Volume 73, Issue 17 by The Highlander- UCR

DonkeySpotter Spotlight: Tracking UCR’s donkeys

RIVERSIDE’S VERY OWN APP FOR KEEPING TABS ON

THE DONKEYS.

When visiting college friends, most people just get a spot to sleep on the couch. But first-year computer science major Henry Wang’s friend got an entire app. Wang wanted to show his friend visiting from the Bay Area the iconic University of California, Riverside (UCR) donkeys, but knew that there was no easy way to track where they were at any given time.

Reminiscing on what spurred him to create the app, Wang shared, “One of my friends was planning to visit [UCR] from the

[The San Francisco] Bay Area. He was gonna stay at our dorm, and we were trying to line up some activities... I wanted to take them to see the donkeys because I know that’s an interesting part of campus. But there wasn’t any easy way to go see them.”

And so, he created DonkeySpotter. DonkeySpotter is an app where you can drop a pin on a map to report a donkey sighting in real time. This allows other users to track where the donkeys on campus have last been, and people can even upload photos to document their sightings. The app’s map view helps users

New York City Mayor corruption case dismissed

DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE ORDERS FEDERAL PROSECUTORS TO DROP CORRUPTION CHARGES AGAINST NEW YORK CITY MAYOR ERIC ADAMS.

SENNA OMAR Editor-in-Chief

After an order from the United States (U.S.) Department of Justice (DOJ), federal prosecutors dropped corruption charges against New York City Mayor Eric Adams. The DOJ directive argued that the case was interfering with the mayor’s ability to aid in President Donald Trump’s crackdown on undocumented immigrants.

Dismissal of this case marks a long deviation from DOJ norms, where public officials of all levels of governance are often investigated — including President Trump.

Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove, in a two-page memo, directed prosecutors to dismiss the charges against Adams immediately not because of strength of evidence, but rather because the timing of the case was too close to Adam’s reelection and posed a threat to the Trump administration’s law and order priorities.

Bove ordered prosecutors not to take “additional steps” against Adams until after the mayoral elections in November, leaving the possibility that charges could be refiled in the future, pending review.

locate past and recent sightings, and its integration with Apple Maps can navigate users exactly to reported locations.

When making the app, Wang researched another unofficial UCR app, GoHighlander to understand the approval processes. Initially DonkeySpotter was rejected from the App Store due to explicit mentions of UCR. But after following the advice from another student developer and removing mentions of UCR, the app was successfully published.

Adam’s attorney Alex Spiro reacted to the memo, stating, “Now, thankfully, the mayor and New York can put this unfortunate and misguided prosecution behind them.” Following the dismissal of the charges against Adams, multiple federal prosecutors in New York and two senior federal prosecutors in Washington have resigned.

Southern District of New York acting U.S. Attorney Danielle R. Sassoon was...

NATALIE DAHL

ADAMS

COURTESY OF DONKEYSPOTTER

COURTESY OF WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

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U.S. Increases deportations efforts under Trump administration

The Trump administration has expanded mass deportations, deploying military resources and expanding detention

SARAH TABEL Staff Writer

In the first week of the new presidential administration, United States (U.S.) immigration enforcements saw an increase in deportation operations and border enforcement measures. According to Customs and Border Protection (CBP), between Jan. 20 and Jan. 26, authorities have apprehended 4,577 individuals attempting to enter the country unlawfully.

An additional 2,710 migrants were detained at ports of entry by the Office of Field Operations (OFO) bringing the total to 7,287 undocumented immigrants in the first week of the Trump administration. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) reported the deportation of 7,300 individuals in the same period. Between Jan 22 and Jan. 28, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) reported the arrest of 5,537 migrants.

The Trump administration has signaled a firm stance on implementing stricter immigration enforcement. President Trump was reportedly displeased with the deportation numbers, urging ICE to increase arrests and implement deportation quotas. The administration has set a goal for ICE to conduct at least 75 arrests per day per agency, adding up to 1,875 arrests a day.

White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller referred to this target as “a floor, not a ceiling”, encouraging immigration enforcements to deport more if they could. According to ICE official Deborah Fleischaker, ICE agents have been redirected from other missions, such as confronting organized crime and human trafficking, to focus on mass deportations in order to meet this quota.

In response to federal immigration directives, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott issued an executive order on Jan. 29, mandating full cooperation with federal immigration authorities. The order included provisions for the Texas Military to provide land for detention and deportation purposes. Abbott also directed the Texas Department of Public Safety to deploy “tactical strike teams” to apprehend undocumented immigrants

with active arrest warrants in the state. Texas reportedly had 5,400 immigrants with arrest warrants as of Jan. 28, 2025.

The increase in immigration enforcement has created the need for additional space in existing detention facilities. ICE currently has a detention capacity of 41,500 beds, with the Department of Defense (DoD) allowing migrant detention at Buckley Space Force Base in Aurora, Colorado, amid concerns over the presence of Venezuelan gang Trend de Aragua in Denver. The DoD stated that this facility is intended for individuals with criminal records.

The Trump administration has indicated that they wanted to expand the military’s role in immigration enforcement. As a result, the administration deployed 1,500 military personnel, including Army soldiers and Marines at the southern border to assist CBP operations. The administration has authorized the Pentagon to use military aircrafts to deport migrants. With recent flights transporting migrants to Ecuador and Guatemala. President Trump further expanded detention efforts when he announced that the administration would consider using the U.S. naval base in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, for detaining “high-risk” individuals. The President of Cuba, Miguel Díaz-Canel, has condemned the proposal, describing it as an “act of brutality.”

Deportations reached record levels during former President Barack Obama’s administration, earning him the nickname “deporter in chief.” In 2012, his administration allocated $18 billion to federal immigration enforcement. By the end of his eight-year term, about 5.3 million undocumented individuals had been deported, with 3.2 million deportations in his first term and 2.1 million in his second term.

Under the Biden administration, 1.1 million individuals were deported over four years. Additionally, from March 2020 to May 2023, the Biden administration expelled 1.8 million undocumented migrants under Title 42, a pandemic era policy that suspended entry into the U.S. Following the expiration of Title 42, the Biden administration utilized Title 8 to increase deportations, removing 775,000 undocumented migrants in one fiscal year, the highest record in U.S. history since 2010. In total the Biden administration has overseen about 3.7 million repatriations. During President Trump’s first term, 1.5 million undocumented migrants were deported.

Deportation efforts are being carried out in major cities nationwide. ICE, and the U.S. Marshall Service are leading enforcement efforts in New York, Chicago and Aurora, Colorado. The (DHS) and the Drug Enforcement administration (DEA) have launched joint operations in Los Angeles, despite the city council formally designating it a sanctuary in 2024, prohibiting

centers.

city resources from aiding in federal immigration enforcement.

Seven individuals were detained by ICE during a car wash raid in Philadelphia. Miami authorities have reported the arrest of a Nicaraguan national with pending aggravated assault charges as well as a Jamaican national charged with possession of oxycodone. In Atlanta, the operation targeted individuals in homes and churches arresting Honduran immigrant Wilson Rogelio Valesquez Cruz.

Immigration enforcement is focused on undocumented individuals, including those with active arrest warrants. In response to the recent deportations, the President of Mexico, Claudia Sheinbaum launched a repatriation initiative, Mexico Embraces You, which provides Mexican deportees with food, medical care and assistance in obtaining Mexican documentation.

Some governments, such as those in India and Guatemala, have agreed to accept deported nationals. However, other countries have expressed concerns. Honduran President Xiomara Castro criticized the U.S. government’s stance and threatened to shut down U.S. military bases in Honduras.

Countries have raised diplomatic concerns in regards to the treatment of deportees. President Sheinbaum refused to accept Mexican deportees from military aircrafts. Similarly, Colombian President Gustavo Petro denied two deportation planes permission to land in Colombia. He later agreed to accept deportees under “dignified conditions.” He expressed his disapproval of handcuffs and military transport for Colombian nationals.

Brazilian officials have also objected to accepting 88 Brazilian nations transported on U.S. military planes. In Guatemala, the government has signaled plans to negotiate with U.S. officials to ensure that deportations are orderly and less painful for deportees. The President of El Salvador has been in discussion with the U.S. government regarding a potential agreement to serve as a safe third country, allowing asylum seekers from other nations to be sent to El Salvador.

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MATA ELANGOVAN Managing Editor

Erasing trans from the LGBTQ

On Feb. 13, 2025, the National Park Service is reported to have removed references to transgender people from its Stonewall National Monument website. The opening of the site now reads, “Before the 1960s, almost everything about living openly as a lesbian, gay, bisexual (LGB) person was illegal,” excluding its previous mentions of the transgender community. What used to be listed as “LGBTQ+” on the site, now only mentions “LGB.”

The uprising at Stonewall Inn was the spark of the LGBTQ+ rights movement in the United States. After the gay bar was raided by police in 1969, people took to the streets and rioted. Stonewall Inn became the first national monument for gay rights on June 24, 2016, under the Obama administration. Former president Barack Obama commented that the monument would “tell the story of our struggle for LGBT rights.”

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul commented regarding the removal of transgender references on her X account, stating, “This is just cruel and petty. Transgender people play a critical role in the fight for LGBTQ+ rights — and New York will never allow their contributions to be erased.”

A report from ABC News shares that Angelica

Christina, the Board Director of Stonewall Inn Gives Back Initiative, insists, “In this fight, in this movement, it was also trans people, especially trans women of color, like Marsha P. Johnson, Sylvia Rivera, Miss Major Griffin-Gracy, Black and brown trans women that stood at the forefront of

this movement. We would not have pride as we know it today without trans people, without trans women.”

