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The Orion

Chico State's independent student newspaper

The Orion

Chico State's independent student newspaper

The Orion

All content by Mitchell Kret
Photo credit: Image by Freepik.com

Rappers aren’t the problem, big pharma is.

Mitchell Kret
January 10, 2020

Hip hop has a pill problem. This has been the case for years. However, the recent death of rapper Juice WRLD brought the issue to light yet again. The rapper passed away in Chicago after having seizures...

SMH LOGO Photo credit: Alex Coba

SMH: A conversation with Mitchell Kret

Alex Coba and Mitchell Kret
December 20, 2019

For our final SMH of the semester, co-host Mitchell Kret reminisced on his time at Chico State. Both positive and negative. A big congratulation to Mitchell Kret on graduating from Chico State class of...

SMH LOGO Photo credit: Alex Coba

SMH: Getting credit matters

Alex Coba and Mitchell Kret
November 29, 2019

SMH is The Orion’s new opinion podcast hosted by Alex Coba and Mitchell Kret.This episode discussed the importance of giving credit when credit is due.The podcast was recorded at KZFR 90.1 FM.Alex...

SMH LOGO. Photo credit: Alex Coba

SMH: The fiasco that is Fallout 76

Alex Coba and Mitchell Kret
November 25, 2019

SMH is The Orion’s new opinion podcast hosted by Alex Coba and Mitchell Kret.This episode discussed the shady practices of video game companies. Specifically Bethesda Softworks and the Fallout 76...

Photo credit: Jaime Munoz

‘For the Record’ Podcast: Thoughts on pronouns

Mitchell Kret
October 30, 2019

“For the Record” is our editorial podcast featuring editors from The Orion staff. This week, our Editor in Chief Natalie Hanson, Arts and Entertainment editor Rayanne Painter, and Sports Editor...

DaBaby "KIRK" album cover

DaBaby confines himself to usual style on KIRK

Mitchell Kret
October 10, 2019
The Charlotte rapper shows potential for the future but lacks variety
Photo credit: Jaime Munoz

‘For the Record’ Podcast: Chico State doesn’t value diversity

Mitchell Kret and Rayanne Painter
October 6, 2019

“For the Record” is our editorial podcast featuring editors from The Orion staff. This week, our Editor in Chief Natalie Hanson and Arts and Entertainment editor Rayanne Painter discuss an...

Photo credit: Jaime Munoz

‘For the Record’ Podcast: Chico State parking is out of touch

Mitchell Kret
October 3, 2019

“For the Record” is our editorial podcast featuring editors from The Orion staff. This week, our Editor-in-Chief Natalie Hanson and Arts and Entertainment editor Rayanne Painter discuss Hanson’s...

Photo credit: Jaime Munoz

‘For The Record’ Podcast: Chico State administration, we deserve better

Mitchell Kret and Rayanne Painter
September 18, 2019

"For the Record" is our editorial podcast featuring editors from The Orion staff. This week, our Editor in Chief Natalie Hanson and Arts and Entertainment editor Rayanne Painter discuss Hanson's editorial...

Through the Late Night Podcast: What is Kanye West's best album?

Through the Late Night Podcast: What is Kanye West’s best album?

“Through the Late Night” is The Orion’s Arts & Entertainment section’s new music podcast. Led by section writers Mitchell Kret and Angel Ortega, every other week you’ll...

Playlist: The best songs ever

Mitchell Kret
September 2, 2019

Content warning: playlist contains explicit and sexual language.I usually go through phases where I listen to a genre or artist excessively until it gets old, then rotate to the next style. It can help...

Photo credit: Melissa Joseph

Through the Late Night final show featuring ‘Scarlet Pumps’

Angel Ortega and Mitchell Kret
May 7, 2019

  Scarlet Pumps, six months after the Camp Fire, are making a comeback with a record release show on Thursday, May 9. Scarlet Pumps consist of members AJ Dos Santos (vocals, synthesizers), Gabriel...

Rumors of SOB x RBE splitting up have been circulating since late 2018

SOB x RBE and Hit-Boy collab is good but lacks any development

Mitchell Kret
April 30, 2019

SOB x RBE collaborated with producer Hit-Boy for their most recent project, “Family Not A Group.” This came as a surprise to many fans after rumors arose that the collective would be splitting...

White Walkers aren't the only thing Gendry will be smashing in the Final Season of Game of Thrones

Gendry will win the Iron Throne and if you think otherwise, you’re wrong.

