Bannockburn Village will be demolished to support university growth
On Feb. 2, all tenants of Bannockburn Village- 3637 Canyon Crest Dr.- were notified that the complex would be closed for demolition by June. The University of California, Riverside’s (UCR) Housing Services cited the central motivation for the decision as rising cost of maintenance. Since announcing the news, they have begun to consider plans for renovation that could aid the university in reaching infrastructure and communal goals.
Bannockburn Village was originally built in 1968 and consisted of 22 buildings atop 6.5 acres of land. The area offered 243 apartment complexes as well as some commercial and office space. Concern about the complex’s age led to a call for its removal when necessary maintenance and renovations including ventilation, plumbing and electrical among others had mounted to nearly $20 million.
Regarding the decision, Associate Vice Chancellor of Auxiliary Services Heidi Scribner told the university’s newsletter Inside UCR, “The upkeep and maintenance is costing us more and more. We’re now at a point where the amount of investment needed is just too extensive.”
Lothian closes early ahead of renovations
This summer, Lothian Dining Hall has closed ahead of schedule preceding its first renovations in 11 years. Serving up to 1,400 students a day with several dining options, the renovations will expand the dining hall to accommodate a greater number of guests, update its services and pro
vide a fresh look.
The renovations will increase the dining hall’s student capacity from 340 to around 400 with accommodations including bar seating and additional community tables. The pizza and desert stations will also be reworked and made “more prominent.” In addition, the renovations will aim to update the appearance of the space by installing lighting, paint and wood flooring as well as replacing the furniture with more modern tables and chairs.
Alongside expanding capacity, the entrance will be updated for a new look and feel and staff will be provided with new tools such as a modernized cashier stand, eco-friendly dishwashers which consume less electricity and water and a new hand washing station.
Cedric Martin, director of residential dining for Dining
“The Odyssey” is a retelling fit for the gods
**This Review Contains Spoilers**
Director Christopher Nolan’s switch up from making complex, technological cinematic opuses to retelling one of Western civilization’s most prominent legends chock-filled with swords and sorcery was certainly not on anyone’s 2026 list. Despite Nolan’s credentials when it comes to making large-scale, critically acclaimed films such as “Oppenheimer” and “The Dark Knight,” the responsibility of adapting is just as monumental and daunting as slaying Polyphemus the cyclops himself. With the tagline, “Defy the Gods,” Christopher Nolan was just as ready to defy audience expectations by delivering a grandiose and powerful adaptation on par with spectacular epics such as “Lawrence of Arabia” and “Doctor Zhivago.”
Christopher Nolan goes where few, if any, directors of the current decade go by bringing back bombastic battles, magnificent set pieces, mythological creatures and overall sword-andsandal action akin to films such as “Jason and the Argonauts” and “Clash of the Titans.” Nolan’s dedication to the genre has gotten to the point where obvious yet equally terrifying practical effects for the cyclops, which would undoubtedly make Ray Harryhausen proud, have been utilized.
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Collision and shooting outside Riverside Poly High School leaves one dead
POLICE ARE CURRENTLY INVESTIGATING THE INCIDENT, NO STUDENTS INVOLVED
ANDREW HAGLER Assistant News Editor
On Sunday, July 5, 2026, Police responded to the parking lot of Riverside Poly High School after receiving reports of a disturbance involving firearms and a vehicle collision. Upon arriving around 5:05 a.m., officers found evidence of a shooting and a traffic collision involving two vehicles. One victim was found suffering from critical injuries and was transported to a local hospital, where they were pronounced dead. The identity of
the victim has not been released.
Detectives assigned to the Riverside Police Department Robbery-Homicide and Gang units have assumed the investigation, which is currently ongoing. The collision occurred outside of school hours and no students or school staff were involved.
Detectives are requesting that residents in the surrounding area check any home surveillance or
security camera footage that may have captured suspicious activity related to this incident.
Anyone who witnessed the events or has information that may assist is encouraged to contact
Detective Richard Glover at (951) 3537134 or RGlover@RiversideCA.gov, or Detective Anthony Watkins at (951) 3537105 or AWatkins@RiversideCA.gov.
Riverside Economic Development Division awarded international accreditation
THE DESIGNATION HAS THE CITY JOIN LESS THAN 100 WORLDWIDE.
MICHAEL GOI Contributing Writer
The city of Riverside’s Economic Development Division (EDD) has earned the Accredited Economic Development Organization (AEDO) designation, an international achievement in the field of economic development. Riverside announced the recognition in a press release on July 10, 2026.
The accreditation comes as the city focuses on clean technologies and attracting more businesses and the city will be formally recognized at their annual conference in New Orleans, Louisiana this October.
The AEDO designation is awarded by the International Economic Development Council (IEDC), a non-profit, nonpartisan membership organization with over 4,500 members serving economic developers.
The IEDC serves participating economic developers by giving certification through the Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) designation, the AEDO designation as well as training courses offered throughout
each year.
The city’s CEDD’s goal is to provide a public service through arts, innovation, neighborhood enrichment, safety and economic growth in order to collectively improve the community. In contrast, the City of Riverside’s EDD within the CEDD’s main focus is working with community partners to create a thriving local economy through programs and initiatives that encourage jobs, businesses and investment in Riverside.
With this, the EDD joins two other California organizations and fewer than 100 organizations internationally to hold the distinction.
In response to the accreditation, Mayor Patricia Lock Dawson stated, “This international recognition confirms what we already know: Riverside is a premier destination for innovation, job creation and next-generation industries.”
In determining which organizations received the AEDO, evaluators reviewed 18 performance areas, including business
attraction and retention, partnerships, entrepreneurship, economic development programs, strategic planning and measurable results.
At planned capacity, the company will make 14,000 trucks and generate 400 direct manufacturing, engineering, operations and technology jobs over the next four years.
Riverside’s Interim Community and Economic Development Director Miranda Evans, who led the division’s application for the AEDO designation, stated the accreditation was a “... powerful validation of the work happening across Riverside” and that the “... recognition shows we belong among the best.”
Lothian closes early ahead of renovations
WHILE THE DINING HALL TYPICALLY CLOSES FOR THE SUMMER, LOTHIAN CLOSED ITS DOORS FOR ITS FIRST MAJOR REMODELING.
This summer, Lothian Dining Hall has closed ahead of schedule preceding its first renovations in 11 years. Serving up to 1,400 students a day with several dining options, the renovations will expand the dining hall to accommodate a greater number of guests, update its services and provide a fresh look.
The renovations will increase the dining hall’s student capacity from 340 to around 400 with accommodations including bar seating and additional community tables. The pizza and desert stations will also be reworked and made “more prominent.” In addition, the renovations will aim to update the appearance of the space by installing lighting, paint and wood flooring as well as replacing the furniture with more modern tables and chairs. Alongside expanding capacity, the entrance will be updated for a new look and feel and staff will be provided with new tools such as a modernized cashier stand, eco-friendly dishwashers which consume less electricity and water and a new hand washing station.
Cedric Martin, director of residential dining for Dining Services reassured students that with the new renovations,
Lothian will continue to prioritize the welcoming qualities that the hall is known for. Martin emphasized how Lothian draws a more typically studentheavy crowd than its larger counterpart, Glasgow, and that while providing new accommodations through the remodeling. Leadership aims to maintain key aspects of Lothian’s ambience going forward. Martin stated that students describe Lothian as having a more comforting feel and that dining administration felt it was “very important that we maintain that.”
Martin highlighted aging fixtures and equipment as a key concern behind the renovations. The developments mark the first major remodel of the dining hall since its founding in 1963, as well as the first time it’s undergone renovations at all since 2015 and previously in 2005, when the dining hall was similarly renovated with the goal of providing expanded seating along with a more contemporary and efficient dining program.
While the renovations in 2015 brought new flooring, tables and chairs, as well as the installation of the salad bar, the dining hall has not been renovated since. The new facilities will not only increase
capacity, but modernize the restaurant all while maintaining key aspects of the space.
Martin also cited the need to accommodate an increased student population as a chief motivation for the remodeling. While enrollment at most UCs has flattened, UCR enrollment has greatly increased this past year, welcoming 8,297 freshmen and transfer students, compared to 6,363 just two years prior in 2024. In the past, UCR dining made significant accommodations to feed a growing population of students. In addition to the previous renovations made to Lothian, Glasgow, the largest residential restaurant in the UC system, was established in 2018 citing the same need to accommodate increased enrollments.
The dining hall is scheduled to reopen in late September, but in the meantime Glasgow and various dining options like The Barn and certain HUB restaurants will remain open throughout the summer.
