavy presence to a government operation called Operation Metro Surge. Since the beginning of the operation, approximately 2,000 ICE agents have been deployed to Minnesota.

DHS claimed in a statement, “During Operation Metro Surge in Minnesota, ICE has arrested more than 400 illegal aliens including pedophiles, rapists, and violent thugs.”

Some Minnesota locals have taken to the streets

to make clear that they do not welcome ICE in the state, with protesters using the slogan “ICE out!” and throwing snowballs at ICE vehicles. Students at Roosevelt High also expressed their views on ICE by staging a walkout in response to an incident that occurred the same day Good was killed, when federal agents entered school property during dismissal, tackled people and allegedly used chemical weapons against students and faculty.

The Minnesota public again questioned ICE’s usage of chemical weapons after an incident on Jan. 14, when Destiny Jackson and

her family got caught in the middle of a protest on their way home. Jackson claimed that they were blocked by protestors and federal agents and were unable to safely move out of the situation. When her husband tried to back the vehicle, she instructed him not to because she was afraid of accidentally hitting one of the agents.

Jackson said in an interview, “We’ve seen what happened to Renee (Good).” A tear gas canister was thrown by an agent and ended up under Jackson’s car, forcing her family of six out. Jackson’s sixmonth-old baby was the last to be removed from the

car. Jackson stated that the baby was not breathing and she had to perform mouthto-mouth. The 6-monthold survived the incident and was treated by first responders.

DHS, in a now deleted post referencing the situation, stated, “It is horrific to see radical agitators bring children to their violent riots. PLEASE STOP ENDANGERING YOUR CHILDREN.” DHS assistant secretary Tricia McLaughlin stated the post was taken down because “the people were victims of the rioters but didn’t bring ■H their kids to the riot.”

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SoCal Edison causes turmoil for Eaton fire victims and lack of compensation

EDUCATORS AND TEACHERS ACROSS THE STATE WORRY ABOUT THREATS TO ACADEMIC FREEDOM. ALEXANDER HUERTA Contributing Writer

In 2025, the city of Los Angeles was struck with a devastating wildfire sprouting from the Eaton Canyon.

Reconstruction has gone underway for two months, where the California community offers their aid in recovering, compensation and further rebuilding what had been lost.

Featured on the KTLA 5 news network, the CEO of Edison International Pedro Pizarro was interviewed for the ongoing investigation of the Eaton fire.

Pizarro claimed “probable cause”

for the lack of evidence up until recent events where video footage showcases faulty power lines igniting the flames.

SoCal Edison Electric company powered down the distribution and transition lines within the area.

This led to the failure of preventing the fire due to high winds of 63 miles per hour. Pizarro led to the conclusion that the equipment from Edison indeed started the fire, but did not understand how their equipment could have failed in the first place.

After being sued by the United States Government in September, prosecutors have looked into the investigation of the cause of the Eaton fire. Where it was uncovered that an old transition tower was reactivated through a process called “induction” where the power line was not up to standard, due to cost and gave out. The Edison company is facing more lawsuits from the people of California, as many wildfire victims have not been compensated, 82 out of 1800 from the recovery programs provided by

Edison.

CBS LA reports that people would have to agree not to sue the company in order to receive aid from their victim compensation program. Many victims of the Eaton fire have not agreed to their compensation in pursuit of taking legal action against the company.

The Edison company has declined to answer questions and resolved limitations by dismissing cases to avoid any further legal action. ■H

8 TUESDAY, JANUARY 20, 2026

OPINIONS

highlandernews.org/category/opinions

Opinions OP-ED CAL PLETT (THEY/THEM) IS A CURRENT FOURTH-YEAR PH.D CANDIDATE IN THE MUSIC DEPARTMENT AT UCR, FOCUSING ON ETHNOMUSICOLOGY. THEY ARE PASSIONATE ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH IN UNIVERSITY SETTINGS, AND HAVE SPENT BOTH UNDERGRAD AND GRADUATE SCHOOL ADVOCATING FOR BETTER MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES FOR STUDENTS, FACULTY AND STAFF ALIKE.

ALONDRA ORDAZ / THE HIGHLANDER

Counseling and Psychological Services at UCR left students without answers THE UCR COUNSELING AND PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES ARE MAKING DECISIONS BEHIND CLOSED DOORS THAT NOT ONLY IMPACT THEIR STAFF BUT THE PATIENTS WHO USE THEIR SERVICES. CAL PLETT

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ore than 2,000 students utilize the Counseling and Psychological Services program (CAPS) according to the most recent data provided by the University of California, Riverside (UCR), totaling over 11,000 appointments made in the 2019-2020 academic year. Since 2020, it is likely these numbers have only increased.

I myself have used the CAPS services for over three years and would argue that the center has deeply impacted my success at UCR. Specifically, I am indebted to my previous counselor, Dr. Heather Johnson, for her dedication as a medical provider.

But given my recent experience with underhanded professional practices and concerning deceptiveness from the center’s leadership, I do not plan to return.

Johnson, as explained in an article published by The Highlander in Nov. 2025, was placed on administrative leave by the board after seven years working for the program. The article expands on the alleged misconduct and the subsequent clearing of accusations against Johnson. Despite all of this, she remains on leave.

I write here as a former patient of Johnson to make UCR students and administration aware of the negative effect their decision to place Johnson on administrative leave, without any explanation to her patients, has had.

I was notified of Johnson’s absence in early Sep. 2025 at the beginning of the fall quarter. Having met with her over the summer and into the fall, I had created a mental health plan with Johnson and relied on her for my psychological care and support. Less than a week after our last visit, I was informed that she was no longer working at the department and that nothing more could be said.

The destabilizing effect of losing my weekly counseling and the disregard by CAPS leadership for how impactful this decision was blindsided me.

Rather than the truth, I received an insouciant email to “reschedule with someone new” as if this was not majorly impactful news. I experienced justifiable confusion about the reason for her absence. When calling repeatedly for the next couple of weeks to inquire about Johnson, I was met with the repeated

answer, “We don’t know anything, we can’t tell you if she’ll return. Can we reschedule your next appointment with a new counselor?”

I was not provided any contact information for Johnson and was not allowed to reach out to her. I had spent over two years working with her and was left with no answers, no genuine support and no real accountability from the center, despite the distressing nature of this situation.

While the center was dedicated to providing me with a new counselor, it felt like the proverbial band-aid on a bullet wound. The situation seemed intentionally opaque in a way that left more questions than answers.

Occurring behind the scenes, the CAPS board of directors decided to place Johnson on administrative leave in early Sep. 2025 and chose to file against Johnson’s license for what she believes to be retaliation against her union activity. They gave no answers about her absence, not even describing to her patients the nature of her leave and refused to offer any further information. This led to false claims about Johnson’s absence, with some clients believing that Johnson may have had an emergency, serious injury or major event that caused her abrupt absence.

The information above was never told to me as a previous client of Johnson. I did not learn of the situation from the UCR administration or the CAPS board members, but instead from the article in The Highlander. The intentional equivocation of the board’s decision allowed for their actions to go unquestioned. I believe CAPS’s leadership and handling of the situation was negligent.

The process of forced termination of therapy can evoke major emotions for both the therapist and patient. A provider is expected to take steps during the remaining counseling sessions before terminating the relationship for the well-being of their client.

Planning for the termination of services, discussing complex emotions and identifying necessary future steps are integral for the safest and healthiest termination of services.

According to research published in the American Psychological Association, a consensus is clear.

During forced termination, the therapist must do their best to help patients attain closure. This is

especially true in university and college settings, where treatment has a standard and fixed timeline.

Psychologists have fiduciary status and can exert undue influence over a patient, making it integral that they act in the best interest of their patient.

It’s clear that leaders who are responsible for administrative decisions have just as much influence and responsibility for the well-being of their therapists and patients as those working individually with a given patient.

It is also arguably undisputed that ethical termination is a capstone of therapeutic treatment.

The response, or lack thereof, to Johnson’s leave is objectionable at best and professionally incompetent at worst. This is especially worrisome due to the CAPS board — in particular, Director Elizabeth Mondragon and Associate Director Loretta Mead — all holding graduate degrees and licenses in psychology.

I believe this woefully irresponsible decision and nonexistent response to the attempted suspension of Johnson’s license calls into question the CAPS board’s behavior in prioritizing the health and safety of students. Forced termination can evoke similar psychological responses as those of the grief process.

Therefore, the decision to terminate Johnson would likely have students already seeking care in an even more difficult and precarious mental position. This decision necessitated preparation to cope with the therapy termination process for her patients, instead of an attempt to “mend” their experience afterward.