Mitchell Kret
April 24, 2019

*Spoiler Warning* This will bring up events that occurred in Season 8, Episode 2 In the final season of Game of Thrones, there are four characters most people think will end up ruling Westeros: Jon Snow,...

Ka Lynda Watts reads a poem about the struggles of people of color in a prejudiced world Photo credit: Mitchell Kret

‘Justice for Josiah’ kick-starts push for change in Chico

Mitchell Kret
April 16, 2019

Students for Quality Education in collaboration with Just Unity Sistas presented "Justice for Josiah," an event commemorating David Josiah Lawson, a Humboldt State student and president of Brothers United....

Illustration by Melissa Joseph

Through the Late Night Podcast: Kodak Black receives backlash after comment

Alex Coba, Mitchell Kret and Angel Ortega
April 13, 2019

“Through the Late Night” is The Orion’s Arts & Entertainment section’s new music podcast. Led by section writers Mitchell Kret and Angel Ortega, every other week you’ll...

Billy Ray Cyrus reached out to Lil Nas X when his song was taken off of Billboard's Hot Country Songs chart

Country Trap is making a comeback and could be here to stay

Mitchell Kret
April 12, 2019

Lil Nas X’s “Old Town Road” has been making waves, signifying growth in the country-trap genre. Its removal from Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart only boosted its reputation...

Remembering the Ridge allows people to attach items to memorialize what was lost in the Camp Fire. Photo credit: Mitchell Kret

Remembering the Ridge represents unwavering strength in the community

Mitchell Kret
April 10, 2019

The Remembering the Ridge memorial event was held in the breezeway of Meriam Library April 8. The event featured guest speakers, poetry, music and an introduction to the interactive art exhibit that will...

Caloy performed at the first Nooner Concert of the Semester. Photo credit: Mitchell Kret

AS Productions hosts kickoff Nooner Concert

Mitchell Kret
April 5, 2019
AS Productions' concerts are back to showcase local and student artists.
Nipsey Hussle was killed in a shooting in front of his Marathon Clothing store in Crenshaw Photo credit: Brandon Todd

Rest in peace, Nipsey Hussle. You will be missed

Mitchell Kret
April 4, 2019

Rapper and philanthropist Ermias Asghedom, also known as Nipsey Hussle, was fatally shot and killed in front of his Marathon Clothing store in South Los Angeles on March 31. He was known and will be remembered...

Illustration Credit: Melissa Joseph

‘Through the Late Night’ podcast features overlooked music producers

Mitchell Kret, Angel Ortega and Alex Coba
March 29, 2019

“Through the Late Night” is The Orion's Arts & Entertainment section's new music podcast. Led by section writers Mitchell Kret and Angel Ortega, every other week you’ll get to hear...

NAV’s new album as boring as expected

Mitchell Kret
March 29, 2019

NAV released his second studio album “Bad Habits” through The Weeknd’s XO label. I could stop the article here because the album is so mundane that there's nothing that could change anyone’s...

The Minetti Quartett receives applause just before intermission. Photo credit: Mitchell Kret

Minetti Quartett plays ‘the zest for life’ during Chico visit

Mitchell Kret
March 26, 2019

The Minetti Quartett visited Chico in Zingg Recital Hall during their tour across the Western U.S. Sunday, March 24. The Austrian string quartet played three collections of music by Haydn, Shostakovich...

“I didn’t want to know facts,” Hernandez said, “I wanted to hear stories.” Hernandez took the audience along on his journey of what went into writing his book. He described how he was able to get in contact with some of the families in Mexico of the immigrants who died in the plane crash. Photo credit: Olyvia Simpson

Tim Hernandez featured at Chico’s Book in Common for ‘All They Will Call You’

Olyvia Simpson and Mitchell Kret
March 16, 2019

Chico’s Book in Common hosted Tim Hernandez in Laxson Auditorium on March 13 to talk about his book “All They Will Call You” and related experiences. Book in Common is hosted jointly...

New Juice WRLD album shows development but drags on

Mitchell Kret
March 13, 2019

Trap crooner Juice WRLD dropped his second studio album on March 8, which shows some significant growth from the artist, in both good and bad ways. "Death Race for Love" shows development in Juice WRLD’s...

