News Art installations spark debate about USU identity and art viewership.
Utah State University, Logan, Utah
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Lifestyles
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Upcoming bike race at the Beaver Mountain Ski Resort encourages healthy living.
Sports
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Mountain West Conference and Pac-12 come to settlement agreement.
Week of August 31, 2026
Page 2 - The Utah Statesman, August 31, 202
Veterinary science building opens By Dylan Moore STATESMAN SENIOR REPORTER
U
tah State University's College of Veterinary Medicine began its second year of operation this week, with first-year and second-year students sharing the college's new building for the first time. The 106,000-square-foot Thomas and Patricia Willis Veterinary Medical Education Building, which was completed over the summer on the north end of campus, now houses all the college's students, faculty and staff. Previously, coursework for the program's first cohort was split between the Stan L. Albrecht Agricultural Sciences Building and the Veterinary Sciences and Biology Building PHOTO BY Dane Johnson The Thomas and Patricia Willis Veterinary Medicine Education building on on the main campus. Dirk Vanderwall, dean of the College of Veterinary Aug. 26. Medicine, said the arrival of more than 120 students this about 80 students annually, split evenly between Utah week added new energy to a building faculty and staff had residents and nonresidents. only recently moved into over the summer. The program received provisional accreditation from "It's brought a whole new life to the building," Vanderwall the American Veterinary Medical Association's Council said, adding that moving in remains a work in progress on Education following the matriculation of its inaugural even as classes began. class, and its next accreditation site visit is scheduled for This year's incoming class includes 77 students, according mid-November. to first-year student Halle Garrett — about 40 from Utah, For first-year students Garrett and Grace Moore, arriving 15 from Nevada and 15 from other states. Vanderwall in the still-settling building capped years of preparation. said 47 of the students are Utah residents, an increase he Moore said she began volunteering at an animal shelter in attributed largely to the new building's added capacity. Colorado during high school and later worked in research The college's inaugural class, which was admitted in at USU before applying to veterinary school. August 2025, had 42 students. "Once I had heard that they were building their own The college is working toward an eventual class size of program instead of doing the old two years here, two
years at Washington State, I was excited that it's all based here," Moore said. Garrett, who grew up in Ogden, said she had originally planned to complete her degree through the college's former partnership with Washington State University before USU announced it would launch its own four-year program. Both students pointed to the building's surgical suite, which overlooks the mountains, and its mock exam rooms as highlights of their first days in the building. "They don't lock you in a basement," Garrett said. "They mostly really prioritize being able to see the outdoors."
Dylan Moore is a junior majoring in political science and minoring in anticipatory intelligence and Russian. He always loves going on outdoor adventures and cooking. — dylan.moore@usu.edu
Aug. 19 Officers responded to the Gardener Learning and Leadership Building and Blue Square Building A regarding two broken windows. Despite reviewing security footage, they couldn’t determine how the windows sustained the damage. Aug. 15 An individual contacted police after recieveing an email claiming to be the USU Athletic Director. Officers notified USU IT of the incident. Aug. 19 Police repsonded to sightings of a coyote on campus.
Aug. 20 A report of an individual who appeared at football practice and attempted to workout with the team was made. Officers located and contaced the individual, who was instructed to no longer show up to practices or attempt to participate.
All information in the blotter is provided by USU PD.
Student-run newspaper for Utah State University since 1902. Reporting online 24/7. Printed weekly during the school year.