ANDREW HAGLER Assistant News Editor
PHOTO COURTESY OF UCR DINING
Luis Hernandez inaugurated as Ward 6 City Councilmember
HERNANDEZ IS THE FIRST CANDIDATE TO BE SWORN INTO OFFICE FOLLOWING THE JUNE 2ND GENERAL ELECTION.
KASSANDRA AGUIRRE News Editor
On July 7, the Riverside City Council held a special meeting at City Hall to swear in Luis Hernandez as the Ward 6 Councilmember following the finalization of the General Municipal election results.
The election, held on June 2, put council member seats for Wards 2, 4 and 6 on the ballot. Initial reports from the Riverside County Registrar of Voters (ROV) suggested that no candidate in any race had garnered the 50% majority vote needed to secure a victory.
Later results posted by the ROV indicated that Hernandez won the Ward 6 council seat with a 50.36% of the public vote over opponents Oz Puerta and Norma Berrellez. Ward 6 includes the neighborhoods of Arlanza, La Sierra, La Sierra Hills, La Sierra South and parts of Arlington.
In a statement provided to The Riverside Record, Hernandez thanked his constituents for entrusting him with the position and pledged to “work hard every day to make our city government more transparent, equitable, responsive and
inclusive.”
While campaigning, Hernandez referenced his two year long service as Riverside’s Vice Chairman of the Board of Ethics as an experience he would use to push for further transparency between local government and city residents. He stated, “I have proven my capabilities and commitment and will continue to hold our government to the highest standard.”
Although Hernandez will no longer serve on the Board of Ethics in lieu of his election, he will continue his work as a Disability Services Specialist.
Other issues he addressed during his campaign included public safety through prevention, fostering economic opportunity, addressing homelessness, the rising cost of living and a need to further develop infrastructure throughout the city.
As a longtime resident of Ward 6, Hernandez expressed that he and his family’s lived experience as residents will keep him connected to the needs of his constituents.
Following the deliverance of his oath to office by Calif. State Senator Sabrina Cervantes, Hernandez gave thanks to his family along with his supporters. “This journey wasn’t just about a race, it wasn’t just about a city council seat ... this turned into a movement that brought a lot of people together.”
As he transitions into the position, Hernandez will begin his service by connecting with locals and collaborating with his staff to begin pursuing tangible solutions to the issues he discussed throughout his campaign.
Runoff elections for the other wards will return to the ballot in November. Ward 2 includes the neighborhoods of University Neighborhood, Hunter Park, Canyon Crest and Sycamore and voting will be between candidates Gracie Torres and Aram Ayra. Ward 4 covers Alessandro Heights, Mission Grove, Orangecrest and Sycamore and will be between candidates Rich Vandenberg and Chuck Condor.
Bannockburn Village will be demolished to support university growth
HOUSING SERVICES IS CONTINUING TO DELIBERATE FUTURE PLANS FOR THE PROPERTY.
KASSANDRA AGUIRRE News Editor
On Feb. 2, all tenants of Bannockburn Village- 3637 Canyon Crest Dr.- were notified that the complex would be closed for demolition by June. The University of California, Riverside’s (UCR) Housing Services cited the central motivation for the decision as rising cost of maintenance. Since announcing the news, they have begun to consider plans for renovation that could aid the university in reaching infrastructure and communal goals.
Bannockburn Village was originally built in 1968 and consisted of 22 buildings atop 6.5 acres of land. The area offered 243 apartment complexes as well as some commercial and office space. Concern about the complex’s age led to a call for its removal when necessary maintenance and renovations including ventilation, plumbing and electrical among others had mounted to nearly $20 million.
Regarding the decision, Associate Vice Chancellor of Auxiliary Services Heidi Scribner told the university’s newsletter Inside UCR, “The upkeep and maintenance is costing us more and more. We’re now at a point where the amount of investment needed is just too extensive.”
All of the 340 tenants who lived in
the residential apartments in the last academic year were offered priority application consideration for other on campus housing as compensation. The two commercial tenants — Sub Station and J Bez Barbershop & Salon — were allowed to operate until June.
After Sub Station closed in late June, the university is currently “exploring options” with J Bez Barbershop & Salon and looking to relocate the Foster Youth Support Services and other tenants of office spaces on the property. No updates regarding the future location of those services have been publicly released yet.
All former tenants’ leases expired in June and Bannockburn Village was vacated by July, enabling UCR Housing Services to begin closing off and demolishing the complex in coming months.
Prior to the demolition being announced, the property was being considered for demolition within UCR’s 2021 Long Range Development Plan’s (LRDP) which guides future campus expansion as the institution advances in other aspects such as increasing enrollment. The Development Plan section specifically noted Bannockburn Village alongside the
Falkirk and Oban complexes due to their “relatively poor condition.”
The LRDP further discussed the possibility of these properties being renovated to support the “planned transformation of Canyon Crest Drive into a higher density, mixed-use student neighborhood,” similar to the North District student housing center which was built atop 4.5 acres of land and housed 1,568 students in the past academic year.
UCR’s Housing Services began conducting outreach in the form of focus groups which were held in May and a now discontinued survey which was released in June. The two actions aimed to provide members of the campus community space with the means to give their input regarding potential future use of the land. Reportedly, some ideas to emerge from the focus groups consisted of gathering spaces “like a pub,” meeting and commercial space and designated graduate student housing.
Although no official plan for the property has been announced, Scribner reported that the process of planning, vetting, and constructing something new could take four years or more.
ALEX WONG/THE HIGHLANDER
Riverside navigates transitional period in the City Manager’s office
THE CITY COUNCIL IS LOOKING TO FILL THE POSITION OF CITY MANAGER FOLLOWING MIKE FUTRELL’S RESIGNATION LAST MONTH.
KASSANDRA AGUIRRE News Editor
Former City Manager Mike Futrelle officially announced that he would be stepping away from the position in June following prior consideration in regards to new opportunities and legal action between his wife and local business owner Susan Freeman. This power transition has kickstarted an ongoing transitional period for the city as the City Council looks to appoint a new City Manager.
Futrelle, who became Riverside’s City Manager in 2023, had announced in April that he planned to step down to accept another City Manager position in Passadena. 10 days later, he retracted the decision and opted to remain in Riverside, citing a desire to further develop the “significant momentum” within the city.
Alongside this, a letter sent to Freeman in December on behalf of the City Council cautioned her against continuing alleged and unspecified “speech that harasses City employees,” and making “comments to City staff that insinuate (she was) part of the City’s decision-making team.”
Futrell and Freeman denied the allegations.
influenced his choice to officially resign on June 16.
In a post to his Facebook page, he called the decision a “mutually agreed upon leadership
agreed transition that we believe is in the best interests of the city.”
On June 10, Freeman would go on to file a prelitigation tort government claim against the City Council alleging the city had violated her constitutional rights. The two parties settled the dispute on June 17 after the City Council had discussed the matter in closed session the day prior.
Ultimately both parties agreed to mutually waive all claims against each other. Although the dispute became a point of discussion, there was no indication by either party or Futrell that it
transition,” expressed gratitude for his time in office and stated that he was hopeful for the city’s future. With this, the City Council placed him on administrative leave until July 5 and approved a parting lump sum severance payment equivalent to nine months of his regular salary, one month of health benefits, and retirement contribution.
In a press conference held on June 17, Mayor Pro-Tempore and Ward 3 Councilmember Steven Robillard stated that “The agreement approved by council represents a mutually
Also during that press conference, Robillard announced that Assistant City Manager and Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer Edward Enriquez would serve as an acting City Manager while the council looked to fill the position, stating “Edward is a respected and experienced public servant who knows our organization well and we have full confidence in his ability to provide steady leadership while the council begins the search process for Riverside’s next City Manager.” Although the council has not yet commented on possible prospects for the next City Manager, the July 14 City Council meeting agenda called on the City Council to appoint Enriquez as well as Assistant City Manager Kris Martinez and Assistant City Manager and Chief Sustainability Officer Gilbert Hernandez as City Manager Pro Tempore’s for all wards.
Despite this item being on the agenda, it was not discussed during the City Council meeting and the City Manager’s office and the City Council’s office were unable to be contacted for further clarification or comment.
