Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026
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New spider species becomes a Vandal Honoring the university’s legacy through “Hexura vandal” Abigail Hale ARGONAUT In September, a new species of spider was discovered in the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forest region, close to Kooskia, Idaho, by a team of researchers from the University of Idaho’s Entomology program. The team was made up of doctoral student Arnau Calatayud-Mascarell, postdoctoral researcher Ethan Briggs and an associate professor from the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, Chris Hamilton. Calatayud-Mascarell was working on his dissertation research on the distribution of spiders in the area, when they found the new species.
Calatayud-Mascarell’s spider was named the Hexura vandal as the official species name, after University of Idaho’s mascot, Joe Vandal. It has also been offered as a candidate for the state’s official spider. The spider itself is unique. The females are brown in color with a brown, fuzzy abdomen, a darker brown thorax that has a slight reddish tinge to it, two thick pincers, and tan legs with two appendages sticking from the back of the abdomen. The spider is known to inhabit “moist, coniferous habitats” but once a drier habitat is reached, there are none of these spiders living in it. The Idaho Vandal spider is visually distinctive from others in its genus, leading researchers to believe that the spider has been isolated for a long period of time.
“This species is an indicator of a unique, remnant habitat that’s found in Idaho and needs to be looked at more closely and monitored,” said Hamilton in a UI press release. The spider discovered did not belong to the usual genus of spider that typically lives in Idaho, a genus called Microhexura. Microhexura spiders are most commonly found throughout the Pacific Northwest. The species that was found belonged to the genus Hexura. Only two species of Hexura spiders have been catalogued, native only to Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia, Canada. However, the spider discovered by Arnau Calatayud-Mascarell belonged to the genus Hexura, and it was living in a section of forest along the Lochsa River.
Jaelynn Durels | Argonaut
Leapin Louie performs a routine at the Latah County Fair. See more on page 8
Idaho Supreme Court approves Prop 1 text New wording imposed after recent lawsuit Kevan Mitchell ARGONAUT On Friday, Sept. 4, the Idaho Supreme Court approved a revised version of Proposition One’s text for this fall’s ballot. The proposition itself is focused on reestablishing rights to personal healthcare decisions without interference from the government, specifically focusing on reproductive health. According to Idaho Statesmen, in August, Idahoans United for Women and Families sued the Idaho Attorney General and Idaho Secretary of State. Idahoans United cited that the wording they used for the two options was biased and could mislead voters. The case was brought before the Idaho Supreme Court, and in a unanimous decision, the court agreed with Idahoans United. The Supreme Court gave the
state of Idaho 24 hours to comply because the deadline for absentee ballots was approaching quickly. In their decision, Justice Gregory Moeller said that the “yes” statement did not fully explain the initiative, while the “no” statement did not correctly state the current laws in Idaho. The new “yes” and “no” statements are as follows: “A YES vote would support creating a right to abortion before fetal viability—defined as a fetus’ ability to survive without extraordinary medical measures—and after fetal viability in cases of medical emergency; providing protections against professional discipline and civil and criminal liability for healthcare providers; and codifying a statutory reproductive right to freedom and privacy,” the revised “yes” vote statement reads. “A NO vote would support making no change to Idaho’s current law, which preserves the life of preborn children by prohibiting abortion, except when necessary to prevent the death
of the pregnant woman, and during the first trimester in documented cases of rape or incest reported to law enforcement,” the revised “no” vote statement reads. Upon seeing the new wording of Proposition One, Idahoans United filed an objection, which was overruled 4-1. The dissent, from Justice Colleen Zahn, said that the “yes” statement was compliant, but the “no” statement was not. Zahn wrote that the new language “introduces new terminology not found in the Idaho statutes at issue.” Zahn specifically referred to the term “preborn children” in her dissent. Proposition One, also titled the Reproductive Freedom and Privacy Act, qualified for the Nov. 3 ballot. The ballot initiative received enough signatures and was filed on Nov. 20, 2024. Attorney General Raúl Labrador and Secretary of State Phil McGrane approved the initiative and allowed it to be on the ballot.
University of Idaho | Courtesy
A female specimen of Hexura vandal
University of Idaho | Courtesy
Professor Chris Hamilton and doctoral student Arnau Calatayud-Mascarell pose together with a container holding a Hexura vandal spider
McClatchy Media lays off 30% of employees Layoffs impact many regional newsrooms Kevan Mitchell ARGONAUT On Thursday, Sept. 10, McClatchy Media announced that it would be laying off 90 (around 30%) of its unionized employ-
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ees across its publications, including the Idaho Statesman, The Tacoma News Tribune, Tri-City Herald, The Olympian, and the Bellingham Herald. McClatchy Media owns 17 news publications across the country. All of the workers who were laid off had unionized with NewsGuild-CWA, according to AP. According to the News-
Guild, the Idaho Statesman lost 10 of its 18 reporters, making it no longer the largest newsroom in the state. The Guild said that the reporters who were laid off had reported on important issues across the state, including investigations into state employees and a local hospital. Earlier this year, McClatchy had expressed their interest in artificial
intelligence (AI) usage in the newsrooms. This took a lot of journalists by surprise and made a lot of them fear for what it meant for their jobs. In May, many journalists at the Idaho Statesmen went on strike in order to protest the AI involvement in the workplace as well as what they described as unfair work practices and unfair wages, according
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to KTVB. KTVB also stated that a deal was made a month after this strike, including AI protections in the workplace. NewsGuild-CWA has attributed the layoffs to the company wanting to focus more on AI rather than human workers. They also stated that these layoffs create holes in coverage across communities throughout the United States. Tacoma
News Tribune, an impacted newsroom, will no longer have a journalist to track City Hall in Tacoma, WA. According to The Seattle Times, a local memo to McClatchy employees revealed that revenues from newspapers had reduced by 41% over the past five years. On Oct. 11, these layoffs will take effect.
Tailgating is more than a fun weekend activity OPINION, 14 University of Idaho
Volume 128, Issue no. 2
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Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026
Art Beyond the Wire: UI Prison Intitative to host art exibition Display will feature artwork from incarcerated people and PEI students Sam Walsh ARGONAUT
Beyond the Wire, an annual art exhibition by University of Idaho’s Prison Education Initiative, will be hosting its opening reception for its fourth
annual showcase at Moscow Contemporary, inside Palouse Place on Sept. 26 from 5 - 7 p.m. From there, the exhibition will be open from Sept. 26 to Oct. 24. The PEI at UI is an educational program, nonprofit and student internship opportunity dedicated to serving incarcerated people across Idaho. PEI provides students at various Idaho Correctional Institutions with opportunities to pursue higher education and get their bachelor’s
degree through UI while incarcerated. They also provide opportunities to engage in community events and academic support services. Beyond the Wire is PEI’s signature community art event. The three week-long showcase features original artwork by incarcerated people and PEI students across Idaho and raises funds which provides textbooks and other learning materials to incarcerated students. The event will
include art exhibitions open to the public with free admission as well as guest speakers. Speakers include the College of Letters, Arts and Social Sciences Dean Sean Quinlan, the associate Dean for Undergraduate Studies Annette Fokwell, Joey Chavez, who was formerly incarcerated and a few currently incarcerated people who take part in the program. These speakers will be present at the opening reception on Sept. 26. In an online
interview with PEI intern Eleanor Walsh, she underlined the importance of this event, “Beyond the Wire gives the community an opportunity to engage with the work of incarcerated artists and students that go to the University of Idaho.” According to various sources provided at UI’s website, Research backs the life-changing impact of higher education in prison: Incarcerated individuals who participate in education programs are 48% less
likely to return to prison and more likely to find stable employment and earn higher wages after release. Through PEI, higher education becomes a bridge to hope, opportunity and transformation. Walsh also said, “The event is also a great way to learn more about the Prison Education Initiative and our mission. If you’re interested, I’d be happy to provide more information about the event.”
Jaelynn Durels | Argonaut
New Saint Andrews College in downtown Moscow
New St. Andrews College files lawsuit against City
UI recives 14.6 million contract for IdahoSTARS
Lawsuit cites religous bias
Margret Riche School of FCS to conduct child care needs assesment
Kevan Mitchell ARGONAUT
New Saint Andrews College, a religous college in Moscow, is suing the city for religious discrimination. According to the Lewiston Tribune, the college is claiming that the city of Moscow is using parking and zoning restrictions that discriminate against the college and its religious affiliation. NSA was founded in the 90s by pastor Doug Wilson from Christ Church. The college operates in downtown Moscow in a building on Friendship Square. In 2017, the college sought to expand its operations and purchased another building north of its main campus. In 2019, the city of Moscow determined that colleges were no longer able to expand downtown, with the exception of the two NSA buildings. In 2024, according to KREM2, NSA began to rent out a third building with the intention of using it for an art gallery and
administrative offices. The city of Moscow decided that the administrative offices in the building violated the 2019 decision, but the art gallery did not. Eventually, alongside the Board of Adjustments, the city of Moscow determined the college could have their offices, as long as they were operated by a third party, according to an interview conducted by KREM2. According to NSA, this discrimination dates back to 2005, when the college was given a permit for its south campus, but was required to provide downtown parking spaces by the city of Moscow. With this, NSA pointed out that University of Idaho institutions in downtown Moscow are not required to do the same. NSA stated that it is being held to a higher standard than UI, a secular college, which is the source of their religious discrimination. According to the Lewiston Tribune, NSA said that Moscow was violating the “Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act, the Idaho Free
Exercise of Religion Protected Act, and the First Amendment.” The college also claimed that because multiple UI employees were on the city council at the time of the decision, it was unfair. NSA also stated that because former councilwoman Julia Parker attended a Sons of Patriarchy podcast live recording in 2025, she was biased against NSA. According to the Lewiston Tribune, the Sons of Patriarchy has been a long-time critic of Christ Church and NSA, specifically their support of Christian nationalism. NSA is attempting to get damages from the city of Moscow as well as an injunction against the city. When asking for information about the suit, the city of Moscow told the Lewiston Tribune that they did not know about any lawsuit from NSA. The NSA filed the complaint with the Idaho United States District Court without informing the city of Moscow.
