November 1, 2018, Vol. 87, Issue 7

Volume 87

Thursday, November 1, 2018

Issue 7

MCLA Day of Dialogue Explores Race, Society and Culture On Nov. 8

BY MAYA MCFADDEN SENIOR NEWS EDITOR

Photo by Sophie Player

Berkshire Towers’ 24th annual Boo Bash took place on Monday in the Church Street Center.

An array of treats, games and goodies were provided for children of the berkshires.

See story, page 3.

MCLA will be hosting its first ever “Day of Dialogue” for the campus community to discuss its theme, “Complicating Race,” on Thursday, Nov. 8.

The organizing committee for the alternative academic day includes Christopher MacDonald-Dennis, chief diversity officer (CDO); Kerri Nicoll, assistant professor of sociology, anthropology, and social work; Jenna Sciuto, assistant professor of English/communications; and Michael Obasohan, assistant director of diversity programs.

The idea for the Day of Dialogue was inspired by the Nov. 15, 2016, student rally in the Amsler Campus Center. The passionate rally was in reaction to the 2016 presidential election.

Classes have been suspended for the day of events to emphasize the importance of the theme, complicating race, and active dialogue overall.

The day begins with a breakfast and welcoming remarks from Christine Condaris, professor of music.

The first five workshops for participants are from 9:45 a.m to 11:45 a.m.

The workshops will be hosted by faculty, staff, and/or alumni.

During planning, MacDonald-Dennis reached out to faculty for workshops they were interested in putting on for the day.

At noon, lunch will be provided in Venable Gym and Nicoll will

Dialogue, page 2

Ballot Review

Question 3: Fighting For Trans Rights

BY RON LEJA EDITOR-IN- CHIEF

What is The Gender Identity Anti-Discrimination Veto Referendum?

Ballot question 3, the “Gender Identity Anti-Discrimination Veto Referendum,” places newly gained rights of members of the transgender community in jeopardy.

In 2016, Gov. Charlie Baker signed a transgender rights bill into law granting transgender people unquestioned access to any and all public restrooms and locker rooms throughout the state, based on the preferred gender identity of the individual.

The bill expanded upon a 2011 law passed by Gov. Deval Patrick, concerning the prohibition of discrimination in places of public accommodation (stores, restaurants, movie theaters, libraries, etc.) based on any number of characteristics, to include one’s sexual orientation and gender identity.

According to state law, gender identity is defined as the gender-related identity, appearance, or behavior sincerely held as part of

a person’s core identity, regardless of whether or not these things differ traditionally from the person’s physiology or assigned sex at birth.

The bill also placed a fine ranging from $100 and/or 30 days in prison to upwards of $2500 and/or a year in prison for violations of the law, with a civil penalty ranging from $10,000 to $50,000 for each prior violation.

A slew of mixed feelings surrounded the bill’s initial passing.

Crudely dubbed “the bathroom bill” by those opposed, opponents of the bill argued that it would potentially help to create unsafe environments for women and children in certain facilities— namely, public restrooms.

Due to the state’s current definition of gender identity, opponents of the law believe it could allow sexual deviants claiming to be transgender easier access to women’s restrooms.

However, the law in question did include a provision asking Attorney General Maura Healey to address how one should handle a situation in which it is evident that one is asserting a gender identity for an “improper purpose.”

A statement released by

Photo from Wikimedia Commons

An attendee at Twin Cities Pride Parade in Downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota, on June 24, 2018.

Healey’s office in September 2016 read: “ If an employee of a public accommodation has reasonable grounds to believe that a person, regardless of gender identity, is engaged in improper or unlawful conduct, they should do whatever they would normally do to address the situation, including asking the patron to leave or calling

security or law enforcement.”

Those in support of question 3, namely the “Freedom For All Massachusetts” organization, state that the concerns being pushed by the bill’s opponents are vastly unfounded and meant to instill fear in the general populous.

A report examining bathroom-related crime

throughout the state, released by the Williams Institute in September, also found that the frequency of criminal incidents taking place in bathrooms hadn’t increased since the bill’s approval.

While a “yes” vote on question 3 would see the current law

Rights, page 2

CAMPUSNEWS

2 Rights, from page 1 upheld, a “no” vote would directly oppose it and, in turn, support to repeal this provision of the public accommodation law.

This means that while anti-discrimination laws would still apply in other public areas, they would not when it came to public restrooms and locker rooms.

Those in Favor? `Freedom For All Massachusetts Inc. leads the campaign for a yes vote on question 3, arguing that the bill in question provides much needed protection for transgender people throughout the state.

The official argument released by Freedom For All Massachusetts states that a yes on question 3 will only further promote the idea of keeping Massachusetts a welcoming and fair place to live.

Part of the argument reads: “Lets transgender people go

Dialogue, from page 1 percent of voters currently favor the current law as is.

With so many backing the yes campaign, it seems unlikely that the bill will be overturned. As it stands, the campaign has raised nearly $4.5 million dollars.

Those Opposed?

The “Keep MA Safe” committee leads the campaign for a vote of no on question 3, arguing that current bill could negatively impact the safety of women and children in public areas.

In their official argument, they state that the law violates the safety and privacy of women by allowing men, including convicted sex offenders, to enter facilities meant strictly for women.

They are also backed by the Just Want Privacy Campaign, as well as James Lyons Jr. of the Massachusetts House of Representatives.

Lyon, who is running in this

A poll conducted by the Suffolk University Research Center also predicts that 73 percent of voters currently favor the current law as is. about their daily lives, including in restrooms, which we all need to use. We all value safety and privacy, including transgender people. This law has been in place for two years with no increase in public safety incidents. Harassing people remains illegal, and those who commit crimes are still prosecuted.”

An incredible amount of organizations, businesses, sports teams, public officials, members of law enforcement, colleges and religious groups have come out in support of upholding the 2016 transgender rights bill.

A poll conducted by the Suffolk University Research Center also predicts that 73

Nov. 1, 2018 Vol. 87 Issue 7

year’s general election, made the following statement concerning the bill’s repeal: “We think that’s simply inappropriate and something that we should not be promoting here in Massachusetts. In addition, the legislation that was approved basically allows fiveyear-olds to determine whether they’re boys or girls. The focus of our legislation is to get back to a normalcy where we recognize the difference between male and female. We really think that ought to remain the norm as opposed to what this legislation does which basically turn gender upside down.”

The campaign for no on question 3 has currently raised just under $625,000.

FINANCIAL AID ANNOUNCEMENT OCTOBER 1ST IS HERE!!

TIME TO REAPPLY FOR FINANCIAL AID for 2019-2020!

