The Highlander Newspaper

In a monumental decision, the University of California (UC) Board of Regents voted on March 23 to make tuition free for all students at the University of California, Riverside (UCR) starting in the 2027-28 academic year, citing student concerns about the affordability of tuition as their utmost priority. Gone would be the days of thousands of dollars students don’t have going toward tuition, along with the hours spent stressing over financial aid applications like the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and California Dream Act Application. 

*This is an April Fools’ publication. This article is not intended to communicate any true or factual information about the writer’s opinion except through humor and/or exaggeration. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental or is intended purely as satire, parody or spoof of such persons and is not intended to communicate any true or fac ual information about that person.

📝:  Ovi Mathivanan, Assistant Opinions Editor
📸: Courtesy of Layna | The Highlander

The Greater Riverside Chambers of Commerce hosted the City of Riverside Ward 6 Candidate Forum on March 5, 2026. Candidates Luis Hernandez and Oswaldo “Oz” Puerta were in attendance. Following Councilmember Jim Perry’s abdication after 13 years of service, this forum provided candidates an opportunity to share their plans on managing Ward 6.

📝: Maribel Hernandez, Staff Writer
📸: Courtesy of Niko Suwandi

Riverside advocates continue to organize after the City Council voted 4-3 on Jan. 13, rejecting $20 million in state funds to convert the Quality Inn Motel — located at 1590 University Ave, approximately half a mile from the University California, Riverside — into an affordable housing project.

📝: Maribel Hernandez, Staff Writer
📸: Courtesy of Choice Hotels International