OpiNiONs
Foreign Tourists Bring to Light The Dark Side of American Tipping Culture
TIPPING CULTURE IN AMERICA FREES CORPORATIONS FROM THE RESPONSIBILITY OF FAIRLY COMPENSATING THEIR WORKERS
MAYA CHINANI Contributing Writer
Increasing expectations of tipping has been heavily criticized by Americans as prices have skyrocketed in recent times and the iPad flip of an optional tip can be found at almost any cashier table. What at first was a way of showing gratitude towards good service, ironically originating in Europe, has now become a distinct feature of daily American life. Some blame it on culture while others cite it as a scapegoat to maintain unfair wages. Although controversy over tipping has been around for plenty of time, the degree of shock it’s caused international travelers, here for the World Cup, has brought the issue to international light. The responses publicized by the diverse range of travelers has alerted Americans to just how uncommon this practice is around the world.
Travellers have lamented the toll tipping has taken on their traveling budget. While it is known that tipping is a norm in America, tourists have voiced alarm over the degree of expected tipping, found everywhere from purchasing a water bottle to stopping at fast food restaurants. The shift from tipping as a notion of good service to its appearance in many non-service oriented purchases sheds light on the disproportionate reliance corporations have on tipping as an excuse to stagnate wages.
The financial burden of gratuity shouldered as customer responsibility detracts attention from the real antagonist: an outdated and exploitative system which further escalates the wage gap. As customers of everyday life dedicate a fraction of their income on tipping alone, the receivers of their
tips will end up spending a portion of their income on tipping when they’re the customer, establishing cyclical reciprocity between the average consumer.
Meanwhile, the minimum wage remains relatively unchanged. Rather than compensating via wage increases for economic shifts and an ever-increasing cost of living, these corporations point a finger at consumers to make up for what should be the company’s responsibility.
Collective anger at this unnecessary expense can be a powerful tool for catalyzing systemic change. When the loudest voices are those visiting the country for a vacation, it exposes the complacency many Americans have towards customer culture, ultimately revealing the shared sense of helplessness that the majority of young Americans hold regarding our economy.
This apathy isn’t unwarranted, but rather reflects a larger picture of California’s economy. Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s living wage calculator underscores the severity of the minimum wage vs. cost of living discrepancy, formulating that at a minimum, doubling the minimum wage is necessary to compensate for the price of living for one adult in California. While California does have a “one fair wage” policy, mandating corporations’ tip income does not negate employees’ minimum payment, the California Department of Industrial Relations finds a 30% decrease in customers purchasing power but a 42% increase in the inflation rate in only the last decade, resulting in a fatal cost of
living crisis. It’s no wonder the practice of tipping seems so trivial in the eyes of many Californians when the entire quality of the state’s economy is rapidly changing. American tipping culture is only one piece of a much greater puzzle; the jarring contrast between how much we spend vs. how much we earn.
The cycle of everyday consumerism gives and takes an empty dollar among the same group of low-wage workers, not only can this practice of emptily offsetting an unethical wage be labeled as “meaningless,” but it enforces current Americans’ shared feelings of powerlessness and invisibility when it comes to systemic progress. Emasculation and disenfranchisement imposed by the powers at hand create passive and indifferent citizens, the antithesis to what America is supposed to be a land where people have the power to see their will enacted through our systems of governance. It has never been a more critical time for citizens to unite and embody the power of the people as we have done in our past to rectify great progress.
The dismay and shock of foreign voices regarding a practice many Americans are beyond dissatisfied with ushers in a loud wake-up call to the people. Financial burdens are unfair, and it is corporations that must take responsibility for their employees. We share the same ability to create as much traction as these tourists have, and are deserving of autonomy and recognition. It’s time for collective action against the oligarchical reign of big corporations that benefit from the financial struggles of the American people.
An open letter to the person walking at .5 mph on the pedestrian walkway
SURVIVING THE LIVING SPEED BUMPS (SLOW WALKERS) ON CAMPUS IS NOT FOR THE WEAK
MAYA CHINAI Contributing Writer
In today’s overcrowded campuses, there’s nothing like someone impersonating a ‘baby’s first steps’ right in front of you in protest of the high speed of modern college life. Maybe the industrialization of our campus inspires you to connect with nature by imitating a snail or a tortoise. Perhaps you wish to recreate the slower times of the past. Maybe it’s not even your fault but an infection of obliviousness and unawareness! My therapist did say I need to reframe my irritated thoughts for the sake of my blood pressure and her sanity…
Who doesn’t like starting their day with pure annoyance at the onslaught of sedentary bodies consuming the single walkway meant for walking? No need for caffeine in the morning when the walk to lecture is actually a high-stakes Mario Kart game, maneuvering around redundantly placed obstacles and not getting blue shelled by an electric scooter. One wrong move and you’ll be knocked off the track and lose all your coins, and who doesn’t love a classic video game?
But honestly, I don’t even think I would be in therapy if the ‘walkers’ who defy gravity with their antithetical speed did not hinder the entirety of the environment around us.
Right in front of you is a group of three students spread out enough that they’re taking up all of the walkway, but not too far apart so that you can squeeze through them to get around. On your left is someone hypnotized by their phone, cranking their neck at a 90 degree angle with headphones so loud you can hear what they’re listening to. And on your right is a prospective family touring the campus on their own, savoring every second at UCR during the height of the day. You are no longer at UC Riverside. You are in the Hunger Games arena.
It’s like when you’re in traffic during a long drive on the 255 freeway and all you’re thinking is “why can’t the cars in the front just go faster?” But instead of needing to get to an appointment punctually, you have a grade breaking test in about five minutes. You’re almost at the SSC about to make it on time until… you are in a life size game of chess where the students are
the pieces and you’re the lucky one stuck behind a barricade of pawns. The weight of a decisive quarter for your GPA sits heavily on your shoulders and the next five minutes of swimming upstream will determine it all.
You brainstorm how you’ll overcome the zero hour when an idea hits you. Bikes and scooters get around crowds of people easily every day, and it’s all thanks to their bike bell. Quickly someone’s scooter next to you catches your eye and you take that ringer on top and go ham as if you were in a guitar hero final round. For once, for the very first time in your life, the bi-pedals in front of you look around, conditioned by a lifetime of Pavlov’s bell. The trigger of the ring in their ear alerts them and you utilize their shock to your advantage. Just as Moses spread the Red Sea, you spread the sea of sloths to successfully take your seat, right as the test begins.
Finally, you catch your breath and rest in the last seat available and you realize you forgot a blue book. That means, it’s time for another twenty minutes of mortal combat. There’s only one way to find out if the bike bell strategy really works!
Beware of the situationship
THE LONG-TERM, DISTANCE, LOW-COMMITMENT, CASUAL SITUATIONSHIP
GISSELLE RIOS Contributing Writer
People in situationships are simply addicted masochists with minor romantic tendencies.
In all my years of living, I’ve had both the privilege and misfortune of experiencing a modern form of emotional hell — the situationship. It’s the strange combination of two people acting like they’re in love without ever fully committing, surviving on mixed signals, no boundaries and an endless cycle of “What are we?” conversations that have no coherent answers.
Romantic relationships have shifted away from commitment and more toward convenient sex with just enough emotional affection to keep someone from leaving. So why do people put themselves through it?
It’s because people crave comfort. They find someone who makes them feel understood, desired or less alone. That connection becomes powerful enough that
they begin gambling on the possibility of commitment rather than accepting it as a complete loss. Uncertainty itself becomes addicting. For others, situationships run off of avoidant attachment. Avoiding vulnerability and maintaining distance becomes a defense mechanism against the risk of heartbreak.
Whether you’re the one fighting for commitment or desperately dodging it altogether, both trap people in an emotional stalemate. Situationships become a form of masochism: subjecting yourself to emotional pain because the occasional moments of affection make the duress almost worth it.
One person dreams of long-term monogamy and the storybook romance they grew up believing in. The other enjoys the freedom of intimacy without the responsibility of defining the relationship. When these two people meet, they create a relationship built on unequal
reciprocation. Neither person truly gets what they want, yet neither walks away. The result is an emotional torture chamber disguised as contemporary dating.
Perhaps that’s why situationships are so difficult to escape. They survive on hope rather than reality. Every romantic moment feels like proof that commitment is still possible, while every inch of distance convinces you to try just a little harder for the desired result. The inconsistency puts an unattainable goal just within reach..
As someone who has been trapped in that cycle, I can admit that the rollercoaster almost becomes comforting. The give and take is intoxicating, enough to push anyone to chase the high of uncertainty.
Those who use situationships as gateways into relationships or longterm, low-commitment intimacy become unintentional masochists.
Features Horoscopes
Summer fun!
Libra (Sept. 23 – Oct. 22):
The World Reversed
Your doubts and failures have left you feeling stuck and unworthy of a break. Don’t let your thoughts or goals stop you from celebrating what you have achieved so far.
