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

The Daily Eastern News
  • Welcome back to the Daily Eastern News!
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  • Sept. 7- EIU volleyball swept at the Southern Illinois at the Saluki Bash 🏐
  • Sept. 7- EIU football home opener against Indiana State 🏈
  • Sept. 7- Broadway A-Z at 7:30 P.M. in the Dvorak Concert Hall 🎶
  • Sept. 8- Women's soccer vs. Northern Illinois at 1 P.M. ⚽
  • Sept. 9- Love Your Space room decorating contest opens 🛏️
  • Sept. 9- Kickball in the library quad from 2 to 3 P.M. 🏫
  • Sept. 11- Study Abroad Fair from 10 to 3 in the University Ballroom ✈️
  • Sept. 14- Catch the All-American Circus at the Coles County Fairgrounds 🎪
  • Sept. 15- EIU softball vs. Kankakee CC 1 P.M. at Williams Field 🥎
  • Soccer standings: Women's at 2-3-2, Men's at 1-3
  • Football standings: 0-1 after loss to Illinois
  • Check out our newsletters!
Director of Career Services Bobbi Kingery (left) and Human Resources Advisor John Marr (right) answer questions during the International Students: Realistic Expectations session Wednesday.
Career services holds seminar for international students
The re-opening of Chick-fil-a in the food court of the Martin Luther King Jr. Student union on Tuesday Sept. 3, 2024. Charleston Ill.
Chick-fil-A returns to University Union Food Court
President Jay Gatrell (middle right), joined with Amy Odwarka (middle), and Michele McDaniel (middle left) cut the ribbon to open the new family hub in on the fourth floor of the Booth Library on the Eastern Illinois University campus Wednesday.
Family hub opens for student parents in Booth Library
Junior computer science major Cov Dennis goes to kicks the ball during the kickball game hosted by the Black Student Union during their Find Your Friend Color Picnic Thursday, Aug. 22, 2024 in the Library Quad of Eastern Illinois University’s campus.
BSU is back
Students stand behind their booths to promote their oranizations at Pantherpalooza in the Martin Luther King Jr., University Union Grand Ballroom on Eastern Illinois University's campus on Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2024. ©CAM'RON HARDY | THE DAILY EASTERN NEWS
Panther Palooza draws indoor crowd
Kate Germano, a sophomore midfielder (11), dribbles the ball up field towards Little Rock Trojan territory at Lakeside Field Sunday afternoon.
EIU looks to beat NIU for first time in 28 years
Senior wide receiver Chase Clough jumped to celebrate with senior quarterback after a second quarter touchdown. Head Coach Brian Halsey in the back. at Trojan Hill, Friday Sept, 6,2024, Charleston Ill. 25-18 Trojans won against the Paris Tigers.
Charleston beats Paris behind big defensive stop
Goalkeeper Kyce Toutanji, kicks a long ball to start the game against the IUPUI Jaguars Tuesday evening. The Panthers and Jaguars tied 1-1 with Eastern scoring with 5 minutes left on the clock.
EIU goalie records 10 saves in season debut
The press box at Trojan Stadium on September 5th at Charleston High School in Charleston ILL.
Charleston High School gets ready for Paris High School
The football team is practices for their home opener on Saturday.
Eastern prepares for home opener against Indiana State
Freshman right-handed pitcher Slater Wilcox (32) pitches at Coaches Stadium on Sunday for the EIU baseball game.
EIU Baseball’s path through OVC Tournament
Men's Baseball team players stand in the dugout at home against Bellarmine at Coaches Stadium on March 12, 2024. Eastern beat Bellarmine 9-4 Tuesday afternoon.
EIU Baseball honors seniors, win over MSU
Junior Outfield (1) Quade Peters join the team in excitedment after sliding into home base at the game against Bradley
EIU Baseball drops second game against MSU
The baseball team game get suspended due to the weather, the team walked back to the locker room at the game against Bradley University Tuesday
EIU Baseball loses fifth straight game
Redshirt junior infielder Dylan Drumke prepares to bat at the EIU baseball game in Coaches Stadium on Sunday.
EIU splits doubleheader with USI
Matt Bollant yelling at the referee during the women basketball game against UT Martin thursday night in Groniger Arena
Bollant leaves EIU basketball program
Junior guard/forward Kyndall Davis hangs onto the rim in Groniger Arena. The Panthers beat the Southeast Missouri State Redhawks 72-57 Thursday evening in Groniger Arena.