JANUARY 1ST PRIORITY REVIEW DATE SO DON’T MISS OUT ON MONEY! APPLY ON-LINE AS SOON AFTER OCTOBER 1ST AS POSSIBLE AT WWW.FAFSA.ED.GOV.

will make remarks about her commitments to dialogue and social justice. Students will also be encouraged to engage in informal dialogues with their peers about their morning workshops.

At 2 p.m five different workshops will be offered until 4 p.m.

The day will end with the 2018 Michael and Kitty Dukakis Public Policy Lecture with lecturer Ta-Nehisi Coates.

The committee members said the day is a step toward the institution’s mission toward equity and inclusion.

“I feel like a lot of academic departments don’t offer dialogues on race or on the real issues of today,” said junior Don’Jea Smith. “They just don’t deem them necessary for classroom discussions, so I think this day is a big step towards making our [people of color] realities visible.”

Students are encouraged to spend the alternative academic day “talking across difference” with their peers, faculty, and staff.

MacDonald-Dennis explained that “talking across difference” means listening to the truth and opinions of others both similar and different from you.

Classes were suspended because the organizers did not want to make the campus

“I feel like a lot of academic departments don’t offer dialogues on race or on the real issues of today.”

Don’Jea Smith, junior community have to decide between attending classes or participating in the Day of Dialogue, Nicoll said.

“We can only work toward a more inclusive community if we are all involved,” Nicoll said.

The committee will do surveys after the workshops, similar to assessment that was done for the Undergraduate Research Conference.

Organizers hope for the Day of Dialogue to be an annual event with a different theme each year.

The planning team is currently working with some major college governance committees like the Academic Policies Committee and the All-College Committee to make it a permanent event on the academic calendar, Nicoll said.

An institutional focus on rich and engaging conversations is a priority of the organizers.

The day of events is a way for students to impact one another with their understandings of

race, Obasohan told.

“I hope this day is a place where students can come and just listen and empathize with what’s going on and how other people are feeling, and why people think the way they think,” Obasohan said.

While the topic of race can be uncomfortable for some to discuss, Obasohan told that discomfort helps to make one more alert in a discussion.

“I think when you become uncomfortable that is when you start to listen and start to learn,” Obasohan said.

The committee members told that they are looking to incorporate students’ participation with presentations and workshops for next year’s Day of Dialogue.

In an email, Scuito said, “We ask that students head to the Day of Dialogue workshops open to new perspectives, ready to listen, and excited to engage in respectful dialogue!”

Visit the MCLA Beacon Channel on YouTube for the new Beacon Web News!

NEWS

Nov. 1, 2018 Vol. 87 Issue 7

3

Vadnais Enviromental Issues Lecture

Innovative Ways to Reduce Climate Change tion impact, including product differentiation, performance imGalen Nelson spoke on Thursday for provements, cost rethe 13th annual Elizabeth and Lawduction, and improved rence Vadnais Environmental Issues business or service Lecture to discuss innovation and its models for existing role in clean energy. clean energy technolThe lecture, titled “Innovation in the ogy.

Public Interest,” is about the ways in One of the examples which innovation can be used to reduce he used is solar panels. climate change by making changes to Solar panel technology existing clean energy options. Nelson has improved in efficais the senior director of innovation cy, size, and cost since and industry support at the Massachu2010, which has aided setts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC), in reducing fossil fuels which hosted the event. and has increased the Nelson explained that to improve on number of customers clean energy is to improve energy effiover that time. Nelciency, and that can be done through son credits innovation innovation. He also expressed the cruin the technology of cial need for action to be taken against solar panels—which climate change. has caused them to be “More sophisticated climate models installed in half the have been developed to more accutime and produce 10 rately predict the impacts of climate percent more electricchange in a coastal state like Massaphoto by Sophie Player ity—for the increase chusetts,” Nelson said. “Hurricanes in solar panel customGalen Nelson, senior director of innovation and industry support at the Massachusetts have increased in both number and ers over the last eight Clean Energy Center (MassCEC), dicussed his work on improving current clean energy severity. Rainfall has increased by 10 years. percent between 1895 and 2011. Heavy technology methods to take action against climate change on Thursday, Oct. 25, in Before his time at downpours have increased by 70 per- Murdock 218.

MassCEC, Nelson cent since 1958. As Arctic ice melts, the worked in improving that action is not needed now. sea level is rising. The challenge is indeed urgent.”

“The urgency seems so far away, and motivating clean energy business and green affordable housHe explains that controlling climate change is us to act is difficult … [climate change] is seen as ing policy in the City of Boston. He has over 10 not being acted on as quickly as needed because of kind of a 2030, 2040, 2050 problem,” Nelson said. years of experience in Massachusetts developing what he refers to as a [when the] time-arises-probHowever, he believes innovating and improving programs and policies focused on urban planning, lem. The “time-arises-problem” is the idea that on current clean energy technology methods is key economic development and clean energy. since the problems we face are so far in the future, to change. He outlined four methods for innovaBY SOPHIE PLAYER STAFF WRITER

MCLA Boo Bash

24th Annual Boo Bash Brings Campus, Community Together

BY SOPHIE PLAYER STAFF WRITER Berkshire Towers hosted its 24th annual Boo Bash Monday, which included Halloween games, goodies, and activities for children of the Berkshires. The event was hosted in Church Street Center from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. by Residential Programs and Services (RPS) and the Volunteer Center as a way to bring the campus and community together.

The annual Halloween event included coloring, limbo with a witch’s broom, mystery boxes, a costume contest, dancing and entertainment, and trick-or-treating. Church Street Center was decorated accordingly, and plenty of food and candy were provided.

Brendan Cody, resident director (RD) of Berkshire Towers, helped co-

Residential Programs and Services (RPS) and the Volunteer Center collaborated to host an evening of Halloween games, candy, and music for children and relatives of campus faculty and staff and North Adams residents.

ordinate the event for his second year.

“I think [Boo Bash] is a fun way to build a North Adams and campus relationship and for kids to have fun and celebrate the holiday,” Cody said.

Children and relatives of campus faculty and staff, as well as local North Adams residents, were invited. Some community residents were provided with school bus transportation to and from the event. Both parents and children came in costume.

“This is my second year attending, it’s his [husband’s] first,” said Bethany Karmzyn, mother and North Adams resident. “I love that they have something like this for the kids and the community.” photo by Sophie Player

Applications are now open!

Students are welcome to apply to any positions!

Editors, writers, designers, photographers, copy editors, etc..

