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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  • Eastern volleyball's standings: 7-15 on the season (3-9 in conference)
  • Basketball standings: Women's at 1-0, Men's at 0-1
  • Soccer standings: Women's at 5-8-6 (3-3-3), Men's at 2-12-2 (1-8-1)
  • Football standings: 2-7 on the season (1-4 in conference)
  • Check out our newsletters on Overlooked!
Former Illinois gov. Jim Edgar speaks to EIU and Charleston community members about stories and lessons learned from his life and career in Illinois politics in the Grand Ballroom of the Martin Luther King Jr University Union.
Former Illinois Gov. Jim Edgar shares story, advice to EIU community
Students met in the Center for Student Innovation Thursday to craft and have free snacks. President of the library ambassadors of Booth Christopher Redman said, “I feel like every event we planned is successful. We put the hard work and dedication into it.” 
Thanksgiving arrives early at Booth Library
Two people died in a murder suicide at 817 N. 34th St. in Mattoon on Nov. 10, 2024.
Mattoon pair who died in murder-suicide named by police
Former Illinois govenor Jim Edgar introduces David Yepsen, director of the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute at SIUC, during the Edgar Speaker Series in Buzzard Auditorium on Thurday.
Former governor visiting EIU
Mary Kaiser clears the checkout screen after a student gets their meal on Monday at Stevenson Tower Deli.
Introducing EIU’s grandmother
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.
EIU football to play last game of the season, hope to shake up conference standings
Quarterback Redshirt Freshman, Blainey Dowling, prepares to throw the ball while doing a scrimmage drill on O'Brien Field
EIU quarterback shares experience at Chicago Mount Carmel in Q&A
Charleston boys' basketball players scrimmage during an after school practice on Wednesday. Their season begins on Nov. 26.
Trojan boys’ basketball prepares for season with senior heavy roster
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
Anderson reflects on Yankees career during 9/11
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
Charleston boys' basketball players scrimmage during an after school practice on Wednesday. Their season begins on Nov. 26.
Trojan boys’ basketball prepares for season with senior heavy roster
Redshirt Junior Forward Blake Goodman shoots and scores during the first half of the game of The Eastern Illinois University against Earlham Quakers men basketball game at Groniger Arena ,
EIU transfer talks about NBA camp counselor job in Q&A
Charleston girls' basketball finished up practice on Thursday ahead of it's season opener at the North American Lighting Thanksgiving Tournament at Paris High School.
CHS Trojans ready to start girl’s basketball season
Men's basketball junior guard Nakyel Shelton, makes his way across court during the game against Southern Illinois University Edwardsville on Wednesday night. Panthers lost 68-57
Panthers of the Week: Julian Patino, NaKyel Shelton
Eastern Illinois University plays against the University of Illinois at the State fam center
Eastern newcomer produces against Illinois
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
Payton Liggins, sophomore, sports media relations.
COLUMN: What went wrong with EIU football?
Chloe Proffitt
COLUMN: Female athletes are just as capable as male
Patrick Schmitz
COLUMN: Court storming should be a thing of the past
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
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.
EIU football to play last game of the season, hope to shake up conference standings
Quarterback Redshirt Freshman, Blainey Dowling, prepares to throw the ball while doing a scrimmage drill on O'Brien Field
EIU quarterback shares experience at Chicago Mount Carmel in Q&A
Men's basketball junior guard Nakyel Shelton, makes his way across court during the game against Southern Illinois University Edwardsville on Wednesday night. Panthers lost 68-57
Panthers of the Week: Julian Patino, NaKyel Shelton
Senior kicker Julian Patino gets ready for a kickoff return against the Charleston Southern Buccaneers on Saturday afternoon in O’Brien Stadium. The Panthers beat the Buccaneers 16-13.
Senior kicker secures win in Panthers’ last home game of the season
Head Football Coach, Chris Wilkerson waits with the football team to run on the hancock field before the Illinois State University, vs Eastern Illinois University
Panthers set to play Charleston Southern, honoring 27 seniors
Number 11 Adam Boykin a forward freshman for Eastern Illinois University keeps the ball away from Middle field 21 Timothy Ospina player for University of Incarnate word, at the Lakeside Field on the Eastern Illinois University campus,