Josie Adjanohoun ARGONAUT
The University of Idaho’s Idaho Center on Disabilities and Human Development has received a $14.6 million contract from the federal Child Care Development Fund, on Friday, Sept. 18. The contract will be used to continue the work done by IdahoSTARS, including providing provider management of state childcare licensing, the Idaho Child Care Program and referrals, as well as early childhood positive behavior intervention and support, according to the IdahoSTARS website. As mentioned in an UI press release, IdahoSTARS will be partnering with the Margaret Ritche School of Family and Consumer Sciences, to conduct a statewide childcare needs assessment in partnership with
assistant professor of human development and family studies, Sarah Deming. Deming is also the lead researcher for the assessment. “The goal is to get a clear, current picture of childcare across the state from two perspectives. From families, we want to hear what kind of care they need, where they’re having trouble finding or affording it, and how childcare challenges affect their work and family life,” Deming said, in an Argonaut email interview. IdahoSTARS also functions as a training access portal for childcare providers in the state, as well as a search engine for families to access care providers for their children. “From childcare providers, we want to learn what it takes to keep their programs running, what gets in the way of serving more children, like staffing, costs or space, and what supports would help them grow,” said Deming. The data that will be used by the assessment will be gathered though surveys, and interviews, in both English and Spanish. This survey
will be available to parents and childcare providers statewide, though those surveys will have different focuses. The parent survey asks about the kinds of care families use, need, what that care costs and its ease of access. The provider survey focuses on capacity, staffing and challenges faced by these programs in the state. Participants will be invited to the survey, so the link will not be shared publicly. When asked about the goals for the project, Deming said, “The results are meant to help guide where state investments in childcare should go, and to give lawmakers and communities solid data on what childcare looks like for Idaho families.” The assessment team is currently hiring student research assistants to help develop surveys, interview questions, collect data and analyze the results of the survey. Students wanting to get involved with the IdahoSTARS statewide childcare needs assessment can contact Deming at sdeming@ uidaho.edu.
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Change in Gold Meal Procedure through Idaho Eats Gold Meal changes taking effect in fall semester Abigal Hale ARGONAUT
A change to the gold meal policy that accompanies the meal plans purchased by students each academic year has been made for the 2026 - 27 school year. The change in policy will impact students directly, by creating a $9 credit instead of the previous gold meal options set by Idaho eats. This provides more options to spend the
gold meal currency, instead of having the same meals available each time students want to go grab a meal at the dining spots on campus. In an email interview with the Argonaut, resident district manager of Idaho Eats, Jerrod Soza said, “students wanted more flexibility to choose from a broader menu. Students can now still select a meal fully covered by one gold meal or apply the $9 credit to another menu item and pay the difference.” Now, the $9 credit allows students to have a wider variety when choosing meals from the dining locations on campus.
When asked about whether or not this was a testing phase for a new system that was going to be implemented, Soza said that Idaho eats is, “always seeking feedback to continue making improvements to the dining program and meal plan offerings” and that they “do not currently have plans to make any more changes to the structure of Gold Meals, but will continue evaluating the program and make adjustments where they would improve student experience.” The Argonaut asked whether there were external factors influencing this change, Soza said, that Idaho
Eats has, “maintained the $9 Gold Meal value for the past five years, even as food costs have increased” and the only factor influencing the change was students wanting greater flexibility with their options concerning the Gold Meals. Soza said that the “goal was to provide more flexibility with choice and value for our guests on a meal plan” and “because the updated structure was introduced this fall, we are continuing to evaluate how students are using it and listening to their feedback.”
ASUI acknowledges WSU students harrassed in mall New senators sworn into senate Josie Adjanohoun ARGONAUT
The Associated Students of the University of Idaho senate introduced a bill acknowledging the harassment of a group of Washington State University students inside of the Palouse Place Mall, during their Wednesday, Sept. 23 senate meeting. During the initial incident, a group of WSU students, members of the WSU black student union, were walking inside the main hall of the Palouse Place mall, where a group of three Caucasian men used racial slurs and derogatory statements towards
the students, while walking away. One of the men was identified as a University of Idaho student. During the senate meeting, one of the authors of resolution F26-R03, as well as the current Black Student Union President, Senator Envee Carter, stated, “And I’m angry, I’m angry because it is not just a word. It is a racial slur that has been use to degrade, dehumanize, intimidate, and discriminate against black people … When someone uses that word against a black student today, we cannot pretend it doesn’t exist in a historical vacuum. You can not tell black people that it is just a word, when that word has meanings from generations before to tell us that we are less than.” The writing of the
bill highlights the loss of sense of security, the importance of minority groups, and the illegality of racial discrimination, in both UI student conduct, as well as Idaho State law. After senators discussed the resolution, Senator Carter said, “We are here for them. It’s sad to hear that they feel as if they cannot return to Moscow, because of what happened to them. I do not want them to feel like that, because a lot of the things I do for my club (BSU), are for everyone … When I host events, I want to keep that the same and not let any racist white men remove that from us, because that isn’t going to happen on my watch.” This bill was sent to the ways and means committee for review. Carter Durst, Benson
Wyke, Xitlali Ortiz, Will Dominguez and Gabriela Vera Alarcon, were sworn into ASUI senate during the meeting, creating a full ASUI senate. These senators were selected through a senate voting and panel process and will be on ASUI senate until the next formal senate election. Bills and resolutions introduced last week, including F26-R01, acknowledging the students and families impacted by the flash floods and avalanches in Nepal, and F24-R02, in appreciation for construction workers were passed by the senate. F26-B03 was also introduced, to allocate funding for tabling supplies for ASUI promotions.
Josie Adjanohoun ARGONAUT
Unredacted crime scene photos from UI murders may have been leaked The Latah County Prosectors office, Moscow Police and Idaho State Police released a statement on Tuesday, Sept. 15 that unredacted photos of the crime scene at 1122 King Road may have been leaked to the public from an unknown source. In the statement, they said: “Providing sensitive unredacted crime scene material for public dissemination is an unwarranted invasion of the victims’ privacy and demonstrates a profound lack of integrity and professionalism. Those entrusted with access to such material must safeguard it and violating that trust and any professional and ethical duties required by such position of trust, is unconscionable.” Earlier this year, Idaho Governor Brad Little signed Senate Bill 1250, a bill that prevents photos from death investigations from being publicly released and is now in effect having started on July 1, making this leak illegal under state law.
ISUB will be used as an early voting polling place The University of Idaho Student Union Building will be an early voting polling place for the 2026 midterm elections. Early voting in Latah County runs from Oct. 19 - 30, 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. If voting off campus, the Latah Country Fairgrounds will also be an early voting polling place. If you would like to register to vote, receive an absentee ballot, or are looking for more information about qualifications to vote in Idaho, go to voteidaho. gov.
UI ranked top 30 in national public schools in value The U.S. News and World Report’s 2027 Best Colleges placed, the University of Idaho as one of top 30 best value public universities in the nation. This ranking considers both academic quality as well as cost, and the net cost of attendance for students receiving needs-based scholarships or grants. UI received #23 in best value schools nationwide, #66 in best value for in-state students, and #110 in top public schools. Students on average at the UI receive an average of $10,400 in merit scholarships annually, as well as donors who provide extra financial support, according to a UI press release. In the UI press release, President Scott Green said, “This ranking reflects what we work hard to deliver every day: an exceptional education that remains within reach for students and families.
Reagan Jones | Argonaut
Newly sworn in ASUI senators from left to right, Benson Wyke, Carter Durst, Xitlali Ortiz, Will Dominguez,Gabriela Vera Alarcon
Latah County Dems host “Friendraising Party” Discussions on women’s rights and public lands Oliva Maggs ARGONAUT
Local candidates affiliated with the Latah County Democrats spoke about critical campaign issues and goals at their biannual “friendraising party” event on Tuesday, Sept. 15. The event started off with beverages, food, conversation and live music. Event host Tim Gresback stated that,
“We have forward thinking candidates that need support that can help change the balance of power within the state” when asked about his reasoning for hosting the event. County and district campaign manager Ian Schlater stated that quote, “Idaho is ready for a change,” and that the people who represent Latah County don’t support them. “Our candidates are in communities across District 6 every day. They are talking with folks, going to school board meetings, and are highly qualified to know what Idaho needs.”
Candidates took to the floor to provide introductions and discuss their campaign platforms. Issues discussed were women’s healthcare, public lands, education, and lowering property taxes, with women’s healthcare and public lands being the most discussed. On the topic of public lands, District 2 Commissioner candidate Laura Heinse highlighted conservation of farmland and resources, water preservation, and wildfire readiness. House Seat 6B candidate Kathy Dawes also criticized current public of-
ficials for making private medical decisions while lacking a medical degree. Attendees were Idaho Senate candidate Robin Weldy, Idaho Attorney General candidate Lori Hickman, House Seat 6B candidate Kathy Dawes, Latah County Clerk candidate Shannon May, District 1 Commissioner candidate Carol Wells, District 2 Commissioner candidate Laura Heinse, and Treasurer incumbent BJ Swanson. More information about the candidates is available at latahdems. org/2026-candidates.
Cooper Molinengo | Argonaut
Carole Wells delivers a speech for her vision for Moscow
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Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026
US-Denmark-Greenland enter agreement to bolster security for Arctic regions Decision made amidst tensions Farnoush Amiri & Jamey Keaten ASSOCIATED PRESS President Donald Trump on Tuesday signed an agreement with Denmark and Greenland aimed at strengthening Arctic and North Atlantic security, paving the way for more U.S. bases in Greenland and easing tensions over his repeated calls for the vast island to become part of the United States. The signing on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly in New York comes days after Trump announced
the deal to bolster the U.S. military presence on Greenland but keep it under Danish control. The agreement would still apply if Greenland eventually chooses independence. “This is tremendous for Europe and for the United States and for everybody,” Trump said just before the agreement was signed. “And for Greenland, it’s going to be incredible.” Officials from the U.S., Greenland and Denmark negotiated for months behind the scenes, searching for solutions to address some of Trump’s security concerns about the mineral-rich island. Addressing the United Nations General Assembly ahead of the signing, Trump said the U.S. would “immediately begin the
process of developing a large military presence in the appropriate locations,” including “building two very major military bases.” Denmark’s parliament approved a bill last year to allow U.S. military bases on Danish soil, widening a 2023 agreement made during the Biden administration that gave U.S. troops broad access to air bases in Denmark. Trump previously insisted the U.S. needed to “take Greenland,” to prevent Russia or China from doing the same. Though Trump said he would rather “make a deal” for the territory, he added, “one way or the other, we’re going to have Greenland.” The agreement, released by all three governments
Julia Demaree Nikhinson | Associated Press
Security agreement signed during United Nations General Assembly at the UN headquarters
after the signing, allows for Washington to “modernize and expand” its activities at Pituffik. Jens-Frederik Nielsen, Greenland’s prime minister, called it “a win-win-win agreement.”
