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The State Hornet

The student news site of Sacramento State University

The State Hornet

The student news site of Sacramento State University

The State Hornet

Omid Manavirad

Omid Manavirad, News Staffer

(he/him)

Omid Manavirad is a transfer student majoring in journalism. Now in his third semester with The State Hornet news section, he enjoys being part of the news staff and covering stories that matter to students. In his free time, he likes reading, watching movies and listening to music. He hopes to pursue a career as a journalist.

All content by Omid Manavirad
The College of Business located in Tahoe Hall Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025. The new concentration in artificial intelligence management will teach students hands-on skills for using AI responsibly in the workplace.

College of Business to offer new artificial intelligence concentration next semester

The new concentration is intended to teach workplace-ready skills to business majors
Omid Manavirad, News Staffer
November 17, 2025
An artificial intelligence concentration will be offered through the College of Business, focusing on practical applications of business majors using artificial intelligence in the workplace.
A student was arrested after driving erratically in Parking Structure 1 and hitting another student with their vehicle Monday, Nov. 10, 2025. The vehicle, a white Ford Explorer, was equipped with red and blue lights and sirens, the driver was seen yelling “ICE-RAID.”

Sac State student arrested for assault and impersonation of a police officer on campus

The arrest occurred after allegedly hitting another student inside after yelling "ICE raid"
Omid Manavirad, News Staffer
November 14, 2025
On Nov. 10, a student was booked on charges of assault with a deadly weapon and impersonation of a police officer after hitting another student with a car equipped with lights and sirens.
“Good Fortune” (2025) is produced, written and directed by Aziz Ansari and stars Ansari alongside Keanu Reeves, Seth Rogen and Keke Palmer. This body-swap comedy is a contemporary take on the “guardian angel” trope previously explored in movies like “It’s a Wonderful Life” or “Dogma.” (Photos courtesy of Lionsgate. Graphic created in Canva)

Movie Notes: Keanu Reeves, chicken nuggies and the meaning of life in ‘Good Fortune’

Aziz Ansari, Keanu Reeves and Seth Rogen headline this comedy film about economic struggle
Omid Manavirad, News Staffer
November 12, 2025
When an angel’s good deed goes wrong, he ends up chain-smoking and working three jobs just to get by in the body-swap fantasy comedy, “Good Fortune.” Read our review here.
The annual Sacramento State budget town hall was held Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025. President Luke Wood and members of his cabinet reviewed Sac State’s budget planning process and plans for maintaining fiscal stability during waning state support. (Graphic created in Canva)

Sac State adopts ‘enterprise model’ to increase revenue amid state funding challenges

President Wood and members of his cabinet answered staff and student questions at annual budget town hall
Omid Manavirad, News Staffer
November 6, 2025
At the annual budget town hall meeting, President Wood said Sac State needs to generate income with a new revenue model.
“Scooby-Doo” is the live-action adaptation of the classic 1969 cartoon with an early 2000s aesthetic. It starred some of the most recognizable young stars in Hollywood at the time. (Photo courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures, Graphic created in Canva by Omid Manavirad)

Movie Notes: ‘Scooby Doo’ Monsters, Mystery and Y2K

Revisiting the Y2K mashup that began originally written with an “R” rated script
Omid Manavirad, News Staffer
October 28, 2025
In the mood for some Scooby Snacks? Revisit the 2002 “Scooby-Doo” live-action adaptation, a relic of Y2K pop culture where nostalgia meets…a talking dog?
Rapper Lil Yachty performs after the Homecoming football game where Sacramento State beat the University of Northern Colorado Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. Lil Yachty only performed for eight minutes before cutting his appearance short due to safety concerns.