News

4

Nov. 1, 2018 Vol. 87 Issue 7

Wildlife declined by 60 percent globally in 40 years, World Wildlife Fund says

BY FRANK KUMMER PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER The World Wildlife Fund has released a report saying it has found an "astonishing" 60 percent decline in wildlife populations globally over the last 40 years, mostly due to human activity, including climate change and habitat loss.

"This report sounds a warning shot across our bow. Natural systems essential to our survival—forests, oceans, and rivers—remain in decline. Wildlife around the world continue to dwindle," said Carter Roberts, president and chief executive officer of WWF-US. "It reminds us we need to change course. It's time to balance our consumption with the needs of nature, and to protect the only planet that is our home."

The group's biennial report, released Monday, said it measured trends in 16,704 populations of 4,005 species of birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians and fish. The biggest declines were among creatures that live in fresh water, which faced an even bigger 83 percent drop. South and Central America were hit hardest as rain forests shrank, with 20 percent of the Amazon disappearing.

"Humanity and the way we feed, fuel, and finance our societies and economies is pushing nature and the services that power and sustain us to the brink," the report states.

Human activity has had an impact on oceans, forests, coral reefs, wetlands and mangroves, the report says.

The globe has lost about half its shallow-water corals in the last 30 years.

"From rivers and rain forests, to mangroves and mountainsides, across the planet our work shows that wildlife abundance has declined

said. Now, he cites climate change and invasive species as among the top reasons.

Both alter the habitat, for example, of birds who can no longer find the insects they once fed on or plant life they depended on because "they're all interconnected."

"The birds are failing where the non-native species are taking over," Cecil said. "We're seeing major changes. These global trends are consistent in the United States and East Coast."

More positively, the World Wildlife Fund report said habitat restoration and other actions have worked, citing population increases in giant pandas, mountain gorillas and endangered dolphins. photo by Katie Falkenberg/Los Angeles Times/TNS It singled out the U.S. EnA member of the Bageni family rests near family members in the Mikeno Sector of dangered Species Act of 1973 Virunga National Park on Sept. 23, 2014. Gorillas are one of many species that have as helping "an estimated declined in the last several decades.

99 percent of listed species avoid extinction." dramatically since 1970," said Ken Landsat images from 1988 to 2016, Among other findings: Norris, director of science at the Zo- finding that forests covered 4.4 per―Habitat suitable for mammals ological Society of London, which cent of Haiti's land in 1988. That dropped 22 percent from 1970 to provided one of three indexes used plunged to 0.32 percent by 2016.

2010, with the greatest declines in to write the report. "The statistics John Cecil, vice president for stew- the Caribbean, where it exceeded 60 are scary, but all hope is not lost. We ardship at New Jersey Audubon, said percent. have an opportunity to design a new that he had not yet seen the World ―The index measuring extinction path forward that allows us to coex- Wildlife Fund report, but that it was risk for birds, mammals, amphibiist sustainably with the wildlife we in line with previous research. ans, corals and cycads (an ancient depend upon. Our report sets out an "We're finding a broad decline in group of plants) showed declines for ambitious agenda for change." species across the board," Cecil said, all groups, with species moving more As an example of the trend, Temple noting exceptions, such as white- rapidly toward extinction.

University biologist S. Blair Hedges tailed deer and Canada geese. "There ―Humans have already pushed reported Tuesday in the Proceedings are a lot of species out there not some areas beyond their limits of the National Academy of Scienc- threatened with immediate extinc- through climate change, loss of bioes that he and a team of researchers tion, but compared to 50 or 100 years sphere, nitrogen and phosphorous had found a near-total loss of Haiti's ago, their populations have declined flows, and land-use change. primary forest and a mass extinction dramatically." ―Ninety percent of the world's seaof species. Hedges and his colleagues Previously, habitat loss was by far birds are estimated to have plastic scrutinized aerial photography and the biggest driver of species loss, he fragments in their stomachs.

Milo Yiannopoulos’ NYU appearance postponed

BY STORM GIFFORD NEW YORK DAILY NEWS NEW YORK _ Milo Yiannopoulos, the far-right conservative commentator whose shtick is purposefully anti-politically correct, has had his speaking date at New York University postponed.

The 34-year-old speaker had been invited to discuss the "identity politics of Halloween" on Wednesday, but the university postponed the talk after Mayor Bill de Blasio asked the university to reschedule out of concern for public safety with nearby holiday parades expected to take place.

The liberal studies instructor who offered the invite, professor Michael Rectenwald, claimed he invited Yiannopoulos "not as an endorsement of his views," but to challenge NYU censorship.

"The university first learned of professor Rectenwald's invitation to Mr. Yiannopoulos from news reports on Sunday," said NYU spokesman John Beckman. "Safety officials began working on safety planning with police officials Monday."

Yiannopoulos, who has previously referred to President Donald Trump as "Daddy," ended his gig as Breitbart News editor in 2017 after videos surfaced of him endorsing sexual relationships between teen boys and older men in 2017, calling it a "coming-of-age relationship."

Beckman, through an NYU statement, had defended the conservative's right to speak on campus. "(Yiannopoulos) has espoused many ideas that are at odds with the NYU community and are offensive to its members, but as an invited speaker, he will be allowed to speak."

Are you an SGA Club?

Your first ad in the paper is on the house!

Contact Business Manager Gabby Kernozek at gk8273@mcla.edu for details

Nov. 1, 2018 Vol. 87 Issue 7

FEATURES

5

Ballot Review

Guide to the 2018 Midterm Election Candidates

BY JAKE VITALI MANAGING EDITOR With the midterm elections happening Tuesday, Nov. 6, The Beacon has compiled information on candidates in some of the key races for the benefit of the campus community. To access the entire ballot for Tuesday’s election, please visit www.sec.state.ma.us.

United States Senator

Elizabeth Warren—Democrat (Incumbent) Elizabeth Warren is the incumbent U.S. Senator for Massachusetts, a position she was first elected to in 2012. As a U.S. Senator, Warren serves on the Committee for Armed Services; Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs; Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP); and the Special Committee on Aging. She has closely aligned herself with the progressive wing of the party and has challenged corporate banking and student loan practices.

Warren has drawn criticism from her opponents over speculation that she will run for president in 2020. She has also received criticism on a national scale from President Trump for allegedly falsifying Native American ancestry to advance her career through minority quotas.

Geoff Diehl—Republican Geoff Diehl is the incumbent State Representative for the Seventh Plymouth District. He is a member of the Joint Committee on Housing, House Committee on Global Warming, and Climate Change, and the House Committee on Technology and Intergovernmental Affairs. During the 2016 election cycle, Diehl served as the co-chair of President Trump’s Massachusetts campaign.

