The University of Utah women’s basketball season can be defined in no other way than as a smashing success. The Utes went from a five-win team to a 20-win team seemingly overnight. They also won a NCAA tournament game in the process while clinching second place in the Pac-12 tournament.

Head coach Lynne Roberts was incredibly proud of her team after an amazing season, and rightfully so.

“I told them after the game that sometimes you just have to give the other team credit,” Roberts said. “I thought Texas played just incredibly well. I don’t want to move on too quickly. We deserve to enjoy the season we had.”

The Utes were a team largely driven by youth in 2022. The team’s two leading scorers were freshman Gianna Kneepkens (11 ppg) and Jenna Johnson (12 ppg). The two led the Utes through a gauntlet of a Pac-12 season and put up incredible performances in the Pac-12 tournament on their way to the conference final.

The two are only going to get stronger, faster and better at basketball. From freshman to sophomore year, fellow Utes Kennady McQueen and Brynna Maxwell made huge jumps. With the same coaching in place, the same should be expected for Kneepkens and Johnson.

Maxwell’s numbers dipped this year, on account of a move to the bench, but she was still a brilliant shooter when on the court.

“I told her chances are still going to come her way because she’s a great player, we just need something different from her this year,” said Roberts earlier in the season of Maxwell’s move to the bench.

Maxwell responded incredibly well to the role, providing key scoring streaks throughout the year when the first team guard Kneepkens wasn’t on the floor. Her role transformed to that of Jazz player Jordan Clarkson’s, a bench player with a constant green light when on the floor.

Shooters shoot, and Maxwell did just that, once again posting blistering numbers from three and averaging 10 points per game while seeing limited minutes, an incredibly impressive feat.

The number one issue that killed the Utes in 2021 was perimeter defense. McQueen came into the season determined to change that narrative.

It might be underselling it to say McQueen was one of the best perimeter defenders in the Pac-12 this year. McQueen’s constant defensive toughness served as a tone-setter for the team. It didn’t show up on the stat sheet, but watching the Utes you could see that McQueen was clearly the leader of the group by the end of the season. A calming presence and a tenacious defender, that along with transfer Dasia Young, helped bolster the Utes perimeter defense.

“I think there’s definitely been progressive changes of leadership roles coming from last year,” McQueen said. “And then just seeing that opportunity develop in front of me and just trying to follow Dru [Gylten]’s leadership. She’s the best leader I’ve ever followed. Like high school, club, out of everything, she sets the example.”

Accoding to Roberts, McQueen is phenomenal because she doesn’t quit.

Another critical part of the Utes’ season was three-point shooting. The Utes shot 30% from the three-point line in 2021. They shot 35% from three in 2022.

The mantra of Roberts’ teams has become “three and D.” That’s what the Utes did incredibly well this year, got good looks from deep and defended incredibly well.

What lies ahead for this Utes team is only positive. Most of the roster is slated to return in 2023. Roberts has proven she is one of the best coaches in the Pac-12. The next step for Utah is to be included as a top-25 ranked team in the nation. In a tough conference, that’s extremely doable. The Utes have now risen to the second tier of the Pac-12, sitting with teams like Oregon, Colorado and Washington State. The next step for everyone is to catch the powerhouse that is Stanford. It certainly is a few years away, but competing with the Cardinal is not an unrealistic expectation.

e.jensen@dailyutahchronicle.com

@ericjensensport

The post Amazing Run to the NCAA Tournament for Utah Women’s Basketball appeared first on The Daily Utah Chronicle.

Gerald Sastra/The Cougar

Students are currently finishing finals and awaiting summer break, with many having little to no plans in mind.

Here are some activities in Houston that students can add to their planners for the summer break. 

Catch a movie

Some amazing movies are coming out this summer. Why watch them in your room at home when you can watch them on the big screen?

Regal Cinemas, AMC Theaters and Cinemark all offer specialized student discounts for those who qualify when they buy at the box office.

Watch a ballet show

If you are someone who wants to curate your cultural knowledge or wants to support your community, The Houston Ballet is the place for you. 

The Houston Ballet offers a student rush, where college students can purchase tickets for $15 for participating shows in-person 90 minutes before their start. 

Make sure to check the specific dates and qualifying shows to get the most out of your experience.

Visit a museum

If you have not yet taken advantage of Houston’s Natural Science Museum or the Fine Arts Museum, now’s your chance. Both museums offer free admission on Thursdays to their permanent exhibitions. 

