The winter festival Kuvia, a beloved campus tradition, returns this week for the first time since 2024. At the eighth annual Chicago Quantum Summit, two University researchers received awards for their work in the field of quantum computing. And, back in November, the Center for the Study of Gender and Sexuality hosted a so-called Performative Male Contest, joining the viral internet trend and opening up discussions about gender as a social construct.

Featuring and edited by: Aubrey Barb

Maroon reporter Aubrey Barb has an update on the latest news, as students return from winter break.

The Organization of Black Students held a vigil for Keith Butler, a cook who worked at Bartlett Dining Commons. Businessman Thomas Pritzker and New York Times columnist David Brooks appear in new photographs released by the Epstein estate. Also, university administrators remain cautiously optimistic about future reductions to the budget deficit.

Written and edited by: Aubrey Barb

On this episode, your favorite podcast hosts review Tate McRae’s most recent album, So Close to What. They are joined by special guest Justin (resident Tate McRae stan and expert) as they spar over whether or not this album was able to achieve what seemed to be Tate’s vision. Tune in to hear what we love and hate from Tate!

Hosted by: Elizabeth Eck, podcast editor; Tiffany Li, editor-in-chief; Nolan Shaffer, arts editor Edited by: Tiffany Li, editor-in-chief