The student news site of Sacramento State University

The State Hornet

Student news without fear or favor
The student news site of Sacramento State University

The State Hornet

The student news site of Sacramento State University

The State Hornet

Student news without fear or favor
Jacob Peterson

Jacob Peterson, visuals editor

(he/him)

Jacob Peterson is in his second semester with the Hornet and his first as visuals editor. In the past, he's served as part of the news staff for the Hornet and worked as a writer and editor for the Cosumnes River College paper, The Connection.
All content by Jacob Peterson
Nida Muhummad Nyazi, 32, following his arrest in Germany, Thursday, Feb. 23, 2023. The FBI announced in a press release on Tuesday, May 30, 2023, that Niazy had been returned to the U.S. to stand trial for alleged sexual assaults (Photo provided by Sacramento Sherriff’s Department; graphic made on Canva by Jacob Peterson)

Sexual assault suspect extradited back to the U.S.

The suspect returned to the U.S. following his German arrest
Jacob Peterson
May 30, 2023
Suspect Nida Muhammad Nyazi will appear before the Superior Court of California for his alleged sexual assaults at Sacramento State University.
The hearing for complaints filed against Nikita Akhumov by Isabella Jimenez for the 2023 ASI elections in the University Union, Wednesday, May 10, 2023. The Committee released its decision regarding that hearing on Wednesday, May 24, recommending Akhumov be disqualified for campaign interference.

Elections complaints committee recommends disqualification for ASI student candidate

Committee ruled evidence of campaign interference met burden of proof
Jacob Peterson
May 25, 2023
Two complaints filed by election opponents sparked committee hearings and final recommendations.
Jonathan Luke Wood will be taking over as the president of Sacramento State on July 16, according to a CSU press release Wednesday, May 24, 2023. A Sac State alumnus, Wood returns after working with San Diego State University since 2011. (Photo courtesy of CSU, CalstateTEACH)

Sac State alumnus Jonathan Luke Wood returns to Hornet’s nest as new president

Former SDSU diversity officer, vice president of student affairs brings experience to Sac State
Jacob Peterson
May 24, 2023
Wood is coming to Sacramento State after working at San Diego State University since 2011.
Jonathan Luke Wood will take over as Sacramento State President on June 16, according to an email from the Office of the Chancellor, Wednesday, May 24, 2023. Wood is a Sac State alumnus, having earned his bachelors in Black history and politics. Photo of Wood courtesy of the CSU. Graphic created in Canva.

Board of Trustees appoints Jonathan Luke Wood as new Sac State President

Sac State alumnus will take over presidency July 16
Jacob Peterson
May 24, 2023
The CSU Board of Trustees has selected the replacement for Robert Nelsen.
The Sacramento Kings ended a 17-year-long playoff drought this season. While they still haven’t reached the peaks of their past, the team has finally become something Sacramento can be proud of again. (Graphic created in Canva by Jack Freeman)

OPINION: The Kings mean more than just basketball

At last, Sacramento has a team to be proud of
Jacob Peterson, Visuals Editor
April 13, 2023
The 2022-2023 basketball season made the Kings something to be proud of again.
Class attendees and Salsa Loca Club members pose for a group photo after the Cumbia lesson in the Redwood Room of the University Union Wednesday, March 1, 2023. Club Treasurer Kueleza Vega said the club currently had around 45 members, having built itself back up since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

[Photo] Latin dance club returns to campus after pandemic hiatus

April 4, 2023

Class attendees and Salsa Loca Club members pose for a group photo after the Cumbia lesson in the Redwood Room of the University Union Wednesday, March 1, 2023. Club Treasurer Kueleza Vega said the club...

The Golden 1 Center on Wednesday, March, 8, 2023. Golden 1 is the anticipated designation for Sacramento State’s commencement ceremonies, spanning from May 19-21. (Photo by Jacob Peterson, Graphic made in Canva by Tierra Tilby).

[Photo] FAQ: The essential do’s, don’ts for graduation

March 12, 2023

The Golden 1 Center on Wednesday, March, 8, 2023. Golden 1 is the anticipated designation for Sacramento State’s commencement ceremonies, spanning from May 19-21. (Photo by Jacob Peterson, Graphic made...

Photos lining the wall in the MLK Center Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2023. Both the MLK and APIDA Centers have art displayed to represent the communities they hope to serve.

[Photo] Sac State launching two student centers in dedication to educational equality

February 26, 2023

Photos lining the wall in the MLK Center Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2023. Both the MLK and APIDA Centers have art displayed to represent the communities they hope to serve.

Candidate Brittney Dinelli addresses audience questions while Kimberly Gomez, chair of the PRIDE Center coordinator search, moderates in the University Union Thursday, Feb. 23, 2023. Dinelli answered questions about student identity, queer history and hostility towards LGBTQ+ members on campus.