Visit Your local Top Golf

Tuesdays are half-price days. Show your competitive spirit or laid-back style at a Top Golf near you. 

Visit the Houston Zoo

Free admission is offered for one student per visit at our Houston Zoo, the current home of Shasta, UH’s mascot. Make sure to bring a valid student ID.

Visit the Rosenberg Railroad Museum

If you are looking for a laid-back event while learning about the Texas rail history, visit the Rosenberg Railroad Museum. Tickets are $9 for adults.

Shop at Your local farmer’s market

It’s always encouraged to shop local, and now that the summer months are heating up, this is the best time to buy your groceries in support of your next-door neighbor. Make sure to check out the Urban Harvest, East End and Houston Farmers Markets.

Go to Space Center Houston

Calling all students who wanted to be astronauts when they were kids. Space Center Houston is the way to go to learn more about history and space.

Take photos at Twilight Epiphany Skyspace

Are you trying to up your Instagram game? Look no further than the Twilight Epiphany Skyspace. Make sure to visit one of Houston’s most iconic public works.

arts@thedailycougar.com

—
“Summer break activities for students in Houston” was originally posted on The Cougar

The post appeared first on The Emory Wheel.

‘A pinnacle of women’s rights’: Potential Roe v. Wade reversal sparks concern

Can Jozef Saul/Staff

Following a leaked Supreme Court opinion draft, UC campuses organized rallies and statements in response to the potential overturning of Roe v. Wade.

Concerns for the future of women’s reproductive rights have risen in Berkeley and beyond after Politico leaked a Supreme Court opinion draft that could overturn Roe v. Wade.

Hundreds of Berkeley community members have since taken to the streets in protest, while various UC campuses and the UC Student Association are working to issue statements in response, according to ASUC External Affairs Vice President Riya Master.

“To see it potentially overturned or somehow mitigated in my lifetime is something I never imagined happening,” Master said. “It’s definitely scary.”

While reversing Roe v. Wade would unravel a constitutional right to abortion access, the California legislature has announced plans to make the state a “sanctuary” for those seeking abortions, including individuals from neighboring states that might render abortions illegal.

UC Berkeley School of Law Dean Erwin Chemerinsky added that he expects California will allocate additional funds to support women from states where abortions will be outlawed. He also anticipates additional funds will be available for women who cannot afford to travel to get an abortion.

“What was released on Monday was a leaked draft opinion,” Chemerinsky said in an email. “It could change before the final decision is released between now and the end of June. But it is clear that there are five votes to overrule Roe, now or soon.”

Viewing Roe v. Wade as “a pinnacle of women’s rights,” Master believes the potential overturn is much larger than a change in healthcare access. Rather, she sees it as part of a spiraling trend and fears the decision could lead to a “slippery slope” for the future of reproductive rights.

She noted that while some states, such as California, have made a commitment to offering abortions regardless of the Supreme Court ruling, pushback from some states has mounted over the years.

“What was even scarier is that I wasn’t even that shocked,” Master said. “It’s just another really awful thing on top the other awful things.”

In opposition to the leaked opinion draft, several UC campuses are holding a joint rally on Tuesday. Some campuses, such as UC Irvine and UC Santa Barbara, have been more proactive about spreading the word, Master said.

She also expressed concern about the rally’s turnout at UC Berkeley given it takes place during the campus finals week.

Meanwhile, in the EAVP office, Master has been working to bolster funding for medicated abortions on campus and ensure the menstrual equity bill passed last year can be implemented across the UC.

“Women throughout history have been fighting for their rights tooth and nail,” Master said. “Have faith in your voice and believe in your power.”

Contact Mallika Seshadri at mseshadri@dailycal.org and follow her on Twitter at @SeshadriMallika.

The Daily Californian

Watch Doctor Strange 2 in the Multiverse of Madness Online Free Streaming at Home Here’s How

Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness has finally arrived but when will you be able to watch it online? All the information you need to know.Amidst all the expansive theories and timeline chaos, prepare yourself for a multiverse of madness with the latest entry into the MCU — the new Doctor Strange movie premieres May 6 in theaters, but if you want to know how to watch it online, and when it will be available to stream on Disney+, read ahead.

Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is set after the events of 2021’s Spider-Man: No Way Home, which sees Doctor Strange break open the Multiverse to help his fellow Marvel superhero, Peter Parker / Spider-Man, become anonymous again. Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness sees Doctor Strange continue to learn of the repercussions that come with messing with time and space. In an interview with Rolling Stone in 2022, director Sam Raimi explained how Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is different than any other Marvel movie. “It’s a really complex movie,” he said. “It’s probably the most complex movie I’ve ever had anything to do with. Not just dealing with one character, or even five characters, but multiversal versions of those characters — and each one has a storyline.”

