An altered Indiana bill mandating local cooperation with federal immigration efforts emerged Monday from a marathon committee hearing and now heads to the House floor.

More than 60 witnesses testified during the five-hour meeting, with about a dozen in support and four dozen in opposition. The legislation advanced in a 9-4 vote.

Senate Bill 76 "makes it clear to those harboring and encouraging illegal aliens that Indiana will not have its laws ignored," said the bill's author, Sen. Liz Brown, in a statement.

"Universities, cities and employers, obey the law or face repercussions," continued Brown, R-Fort Wayne.

The legislation would block government bodies and public universities from enacting any policies that limit cooperation - including of their employees - with federal immigration authorities or laws, regardless of what level of government is doing the enforcement.

Senate Bill 76 would also empower the state's attorney general to seek civil penalties of $10,000 per knowing and intentional violation by government bodies and public universities. Only county jails would get a warning - and 30 days to make fixes - before facing legal action.

A provision allowing the governor to withhold funding from local units for up to a year was removed.

After the committee consented to a significant amendment to the "poor Senate version," Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita lauded the "substantially improved" bill.

"We can't afford half-measures on this issue, and no compromises should be made when it comes to mitigating the devastating effects of illegal immigration in our communities - only decisive, unequivocal action will protect public safety and put Hoosiers first," Rokita said in a news release.

Bad blood between Rokita and Brown - which includes a misconduct complaint against him - stems from Brown's refusal to hear a version of the proposal last year in her committee, killing that bill. Rokita called her pre-amendment take on the concept "toothless."

The bill would specifically require local units of government to comply with federal detainer requests. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement frequently asks local police and others to keep "potentially dangerous aliens" for 48 hours past when they would otherwise be released so ICE agents can take them into custody.

Government entities and their employees would be immune from both civil and criminal liability in lawsuits over actions they take to comply with the revamped legislation.

Supporters backed a hard-line approach.

"All it takes is one Democratic president to get back into the White House and open the flood gates like Biden did, and states are helpless to be able to defend themselves," said Nathan Roberts, co-founder of Save Heritage Indiana. "… (The bill) will make Indiana the model for common-sense immigration enforcement throughout the country."

Opponents decried the measure, pointing to Trump's ongoing deployment of federal immigration officers to Minnesota. Two U.S. citizens have been killed this month in "Operation Metro Surge" shootings, driving massive protests in and beyond the Twin Cities.

"How can it be that you're witnessing ICE's actions in Minneapolis - where they have attacked individuals only for exercising their rights, and who even took U.S. citizens' lives in broad daylight - (and) your response … is to demand cooperation with them?" asked Carmen Ramos, an Indianapolis educator. "… We need humane immigration reform, not lawless masked men."

Senate Bill 76 also takes aim at employers, banning them from knowingly or intentionally employing unauthorized workers, with protections for those who try to ensure eligibility through the federal E-Verify program or by other, Rokita-approved means.

The legislation lays out escalating punishments for employers who violate the ban. A court could suspend a company's operating authorization for five business days or order permanent revocations at all of the firm's locations in Indiana, depending on the number of violations and the employer's history.

State Business Affairs Secretary Mike Speedy threw his support behind the measure.

"Combating illegal immigration has been a top priority by the (President Donald) Trump administration, and one that Gov. (Mike) Braun wholeheartedly supports," said Speedy, who added that Braun wants "the strongest version of this bill that can get to his desk."

Other provisions would eye immigrant use of social safety net programs.

The Family and Social Services Administration would need to provide the number of non-citizens in Indiana receiving public benefits, and specify their immigration status, in annual reports to the legislative council. Hospitals would have to track the form of identification Medicaid patients present during intake in quarterly reports to the Indiana Department of Health.

The mansion is the historic former home of Ball brother William C., but now it serves as a guest house operated by Ball State's Miller College of Business Hospitality and Property Management students. Students are given special projects to work on through their respected study, but it is also available for students to work directly under management.

"It gives them a competitive edge in actually working in a business that's owned by Ball State," Property Manager David Martin said. "Working in a real-world business is something that they can use to give to employers. This is something that universities don't have."

Before Maplewood Mansion opened in 2016, Muncie was the last choice for most medical residents among the nine programs in the state, according to Martin. But now Muncie is the second choice in the state.

"A lot of that is because of the partnership with Optimus Primary, the experience students have at Ball Hospital, and I like to think a lot of the reasoning is because of the housing at Maplewood," Martin said.

Optimus Primary is a funding initiative based in Muncie, designed to strengthen the local healthcare workforce pipeline while collaborating with Ball State, IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital and other local institutions.

While the partnership with Optimus Primary plays a role, Martin says the main goal is about creating a connection. For student workers like Enik Griffin, that connection becomes a hands-on experience with real-life impact.

"I find a lot of fulfillmeny in being able to share the history and important assets that the Ball Brothers Foundation left behind," Martin said.

The impact is only expected to grow. Martin says he hopes to add more amenities and program involvement with future projects in the mansion. To learn more about the Maplewood Mansion, visit this website.

Contact Amelia Winter with comments at amelia.winter@bsu.edu.

Rachel Wade is a junior majoring in media production with a minor in film and screenwriting from Terre Haute, Indiana.

She discovered her passion for filmmaking accidentally, after high school class scheduling went awry, and the yearbook class was full. She was able to take a radio and TV class taught by the same teacher, and there she fell in love with film.

