WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2026
CEDAR FALLS, IA
VOLUME 123, ISSUE 11
How to prevent and report sexual assaults on campus
UNI Police Chief Helen Haire reviews resources for safety, annual report sheds light on campus statistics By Lily Munnik
Executive Editor
Editor’s Note: This article contains in-depth discussions on reporting and preventing sexual assault. Following two recent email notifications from UNI Public Safety reporting sexual assault on campus, it is important to highlight the resources that are available to survivors of sexual violence and the importance of speaking up when something does not feel right. Sexual assault can have lasting emotional and physical effects on survivors. While reporting the assault can be difficult, UNI offers several resources to help students navigate their experiences and find support. Students should never feel afraid to reach out for help, even if they are unsure whether they would want to pursue an investigation. “Just report it to somebody; do not suffer in silence,” said Helen Haire, chief of UNI Police. “Sometimes [survivors] are afraid of what others may think, but you have a long life ahead of you.” Reporting sexual assault on campus Students who experience sexual assault have options for reporting an incident, including the UNI Police Department and UNI’s Office of Civil Rights Compliance (OCRC). “Report it immediately — even if in the moment you’re adamant that you do not want a police investigation,” said Haire. “We can still collect the evidence because you may change your mind in a year and the case will still be open.” Reporting promptly can help preserve the evidence, but victims can still seek support even if time has passed. Students do not have to make every decision about next steps immediately.
Courtesy Photo Helen Haire is the chief of UNI Police.
The OCRC, located at 117 Gilchrist Hall, is another resource for students who have experienced sexual misconduct or harassment. The office is responsible for handling reports of discrimination, harassment and sexual misconduct while providing support and resources to the individuals impacted. These measures can range from housing arrangements, class schedules, work environments and even no-contact orders. “The OCRC is also a good place to report it
because even if the report is not to the police, we can work with that office to help your case,” said Haire. Students can contact the OCRC at 319-2732846 or equity@uni.edu. Under UNI Policy 13.02, Discrimination, Harassment, and Sexual Misconduct, sexual harassment is recognized as a form of unlawful discrimination. “The Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR), the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and the State of Iowa regard sexual harassment, a specific form of discriminatory harassment, as an unlawful discriminatory practice,” the policy states. The university also outlines disciplinary consequences for those found responsible for violating its sexual misconduct policies. “A university student or employee in violation of sexual misconduct policies faces sanctions up to and including expulsion or termination,” says the UNI Crime Alert emails. In 1990, the Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Act (Clery Act) was enacted and is enforced by the U.S. Department of Education. The Clery Act requires all colleges and universities participating in federal student financial aid programs to maintain and disclose transparent information about crime and safety policies that happen on and around campus. See RESOURCES, page 6
Iowa Poet Laureate Vince Gotera reads UNI Sesquicentennial Poem at Hearst Center By Delaney Von Ahsen Staff Writer
Vince Gotera, an emeritus professor of creative writing and poetics at UNI and Iowa’s Fifth Poet Laureate, delivered the reading of “Voices & Echoes,” UNI’s Sesquicentennial Poem, which he authored, in honor of the university’s 150th anniversary, on Oct. 29 at the Hearst Center for the Arts. The 15 poems in the book “Voices & Echoes” are sonnet corona poems, meaning the ending of one poem becomes the beginning of the next poem. They are poems based on perspectives
from people who were a part of the UNI community through the years, such as presidents, professors, students and townspeople of Cedar Falls. “I wanted to honor the people that have been part of this thing that we now call UNI for the last 150 years, and I wanted to give a sense also, not just of the famous people, you know, the presidents of the university, and the professors, and also of students, and also of townspeople that were connected in some way,” he said. See POEM, page 2
Courtesy Photo/ IMDb Vince Gotera and Renee Lukehart Wilkie reading “Voices & Echoes.”
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NEWS NOVEMBER 4, 2026 |
NORTHERNIOWAN.COM
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LILY MUNNIK Executive Editor
VOLUME 123, ISSUE 11
POEM
continued from page 1
Gotera explained his process in creating “Voices & Echoes,” mentioning that he made mistakes in one of the poems that UNI President Mark Nook helped correct. An example of this was when he wrote the poem from Helen Seerley, the daughter of the second president of UNI, Homer Horatio Seerley. Gotera initially called the President’s House the President’s Cottage. He later found out from Nook that the Seerleys built a new building called the President’s House. Gotera also explained his research process in finding the information to set up the poems the way he did. He said he wished he could have found a way to integrate a poem about President Maucker in the book, but he also loves the way the poems turned out. He also mentioned, in a lighthearted sense, that UNI hasn’t changed in terms of how much construction is still constantly going on around the buildings. Writing “Voices & Echoes” didn’t all come easily to Gotera, though. “I went out of order with writing these,” Gotera said. “Taking the old poem that James Hearst wrote was the biggest challenge because I had to figure out how to get the ending to connect to the next poem, and the beginning to connect to the last poem.” Before coming to UNI, Gotera taught creative writing and ethnic American literature, and ran the creative writing program, at Humboldt State University. Gotera studied at many universities, including such as Stanford University, San Francisco
Digital Scan/Delaney Von Ahsen An excerpt of James Hearst’s “Evergreen Transformations” featured in the “Voices & Echoes” book.
State University and Indiana University, where he earned his Master of Fine Arts in poetry writing and a Ph.D. in English and American studies. “Poetry’s important because I have always, since I was six years old, found that I could express myself most clearly through poems,” Gotera said. “You know, I’ve written other things, like stories and essays, and so on, and one thing I liked about poetry was that you could finish one in a sitting.” Gotera not only explained how he got his start in poetry, but also how it can connect with his audience, even people unfamiliar with how to connect with poetry. “The thing, I think, that people discover, you know, who aren’t familiar with poetry, that they discover when they hear it, or when they read it, is that somehow it connects really deeply with them, with their lives,” Gotera said, “And also, when I was poet laureate of Iowa, my main message was that poetry could be fun, you know, and that’s a way that I try to connect with people.” UNI’s “Voices & Echoes” was inspired by James Hearst, who composed UNI’s centennial poem, “Evergreen Transformations.” The centennial poem makes an appearance in “Voices & Echoes,” and the reading of the poem was in honor of The Final Thursday Reading Series, which was an event open to the public for people to come in and read their best poetry work.
Remembering Robert ‘Bob’ Harmon UNI construction management instructor leaves legacy in his impact on many By Jenna Westendorf Managing Editor
UNI Instructor Robert Harmon, known to many as Bob Harmon, passed away unexpectedly on Oct. 29, the
Courtesy Photo Bob Harmon was a UNI construction management instructor who was admired by his students and colleagues.
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university announced. He was 66. Harmon grew up in Eldora, where he played football and basketball and ran track. After graduating from Eldora High School, he went on to graduate from Iowa State University in 1982 with a degree in construction engineering. It was there that Harmon met his lifelong partner, Annie. The two married in 1985 and had one son together. Harmon spent his life helping young people and giving back to the community. He and his wife became deeply involved in helping the Burmese refugee community in Des Moines. They helped
with housing and social benefits, and hosted Friday night movie screenings for many of the children in the neighborhood. Professionally, Harmon had a successful career in the construction industry. He spent seven years as a project manager at Neumann Brothers, Inc., and then as a project engineer (PE) for Cost, Planning & Management International (CPMI) for 13 years. With a lifelong enthusiasm for sharing knowledge with the next generation, Harmon later became a professor in the construction management department at the University
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of Northern Iowa. He worked at UNI from 2023 until his passing. Harmon was dedicated to his students and was admired and appreciated by his students and colleagues. His hard work earned him the 2025 Associated Schools of Construction Regional Excellence in Teaching Award. Harmon will be remembered for the impact he had on those around him. Rylan Dunn, a May 2026 graduate and former student, shared the impact he had on his life. “Bob had such an impact on so many students, including myself. He would always find ways to support
students’ ambitions.” Mary Black, Dean of the College of Humanities, Arts and Sciences (CHAS), said that Harmon “was an outstanding teacher both inside and outside the classroom.” A lifelong community servant, Harmon will be deeply missed. But he will be remembered for his dedication to his students and serving his community. A social media post from the UNI Department of Construction Management said, “He [Harmon] leaves a legacy of teaching excellence, community service and dedication to his students.”
