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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2026
Flying Salukis defend long-standing regional title
VOL. 110, ISSUE 12
SIU bans dorm guests for Halloween weekends CARLY GIST Editor-in-Chief
Flying Salukis sophomore team member Anja Ruxlow aims her wooden message block in an attempt to hit an on-ground target Oct. 2026 at the Southern Illinois Airport in Murphysboro, Illinois. Brylee Williams | @bryleemacmedia
SEE MORE | PAGE 5
University Housing at SIU is disallowing guests in residence halls for the Halloween weekend after several incidents on East Campus occurred during Homecoming weekend. An email sent to residents of West and East Campus dorms Wednesday, Oct. 21 wrote that the ban, which also applied to last weekend, comes from “recent events over Homecoming Weekend,” though it does not specify what incidents occurred. The Daily Egyptian reached out to University Housing and is awaiting a response. Jeff Harmon, chief marketing and communications officer at SIU, said several SIU employees are out of the office and would not be able to comment until early next week.
The SIU Police Department maintains a 60-day crime log that may be viewed online. According to the log, which was last updated Oct. 22, there were six incidents that resulted in three arrests inside residence halls and two arrests outside residence halls at East Campus between Friday, Oct. 16 and Sunday, Oct. 18. The DE has been in touch with the Department of Public Safety and is awaiting a response. Neither department had commented as of print deadline. Two arrests were made in the early hours of Oct. 18 at Schneider Hall. An incident involving underage possession/consumption of alcohol, resisting/obstructing a peace officer and aggravated battery of a peace officer reportedly occurred between BANS | 3
Families race pumpkins with pizzazz down Carbondale street OLIVIA LUESING Staff Photographer Spectators erupted in cheers as pumpkins were launched down Mill Street Underpass on Saturday for the Great Carbondale Pumpkin Race, a beloved Halloween tradition presented by the Rotary Club of Carbondale-Breakfast. Participants entered the general competition for free with the chance to win a $100 grand prize. There was also an option to enter the featured showdown, the Mayer Branding Grand Prix, for a $10 entry fee to win a $250 grand prize. Proceeds from the
grand prix went to the Science Center and Read SI. Pumpkins were equipped with wheels and decorations, and participants were eager to show off their creativity. Mr. Potato Head, Sonic, DoodleBob and other themed pumpkins went head-to-head down the race track. There were multiple qualifying races depending on age and organization, with the winners of each race going against one another in the final to earn the title “Fastest Pumpkin of Carbondale.” The Feather family, owners of Feather Hill Vineyard and
Winery, dressed as characters from “Toy Story” and worked together to design two pumpkins to resemble Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head. Olen Feather, age 4, went through to the finals with Mr. Potato Head, where he rolled to victory. His mother, Renee Feather, said her family has participated in the race before, but this is their first time dressing for a theme. She said Olen has a birthday coming up, and he requested “Toy Story.” Staff Photographer Olivia Luesing can be reached at oluesing@dailyegyptian.com
Dorian, dressed as Sonic, answers questions about his pumpkin Oct. 24, 2026 registered in The Great Carbondale Pumpkin Race on Mill Street in Carbondale, Illinois. Olivia Luesing | oluesing@dailyegyptian.com SEE MORE PHOTOS | PAGE 7
IDHS announces 25 of Choate’s psychiatric beds will stay, other changes move forward MACK BIESK Staff Reporter The Illinois Department of Human Services has scaled back its plans to close 75 minimum-security mental health beds at Choate Developmental Center in Anna, opting to keep 25 beds open while phasing out the remaining 50 by July 27. The department says it also plans to reopen about 200 beds at three other state-run psychiatric hospitals in Alton and Chester in southern Illinois and Hines in the Chicago suburbs. On Oct. 15, IDHS withdrew its application before the Health Facilities and Services Review Board to shut down all 75 mental health beds at Choate, though its general intellectual and developmental disabilities wing will still be decommissioned. The hospital’s 40 court-ordered, forensic intellectual and
InsiDE
developmental disability — or, I/DD — beds will remain. Choate will still lose around 250 positions, but IDHS says that the state is bringing 410 human services jobs to southern Illinois — including 87 at Choate — and intends to offer all qualifying affected employees new jobs. Choate currently houses 52 patients and maintains three different mental health programs. An IDHS spokesperson wrote in an Oct. 22 email to the Daily Egyptian that the facility’s general I/ DD program currently serves 11 individuals who will be moved to “community-based, family, or other State operated residential settings,” which is consistent with plans Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s administration announced for the facility in 2023. An Aug. 25 infographic from IDHS indicated the program has lost four patients
since August. Springfield says restructuring is ultimately better for patients “IDHS is committed to the safety and well-being of people with mental illness and intellectual and developmental disabilities in Illinois, especially those in our direct care,” the spokesperson wrote in the statement. The department also pointed to a Chicago Tribune op-ed discussing the social segregation that institutional mental patients face and how advocacy groups Arc of Illinois, Access Living and Equip for Equality endorsed the Choate restructuring. Choate’s 40-bed forensic developmental disabilities program will remain open, also consistent with the state’s 2023 plan, IDHS said. Individuals in the forensic program are typically placed in the department’s custody
Du Quoin DOC facility could close permanently, Page 4
by a court, either because they were deemed unfit to stand trial or found not guilty by reason of insanity. Pritzker, a Chicago Democrat, has defended the decision to downsize Choate, citing longstanding issues with the facility and greater mental health needs in other areas. A 2023 report from ProPublica and Capitol News Illinois documented cover-ups of abuse and a culture of cruelty among staff. For instance, reporters found it was common for Choate patients to be forced to dig through their own feces to search for harmful swallowed objects, a terminally ill patient had been neglected before his death and that Choate staff had not just broken a patient’s arm, but bragged about not being caught. Pritzker had called for reform and previously expressed a desire to keep Choate open.
Costume bar crawl planned for Halloween, Page 8
“IDHS’ effort to improve mental health care and expand community-based care for people with disabilities requires more direct care workers statewide. New State positions are being added in the locations where they are needed most,” IDHS said. The state’s plan to downsize Choate was initially announced in March 2023, but the state’s plans have evolved since. The October announcement comes amidst strong backlash from unions, the public and local legislators, including Republican state Senators Terri Bryant of Murphysboro and Paul Jacobs of Pomona. IDHS said in its statement that in addition to keeping 25 beds open at Choate, the department plans to add about 200 beds at three other state-run psychiatric hospitals — 100 in Alton, 56 in Chester and 44 in Hines’ Madden Mental Health.
Local response against workforce restructuring IDHS’ July proposal included laying off half of Choate’s staff — around 250 people — and drew strong rebuke from labor unions, city and county officials and lawmakers. IDHS says that anyone who loses a job at Choate will be offered one within the system as the state is bringing 410 new jobs at psychiatric hospitals throughout the southern half of Illinois. According to IDHS, Choate will add 87 jobs, Chester Mental Health Center will add 104, Murray Developmental Center will add 113 and Alton Mental Health Center will add 106. “New roles at Chester Mental Health Center and Alton Mental Health Center will create new opportunities for staff at Choate, in addition to those at other state CHOATE | 3
Women’s soccer loses winning streak, Page 9
Page 2 | Contact Us
Wednesday, October 28, 2026
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CORRECTIONS
From the Oct. 21, 2026 Election Preview edition of the Daily Egyptian: The story titled “Jackson County voters to decide on 4 contested county board races” incorrectly stated that Debra Mileur worked for John Rendleman before being elected to the District 5 board. Mileur was appointed after Rendleman’s death, not elected. The story titled, “Mike Bost and Julie Fortier vie for 12th district Congress seat” did not accurately describe the function of ACTBLUE. While ACTBLUE is legally registered as a PAC, it is a fundraising platform and a conduit for money from constituents to representatives. It does not break Fortier’s campaign promise of not receiving corporate PAC money. The story titled “New faces compete for circuit judge” incorrectly stated that ballots are cast once per year for two weeks in July through email. The bar poll results take place from Jan. 2 to Jan. 8. The Daily Egyptian regrets these errors. The stories have been corrected online.
