Wednesday, August 26th, 2026

VCU implements measures to address past cybersecurity threats

August 26, 2026

Olivia Rine, Contributing Writer VCU students raised concerns with campus online safety, following recent cyber attacks to VCU online systems.  Over 7,000 VCU students were sent phishing emails earlier this month from cybercriminals attempting to compromise their email accounts, according to VCU News. The scammers posed as “VCU IT Department,” threatening to remove students from their courses if they did not provide their login information. In late April, VCU students were met with ransom notes upon opening Canvas, according to ABC 8 News. The attack was a part of a national breach from hacking group ShinyHunters. After the initial Canvas hack, the platform faced another hack on the afternoon of May 7, where ransom notes appeared on the login pages of many universities, including VCU.  VCU’s chief information officer, Dan Han, acknowledged that as the use of technology rises, risks are predicted to rise as well. “Not only are we seeing a significant shortening of time between the disclosure of a vulnerability and the exploitation of such vulnerability, but the advancement of these adversarial technologies is also breaking down language barriers and allowing threat actors to rapidly create and deploy increasingly convincing scams intended to target our community,” Han stated

MASSEY COMPREHENSIVE CANCER CENTER RECEIVES $2.7 MILLION GRANT, AMONG OTHER CHANGES

August 26, 2026

Kayla Muñecas, Assistant News Editor  The VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer center underwent several recent changes, including a A $2.7 million grant, new leadership and a new workspace.  The Worta McCaskill-Stevens Grant is meant to facilitate the “training of clinical scientists in community cancer prevention, screening, intervention, control, and treatment research,” specifically clinical scientists whose focus includes enhancing care for minorities, according to the National Cancer Institute. Dr. Monica Baskin, the center’s new director, said she intends to make the care Massey provides accessible to all Virginians, particularly those in rural communities.  “When someone receives that news of ‘you have cancer,’ I want Massey to be among those top cancer centers that immediately come to mind, ” Baskin said.  Baskin explained that Massey’s “community-to-bench model” allows the center to perform research that is relevant to surrounding communities, from Fredericksburg and Virginia Beach to the Northern Neck. “By performing robust research that is driven by the needs of our catchment area, enhancing our Community Outreach and Engagement efforts, and recruiting and retaining an unparalleled bench of cancer researchers and providers who will lead future clinical breakthroughs, I know we will get there,” Baskin said.  Baskin previously served as interim director but was

Until the Second Amendment is repealed, I will own an assault rifle

August 26, 2026

Zachary Roman, Contributing Writer Five years ago, during that god-awful Zoom school year, I was outside with my puppy when I saw a white pickup truck drive by my house and head towards I-495. A truck that proudly flew a Confederate flag.  The driver is infamous in my neighborhood for having the house covered in pro-Trump flags and signs. I felt my usual disgust toward this person and went back to my class. During the same class, I glanced up at my living room TV and my mouth went agape. On the live broadcast from MSNBC, a mob of radical election deniers chanted for the execution of the sitting vice president, broke through police lines and rioted at one of our nation’s most sacred government institutions. They smashed the windows with riot shields and assaulted police officers with mace, bear spray and whatever else they could get their hands on.  I alerted my family of the situation and we watched in horror as the chaos continued to unfold, hoping it would not migrate the five miles it would take to reach us. When you can see the top of the Washington Monument from your house, Jan. 6 becomes infinitely more

Goodwill’s increasing prices help no one

August 26, 2026

Kylie Grunsfeld, Opinions & Humor Editor As someone who in recent years has shifted to shopping primarily secondhand, I have witnessed the increase in Goodwill’s clothing prices in real time. For a store whose mission, according to their website, is to serve the underprivileged, I am concerned at the rate in which prices are climbing.  A shirt — oftentimes stained and/or made of polyester — could cost you six dollars. A pair of shoes, close to 10.  Individually, these costs may be lower than those of retail stores like Old Navy or H&M but when multiple pieces are added together, one might spend close to $50 on a small bag of items.  For someone who shops at Goodwill for the sake of developing more eco-friendly habits, this is frustrating. For a person or family who needs to clothe themselves but cannot afford to shop elsewhere, this is harmful, especially considering the increasing costs of living all around.  A winter coat given to the company by donation should not cost as much as a meal. To be clear: Goodwill shelves are stocked by donation only. They do not lose any profit when filling their stores with clothing, shoes, accessories, furniture, appliances,