“Your security is our security,” he said, “and our security is your security.” Frederiksen on Tuesday called the agreement a “deal that can last forever,” labeling it as good for the U.S., Greenland, Denmark
and the broader NATO alliance. “Mr. President, you have been very clear: You don’t want adversaries to come too close,” she said. “I fully agree.”
Officials from US and Langley’s ‘Choosin’ Texas’ is now longestIran met Tuesday Trump warned running No. 1 ever shortly before he may ‘annihalte’ Iran Aamer Madhani, Farnoush Amiri and Edith M. Lederer ASSOCIATED PRESS President Donald Trump returned to the U.N. General Assembly on Tuesday and made the case that he’s shown fortitude while other leaders have equivocated as he defended his decision to start a war with Iran. Trump also suggested that he could be at a crossroads in the conflict. “I have a big decision to make,” Trump said. “Will a deal be made with Iran that lets them rebuild and create
a far greater country than it ever was before, maybe one of the greatest in the Middle East or even the world. Or do I annihilate the Islamic Republic and do it quickly, never giving them a chance to kill and destroy people and countries again?” The president’s comments came in his wide-ranging address to the international body in which he also celebrated this year’s U.S. military operation to oust Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro from power and pushed back against calls for greater regulation of the artificial intelligence industry. At the heart of the address was a fulsome defense of the war and
pushback on the notion that Iran has shown a measure of resilience. “The terrorist regime is behaving badly, not because they are strong and confident, but because they are weak and desperate,” Trump said. Trump also accused Iran of stalling to make a deal to fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz and negotiate an endgame to the war until after the midterm elections in the United States. He insisted the tactic would have no effect on how he approaches the conflict. Most of Iran’s delegation walked out of the chamber as Trump railed against the Islamic Republic.
Yuki Iwamura | Associated Press
United States President Donald Trump speaks during the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly at United Nations headquarters, Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2026
Mariah Carey’s holiday hit held former record Maria Sherman ASSOCIATED PRESS
Ella Langley’s “Choosin’ Texas,” a simmering, midtempo, country-and-then-some heartbreak song released last October, is 2026’s biggest hit. “Choosin’ Texas” is also the longest-running No. 1 hit in the U.S., having spent 23 weeks at the top spot on the all-genre Billboard Hot 100, it was announced Tuesday. That means the track has surpassed various records set by Shaboozey’s “A Bar Song (Tipsy),” Lil Nas X’s “Old Town Road,” Whitney Houston’s “I Will Always Love You” and most impressively, Mariah Carey’s “All I Want For Christmas Is You.” Her holiday classic held the previous record, with 22 weeks at No. 1.
Amy Harris | Associated Press
Ella Langley performs at New Faces of Country Music during Country Radio Seminar in March 2026 in Nashville, Tenn.
Luminate, the industry data and analytics company, found that “Choosin’ Texas” brought in 911 million on-demand streams in the U.S. and 1.26 billion globally as of mid-August. Considering that Langley started 2023, around the time she made her Grand Ole Opry debut, with under 1 million monthly listeners on Spotify—and now boasts of over 32 million— her rise has been meteoric. Claire Heinichen, a senior editor at Spotify, says the song’s growth
has been both explosive and consistent. “Choosin’ Texas” “started big,” she says, moving from the platform’s leading country playlist, ‘Hot Country,’ to its larger, generic offerings because it works across audiences. “The song’s success on a playlist like ‘Today’s Top Hits’ is an indication that this is working for audiences who are not seeking out one specific genre,” Heinichen says. “It’s definitely growing in every direction.”
Hurricane Polo rages off the coast of Mexico Experts warn Category 5 ‘extremely dangerous’ ASSOCIATED PRESS Hurricane Polo grew increasingly strong Tuesday and was forecast to gain more intensity as it skirted Mexico’s southwestern coast as a Category 5 cyclone, weather experts said. Polo was an “extremely dangerous” storm with maximum sustained winds of 165 mph, the Miamibased National Hurricane Center said in an advisory. It was centered 205 miles south of Zihuatanejo, Mexico, and stationary over the Pacific Ocean at midday. The hurricane center said it would send an aircraft into the storm to investigate. Mexican authorities temporarily suspended
classes in a number of areas along the coast as Polo brushed along the coastline. Many residents of the region were on edge this week watching the rapidly intensifying hurricane plow by. In recent years, the Pacific coastal states of Guerrero and Oaxaca have been ravaged by powerful hurricanes walloping the coast, with a number of communities still picking up the pieces. Heavy rain could produce flash flooding and mudslides. About 3 to 6 inches (8 to 15 centimeters) of rain was forecast for Guerrero and Michoacán states, with smaller amounts possible for coastal portions of Oaxaca, Colima and Jalisco states. On the forecast track, Polo was expected to remain offshore. Tropical-stormforce winds and rough surf generated by Polo could
also affect the coast. Category 5 is the highest level on the Saffir-Simpson scale, reflecting that the storm’s maximum sustained winds exceed 157 mph. Tropical Storm Odalys was also in the Pacific Ocean but far from land. The cyclone was expected to become a hurricane sometime Tuesday, the hurricane center said. Odalys had maximum sustained winds of 65 mph. In the Atlantic Ocean, Fay weakened to a tropical depression. Maximum sustained winds were down to 35 mph Tuesday and the system was far southwest of the Azores. Forecasters said it would be a remnant low later in the day. This year has set a record for the longest a season has begun without a hurricane. The effects of this year’s El Nino crush storms before they get going.
NOAA | Associated Press
This photo provided by NOAA shows Hurricane Polo strengthening in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Mexico on Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2026.
Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026
LIFE ARGONAUT
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Take back the night honors victims Ongoers paid their respects to victims of interpersonal violence and honored UI student Katy Benoit Melanie Knapp ARGONAUT On Thursday, Sept. 17, the University of Idaho hosted its annual Katy Benoit Campus Safety Forum: Take Back the Night. The event included a keynote speech followed by a silent march through campus. The event is part of the Katy Benoit Campus Safety Awareness Month. Benoit lost her life 15 years ago to interpersonal violence. Since then, the university has held events to honor her memory and support campus safety and community. Take Back the Night is also an internationally recognized stand against interpersonal violence and a way to support survivors. The organizer of the event, Katrina Critchfield said: “What I really want folks to get out of this event is just a feeling that their university cares about their safety and wellbeing, they feel empowered to step up and act in the eyes of safety, and that they know what resources are out there for them if they need support.” Erin Agidius, Vandal alumna and current TMG Consultant, was the keynote speaker for the event. Her speech focused on how our individual actions matter. When we see something, say something. During her keynote, Agidius said: “When our moment comes, how do we show up well.” She also noted that we can only control ourselves and not the
John Keegan | Argonaut
Hundreds of students walked through campus to remember Katy Benoit and her story on Sept. 13, 2023
actions of others. “Safety is not a formula ... the person who engages in harm is the person responsible for harm.” Her speech was followed by a silent march around campus. Students held lights and signs as they walked to a bench honoring Katy Benoit, which was sur-
rounded by a choir. A whistle was blown every 68 seconds to signal how often someone is sexually assaulted in the United States. In a post-event interview, Agidius was asked about her experience as a consultant. “I think about how I am not the
person with the lived experience and I am not the person in their shoes, but how can I make sure that I can support people that are experiencing those struggles and those challenges? Because no matter how hard it is on my side, I know nothing about what they’re experiencing,” said
Agidius. More events honoring Katy Benoit Campus Safety Awareness Month are to come: “A Student Green Dot Bystander Intervention Training” will take place at the Student Recreation Center in room 103 on Tuesday, Oct. 8 at 2 p.m.
Aqua Fest brings fun and conservation interesting,” explaining that the company has a daily recycled water percentage of 92.9% due to their great efforts. This company works with the city of Moscow to distribute power throughout the area, doing their utmost to protect the environment, water and still Selah Mathis provide the magic of electricity ARGONAUT to this lovely town. Brooks said On Wednesday, Sept. 16, the that the company works with University of Idaho hosted the the university in progress towards better environmental habits, as well as innovation in the products the company makes. A civilian group was also present, Friends of the Clearwater table being manned by some very friendly representatives, including Paul Busch, who passionately advocates for maintaining the federal roadless rule established in 2001, the possible rescission of which is open for public comment until the beginning of October. This rule helps protect open wild lands from being paved over and made widely accessible. Proponents of removing it suggest that more roads would help with firefighting and land protection, while opponents claim that roads would lead to more human-caused fires and problems in the wild. Alongside this, Busch talked about the Friends of the Clearwater’s goal to help repopulate the big fish in Kevin Mitchell | Argonaut People running the water conservation booth show what water sustainability looks like to ongoers at aqua fest Idaho’s national forest rivers,
Students learned about water conservation while participating in various activities
Water Week aqua fest— a row of nine tables behind the ISUB representing different businesses, student clubs, civil organizations and other groups. Everyone was very excited to talk about the steps their group was taking to conserve water and protect wildlife, specifically in Idaho’s national forests and rivers. The whole week is dedicated
to sustainability and promoting water conservation at the University, with other events such as the swim-up movie taking place on Friday, Sept. 18. Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories was enthusiastically talked up by a student who is a chemical engineer who works on the equipment and the water that keeps it all clean. She described her job as “very fun, and always
the numbers of which are declining as they are over-harvested and living in increasingly polluted waters. Their name, Friends of the Clearwater, is indicative of their motives; to keep the waters of Idaho clear and safe for both animals and humans to live in, near, and to enjoy. Other organizations present at the aqua fest included UI’s very own College of Natural Resources, the Palouse Clearwater Environmental Initiative, the Society for Conservation Biology and several others. The tables were busy for the majority of the three hours they were out, as many of the tables were offering free bags, stickers, and other paraphernalia to help promote their united cause. The multitude of ways in which the natural world around us can be protected and well served was exemplified in this row of tables that hailed the students of UI. So much of the information they shared was fascinating and useful to the public. The Aqua Fest was the central point of Water Week at UI, offering free information and propositions to the passers-by who use gallons upon gallons of water a day, without ever really thinking about it, and how could they? The infrastructure required to get water to every person, all day, every day, is massive, and is yet another riveting aspect of the invisible inner working of this world that most of us don’t think about on any given day.