Upcoming post-game concert prompts safety concerns after unsuccessful Lil Yachty performance

Administration has implemented additional security measures ahead of Quavo’s Friday performance
Omid Manavirad and Gabriel Solis
October 23, 2025
Sacramento State administration shut down Lil Yachty’s post-game performance when crowd control and safety became a concern last Saturday.
“One Battle After Another” sets California against a backdrop of a revolution in the streets. Leonardo DiCaprio stars as an unconventional and unhinged lead role that is very different from his conventional work as an actor. (Photo courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures and graphic made in Canva by Omid Manavirad)

Bullet holes and bank rolls: ‘One Battle After Another’ is an emotional epic

Filmed partly in downtown Sacramento, revolution and rebellion take to the streets in this gritty and intense epic
Omid Manavirad, News Staffer
October 10, 2025
“One Battle After Another” imagines California amidst revolution. Director Paul Thomas Anderson balances all-out action and political satire with his most ambitious movie yet.
Sac State has placed professor Anne Luna on leave and is reviewing her case for potential university honor code violations from a social media post on Sept. 10, 2025. The sociology professor allegedly celebrated Charlie Kirk’s assassination via Instagram, sparking controversy. (Graphic created in Canva by Molly Mellon.)

Sac State professor on voluntary leave after Charlie Kirk post

The university is reviewing the incident but has not released any details
Omid Manavirad and Molly Mellon
October 2, 2025
Sacramento State is reviewing the social media post of a professor that allegedly celebrated Charlie Kirk’s assassination on an Instagram story.
CSU Chancellor Mildred García responded to federal claims of systemwide antisemitism and discrimination in an email to the CSU community. The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights are investigating the CSU system and its involvement in The PhD Project. (Graphic made in Canva by Logan Chrisp, photo courtesy of Sacramento State.)

BREAKING: CSU system faces federal allegations of antisemitism over hiring processes

CSU Chancellor Mildred García responds to federal allegations of discrimination in the CSU system
Omid Manavirad and Molly Mellon
September 26, 2025
CSU Chancellor Mildred García responded to federal claims of systemwide antisemitism and discrimination in an email to the CSU community. The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights are investigating the CSU system and its involvement in The PhD Project.
California legislators have rejected and restructured proposed budget cuts for California State Universities from Governor Gavin Newsom Monday, Sept. 22, 2025. In light of this, Sacramento State’s own budget deficit has been reduced, but the university will still be working to compensate for the deficit. (Graphic created in Canva by Omid Manavirad)

Legislature delays $144 million CSU cut, Sac State budget deficit is reduced

California State University avoids immediate budget reductions, softening Sac State’s budget crisis
Omid Manavirad, News Staffer
September 23, 2025
While Gov. Gavin Newsom’s proposal to cut CSU budgets is postponed, Sacramento State’s budget deficit is reduced.
Sac State  ha reafirmado su apoyo a los estudiantes inmigrantes e indocumentados al brindar información y apoyo a sus estudiantes, profesores y personal. El campus ofrece diversas formas de apoyo a través de páginas web, servicios legales, centros de recursos y consejería. (Gráfico creado en Canva por Omid Manavirad)

Preguntas Frecuentes: ¿Qué hacer si ICE viene a Sac State?

Aldolfo Cruz and Omid Manavirad
September 22, 2025

Sac State ha reafirmado su apoyo a los estudiantes inmigrantes e indocumentados al brindar información y apoyo a sus estudiantes, profesores y personal. El campus ofrece diversas formas de apoyo a través...

Sac State has reaffirmed its support for immigrant and undocumented students by providing information and support to its students, faculty and staff. The campus offers various avenues of support through webpages, legal services, resource centers and counseling. (Graphic created in Canva by Omid Manavirad)

FAQ: What to do if ICE comes to Sac State

Guidance and resources for Sac State students facing immigration enforcement
Omid Manavirad and Lou Baudouin
September 8, 2025
Answers to frequently asked questions about rights, safety and campus support during ICE activity. Here’s what the hornet community needs to know.
“Honey Don’t!” was released in theaters August 22, 2025. The film stars Margaret Qualley, Aubrey Plaza, Chris Evans, Charlie Day and Lera Abova. (Photo courtesy of Focus Features. Graphic created in Canva)

