Argonaut, Moscow, ID (2025)

03/01/2025

On Feb. 27th, we recognized the eighth-annual Student Press Freedom Day. This day serves as a reminder of the challenges and continuing strengths of student media organizations.

The work schedule of The Argonaut staff is never-ending. At any moment of the day, our staff are working tirelessly to procure interviews, attend events, write clear, engaging articles and are always on the lookout for stories we think our audience wants or needs.

We do this work, not because of the pay, but because we think it is important. Student journalists are journalists, and we value our work reporting facts and sharing unique perspectives and voices.

Story by: Argonaut Editorial Board
Photo by: Sophia Robertson

02/27/2025

Keiko Ogura, an atomic bomb survivor, spoke to University of Idaho students in a webinar on Tuesday in partnership with the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, CLASS and the Habib Institute for Asian Studies. She discussed her experience living through the 1945 bombings.

Ogura was born in 1937 in Hiroshima and raised within a few hundred meters of the eventual hypocenter. During World War II, major Japanese cities suffered frequent air raids from American aircraft dropping incendiary bombs that leveraged the combustible material of Japanese construction as fuel for district destroying fires. This tactic, known as firebombing, led to the creation of a force composed of working age citizens, defined as those over 12 years old, to dismantle buildings along major streets and create fire breaks.

Read the rest of this story at the link in our bio 🔗

Story by: Joshua Reisenfeld
Photo by: Joshua Reisenfeld

02/25/2025

Announced on Feb. 13, the University of Idaho has officially reached Carnegie R1 research institution status. UI is the first research institution in the state of Idaho to reach this milestone, as it has joined less than 4% of higher-education institutions in the country in the “very high research activity” category.

To meet this classification, universities must meet two major requirements. They must have at least $50 million in annual research expenditures and bestow a minimum of 70 research doctorates annually. UI announced that the university more than doubled the required research expenditures, totaling $135.9 million in Fiscal Year 2023, and 80 research doctorates awarded.

“Research is in the university’s DNA,” Chris Nomura, UI’s Vice President for Research and Economic Development said. “Achieving R1 Carnegie Classification has been a long-term goal for U of I and this is demonstrative of our strong research programs.”

Story by: Julia Kolman
Photo by: John Keegan

02/20/2025

The Trump administration announced their plans to cut billions in federal funding for biomedical research in universities and hospitals last week.

On Friday, Feb. 7, the National Institutes of Health stated an intent to slash a significant margin of grants for overhead research. These indirect costs include building and equipment maintenance and utilities. Currently, NIH grants provide $27 billion in direct research and an additional $9 billion in facilities and administration costs; the latter would be cut nearly in half by the new directive, losing approximately $4 billion in funding.

In response to a lawsuit against the Trump administration filed by university associations, Federal Judge Angel Kelley ordered a temporary restraining order on the plan, barring it from taking effect until further notice. Quotes from the suit claimed that the “flagrantly unlawful action” by U.S. health officials “will devastate medical research at America’s universities,” as per the New York Times.

Story by: Julia Kolman
Photo by: John Keegan

02/19/2025

Romana Redondo Kriskova has officially been named head coach for Idaho Vandals Volleyball team. Kriskova led the team this season as the interim head coach, ending the season with a 1-26, 0-16 record.

“We are trying to focus on all different aspects so that we can progress not only on the court, but in all areas that will help us to build a program and bring people to come watch our games in the Memorial Gym,” Kriskova said.

UI is also keeping Ben Kasun as the assistant coach for the upcoming season. This will be his second season in the role. He called the official hiring of Kriskova the right and natural move and something he had been expecting.

Story by: Jackson Hamelund
Photo by: Colton Moore

12/03/2024

Josh Whitworth, the executive director of the State Board of Education, discussed at the meeting how the plan is meant to provide all students access to success centers, saying the proposition is coming from “an inclusionary point of view.”

It is baffling how banning resources specifically meant to foster inclusion and promote diversity will actually bring forth more student community. In a homogenous place like Idaho, it can feel isolating to look around and not see others who look like you or share similar values.