Davis, Luers enter transfer portal
Redshirt freshman running back MJ Flowers (20) celebrates a touchdown with redshirt junior offensive lineman Elkhanan Tanelus (72). Eastern beat Tennessee State 30-17 Saturday afternoon at O’ Brien Field.
Panthers of the Year: MJ Flowers, Macy McGlone, Sara Thomas
Senior guard Jordan "Tiger" Booker during the men's basketball game against Tennessee Tech Thursday night at Groniger Arena. The Panthers beat the Golden Eagles 68-59.
Panthers of the Semester: Tiger Booker, Macy McGlone, Tara Archibald
Daily Eastern News “Staff Picks”
STAFF PICKS: NBA finals winner
Chloe Proffitt
COLUMN: Female athletes are just as capable as male
Patrick Schmitz
COLUMN: Court storming should be a thing of the past
Aidan Cusack
COLUMN: Court storming needs to stay
Following an investigation, the men's swim team is suspended for the fall semester.
COLUMN: EIU should move on from swim program
Spring 2024 staff portrait of Payton Liggins.
COLUMN: My journey from shot put to sports media
Freshman Joe Stoddard (117) runs at the 2023 EIU Walt Crawford open.
Panthers of the Week: Joe Stoddard, Alex Tetteh
Pierce Holley, a junior quarterback (3), looks to throw the ball to a teammate during their homecoming game against UT Martin at O‘Brien Field Saturday afternoon.
Fall 2024 athletes to watch
Taris Thornton, a junior forward, attempts to rebound the ball during the during second quarter of the women's basketball game against the Western Illinois University Leathernecks at Groniger Arena on Saturday afternoon. Thornton scored 13 points, had two rebounds and shot 4-6 for field goals. The Panthers won 72-62 against the Leathernecks.
Panthers of the Week: Joe Stoddard, Taris Thornton
Panthers of the Week: Macy McGlone, Isai Morales
Panthers of the Week: Macy McGlone, Isai Morales
COLUMN: Why you should watch running sports
COLUMN: Why you should watch running sports
Senior wide receiver Chase Clough jumped to celebrate with senior quarterback after a second quarter touchdown. Head Coach Brian Halsey in the back. at Trojan Hill, Friday Sept, 6,2024, Charleston Ill. 25-18 Trojans won against the Paris Tigers.
Charleston beats Paris behind big defensive stop
The press box at Trojan Stadium on September 5th at Charleston High School in Charleston ILL.
Charleston High School gets ready for Paris High School
The football team is practices for their home opener on Saturday.
Eastern prepares for home opener against Indiana State
EIU assistant coach Andrew Strobel directs players after the the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign score a touchdown during the team's season opener at Memorial Stadium Thursday night. The Panthers were shut out 45-0 against the Fighting Illini.
EIU football takeaways by the numbers
Senior wide receiver DeAirious Smith drops a pass during the team's season opener against the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana at Memorial Stadium Thursday night.
EIU football fumbles UofI
Kate Germano, a sophomore midfielder (11), dribbles the ball up field towards Little Rock Trojan territory at Lakeside Field Sunday afternoon.
EIU looks to beat NIU for first time in 28 years
Goalkeeper Kyce Toutanji, kicks a long ball to start the game against the IUPUI Jaguars Tuesday evening. The Panthers and Jaguars tied 1-1 with Eastern scoring with 5 minutes left on the clock.
EIU goalie records 10 saves in season debut
Head coach Dirk Bennett said he wants the team to maintain solid defense as the 2023 season continues. (File)
Charleston native to EIU soccer head coach: Dirk Bennett
Freshman Joe Stoddard (117) runs at the 2023 EIU Walt Crawford open.
Panthers of the Week: Joe Stoddard, Alex Tetteh
Freshman Forward Alex Tetteh dribbles the soccerball pass MoreHead St. defenders at Eastern Illinois University Lakeside Field Thursday afternoon.
Sophomore forward scores first hat trick since 2012
Sophomore infielder, Kendall Grover swings and misses the ball during the Eastern Illinois University softball game against Tennessee State.
Grover, Oslanzi, Archibald win OVC Awards
Freshman pitcher McKenzie Oslanzi throwing a pitch on April Saturday 20, 2024 against Tennessee Tech University.