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NEWS
LILY MUNNIK Executive Editor
NOVEMBER 4, 2026 |
NORTHERNIOWAN.COM
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VOLUME 123, ISSUE 11
When school becomes too much, students find unique ways to unwind
By Olivia Harrington
Assistant News Editor
Between classes, homework and other responsibilities, college students have plenty to keep them busy. However, when students find time for themselves, hobbies offer a chance to relax, explore new interests, spend time with friends and take a break from academic stress. From reading and painting to golfing, performing arts and playing video games, University of Northern Iowa students have a variety of interests they enjoy in their free time. While some have carried their hobbies with them since childhood, others have discovered new interests since starting college. For Sienna Olson, a third-year TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) major, staying active is an important part of her routine. She enjoys going to the gym and walking outside when the weather is nice. She also likes listening to music, writing, browsing Pinterest and spending time with friends. Olson began going to the gym and walking regularly in high school after participating in fewer sports but still wanting to stay active. “I do not think I would survive if I didn’t get to go outside and breathe fresh air or go to the gym to relieve the stress,” Olson said. “I don’t know what I would do if I didn’t have an outlet like that.” Other students prefer hobbies that allow them to be creative or relax indoors. Nathan Kelly, a second-year ecolo-
gy, evolution Gormley said ism and nonprofit leadership, and organd i s c i p l i n e , hobbies provide opportunities ismal biolefficiency, and to relax while also spending ogy major, p r o d u c t i v i - time with other people. She enjoys readty help him enjoys going on walks, singing, building balance his ing, reading the Bible, playLegos, doing hobbies with ing board and card games, arts and his respon- solving puzzles and playing crafts, watchsibilities. He Roblox. She also likes going ing movies also finds that on spontaneous adventures and television his interests with friends. Henry said she and playing give him a finds time for these activities board games chance to relax during breaks in her schedule and video and relieve or when she needs a mental games. Most stress. break. She believes hobbies of these interFor Raegan can help students clear their ests began LaGrange, a minds, relax and have fun when he was third-year psy- while socializing with others. young, but chology major, Although students have finding time free time often different interests, many find for them involves play- ways to incorporate them into has become Courtesy Photo ing video their routines. Some schedule more difficult Rylie Henry is a junior studying recreation, tourism and nonprofit leadership. During games, watch- time for hobbies around classwith college her days off she likes going on walks and reading her Bible. ing movies and es and assignments, while coursework. television or others use activities such as “It can be fairly difficult productive mornings, so she taking a nap. Although these singing, walking or listenwith such heavy class loads to has more time in the afternoon are activities she has enjoyed ing to music as short breaks find time for hobbies,” Kelly and evening. for years, she said finding the throughout the day. However, Steckler said right time for them makes a said. “Mostly I get to do them As students navigate the either on the weekends or later hobbies do not always relieve difference in how helpful they demands of college, hobbies at night once I have finished stress. While they can help her take her mind off things, all of my homework.” Kelly said his hobbies they can sometimes become help him manage stress by overwhelming and make her providing relaxation and an stress worse. Other students use hobescape from academic responbies to stay connected to sibilities. interests they developed long For Gracyn Steckler, a before college. Paige Braden, second-year junior majoring a second-year elementary in secondary mathematics education major, has particieducation, college has been pated in performing arts since an opportunity to explore childhood, including singing, new interests. Although she has always enjoyed reading, dancing, choir, musicals, and she began embroidering and show choir. She began dancpainting after arriving on cam- ing at age 3 and later added pus. She also enjoys spending other performing arts activtime outside. To make room ities throughout middle and for her hobbies, Steckler tries high school. Braden often incorpoto wake up early and have rates her interests into everyday activities, even singing or humming while completing Courtesy Photo homework. She also uses cho- Josh Gormley is a senior majoring in finance, business analytics and management reography she learned in show information systems. In his free time, he enjoys golfing, watching movies and choir as a form of exercise. listening to music. However, she said her interest are. provide different ways to in performing arts does not “If I have free time to do spend their free time. Whether always help her manage stress it, then I feel less stressed, but they involve physical activbecause it can involve addi- if I push things off in order ity, creativity, entertainment tional responsibilities, such as to engage in my hobbies, I or socializing, these interests attending choir and learning am more stressed,” LaGrange can give students something music. said. to look forward to outside the Josh Gormley, a senior LaGrange’s experience classroom. majoring in finance, business reflects a challenge many colFinding the right balance analytics and management lege students face: deciding remains important. Students’ information systems, also when to take a break and experiences show that hobcontinues to enjoy interests he when to focus on schoolwork. bies can be a valuable outlet had before college, including While hobbies can provide an for stress, but they work best watching movies, golfing, and escape from academic respon- when there is enough time to listening to music. Although sibilities, putting off assign- enjoy them without creating he enjoyed these activities ments can create additional more pressure from unfinbefore arriving on campus, pressure later. ished responsibilities. he has increased his particiCourtesy Photo For Rylie Henry, a junior Raegan LaGrange is a third-year psychology student who enjoys playing video pation since starting college. majoring in recreation, tourgames, watching television and napping during her free time.
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N.I. EN ESPAÑOL
N.I. EN ESPAÑOL
NOVEMBER 4, 2026 |
NORTHERNIOWAN.COM
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JENNA WESTENDORF Managing Editor
ZACH MINEART Spanish Editor
VOLUME 123, ISSUE 11
El presidente de la UNI anuncia su jubilación después de casi una década Escrito por Lily Munnik Zach Mineart, Editor de Español
