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Articles by Grayson Hodson
Opinion | The problematic paradox of productivity
As winter break looms, many students, including myself, are considering how best to utilize this abundance of free time — whether by applying for internships, taking online courses, learning new skills or engaging in other resume-building activities. However, this desire for productivity can also be a detriment, as it often comes from a place of anxiety and comparison.
96th Academy Awards: ‘Oppenheimer’ drops the bomb, takes Best Picture
Late-night talk show personality Jimmy Kimmel hosted the 96th annual Academy Awards last night live from Hollywood’s Dolby Theatre. The evening started off with Kimmel telling jokes, with each being the equivalent of a coin flip as some landed with laughs while others made the audience visibly uncomfortable in their seats. Kimmel went as far as to joke about “Oppenheimer” actor Robert Downey Jr.’s history with drug use, causing the actor himself to signal to move on.
Urbana, Champaign to invest in Willard Airport expansion
The cities of Urbana and Champaign are joining the University to invest in the expansion of Willard Airport at the University of Illinois in Savoy, Illinois. The project is meant to transform the air service sector in Champaign County and stimulate the economy of the region.
No. 12 Illinois men’s basketball closes regular season with 12-point win over Iowa
After losing to No. 3 Purdue on Tuesday, No. 12 Illinois men’s basketball traveled to Iowa looking to avenge its Senior Night defeat. Iowa entered the night on the bubble of NCAA tournament projections and desperately needed a marquee win to boost its resume. Much to the dismay of the Hawkeyes’ sold-out arena, the Illini claimed a 73-61 win and ended their season at second place in the Big Ten. Head coach Brad Underwood closed the regular season with the same starting lineup that started it.
CSEC releases unofficial ISG election results
The Campus Student Election Commission released unofficial results from the Illinois Student Government election on Thursday. Voting took place on Feb. 27 and 29 of this year. Rudy LaFave and Hunter Farnham received the most votes for student body president and vice president, tallying 32.7% of all first-choice picks. On the ballot for president and vice president, 5,031 students cast their votes — nearly twice as many as voted for the position last year, according to the CSEC.
No. 2 Illinois men’s gymnastics heads to No. 5 Nebraska for top-five duel - The Daily Illini
No. 2 Illinois men’s gymnastics gears up to travel to Lincoln, Nebraska, on Sunday to face No. 5 Nebraska in a conference meet. The Illini come off a weekend where they scored 410.500 points against William & Mary (374.950) and Simpson (363.050), moving its overall season record to 11-1. Illinois’ high-scoring performance progressed it in the rankings from No. 3 to No. 2.
No. 24 Illinois women’s gymnastics heads to Alabama for penultimate meet of the year
Illinois women’s gymnastics prepares to travel to Tuscaloosa to compete against No. 9 Alabama, No. 17 Minnesota and Talladega College. The Illini are coming off of a double meet weekend where they finished in second place at the All-Ohio Meet on Friday and scored 196.125 in a win over Bowling Green on Sunday. No. 15 Ohio State (196.825) was the only squad ahead of Illinois at the All-Ohio Meet (196.325), beating both Bowling Green (194.275) and Kent State (196.125).
No. 24 Illinois women’s gymnastics takes third place in quad meet
No. 24 Illinois women’s gymnastics took third place against No. 9 Alabama (198.000), No. 17 Minnesota (197.400) and Talladega (191.000) this weekend, totaling 196.075 points. Illinois also took third place in each of the four events while putting up a strong fight in Tuscaloosa. The Illini are now 14-11 overall and 4-5 against conference opponents.
Illinois softball travels to St. Louis for Billiken Spring Tournament
Illinois softball (5-9, 0-0) will travel to St. Louis this weekend, where it will take on St. Thomas and St. Louis teams twice. The two-day tournament starts on Sunday and finishes on Monday. The games were announced to the public on March 4 before the team came back to play its home opener. Senior utility player Abby Ryniec currently leads the team in batting average through 14 games, hitting for a .415 while also being second in OPS with a .868.