By Essence Barnes STATESMAN EDITOR
A
light blue eagle statue recently erected on the northeastern corner of the Quad has garnered attention from Utah State University students and staff. The eagle is part of a larger collection of statues appearing around campus. They were installed without labels, leaving passersby to wonder where they came from, who created them and what they are meant to represent. When senior Thomas Floyd noticed the statue, he thought it felt out of place and out of alignment with the Utah State identity. “Aggie Blue is Pantone 539, and [the statue is] more of a sky blue, so it doesn't really fit that,” Floyd said, “and we're not the Eagles — we're the Aggies.” Floyd said he looked into USU's brand standards regarding the Quad and art installations but couldn't find anything specific. “There's a USU Quad district plan from 2014 that PHOTO BY Lola Probasco The eagle statue on the northeastern corner of the Quad. says that the Quad district should remain the heart of Utah State University, conveying a distinct image and two sculptures together, and they are on either side of identity rooted in the history of the campus,” Floyd the United States quarter.” said. “To me, the eagle just doesn't feel like it really has Lambson said the statues don’t have labels yet anything to do with Utah State.” because the installation process is happening in stages. As a photographer, Floyd said he thinks the statue “That is the difficulty in a big show like this, where disrupts the Quad's aesthetics and noted that its welds these pieces are so heavy,” Lambson said. “We have to are beginning to rust. use a crane for every one of these." “The discussion that I've heard around it, and people's The eagle and the other statues like it were created main concern, is that it is a gateway to adding other by artist Mike Whiting, and Lambson said they plan to things like that to the Quad and other historic parts of install about 10 of them across USU’s Logan and Price campus that don't actually have anything to do with campuses. They are temporary and will only be around our identity as a university,” Floyd said. “It's less about for this academic year. the eagle itself and more about what it represents as a “The plan is to officially open the exhibition when gateway to future installations.” school starts, so by then we'll have the labels that After sharing his thoughts with friends and peers explain everything,” Lambson said. who seemed to agree, Floyd started a petition for the When asked if NEHMA would consider relocating the statue to be relocated. As of Aug. 27, the petition had statue, Lambson said it's a conversation they would be received 66 signatures. willing to have. “I personally am a big supporter of the arts in "When people start thinking about what it's about, general,” Floyd said. “I like having more art on which is the job of a museum,” Lambson said. “Our job campus. I say the more, the better, but location is the is to help interpret artworks, so that's one of our jobs is important thing." to get that text out there so that people can see." According to the deputy director and curator of Lambson said the feedback they’ve received so far has contemporary art at the Nora Eccles Harrison Museum been positive, and he hopes the labels will help clarify of Art, Jeff Lambson, the location of this statue is confusion as to why the statues are where they are. intentional. “I love that people are paying attention and thinking "Because it's the 250th anniversary of the United about this, and art is not about necessarily liking it,” States, part of the reason for having the eagle over Lambson said. “It's really about thinking and engaging there is to celebrate USU's role in the story-making and and pausing to say, ‘What is this artist trying to get me the history of America,” Lambson said. to think about?’" Lambson said the Quad was once a site for mandatory military drills and military parades, and the Essence Barnes is a third-year buildings surrounding it were army barracks during student majoring in journalism World War I. who enjoys reading, writing and “It's inspired by the eagle on the United States storytelling. quarter, where its head is sideways in profile, and its wings are spread wide and almost touching the — essence.barnes@usu.edu ground,” Lambson said. “On the other side of the quarter is George Washington, and so you see these
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Page 3 - The Utah Statesman, August 31, 2026
New quad statue sparks debate
The Utah Statesman Office TSC 118 435.797.1742 usustatesman.com Reporters Dylan Moore Cambria Thurgood Rory McNeill
Photographers Lola Probasco Dane Johnson Rory McNeill
Cover art by Ezra Robertson
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Page 4 - The Utah Statesman, August 31, 202
Do you have what it takes to Battle the BEAV?