Since then, Wade has been able to explore the world of film making throughout her time at Ball State. Classes that explored different aspects of video production have allowed her sharpen her skills in the realm of cinematography.

She has also been able to overcome some anxieties about her career through experiences offered to her in her courses.

"I love that a lot of the time, we are filming like we do on actual sets. It feels like a mini version of what it will actually be like for a premiere film," said Wade. "It helps with my apprehension about being on a real set and strengthens my love for my major."

Her love of film is not the only thing that Wade has explored in her time as a Cardinal. She was able to take a trip to Italy and Greece over the summer of 2024.

"I loved getting to see so many important pieces of history and to be able to experience a completely different culture. I want to experience as many different places as possible and I love learning about cultures different from my own!"

Her love of film, travel and interest in experiencing other cultures are not her only passions in life. She has found a passion for advocacy surrounding children's media.

"I think today's media underestimates kids' intelligence and doesn't allow them to have any growth in terms of understanding," said Wade as she detailed her passion stemming from a hard-hitting episode on Full House she saw as a child.

"I think exposing them to those kinds of hard conversations are important for children, especially in households where they are not able to."

Wade's passions fuel her through her last semesters at Ball State as she studies to become a filmmaker and to leave her mark on culture.

At Cardinal Media, we believe everyone at Ball State has a story worth telling. Cardinal Spotlight is our way of getting to know students beyond the surface - what they're up to, what matters to them, and what makes them who they are. Ordinary college life is more interesting than it gets credit for, and we want to hear about it.

Senior guard Bree Salenbien had a stellar performance with 21 points, five rebounds and three assists.

The Cardinals currently lead the Mid-American Conference (MAC) in rebounds (1,092), assists (477) and points scored (1,971).

Head coach Brady Sallee commented on the team's success saying, "This team is very process driven and takes things day-by-day whether it be in practice or in a game. They don't get too far ahead or full of themselves, they just want to keep getting better."

In their last game against Troy, Ball State struggled with the Trojans' defensive pressure early on as they recorded 10 turnovers in the first half. Ball movement and distribution improved a lot more in this one as the Cardinals finished the game with only seven.

"Against this team [Eastern Michigan] you have to stay out of the coffin corners and around half court because that's where the defense can get aggressive, so we did a good job of that," Sallee said.

A notable element to this win was Ball State's ability to produce in the paint.

The Cardinals were able to score 52 points in the paint to Eastern Michigan's 26. At one point in the third quarter, Ball State had more points in the paint than Eastern Michigan had in the game.

"One of our strengths is being able to play from the inside-out so winning the battle in the paint was key for us," said Sallee. "We were pretty dominant today".

Ball State applied pressure on two of Eastern Michigan's most productive players in freshman guard Fernanda Ovalle and senior forward Sisi Eleko.

Ovalle, who averages 12.5 points per game this season, was held to only six and Eleko, who averages 18 points per game, was held to only 10, and both players finished 3-11 from the field.

"You've got to be really good and disciplined against their point guard [Ovalle] because she distributes really well and gets the ball where players want it," said Sallee. "I thought we did good against her which allowed us to do good on defending other people as well."

Other players that stood out tonight for the Cardinals were junior guard Karsyn Norman with 18 points, seven rebounds and five assists, alongside senior center Tessa Towers as she produced 22 points with eight rebounds.

Ball State Women's Basketball will meet next at Worthen Arena against Bowling Green on Feb 14.

Contact Bryce Pennell with questions via email at bryce.pennell@bsu.edu.

Tonight: Skies will stay clear into the evening with temperatures dropping just below freezing with a low of 30 degrees. Winds will still stay variable at 10 mph out of the Northwest. Cloud cover will grow in the area during the early hours of Wednesday morning.

Tomorrow: Temperatures will be dropping back down to the low-30's with an increase in cloud coverage during the day. Winds will still stay relative around 10 mph becoming a little more Northerly and clouds will start to clear out of the area during the late afternoon into the evening.

Seven-Day Forecast: Temperatures will gradually continue to increase throughout the week into next and even look at a possibility of 60 degrees on Monday and Tuesday. Cloud cover will be variable throughout the week with some dense patches moving through on Thursday and Sunday. Valentines Day looks pretty good with some partly cloudy skies and temperatures in the low 50's. However, we will see a 40% chance of rain on Sunday, but clearing up going into the next week.

-Weather forecaster Jonas Hinderer

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Today: We have a beautiful February day today with a high of 51 degrees, mostly sunny skies and 10 mph winds. This is a nice break from the cold that we have been having over the last few weeks.

Tonight: We will have an overnight low of 28 degrees, a lot colder than it was during the day. Winds will stay below 10 mph with cloudy skies throughout the night.

Tomorrow: The cold that we see overnight will carry over into tomorrow. With a high of 35 degrees, the temperature will drop, but not for long. Winds are going to stay at 10-12 mph and clouds will be persistent throughout the day.

Seven-day forecast: Over the next seven days, we can expect temperatures to sit in the 30s and 40s, and then rise into the 50s over the weekend and into next week. With the only chance of precipitation being on Sunday, the rest of the week will remain dry so hopefully we will see some of the snow melt.

-Weather forecaster Daphne Gibaud

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Ain't That A Kick in the Head?

Season two picks up right where the last season ended. Lucy (Ella Purnell) and The Ghoul/Cooper Howard (Walton Goggins) have set off for New Vegas in search of Lucy's father, Hank (Kyle MacLachlan), while Maximus (Aaron Moten) reconvenes with the Brotherhood of Steel. These plotlines, along with those in the vaults, make up the core narrative of the season. With our characters more separated than ever, and with the general narrative having a definitively less clear endpoint than that of the first season, it sometimes feels like the show has trouble juggling all of its subplots.