El presidente de la Universidad del Norte de Iowa anunció el viernes 23 de octubre que planea jubilarse en julio de 2027, completando su presidencia de casi una década. Nook, quien ha ejercido como el 11.º presidente desde febrero de 2017, compartió las noticias a través de un correo electrónico para todo el campus y reflexionó sobre su tiempo en la universidad y las relaciones que él y su esposa han creado a lo largo de los años. Un defensor incansable del espíritu Pantera y una presencia visible en el campus, Nook guió la universidad a lo largo de tiempos difíciles, como la pandemia de COVID-19, las reducciones presupuestarias y retos, pero también a lo largo de los momentos triunfantes presentados por la historia. Durante su tiempo en la universidad, él ha elevado el impacto de la universidad en los estudiantes y comunidades y ha logrado la recognición nacional. Nook logró la celebración de un año del hito del sesquicentenario de la universidad, rendiendo homenaje al legado de la institución y imaginando y planeando su futuro. Una campaña de recaudación de fondos que duró ocho años y se enfocó en la sustentabilidad del futuro de la universidad culminó en un total de 342.842.222 dólares, que rompió récords, en 2026. La UNI fue nombrada la universidad regional pública número uno en el Medio Oeste por U.S. News & World Report’s Best Colleges en 2026, otro hito para la UNI bajo Nook. Un programa para atraer a los estudiantes de los estados vecinos ha ayudado a levantar la matrícula, terminando una disminución de la matrícula y elevando la matrícula total de este otoño a 9.366. En su anuncio, Nook enfatizó la sensación fuerte de comunidad que inicialmente los atrajo a él y a Cheryl a Cedar Falls. “La tradición fuerte de la comunidad nos atrajo a la Universidad del Norte de Iowa hace diez años”, dijo Nook. “También esta es la razón que hace difícil deciros que planeamos jubilarnos el próximo julio”. Nook dijo que él está trabajando con la Junta de Regentes de Iowa para asegurar una transición suave y dijo que continuaría sirviendo a la
Courtesy Photo/University of Northern Iowa Mark Nook, el 11.º presidente de la UNI, y su esposa, Cheryl Nook, frente a Seerley Hall
universidad hasta que escojan al próximo presidente de la UNI. Para Nook y Cheryl, la jubilación traerá una oportunidad de pasar más tiempo con su familia, particularmente sus varios nietos. “De muchas maneras, sentimos que la mayoría de nuestros próximos graduados entran en su semestre final”, dijo Nook. “Estamos al punto de salir de un sitio donde hemos construido tantas relaciones maravillosas, un sitio que nos encanta y al que nos referimos como hogar”. También añadió: “La oportunidad de pasar más tiempo con nuestra familia es emocionante y, mientras que nunca saldremos de la familia Pantera, estamos deseando intercambiar nuestros títulos actuales por los de la abuela Cheryl y el abuelo Mark. Una década de guiar a la universidad Nook se convirtió en el 11.º presidente de la UNI a principios de 2017 después de ser elegido para el trabajo en diciembre anterior. Antes de venir a Cedar Falls, ha ejercido como rector de Montana State University Billings. Originalmente de Holstein, Iowa, Nook se graduó con una carrera en matemáticas y física de la Universidad del Estado de Minnesota del Suroeste en 1980. Más tarde, se cumplió una maestría en la astrofísica de la Universidad del Estado de Iowa en 1983 y un doctorado en la astronomía de la Universidad de Wisconsin en Madison en 1990. A lo largo de su presidencia, Nook ha supervisado cambios a las ofertas académicas y ha ayudado a guiar a la universidad durante un periodo de
crecimiento y transición. “Siempre hay tanto enfoque en lo que pasa cuando un líder particular está aquí … pero el trabajo se completa por todo el campus”, dijo Nook en una entrevista con el Northern Iowa el año pasado. “La gente conoce quién soy, pero el trabajo se completa por tantos otros”. En un artículo de InsideUNI que anunció su jubilación, un miembro de la Junta de Regentes, Robert Cramer, señaló el trabajo que hizo Nook para expandir la enseñanza superior en Iowa. “Bajo el liderazgo del presidente Nook, la universidad ha desarrollado una asociación innovadora con los colegios comunitarios que provee a los estudiantes que no pueden asistir a la universidad en persona la oportunidad de obtener una licenciatura de la UNI en cualquiera de nuestros 99 condados”, dijo Cramer. Katie Mulholland, quien ejerció en la Junta de Regentes desde 2011 hasta 2017 y copresidió el comité de búsqueda presidencial que escogió a Nook, también comentó sobre su liderazgo. “La Universidad del Norte de Iowa ha sido extremadamente afortunada de que el presidente Nook haya ayudado a guiar nuestra institución durante el periodo transformativo a lo largo de la última década”, dijo Mulholland en un artículo de InsideUNI. La comunidad Pantera reacciona al anuncio Tras el anuncio del viernes por la mañana, alumnos, exalumnos y facultad casi instantáneamente compartieron sus reacciones y memorias de la presidencia de Nook. El presidente del gobierno estudiantil de la universidad,
Gabriel Salazar, describió el anuncio como agridulce, reflejando el impacto que Nook ha tenido en la comunidad del campus. “Mark y Cheryl han sido una cosa principal en el campus de la UNI y son justo reconocibles como TK y TC”, dijo él. “Estamos increíblemente agradecidos a la familia de Nook, ya que han dado mucho a la UNI”. Salazar animó a la comunidad del campus a usar el resto de la presidencia de Nook como una oportunidad para reflexionar sobre sus contribuciones y celebrar su tiempo en la UNI. “Tengo muchas ganas del resto del tiempo que tenemos con la familia de Nook este año y estoy muy emocionado por sus próximos pasos para pasar tiempo con sus nietos”, dijo Salazar. “¿Qué mejor manera de terminar nuestra celebración de 150 años que celebrar al mejor presidente en la historia de la UNI?” El exsenador del gobierno estudiantil de la universidad, Tanner Filip, quien ejerció desde 2016 hasta 2017, compartió una memoria de conocer a Nook poco después de que él fue nombrado como el presidente de la UNI”. “Recuerdo haber conocido al Dr. Nook en una reunión del gobierno estudiantil de la universidad después de que él fue nombrado. Mi primera impresión era ‘este tío es un menso pero de las mejores maneras’, escribió Filip por Instagram. “Ha sido genial ver que nada ha cambiado desde entonces. Es realmente conmovedor ver a un líder que incluso a los estudiantes les gusta”. Recien graduado de la primavera, Maddie Brouwer,
también reflexionó sobre sus experiencias con Nook, escribiendo por Instagram, “Algunas de mis memorias favoritas incluye el presidente Nook. Deasándote nada más que lo mejor”. La gratitud se extendió fuera de los estudiantes y exalumnos, como la profesora de comunicación y medios de la UNI, Nichole Harken, quien reconoció las contribuciones de ambos, Mark y Cheryl, en LinkedIn. “Me gusta cómo el presidente Nook usó ‘planeamos jubilarnos’ en el correo electrónico. Cheryl ha sido una parte integral de nuestro campus y de nuestros estudiantes cariñosos. Son auténticos y se echarán de menos”, dijo Harken. “Gracias, Nooks, por su servicio, entrega, integridad y excelencia. Pete Moris de las Relaciones Universitarias de la UNI compartió una declaración de gratitud por la contribución al campus de los Nooks. “Nuestra comunidad del campus les debe una deuda de gratitud por ayudar a tantos individuos a desarrollarse durante su tiempo en Cedar Falls”, dijo él. “Gracias a Mark y Cheryl por ayudar a hacer la Universidad del Norte de Iowa un sitio todavía mejor a medida que la institución se embarca en sus próximos 150 años”. Mirar hacia el próximo capítulo. El anuncio de jubilación de Nook viene cuando la UNI celebra su 150.º aniversario, se marca una transición significativa en la historia de la UNI. Mientras la búsqueda para el próximo presidente traerá un nuevo líder al campus, Nook enfatizó que él y Cheryl quedarán comprometidos con la comunidad Pantera a lo largo de su tiempo restante en Cedar Falls. “Para Cheryl y yo, es uno de los mejores privilegios de servir a la gente de Iowa, particularmente a los estudiantes, exalumnos, facultad y personal de la Universidad del Norte de Iowa”, dijo Nook en el anuncio de InsideUNI. “Gracias a la familia Pantera y a la gente de Iowa por la confianza que habéis puesto en nosotros”. Aunque su tiempo dirigiendo la universidad está terminando, la pareja dejó claro que su conexión a la UNI continuará mucho después de la jubilación. Como mejor dijo Nook, “nunca saldrán de la familia Pantera”.
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OPINION
LILY MUNNIK Executive Editor
Cheese, jamón & intimacy NOVEMBER 4, 2026 |
NORTHERNIOWAN.COM
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VOLUME 123, ISSUE 11
The delicious farce of ‘The Invite’
Courtesy Photo/ IMDb (From Left to Right): Penelope Cruz, Edward Norton, Seth Rogen, and Olivia Wilde in “The Invite.”
