Co-director Payten Romig attributed the play to being reminiscent of "The Hunger Games" and "Divergent." The action-packed dystopian play forces the audience to take a trip down memory lane while facing their own pasts.

"I think there is something really interesting in looking at the cultural context around us and why we really long for these kinds of dystopian tales," Romig said.

While reminiscing brings value to the plot, the friendships make it even more nostalgic. This complicates the dynamics within the five-person cast, warning those watching how painful words can be.

"It's about girlhood, power, and I mean the best way I can describe it is like a post-apocalyptic 'Mean Girls,'" student actor Will Swigart said.

With the rise of looking back at the year 2016, people today find themselves lost in the past. The romanization of a decade ago has created a longing that plays out in "Veal." Using power dynamics, brutality and friendships, it depicts the open wound that the past can feel like.

"I think it's a really good reminder of how self-reflection is important, but also the importance of making sure we're not getting lost in the rose-colored glasses of it all," Romig said.

To find out more information, check the Department of Theatre and Dance's Instagram page, @ballstatetheatredance.

Contact Arlene Thompson with comments at arlene.thompson@bsu.edu.

Bernisa Elliott, founder of Be's Beauty, said she opened the business in 2006 when Muncie had only one other beauty supply store in the area. The store's first location was near downtown Muncie, but after outgrowing the space, the shop relocated to McGalliard Road in 2013.

By 2024, just over a decade later, customer service and outreach had expanded to additional minority groups beyond just the Black community, and the business is now located on MLK. Jr. Boulevard to help serve those groups, as well.

Elliott described how the business's relocation benefited the company's evolution, especially since she was inspired to open Be's Beauty because Muncie had only one beauty supply store while she was growing up as a Black woman.

However, before becoming a business owner, Elliott worked for General Motors. It was only after wanting to follow in her parents' and brother's footsteps that she decided to open her own beauty supply store.

"[My parents] actually own businesses. My dad owned [Pitts Barbecue], and my mom owned [Fancy Fashions], so that was more of my inspiration. Also, just because of the way customers, especially minorities, were treated not just in the beauty supply store but nationally," Elliott said.

A June 2023 study from the Pew Research Center found that support for the Black Lives Matter movement has continually dropped since its peak across the United States in 2020, resulting in no substantial social change for Black Americans.

After officially opening Be's Beauty to the public in 2006 to serve minority communities in Muncie, Elliott said customers were welcoming, but challenges arose because the community was not initially familiar with the business.

"[Muncie community members were] so programmed to go to the other [minority hair care] supply store because that was the only one in the area," she said.

In addition to those concerns, Elliott said that being denied the ability to carry certain products and having less stock at first were challenges upon opening.

However, as Be's Beauty continued to expand its product inventory and stock over the years, it eventually became Muncie's only cosmetic supply store, and its clientele grew. Elliott said word of mouth was instrumental in marketing the business to the community and in building the brand.

"We have expanded our color selection, offering more variety, even including more products for men, and we do have a barber shop and salon next door … We've shifted with the market and what people are asking for," Elliott said.

However, after the final relocation to MLK. Jr. Boulevard in just one weekend, Elliott said she was relieved the shop did not have to temporarily close and that customers remained loyal to the business. The purchase of a new, personal commercial space, Elliott said, is the business's biggest accomplishment.

"Our customers have been very appreciative of the change and very thankful that [Be's Beauty] chose to remain close to the community."

Jasmine Smith and DeKayla Elliott, both employees at Be's Beauty, agreed that their favorite parts about working at the shop are helping customers and seeing familiar faces from the community and Ball State's campus.

Because Be's Beauty is now the only beauty supply store in Muncie, Elliott said much of their business comes not only from Black communities but also from Asian and Latino communities. She said that it is a great way to connect with all the minorities who come into the shop.

Erin Ashley, who is of African American descent and a local Muncie community member, shared why she continues to shop at Be's Beauty.

"It's just convenient for me because I live down the street, [the store] has everything I need in here, and it's very welcoming," Ashley said.

Although Elliott said she plans to eventually retire, she intends to keep the business open to serve the Muncie community and stay current with cosmetic trends. Some of the shop's most popular current products are its braiding formulas and gels, as well as wigs and extensions.

Elliott explained why she believes it is important for women of color to have a safe space for specific hair care and cosmetic products.

"… In the Black community, your barbers and stylists kind of become your therapist because you go and sit in their chair, and they do more than just your hair. You're sharing with them about life, and [Be's Beauty] has that exact same vibe," Elliott said.

After two decades of providing hair and makeup products and services to the minorities of the Muncie community, Elliott said her favorite part of being a business owner is the flexibility and freedom that she has.

In addition to being an entrepreneur in the Muncie community, Elliott also navigates motherhood with two children, noting that the opportunities and freedom to support them throughout their lives are deeply appreciated.

"Our family slogan is 'blessed to be a blessing.' Elliot said. "That's just how I feel, that God has literally blessed [my family], not just to hold onto it for ourselves and my kids, but also to be a blessing to others."

Elliot's faith is integral to her livelihood and is something she always wants to incorporate into her future business ventures.

"[Be's Beauty] is a warm, inviting, Christian environment, and I am just thankful that God has blessed me to be able to set that tone within the community," she said.

Contact Gracie Parkhurst via email at gracie.parkhurst@bsu.edu.

Ball State (8-19, 3-11) continued that trend with another loss, as they fell to Akron (22-5, 13-1) 78-65.

Things started in a positive way for the Cardinals early. Sophomore guard Davion Hill and senior guard Juwan Maxey both said they have seen flashes of how good this team can be after a loss to Buffalo Feb. 11, and one of those flashes the players talked about was shown in the first half against Akron.

