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Articles by Ashley Luke
Build a stronger alumni culture
Courtesy | Unsplash When the Hillsdale College alumni took the court at last weekend’s Mock Rock, the crowd went wild. For the first time in homecoming history, an alumni, faculty, and staff team participated in the undergraduate ritual dance battle, rivaling some of the top-ranking student dances. Mock Rock is one of the many peculiar traditions that bind together the college’s culture.
Women lose to Lakers, beat Timberwolves on the road
Hillsdale women’s volleyball lost against Grand Valley State University, but recovered to sweep rival Northwood University on the road. “I’d like to be further along than what we are,” head coach Chris Gravel said. “We have a very big weekend coming up. We’re consciously optimistic moving forward.” Hillsdale’s Great Midwest Athletic Conference record is 5-4 and overall record is 9-9. The Chargers lost against the Lakers 3-0 Oct.
Charger Chatter: Taylor Brownsword
Photo Courtesy | Austin Thomason What is the ultimate fall dessert? Pumpkin bread, because my grandma makes really good pumpkin bread. What is your favorite kind of pickle? What kind of pickles even are there? I love the small ones, snacking pickles I guess. What is your favorite part of your dorm room? My picture wall. I have a lot of pictures of my friends and family. If you could play any sport other than volleyball, what would you play and why? I would probably choose high jump in track.
Chargers 'Raise the Roof' at home, drop conference match on road
Freshman Taylor Brownsword against Thomas More University. Courtesy | Ella Schafer The Hillsdale women’s volleyball team hosted “Raise the Roof” community weekend Sept. 25-26, sweeping Kentucky Wesleyan College and Thomas More University. Hillsdale also defeated Findlay University Oct. 2, but lost to Tiffin University on the road Oct. 3. Hillsdale stands 4-4 in the Great Midwest Athletic Conference and 8-8 in the season.
Freitas speaks on Marxist threat to US education
Courtesy | Ashley Luke The Left is subverting America’s founding documents and culture through Marxist ideologies, increasing division among conservatives and liberals, Special Forces veteran and former Virginia House Delegate Nick Freitas said in a lecture Oct. 5. “This is no longer a disagreement between fellow countrymen. This is a disagreement between diametrically opposed worldviews that cannot coexist with one another,” Freitas said. “So one side will win, and one side will lose.
CCA I speakers debate national security strategy
Joshua Trevino. Courtesy | Austin Thomason Lecturers discussed changes in national security strategy since the Cold War during this semester’s first Center for Constructive Alternative lecture series, held Sept. 27–30.
Chargers fall in conference, host first-ever youth clinic
Freshman Taylor Brownsword and junior Ellie Fles blocking. Courtesy | Ella Schafer Hillsdale volleyball hosted its first-ever youth clinic for the Hillsdale community Sept. 19. The Chargers held the clinic after losing to Ashland University 3-1 Sept. 19. Hillsdale also lost to Gannon University 3-1 Sept. 18. “We are always trying to get kids in the gym,” said Megan Molenkamp, assistant volleyball coach.
Homecoming volunteer days, hours change this fall
Courtesy | GOAL Instagram Homecoming volunteer hours will run from Sept. 24 until Oct. 8, stopping over fall break so students can visit their families and GOAL leaders can plan larger events. Instead of the traditional single week to log volunteer hours for Homecoming, hours will straddle fall break, running from Sept. 24–30 and then picking back up Oct. 5–8, Director of Student Activities Rachel Marinko said.
Green light on Gatsby: get dolled up for garden party
Courtesy | SAB Junior Ross Phelps has read “The Great Gatsby” seven times. He has a shirt with the book’s cover on the front. He is even taking a one-credit class on the novel this semester. “No one is happier about the Great Gatsby theme than me,” Phelps said. The Student Activities Board will host Garden Party at Slayton Arboretum Sept. 18 from 9 p.m. to 12 a.m. The event will have snacks, live music, and a signature mocktail bar, according to SAB’s Instagram.