I remain concerned about the ongoing leadership decisions by CAPS board members. I implore CAPS leadership to acknowledge their mistake and immediately reinstate Johnson as a counselor at CAPS. Finally, I extend a gesture of care towards her prior — optimistically, current — patient list. Johnson’s patients deserve answers for the quality and stability of their care. These students at UCR deserve to begin their treatment again with their chosen counselor. ■H Op-Eds are not edited by The Highlander, excluding those related to grammatical errors and AP requirements. Op-Eds do not reflect the opinion of the Editorial Board and are not written by Highlander contracted writers.

highlandernews.org/category/opinions

OPINIONS

TUESDAY, JANUARY 20, 2026

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2026 better be the death of nonchalant culture HOBBIES AND PASSIONS EASE THE DAILY PAINS OF BEING ALIVE. APARNA GANDE Contributing Writer

There are many things we won’t be taking into 2026: high-rise jeans, toxic partners, procrastination and electric scooters. However, one thing we will absolutely be leaving behind in 2025 is the era of nonchalantness. From dating and networking to impressing new people, we seem to have this mentality that mystique takes us further than personality. If I have to go on one more coffee meet-up where we’re both in a competition of who can say the least about themselves, I’ll lose it.

Maybe it’s the rise of perfectly curated social media that fosters a certain level of insecurity, but it seems like everyone is in competition with each other. Spend time watching entertainment, listening to music or exploring niche historical subjects. The act of deriving enjoyment is a part of the human experience. If I derive enjoyment from something, I shouldn’t have to apologize just because of an arbitrary consensus to be nonchalant.

It’s easy to fall into this pattern of depending on what’s popular or trending to help you develop opinions about what to watch or how to feel, but at the end of the day, if you’re not forming those opinions yourself, you aren’t partaking in the human experience. Don’t be the person on the coffee date saying, “Yeah, I guess I don’t really have any hobbies!”

During the COVID-19 pandemic, cringe culture flourished amid widespread uncertainty and fear, as people were thrust into unprecedented circumstances.

We were in a limbo of never-ending Zoom calls and had bad news flowing in almost daily. I can appreciate that, though we had to develop a level of desensitization and apathy, we still took time to be human together. People picked up old hobbies they’d dropped years ago like baking, writing, crafting and creating a distinct culture that, in hindsight, could feel awkward reflecting back.

However, I’d argue that though this emergence of uber-cringe culture wasn’t all as flowery and glamorous, it was still

pretty fun to be a part of. We had to create pockets of joy because we were thrust into a heightened level of an already globalized form of the internet. There were no rules or handlebars; people liked it when you were weird and authentic and had specific niches that you could explore.

A rare example of a weird niche that gets rewarded is LaKenzie, a content creator otherwise known as Dandelion Crayon Girl. She created a fanbase dedicated to the discontinued Crayola dandelion color and now collects and crafts different things in order to preserve her love for the color. While some may view this as “cringey” or a meaningless pursuit, it’s precisely these weird niches that define who we are. People like LaKenzie have made such an impression in and outside of her fanbase by being exactly as weird as they are, not by trying to be palatable for the masses. No one was ever remembered for taking up as little space as possible in an effort to be convenient.

To be clear, I’m not arguing for a return to 2020-2021 pandemic culture.

Obviously, some things are better left in the past. However, the 2020s have tried to overcorrect this a little too hard and there are things we can learn from the past.

In a digital age of fast trends and popular culture, it can be daunting to understand who you are as a person and where your passions lie. Doomscrolling has claimed an untold number of victims.

Finding simple pleasures in the ordinary is essential to our existence as humans.

The Dead Poets Society once said, “We don’t read and write poetry because it’s cute. We read and write poetry because we are members of the human race.”

In 2026, we will have hobbies. We will be crafting, reading, planting, going to the gym, listening to music, baking, watching weird movies and singing to Hamilton without an annoying voice in ■ our head saying, “This is cringe!”

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The scooter epidemic and how to fight back DODGING SCOOTERS AT FULL SPEED WHILE TRYING TO MAKE IT TO CLASS ALIVE. NAYSHA AGARWAL Staff Writer

By now, every Highlander knows about the signs of the growing scooter epidemic at the University of California, Riverside (UCR). A faint whirring sound.

A sudden gust of wind. Then boom! You narrowly escape becoming a campus cautionary tale on the path to the Highlander Union Building (HUB) as a scooter zooms by at approximately the sound of light.

Scooters have officially become the campus apex predator. They lurk near crowded walkways, hunt in packs between classes and show absolutely no fear when approaching crosswalks.

Eye contact is avoided. Accountability from e-scooter riders? Even rarer. One student learned this the hard way. Habit meal in hand, the student was struck by an e-bike while crossing Canyon Crest. A casualty of a “walk” proving once and for all that a walk signal is merely a suggestion and dinner is never truly safe.

All they wanted was a peaceful dinner and yet dinner was lost, dignity was shaken and Canyon Crest claimed another victim.

Students report symptoms ranging from mild annoyance to full blown survival instincts. “I just wanted coffee,” said a second-year student, still shaken after the near collision outside Rivera Library. “Instead, I had to leap into a bush.”

Experts suggest several solutions, like designated scooter lanes, mandatory bells on scooters or even issuing the tiny pedestrian flags to wave when crossing high-risk zones. Others propose a campuswide truce — walkers on one side, scooters on the other, vibes intact.

Of course, even when rules do exist, like the policy where scooters and bikes are not allowed outside the HUB, many riders simply choose to ignore them and continue to whizz away, treating posted signs less like rules and more like gentle suggestions.

Until then, Highlanders are advised to stay alert, walk defensively and remember that the real obstacle isn’t midterms, it’s making it to class in one piece. ■H

OPINIONS

10 TUESDAY, JANUARY 20, 2026

highlandernews.org/category/opinions

UCR’s range of major programs needs to expand STUDENTS DESERVE MORE CHOICES. HENYA DADEM, RUBAITA IQBAL Marketing Intern, Assistant Opinions Editor

The University of California, Riverside (UCR) offers a range of majors and programs, but the selection is limited compared to other UC schools. Humanities programs are narrow. Engineering majors are limited.

Students who want specialized options have fewer choices. The university has grown quickly, but resources have not kept pace.

Classrooms, labs and administrative support are stretched thin.

Even with these constraints, UCR accepted 87.1% of applicants for fall 2025.

The large incoming class puts extra pressure on the campus and its resources.

The College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (CHASS) should expand.

History, literature and languages have potential for growth. For example, UC Berkeley offers over 50 language programs and more than a dozen specialized history tracks. UCR offers fewer than 20 language options and limited history concentrations.

Expanding these areas would give students the ability to explore multiple interests and prepare for careers in teaching, research or international work.

UCR is the first UC to offer a public policy program, but it is still less developed than UCLA’s. At UCR, students still face fewer courses, fewer faculty and fewer

VASH CHEN / THE HIGHLANDER

opportunities to focus on specific areas.

UCR does not have a law school despite being the first UC campus to offer a public policy major. This gap matters at the state level. Three of the four public law schools in California are located in Northern California at UC Berkeley, UC Davis and UC Hastings in San Francisco. Only two, UCLA School of Law and UC Irvine School of Law, are located in Southern California, where about 60% of the state’s population lives.

Expanding legal education at UCR would help address this imbalance and better serve students in the region.

Engineering-based majors are consistently among the most in-demand fields of study, yet just 28 undergraduate majors offered at UCR fall under either Bourns College of Engineering (BCOE) or the College of Natural and Agricultural Sciences (CNAS).

In comparison, UC Berkeley offers over 60 Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) related majors, giving students access to a greater variety of disciplines and academic pathways.

At UCR, fields such as public health, aerospace engineering, sustainable environmental design and other emerging fields are not available at the undergraduate level. This hinders students’ ability to

specialize in these high-demand areas and pursue competitive careers in constantly evolving and growing industries that will play a vital role in supporting California’s future.

The limited scope of STEM programs has its own consequences. Students may be forced to redirect their initial academic path or have to prioritize another university that does offer their specialized major over UCR. Without expanded programs, UCR risks falling behind in equipping students for the current engineering and technology workforce. By investing in new interdisciplinary programs, UCR can offer better options that align with workforce trends and provide students with more opportunities for internships, research and jobs.

UCR has expanded quickly, but the limited programs it offers leaves students with fewer opportunities to specialize and prepare for the modern, ever-evolving workforce. Expanding the selection of humanities, public policy and STEM majors would allow students to develop the skills and gain the experience they need to succeed and make the university a more diverse ■ institution overall.

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highlandernews.org/category/opinions

OPINIONS

TUESDAY, JANUARY 20, 2026

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UCR’s record-breaking admittance of 8,000 students will strain university resources UCR SCALES UP FASTER THAN EVER, WELCOMING A HISTORIC WAVE OF NEW HIGHLANDERS THIS YEAR.

