Vol. 65, Issue 6

to me

UT System ceases new diversity, equity and inclusion policies across its campuses

By Mason Hickok Editor-in-Chief

The University of Texas (UT) System Board of Regents has ceased all new diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) policies across its campuses. Additionally, the Board of Regents has asked for a report of all existing DEI policies from school leaders.

Kevin P. Eltife, the chairman of the Board of Regents, made the announcement last Wednesday, as reported by the Austin American-Statesman. The action comes while Republican lawmakers criticize DEI initiatives in higher education as affecting university hiring processes.

The Vice President of UTSA’s

Student opinions on TikTok ban

Office of Inclusive Excellence is Myron Anderson. The Paisano worked to set up an interview with Anderson with the help of the University Relations to discuss diversity in hiring practices. Joe Izbrand, the chief communications officer who handles the media, said that Anderson could not meet and that he “has very limited time on his calendar right now because of the projects he’s working on.” Instead, Izbrand commented on UTSA’s hiring.

“UTSA’s hiring practices are consistent with state and federal employment and non-discrimination laws,” Izbrand said. “We will continue to fulfill our legal obligations while working to bring the brightest academic

New bill introduced in Texas Legislature proposes banning universities as designated polling

and research minds to UTSA to advance social mobility and economic prosperity for our students and our community.”

The Paisano previously reported on the faculty senate discussing academic freedom and tenure concerns. In their session, UTSA’s approach to what will occur in the Texas Legislature was described as being “thoughtful and deliberate.”

While it remains to be seen how the directive from the UT System will affect UTSA’s existing policies around DEI, The Paisano again wanted to try and speak to Anderson for this story. Izbrand told us that Anderson’s availability remains unchanged.

Red McCombs, generous donor to The Paisano Educational Trust, passes away at 95

By Gauri Raje News Editor

Earlier this month, State Representative Carrie Isaac, a Republican representing Texas’ 73rd district, introduced House Bill 2390 (HB 2390) in the Texas House of Representatives. The bill proposes banning college campuses from serving as polling sites for elections.

As a polling site and location for early voting, UTSA is one of the universities targeted under this new bill.

“It seemed like it was targeting college students directly and trying to suppress their power at the ballot box,” Bella Nieto, a senior political science major at UTSA, said.

Nieto is a part of Texas Rising, a nonpartisan grassroots organization “empowering young people through issue advocacy and voter registration.”

At UTSA, the organization tables during election season to get students registered to vote, provides students with infor-

mation about the elections and reminds them to vote.

“People are turning 18 every day, so it’s important that organizations like Texas Rising, like Move Texas, like Jolt, that they’re reaching these people,” Nieto said. “I think that young people have a lot of power when it comes to elections.”

Having a polling site on campus is a convenient way for college students to vote despite their hectic schedules. Furthermore, Nieto discussed the convenience of early voting at UTSA as a student.

“It’s really easy, especially during early voting, because there’s not much of a line,” Nieto said. “So you can just take 15 minutes to go vote and then go to class. It’s especially good if you live on campus or if you don’t have a car because you can just go and do it. And during early voting, it takes like maybe 15 minutes and you’ll be good to go.”

See Voting on Page 2

By Gauri Raje News Editor

San Antonio businessman and philanthropist Billy Joe “Red” McCombs, a generous donor to The Paisano Educational Trust, passed away at the age of 95, according to a statement from his family.

“The entire McCombs Family is heartbroken to announce that our father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, Red McCombs, passed away on Sunday, Feb. 19, 2023. As he drew his last breath peacefully at home, he was surrounded by family that loved and adored him,” the statement read.

As a businessman, McCombs owned 50 car dealerships under the Red McCombs Automotive Group at one point, the Texas Tribune reports. He also owned the NFL team Minnesota Vikings and the NBA team Denver Nuggets. Furthermore, he owned the Spurs basketball team at two different times and is credited with bringing the franchise to San Antonio. He also founded Clear Chan-

nel Communications, now known as iHeartMedia and headquartered in San Antonio, with Lowry Mays in 1972. McCombs was also known for his philanthropic efforts. He donated $50 million to UT Austin in 2000, prompting the university to name its business school after him. In 2005, McCombs and his foundation donated $30 million to the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston.

McCombs was a supporter of college journalism. He was one of the early major donors to the capital campaign to build The Paisano Media Arts Center, the 3,000-square-foot building where The Paisano is produced. He cut the ribbon to open the building in 2014 and made an additional four-year donation to support The Paisano’s mission to educate future professional writers and entrepreneurs. The Paisano’s newsroom is named in honor of the Red and Charline McCombs Family Foundation.

SGA provides budget updates, amends by-laws in recent general assembly

By Gauri Raje News Editor

In last week’s General Assembly, the Student Government Association (SGA) provided updates to its annual budget and amended its bylaws.

The meeting started with an update from SGA President Jasmin Paquet-Durand Ford, who encouraged members to apply for executive positions without hesitation, adding that anyone interested should reach out to her in order to get a full picture of the responsibilities that come with the different positions.

Updates from Vice President Shaca Sweet and other members of the executive cabinet, including Treasurer Marc-Anthony Medina, followed this. Medina presented updates to the SGA budget, a responsibility that the treasurer has to undertake every month. Based on

the slides presented, as of Feb. 2, 2023, the current balance stands at $22,857.61. Recent SGA expenses include the Rowdy Prize Cab giveaways, a February 2023 SAC meeting in Austin, SGA Rack Cards and expenses for last week’s UTSA Day at the Capitol.

Executive updates were followed by updates from the executive directors and committee reports.

The Assembly then adjourned for recess, during which Paquet-Durand Ford encouraged senators to engage with the student body.

After the Assembly resumed, SGA senators had the opportunity to vote on amendments that were proposed to the SGA by-laws.

The first amendment proposed was to By-Law II, which deals with SGA elections.

Red McCombs, pictured at the opening of The Paisano Media Arts Center.

‘‘It signals

that they don’t want us to vote’ ’

“It seemed like it was targeting college students directly and trying to suppress their power at the ballot box”

Unclear how this move will affect UTSA’s existing DEI policies

Diane Abdo/The Paisano

Mason Hickok/The Paisano

“It was honestly a good idea that they banned it just because it was very distracting.”

“This is a shocker to me. I didn’t know TikTok was banned [on campus]. I think it’s good and bad. ”

“I think its kind of an odd thing to focus on ... they probably could have focused on something more important.”

Camila Martinez Rivera /The Paisano

UTSA

The U.S. State Department’s English Language Specialist Program has selected UTSA College of Education and Human Development Associate Professor M. Sidury Christiansen to serve as an English Language Specialist for a threeweek virtual project. The project’s mission is to teach researchers about using technology to present research. Christiansen’s three-week virtual project – which will begin on March 3 – is one of about 240 projects selected by the program.

The UTSA Institute of Texan Cultures (ITC) has added a new component to its African American Texans gallery: an oral history project called “You Take It From Here.” The project features local high school students documenting their conversations with their parents about growing up Black on the east side of San Antonio. The exhibit “opened this month as part of the institute’s Black History Month observances and will be available for viewing through fall 2024.”

Texas

School officials and local law enforcement in Central Texas are attempting to cut down on youth vaping by offering $100 to any student who anonymously reports a classmate in possession of a THC vape pen. Multiple students in Comal County have been arrested on felony charges, where possession of even one illegal THC vape pen can carry a punishment of up to 10 years in prison.