Panthers of the Week: McKenzie Oslanzi, Joe Stoddard
Senior guard Jordan "Tiger" Booker during the men's basketball game against Tennessee Tech Thursday night at Groniger Arena. The Panthers beat the Golden Eagles 68-59.
Panthers of the Semester: Tiger Booker, Macy McGlone, Tara Archibald
Freshman catcher Sophia Olman catching a pitch on Saturday April 20 2024 against Tennessee Tech.
Catcher talks about being a black belt in Q&A
softball
EIU softball loses nine-game winning streak to Tennessee Tech
Following an investigation, the men's swim team is suspended for the fall semester.
COLUMN: EIU should move on from swim program
The women's swim team lost their first home meet of 2024 149-109 against the University of Southern Indiana.
EIU swim competes for first time in 2024
Jackson Penny, a sophomore individual medley and breaststroke swimmer, jumps from the grab start of the men’s 200 yard medley relay for the breaststroke segment at the swimming meet on Saturday at Padovan Pool. The Panthers won 169-93 against Valparaiso.
EIU Swim competes as whole
Junior pitcher Olivia Price (6), starts her pitch to St. Louis University junior infielder Jocelyn Abbott (20) on Wednesday evening.
Athletes to watch in the winter
Following an investigation, the men's swim team is suspended for the fall semester.
EIU hazing reports confirmed
Pierce Holley, a junior quarterback (3), looks to throw the ball to a teammate during their homecoming game against UT Martin at O‘Brien Field Saturday afternoon.
Fall 2024 athletes to watch
Junior infielder Danny Infante tags University of Dayton freshman infielder David Mendez during their double header on March 16 and 17 at Coaches Stadium
Panthers of the Week: William Hays, Danny Infante
Tennis ball by the nets at the Darling Courts Wednesday afternoon
EIU men’s tennis gets second straight victory with win against USI
Fifth year senior Max Pilipovic-Kljajic is a computer science major from Brisbane, Australia, practicing his serve and is currently attending Eastern Illinois University
EIU tennis siblings’ journey from Australia
Head Coach Robin Cambier (mens and womens tennis) during pratice on wed Feb 14, 2024, helping players improve skills Macfee on Eastern Illinois University in Charleston Ill ©
EIU tennis coach with varied past: Robin Cambier
Pierce Holley, a junior quarterback (3), looks to throw the ball to a teammate during their homecoming game against UT Martin at O‘Brien Field Saturday afternoon.
Fall 2024 athletes to watch
Senior Addison Brown getting ready to serve in doubles against Southeast Missouri State University Redhawks the Atkins Tennis Center.
Panthers of the Week: Addison Brown, Adam Swanson
Sophomore Aleyla Wooten bite her lip while hitting the ball over to the other team during the doubles against Southeast Missouri State University Redhawks She also played singles
EIU women’s tennis prepares for OVC tournament
Junior outside hitter Kaitlyn Flynn, attempts to spike the ball over the net but is blocked by the Marquette University Golden Eagles. The Panthers were swept 3-0 for the first time this season. Flynn had seven kills and points.
Outside hitter speaks on EIU volleyball program in Q&A
Eastern Illinois University’s volleyball team huddle in a circle after losing to the Marquette Golden Eagles 3-0 in Groniger Arena Friday evening on August 30, 2024.
Marquette volleyball sweeps Eastern in NCAA rematch
Pierce Holley, a junior quarterback (3), looks to throw the ball to a teammate during their homecoming game against UT Martin at O‘Brien Field Saturday afternoon.
Fall 2024 athletes to watch
Redshirt freshman running back MJ Flowers (20) celebrates a touchdown with redshirt junior offensive lineman Elkhanan Tanelus (72). Eastern beat Tennessee State 30-17 Saturday afternoon at O’ Brien Field.
Panthers of the Year: MJ Flowers, Macy McGlone, Sara Thomas
Freshman libero/defensive specialist Masyn Navarro imitates riding a bike during a challenge call during the volleyball game against Morehead State Thursday evening at Lantz Arena.
Communication makes the difference, student athletes said
The postcard mural, located in the Triad facing Booth Library, was painted by Grace Otzwirk over summer break.
Alum artist leaves a postcard to welcome students back
SUBMITTED PHOTO | THE DOUDNA FINE ARTS CENTER Hilary Abigana is hoisted up while playing the flute during the final song of the night labeled as "Straw Yellow" ("La Escoba" traditional by arr. Terry L. Baldrige) "Fruit Flies Like a Banana" at The Theatre in Doudna Fine Arts Center Saturday. During the show, the group integrates acrobatics and dances, while having ample audience engagement.