Photo Courtesy of The 2019 bach festival

Bach Festival educates on the composer and showcases his music

Mitchell Kret
March 12, 2019
Bach and Sons brought in experts to share their knowledge on the baroque musician and his sons
Photo credit: Melissa Joseph

Through the Late Night podcast: Jaden Smith provides clean water for Flint, Michigan

Mitchell Kret, Angel Ortega and Alex Coba
March 12, 2019

“Through the Late Night” is the Arts & Entertainment’s new music podcast for The Orion News. Led by section writers Mitchell Kret and Angel Ortega, every other week you’ll get...

2 Chainz publicizes his album by displying it on a blimp Photo credit: Joe Moore Productions

‘Rap or Go to the League’ shows 2 Chainz’s maturity and growth

Mitchell Kret
March 6, 2019
The trap rapper reflects on his past without sacrificing his charismatic delivery
Arthur Lemmer with his and his wife Margo's paper mache sculpture, Sun God of the Myncatezca Photo credit: Mitchell Kret

Keep Chico Weird celebrates all aspects of Chico culture

Mitchell Kret
March 4, 2019
This year's show was held at 1078 Gallery this year and featured more physical art than performance art

Wild and Scenic Film Festival promotes nature and activism

Mitchell Kret
March 4, 2019
The festival branched out to Chico to share environmental adventure films.
Lil Pump's sophomore album "Harverd Dropout" lacks the carefree charisma that made his debut album flourish.

Three rappers deliver their albums exactly as expected

Mitchell Kret
February 28, 2019
Lil Pump, Gunna and Offset all dropped albums that are entertaining, but not ground-breaking
Donald Beaman debuted new music for the crowd.
China released their second album Feb. 22 and is finishing their tour of the West Coast. Photo credit: Mitchell Kret

1078 Gallery hosts folk and country music artists

Mitchell Kret
February 25, 2019
China, Donald Beaman and Garrett Gray show off their unique music at the art gallery.
Photo credit: Melissa Joseph

Through the Late Night podcast: 21 Savage shocking ICE detainment

Mitchell Kret, Angel Ortega and Alex Coba
February 23, 2019

“Through The Late Night” is the Arts & Entertainment's new music podcast for The Orion News. Led by section writers Mitchell Kret and Angel Ortega, every other week you'll get to hear them...

Thumpasaurus members in the green room of Lost on Main

Thumpasaurus brings the funk to Lost on Main

Mitchell Kret
February 21, 2019

Lost on Main was flooded with psychedelic funk Tuesday night, hosting Thumpasaurus, an energetic band from L.A. making their third stop on their “Book of Thump” tour across the U.S. The show also...

Three ladies take turns singing their parts of the song

Celebration Gospel Choir of Chico fills Harlen Adams Theatre with energy and spirit

Mitchell Kret
February 18, 2019
The Choir hosted "Living the Gospel" on campus in celebration of Black History Month
Todd Haselton | CNBC
Playing Apex Legends.

‘Apex Legends’: A battle royale game with impact

Mitchell Kret
February 15, 2019
The new video game has had major success on all platforms and could be here to stay.
West performing at Lollapalooza Chile in 2011

An introspective look into the 15-year evolution of Kanye

Mitchell Kret
February 13, 2019
Since Kanye’s debut album, he has gone through drastic changes, and this isn’t even his final form.
Pickles and Yogurt, a local band consisting of members (from left to right) Jim Reid, Dexter Pullybank and Mark Pullybank. Photo credit: Angel Ortega

Blackbird and MR. Bang host open mic night with a diverse array of performers

Mitchell Kret
February 8, 2019
The local gallery held an open mic night Wednesday, their first anniversary of holding such events.

Maroon 5, Travis Scott deliver sub-par performance

Mitchell Kret
February 5, 2019
The Super Bowl halftime show offered more bitter disappointment than "Sweet Victory"
A portrait of U.S. Supreme Court Associate Justice Brett Kavanaugh during his Senate hearing regarding accusations of sexual assault. Acrylic ink printed on plexiglass. Photo credit: Angel Ortega

BMU hosts interactive, insightful art gallery

Mitchell Kret and Angel Ortega
February 1, 2019
"Resist, Persist and Rise" gallery highlights social movement and female empowerment
Boogie dropped his debut album this month. Image courtesy of Shady Records.