Diehl’s campaign has focused heavily on his opponent, Elizabeth Warren, speculation that she will run for president and critical of her calls to abolish Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). He has emphasized his support for the Second Amendment, desire to repeal the Affordable Care Act, and building President Trump’s proposed border wall.

Shiva Ayyadurai—Independent Ayyadurai holds a doctorate in biological engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where he also completed a bachelor’s degree and two master’s degrees. If elected, Ayyadurai would advocate for increased border security, stopping the practice of sanctuary cities, and more choices in education. Ayyadurai has previously been involved in multiple lawsuits surrounding his claim to be the inventor of email, which have been challenged by experts in information technology.

U.S. Congress

Democrat Richard Neal, the incumbent, will be the sole candidate on Tuesday’s ballot for Congress. Neal was first elected in 1988 and is currently the ranking member on the House Ways and Means Committee. Throughout his time in the U.S. Congress, Neal has advocated support for Medicare and Social Security and simplification of the federal tax code.

Governor and Lt. Governor

Charlie Baker and Karyn Polito—Republican Charlie Baker is the incumbent governor of Massachusetts, with Karyn Polito serving as the lieutenant governor, both first elected in 2014. Since their election Baker has become a national voice on the opioid epidemic and has shown a willingness to go against his own party, denouncing President Trump and supporting LGBT rights. He has also helped add 350 social workers to the Department of Children and Families to ease their burden.

However, Baker has drawn criticism for not doing more to improve the state’s transportation system and invest enough in the Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority in the eastern part of the state.

photos from Wikimedia Commons

Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker is one candidate up for re-election this November. Former Secretary of Administration and Finance, Jay Gonzalez, is hoping to defeat Baker.

Jay Gonzalez and Quentin Palfrey—Democrat Gonzalez previously served as the Secretary of Administration and Finance under former governor Deval Patrick. Gonzalez would like to spend more money on the state’s public transportation system and put additional revenue into fighting the opioid epidemic. His candidacy was seen as a long shot in this race, however, he has gained support since television debates with Baker have started.

Attorney General

Incumbent Democrat Maura Healy is seeking a second term as the state’s prosecutor. Healy has fought for positions focusing on treating addiction as opposed to incarceration, touted her success suing for-profit colleges and returning money to students, enforced the state’s ban on assault weapons, and joined multiple lawsuits against President Trump.

James R. McMahon III is an attorney from Cape Cod who touts experience trying cases at all levels of the Massachusetts court system, in addition to some federal courts. He believes Healy is more interested in her future political career than the office she currently holds and has criticized her for wanting to make Massachusetts a “sanctuary state.” If elected, McMahon says he will fight for maximum sentencing.

Secretary of State

William F. Galvin will appear on Tuesday’s ballot and is hoping to secure a sixth term. As Secretary of State, Galvin has touted his experience getting more voters registered and engaged, aggressively pursuing investment scammers, and streamlining the process to create new businesses.

Anthony Amore is Galvin’s Republican challenger who currently serves as the Director of Security and Chief Investigator at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston. If elected, Amore would like to make public records more accessible, rein in lobbyists, allow police officers to use alias addresses when starting businesses, and help protect elections from cybersecurity threats.

Juan G. Sanchez, Jr., is a candidate in the Green Rainbow party and touts three goals for the office: to ensure representation for underprivileged and underrepresented groups on Beacon Hill, champion progressive electoral and campaign finance reform, and deliver voter education in multiple languages.

Treasurer

Deborah Goldberg is aiming for her second term as state treasurer. She is facing Keiko Orrall, a Republican from the 12th Bristol District where she has been serving as the state representative. Jamie Guerin is also running on the Green Rainbow party ticket.

State Senate

Democrat Adam Hinds, the incumbent, is the sole candidate to appear on Tuesday’s ballot for state senator. Hinds was first elected in 2016, and some of his agenda includes improving western Massachusetts’ public transit, connecting the Berkshires and New York City by rail, improving high-speed internet in the region, and supporting local business owners and farmers.

State Representative

Incumbent democrat John Barrett III, is the sole candidate to appear on Tuesday's ballot for state representative. Since he was first elected last year, Barrett has taken regional television and internet provider Spectrum to task for their price increases and lineup changes. In addition, he has worked on issues surrounding education and health care. He is also a firm believer in adding computer science to school curriculum.

District Attorney

Democrat Andrea Harrington is the sole candidate to appear on Tuesday’s ballot, after defeating incumbent Paul Caccaviello in the primary election. Harrington is an advocate of criminal justice reform, providing better crime statistics, prosecuting violent crimes, protecting minority groups and helping ex-convicts re-enter society. While Harrington appears on the ballot alone, Caccaviello has run a noteworthy write-in campaign in an effort to remain in office and has the support of the Berkshire County Republican Association.

Voting will be held on Nov. 6 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Saint Elizabeth’s Parish Center.

Arts & Entertainment

7

6

Arts & Entertainment

A New “Halloween” Hits Theaters

BY JEN VANBRAMER A&E WRITER The eleventh installment of the “Halloween” series was brought to life this October season with the ever-socreepy killer, “Boogeyman” (a.k.a. Michael Myers), who will definitely make you jump out of your seat and haunt you in your sleep, so don’t watch it alone.

A direct sequel to John Carpenter’s original 1978 “Halloween,” the 2018 slasher film, directed by David Gordon Green, skips over the previous reboots that came out after the first and reminisces on the horrors of the past showing how trauma and suffering from PTSD can affect those who have lived through it.

It has been 40 long years since Laurie Strode (Jamie Lee Curtis) survived a vicious attack from crazed killer Michael Myers (Nick Castle, 1978, and James Jude Courtney, 2018) on Halloween night. Left paranoid and unable to move on with her life, Laurie isolates herself by living in a remote location in the woods, away from her family.

Locked up in a mental institution after murdering five female babysitters, Michael manages to escape when his

Photo courtesy of Universal Pictures.

James Jude Courtney as Michael Myers in “Halloween.” prison transfer goes horribly for all. wrong. As the nightmare beWhen it was first announced gins four decades later, Lau- that Nick Castle would be rerie has been preparing herself prising the role of Michael Myfor his arrival all along and is ers in the 2018 installment of hardly surprised with his re- “Halloween,” it was assumed turn home to Haddonfield, Il- that he would be playing the linois, as she says, “He’s wait- role for the entire film. What it ed for me and I’ve waited for turned out to be is James Jude him.” Together, Laurie, her Courtney primarily acting in daughter Karen (Judy Greer), place of Castle, who only has and granddaughter Allyson one cameo in the film where (Andi Matichak), face the ter- Laurie first sees Michael lookrifying masked madman as ing out a second-story window they try to end him once and sporting the iconic head tilt

that fans of the original “Halloween” will instantly recognize.

