The student news site of Eastern Illinois University in Charleston, Illinois.

The Daily Eastern News
Booking mug of former Eastern Illinois University professor Craig Chesner. Chesner was initially charged on Feb. 18, 2026, with eight counts of indecent solicitation of a child. He now faces two new charges for possession of child pornography.
Former EIU professor charged with possession of child pornography
The Board of Trustees discussed topics ranging from the preliminary fiscal year 2027 budget to enrollment during their meeting on Thursday, June 11, 2026 in the Doudna Fine Arts Center's Dvorak Concert Hall at Eastern Illinois University in Charleston, Ill.
Board of Trustees discusses budget, enrollment, structural developments
Participants of the 2026 Races for All Paces 5K take off on Saturday, June 6, 2026 at Eastern Illinois University.
Races for All Paces raises funds for dental care, connects families
The Charleston Community Band performs for its first concert of the summer at Kiwanis Park on Thursday.
Charleston Community Band begins Kiwanis Park summer events
COPY - The artificial intelligence minor being introduced in the fall comes from the school of technology's Interim Assistant Chair Toqeer Israr. The program will be taught by Ammar Bhutta, a professor in the school of technology.
School of technology offering artificial intelligence minor in fall
Charleston high school junior Treylin Couch looks towards a crowd before the class 2A triple jump at the IHSA Boys Track & Field State Meet at O’Brien Field on the EIU campus in Charleston, Ill. on Friday May 29, 2026.
CHS juniors represent Charleston in IHSA State Track & Field Championships
Eastern Illinois University’s baseball team stands along the dugout fence during Little Rock’s eight run seventh inning in the Ohio Valley Conference baseball tournament championship game Sunday at Mtn Dew Park in Marion, Illinois
EIU loses decisive OVC championship game to Little Rock
Little Rock celebrates a run during their 4-3 victory against Eastern Illinois University in the first game of the Ohio Valley Conference championship game Saturday night.
EIU loses to Little Rock, plays winner-take-all OVC Championship game Sunday
Eastern Illinois University junior right-handed pitcher Anthony Solis yells at his dugout while graduate second basemen Chris Worcester and graduate shortstop Peyton Wilson celebrate Eastern’s 3-2 win over Southern Illinois Edwardsville in the Ohio Valley Conference tournament.
EIU beats SIUE in extra innings, advances to OVC Tournament Championship
EIU junior right handed pitcher Anthony Solis Stares down SIUE junior catcher Sean Kang while he gets a lead off second base at Frost Field at Coaches Field on Sunday.
EIU baseball to face SIUE in OVC Tournament semifinal
Eastern Illinois University’s baseball team stands along the dugout fence during Little Rock’s eight run seventh inning in the Ohio Valley Conference baseball tournament championship game Sunday at Mtn Dew Park in Marion, Illinois
EIU loses decisive OVC championship game to Little Rock
Little Rock celebrates a run during their 4-3 victory against Eastern Illinois University in the first game of the Ohio Valley Conference championship game Saturday night.
EIU loses to Little Rock, plays winner-take-all OVC Championship game Sunday
Eastern Illinois University junior right-handed pitcher Anthony Solis yells at his dugout while graduate second basemen Chris Worcester and graduate shortstop Peyton Wilson celebrate Eastern’s 3-2 win over Southern Illinois Edwardsville in the Ohio Valley Conference tournament.
EIU beats SIUE in extra innings, advances to OVC Tournament Championship
EIU junior right handed pitcher Anthony Solis Stares down SIUE junior catcher Sean Kang while he gets a lead off second base at Frost Field at Coaches Field on Sunday.
EIU baseball to face SIUE in OVC Tournament semifinal
Eastern Illinois University senior third basemen Mike O’Connor celebrates a two-run double into right-center field that would end up winning the game for EIU during Eastern’s 3-2 win over Southeast Missouri in the OVC tournament.
Panther baseball wins pitchers’ duel in OVC Tournament
Sophomore guard Lalani Ellis (Left) and redshirt sophomore forward Sydney-James Desroches (Right) salute to their teammates playing as they score another point against Morehead.
Four Panthers enter women’s basketball transfer portal
Eastern Illinois University Junior guard Meechie White calls a play to his teammates as he crosses half court during a 73-70 loss to Morehead State at Groniger Arena on Thursday.
EIU men’s basketball sees 5 players enter transfer portal
