The sounds of drums, guitars, and cheering filled the Emporium the other night as Washington State University's Student Entertainment Board hosted the Battle of the Bands. An event showcasing local talent and a chance to play at the next concert.
3 bands hit the stage ranging from different styles of punk and rap, drawing a large crowd of students. Each band had one set to win over the judges and the crowd. Full of original music and extreme performances. This was a night to remember.
Mimosa is a rotting building that sits at the beginning of Main Street in downtown Pullman. Paint peels from the awnings with cracked cinder block facade. When walking by you can notice a light fixture dangling from the wiring from the inside. This college town has now just finished the $11.7 million Project Downtown Pullman which included the replacement of water and stormwater lines, sewer, as well as new sidewalks, curbs, and landscape. But the Mimosa building still stands there decaying, as it’s been for two decades.
Pullman residents say the building stands out even more now because of the finished construction. They question, Why don’t the owners tear it down? Why is the city not doing anything about it? Why not destroy it and build something new that will benefit the community? Residents are frustrated by the “eyesore” that stands out in the community. This story begins with a devastating flood in 1996 when the South Fork of the Palouse River covered much of downtown with several feet of water. Reports say that 20 businesses closed down because of the amount of destruction the flood resulted in. Mud lines, washed-out bridges, and contaminated buildings were just the beginning. The building is still structurally solid, therefore the city can’t force the owners to do anything about it. They have free will to fix it, sell it, or let it continue to rot. City officials constantly hear complaints about the building, even two decades later. Swanger would love to sell off Mimosa, for $2 million. The city says that the price is not worth the market value. The county said the properties were at about $330,000 which include Mimosa at $60,000 and the parking lot.
Overnight snowfall left roads icy and campus covered in snow, making it difficult for students to get to campus. Washington State University Assistant Chief of Police Dawn Daniels advises drivers to slow down and avoid sudden breaking.
The 2024 presidential election has concluded, the results have sparked a wide range of emotions across campus. For many students, this was the first time they could
vote, and issues like healthcare, the economy and women’s rights played heavily into their decisions. With Donald Trump elected as President, students express excitement as well as concern as they look into their future.
Project Downtown in Pullman leaves business owners concerned after they heard the news the project was delayed until the beginning of November, with the original completion date being, the middle of October. Melanie Hodges, owner of Lily Bees, a consignment business, gave her opinions on the delay of the project.
WSU received a $4 million grant to support research in converting renewable energy into liquids. The project is foundered by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), working collaboratively with researchers from Stanford University, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and Argonne National Laboratory.