“The mountain is the obstacle,” Smith said. Registration for the race costs $55. The course will feature a sharp incline and an elevation gain of about n Sept. 12, 2026 at 10 a.m., Beaver Mountain 1,500 feet, offering a challenge for racers. Ski Resort will host Battle the BEAV, a mountain “It’ll test your heart and grit,” Smith said. race where participants will start at the bottom Ward Phelps is the mountain officer for the Utah State of the ski resort and run a 4.75-mile race up and around University Cycling Club. He helps run the mountain the mountain towards the finish line. biking side of the team by scheduling races and planning This event will be race director Amy Smith’s first race group rides. He said that the Beaver Mountain trails are as a director, but not the first time she has completed the steeper than average. course. “I think even super fit runners and cyclists really get A passion for running came after being diagnosed with pushed by these hills,” Phelps said. thyroid cancer as a young mother. She used running as Smith said that for her race, she wanted families to a coping mechanism and has now competed in several get out and see how pretty Beaver Mountain is and to half-marathons, one full marathon and has run the Battle appreciate the outdoors. the BEAV course three times. Phelps also commented on the beauty of the mountain. “I just loved it so much that I envisioned myself creating “I think it’s really pretty up there, so enjoy the views my own race one day,” Smith said. and enjoy being up there where it’s a little more green,” When she started looking for the right course, Smith Phelps said. wanted obstacles to be included in her race. This was Beaver Mountain trails have a variety of difficulty until she decided to have her race at Beaver Mountain, ratings. Many hikers say that the trails are good for where she realized she would not have to build anything. families with many marked as kid-friendly. The Battle the BEAV race also offers a kid-friendly option. The Little Beav Run is a separate race for children 12 and under. There is a $10 fee to register. The race will start at 9:30 a.m. and is set on a separate course from the main race. This 0.4-mile course will start at the bottom of Little Beaver Lift and travel up below the Goat Trail and then over to the Beaver Mountain Lodge. One of Smith’s goals was to involve local Logan businesses. Multiple businesses are donating prizes that will go in swag bags and a raffle. One local business called The Spirit Goat even made a special soap inspired by the race. “I’m big on community and local businesses,” Smith said. There are even more surprises throughout the event, including along the trail. The first 10 racers to cross the finish line will receive a special handmade award. The first racer to complete the challenge will receive a Beaver Mountain Season Ski Pass. Another way to be involved with this event is through volunteering. Battle the BEAV PHOTOS COURTESY OF Amy Smith Little Beav Run course map. offers a volunteer option to By Cambria Thurgood STATESMAN REPORTER
O
View of the main course trail.
help with numerous tasks throughout the event. Smith said how exciting it has been for her to see people excited about the race. In the future, based on the feedback received from Battle the BEAV, she plans on creating other races on different trails around the mountain. “Everybody faces obstacles in their lives. Some are visible. Others are deeply personal. You don’t know why people are signing up,” Smith said. “It gives me lots of joy to help others do something that some people might be doing for the first time, and I want to be a part of their journey.”
cambria.thurgood@usu.edu
STATESMAN FILE PHOTO
Students at SK80’s Night in Cache Valley Fun Park. By Jillian Peterson STATESMAN SENIOR REPORTER
F
or many students, moving to Utah State University means not only learning their way around a new campus, but also learning what to do for fun in a new city. Fortunately, many of Logan’s most popular activities for students are affordable or even free. One of these activities, recommended by Utah State senior Kate Nielsen, is country swing dancing. Nielsen, who regularly dances at Sage Hall, said about 300 dancers attend on Tuesday nights, and many are college students or recent graduates. “My best friends have come from swing dancing,” Nielsen said. “It’s a great way to find friends, meet people to ask on dates, get some exercise and learn a new skill.” While swing dancing might sound a little intimidating to beginners, Nielsen said it shouldn’t be. “There are plenty of opportunities to learn, and many people who aren’t instructors will help teach you new moves when you are on the floor.” Admission ranges from free to about $10, depending on the location and the night. For another active and social outing, many students head to Cache Valley Fun Park for Sk80’s Night. Sk80’s, an event that combines roller skating and 1980s music, runs from 9 p.m. to midnight on Tuesdays. “It’s a really fun concept,” said Peter Miller, the general manager of Cache Valley Fun Park. “We have a live DJ, and he plays a lot of ‘80s disco, but he also plays a lot of
newer stuff as well.” Because Tuesday is the Fun Park’s discounted day for roller skating, admission and skate rentals both cost $2.70. According to Miller, students are welcome to bring their own skates instead of paying for rentals. With hundreds of students attending on some Tuesday nights, Miller said many show up sporting all-out 1980s attire. For those looking for a quieter, less crowded activity, some students prefer to spend their evenings and weekends in Logan Canyon. “I love how close Logan Canyon is and its diversity,” said Aubree Rasmussen, a Utah State junior. “From lakes to ski resorts, there are so many activities you can do with a quick drive.” To check out gear for outdoor excursions, students can stop by the Outdoor Program Rental Shop, located behind the ARC, which offers current students a 35% discount. Rasmussen said she has enjoyed hiking the Wind Cave Trail, a four-mile hike less than a 15-minute drive from campus. This hike gains about 1,000 feet of elevation and ends at a limestone arch overlooking the canyon. “I would recommend hiking to Utah State students because not only is it good for you physically, but mentally as well,” Rasmussen said. “It can relieve stress from college and also allows you to release endorphins.” For students whose idea of a good find involves a clothing
rack rather than a hiking trail, Logan’s local thrift stores can offer another way to have fun on a budget. “We make sure that we keep our prices as low as we can for our community while also providing quality,” said Savannah Haddock, a manager of the local thrift store Somebody’s Attic. “We want to give customers a good deal but also give them good clothing as well.” Somebody’s Attic, located on 100 North in Logan, is a nonprofit that donates all proceeds to The Family Place Utah and CAPSA. “Whatever you spend goes immediately back to the community,” Haddock said. “I feel like our prices are worth it, and you know the money you spent is going somewhere good.”