PRSSA and Phi Delta Phi take the lead in group A GUS BODE Campus Legend
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Published by the students of Southern Illinois University Carbondale on a weekly basis in print, and every day on dailyegyptian.com. Fall and spring semester editions run every Wednesday. Free copies are distributed in the Carbondale, Carterville and Springfield communities.
PRSSA and Phi Delta Phi Legal Honor Society are tied for first place in the Daily Egyptian and Hangar 9’s RSO Karaoke Cup after climbing to 180 points last week. PRSSA performed “Calling All the Monsters” by China Ann McClain
and Phi Delta Phi performed “Unchained Melody” by the Righteous Brothers. Timbersports is in third place with 179 points after performing “Party Rock Anthem” by LMFAO. Farmhouse and AIAS were eliminated from the line-up this week, leaving six groups remaining.
Black Art and Film, No Shame Theater and Future Hispanic Architects are in fourth, fifth, and sixth places respectively. Whether these RSOs stay in the competition or get cut from the roster is dependent on their future performances. Group A will perform again on Nov. 4.
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The Daily Egyptian, the student-run news organization of Southern Illinois University Carbondale, is committed to being a trusted source of news, information, commentary and public discourse, while helping readers understand the issues affecting their lives.
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The Daily Egyptian is published by the students of Southern Illinois University Carbondale and functions as a laboratory for the School of Journalism in exchange for the room and utilities in the Communications Building. The Daily Egyptian is a non-profit organization that survives primarily off of its advertising revenue. Offices are in the Communications Building, room 1259, at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, Carbondale, Ill., 62901.
PRSSA sings “Calling all the Monsters” Oct. 21, 2026 at Hangar 9 in Carbondale, Illinois. Daylin Williams | @photosbydaylin
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Letters and guest columns must be submitted with author’s contact information, preferably via email. Phone numbers are required to verify authorship, but will not be published. Students must include their year and major. Faculty must include rank and department. Others include hometown. Submissions should be sent to editor@dailyegyptian.com
Who is Gus Bode?
Gus Bode was first introduced into print April 13, 1956 when the Daily Egyptian was just the Egyptian. Gus is the DE mascot, but he is also more. Gus is meant to be a voice for us, an outlet for us students when we can’t say what we want to say.
Timbersports sings to “Party Rock Anthem” Oct. 21, 2026 at Hangar 9 in Carbondale, Illinois. Daylin Williams @photosbydaylin
Wednesday, October 28, 2026
BANS
CONTINUED FROM 1
2:56 a.m. and 4:20 a.m. An incident involving mob action, criminal trespass to residence and battery reportedly occurred at 3:18 a.m. Police made two arrests outside of Mae Smith Hall on Oct. 17 and Oct. 18 just before 5 a.m. and just after 2:30 a.m. respectively, both for underage possession/ consumption of alcohol and resisting/obstructing a peace officer. A theft of less than $500 was also reported at Mae Smith on the evening of Oct. 18. An arrest was also made Monday afternoon in connection to a sexual assault that was reported to have occurred at Schneider over the weekend. Overall, there have been seven arrests at Schneider in the past five days. The last arrest at Neely Hall took place on Oct. 11 for underage possession/ consumption of alcohol. Students say the ban is unfair In collaboration with River Region News, the DE spoke with several freshmen
living on East Campus, who said they understood why housing took this action, but felt it was unfair to those who were not involved in any incidents. “I actually was going to have guests come down, and now they can’t, because somebody ruined it for the rest of us,” Cooper Thomas said. “I feel like people should be able to have guests here. Because I mean, I’m paying for my room, so I feel like I should have people come and go as they please in my room.” The email from housing came just days before Unofficial Halloween, a tradition that began after Carbondale officials in the late 1980s banned alcohol sales during the week of Halloween and sent students home for a mandatory fiveday break due to massive street parties becoming more and more dangerous. In the mid-2000s, students found a way to celebrate by getting together the week before, creating Unofficial Halloween. The email stated no guests are allowed from 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 23 to 8 p.m.
News | Page 3
Sunday, Oct. 25 and again from 5 p.m. Oct. 30 to 8 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 1. The email also said lobbies of East Campus halls will be closed at 2 a.m. during this time, and games, like billiards, will not be available between 1 a.m. and 10 a.m. Jamiya McClain, a social work major, said the ban has impacted her plans for both weekends. She said her friends from home were going to come down for the actual Halloween weekend, but they had to cancel the trip. “Even just this weekend, me and my (SIU) friends were going to do, like a preHalloween kind of thing, but now we can’t even do that, because we can’t stay over at each others’ dorms, so it’s pretty affecting us,” McClain said. It’s not yet clear how the ban will be enforced. Safety precautions differ between East and West Campus, as West Campus dorms do not have lobbies or sign-in systems. Nolan Schneider, an aviation major, said his dorm has not been reinforcing the safety measures.
SIU freshman Nolan Schneider speaks with the Daily Egyptian and River Region News about SIU’s decision to ban guests in dorms for the next two weekends Oct. 22, 2026 outside Trueblood Hall in Carbondale, Illinois. Will Elliott | River Region News
“In my experience, when you go into the towers at night, you’re supposed to swipe in with your ID, but the people at the desk, half the time, they’re just on their phones, or if you just walk past they don’t care, so if that’s the level of security, it’s kind of like, no wonder that they’re having problems,
so they should probably just vet who they’re hiring better instead of just getting people who are more interested in doing, like, their term papers at the desk than actually doing their job,” Schneider said. According to the email, which also reminded students that face coverings and masks
are not allowed, guests may be escorted from the buildings by hall staff, or DPS staff, depending on the situation. The DE will update this story as more information becomes available. Editor-in-Chief Carly Gist can be reached at cgist@dailyegyptian.com
CHOATE CONTINUED FROM 1
agencies, throughout the state, including in southern Illinois,” IDHS wrote. American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Council 31, the union representing most Choate workers, filed a lawsuit alongside Union County State’s Attorney Tyler Tripp and AFSCME Local 141 President Tina Winfield over the downsizing in September, naming Pritzker, the state of Illinois, IDHS and IDHS Secretary Dulce Quintero as defendants. The lawsuit alleged the defendants violated three state laws — the Health Facilities Planning Act, the Illinois State Facilities Closure Act and the Mental Health Inpatient Facility Access Act. The AFSCME-led lawsuit was the second filed, joining a suit filed in Union County over similar concerns. AFSCME also accused the state of backtracking on its previous assurances to state and union representatives. The state of Illinois falsely assured state and union representatives that IDHS’ budget for the current fiscal year didn’t “contemplate any layoffs,” AFSCME’s lawsuit alleges. Union County State’s Attorney Tyler Tripp also filed a lawsuit in Union County Circuit Court with Sheriff David Wilkins and Justin Emrick, the guardian of a Choate resident. Tripp’s lawsuit makes similar, broader claims to AFSCME’s, but alleges
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker answers questions about Choate Mental Health and Developmental Center on Aug. 28, 2026 after the ribbon cutting and dedication ceremony of the new Southern Illinois Multimodal Station in Carbondale, Illinois. Olivia Luesing | oluesing@dailyegyptian.com
criminal defendants awaiting state psychiatric or developmental disabilities forensic placement have often waited in county jails for weeks and that downsizing Choate would worsen pre-existing backlogs. Tripp’s lawsuit had been moved from Union County to federal U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois, but an Order of Remand back to Union County was signed on Sept. 29, court documents show. Those cases are pending. State healthcare review board, legality of Choate downsizing questioned In a joint Oct. 15 press release, Bryant and Jacobs voiced their appreciation of the retention of 25 of Choate’s psychiatric beds
