Is this you? As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.
Claim your profile
Articles by David Murphy
Jones and Evers take office, outline priorities for student government
Outgoing student body president Jerry Vielhauer expressed confidence in his successor Elijah Jones Student body president Elijah Jones and vice president Riley Evers have officially begun their term. The pair took their oaths of office at a meeting of the student senate on April 1. Jones and Evers won the Feb. 4 student body election. They ran on a “policy-driven” platform, pledging to push more legislation through the student senate and reallocate budgets for additional club funding.
Student Voices for Palestine organize ‘No to War’ protest
Student Voices for Palestine (SVP) hosted a ‘No to War’ demonstration on Monday to protest U.S. and Israeli-backed military interventions abroad, including in Gaza, Lebanon and Iran. In a statement to The Observer, director of demonstrations senior Linnea Barron, who also helped organize the protest, shared their intent, citing the University’s cooperation with prominent defense manufacturers.
Sayler outlines plans for transparency, outreach as Judicial Council president
Student union historian Monica Sayler will assume her role as Judicial Council president April 1, replacing Elijah Jones for the 2026-2027 calendar year. Student body president-elect Jones, who will begin his term on the same day, nominated Sayler, a sophomore, to be his successor. Her nomination was approved by the senate Feb. 18.
University leaders address staff at spring town hall
Updates include tuition costs, new residence halls and Veldman Clinic plans The University of Notre Dame hosted its Spring 2026 Staff Town Hall Wednesday, holding three forums throughout the day for Notre Dame staff members. According to advertisements, these town halls aimed to provide campus updates and answer questions previously submitted by staff. Question submission was open until March 10.
Senate rejects impeachment bid against Carroll Hall senator
Senators voted 24 to 8 against an impeachment trial of Carroll Hall senator Charlie Bacon The senate rejected a motion to move forward with impeachment proceedings against Carroll Hall senator Charlie Bacon on Wednesday, who the Judicial Council recommended impeaching due to his seven total absences from weekly senate meetings. The final vote was eight in favor and 24 against, as the senate decided there was insufficient evidence to proceed with a trial.
Campus life council passes first resolution in three years
Notre Dame’s campus life council passed a resolution on Feb. 13 concerning off-campus housing. The decree, “A Resolution to Promote Fair Off-Campus Housing,” is the council’s first in three years. The new resolution specifically addresses leasing for off-campus housing. For students who seek to live off-campus their senior year, it often requires signing leases well in advance, often upward of two years ahead of time.
ICE operations spark debate among ND community, Minnesota natives
Last December, the Trump administration announced Operation “Metro Surge,” a major federal immigration enforcement campaign focused on the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul. The effort has sparked nationwide controversy following the deaths of Renée Good and Alex Pretti, two U.S. citizens killed during encounters with federal immigration agents, triggering widespread protests and debate over ICE's enforcement practices.
McCart, Parikh outline vision for student government
Ticket brings executive cabinet experience, promises quality, accessibility and student engagement On Wednesday, Feb. 4, Notre Dame students will elect new student government leaders. Per a Judicial Council email, two campaigns – the Jones-Evers and McCart-Parikh tickets – qualified for the ballot. In an interview with The Observer, Mason McCart, who is running for president, and Luke Parikh, who is running for vice president, discussed their platform ahead of the election.
Jones-Evers campaign emphasizes policy-oriented agenda
Elijah Jones, Judicial Council president, and Riley Evers, a student senator, are running for student body president and vice president respectively on Wednesday, Feb. 4. Last week, The Observer interviewed both candidates on their views and goals for their positions. Jones is a computer science major and a junior living in Alumni Hall. He has been recused from his duties as Judicial Council president so he can run for student body president.
Contenders petition to qualify for the 2026 presidential ballot
Two presidential tickets have announced their intention to qualify for the student body presidential election, seeking the 700 signatures required to appear on the student government election ballot. Petitions began on Jan. 14, and election hopefuls must reach the minimum signatures before the Jan. 26 deadline. Mason McCart and Luke Parikh became the first ticket to declare their intention to run for the student body presidency, with an Instagram announcement on the first day of petitioning.