VASH CHEN / THE HIGHLANDER

SHREYA PATEL Contributing Writer

With over 8,000 incoming freshmen, the University of California, Riverside (UCR) made history and broke its record in annual college acceptances. The fall 2025 cycle saw 76% first-year students and 57% transfer students call themselves Highlanders, raising the admittance rate to 87.1%. This marks a 24% increase in admittance rates from fall 2024, increasing from 6,690 to 8,293 students.

Compared to the other UCs, UCR definitely stands out as a leader in terms of admitting freshmen. UC Santa Cruz accepted 72.9% of their applicants, which accounts for about 6,200 new students walking on campus. Additionally, UC Santa Barbara ranks in third place for the highest admittance rate, with 7,500 new freshmen, accounting for about 38% of accepted students.

According to the UCR Undergraduate Admissions, the record-breaking admissions are due to the growing access to higher education, increased applications from California residents and an influx of new majors to choose from. UCR’s high acceptance rates show that the campus is moderately selective and favored against other highly selective colleges, such as UC Santa Cruz or UC Santa Barbara. If a student has a strong application and a good GPA, they stand a good chance in the application process.

Accepting over 77% of California students — a seven percent increase from last year — UCR will play a huge role in supporting the state’s students, research and future workforce. Additionally, the new majors at UCR

and the brand-new School of Business building are another reason for increased enrollment as new business analytics majors are further supported at UCR. However, the newly joining class at UCR limits resources, especially on-campus housing and transportation. Although the majority are California residents, about 4,600 students reside in the Bay Area and the Central Valley, making the option of commuting impossible.

The housing market around University Village and eastside neighborhoods have been getting “compressed” with rent prices hiking up each year.

The grand opening of North District II also marks the beginning of a trend where freshmen are allowed spaces in expensive campus apartments instead of being limited to residential dorms. The demand for space has outpaced supply for student-friendly apartments and has now become not so “studentfriendly” in terms of rents, even off-campus.

The expected monthly rents in North District II for single rooms range from $1,500 to $1,700, with a variable utilities plan.

As the new freshmen class graduates to their second year and moves off-campus, Riverside will also begin to see limitations rise in transportation services and resources.

The Riverside Transit Agency (RTA) program, which is free for UCR students, will see an increase in passengers for academic and recreational purposes. On the same note, those with cars will see even more competition for available parking spaces.

Apart from lifestyle changes and limita-

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tions, UCR will likely face a challenge in accommodating a large class size. The class registration process may take months and R’Web will become slower and face more technical issues. This not only adds strain to working staff but also to students as they struggle through the tears of not having a class they need to graduate.

With the same amount of space in lecture halls, fitting 8,000 new students — even if divided amongst an infinite number of class offerings — would be difficult as well. Most classes already have a limited number of seats, making the waitlist longer and the stress on students higher. Unfortunately, if worst comes to worst, graduation rates will drop if graduation requirements for students cannot be fulfilled.

Another impact of this is the reduction in student-professor interactions. Even though professors hold office hours, they would be filled with a herd of students trying to make an impression for that letter of recommendation. This connection should be natural, not a competition.

Although UCR’s commitment to expanding access to higher education is admirable, the ratio of students to resources must be considered. Expanding resources will take time, but expanding course offerings, maximizing scheduling and expanding housing infrastructure are essential. This not only allows students to continue learning comfortably, but also provides the support they need ■ at their home away from home.

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FEATURES

12 TUESDAY, JANUARY 20, 2026

highlandernews.org/category/features

Features

Scotty-Scopes:

Blessings are coming your way

Libra (Sept. 23 – Oct. 22): Five of Pentacles Relief follows a period of strain. Support appears once you acknowledge what you need. A difficult phase begins to ease as help becomes accessible.

Capricorn (Dec. 22 – Jan. 19): The Emperor Structure and discipline bring tangible results, allowing your long-term plans to take shape more steadily. Leadership roles provide influence and authority.

Aries (March 21 – April 19): The Chariot Momentum is on your side. Progress comes from confidence and a clear sense of direction. A goal you have been pushing towards is getting closer.

Cancer (June 21 – July 22): The Star Relief follows a difficult stretch. Hope returns quietly. Emotional clarity and healing shape what comes next.

Scorpio (Oct. 23 – Nov. 21): Death An ending clears space for something better. Letting go will lead to renewal, even if it feels uncomfortable at first.

Aquarius (Jan. 20 – Feb. 18): The Fool

THE CARDS HAVE A MESSAGE FOR YOU. RUBAITA IQBAL Assistant Opinions Editor

Sagittarius (Nov. 22 – Dec. 21): Wheel of fortune Change begins to work in your favor, bringing opportunities you might not have anticipated. Timing shifts in your direction and an unexpected twist opens a path.

Pisces (Feb. 19 – March 20): The High Priestress

A fresh start appears, inviting you to take calculated risks and embrace new possibilities. Approaching situations with curiosity allows growth while keeping a sense of adventure in your journey.

Trust your intuition as it guides you through decisions and challenges. Quiet reflection brings insight, revealing answers that may not be immediately visible and showing that not everything requires an explanation.

Taurus (April 20 – May 20): The Empress

Gemini (May 21 – June 20): The Magician

Growth shows through comfort and stability. A creative or personal investment begins to feel rewarding. Expect reassurance.

You have the tools you need. A blessing arrives through communication, problemsolving or a new opportunity you initiate.

Leo (July 23 – Aug. 22): Six of Cups A familiar joy returns. A past connection, memory or passion brings comfort and transparency. Something you loved before finds its way back into your life in a meaningful way.

Virgo (Aug. 23 – Sept. 22): The Hermit Steady progress replaces pressure. A situation improves as patience and careful adjustment bring lasting results.■H

LAYNA LAPIKAS / THE HIGHLANDER

highlandernews.org/category/features

FEATURES

TUESDAY, JANUARY 20, 2026

13

The gears are turning in Tau Bates’ minds MEET TAU BETA PI, THE UCR CHAPTER OF A NATIONWIDE HONORS ENGINEERING SOCIETY. NOLA PERIFEL Assistant Features Editor

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ur university is home to hundreds of clubs, associations and organizations, providing a community for every student coming to the University of California, Riverside (UCR). Tau Beta Pi (TBP) is no exception. As one of UCR’s honors societies, the club welcomes engineering students striving for excellence.

TBP typically meets on Thursdays from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. for meet and greet events, though the club has not established general meetings yet. Tau Beta Pi is a selective and competitive club that invites only the most elite engineering students. Getting an invitation from them is an impressive feat.

The original chapter was founded in 1885, at Lehigh University in Pennsylvania and has since then spread to university campuses all over the United States, reaching UCR in 2004 and becoming the California District 15 chapter. The honors society prides itself on being a professional development club that strives to support students in their career pathways.

As a professional development club, TBP holds many events for their members. As Shubrha Singhal, fourth year bioengineering

major and president of TBP, explained, “The average Tau Beta Pi meeting spans from either professional development or socials.

Most of the time we have a keynote speaker come in, and they’re usually a Tau Beta Pi alum, and they talk about their experience going from undergrad to either grad school or into industry.”

Beyond keynote speaker events, TBP also holds socials and workshops that aim to help members along their career development.

Singhal mentioned a variety of events, such as resumé building workshops, collaborations with the Career Center and volunteering opportunities. In the past, they have held boba socials, fundraisers and other events for members to mingle. For the upcoming quarter, they planned two to three professional development events.

Tau Beta Pi’s goals for this quarter are to make themselves known to the engineering students of UCR. Charle Charlebois, a third year mechanical engineering student and club correspondence secretary, recounted their experience upon joining TBP: “I remember seeing [the] Tau Beta Pi invites. I got the email and thought, ‘Is this a scam?’

Then I looked it up, and it wasn’t, so I decided to join. They were handing out officer positions right there, and I needed leadership experience, so I took it.”

Although TBP is not the only engineering club on campus, it is the only one that welcomes all engineering students, no matter the specific major. Singhal stated, “[TBP combines] all engineering majors. They come from various degrees, various majors and that fosters a sense of community there, because in my experience, an industry cannot work without all different kinds of engineering brain[s]. So when all those majors are in one room, it really fosters a sense of community between engineers, and it brings everyone together.”

Tau Beta Pi, although competitive, is a great place for students to grow in the different engineering fields, foster connections and learn how to succeed in the real world.

On top of being a close-knit community, the club thrives for excellence and exemplary characters, forging open-mindedness in fu■ ture engineers.