Wearing your heart on your sleeve

August 26, 2026

Jo Covington, Contributing Writer When looking around at Richmond’s rich tapestry of culture through the art of tattooing, it is hard to miss the amount of people in Richmond who show their unique personalities through tattoos. Tattoos are not only symbols to represent the identities of those who have them, they can also be the catalyst of developing those identities.  Local tattoo artist Trinity, @forest_fairy_tattoos on Instagram, has tattooed as a career for two and a half years, but she has been immersed in the art form her entire life. “My dad has been showing me how to tattoo since I was about ten years old,” Trinity said. “Our house while I was growing up was partially a tattoo studio, so I interacted with his clients a lot and got to see him tattoo every day as a child.”  Trinity now works alongside her father in a private studio they share in Richmond.  “My most favorite story is when I got to tattoo my pawpaw,” Trinity said. “He came to me for his first tattoo and it was absolutely so much fun to get to tattoo him.” Like Trinity, many people choose these sentimental pieces to provide a sense of

Beyond Campus: Exciting events to explore around & within Richmond this month

August 26, 2026

Fakeha Naeem, Contributing Writer August and September are usually the month when U.S. colleges experience the hustle and bustle of in-state, out-of-state and international students moving into their new homes and VCU is no exception. While VCU offers many on-campus activities, there are many exciting off-campus activities for students to explore around downtown Richmond to broaden their horizons.  End of Summer: The Artisan Market Many gatherings take place in the last stretch of summer, including The Artisan Market, a free event held at Strangeways Brewing on Aug. 29 from 12 to 5 p.m., according to Visit Richmond Virginia. The market showcases unique handmade items from local vendors, offering a range of craftsmanship and handmade items created by artists living in Virginia to celebrate the end of summer.  Chesterfield County Fair Rides are just the tip of the iceberg for county fairs. Chesterfield County Fair will run a week-long event featuring performances, pageants, arts and crafts and a horse show beginning Aug. 28 to Sept. 5, according to the Chesterfield County Fair website. The fair is open on weekdays from 5 to 11 p.m. and weekends from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Tickets are $12 for adults, seniors and children over

Inside the Rise of VCU’s Cross-Country and Track & Field Club

August 26, 2026

Tyrese Perkins, Assistant Sports Editor VCU’s Cross Country and Track and Field Club has experienced a surge in competitive prestige over recent years, breaking multiple club milestones and bringing national recognition back to Richmond. The National Intercollegiate Running Club Association was established in May 2006 during a national conference at Ohio State University. Two decades later, club cross-country and track and field programs continue to experience growth at the collegiate level, with more than 120 active college and university running clubs across the United States. VCU officially joined the association during the fall semester of 2017. The club competes in the mid-Atlantic region. Operating year-round, the club focuses on cross country during the fall semester, before shifting to indoor and outdoor track and field in the winter and spring semester. The program accepts athletes of all skill levels, from casual runners looking to stay active to highly competitive sprinters, jumpers, throwers and distance runners aiming for regional and national championships at NIRCA invitationals. The VCU Cross Country and Track and Field Club resume has garnered national recognition in recent seasons. M’Kayla Murdaugh won a NIRCA national championship in the women’s high jump, sprinters Dameon Lewis and Landon Reeves placed the