U.S.

On Friday, Feb. 24, 12 states announced that they are suing the Food and Drug Administration for its strict limits on mifepristone, one of the two drugs used as a medication for abortions.

According to The Washington Post, the legal challenge was filed Thursday in Washington State by attorney generals in Washington and Oregon. Additional states included in the lawsuit comprise of Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Michigan, Nevada, New Mexico, Rhode Island and Vermont.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a health advisory warning on Friday to alert the public about a reported increase in the drug-resistant bacteria called Shigella. This particular strain — which can cause a fever, abdominal cramping and bloody diarrhea — is easily transmissible and can even spread its antimicrobial resistance genes to other bacteria in the intestines.

World

On Friday, Feb. 24, world leaders from the G-7 intergovernmental political forum — including the U.S., Canada, France, Italy, Germany, Japan and the U.K. — presented a “united and determined front against Russia,” as reported by U.S. News. The group referenced the one-year mark of Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine to let the Russian leader know they would make Russia pay for their actions.

Continued Voting

Texas Rising is also advocating for another piece of legislation, House Bill 644 (HB 644), whose goal is the opposite of HB 2390. HB 644 would require the commissioner’s court of a county to designate a polling location on “the main campus of a general academic teaching institution as defined by Section 51.821, Education Code” with an enrollment of at least 8,000 students.

Jon Taylor, chair of UTSA’s Department of Political Science and Geography, explained that while HB 2390 does not explicitly single out college students, it is a way to target young voters.

“[Isaac], among others in her party, blamed students and student turnout for Democratic gains,” Taylor said. “It’s not like Democrats had many gains in 2020; they didn’t. What’s interesting is that it’s an attempt to suppress potential student voting.”

Overall, young voters tend to favor the Democratic Party. Tufts reports that, according to the Edison Research National Election Pool exit poll, youth voters in the 2022 midterms preferred the Democratic Party to the Republican Party 63% to 35% for House of Representatives seats. Furthermore, the cohort of voters aged 18 to 29 was the only category that strongly favored the Democratic Party over the Republican Party.

“Voter turnout between the ages of 18 to 29 isn’t great to begin with, and by creating yet another impediment, creating another inconvenience, you’re discouraging potentially that cohort of voters from turning out in the next election,” Taylor added.

Given that young voters tend to favor Democratic candidates, Taylor pointed out that HB 2390 does nothing to cement Republican support among young voters; in fact, it does the exact opposite.

“The optics are terrible because [the] Republican Party [is] supposedly trying to attract

younger voters,” Taylor said. “You’re sending the exact wrong message by saying, ‘We don’t trust any of you, kids; therefore, we’re going to take the voting stations away [at] universities and colleges.’”

HB 2390 isn’t the first time that the state of Texas has been at the center of controversy when it comes to voting. Of note recently was Senate Bill 1, which restricted the use of mail-in-ballots and early voting in the state, among other things. The state was also in hot water after its 2021 redistricting plan was criticized for discriminating against voters of color.

“To me, it’s a problem because there [have] already been attempts at limiting when voters can do early voting, how long early voting takes place, and now you’re going to try to eliminate yet another venue for voting,” Taylor said. “It’s singling out college students or colleges and universities implying that college students are somehow going to vote one particular party — Democratic primarily — and that this is an impediment to continued Republican control.”

Given the number of bills introduced each legislative session, it is not very likely that this bill will make it out of committee, and even less likely that it will end up on Gov. Abbott’s desk; however, it still sends a strong message to students.

“It signals to me that they don’t want us to vote,” Nieto said. “And I think that can be a really energizing idea for young people, and I think it kind of solidifies the political power that we have. If they don’t want us to vote, obviously, there’s a reason why.”

“I think this blatant act of voter suppression can be really motivating to continue educating young people, encouraging them to vote and doing whatever we can to make sure that we’re still harnessing that political energy,” Nieto added.

College of Business part of Princeton Review’s best on-campus MBA list

State of the City— Week of 02/28/2023

By Gauri Raje News Editor

An 81-year-old man has died, and a 74-year-old woman was critically injured after they were attacked by two dogs last Friday. The couple was visiting relatives when they were mauled on the sidewalk by the dogs, which came from a neighboring property. The attack was underway when fire crews responded, CNN reports. Upon arrival, emergency responders saw the man being dragged by one of the dogs. They had to fend off the animals while helping the couple.

The two American Staffordshire terriers, along with a third dog from the same location, were in the custody of Animal Care Services and have been euthanized. The owner of the dogs faces felony charges.

A shooting believed to have been caused by a road rage incident has led to the hospitalization of a woman.

The incident occurred around 10 a.m. on Sunday, Feb. 26, around Highway 90 near Loop 410. According to police, the car occupied by the woman and two other passengers was shot at by a passing minivan.

Three San Antonio Fire Department personnel were the target of a shooting that took place at the 2500 block of Bandera Road. The suspect

Chloe Williams/The Paisano

was driving a silver Toyota and fired multiple rounds at the SAFD personnel, two of whom suffered gunshot wounds. The incident occurred when West Patrol officials relocated to the fire station after responding to reports of shots heard. The suspect vehicle has not been located; this is an ongoing investigation.

A San Antonio hotel has been evacuated after guests suffered carbon monoxide poisoning. Five individuals at the Hampton Inn and Suites located at 118 Soledad Street were treated for the poisoning. This occurrence is the second incident. A similar situation occurred at Hotel Emma at The Pearl, where a carbon monoxide leak led to 15 employees being taken to a local hospital.

Eight Budweiser Clydesdales horses got tangled up at the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo. The two front horses faltered during a maneuver and collided with the pair of horses behind them. A video of the incident, which has now gone viral, shows the collision. As a result, one of the horses became entangled with its harness and tripped. Initial attempts to get the horse to stand up failed; however, the horse eventually got up and walked out of the arena on all four legs.

HCAP launches new master’s degree

By Regina Robert Staff Writer

A new interdisciplinary master’s program in health, community and policy has been launched by UTSA’s College of Health, Community and Policy (HCAP). It is a collaboration between the Department of Public Health and the Department of Public Administration.

By Gauri Raje News Editor

The Alvarez College of Business was part of the Princeton Review’s recent list of “Best Business Schools.” UTSA was mentioned in the “best on-campus MBA list,” which included the names of universities without providing any rankings. Within this “cohort” of 243 business schools, the top 10 schools for 18 different categories are also listed.

In order to develop the list, the Princeton Review invited universities to participate in the process.

“Our best on-campus MBA list is based on a combination of institutional and student survey data, including career outcomes, admissions selectivity, and academic rigor, among others,” The Princeton Review website states.

“If the universities are interested in participating, they receive a series of questionnaires, where the institution provides

information depending on the question,” Francisco Marquez, assistant dean of graduate studies and research, said. “Based on that, comparing that information to other schools, they give their rankings.”

UTSA’s MBA degree program provides students with flexibility as they pursue their studies.

“Our MBA Program is unique in the sense that it is a program designed to serve the community in San Antonio,” Marquez said. “It’s a program designed to serve the institutional objectives [of UTSA as a Hispanic Serving Institution] … we try to accommodate all backgrounds, all the specific needs from the students. It’s a very diverse program.”