For instance, Norm's (Moises Arias) subplot sees him leading a group of seemingly clueless vault dwellers through the wasteland, and slowly beginning to uncover the truth about Vault-Tec's intentions. Unfortunately, this plot line is constantly faced with cutaways, and is ultimately left open-ended so that it can presumably be continued in season three. It's frustrating because the show is constantly presenting really intriguing situations, often laden with heaps of lore implications, but just before the narrative threatens to go somewhere, we cut to another perspective. At one point, the Brotherhood of Steel plot is essentially put on hold, and we are given only a mere tease in the finale as to how this may conclude.

Ultimately, I think this is the consequence of the show having only eight episodes to a season. Plenty of scenes love to take their time and meander, often at the expense of other scenes. While it feels frustrating in that regard, I'm not actually against the meandering. This is a television show where we are ultimately immersing ourselves in the journey of these characters, which permits some stopping to smell the proverbial flowers. What I do have a problem with, however, is the other subplots being cut short. Even just a couple extra episodes would have made this show's pacing much better, and we would be able to experience the full scope that the creators are clearly going for.

A Wasteland Recreated

New Vegas is a bit of a delicate topic with the fans of the Fallout franchise. The setting was introduced in Obsidian's 2010 Fallout: New Vegas, often touted as the best game in the series, or at least the best game since the series switched to the modern role-playing game format. So, when it was revealed that we were going to Vegas in the second season, it was clear there was a lot to tackle here. How would Amazon deal with the plethora of factions with storied histories, or all of the iconic landmarks from the game, or even on the fact that the fate of the Mojave wasteland changes drastically based on the player's choices? The first season may have stayed mostly faithful, but this would prove to be an entirely different beast.

Luckily, I'd say that season two stays mostly faithful to the games, and provides a decently adequate followup to the open-ended New Vegas. I won't spoil exactly how the show interprets the end of the game, but suffice to say that there's a little here for fans of all the main factions. The New California Republic, as well as the Legion both have substantial presence in the Mojave. Better yet, Mr. House (Justin Theroux) plays a massive role in this season, especially in the pre-war flashbacks with the pre-ghoulified Cooper Howard. Most impressive are the appearances of the iconic Deathclaws, giant hybrid monsters that prowl the wasteland. They are made with some stunning practical effects here, and they truly do feel imposing. While there are some discrepancies, I ultimately found myself pretty satisfied with the show's depiction of the iconic wasteland.

Joining the Party

At the heart of Fallout's success is its characters. Much like the games, there is a massive and varied cast of characters here, and their interactions shape the narrative into something that is not just enjoyable, but oftentimes incredibly intriguing. The dynamic between the endlessly optimistic Lucy and the aged and nihilistic Cooper is wonderful, as we get to see how these characters clash with each other, but also how their worldviews might rub off on each other. Norm's newfound disillusionment with the Vault-Tec corporate ideology allows him to grow as a character, and seeing him take a leadership role is a delight to watch.

Kyle Maclachlan gets much more to do this season as Hank. Now the central antagonist of the season, we see him scheming and inflicting cruelty on the denizens of the wasteland, all while sporting the iconic Vault-Tec corporate courtesy. Another elevated character is Johnny Pemberton as Thaddeus, now morphing into some sort of mutant after ingesting a mysterious substance in the first season. Thaddeus is admittedly mostly comic relief, with his incompetent eagerness painting him to be a bit of a bumbling fool, but he also serves as a light in the dark alongside Maximus, as both share a more hopeful outlook on the future of the wasteland.

The House Always Wins

At the end of the day, Falloutseason two delivers an entertaining season of television, if a bit short. Through fun characters and a legendary wasteland brought to life, the show presents a narrative worthy of the games, complete with iconic factions, conspiracy, and post-apocalyptic action. While an extra episode or two would have really elevated this season, there's still a lot to love here, and I'm ultimately satisfied with what we've been given. Season three can't come soon enough.

Sources: IMDb, IMDb, IMDb, IMDb, IMDb, IMDb, BethesdaSoftworks, IMDb, IMDb

Images: Amazon MGM Studios

Dudek is the chair of the outreach committee at YDSA. Alongside other members, Dudek opened the vigil with statements expressing thanks and gratitude for the turnout despite the weather. The vigil was sparked after the recent deaths of Alex Pretti and Renee Good. Their deaths added to the ongoing nationwide protests against I.C.E.

"What we've seen across the country regarding the deployment of I.C.E and D.H.S in cities across the country, we're all appalled by that," Dudek said.

After the opening statements were made, Dudek continued the vigil with a moment of silence. The only noise during the 10 minutes of silence were names. The names of those who have died I.C.E., read out by Dudek. Gathered around the Peace Plaza, faces illuminated by artificial candles, the cold wind carried the names around the vigil.

"It's not just about organizing around the issue, although that is part of it, it's an opportunity to take a breath," Dudek said. "To be in community with our brothers and sisters in Minneapolis, Chicago and other places."

The remainder of the vigil was filled by speakers from the audience. Some were leaders of on-campus organizations, while others have first hand experiences of their families being impacted by I.C.E.

One community member that stepped forward was pastor Matt Gerdes. He spoke about the need for love and compassion in the world's current state.

"I wanted to stand up for the idea of caring and loving our neighbor," Gerdes said. "Caring about the harm that's done and trying to be better about having standards for love and care."

