Five safe ways to celebrate New Year's Eve during the COVID-19 pandemic

By Staff Reports / December 31, 2021

With the holiday season nearing its end, it can be tempting to spend more time with family and friends to ring in the new year. However, with the growing threat of COVID-19 and its variants, large gatherings and parties may not be the best idea, especially for those who are at a higher risk of contracting the virus. Nevertheless, 2021 is ending and 2022 is beginning, which calls for some celebration. Here are five fun and safe ways to celebrate the beginning of a new year during the pandemic.

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LISTICLE

10 Christmas gifts under $20 for last minute shoppers

By Tori Smith / December 10, 2021

Classes and extracurriculars can lead to college students being extremely busy. With students finishing up assignments, cramming for finals, and scraping any extra credit that they can get, December can seem like the busiest month of all. Christmas shopping sneaks up on us before we know it. Here is a last minute Christmas gift guide to direct you through your holiday shopping for all of your loved ones, whether they are into technology, cooking or fashion.

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CAMPUS

Fall 2021 Ball State graduate finds uncommon connection to grandmother

By Maya Wilkins / December 6, 2021

It’s 1957. Poodle skirts are “in,” Elvis Presley songs play all over the radio and drive-in movies are popular destinations for teenagers. Trending news topics include integrating schools in Little Rock, Arkansas, and the space race between the United States and the Soviet Union.

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COMMUNITIES

Local artist paints murals to bring Muncie’s southside community together

By Shwetha Sundarrajan / December 1, 2021

Drive on South Hoyt Avenue, and you’ll see businesses decorated with colorful murals, adding a pop of color to the otherwise bare street. Several local businesses, such as Rosebud Coffee House and the Common Market, have set up shops in Muncie's southside to bring the community together.

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LISTICLE

Five websites every college student should know about

By Staff Reports / November 29, 2021

Being in college, it can seem like things are a lot more challenging and tough. Students need tools and hacks to make the college experience easier. On the Internet, students can learn effective study habits and access digital copies of textbooks and answers to questions that may not have been discussed in their classes. Here are five websites to make every college student’s life a little easier. 

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CAMPUS

The School of Art’s Saturday Children’s Art Classes teach kids about art history and embracing creativity

By Miguel Naranjo / November 17, 2021

The classroom is filled with high-pitched clamor.  As children chat about everything from their favorite color to Minecraft, the teacher steps in front of the whiteboard, raises his arms and gives a loud “clap, clap, clap clap clap.”

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LISTICLE

A brief history behind 10 common Thanksgiving dishes

By Sumayyah Muhammad / November 15, 2021

With Thanksgiving break slowly upon us, the familiar taste of a home-cooked, or store-bought, Thanksgiving meal starts inching closer to our mouths — the sizzling hot, golden-brown turkey basting in the oven, the smell of grandma’s homemade pumpkin pie and the sound of everyone laughing together at the dinner table. 

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COMMUNITIES

After its grand re-opening in August, Forever Young Boutique expands its clothing collection to women and college students

By Grace Bentkowski / November 11, 2021

Amanda Hughes remembers strolling down the streets of downtown Muncie when she was little, peeking through cracked windows, counting boarded-up buildings and watching her hometown wear away. 

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COMMUNITIES

Charles Venable shares his love for Muncie through his go-kart business, Victory Laps

By Tori Smith / November 11, 2021

There he stood, overwhelmed by what he saw. The mile-and-a-half-long property that used to be Muncie’s Slick Track Raceway was now piled with problems. 

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CAMPUS

Six ways students can be more eco-friendly

By Staff Reports / November 2, 2021

Being environmentally friendly not only helps the planet but also your wallet. It can help you cut down on your electricity bills when you unplug appliances that are not in use. Here are six tips on how to be more eco-friendly in your day-to-day life. 

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CAMPUS

The new African American art exhibition at the David Owsley Museum of Art explores Kerry and Betty Davises’ hopes and passions

By Sumayyah Muhammad / November 2, 2021

“Start with what you like.”  That was Kerry Davis’ first lesson for his wife, Betty Davis, when she began collecting art alongside her husband. 

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COMMUNITIES

The Human Library uses “books” and "readers" to break the stigma around difficult topics

By Grace Duerksen / October 28, 2021

Founded in Copenhagen, Denmark, Ronnie Abergel created the Human Library to help challenge the stigma of difficult topics by simply creating discussion between people. 

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CAMPUS

The Fashion Merchandising Association hosts fundraiser to create more opportunities

By Taylor Smith / October 27, 2021

Since joining the Fashion Merchandising Association (FMA) her freshman year, senior fashion merchandising major Brandi Osthimer has been working to raise the club from the ground up.

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CAMPUS

The Fashion Merchandising Association holds resale pop-up shop for fundraiser

By Taylor Smith / October 25, 2021

Since joining the Fashion Merchandising Association (FMA) her freshman year, senior fashion merchandising major Brandi Osthimer has been working to raise the club from the ground up.

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MUNCIE ORIGINS

Northern Tropics Greenhouse sells plants along with crystals, soap and honey

By Ayah Eid / October 21, 2021

Stepping onto the rock-speckled dirt path, the first thing that can be seen from the front lawn of Northern Tropics Greenhouse is the rows of red, orange and gold chrysanthemum stones out on display. Further down the path, the plants from the five greenhouses emerge. 

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CAMPUS

Washington Post reporter wins Ball State national writing award

By Maya Wilkins / October 20, 2021

Hannah Dreier never considered journalism as a career — she always liked reading and writing but thought she was going to do work as an activist after graduating from college.

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MUNCIE ORIGINS

Purdylicious Sweet Shoppe offers a wide variety of doughnut flavors

By Miguel Naranjo / October 14, 2021

Carlie Boggs, Ball State junior computer information systems major, came across an advertisement on Facebook in January for a new doughnut shop opening in Yorktown, Indiana. When Boggs visited the shop to try its doughnuts, she said she was mesmerized by the food she had just bought.

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COMMUNITIES

YouTuber Kylee Larson creates art and science channel for kids to be creative

By Sumayyah Muhammad / October 6, 2021

Dressed in a white-and-black striped long sleeve shirt with a solid yellow patch and black overalls, Kylee Larson sets her iPhone on her tripod and turns on her microphone pack to start filming a video for her kids’ art YouTube channel, Kylee Makes It. 

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CAMPUS

Ball State students share their experiences with service animals

By Tori Smith / October 5, 2021

Like Star Wars’ Rey Skywalker, freshman nursing major Sara Harmeyer’s golden retriever, Rey, is caring and ready for a challenge. Rey is a psychiatric service dog named after the fearless and passionate female protagonist in the “Star Wars” films. 

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MUNCIE ORIGINS

Gordy Fine Art and Framing blends the museum world with business

By Samantha Lyon / September 29, 2021

Upon entering Gordy Fine Art and Framing on East Main Street, its character shines through with hundreds of holes on its walls left from years of hanging the artwork of local and regional artists.