[Photo] PREVIEW: PRIDE Center in search of a new coordinator

February 26, 2023

Candidate Brittney Dinelli addresses audience questions while Kimberly Gomez, chair of the PRIDE Center coordinator search, moderates in the University Union Thursday, Feb. 23, 2023. Dinelli answered questions...

Sac State alumna Emmerald Evans was one of several students who went through the foster system. She said her ultimate goal was to become an attorney for foster youth, inspired by her own experience. (Profile photo: courtesy of Emmerald Evans. Background photo: Jacob Peterson. Graphic made in Canva by Kamelia Varasteh)

‘They’re going through higher education by themselves’ : The foster student experience

Only 3-5% of foster students are estimated to complete undergraduate studies
Jacob Peterson, news staffer
December 3, 2022
Foster students represent an often ignored section of the campus community, facing unique challenges.
Graphic created in Canva.

Cinema Obscura Episode 5: The Black Hole, Event Horizon

Cinema Obscura Hosts James and Steven talk with Jacob and Michael about movies “The Black Hole” and “Event Horizon” and what happens when evil scientists stay on starships for a little too long.
Third-year business major Hailey Neves studies on the second floor of the University Library on Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2022. Neves said making more study rooms available would be good for those looking for a secluded place to study.

University Library to put locks on quiet study rooms

Use of the rooms will be limited to increase availability to students
Jacob Peterson, news staffer
November 30, 2022
The University Library plans to convert the quiet study rooms to keyed rooms over winter break.
Ethnic Studies Professor Anthony Burris outside of Tahoe Hall  Oct. 19. Burris, a member of the Ione Band of Miwok, worked with the university as a representative of his tribe in repatriating items, prior to teaching at Sac State.

Archaeological curation facility working with Native tribes to recover remains

‘Our ancestors have been waiting for a long time.’
Jacob Peterson
November 21, 2022
Sacramento State has been in consultation with tribes to return remains and cultural items in accordance with CalNAGPRA and Assembly Bill 275. Non-federally recognized tribes now get a say in the repatriation process.
(De izq. a der.) Jenn Galinato, estudiante de tercer año de ciencias políticas y periodismo, y Robert Gonzales, estudiante de tercer año de ciencias políticas, en el salón de baile de la Unión Universitaria el miércoles 9 de noviembre de 2022. Ambos estudiantes esperaban que se hablara más sobre cómo respondería el campus a los recientes incidentes de grafitis antisemitas.

[Photo] Sac State tuvo una asamblea en respuesta al antisemitismo en el campus

November 19, 2022

(De izq. a der.) Jenn Galinato, estudiante de tercer año de ciencias políticas y periodismo, y Robert Gonzales, estudiante de tercer año de ciencias políticas, en el salón de baile de la Unión Universitaria...

 First-year social work major Keana Quintero outside of River Front Center on Tuesday, Nov. 15. Quintero said she has become more aware of her surroundings since the reporting of the sexual assaults.

Students are more cautious after multiple sexual assaults on campus

‘It kind of made me feel uneasy about being here’
Jacob Peterson and Hailey Valdivia
November 16, 2022
Students said they would like to see more security and lighting on campus.
The Sacramento Police department released this photo of Nida Muhammad Niazy, also known as ‘Zayn’, on Sunday, Oct. 6, 2022. Niazy is the suspect of two sexual assaults that occurred on and off campus and is not enrolled at Sac State. (Photo courtesy of Sac State PD).

BREAKING: Sexual assault suspect ‘Zayn’ identified by Sacramento State Police

A warrant has been issued for 31-year-old Nida Muhammad Niazy
Jacob Peterson and Gavin Hudson
November 16, 2022
Nida Muhammad Niazy, 31, has not yet been located by police.
(L-R) Third-year political science and journalism major Jenn Galinato and third-year political science major Robert Gonzales stand in the University Union Ballroom on Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2022. Both students were hoping to see more talk on how the campus would respond to recent incidents of antisemitic graffiti.

[Photo] Sacramento State holds town hall in response to antisemitism on campus

November 9, 2022

(L-R) Third-year political science and journalism major Jenn Galinato and third-year political science major Robert Gonzales stand in the University Union Ballroom on Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2022. Both students...

President Robert Nelsen (right) and his wife Jody (left) sitting at Hornet Stadium during Sac State homecoming football game against Northern Arizona University on Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021. Nelsen, who announced his retirement in a video featuring him and his wife, said that nobody should serve in his position for longer than eight years.

