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

The Daily Eastern News
  • Welcome back to the Daily Eastern News!
  • Check out our podcasts on Spotify!
  • Check out our newsletters on Overlooked!
Students walk through South Quad for dinner in South Quad Dining on EIU's campus Monday. This semester, there are 438 less students on campus than last spring.
EIU spring on-campus enrollment down 9.77%
A police car parked in the station lot Sunday evening. An Illinois state task force recently began considering changes to qualified imunity for Illinois law enforcement officers.
Mattoon High School employee charged with criminal sexual abuse charges from 2017
Vice President for Business Affairs Matt Bierman discusses updated fees for the 2025-26 school year with the EIU student senate at its weekly meeting in the 1895 room of the Martin Luther King Jr student union on Wednesday.
Student senate reviews 2.75% tuition increase for 2026
Events and Exhibit Coordinator Diane Highland show directions on where to find the Jane Addams exhibit to the audience at Booth Library for Women’s History Month on March 13.
Booth Library honors Jane Addams for Women’s History Month
Partygoers dance and listen to music at the second house on First Street at Unofficial on March 8.
Crime rates remain similar to last year at Unofficial
Eastern Illinois men's golfers, juniors Cole Jaworski (back) and Trey Oswald (front) practice in the new golf simulator on Monday.
New golf simulator opens in Lantz Complex for team
Eastern Illinois University baseball redshirt sophomore utility player number three Eli Hill jumps up and celebrates with his team after hitting a grand slam to cut Northern Illinois University’s lead to 5-4 in the bottom of the first inning during Eastern’s game against Northern Illinois at Coaches stadium on March 25.
Eastern baseball falls to NIU in high-scoring game
[Thumbnail Edition] Eastern Illinois University baseball senior utility player Tyler Castro fields a ground ball during the team's first intrasquad scrimmage of the season on Jan. 31.
EIU baseball takeaways after opening OVC series
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
[Thumbnail Edition] Senior tennis player Luisa Renovales Salazar hits the tennis ball with her racket at the Darling Courts at the Eastern Illinois University campus in Charleston, ILL.
Panthers of the Week: Luisa Renovales Salazar, Jake Ferguson
Eastern Illinois University baseball redshirt sophomore utility player number three Eli Hill jumps up and celebrates with his team after hitting a grand slam to cut Northern Illinois University’s lead to 5-4 in the bottom of the first inning during Eastern’s game against Northern Illinois at Coaches stadium on March 25.
Eastern baseball falls to NIU in high-scoring game
[Thumbnail Edition] Eastern Illinois University baseball senior utility player Tyler Castro fields a ground ball during the team's first intrasquad scrimmage of the season on Jan. 31.
EIU baseball takeaways after opening OVC series
[Thumbnail Edition] Senior tennis player Luisa Renovales Salazar hits the tennis ball with her racket at the Darling Courts at the Eastern Illinois University campus in Charleston, ILL.
Panthers of the Week: Luisa Renovales Salazar, Jake Ferguson
Sophomore Aleyla Wooten bites her lip while hitting the ball over to the other team during the doubles match against Southeast Missouri State University Redhawks at Atkins Tennis Center.
Panthers of the Week: Aleyla Wooten, Zak Goodwin
Charleston High School baseball manager Daniel Bennett speaks with his team before a practice at Baker Field on Wednesday in Charleston, Illinois. 
CHS baseball leans on experience ahead of new season
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
Senior Foward Macy McGlone gets pulled to the floor with the ball in hand, Eastern Illinois University lost to Western Illinois University Thursday March 6 20205, 78-75 EIU lost
Panthers lose tournament thriller against Leathernecks
Western Illinois University's head women's basketball coach J.D. Gravina (middle), junior forward Mia Nicastro (left) and sophomore guard Reagan McCowan answer questions during the press conference after a win over UT Martin 78-72 in the first round of the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament Wednesday at the Ford Center in Evansville, Ind. The Leathernecks will play Eastern tomorrow.
