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Articles by Kyler Effner
LIVE BLOG: Midterm Election Day polls open through 6 p.m.
Editor's Note: The Ball State Daily News will be covering the elections throughout the day to provide updates as they become available, as well as to provide information on results as they become available. 5:30 p.m.: Longer wait times, Eaton Community Center, First Brethren Church and Northside Church of God Poll lines across the county have continued to grow, with reported wait times of more than 30 minutes.
Muncie residents line up as Election Day polls open through 6 p.m.
More than 40 people lined up, as observed by The Daily News, to cast their vote in the midterm elections as early as 6 a.m. at the Yorktown YMCA, 200 S 600 W Rd, Yorktown, Tuesday, Nov. 3.
SGA passes legislation calling for the removal of Board of Trustees chair, Brian Gallagher responds
Skip to Content, Search, Navigation, or Footer. Ball State Board of Trustees member Brian Gallagher at a meeting Feb. 28 at the L.A. Pittenger Student Center. Andrew Berger, DN Ball State’s Student Government Association passed a resolution Oct. 28 calling for the removal of the university’s Board of Trustees chair, Brian Gallagher. The resolution passed with 18 yays, two nays and four abstentions. According to the legislation, SGA has called on Indiana Gov.
Ball State holds 46th annual Bed Race
Skip to Content, Search, Navigation, or Footer. The Cardinal Catholic speeds down Riverside Avenue kicking off the 2026 Home Coming Bed races Oct. 23 at Ball State University. Joshua Brady, DN Red, black and white lined the sidewalks surrounding Riverside Avenue. Music cascaded from the brass instruments of the Pride of Mid-America Marching Band and Charlie Cardinal danced his way through, greeting students, alumni and Ball State President Geoffrey Mearns.
Ball State’s Village Revitalization project sees progress
Ball State University’s Village Revitalization plan has seen some progress over the past few months. Multiple sites have concluded construction, neared the end or have finally broken ground. Site 1: Ball State Performing Arts Center and The Cantio Hotel The Cantio Hotel, named after a Latin word meaning song or playing music, is designed to be a unique experience that accompanies the attached performing arts center. JOB TITLE NAME XXXX talks with hard hat media tour attendees Oct.
Muncie City Council fails controversial 'In God We Trust' ordinance
Muncie city council members voted Monday, Oct. 5, on an ordinance that was introduced in mid-September that would place “In God We Trust” decals on the sides of all police and fire vehicles owned by the city. The ordinance was not passed after much community discussion ended with a vote 4-3 against. Council members Jerry Dishman, Dale Basham and President Jeff Green voted for the ordinance while council members William McIntosh, Sara Gullion, Nora Powell and Harold Mason voted against.
West Nile virus found in Delaware County mosquitoes
Thursday, Oct. 1, the Delaware County Health Department announced on its Facebook page that the Indiana Department of Health had found West Nile virus in mosquitoes located in Delaware County. “With West Nile Virus showing positive across the state annually, WNV is here in Indiana and it's most likely here to stay,” according to the post.
So you want to vote?: A how-to on voter registration
Voter registration in Indiana closes Oct. 5, 29 days before the mid-term elections Nov. 3. Prior to attending the polls, all voters must ensure they have either registered or updated their registration.
Ball State's Board of Trustees addresses student retention challenges
Ball State’s Board of Trustees approved increased healthcare premiums and deductibles for Ball State employees during its first meeting of the 26-27 academic year Friday, Sept. 25, in the university’s L.A. Pittenger Student Center. The proposed increases were presented to the Board’s Employee Development and Wellbeing Committee by Mark Liebling, vice president for people and culture.
Restructured health plans, construction site plans and student retention challenges: takeaways from Friday’s Board of Trustees meeting
Ball State’s Board of Trustees approved increased healthcare premiums and deductibles for Ball State employees during its first meeting of the 26-27 academic year Friday, Sept. 25, in the university’s L.A. Pittenger Student Center. The proposed increases were presented to the Board’s Employee Development and Wellbeing Committee by Mark Liebling, vice president for people and culture.
Indiana appeals legal question from Ball State student’s disorderly conduct case
March 27, 2025, Cooper Archer and four other Ball State students were charged with two counts of disorderly conduct following their arrest on Feb. 28, 2025.
Indiana seeks appeal in case against previous Ball State student
March 27, 2025, Cooper Archer and four other Ball State students were charged with two counts of disorderly conduct following their arrest on Feb. 28, 2025.