Ball State had eight first half threes and only trailed by four points at halftime. The Cardinals then only trailed the Zips by six points with 13:40 to go in the second half, but Akron responded in a big way.

Akron went on a 15-1 run, spoiling any chance of a Ball State upset.

Senior guard Devon Barnes said the biggest difference between the two halves was turnovers. Barnes said Akron is a team that can win the MAC and make noise in March Madness, and he said the 14 turnovers really hurt the Cardinals.

"It's giving them easy points," Barnes said. "You can't give good teams easy points, especially when they're rolling like they're rolling right now."

Head Coach Michael Lewis said that turnovers were the biggest difference maker in the game.

"Our turnovers tonight really, really hurt us," Lewis said. "We turned the ball over really unforced."

Senior forward Amani Lyles and senior guard Tavari Johnson both lit it up for Akron, as the two combined for 51 points.

Lewis said the two are "fantastic" players, and that the Cardinals had no answers for them.

"We just didn't have an answer for them," Lewis said. "[They are] just really good players making good plays."

The Cardinals had a hard time down low in the game, as they lost the points in the paint battle 38-20. The only success the team could find scoring was from three, as they hit 13 of them and shot 46 percent from behind the arc.

This loss marked Ball State's fourth straight loss and sixth straight loss in the Mid-American Conference (MAC). But despite the Cardinals' recent struggles, it has not caused the team to lose belief in themselves or each other.

Hill said the team has "too much love for each other" to just give up.

"[We are] just trying to put our best foot forward, we got nothing to lose now," Hill said.

Barnes is in his senior season, and the future is unknown for him after this season concludes. But the guard said that he loves every single one of his teammates, and that in itself keeps him going.

"Just seeing each other, lifting each other up, just doing the simple things [and] keeping that brotherhood, that's what keeps us going," Barnes said.

With only four games remaining, the hopes of making the MAC tournament for Ball State look bleak. The Cardinals would have to win their last four remaining games and would need a lot of help.

Next up, Ball State hosts the University of Massachusetts (UMass) Feb. 24 at Worthen Arena.

Contact Kyle Stout with questions via email at kyle.stout@bsu.edu or on X @kylestoutdailyn.

Today: The storm system that brought yesterday's weather will continue to move out of the area pulling in cold air accompanied by strong winds. Expect winds about 20 mph with gusts up to 40 mph to continue in the morning but slowly fade over the afternoon. Also, look for the sky to clear going into later hours. The high today should not pass 40 degrees.

Tonight: Winds will continue to blow into the night around 15 mph. Temperatures will dip into the twenties and could get as low as 25 degrees. If going out for this Friday evening, make sure to wear a warm coat and bring those gloves and a hat.

Tomorrow: Saturday will see the sun be shrouded until the late afternoon. Clouds and cold will dominate the morning hours. Winds will continue to blow rather steadily at about 15 mph.

Seven-Day Forecast: The spring season will continue to battle the winter this coming week. Winter weather including snow, wind, and cold will dominate this weekend while the spring takes its turn again later in the week. Look for some snow showers on Sunday with accumulations around a half to one inch. Later in the week, another low pressure system will began to suck warmer temperatures into the region with rain possible.

- Weather Forecaster Edward Hill

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and X @NLIWeather for breaking weather updates.

NewsLink Indiana is a proud Ambassador for the NOAA Weather-Ready Nation program.

For more information about the Weather-Ready Nation program please click HERE

Although you can never say never in the Indiana legislative process, a number of bills died Thursday after not being heard by a key committee deadline.

If language has passed either the Senate or House it could still show up in the last-minute legislative compromise known as a conference committee report, but can be a tough sell if a chamber has already nixed it.

Among those that failed to move forward isSenate Bill 21, naming the breaded tenderloin as Indiana's state sandwich. Itpassed the Senate in January, right as its author resigned to take a new post. The House Committee on Governmental and Regulatory Reform never heard the bill.

Among weightier topics, the House also decided not to hear two conservative bills that drew Democratic opposition in the Senate. One was related to gender and the other would have strengthened restrictions on abortion drugs.

Senate Bill 182passed the Senate37-8, but the House Public Health Committee didn't schedule a hearing. It would have defined male and female consistently throughout Indiana code, required prisoners be housed according to biological sex, ensured biological sex is reflected on birth certificates and required school bathroom usage by biological sex.

Senate Bill 236would havetargeted abortion pillsused in the state by allowing Hoosiers to sue their neighbors.

"These common sense bills are backed by an overwhelming number of Hoosiers who believe in the dignity of human life and recognize there are only two sexes: male and female," said Sen. Liz Brown, R-Fort Wayne. "Now is not the time for House Leadership to abandon their principles and the social conservatives who elected them to office."

She authored the gender bill and was a co-author on the abortion legislation.

A bill that would have eased the siting of utility, data center and other projects - sometimes against local officials' wishes - did not receive a hearing after intense pushback earlier this month.

Sen. Eric Koch, the Senate sponsor ofHouse Bill 1333, said the so-called "permitted use language in House Bill 1333 will not be moving forward" in a Feb. 5 statement.

The bill did have other provisions, including one that would have required data center owners pay a portion of their utility sales tax savings to local communities. Koch chaired the Senate Utilities Committee and did not hear the bill.

Another bill would have had Indianajoin a growing number of statesscrutinizing ultra-processed foods in schools.

House Bill 1137, authored by Rep. Julie McGuire, R-Indianapolis, restricted certain additives in student meals and snacks, and would have applied to any public school that participates in a federally funded or assisted meal program. But the Senate Education Committee didn't take it up.