Letter to the Editor | Big Ten tournament sponsor TIAA is killing our environment, futures
There’s a certain air to Illini basketball that can only be found in Big Ten athletics. Imagine: It’s the beginning of the first quarter and the band is playing “William Tell” with their silver instruments bobbing up and down. Fans are still on their feet, and the stadium seems to rumble with orange and blue electricity. We’re here to cheer on our Fighting Illini. As students at the University of Illinois, we hold our team, ourselves and our University to a high standard.
Illinois heads to Knoxville for 3-game series against No. 8 Tennessee
Illinois (5-6) travels to Knoxville for a ranked series against the No. 8 Tennessee Volunteers (13-1), which has won 12 in a row. The Volunteers have been one of the nation’s elite programs in the last several seasons, with multiple players going on to Major League Baseball. The team manages to constantly replenish that talent. The Volunteers boast one of the best lineups in the nation, as it hits .327 as a team with 141 runs scored through just 14 games.
Independent Paramore gets fresh start with new ‘Thick Skull’ music video
Paramore unexpectedly released a music video for “Thick Skull” on Friday. The song was the closing track for their 2023 Grammy-winning album “This Is Why.” Directed by Turnstile’s Brendan Yates, the video is a continuation of the band’s “This Is Why” music video. With September 2022 marking the beginning of the album cycle with the release of “This Is Why” as a single, the new music video for “Thick Skull” closes a chapter.
What Next for Soon-to-Be Free Agent Jaylon Johnson: Chicago Bears Cornerback Considering His Options
The ongoing saga as to quite what will happen with Chicago Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson appears to be clearing up a little bit after the Soldier Field side said goodbye to safety Eddie Jackson, clearing more space in the cap for the free agent’s extension. Chicago Bears fans who want to back their team to build on their 7-10 record of last season can make the most of this great analysis of Illinois sportsbooks to find the brands that are most likely to secure the best payout.
The Rise of Bilingual Americans: A Quick Look
It’s not news that the United States is a melting pot of cultures and languages. However, the recent upsurge in bilingualism among Americans has caught many by surprise. This trend is not just enriching individual lives but is also reshaping community dynamics and offering fresh perspectives on cultural diversity. Businesses are also having to adapt as well, with online casinos found here broadening their player base by offering their services in a variety of languages.
Illinois hosts annual Pro Day for potential NFL draftees
Illinois will host its annual Pro Day on March 8, allowing players who did not get a chance to work or get measured at the NFL Scouting Combine to show off what they’ve got. Multiple Illini players did work out while at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, but not all of the players who are moving on from college football got that opportunity. Players will have the chance to do some on-field drills, get measured and go through athletic exercises, such as the 40-yard dash.
Cage The Elephant makes long-awaited return with ‘Out Loud’ and ‘Neon Pill’
Rating: 7/10 Cage The Elephant is back with a series of releases and huge announcements. The group has officially released two singles, “Out Loud” and “Neon Pill,” and announced a new album and tour dates. Their latest single, “Out Loud,” is a somber ballad that encompasses the grief that brothers Matthew and Brad Schultz have been dealing with since the recent loss of their father.
Oskee’s Sports Pub to open this spring
Oskee’s Sports Pub will open at Atkins Golf Club at the University this spring, per a press release from Atkins Golf Club management.
Illinois women’s basketball season concludes with loss against Maryland in Big Ten tournament - The Daily Illini
After an exciting win against Nebraska this past Sunday, Illinois traveled to Minneapolis to face off against Maryland. Unfortunately for the Illini, they were unable to continue their season further after a 10-point loss. Their strong start was not enough to hold the Terrapins back, and, despite their intense efforts, they fell powerless in the second half and let the game slip out of their hands. For one final time, head coach Shauna Green stuck with the familiar starting five.
METCAD 9-1-1 not available to receive calls
A Public Safety Alert was issued at 8:53 p.m. this evening, stating that 9-1-1 services are not currently able to receive emergency or non-emergency calls Text-to-911 is still working and the status of METCAD will be updated as more information becomes available. Another Public Safety Alert was released at 9:00 p.m. stating that 9-1-1 services are still not functioning. The announcement asked individuals not to test phones for 911 and only to text or call 911 for an actual emergency.