In the front lines of the Stonewall Inn riots was Marsha P. Johnson, a Black transgender woman.

ASUCR

Johnson, an outspoken LGBTQ+ rights activist and advocate for queer of color, was a key figure not only in the riots, but in also advocating for resources to combat the AIDS epidemic.

The National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) released a press statement responding to the removal of trans contributions at Stonewall National monument. Timothy Leonard, the Northeast Program Manager for the association, shared, “Erasing letters or webpages does not change the history or the contributions of our transgender community members at Stonewall or anywhere else.”

In the same press release, Mark Segal, an LGBTQ+ activist and NPCA Ambassador for Change stood firm in the belief that the spirit of Stonewall is to be visible and fight against oppression and that “this petty, vindictive action is an attempt to not only erase trans people from public view, but also the entire LGBT community. Stonewall, including all of us in the LGBT community who fought back that historic night and have continued to fight for 55 years, cannot and will not be erased. We will continue to fight, we will continue to be visible and persevere, and I urge all in our community to remember this day as the beginning of the second Stonewall rebellion.”

A preview: ASUCR elections for the 2025-2026 year

An increase from 92 candidates to 108 for ASUCR.

DINARA GODAGE Assistant News Editor

As of Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2025, there are 108 candidates for the Associated Students of the University of California Riverside (ASUCR) elections for the 2025-2026 academic year. Assistant Elections Director (AED) Aushee Heagney spoke during Public Comment about updates on the upcoming elections.

With the candidate form closed, the current count, as of Feb. 12, 2025, per position is as follows:

Executive Cabinet (ECAB):

President, four candidates

Executive Vice President (EVP), four candidates

Vice President of External Affairs, two candidates

Vice President of Internal Affairs, three candidates

Vice President of Finance, two candidates

Vice President of Sustainability, two candidates

Vice President of Marketing, three candidates

Vice President of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), four candidates

Personnel Director, four candidates

Transfer Student Director, three candidates

Non-Traditional Student Director, zero candidates

First Time College Student Director, one candidate

International Student Director, two candidates

Each ECAB position has one seat.

Senators:

College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (CHASS) Senator, 30 candidates for nine seats

College of Natural and Agricultural Sciences (CNAS) Senator, 18 candidates for five seats

Bourns College of Engineering (BCOE) Senator, eight candidates for two seats

School of Education (SOE) Senator, one candidate for one seat

School of Public Policy (SPP) Senator, three candidates for one seat

School of Business (SOB) Senator, 14 candidates for one seat

A change in interpretation of who can apply for SOB Senator has increased the number of candidates for the position. Previously, the role was limited to students within the School of Business, specifically students with a business administration, actuarial science or business analytics majors. However, for this election cycle, professional staff, ED Kevin Arizmendi and AED Heagney, decided to have prebusiness majors also fall under SOB rather than in CHASS, where the major is housed. The decision was made because it would be possible for pre-business majors to enter SOB during their term once they get accepted. To avoid having a senator representing a college that they are no longer a part of, all prebusiness majors are required to run for SOB Senator.

This announcement received backlash from some senators. CHASS Senator Ryan Choi had expressed his qualms with this new policy. He sees pre-business majors as better representatives of CHASS due to their course load being primarily CHASS classes and their peers being in CHASS. He also brought up the concern that students are choosing pre-business as a back up major while exploring other CHASS fields.

BCOE Senator Karen Vo suggested that first-year and second-year pre-business students should be able to continue running for CHASS, but those who are older can be required to run for SOB.

AED Heagney expressed that this choice was not made lightly and meant to be equitable due to the possibility of them changing schools during their term.

President Pro Tempore Leila Haidar attempted redirection and reminded senators that the decision to change which school pre-business majors run for was not made solely by ED Arizmendi or AED Heagney, more detailed questions should be directed towards Executive Director Asha Nettles.

CHASS Senator Choi, however, continued and reminded Senators that the Elections Committee has more leeway with the bylaws and that it is “not right”

to restrict pre-business majors to SOB. He expressed that Senators should be working on policies that can keep the Elections Committee in check.

SPP Senator Jimenez asked if this restriction has been finalized and if senators can assist the Elections Committee in finding alternative solutions. In response, AED Heagney expressed that she is not sure, and EVP Naia Pizarro explained that it is against the bylaws for senators to work with Elections Committees.

AED Heagney finished the conversation by affirming that each of the candidates have been told that they will be running for SOB instead of CHASS. This announcement is the first mention of this alteration to the public.

For the Legislative Review Committee, there were grammatical friendly amendments made to SB-W25012 and SB-W25-013. SB-W25-002, a bill designed to adjust the bylaws describing the Vice President of DEI, and SR-F24-003, a resolution for forest preservation with California Public Interest Research Group, were both approved unanimously.

During Senator Reports, CHASS Senator Mia Rose Tuifua updated the Senate on the initiatives for the wrestling and martial arts clubs. They have located a place for these groups to practice with mats. They are currently working on how to accommodate all the groups involved in one place.

CHASS Senator Carter Anderson followed with his report by reminding the Senate that there would be the CHASS Town Hall in two weeks and the campus safety walk should occur either late winter quarter or early spring quarter.

For attendance, CHASS Senator Keaston Bunker, CHASS Senator Alice Parra Rios, SOB Senator Dhruv Patel, CNAS Senator Mitchel Wei and BCOE Senator Uma Akundi were excused. CNAS Senator Anthony Ching was absent. ■ H

New York City Mayor corruption case dismissed

Department of Justice orders

federal prosecutors to drop corruption charges against New York City Mayor Eric Adams.

SENNA OMAR Editor-in-Chief

Dismissal of this case marks a long deviation from DOJ norms, where public officials of all levels of governance are often investigated — including President Trump.

Several of his Democrat party opponents for the mayoral primary have accused Adams of engaging in a quid pro quo with President Trump — exchanging charge dismissal for political partnership. Both President Trump and Adam’s defense have denied these allegations.

New York City Comptroller Brad Lander — a candidate for mayor — has spoken out against Adams, stating, “Instead of standing up for New Yorkers, Adams is standing up for precisely one person.”

Also a candidate for New York mayor, State Assembly member Zohran Mamdani called for

Prosecutors say that Turkish officials helped facilitate trips for Adams in exchange for favors, asking Adams to lobby the Fire Department of New York (FDNY) to allow for the construction of a 36-story Turkish diplomatic building that violated fire safety codes.

“Adams then pressured the New York City Fire Department to facilitate the opening of a foreign government’s Manhattan skyscraper that had not passed a fire inspection. To conceal this criminal conduct, Adams took steps to hide his receipt of improper benefits from the public and law enforcement,” reads the indictment. There is also evidence that Adams violated federal law by personally directing campaign staffers to solicit foreign donations, disguising these contributions as “nominee” or “straw” contributions. According to the indictment, this means “that the true contributors conveyed their money through nominal donors, who falsely certified they were contributing their own money.”

Southern District of New York acting U.S. Attorney Danielle R. Sassoon was among those who announced their resignation. According to a letter obtained by NBC news, Sassoon expressed her concern regarding the order to drop the case.

“Adams’s attorneys repeatedly urged what amounted to a quid pro quo, indicating that Adams would be in a position to assist with Department’s enforcement priorities only if the indictment were dismissed,” wrote Sassoon.

Sassoon also wrote that her office was preparing to file additional charges against Adams “based on evidence that Adams destroyed and instructed others to destroy evidence and provide false information to the FBI.”

Following his indictment, Adams’ — a Democratic official with a centrist platform — policies have noticeably shifted right. Backtracking on his original stance not to cooperate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Adams has expressed a willingness to roll back New York’s sanctuary city policies and has also implied that the Trump administration’s agenda is better for his state than that of the Biden administration.

an investigation into whether Adams cut a deal with the Trump administration “that involves breaking city law.”

Charges against Adams included allegations that while serving in his previous position as Brooklyn Borough president, he accepted illegal campaign contributions and lavish travel perks for a value exceeding $100,000.

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams, in response to the charges against Adams, expressed, “By allegedly taking improper and illegal benefits from foreign nationals—including to allow a Manhattan skyscraper to open without a fire inspection—Adams put the interests of his benefactors, including a foreign official, above those of his constituents.”

The 54-page indictment alleges that Adams, for nearly a decade, “has used his prominent positions in New York City government to obtain illegal campaign contributions and luxury travel. Adams solicited and accepted these benefits from foreign nationals, businessmen, and others.”

Adams’ overseas contributors allegedly circumvented federal laws that serve to prevent foreign influence on U.S. elections “by smuggling their contributions to Adams through U.S.-based straw donors … Wealthy individuals evaded laws designed to limit their power over elected officials by restricting the amount any one person can donate to a candidate. And businesses circumvented New York City’s ban on corporate contributions by funneling their donations through multiple employees, frustrating a law which seeks to reduce corporate power in politics.”

By accepting these “concealed, illegal donations,” Adams allegedly “increased his fundraising” and gave his “secret patrons undue influence” over his policies. Adams has pleaded not guilty, and has denied all charges insisting that these charges are politically motivated.

Federal agents have also been investigating senior aides of Adams, and prior to his indictment authorities seized phones from a police commissioner, schools chancellor, multiple deputy mayors and the mayor’s director of Asian Affairs — all of whom have denied allegations but have since resigned.