but said the decision is “wholly inadequate” to meeting southern Illinois’ mental health needs. The state senators wrote that IDHS rejected SIU Medicine’s recommendation to expand psychiatric services and shortchanged Choate’s employees. Bryant told the Daily Egyptian she believes IDHS backtracked on its plans to close all 75 psychiatric beds because the department didn’t realize it needed to apply to the Health Facilities and Services Review Board to remove psychiatric services in the first place. “It is my belief they are trying to strengthen their case in the lawsuits filed by State’s Attorney Tripp and
Puzzle Answers
AFSCME because they are illegally reducing beds at a hospital,” Bryant said, a sentiment that Jacobs echoed. IDHS denied this was the case. “As stated previously, IDHS is maintaining 25 mental health beds at Choate due to the current regional needs as well as unforeseen infrastructure
needs related to the build out of additional system beds,” the representative wrote. “The decision was not based on going before the Health Facilities & Services Review Board. IDHS had already made a submission before the Board prior to modifying its original plan.” The HFSRB’s web records
show that while IDHS applied for a permit with the Board to remove Choate psychiatric beds on Sept. 25, that permit was withdrawn on Oct. 15. Staff Reporter Mack Biesk can be reached at mbiesk@dailyegyptian. com and on Instagram @mackbiesk34
Page 4
NEWS
Wednesday, October 28, 2026
Former DE editor-in-chief named College Photographer of the Year runner-up CARLY GIST Editor-in-Chief
SIU Alumna Lylee Gibbs Dominique Martinez-Powell | @d.martinezphoto
Lylee Gibbs was in the mountains of Winchester, Kentucky, when she was named runner-up of the world’s largest collegiate photojournalism competition. As a panel of judges evaluated work from students across the globe for the 81st College Photographer of the Year competition, the former Daily Egyptian editorin-chief was immersing herself in Winchester for a photojournalism workshop. The workshop came just months after her summer working in northern Kentucky as a grantee of Boyd’s Station Project 306.36. There, she
documented the everyday life of Harrison County, Kentucky, and created many of the photographs that would win big at CPOY. “I was shocked. I feel like it hasn’t fully set in,” Gibbs said. “When I heard them choose mine as runner-up, I was obviously stoked, and Julia (Rendleman, SIU photojournalism professor) called me, and I called Maddie (McCuddy), who won first, and we all were just so excited.” The College Photographer of the Year, or CPOY, competition recognizes outstanding photography, filmmaking and documentary storytelling from students around the globe in 18 categories. Gibbs is the first student from SIU to place in the overall category, which judges student portfolios. But it wasn’t just a win for SIU, it was a win for Boyd’s Station. Her roommate from over the summer, who also participated in the documentary project, won first place. “It is a program that lets you really hone in and pursue the things you want,” Gibbs said of Boyd’s
Station. “Obviously, when you’re doing the work that you enjoy and the things that you’re interested in, it’s always going to come out better, because you’re passionate about it. So I think that’s the beauty of Boyd’s Station is everyone’s leaving with work that’s really beautiful and really well done because you just get that freedom.” Gibbs said she is honored to have received the awards and is immensely grateful to the SIU Charlotte Thompson Suhler School of Journalism and Boyd’s Station for all the opportunities they gave her. In addition to being recognized for her portfolio, Gibbs received accolades in four individual categories at CPOY. She was named a finalist in the feature, sports action and portrait categories for her photos “Car Wash,” “Pig Wrestle” and “Neighborhood Bike Club,” respectively. She earned two Awards of Excellence in the Domestic Picture Story category: One for “A farmer’s devotion,” which she created during her time at Boyd’s Station, and for
Raelynne Beamon, 4, washes her toy car with a water hose outside of their home at the Delta Court trailer park on Friday, August 7, 2026 in Cynthiana, Kentucky. This photo was a finalist in the feature category of CPOY. Lylee Gibbs | @lyleegibbsphoto “Life at 99,” a photo story about 99-year-old Kenny Moore that she created during the 2026 SIU Weekend Photojournalism Workshop in Murphysboro. “The judges commented on how sensitive her storytelling was and how she handled that story so well,” Rendleman, who led the SIU workshop and watched the judging of CPOY over Zoom, said. “It just made me really proud of Lylee and
what we’re doing here in the program.” Rendleman said Gibbs’ wins were a testament to her tenacity, and she has faith other students can accomplish the same feats. “I tell the students in the beginning (photojournalism) class, ‘Don’t be discouraged. You know what a good picture is and you’re striving to make it. Your skill doesn’t get you there yet, but keep pushing,’” Rendleman said.
“It’s just a little bit at a time. Lylee got an internship at St. Louis (Public Radio in 2025), and then at Boyd’s Station, and all those things helped advance her to the place where she could get runner-up in College Photographer of the Year. It’s an option for every one of our students.” Editor-in-Chief Carly Gist can be reached at cgist@dailyegyptian.com
Du Quoin Impact Facility 3-year closure may become permanent MORRIGAN CAREY Staff Reporter Members of the public and state officials discussed the potential permanent closure of the Du Quoin Impact Facility in an Oct. 21 Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability meeting, known as CGFA. The commission is also considering closure of Greene County Work Camp and Clayton Work Camp, in White Hall and Camp Point, Illinois, respectively. Those closures were discussed in meetings on Oct. 22 at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m., respectively. CGFA votes on its official recommendation during the legislative veto session. Department of Corrections Director Layota Hughes said permanently closing the Du Quoin facility will not affect the Impact Incarceration Program. The facility has not been in use since a 2023 memorandum of understanding or official agreement with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees union, citing health and staffing concerns arising from COVID-19. The facility’s population was moved into
the Murphysboro Life Skills Reentry Facility and its staff reassigned to the Pinckneyville Correctional Center without layoffs. The Impact Incarceration Program is a Department of Corrections program where individuals convicted of nonviolent crimes can be sentenced to a separate facility from the general prison population, sometimes referred to as “boot camp.” There, they work on community service projects such as plowing streets after heavy snowfall, setting up Christmas lights in the Du Quoin State Fairgrounds, or cleaning up after events like the Du Quoin State Fair and Murphysboro Apple Festival. The meeting was led by the CGFA co-chairs, State Sen. David Koehler, D-Peoria Heights, and State Rep. Christopher Davidsmeyer, R-Jacksonville, and was joined by State Reps. Paul Jacobs, R-Marion, and David Friess, R-Red Bud, and State Sens. Donald Dewitte, R-West Dundee, and Terri Bryant, R-Murphysboro. Before entering politics, Bryant was a public service administrator
at Pinckneyville Correctional Center and the Du Quoin Impact Facility. Bryant said that at the height of operation, the facility had as many as 12 work crews out at a time, constituting roughly 144 individuals helping in communities across southern Illinois. She said the Impact Incarceration Program helped participants despite political contention surrounding prison labor. “During different bills that come through the Senate, people are referring to slave labor and so forth,” Bryant said. “My experience at the Du Quoin boot camp included the day that they graduated from that program, a day when a lot of those young men were from the Chicagoland area, and their families came here to Du Quoin … So families who brought a couple dozen roses celebrated the fact that, in many cases, this was the first time in their family’s history that this young person, this young man, had accomplished anything. Often they could get their education while they were here.” A primary concern among the commission was that the