He also told the magazine about how the movie follows the storyline of Disney Plus’ 2021 miniseries, WandaVision, starring Elizabeth Olsen as Scarlet Witch / Wanda Maximoff. “I’m not really sure what the WandaVision schedule was or how it changed. I just know that halfway, or maybe three-quarters of the way into our writing process, I’d first heard of this show they were doing and that we would have to follow it,” he said. “Therefore, we had to really study what WandaVision was doing, so we could have a proper through line and character-growth dynamic. I never even saw all of WandaVision; I’ve just seen key moments of some episodes that I was told directly impact our storyline.”

While Raimi had to follow some of the story already told in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, he also revealed to Rolling Stone that the studio gave him “complete creative freedom” to tell his own story in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. “Well, let me say — and this may sound like I’m talking out of both sides of my mouth — that Marvel allowed me complete creative freedom,” he said. “However, it had to follow so many things in Marvel lore, [so] even though I had complete freedom, the previous movies and where Marvel wants to go in the future really directed the path in an incredibly specific way. Within those parameters I have freedom, but I’ve got to tell the story of those characters in a way that ties in with all of the properties simultaneously. We had to make sure, for instance, that Doctor Strange didn’t know more than he had learned about the multiverse from No Way Home. And yet we had to make sure he wasn’t ignorant of things that he had already learned. So everything was dictated by what had become before.”

So when is Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness free on Disney Plus? Read on for how to watch Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness online for free and when it will be available to stream at no cost.

When Will Doctor Strange: Multiverse of Madness Be Released?

Doctor Strange: Multiverse of Madness will hit theaters on May 6, 2022 and like many recent movies and like many recent movies, it’s getting a wide release so you can watch it in-person. Tickets to see the film at your local movie theater are available online here.

Is Doctor Strange: Multiverse of Madness Available to Watch on Disney+?

Unlike other Marvel films this year that dropped simultaneously on Disney+ and in theaters, Doctor Strange: Multiverse of Mandess is currently only available to watch in theaters. But due to the massive amount of No Way Home torrents online that popped up after that release, Disney may just decide to push up the digital release date — but it just won’t be streaming on Disney+ yet.

Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is not currently streaming on Disney+, but as with most Marvel Studios films since November 2019, the movie will eventually release on the platform sometime later this year. It will be a theatrical exclusive for at least 45 days (or perhaps longer, given No Way Home‘s run was extended to 90), so you should expect to see it on the streamer sometime in July or August.

How to Watch Doctor Strange: Multiverse of Madness Free Online

Disney+ unfortunately doesn’t currently offer a free trial for new subscribers, but there are other ways to stream the MCU movies you’ll need to catch up on for free, and to have the streamer subscription for when Doctor Strange: Multiverse of Madness eventually drops on Disney+.

If you are a Verizon subscriber, you may be eligible for their “Disney+ On Us” deal giving you access to six months of Disney+ for free. Sign-up now or register for the free streaming deal with your Verizon plan . Then, you’ll be all set to stream Doctor Strange (2016), WandaVision, and more on Disney+.

Doctor Stranger: Multiverse of Madness 2022 Rating, Runtime, Cast, Description

The runtime for Doctor Strange: Multiverse of Madness is 2 hours and 6 minutes, and the film has a PG-13 rating. Directed by  Sam Raimi (of original Spider-Man fame), the film features several returning actors reprising their roles, including Benedict Cumberbatch as Stephen Strange, alongside Elizabeth Olsen as Wanda Maximoff, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Benedict Wong, Xochitl Gomez, Michael Stuhlbarg, and Rachel McAdams.

The film follows Cumberbatch’s Doctor Strange grappling with the fallout from Spider-Man: No Way Home. After casting a spell that opens up a doorway into the multiverse, a threat is unleashed that is far too great for him to handle on his own. Together with Wanda Maximoff (Scarlett Witch), Wong, and dimension-hopping hero America Chavez, he traverses the multiverse and must face off against a secret organization known as the Illuminati for his crimes against bending reality.

How to Watch the Original Doctor Strange Movie Online

If you want to catch up on both the original Doctor Strange (2016) film, and the WandaVision series (there might be some easter eggs and references to No Way Home as well), here’s how to watch the rest of the MCU films online.

