The student news site of Eastern Illinois University in Charleston, Illinois.

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The Eastern Illinois University student senate fielded questions from Vice President for Business Affairs Matt Bierman on updated fees for the 2025-26 school year at its weekly meeting in the Arcola-Tuscola room of the Martin Luther King Jr. student Union on Wednesday March 26.
2025 student government candidates share platforms
Charleston community members participated in the nationwide protest Hands Off! at the edge of Morton Park along Lincoln Avenue on Saturday. Hands Off! is a movement centered around protesting President Donald Trump and Department of Government Efficiency head Elon Musk's actions in the federal government.
Charleston community protests Trump administration, DOGE
In the Pan-Asian Hub, faculty members and professors introduced the unveiling of Asian American Heritage Month by discussing literature by the prolific South Korean writer, Han Kang on Wednesday.
Korea Update highlights the work of Nobel Prize winning author Han Kang
Junior Karla Tejada works the register at the EIU Union Bookstore.
Eastern students balance work and school
Some members of the crowd dancing to begin the Strong M.A.N. talent show at Seventh Street Underground in the Martin Luther King Jr. Union on Saturday.
Strong M.A.N. hosts campus talent show
Eastern Illinois University’s volleyball coach Ryan Millar gives directions to his players at the Sister City Park Beach Volleyball courts on March 13.
Olympic gold medal winner joins EIU’s coaching staff for volleyball
Junior Lilli Amettis dives down to get the ball during Eastern's beach volleyball game against Lindenwood University. Amettis' teammate, redshirt junior Julia Udell, watches her back on April 10, 2025 at Sister City Park in Charleston Ill.
EIU beach volleyball suffers close loss to Lindenwood
[THUMBNAIL EDITION] (From left to right) Head football coach Chris Wilkerson works with his son student assistant coach Peyton Wilkerson at football practice at O'Brien Field on the Eastern Illinois University campus on Thursday.
Coaching EIU football like father like son
Junior Sylvia Hasz (left) and senior Kaitlyn Flynn (right) compete in a beach volleyball match against the Lindenwood Lions on Wednesday, April 10, 2024 at Sister City Park in Charleston, ILL
EIU beach volleyball set to host only home match against Lindenwood
Charleston High School senior Blair Ritchey awaits the pitch while playing shortstop during game one of the Trojans' doubleheader against Mattoon Tuesday at Neco Field in Charleston, Illinois.
CHS softball split doubleheader against Mattoon
(Thumbnail) Eastern Illinois softball senior infielder Briana Gonzalez fielding a ground ball while playing shortstop at Williams Field during Eastern’s first game against Southeast Missouri State as Eastern split the games as Eastern lost the first game 3-0 and won the second 8-5 on Saturday.
EIU softball sweeps, baseball splits OVC series
Charleston High School senior Luke Bonnstetter pitches during game one of the Trojans' doubleheader against Mattoon on Monday afternoon at Mattoon High School in Mattoon, Illinois
CHS baseball loses both games to Mattoon
[Thumbnail Edition] Charleston High School sophomore Railyn Cox pitches the ball during Charleston's 8-7 win over Flora High School on Monday, March 31.
CHS baseball and softball battle weather in opening weeks of the season
Eastern Illinois University baseball senior infielder Chris Worcester tagging out the runner trying to steal at second base at Coaches Stadium during Eastern’s win against UT Martin 9-4 after the game got rained out in six innings on Friday.
Eastern baseball splits rain-shortened series with UT Martin
Senior left-handed pitcher Eli Cartwright thorw the base ball to the batter during the Eastern Illinois University vs Northern Illinois University’s game, NIU lead to 5-4 in the bottom of the first inning during Eastern’s game against Northern Illinois at Coaches stadium on March 25
EIU baseball overpowers Butler’s offense in 14-8 win
Forward redshirt freshman Georgia Cox looking for someone open to pass too, during the game Thursday Feb 20,2025 in Evansville Indiana against Souther Indiana Screaming Eagles, panthers lost 66-46. at Liberty Arena.
EIU women’s basketball forward announces departure from program
[Thumbnail Edition] Senior Foward Macy McGlone, getsw the ball and gets the point during the first half of the game aginst Western Illinois University,, Eastern Illinois University Lost to Western Illinois University Thursday March 6 20205, 78-75 EIU lost making it the end of their season
McGlone etches herself in EIU history
Eastern redshirt junior guard Obadiah Curtis cuts to the basket as Little Rock senior guard Jordan Jefferson guards him during the first half Eastern basketball’s win against Little Rock 71-60 at Groniger Arena on Thursday.
