September 29, 2026

Break of Dawn: It’s not hysteria, it’s history... pg. 4 Ohio dominates Syracuse in opening weekend... pg. 7 Athens Hot Glass Studio teaches glassblowing... pg. 9

US Headlines The Nation’s top stories sourced from AP News

THEPOSTATHENS.COM

SEPTEMBER 29, 2026

VOLUME 117, ISSUE 7

Work started Monday to create accessible public pedestrian traffic on West State Street and North Shafer Street.

AI incident alert system, Xi Jinping in US, Trump voter system BRIDGET THOMAS FOR THE POST

Graphic by Abby Doench | Design Director

Athens begins construction to make the city more ADA-compliant

Monday, Sept. 21 U.S. proposes AI incident alert system ahead of talks with China On Sunday, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said during weekend discussions with China, the U.S. proposed a new “notification mechanism” targeted toward artificial intelligence incidents that threaten national security, according to the Associated Press.

LAYNEE ESLICH | FOR THE POST

The announcement comes as President Donald Trump ignores calls to slow AI development in the U.S. He claims slowing down allows Chinese AI companies to catch up to U.S. ones, according to the AP. The weekend discussions laid the groundwork for a series of talks between Trump and China’s President, Xi Jinping, on Thursday in Washington, D.C., according to the AP. Tuesday, Sept. 22 Trump announces meeting between U.S., Iran shortly after threatening Iran Trump announced Tuesday he sent his chief envoys, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, to meet with Iranian officials. During his address to the U.N. General Assembly, Trump threatened to “annihilate” the Islamic Republic if a deal is not reached by the two countries, the AP reported. Trump provided few details on the talks, while Witkoff posted on X he was hopeful the effort between the two countries “will prove constructive and promising,” according to the AP. Trump said in his address that a deal could be made with Iran which would allow it to rebuild, or he could “annihilate” the country, according to the AP. Wednesday, Sept. 23 Rural voters share opinions on Trump as midterms approach A survey done by KFF Health News and the AP showed that ahead of the midterm elections, many rural voters are unsatisfied with Trump’s performance, especially considering the economy, according to the AP.

continued pg 3

The City of Athens Engineering and Public Works Department began construction on the Westside Sidewalks Project on Monday, according to a City of Athens public notice. The project entails 4,000 feet of sidewalk removal and replacement on West State Street and North Shafer Street. Construction will start on North Shafer Street, then continue on West Union Street through November.

UAOU highlights faculty pay discrepancies amid negotiations

The public notice states that the construction may limit access to

sidewalks, driveways and street parking until its completion. The Westside Sidewalks Project is one of several construction projects paid for by the Community Development Block Grant to make the city more compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act, according to Athens City Mayor Steve Patterson. Patterson said those streets were chosen because they met the CDBG qualifications implemented by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, which provides development funding for low-income areas. continued pg 2

JOSELYN DUFF | FOR THE POST Faculty salaries at Ohio University have declined relative to peer institutions over the last 12 to 15 years, prompting the United Academics of Ohio University to demand an 8% annual raise amid an ongoing contract stalemate. While the administration has offered a 2%

counteroffer and declined to discuss specifics due to active collective bargaining, in accordance with Ohio collective bargaining laws, faculty point to widening gaps between university pay compared to peer institutions and growing administrative compensation. continued pg 2

Over 2,000 acres of Wayne National Forest leased for fracking LIV JACOBS | FOR THE POST The United States Bureau of Land Management announced an oil and gas sale of 41 parcels, totaling 2,840 acres of land within Wayne National Forest on July 17, according to the BLM. The sale concluded with 40 of those parcels being leased, or 2,777 acres of land, and generated over $11 million in revenue. The parcels have been leased by five out-of-state companies with intentions to frack the land. Two of the companies are

based in Pennsylvania, two in Texas and one in Oklahoma. According to the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, fracking, or hydraulic fracturing, is a method of extracting natural gas and oil from underground rock formations. During the process, drills force water, sand and a mix of chemicals into wells, cracking the rocks, which leads to the release.

Ohio beats Stonehill in non-conference final behind 301 yards rushing OWEN LIPSTREU | SPORTS EDITOR Ohio (2-2 overall) dominated the trenches with 301 rushing yards from its offense, while allowing negative one yard on defense. The Bobcats played 60 minutes of complete football in the 35-7 win over Stonehill as they wrapped up non-conference play in front of the home crowd. Ohio was off to a quick start with the ball as junior quarterback Matt Vezza found sophomore receiver Riley Neer for a 33-yard gain. The Bobcats appeared strong behind Vezza, but the drive stalled after an unsuccessful fourth-down play.

continued pg 3

IN 2024, THE OH SENATE RACE WAS DECIDED BY 206,434 VOTES. THERE ARE 626,130 COLLEGE STUDENTS IN OHIO.

i Ohio

As a college student, you're eligible to vote here — regardless of what state you grew up in. Register before the deadline:

Election Day November 3

continued pg 16

Voter registration deadline October 5 Early Voting October 6 - November 1

SCAN TO REGISTER

Paid for by NextGen Climate Action

THEPOSTATHENS.COM

2 Correction: In the Sept. 22 paper, a quote in a story about measles was incorrectly attributed to Chris Pyle, director of code enforcement. The quote is attributed to Karla Smith, a licensed practitioner nurse.

(JOHN FOUSS PHOTO EDITOR)

ADA Compliance/continued from pg 1 “We get CDBG, and we get it every two years, $75,000 a year, total of $150,000, that we can use for a sundry of different projects, but again, it has to be within qualifying census tracts in the city of Athens,” Patterson said. Under the Ohio Department of Transportation’s Right-of-Way Accessibility Guidelines, ADA standards are applied to any public traffic infrastructure within local and state governments. “So, you know, when you think about sidewalk repairs, period, that is making things more ADA accessible for individuals,” Patterson said. Patterson was the chair of the Athens City Commission on Disabilities from 2012 to 2015 and highlighted the need for disability-friendly construction improvements in the city, specifically Uptown. To remediate that, Mayor Patterson mentioned a project beginning in December to improve the intersection of Court Street and State Street. The project, starting at the end of Ohio University’s 2026-2027 fall semester, will consist of removing and replacing sidewalks, curbs, curb ramps and related intersection improvements. Dianne Bouvier, the vice chairperson of the Athens City Commission on Disabilities and committee

member for the Accessibility and Advocacy Committee as well as the Communication and Outreach Committee, highlighted that much of the funding for pedestrian improvements is from ODOT grants and block grants. However, Bouvier said the city does not direct funds toward sidewalk improvements. “One of my frustrations with the city is they have no designated funds for sidewalks,” Bouvier said. “So they have funds for the streets, they have funds for a lot of improvements, but the sidewalks, they have seemed to need to figure out every time they do a project how to fund it.” Currently, under the Ohio Revised Code, property owners next to public sidewalks are responsible for keeping the infrastructure accessible. That has caused complications for implementing ADA compliance because homeowners must be consistent with repairs for pathways to be accessible, according to Bouvier.

“

“So it takes somebody getting hurt, or somebody falling, or somebody having a hard time getting around, for them to know there’s an issue.”

Bouvier said the city of Athens is implementing an ADA transition plan. Sunday Creek Horizons is the consultant the city hired to assess the city’s buildings and infrastructure for accessibility.

- Dianne Bouvier, vice chairperson of the Athens City Commission on Disabilities

“So the thing that will help is an ADA transition plan and requires you to identify what are the barriers to access,” Bouvier said. “And it requires a timeline for remediation, and it requires a budget to show how much will it cost to fix things. And once that’s completed, then the city council and the city would need to adopt it.”

including payback for the raises faculty could not receive in the past two years due to ongoing negotiations.

O’Keefe also commented on OU lagging behind all its peers, not just Miami.

database was updated March 12, and includes all non-student employees’ base salary as of Dec. 31, 2025.

“They have been telling us consistently that we will get what everybody else gets,” McLaughlin said. “But when it came to their compensation counteroffer, they actually offered us something that’s worse than all other university employees have received over the last two years.”

“If the trend continues, currently Wright State is ahead of us, but we will be the lowest paid of all the four-year institutions in Ohio, public institutions” O’Keefe said

McLaughlin noted this gap has always existed, but not in the way it is today.

According to Bouvier, the Accessibility Committee and Advocacy Committee work with the city to assess if city infrastructure is compliant with ADA standards. Currently, the city does not have staff to monitor ADA compliance.

Faculty Pay/continued from pg 1 According to Joe McLaughlin, an associate professor of English at OU and a member of the UAOU bargaining team, OU has historically competed with public institutions like Miami University and University of Cincinnati in terms of faculty compensation. McLaughlin said OU has now fallen from the top quartile of Ohio public universities for faculty pay to the bottom. McLaughlin believes a reason for the slip is that, over that period of time, all competing institutions in Ohio, with the exception of Miami, which more recently unionized, and Ohio State University, for its size, had faculty unions. That is also what inspired UAOU. “One of the big causes of our efforts and the desire of an overwhelming majority of faculty to unionize is that they saw, as they looked around the state, that faculty at other schools, I don’t know if they were actually keeping up with inflation, but they were doing a lot better in terms of inflation than we were,” McLaughlin said.

However, Dan Pittman, the senior director of communications for OU Communications and Marketing, wrote in an email that the university is determined to reach a compensation agreement. “The University remains actively engaged in the bargaining process and focused on reaching a contract that supports faculty, advances OHIO’s academic mission and contributes to long-term institutional success,” Pittman wrote.