DEI offices offer students a place to make friends, forge connections and celebrate their cultural identities and histories. Without them, this already heightened sense of separation will be further increased.

While resources like the Multicultural Affairs Office, Women’s Center, and LGBTQ Center seek to serve a specific population, they are also clear on their stance of welcoming all students – even if you yourself don’t fit into a certain identity, these are spaces anyone could go to find commonality and broaden your scope of understanding.

It is clear that this decision is coming from a place of attempting to depoliticize college campuses: State Board of Education Member David Turnball gave a comment that well exemplifies this, saying “identity has become a way of separating us instead of bringing us together.”

Story by: Alison Cranney
Photo: Haadiya Tariq
Edit: Dylan Solly

11/19/2024

Read this story for more information on candidates! Link in bio 🔗

Story by: Allyssa Dotson
Edit by: Dylan Solly

11/13/2024

Wednesday, Nov. 13 marks the anniversary of the passing of Kaylee Goncalves, Ethan Capin, Madison Mogen and X**a Kernodle, the four University of Idaho students who were killed in 2022. In their memory, ASUI will be hosting a vigil for the students at the Vandal Healing Garden and Memorial at 6:00 p.m. on the anniversary.

“It’s hard to believe that two years have passed since we lost four amazing Vandals- X**a, Ethan, Maddie, and Kaylee,” ASUI wrote on their Instagram .

The service will include sharing memories, writing notes and honoring the students’ legacy. Hot cocoa and tea will be provided.

ASUI also encourages anyone who needs mental health resources to visit or contact the Counseling and Mental Health Center on campus or fill out a VandalCare Report.

Story by: Andrea Roberts
Photo by: John Keegan
Edit by: Dylan Solly

11/11/2024

The Sunrise Movement was started in Washington D.C. in 2017 and has since dedicated their branches to advocating for the earth in a variety of ways, from climate crisis awareness to human rights. Branches and chapters of the movement span across the nation and protests similar to the one on UI’s campus have been led by the same types of passionate people.

Amongst the advocates, student onlookers watched as the crowd grew throughout the afternoon.

One interested onlooker was Sadeed Ehsan, an Economics and International Studies student at UI.

“This is something that’s going to be affecting everyone, no matter what your political inclination is,” Ehsan said.

As the protest grew in numbers, so did the opposition. At one point, a large group of students joined the circle around the Sunrise Movement advocates and began playing music through a speaker. Some of the songs included Bruce Springsteen’s “Born in the USA,” and the national anthem.

The impact and controversy of a topic such as this has been seen across the nation as the Sunrise Movement has gained ground.

Story by: Paige Wilton
Photos by: Reagan Jones

11/05/2024

To vote on Election Day, Nov. 5, in Latah County, Moscow voters must cast their ballots in their specified voting locations. All of the polling locations will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m on Election Day. If voters are inside their voting location by 8 p.m., they will be able to vote.

Voters are required to show a photo ID to vote in Idaho. Acceptable forms of include an Idaho driver’s license or Idaho photo ID card, US passport or federal photo ID card, tribal photo ID card or a license to carry a concealed weapon issues by a county sheriff in Idaho.

Those in Moscow Precincts 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14 and 15 must vote at the Latah County Fair Event Center Exhibit Building located at 1021 Harold St.

Those in Moscow Precincts 2, 3, 4 and 17 must vote at the Hamilton Indoor Recreation Center located at 1724 East F. St.

Those in Moscow Precincts 1, 8, 13, 16 and 18 must vote at the University of Idaho Student Recreation Center located at 1000 Paradise Creek St.

Other precincts located in Latah County have polling locations elsewhere. To find out more about specific precinct locations and polling stations, visit the Latah County website, latahcountyid.gov. Sample ballots can be found on the same website.

Photo of Martha Smith, taken by Dylan Solly
Story by: Georgia Swanson

11/04/2024

Latah County District Court was approved for a trial expense budget of $150,000 for the 2025 fiscal year, according to an article by ABC News. Their previous budget for 2024 was $3,500.

“If they are doing it crossing county lines, I think the state should pay for it,” Katrina Beall, a political science major at UI said. “It feels like it should not be a Latah County problem especially because the trial is not be conducted in Latah County.”