Stay safe, Cardinals: Ball State University Police's top safety tips
Ball State University’s University Police Department (UPD) releases an annual report with the most prevalent crimes committed on campus in past years, as well as other safety and security concerns. According to the 2025 annual security and fire safety report, the most frequent primary crimes reported are instances of sexual assault, burglary and motor vehicle theft.
GALLERY: Geothermal Pipe Eruption Cleanup
Skip to Content, Search, Navigation, or Footer. NewsLink Indiana is powered by Cardinal Media Ball State University is actively working to fix and replace the geothermal pipes across campus that have been damaged, from Teacher's College to the Park and Johnson Complex Residence Halls.
Ball State cleans up after geothermal pipe eruption
Sept. 3, Ball State experienced a campus-wide AC outage due to what has since been confirmed as a series of leaks in the university’s geothermal system, according to a campus-wide email sent by Vice President for Business Affairs and Treasurer, Mike Fowler. Later that day, one of the pipes ruptured above the surface, spilling insulation onto campus’s sidewalk and Riverside Avenue. In the campus-wide email sent shortly after 9 p.m. Fowler announced that classes the following day, Friday, Sept.
Classes moved to online following the rupture of Ball State’s geothermal system
Skip to Content, Search, Navigation, or Footer. NewsLink Indiana is powered by Cardinal Media Frog Baby, located in the middle of campus, looks out into the colorful trees of fall Oct. 23 on Ball State Campus. Isabella Kemper, DN Friday, Sept. 4, Ball State classes will be moved to online following a rupture of the university’s geothermal heating and cooling system, according to an email sent by Vice President for Business Affairs and Treasurer, Mike Fowler.
Ball State campus pipe burst along Riverside Ave.
Skip to Content, Search, Navigation, or Footer. NewsLink Indiana is powered by Cardinal Media Due to extreme temperatures and high usage of AC, geothermal pipes containing water bursted outside of the Teacher's College, and as a result; Insulation, gravel, dirt, and water were dispersed along the outside of the building, along the sidewalk, and onto the road. The pipes had burst near North McKinley and West Riverside Ave. Gallery in collaboration with Newslink Indiana. Thursday, Sept.
Indiana gas prices affect campus community
As the semester begins, campus transportation will start to “provide transportation to students across campus,” Melissa Wormer, the director of facilities management for Ball State Transportation Services, said via email. Campus has access to 14 different shuttle buses and demand response buses, which use an average of 560 gallons of fuel per week. Additionally, the university spends over $1,800 a week on fuel for these avenues of campus transportation.
Frequently asked questions by new students
Skip to Content, Search, Navigation, or Footer. Layla Baker, DN Illustration Editor's note: This article has been updated to correct inaccurate source information provided via Ball State's Housing and Residence Life website. According to the website, laundry pods can be used in the dormitory washing machines. A housing representative for the university later verified liquid detergent can also be used in the machines.
Frequently asked questions by new students
Skip to Content, Search, Navigation, or Footer. Layla Baker, DN Illustration To kick off the new school year and ease students into campus life, The Ball State Daily News has collected questions that are frequently asked by first-year students and their parents. Below are the answers. Q: How does my meal plan work? A: Ball State offers several meal plan choices available for students, including those who live both on and off campus.
Indiana Michigan Power submits plan for rate reduction
Skip to Content, Search, Navigation, or Footer. Mya Cataline, DN, Brenden Rowan, DN Photo Illustration. Indiana Michigan Power announced Aug. 26 that it has put forth a plan that drastically reduces consumers’ monthly cost of their electric bills. I&M’s new plan includes approximately $59 million in 2027 bill reductions, one of the largest base rate reduction plans in the nation, according to I&M’s press release.
In Review: Top news stories of the summer
Below is a collection of the biggest stories reported by the Ball State Daily News over the course of the 2026 summer semester. Ball State pays Suzanne Swierc settlement September 2025, Ball State University fired administrator Suzanne Swierc due to a Facebook post she made regarding the death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Swierc promptly sued university President Geoffrey Mearns, claiming that the termination was wrongful and violated her First Amendment rights.
Ball State opens new healthcare practice
Ball State University is expanding East Central Indiana’s access to healthcare through the launch of a new medicine primary care practice within the campus’ Healthy Lifestyle Center, according to a press release published by the university. The center is located within the Interprofessional Community Clinics at 1613 W. Riverside Ave. in Muncie.
SNAP benefit replacements extended through Aug. 31
Skip to Content, Search, Navigation, or Footer. Fresh Thyme is selling tons of fresh produce Aug 25 in Munice Indiana. Isabella Kemper, DN The Indiana Department of Homeland Security announced Aug. 24 via Facebook that they had received approval from the Family and Social Service Administration to extend the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program deadline for replacement benefits after the recent flooding across the state.