EIU faces in-state rivals Western Illinois in quarterfinals
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) 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
Eastern redshirt sophomore running back MJ Flowers carries the ball across the goal line during the football game Saturday at O'Brien Stadium. The Panthers won 16-13.
Flowers said God saved him
Safety NiJhay Burt (34), intercepts the ball for a 67 yard return touchdown. The Panthers won 27-0 against the Sycamores Thursday night.
Starting defender announces decision to enter NCAA transfer portal
(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
The Trojans are set to play their first home game on March 25 against Cumberland at Karch Field.
CHS softball looks to keep success going ahead of new season
[Thumbnail Edition] Senior right-handed pitcher Tyler Conklin pitching in the Eastern Illinois University baseball team's intrasquad scrimmage at O'Brien Field in Charleston, Illinois on Jan. 31.
Panthers of the Week: Tyler Conklin, McKenzie Oslanzi
E[Thumbnail Edition] Eastern Illinois softball freshman utility player Abbi Hatton deciding to throw the softball to home plate in a fielding drill during softball practice at the field house in Groniger arena on Tuesday Feb. 11.
High school softball record setter explains why she came to Eastern in Q&A
Freshman pitcher McKenzie Oslanzi throwing a pitch on April Saturday 20, 2024 against Tennessee Tech University.
Panthers of the Week: NaKyel Shelton, McKenzie Oslanzi
Softball co-head coaches Kristi and Dan Paulson talk with the infielders about how to improve after a fielding drill at practice on Tuesday.
Co-head softball coaches caught feelings
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
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
Eastern Illinois Volleyball team won 3-1 the game against Tennessee State at the Groniger Arena on the Eastern Illinois University campus, Nov 20,2024. Charleston ILL.
EIU volleyball triumphs over TSU in season finale
The head coach of the Panthers calls for a quick team discussion at the end of tonight’s game against Tennessee Tech
EIU volleyball gets swept by Tennessee State; loses tournament hopes
The EIU volleyball team cheers during the Eastern Illinois University against Southern Illinois University Evansville, on Tuesday Oct 15. 2024. at Groniger Arena
What EIU volleyball needs to do to make the OVC Tournament
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
The team listens as its captain Patience Cox [Number 25] lectures to them about what's appropriate to talk about through practice during "The Wolves" on Thursday, March 6, in the Black Box Theatre in the Doudna Fine Arts Center in Charleston, Ill.
‘The Wolves’ premieres at Doudna Fine Arts Center
A family shows how proud they are as their child excitedly points to his name on the art exhibit wall in the Tarble Arts Center on Friday.
K-12 students show art at Tarble Arts Center
Andrea Leege and Jerry Ittamore observe the work of late EIU art professor Carl Wilen Friday in the Tarble Arts Center.
Fall exhibitions close at Tarble Arts Center
SUBMITTED PHOTO | THE DOUNDA FINE ARTS CENTER Jack Fry first came to EIU in 2012 where he performed in the Black Box in the Doudna Fine Arts Center.
‘Einstein!’ star returns to Eastern 13 years later
Cam'ron Hardy
“The Batman:” a new perspective three years later 
Rob Le Cates
COLUMN: I went to Unofficial sober so you don’t have to
Jacob Hamm
COLUMN: ‘Children of Jihad:’ captivating, thrilling, chilling
Michelle Doty
COLUMN: Physical books are way better than e-books
Luke Brewer
COLUMN: ‘Anora’ is deeper than you think 
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
Two Dudes Talk Movies logo
Two Dudes Talk Movies Ep. 85: North By Northwest: Featuring the President of Our University
Two Dudes Talk Movies logo
Two Dudes Talk Movies Ep. 84: Harriet: A Good Adaptation?
In attempt to advertise Eastern's Early Bird Housing Contract, students were able to come to the Cyber Lounge Thursday afternoon to play video games and potentially file for the contract.
The Gamer’s Pod Ep. 1: Super Mario Galaxy
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
(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