The university’s counter offer of a 2% raise is below the current rate of inflation, which was 3.4% in August. However, the university faces pressures from the state due to tuition freeze laws or caps, which limit how much the university can increase tuition year-to-year. In Ohio, tuition cannot increase more than 3%, which is also below the current rate of inflation. That cap limits revenue for universities and can create budgetary pressures, according to a Georgetown University report. McLaughlin also criticized the university’s counteroffer for not

Due to the fact that the university and UAOU are currently engaged in collective bargaining, the university could not comment on specific salary analyses or characterize individual bargaining proposals outside of the ongoing negotiation process.

“The union is in no way trying to address those kinds of disparities,” McLaughlin said. “When we talk about our salaries depreciating in relationship with our peers, that’s really happening across the board.”

“They got a 9% increase that also applied to the year that the negotiation started, so they also got back pay,” O’Keefe said. “We are actually proposing less than what Miami received.”

DR. AMY ACTON is running to become Ohio Governor. https://actonforgovernor.com

SHERROD BROWN

is running to become Ohio Senator. https://www.sherrodbrown.com Amy Leigh Acton (born February 16, 1966, in Youngstown, Ohio) is a USAmerican physician and researcher who is running to become Ohio governor. MAGA and many Republican politicians are anti-science, but scientists have done an enormous amount of good in the world. We need politicians who understand real science and reject pseudo-science. Sherrod lives in Columbus with his wife Connie Schultz, a Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist and author. Sherrod and Connie drive Jeeps made by union workers in Toledo, and are blessed with a growing family, including three daughters, a son, eight grandchildren, and their beloved rescue dogs, Franklin and Walter. David Bruce paid for this ad, which is not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s campaign.

According to Ohio University’s Compendium Faculty Salaries during the 2025-26 school year, the average pay for tenured or tenuretrack professors for the College of Business is $162,671 and $145,433 for the Russ College of Engineering and Technology.. In comparison, the average pay for tenured or tenuretrack professors in the Chaddock and Morrow College of Fine Arts is $101,633. The Voinovich School for Leadership and Public Service has the lowest average annual salary for tenured professors at $89,070. McLaughlin states those differences have always existed as a result of market economies and are not a concern for UAOU.

According to John O’Keefe, an associate professor of history at OU’s Chillicothe campus and director of communications for UAOU, Miami University went through a process similar to UAOU’s, but received a compensation increase higher than UAOU’s initial proposal.

OHIO’S FUTURE IS ON THE BALLOT

Another trend involving faculty salaries at OU is gaps between departments. Faculty teaching in market-driven schools earn significantly more than faculty teaching in liberal arts and fine arts.

There is also a pay gap between administrators and faculty.

“I think what we’ve seen in the university is what we’ve seen on a pretty wide scale in society is that the gap between the people at the very top and most of the other people, that gap is growing,” McLaughlin said. “If at one time top administrators were making two, three times as much as a typical faculty member, now it’s probably more like five and ten times as much.” According to McLaughlin, the administration justifies those high salaries using peer benchmarks of other universities. “They’re very interested in benchmarking executive salaries, but they don’t want to engage when we say ‘OK, what about benchmarking our salaries in relationship to other people?,’” McLaughlin said. “That’s very frustrating.” O’Keefe also shared his perspective on the administration-faculty pay gap. “I think this is a structural issue where we see those pay increases coming in at the top and we don’t see them at the bottom,” O’Keefe said. “And that shows where the university priorities lie.” McLaughlin said UAOU’s proposed 8% salary increase would be necessary to get even with UC and be third in the state for faculty salaries. “This is where we should be,” McLaughlin said. “This is where we’ve been historically…Three years of

According to OU’s Salary Database, the top 10 highest salaries earned at OU are not earned by professors. The

@JOSELYNDUFF48 JD637225@OHIO.EDU

EXPAND RURAL INTERNET ACCESS Broadband is infrastructure. It is as essential as roads, electricity, and clean water. Expanding rural internet access means investing in fiber where it makes sense, supporting wireless and satellite where terrain demands it, and making sure federal dollars actually reach unserved communities instead of padding balance sheets. It also means accountability. Companies should not take public funds and then leave whole counties behind. Rural communities are not asking for special treatment. They are asking for a fair shot. Reliable high-speed internet lets a kid apply for college, lets a farmer access markets, lets a smalltown entrepreneur compete with anyone. If we say we believe in opportunity, we have to wire the places that have been overlooked.

people need a place to live that doesonnot likebut the Sword of Note: This is Jerrad Christian’s position thisfeel issue, many centrist and progressive politicians hold similar positions. Damocles. CONFIRM YOUR VOTER REGISTRATION: www.usa.gov/confirm-voter-registration • VISIT CAN I VOTE [ https://www.nass.org/can-I-vote ] and select “voter registration status.” • CHOOSE YOUR STATE. You will be taken to a page on your state’s election website. • Check to see if you are registered. DEADLINE TO REGISTER TO VOTE: MON ,OCT. 5 EARLY VOTING IN OHIO BEGINS ON TUE, OCT. 6

ELECTION DAY IS TUESDAY NOVEMBER 3RD

SEPT. 29, 2026

3

US Headlines/continued from pg 1 BEN PENNINGTON | FOR THE POST

Blotter: Turkey on the loose, no cigarettes, bees in car KAITLIN HOGG | CAMPUS & LOCAL STAFF WRITER

Friday, Sept. 18

A survey done by KFF Health News and the AP showed that ahead of the midterm elections, many rural voters are unsatisfied with Trump’s performance, especially considering the economy, according to the AP. KFF polled over 2,000 rural voters and found over half believed the economy is worse off now than at the beginning of Trump’s second term. The cost of gas, groceries and healthcare are main concerns for the voter base. Some Republican voters shared they are considering not voting in the midterm elections. That decision could negatively impact Trump’s Republican Party, as rural voters have traditionally voted Republican and been a support base for Trump, according to the AP. Thursday, Sept. 24 Judge orders Trump to lift White House ban on 3 U.S. news outlets On Thursday, U.S. District Judge Timothy Kelly ordered Trump to “immediately return, reinstate and restore” the press credentials of CNN, MS NOW and Politico after Trump banned them from the White House days earlier, the AP reported. Journalists from the three outlets were initially denied entry to the White House Thursday morning, and it took over two hours for the Secret Service to reinstate their access following Kelly’s order. Although their access was reinstated, CNN and MS NOW both reported not having access to a state dinner on Thursday welcoming the arrival of Xi to the White House, according to the AP. Kelly issued a temporary restraining order on Thursday. He gave both parties until Oct. 5 to file arguments as to whether he should rule a preliminary injunction, which

is a more permanent order, according to the AP. Friday, Sept. 25 Trump, Xi meet for highstakes talks Trump met with Xi on Thursday to discuss issues such as the Iran war, trade and AI, according to the AP. Trump indicated he wanted Xi’s visit to be impressive, ensuring the new helicopter landing pad on the South Lawn of the White House was completed. Trump spoke of his great friendship with Xi, who also commented on the mutual interests of the two nations, according to the AP. Xi issued a warning that the two countries should avoid the Thucydides trap, which is when a rising power threatens to displace a current one, often resulting in war, according to the AP. On Wednesday, the two agreed to extend a one-year-long trade truce by two months. Sunday, Sept. 27 Supreme Court allows Trump’s revamped voter eligibility database The Supreme Court lifted restrictions on Trump’s controversial federal voter database on Friday, according to the AP. The emergency order allows states to use the Department of Homeland Security’s Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements program, or SAVE. The program determines the eligibility of voters, but received scrutiny over the use of personal data and for occasionally flagging eligible voters as noncitizens, according to the AP. The state’s use of SAVE is voluntary, which limits the ruling’s impact on the midterm elections, the AP reported.

Very much responsive Athens County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to state Route 13 after reports of an unresponsive man in a car. Deputies were able to make contact with the man, who was awake and on his phone. The man did not require any assistance. Get these darn goats under control Deputies with the Athens County Sheriff’s Office responded to Vore Ridge Road after receiving reports of loose goats on a neighboring property. Deputies were able to return the goats to their owners, and the owner was told to keep the goats on their property. Patrol resumed afterward. Saturday, Sept. 19 Harassment Athens County Sheriff’s Office deputies received a call from an individual saying they were being harassed by another individual. The caller wanted the incident documented. Deputies took a report in case the harassment continues. Domestic dispute Deputies with the Athens County Sheriff’s Office responded to Baker Road in Athens after receiving a report regarding a domestic dispute. Deputies on the scene determined that the fight had been verbal. The involved parties were separated, with one party agreeing to leave the scene. Deputies resumed patrol after clearing the area. Sunday, Sept. 20 Shots fired Athens County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to Vore Ridge Road after a report of gunshots in the area. Deputies on the scene spoke with the caller, saying the gunshots sounded like they were coming from their neighbor’s property and they were nervous. Deputies were

able to speak with the neighbor, who told deputies they were shooting in a safe direction. Deputies determined nothing illegal was taking place, and they left the scene. Well-being check Deputies with the Athens County Sheriff’s Office attempted to respond to Rockcamp Road in New Marshfield to conduct a well-being check, but due to flooding, they were unable to reach the residence. Waterloo Fire Department was sent to check on the individual, but determined no one was at the residence. Monday, Sept. 21 Warrants of the week The Athens County Sheriff’s Office has warrants of arrest out for Michael Cranston and Brandon Masters. Cranston was wanted for possession of drugs, but was arrested Tuesday. Masters is wanted for failure to comply, possession of drugs and identity fraud. Masters was also located and arrested. Threats made Athens County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to New Story School in Albany after threats were made. Deputies determined a juvenile was responsible for the threats, and the case has been sent to the prosecutor’s office for review and consideration of any potential criminal charges. The juvenile was taken to the hospital for a mental health evaluation.

complaint. Deputies on the scene did not hear any noises, but believed the source of the noise was a freight delivery at a nearby business. Wednesday, Sept. 23 Sound the alarm Deputies with the Athens County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to a business in Glouster after its automated alarm went off. Deputies on the scene determined that everything at the business was secure. So no cigarettes? Athens County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to the EZ Mart in Glouster following a report that a man was causing problems. The man was irate because the store was closed and would not sell him any cigarettes. The man left before deputies arrived on the scene, and deputies were unable to locate him. At the time the media report was released, the case was still under investigation. Thursday, Sept. 24 Chase those kids Deputies of the Athens County Sheriff’s Office responded to Glouster after reports of a loose turkey chasing children. Deputies on the scene spoke with all involved parties and were able to locate the turkey. The turkey was returned to its home, and patrol resumed.