EIU men’s basketball players that entered the transfer portal
Fans of Meridian High School watch as St. Anthony High School has the ball near the end of the first quarter of the Illinois High School Association Class 1A Super sectional game at Groniger Arena on Monday.
What does Eastern get from hosting high school sports events?
Fifth year, forward Jayda Johnston carries senior guard Kiyley Flowers off the court during the first quarter of the game against Tennessee State Tigers in Groniger Arena on the Eastern Illinois University on Feb. 13.
The journey from registered nurse to EIU forward
Drew Farrell
COLUMN: The NFL should adopt the fourth-and-20 play
Cameron Thomas
COLUMN: Why the NBA ratings are down
Emerson Reynolds
COLUMN: Sports media must be more positive
Zaria Flippin, senior, sports media relations
COLUMN: Start paying student athletes to help them live
Patrick Schmitz Sophomore, Sports media Relations
COLUMN: Paying athletes could lead to roster cuts for EIU athletics
Fans of Meridian High School watch as St. Anthony High School has the ball near the end of the first quarter of the Illinois High School Association Class 1A Super sectional game at Groniger Arena on Monday.
What does Eastern get from hosting high school sports events?
Forward senior Macy McGlone plays defences ready for the ball, during the game Thursday Feb 20,2025 in Evansville Indiana against Souther Indiana Screaming Eagles, panthers lost 66-46. at Liberty Arena.
Panthers of the Week: Abraham Johnson, Macy McGlone
(Thumbnail Edition) Ramsey Hunt competes in the men's long jump category for the second day of EIU Big Blue Classic. Hunt finishes first in the finals with a mark of 7.35m at the O’Brien Field Saturday afternoon.
Graduate jumper looks to make big leap in final year at EIU
Sophomore multi track and field athlete Ben Jessup stretches and prepares to compete in the John Craft Invite on Saturday.
Eastern track and field athlete returns after injury setback
Freshman Joe Stoddard (117) runs at the 2023 EIU Walt Crawford open.
Panthers of the Week: Joe Stoddard, Alex Tetteh
[THUMBNAIL EDITION] (From left to right) Head football coach Chris Wilkerson works with his son student assistant coach Peyton Wilkerson at football practice at O'Brien Field on the Eastern Illinois University campus on Thursday.
Coaching EIU football like father like son
Assistant Offensive Line Cole Hoover shows the angle of how their hands should be placed during pratice at O'Brain field during football practice on the Eastern Illinois university campus, Charleston Ill.
EIU football coach makes move to new role once held by his father
(Thumbnail Edition) SUBMITTED PHOTO | BLAINEY DOWLING From left to right: senior safety Tienne Fridge, junior forward Katiebeth May, redshirt sophomore defender Elizabeth Galvin and redshirt sophomore quarterback Blainey Dowling at the Uplifting Athletes Conference Saturday Feb 1 2025, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Uplifting Athletes conference teaches EIU athletes fundraising, leadership
Football is back at O'Brien Stadium
STAFF PICKS: Who will win the Super Bowl?
Former Eastern quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo and the Eastern football team celebrate, winning the Ohio Valley Conference title for the second straight year with a 52-14 win over Jacksonville State at O'Brien Field on Sept. 16, 2013.
Former EIU quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo wears custom cleats before postseason run
(Thumbnail Edition) SUBMITTED PHOTO | BLAINEY DOWLING From left to right: senior safety Tienne Fridge, junior forward Katiebeth May, redshirt sophomore defender Elizabeth Galvin and redshirt sophomore quarterback Blainey Dowling at the Uplifting Athletes Conference Saturday Feb 1 2025, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Uplifting Athletes conference teaches EIU athletes fundraising, leadership
Josh Oakley has left the Eastern men's soccer program after two years as head coach.
Men’s soccer head coach leaves Eastern
Centerback Sarah Hagg, then a sophomore, playing in a game against Purdue Fort Wayne on August 21, 2022 . Eastern won the game 2-0. at Lakeside Field on the Eastern Illinois University campus, Charleston Ill.
Past EIU defender signs for professional soccer club
Goal Keeper Sophomore Ella Kratochvil of the women's soccer team, in the beginning of the game jumps up to bump team mate during the introduction of the game during the Eastern Illinois University Panther game vs Tennessee Teach Golden Eagles
Women’s soccer could see extended season
Eastern graduate quarterback Pierce Holley (3) and redshirt sophomore Jay Pearson (21) line up behind the line before the snap during the football game against Charleston Southern University Saturday at O'Brien Stadium. The Panthers won 16-13.