The good news is that Doctor Strange (2016) and WandaVision are both currently available to stream on Disney+. With a Disney+ subscription you can can binge all the MCU movies and exclusive series with unlimited streaming.

It’s a little tricker for Spider-Man: No Way Home, which is currently unavailable to stream on Disney+. But if you want to watch Spider-Man: No Way Home online before heading to the theaters for Doctor Strange, you can purchase and watch the film on demand on Amazon Prime Video, Vudu, Google Play, Apple iTunes, Microsoft, and YouTube for $19.99.

Where can you watch Doctor Strange 2 online?

As Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is only in theaters, it will be a while before it arrives on any streaming service. That said, it will premiere on Disney Plus after the 45-day theatrical window and will soon make its way to home media and various VOD services after that.

As for other streamers, such as Netflix and HBO Max, don’t expect it to make its way to those as the Marvel movies stream exclusively on Disney Plus.

How to watch Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness online

How can fans watch Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness online? Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is expected to stream on Disney Plus sometime between June 20, 2022, and July 14, 2022. At a press conference in 2021, Disney CEO Bob Chapek announced that Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings—the first Marvel movie since the current health crisis to not stream on Disney Plus Premier Access at the same time as its theatrical release—would be available to stream 45 days after its premiere in theaters. “We value flexibility in being able to make last-minute calls,” Chapek said at the time. “Certainly when we planned we didn’t anticipate the resurgence of Covid.” Forty-five days after Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’ release date is June 20, 2022.

However, despite Chapek’s announcement about Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings‘ 45-day window, it took the film, which premiered on September 3, 2021, total of 70 days to officially arrive on Disney Plus on November 12, 2021. The next Marvel movie, Eternals (which premiered on November 5, 2021), took 68 days to arrive on Disney Plus on January 12, 2022. If Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness follows the same timeline, that means that it could 69 days from its premiere in theaters on May 6, 2022, before it’s available to stream on Disney Plus. That date would be July 14, 2022.

Disney Plus costs $7.99 per month or $79.99 per year (which saves users about $16 from the monthly price.) Disney Plus is also a part of The Disney Bundle, which includes Hulu, Disney Plus and ESPN Plus for $13.99 per month for Hulu with ads and $19.99 per month for Hulu with no ads.) The bundle saves users about $8 per month (or 25 percent) from subscribing to each service individually. (Disney Plus costs $7.99 per month, Hulu starts at $6.99 per month and ESPN Plus costs $6.99 per month for a total of $21.97 compared to The Disney Bundle’s $13.99 per month price.) Disney Plus and ESPN Plus also come free with Hulu+ With Live TV, which costs $69.99 per month. The deal saves users around $14.98 per month from subscribing to each service individually.

How to watch Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness online for free

How can fans watch Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness online for free? Read on for our tips and tricks to stream Doctor Strange 2 at no cost once it arrives on Disney Plus.

Watch Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness With Verizon’s Free Disney Plus Subscription

If you’re a Verizon customer (or know someone who is), Verizon offers free Disney Plus subscription with its Unlimited plans (a.k.a. Get More Unlimited, Play More Unlimited, Verizon Plan Unlimited, Go Unlimited, Beyond Unlimited and Above Unlimited.) If you have one of these plans, you can sign-up for a free six-month Disney+ subscription (which saves you about $42.) Click here for Verizon’s FAQ on how to sign up for its free Disney+ subscription.

Verizon customers with Get More Unlimited and Play More Unlimited plans are also eligible for their Disney Bundle, which offers not only a free Disney Plus subscription for as long as you have your Verizon plan, but also free Hulu and ESPN+ subscriptions too, which saves viewers about $12.99 per month. Click here for Verizon’s FAQ on how to sign up for its Disney Bundle. So there you have it—a way to watch Disney Plus for free.

Who’s in the Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness cast?

The Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness cast sees the return of Benedict Cumberbatch as Dr. Stephen Strange, Chiwetel Ejiofor as Karl Mordo, Benedict Wong as Wong, Rachel McAdams as Christine Palmer, and Michael Stuhlbarg as Nicodemus West from the first Doctor Strange movie in 2016. The Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness cast also includes Elizabeth Olsen as Wanda Maximoff / Scarlet Witch (who starred with Cumberbatch in 2018’s Avengers: Infinity War and 2019’s Avengers: Endgame), as well as introduces Xochitl Gomez as America Chavez. Patrick Stewart, who played role as Charles Xavier / Professor X in 20th Century Fox’s X-Men movies, also made a cameo in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.

