Neighborhood crime rates and updates to the proposed opening of the Witch’s Hat Tower were the main focus of the Sept. 23 Prospect Park Association (PPA) meeting. 

The meeting was held at The Market at Malcolm Yards with a range of speakers from the PPA board members to Minneapolis City Council Member Robin Wonsley (Ward 2). 

The meeting’s conversation was dominated by concerned community members’ thoughts and efforts to combat crime. 

Crime and safety updates in Prospect Park

Teila Zoller, 2nd Precinct crime prevention specialist. said crime overall is down from last year in the Prospect Park area. Zoller added that 116 cars were stolen last year, compared to this year, where 62 cars have been stolen. 

“That’s almost close to 50% down. That’s awesome,” Zoller said. “So whatever you guys are doing, keep doing what you’re doing.”

Nicholas Torborg, a Minneapolis Police Department (MPD) 2nd Precinct inspector, said currently Prospect Park averages two car thefts a week this year. 

While crime levels remain down overall, there has been a spike in burglaries last week, in family homes, residential businesses and dwellings, Zoller said. 

Wonsley said the MPD had the second-largest budget in the City behind Minneapolis Public Works. 

“I do want to highlight, large parts of our existing funding is going to MPD,” Wonsley said. “They are funded and they’ve had surpluses for several years because they do have sufficient funding.”

Still, community members voiced safety concerns. 

John Paul, a business owner in the area, said he has had multiple bikes stolen over the last month and a half.

Britt Howell, PPA vice president, said a major problem facing community members is confusion about who has jurisdiction over crime occurring in city parks.

“We call the park police about activities that are going on in the park, they tell neighbors, ‘Oh no, you’re supposed to call MPD’ and then we call MPD and they go ‘No,’” Howell said. “At this point, I don’t care whose responsibility it is.’” 

Howell said there have been times when she had to clean up needles out of the park before an event. 

Torborg acknowledged the complications the MPD has working with the Metro Transit Police Department and Minneapolis Park Police & Safety. 

“We try to collaborate the best we can, but there are some challenges,” Torborg said. 

Zoller advised people to call 911 if suspicious activity is currently happening and call 311 if the activity is a non-urgent recurring issue. Zoller added that not allowing people to tailgate in apartment buildings can promote safety. 

Witch’s Hat Tower Update

At the beginning of the meeting, PPA Secretary David Frank announced that the Witch’s Hat Tower received money from the City of Minneapolis to reopen the tower. 

Wonsley said with a unanimous vote to fund the tower and the City stepping in a leadership role, the tower will open in Spring 2025 and go through a pilot stage. 

“We’re looking at potentially three events at the Witch’s Hat and see how that goes,” Wonsley said.

Wonsley said she will be working with city staff on setting up a community meeting within the next year to get community input. 

“We’ve been holding it down for many, many years,” Wonsley said. “So we’re really, really excited about that.” 

The next PPA meeting is scheduled for Oct. 28 at 6:30 p.m.

After Daniel Ricciardo’s emotional post-race interview on Sunday, fans speculated that the Singapore Grand Prix was Ricciardo’s last in Formula 1. However, no formal announcement has come from his team, Visa Cash App RB, yet.

The newest animated “Transformers” film is a breath of fresh air that finally gives fans the movie they have been waiting for. “Transformers One” stands as a strong introduction to the world and its characters, capturing the heart of the franchise in a way that past films have missed. Its stunning animation and respect for the original story make this perfect for longtime fans and new audiences alike.

“Transformers One” Exceeds Expectations

After many years of subpar Transformers films, fans have felt disappointed and annoyed. However, returning to the animated medium might have been the best idea for this franchise. It has brought the life back to the series, reminding fans why they loved it so much in the first place.

One of the strongest points of “Transformers One” is how it allows itself to breathe. This film takes its time by crafting genuine emotional moments and building the world carefully. The pacing is one of the key reasons why this movie works.

While previous films rush from one explosion to the next, “Transformers One” allows scenes to sit with the audience. This breathing room lets the character dynamics, emotional moments and the weight of conflict fully sink in. It allows the viewers to feel and comprehend each scene, without dumbing down information for their younger audiences.

Made for Fans, Old and New

“Transformers One” is a perfect rendition of the old stories in a new format, one that not only appeals to longtime fans but is also an accessible entry point for the newer generation.

