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The Cougar Chronicle

  • Classes begin on Monday, August 25.
The independent student news site of San Marcos, California

The Cougar Chronicle

The independent student news site of San Marcos, California

The Cougar Chronicle

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The Un-Cancellation of Jimmy Kimmel

The Un-Cancellation of Jimmy Kimmel

Nahomi Garcia Alarcon, Arts & Entertainment Editor October 15, 2025

On September 7, Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night show was suddenly suspended just hours before airtime. Audience members had already taken their seats, guests were ready backstage, and staff were preparing segments when ABC executives gave notice that Jimmy Kimmel Live was being pulled “indefinitely”.  The...

From The New Yorker

“One Battle After Another:” A Political and Hilarious Epic

Nahomi Garcia Alarcon, Arts & Entertainment Editor October 13, 2025

On the surface, it's a political thriller rooted in paranoia and government overreach, with a narrative that touches on immigration, authoritarianism, and revolutionary resistance. But beyond the political commentary, it's also an outrageous piece of entertainment.  After a prologue that sets up...

Proposed Integrated Science and Engineering Building

Ongoing Projects on Campus

Lola Ferguson October 13, 2025

CSUSM is a growing campus with new opportunities and experiences every day. Our school started with 600 students in Fall 1990 on a six-building campus, and it has evolved into the lively campus we see today. But has CSUSM caught up with its students’ needs?   According to Fall 2025 Housing Statistics,...

Charlie Kirk on the day of his assassination, handing out MAGA hats.

Aftermath of Charlie Kirk’s Death

Celeste Yanez, News Editor October 7, 2025

After a well-known conservative individual, Charlie Kirk, was shot and killed on September 10, there have been ripples of side effects that have been felt all over the county. Despite the suspect being in custody and having links to the crime, there has been a significant divide across the country.  The...

The Summer I Turned Pretty Season 3 Cover Art

The Last Chance: The Summer I Turned Pretty

Natalia Ortiz and Ruby Pulido-Perez October 1, 2025

One of the most talked-about TV shows this summer was the final season of “The Summer I Turned Pretty”. The Amazon Prime series, based on a trilogy of books by Jenny Han, became a hit streaming show from summer 2022 to this summer 2025. Here's a recap leading up to the finale.   Warning: Spoilers...

Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on firing ACIP members.

RFK Jr. Lowers Vaccine Requirements

Lola Ferguson, Staff Writer September 30, 2025

With school back in session and winter around the corner, it’s time for yearly vaccines. For many, it’s become a routine to get the newest COVID vaccines and boosters for the last four years. However, the CDC is placing new rules and restrictions on who can get the vaccine.   COVID death rates...

The Denim Divide: My Take on the Marketing Lesson of 2025

The Denim Divide: My Take on the Marketing Lesson of 2025

Casey Budlong, Sports Editor September 23, 2025

In 2025, two big denim brands, American Eagle and Gap, dropped ad campaigns that had everyone talking for different reasons. American Eagle teamed up with actress Sydney Sweeney, while Gap featured the global pop group KATSEYE. One ad stirred up significant controversy, while the other earned praise...

Graphic by Casey Budlong.

Fantasy Sports Influence: Has fantasy football changed the way fans watch games?

Casey Budlong, Sports Editor September 23, 2025

Football is back, and so is fantasy football, turning every Sunday into a rollercoaster of touchdowns, stat checks, and bragging rights. For many fans, watching the NFL is no longer just about cheering for their favorite team. It is also about tracking fantasy lineups, celebrating every point, and following...

President Donald Trump (left) with OpenAI CEO Sam Altman (right) at the White House.

No, CSU – College Students Should Not Use ChatGPT

Justin Gans and Lola Ferguson September 20, 2025

From July 2025 to June 2026, the CSU will pay $15 million to make ChatGPT available for all students. But students, staff, and faculty are raising questions about the CSU’s decision to embrace artificial intelligence while it also threatens layoffs and belt-tightening. Many also worry that ChatGPT...

"Love Island USA" Season 7 cast
Courtesy of Peacock

Love, Loss, and Loyalty: How Season 7 Played Out in Fiji

Amara Abaquin-Brown and Casey Budlong September 18, 2025

After a captivating 2024 season of "Love Island” that produced some of the most memorable reality TV personalities, it is no doubt that fans were eager for a juicy, steamy follow up season.   “Love Island” proved to be one of the most entertaining dating shows of the past decade, gaining a...

Administration reverses student visa termination

Nahomi Garcia Alarcon, Arts and Entertainment Editor May 6, 2025

In a major reversal, the Trump administration announced that it will reinstate the records of over 4,700 international students whose visa statuses were abruptly terminated earlier this month in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS), a U.S. government database that tracks and manages...

Watermelon Pictures

Review: “The Encampments”

Nahomi Garcia Alarcon, Arts & Entertainment Editor May 5, 2025

In “The Encampments”, directors Kei Pritsker and Michael T. Workman assembled a clear portrait of a student movement that was both criticized and misunderstood. Chronicling the 2024 Gaza Solidarity Encampments at Columbia University and its effects across campuses worldwide, the documentary gives...

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