Ethan Coen’s sunbaked neo-noir ‘Honey Don’t!’ is a messy mystery

A sunshine neo-noir mystery with style, but a scattered story that leaves characters in the dust
Omid Manavirad, News Staffer
September 1, 2025
Margaret Qualley commands the big screen once again in “Honey Don't!”, but this time with support from Chris Evans, Charlie Day and Aubrey Plaza. However, the film’s fragmented story keeps Coen from reaching past heights.
President Wood addressed faculty concerns at an open forum Thursday, March 27, 2025. A majority of the faculty present were worried over the budget and how cuts and reductions would affect different departments, resources, faculty and students. (Photo by Lizeth Tello, graphic created in Canva)

‘This university is a disaster’ Everything we know about Sac State’s budget crisis

Here is what President Luke Wood has said about the budget plans so far
Sac State will not be merging colleges just yet, instead implementing cost-saving measures to resolve its budget crisis. Other concerns regarding faculty lay-offs, athletics, research funding and DEI programs were discussed.
The Collaborative Community Psychology Research & Action team in the psychology department has been collaborating with local elementary school students. Sac State psychology majors involved in COLLAB gain experience in gathering observational data while working with youth. (Graphic made in Canva)

COLLAB helps psychology students positively impact the environment and the youth

The program works with local schools to foster youth engagement, impact waterways and gather research
Omid Manavirad, News Staffer
May 5, 2025
Sacramento State’s COLLAB research program has partnered with the Sacramento Community Land Trust to revitalize Morrison Creek, while also providing psychology students a chance to gain research experience.
Fantasy is a huge genre that encompasses many subgenres, tropes and themes. Here are some children’s, young adult and high fantasy books that all provide entertaining stories that anyone can enjoy. (Graphic created in Canva by Rinn Lee)

The Book Nook: High Fantasy for all ages

The fantasy genre has offerings for everyone
Rinn Lee and Omid Manavirad
April 18, 2025
High fantasy is a subgenre usually associated with adults, however high fantasy novels exist for all reading levels.
Sacramento State Police Department conducted its biannual testing of campus security towers throughout the week of Monday, March 24, 2025. There are 256 emergency phones across campus, including standalone poles and wall-mounted units on campus and in parking garages.

Five emergency towers on campus remain inoperable after scheduled testing

Blue emergency towers undergo biannual testing
Annie Biebl and Omid Manavirad
April 16, 2025
The Sac State Police Department has repaired and ensured that nearly all of the emergency blue light towers on campus are operational.
Sacramento State students and faculty took part in a live Reddit AMA session with President Luke Wood Thursday, April 10, 2025. Wood answered student questions regarding recent news about the budget crisis, former Sacramento Kings player Mike Bibby becoming men’s basketball coach and much more. (Graphic created in Canva)

President Luke Wood answered student questions on his first live Reddit AMA session

Students and faculty had the chance to ask about the budget, athletics and fees
Omid Manavirad, News Staffer
April 14, 2025
Sac State students got the chance to ask their biggest questions directly to President Luke Wood, covering topics like the budget deficit, the new stadium, increased tuition and more on Reddit.
ASI Student Engagement and Outreach office, where ASI employees work to promote programs and services Tuesday, March 4, 2025. Students and campus faculty have discussed forming a new union after multiple allegations of union-busting and discrimination were raised against ASI.

Campus workers seek to form union following allegations against ASI

The CSUEU stands in support of Sac State ASI employees after claims of mistreatment
Lizeth Tello, Omid Manavirad, and Rain Barron
March 17, 2025
Campus workers have begun forming a union after allegations of discrimination and union busting were raised against ASI.
Many of the lecture halls and office spaces on campus are known or suspected to contain asbestos. Asbestos is a harmful mineral that was widely used in construction during the 1960s and 1970s, over a long period of exposure it has been confirmed to cause harm. (Graphic created in Canva by Jade Brown)

Students raise frustrations about asbestos in over half of the lecture halls on campus

Officials say there are no plans for removal
Omid Manavirad, News Staffer
March 13, 2025
Students raise frustration over asbestos in over half of Sac State’s lecture halls, but school officials say removal is not necessary.
A student walks by the Lassen Hall Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025. Lassen Hall is home to multiple cultural centers available on campus, including the Esak’timá Center, the APIDA Center and the MLK Jr. Center.