By Brendon Schnathorst Staff Writer
“One should always be in love; that’s the reason why one should never marry”. This quote, attributed to Oscar Wilde, opens the surprise box office hit of summer 2026. It seemed like this movie would come and go, but the addictive mix of drama and comedy in “The Invite” led to a surprising $61.2 million gross on a $15 million budget. In a world of trite movies, director Olivia Wilde utilized her appreciation of Woody Allen’s films to hone her directing skills and create a hilariously witty, realistic depiction of modern relationships, using an Oscar Wilde quote that “perfectly captures the film’s dichotomy, where we have a romantic spirit mixed with a load of cynicism,” Olivia Wilde said in a RogerEbert interview. A remake of a Spanish feature called “The People Upstairs,” “The Invite” stars Olivia Wilde and Seth Rogen as Joe and Angela, a married couple whose relationship is on the verge of collapse. They are stuck in a competitive fighting ring: Angela buys expensive items while Joe, a failed musician, works at a conservatory. That night, Angela invites their neighbors, Hawk and Pina (Edward Norton and Penelope Cruz), over for an evening of entertainment. As the night progresses, wild revelations emerge, and the couples’ relationships are tested after a suggestion is made. One of Olivia Wilde’s major influences when crafting this movie was Mike Nichols’ “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf” and how Nichols used “motional storytelling through the camera, and to feel that, though you’ve been in one space, you’ve almost been watching an emotional action film.” From the first 10 minutes, we see how Wilde upholds Nichols’ philosophy, juxtaposing the difficulty of Joe and Angela’s relationship, and this chaotic, walking-on-glass energy stains its way
throughout the narrative. Much of this fluid toxicity stems from Rashida Jones and Will McCormack’s impeccable screenplay. With most of the movie set in one apartment building, the dialogue and character writing must be strong to keep the audience from getting bored, but the moment each character finally meets, the dialogue becomes wickedly delicious. The exposition feels natural, and each character’s personality is built through both dialogue and action. Jones and McCormack build a clear structure that leads to several plot twists, culminating in a realistically bittersweet conclusion. Wilde took this brutally hilarious screenplay and turned it into a wickedly fast, well-directed feature. Many movies like this often find trouble trying to find interesting camera angles and flow in single-setting films, but Olivia Wilde thoughtfully used Sidney Lumet’s book, “Making Movies,” to “make you feel the crushing claustrophobia of that room, and then the shifting perspectives allow for a complete change in the visual storytelling.” Wilde’s use of Adam Newport-Berra’s cinematography, and Yorgos Mavropsaridis and Anthony Boy’s editing adds personal flair to her directing, making it feel unique while drawing on her idols. The cinematography does wonders in showing how each character feels at a given moment. The mise-en-scene tells the story of Joe and Angela, while the camera uses dead space to portray the disconnect between them. Likewise, as the tension rises, the camera tightens as the characters’ emotions get the better of them. This is supported by Mavropsaridis and Boy’s editing. The way they cut these moments of tension for dramatic effect works wonders in creating a tight, tense environment. Luckily, they never lose the film’s comedic edge, using reaction shots to
create a comfortable amount of tension and shock laughs. Most people come to this movie for the main performances by Seth Rogen, Olivia Wilde, Penelope Cruz and Edward Norton. Each of these actors has proven they can deliver highly entertaining drama, and they all do. Seth Rogen, while the funniest part of the movie, manages to display a good range of emotions, especially when responding to Wilde’s nearly erratic and hyper-stressed personality. The way they play off each other makes their failing marriage believable, while occasionally showing silent moments of love, though it’s hard for them to express it. As their new neighbors, Edward Norton and Penelope Cruz chew the scenery up to an insane degree. They react to the ensuing drama with an appropriate amount of tension, adding a layer to every subsequent sequence. With all these ingredients in the pot, the movie becomes a thoughtful examination of modern relationships and how sex can define them. In fact, this is one of the most true sex comedies ever made. Wilde doesn’t blanket the mystique of sex, instead creating a highly sex-positive movie with scenes of genuine sensuality that influence the ways the characters progress the plot. Olivia Wilde creates an experience that anyone, whether they are in a relationship or not, can relate to in how the characters interact with the notion of sex, while also making a highly engaging comedy that will be talked about for years. Currently available for streaming on HBO MAX. Rating: 9/10
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NEWS NOVEMBER 4, 2026 |
NORTHERNIOWAN.COM
LILY MUNNIK Executive Editor
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Related crimes on UNI’s campus, 2023-2025
RESOURCES
continued from page 1
This act requires colleges and universities to publish an Annual Security Report every Oct. 1 that reviews the prior three years of crime statistics, safety policies and emergency procedures. Campus police must also keep a public log of all reported crimes, covering the most recent 60 days. Campuses must also send out immediate alerts to the campus regarding ongoing threats and publish a biannual Campus Hazing Transparency Report. For instance, UNI’s Annual Security & Fire Safety Report for 2026 shows the number of crime reported on campus under the Clery Act. The Northern Iowan excerpted categories related to sexual assault and violence. The data shows the numbers remained steady over the past three years with exception of stalking, which has dropped from 34 total in 2024 to 14 total in 2025. Support extends beyond reporting For survivors of sexual assault, reporting the incident is only one part of the process, as it is important to get medical care and emotional support as needed. The UNI Counseling Center, which can be reached at 319273-2676, provides mental health services to all students. The UNI Student Health Clinic also offers confidential medical care through licensed providers. Outside of campus, the Riverview Center operates a 24-hour sexual assault advocacy and crisis line at 888-557-0310. Advocates can provide support to individuals experiencing the aftermath of sexual violence. Students experiencing relationship violence can also contact
VOLUME 123, ISSUE 11
Waypoint Services at 800-2080388 or the Iowa Victim Service Call Center at 800-770 1650. For UNI students seeking medical attention, MercyOne Cedar Falls Medical Center and UnityPoint Health - Allen Hospital in Waterloo offer 24-hour medical services. Sexual violence can affect individuals of any gender, sexual orientation, age or background. However, national statistics show that certain populations face disproportionately higher rates of sexual violence. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly half of all women and more than 1 in 6 men in the United States experience some form of contact sexual violence in their lifetime. Additionally, more than 1 in 5 women experience completed or attempted rape. Young adults, particularly women ages 18 to 24, face heightened risks of sexual violence according to the Maryland Coalition Against Sexual Assault. College students are especially vulnerable during their first year on campus and the beginning of a new school year. According to the American Psychological Association, this is a period commonly referred to as the “Red Zone,” when rates of sexual assault are especially high. LGBTQ+ individuals also experience disproportionately high rates of sexual violence. According to the National Sexual Violence Resource Center, nearly 80% of bisexual women have experienced contact sexual violence, while approximately 45% have experienced rape during their lifetime. Research from the European Journal of Psychotraumatology also indicates that transgender and gender-diverse individuals
face higher rates of vulnerability to sexual violence compared to their cisgender peers. Campus safety and prevention In addition to resources for survivors, UNI offers several tools designed to help students feel safer while navigating campus. One of these resources is the Rave Guardian app, a free mobile app that allows students to create a virtual safety network of friends and family. Through the app, users can establish a safety timer when traveling between locations. If the individual does not check in before the timer expires, their contacts will be notified. The app also includes an emergency call feature that connects users to authorities and can share their GPS location and profile information. UNI Police also provides safety escorts for students traveling on campus. “It is typically a student patrol that is available to you on campus. If you’re at a local bar, they cannot meet you there, but once you’re on campus, you can call UNI Police and ask for an escort,” said Haire. Haire emphasizes that students should trust their instincts when they feel unsafe and should never hesitate to contact police if they believe they are in danger. “If there is somebody following you or coming toward you aggressively, don’t hesitate to call. Too many times people say it’s no big deal or I don’t want to bother anyone, but if your gut is telling you something’s wrong, call us,” said Haire. She also encourages students to look out for one another when
Table/Lily Munnik All data is public information from UNI’s 2026 Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (pg. 92).
attending social gatherings. “If you go with people, leave with those same people. Do not leave somebody behind and make an agreement before you go out,” said Haire. Although safety precautions can help students respond to concerning situations, responsibility for sexual assault always lies with the person who commits it, not the survivor. You are not alone Sexual assault can leave survivors feeling isolated and afraid about where to turn. However, students should know that they do not have to navigate their experiences alone.
Whether someone chooses to report an incident to police, contact the OCRC, seek counseling or speak with an advocate, support is available. Haire stresses that UNI Police Department’s priority is always the well-being of the students. “Anything we can do to educate people is great — you don’t want to be in that position,” said Haire. “But if you find yourself there, we’re an option and our primary goal is to make sure you’re okay; everything else can come later.”
Visitors pose as prospective students in an attempt to catch faculty & staff in ‘gotcha’ DEI situations By Jenna Westendorf Managing Editor
On Thursday, Oct. 23, the president of UNI’s faculty union, Chris Martin, sent out an email warning faculty of visitors on campus posing as prospective students, sitting in on classes or visiting professors and department heads in their offices. Their goal appeared to be having direct conversations with professors and department heads on topics regarding diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in an effort to get “gotcha” comments from faculty members. “Our concern is that these conversations may have been recorded and then edited to misrepresent what people said,” Martin wrote. (Martin is also a co-adviser of the Northern Iowan.) “United Faculty was made aware of reports that individuals were present on campus posing as prospective students
and asking what appeared to be rehearsed questions regarding topics such as DEI and UNI’s policies related to those issues,” said Fernando Herrera Calderón, the vice president of the United Faculty. Accuracy in Media (AIM), a self-described “conservative media watchdog” is behind these undercover video instances. The hidden camera videos are part of a lobbying effort by Accuracy in Media to “ban DEI from all curriculum.” Two Republican Iowa legislators, Sen. Lynn Evans, chair of the Committee on Education, and Rep. Taylor Collins, chair of the Committee on Higher Education, also posted a letter to Iowa Board of Regents on X (Twitter) and endorsed the hidden video methods. In their Oct. 30 letter the two pushed to prohibit “DEI content and related ideological frameworks” at other college universities.