Bees in the car Deputies of the Athens County Sheriff’s Office responded to Millfield after a call about a swarm of bees in a car. Deputies on the scene spoke with the individual and were able to remove the swarm of bees. There were no injuries.

Trespass warning Athens County Sheriff’s Office deputies were dispatched to Glouster after reports of an active verbal dispute. Deputies took a report of the events after speaking with all involved parties. Deputies served a trespass warning to one individual. Patrol later resumed.

Too dang loud Athens County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to The Plains after receiving a noise

KH303123@OHIO.EDU

Tuesday, Sept. 22

BT037924@OHIO.EDU

Fracking /continued from pg 1 The development of oil and gas companies in protected Ohio forests is not new. In 2024, about 22,000 acres of Ohio’s state parks and wildlife areas opened to oil and gas companies. Although fracking would be new to Wayne, the forest had conventional oil wells since 1990, according to the Associated Press. Throughout the process of the sale, many questions were raised. Environmental ethics, economic benefits and forest preservation are recurring topics. Chris Hite, branch chief for Energy and Minerals Operations within the Eastern States region of the BLM, said maintaining Wayne is the top priority. “We want any development that is done in conjunction with these leases not to have a detrimental impact on other resources that we protect in that area,” Hite said. Hite said the BLM makes a significant effort in evaluating the land before leasing and implements measures throughout the lease to preserve the forest. Specific stipulations will come with each lease depending on where the land is and what resides within it. The U.S. Forest Service will also add their own stipulations to the leases. “When the company that holds the lease gets ready to do specific development, they have to come back to us again with their specific plans,” Hite said.

Hite said it will be a few more weeks for the leases to be issued. After that, the leases will have to come back with a specific proposal for development plans. That will be reviewed, and can often take months to years before approval is received. The signed leases contain a 10-year primary term. That means a company has a window of 10 years to get the lease producing quantities sufficient enough to make the operation “economically worth it” or the lease will expire. “If they do get it producing, then it can continue indefinitely as long as they’re able to continue that production,” Hite said. Ohio will see about 50% of the total revenue from the sale of the lease and any production on that lease. The money typically is used for infrastructure development including roads, bridges and schools, according to Hite. The other 50% will go to the U.S. General Treasury. Many in support of the leases look at the economic benefits it will bring to Southeast Ohioans. Republican Rep. Kevin Ritter of District 94, said the sale of land is “transformational” to Southeast Ohio. Ritter’s district spans over Washington County, where most of the newly leased parcels reside. “This leasing will drive tens of millions of dollars to public and private entities throughout Washington and Monroe counties,” Ritter said

in an email. “That sort of economic benefit would be unprecedented in this area in this century.” Proposed Ohio House Bill 522, regarding mineral royalty payments and the allocation of their funds, is sponsored by Ritter as well as Rep. Adam Bird. The legislation, which is in house committee, would amend the Ohio Revised Code, and require all funds raised from sales or payments of federal land, including national forests, to be allocated to the county the land resides in. The money can then be used by county commissioners for planning, construction, maintenance of public facilities and provision of public services, according to the bill. “Right now, Washington and Monroe counties produce all the valuable commodities, but see only a fraction of the benefit,” Ritter wrote. “I am confident Senator Moreno and Congressman Taylor will fix this. They have both committed to me that they will.” Assuming that legislation is passed, Ritter is confident the leasing of land will financially benefit the region. Those who oppose the sales have focused heavily on the potential environmental impact. Melinda Zemper, board member of Save Ohio Parks, said the approval of development in Wayne is harmful.

“Our national forests and national monuments are specifically set aside for the public; for posterity, and they need to be protected from industrialization and extractive industry like mining and fracking and logging,” Zemper said. Save Ohio Parks is a social welfare organization focused on opposing oil and gas extraction on Ohio’s public lands. The organization formally opposed fracking and development within Wayne, and shows their disinterest in this sale through action alerts and emails to the federal government. Wayne National Forest is home to a wide array of species, including endangered, rare animals and plants. Zemper said Save Ohio Parks believes those species, along with the forest itself, will be in danger, and the environment will see negative effects.

“To bring fracking in will industrialize this area, it will cause noise concerns, air emissions, pollution and respiratory concerns,” Zemper said. “It will cause forest fragmentation and diminishment of the ability for insects and plants and animals to propagate and survive.” Zemper said the privatization of public lands in Ohio to be used for fracking is not only undemocratic, but unethical due to ongoing climate change. She said the economic benefits related to this sale do not outweigh the potential harm. “$11 million dollars is miniscule in comparison to the amount of damage that’s going to be done to the environment, to our air and our health, and our water quality,” Zemper said. LJ934424@OHIO.EDU

THEPOSTATHENS.COM

4

Editorial The UN is not an ideological tool

THE POST EDITORIAL BOARD FOR THE POST There is nothing guaranteed to us in this world but our shared humanity and willingness to act on it in service of others. Last week, the United Nations General Assembly met in New York at its headquarters on Sept. 18. During the organization’s meetings this week, many countries, such as the United States, used the assembly as a means to push ideological divisions instead of promoting world unity and international peace. Yet, the purpose of the U.N. is to act as a deliberative body, discussing how we can avoid devastating outcomes and instead benefit citizens around the globe. As countries, we delegate our elected representatives to speak on our behalf, advocating for global policies to keep us safe in an increasingly connected world. Essentially, we employ democratic principles to tackle challenging and often undemocratic problems in our world. To understand why we continue to need the U.N., we must consider its history. The U.N. was initially formed on Oct. 24, 1945, after 29 nations had ratified the written charter outlining collective safety measures following World War II. This postwar creation was a means for nations, no matter their population or geographic size, to have a voice in international decisions. Over time, the U.N. has deliberated over many major world conflicts. Every issue that arises acts as an affront to the very democratic nature of the organization’s purposes. Instead of promoting peace, the

U.N. has slowly taken the role of the world’s manager, lauding nations for limiting military arsenal while slapping others on the wrist for waging war.

When faced with global challenges, countries advocate for their own interests instead of the collective security their forebearers called for when they made this council.

Countries are stoking division at a time when the world is at serious conflict. Consider the Doomsday Clock, which is created by the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, which explains how close humanity is to annihilation at the hands of man-made technological elements. This January, the clock was set at 85 seconds to midnight, the closest it has ever been in its history.

Yet, 73% of Americans believe the U.N. is doing a poor job of maintaining international peace and security. The very trust that we place in the U.N. weakened over decades, resulting in a lame duck deliberative body with little preventative power.

The very countries that formed the backbone of the organization now act as silent players with their own agendas, unwilling to cooperate when tasked with furthering humanity’s progress. For example, the U.S. and European Union rejected a proposal by many member countries of the U.N. to prepare for and better respond to pandemics. Dr. Erica Schwartz, the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said the proposal included “divisive ideologies that lack definitional consensus.” Han Zheng, vice president of the People’s Republic of China, made it a point to allude to the consequences of trade wars and economic development in the world. After recent tariffs imposed on China by the Trump administration, Zheng’s wording implies a pointed attack rather than a call for global unity. The combined acts of those major players are like three trains intersecting at one point on a rail line. Each is moving very quickly with its own destination, and no consensus can be reached as to how they’ll move forward. At its core, that is the problem of the deliberative function of the U.N.

That is promoting security without soundness. It’s letting ourselves enter the dark without a flashlight. Despite this, all hope is not lost. We must remember that this organization was founded as a tool against the Axis powers at the end of World War II. The very idea of the U.N. was to create a global representative body that prevents things like war and human suffering. By limiting the time countries dedicate to their own policy priorities, we can reclaim space to talk about global imperatives, like limiting nuclear arsenals or tackling climate change. The U.N. isn’t the final negotiator to end all wars; it’s the place to talk about them. By limiting governments’ discussion about their interests, we can move the U.N. from being a benevolent manager to a brawny mediator.

The Post Editor-in-Chief | Elizabeth Talaga Managing Editor | Gina Napoli Community Standards Editor | Nyla Gilbert Director of Business Strategy | Lulu McGhee

EDITORIAL Local & Campus News Editor | Zoe Weyand Regional News Editor | Finn Smith News Staff Writer | Kaitlin Hoggww Human Interest Editor | Fiona Petticrew Asst. Human Interest Editor | Caitlyn Vance Humam Interest Staff Writer | Libby Shoemaker Sports Editor | Owen Lipstreu Asst. Sports Editor | London DeMarco Sports Staff Writers | Annabelle Grace, Jack Muldowney Opinion Editor | Aiden Ryan Asst. Opinion Editor | Dawnelle Blake Entertainment Editor | Kendall Davis Asst. Entertainment Editor | Micah Fenner Copy Chief | Natalie Saddler Slot Editors | Abby Shriver, Carly DeLuca, Emile Stark, Ruby Johnson ART Art Director | Abby Doench Asst. Art Director | Annabelle Thomas Director of Photography | Ethan Herx Photo Editor | John Fouss DIGITAL Audience Engagement Editor | Taylor Murray Social Media Editor | Drew Hoffmaster Director of Multimedia | Michael Dorwaldt Asst. Director of Multimedia | Sophie Thimmes Videographer | Camden Paeltz BUSINESS Sales Associates | Kennedy Barrell

Advertisement Policies The Post will not print advertising that violates local, state or federal laws. The Post will not run advertisements that violate the Fair Housing Act, or the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission policies. The Post reserves the right to reject advertising deemed to adversely affect the integrity and credibility of the publication or be in conflict with the educational mission of the university or community it serves. The Post retains the right, at its discretion, to approve or reject an advertisement that negatively affects the relationship with our readers or that promotes content, services, or activities that violate our advertising policy. If an error occurs, and an advertisement is published not as ordered, please notify The Post by the end of the business day following publication, a corrected advertisement will run without charge in the next print edition. Cancellation requests for advertising must be received and acknowledged by staff no later than 2:00 pm on Monday for the Tuesday print edition. Refunds will not be given for ads that have been printed. These advertising policy rules can be changed at any time without prior notification. IN PERSON Baker Center 325

The Post editorials are independent of the publication’s news coverage. Have thoughts? The Post can be reached via editor@thepostathens. com.