Ingris Lewis-Martin, Adam’s chief advisor and closest confidant, was indicted by the Manhattan district attorney on charges that she and her son accepted $100,000 in real estate and construction project bribes. ■ H

COURTESY OF WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

In defense of DEI: Costco maintains diversity programs

Costco Wholesale’s shareholders vote to continue DEI programs in the face of conservative backlash.

THOMAS DU Contributing Writer

On Jan. 23 2025, Costco Wholesale’s shareholders—with over 98 percent voting against—rejected an internal proposal to the Costco Board of Directors put forward by a conservative think tank known as the National Center for Public Policy Research (NCPPR). This proposal, had it been passed, would have requested the Costco Board “conduct an evaluation and publish a report” on “the risks of the company maintaining its current Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) ... roles, policies and goals.”

This recent shareholder vote followed a previous response from the Costco Board of Directors in their 2025 Annual Shareholders’ Meeting Notice to the NCPPR’s initiative that unanimously recommended against its implementation.

Costco’s decision to maintain DEI initiatives stands in contrast to a number of other companies such as Walmart, Target and Meta who have, in recent years, opted to re-examine, modify or roll back policies and commitments regarding their own DEI programs in response to conservative backlash. The Costco Board of Directors has defended their decision, reaffirming the company’s commitment to “an enterprise rooted in respect and inclusion,” citing the fostering of “creativity and innovation” as merits of their program, and describing the NCPPR’s proposition as reflecting “a policy bias with which [they] disagree.”

Originating during the Civil Rights and progressive movements of the 1960s, DEI programs trace their roots to the affirmative action and anti-discrimination policies implemented as part of the Lyndon B. Johnson administration’s “Great Society” agenda. Under the Civil Rights Act of 1964 – a federal law that prohibits employment discrimination on the basis of race, color and sex, amongst other classifiers

– and alongside the creation of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the federal government was mandated to combat entrenched systemic discrimination within public and private institutions.

DEI programs were the result of corporate shifts in response to discrimination lawsuits filed with the EEOC throughout the 1960s and 1970s. These programs provide anti-discrimination training and expand hiring and promotion pools to include more qualified candidates to counteract systemic race and gender discrimination. The purpose of these affirmative action programs has been to comply with antidiscrimination statutes and improve employee performance.

The landmark 2023 Supreme Court decision on Students for Fair Admissions (SFFA) v. Harvard reversed previous court decisions and, under the majority decision of the conservative justices, established a legal framework against long-standing affirmative action policies implemented throughout the 1960s.

Conservative groups such as the Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty and America First Legal have—especially following the SFFA decision—engaged in a protracted legal campaign to target equal opportunity initiatives in the name of fighting DEI. Stephen Miller, a former adviser to the Republican administration under President Trump, alleges that corporate policies “punish Americans for being white, Asian or male.” In their fight against DEI, conservatives have insinuated that “civil rights law itself” may be “somehow part of the problem.”

President Donald J. Trump opened his term by repealing a litany of executive orders that have long stood as foundational cornerstones and institutional safeguards of civil rights in a Jan. 21 executive order to fight “illegal dis-

crimination.” In that same order, President Trump called for the Attorney General, in cooperation with other federal agencies, to make recommendations to “encourage the private sector to end illegal discrimination and preferences, including DEI.”

An article from The National Law Review states, “The executive order does not define the specific DEI programs or activities it deems to be illegal.” The EEOC, in response to the SFFA v. Harvard decision, has clarified that DEI initiatives remain lawful in their implementation. Furthermore, several states’ Attorneys General have affirmed that the SFFA v. Harvard decision is a “narrow ruling” that “does not prohibit private corporations from implementing DEI initiatives.”

Despite these clarifications, Costco’s decision to join a collective of other companies in maintaining DEI initiatives has faced a legal response. A group of Attorneys General from Iowa, Alabama and Kansas, among others, issued a letter to Costco’s CEO declaring that “the company is doing the wrong thing” by “clinging to DEI policies that courts and businesses have rejected as illegal.” Costco has yet to comment.

Although President Trump’s executive order attributes failures in the public and private sectors to guarantee merit-based opportunity to DEI, experts say that many corporate practices conducted as part of DEI initiatives—such as auditing employee pay and ensuring appropriate promotions—are organizationally necessary to comply with federal and state anti-discrimination statutes. These experts argue that DEI programs, rather than fighting against the idea of merit-based employment, instead help guarantee its implementation.

The LA County fire alert was a mistake that could have cost many lives

A FALSE WILDFIRE EVACUATION ALERT SENT TO MILLIONS CAUSED CONFUSION AND PANIC, PROVING EMERGENCY WARNING SYSTEMS NEED URGENT FIXES.

SPANDANA JANAPATI

Assistant Opinion Editor

The recent California wildfires have been a great area of concern for residents of the state. The situation led to elevated levels of panic when Los Angeles (LA) County’s emergency alert system sent a false mass evacuation order to nearly 10 million residents. The alert was meant only for those in the immediate danger zones of the Kenneth Fire in Woodland Hills. Instead, people far from the flames were mistakenly told to leave their homes.

With the fires now contained, LA leaders are demanding answers. Several Southern California representatives signed letters to the county and other agencies responsible for the mistaken alert demanding a full report and investigation. The letters called out the misleading messages sent to the wrong locations, noting that repeated mistakes like these create “alert fatigue” and erode public trust.

The false alert should never have been allowed to reach so many people, and safeguards should have been in place to correct the mistake immediately. Inaccurate warnings cause mass confusion and weaken confidence in public safety measures. During the Eaton Fire, some Altadena neighborhoods received evacuation orders on time while others got them hours later.

The correction for the false emergency alert in the LA area was issued around 20 minutes later, stating that the alert was sent as an error. Additionally, residents as far as Long Beach, over 35 miles away from any of the fires, continued to receive emergency notifications. Mistakes like these, whether committed by technology or human error, have real consequences, as they reinforce a pattern of inefficiency that extends beyond just one incident.

Emergency systems need to be reliable, especially now. Wildfires are no longer isolated disas-

ters—they are an expected part of life in California because of prolonged droughts and rising temperatures. Research has repeatedly shown a link between climate change and the increasing frequency of wildfires. As the risk grows, so does the need for a functional and trustworthy emergency response system. When people can’t rely on official alerts to be accurate, they are left to guess whether they are in danger, which can cost lives.

This is not the first time an emergency alert system has failed on a large scale. The 2018 false missile strike warning in Hawaii is a well-known example. This alert, which sent a message to phones asking people to seek immediate shelter from a missile, was caused by an employee pressing the wrong button, resulting in widespread panic. It took 38 minutes for a follow-up message correcting the initial alert to be sent.

In both the Hawaii and LA cases, a single mistake led to widespread confusion and fear. The fact that similar errors continue to happen means that whatever lessons were supposed to be learned from past failures have not been fully implemented.

Kevin McGowan, director of LA County’s Office of Emergency Management, said the county would suspend its alert system operated by Genasys – the company responsible for the technical error – and switch to one managed by the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (CalOES). The CalOES system could offer an extra layer of reliability, providing fail-proof alerts to mitigate future failures. However, simply switching platforms is not enough.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) controls the border emergency alert system across the United States. Currently FEMA’s wildfire emergency procedures website is under construc-

tion, alluding to changes in how the system will be managed based on the mistakes and areas of concern that have arisen through these wildfires. Because different broadcasters have varying policies on how messages are displayed, meaning the effectiveness of alerts is not consistent. FEMA does conduct system-wide tests, as required by the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS) Modernization Act of 2015, but testing alone does not ensure that real-life emergencies will be handled properly. The issues seen in LA show that updates to emergency response policies must go beyond just occasional testing.

Errors in emergency alerts are not always as simple as a technical glitch or a wrongly pressed button. In some cases the area where an individual’s phone was purchased or phone number was registered can impact the emergency alerts they receive. Research on west coast disaster warning systems has found that many residents, including international students and immigrants on visas, struggle to understand or interpret emergency warnings correctly. These gaps in public understanding need to be addressed alongside the technical flaws in the alert system.

Mistakes will always occur, whether due to human or technological error. But allowing them to go uncorrected is unacceptable and dangerous. An emergency alert system should not create additional chaos during an already high-risk situation. The ability to send out accurate, timely warnings is a fundamental public safety requirement, and it is impractical and reckless not to have safeguards in place to correct errors far quicker than they were in the past.

LAYNA LAPIKAS / THE HIGHLANDER

COURTESY OF PICRYL

The most awe-inspiring president in American history - Ronald Reagan

MATA ELANGOVAN Managing Editor

With Presidents Day on Feb. 17, 2025, it is important to remember those who served as presidents of the United States (U.S.). Clearly, the most important of them all was Ronald Reagan, the 40th president of the U.S., who served two consecutive terms from 1981 to 1989.

Known as “The Great Communicator,” Reagan is hands down one of the best public speakers in American history. From passionate speeches to the American people to delivering “A Time for Choosing,” in which he spoke on behalf of then-Republican candidate, Barry Goldwater, Reagan certainly has a way with enamoring those around him. Better yet, the man is a great orator despite almost dying. On March 30, 1981, Reagan was shot by a wouldbe assassin six times, with one of the bullets lodging itself an inch from his heart. When rushed into the operating room he commented to his doctors, “I hope you’re all Republicans.”