Department of Corrections should have a plan for the facility before it is handed over to Illinois Central Management Services. Davidsmeyer said his hometown of Jacksonville used to house the Jacksonville Development Center, a mental health asylum that closed in 2012. “I’ve seen it when they come through, and they say, ‘Do you want us to board up the windows now or do you want us to board them up later?’” Davidsmeyer said. “There has to be a plan on what you do with a facility that you close because you can’t just leave it to fester in the community.” Du Quoin Mayor Josh Downs shared Davidsmeyer’s concerns about having a plan for the facility. He said the city has an issue with vagrancy and homelessness, which may become a problem if the Impact Facility is left abandoned. “I don’t want the facility, just as Rep. Davidsmeyer talked about, just to go to waste,” Downs said. “It’s one of the newer facilities. 1994 is a newer facility in terms of government buildings, as we all know. One use could be as a pretrial juvenile detention facility, because there
is no longer one in southern Illinois. The closest one was in Benton, Franklin County, but it closed three or four years ago.” One community speaker at the event was Chuck Stout, a staff representative for the labor union AFSCME Council 31. Stout, who worked previously as a correctional officer at the Du Quoin Impact Facility, said the Department of Corrections intended the 2023 closure to be permanent, despite assurances otherwise. “The memorandum of understanding was designed to give us time to figure out what to do with the facilities that we couldn’t keep open because of the health care crisis that we were in,” Stout said. “At no time during those negotiations, even though we repeatedly asked the department if their intent was to close these facilities, did they respond with a yes. Every time we talked about it, they said, at worst, we would repurpose them. We believed them, and we still believe that there was intent to close them all along, but they wanted to avoid this process for as long as possible.” Stout said the “boot camp” program was important for the rehabilitation of participants,
and insisted that what they provided was not comparable to the Murphysboro facility, calling the Murphysboro program a “good-time machine” that gets individuals through the system as fast as possible with no accountability. He suggested that participation numbers may rise if the program was reformed and became a more appealing sentence for judges presiding over nonviolent crimes. He said this would help issues with reoffenders, which may arise by sending these individuals to medium-security prisons. “When we put low-medium security inmates at highmedium security facilities like Pinckneyville and Western and other places like that, the inmates who aren’t generally a problem suddenly start becoming a problem because they’re being influenced by all the folks there. When we keep them at a camp separate, where most of the people there are minimum and most of them want to stay in the program, the security problems are far less,” Stout said. Staff Reporter Morrigan Carey can be reached at mcarey@dailyegyptian.com
Grey Dawg and Brown Dawg are here to stay USG fails bill that would change SIU mascots’ names NOAH PETSCHKE Sports Editor
The SIU Undergraduate Student Government voted overwhelmingly against a bill that would have changed SIU’s mascots’ names to King Tut and Cleopatra. USG voted after just over 11 minutes of conversation in its Oct.
20 meeting to fail the bill, keeping Grey Dawg and Brown Dawg the same. Former River Radio general manager Steve Falat proposed the name change and a costume alteration to USG in April 2026. Along with the suggested changes, a mockup including a drawing and an AI-
generated image depicting the new mascots in stereotypical Egyptian attire was provided. USG President Greyson Applebee said the bill itself would solely change the names, not the appearance or costumes of the mascots. “That’s what Steve asked us initially: to
at least get the names changed; that’s what is on the bill,” Applebee said. Various USG members held tabling events on campus to gather student opinion on the potential changes. At-large senator Nadia Ogiela cited the Daily Egyptian’s polls on its website and Instagram at the meeting, both of which
showed staggering opposition to the change. Twenty-four hours after the DE posted a story about the proposed changes, 190 people responded to the poll on Instagram, with 172 voting “No” and 18 voting “Yes.” Since the poll’s closure on the DE’s website, there were a total of 199 voters, 176 of
whom voted “No” and 23 voted “Yes.” “If we vote yes or anything other than failing it, then we are going against the students and their opinions,” Ogiela said. Sports Editor Noah Petschke can be reached at npetschke@dailyegyptian.com
Wednesday, October 28, 2026
News | Page 5
Flying Salukis jet off to Indiana to defend 14-year consecutive regional title BRYLEE WILLIAMS Staff Photographer SIU’s competitive aviation team, the Flying Salukis, seeks to defend their 14-year run as regional title holders at the 2026 National Intercollegiate Flying Association (NIFA) Region VIII SAFECON competition. The Flying Salukis will compete at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana, from Oct. 26-29. The 2026-27 Flying Salukis are a young team, following a successful 2024-25 season led by senior members. Now, nearly half of the current team
are freshmen members ready to take on the challenge. “We have to take those people under our wing and develop them,” senior captain Thomas Nguyen said. “We want to do better than we did last year.” The young Flying Salukis team hopes to maintain the legacy and extend their 14-year streak of consecutive regional titles. Winning the regional competition would allow the team to advance to the National NIFA competition in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, in the spring of
2027. NIFA’s SAFECON is the highest level of competition for collegiate aviation in the nation. The Flying Salukis are 10-time national champions. “There is a level of pressure because there’s an expectation,” freshman team member Ethan Wildman said. “It’s a good expectation because it forces you to try harder.” Staff Photographer Brylee Williams can be reached at bwilliams@dailyegyptian.com and on Instagram @bryleemacmedia
Senior Flying Salukis captain Thomas Nguyen pilots an airplane, flying above the town October 2026 in Murphysboro, Illinois. Brylee Williams | @bryleemacmedia
Junior Flying Salukis teammate Luke Barry practices inspecting an airplane in a low-light enviornment October 2026 at the Southern Illinois Airport in Murphysboro, Illinois. Brylee Williams | @bryleemacmedia
Freshman Flying Salukis teammate Gillian Anderson holds a bundle of wooden message blocks October 2026. The names of current and former Flying Salukis decorate the blocks. Brylee Williams | @bryleemacmedia
Happy Hour Friday The Flying Salukis team walks out to the landing strip to begin practice September 2026 at the Southern Illinois Airport in Murphysboro, Illinois. Brylee Williams | @bryleemacmedia
4:00-6:00 PM 1/2 PRICE DRINKS AND $3 OFF ALL APPS Live Music Featuring
Todd Pierson Senior Flying Salukis Captain Thomas Nguyen practices with a flight simulator October 2026 at the Glenn Poshard Transportation Education Center. Flight Simulation is one of the competition categories at the SAFECON competition. Brylee Williams | @bryleemacmedia
FRIDAY OCT 16 6:00-8:00 PM
OPEN EARLY SATURDAY AT 9 AM FOR ANYONE WANTING TO FUEL UP BEFORE THE PARADE
WE WILL ALSO BE SHOWING THE GAME HERE FOR ANYONE NOT GOING TO THE STADIUM! Tres Hombres Sports Bar & Restaurant Contact & Location: Senior Flying Salukis Captain James Cone prepares to score his fellow teammate on their landing at the Southern Illinois Airport in September, 2026 in Murphysboro, Illinois. Brylee Williams | @bryleemacmedia
(618) 457-3308 119 N Washington St, Carbondale, IL 62901
Page 6
Wednesday, October 28, 2026
Entertainment and Culture
Green Earth’s glowing gourds come to life at annual Pumpkin Glow DAYLIN WILLIAMS Staff Photographer Carbondale residents strolled through the Green Earth Oakland Nature Preserve this past weekend to observe over a thousand glowing pumpkins. People of all ages walked through the short hiking trail set in the preserve Thursday, the first night of the annual Pumpkin Glow. The trail, lined with all kinds of custom-faced carved pumpkins. Local volunteers of all ages contributed to the event by carving pumpkins into pop culture references, notable figures, classic faces and many non-personified designs. The pumpkin art is collected by the preserve to be displayed with flameless LED candles. Many visitors said the glow experience is best at the event’s darkest hour. “My son paints a pumpkin with the school, we come all so we can see the painted pumpkins in the daylight. Then when you go through in the dark with the glow, it is a totally different experience than walking through in the day,” Carbondale resident Tara Spice said.
