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Chico State's independent student newspaper

The Orion

Chico State's independent student newspaper

The Orion

Chico State's independent student newspaper

The Orion

Kimberly Morales, Reporter

Kim moved away from her hometown, Fullerton, California to Chico to work towards a degree in journalism with an emphasis in the news option at Chico State. In her fourth semester at The Orion, Kim regularly reports topics such as local politics, crime and more. Since joining The Orion, Kim has contributed to Calmatter’s college beat during the spring 2020 semester and later joined NPR’s program, Next Generation Radio in collaboration with Capradio to produce an audio story back in the fall 2020 semester. In her spare time, Kim enjoys trying to find the best coffee spot in Chico with her roommate.

All content by Kimberly Morales
An audience of around 200 guests joined the Chico Unified School District Board of Education regular meeting at Marigold Elementary School on Feb. 16. Photo taken by Jolie Asuncion

Chico BOE meeting includes mask mandate protest, district mapping debate

The Chico Unified School District Board of Education was met by a crowd of parents and children protesting mask mandates on Feb. 16 at Marigold Elementary School.  The meeting occurred the day...

A crowd was gathered in front of Kendall Hall for a moment of silence to remember the Camp Fire on Nov. 8.

Remembering the Camp Fire, commemorating ridge resilience

Kimberly Morales, Reporter
November 9, 2021

For 85 seconds, Chico State held a moment of silence in front of Kendall Hall to honor the lives lost during the Camp Fire, which leveled Paradise exactly three years ago and became the state's deadliest...

Chico State CFA walked through Kendall Hall to deliver a petition to President Gayle Hutchinson on Nov. 8.

Chico State labor union delivers petition to Gayle Hutchinson

Kimberly Morales, Reporter
November 9, 2021

The California Faculty Association of Chico State walked through Kendall Hall on Monday to deliver a signed petition to President Gayle Hutchinson asking her to encourage the California State University...

The CFA walked through Kendall Hall holding a petition that delivered 299 signatures on Nov. 8.

The CFA walked through Kendall Hall holding a petition that delivered 299 signatures on Nov. 8.

Flags were lined across Skyway to remember the 85 people who lost their lives three years ago during the Camp Fire on Nov. 8.

Flags were lined across Skyway to remember the 85 people who lost their lives three years ago during the Camp Fire on Nov. 8.

Chancellor Joseph Castro shared a press conference with local media on Nov. 2.

Q&A: Chancellor discusses COVID-19 at Chico State, addresses enrollment decline and turns down tuition reimbursement

Kimberly Morales, Reporter
November 4, 2021

California State University Chancellor Joseph Castro shared a press conference with President Gayle Hutchinson for local media on Tuesday during his visit to the university. Castro is currently serving...

California State University Chancellor Joseph Castro in Colusa Hall on Nov. 2.

CSU Chancellor Castro: no to tuition increases, yes to salary negotiations and mental health resources

Kimberly Morales, Reporter
November 3, 2021

California State University Chancellor Joseph Castro joined President Gayle Hutchinson on Tuesday afternoon to host an open forum for the Chico State community. He was welcomed by students, faculty and...

Ben Duarte, outreach specialist for Chico STEM Connections Collaborative in Colusa Hall on Nov. 2

Ben Duarte, outreach specialist for Chico STEM Connections Collaborative in Colusa Hall on Nov. 2

Members of the California Faculty Association attended the open forum featuring CSU Chancellor Joseph Castro to voice concerns about faculty working conditions.

Members of the California Faculty Association attended the open forum featuring CSU Chancellor Joseph Castro to voice concerns about faculty working conditions.

California State University Chancellor Joseph Castro in Colusa Hall on Nov. 2.

[Photo] CSU Chancellor Castro resigns

February 17, 2022

California State University Chancellor Joseph Castro in Colusa Hall on Nov. 2.

California State University Chancellor Joseph Castro was welcomed to campus on Nov. 2 by students, faculty and staff who voiced their concerns about wages, learning conditions and faculty diversity on campus.

California State University Chancellor Joseph Castro was welcomed to campus on Nov. 2 by students, faculty and staff who voiced their concerns about wages, learning conditions and faculty diversity on...