Not every president is able to lie on what may be their deathbed and crack a joke at those who are in charge of their survival. But Reagan went above and beyond in comforting his doctors despite the life-or-death predicament he found himself in, even at the expense of his own political party. Because clearly, the most important thing at the time would be everyone’s political affiliation—not the bullet in his chest.

It is without a doubt that Reagan’s public speaking skills had the power to save the American public. In 1985, he quickly addressed the topic of HIV in a press conference, only four years after the first few cases of AIDS were announced in Los Angeles. During his statement, he sympathized with parents who were afraid of sending their children to school due to fear of their kids contracting HIV. Not only was he able to broach such a controversial topic to a nation of frightened citizens, but he was also able to alleviate parents’ concerns, despite the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirming that HIV cannot be transmitted through casual contact.

Following up on the topic in 1987, Reagan advised students that the best way to avoid contracting AIDS is through the practice of abstinence. Defending his stance to be based on both medical and moral reasons, he strongly believed that the topic of sex “should be taught in connection with values, not simply taught as a physical, mechanical process.” No American president has been able to slyly slip in such

conservative ideals, such as religious abstinence, under the guise of protecting the people as well as Reagan has done.

While the Surgeon General at the time, Dr. Charles Everett Koop advised schools to teach students how to use condoms to reduce the risk of transmitting the virus, Reagan went above and beyond in advocating for a more moral America. As the man himself said, “One of the things that’s been wrong with too much of our education is that no kind of values of right and wrong are being taught in the education process.” With the nation in fear of the HIV epidemic, there was no better option for the president than to continue fear-mongering and disregard the words of Surgeon General Koop — the leading spokesperson for public health in the federal government. Rather, President Reagan did the most scientifically proven thing and advocated for his Christian beliefs to be taught in the public school system, which absolutely doesn’t go against the notion of a secular state.

Reagan was a staunch opponent

HOW “THE GREAT COMMUNICATOR” BROUGHT PEACE AND PROSPERITY TO THE NATION.

of many civil rights legislation proposed and adopted by Congress. Going against major pieces such as the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and the Fair Housing Act of 1968, he stood firm in his stance that it was too early for people to receive their unalienable rights or that the federal government would have too much power if they adopted these measures.

His beliefs and morals stood so strong that he decided to veto the Comprehensive Apartheid Act, which would levy economic sanctions against the Republic of South Africa during their time in apartheid. However, the U.S. Senate, in a distasteful move, went against the great president and voted to override his motion. Reagan stood firm that apartheid is “a malevolent and archaic system totally alien to [the nation’s] ideals” and that he regretted Congress’ actions as “these punitive sanctions do not lead to more violence and more repression.”

Clearly in support of his values that apartheid is archaic and institutionalized racial segregation is a horrible thing to bestow upon any people, the

Reagan administration reversed a Nixon-era policy, granting tax exemptions to racially discriminatory schools in 1982. Claiming that the proposed legislation was “sensitive to legitimate special needs of private religious schools,” Reagan defended racism on the basis that it was in support of a school using religion as a criterion for admission.

These are but some of the great achievements and moments of former president Ronald Reagan. During his time in office, he has not only managed to be a source of comedic relief, but remained a staunch advocate for the liberation of various minority groups. The U.S. mourns the loss of such an exemplary man.

This is a satirical piece and is not intended to communicate any true or factual information about the writer’s opinion except through humor and/or exaggeration. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental or is intended purely as satire, parody or spoof of such persons and is not intended to communicate any true or factual information about that person.

HENYA DADEM / THE HIGHLANDER

Elon Musk’s ‘silent coup’ of the U.S. government

TRUMP ADMINISTRATION HANDS OVER GOVERNMENT TO HIS BILLIONAIRE BUDDIES.

SENNA OMAR Editor-in-Chief

Since President Donald J. Trump’s second inauguration on Jan. 20, 2025, Elon Musk — Trump’s billionaire business partner — has engaged in a silent coup of the United States (U.S.) government.

Musk explained the purpose of his new government agency while taking questions in the Oval Office, on Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2025. As he stood above President Trump, Musk explained the responsibilities of theDepartment of Government Efficiency (DOGE).

Musk ironically called for an end to the “tyranny of the bureaucracy.” He called this the “fourth unconstitutional branch of government … that in a lot of ways has more power than elected representatives.” Bureaucracies are defined as organizations with a hierarchical structure and rigid rules that are made up of non-elected officials. Some examples of bureaucracies include schools, businesses, government agencies and Elon Musk’s new DOGE.

Musk called these agencies undemocratic. And although there is some truth to this, it is extremely ironic. He is now an unelected head of a government agency while circumventing the systems of checks and balances meant to prevent oligarchs from taking form.

With the brigade of billionaires sitting front and center at Trump’s inauguration, it is clear that Trump intends to hand off control over the government to his closest supporters, allowing Musk and others to control government spending.

Despite its name, DOGE is not an official government department and it was established without approval from the appropriate government branches. . DOGE supposedly operates as an ‘advisory board,’ with four employees dedicated to each government agency. A majority of the DOGE staff are young Musk-worshipping tech bros.

Musk — claiming to be a volunteer, according to the White House — is operating as an unpaid special government employee, a designation reserved for employees working for up to 130 days. As a billionaire and the richest man in the world, Musk definitely does not need a White House paycheck.

No one elected Musk into a governmental position, and this new control that big tech companies have over the U.S. government should concern Americans because of the blatant display of nepotism.

The basis of this department is rather vague, as their only task is to increase government efficiency, essentially giving Musk free reign over all govern-

ment proceedings. As the new puppet master of the American government, Musk’s motivations at DOGE have clearly been ideological, only going after agencies who he disagrees with or those working against Trump’s agenda.

Even Republicans have noticed Musk’s clear ideological motivations. Douglas Holtz-Eakin, former Republican director of the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), told Reuters, “[DOGE is] not going to go into agencies that are doing things they like. They are going into agencies they disagree with.”

Musk, when confronted with quotations regarding transparency, cited the DOGE X account as the main hub for information about the agency. When Musk purchased X, formerly known as Twitter, in 2022, he engaged in a mass firing of over 80 percent of the social media platforms workforce. After acquiring another powerful position, Musk now has the same capability to initiate similar mass layoffs of government employees.

Beginning with agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Agriculture Department, Musk ramped up his initiatives to cut government spending by firing thousands of federal probationary workers who do not receive the same protections as other federal employees. It is disheartening that the richest man in the world has control over the paychecks of America’s lowest paid federal workers.

Officials at the EPA have reportedly fired an overwhelming 388 probationary employees, but some of the largest cuts were to the Energy Department where around 1,000 federal employees were laid off. Additionally, Department of Energy employees, responsible for the maintenance of the western power grid, were fired. Dozens of other government departments received concerning cuts to their workforce that will most definitely hinder the proper functioning of these agencies.

Many of the fired federal employees have expressed concerns about how the termination of their position could impact government services. One such employee was Katherine Tasheff, a web team manager at the Office of Personnel Management, who told the New York Times (NYT) that she was fired in an email.

According to the NYT, Ms. Tasheff “was concerned that the elimination of those positions could leave federal workers struggling to access accurate information on the agency’s website, which provides details about their health insurance plans, retirement benefits and other work force policies.”

In his leadership role at DOGE, Musk now has unprecedented access to governmental and American citizens’ data. DOGE employees reportedly have access to the U.S. government’s payment system, which includes bank account information, Social Security numbers and income tax documents. They have also seized the ability to alter the system’s software, data, transactions and records.

U.S. Congressman Sean Casten led a group of 154 lower house Democrats who signed a letter to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent expressing concern regarding Elon Musk and his allies’ access to the federal government’s payments system.

The federal government payment system — which is managed by the Treasury Department’s Bureau of Fiscal Service — is responsible for administering trillions yearly in Social Security and Medicare benefits, tax refunds and payments to government contractors.

According to Congressman Casten, this system contains “highly sensitive details about hundreds of millions of Americans.” Musk and his allies are only interested in accessing these payment systems for the advancement of their own agendas. He has made numerous concerning comments that the “government should not fund programs that contradict his personal politics.”

Musk and his staff have already made concerning changes to the programs that process Social Security Social Security beneficiaries and government contractors to make it easier to block payments and hide records of any changes made. This billionaire and social media CEO should not have access or control over Social Security and government data.

Many democratists have called for an investigation into Musk’s conflict of interests with running this department. In his new role Musk has the ability to both oversee and dismantle any government agency that could hinder or

cost his business endeavors.

Musk’s nazi salute at President Trump’s inauguration was a clear predictor of his plans for the future. Growing up in apartheid South Africa, Musk knew exactly what he was doing on that stage; he was sending a message to white supremacist everywhere that they have friends in the Oval Office.

Musk is a member of the “PayPal mafia,” a group of influential billionaires with roots to white rule in South Africa who are now hugely influential over U.S. tech and policies. His salute at the inauguration was celebrated by extremists all over the internet.

Several neo-Nazi leaders shared clips of the moment with captions showing their support with his disgusting display of white supremacy. A chapter of the far-right Proud Boys militia group took their own take on the gesture exclaiming, “Hail Trump!” In an environment that not only supports but encourages white supremacy, the administration’s fire right ideologies continue to grow and prosper, a concerning reality for the millions of people of color living in the U.S.

According to Heidi Beirich, cofounder of the Global Project Against Hate and Extremism, “There is no question among white supremacists that Musk was making a Nazi salute.” On a global stage, America has embarrassed themselves. Musk has proven his commitment to white supremacy, a concern for everyone with a conscience.