Freshman forward shares experience training with professional soccer players in Q&A
Midfielder Felipe Kerr Lourenco (6) passes the ball during the game against SIUE Sunday.
EIU men’s soccer honors seniors, loses playoff contention to SIUE
Senior, goalkeeper Chad Smith, Kicks the ball out of the goal during the Eastern Illinois University Vs University of Chicago game
Panthers lose to Lions after two quick goals
Sam Eccles, a senior forward (9), dribbles the ball pass defender during their game against University of Southern Indiana Screaming Eagles at Lakeside field thursday afternoon.
EIU men’s soccer by the numbers
Forward Casey Welage (8) and midfielder Jake Pollock (25) chase after the ball at men's soccer practice at Lakeside Field on Thursday.
Panthers of the Week: Jake Pollock, David Brown
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
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
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
Ludolph Wiggett, freshman Freshman 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
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
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
Head Volleyball Coach Cheers with the Volleyball team with a smile on her face ready for the next play, during the Eastern Illinois University against Southern Illinois University Evansville, on Tuesday Oct 15. 2024. at Groniger Arena on the Eastern Illinois University campus.
Takeaways from EIU volleyball versus Little Rock
Crews begin renovations in south McAfee Gym on Oct. 30. The stage along the east wall will most likely be covered by a temporary barrier, according to EIU Athletic Director Tom Michael, but he isn't sure exactly how it will look on game day. 
EIU volleyball to move practices, games to McAfee Gym in fall 2025
Cam'ron Hardy, Senior, Journalism
COLUMN: ‘The Intruder:’ nothing you haven’t seen before
Luke Brewer, Freshman, Journalism.
COLUMN: ‘We Live in Time:’ an emotional story told out of time
Enlow (Amalia Balash) unknowingly sells a leather music box as a musical candy box and then performs “No More Candy.”
‘She Loves Me’ closes doors after two-week showing
Cam'ron Hardy, Senior, Journalism
COLUMN: ‘King Richard:’ greatness starts with a plan and a tennis ball 
Luke Brewer, Freshman, Journalism.
COLUMN: ‘The Thing:’ a pleasantly grotesque horror 
Gunnar Olson, Senior, Journalism.
COLUMN: Pokémon TCG Pocket, we need to talk
Cam'ron Hardy, Senior, Journalism
COLUMN: ‘The Intruder:’ nothing you haven’t seen before
Luke Brewer, Freshman, Journalism.
COLUMN: ‘We Live in Time:’ an emotional story told out of time
Gunnar Olson, Senior, Journalism.
COLUMN: SNL made me cry last week
Cam'ron Hardy, Senior, Journalism
COLUMN: ‘King Richard:’ greatness starts with a plan and a tennis ball 
Two Dudes Talk Movies logo
Two Dudes Talk Movies Ep. 75: Annihilation: Destroying Each Other’s Opinion
Two Dudes Talk Movies logo
Two Dudes Talk Movies Ep. 74: Ready Player One: Winner Takes All
Two Dudes Talk Movies logo
Two Dudes Talk Movies Ep. 73: Is Trick ‘r Treat (2007) A Staple In The Horror Genre?
Two Dudes Talk Movies logo
Two Dudes Talk Movies: Ep. 72: Frankenhooker: Reanimated From The Grave
Two Dudes Talk Movies logo
Two Dudes Talk Movies: Ep. 71: The Fly: Buzzing Through The Gore
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
Participants of the Haunted Hike take a hayride back to the entrance of Douglas Hart Nature Center. The guided hikes took off every five minutes on the trails to cycle through the different Beetlejuice themed stations on Saturday night, Oct. 19, from 5-8 p.m.
THROUGH THE LENS: ‘Beetlejuice’ takes over Douglas-Hart Nature Center
There were 24 finishers in the 50-mile race at the Tour De Charleston Saturday. First place finished the race in 2:10:16.22.
THROUGH THE LENS: Tour De Charleston
The Camp New Hope had a small Mattoon train that took people around the camp sight seeing during the Camp New Hope 50th anniversary.
THROUGH THE LENS: Camp New Hope celebrates 50th anniversary
Students start to cook the beans and corn for meatless tacos during a healthy cooking class.
THROUGH THE LENS: Something’s cooking in Klehm Hall
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
Katja Benz is a senior English major and can be reached at 581-2912 or kkbenz@eiu.edu.

COLUMN: KitKats, Reese’s, and new perspective

Katja Benz, Columnist • April 20, 2023

When I was thinking about what I should write this column about, I was at a little loss for words.    I do not want to get slandered by my coworkers for not being a super big fan of KitKats (I agree...

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