Penny's to host Larry's mocktail, jazz night
Courtesy | Instagram Penny’s will host the second Larry’s event of the semester Thursday, Sept. 24, from 8-10 p.m. The evening will feature games, live jazz, specialty mocktails, and College President Larry Arnn himself. “Dr. Arnn is a man of his word,” said junior Bailey Wright, Penny’s event manager. “I would be shocked not to see him.” Wright said that Penny’s has sent a request for Arnn to attend and that the event is on his calendar.
Chargers take first losses of the season on the road
The Hillsdale women’s volleyball team trudged back from the Parkside Invite tournament after losing three out of their four matches Sept. 4-5. “What went well was that we failed,” head coach Chris Gravel said. “It provided clarity for what we need to do moving forward. . . but it’s an easier ride when you win.” Hillsdale lost 3-1 to Nova Southeastern University, but came back to sweep Purdue University Northwest 3-0.
Volleyball sweeps 3-0 on the road
Senior Chloe Pierce, sophomore Grace Drake, junior Ellie Fles, freshman Ella Vandermark, and junior Caroline Lanicek Courtesy | Hillsdale Athletics Department The Hillsdale women’s volleyball team won all three matches at the Wayne State University Warrior Invitational tournament Aug. 28-29 and earned tournament and Great Midwest Athletic Conference distinctions. “We’ve got a tough schedule this year,” head coach Chris Gravel said.
‘Sterling Point’ is a modern take on sisterhood and secrets
‘Sterling Point’ poster | Courtesy Prime Video Prime Video has been dishing out first-rate rom-com TV shows, and fans are eating up Prime’s newest addition, “Sterling Point.” The story follows Annie Jacobson, a Type A 17-year-old who discovers her long-lost sister on her grandfather’s remote island in Canada.
movie Archives - Heartlander News
Filter By: Date Category Author Opinion REVIEW: ‘The End of Oak Street’ delivers dinosaur thrills and powerful lessons – but edgy content Culture ‘Young Washington’ sequel ‘1776’ confirmed as patriotic film surprises Hollywood Culture ‘Toy Story 5’ soars at box office as Disney rebrands for more family-centered content Culture REVIEW: ‘Minions & Monsters’ is chaotic fun, though not without a few speedbumps for families Culture ‘Young Washington’ brings history to life in time for America 250...
film Archives - Heartlander News
Filter By: Date Category Author Opinion REVIEW: ‘The End of Oak Street’ delivers dinosaur thrills and powerful lessons – but edgy content Culture ‘House of David’ renewed for Season 3 as David’s life enters a dangerous new chapter Culture ‘Toy Story 5’ soars at box office as Disney rebrands for more family-centered content Culture REVIEW: ‘Minions & Monsters’ is chaotic fun, though not without a few speedbumps for families Opinion REVIEW: ‘Toy Story 5’ sounds the alarm on childhood screen...
family Archives - Heartlander News
Culture WATCH: Dad sets world record for fastest mile while pushing a stroller Public Education Recess is making a comeback Government More than 50 million kids eligible for scholarships – if states join new federal tax credit program Culture Parents and teachers split as Google rolls out AI reading help in every classroom Culture Fertility doctors: Patients aren’t getting the full story on IVF Culture Comprehensive UK study hammers importance of a 2-year screen-free start to life Culture...
Humanizing headlines: Remembering the stories of Oct. 7
A pile of blackened, burned debris scars the landscape and shocks every visitor, standing as a reminder of those who no longer stand – those who lost their lives to mass murder. This is not the famous pile of shoes at Auschwitz. It is the car wall, a graveyard of vehicles representing hundreds who failed to escape the Nova music festival after Hamas terrorists crossed the Israel-Gaza border and murdered hundreds of Israelis on Oct. 7, 2023.
‘The lazy way out’: Four-day school weeks are not the answer to rural school issues, expert says.
More school districts west of the Mississippi are implementing four-day school weeks (4DSWs), but other states are cracking down on the policy, arguing a shortened week harms students’ learning and academic performance. Across the country, at least 26 states and more than 2,100 districts have adopted the model, said ExcelinEd, a nonprofit think tank founded by former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush that supports education reform.