Senate prepares for spring 2026 initiatives
The student senate met Wednesday for its first meeting of the spring 2026 semester. The session was brief and resulted in the approval of senate letter SL 2526-01, which called on the Office of Sustainability to provide student body president Jerry Vielhauer information related to recycling on campus. “We are writing on behalf of the Student Senate to request information regarding the availability of recycling options on campus,” the statement read.
Notre Dame launches partnership with leading universities on civics research
Notre Dame recently announced a partnership with the University of California, Riverside and Harvard University to study civic education in the United States. The research group will receive $600,000 in grant funding and will measure the effectiveness of civics education curricula used nationwide. According to professor of American democracy David Campbell, the origins of the project align with another civics program, Educating for American Democracy.
Senate fast-tracks impeachment process
The senate met Wednesday and passed Senate Order 2526-13, a bill that simplifies removal proceedings for senate-approved officials. Student body president Jerry Vielhauer also gave his second State of the Union address during the meeting. Vielhauer outlined several accomplishments of his administration, ranging from events such as wellness and civic engagement week to policy developments, including the introduction of new Grab and Go locations across campus.
Students and faculty reflect on governor, mayoral elections
Democrats benefit from policy-centered campaigns Local and state elections were held throughout the United States, including gubernatorial elections for Virginia and New Jersey on Nov. 3 and the mayoral election in New York City on Nov. 4. These elections resulted in major Democratic victories and represent a shift away from decisive Republican victories in the 2024 voting cycle.
Senate approves Irish Garden bill, clarifies regulation for SUB businesses
The student senate convened on Wednesday and approved a bill clarifying the obligations of Irish Gardens and other student union businesses to the senate and student union Financial Management Board. The bill, titled “An Order to Amend the Constitution Regarding Student Union Businesses,” spelled out the responsibilities of the bouquet business in the basement of LaFortune Student Center.
Senate reconvenes after fall break
The senate convened Wednesday for the first time since Oct. 15 – its first session back from fall break. Though brief, the meeting resulted in the passage of Senate Order 2526-11, which increases transparency of the body’s Election Council. Before passing the new legislation, the senate opened with prayer and roll call, as is typical of the body. A handful of executive announcements followed, delivered by student body vice president Sonia Lumley and parliamentarian Sam Robinson.
Government shutdown pauses processing of federal research grants
Political science professors and Notre Dame administration reflect as federal shutdown halts research funding The U.S. federal government officially shut down last week after Congress failed to reach a budget agreement to fund operations for the fiscal year. Triggered by disputes over the status of government healthcare subsidies, the impasse marks the first government shutdown since 2018.
New Constitutional Committee nominees approved
The student senate met on Wednesday to approve its nominees for the Committee on the Constitution, leading to a closed session on the topic. The vote resulted in the approval of seven new members to the Committee, who will serve for the remainder of the 2025-2026 senate term. The meeting opened with a prayer, followed shortly by the taking of attendance, which was handled by student union secretary Catherine Morrissey. St. Edward's Hall senator Rylan Cooney was present for the session.
The student senate convened for a meeting on Wednesday, approving the Judicial Council’s nominees for the Election Council and amending the bylaws for the Committee on the Constitution. The session began with an opening prayer, followed by a diversity workshop led by Ashley Avalos and Nneze Ekowa, senior fellows at the Multicultural Student Program and Services.
Senate reconvenes in first post-impeachment meeting
After two weeks dominated by impeachment proceedings, the student senate convened for a brief session to discuss announcements and upcoming events on campus. In a surprise twist, Wednesday’s session was facilitated by student-body president Jerry Vielhauer. Traditionally, vice president Sonia Lumley runs the meetings. This week Vielhauer stepped in to take her place, explaining that Lumley was sick and thus unable to attend the meeting.
Senate discusses schedule of fall activities at second meeting
In their second meeting of the semester, the senate discussed upcoming campus activities and announced a memorial Mass in honor of Audrey DeShelter, a Notre Dame student who passed away due to cancer. Student senate convened in their second meeting of the semester to discuss upcoming campus events. Before these announcements, judicial council president Elijah Jones led the group in opening prayer. The senate began in earnest by recapping “Flick on the Field,” which took place on Aug.
Student senate convenes with start of fall semester
Senate appoints director of first-generation low-income students, discusses upcoming events Student senate convened for the first time this academic year on Wednesday for a brief opening session, passing its first resolution and confirming a new director of first-generation and low-income students for the upcoming term.