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Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026
Swim-Up Movie ends Water Week The historical downtown theater marked its centennial Monday by bringing a filmed
the cognitive dissonance between wanting to conserve water and having a pool. And being in this giant body of water while you’re also concerned about the amount
connections and become curious about our resources and about what we’re working on.” Overall, the movie and Water Week as a
turnouts, saying, “Just watching how many people are coming to events this week, we have a lot more people participating in Water Week … there was just a ton of little
McKinley Forth ARGONAUT For the second time, to wrap up their annual Water Week, the Student Sustainability Cooperative (SSC) hosted a Swim-Up movie on Friday, Sept. 18, at 7 p.m. where students were invited to enjoy a movie while they floated or swam in the UI Swim Center pool. Water Week is a week-long initiative with different events Monday Sept. 14 through Friday Sept. 18, aimed at educating UI students about conserving water, and the swim-up movie was chosen to wrap up the week. Mairen Chard, the SCC’s Sustainability Coordinator, said in an interview with the Argonaut, “A lot of our events for Water Week are either pop-in when you can or like as you’re walking to class like ‘hey learn a little bit about water conservation,’ and sometimes those can be very informationheavy, and so this event seeks to engage those students who are maybe not wanting to really be lectured at the end of their week but would rather use their brain a little bit to think about the weird connections, something that feels like a very random child’s movie and water conservation”. The children’s movie being referenced is “Rango,” which was the movie played at the event; it’s about a pet chameleon who ends up the sheriff of a town called “Dirt” that is experiencing a serious drought. Rango, as the new sheriff, goes on a mission to bring water back to the town, where he uncovers that the mayor had been manipulating the supply. This movie helped explore how we use and manage our water supplies and further showed the cost of mismanaging our water that Water Week is working against. The drought in the movie also contrasts with the fact that it’s being watched from a pool, which is the intention of the event. As Chard explained, “This event is to highlight
McKinley Forth | Argonaut
Students watch the children’s movie“Rango” from the UI Swim Center for SSC’s Swim-Up Movie
of water we are using in our community, [the] hope is that it makes you think and feel a little bit weird about it because, the whole point is to help people make those
whole were successful in bringing students together to learn about water conservation. SSC’s Volunteer Programs Lead and student at UI, Caleigh Mallett, was enthused about
stuff throughout the week that a bunch of people showed up to, and I just think it’s gonna get better.”
Review
A gross, messy and hilariously good time The new movie ‘Resident Evil’ has already lived up to the game’s reputation Austin Kieckhefer ARGONAUT The Resident Evil franchise has gone through many ups and downs. Starting as a video game franchise in 1996, this series has gone through an absurd number of changes and styles. With the release of “Resident Evil 9: Requiem” in February 2026, its critical and commercial acclaim is all but confirmed to still be holding strong. The same cannot be said, however, of the film series and television shows, which started in 2002. Aside from a few animated straight to video releases, the films have never seen commercial or critical success. Until now, at least. Last Friday on Sept. 18, 2026, Sony pictures released “Resident Evil” an entirely new story taking place in the modern day, co-written by Zach Cregger and Shay Hatten, and directed by Cregger. The film follows “Bryan”, played perfectly by Austin Abrams, a medical courier tasked with reaching a hospital in the dead center of a city infested by zombies, monsters and every other terrible thing that can come to mind. This film is an absolute thrill ride from start to finish. The first creature appears under 10 minutes into the film, and the brakes don’t stop for rest of its crisp 95minute runtime. For the marketing of the film, Cregger discussed how for the film, rather than following the characters or the events of games, he wanted to implement gameplay mechanics and overall style into a movie’s lens. This includes inventory management, weapons progression and other mechanics ripped straight from the video games. This is also brought through by the main character, Bryan. Austin Abrams plays Bryan as an everyman. He represents every fan of the games. He knows next to nothing about guns and is screaming and crying through everything. This character could’ve easily fallen into annoying territory, but he never really does.
Aside from some poor decision making in the third act, he is a character you cheer on and root for the whole time. This also is part of the film’s sense of humor. This movie is funny as all get out. The majority of the film is Bryan alone, talking to himself, muttering and terrified at what he sees around him. It is almost reminiscent of John McClane in the original “Die Hard,” quipping to cope with the terror around him. Speaking of terror, the monsters and creatures are a sight to behold. Instead of just the traditional zombie route, the film
shows the “monster” side of Resident Evil. It takes concepts from a wide variety of the games, and dials it up to 11. As the film goes on, each creature Bryan meets becomes more monstrous. Each time he enters a new area, I found myself saying “How the heck is he getting out this?” Specifically, there is a creature that follows Bryan for a majority of the film was always popping up at the worst time imaginable. Each time we see it, it’s more insane and absurd than before. By the end, it looks like an amalgamation of limbs, tentacles, eyeballs and blood. Almost a “human tumbleweed” for lack of a better
term. One of the problems I do have with this film is the third act. It doesn’t stop the momentum, but poor character choices and leaning too hard into the humor leads it to stumble up until the final five minutes of the film. The ending is crazy! It gets back on track and doesn’t hit the brakes even after the credits roll. Cregger’s “Resident Evil” is a crazy good time at the movies. Funny, absurd and terrifying, it is the perfect way to start the fall season with a bang.
Chris Pizzello | AP News Curtesy
Zach Cregger, co-writer/director of “Resident Evil” arrives at the premiere of the film on Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2026, in Los Angeles
Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026
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Latah County Fair brings excitement The annual event featured a quilt show, youth livestock showing and musical Dominic Dorigo ARGONAUT The smell of farm animals and caramelized goods coats the air. Rides rattle as guests scream in fear. Concert music muffles the yells, echoing across the LED-lit fairgrounds. The Latah County Fair has arrived. The Latah County Fair ran from Thursday, Sept. 17 through Sunday, Sept. 20. Grant Hulen, a University of Idaho student attending the fair for the first time, talked about how good his first experience at the fair was. “The fair was great. I hadn’t been to the fair before, the Moscow one at least, and expected something very small, but it was actually quite nice,” Hulen said. There were many different sections displaying a wide variety of goods from paintings made by elementary school kids to massive vegetables grown throughout the year. Through the various exhibits the fair, according to their website, “presents an opportunity for both young and old to exhibit their special skills and hard work.” “My favorite part of the fair was looking at all the Lego Builds that the kids had made as it reminded me of when I was a kid and it just made me happy,” Hulen said. While the exhibits put on by children showed what young people could bring to the fair, the quilting section highlighted what people of all age ranges could provide. Dozens of hand-sewn quilts that members of the community designed were displayed in a room positioned at the back of the fair. Karen Owsley talked about how the quilt that she was displaying was sewn together with various different fabrics from Africa. Her neighbor’s daughter, who was in Africa on a medical mission trip, purchased her many different fabrics to design a
quilt out of. She talked about how the quilt was very difficult to build because of the differences of fabric between the traditional fabric she would use and the African fabric. She intends to give this quilt to her neighbor’s daughter after exhibiting it at the fair. The display was put on by the group she is part of called Palouse Patchers. This group, which is about 175 people, provides both experienced and novice quilt makers the opportunity to show their current projects while also showing opportunities for novice quilters to learn about quilting.
Jaelynn Durels | Argonaut
Animals in pens being judged at the fair showcase their awards and are displayed
Many different children participating in 4-H and FFA youth livestock or small animal programs were able to show the animals that they had been fostering during the lead-up to the fair. Showing involves facing the animal towards the judge in a way that the judge is clearly able to see every part of the animal. The fair will be back next year to bring the familiar fun that the Moscow community has come to expect. Sounds quieted down as rides stopped running, and songs stopped playing. The faint noise of animals could be heard echoing through the quiet night as the fair came to a close.
Jaelynn Durels | Argonaut
Ongoers go from booth to booth on a sunny bright day at the 2026 Latah County Fair
Although groups like Palouse Patchers help quilters group together, connection extends to every aspect of the fair. A band called the Idaho “Old Time Fiddlers,” which had 10 to 15 people in it played at the fair. According to their website, this group helps fiddlers of all ages grow their musical talents in a fun and encouraging environment.
Are you in need of FREE food? Toothpaste, toilet paper, band-aids or other basic necessities?
We’ve got them at the
Vandal students, alumni, faculty and staff (anyone with a valid Vandal card) are welcome to shop for free food and basic necessities at the Vandal Food Pantry! Check it out at Shoup Hall next to the Wallace Residence Center, Room 105.
Open Monday-Friday from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM Need pillows, blankets, towels or other items? Visit www.uidaho.edu/studentresources/dean-of-students/vandalcare or scan the QR code to submit a CARE request form.