Knight of Swords
You are building and exploring new ideas of yourself. This summer is for your mind to fully express its creativity through internships, solo projects or travels!
Six of Pentacles Reversed
Be wary of spending. Financially you are doing great! But having more doesn’t mean that you should spend just as much. Keep your wallet in check or it could run away on you.
WHAT DOES YOUR HOROSCOPE SAY ABOUT YOUR SUMMER ACTIVITIES THIS YEAR?
MARIA MARTINEZ Contributing Writer
Scorpio (Oct. 23 – Nov. 21):
Knight of Swords
You are building and exploring new ideas of yourself. This summer is for your mind to fully express its creativity through internships, solo projects or travels!
Ace of Swords Reversed
Your summer activity is a chaos of new experiences and things to get done. Even if new things can be exciting, remember to take breathing breaks to not get overwhelmed.
MAIN ST
Ace of Pentacles Reversed Your summer shopping is here! But be careful of overspending, you don’t want to lose money faster than you can make it.
ORANGE ST
Sagittarius (Nov. 22 – Dec. 21):
Six of Cups Reversed
Being back at home has given you a wave of nostalgia. It’s nice to remember old memories, but make sure to make room for new ones too!
You’re not sure what you should be doing in summer to get ahead of achieving your goals. Stop worrying and start acting! Things get done faster if you’re willing to take the first step.
Two of Cups You are family bonding this summer! Those family trips and friend hangouts you’ve been dying to do are finally coming your way.
Cancer (June 21 – July 22): Leo (July 23 – Aug. 22):
The High Priestess Reversed Bed rotting with a little guilt on the side. Summer is your space to relax. Don’t worry about your unconscious thoughts on others activities, just focus on healing.
The Empress Reversed Helping others is your speciality, but don’t let your summer fly by without having your own fun!
Queen of Cups Reversed Being a workaholic is not a good thing when it comes to having nothing to do this summer. Put your schedules away and focus on going to places and trying new things!
The Emperor
Capricorn (Dec. 22 – Jan. 19):
Aquarius (Jan. 20 – Feb. 18):
Pisces (Feb. 19 – March 20):
Aries (March 21 – April 19):
Taurus (April 20 – May 20): Gemini (May 21 – June 20):
Virgo (Aug. 23 – Sept. 22):
Go out and touch some grass
RACHEL KO Assistant Features Editor
WAYS TO RECONNECT WITH NATURE.
Take a look at yourself in the mirror. When’s the last time you went outside? Your veins are just a little too visible through your translucent skin, and you may or may not have the uncanny resemblance of Dracula. You’ve been (voluntarily) cooped up inside your cool, air-conditioned house glued to your computer screen for the entirety of summer that you’ve forgotten what it feels like to feel the warmth of the sun. But no more of that. It’s going to be scary. It’s going to hurt. You might even lose your vision for a bit, but you have to do it: you have to go outside. Face your fears, Highlanders. Here are two ways to reconnect with nature for those in dire need of some digital detox.
Walk around
Pretty easy and self-explanatory. You’re probably used to walking no more than 50 steps a day in your house, but that’s going to change starting now. You don’t need a fancy Adidas workout fit for this, so stop dillydallying and get out there. All you need are two working legs, so go open that door and face the outside world.
There’s nothing like taking a quick stroll with the warm summer breeze in your face.
Sure, the sun might be blinding for the first minute or so, but your eyes will soon adjust, and you’ll get to see what you’ve been missing out on for the past month. Take a good look around your surroundings. You might see the neighborhood kids playing in a mini inflatable pool in their backyard. There’s an older couple resting outside under the shade of some trees. A family is playing fetch with their golden retriever. Take advantage of the weather because sometimes, it’s the simple things that matter.
There’s no harm in listening to music on your phone if walking in silence isn’t for you. In fact, if there’s something that motivates you to go out, then go for it! Some mobile app games like Pikmin and Pokémon GO can be perfect for you to play while walking around. Just make sure to be aware of your surroundings and look both ways before crossing!
Keep an indoor plant
Maybe going outside is a little too ambitious for now but you still miss the feeling of being outdoors and seeing some greenery, and listening to nature ASMR just doesn’t really cut it. If this is you, consider
taking care of a beginner-friendly indoor plant. Only do this if you’re fully confident that you’ll take care of it, though! You don’t want to accidentally kill off a plant due to your negligence.
Do your research before committing to an indoor plant, as taking care of one requires a lot more attention than you might think. Some things to consider is how much sunlight your window allows and how big the plant will grow up to. Research carefully, commit to the bit and you’ll soon see the positive effects of taking care of indoor plants will have on you. Studies show that having indoor plants help with the air purification inside your home and can even help with your mental health.
Even if you’ve been too busy with your internship or you’ve committed to doomscrolling 24/7 for this summer, try and maintain a healthy lifestyle. More and more people tend to stay inside thanks to work overload or because Marvel Rivals is worth some Vitamin C deficiency. Jokes about touching grass aren’t jokes anymore. Please, go touch some grass.
Kick burnout to the curb!
RECOVERING FROM BURNOUT AND SURVIVING THE NEXT YEAR.
SOPHIA UCROS Contributing Writer
All right, y’all! The crux of the school year is over. It’s summertime and … you’re still feeling the crushing exhaustion of essays, projects and finals … That doesn’t make any sense! It’s summer! Now is not the time to be stressed and tired. Unfortunately, burnout does not disappear on a whim. It must be taken care of intentionally and consistently. I know. It sucks. You’ve got this, though! The road to burnout recovery is easier than you might think.
The most important thing to remember is to be patient and kind with yourself. Mentality is everything and trying to force yourself out of exhaustion will only make it worse. This will be a slow process so make sure to reward yourself for small wins rather than focusing on all you haven’t accomplished yet. There will also be backslides into bad habits. This is perfectly normal. Acknowledge it happening and gently course correct. As long as you take the steps forward, you’ll be able to leave burnout in the dust.
Simply avoiding any kind of work and doomscrolling for hours is unfortunately not the path to burnout recovery. Believe me,
I’ve tried. If you can avoid screens over this process, all the better. For nine months out of the year, we are glued to our computers. For these three months without intensive work, disconnecting will help your brain recover from the overload of information. Here is where that intentionality will come into play. You must start doing activities that stimulate your brain without stressing it out. This can take the form of puzzles, creating art by hand, writing, reading or any other analog hobby. These activities force your brain to make active connections, new pathways through problem- solving. If this is your first time in a while engaging with these kinds of activities, your brain will get tired. It is important you do not give up at this stage. This is simply your brain (re-)learning how to use those muscles without the payoff of the grade. You can try setting a timer to work on these activities and slowly increase the time spent working on it over the weeks. Setting finite goals like this gives your brain the satisfaction of completing tasks. This ensures that you won’t give up immediately. Should you remain consistent in this process,
much like working out, you’ll begin to see the results: longer attention spans and better critical thinking.
These active steps won’t just help with burnout, they’ll also help with beginning to prepare for next year. With the consistency you’re building, you’ll remember to include even five minutes of time when you aren’t doing strenuous academic work. Remember your brain is a tool and a muscle. If you’re only focusing on work (academic or otherwise) 24/7, that’s when the burnout and fatigue will begin to hit. Try to take breaks away from your study areas. Stand outside with the sun over you. Lay on some grass. Take five to 10 minutes away from your work to engage in your hobbies. Building these habits over the summer when you have the time ensures that when your brain is exhausted, it’ll be able to go through the motions of everything you’ve set in place. Recovery from burnout is possible! You just need to be patient, consistent and intentional throughout the process. You’ve got this, Highlanders! I’ll see you on the other side of this academic fatigue.
Best apartment exercises for homebodies
A GUIDE FOR THOSE WHO WANT TO GET FIT BUT DON’T WANT TO MAKE THAT DRIVE TO THE GYM.
SOPHIA UCROS Contributing Writer
As someone who’s used a poker set to work out at home just to avoid getting out of the house and going to the gym, I completely understand the struggle of wanting to exercise without leaving the comfort of home. I don’t recommend the whole poker set workout, by the way. However, this summer, I’ve learned that working out doesn’t have to be difficult. You don’t even need a set of weights or some overpriced mat. All you need is yourself and a floor or a wall. Unless your home somehow has neither of those, you’re just in luck. I’m here to help you learn the best and easiest exercise to do at home.
Yoga
While yoga may not classify as a workout to some people, it is actually very healthy for the mind and body. Being flexible and having the full range of motion in all parts of your body improves quality of life significantly while also giving a fun motive to learn new moves and skills. It also opens new doors getting into harder workouts such as mat pilates which can also be done at home. With yoga, you can find your routine of poses and when you feel like you want to take it to the next level, there are lots of YouTube videos of mat pilates that can get the sweat going!
