Men's basketball wins again: The Signpost 1-9-24

Tuesday | January 9, 2024 | Volume 98 | Issue 1 Cover Photo By: Sara Staker | The Signpost

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In the Jan. 3 showdown between Weber State University and South Dakota State University’s men’s basketball, Weber State’s star player, Dillon Jones, solidified his position as the go-to clutch player by sinking a jumper with less than a second remaining. The remarkable play secured a 75–73 victory, winning the first game of the Big Sky-Summit League Challenge.

Jones’ standout performance included 23 points, tying his career-high with nine assists, and contributing six rebounds. Jones showcased his shooting prowess with a remarkable 9-of-12 accuracy from the field, including an impressive 4-of-5 from the 3-point line.

The Wildcats faced a formidable opponent in South Dakota State, falling behind early in the game. However, a 12–0 run propelled Weber State to a 35–28 lead, culminating in a 40–35 advantage at halftime.

The second half witnessed a dominant 11–2 run by Weber State, securing a 71–58 lead with 5:52 remaining. South Dakota State mounted a fierce comeback, orchestrating a 15–2 run to tie the game with 29 seconds left.

Jones delivered the game-winning shot, leaving the Dee Events Center erupting in cheers.

The Wildcats demonstrated their offensive prowess by shooting 47% from the field, outshining the Jackrabbits’ 51%. The Wildcats shot a remarkable 13 3-pointers, the most against a Division I opponent this season.

Weber State’s Blaise Threatt added 17 points, shooting a perfect 4-of-4 from 3-point range, while Dyson Koehler contributed 15 points, including three 3-pointers. Alex Tew rounded off the Wildcats’ stellar performance with 7 points, three blocked shots, and a career-high 10 rebounds.

The Wildcats embarked on the next challenge awaiting them at Oral Roberts in Tulsa, Oklahoma, as part of the Big Sky-Summit League Challenge.

Weber State continued its triumphant run,

securing its sixth-straight win after a thrilling encounter against Oral Roberts at the Mabee Center on Jan. 6. Not only did the Wildcats secure a remarkable 83–78 victory, but they also snapped Oral Roberts’ 21-game home winning streak, the longest in the nation.

A pivotal part of the Big Sky-Summit League Challenge was marked by Weber State’s impressive 56% shooting accuracy from the field.

The Wildcats displayed their 3-point prowess by sinking six shots, while also outrebounding Oral Roberts 33–25. An impressive 19-of-23 performance from the free-throw line added to Weber State’s stellar statistics.

Jones, in another standout performance, recorded his 10th double-double of the season, finishing with 26 points and 10 rebounds. The second half belonged to Jones, who scored 22 points and showcased his playmaking skills with six assists.

Koehler added 17 points, including four 3-pointers, while Threatt contributed 13 points and three assists. Tew played a crucial role with 10 first-half points on 5-of-7 shooting.

The Golden Eagles initially surged ahead, establishing a 9-point lead midway through the first half. However, the Wildcats rallied back, tying the game at 38–38 by halftime. A resilient effort in the second half saw the Wildcats build an 8-point lead with 2:22 to play, eventually securing an 83–78 victory.

Despite Oral Roberts making three 3-pointers in the final minute, Weber State’s composure at the free-throw line sealed the win. The Wildcats converted 7-of-8 free throws in the final 41 seconds, ensuring a triumphant end to the challenging matchup.

The Wildcats, with an 11–4 overall record, now shift their focus back to Big Sky play, facing two road games against Sacramento State and Portland State next week. Their next home game is against Eastern Washington on Jan. 18.

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January 9, 2024 | thesignpostwsu.com | SPORTS | 5

Weber State men’s basketball forward, Dillon Jones, making the winning shot against South Dakota State University.

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El 3 de Enero fue a confrontación contra los equipos de básquetbol masculino de Weber State University y South Dakota State University, el estrella jugador de Weber State, Dillon Jones, confirmó su posición como el jugador confiable cuando anotó con menos de un segundo quedando. El juego maravilloso sacó una victoria de 75-73, ganando el primer juego del Big Sky-Summit League Challenge.

La forma de que el jugo fue extraordinario, tenía 23 puntos, que empató su carrera con nueve asistencias, y contribuyendo seis rebotes. Jones enseñó su habilidad de tirar con precisión con un notable puntaje 9-de12. Incluyendo un impresionante puntaje de 4-de-5 de la línea de tres puntos.