See below for the full Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness cast.

• Benedict Cumberbatch as Dr. Stephen Strange
  
• Elizabeth Olsen as Wanda Maximoff / Scarlet Witch
  
• Chiwetel Ejiofor as Karl Mordo
  
• Benedict Wong as Wong
• Xochitl Gomez as America Chavez
  
• Michael Stuhlbarg as Nicodemus West
• Rachel McAdams as Christine Palmer
• Patrick Stewart as Charles Xavier / Professor X
• Hayley Atwell as Peggy Carter / Captain Carter
• Lashana Lynch as Maria Rambeau
• Anson Mount as Blackagar Boltagon / Black Bolt
• John Krasinski as Reed Richards / Mister Fantastic
• Julian Hilliard as Billy
• Jett Klyne as Tommy
• Topo Wresniwiro reprises his role as Hamir
• Sheila Atim as Sarah,
• Adam Hugill as Rintrah
• Charlize Theron as Clea
• Bruce Campbell as a Pizza Poppa owner

In an interview with Rolling Stone in 2022, director Sam Raimi explained how Cumberbatch differentiated his variations of Doctor Strange in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. “Noticing the little nuances that Benedict would come up with to differentiate his alter-self. Subtleties, waves of movement, distinct style of speech,” he said. He really is an actor’s actor, and he uses all the tools at his disposal quite elegantly. You can call ‘Action’ and then just lose yourself in his performance over the next two and a half minutes. You just have to remember to call ‘Cut,’ because he’s so spellbinding.”

Raimi also told Rolling Stone about how Olsen played a part in how Scarlet Witch’s story was told in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. “She had just come from that Emmy Award-winning show all about her character and the character’s growth. So it would be foolhardy to try and tell her who her character is or what her character was feeling at that moment. I can craft the the story going forward with her, but she’s got to be an integral part of the storytelling or it wouldn’t make any sense,” he said.

As for the cast member he was most surprised by, Raimi named Wong. “I think Benedict Wong. I didn’t know how funny he was in person, or how lively of a presence he was on set. He’s really super creative, and a great joy to work with. He really brings an energy and a sense of fun to his work that the movie really needs,” he said.

In an interview with Moviefone, Cumberbatch also agreed with a past statement Raimi made about how Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness will change how fans think about the character. “I like to think so. I mean, there’s an awful lot going on in this film. I hope that isn’t lost on people. There is some character development, which I think is pretty crucial to him. I think we’ve seen him in his first introduction to the Marvel cinematic universe, as he was an arrogant neurosurgeon and a man trapped in a gilded cage of his own making,” he said. “His ego was driving what he was doing, it was not out of a duty of caring. Then to have a duty of caring, the idea of doing things for others, being selfless and sacrificing, that came with his transition into a superhero.”

He continued, “I think since the last few films he’s been pretty omnipotent and unquestionable, and then a human relationship with Peter Parker has destabilized all that and creates the need for him to help someone he both admired as a fellow soldier on the battlefield, so to speak, but also as a human being who’d lost his mentor and someone he cared about by the end of the film. It opened up the problem that he still faces in his own character, which is this level of arrogance believing that his way is the only way and only he can actually solve the problem. I think what he learns in this is it’s better to act together than to act alone. That’s the big shift I’d say, without pointing too much in the direction of how that happens.”

Will there be a Doctor Strange 3?

Will there be a Doctor Strange 3? SPOILER: A third Doctor Strange movie was confirmed at the end of the Strange in the Multiverse of Madness credits, which read: “Doctor Strange will return.” However, it could be a while until Doctor Strange 3 comes out. In an interview with IGN in 2022, Cumberbatch was asked how he balances between acting and fatherhood. “It gets very multiversal in real life as well,” he said. (Cumberbatch shares sons Finn, 3, Hal, 5, and Christopher, 6, with wife Sophie Hatcher.) When asked if there’s a variant he’s like to be, Cumberbatch responded, “I guess one that’s less busy, maybe… I might be that variant very soon, which is nice – taking a bit of a break.” See below for the confirmed Marvel Cinematic Universe movies set to premiere after Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.

• Thor: Love and Thunder – July 8, 2022
• Black Panther: Wakanda Forever – November 11, 2022
• Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania – February 17, 2023
• Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 – May 5, 2023
• The Marvels – July 28, 2023
• Fantastic Four – TBD
• Blade – TBD

Benedict Cumberbatch returns as the former Sorcerer Supreme, aided in his mission by the current sorcerer to hold that title Wong, America Chavez and the Scarlet Witch Wanda Maximoff, in a film that promises to open the Marvel Cinematic Universe up to new possibilities.