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COURTESY OF TAU BETA PSI/

FEATURES

14 TUESDAY, JANUARY 20, 2026

highlandernews.org/category/features

NORM’S NOOK

SPOTLIGHT

The UCR benches NOLA PERIFEL Assistant Features Editor

Scattered everywhere on campus are the University of California, Riverside’s countless benches. Whether you are taking a stroll through campus or hurrying to catch your next class, you are bound to come across at least a couple benches. They come in all shapes and sizes, some being made out of concrete, others being made out of wood. Students might find themselves resting their legs, waiting for friends, joining Zoom calls or finishing up some homework on them as they are usually located in both popular and quiet areas on campus. Don’t underestimate the power of a ■ bench!

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ALONDRA ORDAZ / THE HIGHLANDER

MOVIE NIGHT SNACKS

GRAPHICS BY LAYNA LAPIKAS / THE HIGHLANDER

By: Haley Klein, Staff Writer

ANSWERS

(DON’T PEEK!)

Across 1. Erased 8. “It’s a Wonderful Life” director Frank 13. Actress Dietrich 14. Cheesy chip dish 15. Scoop in a cone 17. Chocolate trees 18. Columbus’s birthplace 19. Arrested 21. Amtrak stop: Abbr.

22. Costa ____ 23. Certain Indian monotheists 24. Shorthand for rebel

25. Biblical suffix 26. Stainless _____ 27. “For _____ sake!”

28. Leaf pore 29. Chinese smartphone brand 30. A movie night musthave 34. Arctic jacket 35. Totally wipe out 36. PC drive insert 37. Motionless 38. Schlep 41. Shawn of the N.B.A. 42. Poker-faced 43. Chef’s creation

44. “___ we there yet?”

45. “To recap ...”

46. “Am not!” retort 47. Phillips 66 brand 49. Twizzlers competitor 51. You might put relish on it 52. Insinuate 53. German steel city 54. Congers Down 1. Asylum seeker 2. “Look at the facts!”

3. Kind of door or

poodle 4. Big name in foil 5. Michael of “Juno” 6. Opposite of WSW 7. “Heavens to Betsy!”

8. James of “The Godfather” 9. Duke’s conf.

10. What follows the initial part of a master plan 11. Soft drink in a float 12. Killer 14. CBS military drama 16. Change one’s route to avoid heavy traffic,

say 20. Stanley Cup org.

23. Baby deliverer 24. Flinch, say 26. Water vapor 27. Student 28. Razor sharpener 29. With passion 30. Symptom of a lumbar strain 31. Fruit of the Loom brand for kids 32. Plagues 33. Post-op prescriptions, often 37. Peter, Paul and

Mary: Abbr.

38. Mortgage holder, e.g.

39. Where to see an eagle clutching an olive branch and arrows 40. Spirits 42. Make out, in Manchester 43. Take the wheel 45. Pic to click 46. Nike competitor 48. Poem of praise 50. Rap’s Dr. ___ ■H

FEATURES

highlandernews.org/category/features

TUESDAY, JANUARY 20, 2026

15

TEST YOURSELF! What type of houseplant are you?

If you were a houseplant, which one would you be?

By: Nola Perifel, Assistant Features Editor 1. Do you consider yourself to be: A. Low maintenance B. A perfectionist C. Laid back 2. Your friends might describe you as: A. Generous and social B. Ambitious and competitive C. Positive and kind 3. In difficult situations demanding quick thinking, you usually: A. Adapt easily and bounce back quickly.

B. Stress first and come up with a solution later.

C. Stay calm and figure out a solution on your own.

answer key ■H SANJANA THATTE / THE HIGHLANDER

SUDOKU

DIFFICULTY: MEDIUM

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If you got “A” more often, you are the Monstera Deliciosa. Like a Monstera Plant, also known as a Swiss Cheese plant, you are strong and adaptable. You have high ambitions, climbing to the top, whenever you have the opportunity. You are social and open to meeting new people and generosity is a word you know well. Monstera leaves at the top of the plant have slits and holes to allow for light to pass through to the bottom leaves. In the same way, you try to help the people around you with a generous and loving spirit.

If you got “B” more often, you are the Fiddle Leaf Fig. Like the Fiddle Leaf Fig plant, you are high maintenance, always wanting things a specific way. You might be demanding of the people around you, but that is because you strive for excellence in every domain that interests you. Everything is a competition in your eyes, but that’s what helps you grow. You know how to set boundaries and if someone crosses them, you will let it be known. You don’t like change and surprises are not your thing because you love to plan ahead.

If you got “C” more often, you are the Devil’s Ivy. Like a Devil’s Ivy, you are probably the most laid-back person ever. You don’t need much to be satisfied with life and being chill is the thing you’re best at. You are independent and resourceful and “resilience” is your middle name. You have a lot of empathy and feel the people around you deeply. You cleanse the environment of negativity every time you step into a room. You like to help people and you are a kind soul. Like the Devil’s Ivy, you convert negative energy into ■H positive energy everywhere you go.

16 TUESDAY, JANUARY 20, 2026

FEATURES

highlandernews.org/category/features

It’s Only Week 2: A Rant WHY DOES THIS YEAR ALREADY FEEL SO HARD?

COURTESY OF ANDREA PIACQUADIO VIA PEXELS SANJANA THATTE Features Editor

The beginning of each year rarely starts out easy for anyone.

Some find themselves thrown into the hustle and bustle of the new year with no time to adjust from the holidays and others hit the ground running with their new years resolutions and goals. For me, this new year hasn’t felt like a fresh start as much as it feels like a thousand missed snoozes that have you scrambling to get out of bed to make it to class on time. From the very beginning, 2026 has been nothing but a headache and it feels like it’s going around.

I myself started off the New Year thinking that school started a day late. I spent much of my Winter Break thinking that I would have a joyous extra day to pack my bags, do my laundry and maybe even check Canvas and get ahead on reading. Instead my last days of Winter Break were spent in an anxiety filled haze as I found out that I did not qualify for one of the classes that I was enrolled in and that I had one less day to pack.

I arrived in Riverside a disheveled mess, having to enroll

in a class the night before and scramble to catch my train at five in the morning. After a bumpy first couple of days of classes with a quiz I forgot I had to take and several missed readings I hit the weekend thinking, “Ok, this week wasn’t it. But tomorrow’s another day right?”

Oh how I was wrong. The next week I scrambled as much as the first with the added strain of existential dread. Between opening up the news to find fresh horrors everyday, to the impending doom of the job market, to my own personal failings I found myself asking a question that I haven’t asked myself in a very long time.

What is the point?

It’s been awhile since I’ve felt such a crushing sense of hopelessness and despair. I certainly did not expect to feel it this early in the year, but nevertheless the feeling has been lingering on every action and step I take since this year has begun. I am no stranger to fear and anxiety but like a lot of people the initial stressors of the year, and frankly

the world have been getting to me.

Which begs the very important question — how can we all have hope that our year will turn out better than we started it? Or moreover, how can we have hope in general? The world is a fairly messed up place and somehow someway we have to find a way through it all.

I propose three solutions — giving yourself time, being with people who lift you up and taking baby steps towards progress.

Let’s start with number one — giving yourself time. Regardless of who you are, we live in a pretty difficult time. We are constantly bombarded with information and distractions, making it easy to spiral out of control. If you need to grieve, grieve. If you need to scream, scream. Bottling up these feelings will only cause them to build and fester. Just remember to take a pause. Go outside for a walk and grab some boba after that well deserved meltdown. The world is still spinning and you are still a part of it.

Next — spend time with people

who lift you up. Your loved ones may not be able to lift the weight that you are feeling entirely, but their support may be what you need to find the courage to try.

Tell them how you feel and lean on them for support. Their advice, comfort and energy is sure to fuel you towards action. Togetherness is a surefire way to defeat despair, lean into that.

And finally, make small steps towards change. Everyone has their own path to figuring out their future, the key is to just keep moving forward. So whether it’s dropping off your resumé at a prospective employer’s door or finding the bravery to step into office hours for the first time, find a “first step” that makes sense for you.

So there it is. An existential dilemma and a potential solution.

If this year has been treating you anything like it’s been treating me I hope this advice is helpful and uplifting, but even if it isn’t I hope that you find some solace in that we are all rooting for you and we ■H all know you’ve got this.

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FEATURES

TUESDAY, JANUARY 20, 2026

Dear Bow

Grand opening of Farmhouse Collective’s farmers market

NAYSHA AGARWAL Contributing Writer

A letter to the small things we cling on to in times of despair.

A FUN NEW ADDITION TO THE BELOVED FARMHOUSE COLLECTIVE. MALINI JOSEPH Contributing Writer

The city of Riverside slowly blinks awake as college students return to the University of California, Riverside (UCR) for their winter quarter. As classes begin and homework starts to pile up, students become restless and their desire to escape the confines of classrooms grows stronger.

On Jan. 9, Farmhouse Collective brought one such escape. On this day, an auspicious warmth was felt, heralding the grand opening of the Farmhouse Collective’s farmers market.

The Farmhouse Collective’s proximity to campus makes it a prime, accessible location for UCR students.