Jaelynn Durels | Argonaut
And with a bow, Leapin Louie thanks the crowd at the 2026 Latah County Fair
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Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026
GALLERY: Latah County hosts annual fair Latah County fair offers entertainment for all ages Jaelynn Durels ARGONAUT Thursday, Sept. 17 through Sunday, Sept. 20 Latah County begins to host its annual fair. They had food trucks from all over the county to attend to visitors. Serving fair favorite foods such as elephant ears, corn dogs, and much more. Alongside the food trucks, they had vendors that would tend to young children all the way to the elders. As people were feeding their stomachs, spending money towards local vendors, and visiting tables in the barns from local group, University of Idaho extensions from different colleges, and schools around the area. Leapin’ Loui comes in with his cowboy entertainer
act. He performed on Thursday with acts that involved audience participation. Leapin Louie was loved by all ages, encouraging laughter, gasps, and applause. He ended his act with his mighty steed, a unicycle horse. While on his horse he juggled baskets, participated in some roping tricks and hitting his whip. Later in the weekend nights, that same stage hosted a place for a local band to play crowd favorites that encouraged dancing and singing along while others roamed, shopped, and rode the rides at the fair. As others were enjoying the activities, the fair hosted shows for young children all the way up to high schoolers that offered ribbons for participants and winners. Overall, the fair was a joyful celebration of hometown traditions. Jaelynn Durels | Argonaut
Leapin Louie rides on a unicycle while spinning his lasso
Jaelynn Durels | Argonaut
Latah County fair food being served to hundreds of people
Jaelynn Durels | Argonaut
Guests walk around the fair, looking at the vendors
Jaelynn Durels | Argonaut
Leapin Louie preforms a lasso trick infront of the crowd
Thursday, Sept 24, 2026
SPORTS ARGONAUT
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Standout Vandal Spotlight
Joshua Wood, a captain and team anchor Quarterback Joshua Wood has had an incredible start to his senior year Liam Bradford ARGONAUT Joshua Wood has been one of the central pieces of Idaho football since arriving in Moscow last spring. Coming to Idaho in the late transfer window after finishing his sophomore year at Fresno State, there was never a doubt that the dual-threat weapon would win the starting job. On Saturday, he showed just how much the Vandals can rely on him. Despite Idaho’s 41-39 loss to Abilene Christian, Wood put together one of the best individual performances of his Vandal career, accounting for 363 total yards and all five of Idaho’s touchdowns. The senior quarterback completed 22 of 34 passes for 326 yards and a touchdown while adding 37 rushing yards and four touchdowns on the ground. His four rushing touchdowns were the most by an Idaho quarterback in a game in at least the past decade. More remarkably, Wood accounted for 82% of Idaho’s 444 total yards. “Joshua is a phenomenal player, phenomenal human and absolute dog in terms of a leader,” head coach Thomas Ford Jr. said after the game. Wood’s impact was evident from the opening drive. He completed five of his first six passes for 68 yards before finishing the 75-yard drive with a 1-yard touchdown run. After Abilene Christian took the lead, Wood helped Idaho regain it late in the second quarter. He connected with Tony Harste for 25 yards before finding him again on a 47-yard touchdown pass, giving the Vandals a 17-14 advantage. Wood continued to make plays with his legs in the second half. He scored on a 2-yard run in the third quarter before accounting for two more rushing touchdowns during Idaho’s fourth-quarter comeback
Ethan Matsui | Argonaut
Senior quarterback Joshua Wood waits on the sideline to start an impressive Idaho drive
attempt. The final touchdown came with 1:46 remaining. Wood completed six consecutive passes during the drive before finishing it himself with a 3-yard touchdown run, cutting ACU’s lead to 41-39. The comeback ultimately fell short when the Wildcats recovered Idaho’s ensuing onside kick, but Wood had given the Vandals a chance until the final seconds. “He’s going to continue to make phenomenal plays the rest of the season,” Ford said. Wood’s performance also came in a game where Idaho was forced to lean heavily on its quarterback. The Vandals gave up 17 unanswered
points in a five minute period in the fourth quarter, falling behind 41-24. Though the comeback effort ultimately came up short, Wood and the offense once again displayed how efficient they can be late in games, particularly in two-minutedrill situations. Ford pointed to Wood’s leadership throughout the game as one of the reasons the quarterback continues to be such an important part of Idaho’s program. In the season-opener against Cal Poly, Wood completed 72% of his passes for 363 yards and two touchdowns, while also rushing for 42 yards on 11 carries and leading the Idaho offense to 34 points.
Wood was named one of Idaho’s four captains before the season, making him a two-time captain and one of the primary leaders of Ford’s team. Ford said Wood rallied players across the offense, defense and special teams before going out and producing one of the best performances of his career. For a team still searching for its first win, Wood’s performance reinforces the fact that whatever shortcomings this roster has, at the very least, it has an extremely skilled veteran signal caller. With eight conference games remaining, Ford believes Wood and the Vandals still have plenty left to play for.
Vandals rebound 2-0 to win over Aggies Idaho responds to its loss to San Francisco with a dominant 2-0 victory over UC Davis Star Stephens ARGONAUT The University of Idaho women’s soccer team finished their nonconference schedule on a high note on Sunday, Sept. 20, defeating UC Davis 2-0 at the Aggie Soccer Field in Davis, California. The victory improved the Vandals’ record to 6-2-1 on the season and gave Idaho another strong result heading into the next stage of its 2026 campaign. The earlier loss to San Francisco on Thursday, Sept. 17 appears to have been just a short blip in the Vandal’s long winning streak. Following that defeat, the team responded with a complete game performance against UC Davis. The first half was competitive, with both teams working hard to create opportunities. Idaho eventually broke through in the 34th minute. Senior forward Payton Oelkers scored the opening goal after getting a rebound ahead of UC Davis freshman goalkeeper Dina Frenkel. Idaho took that lead into halftime, and they didn’t let up after the break. Just over a minute into the second half, freshman defender Kalina Barbosa doubled the advantage. Barbosa scored at the 46:17 mark with a long-distance strike, putting Idaho ahead 2-0 and giving the Vandals valuable breathing room early in the second half. From there, Idaho’s defense helped preserve the shutout. UC Davis managed only five total shots during the match, with just two of those reaching the target.
Idaho’s senior goalkeeper Paula Flores made two saves, while the Vandals’ defensive effort prevented the Aggies from finding a way back into the game entirely. The Vandals finished with 13 shots compared with five for UC Davis and put six of their attempts on goal. Idaho also earned four corner kicks, while the Aggies didn’t record a single corner. The Vandals committed 10 fouls, compared to 14 by UC Davis. The result was particularly important following Idaho’s narrow loss to San Francisco earlier in the week. Against the Dons, Idaho had actually produced 17 shots to San Francisco’s five but was unable to find the back of the net. This time, their spark reignited. The Vandals showed their offensive pressure by
scoring twice while keeping UC Davis off the scoreboard. The victory also continued a strong stretch for Idaho goalkeeper Paula Flores. Earlier in September, Flores recorded her 21st career shutout in a 1-0 win over South Dakota, becoming Idaho’s all-time leader in career clean sheets. Her two-save performance against UC Davis added another shutout to her record-setting season. For Idaho, the win brought the team to 6-2-1 overall as it moved toward conference play. The Vandals’ 2026 nonconference schedule included opponents from several different conferences and featured road trips through South Dakota and California, along with contests against teams such as Washington State, Hawaii and Grand Canyon. The schedule is preparing Idaho for Big
Sky Conference competition later in the season. The victory in Davis provided an exhilarating conclusion to that nonconference portion of the schedule. Oelkers’ first-half goal gave Idaho the initial breakthrough, while Barbosa’s early second-half strike provided the insurance. Combined with another clean sheet, the performance only fueled the Vandals’ fire after the San Francisco loss. As Idaho moves forward, the team will look to carry the defensive wall and attacking prowess displayed against UC Davis into the rest of the season. With a 6-2-1 record after nine matches, the Vandals have established themselves as an absolute threat in the league heading into the next phase of their schedule.
Courtesy of Idaho Athletics
UI freshman defender Kalina Barbosa kicks the ball downfield into offensive territory
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Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026
Idaho leaves New Orleans on a high note Idaho volleyball earns three straight wins entering Big Sky tournament Sage Larson ARGONAUT The University of Idaho Volleyball team competed in New Orleans, LA, at the New Orleans Invitational Sept. 17-19, and delivered their strongest tournament weekend since the beginning of the season. Idaho entered the weekend with a 6-3 record, going 2-1 in the previous three tournaments despite their fervent and dedicated efforts. Fortunately, they leave with three consecutive wins against LSU New Orleans, Florida A&M and Cal State Fullerton. The Vandals close out the end of their non-conference play, now moving into their first Big Sky game this week against Idaho State. LSUNO The Vandals’ opening game against LSU New Orleans started strong with LSU in the first set as the Privateers began to lead, setting the initial pace for the game. The Vandals, however, showed grit and determination as they kept scores even and by the middle of the set led 17-14, before losing the first set to the Privateers after a shift in momentum and four point run from 14 to 18, ending 25-21. Despite the loss, the Vandals fought back, taking an early lead in the second 15-9 before a five point run by the Privateers set the score nearly even, before they tied it up 16-16 by the middle of the set. In the close game, the score went back and forth, eventually settling at 24-24 before the Vandals took charge and closed the set 26-24, with a hard fought win in the second. The third set carried the momentum from
the second for the Vandals, taking an early lead and keeping it up to 18-13, before the 25-21 end in favor of Idaho off a great kill by senior Makaula Koen. Set four saw the Pioneers take charge and lead until the middle of the set, where a five point run by the Vandals put them ahead 21-18, and in another close set going 24-24, the Vandals took it home off a kill by Junior Sophie Danielson. The game had great performances from Sophomore Kiana Greer, finishing with 16 kills and three blocks, followed closely by Sophie Danielson scoring 15 kills and two blocks throughout the four sets. Florida A&M After a thrilling first day and a hard fought win, Idaho went into the second day against Florida A&M battling it out in a back and forth five set match. The first set was exceedingly strong as the Vandals easily led the entire set, finishing on an 11 point win 25-14, and an incredible start to day two. In set two, the energy continued as Idaho started the set 4-0 and maintained the lead until the Rattlers came alive and started on a seven point run setting the score at 13-8. With Florida now back in the game, the Vandals fell a few points behind for the remainder of the second set before a 25-23 loss, going 1-1 into set three. Coming back in the third they started strong early and led through the middle of the set 18-14, and ended it on a seven point run pioneered by Idaho’s Kiana Greer, scoring four service aces. Unfortunately, the Vandals entered a slump going into the fourth set, falling behind early on, and being unable to catch up through the remainder of the set, as the Rattlers gained momentum and finished with a seven point run and a 25-16 score, marking one of the worst sets for the Vandals this season.