Graduate student guard Andre Washington plays defense during EIU men's basketball's 77-59 loss to SEMO at Groniger Arena Saturday.
Experienced guard adds experience to EIU men’s basketball team
Graduate forward Kooper Jacobi (center) celebrates his buzzer-beating three-pointer to end the first half with senior guard Zion Fruster (left) and sophomore forward Terry McMorris (right) during EIU men’s basketball’s 77-71 win over five-seed SIUE in the OVC tournament at the Ford Center in Evansville.
EIU men’s basketball defies OVC expectations in 2025-26 season
(Thumbnail)Sophomore forward Terry McMorris shoots a layup over two UT Martin defenders during EIU men’s basketball’s 66-63 loss to UT Martin in the OVC Conference Tournament quarterfinals at the Ford Arena in Evansville, Indiana, on Thursday.
Panthers of the Week: Terry McMorris, Kyree Alexander
Bryce Parker
COLUMN: The NCAA needs to govern itself, not rely on the federal government
Aaron Coffin
COLUMN: Treat college athletes better
Patrick Schmitz
COLUMN: The International Olympic Committee are cowards
Payton Liggins
COLUMN: Give women in sports the respect they deserve
Payton Liggins
COLUMN: Too many transfers, too little reality
Eastern Illinois University sophomore outside hitter Katie Kopshever spikes the ball against Lindenwood as Eastern won three games to one in the Gardella Family Court on Saturday.
Panthers of the Week: Katie Kopshever, Brenda Torres
EIU cross country junior Brenda Torres (right) gets held up by trainer Thomas Erdey (left) after collapsing at the finish line of the Ohio Valley Conference championship race as Torres finished second overall and the team placed fourth at the Tom Woodall Panther Trail on Friday.
EIU men, women finish fourth at OVC championships
Eastern Illinois University cross country senior runner Michael Atkins leads the pack at the Walt Crawford Invitational. Atkins finished in fifth place as EIU won both the men’s and women’s races at the Tom Woodall Panther Trail on Friday.
Cross-country senior prepares for his final OVC championship
Freshman midfielder Camylle Graves blocks a SIUE player from getting the ball on as Eastern won 2-0 on Sunday.
Panthers of the Week: Camylle Graves, Michael Atkins
Eastern Illinois University cross country senior Michael Atkins (left) talks to coach Riley McInerney (right) after the Walt Crawford Invitational. Atkins finished in fifth place as EIU won both the men’s and women’s races at the Tom Woodall Panther Trail on Sept. 5.
Charleston native comes back to coach cross-country
Eastern Illinois University football redshirt sophomore running back Jacarre Fleming (left) tries to outrun redshirt junior defensive lineman Maximo Vaugn (right) during the spring game at O’Brien Field on Saturday.
Panthers show growth, close spring with 41-28 win
Redshirt junior running back Charles Kellom tries to split the gap between the offensive linemen as Eastern lost 21-10 at the homecoming football game against Gardner-Webb at O'Brien field on Saturday.
Panther football focuses on team chemistry in spring season
EIU redshirt junior quarterback Cole LaCrue, redshirt senior running back Charles Kellom and other EIU football players celebrate after Travis Hargis, a participant of the Beautiful Lives Project, successfully throws a football into a net on Wednesday at O'Brien Field.
Beautiful Lives Project shares field with Panther football
Payton Liggins
COLUMN: Too many transfers, too little reality
Redshirt freshman Connor Wolf looks for an open man downfield as Gardner-Webb redshirt sophomore linebacker Cahari Haynes looks at wolf and waits for him to make a move as Eastern lost 21-10 at the homecoming football game against Gardner-Webb at O'Brien field on Saturday.
Panther football reflects on transfer portal losses, acquisitions
Eastern Illinois University men’s soccer player development coach Sam Eccles stands at practice waiting for a pass to come. Eccles is a former player who is volunteering his time to help coach the team at O’Brien stadium on Friday.
Player development coach thrived in the midst of uncertainty
EIU senior midfielder Casey Welage (10) falls while trying to gain control of the ball against WIU sophomore defender Fernando Adrados (5) and sophomore defender Leevi Swearengen during the EIU home soccer game on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025.
Childhood best friends reunite on EIU men’s soccer team 
Senior midfielder Casey Welage lays on the pitch after EIU's 1-0 loss to Liberty in the Ohio Valley Conference Quarterfinals at Hunter Stadium on Sunday.
EIU men’s soccer loses to Liberty in OVC tournament