The Pumpkin Glow is a tradition in Carbondale that is held once a year near Halloween. It is popular among families and encourages residents to use the small nature preserves tucked into Carbondale neighborhoods. “The whole community comes together to host a pretty magical event where we line one of our hiking trails with about a thousand pumpkins. We do it for three days, and it’s really just geared for family fun, but those pumpkins can be gorgeous,” Director Stephanie Eichholz said. Eichholz said the experience is best at later hours. When attendees are finished, they can find themselves browsing through a baked goods booth, listening to the band Marty Merril and Candy Davis, or riding back to their vehicle via hay ride. Staff Photographer Daylin Williams can be reached at dwilliams@dailyegyptian.com or on Instagram @photosbydaylin
Demetri Grey and Mateo De La Cruz-Grey walk through Green Earth’s Annual Pumpkin Glow Oct. 22, 2026 in Carbondale, Illinois. Daylin Williams | @photosbydaylin
Group of residents take a selfie near the beginning of Green Earth’s Annual Pumpkin Glow Oct. 22, 2026 in Carbondale, Illinois. Daylin Williams | @photosbydaylin
Row of locally sourced carved pumpkins at Green Earth’s Annual Pumpkin Glow Oct. 22, 2026 in Carbondale, Illinois Daylin Williams | @photosbydaylin
Carbondale Thrift Shop hosts fantasy-style Arts ‘N Crap faire NAZARENE LACE Staff Photographer
The Carbondale Thrift Shop shut down a stretch of East Jackson Street. for its Ye Olde Arts ‘N Crap Fantasy Faire on Saturday, Oct. 24. Jam-heavy riffs of the Grateful Dead mixed with medieval instrumental sounds drifted behind the thrift shop. Attendees walked through the crowd in sparkly fairy wings, horns, painted antennae and elaborate bug costumes. The event served as a vibrant haven for Carbondale’s creative souls, offering a space where self-expression was joyfully celebrated. More than just a resale store, The Carbondale Thrift Shop has long stood as an essential community hub, providing accessible resources, supporting mutual aid, and continuously fostering safe, inclusive spaces for local artists and marginalized groups. Saturday’s faire was a direct extension of that mission, bringing people together through shared art, grassroots organizing and mutual support. Rather than leaning on a single headlining act, the stage showcased a continuous, rotating lineup of local acoustic performers, indie acts, and community musicians including Wild Burgers, Honey On Uke, Flat Palm
That Feeds You, Apocalypstic, Fruit Fruit, Duo Duh, Hornworms and Ectones. A 20-year-old tortoise named Bongo casually navigated the grounds, pausing for greetings with passersby. Bongo is a giant tortoise frequently featured as a special guest and attraction during community festivals hosted or co-sponsored by the shop, such as the “Arts ‘N Crap” carnival and other festival events. Food was available from local vendors, such as Caribbean Hut and some homemade treats from tents. Fairgoers browsed tables that were packed with crafts, thrifted oddities and original art. Among the featured local makers was Julie Weinert, an SIU professor, who displayed Band Flat Palm to Feed You performs on stage Oct. 24, 2026 at Arts N’ Crap in Carbondale, Illinois. and sold her watercolor paintings alongside fellow Nazarene Lace | @nazarenelace artisans. Attendees danced while The Famous 20-year-old tortoise Bongo eats grass local tarot readers read fortunes Oct. 24, 2026 at the Thrift Shop in Carbondale, Illinois. during personal sessions. Nazarene Lace | @nazarenelace Nearby, a pop-up artist tent applied custom, shimmering tooth gems at her stand, ensuring that anyone who wished to sparkle left with a little extra dazzle in their smile. Staff Photographer Nazarene Lace can be reached at nlace@ dailyegyptian.com or on socials @nazarenelace
Wednesday, October 28, 2026
Entertainment and Culture | Page 7
Trick-or-treaters take over The Strip for Carbondale’s candy walk OLIVIA LUESING Staff Photographer Local businesses brought Halloween festivities to downtown Carbondale on Saturday Oct. 24, for their annual candy walk, drawing participants in with treats and spooky activities. Clad in their Halloween costumes, kids explored The Strip to collect candy and enjoy time with friends and family. Witches, princesses and horror movie characters filled their trick-or-treat buckets until they were brimming with sweets. Nico Recuero came dressed as Emmet from “The Lego Movie,” with his parents, Justin and Nikki Recuero, dressed
as Lego bricks. They made the costumes themselves, and this was their first candy walk in three years. As guardians rallied their young ones, they moved from the street to Artspace 304 for arts and crafts and the Varsity Center for free face painting and professional photos by photographer Aimee Wigfall. Laughter floated down The Strip as trick-ortreaters showed off their costumes and experienced a classic Halloween activity ahead of the official holiday. Staff Photographer Olivia Luesing can be reached at oluesing@dailyegyptian.com Kids reach for markers as they complete a Halloween-themed craft Oct. 24, 2026 outside Artspace 304 during the annual candy walk in Carbondale, Illinois. Olivia Luesing | oluesing@dailyegyptian.com
Gabriela Johnson smiles as she chats with her family Oct. 24, 2026 outside Artspace 304 during the annual candy walk in Carbondale, Illinois. Olivia Luesing | oluesing@dailyegyptian.com
Mi Journee Gails sits back as her face is painted to look like a unicorn Oct. 24, 2026 at the Varsity Center during the candy walk in Carbondale, Illinois. Olivia Luesing | oluesing@dailyegyptian.com
Nico Recuero colors in a Halloween-themed craft Oct. 24, 2026 outside Artspace 304 during the candy walk in Carbondale, Illinois. Olivia Luesing | oluesing@dailyegyptian.com
More moments from the Great Pumpkin Race
Pumpkins racing in The Great Carbondale Pumpkin Race roll down the track Oct. 24, 2026 on Mill Street in Carbondale, Illinois. Olivia Luesing | oluesing@dailyegyptian.com
Olen Feather (right) shows off his prize for winning The Great Carbondale Pumpkin Race Oct. 24, 2026 on Mill Street in Carbondale, Illinois. Olivia Luesing | oluesing@dailyegyptian.com
Participants of The Great Carbondale Pumpkin Race line up to release their pumpkins Oct. 24, 2026 on Mill Street in Carbondale, Illinois. Olivia Luesing | oluesing@dailyegyptian.com
Page 8 | Entertainment and Culture
Wednesday, October 28, 2026
Carbondale businesses collaborate for Halloween Costume Bar Crawl ZOREN ANAKO JRNL 201
12 Carbondale businesses across downtown are setting aside competition to collaborate on a costume contest and bar crawl on Halloween to ‘revive the vibe’ and bring activity back to the city’s downtown entertainment scene. The individual winner will receive a $10 gift card from each participating business, while the winning team will receive a $15 gift card. The event was developed by Booby’s Bar and Sandwich’s owner Abe Traverso and Carbondale Main Street board member Dylan Chambers, through the newly formed CHEERS committee. CHEERS stands for Carbondale Hospitality Eateries Entertainment Representation & Spirits, a coalition of local businesses and venue representatives working to coordinate events and promote downtown activity. Participating locations include Lost Forest, The Park, Buckwater Brew Works, Hangar 9, Traxx, Oakland Station, The Varsity Center, Indigo, Tres Hombres, PK’s, The Cellar and Booby’s. “We felt that collectively it would be better for this town if all of us, instead of trying to compete against each other, sat at the same table and worked together,” Traverso said. Organizers said the
bar crawl is the first major project to emerge from the committee’s collaborative efforts. Members include representatives from several participating businesses and venues on and around the Strip, including Traxx, Levels, The Park, The Cellar, The Varsity Center, PK’s, Oakland Station, Tres Hombres, Hangar 9 and Indigo Lounge. “We had decided about trying to get some type of involvement back with actual Halloween, and we thought this would be a really good idea to try,” Chambers said. Traverso said the committee was created out of a desire among business owners to work together rather than compete against one another. “The overall goal is to revive that vibe and recover that community feeling, that fun atmosphere that Carbondale was known for,” Traverso said. The Halloween Costume Bar Crawl will take place from 2 to 7 p.m. Oct. 31 and is open to participants ages 21 and older. Participants may enter the competition individually or as part of a team, who will then visit all 12 participating locations with a punch card to be signed at each stop, and submit a photo to @halloween. cdale on Instagram by 7 p.m. on Nov. 1 to be