Los Wildcats enfrentaron contra South Dakota State, quedando atrás en el principio del juego. Sin embargo, algunos movimientos sacaron a Weber State de 12-0 a un puntaje de 40-35 en el medio tiempo.

La segunda mitad vio como Weber State dominó con 11-2, asegurándo un puntaje de 71-58 con 5:52 quedando. South Dakota State tuvo un regreso impresionante de 15-2 que sacó un empate con solo 29 segundos en el reloj. Jones dio el tiro que ganó el

juego, dejando el Dee Events Center emocionado.

Los Wildcats demostraron su habilidad ofensiva cuando tiraron 47% del campo, sobrepasando el 51% de los Jackrabbits. Los Wildcats tiraron 13 tiros de 3 puntos, lo más contra una Division 1 oponente de esta temporada.

Blaise Threatt de Weber State agregó 17 puntos, tirando un perfecto 4-de-4 de un punto de 3 puntos, mientras Dyson Koehler contribuyó 15 puntos, incluyendo tres tiros de 3-puntos. Alex Tew ayudó con el puntaje con 7 puntos, tres tiros bloqueados, y 10 rebotes.

Los Wildcats embarcaron en su próximo reto en Oral Roberts en Tulsa, Oklahoma, como parte del Big Sky-Summit League Challenge.

Weber State continuó su ganancia asegurando su sexta ganancia después de encontrarse contra Oral Roberts en el Mabee Center el 6 de Enero. Los Wildcats sacaron una victoria de 83-78. Pero terminaron la ganancia de Oral Roberts de 21 juegos, el más largo de la nación.

Una de las partes más importantes del Big Sky-Summit League Challenge fue el puntaje impresionante de Weber State de 56%. Los Wildcats demostraron su habilidad de tirar de 3-puntos haciendo 6 tiros, pero también haciendo rebotes contra Oral Roberts 33-25.

Un impresionante 19-de-23 presentación de línea de tiro libre agrego a los estadísticos de

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January 9, 2024 | thesignpostwsu.com | SPORTS | 7

Weber State.

Jones en otra presentación extraordinaria, recordó su décimo doble-doble de la temporada, terminando con 26 puntos y 10 rebotes. La segunda mitad pertenecía a Jones, que sacó 22 puntos y demostró su habilidad con seis asistencias.

Koehler agregó 17 puntos, incluyendo cuatro tiros de 3-puntos, mientras Threatt contribuyó 13 puntos y tres asistencias. Tew también tuvo una parte significante con 10 puntos del primer mitad del juego con 5-de7 tirando.

Los Golden Eagles inicialmente estaban ganando, guiando con 9 puntos por la mitad de la primera mitad del juego. Pero los Wildcats empataron 38-38 por medio tiempo.

En la segunda mitad vio como guiaron con 8 puntos con 2:22, eventualmente con una ganancia de 83-78.

Aunque Oral Roberts hizo tres tiros de 3-puntos en el minuto final, Weber State ganó por las tiras de la línea de tiros libres.

Los Wildcats convirtieron 7 de los 8 tiros en los últimos 41 segundos, asegurando su ganancia.

Los Wildcats, con un récord de 11-4, y ahora se enfocan en su juego de Big Sky, con dos juegos en la carretera contra Sacramento State y Portland State la próxima semana.

Su próximo juego en Weber State es contra Eastern Washington el 18 de Enero.

Blaise Threatt playing on offense for Weber State University.

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Geese and ducks flying over the frozen Ada Lindquist Plaza and Pond.

By GRETEL MONJAR Reporter

The renovations of the Ada Lindquist Plaza and Pond that started in July 2023 are officially finished. The updates included aesthetic, practical and environmental improvements to the well-known “duck pond” of Weber State University.

“We’re really pleased with the project,” Norm Tarbox, senior vice president of Administrative Services, said. “It’s given the Lindquist Plaza and Pond a new life.”

The state of Utah paid for the $1.8 million renovation of the roughly 50-year-old pond which began just after WSU’s annual Lindquist Pops Concert.

“That’s a fundamental function of the campus. It’s not just there to be pretty,” Tarbox said.

The waterfalls, fountain and famous swimming ducks attract onlookers on a regular basis, but there is more to the pond than outward beauty.

“At this point in time, it was an urgent priority,” Tarbox said. “It had lost most of its capacity to hold water because of all of the sediment and things that have settled in the bottom of the pond. We did our best to try and keep it functioning.”

