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VOL. 73, NO. 10 OCTOBER 21, 2026 THE INDEPENDENT PRESS OF VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY

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Richmonders gather for ‘No Kings’ protest ahead of midterm elections

SAL ORLANDO News Editor

KAYLA MUÑECAS Assistant News Editor

An estimated 500 people gathered in Monroe Park on Oct. 17 to participate in a “No Kings” protest, likely the only one before Election Day. The protest was organized by 50501, which centered around the importance of the three ballot amendments and giving the community an opportunity to make their voices heard, specifically against the Trump administration. Question one on the ballot would establish Virginian’s right to reproductive freedom, Question two would remove the ban on same-sex marriage from the state’s constitution, and Question three would restore the right to vote for individuals with felony convictions upon reentry, according to the Virginia Department of Elections. The protest was meant to include a march, but did not due to a lack of volunteers in attendance. Attendee turnout was the lowest from this year compared to other “No King” protests, according to a previous CT report. Gray Montrose, a community activist, led the event and said the people there

were gathered because they understand the nation’s history and that when society loses trust, it falls apart. “We do not abide by the small ambitions of small men to destroy what we hold dear,” Montrose said. “We are stronger together for all our faults and imperfections. We are stronger together and we will not yield, at this moment or tomorrow.” A series of organizations had speakers and or tables at the event, including the Virginia Defenders, Richmond Democratic Socialists of America, New Virginia majority, Chesterfield County Democratic Committee, the Lewis Ginter Workers United and Punks for Liberation. The sentiment to vote “yes” on the three constitutional amendments on the ballot was shared amongst speakers. Protesters were also encouraged to vote early. “In Virginia, voting is a muscle and we have to work at it often, right,” Montrose said. Chants amongst protesters included, “Money for jobs and education, not for war and deportation,” “My rights are on the ballot, your rights are on the ballot,

A group of protesters at ‘No Kings: Vote Early’ dressed as Handmaids in reference to Margaret Atwood’s novel ‘The Handmaid’s Tale,’ in Monroe Park on Oct. 17. Photo by Burke Loftus.

A speaker at 50501’s ‘No Kings: Vote Early’ event in Monroe Park on Oct. 17.

A Trump supporter records a protest attendee at ‘No Kings: Vote Early’ in Monroe Park on Oct. 17. our rights are on the ballot,” “Abolish ICE” and “Vote Yes.” Some protest signs were marked “86 47” on the back, a slogan that calls for President Trump’s impeachment. Michael Broom said he and his wife, Lisa Broom, have been out to several “No Kings” protests, and wanted to get out to make his political positions known. He said he believes the protest should energize everybody to participate politically. “On a national scale, we got to get these people [the Trump administration] out of office,” Michael Broom said. “They are not doing a bit of good for us. They are shoving money into their own pockets at the expense of all of us.” Broom said he recognized the turnout was not as good compared to other “No Kings” protests, but hopes that if he does the right thing now by protesting, it could make a better world for younger generations. “I’m always happy when I see younger people at these events, because most of the people you see are in our age group, older people,” Lisa Broom said. Felix Gostel, a 50501 volunteer said he joined 50501 because he was losing his mind because of how the country was being operated by Trump. “I’m sick of the constitution getting undermined, people being targeted and

discriminated against for nothing more than bigotry’s sake,” Gostel said. Regina Moriarty, a protest attendee, said she went out to protest because she does not like what is happening in the United States right now and believes it is headed towards becoming a fascist state. Ky ra Schu ltz, another attendee, explained that this protest was one of the first she had attended following a short break she took due to feeling overwhelmed by the issues facing the country. “I’ve been in activism for about one and half years, but I started looking at politics after Trump’s [first] election, that really lit a fire under my *ss,” Schultz said. “I never stopped caring, but I just felt hopeless,” she expressed. However, she decided to attend 50501’s protest as a way to reignite her passion for activism, explaining that in her time away, she had a realization. “I don’t have to take on all the work by myself, no one does,” Schultz said. Schultz said that many believe that in order to be activists they must be established leaders or start entire movements on their own, a mindset which prevents people from getting involved. “You don’t have to be the chosen one, you just have to be a part of the team,” Schultz said.