The Fourth Wall flies into Doudna
Cam'ron Hardy, Senior, Journalism.
 COLUMN: ‘BlackBerry’: How the apples took over the berries
Samira Dadson sews a zipper onto denim in preparation for the denim day fashion shoot in the Doudna Fine Arts Center Fashion Lab, Charleston Ill., April 18, 2024. Dadson has been sewing for the past 10 years.
Fighting inequality with fashion
From left, Theo Edwards, Ronnie Kosciuk and Emery Johnson walk with a crowd in the slut walk near Lawson Hall Thursday.
Slut walk combats sexual assault, harassment at EIU
Cam'ron Hardy, Senior, Journalism.
‘The Boys in the Boat:’ Gold for the sport, bronze for the plot
Jason Farias, Sophomore, History education
Hispanic Heritage Month: ongoing debates over celebration and identity
Gunnar Olson, Senior, Journalism.
COLUMN: Is there too much wrestling?
Gunnar Olson, Senior, Journalism.
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR: Politics, multimedia take stage for DEN
Daily Eastern News logo est. summer 2024.
Meet the fall 2024 editors
The Overton Window Ep. 2: Harris's First Sit-Down Interview and Trump Supports Cannabis Legalization in Florida
The Overton Window Ep. 2: Harris’s First Sit-Down Interview and Trump Supports Cannabis Legalization in Florida
Two Dudes Talk Movies Ep. 64: The Return of 2DTM
Two Dudes Talk Movies Ep. 64: The Return of 2DTM
The Overton Window: Ep. 1: Taxes on Tips, RFK Jr Drops Out and a Brief DNC Recap
The Overton Window: Ep. 1: Taxes on Tips, RFK Jr Drops Out and a Brief DNC Recap
Panther Profiles: Ep. 21: Mike O'Conor
Panther Profiles: Ep. 21: Mike O’Conor
Panther Profiles: Ep. 20: Bella Marcum
Panther Profiles: Ep. 20: Bella Marcum
Fighting Illini Kaden Feagin hurdles past the EIU senior defensive back Zay Gentry during the team's season opener against the Fighting Illini at Memorial Stadium Thursday night.
THROUGH THE LENS: EIU loses to UofI 45-0
Freshman forward Jackson Liley made his first goal at his first ever game with Eastern Illinois men's soccer during the EIU, University of Chicago game Thursday evening. EIU men's soccer won 3-0.
THROUGH THE LENS: Men’s and women’s soccer take home victories
Junior computer science major Cov Dennis goes to kicks the ball during the kickball game hosted by the Black Student Union during their Find Your Friend Color Picnic Thursday, Aug. 22, 2024 in the Library Quad of Eastern Illinois University’s campus.
THROUGH THE LENS : Black Student Union hosts picnic and games
Cheer leaders get ready to cheer the EIU fight song Sunday night at the pep rally.
THROUGH THE LENS: Pep rally brings together students
Students pile into Andrews Hall on Move In Day on a rainy Thursday afternoon. Families unloaded vehicles out of the door into the parking lot with the average elevator wait time being around five minutes.
THROUGH THE LENS: New students arrive for Move In Day
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
Ben Zigterman, reporter for the News-Gazette, and Joe Astrouski, journalism professor and former reporter for WAND-TV, refer to the projector of slides during their discussion detailing their personal experiences covering the kidnapping and murder trial of Yingying Zhang, a crop scientist from the University of Illinois, Wednesday at the Doudna Fine Arts Center’s Lecture Hall. During the discussion, Zigterman and Astrouski played a wired recording in which Brendt Christensen, the graduate student from the U of I who was convicted for Zhang’s abduction and murder, confesses to his ex-girlfriend (the person wearing the wire) the crime. In the recording, Christensen is heard saying that he choked Zhang for 10 minutes while she struggled. Zigterman said that recording helped expose how truly “debased” Christensen was.

Journalists talk covering Yingying Zhang murder trial

Ryan Meyer, Staff Reporter • February 20, 2020

Two reporters who covered the kidnapping and murder trial of University of Illinois student Yingying Zhang in 2017, Ben Zigterman of the News-Gazette and Eastern’s own journalism instructor Joe Astrouski,...

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