BY EMAIL letters@thepostathens.com editor@thepostathens.com ONLINE thepostathens.com/letters

Member of the Ohio News Media Association, the Society of Professional Journalists and the Associated Collegiate Press.

Break of Dawn | It’s not hysteria, it’s history centuries.

DAWNELLE BLAKE FOR THE POST On Sept. 18, a Mississippi grand jury found no evidence of foul play in the case of Nolan Wells, and maintains his death is undetermined but consistent with drowning. Wells was an 18-year-old high school graduate who went missing and was later found dead and submerged in the waters of Horne Island after spending Independence Day with his mostly white friend group. Concurrent with this case is a plethora of Black people found hanging from trees across the country. Many have been ruled as suicides by police. In both instances, family members and people across the country contest the nature and handling of these cases. This contestation isn’t born from mere hysteria — these questions exist within a longstanding history of racial terror, state racism and negligence. Understanding the history of racial terror in the U.S. better explains why certain images, motifs and dog whistles will continue to exist in the consciousness of Black people in this country. Instances such as the mass destruction of Black towns such as Tulsa, Oklahoma, and Rosewood, Florida, by racist mobs, the Birmingham Church bombing which killed four young Black girls and various lynchings which were treated as entertainment for white audiences who took photographs and used them for postcards, as well as collected and sold dismemberments as souvenirs. This illustrates a deeprooted history of racial disdain, terror and violence that has haunted the Black American psyche for

In fact, here in Athens, Christopher Davis, a farm laborer living near Albany, was accused of assaulting a white woman. Despite maintaining his innocence, before he could even get to trial, a racist white mob tied a noose around his throat, dragged and lynched him. On Mulberry Street, he has a memorial. While extralegal and terroristic violence plagues Black people, the other half of this reality is the negligence and complicity of law enforcement and judicial entities in systemic injustice. Modern-day policing in the U.S. has roots in slave patrols. The patrols began emerging in the late 17th and 18th centuries, as the colonies began bringing enslaved Africans over during the Transatlantic Slave Trade. This legacy set a precedent for unequal, biased and brutal law enforcement in postCivil War constructions of policing. On the other hand, both racist legislation and judicial precedents helped further subjugate the Black population in the U.S. Infamously, Black Codes and Jim Crow limited the freedoms and mobility of Black people, and court decisions such as Dred Scott v. Sanford or Plessy v. Ferguson further reinforced ideas of inferiority and discrimination against Black people. Also, all-white, prejudiced juries further sealed the fate of Black people in the courtroom by supporting racist prosecutors, harsh sentencing and convictions. According to the Equal Justice Initiative, they “allowed for the murder, rape, assault, and economic exploitation of Black women and men, because all-white juries refused to hold the perpetrators accountable.” As ugly as this history is, the residuals of centuries of systemic anti-Blackness were not extinguished after the Civil Rights Movement or the first Black president. The ugliness still permeates to this day, which is why in both the case of Wells and the many mysterious cases of hangings

across the country, questions of concern are being raised toward every facet of society. Doubt in Wells’ case or any of the victims of hangings is not about families looking to falsely incriminate, defame or spur conspiracy theories. Exhausting all angles, possibilities and options is a response built out of historic and systemic instances of negligence, prejudice and dismissal of Black life. While some may feel these families’ insistence on a clear truth plays into conspiracy theories and hysteria, this particular response is devoid of empathy. Death is already a subject hard for many to grapple with, but deaths which resemble characteristics of some of the nation’s worst sins against humanity introduce a chilling possibility for the fate a loved one may have endured. It is also incredibly exhausting to never feel completely settled because every facet of society through which these victims have to be filtered has historically failed victims. Apathy for the history of racial terror is not rare nor is it shocking. Hordes of people saunter idly past

Baker University Center and up Mulberry Street daily. They pass Davis’ memorial almost every day and may not even notice it is a memorial. It is essentially a bus stop at this point. Conversely, I notice how trashridden, defaced and littered the memorial of a lynching victim is left in a predominantly white town. As contemporary cases of Black death pile up, a victim from 150 years ago is still being disregarded. It is complete negligence, the same ongoing negligence which prompts Black people to question every facet of society when seeking justice. Dawnelle Blake is a sophomore studying journalism at Ohio University. Please note the opinions expressed in this column do not represent those of The Post. Want to talk to Dawnelle about their column? Email them at db948724@ohio.edu.

SEPT. 29, 2026

5

Letter from the Editor | And still, there is a press pass press pass has followed me. Now, as editor-in-chief, I sit with a pile of press passes on my desk, hounding every reporter in the newsroom to understand the importance of always carrying one around.

ELIZABETH TALAGA EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

“That the First Amendment speaks separately of freedom of speech and freedom of the press is no constitutional accident, but an acknowledgement of the critical role played by the press in American society. The Constitution requires sensitivity to that role, and to the special needs of the press in performing it effectively,” former Justice Potter Stewart said in a 1978 Supreme Court ruling. I got my first press pass three years ago at the start of my freshman year. It took me to city council and Board of Trustees meetings, an interview with the county commissioner and all the way to Washington for a national protest. As my roles at The Post have progressed and changed, the

I have carried my press pass with me as any journalist does, with the care and attention you give the most important item you have. When I’m old and gray, decades removed from my freshman year of college, that press pass will still hang from a hook on my wall. On Sept. 18, President Donald Trump banned CNN, Politico and MS NOW from the White House grounds. “Media Outlets shouldn’t be able to constantly write or report fiction and lies when they’re covering the President of the United States,” Trump said in a post on Truth Social. “Other Fake News Media Outlets to follow.” In a move that cemented Trump’s stance against a free press, the White House launched “Trump TV,” a 24/7 YouTube channel operated and controlled by the Trump administration. As the channel comes directly from the Trump administration, it shows only what the

administration wants to show, no matter if that means leaving out information that’s important for the public to know.

If you don’t work in the industry, if you’ve never set foot in a newsroom, it might be hard to understand how all of this works.

Following the ban, the White House press pool suspended its coverage of Trump. The pool is made up of five networks – ABC, CBS, CNN, Fox News and NBC. The networks provide television coverage of the president on rotation. The pool splits the financial responsibilities involved and distributes the coverage to other outlets worldwide.

Although not one newsroom operates exactly the same, there are some universal procedures. Reporters have guidelines, editors set strict rules and facts are checked, and checked again. Mistakes are made, and subsequently corrected, but it’s a safe generalization to make that no reporter or news outlet is fabricating stories.

Origins of the pool date back to Dwight Eisenhower’s presidency as a way to decide which White House correspondents got to report live from the road or the White House. Coverage of the president, no matter who it is, is a massive undertaking, and the collaboration of the White House press pool ensures news outlets are able to provide necessary reporting.

We’re in the business of news, not fiction and lies. As a student journalist and the head of an independent newspaper, the unfortunately frequent attempts from our president are not discouraging. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. Watching the press pool and national news outlets continue to operate business as normal, although it was never a

question they wouldn’t, was a reminder why I wanted to be a journalist in the first place. The past week should serve as a reminder to everyone, especially those in favor of limited press freedom, as sure as the sun rises and sets every day, news outlets will continue to provide free and truthful coverage of the world around them, including the government. With a press pass comes great responsibility, and it cannot be taken away simply because the truth hurts someone’s feelings.

Elizabeth Talaga is a senior studying journalism at Ohio University. Please note the views and opinions of the columnist do not reflect those of The Post. Want to share your thoughts? Let Elizabeth know by emailing her at et029322@ ohio.edu.

Following Trump’s CNNMS NOW-Politico ban and subsequent lawsuit, the press pool suspended its coverage. Media outlets that benefit from the collaboration of the press pool decided to not take any audio or video from White House events in solidarity.