Michael Myers has been and continues to be one of the most classic horror film characters ever created. He is not a person recognized by a face, but by a mask, and is known to be called "The Shape" and/ or the "Boogeyman." Even though the audience can catch glimpses of Michael minus his mask in the beginning of the film, they never truly get

the full picture. We are left to wonder what he really looks like without his mask and we may not ever find out. Many believe there is nothing underneath the mask, except pure evil.

Jamie Lee Curtis’s role as Laurie Strode has been a remarkable one in her career thus far. Along with the 1978 original, Curtis played Laurie in three “Halloween” sequels over the years, including :“Halloween II” (1981); “Halloween H20: 20 Years Later” (1998); and “Halloween: Resurrection” (2002). This time around though, Curtis’s character is done living her life in fear. She is more determined than ever for revenge on Michael, especially when she says, “I’ve prayed every night he would escape so that I could kill him," which is where we learn she isn’t messing around.

“Halloween” presents a whirlwind of scare jumps, a suspenseful and reoccurring theme song that will forever haunt your mind, and gruesome violence that is shocking in its execution, but will definitely have you covering your eyes.

If you are looking for a good scare, don’t miss out on your chance to see “Halloween” in a theater near you!

WJJW Unplugged—An Acoustic Evening with Talented Artists

BY WYATT MINEAU A&E WRITER For their first show of the current semester, "WJJW Unplugged," members of the MCLA radio station and students came together for a wonderful night of acoustic music, featuring talent from both MCLA and beyond.

WJJW is best known as MCLA's student-run radio station.

Headed by adjunct professor James Niedbalski, the station celebrated its 45th anniversary with a campus-wide show last March.

Jacob Vitali, WJJW's president, who also runs his own radio block, "Your World," was able to comment on all that went into the preparation for this acoustic concert.

"It's exciting for us, because it's an opportunity for us to get our name out there and really be at the forefront of the community, which is something that I'm really big on. You know, the one thing I hear from people is that they either know we have a college radio station and they listen religiously, or they don't really know that we're out there. So the more that we can put our name out there, I think the better that that (sic) is."

This show is just the first

for WJJW this semester and starred local talent Luke O'Brien, as well as Colby Dix, a musician from Vermont, who has also played with Brad Paisley and Brookes & Dunn, among others.

There is also a show planned with three acts, including UMass Amherst student group "Don't Blow It," indie rock group "Long Neck" from New Jersey, and Laura Stevenson.

The location isn't confirmed as of yet, but plans are close to the MCLA campus.

"We started over the summer just brainstorming acts that we'd like to see. We made a pretty lengthy list of acts, because when you plan a concert there's things like availability issues. So we kind of settled on these guys, probably earlyto mid-September, and went from there," Jacob continued.

"We toyed with the idea of making them part of a bigger line-up, and then we said, 'No, in order to get our name recognition out there more, do a couple shows this semester,' as opposed to only doing one.

"We spread it out a little bit more, so this is kind of the first wave of that concept."

The show started with O'Brien being introduced to the small audience of around 15 (an intimate gathering in

Photo by Wyatt Mineau.

Luke O’Brien performing during the WJJW Unplugged show.

Sullivan Lounge) to raucous laughter and applause. His first song was a cover of "Shut Up Kiss Me" by Angel Olsen, and for the next hour he performed both covers and songs he wrote himself, such as "Yellow Windows" and "Teenage Love Song" (which he admitted to writing when he was 16).

His final song was "the Trash the Trash the Trash," a cover of a song by Jeff Rosenstock.

After he finished his broadcasting block and joined the crowd, Vitali introduced the next performer, Colby Dix. Dix started with his self-written song, "34," and for the

next two hours, owned the lounge with both original songs, songs from his comedy group "Touchpants," and covers of other famous songs, like "Heart-Shaped Box" by Nirvana. However, unlike O'Brien, who performed with just his acoustic guitar, Dix was a oneman band of multiple instruments.

Throughout his performance, Dix used a unique foot switch that allowed him to record a riff or verse on the fly and then keep it playing while he performed other parts of the song. This method allowed him to perform multiple guitar

riffs at a single time, give himself a bass and drum line, and even harmonize, all with just a few movements of his foot.

His voice also had impressive inflections, and it was clear he got very into every song he sang, having to wipe away tears periodically. However, between songs he was also very cool and casual, making jokes with the audience and admitting to not having a set playlist for the night. Dix even launched into a discussion about an IBM-based clock that adorned the lounge's wall, as he likes to collect and restore similar clocks.

While the crowd was small, both performers absolutely owned it the entire night, with loud applause after every single song performed.

If you're interested in future shows, you can always follow WJJW's Facebook page or listen in on WJJW 91.1 FM in North Adams. If you'd like to hear some music tonight, Luke O'Brien's band, "Crashing Sunset," can be found at crashingsunset.bandcamp. com, and Colby Dix's music can be found on Spotify.

Disclaimer: Both Wyatt Mineau and Jacob Vitali are members of both WJJW and the Beacon.

Arts & Entertainment

7

The Parlor Café: Nostalgia and New

BY NORA HONES A&E EDITOR The Parlor Café had their grand opening Friday, Oct. 26, a smashing success for new owners, MCLA alumni Julia Daly and Nick Tardive.

The Parlor had its soft opening Monday, Oct. 22, with an array of reasonably-priced drink and food choices. Their grand opening on the 26th, accompanied by live music, was the real showing for how well-loved this café is.

The small café was packed wall-to-wall with patrons crowded around the performers, actually standing in the hallway behind the bands, to fit into the room. Every seat was filled, and available standing room occupied to the point where groups standing outside for a smoke, still left barely any room for newcomers.

The doors opened at 7 p.m., with music starting at 7:30 p.m., but as I discovered when arriving at 7:20 p.m., if you wanted a place to sit you should have gotten there at doors-open even if you wanted a decent place to stand.

The first band to play was Forks of Buffalo, a three-piece folk-based band comprised of keys, bass and electric guitar.

They put on a very mellow show

with a heavy chill café vibe.

Forks of Buffalo asked the crowd to do some "class participation" and stomp and clap to the drum beat of “Be My Baby” by The Ronettes, the beat accompanying a song of Forks' own. The whole room filled with the sound of clapping and stomping and persisted throughout the entire song.

The second band on was Quincy, which as the band members joked is usually a six-piece band although only four members were at this show, saying they were only four-sixths of Quincy. Based out of North Adams, their style combines jam rock and folk/indie music to create crowd-pleasing tunes. Out of the three bands, they had the most renowned music in the room with many people singing along.