Squats
Everyone loves a good leg day, but no one loves having to go all the way over to a leg press or smith machine when at home, one of the best workouts is right there at your feet. Bulgarian split squats are one of the best variations of squats you can do for a quick burn. All you
need is yourself and a well/ledge to mount your foot up onto. If you’re looking to turn it into more of a circuit, you can also try a wall squat, which is just putting your back up against the wall and sitting at a 90 degree angle. Who says we need machines to get a good burn going during at home leg day!
Abs
Do you remember?
BRIEF MOMENTS TRAPPED FOREVER IN THE CAGES OF MEMORY.
MALINI JOSEPH Features Editor
Your hands burn like hearth fires, like the candlelight that flickers across my writing desk, thawing the ice that had built over the years. I had thought it a fever, the burning. Cold without warmth and suddenly I was sick with it. Encompassing, relieving. I still feel the shapes your fingers drew. Mindless, careless, most precious tracings.
Parallel worlds intersecting for this brief moment in time. Our moment. Worth more than all the jewels and all the riches. The waves lapped at the shore, forever chasing its ephemeral touch.
Do you still remember that day? I can still feel your arms around my waist, our laughter echoing off the rocks, the sunburned sand sinking into our soaked skin. I wanted to wrap that warmth around the both of us. Like a shield. Like a cage? I suppose even the clearest memories are made nebulous with time.
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This is THE at home workout of all homebody workouts. No weights are required and you can still see quick results if you just stay consistent, which, let’s be honest, is arguably easier on your living room floor than in your gym 10 minutes away. Some easy workouts to get in there are crunches, Russian twists, ins and outs and planks. Doing all four of these in a short three round circuit can get the abs aching but the results resulting. There are so many more variations and options of workouts to do with abs, so customize until you feel like you’re hitting all the right spots for your body type and don’t overexert yourself!
I get it. Working out can be tough when we have our schedules of jobs, classes and seeing friends or family. It’s hard to want to squeeze one more thing in. But by knowing the right things to do, you can fit them in while watching your favorite movie or even just during your free time. It doesn’t have to be a lengthy workout or even a hard one, but just getting that movement in will make you feel more productive, healthy and accomplished. Get your workout in Highlanders, you got this!
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Your eyes, bright shining pieces of your soul, how I adored the way they looked at me. You hated them. Reminded you of mud, you’d said. But, my darling, don’t you remember how the sun adores you? Reflecting the emerald and amber and moonstone in your eyes. Every facet brighter than a prism and brighter still in their wrath. How beautiful they were.
■ H
Artist’s fingers. The paths they traced could start wars, raze forests. I wanted to be consumed by them. Molded by them. Forever the muse until I lost my self in you. What did you see in my eyes on that summer’s day? What did you feel when you reached through my rib cage? Did you see yourself held there? Is that why you ran? Never trapped, never caged, you broke away and flew to where I would never find you again. Perhaps that is for the best.
I still remember your eyes from that looping, recursive day. How they sparkled in the sun’s dying embers … perhaps we should’ve known then how it would all end. Do you still remember the way our hands entwined? How, for a moment, it was only us and our dreams against the world? Yeah, I don’t remember either.
SPOTLIGHT NORM’S NOOK
The Aberdeen-Inverness Knoll
More commonly referred to as the “A.I. Knoll”, this vast section of greenery between Aberdeen-Inverness and Bourns College is the perfect place for you and your friends to hang out. Soft grass adorn the area along with trees providing shade to half of the knoll, so you can choose to stay cool or finally catch some rays after cramming for your midterms. It also has trails to walk and a hilly top where you can roll down from and reconnect with your five-year-old self. The possibilities are endless.
SUMMER
The next time you plan on visiting the A.I. Knoll, maybe host a B.Y.O.F. (Bring Your Own Food) picnic with treats that you absolutely did not smuggle from Glasgow. If you’re feeling mysterious, simply lean against a tree with a book and carefully set down your reusable tote bag next to your matcha latte (half sweet).
31. Icy summer treats
33. Italian term for coffee and milk (pl.)
35. Trips taken, especially during summer
37. Frequently abbreviated math term
40. Live music events
44. “Wheel of Fortune” purchase
45. Singer Knowles
47. Superlative suffix
48. Rebels, informally
50. Shoes with swooshes
51. Actress de Matteo
52. Assassinated
54. Nintendo’s Super ___
55. Headphones
By H Staff
56. Wimbledon singles champ Marion (2013)
58. Untrustworthy
60. Resident of Turkey’s capital
61. Words of understanding
62. Sleeping in, for example
63. Lacking sight DOWN
1. Course for some HS students
2. Italian Renaissance composer Banchieri
3. Syrup source
4. Piece of cake
5. Despise
6. Musician Brian
7. Tony nominee as Dracula
8. Showed extreme disrespect toward 9. Neighbor of Braz. and Arg.
10. Type of scale used in Indian classical music
11. Longstanding disputes
12. Sellout reaction, in headlines (3 wds.)
13. Type of sports contract clause
14. Starbucks mediums
21. Single-layer dessert 24. “Trash panda” 25. Is a member
28. Lab containers
29. Twist or tango
32. “Law & Order: ___”
34. Philosopher Lao-___
36. John Cusack’s “Say Anything...” costar
37. Milky Way chocolate cousin
38. Very narrow, as a road
39. Dismounts a ship
41. Aggressive poker play
42. Dangerous African flies
43. Squirrels away
46. Jacket inside part 49. Occupy, as a table
“Speak of the _____!”
Sushi seaweed
First, second, third or home
PC linkup
Marshal at Waterloo
LAYNA LAPIKAS / THE HIGHLANDER
RACHEL KO
Assistant Features Editor
RACHEL KO / THE HIGHLANDER
Tuna bibimbap
By: Brianna Galaviz-Villagomez, Contributing
Instructions:
In a bowl, wash the rice and add it to a pot of 4 cups of boiling water. Cook on high for about 35 minutes. Check regularly so it doesn’t stick to the bottom.
Next, wash and cut the lettuce. Shred the carrots into small pieces. In a medium pan on high heat, add oil and crack the egg. Once the edges start browning, flip it carefully and make sure the yolk does not break.
Add the rice, lettuce, carrots and tuna to a bowl. Place the egg on top and add the gochujang and sesame seed oil. Serve immediately and enjoy.
SUDOKU
DIFFICULTY: MEDIUM
Prep time: 35 minutes Servings: 3
Ingredients:
• 1 cup of brown rice
• 4 cups of water
• 1/2 cup of tuna
• 1 egg
• 3 tablespoons of oil
• 1/2 cup of shredded carrots
• 1 cup of lettuce cut into small pieces
• 1 tablespoon of gochujang
• 1 teaspoon of sesame seed oil
TEST YOURSELF!
By: Malini Joseph, Features Editor
1. What’s your preferred genre for a music festival?
A. Pop
B. Indie
C. Rock/Alternative
D. R&B
2. Your ideal summer vacation is:
A. Short day trips with friends
B. Staying in with a hobby
C. Traveling to another country
D. Relaxing on the beach
3. Pick a swimming style:
A. Freestyle
B. Breaststroke
C. Butterfly
D. Backstroke
4. What’s your favorite tropical fruit?
A. Honeydew
B. Guava
C. Pineapple
D. Watermelon
ST
If the letter you picked the most was A, your flavor is Sir Isaac Lime! You like to spend your summers surrounded by people. You cannot fathom being apart from your friends for too long, always planning short trips and hangouts. Don’t try to take on the load of planning yourself. Each activity y’all do will bring you even closer as you share your likes and passions.
If the letter you picked the most was B, your flavor is Lil Orphan Orange! You spend your summers creatively. Every day is an opportunity to try a new hobby, activity or food spot. Your curiosity ensures you don’t fall into the same old routines, keeping your days interesting.
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If the letter you picked the most was C, your flavor is Poncho Punch! Exciting, energetic fruit punch, you definitely need a more active summer. Your exuberant personality cannot be tied to one place for too long. There’s always more to do and more to see. What will you miss out on if you don’t venture out there?
If the letter you picked the most was D, your flavor is Louie Bloo Raspberry! Cool and chill blue raspberry, you take a more relaxed approach to the summer. Burnout can’t touch you in your cocoon of peace. You’re connecting back to your roots and remembering the things that make you you!