“It’s very convenient for young professionals that have families because they can go to school from Monday through Thursday ...”

“[We want to] build new types of interdisciplinary programs like these to meet the job needs that are out in the marketplace,” Associate Professor of the Department of Public Health and Dean of the M..S. program, Dr. Jeffrey Howard, said. Howard explained that one of the considerations that went into developing the program was the lack of instruction that was available to students, which helped to create the program’s specializations.

The new interdisciplinary program has four specializations available to students: health promotion; policy; society, community and health; and health data analytics and population health.

Howard mentioned the collaboration with the Department of Public Administration under one college helped to create a proper framework for the policy specialization of the degree program, which would help to meet the “demand for expertise in health policy.”

The new program and its specializations aim to aid students in preparing for a modern job market. The program brings together different departments of HCAP to create instruction for emerging careers that need expertise across fields such as health data analytics.

“By bringing different departments together, it enables us to work with not only folks from Public Health but also the Department of Demography … and those who [focus on] health,” Howard said.

In addition, the collaborations helped to create a framework for instruction that would guide students in the methodology of health analytics based on population.

“Any social science-based or health focus background would be great candidates for our program,” Howard said.

Howard recommends students interested in the program to evaluate the type of job they would like to pursue in the future for guidance on their chosen specialization. Howard also encouraged students to communicate their concerns and expressed the will to talk to any prospective students about their concerns.

The M.S. program of Health, Community and Policy is currently taking applications for Fall 2023 enrollment until the end of June.

UTSA Courtesy Photo

Business professor Daniel J. Davied lectures his MBA class in business foundations.

Attacking the youth vote OPINION

Editorial

During the current Texas Legislative session, many topics concerning the rights of all Texans are being discussed. One of these topics is voting rights. America is seeing one of the largest voting reform movements of the decade, with state legislatures pushing for more restrictive early voting methods, as well as attempting to combat voter fraud, according to the New York Times. The latest push in this movement is taking place on college campuses across the state, and could have an extreme effect on the voting opportunities for young voters.

House Bill 2390, filed by Representative Carrie Issiac (R), who represents parts of Hays and Comal County, seeks to prohibit the placement of polling locations on college campuses. According to an article from ABC, Isaac relates the bill to an issue of campus safety, with her stating that “I have experi-

Not enough to focus

Commentary

By Malaki Lingg Assistant Web Editor

In October 2022, the FDA announced an oncoming shortage of Adderall, Adderall LR, Adderall XR and its generic varieties. Adderall is the combination of two stimulants — amphetamine and dextroamphetamine — used to improve focus, attention and concentration in those with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).

The shortage has been affecting millions of patients who rely on the drug to manage their symptoms of ADHD. The problem has been attributed to increasing manufacturing constraints and disruptions for various pharmaceutical companies.

The primary cause of the shortage has been a lack of the materials required to synthesize amphetamine and dextroamphetamine. The production of Adderall relies heavily on imports of raw materials from overseas, most notably from China. Though in the past few months, China has been undergoing a growing health crisis leading to a number of supply chain issues. Disruptions such as plant shutdowns and delays in transportation have greatly damaged the amount that American pharmaceutical companies can synthesize.

With shortages ongoing, there are significant impacts on patients who rely on the drug to manage their ADHD. Patients have reported difficulty filling prescriptions, with some pharmacies having run out of the drug entirely while others ration them only to those receiving refills. The lack of the drug is resulting in a growing number of those who take it being switched to other medications like Vyvanse or deciding to remain unmedicated.

Those diagnosed with ADHD are pressured into taking medication to improve their performance in school, and while the medications are useful, the lack of them is also debilitating. The symptoms of ADHD are exacerbated when going through withdrawals alongside side effects such as depression, irritability and mood swings. These medications fix our brains’ dopamine issues and the difficulty in receiving these medications is downright cruel. It is like giving those with the disorder a tool to help and then taking it away, essentially giving them a handicap.

The shortage comes as a rude awakening to those diagnosed with ADHD. While the pharmaceutical industry grosses approximately half a billion annually, they can leave American citizens without medication. Constraints due to supply chain issues are understandable, but a nearly five-month shortage of a “life-changing” medication is unethical. The American healthcare system forces us to take these meds to improve our focus and our lives but then cannot come up with a solution when they run out. Nobody should have to ration their medication.

bills that have been filed this session,” per an article from Houston Public Media. This is just the latest attempt in a massive statewide election reform movement that aims to decrease voter turnout.

Kara Lee/The Paisano

enced firsthand the heightened emotions that often occur at polling locations and I will not wait for more violence to act.”

HB 2390 is just one of “over 100 election-related

Campus polling locations, like the one offered at UTSA this past cycle, allow students and staff an opportunity to make their voices heard. Removing these polling locations would have a negative effect on youth voter turnout and is a blatant violation of the voting rights of college students. We deserve to have easily accessible, convenient polling locations on our campuses, and we cannot allow this brazen targeting of our voting rights to go unnoticed.

You can find the contact information for your local representative’s office at https://house.texas.gov/members/ and https://senate.texas.gov/members.php.

Being bashed for my body

Point vs Counterpoint

lazy parenting at its finest and sets up dangerous precedents for the future.”

Riley Carroll Arts and Life Editor

Last week, The Paisano published a commentary by Staff Writer Sam Wendorf covering the use of weight loss medications and their negative effects. Wendorf made a valid argument about how weight loss medication like semaglutide should not be a solution for obesity, but they failed to take into account the variety of causes other than sheer laziness.

“Parents should be feeding their children good food and encouraging them to play outside or participate in sports at school,” Wendorf wrote.

“Some parents are turning to shortcuts they can use to circumvent the attention they should be paying to their kids’ health and wellbeing. This is

Commentary

More than 34 million people in the United States alone face food insecurities. The “lack of consistent access to enough food for every person in a household to live an active, healthy life” is a common issue due to complex matters like “poverty, unemployment, low income, lack of affordable housing, chronic health conditions or lack of access to healthcare, systemic racism and racial discrimination.” “Good food” is not the most affordable or accessible — I mean, have you seen egg prices recently?

“Some social movements even try to convince overweight people that they are already healthy,” Wendorf wrote.

The definition of healthy is very subjective and hard to pinpoint. Most social movements are intended to empower people through body positivity, not convince them that they are inherently “healthy.” It is unfair to discredit encouraging others to be comfortable in their own skin.

“Obesity in the U.S. is the worst it has ever been, and it will only continue to get worse if we depend on everything but the right choices to deal with it.”

Rather than blaming Americans for being one of the most obese countries in the world, blame suppliers and the government for the lack of proper regulation in what harmful ingredients will be fed to us. Obesity is a wicked problem with many causes, effects and solutions. We cannot reduce it to indolence and gluttony.

The change that Texas needs

By Naydine De La Fuente Contributor

In America, gun control has taken the spotlight as one of the most controversial topics due to the alarming rise of gun violence cases. We see it everyday on the news — a continuous cycle of fear circulating through the country. Throughout the years, there have been minimal changes made to create safer gun laws, which have allowed easy access to these weapons without proper protocol being enforced. Although some argue that the right to bear arms is essential for self-defense, without the appropriate guidelines put in place, the U.S. will continue to experience mass shootings.