According to Drew Hodge, WSU’s Water Conservation and Sustainability Specialist, the pond is a retention basin and catches stormwater and snow runoff, and allows for sediment and pollutants to settle before the

water flows to rivers and streams in the area.

“We release it out of the retention pond, much cleaner,” Hodge said. “I think at the pond’s heart, it’s more of an environmental feature than an aesthetic feature.”

Hodge says the water in the pond comes from the majority of WSU’s Ogden campus, as well as from neighborhoods to the south.

This project helped to increase the pond’s usability as a source of water conservation and a source of water for the community to use in the future.

“The water from the pond will also be used to irrigate the campus, acting as a secondary water source,” Chad Downs, senior project manager, said.

The renovation included lining the bottom and side walls of the pond with cement. First, the floor was lowered by 4 feet, more than doubling the pond’s retention capacity.

The new 6-inch thick cement lining will aid in the periodic cleaning of the pond’s floor and prevent algae from overblooming.

According to Downs, this was one of the primary goals of the renovation.

“We opted to put that concrete down, and it’s really well enforced, so we can drive heavy equipment on there,” Hodge said. “It’s going to be a pretty huge improvement and pretty amazing, I think, to see how much easier and how much cleaner we can get the pond.”

WSU students are glad to know the pond’s facelift was about more than vanity.

“It’s amazing to hear that there was actually, like, an environmental purpose towards it

and that this was taken into account. I think that’s a really cool benefit,” Jace Pincombe, a WSU student, said.

The pond’s main water feature, a vertical fountain, had operational issues. The new fountain has greater control and can spray water up to 80 feet.

Tarbox mentioned that due to French Engineering and a new nozzle the fountain “shoots like a fire hose.”

Pincombe compared the new fountain to a “geyser.”

“It was a fun little moment,” Pincombe said. “To make a comparison, like, Yellowstone.”

One issue the fountain creates in the winter is a thin layer of ice on the trees and surrounding plaza from the mist.

“Which is a nice problem to have,” Tarbox said. “It’s just really an impressive feature.”

As the temperatures of Utah winter are starting to drop, the pond’s surface is freezing too. Tarbox said student recreation on the pond is likely in the future, however, the question of Wildcats ice skating on the pond is still in the air.

“There will be, I think, calls for some student activities there at the Lindquist plaza,” Tarbox said. “Our vice president over student access and success has already talked to me about it.”

Safety is a concern to Tarbox, especially with the increased depth of the water.

“Not that you can’t drown in 2 feet of water, you can, but it’s a lot easier to drown in

6 feet of water,” Tarbox said. “It’s just something that we’ll have to be vigilant about.”

Logistics of events and safety have not yet been sorted out.

“I have no idea how deep that ice layer gets and whether or not it will be safe. I don’t want to be the one to strap on skates and go test it,” Tarbox said.

The renovations of the pond came with several other campus construction projects.

“In truth, campus was a bit of a wreck in the year 2000, and it’s really just a function of the age of the place,” Tarbox said.

WSU’s campus was rapidly built in the mid-50s to 60s to accommodate the rush of Baby Boomer students.

“All of the Baby Boomers, all of the war veterans came back to college and completely transformed American higher education,” Tarbox said.

This swift decade of construction created an issue of the buildings aging at the same time – all needing to be rebuilt at the same time.

WSU is almost through with the urgent renovations.

“Just about every square foot of campus has been improved,” Tarbox said. “It doesn’t mean we’re done forever. But I do think, as an institution, we have the luxury of turning our attention to other things and spending our resources a little bit differently over the next 10 to 15 years.”

January 9, 2024 | thesignpostwsu.com | NEWS | 9

POR NATHANAEL STOUT Traductor

By GRETEL MONJAR Assitant section editor

Las renovaciones de la plaza y estanque Ada Lindquist que empezaron en julio de 2023 oficialmente se completaron. Las actualizaciones incluyen mejoramientos estéticos, prácticos y de la naturaleza para el bien conocido “estanque de patos” de la universidad Weber State.

“Estamos encantados con el proyecto”, dijo Norm Tarbox, el vicepresidente mayor de servicios administrativos. “Ha dado una vida nueva a la plaza y estanque Lindquist”.

El estado de Utah pagó 1.8 millones de dólares por la renovación del estanque, el cual tiene aproximadamente 50 años, que empezó después del concierto anual Lindquist Pops.

