Drummers take their cues for rehearsal from team leaders at Music For All Summer Symposium, June 27, 2023. Several hundred students from across the country converged on Ball State's campus for the weeklong event that included not just musical instruction, but games and other team-building events. Madelyn Moore, DN
NEWS

More than just some “Swag”

 At the Music For All Summer Symposium, held on Ball State’s campus June 24 through July 1, there’s a team of people called SWAGs behind every practice session, every fun activity, or even group transportation around campus. 


Third-year business administration major Hope Churchill poses for a photo outside the Bracken Administration Building Aug.19. Grayson Joslin, DN
NEWS

Hope Churchill begins term as Ball State’s student trustee

For Ball State, the student trustee must be a resident of Indiana and have a 2.5 or better grade point average at the time of the application. The position includes $50 for each meeting and Commencement attended, a 10% discount at the Ball State bookstore, and an all-access parking pass, among many things.



MiddleTown property group's business sign on N. Walnut Street is pictured Aug. 30. The property management company will pay $35,000 for allegedly unfair and deceptive business practices, according to the Indiana Attorney General's office. Mya Cataline, DN
NEWS

MiddleTown Property Groups will pay $35,000 to cease allegedly unfair and deceptive practices

An investigation by Attorney General Rokita’s Homeowner Protection Unit determined that MiddleTown Property Management LLC and MiddleTown Property Group LLC have been using the unregistered trade name “BSU Rentals.” The Attorney General’s office suggests that this could confuse consumers, leading them to believe the company is in association with Ball State. 


Chief Jim Duckham hugs a guest at his retirement party Aug. 25 at the L.A. Pittenger Student Center. Chief Duckham's last day is Aug. 31. Olivia Ground, DN
NEWS

Ball State University Police Department Police Chief Jim Duckham retires after 30 years of service

 Director of Public Safety and Chief of University Police Jim Duckham officially retired Aug. 31 after more than 30 years in law enforcement, including over nine years with Ball State. The search to fill the position has already begun and is expected to be concluded by October, according to Vice President of Student Affairs Ro-Anne Royer Engle.



Jessica Bergfors, DN Design
NEWS

ChatGPT has made its way to Ball State

On Nov. 30, 2022, ChatGPT was released to the general public. The program is a largely language-based form of artificial intelligence (AI) and can assist a user in creating well-written and formatted text. Microsoft is investing in OpenAI, the maker of ChatGPT, claiming they are making a “multi-billion dollar investment,” according to the Associated Press. 


Don McLean posing for a photo. Mclean is set to give the inaugural performance of the Brown Family Amphitheater Sept. 2 in a free show for the Ball State and Muncie community. 2911 Media, photo provided
DON MCLEAN

Don McLean to open Brown Family Amphitheater with Sept. 2 performance

After having conversations with several community leaders and finding out that Don McLean had an opening on his tour, the mayor of Muncie wanted to bring the “American Pie” singer and songwriter to the city. When he found out that the originally planned venue for the concert, Canan Commons, was already booked with events, he believed that the concert was not going to happen.


Abortion-rights protesters chant during a session of the Indiana state Senate at the Capitol on July 25, 2022 in Indianapolis. The legislature held a special session to consider curtailing abortion rights in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court ruling overturning Roe v. Wade last month. (Jon Cherry/Getty Images/TNS)
ABORTION

Indiana Supreme Court won’t rehear near-total abortion ban ruling, putting law back in effect

The Indiana Supreme Court on Monday denied a request to rehear its ruling upholding the state’s near-total abortion ban.  That means the new law — which prohibits the procedure with only narrow exceptions — immediately takes effect once the ruling is certified on the court docket, which is expected to be a matter of days, according to court officials.



A volunteer helps a child pick out and try on shoes for the upcoming school year at the Delaware County Fairgrounds. Over 1500 children were helped at the Tools for School event. Elijah Poe, DN
NEWS

Lending a helping hand

For the past 14 years, Hearts and Hands United has hosted the Tools for School drive. Each year thousands of families are helped throughout the event. Tools for School gives out school necessities such as shoes, backpacks, school supplies and jeans. Hearts and Hands United also partnered with Safari Dental to give out free teeth cleanings and dental screenings, as well as partnering with Open Door for free immunizations and $25 sports physicals. 


NATIONAL NEWS

Associated Press: Survivors of Maui fires face power cuts and poor cell service as teams work to find and ID the dead

LAHAINA, Hawaii (AP) — Survivors of deadly wildfires on Maui contended with intermittent power and unreliable cell service as they sought help rebuilding their lives. Teams of people, meanwhile, labored to find the dead and identify them. With the death toll already at 106, a mobile morgue unit with additional coroners arrived in Hawaii on Tuesday to help with the grim task of sorting through remains. The governor warned that a new storm could complicate the search and recovery.


LOCAL NEWS

Ball State PBS documentary features Anderson, Ind.

Ball State PBS will air a documentary about Anderson on Thursday, Aug. 17. It will be the next installment in the series highlighting great small towns in East Central Indiana. “Now Entering…Anderson” premieres live at 8 p.m. on Ball State PBS, it can also be seen online at ballstatepbs.org and on the PBS app or the Ball State Public Media app. “We are proud to highlight the civic pride and tell the wonderful regional stories of exciting things happening in cities and small towns all over our viewing area,” Dr. Phil Hoffman, assistant dean of media and general manager of Ball State Public Media said.


LOCAL NEWS

Ball State introduces quality off-campus housing

Ball State University announced the launch of a new off-campus quality housing initiative program. The program aims to prioritize student welfare by highlighting property management companies and landlords who commit to an established set of practices related to off-campus accommodations according to the report. 


NATIONAL NEWS

Associated Press: At least 55 people died on Maui. Residents had little warning before wildfires overtook a town

LAHAINA, Hawaii (AP) — Hawaii emergency management records show no indication that warning sirens sounded before people ran for their lives from wildfires on Maui that killed at least 55 people and wiped out a historic town. Instead, officials sent alerts to mobile phones, televisions and radio stations — but widespread power and cellular outages may have limited their reach.






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