Junior defender Cland Iwasaki (left) hugs senior forward Fabricio Roberti (right) after EIU men's soccer's 2-0 win over Southern Indiana at Lakeside Field on Sunday, Oct. 19, 2025.
Senior forward talks position change, transition to US in Q&A
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s Zach Renz (left) and EIU’s Sho Toda (right) fight for the ball near SIUE’s goal during EIU’s loss to SIUE 2-1 on Sunday,
EIU loses last regular season game, finishes sixth in OVC
Eastern Illinois University softball senior catcher Lezie Griffin (center) wipes off tears as she goes through the handshake line after EIU’s 2-1 loss to Princeton University at Cowgirl Stadium on Saturday.
EIU softball loses 2-1 to Princeton In NCAA Regionals
The Oklahoma State University softball team celebrates together after a strikeout during EIU’s 16-0 loss to Oklahoma State University in the second game of the NCAA Stillwater Regional on Friday.
Panther softball run-ruled by OSU in regional opener
Eastern Illinois University softball senior pitcher Karlie McKenzie (right) goes to hug sophomore first baseman Abbi Hatton (center) and junior catcher Sophia Olman (left) after winning the OVC championship at OSF Healthcare Field at the Louisville Sports Sluggers Complex on Saturday.
EIU softball prepares for first game of NCAA Tournament
The Eastern Illinois University softball team holds up the OVC championship trophy after winning the OVC championship at OSF Healthcare Field at the Louisville Sports Sluggers Complex on Saturday.
EIU softball wins back-to-back OVC Championships
Eastern Illinois University softball sophomore utility player Abbi Hatton points to the sky in celebration after hitting a home run during EIU’s 8-0 win against Southern Illinois Edwardsville in the semifinals of the Ohio Valley Conference tournament at OSF Healthcare Field at the Louisville Sports Sluggers Complex on Friday.
EIU softball cruises past SIUE, faces Lindenwood in OVC championship round
Eastern Illinois men’s basketball senior Zion Fruster tries to cut around Morehead State defender Vince Dawson during a 73-70 loss to Morehead State at Groniger Arena on Thursday.
Panthers of the Week: Zion Fruster, Genevieve Biberdorf
EIU freshman guard Markus Blackwell dribbles the ball while being guarded by East-West freshman forward Anthony James during Eastern's 110-56 win.
Panthers of the Week: Markus Blackwell, Alexander Sadowski
EIU freshman swimmer Alexander Sadowski races against Southern Illinois University senior swimmer Alex Cimera. Sadowski won the 100-yard breaststroke as the Eastern men lost 202-58 and the women lost 208-46 at the Padovan Pool on Friday.
Panther swim loses final home meet to SIU
EIU women’s swimmer junior Remingtyn Bokos swims the 1,000-yard freestyle and wins it as the EIU women lost 143-114 to Evansville in the Padovan Pool on Saturday.
Junior swimmer talks college choice, superstitions in Q&A
EIU women’s swimmer junior Remingtyn Bokos swims the 1,000-yard freestyle and wins it as the EIU women lost 143-114 to Evansville in the Padovan Pool on Saturday.
Panthers of the Week: Remingtyn Bokos, Sam Bradbury
Tennis ball by the nets at the Darling Courts Wednesday afternoon
Eastern cuts men’s, women’s tennis programs
Freshman Eastern Illinois tennis player Duarte Trocado readies to backhand the ball during Eastern’s Horizon League conference opener against Tennessee State University as Eastern lost 5-2 on Saturday.
Men’s tennis loses home conference opener against TSU
Freshman tennis player Fabien Planchard backhands the ball during the Eastern Illinois Fall Invitational Friday at the Darling Courts.
EIU tennis prepares for weekend games
Members of the EIU women's basketball game rush to the student section to celebrate a 51-49 win over the University of Southern Indiana Groniger Arena Saturday. The Panthers won 51-49 in a late game layup and free throw with 13 seconds left allowing the Panthers to continue on a 10-0 win streak in the Ohio Valley Conference.
Panther Roundup: Women’s basketball undefeated in OVC, men’s swim wins almost every event
Players of the Eastern Illinois University women's basketball team cheer on teammates during their game against the Indiana State Sycamores on Friday, Dec. 6, 2024 in Groniger Arena.
Panther Sports Roundup: What you missed over the weekend
The EIU beach volleyball seniors receive posters and flowers before home opener against Lindenwood on Friday at Linder Sports Complex.
EIU Beach Volleyball debuts new facility
Eastern Illinois University beach volleyball's branding on the backside of their new facility at Linder Sports Complex.
New EIU beach volleyball facility in the works