Women’s soccer kicks off competition at new VCU Athletic Village

August 26, 2026

Ben Martindale, Sports Editor Devynn Alston, Staff Writer VCU Athletic Village, a 42-acre site which began construction in 2024, is officially in use for VCU athletics. Since 1999, VCU sports have played home games at Sports Backers Stadium. VCU women’s soccer was the first team to play an official game at the new facility, falling 4-0 to North Carolina State University. Development of the VCU Athletic Village is broken into four phases. Phase one was completed in January, according to VCU News. The phase included a 400 meter outdoor track, two long jumps, two high jumps, two pole vaults, circles for hammer throw, shotput, discus, two practice soccer fields and an NCAA game soccer field located inside of the 400 meter track. Second-year defender Bo Price, thinks the new space is wonderful. “The pitch is like a carpet,” Price said. “Really, there’s so many passes that you can play, and the ball never bobbles. So as long as we do our thing, it’s perfect.” Rams’ players also pointed out the benefits of having a dedicated practice field. “It’s really a blessing to have a practice field,” said fourth-year defender/middlefielder Brianna Lawrence. “We’re not ruining our game field so the grass

VCU women’s soccer continues to fight despite loss to Liberty

August 24, 2026

Devynn Alston, Staff Writer VCU women’s soccer lost 1-0 to Liberty University at VCU Athletic Village on Sunday. VCU struggled to gain momentum in the first half, but applied more attacking pressure during the second half.  An aggressive attack led to fifth-year Liberty forward Halle Engle scoring the game’s lone goal in the third minute. Liberty continued to be aggressive throughout the game, finishing with 21 shots on goal.  VCU’s best opportunity to score came from first-year forward Monique McEnhimer, whose first-half shot on goal was narrowly deflected. Third-year goalkeeper, Cameryn Nunn, kept VCU within striking distance, saving four shots on goal. The first half ended with Liberty ahead 1-0. VCU came out of the half much more aggressive than they had been during the first.  Both teams kept their feet on the gas, with VCU having two quick shots blocked during the 54th minute.  Liberty had multiple chances to extend the lead, even having a goal rescinded because of an offside call, but Nunn kept VCU in the game, making multiple saves. VCU struggled to find the equalizer this game. Fourth-year defender and midfielder Brianna Lawrence highlighted the team’s finishing through the final third as something that the Rams

Women’s volleyball finishes preseason strong against Christopher Newport

August 24, 2026

Benney Koch, Staff Writer VCU volleyball completed their preseason with a hard fought 4-0 sweep over Christopher Newport University on Sunday. The first set started hot for VCU but became a back and forth battle of runs. With the score tied 18-18, the Rams took a timeout to make adjustments and came back looking to regain control. CNU struggled to keep up at the net as VCU continuously forced errors. Sarah Dibbs-Frantz, second-year middle blocker, was especially effective, making an impact throughout the first set. VCU held on to win the opening set 25-22 after allowing CNU to close the gap late. The Rams controlled the second set, leading 10-5 at the technical timeout. CNU led in both kills and digs, but VCU had a large advantage in blocks and hit percentage. Their ability to force errors with their aggressiveness above the net allowed them to pull away and win the second set 25-16. In the third set both teams traded the lead, but VCU refused to let CNU pull away. The Captains led 15-14 at the technical timeout before the Rams answered with a five-point run. VCU took a 19-15 lead and forced a CNU timeout. From that point,

PRESS BOX: The WNBA and the Manufactured Eligibility Crisis

August 19, 2026

Benney Koch, Staff Writer  In recent years, the WNBA has become more popular than ever. That growth has brought more viewers, sponsorships and attention, but also more scrutiny and vitriol. Now, the league is at the center of a national political debate — should transgender women be allowed to play in women’s sports? Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham told ESPN that she wants to “protect women’s sports” and believes transgender women should not be allowed to play in the WNBA because of their sex at birth. Her comments quickly snowballed. Supporters and protesters on both sides have appeared at games, players and coaches have weighed in and sports media has sought out transgender athletes to ask whether they could or would ever try to play in the WNBA. “Only players who are women are eligible to play in the WNBA “, according to the WNBA’s collective bargaining agreement. The agreement does not specifically define whether that means biological sex, gender identity or some other standard. Enes Kanter Freedom, who retired from the NBA in 2022 after 11 seasons, announced that he planned to declare for the WNBA draft as a transgender woman. He argued that he meets “every single requirement”