In the state of Texas, there has been a call for concern due to the very lax and permissive gun laws. States across the country have had their share in designing stricter and safer laws — such as Colorado enforcing background checks, Nevada passing the red flag law and Florida raising the minimum age to

buy a gun to 21. However, according to the Texas Tribune, Texas has not progressed within that aspect and still appoints outdated gun laws despite the 19 mass shootings that have occurred in the state within the past six decades. Many state leaders and representatives turned a blind eye when it came to these tragic events. Still, it was not until the very disheartening mass shooting in Uvalde, Texas, in 2022 that the issue of gun control came back into question.

After the Uvalde shooting, the state legislature convened as lawmakers once again and filed multiple gun control bills. In response, President Joe Biden created and signed the first major federal gun safety legislation named the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act. According to CNN, this act does not fully ban any weapons; rather it is stated to help implement and run crisis intervention and red flag programs, ban weapons from individuals who have domestic violence charges and encourage the inclusion of juvenile records in the National Instant Criminal Background Check System. Beforehand, many other bills involving gun reform were filed in the Texas Legislature. If passed, these bills would prevent individuals

from obtaining certain weapons such as assault rifles, implement background checks to prevent individuals with mental disorders from obtaining weapons and lastly, some would raise the legal age to purchase a gun to 21. If these laws were passed sooner, tragic events like the Uvalde shooting could have been avoided.

As of now, Texas has had more innocent people killed in mass shootings than any other state, according to The Dallas Morning News. It is important that the public understands that Texas gun laws allow legally permitted individuals 21 and older to carry handguns without a permit and that most guns — including military weapons — can be owned in Texas with only a few regulations. Texas is also said to have more licensed gun dealers than any other state and is home to approximately 6,000 gun sellers.

With all these factors in play, it is imperative that a change be made in order to keep the residents in the state safe. Together, individuals can come together and advocate for these gun laws to finally be implemented within the state in order to create a secure and less frightening environment.

“More than 34 million people in the United States alone face food insecurities”

OPINION

Pushing psychedelic permissions

Commentary

The

Editorial Board

Paisano

Mason Hickok | Editor-in-Chief Editor@paisano-online.com

Across the country, new bills are being introduced each year with the common goal of drug policy reform.

From New York to Colorado, these pieces of legislation contrast old policies that promote criminalizing drug use and possession. While much of the discourse has been centered on the recreational use of marijuana, a burgeoning fight exists for another type of drug: psychedelics.

According to the Alcohol and Drug Foundation, psychedelics — also known as hallucinogens — are a class of psychoactive substances that produce changes in perception, mood and cognitive processes. For example, when consumed, hallucinogens can cause hallucinations, provide a sense of euphoria and alter a person’s sense of time, allowing them to dissociate from reality. Effects like these have incited researchers to look into possible applications for psychedelics, specifically for psychiatric treatments.

During the 50s and 60s, scientists explored the possible usage of hal-

lucinogens for treating mental disorders like alcoholism and yielded results that suggested lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) may have therapeutic benefits. Despite the studies done, LSD was quickly outlawed by the federal government in 1968, limiting research into its properties and potential uses. This move set researchers back from finding out more for decades; however, a new wave of scientific investigations into psychedelics has been born with an unexpected group pushing for more to be done: veterans.

veterans, working with ayahuasca retreat centers, “providing them with safe, supervised access to psychedelic treatments, professional coaching and ongoing peer support.” As a result of their experience, those vets are becoming lobbyists, demanding that psychedelics be legalized.

Laynie Clark | Managing Editor Manager@paisano-online.com and Gauri Raje | News Editor News@paisano-online.com

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According to the New York Times, the Department of Veteran Affairs launched clinical trials, offering psychedelics to patients in the studies. The goal of these studies?

To learn how effective drugs like MDMA — also known as ecstasy — and psilocybin, when combined with therapy, can be in treating posttraumatic stress disorder, anxiety and other mental disorders. Traditionally, veterans are treated through antidepressants, anti-anxiety drugs and prolonged exposure therapy in clinics run by the department. But some look elsewhere in psychedelic retreat centers to seek relief.

Heroic Hearts Project, started by former Army Ranger Jesse Gould, is an organization leading the fight for psychedelics. The project sponsors

“I will not be told no on something that prevents human beings from killing themselves,” Jose Martinez, a former Army gunner, told the New York Times.

While stationed in Afghanistan, Martinez’s right arm and both legs were blown off by a bomb. Battling both mental and physical wounds stemming from his experience and trauma, Martinez found solace in psilocybin. For him, psychedelics opened his eyes, helping him persevere.

“I understand what I’m actually here for in this world, which is to make people smile and to remind them that life can be beautiful even when it’s not so easy.”

More research needs to be done into the risks and advantages of psychedelics, but hope remains. As shown by the stories of those like Martinez, the relief they gain is invaluable. This is how we give back to those who have sacrificed the most through sympathizing and letting them know we hear them.

Pay to win politics

By Jake Mireles Opinion Editor

In modern times, money is one of the most important factors when it comes to existing in society. Individuals need money to travel, pay for food and shelter, secure and maintain employment and enjoy almost every commodity. What many do not consider, however, is the influence and power money can buy, especially in the United States. As a result, money has snaked and weaved its way into our political process, creating a government primarily composed of the American upper class.

Running for office in the United States is extremely expensive. Candidates are expected to self-fund their campaigns or rely on donations from outside parties and causes. According to a database from OpenSecrets, the average amount of money spent on congressional campaigns has increased exponentially. In the 1998 election cycle, the combined total spent on all congressional elections was $2.9 billion, while the combined total for the 2022 election cycle was $8.9 billion — adjusted for inflation.

This supports the notion that in order to serve in public office in the United States, any congressional

hopeful must have an established money pool they can use for their campaign to have a serious shot at securing said seat or position. This trend of increasing election price tags further concentrates the chances of running for office in the hands of the wealthy, while discouraging common Americans from taking on these political juggernauts.

But does the amount of money spent link to election victories? Yes, but not in blatantly obvious ways. According to an article from FiveThirtyEight, money spent by campaigns on advertising, which takes up a large percentage of funds a majority of the time, has little effect on highly contentious races. This is because of the strictly partisan nature of modern-day politics. Most elections are not decided by the effectiveness of the ads or the quality of the candidates but by the number of predetermined red or blue voters in the population.

So where does money matter? One of the areas is simple and extremely commonplace: early outspending. According to the aforementioned article, during the 2016 election cycle, there were a reported 129 congressional races where the winning candidates “spent hundreds of thousands, even millions, of dollars — and their opponents reported no spending at all.”

This occurs due to the partisan nature of politics. These races largely occurred in districts where the outcome was predictable and where the

party in power has a formidable political network previously established. These networks can take the form of grassroots organizing initiatives, support from local government officials and the backing of wealthy donors who aim to keep the incumbent party in power. This support base, combined with the massive amount of early spending, leads to the opposition party writing the races off as a lost cause and de-investing early on.