‘It’s time to hang ‘em up’: President Nelsen’s descent into retirement

Student’s expectations for the future of Sac State
President Robert S. Nelsen retires from his role at Sac State after seven years. Students share their reactions to his departure and their hopes for how they want the next president to be.
Charles Starzynski died Oct. 20, 2022 after suffering at least one gunshot wound in a shooting in East Sacramento, according to the Sacramento Police Department. Starzynski was one of the first hosts of CapRadio, according to a memo sent to staff. (Photo of CapRadio: Jacob Peterson. Photo of Charles Starzynski: courtesy of CapRadio. Graphic: created in Canva by Kamelia Varasteh)

Remembering the late CapRadio pillar Charles Starzynski on and off the air

The former program director died in a shooting last month
Jacob Peterson, news staffer
November 7, 2022
The former CapRadio host was identified by police as the victim of a fatal shooting during a robbery in East Sacramento last month.
Edificio 1 en el centro de vivienda estudiantil The Crossings el domingo 30 de octubre de 2022. El tiroteo tuvo lugar alrededor de las 2:15 a. m. en el cuarto piso después de que comenzó una pelea durante una fiesta de Halloween. (Gráfico creado en Canva).

NOTICIA DE ÚLTIMA HORA: Oficiales responden a reportes de un tiroteo en residencia de estudiantes

Un testigo dice que llamó la policía después de escuchar una conmoción afuera de su puerta
El estudiante de Sac State y residente de Crossings dijeron que se sienten inquietos después del tiroteo que ocurrió afuera de la puerta de su apartamento
Building 1 at The Crossings student living facility on Sunday, Oct. 30, 2022. The shooting took place around 2:15 a.m. on the fourth floor after a fight started during a Halloween party. (Photo taken by Jacob Peterson. Graphic created in Canva.)

BREAKING: Officers respond to reports of shooting at student living facility

A witness says she called police after hearing a commotion outside of her door
Dominique Williams and Jacob Peterson
October 30, 2022
Sacramento State student and Crossings resident witness said they feel unsettled after the shooting that happened outside of their apartment door.
The State Capitol on Friday, Oct. 21. Assembly Bill 2282 was first read on Feb. 16, and had to  go through committees and amendments before making its way to the governors desk. (Graphic created in Canva by Mercy Sosa)

Recent legislation looks to deter antisemitic vandalism

Assembly Bill 2282 levies criminal punishments and fines up to $10,000
Jacob Peterson and Gavin Hudson
October 29, 2022
Assembly Bill 2282 expands the list of locations where hate symbols can be criminalized.
BREAKING: Sexual assault reported at Hornet Commons

BREAKING: Sexual assault reported at Hornet Commons

The incident was recorded as an ‘assault to commit rape’
Jacob Peterson
October 24, 2022
Reported incident of battery, serious bodily harm
Third-year political science major Lupita Rios sits on-campus on Friday, Oct. 14, 2022. The recent incidents of sexual assault and battery over the past month have made Rios hesitant to make use of services on campus that she has in the past.

Students concerned about safety following sexual assaults at Sac State

Three cases have occurred on campus this semester
Justine Chahal and Jacob Peterson
October 20, 2022
After the recent sexual assault and battery cases, students said they do not feel safe being on campus. Sac State has emergency resources available, but some students feel that these services could be better.
Pawan Wallace, the current senior associate director of financial aid and scholarships at Sac State, spoke in an open forum on Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2022. Wallace described the relationship between the financial aid office and the other departments at Sac State as a “partnership.”

Candidates for Sac State’s financial aid director position present in open forum

The candidates discussed the relationship of financial aid and other departments
Jacob Peterson
October 5, 2022
The candidates for Sac State’s new director of financial aid and scholarships speak in an open forum.
Fourth-year exercise science major Natallie Melgoza (left) and  fourth-year pre-medicine major Paola Garcia (right) pose by the Sac State library on Sept. 20, 2022. The two women are the founders of the Girl Gains chapter at Sac State.

Sac State club empowers female strength in the gym

Girl Gains club looks to discourage gender disparities in the weight room
Jacob Peterson
September 29, 2022
Sac State’s Girl Gains chapter is helping women feel empowered in and out of the gym
William “Skip” Bishop returns to Sacramento State as the director of the Office of Equal Opportunity (OEO) and Title IX coordinator after leaving the university in Oct. 2021. Bishop was one of four Black administrators to leave Sac State in 2021 while the university was forming its anti-racism plan. Graphic created in Canva. Photo of Bishop courtesy of Sac State.

‘[Don’t] walk away’: Former administrator’s return to Sac State receives mixed emotions

Faculty and students have expectations for William “Skip” Bishop’s return
Jacob Peterson and Celene Talavera
September 29, 2022
William “Skip” Bishop returns to Sac State as Director of the Office of Equal Opportunity
Load More Stories