Quincy, comprised of drum, bass, electric and acoustic guitars, filled the space perfectly.

My housemate, who came to the show with me, and who had attended the Parlor before they shut down, mentioned that the previous owners didn’t always have bands that suited the vibe and space, but Nick and Julia did a great job with that. I agree.

Quincy also mentioned this wasn’t their first time playing at the Parlor and that they had performed there six or seven

Photo by Nora Hones

Julia Daly selling coffee during The Parlor’s grand opening. years ago, even performing the same songs.

The café was filled with current students, community members, friends of Julia and Nick, and alumni who had been fans of the Parlor or have heard stories about it in its heyday.

“I was going to the Parlor back when it was owned by Jason,” explained Kevin Hill-Williams 2017 MCLA alum about how he heard about the Parlor. He had also attended the SereniTea Café, but wasn’t very impressed.

He “heard through the grape-

vine Nick and Julia were trying to get it.”

Hill-Williams kept passing by the café waiting for the "Coming Soon" sign to come down and realized the sign was gone earlier this week. The next day he came in and spent the day drinking coffee, “only the way an English major can.”

“I’m enjoying it [the Parlor Café] thoroughly. It’s a mixture of nostalgia and something new,” Hill-Williams said, summing up how many people who had attended the Parlor in the

past seemed to feel at the opening.

Between the second and third musical acts of the night, there was a slightly longer break due to some technical difficulties.

The café emptied slightly, still full, but now people were able to stand in a location where they could see the musicians and entertain themselves with things like thumb wars.

The third act was Adrian Aardvark, a four-piece indie folk, punk rock band from Plattsburgh, New York. They were made up of drums, violin, electric guitar and a stand-up bass. The packed café, from its baristas to its attendees, was thoroughly enjoying the band, bobbing their heads to the beat, even singing along.

“We’ve got a good thing started,” said Tavish Costello, passing the pumpkin donation bucket, trick-or-treating in the Halloween spirit. Costello helped set up the show and was excited to be getting more music into North Adams with its great up-andcoming arts community.

Current hours for the Parlor Café are: Monday, 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Tuesday, CLOSED; Wednesday-Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Saturday-Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Be sure to stop in and check them out.

THE 8TH ANNUAL MICHAEL S. AND KITTY DUKAKIS PUBLIC POLICY LECTURE SERIES

TA-NEHISI COATES National Book Award winner and author of the ‘Black Panther’ and ‘Captain America’ comic books Keynote speaker of MCLA’s first Day of Dialogue

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2018 7:00 P.M. AMSLER CAMPUS CENTER GYMNASIUM FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC Please arrive early to ensure seating. No bags in gymnasium.

The Michael S. and Kitty Dukakis Public Policy Lecture Series is made possible through the generosity of the Ruth Proud Charitable Trust.

M A S S A CHU S ETTS C OL LE G E OF L IB ER A L ARTS

375 Church Street, North Adams, MA 413 662 5224

MCLA.EDU

8

Arts & Entertainment

On the Record: Belltower Records Opens

BY HANNAH SNELL A&E WRITER When asked why open an independent record shop in an era of digital music streaming, Wesley Nelson answered, laughing: “Because we’re crazy.”

Nelson, along with partner Andrea Belair, opened Belltower Records on Oct. 20, after purchasing iconic Williamstown record shop, Toonerville Trolley CDs & Records, which was owned by Hal March for 40 years.

According to the Berkshire Eagle, Toonerville was the last independent record shop in the Berkshires.

The pair decided to move the location of the shop from 131 Water St. in Williamstown to inside the historic Norad Mill at 60 Roberts Drive in North Adams.

The shop, with its warm orange walls, resides on the third floor of the mill, nestled in between other local businesses, such as Tupelo Press and DeMarsico Wine Cellar. According to WAMC Northeast Public Radio, Norad Mill has a five-year development plan, with 35 businesses to lease space in the building.

According to Nelson and Belair, the decision to change locations was based on logistical and financial reasons.

While going through March’s inventory and collection over the summer, it also made more sense to sort through the records and then move them into the new store.

Belair, who grew-up in Charlemont, was not familiar with Toonerville while growing-up, but came across it when it was announced that March would be selling the business.

The pair formally purchased the store in April 2018, and since then moved from New Haven, Connecticut, to Troy, New York, and began the inventory and moving process over the summer.

Belair and Nelson were both attracted to March’s vast jazz and experimental collection and wanted to continue it.

With the new location, Nelson and Belair hope to use the space to host live performances and shows, as music booking is something they both have experience with.

They hope to utilize space within the mill as a performance venue, as well

as hold smaller, in-shop performances.

Part of Nelson and Belair’s love for vinyl records came from being musicians and playing in various bands.

“Then we were both in bands and we were putting out records on vinyl, which is what musicians seem to like to do nowadays, to put out vinyls is kind of what you aspire to a lot,” Belair said.

The pair, according to Nelson, actually met through playing at shows.

“That’s kind of how we knew each other, was through the music community,” Belair said. “Records are kind of a part of that when you’re into music and going to shows.”

Nelson has been in bands throughout his life, from an unnamed screamo band in high school to a hard psych rock group, and most recently, garage-rock band Estrogen Highs.

Belair had been playing in shoegaze-y dream and noise-pop band, Procedure Club, on Slumberland Records, from early 2009 until late 2017-early 2018. Nelson later joined the band and, after playing the guitar as a fill-in, became a “regular.”

While being musicians fueled the pair’s passion for record-collecting, they both grew up appreciating and listening to records.

Nelson’s earliest recollection of buying records was when he was 13 years old and coming into his own music sense.

“Growing up, my parents had their records in the ‘80s and ‘90s and then I got into punk music when I was a teenager, and a lot of punk bands put out seven-inch records and LPs so I started buying that,” he said. “I bought a record player out of necessity. I’ve been collecting ever since and it’s grown into an obsession.”

For Belair, she always had a record player in her home growing up, but started personally collecting at around age 13 or 14.

“I didn’t collect many … I did it as a little bit of a hobby because it seemed cool to do,” she said. “At the time, it was considered kind of more obscure, kind of harder to do and it seemed like a nice activity, like something I had to seek out and try to do and I’d special-order things from San Francisco and it seemed really exotic, so I really liked that.”

According to the pair, the decision to change the name of the shop from “Toonerville Trolley” to “Belltower,” was to distinguish the shop as “something new,” while still not “dissolving” Toonerville.

“Belltower” had also been a pseudonym for Belair, as a play on her last name, “Andrea Belltower.”