The state’s DEI Act became effective in July 2025. According to Iowa Code Chapter 261J, the state law restricts the establishment, funding and operation of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) offices and related activities at public universities of higher education in Iowa. However, the law does not bar faculty from doing research on DEI topics or discussing such topics in their classrooms when they are relevant to the course. Following the legislation’s passage last spring, Iowa, Iowa State and UNI have all dissolved their DEI offices and officer positions, redefined student scholarship criteria and stripped any mention of DEI from their websites. This is also not the first instance that faculty members of Iowa public universities have been under fire for DEI comments. In July 2025, Fox News aired
an undercover video of a University of Iowa (UI) employee denouncing state DEI laws. A second UI employee was also caught discussing DEI on undercover video in a separate video around the same time. Iowa State University also had an instance of an administrator discussing DEI on an undercover video, although the university did not discipline this employee. “UF views this type of activity with serious concern and considers it, at best, highly questionable,” said Calderón. “Moreover, these incidents may have raised public safety concerns, as the individuals in question allegedly concealed their identities from UNI staff and faculty while gaining access to university spaces and activities.”
FAITH VANDENBERG
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OPINION
News Editor
NOVEMBER 4, 2026 |
NORTHERNIOWAN.COM
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VOLUME 123, ISSUE 11
‘You see how this looks, right?’
How controversy surrounding ‘Primetime’ fuels the media buzz By Ulyanna Karplyuk
Assistant News Editor
Editor’s Note: This article mentions child sexual abuse and suicide. Please continue to read at your own comfort level. Lance Oppenheim’s “Primetime” hit the cinemas back in September, yet it still remains at the forefront of media discussions. A dramatized rendition of a Dateline NBC reality show, “To Catch a Predator,” the film follows the show’s host and journalist, Chris Hansen, played by Robert Pattinson. He and his crew conduct undercover operations to lure child predators to sting houses under the guise of participating in sexual intercourse with minors they met online. Instead, they face Hansen, who then confronts the targets and interrogates them on film. With each sting mission, things get more out of control, paralleling Hansen losing his grip on his own sense of identity and moral code. The script is based on the 2009 Esquire article “Tonight on Dateline This Man Will Die” which focuses on the case of Bill Conradt, an assistant district attorney in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Conradt was one of the “protagonists” of the show, as he was found to be attempting to solicit sexual intercourse with a minor online. As a result of the sting operation and subsequent ambush of Conradt’s residence, the man committed suicide. The incident raised questions about the crew’s responsibility for the death and the ethics regarding the approach the show crew took in catching predators in the act. Pattinson’s portrayal of the re-
al-life television host is perhaps one of the movie’s most notable aspects. The actor, famous for his versatility and the ability to shapeshift into everyone from a hypocritical priest in “The Devil All the Time” to introverted lover-boys like in “The Drama,” embodies Hansen’s physicality, mannerisms and way of speaking so effortlessly, it’s almost impossible to distinguish him from the actual man. To replicate Hansen’s signature cadence, Pattinson spent hours listening to the journalist’s podcast, “Have A Seat With Chris Hansen,” and spoke in his accent in real life as well. However, Chris Hansen himself has publicly criticized the film for misrepresenting his character and overtly fictionalizing and dramatizing real-life events. You can see where he’s coming from, as some of Hansen’s behavior in the movie may come off as a little over the top if not completely absurd. “The only elements of the movie that are not fictionalized are the fact that he uses my name and two or three catchphrases,” said Hansen in a Variety interview. “I’m not advocating that people don’t go see the movie. I’m just saying that they need to know that it’s completely fiction.” The controversy doesn’t end with how fictionalized the film is. Oppenheim is certainly having his moment right now thanks to Courtesy Photo/IMDb Robert Pattinson in Primetime (2026). The psychological thriller, directed by Lance Oppenheim, follows a fictionalized version of journalist Chris Hansen as he navigates the ethical dilemmas and increasingly blurred lines of his work on “To Catch a Predator.”
The only elements of the movie that are not fictionalized are the fact that he uses my name and two or three catchphrases.” CHRIS HANSEN American television presenter portrayed in “Primetime”
his recognition for “Primetime” as well as his work co-directing the hit documentary “You Can See Everything” with Nathan Fielder. Last week, speculation circulated in the media about the director’s integrity. Katie Carter, a fact investigator, mitigation specialist and filmmaker, has accused Oppenheim of stealing sensitive footage in her latest Instagram post. According to Carter, in 2018 Oppenheim requested to film a federal defender training on mitigation film. Instead, using a private link, he downloaded all available films from public defenders and edited them into his own “No Jail Time: The Movie,” which he then sold to The New York Times. “He made money off of stealing stories from poor people facing crimes and surviving poverty,” said Carter. She tried to reach Oppenheim multiple times to get the film removed from media outlets, to no avail. As a result, Carter’s
team, Reel Defense, can no longer conduct mitigation film training at the national level. Carter’s colleague Doug Passon, a criminal attorney and documentarian, supported the allegations in his Substack post. Passon stated he experienced similar events when Oppenheim insisted on taking some footage at a film festival he organized, where “defenders would submit their sentencing films for review and for teaching purposes only.” Oppenheim broke their agreement on the use and distribution of said footage, which he then used in the same “No Jail Time” film. So far, Oppenheim has not addressed the issue. The hype around two of his most recent films also doesn’t seem to be diminishing, as “You Can See Everything” has been named the No.1 film currently in theaters.
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MICHAEL SPAHN
SPORTS
Sports Editor
4-0 in the Dome Panthers scare Sycamores on Halloween NOVEMBER 4, 2026 |
By Christian Rasmussen Sports Writer The UNI Panthers played the Indiana State Sycamores at the UNI-Dome on Halloween afternoon. The Panthers, with one of the hardest schedules in the FCS, entered the game at 3-4 against the 2-6 Sycamores, who were looking for their first Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) win. The UNI Panthers won 45-23, bringing their season record to 4-4 and 3-2 in MVC play. The win also kept Northern Iowa undefeated at home as UNI extended its win streak over ISU to 17 straight. Indiana State continues to lose at the Dome, now without a win in Cedar Falls since 1988. The Panthers’ offense finished with over 400 total yards. Running backs Christian Collins and Xavier Terrell both had over 100 yards and two touchdowns. Indiana State’s quarterback Elijah Owens threw for 313 yards, added 122 rushing yards, and threw three touchdowns in his first game back from injury as the Panthers continue to struggle with mobile quarterbacks. Nevertheless, UNI sacked Owens twice, recovered two fumbles, and returned an interception for a touchdown to help eclipse 40 points for the second time this season. The Panthers started the contest with possession and worked the ball downfield, highlighted by a 27-yard run from sophomore Christian Collins. However, the Sycamores’ defense stood tall on 4th-and-3 to end UNI’s early scoring chance. Indiana State responded with a 14-play, 76yard drive, which took almost six minutes. Owens showed off his legs on a 16-yard run and his arm with a 25-yard throw to get the Sycamores into scoring range. The Panthers’ defense disrupted the offense inside the 10-yard line, setting up a 22-yard field goal to give Indiana State an early 3-0 lead. The Panther offense responded with an 11-play drive. Senior quarterback Jaxon Dailey used his legs for a 10-yard carry and extended the drive when a late hit penalty from Indiana State’s Nate Lindsey-Gill chalked on
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VOLUME 123, ISSUE 11
