The Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade Comes to Downtown Springfield
Last weekend was the 39th edition of the city’s St. Patrick’s Day parade. This parade holds many traditions for families and others of all ages and backgrounds to come together and celebrate. This year’s parade theme was, A Tribute to The Irish Family, and it was held on Saturday, March 11, at noon. The grand […]
The Diner’s Moment
It’s 2 p.m., my stomach rumbles, signaling my body about its desire for food. My eyes were fixed on this screen as I needed to finish my assignment before attending to anything. As they say, nature will always prevail. So, feeling defeated, I shut down my computer and headed straight to the UIS Student Union […]
Catching Up with George Santos
Congressman George Santos is up to his old tricks again. Despite previously stepping down from his committee assignments, as we have covered previously, he refuses to resign amid much controversy. Rep. Santos has admitted to lying to voters about his resume, his experience, and even his personal life. He lied that his mother survived the […]
Opinion / Editorial: Former SGA President’s Words and Actions Are Disturbing and Unacceptable
Here at The Observer, we believe there is no place for hate, discrimination, or marginalization. We are saddened by the events of March 7 that occurred at the SGA Townhall. However, we are not just saddened; we are concerned: concerned by many of the troubling themes and facts that follow this story. It is troubling […]
UIS Student Government Association President Resigns After Controversial Comment
UIS senior Kyle Stauder resigned his post as Student Government Association president during a raucous, emotion-filled meeting last week after students criticized him for a comment he made about a quinceañera event. The controversy ignited on March 5, in a meeting about funding for campus groups. According to UIS student Ingrid Franco of Gamma Phi […]
BEYOND Substance Use | Reflections of an Addict’s Daughter
I inherited my blue eyes from my father, along with his wanderlust. One of these traits society deems beautiful, while the other is rebuked, should the person be a parent. I’m a parent myself now to an intelligent, curious, kind 11-year-old boy whose passions are Pokemon and dinosaurs. My wanderlust is tamed as I prioritize […]
BEYOND Substance Use | Minimum Sentences and the Industrial Prison Complex
There are a lot of demographic factors that come with the discussion of the United States’ issue of substance abuse. It comes in many forms, including but not limited to alcohol, drugs, and tobacco. However, only one of those forms has historically been treated with racial bias. Starting back in the 1980s, during the crack […]
BEYOND Influential Women | Women Aren’t Innovative?
A Forbes article entitled “Americas Most Innovative Leaders” asks who are the most creative and successful business minds of today? It explains how data was collected and proceeds with the first page of names, including a list of 50 individuals considered our most innovative leaders. After reviewing this list, there appeared to be one very […]
BEYOND Influential Women | Meet Misty Buscher, A Woman running for Mayor in Springfield
“If I do not push for a change, who will? I want to be the change I want to see in my community,” said Mayor candidate Misty Buscher. March is Women’s History Month, and I wanted to highlight an influential woman in Springfield, Ill. Misty Buscher is a Springfield native who is currently running for […]
BEYOND Substance Use | The Impact of Drugs and Alcohol Addiction on Family Dynamics
Addiction can have extreme effects not only on the individual dealing with addiction but also on family members and significant others. Addiction, for many people, can cause significant strain on family dynamics and relationships, leading to a breakdown in communication, trust, and overall family functioning. In this article, I will highlight the negative impacts of […]
BEYOND Influential Women | Meet Lauren Underwood, The Youngest Black Woman to Serve in the United States House of Representatives
Born in Ohio and now serving Illinois’ 14th Congressional district in the House of Representatives, Lauren Underwood has had an impressive career so far. Starting as a registered nurse, working all the way up to becoming the first person of color and the first woman ever to be elected in her district. She beat a […]
BEYOND Substance Use | Popular Songs That Are Secretly About Drugs and Alcohol
The great thing about listening to popular music, or any music really, is the ability to listen to and enjoy a song without paying much attention to the lyrics or what the song is really about. But did you know that there are tons of songs secretly about drugs and/or alcohol? Here are the top […]