The kids in the theater were completely invested, laughing at the right moments and glued to the action. Many of them would gasp when something went wrong, or even ask their parent what would happen next.

Children’s movies don’t need to be dumbed down to hold a kid’s attention. With a runtime of almost two hours, “Transformers One” manages to keep all audiences fully engaged throughout. 

Animation and Voice Acting

The animation in “Transformers One” is astonishing. You can see every intricate detail, every bolt and part of the characters. This visual quality brings the world of Transformers to life; it’s incredibly immersive. Every frame of animation was carefully crafted, no moment unimportant. A lot of thought and love went into bringing these Autobots back to their roots in a polished, modern way.

The voice acting is another area where “Transformers One” truly shines. The performances sound exceptionally similar to the original voice actors. Chris Hemsworth, Brian Tyree Henry, Scarlett Johansson and Keegan-Michael Key were clearly dedicated to preserving the essence of these characters. It is felt in each performance, and this familiarity allows audiences to reconnect with the world in a way they haven’t been able to in years.

“Transformers One” is a perfect balance between action, character development and emotional depth. It delivers a story that respects its roots and its audience. It feels like the spark has truly returned to the franchise.

The film celebrates “Transformers’” legacy while setting the stage for the future, leaving many optimistic for the next movies to come. Now audiences can finally enjoy a story that feels true to its origins. It honors the characters and the world that fans have always loved. After years of waiting, seeing the franchise finally deliver something this good is exciting.

i.habib@dailyutahchronicle.com

@israbii

The post Fans Finally Get What They Deserve With ‘Transformers One’ first appeared on The Daily Utah Chronicle.

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In America, education is supposed to be the great equalizer, the key that unlocks opportunity, no matter where you come from. However, that key is broken for too many students, particularly those in low-income neighborhoods. School funding inequity is one of our time’s most pressing civil rights issues, and it’s time we faced it head-on.

Public schools in the U.S. are primarily funded by local property taxes, which creates massive disparities in resources between wealthy and low-income areas. In affluent communities, high property values lead to well-funded schools with updated technology, extracurricular activities and well-paid, experienced teachers. However, in low-income neighborhoods with lower property values, schools often lack essential resources — outdated textbooks, deteriorating buildings and underpaid staff struggling to do more with less.

This system is not only unfair, it’s a failure of our values. When we allow the quality of education a child receives to depend on their zip code, we perpetuate cycles of poverty and inequality. The consequences of this underfunding are clear: students in low-income schools consistently perform worse on standardized tests, have lower graduation rates and face more barriers to college admission. The gap in funding creates an opportunity gap.

But the stakes go even further. 

According to a 2019 report by EdBuild, predominantly nonwhite school districts get $23 billion less in funding compared to predominantly white school districts, even though they serve the same number of students. This is more than just a funding issue, it’s a racial justice issue. By underfunding schools in communities of color, we are telling those children that their futures matter less.

We cannot stand by while this inequity persists. 

The time for action is now. It’s time for states to take bold steps toward funding reform, ensuring that every school, no matter its location, receives the resources necessary to help all students thrive. States like New Jersey and Massachusetts have led the way by adopting school funding formulas that allocate more resources to districts with more significant needs. But this can’t just be a state-level fix. We need federal action to ensure that education funding is equitable across the country.

The federal government can also play a critical role by increasing funding for Title I schools, which serve many low-income students. Programs like these help level the playing field but are not enough. We need sustained investment to close the gap and give every student a fair chance at success.

Our children deserve better. They deserve an education system that lives up to the promise of equal opportunity. As citizens, we have the power to make this change happen. Advocate for fair funding policies, vote for leaders who prioritize education equity and hold your local and state governments accountable.

The future of our country depends on the education we provide for our children today. Let’s ensure every student has the tools they need to succeed no matter where they live.

Samson Williams is a graduate student at the Humphrey School of Public Affairs pursuing a Master of public policy and is an advocate for education equity and civil rights.

Houston’s Avery Shimaitis spikes the ball during the first half of an NCAA college women’s volleyball match, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024 in Houston, Texas. | The Cougar/Oscar Herrera

Houston volleyball competed in the Cougar Classic and rounded out non-conference play on their home court.

