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

Kimberly Morales, Carrington Power, and Jolie Asuncion
February 21, 2022
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
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 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.

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 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
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.

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 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.

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 Science Building on Oct. 22.

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

Kimberly Morales, News Reporter
October 23, 2021
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
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
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
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
Kendall Hall on Sept. 28.

COVID-19 deadlines expose vaccinated students

Kimberly Morales, Reporter
October 2, 2021
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
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
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 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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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

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
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
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
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
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
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

Chloe Curtis, Kimberly Morales, and Matthew Wreden
September 9, 2020
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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
Front view of Kendall Hall

[Photo] California bans legacy admissions at private universities

October 3, 2024
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 holds annual sustainability conference online to discuss resiliency, city planning.

Kimberly Morales, Staff Writer
April 9, 2020

Battling the opioid crisis with Naloxone

Kimberly Morales, Staff Writer
March 18, 2020

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

Kimberly Morales, Staff Writer
March 14, 2020
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
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

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

Kimberly Morales, Staff Writer
March 11, 2020
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 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
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
A woman is driving a car simulating drunk driving.

Chico State learns the dangerous truth behind drunk driving

Kimberly Morales
February 20, 2020

Camp Fire mapping forum discusses data and demographics following the fire

Kimberly Morales
February 12, 2020

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

Kimberly Morales
February 12, 2020
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 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 protestors say, ‘No war with Iran’

Kimberly Morales
January 30, 2020
The outside of the downtown Starbucks

Downtown Starbucks burglarized by man armed with taser

Kimberly Morales
January 29, 2020
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
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
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
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 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
Chief John Reid of University Police. Photo credit: Natalie Hanson

University Police respond to library evacuation controversy

Kimberly Morales
November 20, 2019
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
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
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

‘Reflections and Hope’ one year later

Kimberly Morales
November 12, 2019
Police Blotter: Multiple child endangerment reports and more

Police Blotter: Multiple child endangerment reports and more

Kimberly Morales and Angelina Mendez
November 9, 2019
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
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