“Es una función fundamental del campus.

No existe simplemente para ser lindo”, dijo Tarbox.

La fuente, las cascadas y los patos que nadan atraen a una audiencia frecuentemente, pero hay más que hermosura sola.

“Fue una prioridad urgente”, dijo Tarbox.

“Había perdido la mayoría de su capacidad de agua por la cantidad de sedimentos y cosas que se depositaron al fondo del estanque. Hicimos todo lo posible para mantener su funcionamiento”.

Según Drew Hodge, el especialista de conservación y sustentabilidad, el estanque es una cuenca de retención que atrapa agua pluvial y nieve y deja que sedimentos y contaminantes se depositen antes de que lleguen a los ríos en el área.

“La soltamos del estanque más limpia”, dijo Hodge. “Creo que al corazón del estanque, es más una cosa del medio ambiental que de lo estético.

Hodge dijo que el agua llega mayormente del campus de Ogden de la WSU, además de los barrios al sur.

Este proyecto ayudó a aumentar la utilidad del estanque como fuente de conservación y agua para la comunidad para el futuro.

“El agua del estanque también será utilizada para irrigar el campus, como una fuente secundaria de agua”, dijo Chad Downs, el

La seguridad es una preocupación para jefe mayor del proyecto.

La renovación incluyó recubriendo el Tarbox, especialmente con la profundidad fondo y la pared con cemento. Primero, el aumentada del agua. piso se bajó cuatro pies, lo que dobló la ca- “No es que sea imposible ahogarse en dos pies de agua, porque si es posible, pero es pacidad del estanque.

La nueva capa de cemento de seis pulga- más fácil ahogarse en seis pies de agua”, dijo das ayudará con la limpieza periódica del Tarbox. “Es algo a lo que tenemos que estar piso de estanque e impedirá que las algas atentos”. aumenten. Según Downs, era una de las me- Las logísticas de los eventos y la seguridad no se resuelvan todavía. tas principales de la renovación.

“Elegimos poner el concreto, y es muy es- “No tengo idea de la profundidad de la table, así que podemos usar equipaje muy capa de hielo y si será segura o no, no quiepesado”, dijo Hodge. “Va a ser un mejora- ro ser la persona que se pone patines y da el miento grande y será muy asombroso, creo, primer intento”, dijo Tarbox.

Las renovaciones del estanque llegaron ver lo más fácil será limpiar el estanque”.

Los estudiantes de la WSU están felices al con varios otros proyectos de construcción del saber que las renovaciones involucran más campus.

“De verdad, el campus estaba muy desorque vanidad.

“Es asombroso escuchar que realmente denado en el año 2000, y realmente solo era era un propósito ambiental y que este fue una función de la madurez del lugar”, dijo un parte tomado en cuenta. Creo que es un Tarbox. beneficio muy chévere”, dijo Jace Pincombe, El campus de la WSU se construyó rápidun estudiante de la WSU. La parte principal del estanque, una fuente vertical, tenía problemas operacionales.

La nueva fuente tiene mejor control y puede impulsar el agua a través de 80 pies.

Tarbox mencionó que debido a la ingeniería francesa y una nueva boquilla el fuente “dispara como una manguera”.

Pincombe comparó el nuevo fuente a un “géiser”.

“Era un pequeño momento divertido”, dijo Pincombe. “Para comparar, es como Yellowstone”.

Un problema con la fuente es que en el invierno crea una capa fina de hielo sobre los árboles y alrededor de la plaza por la neblina.

“Lo que es un problema bueno para tener”, dijo Tarbox. “Simplemente es una característica imprescindible”.

Al bajarse las temperaturas en Utah, la superficie del estanque se congela también.

Tarbox dijo que la recreación estudiantil por el estanque es probable en el futuro, sin embargo, la pregunta de si es posible que los Wildcats patinen en el estanque todavía no ha tenido respuesta.

“Habrá, creo, llamadas para algunas actividades estudiantiles ahí en la plaza Lindquist”, dijo Tarbox. “Nuestro vicepresidente de acceso y éxito estudiantil ya me ha hablado de eso”.

amente durante los cincuentas y sesentas para acomodar el volumen de Baby Boomer estudiantes.

“Todo de los Baby Boomers, todo de los veteranos regresaron a la universidad y completamente transformaron la educación mayor americano”, dijo Tarbox.

Esta década rápida de construcción creó un problema de edificios madurando a la vez, y que todos necesitan renovaciones a la vez.