The Commonwealth Times

Stories of the week

News

national: A group of U.S. national security officials have been secretly advising congressional lawmakers and state governments on how to prepare for a possible interference by President Donald Trump in November’s midterm elections. international: A fire at a Canadian army base took the lives of four people, and injured 39.

How VCU students are getting involved in the midterm elections BRYER HAYWOOD Staff Writer The 2026 midterm election is fast approaching. This year, all 435 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives are up for election, as well as 35 U.S. Senate seats. The election comes amidst a backdrop of economic uncertainty and conflict in Iran. VCU students are involving themselves in various ways by informing their peers about the election prior to the midterms. VCU Votes is a student organization with a goal of educating students about voting and increasing voter turnout and registration, Roqia Ali, a fourth-year homeland security student and executive board member of VCU Votes, stated in an email. “Through VCU Votes, students have been helping their peers register to vote, understand what’s on their ballot, and make a voting plan,” Ali stated. “We’ve been visiting classes with first-generation students and freshmen to get them engaged and give them a chance to ask questions.” VCU Votes have also hosted a general body meeting and ice cream social to give students a chance to meet the team and get involved, according to Ali. Kelsey Jones, VCU Votes student coalition advisor, said the organization has taken a two-part approach, including partnerships

and media outreach and spreading awareness about the midterm election. “Working with partners like VCU Athletics, VCU Dine, etc we have been able to grow our reach and get students excited about the idea of being civically engaged and using their voice at the polls,” Jones stated. Franklin Gonzalez, logistics coordinator of VCU Votes, stated in an email that he feels it is important for students to understand who is representing them and what is happening politically on the state and federal level. “From my perspective, voting is a privilege that many people throughout history have fought for and that not everyone around the world has,” Gonzalez stated. Alex Keena, an associate professor of political science at VCU, stated in an email that he champions student involvement in elections. He stated that he notices greater student interest in national elections versus local elections. “Given the huge role that money plays in shaping the discourse, the issue space, candidate selection, and responsiveness, voting remains one way that people without money can affect democracy,” Keena stated. “By voting in large numbers, young people make themselves heard and force politicians and political parties to listen to

VCU navigates gun violence threats to protect student safety OLIVIA RINE Staff Writer There have been multiple reports recently of gunshots in and around VCU campus, including shots fired outside of Broad and Belvidere Residence Center on Oct. 8. Jake Burns, VCU Police public relations officer, stated in an email that VCU Police enforce any weapon law violations in both the Code of Virginia and Richmond Code of Ordinances. “These include, but [are] not limited to, laws related to unlawful possession, discharge and transportation of firearms,” Burns stated. Burns also shared information from VCU’s Weapon Policy, which states, “Possession or carrying of any weapon is prohibited on university property in academic buildings, administrative office buildings, medical venues, clinics, laboratories, research facilities, student residence buildings and dining facilities; or while attending sporting, entertainment or educational events.” Burns stated that upon a report of an armed party at Broad and Belividere Residence Hall Oct. 8, all available units immediately examined the area and began reviewing security footage. Shortly after, the perpetrator was charged with unlawful possession of a firearm, and further charges are to be expected according to Burns. “VCU Police take the safety and well being of our community seriously,” Burns stated. “Our officers quickly respond to any incident reportedly involving a firearm.This has been a consistent approach from the department for many years.” VCUPD are required to send VCU Alert messages when they confirm a report