Having attended both this and the downtown Riverside farmers market, I can confidently say that this market will delight students just as much, if not more, than the market downtown.

This market offers products from familiar vendors such as Palo Alto’s Honey, Old Town Baking Company and Tea Rose House. However, I noticed some food trucks I had never seen before, such as Crepes Tree, a sweet and savory crepe truck and Deliziosas Pupusas. As I kept exploring, I also spotted Jessie and Sky, a stall that sold gorgeous waterproof jewelry and hair accessories.

The highly anticipated grand opening was made possible due to the hard work, dedication and collaboration between Local Hope, Oscar G. De León

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Dear Bow, You’re the first thing I reach for when I start to come undone. and the Bailey Family. and local arts. Not to menBefore the tears, before the silence – Local Hope is a nonprofit tion that we try to make it before I even understand that has been lending aid affordable for low-income what I’ve done wrong this time. in Guatemala for 33 years. families... That’s what exCEO Leslie Baer Dinkel cites me the most, because I I tie you slowly, explained that the organi- work for the vendors. I work as if the motion itself could steady me. zation offers “very high for the farmers, the food I pull the loops tight, quality, free medical care vendors and the arts and to those who can’t afford crafters. My job is to make and for a moment, it, access to education, and sure that they make a living, it feels like I’ve built something beautiful [provides] wrap-around so- and it makes me happy that out of the wreck. cial services.” A percentage they have another successYou sit there, soft and certain, of the sales from the farm- ful location to go to.” ers market will go towards The Farmhouse Collecwhen everything else in me shakes. supporting Local Hope, tive farmers market ultiPeople see you and smile. however, if you would like mately aims to bring back They say, you look so sweet, to support Local Hope, Din- human connection. “I love and I want to tell them – kel encourages students to community gathering placreach out and inquire about es, and I think that we’ve you are the only reason I can walk outside. volunteering. lost community gathering You hide the parts I can’t explain, Creative director and co- places because of the way the panic, the noise, founder of Farmhouse, Ky- that we now buy things over ler Bailey, noted that this the internet, and a lot of our the way my chest forgets how to breathe market was “a core part of brick and mortar places when I think too hard about who I am. the vision, and we wanted have gone away. We’re huYou make me look composed, to launch it as soon as we man beings. We need comeven when I’m begging, inside, opened.” From there, the munity, and we’re healthier Bailey Family reached out and happier when we have for the world to slow down. to Dinkel and Local Hope community. [We] can come I wear you when I ruin things – who were eager to join here and buy nutritious, lowhen my words come out wrong, forces. “We were all on the cally grown foods [...] and when I disappoint someone again, same page about building have community time with strong communities,” Din- each other,” Dinkel insisted. when I feel like the smallest person in the room. kel expressed. “We started Bailey urges us to come You don’t judge me. working together [and] and experience the sense You just wait, brought Oscar De León of community ourselves, [who] is certainly the finest as he stated: “I would love patient as a prayer, [farmers] market manager UCR students to just visit until my shaking stops. in the Inland Empire.” the market. To make it part But sometimes, Bow, Oscar De León has been of their weekly routine, to I wonder if you know what you’re covering. organizing farmers mar- bring back some fresh and kets in Riverside and San good quality products.”

If you can feel the ache pressed beneath your Bernardino counties for 30 Whenever you have time knot. years, and his passion for and want to escape the dread You’re made to be pretty – these events is stronger than that accompanies classes and I’ve been trying so hard to be the same. ever. De León mentioned, and homework, the Farm“Every market is a great house Collective farmers In a world that never noticed I was breaking. project in any community market will be waiting for You are my disguise, because it supports local you every Friday from 10 my apology, farmers, entrepreneurship a.m to 3 p.m, rain or shine. ■ my fragile kind of hope.

And though you were never meant to carry all this – you do.

Every single time.

So thank you, Bow, for making my hurt look harmless, for giving me something gentle to touch when I don’t feel gentle at all.

You don’t fix me, but you help me stay.

Love, me ■ ALONDRA ORDAZ / THE HIGHLANDER

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COMICS

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Harpy, Charile, & Ordgul By: Joshua Pena

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The Simple Life By: Hattrik

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Cloud Conversations: Post Rain Pt. 2 By: Chloe-Jane Cuevas

The World is Your Oyster By: Sara Ortiz Delgadillo

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RADAR

TUESDAY, JANUARY 20, 2026

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Radar “And Your Theory Is…What, Exactly?”

THE DUFFER BROTHERS FINALLY RELEASED THE FINALE OF THEIR BIGGEST SHOW–AND IT WAS LIKE WATCHING THE TITANIC HIT THE ICEBERG. APARNA GANDE Contributing Writer

**Contains Spoilers**

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etflix released the fifth and final season of cult phenomenon, Stranger Things, during the holiday season.

Fans have waited for its conclusion since 2022. Produced by the Duffer Brothers, the show began its season 5 promo earlier last year in April.

This included vintage posters of all nine episodes of season one, a theatrical release of the final episode to encourage more viewers, press tours and a fictional radio broadcast called WSQK that fans could listen and follow along with that included songs from the 80’s and hints about the show.

“Stranger Things” personifies the “Big Bads” of the 80’s – such as the AIDs epidemic, government conspiracy and cover-ups, Reaganera politics and culture, and Satanic Panic.

Season 5 starts off with the main heroes in the midst of an 18-month quarantine in Hawkins, Indiana. The U.S. military uses this quarantine to cover up the existence of the Upside Down — a dark dimension living in the underbelly of Hawkins. The general public is still unaware of its existence, while the heroes need to fend off the U.S. Army while simultaneously trying to stop Vecna, an evil wizard responsible for the dark happenings of Hawkins.

However, the newest season has faced mountains of criticism, most

of it well-deserved. Because of the marketing and promotion that accompanied this highly anticipated conclusion, many expected larger roles for the show’s main characters like Joyce Byers, Chief Hopper and Mike Wheeler – characters who commanded earlier plots but have since been sidelined in newer seasons. It’s impossible not to notice the downgrade in writing and dialogue and failed attempt at recapturing the magic of “Stranger Things.”

From plot lines that lead nowhere to continuity errors, this season left much to be desired. Though volume 1 ended with an explosive cliffhanger resulting in one of the highest-rated episodes of the show, the rest of the season went significantly downhill. For those who’ve been following along during the release, the vibes following volume 2 were much different than the ones that followed volume 1.

With the deterioration of its writing also comes an unsettling emergence of telling instead of showing its audience. Dustin’s charming monologue in season 2, where he explains what the Mind Flayer is to Chief Hopper was funny eight years ago, but fans are tired of getting copious amounts of expositional word-vomit instead of clever storytelling.

Amidst supernatural horrors, the central theme of “Stranger Things” has always been about love, friend-

ship, and providing a safe space for outcasts. “Stranger Things” makes it a point that the heroes win by unapologetically being themselves– nerds, geeks, freaks, queers, and all.

The characters stick together and win with art, physics and “D&D” campaign strategies.

The highlights of season 5 surrounded these themes. Dustin and Steve’s growing tension, followed by a resolution that outlined Dustin’s fears about losing another friend felt emotional and heartbreaking. His graduation walk honoring Eddie Munson was tender and meaningful.

Though many fans were displeased about it, Nancy and Jonathan’s breakup scene was crushingly realistic – two people who deeply love and care for each other coming to the realization that they weren’t happy and their lives were drifting away from each other.

Will Byer’s character resolution was a coming out scene to the whole Hawkins crew, but a majority of the characters felt out of place in a conversation with a queer boy from the 80’s. The conversation itself should have been handled with more intimacy and vulnerability.

Jenny Nichelson once said, “I think one of the worst things a franchise ending can do is make you feel kind of stupid and embarrassed for being so excited about it in the first place,” which perfectly encapsules how many felt after the credits

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rolled.

David Harbour, who plays Chief Hopper, gave a speech at the 23rd Annual SAG Awards that still holds weight today. “This award from you is a call to arms from our fellow craftsmen and women through our art to battle against fear, selfcenteredness, and exclusivity… through our craft to cultivate a more empathetic and understanding society……We 1983 Midwesterners will repel bullies. We will shelter freaks and outcasts, those who have no home. We will get past the lies. We will hunt monsters. And… we will, as per Chief Jim Hopper, punch some people in the face when they seek to destroy the weak, the disenfranchised, and the marginalized.”

In his speech, Harbour encapsulates the core message and impact this show holds for the aforementioned disenfranchised and marginalized groups.

Verdict: Even if this dialogue in season 5 feels bloated, the main theme of the show of friendship, standing up for each other and providing a safe space for outsiders stays constant.

Whether the finale turned out to be a “masterpiece” or a “disappointment,” Stranger Things surely de■H fined an era for entertainment.

