The Daily Eastern News

07/09/2025

Spring 2025 graduate Cam’ron Hardy says goodbye to The Daily Eastern News after 3.5 years and over 200 stories.

Read his final column by clicking the link below:
https://www.dailyeasternnews.com/2025/07/09/column-thank-you-and-goodbye-for-now/

The time for me to go has come. I graduated on May 10, which unfortunately means my time at The Daily Eastern News has come to an end. My first story was published on Valentine’s Day in 2022, a day of romance for some, but the start of an era for me. My professor...

07/07/2025

Festivities took place throughout the 4th of July in Charleston.

Click the link below to see a through the lens of the event:
https://www.dailyeasternnews.com/2025/07/07/through-the-lens-fourth-of-july-in-charleston-2/

07/06/2025

Luke Brewer argues “Jurassic World Rebirth” is another lifeless sequel, recycling dinosaur thrills without fresh ideas and emotional stakes.

https://www.dailyeasternnews.com/2025/07/06/jurassic-world-rebirth-review-new-dinosaurs-same-old-problemss/

Kicking off the “big three” of blockbuster films this month (“Jurassic World Rebirth,” “Superman” and “The Fantastic Four: First Steps”), “Jurassic World Rebirth” doesn’t make for a strong start as it’s just the same familiar beats we’ve all seen before. I’ve been turned ...

07/04/2025

The Coles County Board approved Apex Clean Energy’s 51-turbine Coles Wind project in a 6-5 vote Tuesday.

The decision came after years of debate, dozens of public meetings and 14 days of hearings where residents and Coles Wind representatives made their cases.

Click the link below to read more:
https://www.dailyeasternnews.com/2025/07/03/coles-county-board-approves-apex-clean-energys-51-turbine-wind-farm/

The Coles County Board approved Apex Clean Energy’s 51-turbine Coles Wind project in a 6-5 vote Tuesday. The decision came after years of debate, dozens of public meetings and 14 days of hearings where residents and Coles Wind representatives made their cases. During the public comment period befo...

07/03/2025

Fourth of July is packed full with events in Charleston, and the surrounding days will offer festive activities as well.

Charleston’s Red, White and Blue Days, which kicked off June 28, will continue at Morton Park with food vendors opening at 3 p.m. on Thursday. A free concert will follow, with Rockland Road performing at 7 p.m. and music legend Exile taking the stage at 8 p.m. Visitors are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets.

Click the link below to see more events:
https://www.dailyeasternnews.com/2025/07/02/events-in-charleston-this-week-5

Fourth of July is packed full with events in Charleston, and the surrounding days will offer festive activities as well. Red, White and Blue Days (Thursday – Friday) Charleston’s Red, White and Blue Days, which kicked off June 28, will continue at Morton Park with food vendors opening at 3 p.m. ...

07/03/2025

Eastern Illinois athletics will opt into the NCAA House settlement.

EIU Athletic Director Tom Michael commented on the decision:
“Our intentions were to not opt in for this academic year (2025-26) and make sure we were prepared to do so for the 2026-27 academic year. However, recent changes to the settlement allow for a one-time opportunity for institutions to grandfather in members of team rosters. This will allow student-athletes to remain on their respective teams for the remainder of their eligibility. With this change in the terms of the settlement and in consultation with President [Jay] Gatrell, we have made the decision to opt in. We feel strongly this is the best decision for EIU and many sport programs not only moving forward for this academic year, but also as we look to the future.”

More on how this decision impacts EIU:
https://www.dailyeasternnews.com/2025/06/26/eastern-illinois-weighs-ncaa-house-settlement-before-june-30-deadline/

07/02/2025

The Coles County Board approved Apex Clean Energy’s 51-turbine Coles Wind project in a 6-5 vote Tuesday evening.

The wind farm is projected to be built on approximately 20,000 acres of land north of Charleston, east of I-57 and south of IL-133.

Coles Wind’s website can be found here:
https://www.coleswind.com/

07/01/2025

The Coles County Board will meet at 5 p.m. today at the courthouse for a special meeting.

On the agenda:
• Approving the Coles Wind project with conditions
• Setting Glacier Moraine solar application fees
• Approving Heyl Royster to assist with the Glacier Moraine Solar application review, advisement, and public hearing facilitation
• Establishing public hearing rules for the Glacier Moraine Solar project

The meeting agenda can be viewed here:

06/27/2025

Over the last two decades, Eastern has lost nearly half the number of students once enrolled as part of a statewide trend in public universities across Illinois.

Since the 2004-05 school year, Eastern’s enrollment including off campus students has dropped from 11,651 to 5,910, a drop of around 49% over the last 20 years.

Eastern’s struggles to attract and retain students mirror similar enrollment declines at other directional schools in the state.

Click the link below to read more:
https://www.dailyeasternnews.com/2025/06/27/easterns-20-year-enrollment-decrease-is-part-of-statewide-trend

Over the last two decades, Eastern has lost nearly half the number of students once enrolled as part of a statewide trend in public universities across Illinois. Since the 2004-05 school year, Eastern’s enrollment including off campus students has dropped from 11,651 to 5,910, a drop of around 49%...

06/26/2025

Athletic Director Tom Michael said Eastern Illinois has not yet decided whether it will opt into the NCAA House settlement ahead of Monday’s deadline.

Michael said the university was initially planning to opt out, largely due to concerns about how the settlement’s roster caps could impact opportunities for student-athletes. But the recent inclusion of a grandfather clause will allow schools to keep existing athletes on teams exceeding the new roster limits.

Click the link below to read more:
https://www.dailyeasternnews.com/2025/06/26/eastern-illinois-weighs-ncaa-house-settlement-before-june-30-deadline/

Athletic Director Tom Michael said Eastern Illinois has not yet decided whether it will opt into the NCAA House settlement ahead of Monday’s deadline. Michael said the university was initially planning to opt out, largely due to concerns about how the settlement’s roster caps could impact opport...

06/25/2025

As the NBA Draft kicks off today, Eastern's basketball legacy deserves a closer look.

The Panthers have had six players selected in the NBA Draft throughout the program’s history.

In this column, Bryce Parker ranks the top five men’s basketball players to ever wear an EIU uniform.

Click the link below to read the ranking:
https://www.dailyeasternnews.com/2025/06/25/column-top-5-eiu-mens-basketball-players-of-all-time/

When you think of college basketball blue bloods, Eastern Illinois shouldn’t come to mind – even if their primary color is blue. But tucked away in Charleston, Illinois, the program has produced some unforgettable players. In nearly 115 seasons of men’s basketball, EIU has seen its fair share ...

06/25/2025

The week ahead in Charleston includes a mix of live music and community programming leading into the final days of June.

The Charleston Community Band will perform Thursday at 7:30 p.m. at the Daum Amphitheater in Kiwanis Park as part of the city’s Concerts in the Park series. The free, family-friendly concerts have taken place every Thursday since May 29 and will continue until July 10, except on July 3. The Charleston Parks and Recreation Department hosts the series that features local and regional musicians. Kiwanis Park is located at the corner of Division St & Jackson Ave.

Click the link below to see more events:
https://www.dailyeasternnews.com/2025/06/25/events-in-charleston-this-week-4/

The week ahead in Charleston includes a mix of live music and community programming leading into the final days of June. Charleston Community Band Concert The Charleston Community Band will perform Thursday at 7:30 p.m. at the Daum Amphitheater in Kiwanis Park as part of the city’s Concerts in the...