Heidi’s Hot Takes | Social media algorithms dictate our reality

HEIDI BARTOLONE FOR THE POST

As global governments debate whether or not social media users should have the right to turn algorithms off, it is important to focus on the loss of agency users’ experience as a result of these algorithms. Before digital media, finding information often involved searching through several perspectives to construct a solid opinion. Today, social media algorithms propose a threat to the safety of users. With 253 million people in the United States who use social media, citizens must be aware of the dangers of algorithms. Algorithms do not show us what we need to see, it shows us what keeps us looking at the screen. Allowing algorithms to dictate our perception of reality is extremely dangerous. Passive users are not safe without a strong digital literacy and awareness. Algorithm-driven apps rob

users of control by using human psychology for profit. It is not our fault if we keep scrolling because social media platforms are designed to keep users engaged. According to St. Luke’s Penn Foundation, our brains respond to novelty, reward and social connection, which social media continuously provides through the endless nature of each platform. Scrolling is not a conscious decision, it is a natural result of the instant dopamine hit when an app shows users exactly what they want as a result of their algorithm. Those algorithms are filtered to be in line with each user’s worldview, showing them content they agree with or are already engaged with. That is also known as a feedback loop. Algorithms are using a constant stream of user data to cultivate a more engaging experience. Feedback loops are historically harmful and dangerous. Algorithms are warping our perception of reality. This causes us to think our hyper-curated feed is the only way the world works or the only way our lives should look. Without the knowledge of the psychology behind algorithms, users do not have the choice but to be subjected to repeated manipulation of their

opinions and ideals. In the past, it required an active effort to find ample information in order to build an opinion. But on social media, we do not have to find information, the information finds us. The curation of our feeds does not give us the room to create our own opinions. Instead of allowing us to grow intellectually, see unfamiliar ideas and weigh the evidence on our own, we are stripped of the opportunity to think critically because our algorithms have already decided what we should believe. Awareness goes beyond simply knowing algorithms exist. We have to be aware that these platforms are deliberately weaponizing our cognitive biases to dictate our choices. We should intentionally train ourselves to look beyond the boundaries of our feed. Look up the other perspective and find all of the information, not only information that conveniences you. Using social media gives us no choice but to be vulnerable to the disconnect algorithms create. But with awareness, we have a defense mechanism. Next time you start comparing

yourself to someone online, remember it is simply one person. The world is very different from your feed. The true danger of social media algorithms is our collective blindness to the consequences we are facing. Without a foundation and deep awareness of the behind-the-scenes manipulation, we are left completely defenseless against technology designed to control how we interact. We cannot protect and maintain our autonomy when our shared perception of reality is fading away because we all live in the same world. However, our feeds show us opposite versions of it. We need to rebuild connection within our society and consciously inform ourselves of opposing viewpoints. Social media is still new. It is our job to maintain our digital literacy if we choose to engage in social media. If we choose not to actively question why certain content is targeted toward us, we surrender the ability

to independently form opinions. Do not let yourself become blind to the world around you. Choose to let your opinion be carefully crafted rather than made for you. When we surrender our curiosity to our algorithms we stop building communities and empathizing with one another. Survival in the digital age demands that we choose to be active investigators of information rather than passive receivers. Being aware of the consequences of social media algorithms is crucial to save our society from the loss of intellectual agency.

Heidi Bartolone is a junior studying communication and journalism at Ohio University. Please note the opinions expressed in this column do not represent those of The Post. Want to talk to Heidi about their column? Email them at hb963023@ohio.edu. @heidibartolone

THEPOSTATHENS.COM

6

Football/continued from pg 1 After a Skyhawks punt, Ohio went back to work offensively. Vezza worked hard in the pocket, navigating the defensive pressure from Stonehill and used his skillset to help move the Bobcats down the field. Graduate student running back Victor Rosa saw many early carries in place of captain Duncan Brune. Vezza kept facilitating throughout the drive, using Rosa, Neer and redshirt sophomore tight end Jake Furtney to move into the red zone. Then, he called on himself when the pocket collapsed to scramble in from 18 yards out to put Ohio up 7-0. Stonehill answered back, opening up the passing game for quarterback Jack O’Connell. O’Connell found tight end Cole Clarke behind the Bobcats’ defense on fourth down, and he walked into the end zone to tie up the game, 7-7. The Bobcats put together a dominant drive to take the lead back, feeding Rosa, who capped off the 10-play drive with a rushing score. Ohio looked to its defense to maintain the lead and get the ball back so it could build on its 14-7 lead before halftime. The Ohio defense did just that, getting the ball to Vezza and the offense with six minutes to play in the first half. The Bobcats drove down the field, but the drive ended inside the Skyhawks’ 10-yard line, as Vezza’s pass was intercepted. The turnover would not cost Ohio, who turned away the Stonehill offense and went to the half up seven. The Skyhawks started with the ball in the second half, but Ohio’s defense made quick work of them, forcing a three-and-out. Ohio punted

it back shortly after, giving Stonehill another chance to even the score early in the third quarter. After three consecutive punts to start the half, Rosa finally moved the chains as Ohio looked to settle into the second half. The Bobcats demonstrated that on backto-back snaps. Redshirt sophomore receiver Dom Dorwart took an end-around for 21 yards, eluding Skyhawk defenders. Then, Vezza found him one-on-one for a 42-yard touchdown, giving Ohio a 21-7 edge. The Ohio defense kept up the intensity on the ensuing drive, as redshirt senior linebacker Jack Fries had a big tackle and hurry. The drive ended on a tackle for loss from senior defensive end Nehemiah Dukes. “Coaches really emphasized it this week, and it’s a testament to our front seven,” Fries said. “Today, they played their butts off. They were all playing hard, and when they’re getting knocked back on the opposing offensive lines, it makes our job easier as linebackers. Credit goes to Coach Mattix and the rest of the defensive coaches for creating a great scheme and getting us in the right spots this week.” The Bobcats immediately switched focus to the offense, as redshirt freshman Irving Brown ripped off a 60-yarder, and then Vezza finished off the drive two plays later, keeping the ball on the option play for the one-yard score. Ohio now led 28-7. “I think we just did a good job with the looks they were giving us,” Ohio Head Coach John Hauser said of the execution of the run game. “I thought the game plan,

Ohio runs away with win against Stonehill LONDON DEMARCO ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR Ohio picked up its second win of the season to stay undefeated at home with a 28-point margin of victory. That 28-point margin of victory was Ohio’s largest since its matchup against UMass in Peden last year, where it won 42-14. The Bobcats’ dominance on the scoreboard came from their dominance on the ground. Coming into this game, Ohio had struggled to get the run game established. The

Bobcats had yet to rush for over 170 yards in a game as a team through three weeks. They had also yet to have a rusher hit 80 rushing yards in a game. With junior running back Duncan Brune, who was questionable, being ruled out right before the game after coming down with an injury against Jacksonville State and missing last week, it was going to be an uphill battle to get the run game going. “Duncan (Brune) was kind of a game-time decision,” head coach John Hauser said. “So, we decided to hold him. Hopefully we’ll get him back

just to attack them in certain spots, was good. I think we felt we could impose our will a little bit on them up front, and I think those guys did that, and the backs did a good job hitting the seams.” Stonehill found rhythm, crossing midfield, but the Ohio defense stood tall once more, forcing a crucial fourth down at the start of the fourth quarter. The Skyhawks passed on fourth down, and the ball was swatted away by redshirt sophomore safety Darren James-Hamilton to get the ball back to the Bobcats. Ohio started running and methodically marching down the field behind its run game, which had 301 yards in the afternoon. Ohio put together a 10-play, 69-yard drive that ended on a six-yard rushing score by Rosa. That was his second of the day. Ohio now sat comfortably ahead at 35-7. “Establishing the run was big this week, especially because Stonehill is a very good third down team, and they throw a lot at the opposition on third down,” Vezza said. “So being able to run the ball efficiently on first and second down was huge for us in this game.” The Bobcats forced another punt behind their excellent defense, handing the ball back to the offense. Vezza’s day was done, and freshman Levi Davis stepped in to help ice away the win. Davis scrambled for the final first down, and Ohio closed out the 35-7 win, moving its home winning streak to 15 straight games.

@OLIPPY17 OL415422@OHIO.EDU

next week.” Despite the uncertainty surrounding the Bobcats’ running game, they rushed for 301 yards and four touchdowns spanning across seven different players. On top of that, two players rushed for over 80 yards. Ohio’s leading rusher was redshirt freshman running back Irving Brown, who ended the game with 97 rushing yards on eight carries. Halfway through the third quarter, Brown broke off a 60-yard rush to set up an easy touchdown and put the game out of reach. This was Ohio’s longest rush of the season. Second in rushing yards was graduate student running back Victor Rosa, who rushed for 87 yards and two touchdowns. Rosa, who came into the season as the running back No. 2, was the main workhorse as he filled the starting running back role for Brune. Rosa ended the game with 20 carries.

Running back Victor Rosa (4) scores a touchdown during the Bobcats game against Stonehill, Sept. 26, 2026. The Bobcats beat Stonehill 35-7 in Peden Stadium. (JOHN FOUSS | PHOTO EDITOR)

Ohio dominating on the ground helped open up the passing game for junior quarterback Matt Vezza as he found a good amount of success through the air. “Stonehill is a very good third-down team on defense, they throw a lot at the opposition on third down,” Vezza said. “Being able to run the ball efficiently on first and second down was huge for us in this game.” Vezza was also a big piece in the running game with 39 yards and, more importantly, two rushing touchdowns. The first touchdown of the game came from an 18-yard Vezza scramble in which he finished it with a clean spin move into the end zone to get the Bobcats on the board. It was Ohio’s most rushing yards in a game since its blowout victory last season against UMass, where it rushed for 363 yards. “I think we did a good job with the looks they gave

us,” Hauser said. “I thought the game plan was to attack them in certain spots. We thought we could impose our will a little bit on them up front, and I think our guys did that. Our backs did a good job of hitting the seams as well.” The Bobcats’ offense wasn’t the only thing dominating the run game. Ohio’s defense allowed Stonehill to rush for negative one yard throughout the entire game. “The guys just brought into the game our team philosophy of filling our gaps,” Hauser said. “We did a better job of taking away space and getting penetration in the backfield. We probably had more tackles for loss today than we did in our first three games combined.” Ohio’s front seven never let up as they shut down the Skyhawks’ running game while never even giving them a chance to get any momentum on the ground. This game’s rushing yard difference of 302 yards in Ohio’s favor was the largest in an FBS game this season. LD004224@OHIO.EDU Running back Irving Brown (28) runs the ball during the Bobcats game against Stonehill, Sept. 26, 2026. The Bobcats beat Stonehill 35-7 in Peden Stadium. (JOHN FOUSS | PHOTO EDITOR)

SEPT. 29, 2026

7

Ohio dominates Syracuse in opening weekend

stick. He played with confidence and didn’t look like a first-year guy this weekend.” Kasper then added a goal to his night. Dustin and Thomas assisted.

