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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

Graphic by Chris Hutton

‘Beast Games’ brings ‘Squid Game’ to reality

Chris Hutton, Entertainment and Features Editor
February 3, 2025

The most subscribed Youtuber James Donaldson, more commonly known as Mr. Beast, created and hosted a new Amazon show called “Beast Games.” Reportedly costing over $100 million, the show pins 1,000...

Cutline: Animation presents itself in a variety of ways, the most common we see being computer animation. Photo courtesy of Pexels, taken by Antoni Shkraba on June 4, 2019.

The underappreciated captivating nature of animation

Chris Hutton, Entertainment and Features Editor
January 29, 2025

People often begin their relationship to film with animation, whether watching cartoons like ”SpongeBob SquarePants” or animated movies like “Cars.” Sadly, it seems that people are reluctant to...

A plate of four delicious street tacos and a cup of horchata. Photo taken by Dominic Curcuro on Oct. 26.

Birrieria Barajas: A strong competitor in Chico’s Mexican food scene

Dominic Curcuro, Writer
December 20, 2024

After walking by Birrieria Barajas almost daily before its opening, I am glad to say the restaurant went beyond my expectations. Quesabirria tacos are something I have only had a handful of times but...

Matt Walsh dressed as a progressive person reading How to be an Antiracist by Ibram X Kendy. Courtesy: Dailywire+

‘Am I Racist:’ A Cathartic Comedy.

Ari Sorokin, Opinion Reporter
October 14, 2024

The DailyWire’s new film “Am I Racist,” starring conservative political commentator Matt Walsh, hilariously exposes the absurdity of American racial discourse with Borat-like tactics that haven't...

Ari Sorokin's iPhone with the audiobook for Hillbilly elegy

3 Lessons from ‘Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis’

Ari Sorokin, Opinion Reporter
October 4, 2024

“Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis” by Vice Presidential nominee JD Vance is a memoir of his life and how he managed to capture the American dream and serve as an example...

A pair of hands writing down which songs to add to your playlist next to some headphones and a cup of coffee. Image generated by Adobe Firefly by Itzel Saucedo

Are Metro Boomin and Future’s collab albums worth listening to?

Itzel Saucedo Dominguez, Reporter
April 23, 2024

There’s been a buzz about Metro Boomin’s and Future’s collab albums that have recently come out.  I listened to both, and I’m here to tell you if they are worth listening to and what songs are...

Romani Wedding - Photo Courtesy of Efigenia Galea.

‘My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding:’ A shallow depiction of the Roma community

Fabian Marian, Reporter
April 20, 2024

Pablo Picasso, Papusza, Rita-Hayworth, Alba Flores. What do all of these famous people have in common? They share Romani ancestry. I also share the same ancestry with them   My Big Fat American...

Viewers get ready for the Banff mountain film festival in Laxson Auditorium. Taken by Samuel Moore.

Banff Mountain Film Festival celebrates the great outdoors at Chico State

Samuel Moore, Reporter
April 9, 2024

The Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity’s world film tour came to Chico on Saturday. The film festival was held in Laxson Auditorium, and Adventure Outings teamed up with Banff Centre to host the tour. A...

My "silver hero" plant, in front of another variety of Scindapsus pictus. Taken by Heather Taylor on March 13.

New growth: Reflections on houseplants and life

Heather Taylor, Copy Editor
March 20, 2024

New nubs of growth are sprouting from the “silver hero” plant on the shelf by my window. I know they are new, because they were not there two days ago when I last looked.  They will continue to...

MISSHA-All-Around Safe Block Essence Sun SPF 45 PA+++. By Natalia Photo on Pexels.

Shielding your skin: Top SPF moisturizers to safeguard your precious complexion

Fabian Marian, Reporter
February 12, 2024

I can describe myself as an SPF enthusiast, I wear it every day regardless of the weather conditions and so should you. Sun rays are not friendly to human skin.  Let me introduce you to my tried and...

Photo by alleksana, Courtesy of Pexels.

The romanticization of being nonchalant: A modern love story

Brooke Cárcamo, Reporter
February 1, 2024

Situationships. Friends with benefits. Talking stages. Hookups. These are all terms that have become ignorantly interchangeable when describing an intimate connection with someone these days. Nobody...

I’ll always think of my third grade teacher and the magic of writing when I have an apple. Photo by Pixabay from Pexels.

Teaching magic: What our teachers pass on to us

Heather Taylor, Copy Editor
January 25, 2024

When I was in third grade, I was fairly certain my teacher introduced me to a powerful form of magic: writing.  My life has not been the same since.  Not only did the concept she passed on impact...