Jillian Peterson is a sophomore studying communication and media. She is a big fan of concerts, snowboarding and the Taco Bell drive-thru. — jillian.peterson@usu.edu
Page 5 - The Utah Statesman, August 31, 2026
Finding affordable fun in Logan
Page 6 - The Utah Statesman, August 31, 202
New faces, same focus for Utah State Volleyball By Mark Greenwood
STATESMAN EDITOR
STATESMAN FILE PHOTO Utah State Volleyball celebrates winning the Mountain West Championship on Nov. 22 in the Wayne Estes Center.
U
tah State Volleyball’s 2025 campaign was historic. The team posted a 24-8 overall record and a 21-0 conference record on its way to both a regular season and conference tournament championship. The team won 22 straight matches during that stretch, the longest winning streak for the program since 1978 and the third longest in program history. The Aggies capped off their season by upsetting No. 7-seeded University of Tennessee in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, before ultimately falling to No. 2-seeded Arizona State University in the Round of 32. The win over Tennessee sent Utah State to the second round of the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2001, putting the finishing touch on a season that established a new standard for the program. Shortly after their monumental season came to an end, the flood of departures began. The transfer portal opening brought the exit of many notable Aggies, including FirstTeam All-Mountain West hitters Loryn Helgesen and Mara Štiglic. Shortly after, former head coach Rob Neilson departed for Brigham Young University, his alma mater to the south. Just weeks after that new standard had been set, those who set it were gone. Utah State responded quickly, hiring new head coach Keith Smith within two weeks of Neilson’s departure. With Smith in the seat, the roster turnover began. The 2026 regular season began last week with 12 new players to go along with just three returners. Add that to an entirely new coaching staff, and the current squad is almost unrecognizable from the title team. “It was really hard,” senior setter Olivia Tukuafu, one of
the three returners from last year, said in an interview with The Utah Statesman. “It was sad to see people go, to see the staff go, and to have such a remarkable [2025] season — it was really tough.” Despite so much change from a year ago, little is truly different in the eyes of the Aggies. “I don’t think anything changes,” Smith said. “Rob [Neilson] is passing the baton to me. It’s not starting over — we’re just more of a relay, trying to build a program that is one of the best in the country, regardless of the conference.” For Smith, part of that relay means leaving behind what was accomplished in the past and creating their own path and identity. The NCAA Tournament win in 2025 was important, but the Aggies have their focus on something bigger than just maintaining the new standard. “I am a big believer in setting goals of things that have never been done before,” Smith said. “Since we’ve been in the NCAA, we’ve never made a Sweet 16, so let’s go try to accomplish something that’s never been done here, and if we fail, I think we’re going to be doing some pretty good things still.” Raising the expectations for a program is never an easy task, but the Aggies think they see a path to getting there. “We’ve talked about it a lot as a team, and we really want to make it far in the tournament, and we’ve said that we want to be Sweet 16,” junior outside hitter Olivia Ruy said. “I think that if we really work hard and we really believe — and I think that’s one piece that we’re working on right now, the belief in the fact that we can do that — we can absolutely make it there.” One of the ways Smith hopes to elevate those expectations is relying on players who have already seen what a high-level program looks like. Ruy comes to Logan after spending three previous seasons at the Power Four level,
STATESMAN FILE PHOTO Olivia Tukuafu warms up prior to a match against University of Utah on Sept. 6 in the Wayne Estes Center.