Payton Liggins, Sports Reporter • February 18, 2025

For the third consecutive year, four athletes from Eastern have traveled to Philadelphia to go to the Uplifting Athletes conference.   This year, redshirt sophomore defender Elizabeth Galvin and...

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

Zaria Flippin, Sports Editor • January 9, 2025

On a sunny day in Los Angeles, former Eastern quarterback and current Los Angeles Rams quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo stepped into SoFi Stadium with custom cleats to highlight K9s for Warriors. K9s...

Eastern redshirt sophomore running back MJ Flowers carries the ball across the goal line during the football game Saturday at O'Brien Stadium. The Panthers won 16-13.

Flowers said God saved him

Bryce Parker, Sports Reporter • December 11, 2024

Redshirt sophomore running back MJ Flowers grew up in a Christian household, but it wasn’t until January 2024 when he proclaimed his faith to God. That true foundation in faith, he said, helped...

Safety NiJhay Burt (34), intercepts the ball for a 67 yard return touchdown. The Panthers won 27-0 against the Sycamores Thursday night.

Starting defender announces decision to enter NCAA transfer portal

Zaria Flippin, Sports Editor • December 8, 2024

Another starter for the Panthers announced his departure from the program. Junior defensive back NiJhay Burt posted on his Instagram account that he will enter the transfer portal tomorrow, Dec....

Redshirt freshman running back MJ Flowers (20) scores a touchdown vs. the Tennessee State Tigers Saturday afternoon. The Panthers won 30-17.

All-American running back announces departure from football program

Zaria Flippin, Sports Editor • December 6, 2024

Eastern lost one of their strongest returner players to the transfer portal Friday afternoon. Redshirt sophomore running back MJ Flowers announced on his Instagram account that he will be entering...

Football is back at O'Brien Stadium

Linebacker enters transfer portal after two seasons with Panthers

Zaria Flippin, Sports Editor • December 5, 2024

Eastern’s football program has currently lost a total of four defenders that played in the 2024 season. Redshirt sophomore linebacker Liam Carr announced on his Instagram account he is entering...

Nick Coates, a junior defensive back, prepares to tackle a teammate during a drill at O‘Brien Field Wednesday Evening.

Senior safety will enter transfer portal

Zaria Flippin, Sports Editor • December 5, 2024

Another Panther announced his decision to enter the transfer portal. Senior safety Nick Coates announced on his X account that he will enter the transfer portal on Dec. 9. The Louisville, Kentucky,...

Redshirt Sophomore, runningback, Jay Pearson (21) (left) and defensive back, Junior, NiJhay Burt (3) (right) talk on the sideline during practice, on O'Brien Field on Wed, Oct 30,

Injuries hurt Panthers in 2024 football season

Zaria Flippin, Sports Editor • December 4, 2024

Eastern’s football team finished the 2024 season with an overall record of 3-9 and a Big South-Ohio Valley Conference record of 2-6. This record is a shock compared to last year’s season as...

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

Zaria Flippin, Sports Editor • December 4, 2024

The male Panther of the Semester is going to Pierce Holley from the football team. The graduate quarterback from Arvada, Colorado, finished the 2024 season with 19 passing touchdowns. Holley...

Redshirt junior offensive lineman Drew Wilder props the ball up during football practice drills at O'Brien Field Wednesday afternoon.

Two linemen announce their decisions to transfer

Zaria Flippin, Sports Editor • December 2, 2024

Along with safety Kaelin Drakeford, two more Panthers announced their departure from the football program on Monday. Redshirt sophomore defensive lineman Cody Silzer announced on his X account that...

Safety redshirt sophomore Kaelin Drakeford (22) tackles wide receiver redshirt sophomore Karate Brenson (0) at the Panthers vs. Tennessee State Tigers game.

EIU football loses starting safety to transfer portal

Zaria Flippin, Sports Editor • December 2, 2024

Redshirt junior safety Kaelin Drakeford announced he’s entering the transfer portal. Drakeford, a Harrodsburg, Kentucky, native, has been with the Panthers for five years. Announced from Drakeford’s...

Forward senior Macy McGlone, back shoots the ball but miss and gets blocked by the University Of Illinois, The Womens Basketball team lost too the University of Illinois, in the State farm center on the U of I campus on Nov 14, 2024 in Champaign Ill.

Panthers of the Week: Pierce Holley, Macy McGlone

Zaria Flippin, Sports Editor • November 24, 2024

The male Panther of the Week is going to Pierce Holley from the football team. The graduate quarterback from Arvada, Colorado put himself in the record books within Eastern’s football program. After...

Load More Stories