Trump’s DOJ just upped the ante against Gavin Newsom’s Glock ban
(Daily Caller News Foundation) – The Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Civil Rights Division on Tuesday asked a federal court to grant an injunction blocking California’s ban on Glock pistols.
‘Keep forgetting’: recordings suggest Biden memory lapses years ahead of presidency
(The Daily Signal) – Almost four years before he was sworn in as president, Joe Biden showed numerous instances of apparent memory loss, recently released recordings show. Recordings of Biden’s conversations with ghostwriter Mark Zwonitzer became available through a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit by the Oversight Project, a watchdog group. The conversations took place on several occasions from October 2016 through April 2017. On Feb.
Recess is making a comeback
As students prepare to return to school next month, more states are requiring outdoor, device-free recess. “Play fuels [children] in every way and I don’t think that changes during the school day,” Kathryn Truman, co-founder of Say Yes to Recess (SYTR), told Fox News. “I think play is fundamental to learning.
Ossoff outspent Tlaib and AOC on makeup
(The Daily Signal) – Sen. Jon Ossoff, D-Ga., has spent more campaign funds on makeup services this year than any other federal candidate, according to a Washington Free Beacon analysis of the senator’s campaign finance records. According to its analysis, Ossoff’s campaign has paid Atlanta-based makeup artist Stephanie Ponder $2,887 since February for “makeup services.” That total exceeds spending on similar services by other prominent Democrats, including Rep.
Signing once more: Americans rededicate the Declaration of Independence
Americans across the nation are joining together to sign and rededicate the Declaration of Independence to commemorate America’s 250th anniversary. In the nonpartisan initiative Sign On 250, Americans electronically sign a renewed Declaration of Independence to reaffirm the truths and commitments of the country’s founding.
Employees dropped more than $296,000 on Democrats while Republicans got nothing, filings show
(Daily Caller News Foundation) – Staff from five of the world’s leading artificial intelligence companies disproportionately donated more than a million dollars to Democrats in the second quarter of 2026 alone. Employees at Anthropic, Google, OpenAI, Meta and xAI gave a combined total of $2.02 million to Democrats and $274,000 to Republicans, according to Federal Election Commission records covering April 1 through June 30, 2026.
Taxpayer-funded medical school develops transgender doll project for kids as young as 4
(Daily Caller News Foundation) – “First-of-their-kind” transgender-identified paper dolls featuring removable genitalia are expected to be introduced in the fall in some classrooms for children as young as four years old, according to the University of Minnesota researchers who developed the project.
Rep. Rich McCormick moves to ban birth tourism for Once and for all
(Daily Caller News Foundation) – Republican Georgia Rep. Rich McCormick introduced a bill Thursday that seeks to ban birth tourism in the U.S., the Daily Caller News Foundation has learned. The bill is a companion to Republican Tennessee Sen. Marsha Blackburn’s Ban Birth Tourism Act of 2026 which together seek to end the practice of foreign nationals traveling to and giving birth in the U.S. so their children can obtain birthright citizenship.
Public unions make up nearly all of contributions against WA income tax repeal
(The Center Square) – Public sector unions, which will directly benefit from the millionaire’s tax, make up virtually all the contributions to the campaign against the initiative to repeal Washington’s newly enacted income tax, according to the Public Disclosure Commission.
Parents and teachers split as Google rolls out AI reading help in every classroom
An artificial intelligence reading assistance tool designed to give children one-on-one reading instruction is offered through Google Classroom this summer, sparking both optimism and concern among American parents and teachers. The program, Read Along, listens to a student read aloud and assists them with mispronounced or unknown words. Teachers can tailor content to individual student needs, create reading groups and track statistics.
Microsoft stops discriminating against conservatives
(The Daily Signal) – Microsoft has stopped systematically excluding conservative nonprofits from its corporate generosity program, the Daily Signal has learned. The tech giant—the fourth-largest company in the world by market capitalization—has directed its corporate generosity platform, Benevity, to stop relying on the Southern Poverty Law Center’s “hate map” to filter out nonprofits.