included in the costume contest. Winners will be determined by public voting through Instagram likes. For participating business owners, the event represents more than a costume contest. “Anytime there’s a chance to collaborate, I’m going to do it because I think all the business uniting together and promoting businesses just brings more business downtown, and it makes it more fun for people outside the community to come here and experience what we have going on,” Walter Witkewitz, owner of PK’s, said. Cory Fehrenbacher, owner of Oakland Station, said events like the bar crawl will help connect businesses across Carbondale while introducing visitors to locations they may not otherwise visit. “We’re always trying to collaborate with our friends and the other bar owners and get involved with downtown more,” Fehrenbacher said. Fehrenbacher, an SIU alumnus who recently returned to Carbondale and opened Oakland Station, said community events played a major role in shaping his college experiences while he was enrolled. “Part of the reason we wanted to come back
Artspace celebrates Día de los Muertos AMILIA ESTRADA Staff Photographer
Colorful sugar skulls, decorated altars and photographs of loved ones are among the traditions that bring Dia de los Muertos to life, offering a way to remember those who have died while celebrating the connections they leave behind. Southern Illinois Art Space is hosting two exhibitions to honor the Mexican tradition. Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is traditionally observed Nov. 1-2. The holiday draws on Indigenous traditions and Catholic observances and honors deceased family members and friends through offerings, food, flowers, photographs and other meaningful objects. Artspace Southern Illinois, a nonprofit cultural arts organization located on Carbondale’s Strip, is highlighting the holiday through the work of student photojournalists and local artists. The art shows are displayed at two locations: “Estamos Aqui” at ArtSpace 607 and “Ecos de Alma” at ArtSpace 304. The exhibitions aim to highlight the experiences of Hispanic, Latino and Chicano communities in southern Illinois. “Estamos Aqui” or “We are Here,” is a photographic exhibition of a 2024 weekend workshop in Cobden and Alto Pass led by photojournalist and assistant professor at SIU Julia Rendleman. Students in her class, including Daily Egyptian staff, documented everyday
life in the Cobden and Alto Pass community, capturing the people and experiences that shape it. “Ecos del Alma,” which translates to “Echoes of the Soul,” contains pieces from curator Antonio Martinez’s private collection, as well as art from local artists and schoolchildren. The exhibition includes contemporary Chicano art, traditional folk art, prints and photography exploring spirituality, cultural traditions, family and memory. Martinez said the exhibition was inspired in part by the current climate surrounding the Chicano community and increased attention on immigration enforcement. He wanted to bring attention to the community’s cultural traditions while giving artists an opportunity to represent themselves and share their experiences. One of the exhibition’s central pieces is an altar honoring people who died in immigration detention centers. Martinez created a composite image using the faces of about 20 people who died in detention, combining them into a single image resembling a spiritual figure. An overlay based on facial-recognition technology references surveillance and raises questions about how citizens and noncitizens are monitored and treated. The altar also includes marigolds, which traditionally guide the spirits of loved ones to an ofrenda, along with candles and other offerings. A second altar features the students’
milagro hands, connecting their work to the exhibition’s themes of spirituality, transformation and hope. “I think it matters to add an exhibition to present the humanity for this community, myself included,” Martinez said. Both ArtSpace galleries also feature milagros, or miracles in Spanish, created by students from schools across southern Illinois. Milagros are devotional objects associated with prayers, wishes, gratitude and hopes for healing or protection. The pieces on display take the form of hands made from carved wood or cardboard and decorated with metal charms representing wishes or petitions. Martinez, said Jody Paulson, a clinical associate professor and head of SIU’s art education program, worked with several school districts to develop lessons about the history of milagros. Students then created their own pieces, with some using school woodshops to carve the hands and others working with cardboard. Together, the exhibitions and community events invite residents to look beyond the familiar imagery associated with Dia de los Muertos and consider the lives, histories and traditions behind the celebration. “I can’t imagine a forest that’s only comprised of one species of trees,” Martinez said. “You need more than just one homogeneous species to thrive.” Staff Photographer Amilia Estrada can be reached at aestrada@dailyegyptian.com
Students dressed for Unofficial Halloween watch sports games above the bar at The Park Oct. 24, 2026 in Carbondale, Illinois. Daylin Williams | @photosbydaylin
is because we just love this place, and I feel like it’s things like this that make future alumni fall in love with it and want to come back,” Fehrenbacher said. Organizers also emphasized the importance of responsible participation. Traverso said participating establishments are staffed by BASSETtrained employees and have coordinated with local officials to ensure the event runs smoothly and safely. The event also aims to capitalize on Carbondale’s walkable downtown, allowing participants to travel between locations on foot. Carbondale used to shut down Illinois Avenue for family-friendly Halloween
street parties before riots and mayhem in the 2000s ended the tradition. Halloween restrictions were lifted in 2013, and the holiday festivities grew. However, the campus has banned dorm guests for Halloween this year after several incidents on East Campus during Homecoming. “Carbondale historically had an awesome Halloween until it didn’t have Halloween anymore,” Traverso said. “It’s exciting to see Halloween reignited again in Carbondale.” For Chambers, the most rewarding part may simply be seeing more people back on downtown sidewalks. “Seeing how alive the
town could be is what I’m most excited about,” Chambers said. Traverso said the longterm goal extends beyond a single Halloween event. “When everything is stagnant, there’s no movement and there’s nothing fun to do,” Traverso said. “The overall goal is to revive that vibe and recover that community feeling that Carbondale was known for.” This story was published in collaboration with JRNL 201: Writing Across Platforms. Zoren Anako can be reached at zanako@dailyegyptian.com and on Instagram @thezorenreport
Wednesday, October 28, 2026
Page 9
SPORTS
Salukis suffer first MVC loss, fall 4-2 to Drake AARON CARNAHAN Sports Reporter
The top two teams in the Missouri Valley Conference matched up on Sunday, Oct. 25 at Lew Hartzog Track & Field Complex. The Salukis entered the match in first place in the MVC at 12-2 overall, and a perfect 6-0 in MVC play. Southern Illinois came in on a program-record 11-match winning streak, as well as being 6-0 at home, another programrecord. Drake came in as the second team in the MVC, with a 4-0-2 record in the conference, and a 9-3-3 record on the season. The Salukis struck first, scoring a goal in the sixth minute of the match. SIU forward Maya Dixon found open space in the bottom left of the goal, scoring off of her right foot. Forward Victoria Hassan was credited with the assist on the Dixon goal. Dixon has scored eight goals this season and gave the Dawgs a 1-0 advantage early in the first half.