With Musk pulling the strings of this presidential administration, even his son, X Æ A-Xii, or X, knows who’s really in charge. While taking questions in the Oval Office, X taunted the president, telling him, “You’re not the president, and you need to go away.” This striking statement from the preschooler was most likely something X heard from his father, Elon Musk — a premonition for a future America run by billionaire tech bros.

ADELIA URENA / THE HIGHLANDER

Features

Scotty-Scopes:

Your financial future

(Sept. 23 – Oct. 22):

Things aren’t looking great, Libra. Your lack of faith is translating into real life, so you better start believing.

(Dec. 22 – Jan. 19):

Start saving some money for a rainy day, because the storm is coming soon. There will be a sudden change in your life and you will need to have some money to sit on.

Aries (March 21 – April 19):

Get creative with how to make a few extra bucks. Whether this is trying out a new side hustle or starting a no spend challenge, don’t limit yourself when it comes to the ways you can budget.

Cancer (June 21 – July 22):

Follow your intuition at this moment, Cancer. Whether you think you need to tighten or loosen up your spending is the right way to go.

(Oct. 23 – Nov. 21):

Subconsciously, you know that you’re not making the right financial decisions. You’ve disconnected so much from your intuition that it hasn’t raised a red flag, so try to be more in tune with what your gut is telling you.

(Jan. 20 – Feb. 18):

You’re bringing in the big bucks, baby. The planning and restraint you put into your budget is pushing you towards long term success. Way to go!

Taurus (April 20 – May 20):

You’re playing it too safe in your professional life, Taurus. Be spontaneous (within reason) and don’t hold back — it might just be what fills your wallet.

Leo (July 23 – Aug. 22):

Sunny skies are coming your way, Leo. Your positivity regardless of the situation will bring prosperity to you.

A LOOK INTO YOUR WALLET THIS WEEK.

(Nov. 22 – Dec. 21):

Sagittarius, stop being so sneaky in the ways you get your money. Act strategically and think about the longterm, not just what benefits you most right now.

19 – March 20):

Conflict with your coworkers is inevitable, Pisces. Try to stay out of detrimental disputes that will keep you from rolling in the dough.

Gemini (May 21 – June 20):

Perseverance is the name of the game here. Prioritize avoiding burnout instead of exhausting yourself at the get-go.

23 – Sept.

You’ve got financial independence on lock. It’s time for you to bask in the abundance and treat yourself to something luxurious.

Libra

The Star

Scorpio

High Priestess

Sagittarius

Seven of Swords

Capricorn

The Tower

Aquarius

Ten of Pentacles

Pisces (Feb.

Four of Wands

Page of Cups

The Fool

Seven of Wands

Ace of Cups

The Sun

Virgo (Aug.

22): Nine of Pentacles

NORM’S NOOK SPOTLIGHT

Carillon Recitals

GABRIELA GALVAN Assistant Features Editor

Ding-dong! Welcome to Monday! Speak ing about ringing in the new week, if there is something loud and proud about the University of California, Riverside (UCR) it’s definitely the beloved Bell Tower. Ernest Hemingway once proposed, “For whom the bell tolls.” In our case, it not only introduces the new hour for students and staff, but also rings to appease the likes of carillon connoisseurs! If you haven’t yet noticed the charming bell tolls and rings that go beyond the dismissal bell, those sweet chimes are the carillon concert performance by the talented David Christensen. Every Monday from 12 p.m. to 3:20 p.m., David Christensen, from the UCR Department of Music, plays the 48-bell carillon that is found inside the Bell Tower! His performances have blessed UCR with the sound of tartan soul for over 30 years. With the strike of wooden levers, attached to the instrument, utilizing both the hands and feet, the bells sound harmoniously with a jingle and a jangle. If you’re ever free on campus on Mondays, think about taking a moment to stop and smell the bells!

STUDENT POLL

QUESTION: Given that its registration season, if you could create any college course, what would it be?

Answer our weekly question on the Highlander Instagram for the opportunity to get featured in the next issue!

The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) and how it’s deeper than just heroes.

Watching all my fave shows and then yapping class.

The art of collecting.

How to draw and create comics.

The history of LEGO.

Ash S.

Emily Manus

Paul L.

Emily Mata

Natalie U.

GRAPHICS BY LAYNA LAPIKAS / THE HIGHLANDER

KELLEY MANZO / THE HIGHLANDER

BEN & JERRY’S

Looks after, often with

28. In ___ of (replacing)

30. SNL’s medium

35. Birthstone after sapphire

37. Catch a ride to the beach?

39. Not Google or Bing

40. ___ no good; 2 wds.

41. Check for fit; 2 wds.

43. Lion’s noise

44. Flash of light

46. Small double-reed instrument

47. What a squirrel wants lots of

48. Rupture

50. Formal poems that praise or celebrate

52. Canine command

MAIN ST

By Natali FEaturEs

53. Rebecca Yarros novel “____ Storm”

55. Syndicate head

57. Gets by with less; 2 wds.

61. Giza attraction

65. Cover story?

66. Tabloid alien topic

68. “_____licious” by Destiny’s Child (2001)

69. Taboos

70. Woman:namow; Man;___

71. “South Pacific” role _____ de Becque

72. Witnessed

73. Econ. measure

Down

1. Balsam cough-syrup ingredient

2. 20-20, e.g.

3. “Scream” star ____ Campbell

4. Americone _____

5. A group of alcohols that are a subclass of steroids

6. Potluck choice

7. Final article of the Constitution

8. “Saturday Night Fever” music

9. Girl Scout Cookie ____oils

ANSWERS (DON’T PEEK!)

15. _____ Monkey

20. Chubby Checker’s dance

22. Old what’s-___-name

24. Where the jury sits; 2 wds.

25. Tonight _____

26. Mac maker

27. Tyla’s top hit

29. International money

31. Bring home the bacon

32. Huns, mils, _____

33. Cousin of a raccoon

34. Geological feature that’s taller than its surroundings, but anagrams to SHORT

45. Constriction of the pupil

49. Plus

51. Non-dairy cold dessert

54. “Tonight we are _____...”

56. Japanese professional tennis player _____ Osaka

57. Staffs

58. ___ vera

59. Cows, collectively

60. Black, in poetry (like some piano keys)

61. Partner of circumstance

62. Work hard

63. “___ be a cold day in hell ...”

ORANGE ST

74. Register drawers

10. Better ___

11. ___ of Capri

12. Fitted with shoes

36. Student aid

38. Phish ____

42. Destitute

64. Tie ____

67. Devotee

■ H

COURTESY OF PEXELS

Cali Tardka : Riverside’s hidden gem serving up bold Punjabi flavors

CARLIE SERVANDO Marketing Director

Tucked away in the quiet neighborhoods of Orangecrest, Riverside, there’s a house unlike any other. Marked by a tall flag with its logo featuring a bold logo of a man with a mustache and a pagri turban, the local legend of Cali Tardka invites diners from all over. For those willing to make the 20-minute drive from the University of California, Riverside, take a trip to flavor town and indulge in

Greg Special

Price: $16

Rating: 5/5

its rich Punjabi delicacies.

Cali Tardka first opened its doors in 2019, long before at-home restaurants became a trend. What started as a leap of faith has now grown into a thriving business, known for their authentic food made from an immigrant Indian family. And the masterminds behind it all are the mother, Kimi, and her son Manu, who work together as business partners. You might know

For those who want a little bit of everything, the Greg Special is your best bet. This best-selling combo brings together Cali Tardka’s finest: rich butter chicken, bold tikka masala, basmati rice, one samosa and garlic naan.

Starting with the butter chicken, I was immediately hit with the velvety richness of the curry. The only way you can truly enjoy the dish is by dipping their garlic naan into the sauce. The creamy sauce clings to the bread, and as you take a bite, the tender chicken practically melts on your tongue.

Then comes the tikka masala, a fiery red dish that’s as bold as it looks. The first bite gives you a punch of blended spices giving a rich and spicy flavor that lingers. Just as the spice creeps in, the savory, perfectly cooked chicken balances it out, leaving you craving another bite.

To round it all out, the basmati rice and naan act as the perfect companions, soaking up every last drop of sauce and giving you a break from the richness. Whether you go for a forkful of rice or another dip into the curry, every bite will feel complete.

Butter Chicken Burrito

Price: $9

Rating: 4/5

The Butter Chicken Burrito takes the bold flavors of the Greg Special and wraps them into one handheld masterpiece. Inside, generous scoops of butter chicken and fragrant basmati rice are enveloped in a warm, buttery garlic naan. Served with an extra side of butter chicken sauce, I was met with the same yummy goodness in one bite. However, with both naan

them from their attentiongrabbing Instagram Reels that are sure to make your mouth water. Whether she’s cracking jokes or showing off sizzling plates of butter chicken and garlic naan, Kimi’s online presence turns casual viewers into loyal customers. This untraditional restaurant style of an athome business means that orders cannot be placed on the spot. Orders must be placed online, either

through Instagram (@ calitardka) or DoorDash. If you make the mistake of showing up unannounced, you’ll find yourself in a chaotic rush, regretting that you didn’t click that bio link first.

In a short 20-minute wait, I was able to receive my order hot and ready. Choosing the best sellers for Cali Tardka, here is my genuine review of each dish:

TREAT YOURSELF TO THE BOLD FLAVORS OF INDIA IN THE COMFORT OF SOMEONE’S HOME.

and rice packed together, the dish leans heavy. After just a few bites, I was already feeling full, making it difficult to fully savor each flavor. For those with an appetite, this burrito is pure heaven, but if you want to enjoy every note of the butter chicken without hitting a carb overload, you might want to pace yourself.