To the People of Ireland,
To the People of Ireland, We stand at a crossroads. The clamour of extreme voices, from the far right to the far left, grows louder, threatening to drown out the nuanced conversations necessary for a healthy democracy. These ideologies, often fueled by anger and division, offer simplistic solutions to complex problems, and in doing so, they distract us from the very real challenges we face. It is easy to become caught up in the rhetoric of these fringes, to see the world in stark black and white.
‘Liberation Day’ tariffs spur volatile markets, potential trade war
On Wednesday, April 2, President Donald Trump signed Executive Order 14257 in the White House Rose Garden, unveiling sweeping tariffs on countries across the globe. In his announcement, President Trump proclaimed April 2 “Liberation Day,” describing it as one of the most important days in American history.
Senate approves new departments, extends Constitutional Committee
On Wednesday evening, senate convened for a meeting to reorganize the body. The meeting began with an opening prayer led by vice president Sonia Lumley-Murillo. Following roll call and attendance, the senate heard executive announcements and clarified the voting procedure for incoming senators. The senate next moved into general orders, beginning with discussion of plans to renew the Department of Student-Athlete Relations, which was suspended two years prior.
Atlantic journalist leaks War Plans, NDISC professors weigh in
On Monday, March 24, editor in chief of The Atlantic Jeffrey Goldberg revealed that he had been mistakenly added to a private group chat that included top-ranking members of the Trump administration, such as Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, among others. According to Goldberg, the group chat revolved around plans for an American attack on the Houthis in Yemen.
Student senate welcomes the incoming 2025-2026 senate class
The Notre Dame student senate met on Wednesday in their final meeting before transitioning to the 2025-2026 senate class. On April 1, the 2024-2025 senate tenure will end, with the incoming body of newly-elected senators convening for the first time. The meeting began with a prayer led by student body president Dawson Kiser. Following the prayer, secretary Eileen Burger took roll call before moving into executive announcements.
University administration reforms first-year advising
After years of operating on a “one-plus-three” advising model, the Notre Dame administration announced its intention to transition toward a four-year advisor system, changing the advising structure. In an email to The Observer, centralized advising program director Kate Broadbent noted the impact of this reform on Notre Dame advising.
Students share experiences with loss, destruction from ongoing Los Angeles wildfires
Sparked by strong winds and dry weather, raging wildfires have been devastating the Los Angeles area since Jan. 7, charring over 50,000 acres of land. While the death toll is still unknown, as of present, there have been 29 confirmed deaths and total economic losses could reach an estimated . Several Notre Dame students from the LA area shared their experiences witnessing the destruction during their winter breaks.
Faculty weigh in on H-1B visa program
With the re-election President Donald Trump this past November, the H-1B visa program and its effects on American workers has become a renewed topic of discussion. In interviews with The Observer, Notre Dame professors provided insights into this topic. The H-1B program was introduced in 1990 under the George H. W. Bush administration and allows employers to hire nonimmigrant aliens as skilled workers.
Notre Dame professors share thoughts on the election
As voters across the country go to the polls, Notre Dame professors within the political science department have expressed their thoughts on this historic election season in interviews with The Observer. Professor Geoffrey Layman, who teaches the “Election 2024” course and chairs the Department of Political Science at Notre Dame, pointed to President Biden’s withdrawal from the presidential race as a particularly historic aspect of the election cycle.
One year beyond the Gaza envelope
By , Op-ed contributor On this somber anniversary of the Hamas massacre of innocent Israeli and international civilians in Southern Israel’s Gaza Envelope, it’s worth reflecting on the strategic lessons of the last year. Three significant strategic realities have now solidified for Israel: global antisemitism, American political policy, and the need to deal decisively and finally with Iran.
Israel-Palestine history lecture emphasizes mutual trauma, sparks backlash
On Wednesday evening, UCLA professor David Myers and Hussein Ibish, a senior resident scholar at the Arab Gulf States Institute, shared their perspective of the lead-up to Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack and the Israeli response in Gaza. Ibish, a contributor to Bloomberg and the Daily Beast and the author of “What’s Wrong with the One-State Agenda,” established the basis of the forum. “This is not a debate between a Jew and an Arab. That’s not the point.