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COURTESY OF NETFLIX

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RADAR

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‘People We Meet On Vacation’ spreads love from all around the world THE FILM HEARTWARMINGLY COMMUNICATES THAT IT’S NOT WHERE ONE GOES, IT’S WHO THEY’RE MEANT TO GO WITH.

COURTESY OF NETFLIX SHREYA PATEL Contributing Writer

**Contains Spoilers** This movie is the perfect example of the phenomenon when one is so focused in a movie they start getting main character vibes. Directed

by Brett Haley, “People We Meet on Vacation” is a romantic comedy film released on Netflix on Jan. 9, based on Emily Henry’s novel of the same name. With Tom Blyth playing as Alex and Emily Bader playing Poppy, the movie rocks with the cutest on-stage chemistry for this book adaptation.

The story revolves around Poppy Wright and Alex Nilsen, two best friends who take a week-long vacation together every single summer, for a whole decade and two years.

Despite being opposites — one a restless travel writer while the other a shy homebody — they share a deep connection, and their friendship is put to the test when they begin to question whether they could be more than just friends. Through these yearly vacations, the movie explores friendship into romance, personal growth through vulnerability, the meaning of “home” and finding joy in little moments.

The personalities one grows during vacations, knowing that the cities visited might not even remem-

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ber them tomorrow, is an interesting phenomenon to explore. And this is seen through Alex, especially in that bar dance scene. The most trendy clip on social media would be of the professional dance moves Alex brings when Poppy invites him to the dance floor with “Forever Your Girl” as their jam.

This scene connects the dots back to the first introduction scene of the main characters and their first ever road trip together to Lanfield, Ohio.

This scene also marks another critical point in the movie - the first time strong, intimidating emotions are seen in the eyes of both Alex and Poppy. Could this be love?

Even though this couple claims to be “just friends,” the world they explore witnesses otherwise.

On their Tuscany trip, one thing is made clear: Alex and Poppy are definitely not “just friends.” This is the night where their vulnerability tests their friendship status, where the scene is so slow that one might feel like “this is it– this is where they confess.” And that won’t be wrong…or right.

But the next morning, as a typical revenge action, viewers are shocked with the news that Alex is now engaged — but not to Poppy — to Sarah, his longtime girlfriend.

But the way that Alex looks at Pop-

py still hasn’t changed in a way that one looks at another when they’re the only thing they want to see and focus on.

Scenes change to present time, where Alex and Poppy are attending a wedding together. Watching the movie, viewers realize one thing for sure: the directors have put in a lot of work to make the feelings really pop out of the characters and into the audience. Viewers can feel the heartbeat rise in each scene Alex and Poppy make eye contact, calling her beautiful and smiling like he is mesmerized by her. They find out confessing their true feelings and confronting fears and insecurities is what helps them build deeper intimacy. The strong character development that takes place throughout the plot is applaudable.

Although many audiences suggest that the movie doesn’t meet the standards of the raw book set, one reason that tops the disappointment list is the formulaic and predictable side of the story. The plot follows a typical friends-to-lovers trope without adding anything unique, making the outcome obvious from the first introduction scene. And not just that, but when the plot is weak, the spice becomes weaker as well.

The central climax and the “big reveal” for their falling out is un-

derwhelming compared to the anxiety it caused, especially in the wedding night dance scene. The film not only simplifies the characters, but also loses the depth from the slow burn that the book put forth, leaving out important details from the novel.

However, what people relate to the most is the human part of the movie in which viewers get to see and feel the emotions while connecting it to their own lives. The movie shows, not just tells, the exploration of emotions, happiness, and goal of life through Poppy and Alex, making it feel more natural and delightful, finding joy in little moments – especially the eye contacts and dialogue delivery.

Verdict: With its refreshing and whimsical characters, “People We Meet on Vacation” is for those who are looking for the perfect mix of sweet romance, innocent humor, fun travel settings and perfect escapism from the real world. Because some people aren’t just a vacation – they’re home. And for Poppy, Alex was ■ just that.

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RADAR

TUESDAY, JANUARY 20, 2026

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Highlights from the 2026 Golden Globes: Everything you need to know BIG WINS, SNUBS, JOKES AND POLITICS AT THIS YEAR’S GOLDEN GLOBES HAVE GENERATED BOTH CELEBRATION AND DISCOURSE. MORGAN KANE Contributing Writer

The 2026 awards season has kicked off with the 83rd Golden Globe Awards. From Nikki Glaser reprising her role as the award show’s host for the second year in a row to nominees wearing pins protesting ICE, this year’s Golden Globes supplied 2026 with much more than awards.

Starting on the red carpet, a small accessory carried a loud political message. Mark Ruffalo, Wanda Sykes and Natasha Lyonne were seen on the red carpet donning black and white pins with slogans such as “Be good” and “ICE out.” The pins are part of the #Begood campaign, which was created in response to an ICE agent shooting and killing 37-year-old Renee Good as a way to honor her. In the ballroom later that night, Ariana Grande and Jean Smart were also seen sporting the pins.

On a lighter note, jazz singer and musician Laufey was called “Megan” by paparazzi in the chaos of the red carpet. The moment has gone viral on social media as Laufey, slightly laughing, corrects the paparazzi stating, “My name isn’t Megan.” This marks a continued trend of celebrity interaction with paparazzi going viral.

From the clip of Chappell Roan having a heated exchange with the paparazzi at the 2024 VMAs, to Millie Bobby Brown recently clapping back at photographers telling her to smile at the premiere

of “Stranger Things 5,” it seems that a cultural shift is blooming when it comes to how stars interact with the press.

After her very well-received performance hosting the Golden Globes last year, Nikki Glaser hosted this year’s Golden Globes for the second time in a row. Right out of the gate in her opening monologue, the comedian joked, “Let’s get down to business: we’ll start the bidding for Warner Bros. at five dollars.”

Then she moved on to a joke about the Epstein list and how “the Golden Globe for best editing goes to the Department of Justice.” Pivoting away from politics, Glaser introduced many nominees with playful jabs from remarks about Kevin Hart’s height to how little the public knows about Leonardo DiCaprio outside of his dating habits.

Overall, the monologue struck a balance of making the audience at home laugh at the nominee’s expense without offending the audience in-person. This was accomplished in part because of Glaser’s willingness to roast herself. In the opening half of her monologue, Glaser related herself to the movie Frankenstein at her own expense: “Just like Frankenstein, I’ve been pieced together by an unlicensed European surgeon.” This joke, among others, made Nikki Glaser a more likable host as it showed she is not above making herself

the target of her roast-style comedy.

The night then continued with the main event, the awards. One notable change to the announcement of nominees is that this year’s Golden Globes included the live estimated odds of each nominee winning in collaboration with the gambling platform Polymarket.

This decision faced criticism from some viewers. For the best drama film award, more than $185,000 was placed on the winner.

Out of the major categories at the Golden Globes, “One Battle After Another” took home awards for best musical or comedy film, the director Paul Thomas Anderson won best director and Teyana Taylor won the film best female supporting actor in a film while best male supporting actor went to Stellen Skarsgård for “Sentimental Value.” Best drama film went to “Hamnet,” Jessie Buckley won best female actor in a drama film for her role in “Hamnet” and best male actor in a drama film went to Wagner Moura for “The Secret Agent.” Almost unsurprisingly, “KPop Demon Hunters” won best animated motion picture and best original song in a film for “Golden.” For television, “The Pitt” and “The Studio” won in best drama series and best comedy or musical series, respectively.

However, it would be Timothée Chalamet’s win for “Marty Supreme” that would cause con-

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troversy, as many believed that Michael B. Jordan’s performance in “Sinners” deserved to win even though he wasn’t nominated in the same category as Chalamet.

This discourse has sparked much debate over both actors’ performances and the odds of either actor winning an Oscar for their respective roles.

Outside of winners and losers, many were upset by the decision not to televise the announcement of best score this year. The announcement and Ludwig Göransson’s acceptance of the award for his score for “Sinners” was scheduled during a commercial break.

However, this year’s Golden Globe didn’t just spark controversy; it also made history.

For the first time in the event’s history, the Golden Globes introduced a category for best podcast.

The historic first winner of this category was the podcast “Good Hang with Amy Poehler”. FurNIKO SUWANDI / THE HIGHLANDER thermore, Owen Cooper, at sixteen years old, is the youngest winner of the best male supporting actor award in television in Golden Globes history for his role in the Netflix series “Adolescence.”

By the end of the night, “One Battle After Another” and “Adolescence” walked away with the most awards after each film had both won four Golden Globes out of nine nominations and five nom■ inations respectively.

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COURTESY OF JENN DEERING DAVIS VIA FLICKR

RADAR

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‘Father Mother Sister Brother’ is emotionally deadpan, thematically bittersweet JIM JARMUSCH’S NEWEST FILM PORTRAYS FAMILY RELATIONS.

