The Highlander Newspaper

Following a recent investigation the New York Times (NYT) conducted on Cesar Chavez, multiple organizations and public figures have issued statements condemning his alleged actions. The celebrated labor leader — long seen as a symbol of farmworker resistance and dignity — is now under renewed and intensive scrutiny. This investigation doesn’t just call into question the legacy of an individual, but rather forces a broader reckoning with how movements choose to remember and protect their leaders.

📝 : Mata Elangovan, Editor-in-Chief
📸 : Courtesy of Los Angeles Times via Wikimedia Commons

Most of the time, dystopian science fiction tends to be fairly bleak. This makes sense, as layering hypothetical threats on top of the already messy modern world would normally only serve to craft a cautionary tale, but “Project Hail Mary”’s optimistic tone proves this genre’s true range. Like “The Martian,” this is yet another near-future hard sci-fi film about a man stranded alone in space based on a novel by Andy Weir, yet it remains refreshing through an absurd quantity of other strengths. The end result is a fun and enjoyable movie that manages to uphold its prestige through technical achievement.

📝 : Dillon Clark, Contributing Writer
📸 : Courtesy of Amazon MGM Studios

In a monumental decision, the University of California (UC) Board of Regents voted on March 23 to make tuition free for all students at the University of California, Riverside (UCR) starting in the 2027-28 academic year, citing student concerns about the affordability of tuition as their utmost priority. Gone would be the days of thousands of dollars students don’t have going toward tuition, along with the hours spent stressing over financial aid applications like the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and California Dream Act Application. 

*This is an April Fools’ publication. This article is not intended to communicate any true or factual information about the writer’s opinion except through humor and/or exaggeration. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental or is intended purely as satire, parody or spoof of such persons and is not intended to communicate any true or fac ual information about that person.

📝:  Ovi Mathivanan, Assistant Opinions Editor
📸: Courtesy of Layna | The Highlander

Since the U.S. and Israel launched air strikes on Iran, gasoline prices have skyrocketed across the country. As President Trump protects the U.S., obviously, regular unleaded prices will rise a little bit, temporarily. 

*This is an April Fools’ publication. This article is not intended to communicate any true or factual information about the writer’s opinion except through humor and/or exaggeration. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental or is intended purely as satire, parody or spoof of such persons and is not intended to communicate any true or fac ual information about that person.

📝: Cecile Diroll, Opinions Editor

If you’ve been down University Avenue, it’s hard to miss the Farmhouse Collective. The place sticks out like a sore thumb in stark contrast to everything surrounding it. The area is misted and it’s almost like they condition the open air. Combined with the green turf and bright red buildings you might almost forget that you’re right on the side of a five lane road.

In some ways I was a bit intimidated; the environment makes it a far cry from your average food stop on the street, which isn’t my idea of a “good sign” when it comes to food. The Taco Stand, an aptly named restaurant, offers a relatively simple menu consisting mostly of tacos and burritos. We ordered everything as is without modifications to any orders.

📝 : Yusef Hermann, Contributing Writer
📸 : Courtesy of Al Pastor Tacos and Canva

The Greater Riverside Chambers of Commerce hosted the City of Riverside Ward 6 Candidate Forum on March 5, 2026. Candidates Luis Hernandez and Oswaldo “Oz” Puerta were in attendance. Following Councilmember Jim Perry’s abdication after 13 years of service, this forum provided candidates an opportunity to share their plans on managing Ward 6.

📝: Maribel Hernandez, Staff Writer
📸: Courtesy of Niko Suwandi

Riverside advocates continue to organize after the City Council voted 4-3 on Jan. 13, rejecting $20 million in state funds to convert the Quality Inn Motel — located at 1590 University Ave, approximately half a mile from the University California, Riverside — into an affordable housing project.

📝: Maribel Hernandez, Staff Writer
📸: Courtesy of Choice Hotels International

Halfway through the quarter, you open your student portal. Alas! Your time ticket seems to be awfully late. What a shame. You consult your friends and classmates who all have a time ticket a week or two before you. You won’t be able to get the classes you had planned for, which will majorly set you back, and now you’ll graduate in 10 years. You wish you hadn’t made that four year plan — so much work just to have such a late time ticket! Perhaps you should have just planned your schedule minutes before registration.

📝: Adelene Chen, Contributing Writer

On Jan. 13, 2026, the Riverside City Council voted against a $20 million supportive housing project that would have converted the Quality Inn Motel located on University Avenue into 114 units for individuals experiencing homelessness, residents with lower incomes and people with disabilities.

📝 : The Editorial Board
📸 : Courtesy of Wikimedia

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Many of us at the University of California Riverside can relate to the struggle of balancing dual identities. How we exist in one space can differ greatly from how we present in another. This need to mold ourselves depending on the situation can be exhausting. La Familia has made their club a space for students of all backgrounds allowing them to be amongst peers and be themselves.

📝 : Sanjana Thatte, Features Editor
📸 : Niko Suwandi, The Highlander