Illinois women’s tennis falls to No. 25 Washington despite impressive showing in doubles
Following its trip to the Blue Gray Tennis Classic, Illinois women’s tennis returned home to face No. 25 Washington. The two programs were common opponents before COVID-19, but it had been nearly four years since the last meeting. Ultimately, the Huskies rallied in singles to give the Illini their first home loss of the season by a margin of 4-1. Illinois rolled out some familiar pairs in doubles, with its newest star duo of junior Megan Heuser and freshman Alice Xu standing at court one.
Opinion | ‘Freedom of thought’ is losing its meaning
You may have yet to hear of the University of Austin. Different from the University of Texas at Austin, UATX will welcome its inaugural class this fall. Exploring its website reveals a common theme: truth. The university reiterates across multiple pages that it will refuse to shy away from free speech, debate and the supposedly ever-elusive truth. If you’ve kept up with the news in recent years, this might sound familiar.
Sudduth, Ouimet, Garrett set to compete at NCAA championships
Three Illini will be competing in the NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships this weekend. The crop includes senior heptathlete Aiden Ouimet, senior thrower Tyler Sudduth and junior jumper Kam Garrett. Sudduth is the lone championship veteran of the group, having finished eighth in the weight throw last year with a toss of 22.06 meters. Sudduth has surpassed that mark at four meets this season, including in his recent Big Ten championship victory.
Second CU International Film Festival celebrates humanity in filmmaking
Last Saturday, the Knight Auditorium at the Spurlock Museum played host to four of the most groundbreaking and acclaimed short films of the last few years as part of the CU International Film Festival. This was the second iteration of the festival, which aims to create a space for filmmakers from around the world to showcase their creations to film lovers in the Champaign-Urbana area.
Review | Avatar: The Last Airbender returns to Netflix as live action remake
Rating: 8/10 Water, earth, fire and air. These are the ever famous elements that are telekinetically manipulated in the Asian- and Arctic-inspired world of Aang and the other avatars before him. “Avatar: The Last Airbender” premiered on Feb. 22 and racked up over 22.2 million viewers within the first four days of its release. There’s a reason the show received so much attention.
Illinois looks to continue season in Big Ten tournament
Illinois (14-14, 8-10) makes its way to Minneapolis for the Big Ten women’s basketball tournament as the No. 9 seed with Maryland (17-12, 9-9) standing in the way. This marks the 17th matchup between the two programs, however, it has not been close in the series. The Illini have never beaten the Terrapins since first playing them in 1982, and the closest game between the two was earlier this year as the latter won 90-82 in College Park, Maryland.
No. 11 Illinois men’s tennis set to host No. 1 Ohio State - The Daily Illini
After winning back-to-back matches this past Friday, No. 11 Illinois men’s tennis is set to play No. 1 Ohio State this Wednesday at the Atkins Tennis Center. The Illini enter Wednesday on a five-match win streak but will have their work cut out for them against the Buckeyes. Ohio State is 15-0 thus far and has dominated against other squads at the top of the standings.
University YMCA to create new time capsule for 2073
After last year’s opening of a 116-year-old time capsule, the University YMCA is currently building a new capsule and inviting members of the Champaign-Urbana community to share their ideas for what to include in it. The time capsule will be opened in 2073, which will mark the 200th anniversary of the organization.
Notes, player grades from No. 12 Illinois men’s basketball’s narrow loss to No. 3 Purdue
No. 12 Illinois men’s basketball welcomed No. 3 Purdue to the State Farm Center for its final home game of the 2023-24 season on Tuesday night. Despite the Illini leading by six at halftime, the Boilermakers rallied to spoiler Senior Night and give the Illini a 77-71 loss. Raining threes The Boilermakers were 1-6 from distance in the first half which was contrasted by an efficient 4-10 mark from the Illini. Unfortunately for the home team, both teams completely flipped in the second half.