Another bill that died Thursday was dealt with the collection of medical debt from Hoosier patients.

Senate Bill 85split the Republican caucuson its passage out of that chamber. It would have promoted charity care and payment plans for Hoosier health care patients - plus, protected their paychecks and homes from debt collectors. The House Public Health Committee passed on considering the bill.

"I looked over, and I was like, 'Mom, that's what I'm gonna do,'" Kelly, now a senior swimmer at Ball State, said.

She tried a slew of different sports growing up, but from that moment on, she said she knew that swimming was for her.

"We got back to my hometown and we [found] the community pool and the swim club that's there and started lessons right away," Kelly said. "I just haven't stopped."

She joined the North Calgary swim club, for which she swam for nine years in her middle school and high school years, and began competing in local meets. Her mother, Laurie Kelly, said that during her first meet, Payton was nervous to even get off the block.

But Laurie knew Payton wanted to be in the water "all the time." Although Laurie said that Payton's first meet did not go very well, she said she was proud that Payton was getting out of her comfort zone and trying something new.

"Swimming never came easy for Payton; it was always hard," Laurie said. "She just worked and worked and worked at it."

Payton said she had many rough years growing up because she was not very good at swimming at a young age. But what she did have was love for the sport. Her love for the water and her desire to keep progressing and getting better at the sport are what made her fall in love with the process.

What always made Payton push through any mental struggles she faced in swimming was how she felt being in the water. The senior described it as "serenity" being in the water with herself and being able to tune out the outside world.

"No one can bother me there," Payton said. "Any problems that I had, I could put on pause and just really let myself be in the water."

Laurie saw the unexplainable love Payton had for the sport, even when she was struggling. She said Payton always asked her why she would never have let her quit, and her answer was always meant to reassure Payton of her love for the sport.

Laurie said Payton was always the one to get up at four in the morning to make her or her husband coffee before practices. To Laurie, it was always about helping Payton reach her goals, and all Payton had to do was love it.

"Watching her grow and thrive and just become successful at it, just makes my heart burst," Laurie said.

Even though Laurie had no swimming background, Payton credits her mother with being one of her biggest supporters.

"My Mom's always had my back, and she's always really taught me how to be a strong kind of woman and hold my own," Payton said. "I think it's really brought me [to] a lot of places."

Once Payton found her flow in club swimming, her coach soon realized her potential. Despite her initial struggles in the sport, Payton started breaking barriers and getting the times she always knew she could.

While competing in high school in Canada, Payton got multiple opportunities to compete on the biggest stages. In 2019, she was given the opportunity to compete in the Canadian Junior Nationals.

She not only competed in them, but she also won a gold medal in the 4x100 medley relay.

Payton said the experience was "surreal" and that she still remembers her walkout song: "Temperature" by Sean Paul.

"I still get body shivers [thinking about it]," Payton said.

Payton said her first opportunity at the Junior Nationals showed her a lot about herself as a swimmer. She said it showed her that it could not be all about her, giving her a glimpse of what the team environment looked like in college.

She said her club coach at the time told her she had an opportunity to swim at the collegiate level, and Payton jumped at that. She started signing up for various recruiting websites, and once 30 Division I schools reached out, she knew what her next four years would look like.

However, one school in particular really stood out. Payton was set on swimming for a Big Ten school like Indiana, but once she saw how much Ball State Head Coach J. Agnew sought her out through the process, she knew Ball State was for her.

"J. really saw me through the whole process, and I came out a lot better on the other side of recruiting," Payton said. "[It] took someone having some faith in me and trusting what I wanted to do."

Agnew said recruiting international players can feel like "fishing" at first. But after the head coach got to know Payton beyond her title as a student-athlete, he was all in on her.

"She struck me as somebody who had a passion for the sport [and she] loved what she was doing," Agnew said.

Payton said the first time she received a call from Agnew, her initial reaction was, "Yeah, I'm not gonna go there, but whatever, I'll call him."

But she noticed something different about Agnew: every other recruiting call she had lasted 15 minutes max, but she and Agnew spoke for around 45 minutes.

The two talked about her training during COVID-19, her passions and what drove her as a swimmer, among other things that showed Payton how much Agnew cared about her as a person.

"He really just cared about me as a person and not just a number on [Ball State's] spreadsheet, and I think [that] really set them apart [from other schools]," Payton said.

Agnew has not just been a coach for Payton, but also one of her biggest supporters, as he's been with Payton every step of the way. The head coach not only coached her at Ball State but has also been by her side at Payton's Olympic trial runs.

"When she got to go to Olympic trials, and J. came to watch and be her coach on the deck, I think that was a full-circle moment for me," Laurie said. "J. believed in her."

Moving to an entirely new country can be a culture shock for anyone, but Laurie recalled the exact moment that she saw Payton realize that Ball State was where she wanted to be.

"When we went on her recruiting trip, we turned the corner onto Ball State, and I looked over, and she's crying," Laurie said. "She was like, 'Mom, I'm home.'"

Despite feeling a brief sense of comfort in finding her new home in Muncie, Payton said she still struggled her freshman year. She said she dealt with sports anxiety as she tried to fit in.

She said she remembers every panic moment, every feeling of homesickness and every time she threw up before meets out of anxiety. Still, even as she dealt with those initial struggles, she began to perform at a high level.

In her freshman year, she was awarded second team All-MAC and broke three program records. After that, she kept climbing up the rankings at Ball State. Fast forward to her senior season, and she now holds nine separate program records.