VCU implements measures to address past cybersecurity threats

August 26, 2026

Olivia Rine, Contributing Writer VCU students raised concerns with campus online safety, following recent cyber attacks to VCU online systems.  Over 7,000 VCU students were sent phishing emails earlier this month from cybercriminals attempting to compromise their email accounts, according to VCU News. The scammers posed as “VCU IT Department,” threatening to remove students from their courses if they did not provide their login information. In late April, VCU students were met with ransom notes upon opening Canvas, according to ABC 8 News. The attack was a part of a national breach from hacking group ShinyHunters. After the initial Canvas hack, the platform faced another hack on the afternoon of May 7, where ransom notes appeared on the login pages of many universities, including VCU.  VCU’s chief information officer, Dan Han, acknowledged that as the use of technology rises, risks are predicted to rise as well. “Not only are we seeing a significant shortening of time between the disclosure of a vulnerability and the exploitation of such vulnerability, but the advancement of these adversarial technologies is also breaking down language barriers and allowing threat actors to rapidly create and deploy increasingly convincing scams intended to target our community,” Han stated

MASSEY COMPREHENSIVE CANCER CENTER RECEIVES $2.7 MILLION GRANT, AMONG OTHER CHANGES

August 26, 2026

Kayla Muñecas, Assistant News Editor  The VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer center underwent several recent changes, including a A $2.7 million grant, new leadership and a new workspace.  The Worta McCaskill-Stevens Grant is meant to facilitate the “training of clinical scientists in community cancer prevention, screening, intervention, control, and treatment research,” specifically clinical scientists whose focus includes enhancing care for minorities, according to the National Cancer Institute. Dr. Monica Baskin, the center’s new director, said she intends to make the care Massey provides accessible to all Virginians, particularly those in rural communities.  “When someone receives that news of ‘you have cancer,’ I want Massey to be among those top cancer centers that immediately come to mind, ” Baskin said.  Baskin explained that Massey’s “community-to-bench model” allows the center to perform research that is relevant to surrounding communities, from Fredericksburg and Virginia Beach to the Northern Neck. “By performing robust research that is driven by the needs of our catchment area, enhancing our Community Outreach and Engagement efforts, and recruiting and retaining an unparalleled bench of cancer researchers and providers who will lead future clinical breakthroughs, I know we will get there,” Baskin said.  Baskin previously served as interim director but was

Opinion

Until the Second Amendment is repealed, I will own an assault rifle

August 26, 2026

Zachary Roman, Contributing Writer Five years ago, during that god-awful Zoom school year, I was outside with my puppy when I saw a white pickup truck drive by my house and head towards I-495. A truck that proudly flew a Confederate flag.  The driver is infamous in my neighborhood for having the house covered in pro-Trump flags and signs. I felt my usual disgust toward this person and went back to my class. During the same class, I glanced up at my living room TV and my mouth went agape. On the live broadcast from MSNBC, a mob of radical election deniers chanted for the execution of the sitting vice president, broke through police lines and rioted at one of our nation’s most sacred government institutions. They smashed the windows with riot shields and assaulted police officers with mace, bear spray and whatever else they could get their hands on.  I alerted my family of the situation and we watched in horror as the chaos continued to unfold, hoping it would not migrate the five miles it would take to reach us. When you can see the top of the Washington Monument from your house, Jan. 6 becomes infinitely more

Goodwill’s increasing prices help no one

August 26, 2026

Kylie Grunsfeld, Opinions & Humor Editor As someone who in recent years has shifted to shopping primarily secondhand, I have witnessed the increase in Goodwill’s clothing prices in real time. For a store whose mission, according to their website, is to serve the underprivileged, I am concerned at the rate in which prices are climbing.  A shirt — oftentimes stained and/or made of polyester — could cost you six dollars. A pair of shoes, close to 10.  Individually, these costs may be lower than those of retail stores like Old Navy or H&M but when multiple pieces are added together, one might spend close to $50 on a small bag of items.  For someone who shops at Goodwill for the sake of developing more eco-friendly habits, this is frustrating. For a person or family who needs to clothe themselves but cannot afford to shop elsewhere, this is harmful, especially considering the increasing costs of living all around.  A winter coat given to the company by donation should not cost as much as a meal. To be clear: Goodwill shelves are stocked by donation only. They do not lose any profit when filling their stores with clothing, shoes, accessories, furniture, appliances,