Abbey Gate - Leave No One Behind
In the recent presidential debate, Vice President Kamala Harris made a clearly erroneous claim: “As of today, there is not one member of the United States military who is on active duty in a combat zone in any war zone around the world, the first time this century.” Deployed military members almost immediately and somewhat hilariously fact-checked her comments real-time in a now viral video.
Inside the dining hall gameday experience
Following Notre Dame’s Saturday mid-afternoon football game against Miami (Ohio), the dining halls across campus can expect a swarm of students and fans. According to director of campus dining Luigi Alberganti, brunch options on football Saturdays are offered on only one side of South Dining Hall in order to prepare for the post-game rush. The size of the incoming crowd is partially dependent on how the Fighting Irish play. “If it’s a tight game, everybody comes at the same time.
Admiral Christopher W. Grady & former ambassador Joe Donnelly discuss how to foster global peace at Notre Dame Forum
In the fourth and final session of Thursday’s forum lectures, naval officer Christopher W. Grady and former United States Senator Joe Donnelly shared their insights on “advancing peace in a fractured world.” They considered America’s key role in this mission and offered their takes on how to make the world a better place. Donnelly, drawing heavily on his experience as Ambassador to the Holy See under the Biden administration, underscored the United States’ key role in future prospects for peace.
DINFOS Live Episode 38 How Military Bands Support Communication
video size: x Advanced Embed Example Add the following CSS to the header block of your HTML document. Then add the mark-up below to the body block of the same document. 85 On this month's episode of DINFOS Live, we discuss the importance and functionality of the military band and the role it plays as an information force for achieving commander’s intent. Our guests will be outgoing Chief of Air Force Bands for the Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs U.S. Air Force Lt. Col.
DINFOS Live Episode 35 - COMCAM and VISDOC
Maintenance window scheduled to begin at February 14th 2200 est. until 0400 est. February 15th (e.g. yourname@email.com) Remember me Forgot Password? video size: x Advanced Embed Example Add the following CSS to the header block of your HTML document. Then add the mark-up below to the body block of the same document.
Iran Is Winning This War
Iran is winning this war. Of course, this view is from a strategic, not a tactical perspective. Every immoral attack Iran and its proxies have launched on and since October 7 has been roundly defeated or successfully defended. But Iran is not looking for tactical victory; their singular desire is to turn the entire world against Israel. They are succeeding in this endeavor. Americans must acknowledge this reality and fight back; we are at a tipping point.
The ‘Biden Doctrine’ Sets the Middle East Aflame
New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman recently floated a trial balloon called the for the Middle East, the story’s headline saying it would be “big.” In fact, The NYT should have titled the piece correctly “a big disaster.” If the Biden administration moves forward with this naïve plan, it would be a perfect crescendo to the inept foreign policy of the last three years that has left millions in misery and the world aflame.
DR. DAVID MURPHY: What Those University Presidents Should Have Said At The Antisemitism Hearing
It is a tale of two collegiate campus cultures that could not be starker. On Tuesday, Dec. 5, the presidents of several so-called “elite” universities testified in front of Congress at a hearing on campus antisemitism.
Averting the Irresistible Slide To War in the Middle East
When the USS Carney and other civilian ships recently came under attack in the Red Sea, the Carney reportedly opened fire to protect itself and these ships. Shortly after, Yemeni Houthi rebels released a statement claiming drone and missile attacks on two Israeli vessels, the Unity Explorer and Number 9, both in the Red Sea. These container ships were on peaceful missions, bound for Singapore and Egypt, respectively.
No Time to Hide: The Future of Irish Defense and Security
As the Irish say, things are “banjaxed”. In the last year, the Emerald Isle has shown that it is incapable of tracking and deterring Russian naval activity over key transatlantic fiber optic cables near its southwest coast, is hemorrhaging experienced Irish Defence Forces officers and non-commissioned officers over pay, conditions, and opportunities, just as reports surface of Russian intelligence acquiring controlled technologies from firms in Ireland.
Show More
loading
Actions
Is this you?
As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.Get in touch with David
Contact David, search articles and posts on X, monitor coverage, and track replies from one place.
Learn more about Muck Rack