The Daily Californian

A leak from inside the U.S. Supreme Court told millions of women their right to privacy and reproductive health care will be eviscerated. The explicit draft majority opinion written by Justice Samuel Alito states that the famous cases Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey will be reversed with a 6-vote majority. Over 50 years of women rightfully making their own health decisions could come to an end.

This shocking opinion doesn’t solely concern women. Roe v. Wade safely secured a woman’s right to choose under the due process clause of the 14th Amendment. The clause protects citizens from the state’s infringement on their own right to privacy. A reversal of Roe v. Wade would call into question every citizen’s right to privacy, especially in cases related to interracial and gay marriage, contraception and private sex.

Every citizen should be alarmed about a government body allowing states to interrupt private decisions, no matter their opinion of abortion. In addition, the leak of an undecided case risks our democratic order, as the Supreme Court now appears highly politicized and out of control to the general public.

The Unequivocal Need for Women to Choose

No matter your need for abortion, no government should have the right to interfere in medical decisions. The U.S. has the highest rate of mothers dying from childbirth compared to other developed nations, with deaths of women of color spiking in 2020. It is inhumane to force another to risk their life and wellbeing simply because they possess a cervix. 

On top of that, the U.S. is notorious for limiting access to proven methods of reducing abortions, like contraception and sex education. No regulations to healthcare exist for men, even though most can impregnate several women every day.

Abortions will continue after illegalization. As some states may ban traveling to others to receive an abortion, desperate women will find deadly ways to terminate their pregnancy. These individuals will include mothers, victims of sexual violence, child victims of incest, daughters, sisters and students. 

After Roe v. Wade, illegal abortions dropped by 113, 000 in two years. Criminalizing abortion will lead to a deadly future for generations of women.

Threats to Privacy

The original decision in Roe says “state criminal abortion laws … violate the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment, which protects against state action the right to privacy.” Women cannot be criminally prosecuted for receiving an abortion by a state, because the state has no right to interfere in private medical decisions.

Now, the court argues that the right to an abortion isn’t stated in the Constitution. However, neither is the right to privacy. Justice Alito claims Roe’s reasoning was “exceptionally weak,” despite previous cases using Roe as a strong basis for protecting citizens from states’ moral opinions. These cases include legalizing gay sex, interracial marriage, gay marriage and protecting access to contraception. 

Legal experts have warned that striking down the protection of abortion could risk Americans’ right to marry and/or have sex with who they choose, and if they decide, to have children. This threatens all Americans’ right to freedom and self-determination.

The Leak Undermines Our Democratic Order

The draft decision disregards the Court’s commitment to stare decisis, or following past decisions. The Court has a conservative majority, even though in theory it was created to be nonpartisan. A political court threatens the legitimacy and fairness of this decision and any others. 

For example, Justice Alito uses harsh and opinionated language, often using incorrect terms like “abortionist” to describe doctors who perform abortions. Justices who are unable to use factual evidence can’t be trusted to interpret our Constitution.

All of the conservative justices who make up the majority of the draft decision defended Roe in their confirmations, which calls into question their honesty to the American public.

The Supreme Court’s legitimacy and authority depend on its ability to judge fairly and determine the meaning of our laws. Our three-branch system requires an unbiased, apolitical Court to operate democratically. A politicized court is dangerous, especially considering citizens have little say in who can serve a lifetime term. If the court is swayed by its own personal feelings instead of following precedent, it can no longer be trusted in facilitating such broad, deadly decisions.

As a woman and survivor of sexual violence, I am horrified by the Supreme Court’s unlimited power to punish women and children for being born female. The majority of Americans support a woman’s right to choose. If the Court decides to be swayed by their own political beliefs and break the trust of Americans, their opinion should be reconsidered.

Generations of women are screaming in fear and desperation for their futures. If you aren’t frightened by this decision, it’s time to wake up.

a.hibben@dailyutahchronicle.com

@aya_hibben

The post Hibben: Overturning Roe v. Wade Threatens Our Democracy appeared first on The Daily Utah Chronicle.

How Tech Has Made Car-Leasing Easier

Mariana/Courtesy

More Americans are embracing the culture of leasing cars instead of buying. According to research, approximately 8 million cars were leased in 2020. This figure is expected to reach 10.12 million by 2026 as more people rent cars for commuting to work and business.