La WSU casi ha terminado con las renovaciones urgentes.

“Casi cada pie cuadrado del campus ha sido mejorado”, dijo Tarbox. “No significa que estamos terminados para siempre, pero creo, como una institución, tenemos la conveniencia de poner nuestra atención en otras cosas y gastar nuestros recursos diferente durante los diez a quince años venideros”.

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Kirsten Dunst in “Civil War”, directed by Alex Garland

By COOPER HATSIS Reporter

Despite the writer and actor strikes of 2023 resulting in delays and setbacks for films, there are still plenty of exciting blockbusters and new films to look forward to throughout 2024. This new year has a variety of new sequels, biopics, thrilling horror films and more in store for moviegoing audiences.

“Dune: Part II” Coming to theaters on March 1, the highly anticipated sequel to the 2021 “Dune” will be released. This next chapter in the Dune story was initially set to release in early November of 2023, but due to the strikes in Hollywood, was pushed back to March of 2024. “Dune: Part II” will continue the story of Paul Atreides and his efforts to save the universe. Starring Timothée Chalamet and Zendaya, this new blockbuster film is one of the most exciting movie events of the year.

“Civil War” Filmmaker Alex Garland brings an exciting new political thriller to audiences on April 26. This new film starring Kirsten Dunst and Nick Offerman is about a hypothetical reality in which a civil war breaks out in a modern United States. This film follows a photographer stuck in a warzone in a major U.S. city.

This polarizing film is coming out at a strange time with the coming presidential election.

“Challengers” Also delayed by the recent Hollywood strikes is Luca Guadagnino’s new tennis drama, “Challengers.” This film was set to release in September of 2023 but now comes to theaters on April 26. It stars Zendaya and Josh O’Connor in this complicated story about a tennis player competing against a former love interest.

“Nosferatu” Nosferatu, a vampire, has been a legendary horror symbol since the original silent film release in Germany in 1922. From horror director Robert Eggers, comes the long-awaited remake of the classic horror tale. Eggers adaptation of the film has been in pre-production since the late 2010s and the film is now being released on Christmas 2024. Bill Skarsgård plays the role of Nosferatu. The film also has a supporting cast of Lily-Rose Depp, Willem Dafoe and Nicholas Hoult.

“Hit Man” This new comedy from Richard Linklater starring Glen Powell first debuted at the Venice Film Festival and Toronto International Film Festival in the fall of 2023 but has since been bought by Netflix. The film does not currently have a release date, but will likely release sometime in the summer of 2024.

“Hit Man” follows the story of a hitman who falls for one of his clients and then finds himself in dangerous territories.

“Back to Black” Coming on May 10 is a new biopic that follows the story of musical sensation Amy Winehouse. This film follows the journey and struggles of Winehouse as she recorded her 2006 album “Back to Black.” Winehouse is portrayed by Marisa Abela, best known for Yasmin in the HBO series “Industry.” While documentaries have been made about Winehouse’s career, a biopic chronicling her career has never been tackled until now.

“Mickey 17” In 2019, South Korean filmmaker Bong Joon-ho released the acclaimed “Parasite,” which then won Best Picture at the 2020 Academy Awards, amongst the many other awards the film won. “Parasite” is the first international feature film to win Best Picture at the Oscars. “Mickey 17” is the highly-awaited follow-up from the award-winning filmmaker. Robert Pattinson and Mark Ruffalo both star in this new sci-fi film. Information about the film is limited despite its release at the end of March, but like most films from Joonho, viewers can expect the anti-capitalist themes to still run strong.

“A Quiet Place: Day One” This new prequel coming on June 28 covers the early events of John Krasinski’s 2018 film, “A Quiet Place.” This film features roles from Joseph Quin, Lupita Nyong’o and Alex Wolff, meaning that audiences will follow a new group of characters outside the franchise’s two existing films.

“Joker: Folie à Deux” This is the highly-anticipated sequel to the 2019 film “Joker,” which left audiences polarized and later won Joaquin Phoenix Best Actor at the 2020 Oscars. This new film has a stylistic change as it is a musical. Joaquin Phoenix will also be joined by Lady Gaga who is playing Joker’s girlfriend, Harley Quinn.

“Horizon: An American Saga” Actor and director Kevin Costner has returned to make a new epic western. This is Costner’s first time directing since “Open Range” which came out in 2003. Costner has spent the past several years starring in the hit show “Yellowstone,” but he is now returning to the big screen with a story that he has had in mind since the late 1980s. Released in two parts, “Chapter 1” will come out on June 28 and “Chapter 2” will release on Aug. 16.