Penalties played a key part in the outcome of the game. A tussle around the Orange’s net led to a penalty for the Bobcats. A man disadvantage could not slow the Bobcats down. Senior forward Barron Stibbe buried a shorthanded goal. Cohen and TJ Richey, junior defender, provided the assists. Matt Zazon, graduate student and Ohio goalie, was solid throughout the night. (JOHN FOUSS PHOTO EDITOR)

ANNABELLE CUSHMAN FOR THE POST Friday Ohio (2-0) played the Syracuse University Orange (0-2) to open the 2026 season at Bird Ice Arena. On Friday night the Bobcats crushed the Orange in a 9-0 victory. Two rookies scored while two other Bobcats recorded a multi-goal game. The Bobcats outshot the Orange 58-28. Before the game, the team revealed a banner commemorating their previous season championship. The players who graduated last year performed an honorary puck drop. “It’s pretty tough, (but) really cool to join a team that won a national championship,” Breydan Zupsansky, a sophomore and rookie

forward, said. “You know what the guys are capable of now and going forward.” The Bobcats showed up ready to play. They scored four goals in the first period. Although he let four in, Cash Lawrence, sophomore and Syracuse goalie, made four highlightworthy saves. Right out of the gate, Will Cohen, alternate captain and graduate student, scored. Blake Dustin, junior defender, made a pass between the legs to freshman forward Alex Thomas, who connected seamlessly with Cohen. Two minutes later, Thomas found the back of the net with a wrist shot. Senior forward Kevin Kasper and Cohen assisted Thomas’ first goal as a Bobcat. “Thomas is a dynamic player,” Head Coach Barry Schutte said. “He likes the puck on his

“Z (Zazon) played a great game,” Zupsansky said. “He saved us a couple times on sloppy plays.” In the second period, Ohio kept the pressure on. Kasper scored again right away and his line, along with Cohen and Thomas stepped up big. They contributed to five of the nine goals in the game. Different players put points on the board. Laker Aldridge, senior forward, scored via an assist from Richey. Ohio grabbed another shorthanded goal. Cohen shot the puck between the goalie’s legs. Stibbe and Gavin Keller, junior defender, assisted. The tension from last period returned. Two scraps nearly turned into full-blown fights. A 10-minute misconduct for Syracuse’s Ben Brant, sophomore forward, helped Ohio, since Brant is one of Syracuse’s best scorers. Brant was later ejected from the game, along with Kasper. The Bobcats had a problem with getting blatant penalties.

The referees sent players to the box on two separate occasions for retaliation. Luckily, their penalty kill was up to the task. In the third period, penalties continued to impact the game. Mathieu Ovaert, senior forward, scored on a pass from Aldridge during a power play. Dustin also assisted. Syracuse had a last-minute burst of energy, however, it was not enough to stop the Ohio onslaught. Zupsansky scored a power play goal with an opportunistic shot as the puck bounced around in front of the net. Drake Nabozny, alternate captain and senior defender, and Thomas assisted. “I didn’t have a goal all game, and I wanted one,” Zupsansky said. “I tried to be smart and stay in front of the net. I let my teammates do the work and the puck kind of popped out. I justburied it home.” Saturday In the second game, the Bobcats shut out the Orange 6-0. The Bobcats changed up who was in net, starting with senior Garrett Alderman. Lawrence suited up again for the Orange. Although their play struggled at times compared to the previous night, the Bobcats kept their composure to take a clear victory. “The first weekend or two, you never know what you’re going to get,” Coach Schutte said. “I was pleased with our training camp. We played some real positive hockey tonight, even if some stretches were sloppy. To not give up a goal, credit to our goaltenders and our overall defense, which we take pride in.” Kasper set the tone immediately. He scored eleven seconds into the first. Quickly, Noah Holt, captain and senior forward, made it a 2-0 game. Lance Mengel, sophomore forward, battled to get to the net. Holt entered the zone after Mengel and cleaned up the rebound. Ovaert had the secondary assist. The second period only had

one goal, but more penalties. Midway through, Ohio had nearly four minutes straight on the penalty kill. Alderman and the defense were clinical as they prevented any opportunity for Syracuse. After the game settled down, Aldridge scored the sole goal of the frame. Junior forward Nolan Abraham passed across the zone to Zupsansky, who was waiting at the back door. Lawrence dove for Zupsansky, leaving a wide-open net for Aldridge. The Bobcats controlled possession until intermission, but could not find the back of the net. Holt stole the show in the third period. Five minutes in, his shot flew under the goalie. Mengel and Grant Gostlin, sophomore rookie forward, assisted. The same trio came together for another goal. Mengel and Gostlin won the faceoff. Holt ripped a shot before the announcer finished reporting his previous goal. Holt’s hat trick meant he was one goal away from 50 across his entire college career. “Noah (Holt) has taken the reins to replace the shoes that Jack (Glen) left, which were huge,” Schutte said. “With 13 seniors, the decision was by committee. They set the standard every day. Noah has done a great job this fall.” To finish the series, Thomas tipped in sophomore defender Brady Gilbert’s shot. Lawrence could not drop fast enough to stop the puck between his legs. Ohio’s 15 unanswered goals demonstrated it can build off its success and so far, there is no championship hangover in sight. Next weekend, the Bobcats face the University of Cincinnati Bearcats (22) at Bird Arena. Friday’s game begins at 7 p.m., with Saturday’s game starting at 5 p.m. AC309223@OHIO.EDU

Ohio extends winning streak, 2-0 MAC play start JACK MULDOWNEY FOR THE POST Ohio (9-4 overall, 2-0 MidAmerican Conference) opened Mid American Conference play strong this past weekend, defeating two of Michigan’s three intra-conference schools on the road. The Bobcats defeated Eastern Michigan University on Friday before traveling to Central Michigan University and earning another win on Saturday. Friday’s matchup with EMU pitted Ohio against a squad that, unlike the Bobcats, had already gained experience in MAC play this season. The Eagles took down CMU earlier in the season, but that did not translate against Ohio. The Bobcats took the first two sets comfortably, 25-16 and 25-19, before EMU punched back with a tight 26-24 win in set three. However, Ohio was quickly able to counter the Eagles’ resistance, finishing the match

with a 25-22 win in set four to take a 3-1 win. It is always positive to take care of any road match in four sets, but it is especially valuable to begin conference play with a convincing win on the road. The Bobcats did not lose a step against CMU the next day, despite having to travel. They added insult to injury for the Chippewas, as they entered the game 0-14 with only two sets won all season long. Ohio did not let CMU break that streak, as it dominated on Saturday with a 3-0 sweep, winning 25-19, 25-20 and 2519. The Bobcats took care of business to avoid becoming CMU’s first win of the season. However, regardless of the strength of this opponent, the Bobcats are now 2-0 in MAC play, and there is nothing more they could ask for. Player Spotlight Rowan Kelly, freshman and setter, kept up her high-level play in both matches over the

Ohio University Bobcats Volleyball players celebrate a point at The Convo in Athens, Sept. 18 2026. (BROOKE STROHM | FOR THE POST) weekend. Kelly shined as a potent playmaker all season long. She leads the team by a wide margin with 323 total assists, a mark that also currently has her at third in the MAC in assists. She totaled 46 assists against EMU and 36 against CMU, continuing the playmaking that bolsters the Bobcats’

offense. She constantly sets up her hitters perfectly for them to finish kills, and did just that over the weekend once again. Kelly is having a stellar freshman season and has established herself as Ohio’s top setter already.

Akron University on Friday and Saturday. The team will look to extend its five-game win streak, and being back in The Convocation Center could help them greatly in trying to do so.

Ohio is back at home next weekend to continue MAC play with a two-game series against

@JACKMULDOWNEY1 JM760224@OHIO.EDU

University Townhomes at 10 Milliron

4 &2

bedroom

units

! y a d o T l l Ca

740.594.9098

ourentals.com

bath

on-site parking! trash included near College of Education, Fine Arts & Music

$

starting at

650

per person/month

THEPOSTATHENS.COM

8

Inside a phoneless concert: Phoebe Bridgers’ The Lost Tour Phoebe Bridgers’ return to the spotlight with The Lost Tour introduces the use of Yondr pouches so audience members cannot use their phones throughout the concert. KENDALL DAVIS ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR In a technology-focused world, Phoebe Bridgers’ The Lost Tour is shifting audience etiquette with the mandated use of Yondr pouches. Yondr pouches, a lockable pouch for cell phones, are best known for being used in schools; however, they were created with the intention of being used at concerts as well. Bridgers is certainly not the first musician to use Yondr pouches. That title goes to “The Lumineers.” Despite this, Bridgers’ large-scale tour, coming after a long hiatus, put the phone-free concert concept on the map. Bridgers’ latest album “Lost Weekend” was released Aug. 14, after a six-year hiatus from solo music, and a three-year hiatus from the supergroup “boygenius.” With such excitement and intrigue for what Bridgers would do next, tickets for The Lost Tour sold out within a few days. For concertgoers, the unusual setup created a large-scale concert experience that is unique in the modern world: a concert without a mass of phone recordings, allowing people to be fully immersed. When walking into the arena, audience members first scan their digital ticket and are then presented with a paper copy of their tickets, printed directly from the

ticket scanner. After this, fans proceed to tables staffed with arena employees ready to administer the Yondr pouches. Everyone must power down their phone and give it to a staff member for it to be locked into a pouch. Each pouch is equipped with a crossbody strap so people can hold onto their phones throughout the show, just not use them. Humanity survived large events for hundreds of years without phones. Yet, it seems in the modern day, many are constantly concerned with safety. This might lead some to feel they need their phone for quick access to emergency services, family members, and the like. Although this disconnected sensation may be alarming, concert staff members are never far away, and can handle an emergency or unlock a Yondr pouch if necessary. This immersion is especially interesting with the stylistic choices of The Lost Tour. One might imagine such an intimate concert would avoid eye-catching visuals and focus more on the artist alone, but The Lost Tour did a fantastic job of combining auditory and visual effects for a complete experience. “The Lost Tour” featured a spacey, electronic theme. During opening act Alex G's set, he occupied the smaller of the two stages, which was ringed by pillars that lit up in a rainbow of

light. Mysteriously, during his set, on the larger stage was a dome with a grid on it, reminiscent of an igloo or an alien spaceship.