of a serious and ongoing safety threat, according to Burns. He stated that the messages include a brief summary of what is known and suggested safety methods, such as “avoid the area.” Burns stated that VCU Police surveys VCU’s core campus areas on a 24-hour basis. “ The department encourages a ll community members to report suspicious act iv it ies or t h reaten ing behav ior immediately,” Burns stated. Alongside VCU Alert notifications, Burns shared that the VCU Crime Prevention Team attends events throughout the year on campus to host active shooter workshops for any VCU organization or department. These workshops allow community members to learn more about how VCUPD treat active threats. Brad Lehmann, assistant professor of criminal justice, said that police departments in Richmond are studying and training more for violence disruption. “The community is playing a part here in Richmond as well as in other localities, violence disrupters, communitybased violence disrupters, and sometimes even family levels of how to intervene in conflict,” Lehmann said. Lehmann also shared technological advancements police departments have started to incorporate, including AI programs like ShotSpotter and ZeroEyes. “ The ShotSpotter and ZeroEyes technology was part of the quick response and apprehension of the person responsible for violence in our campus,” Lehmann said. “That is one part of a greater team effort,” Lehmann said Richmond’s homicide and violence rates have dropped within the last few years. These rates have dropped due to efforts such as Project Exile and gun buyback

Volunteers from Virginians for Reproductive Freedom help VCU students register to vote Photo by William Spencer. and make plans for voting on election day. them in future elections and consider their preferences and needs.” The NAACP at VCU hosted an event called “Know Your Ballot” with the goal of educating students about candidates and ballot measures for the upcoming midterm elections. According to Assata Lucas, the second vice president of the NAACP at VCU, the event was meant to educate students about candidates beyond knowing their names and party affiliations. “We focused on identifying the office

a candidate is seeking, understanding what that office actually has the power to do, and examining the candidate’s policy priorities and relevant experience,” Lucas stated in an email. Lucas stated that event organizers emphasized reading and understanding the entire text of ballot referendums and constitutional amendments before voting yes or no. Lucas noted that the event was nonpartisan and encouraged students to do their own research and make informed decisions.

taskforces, according to Lehman . “The argument of gun infestation in the United States, Virginia, and in Richmond isn’t new. But the way we are adhering to new awareness and targeting requires us to be more vulnerable and aware of it,” Lehmann said. Brad Lehmann shared that he works alongside Chief Clarence Hunter, teaching the Bridging Perspectives program offered by VCU. In this program, students alongside Lehmann and Hunter look at the biggest concerns on campus, and then learn how to engage in difficult conversations about campus safety. With VCU residing in the middle of the city of Richmond, the campus is in a bit of a specific state in regards to crime safety, according to Lehmann.

“Because we are in a little bit of a unique situation, being an urban campus inside of a city, as well as a campus that was never designed to be the way that it is now; how big it’s grown from not just Monroe Park, but VCU Health,” Lehmann said. “You’re in an interesting venn diagram overlap.” Emma Horton, first year psychology student, said the VCU Alerts of gunfire had her question the safety of living on campus, and that she felt safer in her hometown. “It makes me not even really want to go back, it feels like I’m much safer there in Fredericksburg,” Horton said. “As long as I stay in my dorm I guess I’m safe, but that’s not ideal.” Horton said that VCU has put in effective efforts to protect students, specifically with the metal detectors in the library.

Broad & Belvidere Apartments, a VCU student residency where shots were fired near on Sept. 28. Photos by Kieran Stevens

Wednesday, April 1, 2026

Stat of the week

Sports

VCU women’s volleyball is on a five-game winning streak.

VCU comes up short in final non-conference matchup

BEN MARTINDALE Sports Editor

VCU women’s f ield hockey lost a hard-fought matchup to the University of Delaware on Sunday at Cary St. Field. The Rams entered the matchup having won three of their last four, including a 4-3 victory vs. Davidson College two days prior to Sunday’s matchup. The first quarter was competitive, with neither team able to punch in the opening goal. Delaware nearly broke the tie a minute and a half into the second quarter, ricocheting a shot off the upper right corner of the goal, but after review, the goal was waived off and the score remained tied at zero. The Blue Hens nearly scored again with eight minutes remaining in the quarter, but a diving save from third-year VCU

goalkeeper Emma Clements foiled the Delaware attempt. Delaware’s attack-first style paid off when second-year Amanda Rattay scored to give the Blue Hens the lead. VCU started the second half with more energy and quickly put Delaware on the defensive. Three minutes later, VCU firstyear Julia Spohr scored a goal of their own, evening the score at one goal apiece. In the final quarter, the two teams refused to give an inch to the other, both squads getting opportunities to score but neither able to capitalize. Wit h just u nder n i ne m i nute s remaining, Spohr found an opening and quickly attempted back-to-back shots on goal, but Delaware second-year Gabrielle Prentice saved both.