January 9, 2024 | thesignpostwsu.com | CULTURE | 11

POR MARIANA LOPEZ-LURITTA Traductor

POR COOPER HATSIS Reportero

A pesar de que las huelgas de guionistas y actores de 2023 han provocado retrasos y contratiempos en las películas, todavía quedan muchos éxitos de taquilla y nuevas películas por ver a lo largo de 2024. Este nuevo año nos depara una gran variedad de nuevas secuelas, biopics, emocionantes películas de terror y mucho más.

“Dune: Parte II” El 1 de marzo llegará a los cines la esperada secuela de “Dune”, de 2021. Este nuevo capítulo de la historia de Dune se iba a estrenar inicialmente a principios de noviembre de 2023, pero debido a las huelgas en Hollywood, se retrasó hasta marzo de 2024.

“Dune: Parte II” continuará la historia de Paul Atreides y sus esfuerzos por salvar el universo. Protagonizada por Timothée Chalamet y Zendaya, esta nueva superproducción es uno de los acontecimientos cinematográficos más interesantes del año.

“Civil War” El cineasta Alex Garland trae al público un nuevo y emocionante thriller político el 26 de abril. Esta nueva película protagonizada por Kirsten Dunst y Nick Offerman trata de una hipotética realidad en la que estalla una guerra civil en unos Estados Unidos modernos. La película sigue a un fotógrafo atrapado en una zona de guerra en una gran

ciudad estadounidense. Esta polarizante película se estrena en un momento extraño con las próximas elecciones presidenciales.

“Challengers” También retrasada por las recientes huelgas de Hollywood está el nuevo drama sobre tenis de Luca Guadagnino, “Challengers”. El estreno de esta película estaba previsto para septiembre de 2023, pero ahora llega a los cines el 26 de abril. Está protagonizada por Zendaya y Josh O’Connor en esta complicada historia sobre una tenista que compite contra un antiguo interés amoroso.

“Nosferatu” Nosferatu, un vampiro, ha sido un símbolo legendario del terror desde el estreno de la película muda original en Alemania en 1922. El director de cine de terror Robert Eggers presenta la esperada nueva versión de este clásico del terror. La adaptación de Eggers ha estado en fase de preproducción desde finales de la década de 2010 y la película se estrena ahora en la Navidad de 2024. Bill Skarsgård interpreta el papel de Nosferatu. La película también cuenta con un reparto secundario formado por Lily-Rose Depp, Willem Dafoe y Nicholas Hoult.

“Sicario” Esta nueva comedia de Richard Linklater protagonizada por Glen Powell se estrenó por primera vez en el Festival de Cine de Venecia y en el Festival Internacional de Cine de Toronto en otoño de 2023, pero desde entonces ha sido comprada por Netflix. La película no tiene actualmente fecha de es-

treno, pero es probable que se estrene en algún momento del verano de 2024. “Hit Man” sigue la historia de un asesino a sueldo que se enamora de uno de sus clientes y luego se encuentra en territorios peligrosos.

“Back to Black El 10 de mayo llega una nueva película biográfica que sigue la historia de la sensación musical Amy Winehouse. Esta película sigue el viaje y las luchas de Winehouse mientras grababa su álbum de 2006 “Back to Black”.

Winehouse está interpretada por Marisa Abela, más conocida por Yasmin en la serie de HBO “Industry”. Aunque se han hecho documentales sobre la carrera de Winehouse, hasta ahora no se había abordado un biopic que relatara su trayectoria.

“Mickey 17” En 2019, el cineasta surcoreano Bong Joon-ho estrenó la aclamada “Parásito”, que luego ganó el premio a la Mejor Película en los Oscar 2020, entre otros muchos galardones que obtuvo el filme. “Parásito” es el primer largometraje internacional en ganar el premio a la Mejor Película en los Oscar.

“Mickey 17” es la esperadísima continuación del galardonado cineasta. Robert Pattinson y Mark Ruffalo protagonizan esta nueva película de ciencia ficción. La información sobre la película es limitada a pesar de que se estrena a finales de marzo, pero como en la mayoría de las películas de Joon-ho, los espectadores pueden esperar que los temas anticapitalistas sigan siendo fuertes.