Graphic by Abby Doench | Design Director

Once it was time for Bridgers to take the stage, an orb with streams of light shooting out of all sides descended from the ceiling as “The Outside,” the album’s opening track, played. The dome on stage then lifted, revealing Bridgers and her band underneath for “Motion Sickness.” For the rest of the show, the dome and orb were utilized in a number of surprising ways. The dome lifted up to the wall, allowing images that related to the songs to be projected onto it. Behind the dome was a screen with the appearance of a theater curtain, onto which live footage of Bridgers was projected. As for the orb, Bridgers moved to the smaller stage for some of her more emotionally intimate songs. Shockingly, during the explosive, instrumental end of “Lost Weekend,” thousands of intense rainbow lights poured out of the orb, covering the entire arena. Moments like these leave an impact on audiences, especially without the ability to record or photograph them. The heightened engagement created by a lack of phones perhaps lets fans be more in the moment, better committing the show to memory.

A particularly novel tradition that is emerging among “The Lost Tour” viewers is bringing a small sketchbook to the concert and sketching the stage before the show begins to have a record of what the show looked like in the moment. Although this is heartwarming, some are less willing to comply. One audience member somehow snuck a recording device into the concert, leaking the footage online in a video that is seemingly no longer posted. Such behavior could be read as disrespectful in the context of “The Lost Weekend,” as the album is primarily about Bridgers’ father’s death. At the Columbus show, Bridgers said she wished for a phone-free concert

to avoid being posted online if she were to have a breakdown onstage due to the album’s sensitive content. Aside from this, it adds to the concert experience to participate in a concert as a community, with fans swaying arms during “Scott Street” and doing the wave before the show begins. Although not every artist is as focused on creating intimate concert experiences, perhaps the success of The Lost Tour will inspire other artists to approach performing from a phone-free perspective as well.

@KENDALL_DAVIS3 KD305124@OHIO.EDU

BROWSE EARLY FOR THE BEST SELECTION

NOW RENTING 27-28

HOUSES APARTMENTS & TOWNHOMES

82 Mill Street

$625 per month 2 BED • 1 BATH

IN EVERY NEIGBORHOOD

107 North Congress Street • APT B

4 BED • 2 BATH 625 per month UPTOWN!! MANY EXTRAS

$

OUR AMENITIES

PRIME

UPTOWN & CAMPUS LOCATIONS

46 Grosvenor Street

4 BED • 2 BATH 650 per month UPTOWN!! BIG HOUSE

$

64 & 64 1/2 West Carpenter Street 4 BED • 2 BATH 600 per month off-street parking

$

• • • •

PET FRIENDLY UNITS CLOSE CAMPUS & UPTOWN LOW SECURITY DEPOSIT FULL-TIME MAINTENANCE

· NO HIDDEN FEES

& MANY MORE EXTRAS

CALL & Schedule

a Viewing TODAY!

740.594.9098 SCAN to view all of our properties

13 Kurtz Street

650 per month

$

33 North Lancaster Street

4 BED • 1.5 BATH

600 per month off-street parking 3 BED • 2 BATH

$

pets allowed!

Do you have housing but still

75

$

per month

NEED PARKING?

OUrentals.com *Security deposits are per person, monthly rates are per person/per month

625

$

24 Smith Street per month

4 Bed • 2 Bath

front porch + deck

28 Smith Street

4 BED • 2 BATH 600 per month off-street parking

$

(near medical & engineering bldg)

we’ve got you covered CALL to secure your spot

SEPT. 29, 2026

9

Athens Hot Glass Studio teaches glassblowing LIBBY SHOEMAKER HUMAN INTEREST STAFF WRITER

coming down here just to do this. So we’re drawing people, which is special to us.”

Athens Hot Glass Studio brings pieces of art to life through glass. The business is centered around the art of glassblowing, which is a technique of shaping molten glass by inflating it with air and cooling it to create both artistic and functional objects.

Athens Hot Glass hopes to bring those new to the art of glassblowing to the area, and Blozy said it is meaningful to see people experience the process for the first time.

The studio houses local art made by glass artists. Athens Hot Glass Studio started in December 2022 by Tiffany McCann, the gallery owner, director and instructor. It offers shopping, but also glassmaking classes. People can learn to shape a glass ghost, pumpkin, ornament, suncatcher, tumbler or paperweights starting at $80.44 per person. Classes last one to two hours depending on party size. The studio is located at 21 Kern St. It includes a space to create glass art pieces and also features a gallery of glass-blown creations for purchase. The costs for creations in the gallery range from $30 to over $100, depending on the piece. Gordon Blozy, studio manager of Athens Hot Glass, started working at the studio a year after the business was established. Blozy is an Ohio University alum and started blowing glass in college. Blozy said Athens Hot Glass attracts local tourists from areas surrounding Athens, supporting other local businesses in the process. “We’re doing very good for the local economy,” Blozy said. “We’re definitely turning into a destination. We bring people down here. Even today, the first two classes, people coming from Parkersburg, West Virginia, or McArthur, and they’re

“Yeah, it’s fun,” Glozy said. “Makes us feel warm and tingly. It’s kind of like any art or showing anybody anything for the first time. They enjoy it. You can see their faces light up. Everyone always has fun here.” For students, seeing the growth of small businesses can inspire new creative paths in different art mediums such as glassblowing. Maggie Kletrovetz, a junior studying graphic design, said it is important to support Athens’ businesses. “I think that everyone needs to visit Athens,” Kletrovetz said. “It’s so beautiful, and I think that bringing in people from the outside also helps really support the local economy, which is fantastic. It’s always needed, especially in such a great community like Athens, and I think it brings different perspectives from different places, which is always needed, especially when building a community.” Trevor Ing, a freshman studying international business, said visiting local art businesses like Athens Hot Glass should be the norm. “Supporting those kinds of lucrative, almost unique styles of art opens a lot more doors to people,” Ing said. “It makes it a lot more interesting, especially for college students who are from big cities like Columbus or Cincinnati. They have plenty of opportunities to draw and stuff like that. But the opportunities like glassblowing, you don’t get that every day. So I think it’s amazing

Co-owner of Athens Hot Glass, Gordon Blozy, working on a glass project at 21 Kern St. in Athens, Sept. 25, 2026. (JOHN FOUSS | PHOTO EDITOR)

that a small town can provide that opportunity.” Ing said local art is a key part of Athens and supporting it might have an impact on other challenges in the city.

with things like glassblowing or more local businesses, it can help reduce the poverty rate and help people survive,” Ing said. “You know, help people live, help people thrive and I think that’s amazing.”

“If we can help those economies thrive by bringing in more people

@LIBBYSHOE_ LS299724@OHIO.EDU

Families flock to Athens for OU Family Weekend ADDISON HART | FOR THE POST The streets of Athens filled with students, parents and siblings as Friday kicked off the first family weekend of the year at Ohio University. Throughout the year, OU hosts four family weekends: family weekend, dads weekend, siblings weekend and moms weekend. Family weekend used to be known as parent’s weekend, but according to Mak Olaker, assistant dean of students and director for the Office of New Student and Family Programs, the name change was intentional.

“

“I think (there) was a shift in how Ohio thinks about students and their families, and sort of an embrace (how) families look different for everybody,” Olaker said. “So having that inclusive ideology of what family means to students, whether it’s including their siblings or maybe it’s grandparents or chosen family, whatever it might be.”

- Mak Olaker, Assistant Dean of Students and Director for the Office of New Student and Family Programs Scott Bye, interim dean of students, said family weekends are intentionally placed on the calendar because they can be important to first year students. “Knowing that it's been a few weeks since our first year students moved in, it's probably the perfect time for them to connect with their families and have a great weekend with us here,” Bye said. OU Family Weekend offered different events for families and Bobcats to attend, many of which were planned by the Division of Student Life and the Center for Student Engagement and

Leadership. “One thing that we try to do is create something for everybody,” Olaker said “We have an Art Expo, but we also have the football game. We try to create events that can capture multiple audiences, so that there's something for everyone. So that's always a goal too.” Campus Recreation also hosted pilates, pickleball, golf and ziplining at The Ridges. The University Program Council had a Bagels and Bingo event, with Tie Dye and Tailgate hosted by CSEL and Culinary Services. On Friday, there was a comedy show by Zoltan Kaszas in Memorial Auditorium.

These Are the Changes. Now You Decide. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act passed in July 2025. Not a single Democrat in either the House of Representatives or the Senate voted for the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA). The bill passed with universal Democratic opposition. Both Ohio Senators, Bernie Moreno and Jon Husted, voted for the OBBBA. Ohio Representative Troy Balderson (District 12, which includes Zanesville) voted for the OBBBA. Ohio Representative Dave Taylor (District 2, which includes Athens) voted for the OBBBA. After the bill passed, Mr. Taylor said, “I was proud to vote in support of the One, Big, Beautiful Bill.” Ohio is so gerrymandered that it will take a blue tsunami to unseat Balderson and/ or Taylor. Fortunately, the gerrymandering will not affect the races for Senator and Governor.

Abbie Perry, a sophomore studying sociology pre-law, had her mother and grandmother visit.