Panthers of the Semester: Pierce Holley, Abby Reinl, Dirk Bennett
Charleston High School senior Blair Ritchey awaits the pitch while playing shortstop during game one of the Trojans' doubleheader against Mattoon Tuesday at Neco Field in Charleston, Illinois.
CHS softball split doubleheader against Mattoon
(Thumbnail) Eastern Illinois softball senior infielder Briana Gonzalez fielding a ground ball while playing shortstop at Williams Field during Eastern’s first game against Southeast Missouri State as Eastern split the games as Eastern lost the first game 3-0 and won the second 8-5 on Saturday.
EIU softball sweeps, baseball splits OVC series
[Thumbnail Edition] Charleston High School sophomore Railyn Cox pitches the ball during Charleston's 8-7 win over Flora High School on Monday, March 31.
CHS baseball and softball battle weather in opening weeks of the season
[Thumbnail Edition] Eastern Illinois softball senior infielder Briana Gonzalez resetting in the batter's box after a pitch at Williams Field during Eastern’s first game against Southeast Missouri State as Eastern split the games as Eastern lost the first game 3-0 and won the second 8-5 on March 28.
Panthers of the Week: Alex Siatos, Briana Gonzalez
Eastern Illinois softball freshman catcher Kira Manganello catching the pitch behind home plate at Williams Field during Eastern’s first game against Southeast Missouri State as Eastern split the games as Eastern lost the first game 3-0 and won the second 8-5 on Saturday.
Panther softball catcher finds home at EIU, FCA
Redshirt junior guard Obadiah Curtis drives to the basket against Graduate student forward Jack Mielke during the second half of Eastern’s lost to Southern Indiana 64-60 on Saturday
Panthers of the Week: Obadiah Curtis, Autumn Grinter
Members of the EIU women's basketball game rush to the student section to celebrate a 51-49 win over the University of Southern Indiana Groniger Arena Saturday. The Panthers won 51-49 in a late game layup and free throw with 13 seconds left allowing the Panthers to continue on a 10-0 win streak in the Ohio Valley Conference.
Panther Roundup: Women’s basketball undefeated in OVC, men’s swim wins almost every event
Senior Freestyle swimmer Conner Colston reacting to getting fourth place in the 50-yard freestyle with a time of 22.26 during the Eastern Illinois men’s loss against Lewis University 152-110 on Friday evening.
EIU swim celebrates seniors against Lewis
Senior midfielder Avery Richardson stands still during a break in the game for a green carding during the Eastern Illinois University Panther game vs Tennessee Teach Golden Eagles at Lakeside Field on the Eastern Illinois University campus, Charleston, Ill. EIU won 2-1.
Panthers of the Week: Avery Richardson, Conner Colston
Through 40 years of coaching: Scott Teeters
Freshman Eastern Illinois tennis player Duarte Trocado readies to backhand the ball during Eastern’s Horizon League conference opener against Tennessee State University as Eastern lost 5-2 on Saturday.
Men’s tennis loses home conference opener against TSU
Freshman tennis player Fabien Planchard backhands the ball during the Eastern Illinois Fall Invitational Friday at the Darling Courts.
EIU tennis prepares for weekend games
Members of the EIU women's basketball game rush to the student section to celebrate a 51-49 win over the University of Southern Indiana Groniger Arena Saturday. The Panthers won 51-49 in a late game layup and free throw with 13 seconds left allowing the Panthers to continue on a 10-0 win streak in the Ohio Valley Conference.
Panther Roundup: Women’s basketball undefeated in OVC, men’s swim wins almost every event
Players of the Eastern Illinois University women's basketball team cheer on teammates during their game against the Indiana State Sycamores on Friday, Dec. 6, 2024 in Groniger Arena.
Panther Sports Roundup: What you missed over the weekend
Freshman tennis player Ludolph Wiggett tries to hit the ball during the Eastern Illinois Fall Invitational Friday at the Darling Courts.
Freshman tennis player shares COVID-19 experience in Australia in Q&A
Eastern Illinois University’s volleyball coach Ryan Millar gives directions to his players at the Sister City Park Beach Volleyball courts on March 13.
Olympic gold medal winner joins EIU’s coaching staff for volleyball
Junior Lilli Amettis dives down to get the ball during Eastern's beach volleyball game against Lindenwood University. Amettis' teammate, redshirt junior Julia Udell, watches her back on April 10, 2025 at Sister City Park in Charleston Ill.
EIU beach volleyball suffers close loss to Lindenwood
Junior Sylvia Hasz (left) and senior Kaitlyn Flynn (right) compete in a beach volleyball match against the Lindenwood Lions on Wednesday, April 10, 2024 at Sister City Park in Charleston, ILL