At the 4:15 mark of the final quarter, Delaware delivered what would become the game-winning goal, dealing VCU the defeat in a hard-fought, physical game. Despite the loss, Clements was pleased with the Rams’ growth. “It might not be the result we were looking for, but we definitely learned the lesson that we were looking for,” said Clements. “We tried a new press today and it worked so well, and these are the kind of non-conference games that you want to try new things on.” VCU’s loss to Delaware was the team's final non-conference matchup of the season. The Rams will put their 4-0 conference record on the line with matchups against Saint Joseph's University and the University of Richmond to finish out their regular season schedule.

GAME RESULTS DATE 10/16/26 10/16/26 VCU WVB - AT GMU WON 3-1

VCU FH - AT DAVIDSON WON 4-3

DATE 10/17/26 VCU MXC - AT RSRS 4TH PLACE / 15 TEAMS

VCU WXC - AT RSRS 4TH PLACE / 12 TEAMS

VCU WSOC - VS GWU LOST 3-2

VCU WVB - AT GMU LOST 3-2

VCU MSOC - AT SLU LOST 4-1

DATE 10/18/26 VCU FH - VS UD LOST 2-1

Third-year goalkeeper Emma Clements dives for the save vs Delaware.

Image courtesy of VCU Athletics. ADVERTISEMENT

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The Commonwealth Times

Spectrum

On This Day

On this day, Oct. 21, 1959, The Guggenheim Museum, designed by renowned architect Frank Lloyd Wright, opened its doors for the first time. The museum is dedicated to showcasing and creating an understanding around modern and contemporary art.

Inside The Bellwether Garage: How a Church Hill repair shop built a free community stage EMMA BENTON Contributing Writer On a typical day, The Bellwether Garage operates as a motorcycle repair shop in Church Hill. Once a month, Grant Mathews and Lauren Albee, owners of The Bellwether Garage, clear enough room for amps, musicians and a crowd, turning the garage and surrounding property into a free neighborhood concert space. The Bellwether Garage Sessions started in 2023 and has grown into an event that draws hundreds of people without ever charging admission. As Bellwether heads deeper into fall and toward colder weather, the series faces a new test: how to preserve the casual, open atmosphere that helped it grow while adapting to shorter days and a crowd that now extends well beyond the immediate neighborhood. At Bellwether, the shows do not operate like a typical venue, and the garage does not separate performers from the audience with a raised stage, barricade or bar crowd. Musicians play close to the people watching them, while neighbors, families and Richmond concertgoers move through the same space. Mathews and Albee have tried to preserve that neighborhood character as the sessions have grown. They live on the property, which means every concert takes place at their home and inside a residential block. “I wake up in the morning, make some coffee, clean the garage, set the speakers up and then the band shows up,” Mathews said. “At this scale, it’s sustainable.” Mathews said adding more vendors, concessions or outside production would make the series harder to manage. Bellwether has also had to manage the less visible pressures that come with putting large crowds of people on a residential street. Parking fills quickly around 31st and East Clay streets, while amplified music travels through the block. Early on, Mathews canvassed the neighborhood for signatures each month to show the city that residents supported the events. “They were so supportive to the