Why winning your state house matters more than winning the White House
(Daily Caller News Foundation) – Every four years, patriots lose their minds over the presidential race. We spend millions of dollars, thousands of hours, and all our emotional energy on one election. Then the day after, we go quiet. We wait for the next presidential cycle to care again. That’s backwards, everyone does it, and it’s a fundamental part of why we keep losing ground even when we win the big races. But that’s the bad news. Here’s the good news — there is a simple solution.
Demographic shift: Schools shutter across US opening door for seniors to move in
(Daily Caller News Foundation) – New data shows that many schools recently closed due to a shrinking youth population, prompting a rapidly growing senior citizen cohort to move into some of the vacated buildings. More than 1,000 schools closed during the 2025–26 school year, compared with 755 just four years earlier — a 35% increase in school closures across the U.S., the Washington Post reported citing data from the National Center for Education Statistics.
This Ohio senator is on a mission to end birthright citizenship, with some help from late Democrat icon
(The Daily Signal) – Last month, the U.S. Supreme Court handed down a blow to President Donald Trump’s executive order ending birthright citizenship. Sen. Bernie Moreno, R-Ohio, is still looking to take action, and he’s using a late Democrat Senate icon to do it. This past week Moreno introduced a bill to eliminate birthright citizenship, citing longtime Nevada Sen. Harry Reid, who introduced a similar bill in 1993.
Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine, New York, Vermont spotlight the fighting spirit of the Northeast
(Editor’s note: A series on The Great American State Fair, held in Washington, D.C., in honor of America’s 250th birthday, written by Heartlander News interns.) While several Northeastern states chose not to officially participate in The Great American State Fair, residents from Maine and Massachusetts rallied to showcase their state pride in Washington, D.C., despite their governors’ decisions not to attend.
Over half of Zoomers may be on drugs amid rampant social media addiction
(Daily Caller News Foundation) – Technology addiction and economic challenges may be contributing to Gen Z becoming America’s most mentally unstable generation. Approximately 46% of Zoomers have been diagnosed with a mental health condition and 37% suspect themselves to have one as of May 2025, according to a Harmony Healthcare IT study published Wednesday.
This California law could make groceries even more expensive
(The Daily Signal) – A California law set to take effect Aug. 3 is expected to increase costs for households by as much as $190 a year, with some industry groups warning the impact on grocery bills could be even higher. Senate Bill 54, the Plastic Pollution Prevention and Packaging Producer Responsibility Act, was designed to reduce plastic waste by requiring companies that produce packaging to help pay for the cost of recycling and disposing of it.
‘They manage it better’: Trump significantly reduces two national monuments in Utah for the second time, sparking backlash, support
Conservationists are rallying to protect two national monuments after President Donald Trump cut roughly 90% of their acreage, while Utah officials are praising the decision. Sen. John Curtis, R-Utah, said the federal government currently controls approximately two-thirds of Utah’s land. Trump’s proclamations Monday will place the land back into the people’s hands, allowing it to be used for grazing, fishing and logging, he said. “The Utahns love this land.
America’s biggest teachers union pours even more fuel into its political machine
(Daily Caller News Foundation) – The National Education Association’s (NEA) Representative Assembly (RA) just elected a Black Lives Matter Los Angeles activist and alleged member of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) to its executive committee. Cecily Myart-Cruz, the immediate past president of United Teachers Los Angeles (UTLA), carried almost 70% of the vote, a signal that the NEA is likely to double down on its leftwing political power play and far-left social justice activism.
Socialist governor candidate wants hospitals to give kids sex changes
(Daily Caller News Foundation) – A leading Democratic Wisconsin gubernatorial candidate claimed hospitals are “cowardly” to not provide sex changes to minors with public funds. Socialist State Assemblywoman Francesca Hong reiterated her support for sex change drugs and surgeries for minors during a “Community Conversations” livestream hosted with Brix Cider on Sunday, Breitbart News reported.
PA, OH, KY, WV, IN portray early U.S. history at the Great American State Fair
(Editor’s note: A series on The Great American State Fair, held in Washington, D.C., in honor of America’s 250th birthday, written by Heartlander News interns.) While not all were among the original colonies, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Kentucky, West Virginia and Indiana joined the Union within the first 100 years of America’s history.
