Campus news updates with London Nicholai

Fredonia’s Masterworks Scholarship

This may, over 250 musicians will come together in support of the return of the Masterworks Scholarship. The concert both celebrates and supports the return of the scholarship after a 5 year absence. The spectacle will feature SUNY Fredonia students from the chorus and orchestras, alumni artists, locals from the children’s choir, and faculty members of the department of music, to bring forth big productions, Carmina Burana by Carl Orrf and Joesph Hayden’s, Te Deum. The show is anticipated for this coming May 3rd (which is sooner than you think) in King Concert Hall at 8pm. Tickets for the public are on sale now at the Williams ticket office, with all proceeds going to

One Act festival 2025

Getting caught up in the hustle of the oncoming finals? Take a musical break at the department of theatres upcoming One Act Festival this April 25th through the 27th. 

Expect 14 different performances from the likes of current and alumna fredonia students from thrilling actions, to tear jerking romance, to laugh-inducing comedy. Brought to you by the directors of favorites such as “Alicia’s Lens” and “Mason Wright Is Not A Mother” the festival is sure to excite and entertain all of your theatre needs.

Commencement Day tickets now available

Now our upcoming graduates may not want to hear such news. But starting today graduating students can now pick up their free commencement day tickets at the ticket office upon completion of the Commencement Intent to Participate Form on the YourConnection site. Be sure you have also submitted your Degree Application to the registrar site in order to obtain your form. Remember the ticket office is open Monday Wednesday Friday from 9am to 3pm. Don’t wait on getting your tickets. Fredcard or photo ID required.

Local County news with Maisie Strader

Mayville has revamped their summer concert plan

This year Mayville is changing their summer concert series inorder to boost community engagement and support local businesses. 

Instead of the Thursday evening concerts at Lakeside Park, the Mayville-Chautauqua Chamber of Commerce is introducing three larger-scale events in the Village Green uptown park on Wednesday nights: June 18, July 16, and August 13.

The Jamestown post journal says that Both the Mayville Village and Chautauqua Town boards agreed to spend $2,000 each for the new concerts; the set list will come out at a later date, but there will be bands known outside of the village. 

Inspired by Westfield’s First Friday celebrations, food trucks will be on-site, and participating businesses are encouraged to stay open and offer sidewalk sales.

Prendergast Library To Undergo More Construction

The James Prendergast Library in Jamestown is set to undergo significant interior renovations, funded by New York State’s Library Construction Program, with matching contributions from the Ralph C. Sheldon and Lenna Foundations.

Assistant Library Director Jennifer Champ says, “So, when you’re looking at coming into the library, that front entrance frame, the door, that’s not changing at all, but we’re getting new doors. So, they’re going to be new automatic doors that are much more efficient that won’t have that center pole.” 

the project includes installing new automatic front doors to enhance accessibility, removing a wall to open up the entrance lobby, and updating the circulation area with new desks, lighting, and signage.

During construction, which is expected to last 6 to 12 days the library will be closed, however there will be alternatives in walking distance and handicap accessible. 

Frewsburg School Board Reviews State Report Card, Budget

​The Frewsburg Central School Board recently reviewed the district’s state report card and proposed budget for the 2025–26 school year. 

The district received a Local Support and Improvement (LSI) rating, the highest possible, though officials noted areas for improvement, particularly in the performance of students with disabilities in middle school English and math.

When it comes down to the budget, Superintendent Dr. Danielle Cook presented a budget of $23.6 million, reflecting a $1.1 million reduction from the initial draft due to a projected $518,000 decrease in state funding. 

The district plans to implement a 2.58% tax levy increase to balance this budget, and will not replace 4 positions needed in the school. 

International and National news written by Maisie Strader

China appoints a new trade negotiator during tariff fight with the US

China has appointed Li Chenggang as its new trade negotiator, replacing Wang Shouwen, as tensions rise in the ongoing tariff dispute with the United States.

The U.S. has imposed a 145% tariff on Chinese imports, while China has retaliated with 125% tariffs on American goods.

Sun Chenghao, a fellow at the Center for International Security and Strategy at Beijing’s University, says communication with the states is, “far from being smooth.”

Analysts warn that China’s economy, which grew 5.4% in the first quarter, may face challenges as U.S. tariffs take effect. 