another 15 yards. Similar to the Sycamores’ first drive, the Panthers’ offense was held up inside the 10, leading to a Blake Pankratz 24-yard field goal to even the score at 3-3. The Sycamores’ offense was held to a three-and-out as the first quarter came to a close. The Panthers’ offense got just six plays before needing to punt on their next drive. Luckily, cornerback Mekhi Toms forced a fumble on Elijah Owens, setting up UNI inside the ISU 40-yard line. Toms delivered a second turnover in as many games for the Panthers’ turnover-heavy defense. A facemask penalty on Indiana State during a Collins run set up the offense inside the 15-yard line. On the next play, Collins cut it up right on a wide-open run for the game’s first touchdown, giving UNI a 10-3 lead. An unsportsmanlike conduct by UNI gave the Sycamores good field position at midfield to start their next drive. Owens posted 21-yard and 16-yard completions before an 18-yard touchdown pass to Keshon Singleton. A missed extra point made the score 10-9 UNI. After an ISU timeout, the Panther offense worked quickly down the field with a 20-yard pass, 14-yard run, and 19-yard pass before the two-minute warning to set up UNI inside the red zone. On 3rd-and-5, Dailey threw it to the back right corner of the end zone to Taj Hughes for a 12yard touchdown and Hughes’ Photo Courtesy/UNI Athletics first score of the season. The Christian Collins (22) gets lifted in the air by Gracen Gruver (68) after scoring a touchdown against Indiana State on Oct. 31, at 75-yard drive gave UNI a 17-9 the UNI-Dome. Collins rushed for 107 yards and two touchdowns in the contest. lead with just over a minute left zone. Two plays later, running ground, and Collins capped Jaworski ripped the ball out of in the first half. back Xavier Terrell ran in a the drive with a 30-yard touch- Max McCool’s hands and reUNI’s first drive of the 9-yard touchdown for his third down run to give the Panthers turned it for a 60-yard pick-six. second half ended early when score in the last two games, a 31-16 lead. The Sycamores Jaworski’s second interception defensive back Arison Walk- giving the Panthers a 24-9 continued their scoring with a returned for a touchdown of er intercepted a short pass lead. Indiana State responded 13-play, 75-yard drive that took the season gave UNI the 45-23 from Dailey. Indiana State’s quickly with their own drive, only four and a half minutes. lead. After a stopped 4th-down next drive looked good until a highlighted by a 34-yard com- They capitalized on a 2-yard conversion inside the 10-yard touchdown pass to Owens was pletion to receiver Jayden Reed touchdown run by quarterback line, Dailey kneeled out the called back for a personal foul, and a facemask penalty adding Elijah Owens to make the score game and led the Panthers to setting the Sycamores back 15 another 15 yards after the play. 31-23. victory. yards. It got worse for ISU as Owens completed a 14-yard The Panthers’ next action is The Panthers’ next drive they couldn’t move the ball touchdown pass to running featured a 21-yard pass to Taj next Saturday, Nov. 7, against downfield and missed a 33- back Max McCool on 4th- Hughes and six run plays, end- the top-5 South Dakota State yard field goal. and-12 to make it 24-16 and ing with a 38-yard touchdown Jackrabbits at the UNI-Dome. Dailey and the Panther of- end the third quarter. run by Xavier Terrell. His sec- It’s the third top-5 school to fense quickly responded with The Panthers’ run game ond touchdown gave UNI a 38- travel to the Dome, with the a 62-yard completion on 3rd- took over the next drive. Xavi- 23 lead. The Panthers’ defense other two schools being upset and-8 to senior tight end Brady er Terrell and Christian Collins stood tall on the next Syca- at UNI. McCullough to get into the red combined for 56 yards on the more’s drive, as safety Calvin
MICHAEL SPAHN
PAGE 9
SPORTS
Sports Editor
NOVEMBER 4, 2026 |
NORTHERNIOWAN.COM
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VOLUME 123, ISSUE 11
Panther XC shines at MVC Championships By Carter Lust Assistant Sports Editor Vibrant autumn hues filled A.H. Blank Golf Course as the University of Northern Iowa men’s and women’s cross-country teams lined up for the Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) Cross Country Championships on Oct. 30. The Panthers made the in-state trip to Des Moines hoping for podium finishes on both the men’s and women’s sides. Although they fell short of a top-three finish, the UNI men and women each placed fifth out of the Valley’s 11 teams. The men improved four spots from last year’s championships, while the women matched their 2025 performance. After an unusually warm Midwestern fall, overcast skies and temperatures around 50 degrees made for typical cross country conditions. A moderate breeze accompanied the athletes as the Northern Iowa women stepped into their starting box just before their 10:30 a.m. race start. Meghan Wheatley led the Panthers over the 6k course, finishing 23rd in a new personal-record time of 21:06.3 and becoming the sixth-fastest runner in UNI history over the distance. She was one of seven Northern Iowa women to set new career bests that day, followed by Claire Wright. Wright took 26th in 21:16.5, also a personal record. Sophomore Evie Henneberry ran a new-best time of
21:24.4, placing 31st. Senior Kaylee Woolery also set a personal-record time of 21:39.2 in her last conference championships, finishing 40th. Josee Simonson finished 46th in 21:57.2 as UNI’s final scoring runner, followed closely by freshman Lucy Murphy, who took 47th. Murphy ran 21:27.2 for her first time under the 22-minute barrier. “What I was most proud of with that group was heading into the last [kilometer], we were [behind Belmont] by about 10 points, and we knew we needed to catch people,” UNI head coach Alex Teubel said. “We’ve been on the wrong side of the break for that a few times at a conference meet where it comes down to one or two points… just really proud of how they competed…. all of them were running for the team that last [kilometer].” Brooke O’Brien and Izzy Hardin crossed the finish line together, with O’Brien logging a 22:09.1 for 53rd, and Hardin taking 54th in 22:09.2. Abbi Durow rounded things out for the Panthers with a 66th-place, 22:30.9 personal-best performance. Bradley University easily captured the women’s team title with 19 points. Noelle Steines of the Braves also came home with the individual win in 19:55.2, the only athlete under 20 minutes. The Northern Iowa men took the course at 11:30 a.m. under similar conditions to the women’s race. Sophomore
Colin Lillie, who had battled injury before his debut at the Bradley Pink Classic, took 32nd in 24:43.7. Freshman Cooper Erickson was close behind in 24:45.1, finishing just one spot behind Lillie in 33rd. UNI also had another duo finish back-to-back: Carson Owens and Jonas VanDis. Owens placed 49th in 25:14.2 as the Panthers’ final scorer, while VanDis earned 50th in 25:17.3. Ty Getz ran 26:10.7 for 75th, and Caleb Kass ended the day for Northern Iowa with a 26:38.3, 86th-place finish. “They moved up really, really well throughout [the race],” said Teubel regarding the Panther men. “We came down to the last [kilometer] once again… we needed to catch a lot of people. Every spot was very necessary, in that one… really happy with that group.” “We were ninth at the conference championships last year; jumping to fifth was big,” she added. Bradley also took the men’s team championship, scoring 23 points. Jayde Rosslee of the Braves won his second straight MVC title in 23:00.3.
Photo Courtesy/UNI Athletics
Meghan Wheatley makes her way down the course at the MVC Championships at A.H. Blank Golf Course in Des Moines, Iowa. Wheatley placed 23rd in the meet.
Ethan Olds was the first Panther to finish the 8K course, finishing 21st in a career-best 24:28.3. AJ Willey continued
his strong freshman campaign, running 24:36.7 and placing 25th in his first conference meet.
What’s next? The Northern Iowa men and women race next on Friday, Nov. 13, at the NCAA Midwest Regional. The Panthers travel to the ISU Cross Country Course in Ames to take on some of the nation’s top-ranked teams in what could be their final meet of the season.
UNI volleyball picks up two road victories
By Cooper Lindaman Sports Writer The UNI volleyball team hit the road last week for a pair of Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) matchups, looking to stay undefeated in conference play and extend their historic league winning streak. The trip began on Oct. 30 with a visit to Indiana State to take on the Sycamores, who entered with a 3-9 record in MVC play this year. The Panthers started off strong, coming out and dominating the first set 25-9. Lily Dykstra, Cassidy Hartman and Maryn Bixby recorded four kills apiece. The Sycamores wouldn’t go away quietly, though, as they tied the match by taking the second set 25-21. Set three also proved to be a test for the Panthers as they battled back
Photo Courtesy/UNI Athletics
The UNI volleyball starting lineup celebrates in a match against Bradley on Oct. 24. The Panthers earned their 72nd straight conference win on Oct. 31.
from a 5-0 run by Indiana State to take the set 25-22. UNI then rolled to 25-19 to finish off the Sycamores and take the match 3-1. The win marks the Panthers’ seventh straight against Indiana State. Northern Iowa then traveled to Evansville the following day to battle the Purple Aces,
looking for a similar result to their 3-0 win in Cedar Falls just a week prior. Evansville came to play this time around, tying the first set at 15-15 before back-to-back kills from Dykstra gave the Panthers momentum en route to a 25-23 first-set win. UNI looked to have found their stride in set two, using a
6-1 scoring run to breeze to a 25-17 win. But the Purple Aces, who came into this one 1-10 in conference play, weren’t going down with a fight. In set three, they held down a 10-9 lead before rallying off an 11-1 run to finish the set in dominant fashion, 25-16. It marks just the fourth lost set for the Panthers in MVC play this season. Evansville kept the fourth set interesting as well, tying it at 23-23 before a Hartman kill sealed the set 26-24 and ended the night with a 3-1 win for the Panthers. The set losses this weekend equaled UNI’s third set loss in conference play this season. Head coach Bobbi Petersen wants to see her unit limit big scoring runs from opponents moving forward. “One of the things we talk
about is trying to eliminate the other team going on runs of three points or more,” said Petersen. “I felt like this weekend with both teams we did not do that well. “There wasn’t one specific thing I thought we could do differently, it was a combination of things, whether it was first contact at times, it was decision making by setters or hitters at times.” UNI extended its conference winning streak (including postseason) to 72 in a row, which marks the longest streak not just in school history, but the longest active one in the NCAA. This weekend’s wins also gave the Panthers the ninth-longest streak in history, passing the Nebraska Cornhuskers’ Big Eight Conference run that ended in 1987. Petersen’s squad returns on Nov. 6 to play Belmont.