Still, Idaho didn’t let that stop them from fighting; moving 2-2 into the fifth, they took back the game with three four-point leads and a final score of 15-9, marking their second win of the weekend and their eighth overall win this season. In another great game from Kiana Greer, she posted 17 kills and five aces, with senior Sophie Danielson behind her at 12 kills, both assisted by the Vandals’ freshman setter Zola Zuccolo on 25 assists throughout the game. Cal State Fullerton The final game on Saturday saw another great performance as the Vandals took home the final game in a four set match versus Cal State Fullerton. They led the first set strong until the Titans tied it up in the middle 17-17 and flipped the lead. Still, the Vandals kept up and after a 3 point run regained the lead at the end, taking the set narrowly at 25-23. The second was back and forth, with multiple lead changes and close scores-
throughout. The great performance by the Vandals, however, didn’t stop the fire behind the Titans as they took the lead after an 18-18 tie and ended the set at 25-21, going 1-1 into the third set. Cal State completely dropped the third set, as Idaho started out on a strong 5-0 lead, maintaining it throughout the entire set, reaching 19-11, before hitting a four point run with two kills by Sophie Danielson, and ending the set 25-16 off a kill by Greer. Now riding a high, Idaho went into the fourth set ahead of Cal State and hit multiple runs throughout the set taking home the last game of the tournament with a 25-12 final set score. The Vandals’ great game against Cal State saw Sophie Danielson hit 18 kills and four blocks while setter Zola Zuccolo bolstered 40 assists throughout the game, hitting a career best before moving into conference play.
Idaho Athletics | Courtesy
UI volleyball celebrates a close win against Florida A&M last Friday
Vandals earn podium at Montana Invite Women place second and men place third Gage McElroy ARGONAUT The Idaho Vandals continued their hot start to the cross country season at the Montana Invite in Missoula, with the women’s team finishing second and the men placing third. The performances gave Idaho another opportunity to compete against Big Sky competition while building momentum as the season moves closer to championship competition. The Montana Invite also provided several Vandals with opportunities to build on their earlier performances. After showing improvement from the team’s previous meet, Idaho saw strong individual efforts across both races, including a standout season debut from senior Constanze Paoli and another solid performance from junior Alex Terry. For the women, Paoli made an immediate impact in her first race of the season. The senior won the 5K competition with a time of 17:11.4, giving Idaho a mighty presence at the front of the field. After a successful track and field season last year, Paoli’s return to cross country provides another important piece for the Vandals heading into her senior season. Her first-place finish gives Idaho an early indication of what she can contribute as the team continues through the fall. Terry also continued to establish herself near the front of the competition.The junior finished third in the 5K, following up on her strong performance from Idaho’s previous competition in Spokane. With Paoli and Terry both finishing among the top three, the Vandals received two important results at the front of their lineup. Their performances helped Idaho secure second place as a team and gave the women’s squad another great result to build on. Junior Pia Kircher and Mary Nakamura also finished inside the top 20, adding valuable depth to the women’s team. Their finishes helped strengthen Idaho’s overall team score and showed that the Vandals were able to receive contributions from multiple runners. The women’s result is especially encouraging as Idaho continues to develop its lineup throughout the season. With several runners contributing near the top of the field, the Vandals have begun to establish a strong foundation heading
Idaho Athletics | Courtesy
Mens players pose for team photos entering the 2026 season
toward the more important meets later in the year. The men’s team also finished third in Missoula, led by senior Zac Knapp. Knapp delivered his best 8K performance of the season, crossing the finish line in 24:58.5. His improvement provided an important boost for the Vandals and showed progress from his earlier races. Freshman Miles Lechtenberg continued his impressive introduction to collegiate cross country by finishing 12th. After making an immediate impact in his first collegiate meet earlier this month, Lechtenberg once again showed that he can compete against experienced runners and contribute to Idaho’s team results. Sophomore Conor Thompson finished just behind Lechtenberg in 14th, giving Idaho another solid result toward the front of its lineup. The performances from Lechtenberg and Thompson also give the men’s team a promising combination of younger runners alongside experienced athletes such as Knapp.
As the season continues, that mix could become increasingly important as Idaho looks to improve its team results. The Montana Invite also gave Idaho another chance to measure itself against several Big Sky opponents. Competing against familiar conference competition provided the Vandals with valuable experience and another opportunity to identify areas where they can continue improving. For the women, Paoli’s season debut and Terry’s continued consistency were two of the biggest highlights. Kircher and Nakamura also provided important depth, helping Idaho finish second as a team. On the men’s side, Knapp’s season-best time was a key development, while Lechtenberg continued to make an impression during his first collegiate season. Thompson’s 14th-place finish added another big result to the lineup. Overall, the Montana Invite gave Idaho another positive step forward as the season
progresses. Both teams finished among the top three, while several individual runners either continued strong performances or showed improvement from previous races. With the championship portion of the season getting closer, the Vandals will look to use their performances in Missoula as another building block. The women will enter the next meet after a second-place team finish, while the men will look to build on their third-place result and the continued development of several key runners. The Montana Invite did not mark the end goal for Idaho, but it provided another opportunity for the program to improve. Paoli’s winning debut, Terry’s continued success, Knapp’s season-best performance and the progress of Lechtenberg and Thompson all give the Vandals individual performances to build around as they continue toward championship season.
Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026
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Idaho looks forward to face Weber State Idaho must avoid Montana State hangover against dangerous Weber State offense Liam Bradford ARGONAUT The scope of Idaho’s (1-4, 1-2) season has changed considerably in the days following the Vandals’ improbable upset of the No. 1 team in the country. Joshua Wood was named the Big Sky’s Offensive Player of the Week. Idaho was named the Stats Perform FCS National Team of the Week. The video of Wood’s game-winning twopoint conversion circulated well beyond Moscow. Now the Vandals have to leave it behind. Idaho travels to Ogden on Saturday to face Weber State (3-3, 2-1), which is coming off a 42-34 double-overtime victory at Cal Poly. The challenge for Idaho is considerably different from the one it faced against Montana State. The Bobcats entered the Kibbie Dome as the nation’s top ranked team and held a 19-game winning streak. Although Weber State does not come into this game carrying the same resume as Montana State, its offense has proven capable of making a game uncomfortable for anyone. The Wildcats are averaging 37.5 points and 453.5 yards per game, numbers that rank among the Big Sky’s better offensive outputs. Freshman quarterback Nate Dahle has been particularly productive. He has thrown for 1,319 yards and 14 touchdowns through six games and has added 284 rushing yards. Against Cal Poly, Dahle accounted for 308 yards of offense.
Weber has enough talent around him to make the matchup even more difficult. Receiver Noah Kjar leads the Wildcats with 621 receiving yards and eight touchdowns, while running backs Seth Rigtrup and Spencer Ferguson have combined for more than 500 rushing yards and eight touchdowns. For an Idaho defense that has allowed over 40 points per game this season, slowing that group down will be the most important assignment of the afternoon. The Vandals did show progress on the defensive side of the ball late against Montana State. After allowing the Bobcats to take a 34-20 lead early in the fourth quarter, Idaho shut them out for the remainder of the game. The defense forced a punt with 49 seconds left, giving Wood and the offense an opportunity to complete the comeback. The next step is sustaining that level of play against a Weber offense that can attack in several ways. Idaho’s offense also has an opportunity to make life easier on its defense. A consistent ground attack would help keep Weber’s offense on the sideline and take some pressure off Wood. Idaho has increasingly incorporated Damonte Bias into the running game, while Wood has become one of the team’s most effective rushing threats with seven touchdowns on the ground this season. Wood is coming off another great performance, throwing for 315 yards and rushing for 41, finishing with three total touchdowns. The danger for Idaho is assuming another performance like that will simply happen because it just happened against the best team in the country. Weber’s defense has given opponents opportunities. The Wildcats allowed 44 points to Portland State two weeks ago, including 248 rushing yards.
That makes Saturday something of a test of whether Idaho can turn Friday’s breakthrough into a more consistent version of itself. The Vandals spent the first four games of the season searching for a complete performance. They finally found one when they needed it most against Montana State. Doing it again in Ogden would provide a much better indication of whether the program has actually begun to turn a corner. The matchup also carries some recent history. Idaho won the last meeting 31-24 in 2024, but Weber won 31-29 in Ogden in 2023.
The Vandals are returning to Stewart Stadium for the first time since that 2023 meeting. For Idaho, the formula is relatively simple. Slow down Dahle and the Weber offense, establish enough of a running game to control the pace and protect the football. After everything the Vandals accomplished against Montana State, the most important thing they can show Saturday is that they are capable of bringing the same focus to a game that will not have the same national attention. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. at Stewart Stadium, with the game airing on ESPN+.