Israeli defense minister says troops will remain in Gaza, Lebanon and Syria indefinitely

​Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz announced that Israeli troops will remain indefinitely in Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria to act as buffers between Israeli communities and hostile groups. 

This policy stance risks complicating ongoing ceasefire and hostage release negotiations with Hamas, which demands a complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. 

AP news states, “Israeli forces have taken over more than half of Gaza in a renewed campaign to pressure Hamas to release hostages after Israel ended their ceasefire last month. Israel has also refused to withdraw from some areas in Lebanon following a ceasefire with the Hezbollah militant group last year, and it seized a buffer zone in southern Syria after rebels overthrew President Bashar Assad in December.”

Recent Israeli airstrikes in Gaza have killed 22 more individuals, including a baby girl, amid a renewed offensive seeking to pressure Hamas to release 59 hostages still held in Gaza.

Sports featuring Mitch Horucy

Not a lot is happening in the sports world today. The lacrosse team took on Cortland yesterday and lost with a final score of 20-3. Emma Cockrell had a goal and an assist in the loss. They’re back in action on Saturday on the road against Oneonta. The baseball team is scheduled to play Penn state behrend today at 4 p.m. there’s no word on if the game has been canceled or not yet. The softball team plays tomorrow as they welcome Cortland to town for a double header. Games are at 3 and 5. The Sabres unfortunately played last night as they lost 4-0 to the Maple leafs. UPL had 28 saves on 31 shots in net. They play the Flyers tomorrow in their last game of the season.

Pop Culture updates with Julia Klement

Netflix’s “Bad Influence: The Dark Side of Kidfluencing”

Similar to Hulu’s Ruby Franke documentary about the downfall of her six-children centered channel and then abuse behind the scenes (which was harrowing, but a good watch), Netflix released a documentary titled “Bad Influence: The Dark Side of Kidfluencing”. According to the New York Times, “Bad Influence” examines claims of abuse and exploitation made by 11 former members of the teen YouTube collective “The Squad” against Tiffany Smith — who ran the YouTube channel, which drew two million subscribers — and her former boyfriend Hunter Hill. Both denied the allegations, and the suit was settled for a reported $1.85 million last year. The 3-part docuseries released on April 9, with an 83% on Rotten Tomatoes. 

Katy Perry Goes to Space

In other news, on Monday, Katy Perry embarked on a space tourism mission with Blue Origin, a company owned by Jeff Bezos. She was accompanied by 5 others, including Lauren Sanchez (Bezos’ fiancee) and CBS news anchor Gayle King. The trip itself was only 10 minutes, which led to criticism, with one user on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, saying, “Today Katy Perry burned more emissions than Taylor Swift did during the entire Eras Tour… Taylor brought millions of dollars to local economies and the space trip contributed nothing to society…. Just a trip funded by a billionaire….”

Political News written by Dan Quagliana

Trump’s war with colleges

On Monday, Harvard became the first university to defy President Trump’s demanded reforms, according to AP News. Trump has been attempting to limit activism and protests on college campuses, as Republicans say colleges have become “hotbeds of liberalism and antisemitism,” according to the AP. Trump claims that colleges have been tolerating antisemitism amid pro-Palestinian protests, and he has begun withholding federal funding from universities who have not acquiesced to his demands for changes on campus. Columbia University was the first college to implement Trump’s demands; according to CNN, Columbia has implemented “restrictions on demonstrations, new disciplinary procedures and immediately reviewing its Middle East curriculum.” Harvard, on the other hand, refused to implement Trump’s demands. Harvard President Alan Garber said Monday, “The University will not surrender its independence or its constitutional rights.” In response, Trump has promised to freeze 2.2 billion dollars in grants and 60 million dollars in contracts. 

Trump administration sues Maine

This morning, the Trump Administration announced that they are suing the state of Maine’s education department for not complying with the administration’s directive to ban transgender athletes in women’s and girl’s sports, according to AP News. Attorney General Pam Bondi said that this case was a priority for the president and that other states, like California and Minnesota, could also be sued. The departments of Education and Health and Human Services claim that Maine is violating Title IX anti-discrimination law by permitting transgender girls to participate on girls teams. Officials in Maine have refused to agree to a settlement that would have banned transgender students from sports — they said that existing laws do not prevent transgender athletes from participating in sports. Representatives for Maine Governor Janet Mills and Maine Attorney General Aaron Frey, both Democrats, did not immediately respond to requests for comment.