Veronica Gonzalez (7) watches as the ball flies towards her during a match against the Drake Bulldogs Oct. 25, 2026 at at the Lew Hartzog Field in Carbondale, Illinois. Riley Sembler | @riley_sembler
The Salukis added to their lead at the 20th minute. SIU forward Katrina Young scored, with midfielder Dana Nadda picking up the assist. Southern Illinois was leading 2-0. Drake responded at the 29th minute with a goal,
cutting the Saluki lead in half. The score was 2-1 in favor of SIU heading into halftime. The Bulldogs scored again in the 46th minute, knotting the match up at 2-2. Drake took the lead in the 61st minute with another goal to take their
first lead of the match. The Salukis trailed the Bulldogs 3-2. Drake extended their advantage with a goal at the 67th minute to go up 4-2 over Southern Illinois. The Bulldogs went on to defeat the Salukis by a final score of 4-2.
The Salukis historic winning streak ended at 11 consecutive matches. SIU falls to 12-3 overall with a 6-1 record in conference. However, even with the loss, the Salukis remain in first place in the conference. The Bulldogs improve to 5-0-2 in the MVC, and
10-3-3 overall. Southern Illinois will be back in action on Sunday, Nov. 1, at Lew Hartzog Track & Field Complex against the Northern Iowa Panthers. Sports Reporter Aaron Carnahan can be reached at acarnahan@dailyegyptian.com
SIU women’s basketball welcomes new faces, gears up for 2026-27 season NOAH PETSCHKE Sports Editor
With only five players returning from the 202526 season, SIU’s women’s basketball will turn to some new faces to propel its upcoming campaign. The Salukis finished ninth in Missouri Valley Conference standings last season at 7-13. Including
nonconference bouts, the Dawgs ended 10-20. While still in the latter half of the standings, the team more than doubled its overall win total from the previous year (4-26). Head Coach Kelly BondWhite enters her fifth season with the Salukis this year. In each of her five seasons as head coach,
the Dawgs finished below .500, but a much different squad from last year looks to flip the script. Four Salukis made the MVC list for players to watch this upcoming season. Returning guards Kayla Cooper and Kynnedi Davis graced the list ahead of their senior seasons. Guards
Braxcynn Baker and Shakara McCline also made the list as Saluki newcomers. Cooper played strong two-way ball last season, racking up a team-leading 47 steals to go along with 10.8 points per game. Davis enters her second season with the Dawgs after tallying 45
assists in her first season. In just over 13 minutes a game last season for conference rival Murray State, Baker recorded 4.3 points per game and shot 28.6% beyond the three-point line. McCline is going into her senior season after posting a 36.4% three-point percentage at the University of Illinois Chicago last year.
The Salukis begin their regular season on Tuesday, Nov. 3, at home against the University of Illinois Springfield. Conference play starts on Dec. 20 on the road against Drake University. Sports Editor Noah Petschke can be reached at npetschke@dailyegyptian.com
Salukis charge into 2026-27 men’s basketball season AARON CARNAHAN Sports Editor
Southern Illinois men’s basketball has a lot of new faces under head coach Scott Nagy heading into the 20262027 season. Last season SIU went 16-16 overall, and 1010 in Missouri Valley Conference play. Six players from the previous year’s roster returned for Southern Illinois.
Most notably, 6-foot-4 sophomore guard Jalen Haynes returns for the Salukis. Last season, Haynes averaged 7.9 points per game to go along with 2.4 rebounds per game. Max Pikaar, a 7-foot junior forward, returns as well as 6-foot-10 junior center Jaheem Webber. Webber and Pikaar bring some size off the bench to the Southern
Illinois roster. Pikaar appeared in 27 games and Webber in 19. Nagy brought 6-foot-6 junior Brock McClure. McClure transferred in from a Division I junior college in Utah last season, where he averaged 15.2 ppg and 9.1 rpg. McClure brings versatility and can play as a guard or a forward. Graduate student Donovan Hill transferred
to SIU after averaging 16.3 ppg and 8.3 ppg at a division two school in Florida last season. Hill brings size to the forward position at 6-foot-8-inches tall. After averaging 20.7 ppg and 8.4 rpg at an NAIA school in Indiana, Jaxson Fugate transferred to Southern Illinois. Fugate is a 6-foot6 junior who can play either guard or forward. Seven players on the
Salukis’ roster are widow. The Salukis were not picked in the top six teams in the MVC preseason favorite poll. Murray State is the favorite to finish first, with Illinois State coming in second, and the University of Illinois Chicago rounding out the top three. Southern Illinois will begin the season on Monday, Nov. 2, at home at the Banterra Center
against Maryville. The Salukis will play in the Paradise Jam outside of the continental United States in the U.S. Virgin Islands, with the first game beginning on Friday, Nov. 20. MVC play will begin on Friday, Dec. 18, with SIU hosting Northern Iowa at the Banterra Center. Sports Reporter Aaron Carnahan can be reached at acarnahan@dailyegyptian.com
Vote 3
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Page 11 | Sports
Wednesday, October 28, 2026
Salukis defeat Panthers 20-17 on a walk-off winner AARON CARNAHAN Sports Reporter
The Salukis came out in all-black uniforms on the field, while fans wore all black in the stands to support the Blackout Cancer theme. The Salukis hosted the 3-3 Northern Iowa Panthers on Saturday, Oct. 24 at Saluki Stadium. All the Panthers enter at 3-1 in Missouri Valley Conference play. The Dawgs are 1-3 in MVC play, 3-5 overall, entering on a threegame losing streak. Northern Iowa won the toss and decided to defer. SIU received the opening kick, and quarterback DJ Williams and the Saluki offense began the game with the ball. For the third straight game the Salukis went for it on fourth down. SIU was unable to convert, and UNI took over. The Panthers set up to attempt a 35-yard field goal. The kick was no good, missing wide left. The score remained tied at 0-0 about halfway through the first quarter. Williams’ pass was intercepted by UNI. However, a late hit on Williams pushed the Panthers back 15-yards from the spot of the interception. Northern Iowa found the end zone first on a three-yard touchdown pass. The extra point was successful, and the Panthers took the lead 7-0 late in the first quarter. END OF Q1: UNI 7, SIU 0 After a targeting penalty on UNI, the Saluki offense was set up
with good field position. Williams scrambled for an 18-yard rushing touchdown, his seventh rushing touchdown this season. Kicker Weston Schofield’s point after try was good, and the game was knotted up at 7-7. The Salukis attempted some trickery late in the second quarter. Setting up like they were going to attempt a field goal, and then tried to run a fake. The trick play came up short. The score remained tied at 7-7. Linebacker Ben Fiegel intercepted a pass and returned it all the way to the UNI 12-yard line. The Fiegel interception led to a 21-yard field goal attempt from Schofield. Schofield’s kick was good, and the Salukis took a 10-7 lead into the locker room. HALFTIME: SIU 10, UNI 7 The Panthers received the kick to begin the second half. After a 15-play, 65-yard drive, the Panthers lined up to attempt a 32-yard field goal to tie the game. The field goal was good, and SIU and UNI were tied just over halfway through the third quarter. The Saluki offense took over putting together a 12-play, 75-yard drive that ended with Williams diving into the end zone for his second rushing touchdown of the game. After the seven-yard rushing touchdown from Williams, Schofield came out and made the extra point. The Salukis took a 1710 advantage late in the third quarter.
