Hello everyone!

Our pitch meeting is today at 4:00 p.m. like usual! Everyone is welcome.

We have a workshop with Omar Mouallem today at 5:00 p.m. in the office, after our pitch meeting! Omar has contributed to Wired, The Guardian, The New Yorker, and Rolling Stone.

Best,

Dylana

News Pitches

You can reach Dylana at [email protected] or over Slack!

Researchers discover some fungal infections could improve pine trees’ ability to ward off mountain pine beetles

U of A research provides new insight into how harmful fungal infections could affect the ability of lodgepole pines to defend themselves from deadly mountain pine beetle attacks.

New survey shows Canadian students believe history class is important but suggests teaching could use an update

More than 2,000 youth aged 10-18 responded to the online survey. The research team reported 75 per cent of respondents agreed or strongly agree with the statement, “It is important to learn about the past.”

Research is making faba beans a better source of protein

University of Alberta research has potentially improved on the standard processes used to capture the protein from the bean, along with starch and dietary fibre, while leaving less desirable compounds behind.

Profile of Michael Asselstine

The Golden Bears will be celebrating the 22-year career of Michael Asselstine, who is currently a assistant coach for the Golden Bears. Asselstine has had a 22-year wrestling career in wrestling and is a three-time U SPORTS gold medalist.

SPORTS! - write a recap of the game or take a photos

Bears Hockey - FEB 2 AND/OR FEB 3 at 7:00 p.m. VS UBC

Pandas Basketball - FEB 2 at 6:00 p.m. VS Thompson Rivers U AND/OR FEB 3 at 5:00 p.m. VS Thompson Rivers

Bears Basketball - Feb 2 at 8:00 p.m. VS Thompson Rivers U AND/OR FEB 3 at 7:00 p.m. VS Thompson Rivers U

Opinion Pitches

You can reach Anna at [email protected] or over Slack!

Winter Burnout: As we settle into the first few weeks of the winter semester, the burden of course readings, assignments, and deadlines can be overwhelming. Additionally, the cold snap of these first few weeks may have increased those feelings of stress and decreased motivation. What can we do to avoid burnout in the winter? How can we combat this on top of academic stress?

Going Green: The city of Edmonton has paired up with a Norwegian company to turn waste into green energy. The project aims to divert waste away from the landfills to reduce emissions. The facility will turn waste into steam that will generate electricity instead. Do you think this partnership will be beneficial in Alberta’s attempt at being carbon neutral? Is there something more the government should be doing? 

Russia to be disqualified over doping in 2022 Olympics: Canada is likely to be upgraded to bronze in figure skating after Russia’s Kamila Valieva has been disqualified for doping during the 2022 Winter Olympic Games. Valieva was 15 at the time, which raises the question of whether or not young athletes are being taken advantage of and pushed further than they should be. Is the call to disqualify Valieva a win for clean sports, or is this a tragic tale of a teenager being pushed to a breaking point? Write a piece on the larger conversation of doping at the Olympic level!

Student Visa Cap: The federal government announced that they’re placing a two year cap on International Student Visas, starting in 2025. This is to ease pressures on things such as housing and healthcare. This is interesting, because in the U of A’s strategic plan SHAPE, the increase in student population relies on an increase in international students. What does this mean for international student populations across Canada, and what does this mean for the U of A, especially in regards to the strategic plan? 

A&C Pitches

You can reach Lily at [email protected] or over Slack!

Theatre Review: New Works Festival 2024

$16.50 per ticket, February 8-11, Timms Centre for the Arts

The New Works Festival is back, and tickets include showings of three different plays. The festival is held by the Department of Drama, and is student-led.

Writers can choose which play to cover, or can choose to cover multiple plays.

Exhibit Review: 5 Artists 1 Love Art Exhibition

Art Gallery of Alberta (Wed-Sun 11-5:00 p.m.), last day February 3, free

Review and recap this annual exhibition that shows the art of five African-Canadian artists and their communities! The exhibition “showcases the delivery of the African diaspora and promotes emerging and established artists to develop global African arts and cultures and celebrate African-Canadian brilliance.”

Exhibit Review: OPEN WALLS Community Art Exhibition

12-3:00 p.m. Saturdays from February 3 - March 2, Bleeding Heart Art Space

Visit the seventh annual OPEN WALLS community art exhibition, which “celebrates the beautiful chaos of diverse community!” Artists are able to display one original work at any time during the show’s duration, meaning that the exhibit changes throughout!

There is also an opening reception on February 3 from 12-3:00 p.m. that can be covered as an event.

Exhibit Review: Proofread: Yvonne Mullock

FAB Gallery, January 16 to February 10

“Proofread, a borrowed term used to describe the process of checking for errors in text prior to printing, is an interactive work comprising print and video, incubated during a nine month visiting artist position in the printmaking department at the University of Alberta.”

Visit the exhibit and share your thoughts! 

Artist Interview: same as me

same as me (Esma) is a Canadian rapper, producer, and songwriter from Edmonton. Currently, she’s working in the music industry at Alberta Music, and is also an artist producer and vocal coach.

In August, she released Sweet Dreams, which she recorded and produced. Her music video for the album’s title single is being debuted on February 15. Speak to Esma about her career and music!