Technology has disrupted most sectors, and the car-leasing industry is no exception. Let’s look at how technology has made car leasing easier.

Easy Booking

Leasing a car was a long and cumbersome process before the advent of technology and the development of online booking platforms. People would queue and sit in dealerships for many hours, filling out paperwork and trying to meet all the requirements. 

Today, technology has made booking easier. Whether you want to lease a car for business or your daily commute, you can explore your preferred models and book online. Dealerships also have it easy. Technology allows them to keep up with high customer demand and deliver vehicles to clients’ doorsteps.

Wider Market

When Uber and other ridesharing services started, most people thought they would affect the car leasing industry. And while they’ve had a little impact, it’s insignificant because most people still prefer to lease private vehicles for prolonged private use.

Some car leasing companies have tapped into the newly created market to offer ride-hailing services. In this way, car leasing businesses have joined the ride-sharing industry and accessed a bigger market, all thanks to technology.

The Rise of Mobile Apps

Mobile apps have revolutionized most sectors, including healthcare, the motor industry, travel, tourism, and government services. The car-leasing industry has also had its fair share of benefits from applications: clients can use a car lease calculator app to estimate their monthly payments. On the other hand, dealerships can use mobile apps to track payments, generate invoices, send reminder emails, and follow up on late payments.

Connected Vehicle Technology

At the height of vehicle crimes such as carjacking and car theft, the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) introduced the Connected Vehicle Program to address the issue. Auto manufacturers, transportation agencies, and smartphone developers collaborated to create a connected communication program that lets one vehicle ‘talk’ with nearby cars or mobile devices. Car dealers and lessees can track stolen vehicles through GPS tracking. Car rental businesses can also monitor the location of all their cars at any given time.

Autonomous Vehicles

Self-driving cars offer several benefits. They reduce traffic accidents and offer easy access to transportation for disabled individuals. Vehicle manufacturers are working hard to provide autonomous vehicles to the public. Although some people are still skeptical about riding in a self-driving car, this is a great technology that will only get better in the coming years. Uber has started testing autonomous cars in Pennsylvania, so it won’t be long before they become a regular thing on American roads.

Technology has impacted the car-leasing industry both positively and negatively. People can book cars more easily and conveniently. Car-leasing companies can also use customized mobile apps to generate invoices, track payments, and remind lessees to make monthly payments. Also, connected vehicle technology has helped curb car theft by tracking missing vehicles.

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USC Student Health observed an increase in coronavirus cases on campus in the last several weeks, with cases almost doubling week after week. For the week ending April 30, self-reporting and campus testing totaled 300 positive cases, Chief Student Health Officer Dr. Sarah Van Orman said during a briefing with the Daily Trojan Thursday. The spike is not as severe as the exponential growth in cases during the height of the Omicron variant’s transmission in early January, when weekly counts neared 2,000 cases. 

The rise in positive cases parallels coronavirus conditions in Los Angeles County, which saw a 40% increase in cases this week over previous weeks and 126 cases per 100,000 residents, moving L.A. County back into the high transmission category. In stride with the increasing case counts, L.A. County revised its definition of a “close contact” to include someone sharing the same indoor space as a coronavirus-positive individual for a total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period. 

The modified definition prompted Student Health to begin issuing daily campuswide case tallies, Van Orman announced in a communitywide email Tuesday. Beginning Wednesday, all students and employees received the first daily count notification along with instructions for individuals who believe they’ve been exposed to the coronavirus through a close contact. Upon exposure, individuals must test immediately through pop testing, wear a well-fitted medical-grade mask while around others for 10 days and monitor their symptoms for 10 days. 

The daily notification alerted community members of 65 cases reported Wednesday, 56 reported Thursday and 51 reported Friday. Though case numbers have been elevated compared to earlier this month, Van Orman said Student Health has not observed a rise in hospitalizations or deaths — which are lagging indicators, meaning they would become apparent some time after a spike in cases — in the University community. 

“We think this increase [in cases] is being driven by just increased community transmission in general within Los Angeles, and we’re seeing this in pockets across the nation,” Van Orman said. “We’re very hopeful that some of the mitigation measures that are in place throughout [L.A. County], including high vaccine rates and availability of antivirals, will prevent [hospitalizations and deaths].”

