This November's midterm elections definitively proved what many political analysts and armchair pundits have been saying for years: Colorado is now a blue state. For the last couple of decades, Colorado has been a fierce battleground state. It's flip-flopped from Democrats to Republicans a number of times over the last 30 years, with both parties running competitive campaigns that earned large swaths of the state's votes.

A recent tweet by Ye (formerly known as Kanye West) rose to infamy with a claim about “going death con 3 On JEWISH PEOPLE.” The tweet initiated a storm that has stripped Ye of a deal with Adidas and alienated his main fanbase while also inspiring others to either agree with or take up his opinion on the Jewish community. Kyrie Irving has also entered a similar state of controversy after tweeting a link to an antisemitic film.  Ye is not unique in his opinion of the Jewish community but a byproduct of the ever-growing antisemitic movement. It is always easy to assume that this rhetoric and mentality are not present in our own communities, but the truth is sometimes surprising. The Anti-Defamation League recorded a 61% increase in antisemitic incidents in Colorado from 2017 t0 2021, with 32 more incidents recorded than in 2020.

Secondhand clothing is experiencing a second life, for better or worse. Over the last few years, thrifting has become a hefty social phenomenon. TikTok influencers and climate activists alike have been highlighting the environmental benefits of shopping secondhand, and as a result, it's become trendy to see what you can score at your local thrift shop.

The college basketball season has arrived in Fort Collins. There are big questions about the Colorado State University men's basketball team and how they will perform after making an NCAA tournament appearance at the end of last season.  However, a bigger question regarding college basketball in Fort Collins might be why the CSU women's team does not get more support from the student section and the Fort Collins community.

Colorado State University football is very important in Fort Collins. Every weekend throughout the season, if our beloved Rams are playing at home, fans pack the stands tight and dress up in their favorite green and gold attire to cheer on their favorite college team. 

Colleges and universities in America are known for being enormous money suckers. With a plethora of leadership positions, high-quality amenities and constant renovation, there is another part of college universities that takes up a lot of money: Art.   Colleges spend good money to have their campus decorated with art.  

The days of Mariah Carey and ancient recordings of Christmas jingles on a loop in every store and restaurant are on the horizon. Momentarily, the fear of the holiday season can be pushed aside for the more fun, self-inducing fear of Halloween. Halloween is the best holiday. Some folks are not connoisseurs of fear, which is totally understandable, yet one does not need to be scared to enjoy the season of spook thoroughly. There are plenty of things to enjoy about the holiday that both include and exclude the scares and raised hair. 

It’s spooky season, and that means the age-old conversation about the potential harm caused by taking candy from strangers pops up again.  Even recently, the United States Drug Enforcement Administration warned about rainbow-colored fentanyl in distribution. Now, do candy-looking drugs exist? Yes. Are you going to get some in your designated trick-or-treating pillowcase when you go door to door in your neighborhood? Not likely. 

Colorado State University embraces a lot of free speech opportunities; especially right on campus. On any given afternoon, with Colorado weather permitting, it is not uncommon to come across a crowd of people discussing a political issue such as religion or even something a little more mundane like minimum wage prices that don’t necessarily always force your hand to get involved. Other times, the topic is about a more serious issue within politics that may grab your attention and even incline you enough to chime in with your thoughts. 

A perfect storm of COVID-19 and graduating seniors crippled Ram Ruckus, the official student-led group that supports Colorado State University athletic teams at games, right as it was starting to flourish.  This year, hopefully before basketball season, Ram Ruckus is looking to make a return. 

The season of political ads is upon us with the midterm election in November. This brings back the era of televised insanity on behalf of politicians and their teams. Whatever goes through their minds when they storyboard these crazy ideas is truly enigmatic.  An advertisement put out by Alex Walker, former Democratic candidate for Colorado’s third Congressional district, portrays a literal fecal storm raining down upon Colorado citizens as a result of Lauren Boebert’s policies. It certainly catches the eye, triggers the gag reflex and overachieves the point it is trying to make with a not-safe-for-life cinematographic depiction that rivals “Sharknado” in quality. 

Coming to college and experiencing what is likely your first taste of independence can be scary and uncertain. Meeting new people, getting a new job, adjusting to a new schedule — all of it is overwhelming but oh, so worth it.  One of your newfound abilities as an independent adult is exercising your right to vote — and it’s arguably the most important one. Plus, getting involved in Fort Collins and understanding the community is a great way to connect to your new home for at least the next four years.