COURTESY OF MUBI JIHOON KWON Staff Writer

Jim Jarmusch’s films have become synonymous with effortless cool. His earlier films, often characterized with stylized minimalism, dialogues that almost feel profound, detachment as a lifestyle and awkward moments that are painfully human, are rarely concerned about impressing the audience or providing them comfort or clarity. However, age tends to soften a person emotionally and even Jarmusch was no exception as his recent films have become much more tender and grounded. This is most prominent in “Paterson” as Jarmusch breaks away from detachment and explores attentiveness despite emotional restraint.

“Father Mother Sister Brother” shows continuation of this as Jarmusch chooses family relations as the subject matter of the film, a territory that feels foreign in a Jarmusch film.

However, Jarmusch does not approach this film the way many other filmmakers approach family movies relying on sentimentality and didactic lessons. Rather, the theme seems vastly different from the cinematic world he has been curating, Jarmusch manages to make the film in his unmistakable signature style.

Divided into three short stories each titled “Father,” “Mother” and “Sister Brother,” the film explores three different families characterized with emotional distance bound, deception and curated images, loss, unspoken past and obligation. The complexities in emotion that each family member feels towards one another and their history is instinctively noticeable, although the film doesn’t care to elaborate on it beyond a couple lines of dialogues and awkward moments.

“Father” depicts Jeff (Adam Driver) and Emily (Mayim Bialik) visiting their father (Tom Waits).

He is widowed and seems to have no source of income. There is an apparent disconnect, particularly between Emily and father. Their reunion is filled with superficial conversation and some hilarious moments.

In “Mother,” the Mother (Charlotte Rampling) invites her two daughters Timothea (Cate Blanchett) and Lilith (Vicky Krieps) over to her place. The Mother is a successful writer and both daughters are eager to impress her. Lilith even claims to be a successful influencer which is far from the truth In “Sister Brother,” twin siblings Skye (Indya Moore) and Billy (Luka Sabbat) drive through Paris reminiscing over their parents that died in a plane crash. They visit their old apartment to clean it out and discover their old photos as well as their parents’ multiple fake IDs and fake marriage certificates.

Jarmusch is careful enough to not impose any universal meaning in his films. “Father Mother Sister Brother” is no exception. Across each segment of the film, there’s recurring motifs such as rolexes and skateboards which leaves the audience wondering what they symbolize.

However, Jarmusch never makes it explicit what it all means and given Jarmusch’s style of deliberate substanceless posturing, it is highly doubtful that he intended them to mean something. The same could be said about the film as well as it merely observes the three different families and points out the absurdly funny moments but ultimately does not try to derive at some kind of conclusion about the ideal

form of a family.

The film was produced by Saint Laurent, which is evident in the details of the costumes.

Collaborating with the veteran costume designer Catherine George, the outfits represent commonality of the members of the family as while each puts on different clothes that reflect their traits or social standings, each family is unified in the same color of clothes they all share.

Jarmusch co-composed the soundtrack for the film with Anika. Just as many of his previous works have, the scores are used sporadically and appropriately to enhance the atmospheric mood.

Prior to the film’s theatrical release, the film was rejected the invitation to compete at Cannes Film Festival. This was shocking news for the cinephiles as he was considered a household name at Cannes. What was even more puzzling was the film’s subsequent triumphance at Venice International Film Festival where it won the Golden Lion, the most prestigious award at the festival. Jarmusch expressed his frustration at Cannes, claiming that he prefers Venice’s sincere audience over “2,000 French hairdressers from L’Oréal in Cannes.”

It seems as though between the two festivals, Venice made the right decision.

Verdict:

“Father Mother Sister Brother” by Jim Jarmusch is oftentimes hilariously, occasionally meditative and always restrained. Even through the minimal storytelling rejecting grand narrative, Jarmusch manages to capture ■H something painfully human about family.

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TUESDAY, JANUARY 20, 2026

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Illuminated Lecture: “In Defense of Women” HOW THEATER CAN CREATE PROGRESS FOR CHANGE IN THE FACE OF OPPRESSION. ANTHONY ASCENCIO-CARVAJAL Contributing Writer

On Jan. 15, a group of actors and educators gathered into the Studio Theatre, Room 113, of the Arts Building at the University of California, Riverside (UCR) for the Illuminated Lecture, “In Defense of Women.”

The lecture was given by Erith Jaffe-Berg, a Professor in the Department of Theater, Film and Digital Production, and sponsored by the UCR Center for Ideas and Society, and its co-directors Jeanette Kohl, Dylan Rodriguez and Katharine Henshaw.

Leone de’ Sommi was a key figure in the Jewish community within the Italian Peninsula who advocated on behalf of his community for the autonomy of Jewish people. Despite the oppression that afflicted them, he continued to create theatrical works, providing excellent insight on issues ongoing at the time with different perspectives.

could be equals continued. Leone de’ Sommi challenged these ideas by giving a more positive perspective. He wrote the poem “In Defense of Women” that praised women, their intellect and abilities and expressed a deep belief in their inherent goodness which included using biblical references to add to his reasoning. The lecture mentioned that this This was published not only out of support for women, but as a response to a derogatory One event that sparked the beginning anonymously published poem opposing of the Renaissance was the Protestant women in 1556.

Reformation, where the authority of the Catholic Church was challenged. Its key Another point that the lecture made about figure, Martin Luther, despite bringing about de’ Sommi, was how he felt men oftentimes great change while challenging religious blamed women for their problems and bad corruption, was a notorious anti-semite who ideas. As the actor said in the performance, called for the persecution of Jewish people “You have some total madman turn from throughout Europe. In another performance the righteous path … he will squeal like a by the actors, they repeated rhetoric given by strained horse that it was a woman who led Martin Luther where he slandered the Jewish him astray.” community and called for the destruction of synagogues and their exile.

Although Leone de’ Sommi was a progressive figure, he oftentimes did not The lecture discussed how due to encourage women to participate in theater antisemitic beliefs, the Pope issued orders out of their safety. The playwright Isabella to exile many Jewish people from different Andreini also expressed a preference for her parts of Europe. Thus, the Italian Peninsula daughters to go to become nuns rather than became a safe haven for Jewish people and act in the theater. Though figures like de’ made it possible for artists like Leone de’ Sommi managed to bring progress with his Sommi to practice his work. ideas and efforts, he was still bound by the limitations he faced during his time.

However, they still instilled discrimination towards his community. Through requiring As the lecture mentioned, “he has Jewish people to wear a sign like the to constantly navigate how he and his yellow badge, restricting them to living in community can live safely within their ghettos to separate them from the Christian marginalized positions.” At heart, his poem communities and paying a tax just for being “In Defense of Women,” shows his hopes Jewish. To pay for this, artists like de’ Sommi for women to receive as much of society’s would produce plays. respect as men, and acceptance as an equal.

Two of the performances given by the actors of Theatre Dybbuk were past bilingual dialogues of characters speaking in Hebrew and Italian, then in French and English with each other. Many found the stories interesting to engage with as it created a unique experience that combined different points of views from different languages, religions and cultures.

More plays shown during the lecture discussed how women started involving themselves in theater circles. Pieces like “La Mirtilla” by Isabella Andreini included proto-feminist performances, with strong women characters that reversed traditional gender roles. When women weren’t allowed in theatre, many took on roles in creating costumes and stage setting.

The performance was done by the nonprofit arts organization “Theatre Dybbuk,” which creates multidisciplinary theatrical works to bring educational encounters that explore Jewish thought, for the purpose of “illuminating universal human experience.”

The event delves into subject matter going back into Europe’s Renaissance in the Early Modern Age. A familiar figure found during this time whose works have shaped modern English literature, was William Shakespeare.

However, another creative mind whose literary and theatrical works were presented during the lecture was Leone de’ Sommi, a Jewish Italian playwright who created an array of plays, writings and poems that addressed his thoughts on women, men and the question of women in society.

important in their era, since they center women and their experiences, while reflecting vivid images of French culture to an English audience amidst their rivalry at the time. However, the performance didn’t focus just on English or French culture, and instead was referencing the experience of Jewish people who resided in the Italian Peninsula like Leone de’ Sommi.

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The lecture is very relevant to modern times today as people do need to reexamine their deeply held beliefs on important subjects, being certain of where their values lie. The way people show support for certain things can either bring them together or separate them. What people choose to follow could either perpetuate the same status quo that has maintained oppression for centuries, or make ■ efforts in moving humanity forward.

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SPORTS

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Sports Highlanders dominate defensively to earn a 81-72 win against Cal State Fullerton DESPITE EARLY SEASON STRUGGLES IN BIG WEST PLAY, UCR NOTCHES A CRUCIAL CONFERENCE WIN. IZZY GRAHAM Contributing Writer

This past Saturday, the University of California, Riverside (UCR) men’s basketball team hosted California State University, Fullerton (CSUF) for their sixth Big West conference game of the year.