spending two seasons at the University of Arkansas in the Southeastern Conference before transferring to the University of Maryland of the Big 10. During her 2023 redshirt season at Arkansas, the Razorbacks posted a 28-6 record and reached the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament. Ruy isn’t the only one with Power Four experience, as four of Utah State’s transfers came from a Power Four team, in addition to Smith, who previously served as an assistant at Texas Christian University. The top-level experience of Ruy and others isn’t only about bringing Power Four experience to USU but also leveraging that experience to accomplish its goals. “I kind of use that as fuel for myself … I know what I’m doing. I’ve seen it at a high level. I’ve played at a high level, and I can hang,” Ruy said. “I’ve seen a lot of great teams play, and I’ve seen us play at our best, and I think that we have the tools that we need to be right there with them. We can hang as a team.” For Smith and the Aggies, hanging with those high-level teams begins partially with finding a way to replace lost production, beginning most notably with 2025 Mountain West Player of the Year Kaylie Kofe. Kofe finished her sophomore season at USU averaging 11.08 assists per set, finishing the season with 1,330 assists before following Neilson to BYU in May. Smith’s replacement for Kofe, however, isn’t a replacement at all but leaning into the individuality of the setters already present in his team. “We don’t need our setters to try to be anything other than themselves, so that’s the main thing: go be yourself,” Smith said. “Don’t try to be Kaylie Kofe. Let’s be Olivia Tukuafu or let’s be Silina Damuni. … What I really want is people that want to be here in general, and when they’re here and they want to be here, let’s just go be the best version of ourselves.” Tukuafu spent the 2025 season behind Kofe and will play a big role in taking over her position on the court and her position as a leader in the locker room.
Mark Greenwood is a senior at Utah State studying finance. Mark is now in his fourth year covering sports for the Statesman and second year as editor. — mark.greenwood@usu.edu
Page 7 - The Utah Statesman, August 31, 2026
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Page10 4 --The 19, 202 202 Page TheUtah UtahStatesman Statesman,October August 31,
Medical • Pharmacy Dental • Behavioral Health 1515 N 400 E Ste. 104 North Logan, UT (435) 755-6061
517 W 100 N Ste. 110 Providence, UT (435) 755-6075
HealthWestInc.org
By Rory McNeill
STATESMAN SENIOR REPORTER
W
ith the 2026 college football season on the horizon, the Aggies are prepping for a season with many changes. To kick off the season, the team held its annual Media Day at Maverik Stadium on Aug. 4 to give a preview of the upcoming season. The biggest change for the Aggies this season is their entrance to the Pac-12 conference after exiting the Mountain West Conference after 13 years. While there will be some familiar faces in the new conference, the team views the entrance to the Pac-12 as an opportunity to raise their ceiling as a program. “For us, the Pac-12 was viewed as a step up. It was viewed as an opportunity to grow the program and in a changing landscape, a step forward,” head coach Bronco Mendenhall said at Utah State University’s Media Day. “I think it’s fantastic for Utah State. I think it’s amazing for Cache Valley. [I] love the opportunity for our players, but also, in the current landscape, [it is] necessary if we want to be relevant.” Despite the step up the team is taking, many of the players feel confident heading into the new conference. “I don’t think we feel the pressure. Coach Mendenhall has done a great job of just keeping us driven and staying focused on our process. There’s excitement about the new conference and the level of competition — it’s exciting,” graduate linebacker Bronson Olevao Jr. said. “This past summer, from winter workouts to spring ball, we’ve really been honing in on our process and seeing how good that we can get and that we’ll be able to show as we go into the season.” Another major change for the Aggies entering the season is at the quarterback position. Shortly following the spring game, junior McCae Hillstead was announced as the starting quarterback. Hillstead is in his second stint at USU, returning to the program after spending the last two seasons with Brigham
Young University. As a freshman in 2023, Hillstead started four games for the Aggies while appearing in eight others. Hillstead feels more prepared to lead the Aggies in what will be his second season with the team. “My first go here at Utah State as a true freshman, I wouldn’t say I was underprepared, but I think that the moment — it was a lot. Compared to now, I’ve played in those games, and I learned lessons from them,” Hillstead said. “I’ve done a lot of observing, and I’ve been able to take action on some of the things that I’ve observed, and I think I can push the pin on the development as a team and for myself. I think that’s been the big thing, just a natural process of maturity that has occurred over the past few years, and for that reason, I feel super ready and prepared to let it loose this season.” Despite the excitement surrounding the season and the conference, many outside the team are not as high on the Aggies heading into the Pac-12, with many predicting the team to finish near the bottom of the conference. Despite these predictions, the team feels ready to prove themselves as true contenders in the conference. “I think you can get lost when you start listening to too many outside voices, and I think that that’s something that we do really well here as a group, and I feel like that’s something I focus on personally is to just limit the outside noise,” Hillstead said. “As far as expectations for us, I think that we’re going to shock a lot of people this year. I’m really excited for that — I think it’s a really good opportunity, and we’re going to do that by doing what we know how to do.” USU will open the season against Idaho State University but will then face two ranked matchups against pre-season No. 17 University of Washington and No. 21 University of Utah, playing both games on the road. Despite the challenge that they pose, the team feels ready to take them on. “I love the word ‘challenge,’ but I think that the word
PHOTO BY Rory McNeill Utah State Football head coach Bronco Mendenhall addresses the media during Media Day on Aug. 4 at Maverik Stadium.