The ending of the vigil was adorned by attendees singing We Shall Overcome, with each voice joining in for the gospel based song.

"For us it's just; we want to stand in solidarity with these communities, so we're going to organize this and fill that need," Dudek said.

Contact Aiden Murray with comments at aiden.murray@bsu.edu.

Tonight: Warm air will increase along with dew points rising as well. Due to this warm air being pushed into our area, warm moist air combined with existing snow cover & cold grounds could possibly create patchy areas of fog.

Tomorrow: The increasing warm air ahead of a cold front from the west will assist with higher temperatures on Tuesday. Continuing on throughout the day moisture from the previous night will slowly make its way out of our area as the front pushes through increasing cloud coverage and shifting the wind direction. Expect drier conditions Tuesday evening as high pressure builds behind the front. Cooler air from the passed cold front will lead to colder temperatures Tuesday evening into early Wednesday morning.

Seven-Day Forecast: Uncertainty in forecast increases towards the end of the week as models continue to contradict one another. A weak system approaching from the northwest increases possible chances of precipitation Thursday and Friday. However, with limited moisture and such model debate, chances of precipitation are low. Variability continues into the weekend as a small trough approaches the area bringing about potential for rain/snow. Temperatures will remain warm enough that most of what falls will be precipitation, but still close enough to freeze enabling potential snow mix.

- Weather Forecaster Rachel Fulton

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Acquiring The Muppets back in 2004, Disney has left the IP hanging for quite some time, with few projects every few years like Muppets Mayhem and Muppets Haunted Mansion. However, with the return of The Muppet Show, producer Seth Rogan brings the nostalgia of The Muppets right back in this 2026 revival of the original show.

Guest Star Sabrina Carpenter

Having Sabrina Carpenter as the first guest star was the perfect way to start The Muppet Show off with a bang. With the number of comparisons Carpenter gets to Miss Piggy, it seemed almost perfect to put her alongside the characters, and she fit in seamlessly. Her chemistry with Miss Piggy in each scene was off the charts, although Miss Piggy threatens to sue her for stealing her look. Carpenter really flexes her acting muscle in this special, making her a very strong guest star to come back with.

To no surprise, her musical numbers were absolutely stunning. From the hilarious performance of "Manchild" accompanied by the chickens to her duet with Kermit that turned into a duet with Miss Piggy, Carpenter's voice really shines with any person or Muppet.

Nostalgia Trip Gone Right

In an era where the film and TV industry is focused more on dramas-which isn't a bad thing-The Muppet Show brings back humor in a way that felt impossible. The Muppets also have a certain nostalgia factor that not many other IPs have, making for a perfect combo of characters we know and love, creating hilarious scenes that make the show a laugh-out-loud experience.

Statler and Waldorf are the best heckling duo out there. The gag is always the same, yet I find myself giggling anytime they make a joke from their balcony. We also get some classic gags with Fozzy and his massive thinking hat, smacking Rogan in the face on his way out from cutting him from the show; it's very goofy. The Muppet Show is chock-full of cliche jokes and bits, but somehow they always feel fresh and entertaining to watch.

Maya Rudolph's cameo guest appearance was also very charming, with the few minutes of screentime she got. Choking on an eyeball that bounced away from Muppet Labs, Rudolph is presumed dead until a sandbag falls on her as she's getting wheeled out and revives her. The delivery of the scene is so funny, and one of my favorites from the episode. Rudolph is a comedy powerhouse that fits right into this episode.

A Couple of Notes

Although I thoroughly enjoyed the special, there were a few down moments in the episode that made the show drag a little. There was a running bit that Kermit said yes to too many acts, and now there's not enough time to get them all in the episode-and while that's a perfect plot for this special-it seemed to weigh down the episode a bit. With a 30-minute runtime, there isn't a lot of time to keep coming back to the same bit, but they attempt to, and it doesn't work out in their favor.

Rizzo the Rat is such a fun character, but his performance of "Blinding Lights" in the middle of the episode felt a little out of place, and the scene could have been filled with something else. All of the other musical performances felt integral to the show-a personal favorite of mine being the finale with the entire ensemble singing "Don't Stop Me Now" by Queen-but his felt more like a way to tell the audience, "Hey, remember Rizzo? Yeah, he's here too," and there were better ways to include him.

We Need More Muppets

Although there are no confirmed future episodes, this special oozes with passion and love for the Muppets from Rogan, and there is hope that more is to come. With the return of the beloved show, I would love to see more episodes with celebrities like Chappell Roan, Rachel Zegler, or Colman Domingo. After a successful first run, maybe the Muppets will return to their much-deserved stardom.

Sources: IMDb, IMDb, IMDb, IMDb, Spotify, Spotify, IMDb, Spotify, Spotify, Spotify, Spotify, IMDb, IMDb.

Images:Disney

Among them is Chloe's Gems, whose handmade, multi-colored and multi-textured jewelry offsets the opaque, black tablecloths it rests upon.

The "Chloe" behind Chloe's Gems is none other than Chloe Rains. The young entrepreneur launched her business venture four years ago alongside her grandmother and Ball State University's administration and concierge desk coordinator, Melinda Rains.

"I am really creative, and I've always done different things like art, crocheting, drawing, things like that," Chloe said.

The coronavirus pandemic could have posed a threat to the then-teenager's creative spark with boredom on the horizon.

