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The Cougar Chronicle

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The independent student news site of San Marcos, California

The Cougar Chronicle

The independent student news site of San Marcos, California

The Cougar Chronicle

Xander Bogaerts' walk-off grand slam against the Colorado Rockies on April 9, 2026.
Sports
Padres Off to an Encouraging Start, and a Student Deal Worth Noting
Casey Budlong, Sports Editor • April 22, 2026

The San Diego Padres are making the early parts of the 2026 season worth watching. As of April 11, San Diego sits at 9-6, second in the NL West...

Olympic Star
Sports
Olympic Star
Natalia Ortiz and Britney Paredes April 1, 2026

Alysa Liu is an American figure skater who won two gold medals at the 2026 Winter Olympics, taking first place in both the individual women’s...

Graphic by Casey Budlong.
Sports
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...

Former CSUSM Professor Sasha Miller runs for SD Board of Supervisors
News
Former CSUSM Professor Sasha Miller runs for SD Board of Supervisors
Saturn Salama, Staff Writer • April 28, 2026

Sasha Miller previously taught Public Health classes at CSUSM from 2018-2023. Miller decided to run for the Board of Supervisors to prioritize the wellbeing of all San Diegans without discrimination.   Miller’s priorities are affordable...

Outside of Oceanside’s Civic Center before the City Council Meeting on 09/17/25
News
ICE in Oceanside and Vista: What is the Community Doing?
Ruby Pulido-Perez, Staff Writer • April 28, 2026

ICE Raids  As a result of the current government administration, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids have become extremely prevalent in Southern California. The Trump administration aims to detain thousands of undocumented individuals...

Should college students use ChatGPT?

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Graphic of Mexican and American flags together with confused person
Opinion
Yes, I’m an American, But,
Natalia Ortiz, Opinion Editor • May 7, 2026

As a Mexican American, you always question your identity. “Ni de aquí, ni de allá.”  You always consider yourself Mexican because you’re...

Photo source: Piece of Magic Entertainment
Arts
Indie Movies vs Huge Franchises: The Impact of “Iron Lung”
Lola Ferguson, Staff Writer • March 26, 2026

Famous YouTuber Markiplier wrote, directed, and acted in a new horror movie, “Iron Lung,” in collaboration with David Szymanski, creator...

Photo Source: Netflix
Arts
Bringing Back Bangtan: BTS is Back!
Ruby Pulido-Pérez, Staff Writer • March 26, 2026

After almost four years of no group activities, BTS has made their comeback. Their long-awaited return has resulted in sold-out tour dates,...

Film Review: “Wicked: For Good”
Arts
Film Review: “Wicked: For Good”
Nahomi Garcia Alarcon, Arts and Entertainment Editor • November 24, 2025

Thanks to a special Amazon Prime preview, I was able to see “Wicked: For Good” as an early pre-release. When the first film was released,...

Promotional poster for “Frankenstein” (2025)
Arts
Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein Finds Humanity in Horror
Nahomi Garcia Alarcon, Arts & Entertainment Editor • November 7, 2025

On the surface, “Frankenstein” is a gothic horror story about a man’s arrogance and the cost of playing God. But under Guillermo Del...

Video
VIDEO ESSAY: Students Should Vote Down the Wellness and Recreation Facility Proposal to Avoid Sky-High Student Fees
Justin Gans, Opinions Editor • October 18, 2024

Read the article here: https://csusmchronicle.com/23916/opinion/students-should-vote-down-the-wellness-and-recreation-facility-proposal-to-avoid-sky-high-student-fees/?draft=live

Video
Thanks For Watching – Fall ’22
Luke Vore, Nadia Houneini, and Cole Mirza December 16, 2022

Thanks from Cole, Luke, Nadia, and the entire Cougar Chronicle Team! Keep on the lookout for new articles and videos next semester.

As part of the 2026 North County Day of Service, community members plant crops, sow seeds, and pull weeds at CSUSM’s milpa, located in the Community Ethnobotany Garden.
Features
CSUSM Milpa Project Participates in 2026 North County Day of Service
Justin Gans, Staff Writer • April 22, 2026

On Friday, March 27th, CSUSM hosted the 2026 North County Day of Service. Community members chose from a selection of volunteer project sites...

5 Spring Activities Happening in North County
Features
5 Spring Activities Happening in North County
Britney Paredes, Staff Writer • March 18, 2026

As days become longer and flowers begin to bloom across the land, it’s the perfect time to come out of winter hibernation. Whether you’re...

Graphic by Natalia Ortiz
Features
2026 Festival 78 Headliner
Natalia Ortiz, Opinions Editor • February 27, 2026

ASI announced this year’s headliners for Festival 78 on February 12, 2026. ASI’s long-awaited Festival 78 is just around the corner. The...

Downtown Oceanside
From The New Yorker
Arts
“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,...

The Summer I Turned Pretty Season 3 Cover Art
Arts
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...

"Love Island USA" Season 7 cast
Courtesy of Peacock
Arts
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...

Watermelon Pictures
Arts
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...

REVIEW: CSUSM’s Bluelight Theatre Company masters ‘the bit’
Arts
REVIEW: CSUSM’s Bluelight Theatre Company masters ‘the bit’
Saturn Salama, News Editor • April 9, 2025

30 plays in 60 minutes. Or maybe 90 (there was some supernatural manipulation of time). Only the Bluelight Theatre Company could take on a feat...