Laurie said on her initial visit to Ball State, Payton stood on the pool deck looking at all the program records up on the wall. All Payton said was, "I'm coming for you."

Payton described her freshman self and senior self as two completely different people. In her senior season, Payton is a captain for this year's Ball State team, and she said she feels lucky to be in that position.

The role Payton wants to play for the team as a captain is something beyond performing well in the water. She wants to be there for her teammates, and create a culture that is built on each other.

Payton said she hopes her teammates know that she would be the first person to give them a shirt off her back.

"I always try to lead by example; there's nothing that I would tell the girls to do that I wouldn't be the first one to do," Payton said.

Agnew has seen firsthand the effect Payton has had on the team as a captain. The head coach said that what the swimmers do is hard, and as the years go on, he said swimmers can sometimes lose passion and enthusiasm.

But it has been the complete opposite with Payton, who Agnew said has the exact same excitement as her freshman self.

"To watch her come as a senior [and] just be like that freshman [who's] wide-eyed, wants to see how fast they can go, [and] wants to bring her teammates along with her," Agnew said. "That's what you want in a captain."

The Cardinals hosted a meet against Indiana State Jan. 30 for their last home meet of the season. For Payton, it was her last home meet as a Cardinal, and emotions were high.

"I got out [of the pool], and I was crying that it was over," Payton said. "I don't want [it] to end."

Payton will have one more guaranteed tournament in her career at Ball State. The Cardinals will compete in the MAC championships Feb. 25-28. It provides one last opportunity for Payton to finish her career at Ball State on a high note.

"I want to put the final pages in the book before closing it," Payton said. "But even if it doesn't happen, I'm really happy with everything."

Payton said that if she could go back in time and talk to her freshman year self, she would give her a hug. Payton has grown tremendously in her four years at Ball State, and the senior has left a remarkable impact on the program.

"I want the legacy to be that I still care for my team and I was a really big part of the team and that I led us in a direction that we want to go," Payton said. "And that they can build off of the culture we built this season."

Agnew said it has been exciting to see Payton grow from her freshman to her senior year, and he credits a legacy left to her.

"[It's] just a great tribute to a captain, to a leader," Agnew said.

Looking forward to her career past Ball State, Payton said she wants to still compete and give swimming her all. She said she wants to keep moving up in the rankings in Canada and eventually compete in the 2028 Olympic Trials.

Payton also said she is hopefully looking to graduate school after she graduates at Ball State. The star swimmer is nowhere near done and is only looking forward to her swimming career.

"There's no stopping me yet," Payton said.

Contact Kyle Stout with questions via email at kyle.stout@bsu.edu or on X @kylestoutdailyn.

After a stellar run at the New Haven Regional Meet, the Tigers would break through, ending a drought that started long before they were born. It was also the first time that Yorktown qualified for the state meet.

Junior Wyatt Turner- who qualified as an individual his freshman year- was excited by the fact that he could line up with his teammates on the starting line.

"Going as a team made the experience that much better," Turner said. "It's one thing to make state as individuals, and then it's another to go as a team."

Turner also said that he felt partially responsible for the team coming up short in 2024- despite running while battling pneumonia- which made making state even better.

"I really felt kind of responsible after what had happened and the reason why we didn't go to state," Turner said. "So it was definitely a huge weight off my back."

For Owen Fouts, the one senior runner on the squad, this meet was it. There was no next year. So when the Tigers clinched their spot at state, it came as relief in the form of joy.

"We had heartbreak my junior year, so getting it this senior year was awesome," Fouts said.

That season has come and gone though, and despite the fantastic accolades, the focus now turns to track & field. Fouts believes that another special moment is in hand for the Tigers due to their previous runs.

"We have experience in the big meets," Fouts said. "We've all run against people way taller, way bigger. We've run under pressure, and I know we can perform well under it."

There's belief from the coaches too that the Tigers are primed for more success this track season, according to Yorktown head coach Jared Turner.

"I think the future remains bright because we have eight of our top nine coming back next year," Turner said. "I think with the kids having the experience this year and getting over that hump, now that that's off of their back, there's no more you've never done this before. They can maybe take it to an even more special level."

Breaking a curse is one thing, but keeping it away is another. For Yorktown, they might just have the capabilities to do so, but only time will tell as the track season gets into full swing.

Contact Jake Dickman with comments at jacob.dickman@bsu.edu.

Performance Evaluation Updates - Service Employees

Previously, annual service employee evaluations were conducted based on each employee's anniversary date. To streamline and create greater consistency across the University, service employee evaluations will now follow a standardized timeline: Evaluation period begins: October 1; Evaluations due: November 15

Additionally, the new process shifts from a primary focus on job duties to an evaluation model based on competencies. Service employee evaluations are initiated by supervisors in Workday. Some supervisors have already initiated evaluations under the previous schedule. Supervisors may choose to continue with that process or pause and transition to the newly implemented timeframe.

Training sessions will be offered in late summer and early fall to support supervisors through this transition. Stay tuned for more details! If you have any questions, please contact the Employee Solution Center at peopleandculture@bsu.edu or submit a case through Workday Help.

Register for the Spring 2026 Writing Challenge!

Would you be able to set aside 30 minutes a day, for two weeks, to focus on your personal or professional writing projects? If so, register for the Vice Provost for Academic Affairs (VPAA) Spring 2026 Writing Challenge by March 4, 2026! The writing challenge runs from Monday, March 16, 2026, through Sunday, March 29, 2026.

