Song Girls name change becomes tempest in teacup
Tomo Chien
October 16, 2024
Good morning. It’s Wednesday, and I’m reading about the best tacos in Los Angeles. Onto the five USC, LA, and California stories you need to know for today.
Apologies for missing yesterday’s newsletter. I had a late night!
1.
Pissed off parents and alumni are circulating a 200-signature petition protesting the Song Girls’ name change to the Song Leaders. The guys seem to be most pissed. John from Laguana Niguel called the change a “shameful abuse,” and Steven from San Diego bemoaned the desecration of a “sacred and important” tradition.
2.
Authorities uncovered no evidence that a man arrested for carrying guns outside Donald Trump’s weekend rally in Coachella planned to assassinate the former president — contrary to what cops initially insisted. “In observance of my 1st Amendment rights, I carry firearms in my truck,” the constitutionally confused suspect said.
3.
A Santa Monica College staffer shot a coworker then died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound a day later after a standoff with police, authorities said. The wounded coworker is hospitalized in critical condition.
4.
USC women’s soccer will play Ohio State at BMO Stadium tomorrow night — a rare chance to watch the team play in one of the “coolest stadiums in the country.” It’ll also be one of the only chances to watch the No. 9-ranked Trojans play near campus this season given the ongoing construction of Rawlinson Stadium.
5.
A food blog ranked In-N-Out’s fries nearly dead last in its annual list of American fast food French fries. The cultish California mainstay that touts nonsense freshness to cover for its cardboard aftertaste — sue me — managed to beat out only Arby’s Crinkle Fries. McDonald’s, of course, won.