“Un lugar tranquilo: Día Uno”

Esta nueva precuela que llegará el 28 de junio cubre los primeros eventos de la película de John Krasinski de 2018, “Un lugar tranquilo.” Esta película cuenta con papeles de Joseph Quin, Lupita Nyong’o y Alex Wolff, lo que significa que el público seguirá a un nuevo grupo de personajes fuera de las dos películas existentes de la franquicia.

“Joker: Folie à Deux” Se trata de la esperada secuela de la película de 2019 “Joker”, que dejó polarizado al público y que posteriormente le valió a Joaquin Phoenix el premio a Mejor Actor en los Oscar 2020. Esta nueva película tiene un cambio estilístico al tratarse de un musical.

Joaquin Phoenix también contará con la participación de Lady Gaga, quien interpreta a la novia de Joker, Harley Quinn.

“Horizon: Una saga americana” El actor y director Kevin Costner ha vuelto para realizar un nuevo western épico. Es la primera vez que Costner dirige desde “Open Range”, que se estrenó en 2003. Costner ha pasado los últimos años protagonizando la exitosa serie “Yellowstone”, pero ahora regresa a la gran pantalla con una historia que tiene en mente desde finales de los años ochenta. Estrenada en dos partes, “Chapter 1” saldrá el 28 de junio y “Chapter 2” el 16 de agosto.

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12 | NEWS | thesignpostwsu.com | January 9, 2024

By HANNAH MOORE

Economy, environment, ecosystem, culture, wealth and lifestyle — all of these things are affected by the largest salt lake in the Americas.

The Great Salt Lake plays an important role in Utah, stretching across the greater Salt Lake City region and touching the lives of locals and travelers.

The lake reaches 950 square miles across northern Utah and is bisected by the Union Pacific Railroad Causeway into the north and south arms. Because of the causeway, the south arm is gaining the majority of water runoff, increasing surface area, but the north arm is becoming more salinated, decreasing surface area.

From tourism to health care, scientific discovery to preservation, the lake holds boundless opportunities for growth and development. However, the lake is disappearing — reaching an all-time low of 4,188.5 feet in November 2022 according to FRIENDS of the Great Salt Lake.

FRIENDS of the Great Salt Lake is an organization that serves to protect and preserve the Great Salt Lake’s ecosystem and also increase public awareness of the lake.

According to their website, their long-term goal is to create a more comprehensive watershed-based restoration and protection for the ecosystem of the Great Salt Lake.

The state manages water flow from the south arm to the north arm through a device called a berm, which is a raised portion of the railroad causeway where water can filter through stones. Rivers such as the Bear, Jordan, Ogden and Weber flow into the lake.

However, officials describe the system as filling a bathtub with a straw. While there is still water flow, it is a minuscule amount.

The lake hosts an ecosystem for brine shrimp, brine flies and multiple species of birds. The concentrated saline water of the lake has caused decreases in these animal population sizes raising concerns about environmental issues.

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TOP: Puddles of remaining water are scattered throughout the now bleak landscape. BOTTOM: Plants that once grew underneath the Salt Lake have now surfaced and dried up.

Becka Downard, a wetland ecologist with the Utah Geological Survey, said the brine shrimp nearly entered into a dormant state last year, and now as dust storms are being kicked up, harsh materials are being released into the air.

“So for the last 15 years, I’ve been monitoring how the wetlands and the bed of the lake are getting farther and farther and farther away,” Downard said.

Downard said the wetlands she watches are temporary homes for many migratory bird species including 90% of the world’s population of eared grebes and the phalarope species.

The discussion on the lake’s health is not a new one. Over the past few decades, the Great Salt Lake has decreased rapidly, and after reaching the lows of last year, more of Utah’s population is realizing the topic de-

mands attention.

Nonprofit organizations are making efforts to preserve the role the lake has for its inhabitants and the ecosystems surrounding the lake. They are trying to preserve the history and emotional significance the lake has for Native American cultures and how it helped Utah develop as a state.

Lynn de Freitas, executive director of FRIENDS, said that after last winter the lake had gained 5.5 feet of water but has since lost 3 feet due to evaporation from high heat over the summer. The lake is getting smaller and it is also getting saltier.

“Not only was the lake getting lower because we’re in a millennium drought, but the ecological impacts that were going on in the system, like increased salinity, were impacting brine shrimp,” de Freitas said.

Katie Newburn, the education and out-

reach director for FRIENDS, said the lake experienced a record high in salinity, nearly 19%.