Co-owners, Lauren Albee and Grant Mathews, of The Bellwether Garage, a motorcycle workshop and DIY music venue in Church Hill. point where they asked, ‘Can I just sign something that’s forever so you don’t have to keep doing this?’” Mathews said. “Eventually, the city told us it was evident the neighbors were in support.” Albee said maintaining that support depends on treating the neighborhood as part of the event rather than simply the place where it happens. “The key is communicating with your neighbors and being open to constructive feedback,” Albee said. “If a venue pops up and you aren’t thinking about how it affects the people around you, that’s where resistance comes in.” Once crowds began spilling beyond the sidewalk, city officials required Bellwether to formalize parts of the operation. Closing the block costs about $300 per show, including a $50 processing fee and $250 in event liability insurance. Overcoast Music and Sound sponsors those costs, allowing Mathews and Albee to keep admission free. Mathews and Albee enforce a strict 10 p.m. cutoff. After the final set, organizers and remaining attendees clean the street and move the barricades back to the curb so normal traffic can resume. Cole Sullivan, a Richmond musician

The Bellwether Garage during its daytime use as a motorcycle garage.

first heard about Bellwether in an unlikely place. While hospitalized in 2023 with heart failure symptoms following a 2020 heart transplant, a nurse told him about a small garage venue in Church Hill. Sullivan later discovered that he already knew Albee from college, and he started performing at Bellwether in 2024. Sullivan noticed the difference between his first performance and the space he will return to on Oct. 24. During his earlier show, speaker placement caused sound to bounce around the room and made monitoring difficult. After Sullivan spoke with Mathews, the setup changed and dedicated monitors were added. Su l l iva n has per for med in t he Richmond area for nearly 20 years, but he said Bellwether’s neighborhood setting makes the audience feel less separated from the performer. Bellwether’s all-ages format gives children, older residents and people who do not drink another way into Richmond’s live music scene. “A lot of older folks don’t want to navigate loud bars where people are smoking by the door,” Sullivan said. “It creates an unnecessary barrier to entry.

Moving arts and music directly into neighborhood communities helps create communal interaction beyond standard nightlife establishments.” Sullivan said larger crowds can create pressure on a DIY space, but they can also encourage other small venues and house shows to develop when demand outgrows one location. He said Bellwether gives artists access to listeners who may never seek them out at a traditional club. “Growth usually encourages more small, independent spaces to emerge to fill the need,” Sullivan said. “Encouraging more grassroots spaces to open is positive for the city.” The Oct. 24 show, featuring Cole Sullivan, Ordinary Ghost and Dusty Rug, gives the space another chance to test that balance before winter settles in. The Bellwether Garage Session has an additional confirmed show scheduled for Nov. 14, with Justin Golden, Dead Billionaires and Ms. Jaylin Brown. Mathews and Albee will clear the garage again, bring musicians onto the floor and invite another crowd into a space that still functions, the rest of the month, as a neighborhood repair shop.

Photos by Emma Benton.

Wednesday, April 1, 2026

Opinions Is our art as ethical and impactful as we like to think? DAKOTA CUPPLES Contributing Writer Can we in good conscience create art that critiques systems of oppression when the same money creating and funding our art comes from the pockets of our oppressors? What are the consequences of making Elon Musk a meme? “Digger,” Alejandro González Iñárritu’s new dark comedy film, is a call for artists to consider whether art is truly an effective way to incite change. The majority of theatre and film is privately funded by investors or wealthy people who perform philanthropy to make themselves look better. Bill Gates has a foundation that gives billions to charity every year, and a portion of that goes to the arts. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, only about roughly 10% of American art was publicly funded, the numbers later being inflated due to COVID-19 relief efforts, according to the National Arts Action Summit. The rest comes from sponsorships,

philanthropy or personal income. If you are planning to be a working artist today, chances are you will have to reckon with the fact that the ultra-wealthy are at least part of the reason why you can share your art with others. Many f ilms and TV shows have attempted political satire in recent years such as “The Boys,” “Don’t Look Up” and “Eddington,” but failed to stick the landing and ask for something more from their audiences. “Digger” is a satire about satire. The film tells how its own art and climate change satire is compromised because it was created by a corporation. It explores what can make satire effective today and art’s true impact in 2026. I do not want to spoil the movie, because “Digger” is most impactful going in blind. However, one message is central: art, in itself, is not an action. We must take action ourselves. We can make a hundred movies about the horrors of climate change and evil billionaires, but is that going to stop Sam