COmiCs
Disconnect from your younger self -
Long story - Susanna Wu
Goob2
Joshua Pena
Goob1
The “Moana” remake knows the way, sort of THE LIVE
ANGELICA BRIANNA ACOSTA Editor-in-Chief
Another Disney live action adaptation has taken over the big screens. The media empire has had a consistent pattern over the last few years of reusing animations and creating their live action counterparts. 2015 saw Cinderella’s counterpart while 2025 had Lilo and Stitch. Now, in 2026, there is Mona’s counterpart.
The live action Moana released on July 10, making it to the top of many Disney lovers’ summer watch list; however, movie watchers are wondering if the world really needs more live action movies.
The Moana live action follows the similar formula that live action critics tend to dislike; it’s almost an exact replica of the original. Adding salt to the wound, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson reprised his role as Maui, sporting a rather interesting wig. The Rock’s reprisal left fans wondering if the movie was a rushed job, in order to ensure that the Rock would get to play the role again.
However, though the movie followed the original rather closely, the opening scene was something different and almost tear-inducing to many in the audience. Director Thomas Kail opted to keep the two opening songs, “Tulou Tagaloa” and “Where You Are,” the same. The actress for Moana, Catherine Laga’aia, expertly followed in the
ACTION FILM IS NOT THAT BAD.
animated voice actress’s footsteps, adding a new level of depth to the character.
What stood out the most in the opening scene was the choreography by Tiana Liufau. Liufau drew inspiration from what she called the earliest foundation of Polynesian dance, Samoa and Tonga. Liufau said in an interview “It’s art, and beyond art, its culture,” Liufau continued, “These are the ways that we as dancers mimic what’s around us. If we remember what’s around us, we remember where we come from, we remember who we are, we remember the way we came to be.” Liufau’s addition to the film reminds movie watchers that live action films can add to the original story in many more ways than just the general plot.
The live action Moana brought onto the screens actors like Frankie Adams and John Tui who, though their roles were small, managed to bring new understanding and life to the characters. Adams’ portrayal of Sina, Moana’s mom, in particular gave a new appreciation to a character that hardly had any lines in the original animation.
The soundtrack stayed the same with emotional performances from Rena Owen and Laga’aia, that encompassed the original animated relationship between grandmother and granddaughter. However, a
performance that fell flat was The Rock’s “You’re Welcome.” Without the magic of animation and the pretty bright colors to distract from The Rock’s lack of emotional range and mediocre singing, the audience is faced with the harsh reality that Disney maybe should have chosen a different actor for the life action role.
Lin Manuel Miranda, the original composer for the animated version, wrote one new song for the movie titled “Along The Way.” Miranda’s song, however, only made it to the end credits, leaving the fans that expected more from the film disappointed. The song is a conversation between Laga’aia and Auliʻi Cravalho, the voice actress for the original animated version of Moana. The song itself is a moment where the torch is passed from Cravalho to Laga’aia as a boost of encouragement for the young Moana who is sailing into an entirely new world on her own. Director Thomas Kali missed the mark when he neglected to add the song into the movie. Miranda’s original song could have added a layer of strength to Moana that was missing in the live action.
Verdict: Thomas Kail’s “Moana” gives hope that live action remakes can possibly be good.
“The Odyssey” is a retelling fit for the gods
A CINEMATIC EPIC THAT’S
MORE DETERMINED TO ESTABLISH A LEGEND OF ITS OWN RATHER THAN SIMPLY REHASHING ONE.
IAN PALMA Managing Editor
**This Review Contains Spoilers**
Director Christopher Nolan’s switch up from making complex, technological cinematic opuses to retelling one of Western civilization’s most prominent legends chock-filled with swords and sorcery was certainly not on anyone’s 2026 list. Despite Nolan’s credentials when it comes to making large-scale, critically acclaimed films such as “Oppenheimer” and “The Dark Knight,” the responsibility of adapting is just as monumental and daunting as slaying Polyphemus the cyclops himself. With the tagline, “Defy the Gods,” Christopher Nolan was just as ready to defy audience expectations by delivering a grandiose and powerful adaptation on par with spectacular epics such as “Lawrence of Arabia” and “Doctor Zhivago.”
Christopher Nolan goes where few, if any, directors of the current decade go by bringing back bombastic battles, magnificent set pieces, mythological creatures and overall sword-and-sandal action akin to films such as “Jason and the Argonauts” and “Clash of the Titans.” Nolan’s dedication to the genre has gotten to the point where obvious yet equally terrifying practical effects for the cyclops, which would undoubtedly make Ray Harryhausen proud, have been utilized.
Sequences in the film such as the hellish depiction of the fall of Troy have breathtaking scope and scale just enough to warrant an Academy Award. “The Odyssey” additionally takes cues from the horror genre, having a fair share of intense scenes meant to compliment terrifying and fantastic creatures such as the cyclops and scylla. One such scene, in which Odysseus’ men are painfully turned into pigs by the witch Circe, just feels like something straight out of a David Cronenberg film. It’s safe to say that Christopher Nolan has definitely proved that he can do horror just as good as any other genre.
Most of the actors and actresses, both main and supporting alike, are given ample time to develop their roles into something completely memorable and
nuanced. With the only performance that feels a tad bit underwhelming being that of Tom Holland’s, the cast has equally held their own when it came to making these figures of myth alive and immersive.
As anachronistic many of the accents, costume designs, dialogue and other detail choices are, these modifications arguably do more to serve the tone of the film than to simply detract the audience. For instance, Agamemnon’s Batmanesque costume choice, though obviously not accurate for the period, nonetheless excels at exhibiting pure power, presence and mortality. The choice of utilizing boats more akin to viking ships somehow works a lot more than viewers would think considering the fact that Odysseus and his crew practically pillage and conduct themselves on different islands the way that vikings did.
Despite having a hefty three-hour runtime, some details from the legend were nonetheless omitted. Some of the story’s most memorable moments, such as when Odysseus was bequeathed a bag of wind by the Aeolus or when he boldly proclaims himself to be “Nobody” to Polyphemus have been done away with, which can be a bit underwhelming for the more hardcore enthusiasts of the tale.
One of the most major aspects of “The Odyssey” that the film doesn’t fully address, much to the chagrin of those familiar with the story, was Odysseus’ hubris. Although scenes from the film, such as when Odysseus unnecessarily fires an arrow to Polyphemus’ eye while escaping, somewhat make up for this, Odysseus’ ambition and confidence
could’ve been expanded a lot more even if it’s through simple comments. However, Odysseus’ struggles with post traumatic stress disorder after the sack of Troy more than makes up for what would otherwise be a bland and uncompelling take on the character.
One cannot forget the exhilarating soundtrack composed by Ludwig Göransson. Taking everything he’s learned from scoring “Oppenheimer”, especially when it comes to its pulsating and intense crescendos, and expanding it with traditional Greek sounds from instruments such as the lyre, many of the song’s tracks feel like a clash between the past and present.
Although many retellings of “The Odyssey” have come and gone, almost none of them will ever reach the same level of majestic scale and complexity as Nolan’s own take on the legend. Even though high school teachers and historians alike would probably stop and cringe at its faithfulness and accuracy, there’s no denying that Christopher Nolan has built an adaptation which, just like how “The Odyssey” stands the test of time within literary canon, will surely persist within the history of cinema as one of the greatest films of 2026.
Verdict: Christopher Nolan has reconstructed a classic epic that’s just as sturdy as the Trojan Horse. With breathtaking cinematography, compelling characters and an atmospheric soundtrack, “The Odyssey” is nothing short of legendary.
COURTESY OF UNIVERSAL PICTURES
Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced passes with flying colors
THE REMAKE SHINES BRIGHTER THAN DOUBLOONS.
IAN PALMA Managing Editor
Although not exactly the greatest video game of 2013 when compared to others like “Grand Theft Auto 5” and The Last of Us, Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag remains a worthy contender for a variety of reasons. The video game not only vitalized the series with groundbreaking mechanics as well as stunning visuals of the Caribbean, but offered a complex and Hollywood-esque story of ambition, greed and purpose set within the Golden Age of Piracy. The compelling tale of Edward Kenway, the video game’s protagonist, as he transforms from a selfish swashbuckler to a compassionate defender of freewill undoubtedly played a substantial part in what made the game a hit. With its straightforward narrative, the installment served as a great starting point for those getting into the Assassin’s Creed franchise for the first time.
Just as Red Dead Redemption 2 became the benchmark for excellent cowboy-centric video games, Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag has done the very same with pirates. Given the fresh release of a remake aptly titled Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced, returning fans as well as newcomers of the series are left with a burning question. Should they buy it and rediscover the joys of ransacking the West Indies, or should they just pirate the game themselves?