Sac State students concerned about federal DEI and immigration-related policy changes

Cultural centers facing uncertainty after new executive orders attempt to terminate DEI programs
Lizeth Tello and Omid Manavirad
March 10, 2025
Sacramento State DEI programs are facing uncertainty after President Donald Trump signed executive orders attempting to dissolve student cultural centers.
The letter from the Department of Education is giving schools in the country 14 days to show compliance starting from Feb. 14, 2025. All educational institutions that accept federal funding must show compliance or potentially risk losing their funding. (Photograph by B Christopher/Alamy Stock Photo)

Federally funded schools receive ultimatum from Department of Education

Failure to comply with the Feb. 14 ultimatum could result in Sac State losing federal funding
Omid Manavirad, News
February 28, 2025
The Department of Education has issued a warning letter to colleges across the United States, requiring them to eliminate race-based inclusion policies within 14 days to comply or risk losing federal funding.
The red heart-shaped eyes of the killer glow as he stands near a carnival carousel in Josh Ruben’s “Heart Eyes” (2025). The film blends classic, early 2000s horror tropes with a modern-day lens and Valentine's Day coat of paint. (Photo courtesy of Sony)

Romance is dead, but horror slashers are back with ‘Heart Eyes’

“This February, no couple is safe”
Omid Manavirad, News Staffer
February 19, 2025
Director Josh Ruben’s “Heart Eyes” is an early 2000s-inspired romantic comedy with a modern-day horror spin.
Sacramento State President Luke Wood delivers the annual Spring Address in the University Union Ballroom Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025. Wood described how Sac State’s diverse student population helps it stand out from other CSU schools. (Photo courtesy of Bibiana Ortiz, Sacramento State)

President Luke Wood’s 2025 Spring Address celebrates milestones amidst budget cuts

President Wood’s Thursday address emphasized silver linings to upcoming fiscal cuts and what makes Sac State special
Omid Manavirad, News Staffer
January 18, 2025
Among budget cuts and a concerning political landscape, Sacramento State President Luke Wood outlines the silver linings of the academic year ahead.
The National Institute on Artificial Intelligence in Society (NIAIS) launched last year and has since begun steadily implementing new AI-enabled tools to help students and faculty succeed. (Graphic made in Canva)

Sac State’s NIAIS on the future of AI in education

The NIAIS’ custom AI is helping students and faculty learn to use artificial intelligence
Omid Manavirad, News Staffer
October 23, 2024
The National Institute on Artificial Intelligence in Society or NIAIS at Sac State is in the process of developing custom AI tools for students and faculty.
Advisor to the President for Tribal Community Relations and Native Student Success Joaquin Tarango stands by the mural at the Esak’Tima Center on Monday, Sept. 23, 2024. Tarango said the university is doing important work in returning its inventory of cultural items and remains.

Native American Graves and Repatriation Survey to be conducted in October

Sac State is in the process of returning its collection of Native American remains and cultural items
Omid Manavirad, News Staffer
October 1, 2024
Sac State will be conducting a three stage campus-wide survey to return Native American remains and cultural resources
Department of Ethnic Studies professor and CHLFSA Board member Elvia Ramirez stands by the mural at the Center on Race, Immigration & Social Justice Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024. Though she serves as coordinator for the CRISJ mentorship program, Ramirez also dedicates her time to the Chicanx/Latinx Faculty Staff Association.

CHLFSA calls on Sac State to increase Latinx/Chicanx representation and leadership

The statement criticized the lack of progress toward adequate Latin representation
Omid Manavirad, Staffer
September 18, 2024
The Chicanx/Latinx Faculty Staff Association has called on President Wood to address the lack of Latinx/Chicanx representation at Sac State.
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