The Rundown

Spectrum

Wearing your heart on your sleeve

August 26, 2026

Jo Covington, Contributing Writer When looking around at Richmond’s rich tapestry of culture through the art of tattooing, it is hard to miss the amount of people in Richmond who show their unique personalities through tattoos. Tattoos are not only symbols to represent the identities of those who have them, they can also be the catalyst of developing those identities.  Local tattoo artist Trinity, @forest_fairy_tattoos on Instagram, has tattooed as a career for two and a half years, but she has been immersed in the art form her entire life. “My dad has been showing me how to tattoo since I was about ten years old,” Trinity said. “Our house while I was growing up was partially a tattoo studio, so I interacted with his clients a lot and got to see him tattoo every day as a child.”  Trinity now works alongside her father in a private studio they share in Richmond.  “My most favorite story is when I got to tattoo my pawpaw,” Trinity said. “He came to me for his first tattoo and it was absolutely so much fun to get to tattoo him.” Like Trinity, many people choose these sentimental pieces to provide a sense of

Beyond Campus: Exciting events to explore around & within Richmond this month

August 26, 2026

Fakeha Naeem, Contributing Writer August and September are usually the month when U.S. colleges experience the hustle and bustle of in-state, out-of-state and international students moving into their new homes and VCU is no exception. While VCU offers many on-campus activities, there are many exciting off-campus activities for students to explore around downtown Richmond to broaden their horizons.  End of Summer: The Artisan Market Many gatherings take place in the last stretch of summer, including The Artisan Market, a free event held at Strangeways Brewing on Aug. 29 from 12 to 5 p.m., according to Visit Richmond Virginia. The market showcases unique handmade items from local vendors, offering a range of craftsmanship and handmade items created by artists living in Virginia to celebrate the end of summer.  Chesterfield County Fair Rides are just the tip of the iceberg for county fairs. Chesterfield County Fair will run a week-long event featuring performances, pageants, arts and crafts and a horse show beginning Aug. 28 to Sept. 5, according to the Chesterfield County Fair website. The fair is open on weekdays from 5 to 11 p.m. and weekends from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Tickets are $12 for adults, seniors and children over

Sports

Inside the Rise of VCU’s Cross-Country and Track & Field Club

August 26, 2026

Tyrese Perkins, Assistant Sports Editor VCU’s Cross Country and Track and Field Club has experienced a surge in competitive prestige over recent years, breaking multiple club milestones and bringing national recognition back to Richmond. The National Intercollegiate Running Club Association was established in May 2006 during a national conference at Ohio State University. Two decades later, club cross-country and track and field programs continue to experience growth at the collegiate level, with more than 120 active college and university running clubs across the United States. VCU officially joined the association during the fall semester of 2017. The club competes in the mid-Atlantic region. Operating year-round, the club focuses on cross country during the fall semester, before shifting to indoor and outdoor track and field in the winter and spring semester. The program accepts athletes of all skill levels, from casual runners looking to stay active to highly competitive sprinters, jumpers, throwers and distance runners aiming for regional and national championships at NIRCA invitationals. The VCU Cross Country and Track and Field Club resume has garnered national recognition in recent seasons. M’Kayla Murdaugh won a NIRCA national championship in the women’s high jump, sprinters Dameon Lewis and Landon Reeves placed the

