Government in Iran cracks down on anti-regime protests
NEWS Sofia Freidman, Staff Writer NEWS Sofia Freidman, Staff Writer

Government in Iran cracks down on anti-regime protests

In January, Iran experienced its most significant government crackdown since the Islamic Revolution in 1979, acting as a response to nationwide protests. Beginning as a movement against the country’s current economic state, the protesters’ intent shifted into a desire for an end to the current regime, led by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. 

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The downfall of stranger things through season five
ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT Anna Ross, Staff Writer ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT Anna Ross, Staff Writer

The downfall of stranger things through season five

After a long three years since its last release, critically acclaimed TV series Stranger Things released its fifth and final season. The first volume, airing on Nov. 26, consisted of four episodes, followed by a three-episode volume released on Christmas Day, with the finale episode airing on New Year’s Eve. After years of anticipation, expectations for the finale were at their peak - but, instead of celebration, the finale caused viewers to feel widespread disappointment and borderline psychosis. Although it was an enjoyable watch, it should have been better prepared and executed as it ultimately felt more like a Marvel movie than a horror show.

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Samo welcomes new AP 3-D Art and Design Class
STUDENT LIFE Ashley Tan, Staff Writer STUDENT LIFE Ashley Tan, Staff Writer

Samo welcomes new AP 3-D Art and Design Class

Advanced Placement (AP) 3-D Art and Design will be introduced at Samo in the ’26-’27 school year, allowing students to explore multidimensional mediums of art. The new course will immerse students in the study of form and material experimentation through cardboard engineering, multimedia sculptures and textile structures, among other art forms.

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Girls’ water polo team set to head to CIF
SPORTS Quinn Forsell, Staff Writer SPORTS Quinn Forsell, Staff Writer

Girls’ water polo team set to head to CIF

The girls’ water polo is nearing its finale, with CIF games only a couple weeks away and Samo’s team is heading in with hopes of winning it all. Their overall score pre-CIF is 19-9-0. This is a notable improvement from the previous ’24-’25 season, which had an overall score of 12-13-0. They won League Championships against Culver City 7-5, so going into the championship Samo was seeded first and Culver was seeded second.

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Our unwarranted disrespect of subs
OPINION Jefferson Tinus, Staff Writer OPINION Jefferson Tinus, Staff Writer

Our unwarranted disrespect of subs

When the teacher is out, how can a classroom function? Whether it be for jury duty or maternity leave, it is inevitable that a teacher will have to leave. In their place, a substitute teacher fills in to keep the classroom in order and continue students in their curriculum…

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Unrest over Netflix’s buyout of Warner Bros.
ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT Kira Willinger, Staff Writer ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT Kira Willinger, Staff Writer

Unrest over Netflix’s buyout of Warner Bros.

As of Dec. 25, 2025, Netflix announced its big merger deal to buy out Warner Bros. Discovery and HBO Max for more than $72 billion. Expected to be put into action by the summer of 2026, the decision has had varying reactions. Some claim the merger contains certain benefits, such as a larger library of films/TV, but it has also faced extreme backlash from the film industry and movie lovers all over the world for numerous reasons concerning the downfall of Hollywood. 

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BSU leads black history month at samo
STUDENT LIFE Ashley Ballantine, Staff Writer STUDENT LIFE Ashley Ballantine, Staff Writer

BSU leads black history month at samo

Many have familiarized themselves with Black History Month, which spans 28 days and recognizes Black contributions often ignored by history. It originated in 1926 as Negro History Week, founded by historian Carter G. Woodson and celebrated in February to coincide with the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass. In recognition of its 100th anniversary this year, the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH) has deemed the official Black History Month 2026 theme as "A Century of Black History Commemorations."

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Entertainment vs. Environment: The realities of Santa Monica’s upcoming music festival
CENTERSPREAD Devyn Hamilton, Staff Writer CENTERSPREAD Devyn Hamilton, Staff Writer

Entertainment vs. Environment: The realities of Santa Monica’s upcoming music festival

The people of Santa Monica should plan for a total tourist-and-trash disaster this fall with the city’s beach music festival. Set as a part of a Realignment Plan to invigorate Santa Monica economics, the event will be hosted by Goldenvoice, the same organization that hosts the popular music festivals Coachella and Camp Flog Gnaw. It will certainly realign something, that is, the hearing abilities of every animal for 100 miles.