The Highlanders entered Saturday’s game on a six game losing streak, sitting in last place in conference with a 1-5 record. On the other hand, CSUF came into this game with a record of 3-4 in conference coming off a loss to UC Davis.

UCR opened the game with a layup from BJ Kolly after the Highlanders won the tip. Kolly has started every game this season at center and scored 12 points for the Highlanders on Saturday.

Ben Waller, a freshman guard, scored a season high of nine points, almost double of his previous high of five. Waller stated, “It feels really good, I just try to impact the game as best as I can … trying to get us going and extend the lead.”

After an impressive dunk from the freshman, the Highlanders were able to generate strong

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momentum to get them through the first half.

CSUF struggled to keep up with the Highlanders all of the first half, shooting 31.3% from the field and 11.8% from three-point range.

The Highlanders dominated shooting 53.6% from the field and 33.3% from the three to close out the first half.

Going into the second half, UCR held a nine point lead, 43-34. Waller commented the Highlanders were “hoping to extend the lead and really put [their] foot down and make sure [CSUF] doesn’t come back.”

UCR kept the rhythm going into the second half, continuing to take good shots and communicate well as a team to keep the lead.

While CSUF generated multiple open shots, they struggled to score in the crucial moments, leaving them lagging behind UCR all second half.

UCR‘s biggest lead of the night came with eight minutes left to play courtesy of a layup by

forward Jailen Daniel-Dalton.

With less than a minute left, CSUF guard Jaden Henderson made a layup to trim down the deficit to single digits, but CSUF would get no closer. The Highlanders closed out the game with a free throw and a 81-72 win.

UC Riverside shot 50.9% from the field and 81.8% from the free-throw line while limiting Fullerton to just 38.3% from the field and 16% from three-point range to help secure the win.

Although the Highlanders are second-to-last in conference, the Highlanders will look to ride this momentum as they take on UC Irvine in their next conference game at home on Jan. 20.

“In terms of who we are as a team and our defensive efforts, that’s gonna remain, and that’s what we have to do if we want to have success,” Waller disclosed when asked about the UCR’s plans for their remaining conference games. ■H

ELENA VERSAGE / THE HIGHLANDER

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SPORTS

TUESDAY, JANUARY 20, 2026

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Highlander Hot Take: The Atlanta Hawks franchise will collapse without their superstar Trae Young THE ATLANTA HAWKS ARE ATTEMPTING TO REPLACE TRAE YOUNG AFTER TRADING HIM TO THE WASHINGTON WIZARDS.

TRAE YOUNG

COURTESY OF ERIK DROST

IYANNA WALLACE Contributing Writer

Trae Young has been an absolute superstar with the Atlanta Hawks for almost eight seasons. Young is a fourtime all star, led the Hawks to the Eastern Conference Finals in 2021, and holds the franchise record for most assists and three-pointers made. He was the face of the franchise and has drawn comparisons to Hawks legends like hall of famer Dominique Wilkins.

However, this all came to an end on Jan. 9 when Young was traded to the Washington Wizards in exchange for veteran guard CJ McCollum and forward Corey Kispert.

Last season, Young averaged 24.2 points per game, as the Hawks showed great potential. Unfortunately this season has not been as expected. Due to a Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL) injury, Young has only played in 10 games. Despite the injuries, Young averaged 19.3 points and 8.9 assists per game.

With the absence of Young, the Hawks

will be attempting to rebuild the team around forward Jalen Johnson. Johnson is a future NBA star, but the outcome will be underwhelming in comparison to what Young was able to achieve during his tenure with the Hawks.

Johnson is currently leading the team with 23.4 points and 8.1 assists per game.

Jalen Johnson is a great wing slasher who can finish at the bucket with ease, but he can’t replicate the playmaking or spacing ability of Trae Young’s caliber.

The same can be said for McCollum, and Kispert. While they are relatively solid role players, there is no way they will be able to match or surpass Trae Young’s unique offensive skillset. It is also worth mentioning that McCollum is seven years older than Young.

For Atlanta, financial flexibility played a pivotal role in the decision to trade their strongest offensive weapon. Per Young’s contract, his salary for the 2025-26 season is a little over 46 million dollars. Without

Young on the roster, this money can be used to bring in new players and build around Jalen Johnson.

Along with the financial gain, another reason behind the trade is Young’s defensive skills or lack thereof. Teams have been able to pick on Trae Young defensively because he’s short and isn’t the best on-ball defender. This season, Atlanta boasts a league-worst 129.2 defensive rating when Young is on the court. .

Even though this trade has its critics, Young has made peace with the separation. Releasing a statement on X, Young marked his departure from Atlanta as “another opportunity” and expressed his excitement to start what he sees as a “new chapter” with the Wizards.

Trae Young is exactly what the Wizards franchise needs. His exceptional offensive skillset and ability to lead a team will ■ kickstart a new era for Washington.

H

26 TUESDAY, JANUARY 20, 2026

SPORTS

highlandernews.org/category/sports

Highlander Hot Take: WNBA players deserve a fair share of the league’s revenue THE MOST RECENT UPDATE ON WNBA CBA NEGOTIATIONS FAILED TO BRING ANY PROGRESS FOR EITHER PARTY. SOFIA MAJEED Assistant Sports Editor

COURTESY OF JOHN MAC VIA FLICKR

On Jan. 12, the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) and the Women’s National Basketball Players Associations (WNBPA) agreed to moratorium for all league related business. The moratorium is a result of both sides failing to reach an agreement for a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) or an extension of the previous one, by their mutually agreed deadline.

When the previous deal expired on Jan. 9, both sides entered a period called, “status quo” in which the previous working condition of the CBA continues until a decision is reached. One of the major details of the moratorium is that free agency is temporarily frozen, initially. During the initial stages of free agency, teams are allowed to make offers that let teams keep some rights to a player or receive some form of compensation if the player leaves. Furthermore, they are allowed to assign core designations, which are

the labels that determine a player’s status and negotiating rules.

The decision to move into a moratorium will not affect the season’s start and schedule. However it definitely does increase the amount of chaos in the offseason. When the moratorium period ends, teams will rush to find core players they want, and coaches will have less time to gel their new rosters to create chemistry amongst their players.

At the moment, nothing has really changed and players are still in limbo regarding what the final agreement will look like. These ongoing discussions have been happening since Oct. 2024, and there has not been much change on either side. The changes that are being proposed are not minor, but larger structural changes that change how the players are paid and how the league is expanding, amongst other things.

As proposed changes are monumental,

neither party seems to be making headway at the current rate. The CBA discussions and potential agreements will either require some parties to adjust their request, or others to relent.

The reality is that the WNBA is overlooked, underpaid and underappreciated.

Much of the incredibly valid points that the WNBPA have made have been overlooked.

Comparing the WNBA’s revenue to the NBA discredits the work and recent improvements the WNBA has made. Individuals on social media and misinformed celebrities illustrate the WNBPA’s demands as wanting the same salaries as NBA players, when instead the players simply want a fair amount of what the WNBA generates.

One can hope 2026 is finally the year that WNBA players get the recognition they deserve, if not from the outside world, but the ■ executives that run their league.

H

highlandernews.org/category/sports

SPORTS

Men’s Basketball - Jan. 15 UC Riverside vs. Long Beach State

88-73 L UCR Team Leaders: Points: Marqui Worthy Jr. (23) Rebounds: Marqui Worthy Jr. (9) Assists: Marqui Worthy Jr. (2)

Men’s Basketball - Jan. 17 Cal State Fullerton vs. UC Riverside

81-72 W UCR Team Leaders: Points: Marqui Worthy Jr. (22) Rebounds: Andrew Henderson, BJ Kolly (10) Assists: Osiris Grady (4)

Women’s Basketball - Jan. 15

MAIN ST

Long Beach State vs. UC Riverside

77-59 W UCR Team Leaders: Points: Hannah Wickstrom (21) Rebounds: Hannah Wickstrom (12) Assists: Kaylani Polk (5)

Women’s Basketball - Jan. 17 ORANGE ST UC Riverside vs. Cal State Fullerton

83-71 L UCR Team Leaders: Points: Hannah Wickstrom (28) Rebounds: Bria Shine (12) Assists: Kaylani Polk (5)

TUESDAY, JANUARY 20, 2026

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The Highlander Newspaper is a great way to keep up with current events and news around campus. If you are interested in the newspaper’s articles or pictures, we offer opportunities in writing, photography and design. Join us every Monday at 5:15 p.m. in HUB 101 to learn more.

The Highlander EDWIN BASURTO / THE HIGHLANDER