Quote of the week

“Beware; for I am fearless and therefore powerful.” — Mary Shelley Altman from continuing to introduce AI into the U.S. government? Is that going to stop people from “drilling, baby, drilling?” Does making these films harm society more by creating a mythos for these men, rather than showing them as human beings, the same as you and me? Calling Elon Musk a loser on an app that he owns is fun. It is really cathartic, but did it stop him from creating DOGE and terminating thousands of government jobs? To these people, all press is good press. If you are talking about him on social media, he is probably making money off it. We make jokes to process what is happening. However, in doing so, we are also being desensitised, so the next time Musk pushes fascism to us on the news, we do not grasp the magnitude of the situation. Instead of our social media timelines being filled with what can be done, it is just hundreds of thousands of memes. In the end, these billionaires become less like human beings that can be stopped and more like mythological figures that are above all recourse. However, art and its impact should not be diminished. As human beings, we need art to express and process the world around us. But to change the world we need both art and action. Art opens our minds and makes us believe in what is possible; action puts that into practice to allow us to achieve it. Art is simply the means, not the end. “Digger” was brought to you by Warner Brothers, a company that just famously merged with Paramount-Skydance to create yet another media monopoly. Skydance CEO David Ellison does not care that this

movie is about him, his friends and people like him, because at the end of the day, his pockets will still be lined with the profit that this type of social commentary brings him. The people at these companies do not care that last year’s Best Picture Winner, “One Battle After Another,” is about their harmful actions — it grossed $200 million worldwide, giving them even more control over our lives. Iñárritu wants you to put your money where your mouth is — to take action, but also recognize how billionaires have rigged the system to rely on their companies for almost everything, including the creation of art. You can try to create your own indie film studio or self-fund your art, but where will that get you? Will you be able to make it as big as A24, who now has a deal with Google’s DeepMind AI? Will you become the next NEON? Whether we like it or not, money makes the world go round. So, what is the point? Why spend money to see Digger? Why write this article if our art is not as impactful as we think? Musk, Altman and the ultra-wealthy in their circle want hopeless people that turn their brains off, scroll on Instagram Reels all day and do nothing. We need fellow artists (and everyday people) to think more critically about the world around them and the art they create. “Digger” is a vessel to do just that. To pause your painting and pick up a goddamn picket sign. Love it or hate it, Tom Cruise fan or Tom Cruise hater, “Digger” wants you to take the first step. Dig or be dug. Come on cowboys, we got work to do.

Illustration by Olivia Kennon.

STUDENT STAFF SPOTLIGHT

SYDNEY JOHNS Job Position: Resident Assistant

Year: Junior

Major: Elementary Education Art History

Sydney is in her third year as a Resident Assistant with VCU Residential Life and Housing, where she serves the Honors community. She consistently goes above and beyond to support her team, taking initiative to complete tasks well in advance and helping others succeed along the way. Sydney brings a high level of energy and a positive attitude to everything she does, helping create a welcoming and supportive environment within Honors. Her dedication and enthusiasm make her a valued member of the team and a bright light to her peers. Thanks, Sydney, for all you do! OCT. 2026

The Commonwealth Times

Comics

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ADD YOUR VOICE The CT welcomes graduate and undergraduate students to contribute across its seven writing and visual teams. Contributors can apply to become paid staff members.

Wednesday, April 1, 2026

Puzzles Los Angeles Times Crossword Puzzle

I ONLY HAVE EYES FOR YOU by Mark Carlson & Derek Hinsey

Edited by Patti Varol ACROSS 1 Downside of an open-door policy? 6 President between Roosevelt and Wilson 10 Reggae kin 13 Tree-climbing Australian canine 18 Funds 19 Halted 21 Cauldron contents 22 Is unable to wield forks? 24 Group after Zoomers 25 URL end for many nonprofits 26 Citation abbr. 27 Divide fairly 28 Gave the nod 30 Knock over the chicken coop, perhaps? 33 Songwriter Leonard 37 Raptor’s claw 39 Part of LED 40 Cameo shape 41 Grocery section 42 Snatch 43 Drinks gingerly 47 No time to enjoy pickles? 53 Actor Corddry 55 Puts up 56 Put away or wear away 57 Dim sum brew 58 Desertlike 59 Dish prepared in a terrine 60 Brand name said with a quack 63 Chum, e.g. 64 “Aw, rats!” 65 Fantasy trilogy, initially 66 Task for the “Planet of the Apes” wardrobe department? 68 Deep black