A December 2020 systematic review and meta-analysis published in the Journal of Tropical Pediatrics examined the psychological and behavioral impacts of lockdown and quarantine measures across age groups and demographic groups during the pandemic. The analysis found that about 35 percent of young people under 18 reported boredom.

Chloe was not among them. Instead, she said the pandemic offered her an opportunity to hone her creativity, as she was "looking for something to do."

She had been staying with her grandmother during that time, who introduced her to the art of jewelry making, a hobby Melinda had taken up decades earlier.

"Many, many years ago, before [Chloe] was even born, I had trouble finding things that fit me, so I started making my own. I made quite a bit back then, but I didn't have any way to sell it," she said.

The pandemic allowed Melinda to pass down the hobby to her granddaughter, who, Melinda recalled, worked at Michael's at the time, ultimately giving the pair easy access and discounts to the necessary crafting supplies.

By that point, "We really expanded and realized, 'We're making too much jewelry!'" She said. As it piled up, the duo sought to find a way to either sell their creations or give them away," Melinda said.

Chloe, who was 17 at the time in 2022, first launched the business venture at the Friday night Yorktown Farm and Artisan Market on South Tiger Drive in the market's Young Entrepreneur Division. It became obvious to the pair, Melinda said, that community-based markets were the ideal venue for their products.

As they explored other market spaces in the area, they decided to try Minnetrista Museums & Gardens and have continued to be a vendor there since 2023.

"The Minnetrista's amazing. It's been very, very fun to go to every market and see the different vendors and different people that come through. We love when people find something that they love that's right for them," Chloe said, adding that the business offers custom sizing, "Even if [an item] doesn't fit [a customer] there and then, if they really like the way something looks, we will definitely make it to fit them," she said.

Through various customizations and hours of craftsmanship, the grandmother and granddaughter have learned to appreciate the individuality of each piece they create.

"We have discovered that there's something for everybody. Everybody likes something different, so that's why we have so many different styles," Melinda said.

Inspiration for these "different styles" comes from staying up to date on the latest fashion trends and designs through social media and customer engagement. From there, each of them turns their spark of inspiration into a stamp of creation using a variety of materials.

Melinda primarily works with leather and wire to produce neutral, earth-toned pieces that pair well with a variety of outfits and skin tones. Chloe, meanwhile, said she makes her own resin and clay to mold whimsical, bright or pastel-colored designs as a self-described "whimsy girly."

"We do have our own styles and our own ideas," Chloe said, but rather than viewing that as a deficit, "It does make for more options for people, that variety that people want. I think our styles kind of go together at the same time, even if they are different," she said.

Although they differ stylistically, the grandmother and granddaughter agree that running the business together has brought them closer, bridging the generational gap between them.

"We both love doing it; we love being [at the Minnetrista]," Melinda said. "It's been really fun to just be able to do something that we both enjoy, and I've definitely learned some things from [my grandma], like how to be professional," Chloe added.

One of the things they look forward to the most while vending is making a good first impression on potential customers with their setup.

"We love when people's eyes get all wide [as] they see our stand, especially children," Chloe said.

At markets, they display a selection of brightly colored beaded bracelets for sale, specifically designed for kids and their smaller wrist sizes.

"I try to make other things that are kid-friendly and not too pricey, because they might lose it or break it somehow. Kids are kids, but I like to have options for everyone. It pays off when someone comes running to the stand; it makes us happy," she said.

Making their community happy has remained a driving force for Chloe and Melinda throughout their shared business endeavor.

"It's a hobby, but also, I feel like I give back to people, and when I see them happy, it makes me happy. It's been very rewarding," Chloe said.

Within the next five years, Melinda said she hopes to retire full time and pass the jewelry business to Chloe as its sole owner, who hopes to have a storefront by then.

But in the meantime, the grandmother-granddaughter duo can be spotted selling their handcrafted jewelry pieces at just about every Saturday Minnetrista Indoor Farmers Market from 9 a.m. - noon, the next one taking place on Valentine's Day, Feb. 14.

Contact Katherine Hill via email at katherine.hill@bsu.edu.

Gymnastics Alumni Meet

Head Coach Joanna Saleem and the team are excited to welcome back gymnastics alumni. During the meet, all alumni are invited down onto the competition floor for a special recognition ceremony to honor their contributions to the program.

The first20 alumnito reach out to Assistant Coach Scott Wilson will receive afree ticketfor the meet. Additional tickets for friends and family may be purchased at theticket office.

• Price: $13.30
• Location: Worthen Arena
• Date and Time: Sunday, February 8 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

NSE 101

Looking to expand your college experience and study away from Ball State without leaving the country?Join us for the National Student Exchange (NSE) info session at The Rinker Center for Global Affairs (Student Center SC102). Discover how you can study at one of 160+ universities across the U.S, Canada, and beyond!

Join us at this event to learn about the benefits, application process, and exciting opportunities to experience different cultures, landscapes, and academic environments-all while earning credits toward your degree. Don't miss out on this chance to take your education to the next level!

• Price: Free
• Location: Student Center: Yuhas Room 102
• Date and Time: Monday, February 9 from 3:15 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Indiana Poet Laureate Talk and Poetry

Ball State University Libraries and the Creative Writing program will host a unique evening of literary performance and innovation featuring Indiana Poet Laureate Curtis L. Crisler. The event, which is free and open to faculty, staff, students, and the local Muncie community, will take place in Bracken Library, Room 104 at 6:00 p.m.