I like better is ‘opportunity.’ I’ve coached against a lot of really good teams and maybe a lot of brands that are supposed to be powerful and strong, but when the game starts, I’ve found that the team that’s most prepared and really executes at the highest level and believes at the highest level can do amazing things,” Mendenhall said.
Rory McNeill is a junior from Rocklin, California studying mechanical engineering. — rory.mcneill@usu.edu
Page 11 - The Utah Statesman, August 31, 2026
Utah State Football enters 2026 with plenty to prove
Page 12 - The Utah Statesman, August 31, 202
Mountain West, Pac-12 conferences reach lawsuit settlement after early departure
F
By Mark Greenwood
STATESMAN EDITOR ollowing nearly two years of legal battles, the Mountain West Conference and Pac-12 Conference agreed to a settlement in early August to put an end to the ongoing litigation revolving around the exit of five Mountain West institutions for the Pac-12. According to the settlement, the five former Mountain West schools — Utah State University, Colorado State University, Boise State University, San Diego State University, and Fresno State — will pay the conference a total of $49 million for their exit to the Pac-12, a move that was announced in September 2024 and took effect July 1, 2026. The two rival conferences have filed multiple legal suits against each other in the years following the 2024 announcement. While many side complaints are included in the filings, the primary legal action on both sides is regarding the poaching and exit fees due to the Mountain West. The agreed-upon $49 million is just under half of what the Mountain West was originally seeking. The conference was seeking approximately $100 million in exit fees from the five schools, in accordance with the conference bylaws that outlines an exit fee of three times the conference’s annual distribution, or approximately $20 million each. Additionally, the Pac-12 reportedly agreed to pay the Mountain West between $22 million and $24 million in poaching fees as part of a 2024 football scheduling agreement, according to Mark Zeigler of The San Diego Union-Tribune. Likewise, this amount is just under half of the $55 million in poaching fees the Mountain West was originally seeking. The total settlement amount of just over $70 million is approximately half of the $155 million originally demanded by the Mountain West. The Mountain West will also be on the hook for a payout in connection with the settlements. The conference bylaws allow the conference to withhold
annual distributions once the conference is formally notified of a school’s departure. As such, the Mountain West has previously withheld approximately $6 million in distributions for both the 2025 and 2026 fiscal year, which are typically paid in July. This amounts to the Mountain West owing about $2 million to each of the departing schools. The Pac-12 and the Mountain West released a joint statement on Aug. 4 confirming the settlement, although exact details have not yet been made public. “The Mountain West Conference, the Pac-12 Conference, Boise State University, Colorado State University, Utah State University, and The Board of Trustees of the California State University for the benefit of San Diego State University and California State PHOTO BY Lola Probasco University, Fresno have reached Lamppost banners donning the Utah State and Pac-12 logos are seen around USU campus. final agreements to settle all pending litigation among the parties,” the University and Oregon State University are joined statement reads. “With these matters concluded, the by the five Mountain West defectors, along with conferences and institutions can move forward with Texas State University and Gonzaga University (noncertainty and focus on serving their student-athletes, football). campuses, fans, and communities.” Utah State Vice President and director of athletics Cameron Walker and Utah State University Athletics declined to comment further when contacted by The Utah Statesman. The end of the legal disputes come at a beneficial time for both conferences, as the fall schedules for multiple sports begins in mid-August. For both the Mountain West and the Pac-12, that brings the — mark.greenwood@usu.edu integration of new conference members along with it. The cornerstone Pac-12 members of Washington State
Fire in The Island
Page 13 - The Utah Statesman, August 31, 2026
On July 31, a fire spontaneously caught in the dry grass surrounding The Island. Firefighters from valley agencies worked to contain the fire. Crews were able to keep the fire contained to nearly 40 acres. It burned between First Dam and Herm’s Inn. Residents living within a one mile radius of 1600 East and Canyon Road were encouraged to evacuate. Some weren’t allowed to return to their homes until 5 p.m. on Aug. 1.