Students and employees should use the daily notifications to judge their personal risk and the precautions they choose to take, Van Orman said. Despite the March 5 lift of the campus masking mandate, Student Health still highly recommends masking indoors to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Enforcement of isolation requirements and masking for close contacts is challenging, Van Orman said, so Student Health asks that community members do their part to abide by close contact protocols to minimize transmission. 

“We’re also trying to move from an enforcement perspective to really giving people good information,” she said. 

Though some students may hesitate to enter isolation if they have symptoms or refrain from being in a close-contact indoor setting because of final exams, which continue until May 11, Van Orman said she hopes students will choose to protect themselves and others. Student Health will support students who contract the coronavirus or develop symptoms before their in-person exam and work with individual schools to make accommodations. Shifting exams online would be an option, Van Orman said, if a significant outbreak took place, but that’s not “on the table” now.

Approximately 200 University-provided isolation spots are currently occupied. Students who have entered isolation recently and whose isolation period extends beyond their move-out date in USC Housing must contact the USC Housing Customer Service Center for their facility, said Director of USC Housing Chris Ponsiglione in a statement to the Daily Trojan. USC Housing will handle late vacate arrangements on a case-by-case basis.

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The Boston University Terriers men’s lacrosse team overcame a late comeback attempt by the Lehigh University Mountain Hawks to win the Patriot League Championship semifinal matchup 13-12 in overtime.

From May 2 to May 13, the Alvin Gittins Gallery on the University of Utah campus is holding “Sulky Sentiments,” an exhibition by artist Christina Riccio for her MFA thesis statement. Through the exhibition, Riccio uses ceramic pottery to examine experiences with mental health issues and lay bare their impact on her life. It is an extremely personal collection, both brave and intense but tempered with a sardonic, dark sense of humor.

Kitschy Figurines Used to Examine Mental Illness

The floor of the Alvin Gittins Gallery is dotted with pedestals on which sit tchotchke figurines, similar to those mass-produced by Hallmark or found on the shelves of a gray-haired grandmother. 

The glazed, earthenware figurines all have the same subject — a young woman with shiny anime eyes, cherubic cheeks and ash-blonde hair topped by a green, backward baseball cap. Each figurine’s stand is garnished with hearts and flowers. 

While the subject stays the same, the setting changes, depicting the myriad ways that Riccio’s mental health issues have reared themselves and how they manifest in her emotions. 

The figure dives headfirst into a beautifully rendered bag of Cheetos, binge drinks, sleeps atop a pile of medication and impulsively dyes its hair. 

A truly shocking moment comes when viewers stand before one particular figurine labeled “self-harm.” The figurine gazes upward with a bashful, embarrassed half-smile — the sort meant to disarm an authority figure when you have done something wrong. Only after walking behind the figurine does one realize that the arms tucked behind the back hide wounds and a razor. It is the best part of the exhibition.

Plates are mounted on the east-facing wall of the exhibition, on which the same figurine subject depicts what Riccio refers to as “The Seven Stages of Depression” — bed laying, doomscrolling, randomly falling asleep, ordering subpar take-out, being apathetic after dark, a trash nest, and binging TV and insomnia. Riccio boils each stage down to an almost iconographic level, ultimately creating a snapshot in time with startling clarity and purpose.

Presentation Hides Message and Emotion

Riccio’s art style is purposefully kitsch, modeled after Hallmark tchotchkes and other commercial art. I understand the intention of the exhibition is to juxtapose the treacly representation and the grimness of the subject matter by illustrating the dual nature of living with mental illness. 

There is a barely hidden sense of humor running through the pieces, from over-exaggerated facial expressions to the bright colors of the figurines, that prevents the work from becoming didactic and heavy-handed. This means that mental illness and its symptoms are more accessible to the general public — a good thing. Yet, kitsch is an art of shallow sentimentality and Riccio is unable to escape that. 

The presentation creates a barrier between itself and the emotion of the piece, preventing one from engaging with it on an emotional level. The frilly pink hearts and glistening eyes detract from Riccio’s message.

Riccio is able to take a lifetime of ways that mental illness manifests and strip it into a representative image in a way that is clear, striking and efficient. 

The fluorescent lights of the gallery are perhaps the most suitable way to view the pieces as there is no shading in Riccio’s work, and what you see is truly what you get. Conceivably, that is the right approach to a topic such as mental illness — hampered by the means of carrying the message. The focus on iconography makes the audience unable to connect or understand the emotions of the exhibition and leaves “Sulky Sentiment” in the shallow end.

m.fisher@dailyutahchronicle.com

@abovemegan

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