Chico State President speaking on her support for freedom of speech on campus in 2018. Photo credit: Christian Solis.

President Hutchinson discusses enrollment decline, COVID-19 and remote learning

Alex Martin, Ian Hilton and Kimberly Morales
October 26, 2021

The Orion sat down with Chico State President Gayle Hutchinson on Monday to discuss three pressing topics within the Chico State community. In the 30-minute interview, our team asked Hutchinson about...

The Science Building on Oct. 22.

Chico State continues downward trend in enrollment, fall 2021 data shows

Kimberly Morales, News Reporter
October 23, 2021

Chico State’s enrollment has continued to decrease annually since the 2017-2018 academic year, according to the university’s interactive data dashboard. The official count of students enrolled...

Silvia Bustos prepares a flu vaccine outside of the Meriam Library on Oct. 22

Chico State: 86% of students vaccinated, nearly 600 religious exemptions granted

Kimberly Morales, News Reporter
October 23, 2021

Chico State reported on Wednesday that 86% of students have been vaccinated against COVID-19; the university has also disclosed that it granted 10 religious exemptions for every one medical exemption.  As...

IT Support Services, located in the Meriam Library, Room 142 on Oct. 22

Chico State graduate charged in data breach; professor cleared

Kimberly Morales, News Reporter
October 23, 2021

The Butte County District Attorney’s Office has charged a recent Chico State graduate with two misdemeanor counts of unauthorized computer access following the August data breach at Chico State that...

Christian Hammond solely operates the BC19.Live dashboard which tracks COVID-19 data pertaining to Butte County.

One-man job: data-tracking the pandemic in Butte County

Kimberly Morales, Reporter
October 13, 2021

In the wake of the pandemic, one man brought it upon himself to regularly aggregate COVID-19 data to paint a more complete picture of how infection was spreading across Butte County. More than a year...

Christian Hammond is a software developer, with roots in Chico but based in the Bay Area.

Christian Hammond is a software developer, with roots in Chico but based in the Bay Area.

Trinity Hall on Sept. 28

CORRECTION – Chico State: Former employee involved in August student data breach ‘facing criminal prosecution’

Kimberly Morales, Reporter
October 5, 2021

A former Chico State employee who allegedly used access credentials to expose and publish the personal information of roughly 130 students who requested exemptions from the university’s COVID-19 mandate...

Kendall Hall on Sept. 28.

COVID-19 deadlines expose vaccinated students

Kimberly Morales, Reporter
October 2, 2021

The five-week gap between the start of August classes at Chico State and the Sept. 30 CSU cutoff for COVID-19 vaccine certification allowed hundreds of unvaccinated students to access campus facilities...

Kendall Hall on Sept. 28

Over 300 Chico State students removed from in-person classes for failing to comply with vaccine policy

Kimberly Morales, Reporter
October 2, 2021

Three hundred and fourteen Chico State students who failed to comply with the CSU system's vaccine intermediate policy have been withdrawn from in-person classes. Faculty were advised in an announcement...

Jesus Alcala Garcia walked into Chico State's last COVID-19 vaccine clinic on Sept. 14 to receive his final vaccine.

COVID-19 deadline extended for partially vaccinated past Sept. 30

Kimberly Morales, Reporter
September 22, 2021

Hundreds of students who are short one vaccine by the Sept. 30 deadline to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 may receive an extension to avoid being removed from their in-person classes. Students...

Oscar Rivera (left) pictured with interpreter Masud (right) during Rivera's service in Afghanistan. Photo courtesy of Oscar Rivera, 2005.

Twenty years later: Chico State veterans remember the 9/11 attacks

Ava Norgrove and Kimberly Morales
September 11, 2021

The world was beginning to step into the early stages of the new millennium when four hijacked airplanes brought the nation to a grinding halt.  Millions of people living in America held their...

The exposure of sensitive information that was provided when requesting a religious exemption from COVID-19 has lead to investigations by the University and campus police. Sept. 3, 2021.

