From Humble Beginnings: Local outreach starts an Orthodox Christian church in Muncie

By Richard Kann / April 13, 2022

On April 4, Father Joel Weir began a lengthy drive from Crawfordsville, Indiana, to Muncie. He was preparing to lead the first full liturgy of presanctified gifts at St. Photini’s Orthodox Outreach. Weir is a part of the Orthodox Church in America (OCA) and has been the serving priest of St. Photini’s Christian Orthodox Outreach and rector of St. Stephen’s American Orthodox Church in Crawfordsville, Indiana. 

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OPINION

Cruelty is the Point

By Miguel Naranjo / April 13, 2022

What is the “Don’t Say Gay” bill supposed to show kids in America? That the things we don’t want to talk about will go away if we shove our heads in the sand?  

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OPINION

Unbound

By Emily Hunter / April 12, 2022

To the administrators, parents and government officials in charge of making these decisions: banning books does more harm than good.  

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NYC SUBWAY SHOOTING

Gunman opens fire on Brooklyn subway; at least 10 shot

By Associated Press / April 12, 2022

A gunman filled a rush-hour subway train with smoke and shot multiple people Tuesday, leaving wounded commuters bleeding on a Brooklyn platform as others ran screaming, authorities said. Police were still searching for the shooter.

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COVID-19

Ball State reports 21 positive COVID-19 cases, 61.5 percent increase from previous week

By Staff Reports / April 12, 2022

Ball State reported 21 positive COVID-19 cases among students and employees April 4-10, according to the Ball State COVID-19 dashboard. 

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SOCCER

Kehn: A look at each group of the 2022 World Cup

By Daniel Kehn / April 12, 2022

The 2022 World Cup is finally here and soccer (football) fans around the world are gearing up for another amazing iteration of the most-watched sport on the planet.

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SOFTBALL

Softball closes Ohio Series with a walk-off win

By Corbin Hubert / April 11, 2022

After their doubleheader was pushed back from Saturday to Sunday due to weather concerns, Ball State Softball (13-21, 6-5 MAC) wrapped up a three-game series against Mid-American Conference (MAC) rival Ohio (15-18, 9-5 MAC) April 11 with a walk-off home run from sophomore infielder Kayla Lissy in the bottom of the seventh inning.

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NEWS

Muncie Community Schools introduces family navigators to improve children’s educational experiences

By Grace McCormick / April 11, 2022

While some teachers may consider a student who can’t sit still in class a distraction, Rahmed Paige tries to understand the root of that student’s behavior. 

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BASEBALL

Cardinals defeat nationally ranked Ducks in 1 game of a 4-game series

By Kyle Smedley / April 10, 2022

Ball State baseball (18-12, 12-2 MAC) won 10 of their last 11 games going into their series against No. 23 Oregon (21-11, 7-5 Big-12), before losing three of four to the Ducks.

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COMMUNITIES

Owners from Anderson witch shop, "Twisted Twigs" talk about business, spirituality and social media

By Grace Duerksen / April 10, 2022

 Since summer 2017, Twisted Twigs has sold crystals, handmade oils, dried herbs, incense and other homemade apothecary items to their customers. The metaphysical shop is nestled among residential houses on Main Street in Anderson, Indiana, and is owned and operated by two witches: Brytneigh Burgess and Kinsley Elsten.

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VOLLEYBALL

Cardinals crowned MIVA regular season champions

By Daniel Kehn / April 9, 2022

It has been an eventful 10 months for Ball State Men’s Volleyball (20-3, 12-2 MIVA) and head coach Donan Cruz, but Cruz can’t help but focus on one thing: enjoying the moment with the program.  From Cruz being named head coach of the Cardinals June 16 to the Cardinals defeating then No. 1 Hawaii (19-5, 4-3 BWC) twice in three days to, most recently, winning the Midwest Intercollegiate Volleyball Association regular season championship after defeating Purdue Fort Wayne (15-12, 6-8 MIVA) April 9, it's all happened in less than a year.

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SOCCER

Ball State drops final Spring Cup match against Kentucky

By Nate Grubb / April 9, 2022

The Cardinals were originally scheduled to play Cincinnati while the Wildcats would play Louisville. However, in a tweet from the Spring Cup April 9, the Bearcats and Cardinals were unable to compete due to “unfortunate circumstances." Rife said Ball State didn't complain and adjusted quickly despite not preparing for Kentucky.

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COMMUNITIES

A Hand to Hold: Turn Away No Longer provides new resources to people in the foster care system

By Emily Hunter / April 9, 2022

When her step-grandson was placed in a children’s home in Richmond, Indiana, at 7 years old, Tracy Walters hired a lawyer and fought for him with no hesitation. She was given a kinship placement, when grandparents or other extended family members raise a child, and he lived with her for the next five years.

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NEWS

Be Our Guest: 1925 PubHouse takes over space in Muncie’s downtown Marriott

By Grace Bentkowski / April 8, 2022

For a variety of businesses, staying afloat during the COVID-19 pandemic has been an ongoing struggle. Locations in Muncie, like 625 TapHouse, found it difficult to continue serving the community. Operating inside of the downtown hotel Courtyard by Marriott Muncie without a drive-thru window adversely impacted the establishment, Muncie Mayor Dan Ridenour said. 

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PARTNERSHIP PROJECT

Muncie Community Schools records increased financial performance, enrollment

By Jamie Strouts / April 8, 2022

Below are some charts showing the financial stance of Muncie Community Schools (MCS) in 2022, which were provided by Brad DeRome, MCS chief financial officer. “Prior to the [Ball State] partnership in 2018, the district was losing around 500 students or so each year,” Klotz said via email. “That then subsided to around 100 students for a couple years before actually seeing a gain of 100+ students last year – the first enrollment increase at MCS in 15 years.”

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VOLLEYBALL

Championship hopes in the balance after Ball State falls to Loyola Chicago

By Daniel Kehn / April 7, 2022

Heading into a matchup against Loyola Chicago (17-7, 11-2 MIVA), men’s volleyball (19-3, 11-2 MIVA) had only dropped two matches in the 2022 season, one of which to the Ramblers.

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NATIONAL

Senate confirms Ketanji Brown Jackson to Supreme Court

By Staff Reports / April 7, 2022

The Senate confirmed Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court on Thursday with a 53-47 vote. This vote makes Jackson the first Black female justice in the court's history in an effort by President Joe Biden to diversify the institution. 

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CAMPUS

Theatre and Dance faculty, students share reactions to Village performing arts center announcement

By Grace McCormick , Mackenzie Rupp and Daniel Kehn / April 7, 2022

Jennifer Blackmer, professor of theatre and playwriting, said plans for the performing arts center were announced to faculty in the Department of Theatre and Dance a few days before the Board of Trustees meeting. She said she knew the announcement would be important because a department-wide email asked faculty to cancel or pause classes held during that time.

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BASEBALL

Smedley: Opening Day has come and should bring higher viewership to the sport

By Kyle Smedley / April 7, 2022

Major League Baseball's Opening Day is here. The young stars of the game and drastic change of the league this offseason should draw more eyes to America's pastime. 

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SOFTBALL

Ball State wins series against Northern Illinois 2-1 in high scoring 3 games

By Corbin Hubert / April 7, 2022

 With just under a month left before the Mid-American Conference Tournament, Ball State Softball (12-19, 5-3 MAC) went 2-1 in a midweek series against Northern Illinois (9-17, 3-8 MAC) to put them in fourth place in the MAC.