Courtesy of Idaho Athletics
Head coach Thomas Ford Jr. hypes up his team in last week’s game against Montana State
Vandals’ golf places just shy of top in each of their respective tournaments Men place 11th, while the women place 13th Gage McElroy & David Espinoza ARGONAUT The University of Idaho men’s and women’s golf teams competed in separate tournaments Oct. 5-6, giving both programs another opportunity to compete against strong fields as the fall portion of their schedules continues. While neither team finished near the top of its leaderboard, several Vandals put together solid performances and showed improvement throughout their tournaments. Both teams now have another chance to build on those performances when they return to competition next week. MEN’S TEAM: The Idaho men’s golf team finished 11th out of 12 teams at the Oregon State Invitational in Corvallis, Oregon. The Vandals competed at Trysting Tree Golf Club, a par-71 course measuring 7,374 yards, and finished with a threeround total of 856, or 4-overpar. Idaho opened the tournament with consecutive rounds at even par, sitting tied for eighth after
the first round before falling to ninth after the second. The Vandals finished the final round at 4-over-par, allowing several teams to move ahead on the leaderboard. Sophomore Henry Koglin led Idaho, tying for 17th at 2-under-par. After opening at 2-over, Koglin shot 1-under in the second round and 3-under in the third, finishing with rounds of 73, 70 and 68. His final-round performance was the best score of any Vandal in the tournament. Senior Carter Frisby tied for 27th at even par after shooting 1-under in each of the first two rounds before finishing 2-over in the final round. Junior Charley Simpson tied for 39th at 3-over-par, while freshman Brae Rogalczyk and sophomore Ben Buchanan both tied for 54th at 5-over-par. Junior Jacob Vasquez, competing individually, tied for 61st at 7-over-par. The tournament featured a highly competitive field, with nine of 12 teams finishing under par. Oregon won at 17-under, followed by Boise State at 12-under, while Oregon State and Eastern Washington tied for third at 10-under. The low scores throughout the field made it difficult for
Idaho to gain ground despite its consistent opening rounds. The Vandals will return to competition Oct. 12 at the OS Visit Stockton Pacific Invitational, hosted by the University of the Pacific. WOMEN’S TEAM: The Idaho women’s golf team finished 13th at the Pat Lesser Harbottle Invitational, giving the Vandals another opportunity to compete against a strong field during the fall schedule. The three-round tournament also gave Idaho’s lineup a chance to make adjustments throughout the event and finish on a stronger note. Senior Zoe Newell led Idaho individually, tying for 40th at 8-over-par. Newell opened with two consecutive 4-over rounds before finishing with an evenpar final round, giving her one of Idaho’s strongest finishes of the tournament. Sophomore Diya Brar tied for 52nd at 10-over-par. She opened with a 3-over round and followed with a 1-over performance before finishing at 6-over in the final round. Junior Ella Kozak tied for 59th at 12-over-par. After opening with a 7-over round, Kozak improved to 3-over in the second round and finished with a 2-over score.
Courtesy of Idaho Athletics
A UI men’s golfer lines up for a putt
Courtesy of Idaho Athletics
A UI women’s golfer drives down the fairway
Her final round was her lowest score of the tournament. Tang-Hsin Hou tied for 65th at 14-over-par. Hou opened with a 1-over round before shooting 10-over in the second. She responded with a 3-over final round to close the tournament. Laura Caamaño and freshman Fjola Vidarsdottir both tied for 75th at 17-over-par. Caamaño improved from two 7-over rounds to a 3-over final round, while Vidarsdottir finished with rounds of 5-over, 5-over and 7-over. With several players improving their scores during the final round, the Vandals showed their ability to adjust as the tournament progressed. Idaho will look to carry that experience into its next event. The women’s team will return to action Oct. 12 at the Golf Iconic Classic in Las Cruces, New Mexico.
Up next sports: Gage McElroy ARGONAUT
Football The 1-4 Idaho Vandals will have to face an offensive powerhouse in Ogden, Utah to face the Weber State Wildcats on Saturday, Oct. 10 at 1 p.m.
Soccer The 7-2-3 Idaho Vandals end their three game home streak to travel to Greeley, Colorado to face the Northern Colorado Bears on Thursday, Oct. 8 at 12 p.m.
Volleyball
The 10-7 Idaho Vandals will look to build on their momentum and take a trip down to Greeley, Colorado to take on Northern Colorado on Saturday, Oct. 10 at 1 p.m.
Golf The men are headed to Stockton, California to compete in the Visit Stockton Pacific Invitational from Monday Oct. 12-14. The women are headed to Las Cruses, New Mexico to compete in the Golf Iconic Classic on Monday Oct. 12-14.
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Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026
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Down 1 Artsy Manhattan neighborhood 2 Impose ___ on 16 3 Ireland’s largest county 4 Harsh 5 Crunch targets 6 Decomposes 22 7 Facts, briefly 8 Hungarian wine region 26 9 Was defeated by 10 Boxer Muhammad 33 34 35 11 The Destroyer, in Hinduism 12 Asia’s ___ Sea 13 Buds 18 Watchful ones 19 Contaminate 43 24 Take ___ (doze) 26 ___ in the Pod (maternity clothing store) 48 27 Yogi Bear co-creator 28 “I Still Believe___” (#1 Vince Gill song) 51 29 Intoxicate 30 Greek marketplace 31 Pitch-related 32 River to the Rhone 62 63 64 33 1994 Peace Nobelist 34 Muse of poetry 35 Heat-resistant glass 40 Sufficient, informally 70 42 Movies with “II” in their titles:Abbr. 45 Struck down, biblically 73 47 More certain 50 “We’re full, sorry” 51 Name meaning “gift of Isis” 53 Not kidding 54 Walking stick 54 URL ending 55 Ready for business 57 Money dept. 61 1945 movie musical “___ 56 Video file format Was a Lady” 58 Cube creator Rubik 65 Autumn activity with sweet 59 Passed with flying colors reward 60 Loafer, e.g. 68 Requirement 62 Eat in style 69 ___ a kind 63 Fascinated by 70 Aware of 64 Self-images 71 M.I.T. grad 66 Pres. or CEO 72 Ways 67 Military branches: Abbr. 73 Classic cars
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30 Greek 55with Ready for 36 Suffix meth 37 Tropical pudding bases marketplace business 38 Like some goodbyes 31 Pitch-related 56Street Video 39 Wall letters file 41 Corn breads 32 River to the format 43 “A priest and a dog walk into Rhone ___ ...”58 Cube creator 44 High times? 33 1994 Peace Rubik 46 Some steak orders Nobelist 59 Passed with 48 Mineral suffix night and day 34 Muse of poetry 49 Day of equal flying colors 52 Rock’s ___ Fighters 35 Heat-resistant 60 Loafer, e.g. glass 62 Eat in style 40 Sufficient, 63 Fascinated by informally 64 Self-images 42 Movies with "II" 66 Pres. or CEO in their titles: 67 Military Abbr. branches: Abbr. 45 Struck down, biblically 47 More certain 50 "We're full, sorry" 51 Name meaning Each selected Student Coach of the Game will: "gift of Isis" • Receive an all-access on-the-field game pass 54 Walking •stick Walk the sideline and watch the Vandals on field during the game
Submit your application or nomination to be an honorary
STUDENT COACH OF THE GAME at one of our Vandal home football games!
• • • •
Be recognized with an announcement during the game Enjoy a behind-the-scenes experience with Vandal Athletics Join the team for pre-game, half-time and post-game coach talks Represent the student body as an ambassador of Vandal spirit
Scan the QR code below and fill out and submit your application or nomination by 5:00 p.m. Wednesday the week of a home game. Applications will be reviewed by a selection committee comprised of students and staff. Individuals selected will be notified by Thursday evening (or sooner) before the home game.
Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026
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OPINION
What makes the Kenworthy so loved The Kenworthy theater is more than a movie theater, and is cherished by community Tilly Magness ARGONAUT In 1925 Milburn “Judd” Kenworthy bought the Crystal Theater Opera House, where it opens as a movie theater one year later, where it became the Kenworthy Performing Arts Centre. Although many things have changed at the Kenworthy since then, it still stands as a proud member of the Moscow community. But what makes it so beloved? The theater has undergone many changes since 1926. One of the main changes was its transition after being donated to the Moscow Community Theater in 1999. This brought the ability for the theater to overgo remodels, increase the number of events, and generally produce more productions. Concerts, birthday parties, plays and much more are now held at the Kenworthy. It is not only a place to hold events, but a place to connect with the Moscow community, and a space to express yourself with similar people. According to Kenworthy manager Ben Ramalingam, the theater has been able to
increase their programming, and “reach out to as many businesses as possible.” These strategies can welcome more people to experience the theater and increase possibilities for the community to find something that interests them. The more the Kenworthy puts on movies, the more people are willing to come to support and watch. Whether it be a local punk show, or a showing of “La La Land,” anyone can find something catered towards themselves. Ramalingam says the increase of diverse events can cause “more people care about the theater.” The different types of shows that are featured at the theater are what makes the Kenworthy, the Kenworthy. Although they do show movies, it is a different experience when a person goes to watch. With the ability to find people who have the same interests, to find new things to participate in, it draws all kinds of crowds. The theater is a place for the Moscow community, but also a place to find a
personal community as well. People who haven’t visited Moscow in years still hold the Kenworthy close to their hearts. Friends, family members, classmates, even teachers recommend the theater, which in turn, recommends a way that the community can be closer together.
If you’re feeling lonely or bored, the Kenworthy is guaranteed to be showing something of interest, and it’s a great way to get out and become one with Moscow itself.
Ellie Kierbert | Argonaut
The iconic Kenworthy in downtown Moscow
Unaffordable and unavailable campus The Vandal Village and how it affects the residential options for students living on campus Amelie Dobler ARGONAUT Vandal Village is the newest addition to the housing options available on the University of Idaho’s campus. The new build has been largely advertised by the university as one that expands the availability of on-campus living. When compared to the other university housing it is not as accessible as it is made out to be. Vandal Village has rates starting at $1,339 per month for a single studio apartment and go up to $2,920 per month for a four-bedroom townhouse unit. Compared to other on-campus housing options, Vandal Village does fall at a higher price range. Residents in the Wallace Residence Center and Theophilus Tower are charged on average $2,965 per semester (~$990 per month), residents in McConnel Hall are charged $3,915 per semester (~$1,305 per month), and residents in the Living Learning Communities are charged on average $3,910 per semester (~$1,303 per month).