Investigation underway following data leak

Kimberly Morales, Reporter
September 5, 2021
The exposure of sensitive information that was provided when requesting a religious exemption from COVID-19 has lead to investigations by the University and campus police. Photo taken by Kimberly Morales on Sept. 3
Front view of Kendall Hall

UPDATED FOR CLARITY: Internal investigation finds $1 million in alleged fraud by 4 employees of Chico State’s Department of Accounting

Kimberly Morales
December 23, 2020

Chico State has placed four employees in the College of Business’ Accounting Department on leave after an internal investigation concluded they received an alleged $1 million in “inappropriate compensation...

Unofficial election results show a trend of conservative wins for Chico City Council seats. Photo taken on Nov. 3 by Kimberly Morales

Early Chico City Council election results suggest incumbent defeats, conservative gains

Kimberly Morales, News Editor
November 4, 2020

Unofficial results from the 2020 election in Butte County show steady Democratic support nationally but strong conservative gains in the contentious city council races. All results remain unofficial...

Meriam Library on Sept 2 2020.

Chico State sees drop in new students and transfers despite growing total enrollment across CSU

Kimberly Morales, News Editor
October 27, 2020

Chico State has seen a small decrease in total enrollment for the fall semester — but a nearly 10% drop in first-time freshmen and a 5% decline in transfers — despite an overall increase in enrollment...

A press release from Candace Grubbs, Butte County Clerk-Recorder and the Registrar of Voters noted updated numbers of registered voters and collected ballots.

Butte County registrations over 100,000; Chico State registers over 1000

Kimberly Morales, News Editor
October 20, 2020

A press release from Candace Grubbs, Butte County Clerk-Recorder and the Registrar of Voters noted updated numbers of registered voters and collected ballots.

Butte County was updated to a "moderate" risk level in California's blueprint for a safer economy.

Butte County moves down to ‘moderate’ COVID-19 risk level, bars to open

Kimberly Morales, News Editor
October 20, 2020

Butte County has moved out from a “substantial” COVID-19 risk level to a “moderate” level under California’s Blueprint for a Safer Economy guidelines. The county will now have the capacity to...

The WREC will reopen for limited indoor activity on Oct. 19

WREC to reopen under limited county guidelines

Kimberly Morales, News Editor
October 10, 2020

Chico State’s Wildcat Recreation Center will begin its reopening process on Oct. 19 after Butte County was moved to a lower-risk tier in California’s COVID-19 reopening guidelines. The fitness center,...

A photo of CSU chancellor select, Dr. Joseph I. Castro

Q&A: Chancellor-select discusses COVID-19 enrollment, student fees, UPD and more

Kimberly Morales and Chloe Curtis
September 30, 2020

Dr. Joseph I. Castro, CSU chancellor-select, participated in a press conference for student media on Wednesday to answer questions for student-journalists across the 23-campus system.  Castro...

Butte County taken off most restrictive COVID-19 risk level, more businesses to open

Butte County taken off most restrictive COVID-19 risk level, more businesses to open

Kimberly Morales, Reporter
September 30, 2020

Butte County has moved to a less restrictive tier in California’s Blueprint for a Safer Economy and will now have the ability to open limited indoor dining, gyms, and more, Butte County Public Health...

Chico State Republicans President Michael Curry announced the call for the termination of employment and more against assistant professor Lindsay Briggs. Photo taken Sept. 17, 2020.

College Republicans Held Public Event Calling for Chico State to Dismiss Tenured Professor

Kimberly Morales, News Editor
September 20, 2020

Chico State Republicans held a public event outside Trinity Hall on Thursday morning to call for the termination of Dr. Lindsay Briggs, a tenured associate professor in the Department of Public Health...

Marc Reed arrived on campus Thursday morning wearing a mask labeled, "#DismissBriggs." Photo taken Sept. 17 2020.

Marc Reed arrived on campus Thursday morning wearing a mask labeled, "#DismissBriggs." Photo taken Sept. 17 2020.