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MICHAEL SPAHN Sports Editor
VOLUME 123, ISSUE 11
Soccer falls 2-0 Women’s basketball earns victory in opener to Southern Illinois
By Avery Moomey Sports Writer
The UNI women’s basketball team used a strong finish at the free throw line to beat St. Thomas 67-59 on Monday, Nov. 2, at the McLeod Center in the season opener for both teams. The win moves the Panthers to 4-0 all-time against the Tommies. Abby Turtle led UNI with 16 points on 6-of-13 shooting, including three 3-pointers, and added four assists to her statline. Callie Levin scored 15 points on 6-of-13 and went 3 for 3 at the free throw line. Jenna Twedt added 13 points, eight of them from the charity stripe, where she had a perfect 8-for8. Elise Jaeger scored five points but led UNI with eight rebounds and four assists. St. Thomas was led by Alyssa Sand, who scored a game high of 19 points on 8-of-16 shooting. Savan Mcgowan had a team high of eight rebounds, while Mikayla Werner led the team in assists with three. The Tommies got off to a strong start, building their biggest lead of the night at 15-10 in the first quarter. UNI settled in from there, going on a 12-0 run, its largest of the game. The Panthers’ lead grew as much as 11 points. St. Thomas stayed within reach into the fourth quarter. UNI led 54-52 with 5:41 left,
Photo Courtesy/UNI Athletics
Elise Jaeger (15) dribbles the ball past the opposing defender. Jaeger had five points and eight rebounds against St. Thomas on Nov. 2, at the McLeod Center.
then went on a 7-0 stretch to make it 59-52 with 3:51 left to play. Twedt’s 3-pointer with 2:43 left made it 62-53. The Panthers ended up missing their remaining shots, but the Tommies offense couldn’t take advantage. UNI closed it out at the line after Tuttle made a free throw to make the score 63-56 with 40 seconds left to go. St. Thomas had a chance to cut into the lead, but Werner ended up missing a 3-pointer, and Jaeger grabbed the defensive rebound. Sand fouled Levin with 26 sec-
onds left, and she hit both free throws to make it 65-56. After Sand missed a jumper and UNI called a timeout, Twedt closed out the game with two more free throws to make it 67-56. UNI shot 40.4% from the floor and 33.3% from 3-point range. The difference was at the free-throw line, where the Panthers made 18-of-19, and St. Thomas only made 3-of-6. The Tommies shot 40.7% and committed 20 fouls. UNI will travel to face South Dakota State on Friday, Nov. 6.
from the field in the second half and almost doubled the Peacocks in free throws made. Carson Vis led the comeback while scoring the most points off the bench.The sophomore guard had 15 points in the second half. Junior forward Isiah Johnson-Arigu also had some valuable minutes, scoring 13 points in the second half. Junior guard Greyson Uelmen would go 100% from the charity stripe. He was a perfect 14-for-14 on free throws, which was a huge difference maker for the Panthers in the second half. Vis would end up being the leading scorer for the Panthers on the night, earning 20 points and shooting 5-for-12 on the field. Vis also had three assists and a steal to round out his impressive performance. Uelmen had 19 points, three assists and two steals. Johnson-Arigu had 17 points,
three assists and two blocks. Tate McCubbin had nine points, an assist, and a steal, while Kyle Pock had nine points and an assist. First year head coach Kyle Green was very optimistic about the match, even after the slow first half. “That’s a great game for us, because that’s an older, experienced team that played hard,” Green explained. “The first half we were just nervous, tentative and hesitant… not sure of what to do. We needed to get it out of our system.” Both teams had very successful seasons last year. UNI made it to the first round of the March Madness tournament, while Upper Iowa made it all the way to the Great Lakes Valley Championship game. Although they are a Division II program, Upper Iowa was certainly a good challenge for the Panthers.
By Sam O’Hair Sports Writer The University of Northern Iowa Women’s soccer team traveled to Carbondale, Illinois, for their MVC road finale against Southern Illinois on Sunday, Nov. 1. After fighting hard through 90 minutes, the Panthers fell to SIU, 2-0. A loss to the No. 1 seeded Salukis eliminates a bid to the Missouri Valley Conference Championship tournament for the Panthers, putting a cap on the team’s season after one last conference matchup against Drake on Thursday. UNI started the match with the upper hand, as Ella Ubben recorded the first shot of the competition after a physical initial 15 minutes. Southern Illinois would gain control of the contest’s tempo after the attempt, creating three consecutive corner kicks. The Panthers held strong through the corners and Saluki attack, as goalkeeper Hailey Luedtke saved a shot on target in the 32nd minute. It wasn’t until the 43rd minute that Southern Illinois would break through the Panther defense. An attempt outside the 18-yard-box from Saluki’s forward Dana Nadda snuck into the far post, giving Southern Illinois a 1-0 lead. After a tight first half, the Panthers continued to fight,
opening the second period of the match strongly. UNI swiftly generated two chances, a corner kick in the 47th minute, and a shot off the wood-work in the 52nd minute from freshman Shalee Franck. Franck didn’t take long to notch another shot in the 56th minute before Southern Illinois regained their momentum. Luedtke made a pair of saves to prevent early second-half goals from the Salukis in the 57th and 63rd minutes. UNI forward Kylie Knief logged the Panthers’ final attempt on goal in the 75th minute. Minutes later, Southern Illinois would extend their lead to 2-0 from a set-piece which led to a volley from Aylie Haycock. The match concluded 2-0, eliminating the Panther’s post season ambitions. Despite missing the conference tournament, coach Alex Place Thomas is impressed with the improvement from her underclassman-heavy roster this season. “Obviously our new players and our inexperienced players… it’s been a challenge this season to find the results in the wins column, but to be motivated week after week, to continue to compete, I could not ask more of that,” said Place Thomas in her weekly coaches press conference.
Men’s basketball defeats Upper Iowa in exhibition By Tyler Wood Sports Writer College men’s basketball is officially underway, and the University of Northern Iowa has already gotten some collegiate competition under their belt. The Panthers hosted Upper Iowa University in an exhibition match on Thursday, Oct. 29. UNI notched the victory by a margin of 85-78. The Upper Iowa University Peacocks, just an hour drive away from the McLeod Center, came out swinging against the Panthers. The NCAA Division II school jumped out to a quick lead and held UNI to just six points in the first ten minutes of the game. After battling back and forth, the Panthers managed to climb back from the early deficit, trimming the score to 35-29 going into halftime. The Panthers shot 56%
Photo Courtesy/UNI Athletics
Jules Isebaert (7) attempts a layup in a matchup against Upper Iowa on Oct. 29. Northern Iowa defeated Upper Iowa 85-78.
Coach Green explained that the first-half deficit had a lot to do with inexperience and nervousness. “For a lot of the guys in the first half, it was their first go,” Green said. “The guys who played in college basketball games were the ones that came through in the second half.” Upper Iowa played with a
lot of physicality, which was one of the reasons why they held UNI to only six points in the first ten minutes. “We just have to be more physical,” Vis said in a postgame press conference. “We got a bunch of tough guys on the team, and we’re not going to let that happen.”
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MICHAEL SPAHN
SPORTS NOVEMBER 4, 2026 |
NORTHERNIOWAN.COM
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Sports Editor
VOLUME 123, ISSUE 11
The Brewers remarkable World Series run By Elaine Lund Sports Writer Two teams, both looking for their first championship, faced off in the World Series. Tampa Bay’s, last shot at the top was in 2020, ending with a loss against the Dodgers. Milwaukee’s last appearance was in 1982 when they lost to the Cardinals. In 2026, the Brewers went all in, taking the championship title in just five games, nearly sweeping the Rays.
back, driving in two runs. In the bottom of the fourth, David Hamilton reached on an error by first baseman Jonathan Aranda, allowing Pratt to score, closing the gap 4-3. The Brewers would go on to take game two 5-4.