Tornado warning strikes Muncie while flood watch remains
Skip to Content, Search, Navigation, or Footer. GRACE RAMENY, DN BRENDEN ROWAN, DN PHOTO ILLUSTRATION A brief tornado warning was issued by the National Weather Service (NWS) for southwestern Delaware County, including Ball State until 6 p.m. on Aug. 19, following the announcement of another flood watch in the area. At 5:27 p.m., a radar indicated rotation in a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado moved through the area.
Welcome back to Ball State
This fall marks the first time that first-year students are required to move onto campus a week before classes begin. The university opted to change from a 16-week semester to a 15-week semester to “better support first-year students before classes begin,” according to the Ball State University website. This switch is accompanied by a more structured and required Weeks of Welcome to better immerse incoming students prior to the start of classes.
Indiana's Senate Bill 10: what students should know ahead of May 5's primary election
Skip to Content, Search, Navigation, or Footer. Residents of Deleware County cast their votes for the 2024 election Nov. 5 at Avondale Methodist Church. Andrew Berger, DN In April 2025, the Indiana state legislature passed Senate Bill (SB) 10 , banning the use of student IDs from a public educational institution as a valid proof of identification for voting purposes.
The Greatest (Showman) commencement speaker: Hugh Jackman to speak to the class of 2026
Actor, philanthropist, Broadway star and certified Australian are just a few identifying characteristics and notable achievements held by Ball State University’s Spring 2026 Commencement Speaker — Hugh Jackman. Jackman was first spotted on campus in September 2025, in the David Letterman Communication and Media Building, according to a brief released by NewsLink Indiana.
The Greatest (Showman) commencement speaker: Hugh Jackman to speak to the class of 2026
Actor, philanthropist, Broadway star and certified Australian are just a few identifying characteristics and notable achievements held by Ball State University’s Spring 2026 Commencement Speaker — Hugh Jackman. Jackman was first spotted on campus in September 2025, in the David Letterman Communication and Media Building, according to a brief released by NewsLink Indiana.
Presenting the facts; a student journalist’s perspective on censorship
Skip to Content, Search, Navigation, or Footer. Ball State first-year Kyler Effner poses for a photo April 10 in the Art and Journalism Building. Jayden Vaughn, DN Kyler Effner is a first-year journalism and psychological science major and writes “Just an Inkling” for the Daily News. Her views do not necessarily reflect those of the newspaper. I decided to major in journalism in the fall of my third year of high school.
Muncie Mayor Dan Ridenour aims to "stabilize" city
Skip to Content, Search, Navigation, or Footer. Mayor Dan Ridenour attends a question-and-answer panel that was hosted by Ball State University's Economics Club in the Whitinger Business Building April 15. Kyler Effner, DN. Muncie Mayor Dan Ridenour embraced the courtesy of greeting his constituents, shaking every hand in the room as soon as he entered, even going as far as to learn the various parts of the state each student and citizen hails from.
Stabilizing Muncie
Skip to Content, Search, Navigation, or Footer. Mayor Dan Ridenour attends a question-and-answer panel that was hosted by Ball State University's Economics Club in the Whitinger Business Building April 15. Kyler Effner, DN. Muncie Mayor Dan Ridenour embraced the courtesy of greeting his constituents, shaking every hand in the room as soon as he entered, even going as far as to learn the various parts of the state each student and citizen hails from.
A Master of Arts in Education joins the Leadership Pipeline program
Ball State University and Muncie Community Schools (MCS) have joined forces to bolster the district’s Leadership Pipeline program. As a part of the collaboration, Ball State has offered tuition at half price and additional guidance and support for MCS K-12 educators to obtain their Master of Arts in Education (MAE) in Educational Administration and Supervision.
A Master of Arts in Education joins the Leadership Pipeline program
Ball State University and Muncie Community Schools (MCS) have joined forces to bolster the district’s Leadership Pipeline program. As a part of the collaboration, Ball State has offered tuition at half price and additional guidance and support for MCS K-12 educators to obtain their Master of Arts in Education (MAE) in Educational Administration and Supervision.
Muncie community hosts ‘No Kings’ protest
Cowbells rang their way through the city center of Muncie and car horns swiftly followed as cars passed over the Fallen Heroes Memorial Bridge Saturday morning, as America’s agrarian and industrialist history began to meld together into a song of protest. The citizens of Muncie gathered together March 28 for the city’s ‘No Kings’ rally in order to protest the current U.S. administration — President Donald Trump and his Make America Great Again (MAGA) agenda.