EIU beach volleyball set to host only home match against Lindenwood
Head Volleyball Coach Sara Thomas high fives her players before the volleyball game against the University of Missouri Tigers Friday afternoon at Lantz Aren. The Panthers lost 3-1.
Head EIU volleyball coach resigns
(Thumbnail Edition) Associate Head Coach Manolo Concepcion talks to the Volleyball team from the side lines during the game against Tennessee State at the Groniger Arena on the Eastern Illinois University campus, Nov 20,2024. Charleston ILL.
EIU volleyball coach contract not renewed
Students, staff and parents join together in the Tarble Arts Center to award undergraduate EIU student work and to view the artwork of undergrads and graduate students from on Saturday.
Tarble Arts Center features EIU student, graduate student artwork
Chanticleer's countertenor Adam Brett sings during act two of the performance Saturday evening at the Dvorak Concert Hall.
Chanticleer delivers memorable moments for audience
Chanticleer will be performing at 7:30 in the Dvorak Concert Hall in the Doudna Fine Arts Center on Saturday, April 5.
Grammy award-winning Chanticleer to perform at Doudna
Ian Shepherd, the guest of the show for EIU Percussion Ensemble, has been performing for over 30 years, and is a local to Champaign Urbana.
Percussion Ensemble performs with Champaign drummer
The Weeklings lead guitarist John Merjave [Left] and guitarist Bob Burger [Right] perform "I Am the Walrus" at The Weeklings Beatles Bash concert in the Dvorak Concert Hall on Saturday.
Beatles tribute band rocks out at Doudna
Luke Brewer
COLUMN: ‘The Menu’ left me hungry for more 
Gunnar Olson
COLUMN: “Sunrise on the Reaping” has been catching fire  
Editorial Cartoon
EDITORIAL: The miseducation of DEI
Cam'ron Hardy
COLUMN: “The Resemblance:” So much in so little  
Luke Brewer
COLUMN: ‘Schindler’s List’ is more about the Holocaust than Schindler
Two Dudes Talk Movies logo
Two Dudes Talk Movies Ep. 89: Is ‘Opus’ Really That Grand?
Two Dudes Talk Movies logo
Two Dudes Talk Movies Ep. 88: There’s More to Action Films Than Killing
Two Dudes Talk Movies logo
Two Dudes Talk Movies Ep. 87: Luke Brewer vs. The World
Two Dudes Talk Movies logo
Two Dudes Talk Movies Ep. 86: Is ‘A Real Pain’ Painful to Watch?
Coles County Chronicle
Coles County Chronicles Ep. 1: Brian Deadmond
Saxophonist Chad LB solos on a jazz chart with the Eastern Illinois Jazz Ensemble during the first song of Eastern Jazz Festival.
THROUGH THE LENS: Award-winning saxophonist Chad LB plays at EIU
Redshirt junior running back Jay Pearson throws a cream pie into the face of a faculty member in the Grand Ballroom in the Martin Luther King Jr. Union.
THROUGH THE LENS: Jock-N-Roll raises $1,500 for veteran
Students hug at the candlelight vigil for Eastern student Yahacov Dennis who died last Saturday, January 25 at Amoco.
THROUGH THE LENS: Vigil commemorated to Eastern student death
The cheering grows louder as players for the Eastern Illinois University women's basketball team get closer to 100 points. Macy McGlone said the team was counting down the points to 100 from the slide lines.
THROUGH THE LENS: Women’s basketball score 100 points for first time since 2018
The EIU Reserve Officers' Training Corps loads the first group of cadets onto the Chinook aircraft for a ride around Charleston before landing back to the ground on Thursday. The ride was part of an aviation lab for cadets to learn what it was like to be on an aircraft.
THROUGH THE LENS: ROTC brings Chinook to EIU’s campus
The student news site of Eastern Illinois University in Charleston, Illinois.

The Daily Eastern News
The student news site of Eastern Illinois University in Charleston, Illinois.

The Daily Eastern News
Sophomore sprinter Taji Mathis-Akinremi quit wrestling in his past to race in track and field.

Sophomore sprinter talks about wrestling background in Q&A

Zaria Flippin, Sports Editor • April 2, 2025

Sophomore sprinter Taji Mathis-Akinremi is in his second year with Eastern’s track and field team.  From Chicago, Mathis-Akinremi attended Homewood-Flossmoor High School and got his start on the...

Members of the Eastern track team compete in the men’s mile at the John Craft Invitational on Jan. 15, 2022 in the Lantz Field House. Eastern’s Jamie Marcos (3) finished the race with a time of 4:12.83, placing first out of 18 runners.

Coach Gildon, Coach Baker start EIU careers at Early Bird track meet

Aidan Cusack, Sports Reporter • December 10, 2023

First-year Director of Track and Field/Cross Country James Gildon coached his first track meet as director on Thursday. This was the Eastern Illinois Early Bird meet, which took place in the Lantz...

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