In February 2023, the state decided to raise the berm to capture as much fresh water runoff into the south arm to address the salinity crisis in at least half of the lake.

“They wanted to try to preserve the ecosystem in the south arm, and that management decision has worked toward that goal in lessening the salinity back to a healthy range for the microbialites, brine shrimp and brine flies in the lake,” Newburn said.

However, a major concern for the lake disappearing, according to the Healthy Environment Alliance of Utah, is that the lake bed will become exposed and dust storms will kick up the heavy metals held in the ground. This will cause major health issues for Utahns.

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January 9, 2024 | thesignpostwsu.com | NEWS | 13

TOP LEFT: Dried up boat docks at Antelope Island State Park. TOP RIGHT: The comparison between the dried land that once was filled by the Great Salt Lake to what is left remaining.

Nonprofit organizations encourage education on how Utah citizens can become water-wise and ethical in water usage, ensure a sustainable view of environmental protection and how water influences human lives.

Educating the public is happening through the Great Salt Lake Collaborative where media outlets — radio, television and print — from all over Utah are coming together to tell the story of the Great Salt Lake.

“We also had some national news pieces that really shed light on it because there’s always been this Great Salt Lake advocacy community, but we’re basically talking to each other before that,” Newburn said.

KSL’s morning and noon anchor Dan Spindle did a 12-episode series on the state of the Great Salt Lake, understanding through multiple sources the agricultural, economic and environmental impacts of the lake’s cur-

rent state.

Spindle’s series, which took a year and a half between 2021 to 2022 to produce, wanted to answer the question of why Utah citizens should care about the lake.

“I kind of took that question in the stories that I was doing and asked the experts with whom I spoke about that, ‘OK, why should we care?’” Spindle said.

Through his investigations, Spindle realized that one of the main reasons the lake was dissipating was the tapping of water upstream for industrial and agricultural uses before the water flowing down the rivers had a chance to reach the lake.

“And so before the water gets to the Salt Lake, we’re using it for farming, we’re using it for development, we’re using it for commercial and residential purposes,” Spindle said, explaining that ultimately Utah needs

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a shift in mindset and further education on the factors influencing the lake.

De Freitas said Utahns need to understand that daily life is affected by the lake: Utah’s economy, the migrations of birds and even the snowpack that Utah is famous for.

“What we do or don’t do for the lake is going to be a direct determinant on our future as well,” de Freitas said.

Alex Veilieux, policy associate from HEAL Utah, encouraged Utahns to attend “Lake Hours,” which are meetings run by Save Our Great Salt Lake on the second Wednesday of every month. During these meetings, people can become more educated on events and resources going on for or at the lake.

“I mean, that’s step one in addressing any issue, is people have to be aware of it,” Newburn said. “So I think that we’re finally making progress in the right direction and I

think people are realizing it’s kind of like you don’t know what you’ve got till it’s gone.”

Utah officials are making decisions about the future of the lake by brainstorming solutions and requesting help. For example, recently there was the idea to pump salt water up to Utah through California from the ocean. However, there were a lot of contingencies with that idea, and it was shut down

by California.

Discussions are still ongoing for possible solutions to assist the lake, but the public can lend a hand by becoming educated on ways to be water-wise, facts about Utah’s dry climate and how they can help sustain the lake’s ecosystems.

See more in this story at thesignpostwsu.com

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January 9, 2024 | thesignpostwsu.com | NEWS | 15

DO YOU KNOW YOUR NEWS? 1.

The answer is A, Uranus and Neptune. According to KSL, a new study conducted by scientists at the University of Oxford shows that Uranus and Neptune’s colors are slightly different from what Voyager 2 captured decades ago. Their study found that the two planets are actually very similar in color instead of the deep blue Neptune and the light blue Uranus that was previously accepted.

2.

3.

4.

QUIZ ANSWERS FROM PAGE 2

The answer is C, West Davis Highway. According to The Standard, the West Davis Highway held its grand opening on Jan. 6. The highway was built to reduce congestion on I-15 between Salt Lake City and Ogden, Utah.

The answer is B, Alaska Airlines. According to NPR, on Jan. 5, a flight had to ground at the Portland International Airport after a window blew out mid-flight.

No injuries were reported and the seat adjacent to the window was empty.

The answer is C, David Bowie. According to AP News, the city of Paris has “immortalized” the late singer by naming a street after him in the Southeast.

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