Boogie puts his life on display with emotional lyricism

Mitchell Kret
January 30, 2019
Shady Records signee releases raw, introspective debut album
Glacier Veins playing at Ike's sandwich shop, hosted Creekside, Citysick and Glacier Veins last Wednesday Photo credit: Mathew Boe

Ike’s serves up sandwiches, beer, and dream punk

Mitchell Kret
January 26, 2019

Ike’s Place was booming with more energy than the bar across the street Jan. 23, when they hosted three dream punk bands: Creekside and Citysick—which are both local bands—and Glacier Veins, a Portland-based...

Future Album cover "The WIZRD". Image Courtesy of Spotify

‘The WIZRD’ reveals the emotional side of Future’s past

Mitchell Kret
January 23, 2019

Mumble-rap nobility offers a new look at artist's life in his 7th studio album.A new viewpoint of Future’s life before fame was made public in the form of a documentary and album on Friday, Jan....

J. Cole's new album is disappointing.

Pixabay's image

J. Cole once again does close to nothing

Mitchell Kret
May 2, 2018

J. Cole has presented yet another average album that his fans will treat like gospel while his haters will write off as trash without listening to a single track. Those who formulate their opinion after...

Dr. Jonathan Day, Biological Sciences Chair, spoke on memories and the aging brain

‘Museum Without Walls’ lecture series brings neuroscience to Chico

Mitchell Kret
April 25, 2018

Dr. Jonathan Day, Biological Sciences Chair, spoke on memories and the aging brain

Tara Killoran is a sophomore graphic design major. Photo credit: Sean Martens

Artist of the week Tara Killoran loves the process of creating and hot dogs

Mitchell Kret
April 17, 2018

Tara Killoran is a sophomore graphic design major with a very non-traditional viewpoint. She creates art for the sake of creating something real rather than to appeal to expectations she considers pretentious....

Marie Fox is a Chico State student who uses fabrics as her main medium and incorporates her childhood memories into her works. Photo credit: Sean Martens

Artist of the Week: Marie Fox

Mitchell Kret
April 11, 2018

Marie Fox is a fourth-year fine arts and art education major who incorporates fabrics, stitching and especially family memories into the drawing skills she learned through her memory-rich childhood. The...

Robert Winslet is a fourth-year ceramicist and glassblower Photo credit: Sean Martens

Artist of the Week: Robert Winget

Mitchell Kret
April 2, 2018

Robert Winslet is 21-year-old ceramacist and glassblower from Mountain View, where he started his artistic career in a high school class. He is in his fourth year at Chico State and hopes to finish his...

Alexis Green's influence comes from the sounds of Costa Rica.

Student brings Costa Rican influenced sounds to Chico

Mitchell Kret
March 29, 2018

Alexis Green is a music student at Chico State. Green picked up playing the keyboard while she was in Costa Rica and has brought her sound inspirations pack to the states. Once other people started noticing...

Sam Blake poses with one of his works in the studio.

Graphic design meets the great outdoors

Mitchell Kret
March 11, 2018

Coastal native Sam Blake claims he has a craving to create that is fueled by his love of nature. He has studied in Florence, Italy and recently transferred from Santa Rosa Junior College to hone his abilities...

Marisa Sergovia holds up one of her paintings. Photo credit: Sean Martens

Printmaker finds inspiration in small rocks, emotions and strangers

Mitchell Kret
March 6, 2018

Marisa Sergovia is a third-year printmaking student with a passion for art education and studio arts. She hopes to one day teach art and encourage students to pursue anything that makes them happy. Q:...

Hayden Duncan is a 23-year-old recording arts student. He refers to gear as his console. Photo credit: Sean Martens

Artist of the week: Hayden Duncan

Nicole Henson and Mitchell Kret
February 28, 2018
Hayden Duncan shares his experiences working the recording arts major.
Madison Cockrum has learned art through anime. Photo credit: Sean Martens

Art accrued through anime

Mitchell Kret
February 20, 2018

From a young age, Madison Cockrum has loved to draw. Her main drives are will, instructional books and anime. Madison uses inspiration from shows and books she loves in order to create, putting her own...

A batch of "prepared" Kratom.

Getting kray-zy for opioid alternatives

Mitchell Kret
February 6, 2018
Students for safer drug use
Local artists perform at 1078 @1710. Photo credit: Mitchell Kret

1078 gallery finds a new home on Park Avenue

Mitchell Kret
January 24, 2018

Live music from local bands filled the Chico Women’s Center Jan. 20 at the 1078 @ 1710 party in support of the 1078 Gallery, which has found a new location at 1710 Park Ave. Supporters of the gallery...