Overlooking the obvious visual overhaul, a variety of changes have been made that work to elevate the game’s enjoyability. Roleplaying game elements seen from the newer installments of the series surprisingly blend well with the traditional mechanics of the original game. Among smaller additions to the game such as the ability to crouch, a notably positive change to the game undoubtedly has to be the reworking
of combat. With a new fast-paced combat system more in line with “Dark Souls,” players are forced to think on their feet.
Players are given new and fun ways to take down enemies with moves such as leg-sweeping, while tools that would have otherwise had to be earned by grinding through the story in the old game — such as the rope dart and blowpipe — have been made available to players within the first 30 minutes of playing the remake.
The biggest godsend that Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced undoubtedly has to offer is the removal of mission fails whenever the player gets spotted tailing an enemy whether it’s on land or by sea. Although it’s one thing to be found trailing an enemy on solid ground, it starts to get both frustrating and absurd when getting caught stalking an enemy boat while commandeering an 80foot brigantine on open waters.
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Despite already having an arguably perfect story, the remake does a courtesy of adding new quests for players to complete. Some cutscenes within the game offer a few more tidbits from Edward as well as other fan favorite characters like Anne Bonny, while others such as Blackbeard and Stede Bonnet are given new full-blown missions.
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As unnecessary as these additions might sound, the new storylines work to strengthen more intricate relationships between Edward and his crew all while addressing some of the fates of characters that players of the original game might have otherwise missed. The inclusion of officer missions not only rewards players with naval combat abilities and allies, but provides further insight into the brutal conditions of the Caribbean during
the 18th century.
Naval combat seems more or less the same within the remake, albeit with a few additions such as the perfect block and double shot,. Unlike the original game in which the Jackdaw, Edward’s ship, can thrive for about a few hours without any upgrades, players are quick to learn that constantly improving their vessel is the only way to go. Ship combat has been turned up to eleven in which wellplaced shots to enemy ships in places such as the body rather than the sails makes all the difference in staying afloat.
The game’s weather constantly shifts from sunny and tropical to stormy and horrendous. Although these constant fluctuations may seem immersive and cinematic for some, it can also be reasonably seen as somewhat annoying for others as players are forced to persevere through tempests at halfspeed. The storms also prevent the crew from singing hearty shanties to their heart’s content, making it all the more constraining.
It’s almost completely evident that Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced was made out of pure love and respect for the original game, expanding on something that barely needs to be reworked. Although Ubisoft could’ve simply slapped on new visuals and called it a day, noteworthy additions to the story and mechanics make the game all worth revisiting.
Verdict: Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced plunders one of the franchise’s most beloved games, transforming it in a way that’s refreshing, fun and modernized. The game is sure to make players cry “argh” in a completely non-agonizing, pirate way.
COURTESY OF UBISOFT
Album Review: “Avant Nova”
Slayr’s new EP is an enhanced continuation of “Half Blood.”
JIHOON KWON Radar Editor
While 2025 was one of the most exciting years for the underground hip-hop scene in recent times with countless rappers cementing their legacy with career-defining projects, one name easily stands out from the crowd. The artist is none other than slayr. With albums such as “HeavenTunes,” and especially with the immense success of “Half Blood,” slayr emerged as the breakout star. He was able to carry on that momentum into 2026 with the drop of the follow-up project of his previous album “Half Blood (BloodLuxe).”
With the hype surrounding him as the hottest artist in the scene, slayr dropped “Avant Nova” on July 10, 2026. Released as the prelude to his upcoming feature-length album “Fabula Nova,” this project, which is the first since slayr’s major success of “Half Blood,” gives the audience a glimpse of the direction he is headed in terms of his sound.
With the rage music being the dominant sound in the underground hip-hop scene with artists such as OsamaSon and Nettspend who pushes for abrasiveness in quality as the most influential figures, slayr initially differentiated himself in “HeavenTunes” by creating a melodic rage sound which is easily accessible for larger audiences while maintaining the energy, density and layer of sound of the genre, positioning himself within the lineage of artists such as prettifun.
“Half Blood” and “BloodLuxe” showed further development of slayr in terms of his musicality as he prominently applied two elements: genre blending with hyperpop and digicore and constant use of transitions between
each track.
While the overlap between hyperpop and rage has always existed with artists such as 2hollis, Jane Remover and Lucy Bedroque elevating it into mainstream in recent years, slayr’s approach is vastly different in the sense that he uses these sounds to imbue a level of expressiveness to his music that is highly rare within the rage genre. With nearly every rapper in the underground scene leaning into a mysterious and “nonchalant” persona, slayr’s attempts earned him the nickname “burger music,” coming off as cheesy to some fans. This is apparent in tracks such as “Love Blur” or “Died But Came Back,” often being described as whimsical.
Additionally, the transitions he uses to connect every song not only gives them a more dramatic quality, but also gives the audience a seamless listening experience. The most streamed song on the album, “Sloppy Joe,” benefited greatly from this with the last 40 seconds of the previous song, “Demigod,” being used for transitions.
“Avant Nova” does not try to break away from these elements. Rather, slayr leans into them further. From the very first track, “promise,” slayr samples underscores’ song “The Peace” from her album “U,” implying the influences that hyperpop and EDM scene has had on his music. Given his recent collaboration with Tiffany Day, slayr clearly seems committed to expanding his sound with hyperpop production.
Following “promise,” slayr smoothly transitions into the second track “switch my swag” featuring the pioneer of the musical lane
that he is on, prettifun, giving one of the most memorable performances on the EP. These are more instances where slayr takes his defining characteristics and hones in on them further.
Generally, the conversation around slayr has been regarding his production. However, slayr showed great improvement in his flow as well in this EP with tracks such as “i got taste” where rather than relying on melodic lines as he usually does, slayr spits out what could easily be considered one of his most rhythmic bars with bouncy flows.
While the project does contain several memorable tracks, the concern that many of them feel predictable does remain. Aside from songs such as “promise” and “i got a taste,” most of them feel extremely repetitive from “Half Blood,” as if these were tracks left out of the album. This is excusable in the context of an EP. However, the upcoming album “Fabula Nova” will require a much more novel approach.
Slayr is undoubtedly an established artist with a distinct style that already has a tremendous influence on the scene with up-and-coming artists such as vax taking clear inspiration from him. “Avant Nova” takes his strengths and delves deeper, elevating him to a more complete artist.
Verdict: While it is certainly not his most ambitious project in terms of expanding his sound, Slayr’s newest EP “Avant Nova” vividly highlights the appeal of the artist’s music.
PHOTO COURTESY OF COACHELLA
Film industry is killing itself with AI
Directors, actors and studios’ recent endorsement of AI filmmaking is deeply concerning.
JIHOON KWON Radar Editor
One of the most concerning developments in 2026 for cinephiles is the growing embrace of generative artificial intelligence in the filmmaking process from prominent filmmakers, actors and studios. Beyond mere verbal endorsement, many have entered into multi-million dollar partnerships with AI companies.
“Requiem for a Dream” and “Black Swan” director Darren Aronofsky was the first of such trends, working on Time’s AIgenerated video series “On This Day... 1776” as the executive producer. The series about the American Revolution which was posted on Time’s Youtube channel was met with heavy criticism, with many viewers calling it “AI slop.”
Next was the legendary filmmaker Martin Scorsese joining AI company Black Forest Labs as its adviser, with a clip of him using AI to create a storyboard of a scene. Scorsese claimed that the application of the technology can help “push the bounds of creativity.”
A24, a distributor for Oscar-winning films such as “Moonlight” and “Everything Everywhere All at Once,”is no exception as it was reported on June 22, 2026 that they have agreed upon a $75 million partnership with Google for AI research. This is only weeks after A24’s most commercially successful film “Backrooms” director Kane Parsons publicly said in an interview that he is against using AI in filmmaking. A24 maintained their position, claiming that they would “rather have a seat at the table.”
Most recently on July 17, 2026, Netflix confirmed the rumored acquisition of Ben Affleck’s AI company InterPositive with the price tag of $587 million dollars. Affleck had said in a previous interview the aim of the company is to take out “logistical
stuff that gets in the way” of the filmmaking process.
This sudden emergence of industry figures actively working towards the implementation of AI technology in filmmaking and the astronomical amount
Jafar Panahi’s “Taxi.” Despite the ban and censorship placed by the Iranian government, Panahi incorporated such structural restraint into the film rather than being hindered by it, ultimately making a film that captures the life of Tehran in
of funds being invested is deeply concerning as the use of generative AI could diminish the essence of cinema, leading to an eventual loss of the identity.