• Price: Free
• Location: Bracken Library Room 104
• Date and Time: Wednesday, February 11 from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Groundhog Day the Musical

Muncie Civic Theatre presents Groundhog Day the Musical on the Mainstage February 6-22. Visit the charming town of Punxsutawney, as Phil Connors, a cynical weatherman tries to escape a never-ending time loop. The musical based, on the hit film starring Bill Murray, promises a night of laughs and a journey of self-discovery. Thursday, Friday, and Saturday Shows are at 7:30 p.m. and the Sunday Matinees are at 2:30 p.m. Rated PG-13. Reserved Seating.

• Price: Free
• Location: Muncie Civic Theater
• Date and Time: February 6-22. Thursday, Friday, and Saturday shows are at 7:30 p.m. Sunday Matinees are at 2:30 p.m.

The bill is now headed to the House of Representatives for further consideration. Lawmakers have one month left in the legislative session to sign the bill.

According to Early Learning Indiana, more than 32,000 Indiana children are on the waitlist for the CCDF voucher program.

United Day Care Center has faced the impact of these cuts, along with many other day care centers.

Before the program lost its funding three years ago, United Day Care Center expanded its facilities by adding more classrooms due to sufficient funding and a long waitlist of children eager to join their center.

"Our families are going to be devastated," said Carol Johnson, executive director of United Day Care Center. "We have a holistic approach because we know our children. Many of them are food insecure, and a lot of them don't have dependable housing. They need to work in order to afford this."

United Day Care Center has laid off six employees due to financial reasons, reduced staff training and is seeking more affordable food services.

"There are thousands of people out there who want a job and want to work, but they have no place to send their children," Johnson said. "So it's going to have an economic impact."

Delaware County isn't the only county in Indiana facing these common issues.

Falisha Bright, a provider in Marion County, posted on the Indiana Association for the Education of Young Children about the challenges she's been facing.

"Without support, many providers like me may have to raise prices, cut enrollment, or close," Bright said.

Johnson noted that United Day Care Center may soon receive grants of $75,000 and $50,000 to support its programs.

The daycare center offers various programs, including free quality pre-K, to help ease the financial burden on families.

To stay updated on Indiana CCDF voucher cuts and changes through 2026, visit https://www.in.gov/fssa/carefinder/child-care-assistance/.

Contact Lauren Burris with comments at Lauren.burris@bsu.edu.

My family constantly pulls political topics from TikTok or Instagram and expects me to believe what they show me, but when I ask them to show me the same thing from a credible, potentially unbiased source, they go silent or change the subject.

It is a constant battle with my family over what to believe and what not to believe, which has caused more problems and increased the tension between us.

It is ridiculous that people use social media as a credible source for news. Social media is a source of entertainment. Its goal is to show you what you like, and it can use your interests against you - especially when it is political news.

Often, people do not get the whole story when they get their news from different social media platforms.

They are being lied to and getting riled up for the wrong reasons. It is meant to elicit a reaction from them. That is what the social media algorithm wants: to keep you engaged in content.

My fear is that, as a society, we forget that we need to check our sources in order to prevent spreading fake news. People have forgotten the severity of what spreading fake news can cause to not only people on the internet, but also to those you hold dear to you.

In September 2025, Pew Research Center found "53 percent of users under 30 say social media is personally important for getting involved with issues that are meaningful to them. About four-in-ten of those 30 and older say the same."

Generation Z has grown up with the internet, so most of our days consist of being active on social media. Most of Gen Z could not bother with participating in research or pulling up a news channel, regardless of their biases, unless something trending has gone to the extreme.

Younger generations have a greater tendency to believe what they see on social media before thinking critically. asking if what they are seeing is real or not. They also use social media to connect with others who share similar feelings on political topics, not looking for their ideas to be challenged.

According to another September 2025 article from Pew Research Center, "38 percent of U.S. adults say they regularly get news on Facebook, and 35 percent say the same about YouTube."

The generations who use Facebook more than anyone are the older generations, such as Gen X and Baby Boomers. However, younger generations tend to use YouTube, an app that is consumed by everyone.

No doubt, it is easier - and more convenient - to believe social media and use it as a source, as videos typically range from five to ten seconds. However, when people spread breaking news, regardless of whether it is true, people prefer to believe what they have been told because it either aligns with their beliefs or they are often too lazy to fact-check and get the whole picture.

My family will send me posts about political events that are violent or go against my political beliefs. Every time, I give the same response: "Do you have a credible source to back up this post?"

This simple question alone has caused many arguments. The tension from the arguments remains for days and constantly repeats itself, making the point of the argument redundant.

Topics like these need to be taken more seriously, and people need to start asking more questions in order to stop the spread of misinformation. If we do not, the spread of fake news can potentially lead to riots, accusations and chaos between us all.

Not only that, but the increase of artificial intelligence (AI) being used to create fake news has become increasingly relevant. Furthermore, AI has made continuous improvements in its visual content. Typically, it is harmless content, but now we have people using AI to spread false news that has the potential to start a chain reaction.

What starts as a simple video generated from AI software like ChatGPT, Sora or Gemini, turns into a believable video to trick the audience. These kinds of videos make the truth more scarce in a world where false news is the news we breathe. Another thing people can do to try to steer away from using social media as their source is to simply download a credible news app.

I use news apps like The Washington Post, the BBC and The New York Times to provide me with trending news throughout the day. The BBC is my preferred way to be informed about current political events in America, so I feel like I am provided with unbiased information. Apps like these make it very simple and push notifications out to you. With people's short attention spans, a notification with a breaking news headline will draw anyone's attention.