Smoke from North Complex Fire over Bidwell Mansion, Sept. 9, 2020

Smoke from North Complex Fire over Bidwell Mansion, Sept. 9, 2020

Off-campus student costs decreased by roughly $3000 a year. Photo taken Sept. 2, 2020

[Photo] Chico State says off-campus housing prices decreased for 2020/2021 school year

September 13, 2020

Off-campus student costs decreased by roughly $3000 a year. Photo taken Sept. 2, 2020

CalFire map of the North Complex Fire, Sept. 11, 2020

Gov. Newsom signs inmate firefighter legislation in Butte as historic blaze rages on the ridge

Chloe Curtis, Kimberly Morales and Matthew Wreden
September 11, 2020

California Gov. Gavin Newsom arrived in Butte County on Friday amid the raging North Complex Fire and signed legislation, AB-2147, striking down barriers for inmate firefighters to become licensed after...

CSU Chancellor Timothy P. White

Q&A: CSU Chancellor responds to The Orion’s Spring 2021 questions

Kimberly Morales and Julian Mendoza
September 11, 2020

Chancellor Timothy P. White announced Thursday in a letter to all 23 institutions in the CSU system that most Spring 2021 classes will meet online. Following the announcement, The Orion posed some questions...

Campus on Sept. 9 during the North Complex Fire

10 dead in North Complex Fire; over 60,000 acres burned and 0% containment for West Zone

Chloe Curtis, Kimberly Morales and Matthew Wreden
September 10, 2020

The North Complex Fire continues to burn throughout Plumas, Yuba and Butte counties as firefighters and other personnel work around the clock to gain traction on the historic fire.  “It’s...

Chico State will continue virtual instruction through spring 2021. Photo taken Sept. 2, 2020.

[Photo] Chico State and CSU cancel in-person classes for Spring 2021 citing COVID-19 threat

Julian Mendoza, Mulitmedia Editor
September 10, 2020

Chico State will continue virtual instruction through spring 2021. Photo taken Sept. 2, 2020.

Campus on Sept. 9 during the North Complex Fire

North Complex Fire raging near Oroville; 3 dead, 12 missing, 2,000 structures damaged or destroyed

A Butte County fire task force held a press conference Wednesday night on Facebook Live to update the community on the rapidly evolving North Complex Fire near Oroville.   “This is the...

Front view of Kendall Hall

Butte County Public Health calls out college-age population for COVID-19 surge, Chico State students under investigation

Kimberly Morales, Editor
September 2, 2020

Butte County Public Health announced on Wednesday that within a week, the total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases among people ages 18-24 in Butte County had risen by 557.  Of the 557 cases,...

Front view of Kendall Hall

[Photo] California bans legacy admissions at private universities

October 3, 2024

Kendall Hall on Chico State campus. Students for Justice in Palestine will be holding an event for all students to show support for Muslim and Jewish faiths on Friday at 7:30 p.m. Taken on Sept. 2, 2020....

Covid-19 cases in Butte County as of Friday, Aug. 28.

Chico State stops in-person and hybrid courses, closes the dorms

Kimberly Morales, Reporter
August 30, 2020

Chico State announced Sunday evening that all remaining in-person classes will be suspended and resumed online. The university also canceled most on-campus housing because of a growing cluster of COVID-19...

Chico State holds annual sustainability conference online to discuss resiliency, city planning.

Kimberly Morales, Staff Writer
April 9, 2020

Chico State students, faculty and staff continued to host the 15th annual “This Way to Sustainability,” conference online on March 26 and 27 after COVID-19 restrictions moved the university to close...

Battling the opioid crisis with Naloxone

Kimberly Morales, Staff Writer
March 18, 2020

Training hosted by the Northern Valley Harm Reduction Coalition extended the conversation of preventing and surviving an opioid overdose on Monday, inside Blackbird Cafe.  The training opened...

Whitney Hall suspect found guilty of obtaining concealed firearm near dorm and more

Kimberly Morales, Staff Writer
March 14, 2020

The Butte County Superior Court was filled early the morning of March 3 as Kaine Langstaff entered his preliminary trial for allegedly committing four felonies only steps outside of Whitney Hall, a Chico...

Chico State suspends in-person instruction until April while campus remains open

Chico State suspends in-person instruction until April while campus remains open

Kimberly Morales, Staff Writer
March 13, 2020

Students and the campus community have been alerted by Chico State Alerts and the University President that face-to-face classes are cancelled until April 24, 2020 due to concerns of the coronavirus pandemic.  Returning...

The 2020 Presidential Primary Election saw Chico State’s first time as a voting center as the Bell Memorial Union opened on the second floor. Photo by Kimberly Morales.