About half of Belltower’s inventory, which ranges from hip-hop to jazz to bluegrass to industrial and experimental, came from Toonerville Trolley, according to Nelson and Belair. Artist DJ Spooky was also selling his collection for charity, which allowed them to acquire more rock and reggae albums.

While the shop has only been open for about a week and a half, Nelson and Belair reported they would like to expand their folk/bluegrass collection, as well as divide their rock section into more subgenres, such as “psychedelic-rock” and “garage-rock.” They also said they want to develop more of an “eye,” balancing what people are looking for and what they can introduce them to.

“My favorite feeling is sharing music with people and having a positive response,” Nelson said.

Belltower Records is open Wednesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Norad Mill.

Hal March, who owned Toonerville Trolley Records and CDs for 40 years before retiring, lends a hand on the opening day of Belltower Records.

Photo courtesy of Belltower Records

Nov. 1, 2018 Vol. 87 Issue 7

OPINION

9

Editorial

The Importance of Voting On Tuesday, Nov. 6, the midterm elections will take place across our state and across our country. After two years of anger and resistance toward the Trump administration, this is your opportunity to make your voice heard.

Throughout the past week, this president has said some of his most radical things while in office. Plans to overturn birthright citizenship, which the Fourteenth Amendment outlines clearly, through none other than an executive order should be reason enough to have voters swarm to the polls.

We have seen time and time again from the failure to condemn the violence in Charlottesville, to the abandonment of American allies in favor of untrustworthy dictators, to the decision to stand behind Brett Kavanaugh as a nominee to the nation’s highest court, to the recent leaks that this president will soon

move to reclassify the definition of gender under Title IX. The current U.S. Congress and Senate stand idly by as this president rejects the values of our country and the values of true conservatism. This election is one where we have the opportunity to provide a true check and balance as this country was designed to do, or we can continue to provide a rubber stamp.

But the national elections are not the only significant ones in this race. In Massachusetts we’re voting on a U.S. Senator, Governor, State Representatives, State Senators, and even localized races like Registrar of Deeds.

Massachusetts faces a number of issues today that our votes can help solve: a battle against opioid addiction, underfunded and in some cases crumbling public transportation, and unions which are under threat.

The people we send to Beacon Hill

have the ability to make significant waves in solving these problems.

In a world where it is so easy to scream into the void of Twitter and Facebook, engage in comment section debates, all from the comfort of your couch—leaving the house and voting may seem like a lot to ask. But imagine how outraged you’ll feel if the status quo continues and your radical aunt or uncle who did vote basks in the glory of their candidate(s) winning.

We need the young, the old, and anyone who cares about this country to mobilize and to vote. The president is arguably the important office in the land, but it is not the only office in the land with power— at least not yet.

Polls in North Adams are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday and voting will be held at Saint Elizabeth’s Parish Center in North Adams. We hope to see you there.

The Beacon is published Thursdays during the academic year and is distributed to the MCLA community. The Beacon is funded by the Student Government Association, the English/Communications department and ad revenue. Single copies are free and additional copies can be purchased at 50 cents each. If you wish to purchase additional copies, please contact a member of staff.

Contact News desk number: 413-662-5535 Business number: 413-662-5204 Email: beacon@mcla.edu Website: theonlinebeacon.com Office: Mark Hopkins Hall, Room 111

Policies Letters: The Beacon welcomes Letters to the Editor and columns on issues of interest to the campus. Deadlines are 11:59 p.m. Sunday.

Strive for 500 words or less.

Editorial: Unsigned editorials that appear in these pages reflect the views of The Beacon.

Signed columns and commentary pieces reflect the views of their writers.

Contribution: The Beacon accepts stories, photos and opinion pieces. Submit to beacon@mcla.edu.

Advertising: The Beacon reserves the right to not publish any advertisement it deems libelous, false or in bad taste.

Editorial Board Editor-in-Chief Ron Leja

Managing Editor

A & E Editor

Jake Vitali

Nora Hones

Sports Editor

Senior News Editor Maya McFadden

Jabari Shakir

Business Manager

Copy Chief

Gabby Kernozek

Elizabeth Haight

BWN Executive Producer Julia Teixeira

Staff

Staff Writers

Dalaina Yamawaki Sophie Player

Copy Editor Hannah Snell

A&E Writers

Wyatt Mineau Jen VanBramer

Columnist/ Commentator Andrew Baillargeon

BWN Reporters Karina Mattera Andrew Strout Ally Thienel Shunquell Dennis Victoria Weichel Erika Lucia

Advisers Shawn McIntosh Qian Wang

SPORTS

10

Nov. 1, 2018 Vol. 87 Issue 7

Junior setter Tessa Sestito finished her career with 57 kills, 672 assists, 398 digs and scored 134 points.

Photo by Joseph Doyle

Trailblazers come up short in playoff loss; ends season MCLA Trailblazers fail to advance to the semifinals, defeated by Westfield State 3-1.

The Owls beat the Trailblazers in three sets. The scores were 26-24, 25-12 and 25-12. The Trailblazers completed with a total of 24 kills, 29 errors, 24 assists, 54 digs, and scored a total of 39 points.

The Westfield State Owls move on to face second-seed Salem State or first-seed Worcester on Thursday, Nov. 1 at 7 p.m.

MCLA’s freshman outside hitter Sara Lafreniere led her team with nine points scored and six kills.

JABARI SHAKIR SPORTS EDITOR

Following up was her teammate freshman rightside Ahna Schlaefer with seven and a half points, six kills and 12 digs. Junior setter Tessa Sestito also added 13 assists and 17 digs.

Seniors Beatrice Lechler and Celine Manigbas finished their career out strong with Manigbas having 15 digs and Lechler adding to her career-assists stats with nine.

The Westfield State Owls finished with 52 kills, 23 errors, 49 assists, 67 digs and a total of 76 points. Owls' senior middle hitter Brianna Starkey led her team with 20 points and 18 kills.

Following her was freshman middle hitter Ashley Crowley scoring 14 points, 10 kills, and eight digs.

Senior Libero Jess Haradon led with 25 digs and junior right-side setter Ally Rega led her team with 41 assists and 11 digs.MCLA’s very own Beatrice Lechler finished her career with a total of 70 kills, 1089 assists, 456 digs and 182 points scored. Additionally, Celine Manigbas completed with 11 kills, 33 assists, and 288 digs.

The Trailblazers finished this season with a record of 8-18, 2-6 in the MASCAC conference.

Photos of the Season Photos by Joseph Doyle

The Traiblazers averaged 0.79 blocks per set out of a total of 72 blocks this season.

Junior middle hitter and outside hitter Sara Lafreniere finished with a total of 281 digs for her career.