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SMMUSD Board of Education unanimously vote to split district
NEWS Devyn Hamilton, Staff Writer NEWS Devyn Hamilton, Staff Writer

SMMUSD Board of Education unanimously vote to split district

On Dec. 1, the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District (SMMUSD) Board of Education voted unanimously to separate the two cities into their own districts, creating the Santa Monica Unified School District (SMUSD) and the Malibu Unified School District (MUSD). This split is set to go into effect in the next few months, according to board members. 

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Trump’s gross overstep of presidential power
OPINION Arturo Singer-Portnoy, Staff Writer OPINION Arturo Singer-Portnoy, Staff Writer

Trump’s gross overstep of presidential power

The United States has long called itself the defender of democracy, yet recently its actions suggest something far less noble. Under the Trump administration, foreign policy has increasingly become dependent on the president’s impulses, driven by personal ego, oil interests and economic leverage rather than law or principle. Military force has been used without any accountability, allies have been threatened for disagreeing and international norms have been treated as optional inconveniences. When the world’s most powerful nation rejects the very own rules it helped create, democracy is no longer the goal—it’s the excuse. 

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Goings on: federal Edition
NEWS Jack Goldberg, Staff Writer NEWS Jack Goldberg, Staff Writer

Goings on: federal Edition

On Jan. 7, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Renee Good protested an ICE (United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement) operation allegedly blocking agents’ vehicles with her SUV. During the encounter, an ICE agent, Jonathan Ross, fired several rounds into the SUV, killing Good. While this is not the first time protestors and ICE agents have clashed and force has been used, the incident marked a new escalation in Minneapolis, which has become the forefront between protesters and ICE agents over the past several months.

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The latest step for inclusivity in hockey
SPORTS Jack Goldberg, Staff Writer SPORTS Jack Goldberg, Staff Writer

The latest step for inclusivity in hockey

Ice hockey has — since its inception — been a sport largely unavailable to many people due to a plethora of different circumstances involving the culture and general nature of the sport. Oftentimes, hockey can be inaccessible due to climate: people being priced out of the equipment needed to play, or expectations of race and sexuality taking over the ice. These issues have kept hockey lagging behind other major leagues in terms of popularity and inclusivity.

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HOTLB: What is your 2026 theme song?
STUDENT LIFE Hope Wang STUDENT LIFE Hope Wang

HOTLB: What is your 2026 theme song?

Music has the ability to shift perspectives, change moods and reflect inner growth and as 2026 begins, many students are turning to music as a way to set intentions for the new year. Whether the song is intended to inspire confidence, gratitude or pure joy, the music people connect to often represents what they hope to achieve. Samo students shared what songs they want to embody in 2026.

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Key wins Set boys’ basketball up for success in cif playoffs
SPORTS Belle Walker, Sports Reporter SPORTS Belle Walker, Sports Reporter

Key wins Set boys’ basketball up for success in cif playoffs

Throughout their season, the boys’ basketball team has proven to be a force on the court and a tough competitor to any school they face. They started their pre-season with an 8-0 winning streak, with only a few losses under their belt going into league. The Vikings have just finished competing in Ocean League, having assured their spot in the CIF playoffs. The Vikings ended  3rd in Ocean League, with a record of 4-3 and an overall record of 17-10.

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fandoms and the decline of pop culture
OPINION Lily Edwards, Staff Writer OPINION Lily Edwards, Staff Writer

fandoms and the decline of pop culture

For as long as I have had access to an iPhone, I have been exposed to the integral internet pillars that are fandoms. Pop culture like music and TV act as a uniting force, creating communities of thousands participating in discourse, creating fanart, sharing information and overall forming social connections through a screen. The rapid growth of social media has only allowed this culture to spread; apps such as X, formerly Twitter, and Tiktok are populated by fans sharing opinions and criticisms of new content at instantaneous rates. These platforms have served to amplify people's voices, making entry into fandoms more accessible while simultaneously highlighting the toxicity that used to linger under the surface. Fandoms that I once viewed as a utopia of internet collaboration and a safe haven for personal expression have transformed into a cesspool of negativity, the very thing they were created to avoid. 

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Girls’ soccer carries Ocean league momentum into cif
SPORTS Lily Edwards, Staff Writer SPORTS Lily Edwards, Staff Writer

Girls’ soccer carries Ocean league momentum into cif

The Samo girls’ soccer team played their first league game against Torrance High School on Dec. 19, losing with a score of 0-2. After winter break, they resumed their season on Jan. 9 with a 15-0 league win against Inglewood High School. 

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