University to work with Butte County Elections Office after Super Tuesday brought long lines to the BMU

Kimberly Morales and Donovan Corprue
March 13, 2020

After the last voter inside Chico State’s Bell Memorial Union voting center cast their ballot at 12:20 a.m. on Wednesday morning, the Butte County Elections Office began to investigate the leading causes...

Study abroad programs canceled amongst heavy cases of Coronavirus, select students to leave countries

Kimberly Morales, Staff Writer
March 11, 2020

Chico State and study abroad consortiums have begun to pull students from their study abroad programs amid the increase of coronavirus cases across the globe.  Students continuing toward their...

Butte Station opens up to CalFresh students to fight food insecurity

Butte Station opens up to CalFresh students to fight food insecurity

Kimberly Morales, Staff Writer
March 6, 2020

Chico State’s Hungry Wildcat Food Pantry celebrated outside of Butte Station as the popular convenience store became the newest location on campus to allow students to use their Electronic Benefit Transfer...

Chico Speaks presentation reviews data from student surveys regarding sexual assault, harassment

Chico Speaks presentation reviews data from student surveys regarding sexual assault, harassment

Kimberly Morales, Staff Writer
February 29, 2020

On Wednesday, Chico State’s: Safe Place, Title IX department, Associated Students Academic Senate and California Faculty Association hosted a keynote presentation. Chico State’s Department of Health...

The outside of the Chico State Wildcat Store.

Chico State bookstore faces decline in sales, Board of Directors review possible approaches

Kimberly Morales, Staff Writer
February 28, 2020

Chico State’s Associated Students, Board of Directors met on Feb. 14 to discuss agenda items, including the plan for the Chico State Wildcat Bookstore’s ended contract.  Chico State’s bookstore...

A woman is driving a car simulating drunk driving.

Chico State learns the dangerous truth behind drunk driving

Kimberly Morales
February 20, 2020

The UNITE ‘Arrive Alive’ tour set up outside of Tehama Hall to present a distracted driving simulation to students at Chico State on Feb. 11.  The simulation included several modes that would...

Camp Fire mapping forum discusses data and demographics following the fire

Kimberly Morales
February 12, 2020

A year following the Camp Fire, details and further understanding of California’s deadliest wildfire continue to emerge. On Thursday, Feb 5th, Peter Hansen, an IT consultant for Chico State with...

Affordable housing, sustainable living: Visions for Chico 2020 at The People’s State of the Union

Kimberly Morales
February 12, 2020

Members of the audience had the opportunity to speak to the panel about concerns such as the mobile home living situation in Paradise. Photo by Dayanna Negrete Following the State of the Union address...

Gayle Hutchinson presents information during her presidential address in the Performing Arts Center at Chico State.

Gayle Hutchinson reports enrollment shortage and new Camp Fire database

Kimberly Morales
February 5, 2020

Chico State President Gayle Hutchinson addressed crucial information currently facing the university during her State of the University Address. This included information on the university’s budget,...

Chico State Officer Alexander Scott received accolades for saving the life of a Chico State student last fall.

University Police Officer awarded after saving the life of Whitney Hall resident

Kimberly Morales
February 5, 2020

Chico State Police officer Alexander Scott saved the life of a Chico State student over a year ago. Wednesday, Officer Scott was awarded for his vital aid and quick thinking.  On September 19, 2018,...

Chico protestors say, ‘No war with Iran’

Kimberly Morales
January 30, 2020

On Saturday, members of the city of Chico became participants in the global, ‘No War with Iran,’ anti-war campaign.  Worldwide, the size of participation in the anti-war campaign saw an increase...

The outside of the downtown Starbucks

Downtown Starbucks burglarized by man armed with taser

Kimberly Morales
January 29, 2020

On Wednesday at approximately 9:30 a.m., the Starbucks at the intersection of Broadway and E 3rd St. in Downtown Chico reported to officers that a subject had shoplifted and then pulled a taser on an employee...