Money is the ticket into American politics and the party that always wins no matter the outcome. The sheer amount of capital spent on

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Staff

Nate Henneke |

By Misty Olawumni Staff Writer Advisory Board

Diane Abdo | Advisor

Steven Kellman | Advisor

Jack Himelblau | Advisor

Stefanie Arias | Advisor

Sandy Norman | Advisor Sofia Garcia | Advisor

John Helton | Advisor Corey Franco | Advisor Imelda Robles | Advisor

national elections is extremely discouraging to those who come from humble backgrounds and want to make their nation a better place through government service. Money is also one of the greatest threats to oppositional grassroots campaigns, which may not have the resources available to combat the entrenched status quo. Our government should consist of individuals who want to serve in the best interests of those they represent, not those who can afford to foot the bill.

The Paisano is published by the Paisano Educational Trust, a non-profit, tax exempt, educational organization. The Paisano is operated by members of the Student Newspaper Association, a registered student organization. The Paisano is NOT sponsored, financed or endorsed by UTSA. New issues are published every Tuesday during the fall and spring semesters, excluding holidays and exam periods. The Paisano is distributed on the UTSA Main Campus. Additionally, Paisano publications are distributed at a variety of off-campus locations, including Tri-point and a variety of apartment complexes near the UTSA Main Campus. All revenues are generated through advertising and donations. Advertising inquiries and donations should be directed to:

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“Money is the ticket into American politics and the party that always wins no matter the outcome”

ARTS & LIFE

By Laynie Clark Managing Editor

National Eating Disorder Awareness

rom Feb. 27 to March 5, we celebrate National Eating Disorder Awareness Week (NEDA). This week is about celebrating those in recovery, those who are searching for recovery and those who have yet to begin their journey; all are important. Below are some local resources to aid those who are ready to take the next step.

Eating Recovery at 250 E Basse Rd # 206, Eating Recovery Center has a variety of treatment options available for kids and adults. Their main forms of treatment involve on-site intensive outpatient or partial hospitalization. Before jumping straight into treatment, the center offers a free clinical

Do you believe in an ‘AftërLyfe?’

Yeat releases follow-up to 2022

By Malaki Lingg Assistant Web Editor

In September 2022, Oregon-based rapper Yeat released his experimental rap EP “Lyfë.” After garnering millions of views across streaming platforms all year and securing multiple Lil Uzi Vert features, fans have been excited to see what is next for Yeat.

The wait is over, though it has been fairly short. Yeat released his third studio

‘Lyfë’ EP

Yeat has decided to express. For example, on the track “How it go,” Yeat seemingly replicates the tone of and mocks the laughs from the Talking Ben app. These features only add to Yeat’s unique digital persona with his previous hit song, “Rich Minion,” which was made in collaboration with Lyrical Lemonade and Illumination for the release “Min-

Tuesday, Feb. 28:

assessment; this assessment helps the clinicians better understand what they are working with and what kind of care to provide. To learn more, call (210) 826-7447.

Esperanza Eating Disorder Center

Located at 140 Heimer Rd # 400, Esperanza Eating Disorder Center is prepared to provide a supportive, empowering environment for recovery. They provide care in the form of intensive outpatient, partial hospitalization and non-intensive outpatient care. Like the previous center, Esperanza offers a free clinical assessment and insurance review prior to receiving treatment. To learn more, call (210) 253-9763.

Bariatric Counseling Center

Located at 9618 Huebner Rd. # 320, the Bariatric Counseling Center is

designed to help people struggling with weight and body image issues through unique forms of therapy, including a one-on-one format and a multi-faceted group. Outside of their therapy options, Bariatric also provides intensive outpatient, psychological assessments and non-intensive outpatient services. To learn more, call (210) 634-2200. While there are many local resources available to San Antonio residents, these are just a few of the toprated options. If you find that these are not right for you and your needs, do not hesitate to continue your search. Understand that having an eating disorder does not make you any less deserving than others. Everybody deserves to have a healthy relationship with their body and the food they nourish it with.

“Study Abroad Fair” — 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Sombrilla North

“Uno/Card Game Social” — 2:45 to 4:15 p.m., Student Union Ash Room (SU 2.03.06)

“SMART Recovery- Family and Friends” — 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., Recovery Center (JPL 4.02.08)

Wednesday, March 1:

“Anxiety and Depression Toolkit” — 1 to 2 p.m., Student Union Magnolia (SU 2.01.30)

“Coffee Student Union Mesquite (SU 2.01.24)

“SMART Recovery” — 1 to 2 p.m., Recovery Center

Thursday, March 2:

“Eating Recovery Group” — 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., Recovery Center (JPL 4.02.08)

“COLFA Conference & Showcase - Poster Design & Presentation Workshops” — 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., COLFA Student Success Center (MH 376)

“Meet and Greet: M.S. in Business Applicant Social” — 12 to 1 p.m., Center for Professional Excellence (BB 1.01.20L)

Friday, March 3:

“Midterm Study Morning” — 9 to 11 a.m., College of Sciences Student Success Center (FLN.2.03.02)

“Alvarez SSC Career Kit Workshop: Interviewing Excellence” — 12 to 1 p.m., online

“Art of Wellbeing” — 1 to 3 p.m., Student Union Buckeye Room (SU 2.01.32)

Saturday, March 4:

“Undergraduate Research & Writing Workshop” — 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., online

“Spring Family Day” — 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Student Union Denman Ballroom (SU 2.01.28)

“Holi 2023” — 11:45 a.m. to 4 p.m., Student Union West Mall

Sunday, March 5:

“Alice in Wonderland with Ballet San Antonio” — 2 p.m., Ballet San Antonio (115 Auditorium Cir. #20)

“Dine and Dance - Free” — 4 p.m., John T. Floore’s Country Store (14492 Old Bandera Rd.)

“Composition Studio Recital” — 5 to 7 p.m., Recital Hall

Monday, March 6:

album, “AftërLyfe,” on Feb. 23, 2023.

“AftërLyfe” spans 22 tracks and includes features from YoungBoy Never Broke Again (NBA YoungBoy), Kranky Kranky, Luh Geeky and apparently, The Talking Ben App. While NBA YoungBoy is undoubtedly a real and incredibly famous artist, the other three “artists” featured on the project may not be.

According to now-deleted Instagram posts made by Yeat, “Them features is myself I’m jus different people sometimes.” Tracks such as “Rav3 P4rty” and “Mëan feen” feature Kranky Kranky, “Now” features Luh Geeky and “How it go” features The Talking Ben App. All of which are strange alternate personas that

By Luna Infante Staff Writer

SPOILER-FREE

ions: The Rise of Gru.”

Yeat has once again made an album that is interesting to listen to from beginning to end. His one-of-one persona and unique vocals all combine to create an experience you will not get from other artists. Tracks such as “No Morë Talk,” “How it go” and “Split” really establish the album’s sound. While this LP may not stand as a piece of art or something that will be culturally impactful, it makes a great listen if you are just looking for something entertaining.

“AftërLyfe,” is available on streaming services such as Spotify and Apple Music as of Feb. 23, 2023.

Netflix has officially released season three of the hit teen show “Outer Banks.” The show follows John B, his tight-knit friend group and their hunt for treasure. Set on the beach in North Carolina, the show perfectly encapsulates a fun teen summer— with its passionate romances, an action-driven plot and loveable characters.

The show begins with John B grieving the loss of his dad, Big John, who was lost at sea and presumed dead. Big John was on a quest to find a missing ship known as the Royal Merchant, which John B and his friends later discovered held a great treasure: gold worth $400 million.