The team took the first and third matches against Texas A&M Commerce and Tennessee State but fell to Ole Miss during the second day of competition. 

The fiery middle match

Houston could not close out the match vs Ole Miss in the Cougar Challenge on Sept. 24, losing in five sets.

The Cougars came out roaring as they scored 14 of the first 15 points to get the 14-1 advantage. Ole Miss would end up fighting back to a 19-9 deficit, but it was not close to enough as Houston would take the first set 25-10, on a multitude of aces and offensive dominance. 

Ole Miss got out to a much better start in the second set as they took the early 10-4 lead. UH would climb back into it and cut the Rebels’ advantage down to four.

The Rebels went on a 6-1 run to establish a 20-11 lead. The Cougars would not go away, but it was too much to overcome as Ole Miss won the second set 25-17. 

The two teams were locked into a tight battle in the third set. UH had the early 7-4 start.

Ole Miss tied it up on a service ace at 8-8. It went point for point until the Cougars went on a 7-2 run and took a 21-15 advantage.

The Rebels kept fighting, but back-to-back clutch service aces from freshman outside hitter Lily Barron won Houston the third set 25-21. 

Ole Miss started with the lead and kept it for most of the fourth set before Houston stormed back with a 5-0 run late to tie it at 17 all.

The Rebels responded with a 6-1 run to take an important 23-18 lead and finished with a victorious fourth set 25-20, which forced a decisive fifth set. 

The programs started the set at 8-8. Ole Miss went on a crucial 4-0 run at 12-8, making it difficult for UH to win the battle. The Rebels kept their momentum going to close out the fifth set 15-10 and won the match, which went the full distance. 

Graduate libero Kate Georgiades, setter Annie Cooke, outside hitter Angela Grieve and Barron all recorded double-doubles, the first quadruplet double-double performance for the Cougars since last September. 

The Cougar’s 13 aces on the night slotted in as the third most in a five-set match in team history. 

The close of non-conference 

Houston closed out non-conference play with a clean sweep of Tennessee State on Sept. 21.

Georgiades recorded her fourth career double-double to lead the Cougars to a three-set victory. Her 13 digs mark Georgiades’ 14th straight match with double-digits in the category. 

Houston came out hot in the first frame, posting 17 kills and a .344 hitting percentage, but the Lady Tigers refused to go away quietly.

The set saw five lead changes and seven ties before Houston put together a 7-2 run to claim the 25-18 set victory and never relented. 

The Cougars maintained control the rest of the way, holding Tennessee to a 0.074 hitting percentage in the second frame.

Although the Lady Tigers attempted to mount a comeback, tying the set twice, they never took the lead. Houston would eventually clinch the frame 25-20. 

The offensive dominance by the Cougars was a team effort as 10 Cougars recorded a kill led by Barron’s nine.

Redshirt freshman Ashlyn Bellayn followed closely behind and recorded her first collegiate kills, ending the night with six. 

The dominating start 

On Sept. 19 Houston swept Texas A&M Commerce, with a 3-0 win. The Cougars clinches the sets 25-5, 25-14, and 25-22.

Houston set the tone early as they gave up just five points. The Cougars held the Lions to a hitting percentage of -0.158 and committed just one error on offense. 

The third set was more difficult than the first two, which Houston easily won. With 12 ties and seven lead changes, the Lions put up a fight. 

Houston’s persistence was evident in the closing moments, as a 3-0 run concluded the set and match with a 25-22 success.

Houston’s performance in this victory demonstrated their offensive and defensive ability as a unit, hitting .374 while holding the Lions to just one block the entire game.

Junior outside hitter Avery Shimaitis was key in the victory. With 13 kills and just one miss in 17 attempts, Shimaitis had a career-high performance, leading in an incredible.706 hitting percentage. 

Shimaitis’s second double-digit kill effort of the year solidified her position as a vital member of the Cougars’ starting lineup.

Senior outside hitter Katie Corelli had 10 kills Grieve added eleven.

Houston found success from the service line, recording 10 service aces, four coming from Barron.

Redshirt sophomore middle blocker Ella Wendel had a personal high in blocks on defense. 

With the win, head coach David Rehr strengthened his incredible track record of success against teams with a hitting percentage below .200.