If you would like to follow an account on social media that claims to be credible, you should look to see who made it, verify with other trusted sources and check for reliable evidence.

Social media content, on the other hand, is intended to distract people from what is really happening politically in the world.

In an August 2020 video posted by Common Sense Education, they state that because of social media, when people try to recall information they heard on the internet, they often cannot recall what it is they learned. Instead, they only remember seeing it because there was something big and dramatic about it.

Not only that, but social media influences so much of today's political atmosphere; it can influence your beliefs, political campaigns and people's opinions. Social media users during political campaigns likely have only three goals in mind - to spread propaganda, serve controversy and arouse chaos. Social media also produces information faster than news outlets, so most of the information that is shared can not be verified by trusted sources. News sources and articles will release the full context of breaking highlights and not release it bit by bit.

According to an article from February 2022 by the National Library of Medicine, "Apart from false information, which seemingly puts its authors in a better light, fake news often appears simultaneously in order to harm other parties or particular politicians."

Social media may inform you if something is occurring, but you should always check to see if it is true. People should also look further than strictly the headlines, because headlines do not tell the full story.

Using social media as your political source can bring more tension towards friends and family.

The more my family sends me posts from social media about a trending topic, the more it makes my heart sink. Has everyone really succumbed to the world of social media? Since we constantly stare at it every day and now, do we just believe what we see before looking at the bigger picture? They have no legitimate reason to believe what they see other than it is what they believe to be true.

Lots of news sources have started making accounts on social media apps to promote their credible take on breaking news and events. If you would like to follow an account on social media that claims to be credible, you should look to see who made it, verify with other trusted sources and check for reliable evidence.

After all, most information on social media can be fabricated or misleading.

Contact Lou Harris via email at eharris5@bsu.edu.

At the town hall, Errington provided the healthy-sized crowd with several handouts.

Each outlined the afternoon's talking points, including the results of a 2026 Legislative Survey completed by District 34 residents, an updated summary of the legislation Errington authored during the 2026 legislative session, and a user-friendly guide to finding legislators on the Indiana General Assembly website.

The hour-long town hall was divided roughly into two parts: a half hour for updates from Errington, herself, and a half hour for questions from constituents.

"This is a really good crowd. It shows that you are engaged, you want to have a voice, and you want to know what's going on at the state house, so thank you very much for coming," she began.

Errington not only introduced herself, but she also opened the floor to those in the audience running for local elections, as candidacy filing ended Feb. 6. Among the republican nominee candidates was Muncie Central High School Principal Chris Walker.

RELATED: Important dates, deadlines to watch out for during the 2026 election year

Errington previously announced she will not run for reelection in 2026, endorsing Sara Gullion as her replacement in the statehouse and serving as her campaign chair. Gullion is the only democratic candidate for District 34.

RELATED: Rep. Sue Errington discusses not running for reelection, reflects on career

Errington used the results from the 2026 Legislative survey, filled out by community members in December 2025, to begin her talking points.

"We looked at issues that we thought people were concerned about, and that's what a lot of that's what we put on the survey, but we also put it on the House Democratic Caucus agenda," she said.

During the legislative session, a hot-button issue was the proposed redistricting of Indiana's congressional maps.

RELATED: Indiana breaks tradition with potential early redistricting

"Fortunately, it failed," Errington said, "and I give you all credit for it failing, because all of the democrats in both houses voted against it, but so did some of the republicans."

She went on to explain, "There were 12 [republicans] in the [state]house who didn't stay with the party line. They stayed with their constituents and what they were hearing from them, and then there were enough in the Senate that it failed. So, that's where you made your voices known, so thank you for that."

Errington believes the first two weeks of the regular session the statehouse spent discussing redistricting were "wasted," disrupting the session's rhythm.

She explained that legislative sessions typically do not adjourn until mid-March - but the 2026 Legislative Session is slated to be wrapped up by the end of this month.

"It's really pushing everything together and making [the legislative session] go really, really fast. At this point, the [state] senate is considering the bills that the [state]house passed, and the [state]house is considering the ones that the [state] senate passed," Errington said.

Within each legislative session, state representatives can author up to five bills. Of the five bills that Errington authored during the current legislative session, "All but one of them [are] dead," she said.

The one that is still alive is House Bill (HB) 1131, which Errington said she had amended into a Republican colleague's bill in order to keep it moving. If passed, the bill would strengthen access to electrology programs in beauty schools across Indiana.

Currently, Errington said, there are no beauty culture schools in Indiana that offer electrology, the removal of unwanted hair. As a result, licensed practicing electrologists are at or nearing retirement age.

"We're down to 54 electrologists in the state," she said. "So this will open the doors, a pathway for younger people to take electrology as a career and make it easier on the beauty culture schools as well."

Errington was pleased to report that HB 1131 passed unanimously in the Senate committee this week. If the bill can pass second and third readings in the state senate, it will be sent to the governor's desk for the final act of approval before becoming a law.

When it came time for questions from the visiting community members, most raised concerns and wanted more clarity on bills such as HB 1377, which would allow a straight party ticket on the ballot to include at-large races, excluding school boards.

HB 1423, which would allow significant operational control to a new, 9-member mayoral-appointed body, or Senate Bill (SB) 76, which would have expanded the attorney general's authority to enforce compliance with federal immigration policies.

Errington listened thoughtfully, answered and expressed dismay for the current political divide consuming Indiana.

"One of the problems with the super majority is there's not enough dialogue to try to come to somewhere in the middle. I see that in the General Assembly. There used to be, during conference committee time, more back and forth and trying to find a middle solution," she said.