During those two weeks, VPAA will send encouragement, tips, and reminders to help you stay motivated and make steady progress. If you are able to write at least 30 minutes a day for 10 days, you'll be entered in a drawing to win a swag bag! You'll also receive a Charlie sticker to place on your computer, water bottle, or anything visible so you'll be recognized for your hard work and inspire others to complete the challenge.

If you are unable to participate this semester, that's perfectly okay! VPAA will offer another challenge in the summer. For more information, contact: Linh Littleford (lnlittleford@bsu.edu)

You're Invited to the School of Art's 91^st Annual Student Art Show!

It's time for the 91st Annual Student Art Show! The School of Art's Annual Student Show displays artwork produced by students and gives students the opportunity to participate in a professional exhibition where a qualified juror selects artwork and artistic awards of distinction.

The public is invited to visit the exhibition at the The Ned and Gloria Griner Art Gallery, located just off the Atrium Food Court in AJ 101 in the Art and Journalism Building.

Feb. 13 to March 18 | 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. | The Ned and Gloria Griner Art Gallery | The Art and Journalism Building

Juror's Talk | Feb. 20 | 4 p.m. | AJ 175

Receptions and Awards Ceremony | Feb. 21 | 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. | The Ned and Gloria Griner Art Gallery

For more information, go toBall State's Communication Center.

"So for me personally, it is an issue and a problem because it does say that someone that looks like me would have to use the women's restroom. And I think that creates a lot of uncertainty. It creates a lot of danger not only for me, but also folks across campus," Leo Caldwell, a transgender professor at Ball State University, says, worried about the safety of members of the transgender community, and more.

To Caldwell, this could mean some members of the cis community who may have a more masculine or feminine look getting chased out of their respective restrooms. For some, however, this is a step in the right direction.

"I am more in support of it because I think that we're a family based society that not even just the nuclear family, but the extended family as well, and the family center centers around both male and female, which are biological realities and spiritual realities and are unchanging, in my opinion," Charlie Mandziara, President of Ball State's College Republicans, states.

If this Bill passes through the house and Governor Mike Braun, changes at Ball State University would happen soon after. To follow the proposed bill, Ball State University, as well as other schools and universities, would erase gender inclusive housing and force students to use the restrooms of their sex assigned at birth, or be subject to civil action. But these regulations pose new questions for schools and universities

"I don't know how they would enforce it, and as far as like faculty, I think faculty might be at higher risk because a lot of people know I'm trans and I'm out. So I think if you're out in public, you might be more targeted to me to have it enforced," Caldwell says.

But enforcement might not be what is most important

"I think it's more of a I'd say in general, it's more of a symbolic law. I don't think it will be like heavily enforced," Mandziera states.

To Mandziera, having a symbolic law that sets the biological terms in stone gives more importance than the enforcement of the proposed bill. He understands the difficulty of enforcing a law that has vast coverage, but having a few cases to give the law meaning could be what's necessary

Ball State University declined to comment on the proposed bill.

The Bill is currently in the House and will have to pass on the third reading with a majority vote before heading to Governor Braun for a final chance to pass or veto before going into law.

Contact Maxwell Robson with comments at maxwell.robson@bsu.edu.

"We got to be a little bit better with the small things, being accountable for all the little volleyball stuff but also being better in the weight room, in the classroom and off the court with our choices," Landolo said.

Their record is currently 12-1 as their only loss occurred against undefeated UCLA earlier this season. This loss is easily compensated by the fact that Ball State has a crucial four wins and zero losses record in conference games. For this team and the coach, the hopes and goals have never been higher as Mike Landolo has absolute trust and confidence in his players.

"Our goal is to get back to the MIVA championship, win that, and then get to the national championship and compete in that," Landolo said. "I think it's something we're capable of doing, and I think we have a team that has everything that we need."

One of the strengths of this team is their perfect record at home, they're 9-0 when playing in Worthen Arena, an achievement that is also happening thanks to the Muncie community.

"I want to play more games at home and I want to be able to win more games at home and get the community to be behind us and get that support because they really help us win," he said.

Ball State is currently on a nine game winning streak and will try to keep it alive as they're playing 7-4 Ohio State Thursday, Feb. 19.

Contact Max Huillet with comments at max.huillet@bsu.edu

The SGA began its meeting by recognizing Brianna Ramon as the Visible Leader of the month for January. Ramon is a fourth-year Ball State student and the President of Feminist for Action.

Ramon was unable to attend the meeting but was still given a round of applause for her nomination and acceptance as the visible leader of January.

SGA then moved into a senate application for Sinclair Nzenwata, who was running for At-Large Senate.

Nzenwata is a third-year computer science major, the secretary of the university's business analytics club and co-founded the cultural cooking club along with Senator Marvelous Imo.

Nzenwata said he wanted to join the At-Large senate to learn how policies are made within the SGA to represent unheard students at Ball State University.

"I also wanted to represent students whose voices aren't here, like mine. I have a lot of complaints I want to make about all things. I'm looking for an avenue to bring those complaints to them." Nzenwata said.

Nzenwate said he is also working on a student marketplace app for students and faculty to buy and sell from each other. The marketplace app would also allow for schedules and appointments to be made.

"This way, [students and faculty] don't have to look for a way, or have to start searching Instagram or Snapchat for those kinds of services. Just come to the app and book those services." Nzenwata said.

Nzenwata was approved by the senate with 22 yays, four nays, and two abstentions.

SGA then moved into executive reports, starting with President Chelsea Murdock, who started her report off by congratulating the new Senator Sinclair Nzenwata and giving an update on the process of adding the National Crisis Line phone number to Ball State University IDs.