The Cougars now sit at 5-5 on the season.

Next up the Cougars will head on the road to begin Big 12 Conference play with a matchup against No. 9 Kansas State on Sept 25.

sports@thedailycougar.com

—
“Houston volleyball closes out non-conference play with two wins in Cougar Classic” was originally posted on The Cougar

Getting to play two days of golf surrounded by friends, family and gorgeous green scenery is a nice consolation prize for Colorado State women’s golf. 

Victory eluded CSU in its only home tournament of the season, the Ptarmigan Ram Classic. The Rams finished one above par through three rounds, falling short to Cal Poly, which finished 12 strokes under par, and UC Davis, which finished 20 strokes under par.

Pemika Arphamongkol and Kara Kaneshiro were the Rams’ two highest finishers, placing fifth and sixth, respectively. Arphamongkol shot five strokes under par, and Kaneshiro shot six strokes under par but finished her final round with no bogeys. 

“It doesn’t happen too often, even with some of the tricky pins out there,” Kaneshiro said. “So it feels really good to have no bogeys — could have dropped a couple more putts, but overall, it was a good day.”

The one home tournament of the season is a nice break for the Rams, whose schedules are often filled with travel. 

Even though the outcome wasn’t what the team hoped for, the ease of not having to travel is much appreciated. 

“It’s definitely nice to sleep in our own beds,” Kaneshiro said. “But it’s also awesome because we know the course, we know we can play well, and so we just go out and have fun.”

Being able to get the rest that comes with not traveling is a nice little break for CSU. 

“I agree that it’s good to be back home,” Arphamongkol said. “The hotel gives a different vibe, so I feel like we got the most rest out of all the tournaments.”

For a team as young as the Rams, being at home can help ground them and settle some nerves.

CSU had two first-year students, a sophomore and two seniors as part of its lineup on Tuesday. Senior Lacey Uchida finished four strokes above par, first-year Jacinda Lee finished eight strokes above par and first-year Ebba Thalen finished 18 strokes above par. 

Having those young players get the experience they have so far will be crucial for their development. In golf, coach Laura Cilek said they can practice a lot, but getting out there and playing is important to that development.

“When you’re practicing, it’s not the same as when you’re on the golf course,” Cilek said. “The pressure, all of that, just getting them in a tournament setting, in the lineup, feeling that pressure — the more they do it, the better they’re going to get.”

This was the 24rd installation of the Ptarmigan Ram Classic, something CSU has only won thrice in its history: in 2001, 2004 and 2023.

But not every school gets to have a home tournament, so no matter their finish, this one is special for the Rams. 

“A lot of teams don’t ever host a home tournament,” Cilek said. “So we’re really lucky that we get to play at one of our home courses. … It’s like our one opportunity to play a home game.”

Reach Damon Cook at sports@collegian.com or on Twitter @dwcook2001.

Interested in more sports content? Sign up for Ram Report here for weekly CSU sports updates!

The Student Art League hosted the reception for its first exhibition on Sept. 19 at the Hixon Student Gallery.

Members of the Student Art League are currently displaying their art in the student gallery. Viewers can enjoy a diverse mix of mediums, including digital art, graphite and charcoal, oil paintings and collages.

“Break Between Busy Worlds” by Ethan Cormac is an acrylic painting displayed on a skateboard. “Tea-Rex” by Miko Bowhay is a small ceramic Tyrannosaurus Rex shaped like a tea infuser. In “The Ravine,” Sophie Rodin inks a heart in the hollowed-out pages of a book.

At the reception, the Hixon Gallery was packed with students, members of the Student Art League, the artists whose work is on display and the dozens of other students and faculty members who came out to support them.

The Student Art League’s exhibition will be on display until Sept. 26. The league’s Instagram can be found here.

The University of Maine faces ongoing housing challenges as it welcomes a record number of students for the 2024-25 academic year. Amid an ongoing housing crisis on and off campus, students expressed mixed reactions to the University’s temporary housing measures and how Estabrooke Hall’s closure was communicated.

The 2024-25 academic year at UMaine Orono welcomed its largest student body to date, with 10,600 students enrolled (including 2,100 first-year students). 