Samosas

Price: $8

Rating: 5/5

With its crispy exterior, these perfectly fried samosas filled with potatoes and all the green vegetables you can find is a hearty option for my vegetarian fellows. Served alongside it is a sweet chutney sauce, its deep brown hue hinting at the perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors. As someone with a sweet tooth, I found myself constantly reaching for these the most. And that flaky exterior is etched into my brain for the golden standard.

Mango Lassi

Price: $5

Rating: 5/5

To end the meal on a sweet note, take this mango yogurt delicacy for a refreshing treat. Served in a Ziplocstyle pouch, its vibrant yellow hue hints at the fresh, natural flavors inside. The first sip was creamy and had no artificial flavors lingering in my mouth. As the sweetness settles, it balances the bold, spiced flavors of the meal with its cooling finish. This fruity escape is a perfect way to cleanse the palate and complete the feast.

DonkeySpotter Spotlight : Tracking UCR’s donkeys

RIVERSIDE’S VERY OWN APP FOR KEEPING TABS ON THE DONKEYS.

NATALIE DAHL Features Editor

Reminiscing on what spurred him to create the app, Wang shared, “One of my friends was planning to visit [UCR] from the [The San Francisco] Bay Area. He was gonna stay at our dorm, and we were trying to line up some activities... I wanted to take them to see the donkeys because I know that’s an interesting part of campus. But there wasn’t any easy way to go see them.”

When making the app, Wang researched another unofficial UCR app, GoHighlander to understand the approval processes.Initially DonkeySpotter was rejected from the App Store due to explicit mentions of UCR. But after following the advice from another student developer and removing mentions of UCR, the app was successfully published.

Right now, Wang moderates the app manually through notifications to approve or remove sightings in addition to notifications from the “Report” settings for inappropriate or false sightings. But as the app is still being fine tuned and further developed, Wang hopes to make moderation less manual for efficiency, including the potential for user-generated content filtering improvements.

Another big ticket item that Wang is currently working on developing is user incentives and gamification: “As of right now, people are just uploading sightings out of goodwill. There’s no credit

involved. So one thing that I want to implement was some sort of basic account creation. They could at least put their names and potentially have a leaderboard.”

For additional improvements, Wang also wants to add a notification system to alert users of nearby sightings. He reports that hopefully this will make the app feel more interactive, similar to how Pokémon Go notifies users if there is a new Pokémon in the area for them to catch.

Another update that’s in the works is development of an Android version so that more students can access the app.

Overall, Wang is focused on a simple and functional

interface for easier use. One of the most exciting parts of UCR’s culture is viewing the donkeys on any given day. This app allows students to participate in the fun without hindering the magic and the spontaneity of it. And of course, if you’re using the app, make sure to respect the wildlife and maintain a proper distance from these wild animals. But if you’re ever wondering where the donkeys are on campus, just take a peek at DonkeySpotter.

COURTESY OF DONKEY SPOTTER

During this Black History Month, ‘Nickel Boys’ is a must-see

The films that don’t end with a bow on top that serve as a reminder that there is still work that needs to be done.

By: Aakif Iqbal, Contributing Writer

Among the most talked about films of 2024, the awards contenders for best picture seem to be between “The Brutalist” and “Anora,” and maybe “Emelia Perez” depending on how viewers feel about that film. In this epoch of American cinema, most of the discussions seem to surround the idea that movies are back.

The Spielberg-esque scifi epics exist today with “Dune: Part Two.” The New-Hollywood style adult-dramedies exist today with “Anora.” The classic Hollywood musicals are back with “Wicked.” However, the issue with these discussions is that they do not make any room for the fresh films. The films that are unlike what most people see and are something wholly new. Enter “Nickel Boys.”

“Nickel Boys” is an adaptation of a book by the same name. It follows two boys named Elwood and Turner who are sent to a reformatory school in the Jim Crow South.

The unique filmmaking style separates this movie from all the others. Being shot in first person perspective for the entirety of its runtime, it instantly draws the viewer in. It instantly engrosses the audience in the world of the 1950s, from its choices in costuming to its locations to its music.

The film invokes a similar feeling to Barry Jenkin’s 2018 gem, “If Beale Street Could Talk.” This is

achieved through its use of musical score, accompanied beautifully by the film’s cinematography, encapsulating the overall feel for the time period. The compassion for its characters and the deep emotional moments really tie the two films together in conversation with one another. Both films use a nonlinear approach to storytelling in order for the structure to appear like a series of memories rather than a story. And this is where the difficulty comes in when attempting to discuss the film.

Unlike “If Beale Street Could Talk” whose plot plays a larger role in the experience of watching it, “Nickel Boys” focuses on more fractals of moments and the atmosphere. Its sound design, use of archival footage and nonlinear structure make it feel more like an experimental artfilm rather than a drama.

This is not to say that it does not feature the big moments viewers would expect to see regarding characters experiencing the South in the 1950s; these moments are included, but they never take over the entire duration of the movie. Rather than explicitly directing the audience what to think, it lets them piece it together themselves and come to a conclusion.

A character will be mentioned as missing and then a cut to a newspaper clipping will happen requiring media literacy and critical thinking to understand what the correlation between the two events are. In this way

it becomes more interactive. The experience is not one of taking things in but one of actively engaging with the material.

It's by no means an easy film to watch. The ending is tear-wrenching and heartbreaking, but it is necessary. Films like these are why art is worth making. It’s a reminder that the history of these reformatory schools are not just a product of the distant past. These schools are a reminder that the conversation surrounding segregation is still relevant. The more modern era moments of the film make it clear that people who experienced the Jim Crow South are still around today.

During this Black History Month, it would be worthwhile, especially for allies, to take the time to watch this film. Spike Lee is a great filmmaker; he seems to be one of the only Black filmmakers that people care to consider. There are films being made just as cinematically relevant and articulate as “Do the Right Thing” and these filmmakers need support.

In this age of theater-going, films like “Nickel Boys” need rallying around much more than big studio productions. There will always be the huge Hollywood epics because their escapism is what attracts most moviegoers, but if these smaller independent films are not supported, these filmmakers will lose the opportunity to make another film.

Even though the movie may

NICKLE BOYS A MUST SEE !

not be everyone’s cup of tea, there is still a deeper, underlying message worth hearing. People may have criticized the length of the film or the acting within it. But while they may be valid criticisms, it is necessary to have a longer run-time to encapsulate the intricate ideas that the films seek to share. And though the acting in the film is unlike the smaller, more subdued per-

formances celebrated so much at the Oscars, they’re just as incredible and support the film incredibly well.

Verdict: Go watch “Nickel Boys” and tell a friend about it.

Henya Dadem / The Highlander

RADAR REPLAY:

‘Rye Lane’ is an essential modern rom-com

Rom-com isn’t dead, it’s just hiding.

By: Aakif Iqbal, Contributing Writer

With Black History Month still in full-swing, and with Valentine’s Day having just passed, the film that feels especially relevant is 2023’s “Rye Lane.”

Directed by Raine AllenMiller, the film follows Dom and Yas -- two people fresh out of a breakup who get to know each other over the course of a day. This plot may sound vague but it's important to go in blind. With all the twists and turns in the plot, it’s most exciting when there is no predictability for what may happen next.

When people talk about the death of cinema in the modern age, the genre that seems to come up the most is the rom-com. Gone are the days when a major blockbuster is simply a romance movie and nothing more, and when a movie like this does come out and achieves success, like “Anyone but You,” it's seen as being a notch below the classics.

But “Rye Lane” fits in much better with the rom-com canon. The plot evokes similarities to one of the most

romantic films ever made, “Before Sunrise,” which also follows two characters around the course of a day as they get to know each other. But unlike “Before Sunrise,” everything about “Rye Lane” feels so strikingly modern.

From the way that it's shot, to its pacing, the film almost feels like a music video. With so many incredible colors, vibrant images and quick cuts – it never gets boring. It certainly packs a punch for a movie that is less than an hour and a half long.

“Rye Lane” is the first film from director Raine AllenMiller, and based on this strong work so far, she proves to hold a promising future. The style of “Rye Lane” also invokes another first time work of British director Jonathan Glazer’s “Sexy Beast.” Both directors share a similar trajectory, having started with making music videos.

The film is funny and romantic and entertaining in all the ways that a romcom should be. It has all the

proper moments of tension as well as the needle-drops. The best rom-coms also seem to always have the best soundtracks. Look no further than “(500) Days of Summer” for proof.

Verdict: All in all, while Black History Month is still in action, take the time to center Black joy. The film is directed by and stars two Black leads. These are exactly the kinds of films that need to be celebrated more. The movie can be streamed for free, so don’t miss out!

Courtesy of Searchlight Picures

RADAR REPLAY: ‘Pariah’

A Black lesbian coming of age story.

By: Iris Aranda, Contributing Writer

SPOILERS FOR ENDING

“Pariah” (2011) is a coming of age film that follows a Black teenager, Alike Freeman, through her coming of age journey as a butch lesbian. Diverse queer stories are especially important because LGBTQ+ people aren’t going anywhere. In times like this, the community needs support more than ever, and this film is a perfect watch for Black History Month.

This film is a realistic depiction of what it is like to be a queer person. It shows Alike’s family dynamic with her little sister, her mom and dad. Alike’s parents have a strained relationship, and her own relationship with her parents differs based on who she is with. Her very Christian mother forces her to conform to feminine gender roles, whereas around her dad, she can actually be her authentic self.

