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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

All content by Nick Bragg
Illustration by Trevor Moore Photo credit: Trevor Moore

Political efficacy from a Canadian’s perspective

Nick Bragg
November 8, 2015
Low political efficacy rings through the minds of millennials. Why is this? And how do we stop it?
Illustration by Trevor Moore Photo credit: Trevor Moore

Music genre shifts from rap to crap

Nick Bragg
November 1, 2015
Rap used to be tasteful and intriguing but in recent years, it has shifted to something quite the opposite.
Illustration by Trevor Moore Photo credit: Trevor Moore

Intoxication makes for instant Internet fame

Nick Bragg
October 19, 2015
Quick access to cameras have made it possible for people to document everything in their lives— but when do you draw the line?
Illustration by Trevor Moore Photo credit: Trevor Moore

The Xanax epidemic

Nick Bragg
October 5, 2015
Becoming a creature of the night is now easier and more dangerous than fiction could ever predict.
Illustration by Trevor Moore Photo credit: Trevor Moore

Humans: The new lab rats

Nick Bragg
September 24, 2015
Thousands of chemicals are on the market in the United States that haven't been tested for human safety. Red flag?
Illustration by Trevor Moore Photo credit: Trevor Moore

Leaving class early, losing respect

Nick Bragg
September 16, 2015
Is your life really that busy that you need to leave class half an hour before it ends?
Illustration by Trevor Moore Photo credit: Trevor Moore

Farting in relationships

Nick Bragg
September 9, 2015
At what point in a relationship is it OK to let your farts loose?
Illustration by Trevor Moore Photo credit: Trevor Moore

Gun control from a different angle

Nick Bragg
August 31, 2015
California is constantly making new regulations for gun control, but they are forgetting the most important part— stopping the mentally ill from obtaining weapons.

Profiting from the Isla Vista tragedy

Nick Bragg
August 24, 2015
A film company attempts to make a profit off the tragic 2014 shootings.
Animals of the Kirshner Wildlife Foundation

Animals of the Kirshner Wildlife Foundation

Nick Bragg
May 12, 2015
Take a look and learn about the exotic animals cared for by the local wildlife sanctuary.
The Barry R. Kirshner Wildlife Foundation has seven wild tigers of various types, including Savara, a Siberian tiger. Photo credit: George Johnston

Kirshner Wildlife Foundation rescues exotic animals in need of care

Nick Bragg
May 12, 2015
Learn about Barry R. Kirshner Wildlife Foundation, a nonprofit sanctuary for exotic animals with special needs located just 20 miles south of Chico.
Michael Barackman, a first-year economics major, first geocached in Boy Scouts and has made it a hobby ever since. Photo credit: Nick Bragg

Geocaching sends students on high-tech treasure hunt

Nick Bragg
April 30, 2015
A worldwide scavenger hunt is giving people an excuse to go out and find adventure.
Esquire Ali, a junior anthropology major, along with other members of the Vibe Tribe, celebrate and promote the lifestyle of "SCHWOG" through music. Photo credit: Caio Calado

Musician advocates mindset that rejects social norms

Nick Bragg
April 24, 2015
Students are being exposed to a new lifestyle that promotes free thinking and love for all.
Jamie Fenisey, junior psychology major, and Austin Shankle, junior marketing major, compare the pros and cons of a smart phone versus a traditional phone. Photo credit: Nick Bragg

Is your phone controlling your life?

Nick Bragg
April 17, 2015
The dominance of smartphones among millennials is unquestionable, but some choose to remain unencumbered and use candy bar or flip phones.
Chemistry professor Lisa Ott has been engaging in innovative research focusing on turning the glycerol waste that results from biodiesel production into a solvent that scientists can use in chemical reactions. Photo credit: George Johnston

Professor pioneers research on repurposing biodiesel waste

Nick Bragg
April 15, 2015
Researchers at Chico State submitted the first paper to the journal Fuel Processing Technology on how to reuse biofuel byproducts effectively.
John Grant talks about students' excuses.

The best and worst homework excuses at Chico State

Nick Bragg
April 6, 2015
The Orion interviewed Chico State students to find out some of their most interesting homework excuses, from "my dog ate my homework" to "I just forgot."
Deborah Stewart, medical chief of staff at the Student Health Center, shares useful information on how to treat and avoid illness this time of year. Photo credit: Nick Bragg

Tips for students on treating, avoiding illness

Nick Bragg
March 26, 2015
Learn the proper way to recover when sick and even how to prevent becoming sick from the start.
Elizabeth Anastasi, owner of Renew Float Spa, uses the sensory deprivation tank every week to relieve her body of the tensions she experiences as a massage therapist. Photo credit: Nick Bragg

Float away from the world with sensory deprivation

Nick Bragg
March 22, 2015
Renew Float Spa in Chico has an isolation tank where people can escape the onslaught bombarding their senses.
Illustration by Trevor Moore

Tips on landing primo housing for next fall

Nick Bragg
March 12, 2015
Finding a place to live for the following school year can be a stressful task, but following these pointers can ease the craziness of crunch time.
Upper Bidwell Park offers many hiking and biking trails, swimming holes and views in its 3,670 acres of recreational space. Photo credit: Nick Bragg

Chico offers array of options for outdoor recreation enthusiasts

Nick Bragg
February 28, 2015
The spring season is right around the corner — spend it outdoors with friends and experience Chico in another light.
Soul id's Eli Libby, public relations director (left), Ben Sampson, founder and CEO (middle), and Kyle Nelson, marketing director (right), are excited to cover Chico's City Plaza in snow for the first Soul id Rail Jam. Photo credit: Nick Bragg

Snowboarders, skiers will shred in first Rail Jam

Nick Bragg
February 18, 2015
Truckloads of snow are being dumped and sculpted in the City Plaza for the first Chico Soul id Rail Jam.
Timothy Toavs, owner of Chico Vapor Lounge Shop, started using electronic cigarettes as a way to quit smoking. Photo credit: Nick Bragg

Vaping: Effective quitting technique or harmful trend?

Nick Bragg
February 15, 2015
Electronic cigarettes, originally used to help people stop smoking, may be becoming more of a trend than a coping mechanism.
Yajaira Cruz, junior social work major, discusses her view on Valentine's Day and how she hopes to celebrate. (photo credit Aurora Evans)

Valentine’s day: the bloody roots

Nick Bragg
February 10, 2015
While Valentine's Day is known as the day of love, flowers and chocolate; it's dark origins may be overlooked or undiscovered by many.
Aaron Weissman, junior media arts major, discusses the pros and cons of the new social media application FADE. Photo credit: Nick Bragg

FADE app reflects positive, negative aspects of campus community

Nick Bragg
January 28, 2015
A new app allows students to post pictures with the promise that they will fade away. But do they really disappear?
Kim DuFour, director of the Academic Advising Program, shares information on the tools and motivation that students need to succeed at Chico State. Photo credit: Nick Bragg

Back to school tips for a successful semester

Nick Bragg
January 23, 2015
It's that time of year again: the start of a new academic term. Making good use of campus resources is one of the keys to staying on top of things.