@cbulancermedia cbubanner.com
ISSUE 6
VOLUME 70
JANUARY 20, 2023
Giulia Decataldo | Banner In the wake of Gov. Gavin Newsom’s zero-emission order, car culture has experienced a significant shift with the newfound popularity of electric vehicles.
Car culture adjusts for future of EVs BY JAMESON SHOWERS LIFESTYLE EDITOR
With all eyes on Tesla and the general electrical vehicle (EV) market, there is much talk about how California is taking a big step toward fighting climate change. In an ever changing market, will this initiative be substantial, and how do the new developments affect the current car market and car
enthusiasts? Car culture in California can be seen at every stoplight and intersection. Hordes of muscle cars cruise together alongside packs of foreign-imported selections on a daily basis. This car-centric lifestyle only makes sense as California has the second-most racetracks and car clubs in the country, according to Chrysler capital. In September 2020, Gov.
Gavin Newsom issued an executive order that mandates all passenger cars and trucks be zero-emission by 2035. Feeling the pressure of California’s carbon pollution, this mandate aims to greatly reduce the state’s greenhouse gas emissions. Transportation accounts for 50% of greenhouse gasses in California, according to a press release from CA.GOV. Although the order requires all new
vehicles to be zero-emission, residents can still own and sell gas-powered vehicles on the used market, according to the press release. California currently leads the nation in zero-emission vehicles sold and joined 15 countries that are committed to phasing out gas-powered vehicles by signing the executive order. While the state is making changes to reduce
pollution, its car sales market is the largest in the U.S., according to an article from Knoema.com. Newsom traveled to meet Michael Macias, the owner of the millionth ZeroEmission Vehicle (ZEV) sold in California, in February 2022. This event marked a milestone in the long battle against pollution in the Golden State. “One of the reasons California is No. 1 (in EV sales)
is because the state is the Holy Grail of car sales and it will continue to surge upward,” said Craig Wade, internet manager for a local dealership. Wade has seen a change in sentiment toward EVs over the past few years. In 2022, there were more than 250,000 EV sales in California alone, according to CA.GOV.
SEE CAR CULTURE | PAGE 6
Downtown Riverside attempts to bounce back after pandemic BY CONNOR RYAN NEWS EDITOR
Charissa Graves | Banner
Antonious Pizza is one of many businesses that struggled to survive during the pandemic. Workers from other local shops would visit them on their lunch breaks to give them the business necessary to prevent them from closing.
Downtown Riverside has long been the city’s central hub, providing a space for citizens to enjoy themselves and make memories. However, many small businesses suffered financial losses following the pandemic, while others shut down permanently. As the crowds finally trickle back into the shops, many places they knew and loved to visit have been boarded up or replaced. Richard Ardito, associate professor of accounting, said the loss of small businesses creates a ripple effect in the community. “Let’s say you had a little bakery or candy shop that was replaced by a bar,” Ardito said. “That can have a detrimental effect on the community and the type of people who hang around there. You can get a rougher crowd, and it can negatively affect other small businesses
nearby.” Michael Meenan, senior software engineering major, noted that the increasing number of bars and similar establishments have already created a “culture shift.” Meenan said that bars tend to draw the largest crowds instead of the mom-and-pop stores that add a unique flavor to the bustling marketplace. “Before the pandemic, I remember downtown having a large appeal to families, with places such as the Mission Inn, Game Lab and Food Lab that were always full of life,” Meenan said. “Since the pandemic, I have definitely noticed that downtown Riverside has much more of a nightlife than it used to.” Several stores fought to survive the financial drought, such as an antique store called Mission Galleria. Throughout the pandemic, the store stayed
Learn about what is driving major price increases, what to expect going forward and how to use available resources to save.
Vision, p. 4-5 Design by Emily McGinn
SEE DOWNTOWN | PAGE 3
IS THE DROUGHT OVER?
‘AVATAR’ CGI
WRESTLING CULTURE
Professors and students explain why the recent storms and flooding will not be enough to end the drought.
The newest addition to the “Avatar” franchise showcases the potential of CGI in the film industry.
Wrestlers share how they manage their diets and cut weight while in school.
NEWS, pg. 3
A&E, pg. 12
Sports, pg. 9