Freshman defensive specialist Madison Benilen completed her first year with two kills, six assists, 67 digs and scoring seven points total.

Junior middle hitter and outside hitter Sara Lafreniere finished with a total of 322 kills, 27 assists, and scored 389.5 points.

SPORTS

Nov. 1, 2018 Vol. 87 Issue 7

11

Trailblazers’ Lose Tough to Bears JABARI SHAKIR SPORTS EDITOR The Bridgewater State Bears defeated the MCLA Trailblazers in a tough game 3-2, finishing the season with a winless record of 0-15-1, MASCAC 0-7.

The Bears' record improved to 10-7 while receiving their fifth win in the MASCAC conference standing at 5-2.

In the MASCAC, first place Framingham State and second place Bridgewater State clinched with first-round byes while Salem State clinched third, Worcester cliched fourth, and Fitchburg clinched fifth place.

This is MCLA’s longest losing streak since the season of 2013, which was 13 in a row.

The Trailblazers completed with a total of ten saves, thirteen fouls, nine shots, and thirteen shots attempts on goal. MCLA's freshman goal-

keeper Holvin Nieves defended against thirteen shots on goal and had ten saves while playing a total 90 minutes.

His teammate, junior defender Ryan Wanek, finished with three shots, two shots on goal and two goals. Wanek scored his first goal of the season (unassisted) at 6:10 in the first half from 23 yards out.

Senior Khalil Kareh played his last game as an MCLA Trailblazer with midfielder Kareh completing with a shot, an assist and one shot on goal. Forward Garrett Derosia had two shots and one shot on goal. Kareh finished his career with a total 59 games played, two goals, three assists, 38 shots and 16 shots on goal.

The Bears very own freshman midfielder Odair Monterio led his team with a total of four shots, one shot on goal and scored his second

Photo courtesy of MCLA Athletics

The men’s soccer team ended a winless season at 0-15-1 when they lost 3-2 to the MASCAC second-place Bridgewater State Bears. goal of the season to tie the win. Junior goalkeeper Nate shots on goal, eight fouls, and game. Sophomore forward Morgado defended against one assist.

Kevin Roberts had two shots, six shots on goal and had four The Trailblazers finished the two shots on goal, and scored saves while playing a total 90 season with 134 shots, eight twice in the second half, giv- minutes. The Bears concluded scored goals, three assists, and ing the Bears a lead and a with a total of 25 shots, eight 59 shots on goal.

Midseason NFL Playoff and Firing Picks Week eight in the NFL is over and done with. The playoff picture continues to be predictably murky, but we now have an idea of who the outstanding candidates to land seeds are and who clearly won’t be on the field after Week 17. With that, I wanted to prognosticate how the NFL playoffs will line up:

NFC Wild Cards: Vikings defeat Redskins, Eagles defeat Panthers NFC Divisionals: Rams defeat Eagles, Saints defeat Vikings NFC Championship: Saints defeat Rams Super Bowl: Patriots defeat Saints

So there you have it. I’m officially calling for the Patriots to win the Super Bowl this year. Tom Brady, already cemented as the greatest to ever ANDREW BAILLARGEON play the game, furthers this distinction with a AFC: huge game against a sturdy Saints defense, outTHE CALL 1 seed: New England Padueling Drew Brees to win Super Bowl MVP. triots Of course, while there will be teams post-Week 2 seed: Kansas City Chiefs 17 playing for the hardware, there will be teams 3 seed: Houston Texans watching all the action from home. Plenty of turnover 4 seed: Baltimore Ravens occurs during this time, too. Hot seats begin to melt, 5 seed: Los Angeles Chargers and many, particularly head coaches, get dismissed.

6 seed: Pittsburgh Steelers Let’s have a look at who will be looking for employment AFC Wild Cards: Ravens defeat Chargers, Steelaround the NFL: ers defeat Texans The Cleveland Browns will fire Head Coach Hue JackAFC Divisionals: Ravens defeat Chiefs, Patriots son and Defensive Coordinator Gregg Williams—a move defeat Steelers overdue by about a year. Coming off an 0-16 season, it’s AFC Championship: Patriots defeat Ravens surprising the Browns would draft their potential franchise quarterback and then wait a year to commit the NFC: inevitable. Hue Jackson and Gregg Williams are not 1 seed: Los Angeles Rams winning coaches in the NFL. Jackson can at least find 2 seed: New Orleans Saints success as an Offensive Coordinator. Gregg Williams, on 3 seed: Minnesota Vikings the other hand, can take his overtly aggressive, horren4 seed: Philadelphia Eagles dous play-calling to Madden or something.

5 seed: Carolina Panthers The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will fire Head Coach Dirk 6 seed: Washington Redskins Koetter. Now that we know Jameis Winston definitely

isn’t their franchise quarterback, especially after his recent benching after getting torched by an average Bengals defense, it makes little sense for the Buccaneers to keep him around next year. With that, may as well blow up the whole thing; new head coach for a new incoming quarterback. Dirk Koetter hasn’t exactly been irreplaceable during his sub par tenure.

The New York Jets will fire Head Coach Todd Bowles.

His first season, the team finished 10-6 and narrowly missed the playoffs. Ever since then, they haven’t won more than five games in a season. They’ve had four rookie or young quarterbacks come and go, with no success, and Sam Darnold has been fairly unimpressive thus far.

Considering the exorbitant draft capital the Jets gave up to move up to pick Darnold, making the most out of that investment, rather than being overtly loyal to a head coach who hasn’t achieved anything, will be what brings about Bowles’ end.

The Denver Broncos will fire Head Coach Vance Joseph. Much like Bowles, Joseph hasn’t produced anything of note, working with a number of young quarterbacks in his tenure with the team. With the Kansas City Chiefs and, to a lesser extent LA Chargers, running the AFC West, the Broncos will end up going the path of their rivals, the Oakland Raiders, (minus the Raiders firing their head coach) by rebuilding and getting better through the draft. The team has missed fairly badly on their draft picks in recent years, though, so they may need a new approach to the 2019 draft to make this arrangement work. John Elway, who brought them a Super Bowl ring, certainly isn’t going anywhere as the team’s GM, and he’s smart enough to figure it out. He’ll start with Joseph’s dismissal at the end of the year.

Celebrating 45+ Years of Great Radio!

e r o m e r a s m r e t d i M ? s w n o o i n t k c e u l e l a i t Did yo n e d i s e r P n a h t t n a t r o imp

E T O V

6 R E B M E V O N , Y A D S TUE Problems voting? Call the Election Protection Hotline at (866) OUR-VOTE • (866) 687-8683

VOTE.ORG