“We have had an unprecedented demand for housing on campus from first-year and upper class students,” said UMaine Vice President of Finance and Chief Business Officer Kelly Sparks. “This year, UMaine is housing 3,576 students, meeting our commitment to housing all first-year students. Overall, enrollment is up by approximately 13%…[Our student body is] the largest in the System.” 

The pressure for students to secure adequate housing before the semester began only intensified with this higher student population. In light of anticipated housing challenges, students shared concerns of how the closure of Estabrooke Hall —a newly-renovated dormitory converted into an office space after closing in Spring 2024— has contributed to what some deem to be inadequate rooming accommodations offered to students.

Beyond navigating a busier campus and housing crisis, many students are preoccupied with the challenges of full-time enrollment while working part-time jobs. According to the 2023 National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE), a student taking 15 credits should plan to “dedicate 30 to 45 hours per week to academic tasks.” Approximately 87% of UMaine students are enrolled full-time, according to the UMaine’s Office of Institutional Research and Assessment. 

Besides their academic commitments, 42.4% of full-time college students worked part-time jobs during the previous academic year, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. With rising inflation and Zillow reporting Bangor’s median rent at $1,650, more students than ever are working part-time to cover living expenses.

The data highlighting student realities begs the question: “Where do students in overflow housing sleep after a long day of attending classes and working?” 

“I figured it would be the topic of the night…the housing situation on campus. Currently, there are 23 rooms that are tripled, which is 69 students. They have 109 students in temporary lounges, 10 undergraduates temporarily at Hotel Ursa, 20 permanently housed at Orchard Trails and eight students still unassigned, though all were offered housing,” said President Keegan Tripp at the Sept 10 UMaine Student Government (UMSG) meeting.

The closure of Estabrooke Hall reduced residential spaces by 96 beds, prompting UMaine to implement various last-minute solutions to accommodate affected students.

“Students who applied after June 1, and/or paid the housing deposit after July 12, were assigned to overflow housing,” said Sparks.

For some students, these solutions and how they were communicated fell short of expectations. 

“We were told nothing. The University just decided to close down the building… no one reacted because it was done out of the blue,” said an anonymous student Resident Assistant (RA).

The source added that Estabrooke’s rooms were some of the most desirable on campus, stating, “Everyone wanted to be in that dorm. It was newly renovated too.”

Despite ongoing conversations about the adequacy of new housing assignments, students allegedly received a discount for being placed in overflow accommodations. 

“Any student assigned to overflow housing in a triple or lounge — found in Knox, Oxford, Somerset, Androscoggin, Gannett, Cumberland, Hancock, Hart and York Halls — will receive a discount on their housing costs,” said Sparks.

The anonymous RA also reported that they believed students would be refunded 33% of every night they have to stay in the temporary housing.

“Essentially, what I was told is that students affected by temporary housing placements will be getting a 33% refund for their housing–for however many nights they’re in a temporary situation,” confirmed Tripp at the Sept. 10 UMSG meeting. 

UMaine administrators, such as Sparks, seem optimistic and promote the benefits of communal campus living. 

“While these are not our normal housing conditions, it has been exciting to hear about students who have met roommates in their triple or quad that they enjoy— forging relationships that will last a lifetime,” said Sparks. “We’ve had several students from lounges reach out to share that they hope to stay together as long as possible. That is what we see living in campus housing as—creating lifelong friendships, forging communities and discovering your people!”

In contrast, some students remain unconvinced. 

“I know many people who signed up for singles, got confirmed in a single, and then, right before the year started, the University forced their single to become a double,” said the anonymous RA.

 “During RA training, when we were being told about the housing crisis, an RA asked ResLife, ‘Will the university be bringing back Estabrooke to alleviate the housing shortage?’ A director responded, saying: “’I was on a phone call and asked that same question, and it was dismissed.’”

As UMaine grapples with its largest student body and a lingering housing crisis, students are left wondering when the University will find a sustainable solution to ensure that all students —including those who apply late or request single rooms— have secure and comfortable housing before more administrative spaces are prioritized. 

The Maine Campus wants to encourage continued student and faculty feedback on developments regarding the housing crisis on campus and in our communities. Please reach out to news@mainecampus.com with your thoughts.

Infertility affects millions of people in the United States, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Outside its existing legislative protections in Massachusetts, IVF has come under national scrutiny, which coincides with the upcoming presidential election.