Muncie community hosts ‘No Kings’ protest
Cowbells rang their way through the city center of Muncie and car horns swiftly followed as cars passed over the Fallen Heroes Memorial Bridge Saturday morning, as America’s agrarian and industrialist history began to meld together into a song of protest. The citizens of Muncie gathered together March 28 for the city’s ‘No Kings’ rally in order to protest the current U.S. administration — President Donald Trump and his Make America Great Again (MAGA) agenda.
Bear down for the “Cardiac Bears”
Kyler Effner is a first-year journalism and psychological science major and writes “Just an Inkling” for the Daily News. Her views do not necessarily reflect those of the newspaper. There is a picture in a cardboard box that hides under a cobbled together window seat, nestled against volumes of memories memorialized in slowly aging photo paper.
Martin University shutdown evokes conversations about DEI spaces for students
Editor's Note: This story has been updated to clarify some of the language used regarding Paris McCurdy's work for the Office of Strategic Planning and Support.
Martin University shutdown limits spaces for students amid closure
Martin University has been part of the Indianapolis community since 1977, according to its website, with the sole mission of providing a quality education for “low-income individuals, minorities and adult learners.” The initial vision was to bring light and education to those who have been historically and systematically disenfranchised, disregarded in public spaces and denied the opportunity for a quality education that would help them achieve their future goals, according to its website.
From cross country to marathons: Muncie’s Isaac Rogers runs for children in need
It is 5:45 a.m., and the wind starts blowing. Ball State student Isaac Rogers has just pulled into a parking garage located in Carmel, Ind., when the tornado sirens begin to wail. He is minutes short of the starting line of his first marathon when the race is canceled. Rogers immediately packs up the scattered contents of his hotel room and sets out on the three-hour trek back to his hometown.
Sexpression: the female artist
Kyler Effner is a first-year journalism and psychological science major and writes “Just an Inkling” for the Daily News. Her views do not necessarily reflect those of the newspaper. It is 2014, the age of the “Frozen" soundtrack playing on repeat, ripped jeans that are three seconds from falling off a spray-tanned thigh and the arrival of everyone’s favorite dance jam, “Shake It Off” by Taylor Swift.
Sexpression: the female artist
Skip to Content, Search, Navigation, or Footer. Kyler Effner is a first-year journalism and psychological science major and writes “Just an Inkling” for the Daily News. Her views do not necessarily reflect those of the newspaper. It is 2014, the age of the “Frozen" soundtrack playing on repeat, ripped jeans that are three seconds from falling off a spray-tanned thigh and the arrival of everyone’s favorite dance jam, “Shake It Off” by Taylor Swift.
Handshakes at homecoming; tradition as a networking event
Kyler Effner is a first-year journalism and psychological science major and writes “Just An Inkling” for the Daily News. Her views do not necessarily reflect those of the newspaper. I have often marveled at the level of spirit one can have for a singular school. To clothe yourself in all your school colors, hoop and holler at a game you might even be losing, and, in some extreme cases, paint your skin to blend in with your spirit gear seems rather excessive.
Homecoming can not only be used as a spirit event, but also as a networking event.
Skip to Content, Search, Navigation, or Footer. Kyler Effner is a first-year journalism and psychological science major and writes “Just An Inkling” for the Daily News. Her views do not necessarily reflect those of the newspaper. I have often marveled at the level of spirit one can have for a singular school.
‘Whose Streets?’ ‘Our Streets’
"Whose streets? Our streets,”was one of many chants that rang throughout Ball State’s campus Oct. 15, as students gathered at the Scramble Light to demand that “Ball State takes a stance against the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement” in order to protect “vulnerable students/faculty,” according to an Instagram post from Feminists for Action advertising the event.
‘Whose Streets?’ ‘Our Streets’
Skip to Content, Search, Navigation, or Footer. "Whose streets? Our streets,”was one of many chants that rang throughout Ball State’s campus Oct. 15, as students gathered at the Scramble Light to demand that “Ball State takes a stance against the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement” in order to protect “vulnerable students/faculty,” according to an Instagram post from Feminists for Action advertising the event.
Voting centers arrive in Delaware County
It has been 20 years, according to Delaware County Clerk Rick Spangler, since Delaware County initially moved to change its voting procedures from a precinct voting format to voting centers. Through a long and complicated process, representatives from both parties and individuals from the League of Women Voters (LWV) have been pushing their voting center plan steadily forward to make voting easier and more accessible for Delaware County residents. That plan passed a vote on Sept. 8, 2025.
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