RELATED: Ball State's Student Government Association's Feb. 5 resolutions

"We are still waiting for updates on adding the crisis line phone number to Ball State IDs. The goal is to get that implemented by hopefully next academic year," Murdock said.

Murdock also mentioned that she is a part of Ball State's Teaching Evaluation Committee and that the committee is working on making evaluations simpler.

"So to offer more spaces, less questions, more productive questions and spaces for us to be able to add more feedback on specific things that may have happened in courses, to help our professors be better and benefit our experiences further," Murdock said.

Murdock finished her report by mentioning the gunfire that had happened at Studebaker West Dormitory Feb. 15, saying that she and others were very devastated and disappointed with the Ball State alert system for not sending out messages to students.

RELATED: University confirms gunshot fired at Studebaker West Hall Sunday night is self-inflicted

"I want to take a moment and just say we have heard, and we are very devastated and disappointed with, the incident that happened this past weekend, devastated about what occurred and frustrated with the lack of alerts from our university alert system. As systems, they're forced to tell people when things happen like that on our campus. So, we [will] continue to figure out how to advocate for that on an administrative level," Murdock said.

She also said she and her board will also try to help advocate for the many services for student outreach and mental health services for students to use.

"We also wanted to make you aware of the resources that we do have on campus, as this can be a very traumatic incident for anyone involved or near being involved. We have the Ball State Counseling Center. Their phone number is 765-285-1736, and they do offer emergency equipment if you do need to be seen on an emergency basis. Please don't ever let the idea of the counseling center being 'busy' deter you from going to get support if you need that." Murdock said.

The SGA had then moved into unfinished business with the readings and resolutions of Senate Resolution 04 and Senate Resolution 05. Both pieces of legislation are to make professors give alternative assignments in place of class on election day for the midterm election in resolution 04 and the general election in resolution 05.

Both resolutions are approved by the senate with 28 yays, zero nays and one abstention.

The SGA had then discussed new business with a budget request to reimburse the Student Access and Belonging Committee from Feb. 12 at the Scramble Light from 12-2 p.m. for Valentine's Day to promote safe and healthy relationships. The budget is being used as reimbursement due to SGA not meeting normally on Feb. 11.

The Student Access and Belonging Committee had spent $65.03 on the handouts for the tabling, spent on festive candy to celebrate the February holiday. The budget request was approved with 26 yays, one nay and one abstention.

The SGA will meet again on Feb. 25, in Cardinal Hall B at 3:15 p.m. at the L.A. Pittenger Student Center.

Contact Landon Jones via email landon.jones2@bsu.edu

The SGA began its meeting by recognizing Brianna Ramon as the Visible Leader of the month for January. Ramon is a fourth-year Ball State student and the President of Feminist for Action.

Ramon was unable to attend the meeting but was still given a round of applause for her nomination and acceptance as the visible leader of January.

SGA then moved into a senate application for Sinclair Nzenwata, who was running for At-Large Senate.

Nzenwata is a third-year computer science major, the secretary of the university's business analytics club and co-founded the cultural cooking club along with Senator Marvelous Imo.

Nzenwata said he wanted to join the At-Large senate to learn how policies are made within the SGA to represent unheard students at Ball State University.

"I also wanted to represent students whose voices aren't here, like mine. I have a lot of complaints I want to make about all things. I'm looking for an avenue to bring those complaints to them." Nzenwata said.

Nzenwate said he is also working on a student marketplace app for students and faculty to buy and sell from each other. The marketplace app would also allow for schedules and appointments to be made.

"This way, [students and faculty] don't have to look for a way, or have to start searching Instagram or Snapchat for those kinds of services. Just come to the app and book those services." Nzenwata said.

Nzenwata was approved by the senate with 22 yays, four nays, and two abstentions.

SGA then moved into executive reports, starting with President Chelsea Murdock, who started her report off by congratulating the new Senator Sinclair Nzenwata and giving an update on the process of adding the National Crisis Line phone number to Ball State University IDs.

RELATED: Ball State's Student Government Association's Feb. 5 resolutions

"We are still waiting for updates on adding the crisis line phone number to Ball State IDs. The goal is to get that implemented by hopefully next academic year," Murdock said.

Murdock also mentioned that she is a part of Ball State's Teaching Evaluation Committee and that the committee is working on making evaluations simpler.

"So to offer more spaces, less questions, more productive questions and spaces for us to be able to add more feedback on specific things that may have happened in courses, to help our professors be better and benefit our experiences further," Murdock said.

Murdock finished her report by mentioning the gunfire that had happened at Studebaker West Dormitory Feb. 15, saying that she and others were very devastated and disappointed with the Ball State alert system for not sending out messages to students.

RELATED: University confirms gunshot fired at Studebaker West Hall Sunday night is self-inflicted

"I want to take a moment and just say we have heard, and we are very devastated and disappointed with, the incident that happened this past weekend, devastated about what occurred and frustrated with the lack of alerts from our university alert system. As systems, they're forced to tell people when things happen like that on our campus. So, we [will] continue to figure out how to advocate for that on an administrative level," Murdock said.

She also said she and her board will also try to help advocate for the many services for student outreach and mental health services for students to use.

"We also wanted to make you aware of the resources that we do have on campus, as this can be a very traumatic incident for anyone involved or near being involved. We have the Ball State Counseling Center. Their phone number is 765-285-1736, and they do offer emergency equipment if you do need to be seen on an emergency basis. Please don't ever let the idea of the counseling center being 'busy' deter you from going to get support if you need that." Murdock said.

The SGA had then moved into unfinished business with the readings and resolutions of Senate Resolution 04 and Senate Resolution 05. Both pieces of legislation are to make professors give alternative assignments in place of class on election day for the midterm election in resolution 04 and the general election in resolution 05.