The common argument for applying this technology seems to be that it can help bypass many limitations and restrictions that a director faces. However, cinema is an art form that thrives from being under such restrictions as the filmmaker must wrestle with the obstacles they face and must decide on what they are willing to compromise and what they choose to keep. Consider
an innovative manner. If every film director simply turned to AI in every instance of minor inconveniences, then cinema stops being a machine for documenting human experiences and struggles.
Another argument that proponents of AI make is that it is just another tool and that technological advancements have always been the driving force of cinema, and therefore the application of this new technology should be experimented. It is very true that from the birth of films technology
has played an essential role, and the approach to filmmaking has evolved accordingly with technological progress. From the introduction of sound and color to hyperrealistic CGI effects, films have always reflected the scientific achievements of the era. However, in the applications of these innovations, there has always been human deliberation guiding it. AI is fundamentally different from these other tools in that the very objective of it is to a certain extent emulate humans in their ability to think and reason. Therefore, it is irresponsible to call it “just another tool” as it doesn’t serve to expand human expression but rather removes it.
Artistic expression is a creative activity that is as much about the process as it is about the end result. The art’s meaning is imbued through artist wrestling with its medium, technique, context, subtext, narrative, etc. With the artist removed, however, the creation becomes hollow, existing only in relation to the audience with the only purpose it serves being merely their entertainment.
Cinema has rarely been solely about moving images. It is a reflection of human experiences and lens into varying worldviews. Incorporating AI to delegate any problem one faces in the process, however minor they seem to be, removes the fundamental essence of the art form. Furthermore, if AI is able to bring increased production efficiency while producing commercially acceptable content, corporations will favor this new method of filmmaking without much regard to artistic merit, leading to human filmmakers getting less opportunities while the theater is flooded with mediocre movies that barely meet the audience expectations. At that stage, cinema will have been transformed into something entirely different.
PHOTO COURTESY OF IMDB
Ways to stop doomscrolling this summer
THINGS TO DO TO PUT YOUR PHONE DOWN AND CULTIVATE YOUR OWN ARTISTIC INTERESTS.
Learn a fiber art
Fiber arts are growing in popularity as of recently because they can be used to make leg warmers, beanies, gloves, tops, shorts, tote bags and so much more. A reason to start this process is the fact that quickly after SoCal summer comes the chilly days of fall, when the creations made can be worn and shown off.
The thought of learning a fiber art such as crochet and knitting can be intimidating to many, but it’s a simple process to start. One big motivator can be to look up crochet/knitting items on Pinterest and have a goal to make a specific piece in the future. This can include clothing items, plush toys, accessories and much more. Before starting the process of purchasing materials, look up an online tutorial to learn basic stitches. They usually instruct the watcher to buy a specific needle and yarn size. The materials needed to start would be either crochet hooks or knitting needles as well as yarn. For crochet projects, depending on the yarn purchased, there is a guide to what size hook needed. Similarly for knitting, the size of the needle will also determine the size of the yarn needed. To start either fiber art, learning basic stitches and easy projects is the beginning. After learning the stitches, beginning the process of a project is simple because all that is needed is a pattern.
Burn a CD
Many are familiar with creating playlists and sharing them with friends. There’s one way to take sharing a playlist to a more intimate level. Burning a compact disc (CD) is the process of recording music from a digital file to a physical disk, which
can sound difficult, but is actually a simple process. The materials needed are a computer/laptop, blank CD disks and a CD reader if needed. Creating the playlist is the first step. Curate a list of songs that match a vibe, remind you of someone or are the current most played songs you listen to. Based on the amount of space on the blank CD will determine how many songs you can load onto the disk. You would then convert the song to a file that can be burned onto a blank CD disk. Once the process is complete, a physical playlist has been created and is ready to be played in the car, on a CD player or can be given to someone else.
Taking this one step further could be to decorate a case based on the newly curated playlist. The only material that is needed is a clear CD case that can easily be thrifted by buying unwanted CDs and cleaning the case. Drawings, stickers, photos, digital art and so much more can be used to uniquely create a case fit for the vibe curated by the CD playlist made. This can be a unique way of owning physical music media while still incorporating personal music taste.
Mod a handheld console
As children, many were given Nintendo handheld consoles such as 2DS/3DS consoles that are now collecting dust because they are not being used. One way to put them back to use would be to mod them, or in other words, install custom firmware to download new games, create custom themes and make them usable again. The materials that are needed are the console itself, a laptop/tablet/phone, an SD card and an SD card reader. Depending on which model of console one has, and what kind of laptop is used, the process will be very different. In simple terms, the SD card is used to
download the code needed to install the firmware that is needed, then the SD card is inserted back into the console where more steps are taken to install the firmware and finally your console is modded. This process allows the user to download games, create custom themes using different websites and bring back the nostalgia of spending hours trying to beat a level or find a princess in danger.
This activity also encourages reusing old technology because although not everyone has an old handheld console collecting dust, buying them secondhand is not tedious at all.
READ READ READ!
2026 is a big year for movies and surprisingly a lot of them are based on books. One final recommendation to prevent doomscrolling is to read the books before watching the movies or TV shows they are based off of. For example, in June, the movie “Supergirl” was released in theaters and it is based off of the comic book series “Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow” by Tom King and Bilquis Evely. Another example is the highly anticipated movie “The Odyssey” which is based on theGreek epic by Homer. Not only is this a way to pick up a good read, but also introduces the reader to the story, characters and plot line before buying a ticket to the movie theater. It can convince the reader to either be excited for what they will watch in theaters or allow them to make the choice of staying home because the book did not supply them with much excitement.
Doomscrolling is not inherently bad, but there are many ways to spend time this summer curating vibes, expanding new interests and interacting with current art media.
ABIGAIL ORTIZ Assistant Radar Editor
Highlander Hot Take: The Bucks will not be making it to the playoffs this season
MILWAUKEE BUCKS WILL HAVE TO TRUST THE PROCESS AFTER THEIR COMPLETE REBUILD.
This NBA off-season has been full of new rookies, unexpected trades and overall complete reconstructions of teams and the Milwaukee Bucks are at the center of it.
On July 6, The Milwaukee Bucks traded forward Bobby Portis Jr., and forward Giannis Antekumopto, their franchise player, to the Miami Heat in exchange for Tyler Herro, Jaime Jaquez Jr, Kel’el Ware and Kasparas Jakucionis.
Antetokounmpo is a 10-time all star, and after leading the Bucks to a championship win, he was named the 2021 finals MVP. He is a foundational player and a key component in the Bucks’ offensive and defensive plays. Without Antetokounmpo, the Bucks will have to ensure that his skill set can be replaced, which may include having multiple players step up in his absence.
Guard Tyler Herro is known as a more than impressive shooter. Shooting 48% this past season, he certainly has the potential to make up for the offensive aspect the Bucks will be missing this next season, but this would be the first time Herro has had to step in to
fill in for a player of Antetokounmpo’s caliber.
Much like Tyler Herro, Jaime Jaquez Jr. has consistently provided versatility, energy and a great ability to finish high intensity plays since entering the league in 2023. Kel’el Ware and Kasparas Jakucionis are young promising prospects that add long term potential to the Bucks’ roster.
With the move to Milwaukee and the absence of supporting players likeBam Adebayo the former Heat players will have a difficult time getting used to a new environment and team, as both will need to get used to their playing style.
Alongside the new players on Milwaukee, they still have guard Kevin Porter Jr. who will have to take on a new leadership role on the team due to Antetokounmpo’s departure.
Alongside these new players, the Bucks also picked up Nate Ament in the 2026 NBA draft. They also received a pick swap for the 2030 draft, first round draft pick in 2031 and most importantly the first and second
round pick in 2033. These extra draft picks highlight how Milwaukee is focused on the team’s future. They are aiming to gather young prospects, but this doesn’t exactly equal immediate success.
While it was a brave move for the Bucks to invest in a complete reconstruction, it is clear they are planning for the long term and these next seasons will be focused on rebuilding rather than attempting to get another championship ring. They are working towards being the next powerhouse of the league but this is not something that is going to happen overnight.
While it isn’t impossible for the Bucks to make it to the playoffs this season, it is highly unlikely that will happen. With teams in the Eastern Conference such as the New York Knicks and Cleveland Cavaliers who already have established rosters, Milwaukee’s slow rebuild means they will be spending this season playing catch up rather than matching the speed of the other teams. A rebuild will take time and both the Bucks’ players and fans will need to have patience, and trust in the process.
IYANNA WALLACE Assistant Sports Editor
Be Cool.
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.