Game One Misiorowski threw backto-back triple-digit fast balls to open the first inning, making history with the fastest pitch in the World Series at 105.5 mph on his first World Series throw. The Brewers’ Christian Yelich drove in the first run of the game with a triple. William Contreras collected an RBI single to left field that drove in Yelich – Brewers up 2-0 at the end of the first inning. The Rays would get the tying run on third base, but the push wasn’t enough, and the Brewers took game one 3-2.
Game Three In game three, Milwaukee got on the board first with a single from Yelich. Contreras would single on a line drive to right fielder Victor Mesa Jr., who struggled to field the ball, allowing Bauers to score. The Brewers would lead 2-0 in the top of second. Junior Caminero had a jumping catch to get David Hamilton out in the fifth. The Brewers would blow the game open in the fifth inning. Turang singled on a ground ball up the middle right past the shortstop driving in two runs. Garrett Mitchell would also single, on a ground ball to left field driving in Contreras. The Brewers would then further their lead with three doubles by Pratt, Frelick, Jackson Chourio and a single by Hamilton.
Game Two Tampa Bay grabbed the early lead with Simpson hitting a ground ball to center field, driving home Yandy Diaz, who had reached on a throwing error. Simpson stole second, and Caminero would send him home with a single to give the Rays a 2-0 lead. The Brewers didn’t hold
Game Four In the 12th inning of game four, Pratt hit a solo home run to put the Brewers in front 3-2. The lead didn’t last long, as Deluca tied the game with a ground ball into center field. With no one out and two on base, Tampa Bay’s Simpson singled to load the bases. Ben Williamson would go on to
hit a walk off single to win the game 4-3, forcing game five.
Game Five Turang doubled on a hit to center field, while Frelick was hit by a pitch. Pratt would take advantage, driving Turang home before getting caught and tagged out between first and second base, Frelick on third. The inning ended with the Brewers up 1-0. Bauers made an impressive diving catch, and dove into first base to get the first out of the third inning, preventing Ryan Vilade from getting on base. The Brewers kept the Rays at bay as they went into the fifth inning still 1-0. Pratt, Mitchell and Hamilton each hit singles, Hamilton picking up the RBI from driving Pratt home – Brewers 2-0. In the top of the sixth, no outs, Contreras doubled to score Yelich, while Turang singled, advancing Contreras to third. Pratt then hit a sac fly that sent Contreras home and Turang to third, two outs to make it Brewers 4-0. Down to their final inning, Simpson was up with two outs and one on, He doubled on a line drive to right field, driving in Hicks to make it 4-1 Brewers. Simpson’s spark wasn’t enough for the Rays, and the Brewers won game five, taking the World Series Championship. Wrap One of the most impressive players of the series was
Photo Courtesy/Reuters/Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Jackson Chourio (11) celebrates with the commissioner’s trophy after defeating the Tampa Bay Rays in game five of the 2026 World Series at Tropicana Field.
undoubtedly the Brewers’ Contreras. Contreras was consistent with his ABS challenges, being accurate on nearly every challenge. What some could call the master of ABS got ten of the 13 ABS challenges he made correct over the course of the World Series. He was also named the World Series MVP, further demonstrating the value he gives to the team even more.
On the other hand, The Rays’ Simpson made numerous diving catches in left field, even running into a wall. Simpson was dominating for the Rays, hitting six singles, and three doubles in the series. You can see the immense amount of passion that he has for the game in the way that he plays.
about the Colts’ star running back. The Minnesota Vikings, Denver Broncos, Cincinnati Bengals and Green Bay Packers have all inquired about Jonathan Taylor. All of these teams are in contention in both the NFC and AFC, respectively, and a player like Taylor could elevate any offense tremendously. But the best fit for Taylor would have to be the Minnesota Vikings. With all the pieces around him, Taylor wouldn’t have to put the entire offense on his back anymore. Not to mention, Vikings quarterback Kyler Murray would have a reliable running back to lean on when the passing game doesn’t work. With the Vikings’ offensive struggles, Taylor could be the missing piece to take Minnesota far in the playoffs. During their first loss this season to the Detroit Lions, the Vikings
offense could not get anything going. Their defense is the best in the NFL, but with the offense struggling as much as it is, taking a swing on a big-name like Taylor could be exactly what the Vikings need. Another Colts player that could be on the trade block is wide receiver Josh Downs. After requesting a trade last Wednesday, Downs could be on the move to a receiver-needy team ahead of the deadline. A team that stands out to acquire Downs is the Kansas City Chiefs. The receiving room in Kansas City has needed some work the past few seasons. With Rashee Rice facing injury and off-field concerns and Xavier Worthy not playing up to par, adding a new target for Mahomes could help the Chiefs greatly. Read the full story on our website: Northerniowan.com
What to expect ahead of the NFL trade deadline
By Mason Kalkbrenner Sports Writer With the NFL trade deadline approaching on Nov. 10, a handful of superstar players have been rumored to be on the move. These additional players could help contending teams take the next leap towards a Super Bowl championship. This year’s trade deadline is expected to be a very active one, with multiple teams already taking calls on big-name players. The Indianapolis Colts, Arizona Cardinals and Los Angeles Chargers have been at the center of trade talks, with each team heading towards a complete rebuild. In fact, the fire sale in Indianapolis has already begun, with defensive end DeForest Buckner returning to the 49ers and guard Quenton Nelson being traded to the Seahawks. As a result of the Colts’
Photo Courtesy/Reuters/Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images
Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor (28) reacts after rushing for a touchdown against the Minnesota Vikings in the first half at U.S. Bank Stadium.
trade activity, all eyes are on star running back Jonathan Taylor. The 27-year-old phenom has been one of the top backs in the NFL since being drafted 41st overall by Indianapolis in 2020. Taylor has rushed for 8,208 yards and 77 rushing touchdowns in his career, but in the middle of his seventh year in the league, the
Colts are headed towards disaster. Initially, the Colts were not willing to even entertain trade talks for Taylor. But following their 42-7 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars, it might be time for the Colts to double down and prepare for the rebuild. With that being said, there have been a number of teams calling
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ETC. NOVEMBER 4, 2026 |
CROSSWORD BY NEW YORK TIMES
Across
1) Component of many a science course 4) Butter up? 9) Visual effect for a sports replay, maybe 14) Good "Wheel of Fortune" purchase for "M_SS_SS_PP_" 15) Food Network host Brown 16) Maker of Instamatic cameras 17) Sheepskin boot brand from Australia 18) Michael Jordan and Anatole France? 20) Chided 22) Get closer to being picked, say 23) Justice Kagan 24) Le Pew who could rightfully ask "Ain't I a stinker?" 25) Take home 28) Faith Hill and Sally Field? 31) Heckle 32) Foreign 33) In all respects 34) Jenny Slate and Emma Stone? 38) Cyrus who played Hannah Montana 39) All choked up, say 40) Slightly
41) John Snow and Robert Frost? 46) Muscle that's a neighbor of a delt 47) Pirates' environs 48) Feudal lord 49) Merger site? 51) X-ray machines, e.g. 53) Sabrina Carpenter and Anita Baker? 56) Vietnamese New Year 57) Like kegged brews 58) Ridiculous 59) Slayed, in slang 60) Paradises 61) Homo, for humans 62) Bag checkers, in brief
Down
1) Classical victory wreath 2) Oscar's deskmate on "The Office" 3) London toller 4) Locale for some shady deals 5) Soothing balm 6) Lego brick protrusion 7) "Short" or "long" unit 8) Main thing to order 9) Popularizer of videotelephony 10) Piece of mind? 11) Comedian Rosie 12) Word before Day, Queen or I? 13) Green-lights
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19) Yanks (off) 21) Lacking a timestamp 24) Candy wrappers? 26) Congers and morays 27) Handle, as a court case 29) Put on TV 30) Opus ___ 31) Set up as MacGyver might 33) No-parking areas in front of buildings 34) Smidgen 35) Individually, in a way 36) Court redo 37) "I'm so frustrated!" 38) Information kiosk handout 41) Have on 42) Pincered bug 43) Use as a rendezvous point 44) Wetland waders 45) Lipton rival 47) Instructions 50) Low-fat 51) Marvel actress Vellani 52) A modern one might be viewable via a QR code 53) Iowa college 54) Operator in Boolean logic 55) Number of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World that still exist
ANSWERS
JENNA WESTENDORF Managing Editor
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VOLUME 123, ISSUE 11
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