Both resolutions are approved by the senate with 28 yays, zero nays and one abstention.

The SGA had then discussed new business with a budget request to reimburse the Student Access and Belonging Committee from Feb. 12 at the Scramble Light from 12-2 p.m. for Valentine's Day to promote safe and healthy relationships. The budget is being used as reimbursement due to SGA not meeting normally on Feb. 11.

The Student Access and Belonging Committee had spent $65.03 on the handouts for the tabling, spent on festive candy to celebrate the February holiday. The budget request was approved with 26 yays, one nay and one abstention.

The SGA will meet again on Feb. 25, in Cardinal Hall B at 3:15 p.m. at the L.A. Pittenger Student Center.

Contact Landon Jones via email landon.jones2@bsu.edu

Today: The high will be 65 degrees with partly cloudy skies. The winds will be coming in from the south southeast at 10 mph.

Tonight: There will be thunderstorms that make their way into the area. The low will be 40 degrees with the winds coming from the south at 10 mph.

Tomorrow: The temperatures will stay moderate throughout the day with very little fluctuation in the temperatures. The winds will be coming in fast from the west southwest at 20 mph picking up slightly at 12 p.m. at 25 mph. The clouds will stick throughout the day until 5 p.m. with some sunshine peeking through.

Seven-Day Forecast: Friday will be very windy with temperatures staying in the 40s until later that night. Sunday brings a 60% chance of snow flurries and some colder temperatures. The next week will slowly bring warmer temperatures with Wednesday hitting 50 degrees. Although, on Wednesday there is a 60% chance of rain showers. On Thursday the sunshine will start peeking through with the high hitting around 45 degrees.

- Weather Forecaster Karina Gross

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and X @NLIWeather for breaking weather updates.

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For more information about the Weather-Ready Nation program please click HERE

Last year's team ended with losses to Kent State and Toledo in the Mid-American Conference (MAC) tournament to round out a 36-22 campaign under Head Coach Rich Maloney.

Despite a high volume of new players on the roster, Maloney has been encouraged by the returning group.

"It's been very encouraging because the guys that were on the roster from last year's team really accepted [their roles] and we really didn't miss a beat," Maloney said.

The head coach also said the new group of Cardinals' that came in have adapted to the culture very quickly, which he said has helped the group overall. One of the positions that was shaken up the most was the pitching unit.

Out of the 16 pitchers listed on the roster, 10 of those were either transfers in or freshmen entering their first year. Junior pitcher Keegan Johnson is one of the Cardinals' highlight returners on the team, and he believes what has happened to the Cardinals roster is a "common theme" in college baseball.

"Coach does a good job picking guys that he thinks will gel together well, and I think so far, we've done that through the fall and winter," Johnson said.

The junior said the pitching group has only grown closer together entering the new season, and he believes it is something that will help the team down the line. Johnson said that the level of closeness a team has usually indicates their success down the line.

"[The] pitching group is really close. I think that's a key indicator of how strong your team's gonna be, especially late in the season," Johnson said. "[Just] how strong that comradery is, especially between the pitching staff."

A big strength of the 2025 Ball State squad was their offensive performance. The team ranked third in the MAC in batting average (.309), and were first in home runs (61). Senior infielder Brett Griffiths is a key returner from last season, and he believes the 2026 squad will also have strengths on the offensive side of the ball.

"I think our biggest strength right now is definitely our hitting," Griffiths said. "I don't know if we're gonna hit as many home runs, but I think we're definitely gonna have a big offense."

A big thing for Griffiths to do, especially as a senior leader within the group, has been building relationships with his new teammates. The senior said the amount of practices in the offseason as well as some fall ball games have helped the team get used to each other and get to know each other.

"I think we blended very well together," Griffiths said. "I think being together every single day has helped us a lot."

Maloney has seen many different returning players step up into big leadership roles within the roster. The head coach said he felt as if it was a "seamless transition" of many different returners stepping up into new roles.

But the head coach has not only seen leadership with the returners, but also with some of the new guys. The Cardinals brought in junior first baseman Jacob Gillis from the transfer portal, who slashed .388/.522/.544 in his sophomore year at Bossier Parish Community College.

Maloney has instantly seen Gillis step up as a leader even in his first year with the squad, which he said he is encouraged by.

"He's immediately one of our leaders, which is kind of cool that you can come right into the program and not feel like you couldn't lead," Maloney said.

The Cardinals have a tough non-conference slate before opening up MAC play against Central Michigan on March 6. The team kicked off the season with two big offensive wins against St. Johns, a win against Stetson and a loss to Minnesota to conclude their four games in DeLand, Florida.

The team carries a 3-1 early-season record, and the narrative of the team being a strong offensive team while not hitting many homers has proved true so far. The team has scored 17 runs through four games, but have not hit a homer.

The slate only gets harder for the team looking forward. They will travel to Charleston, South Carolina to take on Merrimack twice, Seton Hall and George Mason. After that, the team will travel to Hawaii to take on the Rainbow Warriors in a four game set.

Maloney said that as non-conference play opens up, a lot of question marks surrounding the team will be answered. The head coach is focused on one thing for the team to do before opening conference play: compete.

"I want to see passion, enthusiasm, fire in the belly, not taking a backseat to nobody, expecting to win every time you go out there," Maloney said.

Contact Kyle Stout with questions via email at kyle.stout@bsu.edu or on X @kylestoutdailyn.

Martin University has been part of the Indianapolis community since 1977, according to its website, with the sole mission of providing a quality education for "low-income individuals, minorities and adult learners."