Opinion | I’m a Black-identifying biracial: Here’s what that implies
I recall when I was at my grandma’s house with my Aunt Bib, God rest her soul. Aunt Bib randomly said to me, “Jasmine, I need you to know that you are a Black girl.” In my head, I thought, isn’t that obvious? Until that point, I had never questioned my Blackness before. I grew up with my Black side of the family, and it remains that way to this day. Most of the time, I’d forget that I had a whole other side of the family that was white, but even then, it didn’t matter to me.
Review | ‘Underdressed at the Symphony’ finds comfort in simplicity, delicately captures heartbreak
Rating: 7.2/10 No one does heartbreak better than Faye Webster. Since her release of her 2013 debut album “Run and Tell,” Webster has always been able to accurately capture love and loss; each album is a spellbinding remembrance of tangled relationships and fragile breakups. Webster’s fifth studio album, “Underdressed at the Symphony” focuses less on the complex lyricism that has been a driving factor of her previous albums and more on the ambience.
Opinion | Stop calling people of color ‘whitewashed’
Growing up, the concept of “whitewashing” never played a role in how I saw myself. It wasn’t until I became older that I learned how this term could be used to attack my own identity, leaving room for yet another unrealistic standard that preyed on my conflicting cultural identities. Of course, there were plenty of little anxieties that occupied my mind as a child.
‘They’ve proven to be human at times’: No. 12 Illinois gears up for home finale against No. 3 Purdue
With only 40 minutes of basketball to go in Champaign this season, the No. 12 Illini will be preparing to take the floor against the No. 3 Purdue Boilermakers on Tuesday night. With the visitors already having staked their claim in a share of the Big Ten regular season title, Illinois will be in for a tough test in its home finale of 2023-24. “This league is so good, and yet they’re the second game we’ve played against a ranked opponent in league play,” said head coach Brad Underwood.
Just Bee Acai provides delicious treat for the coming spring
With warmer days starting to greet the Champaign-Urbana area, it is perfect weather for a cold, sweet treat. According to the shop’s website, Just Bee Acai is known for being “the first and only authentic acai bowl shop located in central Illinois, right at the heart of the University of Illinois campus.” While the restaurant has no real seating, the little corner of the Illini Union is aesthetically pleasing and very clean.
UI alum startup PSYONIC appears on Shark Tank
Aadeel Akhtar, University alum, appeared on Shark Tank for his company PSYONIC, which is known for its bionic hand, called the Ability Hand. Akhtar was inspired to develop bionic prosthetics after witnessing a 7-year-old in Pakistan use a tree branch as a prosthetic for a missing leg. PSYONIC’s mission is to provide prosthetics for those in developing nations who can’t afford them.
UI-Con unites anime enthusiasts at UI
Fans of anime from across central Illinois gathered at the Illini Union this weekend for the first-ever UI-Con: a convention that hosted a variety of different interactive events for all to enjoy. As its website states, UI-Con is Champaign-Urbana’s first-ever anime and comic convention. Despite this being its first year in the running, the convention amassed over 3,000 registrations from fans of all ages eager to connect with one another.
Opinion | Why America isn’t socialist
In America, the title “socialist” carries a negative connotation. Many people think that socialism takes away economic freedom, stifles innovation and will create a Big Brother-style government. However, the definition of socialism is a broad one and encompasses many different types of beliefs. When pro-socialist individuals defend their support for this socioeconomic system, they often use examples where “socialism” has succeeded, such as Sweden and other Scandinavian countries.
Opinion | The media has forgotten about Henry Kissinger’s crimes
To many, former National Security Advisor and Secretary of State Henry Kissinger is the classic example of a “statesman.” He is responsible for extending the policy of détente, which led to relaxing tensions between the U.S. and the Soviet Union during the Cold War. Following the death of Kissinger on Nov. 29, the mainstream media flooded the internet with obituaries and columns praising his legacy.
Opinion | Voting is more complicated than we think
When voting for the president, it is very easy to reduce your decision of who to vote for to party affiliation or how you view the candidate. However, I think we as citizens should have slightly more nuance when it comes to voting. For example, many people say that Joe Biden is too old to hold office, which I don’t disagree with. For some, this is reason enough to not vote for Biden in the upcoming 2024 presidential election.
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