Throughout the film, Alike codeswitches and shifts presentation around her family. She remains in the closet when in a family setting, forced to wear feminine clothing by her mother when going to places like church. But at school, she has the liberty to wear more masculine clothes and be more open with her presentation.

It’s through her friend Laura that she gets to explore her queer identity. Laura is her butch lesbian friend that is more experienced with being openly queer. Laura was kicked out of her house by her mother because of her sexual identity. Alike’s mother doesn’t like Laura because she believes Laura is a bad influence on Alike. Laura takes Alike out to gay clubs and encourages her to express herself truthfully.

Alike is introduced to a new

friend, Bina, by her mother at church. Her mother pushes Alike to make new friends because she doesn’t want Alike hanging out with Laura. She also doesn’t want her daughter to be queer. She believes that Bina will be a good influence on Alike.

At first, Alike is hesitant to be friends with Bina, but overtime, they grow closer. As their relationship progresses, it becomes undeniably homoerotic, and while Alike embraced the feelings that arose, Bina denied her queerness, thus hurting Alike’s feelings.

This movie tells a story with the use of color. The film has beautiful hues of blue, green, purple and yellow. These colors not only complement the actors’ darker skin tones, but also paint their moods. For most of the movie, the film is set in a blue, green and red hues to show Alike’s emotions and how tough it is to grow up. At the end, when she admits to being a lesbian, the film changes to a yellow hue showing that she is happy with herself and the freedom of being out.

Despite the major falling out with her mother, Alike stands proud and still attempts to reconcile with her family. It is her father who accepts Alike for who she is, and it is he who Alike asks to pass on a message to her mother. The message reiterates Alike’s mother’s words from earlier in the film: “God doesn’t make mistakes.”

Verdict: This film is more than a coming of age film, it’s a film about radical self acceptance.

PARIAH [Puh-Rahy-uh] noun

1. A person without status

2. A rejected memeber of Society

3. An outcast

A

Black Lesbian Coming of age story.

Courtesy of Focus Features

Amazon prime pulled no punches with a captivating delivery of ‘Invincible’ season

IAN PALMA Contributing Writer

AFTER A FOUR-MONTH BREAK, THE SHOW IS BACK, EMOTIONAL AND CHAOTIC AS EVER.

After the ending of the second season of “Invincible,” enthusiasts of the adult-animated superhero drama were content with waiting for another season. . Since the show’s creators needed time to animate and record voice-overs while trying to figure out new plotlines, the Amazon Prime series had every good reason to slow down.

The series hints at an incoming intergalactic clash, but fans also still anticipate back stories of side characters. . The release of the third season of “Invincible” has been nothing short of spectacular and much of it can be attributed to the ample time provided to production to iron out any deficiencies.

The third season continues the halfViltrumite and half-human Mark Grayson’s journey as he protects Earth. Grayson, who is formally known as Invincible, struggles to maintain both responsibility and composure. On top of trying to prepare for an imminent Viltrumite invasion, Mark has to contend with being cut off from resources after an ethical fallout with his handler, Cecil Steadman, and the Global Defense Agency (GDA).

Mark also has to carry the burden of raising his half brother, Oliver, and prevent him from going down the same violent path that their father – the infamous Omni-man – has manipulated him into following. With only a few friends left to back his corner, Mark must handle situations that can very well determine whether he’s still the same compassionate human being as before or the savage alien conqueror that he was always bred to be.

Just like in its last two seasons, “Invincible” excels when it comes to its writing. The show wastes no time doing justice to Mark’s storyline, especially in the aftermath of the second season, balancing both serial drama poignancy alongside traditional superhero action.

Unlike its previous seasons, the show makes its philosophical and moral themes heavily clear instead of brushed off. Ethical dilemmas like good versus evil and whether or not people should have the ability to change isn’t only reserved for Mark. The side characters, such as Cecil Steadman, face the same conflict, which serves as a catalyst for their altercation while hinting at what’s to come.

The show not only focuses on Mark, but leaves room for many of its other secondary characters to shine. Whether it’s taking a glimpse into Cecil’s past before his time as director of the GDA or showing a supervillain-focused sequence reminiscent of the bittersweet opening montage of “Up,” the show takes the motives and emotions of many of these characters seriously.

Above all, many of the season’s highlights come from the display of Mark’s power when he isn’t regulated by rules of consciousness, something that the show continues to amplify. The fluctuation between Mark’s ability to waiver between self-control going ballistic at any time should be something that audiences could both resonate with and fear.

Despite reusing some animation and characters, the show compensates for its four-month break, especially in terms of both animation and voice acting. The show’s animation heavily shines when it comes to its gruesome and bloody action sequences, something that should be expected at this point. In addition, the animators of the show didn’t skimp when it came to showing even the simplest of movements such as chores or flying, laboriously making sure that each character movement had some kind of weight to it.

The show’s voice acting shouldn’t go unrecognized with many wellknown actors and actresses’ contributions, such as J.K. Simmons and Gilian Jacobs. Mark’s voice actor, Steven Yeun, marvelously encapsulates the angst and stress that burdens Invincible, especially given the fact that the weight of the world is practically in Mark’s hands. Yuen also shines when it comes to the more poignant and calmer moments of the show.

While the season does a superb job when it comes to developing its characters. It inadvertently sets aside the impending Viltrumite invasion of Earth that’s been heavily teased since the first half of season two. Although the show’s commitment to fleshing out these characters is commendable and important to telling a more impactful story, the season feels like a detour rather than a continuation to Mark’s quest to defend Earth from the Viltrumites.

Compared to the other seasons, the show places character development above its trademarked violent action sequences, which can be a bit offputting for some fans. In addition, the violent behavior that Oliver exhibits follows the “superhero-kid-gone-bad” trope already seen in media like “The Boys” and “Brightburn.”

Even though the show places relationships at the forefront, some felt really rushed. Mark and Eve’s relationship in particular is fleeting. Despite being hinted at during the end of season two, the romance between the two lacked depth, especially with the various other issues going on within the season. Even with these flaws, the show has many episodes that could rectify or explain these artistic directions.

All in all, season three of “Invincible” serves as a nice change of pace as

it focuses on human connection rather than the usual saving-the-world superhero storyline. If anything, the show is keen on building up tension for what’s to come. The connections and deterioration in the relationships of these characters may well be the breaking point in the upcoming battle for Earth.

Season three is practically a testament to the overall series’ purpose of trying to tell a grounded superhero story filled with raw human emotion. From here on out, there’s nowhere that “Invincible” can go but up.

VERDICT:

Season three of “Invincible” continues to captivate audiences with both high stakes action and a relationship-driven story ■ H

Most memorable deaths in the Final Destination franchise

Revisiting some unfortunately timed disasters of Death’s design in honor of the sixth installation’s first trailer.

By: Maribel Gamez-Reyes, Radar Editor

The iconic horror film franchise, Final Destination, takes a sharp return 14 years after the release of its first official trailer. “Final Destination: Bloodlines” is set to hit theaters on May 16, 2025 as the sixth installment of the franchise. The film introduces an entirely new cast, with stars like Kaiitlyn Santa Juana, Teo Briones, Richard Harmon, Owen Patrick Joyner, Rya Kihlstedt, Anna Lore and Brec Bassinger. The introduction of a new cast is standard practice of the franchise, implying that all the characters from the previous film face an untimely death, and this new addition does the same. This works in the film’s favor as it also compensates for the 14-year hiatus that the franchise took.

The late actor Tony Todd, is the only returning character, making a posthumous appearance in his role of the enigmatic Mortician. The New Line Cinema has confirmed that the new installment will explore the beginning of Death’s design, with a brief synopsis of this new chapter: “Plagued by a violent recurring nightmare, college student Stefanie heads home to track down the one person who might be able to break the cycle and save her family from the grisly demise that inevitably awaits them all.”

Known for its foreboding nature, the franchise has a variety of premonitions to choose from that have instilled fear in generations that grew up watching the films. In honor of the trailer release, it’s worth revisiting some of the most iconic premonitions that came true. From scenes of the most mundane tasks to scenes of the impossible “freak acci-

dents,” the films only prove that nothing is off limits for Death.

FINAL DESTINATION

“Final Destination” (2000) – Flight 180 Plane Crash

This one might be one of the most relevant fears of today considering the odd cluster of recent headlines announcing mechanical malfunctions in planes. In the first film, “Final Destination,” the premonitions come to life when the main character, Alex, wakes up in panic after having seen the death of his classmates and passengers of flight 180. The internal conflict, suspense and tension that builds from these scenes set the fearful tone for these films.

“Final Destination 2” (2003) – Route 23 Pileup

The cutting edge of this scene runs deep, with many viewers of the franchise sharing that this scene comes to mind when driving behind a truck filled with logs. In “Final Destination 2,” the apprehension and deja-vu elements are now a constant, but not any less interesting with the buildup of suspense at every turn. Although this fear is fairly normal, the danger stands out because of that and the unexplainable force that has viewers unable to stop the tragedy of the mass-scale crash.

“Final Destination 3” (2006) – The Devil's Flight Roller Coaster

For anyone who is terrified of roller coasters, this omen validates why it's better to stay on the ground. In “Final Destination 3” the mayhem begins with a group

visit to a local amusement park. The scene relies on the chaos of the environment. There’s countless instances of chaos: the surge of crowds, overwhelming high-speed twists and turns, and even loud screams and laughter from having a good time. The fear comes from the constant expectation of danger, which will have viewers questioning the characters for getting on another roller coaster.