There is also the option of living in a Greek chapter on campus which is stated on UI’s website to cost on average $4,050 per semester. Besides the financial differences between the options listed above and Vandal Village, it is only available to sophomores and older students, disallowing freshman from living in the housing complex despite it being located on campus. Vandal Village resident Rachel Nahmias sees this as a positive as “it’s notably not available to freshman, which is good because the main on campus housing options prioritize freshman.” The prioritization of freshman housing on campus could be due to the requirement of all full-time first year students under 21 to live on campus per UI’s policy. Nahmias also states, “the location is on the edge of campus so it’s a bit far from some classes.” “It is pretty far from the Tower, Wallace and the LLCs as well as the Eatery.” On top of the higher prices, Vandal Village is located further from the main core of campus, which can be a major downside for student residents. Considering the generally observed student consensus of UI having a shortage of convenient and affordable housing options, “previously the on-campus housing options for these people were very limited, so this expansion feels very
needed” said Nahmias. While it makes sense that UI would prioritize the construction of freshman and new student housing due to University policy, the addition of sophomore and upper-classmen housing is generally well received as more options available to students can allow for more accessibility to housing provided by the university. Across the four different residence halls the university has, the residence halls on campus have a capacity of 1,800 students. Vandal Village adds another 450 residents
to the on-campus living capacity, making the addition a significant housing option for those struggling to find availability. However, because of the higher cost, the addition becomes unattainable to students. Causing negative feelings towards the housing options on campus to remain. Vandal Village adds a significant amount of upper-classman housing, but due to the price discrepancy between it and other available housing, the addition still causes on-campus living to remain inaccessible for many.
Jaelynn Durels | Argonaut
The front entrance to the new apartments in the Vandal Village
College is more than getting a degree It is a journey of growth, discovery, and the experiences that shape your future AJ Pearman ARGONAUT By the time graduation arrives, the focus often falls on the diploma: a framed document that represents years of classes, assignments and exams. But reducing college to a degree misses its larger purpose. A college education is not simply a transaction in which students pay tuition in exchange for a credential. At its best, it is a period of growth that teaches people how to think, communicate, adapt and contribute to their communities. In classrooms, students learn more than course material. They learn how to evaluate evidence, question assumptions and defend their ideas. A biology major may learn to interpret research. An English major may learn to analyze language and argument. A business major may learn to solve organizational problems. Those skills extend far beyond any single job title. College also provides lessons that cannot
always be found in a syllabus. Students manage busy schedules, work through setbacks and learn to ask for help. They meet classmates whose experiences, beliefs and backgrounds differ from their own. These interactions can challenge preconceived ideas and encourage empathy. For many students, college is the first time they must make major decisions independently. They choose courses, balance responsibilities and decide how to spend their time. Mistakes are inevitable, but they are also part of the learning process. The ability to recover from failure may be as valuable as earning a high grade. The value of college should not be measured only by starting salary or immediate employment. Career preparation matters, especially as tuition costs rise and students take on debt. Colleges should be accountable for helping students develop practical skills and access professional opportunities.
Still, education has a broader value than job training alone. A degree may open a door, but the experiences behind it help students walk through that door with confidence. Internships, campus organizations, volunteer work, study groups and conversations with professors can shape a student’s goals and sense of purpose. College is not perfect, nor is it the right
path for everyone. Trade schools, apprenticeships and direct entry into the workforce can also lead to meaningful and successful careers. But for those who choose college, its greatest benefit should be more than a line on a résumé. A diploma marks the end of a chapter. The knowledge, relationships and resilience gained along the way are what make a college education truly valuable.
Reagan Jones | Argonaut
UI students finding clubs to learn from for the next four years of college
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Tailgating should be more appreciated Tailgating offers a space for community connection before game Tilly Magness ARGONAUT
reinforces friendships and creates feelings of community that stays for years, even after graduation. Tailgating can be one of the most important activities for the university, in terms of
Some of the most popular events in America are college football games. Deeply intertwined into American culture, football games are a way for students to support fellow students, and for alumni and parents to support the school in turn. Because of this overwhelming amount of community and support that football games bring, it’s common to organize afterparties, to pre-game and of course tailagate. Tailgating has been a proud member of American culture since its rise in the 1950s. It has always been a way to come together in your college community. Tailgating is a common way that Alumni show their support for the university. The “Vandal Tailgaters!” group on Facebook, has been active since 2019, and is a great place to find RV spots, advice and to generally become part of the Vandal community. These outside connections being made go to show how much tailgating is ingrained in the culture and how it can bring members of the university together. Star Stevens, a freshman at the university, says that her alumnus uncle comes to almost every game with his camper. Stevens’ uncle was in a fraternity, and he and his fraternity brothers still share a strong bond. “They live in Boise, and they come up six hours every home game.” With Stevens’ history of tailgating, she has seen examples of how tailgates bring student communities together: . “I’ve been to Boise State Tailgates, and those are a different vibe” Stevens remarks, “here is a very tight-knit community.” Tailgating is not always an official event being held by the university. However, groups of people show up to show their love for the Vandals and football. Friends and family who aren’t members of the university have fun at tailgates because of the environment it produces. It
building a camaraderie between Alumni and UI students. Unlike some of the other activities on campus, virtually anyone can attend a tailgate It doesn’t cost any money to show
up and play games, eat food and chat with other Vandal fans. To attend a tailgate, you don’t need to be an expert on football or sports, all you need is love for the Vandals, and a good attitude.
Christopher Sprague | Argonaut
Students tailgating with their friends before supporting the Vandals in the Kibbie Dome
Our view
President Donald Trump’s press ban hits close to home What kind of precedent comes from banning journalists from the people’s Editorial Board ARGONAUT Over the weekend, CNN, Politico, and MS NOW reporters were banned from reporting at the White House. In a report done by AP news, they had their badges confiscated, and were asked to leave the premises when arriving to work at the White House on Monday. This shocking announcement came after President Donald Trump posted on his Truth Social account on Friday, Sept. 18, that, “Media outlets shouldn’t be able to constantly write or report FICTION and LIES
when they are covering the President of the United States, the Trump Administration, or the United States of America. Other fake news media outlets to follow.” CNN, Politico, and MS NOW, filed a lawsuit towards President Trump’s administration on Monday, Sept. 21, calling the ban “a blatant violation of the First Amendment.” These types of government action spread beyond Truth Social, and into the accepted social norms of many American citizens. People look up to and respect the office of the president, and many assume that just because the president describes, enforces, or supports an idea, the idea is correct, constitutionally aligned, or supported by the majority of people. Though this action is damaging to the news organizations themselves, the effects of this “pick and choose approach” to media coverage damages marginalized com-
munities, and demonstrates a lack political accountability in the current administration, leaving the 250-year-old system of checks and balances in the United States completely abandoned. The free press has always been a “watchdog” for the people of the US, to catch and publicize when the government is acting unethically or not in the peoples’ best interest. By banning only press that disagrees with him, President Trump is trying to prevent the press from doing their duty for the American people. Though this may seem like a selective choice, other news outlets, according to AP News, have stood in solidarity with CNN as they have been removed from their pool duties. The television press pool follows the president, and its membership included ABC News, CBS News, CNN, Fox News and NBC News. These media groups announced on Monday that they were cancel-
ing their pool coverage of Trump and his administration due to the selective ban of CNN. This shows hope. Not only in the media, but also in the changing face of the American public. We the people, can unite and work towards a world that is less politically divided, and more focused on the founding principles of our nation. As a news organization, the Argonaut, and many others have come out in solidarity for the impacted organizations, due to a shared goal of giving the American public a diverse, transparent and informed selection of media. The actions being taken by this administration take us further away from the goal of freedom of speech, freedom of press, and continue to push/promote political extremes as the “new normal” of the United States.
Fall weather has yet to hit Moscow It is almost October, where is the fall weather? AJ Pearman ARGONAUT The mornings should have a chill that makes a sweatshirt necessary. The trees should be beginning to trade their summer green for yellow and orange. Downtown should feel a little quieter, the air a little crisper and the Palouse should start looking like the backdrop to a different season. But this year, it feels like fall forgot to show up. Walking around Moscow, it is hard to believe the calendar says September. The sun still feels like summer, the afternoons remain warm and the trees seem in no hurry to change. There is a strange disconnect between what the date says and what the town feels like. Maybe that is what makes the absence of fall so noticeable. In a place like Moscow, the seasons are part of the town’s identity. Fall is not simply a few colder weeks
between summer and winter. It is football games, warm coffee, leaves blowing across sidewalks and students settling into another semester at the University of Idaho and Washington State University. There is a rhythm to it. Summer gives way to fall. Fall gives way to winter. Everyone knows what comes next. This year, that rhythm feels delayed. Of course, there are practical explanations. Weather does not follow a calendar, and a few warm weeks are hardly unusual. But that does not make the disappointment any less real. There is something satisfying about watching the landscape change at roughly the same time every year. When it does not, the season can feel incomplete. The first person wears a jacket in the morning. The first yellow leaf on the sidewalk. The first evening when the temperature drops enough to make you hurry back to the car. These small changes usually arrive quietly, but together they announce that summer is finally over. This year, Moscow seems to be waiting for that announcement. There is also something fitting about wanting autumn in a college town. The be-
ginning of the academic year already carries arrives. a sense of transition. New students arrive, For now, though, Moscow is stuck somefamiliar routines return and the streets where between summer and fall — close become busier. Fall normally matches that enough to see the season ahead, but not feeling. It gives the beginning of the school quite there yet. year a visual backdrop. And for a town that wears its seasons so Instead, September has felt like summer clearly, the wait feels unusually long. with a new schedule. Still, maybe the season is simply taking its time. The leaves will change eventually. The mornings will get colder. The jackets will come out of closets, and before long, Moscow will probably be complaining about the cold instead of wishing for it. That is the irony of seasons: We spend part of the year waiting for the next one, only to Jaelynn Durels | Argonaut complain when it Fall leaves turning colors infront of UI’s water tower
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Thursday, Sept. 23, 2026
GALLERY: U of I steps into autumn
Jaelynn Durels | Argonaut
Mckenna Liedes on the Bariton, Payton Miller, trumpet; Josh Parker, trumpet; Grant Waltman, tuba; and Amelia Ward on French Horn in the Admin Lawn
Willow Golden | Argonaut
Trees turn shades of red, orange and yellow infront of the Kibbie Dome
Cooper Molinengo | Argonaut
Student walking around on campus
Jaelynn Durels | Argonaut
Students make their way to class
Cooper Molinengo | Argonaut
Flowers on campus starting to wilt with the changing season
Willow Golden | Argonaut
Flowers outside by the admin building
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Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026
YOUR HEALTH IS PERSONAL. YOUR CARE SHOULD BE TOO. ppgwni.org