Kohberger’s next hearing is scheduled for Nov. 7 where the death penalty in his case will be challenged. Currently, Kohberger will face the death penalty if convicted for four counts of first-degree murder and one count of burglary.

Story by: Andrea Roberts
Photo: John Keegan
Edit: Dylan Solly

10/30/2024

Please read the article for more information on this event as candidates discussed their backgrounds, stances and the death penalty.

Link in bio 🖇️

Story: Rebekah Weaver
Photo: Colton Moore
Edit: Dylan Solly

10/28/2024

It has been a long journey from Saguaro High School in Scottsdale, Arizona to Detroit for Lions’ rookie longsnapper Hogan Hatten, the former Idaho Vandal. No matter where he goes, Hatten is always one of the most calm, cool and collected players on the field. He doesn’t succumb to pressure and doesn’t overthink in any situation on the field.

In less than a year, Hatten went from being a specialist in the FCS to being an NFL starter and locker buddies with three-time pro-bowler Jared Goff. He is the perfect example of how hard work and diligence pay off, regardless of the intensity of the circumstances.

Story: Liam Bradford
Photo 1: Courtesy of Hogan Hatten
Photo 2: Courtesy of Hogan Hatten
Photo 3: John Keegan/ Argonaut
Edits by: Dylan Solly

10/25/2024

If you are planning to vote this November, then this edition of the Argonaut will provide some helpful information before you head to the polls. 🇺🇸

Learn more about candidates for
-Idaho Senate
-Idaho State Representative
-Latah County Sheriff
-President of the United States

+Info on Prop 1 and ranked choice Voting. Also how to vote in Moscow come Election Day Nov. 5!

And of course Best of Moscow, where we wrote stories on your favorites in Moscow. All of this in one edition 🤯

You can find our print edition throughout campus and businesses in town.

Photo: Jacey Coleman
Edit: Dylan Solly

10/21/2024

The annual fall Parent and Family Weekend is coming up shortly, on Oct. 25-27, and it’s a weekend you don’t want to miss out on! Call your parents and family members and be sure that they get tickets for the various events scheduled throughout the weekend. It will be a fun time to see your family and create some happy memories and experiences!

Click the link in the bio for more info! 🍁

Story: Brooklynn Jolley
1st Photo: John Keegan// Argonaut
Other photos: University of Idaho
Edit: Dylan Solly

10/15/2024

Rather than calmly observe this comment and move on with the forum, Foreman chose to completely derail the meeting by reportedly shouting, “I’m so sick and tired of this liberal bull****. Why don’t you go back to where you came from?”

Following his tantrum, Foreman promptly left the meeting.

Even if you disregard the incredibly ironic nature of telling a Native American to go back to where they came from while they’re standing on American soil, Foreman’s outburst was inappropriate, unprofessional and opposite to anything you’d want to hear from a government official.

Click on the link in our bio to continue reading the story on our website 🔗

Story by: Alison Cranney
Photo by: Alison Cranney
Graphic by: Dylan Solly

10/12/2024

“William” from the Never Again Foundation spoke again at the open forum of this week’s ASUI senate meeting that took place on Oct. 9. He spoke about the deaths of some Jewish people that he knew of and how the current Israel versus Palestine crisis was “the largest massacre (of Jewish people) since the Holocaust,” according to him. He then shared images from the families of the victims, who he said, “wanted to share this.” 

Click the link in our bio to read this story on our website 🔗

Story: Rebekah Weaver
Photos: John Keegan

10/10/2024

The report stated that there was a commotion, and that the victim was holding the suspect to the floor at the time they were found. The victim is a 73-year-old male and the suspect is a 35-year-old male. It was later identified that the victim and the suspect are family members.

Upon arriving to the scene, officers took the suspect into custody and the victim was moved to Gritman Medical Care via ambulance to be treated for multiple stab wounds.

The victim’s status is unknown as of 8 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 10.

Click the link in our bio to learn more 🔗

Story: Rebekah Weaver
Photo of police cars: Angela Palermo
Edit: Dylan Solly

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Argonaut