Beach Volleyball team member stand on the side lines while the game continues in front of them at Sister City
What does the beach season mean to the EIU volleyball program?
Junior setter Catalina Rochaix, Plays her first match back for unknown reasons and now is back in play with Eastern Illinois University after a month off, during the Eastern Illinois University against Southern Illinois University Evansville, on Tuesday
Panthers of the Semester: Mason Miller, Catalina Rochaix, Ryan Millar
(Thumbnail) EIU volleyball assistant coach Paige Gardella claps during Eastern’s 3-1 win over Morehead State on Nov. 14.
EIU volleyball assistant coach helps drive program culture change
Griffin May
COLUMN: The obsession around “Obsession”
Emerson Reynolds
COLUMN: ‘The Backrooms’ misunderstands liminal horror
Emerson Reynolds
COLUMN: Until Then: emotional story, engaging gameplay
Griffin May
COLUMN: “Hokum:” What do you believe?
COPY - Graduate students and twins Haley (right) and Ashley (left) Mlinar share their three-minute thesis with an audience on Tuesday for the three-minute thesis presentations at Tarble. They paint together on the same canvas, and their work was meant to express their experiences as twins through childhood memories. Both major in 2D studio art, and minor in art history and graphic design. After they graduate, Ashley and Haley want to work together.
Identical twins wrap up graduate school, face uncertain future
Griffin May
COLUMN: The artificial intelligence minor needs a major rework
Emerson Reynolds
COLUMN: This column will expire in 10 minutes
Griffin May
COLUMN: “The Super Mario Galaxy Movie” is not a great adaptation
John Slater
COLUMN: #NotMyBilly
Griffin May
COLUMN: Juanito’s is the best Mexican restaurant in town
Two Dudes Talk Movies logo
Two Dudes Talk Movies Ep. 122: ‘Good Luck, Have Fun, Don’t Die:’ Superintelligence Is Inevitable
In attempt to advertise Eastern's Early Bird Housing Contract, students were able to come to the Cyber Lounge Thursday afternoon to play video game controllers and potentially file for the contract.
The Gamer’s Pod EP. 12: Danganronpa V3: Killing Harmony
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Two Dudes Talk Movies Ep. 121: Did ‘Das Boot’ Need To Be That Long?
Two Dudes Talk Movies logo
Two Dudes Talk Movies Ep. 120: Is ’12 Angry Men’ A Good Trial Drama?
In attempt to advertise Eastern's Early Bird Housing Contract, students were able to come to the Cyber Lounge Thursday afternoon to play video game controllers and potentially file for the contract.
The Gamer’s Pod EP. 11: Danganronpa Another Episode: Ultra Despair Girls
Tour de Charleston cyclists raced off for the course on Saturday, June 13, 2026, in Charleston, Ill. There were 135 pre-registered cyclists, according to Charleston Area Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Colleen Peterlich.
THROUGH THE LENS: 10th annual Tour de Charleston returns to June
Runners push past the fourth turn during the girls' Class 1A 3200-meter-run at the IHSA girls' state track and field meet at O'Brien Field on Eastern Illinois University's campus in Charleston on Saturday.
THROUGH THE LENS: EIU hosts IHSA girls’ state track and field meet
Psychology major Ajah Crawford (right) sprays criminal justice major Anivea Evans (left) with pigment at Holi Color Fest on Friday on the Library Quad.
THROUGH THE LENS: EIU splashes color at Holi Color Fest
The Tugs team from the sorority Sigma Kappa raise their arms together at the Greek Week Tugs of War across the campus pond on Wednesday afternoon to signal that they are done drying the rope. Sigma Kappa would win first place in Tugs.
THROUGH THE LENS: 18 sororities, fraternities compete in Tugs
Graduate student Rachel Wisner poses at the end of "Waking Up in Vegas" sang Katy Perry and choreographed by Lily Lawrence, Kassidy Prebstle and Claire Weber on March 26 in the Theatre. Wisner is a fourth-year EIU Dancer and has been dancing for 17 years.
THROUGH THE LENS: EIU Dancers hold showcase
The student news site of Eastern Illinois University in Charleston, Illinois.

The Daily Eastern News
The student news site of Eastern Illinois University in Charleston, Illinois.

The Daily Eastern News
The EIU volleyball team huddle in and listen to their coach Sara Thomas during a timeout at their game vs. Valparaiso. Friday night in Lantz Arena.

Meet the Coaches: Sara Thomas

Cameron Thomas, Sports Reporter • November 1, 2023

Sara Thomas is the women's volleyball and beach volleyball head coach for the Panthers. From Belleville, Illinois, Thomas attended Althoff Catholic High School, which is just about 20 minutes from...

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