“Car Care Clinic” — 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Ximenes Ave. Garage

“Croc Charms with BSU” — 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., McKinney Humanities Portico 1

“BSC’s Women’s International Day Event Spring 2023” — 3 to 7 p.m., Business Building University Room (BB 2.06.04)

Tuesday, March 7:

“Alvarez SSC Career Kit Workshop: Let’s Chat About It!” — 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., Alvarez Student Success Center (BB 2.01.08)

“COLFA Taco Tuesday” — 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., COLFA Student Success Center (MH 376)

“Downtown Stress Down Day” — 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Bill Miller Plaza

Grace Robinson/The Paisano

Reviews

Arts & Life

A psychedelic experience at the Paper Tiger

Inner Wave’s ‘Jukebox Tour’ wows in San Antonio

By Cesar Soto

Staff Writer

Coming to San Antonio as part of their “Jukebox Tour,” psychedelic-indie band Inner Wave brought a dreamlike experience to the Paper Tiger on Feb. 23, continuing a great year of shows.

Opening the show was the California-based artist Junior Mesa. Four musicians accompanied the alternative-indie musician to complete his band, and they all brought great liveliness to the set. Not only did they perform upbeat and bouncy tracks, but they were able to fluidly shift their tone throughout to a more understated sound. A highlight of their performance was having the band play out an instrumental track that was beautifully ethereal with their use of keys and unique guitar tones. With the amount of chemistry the five members had, they were having a blast and set an ideal start for the night.

The following opener was bedroom pop artist Jordana, who introduced laid-back energy to the room that the audience enjoyed. The Kansas-based vocalist also brought her own band that played top-notch guitar solos throughout to enhance her vocals; however, her lyrics full of introspective feelings were what commanded the stage. She was extremely friendly with the crowd, expressing a love for them that they returned with all of their cheers.

The night’s headliners, Inner Wave, capped off the night at the Paper Tiger in front of a neon logo that flashed so brightly you could see it from the bar in the back. The band played a mix of songs from their discography, with the first few playing one right after another. “Take 3” started the show, followed by “Oof,” “Bower” and “Eclipse,” all being popular songs for the band.

The Latino five-piece set out to create the ultimate experience for fans. They had some of the best lighting setups you will ever see live, with two large vertical

The group, who call themselves “Pogues,” made it their mission to continue Big John’s journey and search for the treasure themselves.

In a tangled plot, the Pogues experience many ups and downs. And, in what seems like a wild-goose chase, the Pogues ultimately find the lost treasure, only to lose it to Ward Cameron, the show’s central antagonist and father of Sarah Cameron — John B’s love interest. In this turn of events, the group faces many trials; they witness a murder, Sarah’s brother Rafe turns against the group to please Ward and John B is arrested. These points are prime examples of how the plot becomes more and more unrealistic as the show progresses.

Season three of “Outer Banks” kicks off in a way that leaves viewers skeptical; the Pogues are now stranded on an island after jumping off a ship to escape the season two antagonists. They now have one goal –– to survive and escape the island. This sets the tone for the new season; it is messy, unrealistic and it becomes a challenge to keep up with the story. In the new season, the original plot almost seems lost. The plot intensifies so rapidly that the show becomes harder to watch. Although the popularity of “Outer Banks” did not come from an intelligent plot or Oscar-worthy acting, it had one thing going for it –– it was charming. Over time, it has lost the qualities that made it such a fun and appealing show; the characters get twisted into the story so deeply that they start to lose themselves and the attributes that made them loveable. The plot puts such emphasis on the action and drama that we lose the endearing and valuable moments we saw the group experience in the first two seasons.

The show is not terrible, but it is not what it used to be. It is best not to stretch out the plot when shows have very complex storylines, as quality beats quantity every time. Some series are better when they are shorter, or at least when new plots are created, and “Outer Banks” is one of those shows. For those who were charmed by the show’s relatable characters and their precious relationships, season three comes as a bit of a disappointment. While at times the show can still have its loving moments, they become rare this season. However, the show ultimately remains entertaining. If you like shows with crazy plots, cheesy acting and action-packed scenes, this season might be the one for you.

lights situated on each side of the stage. Each aspect of lighting was utilized in every song, timing with the instruments and changing colors to reflect the emotion each track of theirs would evoke. In one instance, white lights flashed rapidly, creating a silhouette of lead vocalist Pablo Sotero.

The Los Angeles band also features members Jean Pierre Narvaez on bass, Chris Runners on keys, Luis Portillo on drums and Elijah Trujillo on guitar. They were excellent at bringing out both a psychedelic side of their music with reverbs and synths, as well as an indie side with guitar solos and drum patterns.

Highlights of the set included “Estrella,” some of the band’s finest psychedelic work with a heavy synth intro and reverb vocals from Sotero. The band also asked fans at the show to vote for a song they would add to the night’s setlist with “Blacklight” being the top choice. The crowd recognized it as the winner from its first moment of infectious guitar riffs. They additionally

brought out opening act Jordana to perform their joint track, “Baby,” where the band hilariously threw out an Elmo piñata into the crowd.

The show winded down with tracks like “Rose,” another groovy song of theirs, and “American Spirits,” their most streamed song with such infectious positivity and nostalgic feelings of happiness. With the crowd loudly clamoring the band back on stage for an encore, they played a cover of Al Green’s “Let’s Stay Together” before wrapping up with a perfect fan favorite pairing of “1 4 2” and “Song 3,” as the smoke and lighting gradually faded away with the band leaving the stage to loud applause.

Inner Wave, one of the most innovative bands in the psychedelic genre, put on a terrific experience for their fans. It is that much more of an inspiration for those here in San Antonio that they are a Latino band from L.A. that has worked hard for years to get to this point.

Top meals under $10

By Chloe Williams Web and Social Editor

With the prices of food rising and the overall cost of living increasing, meals that used to be considered “cheap eats” do not hold true anymore. Just getting a Box Combo at Cane’s runs $10.59 without taxes. So for days when I am off campus but do not feel like cooking, these are my favorite cheap eats for less than $10, not including taxes.

Tortas Ahogadas El Chivito

El Chivito is my go-to place when I am looking for a delicious, inexpensive meal. My staple order is two quesabirrias for $2.99 each — while their birria does not come with consomé, a large cup costs $2.99 and I always share it with whoever I am eating with. The total for two quesabirrias and a consomé is $8.97, and if I am sharing the consomé, I will add on a sandia aguas frescas for $3.50.

Tortas Ahogadas El Chivito has two locations in San Antonio, and the closest to UTSA is just past 410 at 204 Crossroads Blvd.

Dog Haus

Hot dogs are a well-known cheap eat, and while everything on Dog Haus’ menu is not under $10, the hot dogs all come in at $7.99. Other cheaper menu options include their corn dogs for around $6.99, sliders for $2.99 each and side add-ons including fries and tater tots. Dog Haus is a great dine-in option, and if you are over 21, they offer over 25 beer options.

Dog Haus has two locations in San Antonio, one in Stone Oak and the other right next to H-E-B Plus on Bandera at 11710 Quincy Lee Dr. Olive Garden

This Olive Garden hack went around on TikTok last year, but it is still such a great deal. Whenever I am craving pasta, I will order Olive Garden’s to-go kid’s meal.