69 Jai __ DOWN 70 Cheer (up) 1 Hip-hop pioneers 71 Severe Run-__ 72 Clever plan 2 Map line 73 Category for the 3 __ Domini uncategorizable, for 4 “Star Wars” bounty short hunter who wears 74 Sleeve Mandalorian armor 75 Feel less than tip5 Magnate top 6 Like some ads 76 Himalayan ethnic 7 Timetable abbr. group 8 Leather goods 78 Flour for some company founded flatbread in Massachusetts in 79 Playlist for making 1863 soup? 9 Italian playhouse 84 Some fish in the 10 Motionless anguilliform group 11 Actor Watanabe 86 Shriek following a 12 Drink suffix squeak 13 National Farm 87 More than unkind Workers Association 88 “Maestro” actor co-founder Huerta Bomer 14 Crash responder, 89 Old Milwaukee briefly brewer 15 Chinese greeting 92 Couples 16 Kids on a farm 94 Loses color 17 Beginning 95 Make dramatic 20 Wood application changes in the 21 Made a peeling garden? 23 Genesis boat 100 Prerelease 27 Vietnamese soup software version 29 Surrealist Salvador 102 Correspondence 31 Dutch cheese that uses colons 32 Inhabitants of the 103 Pesky plant highest plateau in 105 Chutney fruit the world 109 Far from obstinate 33 Detour guide 110 Catchy 34 Accommodating to advertisement for a a fault paving company? 35 “Try some!” 114 Storybook sister 36 Potentially shocking? 115 Versatile ovenware 38 Short, for short 116 Hall of Famer 41 Govt. lawyers Rod who was an 42 “__ so fast!” MLB All-Star 1 2for 3 444 Torn 18 consecutive 45 Supernatural seasons 46 Prospector doll 117 Like cornstalks voiced by Kelsey 118 The Blue Jays, in Grammer in “Toy box scores Story 2” 119 “You missed a __” 48 Line on a map: Abbr. 120 Visby native 49 __ of faith

Level

50 Ralph of “Cobra Kai” 51 Horse sound 52 Name on four British art galleries 54 Provocative 60 “Don’t be __!” 61 Mattress quality 62 Texter’s “I’ll wait to hear from you” 63 Saloon 65 Spiritual leader for 32-Down 66 IRS form experts 67 50% 72 Letter after upsilon 75 Petition 76 Oft-protected personal ID 77 The “A” in many degrees 80 Fathoms 81 Brief “I can’t unhear that” 82 Oregano, for one 83 Legal right of way 85 Ready to unwind 90 Cherub or seraph 91 “Lemonade” star, familiarly 92 Shard 93 Tips off 94 Loses one’s cool 95 Award on a scout’s sash 96 Best Picture Oscar winner starring Mikey Madison 97 Sprint entrant 98 Top-tier 99 Pet’s human 101 Blues guitarist __ Mahal 104 “The Idol” actress Lily-Rose 106 Chew (on) 107 Big brute 108 Dog-powered vehicle 110 Chicago winter hrs. 111 “Caught you!” 112 East Asian principle 113 Manchego source

Sudoku By The Mepham Group DIFFICULTY LEVEL 2

Complete the grid Solution to Monday’s puzzle so each row, column, and 3-by-3 box (in bold borders) contains every digit, 1 to 9. For strategies on how to solve Sudoku, visit sudoku.org.uk

11/10/26 Complete the grid so each row, column and 3-by-3 box (in bold borders) contains every digit, 1 to 9. For strategies on how to solve Sudoku, visit sudoku.org.uk