The GAC focuses on respectfully listening to each other's opinions. Photo credit: Hana Beaty

Government Affairs Committee approves white supremacy and hate speech resolution

Kimberly Morales
December 7, 2019

Two weeks since the Chico State community witnessed campus-wide political tension and lost some of its sense of safety, the Government Affairs Committee approved a resolution to denounce white supremacy...

Transfer student Gabby Larocco found trash alongside the creek such as bike parts and washed away food wrappers. Photo credit: Kimberly Morales

AS Sustainability hosts final fall creek cleanup

Kimberly Morales
December 7, 2019

On Wednesday, Associated Students Sustainability joined Community Action Volunteers in Education to host the final creek cleanup of the semester. The organization led students who continued to show...

The city of Chico joined Butte County in drawing plans to create more competitive and sustainable energy rates for local residents. Photo credit: Kimberly Morales

Chico sparks new energy authority with Butte County supervisors

Kimberly Morales
December 2, 2019

Butte County has declared a hand in the market for electricity with Chico, the largest city in the county, as a partner to introduce an alternative for residents to buy their power from.The purpose of...

The audience taking notes on what the presenters were discussing. Photo credit: Hana Beaty

Chico council meeting examines districting, price gouging and cannabis sales

Kimberly Morales
November 26, 2019

On Tuesday, Chico City Council discussed district-based elections and present possible options and various aspects of commercial cannabis.Through an attempt to avoid a council stronghold, the city council...

On Thursday Associated Student Government Affairs Committee were introduced two added agenda items including the event hosted by Chico Hillel and a proposition to officially denounce White Supremacy. Photo credit: Kimberly Morales

Government Affairs considers protest of Zionist speaker, criticism of Associated Students

Kimberly Morales
November 20, 2019

A week after Israeli speaker Neil Lazarus was invited to campus, two added agenda items were brought to the Associated Students Government Affairs committee meeting Thursday.Government Affairs considered...

Chief John Reid of University Police. Photo credit: Natalie Hanson

University Police respond to library evacuation controversy

Kimberly Morales
November 20, 2019

Student safety has been in the public eye, with two incidents involving a sudden, improvised evacuation in the Meriam Library and a suspicious message carved into the wall of a bathroom in the library.While...

People congregate together and had a candlelit vigil. Photo credit: Hana Beaty

Butte County Youth Advisory holds candlelit vigil to remember homeless youth

Kimberly Morales
November 19, 2019

On Tuesday night a candlelight vigil was held at the steps of ‪the Chico City Council Chambers honoring and remembering homeless youth‬. Hosted by the Butte County Youth Advisory Council, the...

Survey conducted last spring spotlights students’ experiences with sexual violence on campus. Photo credit: Kimberly Morales

Chico Speaks survey reveals on-campus sexual assault statistics

Kimberly Morales
November 16, 2019

After surveying students last spring, Chico State released a report regarding the incidents of sexual violence students reported.While the information compiled from the survey was extensive, requiring...

Marge Nelmes came to Chico City Plaza to remember her best friend, Lolene Rios of 46 years who passed away during the fire. Photo credit: Kimberly Morales

Butte County falls silent in remembrance of Camp Fire

Kimberly Morales
November 13, 2019

Friday, Nov. 8, marked a year since Butte County faced the deadliest wildfire in California history, and residents faced it with remembrance and hope. Gathering at various locations in Chico State and...

‘Reflections and Hope’ one year later

Kimberly Morales
November 12, 2019

On Thursday, the Museum of Northern Californian Art opened the doors to their latest display, "Reflection and Hope: A Year to Remember," and "Bench Press: Please Be Seated."Currently on display together,...

Police Blotter: Multiple child endangerment reports and more

Police Blotter: Multiple child endangerment reports and more

Kimberly Morales and Angelina Mendez
November 9, 2019

University Police Call Type: Disturbance Tues, Oct 29, 5:29 p.m. 500 Block of W 2nd St. Call received for a complaint of a possible alcohol-related crime around the Bell Memorial Union. Upon...

Associate planner Dexter O'Connell shared his opinion with the group. Photo credit: Hana Beaty

Forum explores relationship of local housing, climate change

Kimberly Morales
November 7, 2019

On Wednesday, Butte Environmental Council hosted a listening session designed to educate the community about the role housing plays in climate change, while allowing discussion to examine the possible...