This kid’s meal is $6.99 and comes with so much. I always get the “Kids Five Cheese Marinara” with spaghetti, a side of spaghetti with tomato sauce and a kid’s drink. Proteins are available to add for an

additional $1.79 to $2.29, but my favorite thing to do is order with out protein to keep costs down, then bake a ton of frozen meatballs at home and eat with the pasta dishes. I always get enough food for two meals in this kid’s meal order. Breadsticks also come included with the meal. An other option I love to add is Olive Garden’s $6 take-home entree. The take-home entrees offered include five cheese ziti, fettuccine alfredo and spaghetti with meat sauce. The closest Olive Garden to campus is at 15814 I-10.

Project Pollo

Project Pollo is a plant-based restaurant with some relatively inexpensive options. Eating plantbased definitely has the stigma of being expensive, but their original project Chikn sandwich is $8.49, which is comparable to a many other chicken sandwiches. Other under $10 options include their Nashville hot Chikn, Chikn caesar wrap, loaded fries and all their shake options. I enjoy Project Pollo’s food, and as someone who does eat meat, their sandwiches do not leave me missing chicken. There are several nearby locations, so head to https://www.projectpollo.com/locations/ to find the one closest to you.

Taco Cabana

While Taco Cabana can seem like an obvious choice for inexpensive food, I am a huge fan of Taco Cabana and enjoy it each time — especially for the price. Taco Cabana has so many cheap menu options that pretty much everything on the menu is under $10. My favorite order is two bean and cheese tacos with lots of salsa on the side. This order is only $3.18 and fills me up. Taco Cabana also offers a large margarita selection for those

Paisano

age. The margaritas only

gonada, dragon fruit, blue Curaçao and more. There are several nearby locations. Visit https://www.tacocabana.com/ find-a-tc-location// to find the one closest to you.

CAVA

Almost everything at CAVA is over $10, and all their build-yourown bowls start at $10.35, but they offer a kid’s pita for $6.20. The Kid’s Pita comes with a choice of one grain, one dip, one main, two toppings and two dressings. Served with the meal is your choice of kid’s pita chips or carrot sticks and a kid’s drink. This has become my staple order at CAVA due to the cheap price and amount of food that comes with it. I always order my pita with brown rice, crazy feta dip, roasted sweet potatoes, tomato and cucumber, pickled onions and garlic dressing. The side of pita chips is amazing and tastes great eaten with the food that spills out of the pita. There are locations near campus in The Rim and The Strand.

Eating out does not have to break the bank — there are smart decisions that we can make to save our wallets but still enjoy a delicious meal out. Share in the comments any other cheap eating options you enjoy in San Antonio.

Continued Outer Banks

Chloe Williams/The

Riley Carroll/The Paisano

UTSA alumni

Keaton Wallace signs two-way deal with LA Clippers

By Rylan Renteria Contributor

UTSA basketball legend Keaton Wallace agreed to a two-way deal with the Los Angeles Clippers for the remainder of the NBA’s regular season.

Following his graduation in 2021, Wallace went undrafted in the NBA draft. However, after playing for the Memphis Grizzlies summer league team, Wallace was selected ninth overall in the second round of the 2021 G-League draft to the Wisconsin Herd.

The 6-foot-4 guard was traded to the Ontario Clippers — the Los Angeles Clippers developmental league — in the middle of the 2021-22 season. In the current season with the Clippers, Wallace has held a season average of 13.7 points, 4.1 assists and 3.6 rebounds per game.

Los Angeles currently sits seventh in the NBA in team 3-point shooting, making 37.8% of their shots from beyond the arc. Wallace’s 44.7% from the three will give the Clippers guard some possible playing action after the team also signed Russell Westbrook, who is currently shooting 29.6% from three.

The two-way contract differs from a regular contract as its main purpose is to allow G-League players to audition for a spot on the team by playing with the professional team. Wallace will have the rest of the season to try and prove to Clippers management that he deserves a spot on the roster.

The Clippers, who momentarily sit as the fourth seed in the Western Conference, have 21 regular season games remaining.

During Wallace’s time as a Roadrunner, he averaged 16.6 points per game and shot 35% from the 3-point line. Wallace finished his collegiate career second on UTSA’s all-time scoring list with 2,080 points, just the second player ever to cross the 2,000-point mark. Wallace joins Devin Brown and Derrick Gervin as the only Roadrunners to make an NBA team.

UTSA routes Houston in seven innings

By Rylan Renteria Contributor

With UTSA officially joining the American Athletic Conference in the fall of 2023, the Roadrunners will have some unfamiliar opponents for the first time in a while.

Here is a look ahead at each matchup of the 2023 regular season.

For the first four games of the season, the Roadrunners will play nonconference opponents. Week one, on Sept. 2, will be a rematch of last year’s opener as UTSA heads to TDECU Stadium to take on the University of Houston Cougars. UH will have completed their transfer to the Big 12 Conference by then, meaning UTSA will open the season against a Power Five opponent.

UTSA’s home opener will come on Sept. 9 as they host the Texas State Bobcats. The Roadrunners have won their last four matchups against the

Bobcats, including a 51-48 double overtime game which also happened to be Jeff Traylor’s debut game. The following week UTSA will play the Army Black Knights for the second year in a row, this time in San Antonio. To close out the non-conference play, UTSA will head to Knoxville to take on the Tennesse Volunteers. The Vols will be the toughest team UTSA faces this season as they are coming off a fantastic 2022 campaign where they peaked at number one in the College Football Playoff Rankings.

The Roadrunners’ first AAC contest will come on Oct. 7 when they take on the Temple University Owls — followed by the first-ever AAC matchup in San Antonio when the UAB Blazers come to town. UTSA has won the last two matchups vs. the Blazers, including the 44-38 double overtime win last

season.

A trip to Florida Atlantic to play the Owls and a home contest vs. the ECU Pirates come before a C-USA Championship rematch in Denton vs. North Texas. The Roadrunners will look to make it three straight wins vs. UNT after the Mean Green spoiled their 2021 undefeated regular season. Games against the Rice Owls and The University of South Florida Bulls close out the home schedule for UTSA.

The final regular season matchup for UTSA will be against Tulane. Tulane is coming off of a surprising 2022 season that ended with them appearing in the Cotton Bowl, where they defeated number five ranked USC. This will be the second toughest matchup for UTSA, and it will come at a time when the Roadrunners will most likely be fighting for a spot in the AAC championship.

Stephen Saenz/The Paisano

Edgar Zamorano/ The Paisano

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Mayor Ron Nirenberg talk San Antonio’s new

By Luke Lawhorn Sports Editor

SAN ANTONIO – Loyal San Antonio natives will no longer have to wait for the fall months to pack the Alamodome for football.

The XFL, a professional football league played in the late winter months and into the spring, has found a home in San Antonio with the Brahmas.

In its first season, the XFL features eight teams spread across the country. The league has players from former top-tier college programs and former NFL athletes trying to prove they still have what it takes.

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, his ex-wife and business partner Dany Garcia and Gerry Cardinale’s RedBird Capital Partners pur chased the league for $15 million in 2020.

Of the eight teams in the XFL, San Anto nio is one of three teams who do not share their city with an NFL team. The other two teams are the Orlando Guardians and St. Louis Battlehawks.

So, what makes San Antonio special?

Despite being one of the biggest celebri ties in the world, Johnson started his amateur fighting career in the very Alamodome the Brahmas now call home.