“Final Destination 5” (2011) – Laser Eye Surgery

Death chooses to strike at one of the worst times when Olivia, an earlier survivor of a bridge collapse, gets LASIK surgery. The anxiety that precedes the fatal results, is palpable, especially for anyone who’s had health anxiety or bad astigmatism that requires this procedure. Despite LASIK taking up no more than 10 minutes, the scene drags on to intensify her fears as she clutches on her teddy bear for support. The greatest twist is that her own fear created the opportunity for her death. When she’s left alone in the surgery room for a couple minutes, she faces the consequences of her own actions and meets a tragic end.

■ H

UCR women’s basketball defeats UC Davis, 55-53

Seneca Hackley and Hannah Wickstrom combine for 37 points in a physical win.

By: Sofia Majeed, Contributing Writer

In last Thursday’s matchup against the University of California, Davis (UCD), the Highlanders won by two points, securing seventh place in the current conference standings. Coming off of an unexpected loss against California State University, Bakersfield, UC Riverside (UCR) needed to secure this home win to get their season back on track.

UCR head coach Brad Langston opted to start freshman Kaylani Polk for the first time this season. Both UCD and UCR began the game with high energy that continued through the duration of the game. From the tip-off, both teams had an aggressive back and forth, which ultimately led to a very close game.

“I love [Polk’s] energy, she’s been going really well in practice this week and definitely deserved that spot. I think she played a great game tonight,” shared guard Seneca Hackley, who dropped twenty points against UCD.

With UCD currently being one of the better teams in the Big West, UCR played hard for every point scored against the Aggies. The Highlanders definitely take their time when they are in possession, which is a large part of how they were able to close out such a close game.

Towards the end of the first half, UCD made an aggressive shot-making attempt, giving them the biggest lead of the game, with six points. At half-time, the score was

GO HIGHLANDERS!

22-25. The Highlanders began the second half with high energy as they clawed into the UCD lead. After their non-conference games earlier in the season, the Highlanders have shown improvement in their teamwork and efficiency.

By the start of the fourth quarter, it is still unclear where the game will go. Both teams are fighting tooth and nail for every point, with Hackley and Hannah Wickstrom really shining in the fourth. After a few foul calls, Hackley

used her two free throws to tie the game, 45-45. Hackey really shined in the last few minutes, scoring 9 of the final 12 points for UCR while consistently creating her own shot.

“We’re just competitive, you know we lost the last one at Davis. [We] didn’t play too great as a team and I just wanted to come out aggressive and my teammates wanted to win as well,” expressed Hackley. “Defense definitely translates to offense, so having that energy on [defense] and then being

able to carry it over to offense was good tonight.”

Following this win against the Aggies, UCR was able to secure a consecutive win against UC Santa Barbara, 51-42. The Highlanders will be playing California State University, Long Beach on Thursday, Feb. 20, at 6 p.m. at Long Beach.

Elena Versage / The Highlander ■ H

Social media is ruining the sports fandom

Many Super Bowl fans were shocked by the Eagles victory over the Chiefs

By: Jacqueline Ajucum, Conttributing Writer

It can be tough to know who to support during a sports season, especially if you don’t know much about the sport itself. As a result, having limited knowledge can lead many people to seeking third person perspectives, either from other sports fans, sports commentators during games, or perhaps the most impactful source on the rise, social media. And no one utilized social media more than the two biggest teams headlining this year's Super Bowl — The Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles.

This year, there were many football fans watching the Super Bowl solely for Kendrick Lamar’s half-time show. The NFL is no stranger to having neutral fans — on the contrary, the Super Bowl is arguably the biggest game of the year that motivates the most neutral of fans to choose a team to support.

Neutral fans don’t hold “alliances” to teams. While they contribute just as much to the passionate spirit of a game, many of them may not necessarily be educated enough on a team to invest in one in particular. Instead, many curious sports viewers do one thing when the season rolls around: go online.

Social media can play a huge role in the way a team or player is viewed by the rest of the sports world. Media content such as sports highlights and reels allow for sports fans to promote their

team’s growth throughout the season and allow them to build a strong and loyal following. This especially benefits leagues, as it can lead to new sponsorships or even further funding from existing sponsors towards the teams.

However, when it comes to rallying fan support, social media is important, if not crucial, for the relevance of teams and their players. For example, months after the Kansas City Chiefs won Super Bowl LVII against the Philadelphia Eagles in a 38-35 victory, Travis Kelce, the 35-year-old tight end for the Chiefs, blew up internationally overnight as his relationship with pop star Taylor Swift went public in October of 2023.

Suddenly, everyone was a Chiefs fan, following Kelce and the teams every move.

The Chiefs, who were once considered the underdogs of the NFL, found themselves overwhelmed. With the Chief’s fan base now expanding, they went on to win their third Super Bowl in five years, generating more traction than ever following the 2023-2024 season.

However, social media can easily become a double edged sword in the sports world. Just two weeks before Super Bowl 50, New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady was accused of deliberately deflating balls used in the Patriots game against the Indianapolis Colts. The scandal cost Brady a four-game suspen-

sion and the Patriots two draft selections for the following 2015-2016 season.

Now, with social media becoming prominent, the Chiefs were no exception. Immediately, Chiefs fans became concerned that Kelce's public relationship was overshadowing the spotlight from the rest of the team’s hard work. There were also conspiracy theories claiming the NFL worked in the Chiefs favor to scriptwrite the game and pay the referees behind the scenes in attempts to make sure Taylor Swift's team win would attract more attention and interest in football.

The impact of the Chief’s social media presence followed them relentlessly.

During the Super Bowl LVIII game against the San Francisco 49ers, many neutral fans were outraged during the game when the 49ers made the decision to receive the overtime kickoff to the Chiefs, essentially giving their opponent the leg up in the game. Their fury was fueled throughout the broadcast, when the screen kept panning to Taylor Swift, who made an appearance during the game as she attended to cheer Kelce on.

The irritation of constantly seeing her during the broadcasting prompted fans to create challenges to keep track of how many times they could track the camera on Swift during the game. In addition, multiple commercial appearances made by Chiefs favorites such as Travis Kelce and Patrick Malhomes, reigniting ru-

mors that the Chiefs were being favored by the league.

So when the 2025 Super Bowl was rolling around the corner, many football fans were not surprised to see the Chiefs back again, with many Chiefs fans hoping to see Kansas City become the first team to win the Super Bowl three times in a row. However, social media has changed the public's perception of the once beloved Kansas City Team, with many NFL fans coining the term “chief fatigue” to refer to constantly seeing players such as Travis Kelce, Patrick Mahomes and other Chiefs in constant media such as advertisements, reels and sports highlights.

It reached a point where football fans were coming together to make edits and highlights of other teams and players to cope with the inevitably boring game.

Many Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen edits were circulating on platforms such as Tiktok and Instagram reels, desperate for any chance of a good game. Lo and behold, it presented a perfect opportunity for the Philadelphia Eagles fans to step in and use this opportunity to rally support for their team.

The Philadelphia Eagles, led by 26-year-old quarterback Jalen Hurts, have been infamously considered the underdogs of the NFL in recent years. That said, this year revealed a promising outcome for the team. In the 2024 season, the Eagles made one of their strongest teams of all time. This

was made possible with the presence of notable players like Saquoen Barkley, Cam Jurgens, Landon Dickerson and Mekhi Beeton.

When paired up with their previous historical rivalry against the Chiefs, it created the perfect concoction of excitement for Eagles fans to use social media to their advantage and build up support from neutral spectators, and that is ultimately the support they needed to bulldoze through the Chiefs and earn their 40-22 victory. In that moment, it truly felt that every team in the NFL came together to celebrate the Chiefs losing.

While everyone has their own preferences and reasons, fans choose to support their respective teams because they look for a sense of belonging in the sports community. Some believe firmly in only showing loyalty to one’s own state team. With social media overshadowing the narrative, some people may resonate with the stories of certain players, and in turn, project their own dreams and desire for success onto them.

Regardless, the support motivates players throughout the game, resolidifying their value as members of their teams, and reminding them to pride in the jerseys they wear on their backs. Regardless, social media should not be the endgame when it comes to supporting teams, because it overshadows the unity aspect of sports, and takes away from getting to know the teams and the players behind the game.■ H

RIVERSIDE RECAPS

Mariana Palazuelos: 3/4, 1 R, 1 RBI

2/13/2025

UCD vs UCR 55 - 53, W

UCR Team Leaders: Points: Seneca Hackley (20)

Rebounds: Esther Matarranz (8)

Assists: Rose, Hackley, Tillery and Matarannz (2)

2/15/2025

UCR vs UCSB 51 - 42, W

UCR Team Leaders: Points: Zoe Tillery and Shelley Duchemin (10)

Rebounds: Shelley Duchemin (10)

Assists: Makayla Rose (2)

2/13/2025

UCR vs UCD 74-75, L

UCR Team Leaders: Points: Isaiah Moses and Barrington Hargress (15)

Rebounds: Joel Armotrading (6)

Assists: Smith, Pickens, Whitbourn, and Hargress (3)

2/15/2025

UCSB vs UCR 81 - 69, W

UCR Team Leaders: Points: Barrington Hargress (26)

Rebounds: Niyi Olabode (8)

Assists: Barrington Hargress (6)

Be perpetual.

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