Ezra Robertson is a junior at Utah Sate studying photography. Outside of his passion for visual storytelling, he enjoys local concerts. — ezra.robertson@usu.edu
Page 14 - The Utah Statesman, August 31, 202
Big Agg Show Preview
💿
By Tanner Merritt, Sophie Anderson and Hannah Potter
AGGIE RADIO BOARD MEMBERS
World Record Coming off tour for their recent release, World Record is returning to Logan to kick off Big Agg Show 2026. World Record is Logan’s very own emo band drawing influences from Braid, Cap’n Jazz, Sunny Day Real Estate, and the recent resurgence of 90s second-wave emo revival bands that have been cropping up across the U.S. Their music is fast, punchy, and an expression of raw, unfiltered emotion that moves between fast, crunchy riffs like early Jimmy Eat World and melodic, bouncy sections like The Promise Ring. Their recent album, One Million Ways to Get to the Same Place was recorded here in Logan, Utah by DIY label and pop-up venue Old Star Audio.
World Record
Red Caroline Red Caroline is a five-piece band from Boise, Idaho, formed out of a storage unit in 2023. Perfect for fans of Black Sabbath, Briston Maroney, Led Zeppelin and Wine Lips, Red Caroline creates psychedelic fish-blues rock n’ roll. They released their debut album Dune’s Day in March of this year. This garage-psych record shares a message of community, the environment and the dangers of apathy. They recently opened for Beach Bunny and Wishy on their tour stop in Boise. Another Quiet Morning Another Quiet Morning is a modern shoegaze/ alternative rock band based in Salt Lake City. Launching as a live project in 2023, AQM quickly gained traction with consistent sold out shows, regional bookings and a West Coast tour. The band recently returned from an extended hiatus, quickly picking up their momentum from where they left off. AQM mesmerizes audiences with their unique, dynamic blend of an in-yourface wall of sound and peaceful ambience. They are quickly becoming a must-watch band for people who don’t just turn to music for entertainment, but rather an outlet for emotion. AQM is made up of members Caden Abilla, Lou Fisher, Rustin Robson and Tanner Evans. Little Moon Little Moon is a folk rock band hailing from Springville, Utah. Starting as the solo project of Emma Hardyman, the full band joined in 2021. Their first album, Unphased, was released in 2020. Little Moon submitted to the NPR Tiny Desk Concert in 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023. Emma said that submitting became a ritual for the band. Their song “Wonder Eye” won the contest in 2023, and they traveled to Chicago to play at the NPR Tiny Desk. They’ve toured the country and played many local shows. They released their second album, Dear Divine, in 2024. Joined by Bly Wallentine, Little Moon is headlining Big Agg show on the Quad on September 4th.
🎵
🎧
Another Quiet Morning
🎵
🎤
Little Moon
🎵
🎤
Friday, Sept. 4, World Record, Red Caroline, Another Quiet Morning and Little Moon perform live at Big Agg Show! Join us on the Quad from 6-10 p.m. for an a night of music and fun.
The Push and The Pull World Record
Red Caroline
🎵
🪩 🎵
Fish Hook Red Caroline
Painted Portrait Another Quiet Morning
holy and sweet Little Moon
Big Agg Show 2026 Friday, Sept. 4 The Quad 6-10 p.m.
Page 15 - The Utah Statesman, August 31, 2026
Last issues solution:
Sudoku puzzles are provided by www.sudokuoftheday. com.
Cover by Ezra Robertson
Page 16 - The Utah Statesman, August 31, 202