Women’s soccer kicks off competition at new VCU Athletic Village

August 26, 2026

Ben Martindale, Sports Editor Devynn Alston, Staff Writer VCU Athletic Village, a 42-acre site which began construction in 2024, is officially in use for VCU athletics. Since 1999, VCU sports have played home games at Sports Backers Stadium. VCU women’s soccer was the first team to play an official game at the new facility, falling 4-0 to North Carolina State University. Development of the VCU Athletic Village is broken into four phases. Phase one was completed in January, according to VCU News. The phase included a 400 meter outdoor track, two long jumps, two high jumps, two pole vaults, circles for hammer throw, shotput, discus, two practice soccer fields and an NCAA game soccer field located inside of the 400 meter track. Second-year defender Bo Price, thinks the new space is wonderful. “The pitch is like a carpet,” Price said. “Really, there’s so many passes that you can play, and the ball never bobbles. So as long as we do our thing, it’s perfect.” Rams’ players also pointed out the benefits of having a dedicated practice field. “It’s really a blessing to have a practice field,” said fourth-year defender/middlefielder Brianna Lawrence. “We’re not ruining our game field so the grass

VCU women’s soccer continues to fight despite loss to Liberty

August 24, 2026

Devynn Alston, Staff Writer VCU women’s soccer lost 1-0 to Liberty University at VCU Athletic Village on Sunday. VCU struggled to gain momentum in the first half, but applied more attacking pressure during the second half.  An aggressive attack led to fifth-year Liberty forward Halle Engle scoring the game’s lone goal in the third minute. Liberty continued to be aggressive throughout the game, finishing with 21 shots on goal.  VCU’s best opportunity to score came from first-year forward Monique McEnhimer, whose first-half shot on goal was narrowly deflected. Third-year goalkeeper, Cameryn Nunn, kept VCU within striking distance, saving four shots on goal. The first half ended with Liberty ahead 1-0. VCU came out of the half much more aggressive than they had been during the first.  Both teams kept their feet on the gas, with VCU having two quick shots blocked during the 54th minute.  Liberty had multiple chances to extend the lead, even having a goal rescinded because of an offside call, but Nunn kept VCU in the game, making multiple saves. VCU struggled to find the equalizer this game. Fourth-year defender and midfielder Brianna Lawrence highlighted the team’s finishing through the final third as something that the Rams

Women’s volleyball finishes preseason strong against Christopher Newport

August 24, 2026

Benney Koch, Staff Writer VCU volleyball completed their preseason with a hard fought 4-0 sweep over Christopher Newport University on Sunday. The first set started hot for VCU but became a back and forth battle of runs. With the score tied 18-18, the Rams took a timeout to make adjustments and came back looking to regain control. CNU struggled to keep up at the net as VCU continuously forced errors. Sarah Dibbs-Frantz, second-year middle blocker, was especially effective, making an impact throughout the first set. VCU held on to win the opening set 25-22 after allowing CNU to close the gap late. The Rams controlled the second set, leading 10-5 at the technical timeout. CNU led in both kills and digs, but VCU had a large advantage in blocks and hit percentage. Their ability to force errors with their aggressiveness above the net allowed them to pull away and win the second set 25-16. In the third set both teams traded the lead, but VCU refused to let CNU pull away. The Captains led 15-14 at the technical timeout before the Rams answered with a five-point run. VCU took a 19-15 lead and forced a CNU timeout. From that point,

PRESS BOX: The WNBA and the Manufactured Eligibility Crisis

August 19, 2026

Benney Koch, Staff Writer  In recent years, the WNBA has become more popular than ever. That growth has brought more viewers, sponsorships and attention, but also more scrutiny and vitriol. Now, the league is at the center of a national political debate — should transgender women be allowed to play in women’s sports? Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham told ESPN that she wants to “protect women’s sports” and believes transgender women should not be allowed to play in the WNBA because of their sex at birth. Her comments quickly snowballed. Supporters and protesters on both sides have appeared at games, players and coaches have weighed in and sports media has sought out transgender athletes to ask whether they could or would ever try to play in the WNBA. “Only players who are women are eligible to play in the WNBA “, according to the WNBA’s collective bargaining agreement. The agreement does not specifically define whether that means biological sex, gender identity or some other standard. Enes Kanter Freedom, who retired from the NBA in 2022 after 11 seasons, announced that he planned to declare for the WNBA draft as a transgender woman. He argued that he meets “every single requirement”

Comics

Office Hours