Gavin Shepard (0) grabs the leg of UNI player Ben Gordon (14) while being stepped on by Gordon and Ronelle Johnson (93) running towards them Oct. 24, 2026 at Saluki Stadium in Carbondale, Illinois. Peyton Cook | @cookmeavisual
The Saluki defense continued to make plays forcing a fumble. UNI recovered and retained possession. END OF Q3: SIU 17, UNI 10 A targeting penalty extended the drive for Northern Iowa. UNI went for it on fourth-and-two from the Saluki 42-yard line, but the SIU defense shut them down, taking over on offense early in the fourth quarter. Southern Illinois was forced to punt back to Northern Iowa. The Panthers drove down the field into Saluki territory, taking a lot of time off the clock. UNI converted a fourthand-seven, and a roughing the passer penalty added
15 additional yards to the end of the play. The Panthers scored on a six-yard touchdown pass, converting for the fourth time on fourth down in the game. The extra point was good and the game was tied at 17-17. Both of UNI’s touchdowns came on fourth down. Late in the fourth quarters, Williams and the Saluki offense had a chance to win the game. Williams led a nineplay, 49-yard drive to set up a game-winning field goal attempt from 31 yards out. Schofield’s attempt is good. The kick sailed through the uprights while time expired to secure a 20-17 victory for SIU.
FINAL: SIU 20, UNI 17 The Salukis snap their three-game losing streak. Moving to 4-5 overall, and 2-3 in the MVC. The Panthers fall to 3-4 overall, and 3-2 in conference play. Williams finished 12/21, 112 yards, 0 TD 1 INT. Williams was the leading rusher for the Salukis with 89 yards on 14 carries and two TDs. “Nobody believes we can make the playoffs, but I still believe ... This team is still fighting for something,” Williams said at the postgame press conference. SIU Head Coach Nick Hill praised Williams for his performance post-game. “DJ did a great job of pulling some things down and then
running…. That was a gutsy performance,” Hill said. The leading receiver for SIU was wide receiver Traivon Dyson, with two catches for 31 yards. Saluki Defensive end Ibrahim Sanogo finished the game with a sack, and 4.5 tackles for a loss. Hill talked post-game about Sanogo’s leadership in the locker room during halftime. “Abe’s message was perfect. It inspired me,” Hill said. Southern Illinois has a bye week next week, before returning to action in two weeks on the road against the Indiana State Sycamores on Saturday, Nov. 7. Sports Reporter Aaron Carnahan can be reached at acarnahan@dailyegyptian.com
SIU volleyball drops 7th straight, loses to Redbirds and Racers NOAH PETSCHKE Sports Editor
At the end of five sets, an attack error sealed a match victory for Murray State and the seventh consecutive loss for the Salukis. The Salukis entered another weekend slate of Missouri Valley Conference matches on Oct. 23-24. On Friday,
the Salukis hosted the Illinois State Redbirds and dropped the match in three sets. On Saturday, the Dawgs took on the Murray State Racers at home and lost in five sets. Oct. 23: SIU 0, ISU 3 Looking to snap a five-match losing streak, the Salukis took on the Redbirds, who hold the
Ella McFarland (4) cradles the ball during pregame warmups Oct. 24, 2026 in Davies Hall in Carbondale, Illinois. Riley Sembler | @riley_sembler
third-best record in the conference. The Dawgs could not stop Illinois State, getting swept on Friday night. Set 1: ISU 25, SIU 20 The two conference rivals played back-and-forth til midway through the set. Two four-point runs were more than enough to propel the Redbirds to a Set 1 win. Set 2: ISU 25, SIU 17 An attack error on ISU brought the Salukis within a point. The Redbirds’ offense turned on the jets, going on a remarkable nine-point run. Outside hitter McKenzie Moeller notched five kills in the set, but the early ISU lead was too much to overcome. Set 3: ISU 25, SIU 16 Similar to the previous two sets, a couple of extended ISU runs made it difficult for the Dawgs to gain any ground. The Redbirds took Set 3 and swept the Dawgs. Oct. 24: MSU 3, SIU 2 Set 1: MSU 25, SIU 22 Despite an early SIU lead, the Races found themselves on the verge of a first-set victory with a late 23-18 lead. The Dawgs strung together four late points,
Alexandria Arrington (8) yells and smiles along side her teammates Oct. 24, 2026 in Davies Hall in Carbondale, Illinois. Riley Sembler | @riley_sembler
but Murray State beat them to 25, taking the set. Set 2: MSU 23, SIU 25 The Racers gained an early 9-4 lead off of multiple SIU errors. A service ace from setter Ella McFarland gave the Dawgs their first lead of the set. With a 24-23 score, middle blocker Chloe Anderson mashed a kill, securing the first set victory of the weekend for the Salukis. Set 3: MSU 25, SIU 20 The Salukis were down 11-7 in the set before going
on a run fueled by three kills and two blocks that brought them up by two. The Racers answered right back with a 9-1 run, enough to secure the set victory. Set 4: MSU 16, SIU 25 The Salukis went on the attack early, scoring four of their first five points by kills. Two Racers’ errors put the Dawgs up big midway through the set. Moeller racked up seven kills in the set en route to a victory 25-16. Set 5: MSU 15, SIU 12 The two rivals went back
and forth, tying eight times in the shortened set. Outside hitter Alexandria Arrington tied the set 11-11 with a tip over the blockers. An SIU attack error sealed the match victory for Murray State. With these losses, the Salukis fall to 9-13 overall and 3-7 in conference play. The Dawgs will be back in action on Oct. 30 on the road against the Bradley Braves. Sports Editor Noah Petschke can be reached at npetschke@dailyegyptian.com
Page 12 | Puzzles
Wednesday, October 28, 2026
"Constrained" by Mark McClain 1
Across
1. ___ [secret word] (Talkative one) 8. ___ [secret word] (It may be full of Cheerios) 14. Genesis patriarch 15. Thinks that maybe one can 16. "Facilities" 17. Unpredictable 18. Fleur-de-___ 19. "Am ___ blame?" 20. Roller coaster sound 21. Sorrow, poetically 24. On, as a cruiser 27. ___ uproar (raucous) 28. Berkshire school town 29. Bits of land in a French ocean map 33. Net, as income 35. Snakelike 37. Prevaricate 38. Well-arranged 40. US youth organization since 1910 (abbr) 41. Like rococo architecture 43. Condemned; hated 45. Receives 46. BBQ favorite 47. Beverage of Italia 48. Cuban capital 51. Fix, as a hem 52. San Francisco's ___ Hill 55. King, in Portuguese 56. Essen's country (abbr.) 57. Pastry shop treats 59. Hats that originated in Ecuador, ironically 63. Use of some rental units 64. NFL break 65. ___ [secret word] (Angler's container) 66. ___ [secret word] (Place for gems)
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Weekly PUZZLE PAGE Answers on page 2
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*To play Sudoku, fill a 9x9 grid with digits 1 through 9 so that each row, each column, and each 3x3 subgrid contains each number exactly once.
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1. ___ [secret word] (Litter holder) 2. Premium cable pioneer 3. The Diamondbacks of baseball (abbr.) 4. Large beer, in tavern lingo 5. Churchill's "___ Finest Hour" 6. Consumes 7. Hotel units (abbr.) 8. Magna ___ 9. Mistake 10. Irish actor Stephen 11. This, in Madrid 12. End in ___ (draw) 13. ___ [secret word] (Bank offering) 15. "Neon ___" Sanders (twosport pro) 21. ___ [secret word] (It has spaces for data entry) 22. Ablaze 23. Present but inactive 24. Slightly
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25. Alternate title (and revelation of the secret word) 26. Brief swim 28. To be, to Manet 30. Ex ___ (book owner's label) 31. Ancient Palestinian ascetic 32. ___ [secret word] (Spar without a partner) 34. Decay 35. "Heidi" setting 36. One of Mississippi's four (abbr.) 39. McEntire of music 42. Common cabinet wood 44. Subdue by dazzling 46. Move upward 49. Basic font 50. Brink 51. Ask for more Elle? 52. ___ [secret word] (Where some birds may roost) 53. Twice tetra-
Gus says:
Happy Halloween!
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Weekly Event Calendar
Oct/Nov
Your guide to upcoming local events over the next 7 days!
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