As Errington looks toward retirement, she hopes Indiana can become a state that offers compromise for all.

"I'm hoping that Indiana will look at the candidates instead of the party and decide [on a solution]," she said.

As the town hall concluded, one unanimous question Errington found herself answering came in reference to her decision not to run for reelection: "Are you sure you're done?"

To which she replied, "It's time to pass the torch."

Although she is retiring from her position at the end of this month, with the legislative session ending, Errington said she will remain active as a volunteer advocate for Planned Parenthood, returning to a role she held for 17 years before her political career.

Contact Katherine Hill via email at katherine.hill@bsu.edu.

The team jumped out to an early 10-2 lead, and the Cardinals saw that lead grow to as many as 15 in the early action.

"It started with our defense," Head Coach Michael Lewis said. "I thought we had a defensive intensity and purpose to start the game that we haven't had in the last couple of games."

The Cardinals held the Warhawks to 38 percent from the field and only 11 percent from behind the arc.

The stellar defensive performance from the team came amidst a disadvantage at the free-throw line. The Cardinals shot 18 free throws compared to the Warhawks 36.

Lewis utilized a 1-3-1 zone for a handful of possessions, and the head coach saw that work perfectly for the Cardinals.

"I thought we did some really good things with that, [and] I'm not sure they scored against it," Lewis said. "We used it [for] seven or eight possessions, which is what it's there for."

The scoring load came from more than just junior guard Armoni Zeigler and sophomore guard Davion Hill. Although the two guards combined for 25 points, other Cardinals' players stepped up.

Sophomore forward Kayden Fish scored a team-high 17 points, and senior guard Elmore James IV added 13 points.

Lewis said the team is continually getting better. Despite the Cardinals having the injury bug for multiple games this season, the head coach is pleased with the way the group is coming together.

"I think some guys are starting to settle in and understand what the expectations are," Lewis said. "They keep showing up and they want to improve."

The win gave the Cardinals the edge in the Mid-American Conference (MAC) - Sun Belt Conference (SBC) challenge, and it also gave the Cardinals their second road win this season.

Lewis said that winning games is hard, and he said the only people who do not understand that are "the ones that have never done it."

With eight games to go on the season, the Cardinals are entering their most important stretch of games. The cut-off seed to make the MAC tournament in Cleveland is the eighth seed, and the Cardinals sit half-a-game back of that cut-off.

But even with a tough stretch of games looking forward, Lewis points back to the "good group of guys" he has on the team.

"These guys are fun to work with," Lewis said. "It's rewarding to watch these guys continue to work and continue to improve."

The Cardinals will look to ride off the victory, when they welcome Buffalo to Worthen Arena for a pivotal conference game. The Bulls sit half-a-game ahead of Ball State in the MAC standings.

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

Worthen Arena erupted as freshman guard Zhen Verburgt made a critical three-pointer to give Ball State a one-point lead with just under six seconds remaining.

"I'm not real sure how we pulled that out to be honest with you," Head Coach Brady Sallee said. "It just speaks to the heart that I get to coach everyday…I really, really have liked this team from the get-go".

Not everything was smooth sailing early on for the Cardinals as Troy came out playing hard-nosed, aggressive defense bringing the full court press and forcing 10 turnovers in the first half.

"We really talked more about rebounding than turnovers," Sallee said.

Through 24 games this season, this only marks the fifth time the Cardinals have been outrebounded.

"I wasn't overly concerned with it and in the second half we were a lot better", said Sallee.

Sallee added on saying, "We needed every one of those solid possessions because I think the reason why we won was still being able to shoot 47-48% and still get 21 assists."

Ball State amped up the pace in the second quarter, taking a 44-40 lead going into halftime while also making all nine free-throws in the first 20 minutes of play.

Tides were able to slightly turn back in Troy's favor as they were able to take back the lead 68-66 after the third quarter. With four-and-a-half minutes to go in the fourth, Troy saw their lead grow to 85-74.

The Cardinals proceeded to go on a 13-1 run, with junior guard Karsyn Norman making two pivotal drives to the basket to cut the Trojans lead to 86-84.

"We were down, we just needed points," stated Norman. "There was a lot going through my mind, I just saw the rim both times."

Senior center Tessa Towers played a vital part in the win, as she recorded 19 points with nine rebounds and had a critical block to give Ball State the ball back with just under 22 seconds remaining.

The fans at Worthen brought energy down the stretch, helping the Cardinals complete the hard-fought comeback win. Sallee said after the team's win over Northern Illinois (NIU) Feb 4. that this game was going to have a "March-like feel to it".

"We were fortunate to play this game at home and that showed up and they got behind us. In that moment, I think the crowd is what got us to the finish line," said Sallee. "It was everything you wanted a home crowd to be."

With Ball State compiling a 27-8 season last year while also going 16-2 in Mid-American Conference (MAC) competition, Sallee has seen it transition over into this year, bringing in people who can make a difference to the program right away.

"We went out to get high character people that their talent levels and skill sets fit the way our culture is built, and I feel like we did it," Sallee said. "We have some tremendous people in that locker room."

Ball State has seven Mid-American Conference (MAC) games left in the season.

Verburgt commented on what needs to continue, saying, "We have to keep our heads up and practice how we always do. We practice hard, we have a lot of focus, [and] win as [many] games as we can and keep the fight up."

Contact Bryce Pennell with questions via email at bryce.pennell@bsu.edu.