“I started my career here in San Antonio back when I was wrestling,” Johnson said to reporters on Sunday’s season opener. “It helped shape me as a rookie, just two months UTSA has sat atop Conference USA in its last two seasons in fan attendance, leading in supporting their new home team. The new team sold out their first game with 24,245

By Rylan Renteria Contributor

fans in the Alamodome. According to ksat. com, the Brahmas had double the attendance of the second-highest attended XFL game.

“It was gratifying to see the fans in the stands,” Nirenberg said. “Because that’s what we know: San Antonio shows up, they show out, they cheer for our home team.”

The confidence from Johnson and Garcia in both the city and its fans allows San Antonio to showcase the Alamo City as the face of the league.

Before the conclusion of the seasonopening loss to the St. Louis Battlehawks, it was announced that the Alamodome would host the XFL’s first championship game on May 13.

“They can count on San Antonio to be a very successful city for the league, a showpiece for the city, for the league,” Nirenberg said. “Again, gratifying that they’re going to be playing their championship game here as a way to further advance the platform to the entire league.”

The national success from opening weekend in the XFL shows Johnson, Garcia and Gerry Cardinale’s RedBird Capital Partners’ commitment to turning the league around. From filing for bankruptcy in April of 2020 to being broadcasted on ESPN is a complete night-and-day difference.

The motivation for “The Rock” has always been there to drive his passion for football.

Brahmas win franchise’s first game against Guardians

ORLANDO Fl. – The San Antonio Brahmas bounced back after their season-opening loss with a dominant 30-12 win over the Orlando Guardians on Sunday afternoon at Camping World Stadium.

After the 18-15 loss to the Battlehawks in game one at the Alamodome, the Brahmas win their first game in franchise history.

The Brahmas received the opening kickoff, and quarterback Jack Coan marched down the field with ease. Coan connected with receiver T.J. Vasher on a couple of big throws before eventually finding the endzone with a 3-yard passing touchdown to WR Deon Yelder.

After the Guardians responded with a touchdown drive of their own to make it 7-7, the Brahmas offense marched down the field and scored on a 19-yard pass from Coan to TE Alize Mack. The Brahmas went into

halftime with a lead of 14-7.

Coan went 13 for 20 with 128 passing yards and two touchdowns in the first half.

In the third quarter, the Brahmas scored twice. After a couple of large rushes by Coan, he would eventually find receiver Jalen Tolliver for a 24-yard passing touchdown. A blocked punt by the Brahmas special teams put the offense in scoring position, and they capitalized on the short field with a twoplay scoring drive that ended with a 1-yard

San Antonio’s Golden Gloves Tournament

By Eric Treviño Photographer

SAN ANTONIO – For the past 100 years, the Golden Gloves Tournament has been a cornerstone of amateur boxing, where fighting prospects meet in the ring in hopes of chasing greatness.

Some of the world’s greatest boxers, such as Sugar Ray Robinson, Joe Louis, Sugar Ray Leonard and Muhammad Ali, have gotten their start by garnering wins from the tournament and other amateur boxing bouts.

This past weekend, Feb. 17-19, the acclaimed tournament occurred downtown in the River City to crown San Antonio’s regional champion — in each respective

Commentary

weight class — to fight in the Texas state Golden Gloves tournament, all for the hope of competing for the coveted national Golden Gloves title this year.

These local boxers look to follow in the footsteps of the all-time greats by giving it their all in a three-round war. Local boxing gyms in San Antonio and the surrounding areas sent their boxers for an exhilarating three-night event. Nonstop action was seen daily throughout the three days, including its climax when the final day hosted 33 bouts, producing 17 victors from the red corner and 16 victors from the blue corner from various fighting gyms.

Richard Lord’s Boxing Gym fighting out

of Austin, Texas, is the most notable gym of the finals as the gym produced a total of five regional champions in the finals. No matter the outcome or the champion, these local fighters put on a legendary show by showcasing to us everything they possibly have and worked hard for. The hours of rigorous training, their talent and unbroken discipline were made evident in the middle of the ring at San Antonio’s Golden Gloves event. For the full finals bout sheet and for more information about the San Antonio Golden Gloves, or for information about how to get involved, visit their website at https:// sanantoniogoldengloves.org/.

Soaring beyond expectations

By Jada Thomas Staff Writer

When people think of athletes who have made significant contributions to sports and repeatedly defied expectations, more often than not, the person who comes to mind is Black.

Michael Jordan, Jackie Robinson, Muhammad Ali, LeBron James — these are all athletes who dominated their sport and will forever be revered because of that. As we sit on the cusp of Black History Month and Women’s History Month, it is necessary to acknowledge the ways that Black female athletes have stunned the world as well. As athletes, Black women have historically been trailblazers, changing the game in ways that have set them far above the rest.

At the 2016 Olympics in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, the U.S. Women’s gymnastics team debuted Simone Biles. Although most people were unfamiliar with the gymnast from Spring, Texas, the gymnastics world

knew she had been a force to be reckoned with long before she appeared on the global stage.

For example, at the 2013 World Championships, Biles added her own spin on an already difficult move by adding “extra twists and flips to her dismounts,” according to the Academy of Achievement. This move pushed the confines of the traditional 10-point scoring system used in gymnastics and would become a skill named after Biles herself. Her excellence did not stop there. In fact, it continued in Rio, where she won individual gold medals in three events: the all-around, vault and floor competitions. She also won a bronze medal in the balance beam and a gold team medal. When she competed again at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, Biles created an open dialogue surrounding athletes’ mental health when she made the controversial decision to withdraw early from the competition due to mental complications interfering with

her performance. To open a conversation like this on such a big platform, especially about something that had previously been kept under wraps, was an act of immense bravery. Her skill as an athlete, as well as her ability to stand firm in the face of backlash, displays excellence and strength in a way that is rarely seen in sports.

In the 1990s, two girls from Compton, California, found their place in the tennis world at a young age. Venus and Serena Williams were trained by their father, as shown in the film “King Richard,” who practically pushed them to compete at their highest level from the moment they could pick up a racquet. Due to this, Venus began competing professionally at the age of 14 and Serena at the age of 16, and they stunned the world with their talent and skill. However, because they were young Black girls in a predominantly White sport, the girls faced an unfortunately large amount of racism. One ex-

ample, in particular, is when the sisters competed at the Indian Wells tournament in 2001. According to Mr. Williams, he was called racial slurs by the audience and Serena received loud boos, per an article from ABC News. Furthermore, Venus and Serena have consistently had their competence undermined by commentators throughout their careers merely because they are Black. However, the sisters refused to let this deter them and they continued to perform at the highest level, going on to win multiple championships, such as the Wimbledon tournament, the Australian Open and the U.S. Open. According to NBC Connecticut, the Williams sisters “raised the standards in women’s tennis to a higher level due to their power, speed and intelligence.”

touchdown run from running back Jonathan Hillman.

The Guardians scored once in the fourth quarter but never made it close.

Parker Romo hit a 40-yard field goal to end the game in the Brahmas franchise’s first win. The Brahmas will play game two of their three game away stretch against the Houston Roughnecks at 7 p.m. on Sunday, March 5, at TDECU Stadium.

Recognizing Black women who excelled at their sport and are remembered because of it

Photo Courtesy of XFL