The initial vision was to bring light and education to those who have been historically and systematically disenfranchised, disregarded in public spaces and denied the opportunity for a quality education that would help them achieve their future goals, according to its website.

However, at the end of the 2025 fall semester, the only predominantly Black university in Indiana was forced to cease operations and close its doors due to a lack of funding after its removal from the state legislature's 25-27 budget - the latest change in legislature to disproportionately affect students of color at Indiana universities.

Faculty, alumni and students alike have expressed their remorse and dismay over the loss of this institution and the opportunities and community it provided to the Indianapolis area.

Dwight McGill, president of the Martin University Alumni Association (MUAA), said members of the alumni association were not expecting anything this devastating for the university's future.

"With Martin University trustees having control and [one] hundred percent power over the university, there's nothing we can do," he said.

McGill said the MUAA's current focus is on caring for staff who were laid off just before the holiday season and ensuring that the necessary individuals receive payment.

"But my biggest concern," McGill said, "because I'm alumni and I'm [the] alumni president, is the students."

Annette Johnson, former adjunct professor and current secretary of Martin University's Alumni Association, had similar concerns due to the close-knit nature of the campus culture.

"It was such a very, very close-knit family. Everybody was … devastated. I get to still see a lot of people because we still [have] been having meetings, trying to figure out how we [are] supposed to make it well," she said.

However, the many relationships Johnson built with her students across a variety of classes, including sociology, freshman reading and leadership development, have deepened her concern.

"I have concern[s] for students that are on the educational journey and ... what [that] means to them, just [to] abruptly have their education, just kind of interrupted at the moment," she said. "So [I am] more concerned about the students and how they would maneuver through, what's come before them."

Indiana State House Rep. John Bartlett (D- District 95), a member of the Indiana Black Legislative Caucus and another Martin University alum, was also mournful of the loss of his alma mater.

According to a statement released by the Indiana Black Legislative Caucus (IBLC) Dec. 9, he said that "to see Martin University go would be an atrocity for the state of Indiana."

He went on to explain that he "hope[s] the community is able to save Martin University; [as] it's a vital part of our city and state."

While universities such as Marian University and Indiana Wesleyan University have accepted Martin students with 100 percent credit transfer, there are also concerns about those students' ability to afford the rest of their education to complete their degrees.

The school's closure also comes at a contentious time, when many programs and initiatives designed to assist historically underserved students are being removed from other university policies.

Ball State University recently disbanded its Office of Inclusive Excellence to comply with new state legislation enacted through Senate Bill 289, restricting and removing the university's ability to uphold or fund any program that was based on the principles of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI).

Some Ball State employees who worked in this office were moved to a separate office under different titles within the university's Office of Strategic Plan Support.

Paris McCurdy, former director of community diversity initiatives, now director of community support initiatives, is one of the university employees affected by the office and title change.

McCurdy's role has traditionally been to "[connect] the people in the shadows," as he calls it, creating avenues and meaningful connections with members of the Muncie community who may express or feel like they don't belong.

Despite the university's changes to the language used in the office's statements and proposed programs and initiatives, McCurdy said that not much has changed in the work he does. He expressedvia email "the university's goal is to continue to provide support for all students" and "fulfill the needs of the student body."

"I'm not out in the community turning my back, saying, 'Oh no, I can't help you do that anymore. Or I can't do that.' It's the same way that I've been going at it, with helping them [community members] gain access [and] bringing awareness to them about what's happening on campus," he said.

As director of community support initiatives, McCurdy has helped schools at both the elementary and college levels secure transportation to take students to learning opportunities at both a factory in-state and a STEM day at Kings Island in Ohio.

He has also helped implement digital bulletin boards that keep the community informed about campus, create opportunities for community members to earn certification in American Sign Language and host events in Ball State's facilities to bring people from across Muncie to campus for recreational events.

"We're constantly demonstrating that, no, this is about the community. Ball State wants to help the community to rise as it rises," McCurdy said.

So, while the university's change in verbiage surrounding their support of McCurdy's "people in the shadows" caused alarm among many on campus, he said the level of support has not changed.

Ball State has also provided an opportunity for students to celebrate prominent Black figures within the community by renaming its Multicultural Center to honor local Muncie civil rights activists.

The Vivian V. Conley and Hurley C. Goodall Jr. Multicultural Center offers many programs for students at Ball State regardless of race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or ethnicity, according to their website.

The programs are designed to provide support and community to the many diverse people groups on campus. Programs and organizations supported include a first-generation students celebration, mentorship programs in both summer and fall and many student organizations, such as the Outlet Hip Hop Dance Troupe, Latinx Student Union and Man 2 Men.

According to Man 2 Men's president, Angel Esquivel Vazquez, the organization's primary focus is both the professional and personal lives of men of color on campus. Their meetings are designed to give their members both networking and socializing opportunities through a variety of events such as community service projects and resume-building workshops.

"We prioritize brotherhood and accountability. We want every member to walk away with a better sense of how to lead their own life," Esquivel Vazquez said.

He also expressed remorse over the loss of institutions like Martin University and the Office of Inclusive Excellence.

"Institutions change their structures based on state and federal directives, and that's the reality we're in," he said. "My focus isn't on the office's closing, but on the students. When administrative support systems change, student organizations like Man 2 Men become even more essential. We have to be the ones providing that community and guidance for each other now."

Student organizations, such as Man 2 Men and the work of McCurdy as director of community support initiatives, continue to provide the support and services needed by minority populations around Ball State's campus.

Contact Kyler Effner with comments at kyler.effner@bsu.edu.