Meta purged employees with disabilities and medical leave using AI, dozens claim
(Daily Caller News Foundation) – A lawsuit claims artificial intelligence helped put disabled Meta workers on the chopping block during the company’s recent mass layoffs. Meta’s AI-assisted termination ranking systems allegedly penalized those who missed work for health reasons, according to a lawsuit filed Monday, Reuters reported. Twenty-six anonymous plaintiffs claim Meta violated discrimination laws meant to shield disabled employees and failed to test its AI tools for bias.
Education department moves to crack down on schools, teachers unions protecting sexual predators
(Daily Caller News Foundation) – The Trump administration announced Friday that it is moving to crack down on adult sexual predators in K-12 schools across the nation. The Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) said it has issued new guidance aiming to remind “federally funded educational institutions of their legal obligations to safeguard children and appropriately respond to incidents of sexual misconduct” under federal law.
From immersive experiences to 150th birthday celebrations, CO, UT, AZ, NV, CA shine bright
(Editor’s note: A series on The Great American State Fair, held in Washington, D.C., in honor of America’s 250th birthday, written by Heartlander News interns.) Guests explored the western landscapes of Colorado, Utah, Arizona, Nevada and California at The Great American State Fair in Washington, D.C., during America’s 250th birthday celebration. Colorado Colorado’s booth highlighted scenery from the state’s national parks and vast landscapes.
Shapiro signs $50.8B state budget amid praise, barbs
(The Center Square) – Bridging a deficit in part by delaying some payments and reclaiming money from what they called the “couch cushions” of state government, lawmakers on Sunday approved a $50.8 billion budget for 2026-27 that immediately got the signature of Gov. Josh Shapiro.
California eco-tyranny destroyed by new EPA rule
(Dailey Caller News Foundation) –The Environmental Protection Agency recently announced that manufacturers could sell car parts that defy California’s “green” regulations in the other 49 U.S. states. Under the EPA’s advisory opinion, manufacturers can demonstrate compliance with the federal Clean Air Act through Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) emissions certificate program rather first obtaining approval from California regulators.
US Supreme Court to hear Colorado-Nebraska water dispute
(The Center Square) – The U.S. Supreme Court has decided to weigh in on the latest water squabble in the West, where Nebraska has accused Colorado of violating a century-old water rights agreement. Nebraska has set aside $600 million for a new canal that would start along the South Platte River in the northwest corner of Colorado. But the state alleged Colorado has sought to impede the effort, in violation of its compact with Nebraska.
‘Toy Story 5’ soars at box office as Disney rebrands for more family-centered content
Toy Story 5 has topped $300 million at the North American box office after just two weeks, far outpacing DC Studios’ “Supergirl” and arriving shortly after Disney Branded Television rebranded as Disney Kids & Family. This latest film is the eighth highest-grossing Pixar movie ever, estimated to exceed Finding Nemo ($339.7M) and Inside Out ($356.46M), according to Box Office Pro. Supergirl, which debuted June 26, has struggled at the box office.
Trump admin, GOP seek workarounds to tackle birthright citizenship
Sarah Roderick-Fitch is The Center Square’s Mid-Atlantic Regional Editor. She has previously worked as an editor, and has been a contributing writer for several publications. In addition to writing and editing, Sarah spent nearly a decade working for non-profit, public policy organizations in the Washington, DC area.
Ultimate civics showdown: Trump meets homeschooled winner of presidential 1776 award competition at the oval office
Joseph Buff is a member of Heritage’s Young Leaders Program. Share (The Daily Signal) – President Donald Trump met with the three top scorers for the Presidential 1776 Award competition Tuesday in the Oval Office and gave them each a Presidential Challenge Coin.
‘Young Washington’ brings history to life in time for America 250
Elaine Kutas is a reporter and writing intern at The Lion. She currently attends Hillsdale College, where she is studying English and Journalism.
World Cup unites countries, marks rise in American patriotism
World Cup fans are reminding Americans why their country is great, while social media is filled with visitors’ glowing reviews despite recent data showing a decline in American patriotism. “I really hope that people don’t take this for granted because America is safe, America is clean, America is friendly,” a South African fan said.
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