Heather Cox Richardson wrote, “In their One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which they passed in July 2025 with no Democratic votes, the Republicans delivered Trump’s signature economic policy.

“We might go check out the art,” Abbie Perry said. “Shopping, showing them the local food stops and the coffee shops for sure.”

 The law partially offset trillions of dollars in tax cuts by cutting $911 billion

For some families, the trip to Athens was not quick. Lori Perry, mother of Abbie Perry, said the drive to Athens was seven hours. “Well, it's always worth it to come and spend time with my daughter,” Lori Perry said. “But ever since she chose to come here, we've really been invested in the community feeling of Ohio University and any chance we get, it’s nice to come back.” This past weekend served as a relief for many parents to see their kids again. David Svenson, father to a freshman student at OU, said even though he visited for just the weekend, the family had multiple activities planned. The most important part of Svenson’s weekend was being able to see how his student was doing after settling in. “And honestly, as his parents I mean, it's his first year away, and I'm very proud of him,” Svenson said. “He's very mature, very responsible, but still being three hours away and on his own for the first time, you get the comfort level when you see him and talk to him that everything's going really well.”

@ ADDIEHARTTT AH302225@OHIO.EDU

from Medicaid over ten years. Most of those cuts will begin to take effect in late 2026 and early 2027, after the midterm election.”

Other big changes have happened and are happening with the Republican party controlling the Presidency, the House of Representatives, the Senate, and the Supreme Court (six out of nine justices are hard right). For example:

 Lots of brown-skinned friends and neighbors being sent to detention centers where it is difficult to get Due Process.

 Homeland Security killing Alex Pretti (last words, spoken to a woman he was

helping: “Are you OK?” and Renée Good (last words, spoken to the person who in a few seconds would shoot her: “Dude, I’m not mad at you.”

 Big premiums for Health Insurance.  Huge tax breaks for tech bros.  Gas and food prices going up.  Food rotting in fields because the workers who used to harvest it are afraid to do that now.

 A $40 trillion national debt.  Diesel fuel over $6 per gallon, which leads to inflation because so much is transported by diesel-using trucks.

 A war in Iran that is going badly for the USA. Dead schoolgirls in Iran.  The USA killing fishermen (whom the USA says are narco-terrorists without providing any evidence) in the Caribbean Sea.

 Depletion of highly sophisticated and very expensive missiles that were and are being used to shoot down cheap drones.

 Fear of science, including fear of vaccines.

Are you happy with these changes?  Vote accordingly. Are you unhappy with these changes?  Vote accordingly. David Bruce paid for this ad

THEPOSTATHENS.COM

10

CASSIDY MCCLURG FOR THE POST Venus enters retrograde Oct. 3 until Nov. 13, which means the planet of love will shake up our love lives. Welcome introspection about what love you give and receive. Perhaps it is time to practice self-love. Aries (March 21 - April 19) Rest well this week, Aries. Try not to give in to stress, especially with exams. Get everything done before the evening so you can be rejuvenated. Pluto is in your sign this week, which might put too much on your plate. Be wary of issues hard to ignore, especially regarding your partner. Taurus (April 20 - May 20) Keep track of your wallet this week; try not to overspend. Even with the fun week ahead, you need to focus on sensibility. Keep calm so you have the ability to control your situation. Proceed with caution.

Gemini (May 21 - June 20) You are in abundance this week, Gemini. Even though things are fruitful, you should still take a step back and realize what you want, especially in love. You will find the path meant for you and perhaps you already know which path to take. Have deep conversations this week and take deep breaths. Cancer (June 21 - July 22) Accept help from others, as it’s rare that someone has a secret motive for helping you. If someone does bring trouble, their face will show it. Venus in retrograde might cause you to be charmed by someone new, which could cause issues in your relationship. If single, you could meet someone alluring. Leo (July 23 - Aug. 22) The planetary movements are bringing you positive change this week. Mars is in your sign, so it will give you control, but you might

surprise yourself by taking advice from others. Celebrate your hard work, and go out for a drink or dinner. Virgo (Aug. 23 - Sept. 22) The planets are not in your favor this week, Virgo. Do not fret, though, as this week will bring you cheer despite the challenges. You’ll feel energized at work, which is certainly a mood booster. The only problem this week is in your love life. Clear your head and declutter from a past relationship. You have to let go in order to move on. In addition, any disputes with your current partner can be avoided if you bite your tongue. Libra (Sept. 23 - Oct. 22) Strengthen your relationships this week. Have meaningful conversations with those you love, as this will also boost your mental health. Spiritual and emotional depth will give you energy rather than doubting or overthinking. Perhaps taking a long walk and talking might help you become certain

CROSSWORD

about where you should go next. Scorpio (Oct. 23 - Nov. 21) If things were confusing, they might make sense this week. News or advice from someone will be something you need to hear. Also, Mars and Venus in retrograde will create a desire for love. Remember, this applies to friendships as well. Communication this week is important. Sagittarius (Nov. 22 - Dec. 21) Discipline is a skill you’ll need this week. If you are thinking of ways to improve your situation, get started. To keep peace this season, you need to make the changes yourself. Capricorn (Dec. 22 - Jan. 19) Mercury in Libra helps you see both sides, which will help you refine your position and keep your cool. Venus in retrograde might mean a breakup is on the horizon. Love isn’t perfect, remember

some days are harder than others. Listen closely to the *stories you hear this week. Aquarius (Jan. 20 - Feb. 18) Make sure the pill is easy to swallow, Aquarius, as you need to deeply digest your spiritual feelings. Strengthen your intuition by indulging in alone time. This will help you set a foundation for achievements or meeting someone new. Pisces (Feb. 19 - March 20) Pisces, this week should bring stability to your finances. Investment is important, even in your diet, so eat your vegetables. Enjoy social time this weekend, you might even catch yourself being wise.

Cassidy McClurg is a junior studying journalism at Ohio University. Please note the opinions expressed in this column do not represent those of The Post. Want to talk to Cassidy about their column? Email cm303824@ ohio.edu

SUDOKU

SOLUTIONS TO SEPT. 22 PUZZLES

SEASON 57 Live from Studio C (RTV 515) at 8pm

Sep. 18 - Aslyn Fannin Oct. 9 - Aiden Wickham Oct. 23 - Daniel Gorbett & Gigi Twachtman Nov. 6 - Talitha Thomas Nov. 20 - Emma Anderson, Hannah Bradshaw & Connor Otte /ThePostAthensOH

FRESH HEADLINES DAILY

@ThePost @ThePost /ThePostAthens

MORE STORIES. MORE UPDATES. MORE WAYS TO STAY INFORMED

ABBY DOENCH DESIGN DIRECTOR

Producers

Director

Head Writer

Lila Alix Connor Egloff

Emma Fullenkamp

AnnMarie Palombi

SCAN QR Code to reserve a seat for the LIVE show or view on YouTube

SEPT. 29, 2026

11

Ashely McBride Photo Gallery

Photos by Sophia Mathie | For The Post Top left: AshleyMcBrydeGallery_Mathie_04.jpg: Wes Dorethy plays the fiddle in the Ashley McBryde band at Memorial Auditorium in Athens, Sept. 26, 2026. Top right: Ashley McBryde performs at Memorial Auditorium in Athens, Sept. 26, 2026. Bottom left: Quinn Hill plays the drums in the Ashley McBryde band at Memorial Auditorium, in Athens, Sept. 26, 2026. Bottom right: Chris Harris plays guitar in the Ashley McBryde band at Memorial Auditorium in Athens, Sept. 26, 2026

Bobcat ArtsCare bring access to the arts, supporting mental well-being LIBBY SHOEMAKER HUMAN INTEREST STAFF WRITER For students seeking ways to get involved, having the opportunity to access different forms of the arts is the next step in getting to know the community. Bobcat ArtsCare aims to give students free, easy access to creative opportunities that support one’s mental health and well-being. Bobcat ArtsCare is a program open to students of all majors and artistic experience. Some of the opportunities the program includes are visual, performing, literary and outdoor experiences on campus. Through those connections, the goal is to reduce stress, create connections among students and support overall mental health. Sara Schoenhoft, assistant director for fitness and well-being at Ping Recreation Center, shares the mission of Bobcat ArtsCare. “Bobcat ArtsCare is basically connecting students with arts experiences both on campus and in the community, and the goal is to improve their overall

mental health and well-being,” Schoenhoft said. “To stimulate creativity, to allow them to have social connections, to serve as stress management and do that specifically through the arts.” Bobcat Artscare started in the summer of 2024 by co-creator Sharon Boyle, an associate professor of music therapy. She brought the idea of arts prescription to campus recreation. “I had kind of explored and looked at the idea of arts prescription, which is something that allows people to be connected basically to arts experience and events for purposes of health behavior, preventive care and things like that,” Boyle said. “So we kind of took that idea, I brought it to the well-being and recreation folks and we started developing it.” Boyle said the program isn’t officially arts prescription due to not having clinicians making referrals, though it is based on the same framework, connecting arts with mental well-being. One of the main opportunities the Bobcat ArtsCare offers is one-on-one coaching that

gives students a more personalized experience in the program. ArtsCare coaches provide a plan that recognizes students’ needs in relation to artistic outlets. Coaches also help plan event attendance, finding locations and times that will help students access experiences. Kayla Boswelo, a senior studying English creative writing and dance, serves as Bobcat ArtsCare’s student supervisor. Boswelo oversees the ArtsCare coaches, creates weekly programming and conducts community outreach. “A student will refer themselves to the program and they’ll get matched with a coach, and they will meet and discuss their well-being needs,” Boswelo said. “Our coaches will take that and figure out, based on those specific needs, what artistic experiences would match those specific needs.” She said coaches find ways to give students a creative outlet through a more personalized experience. Additionally, ArtsCare coaches provide support for students at program events. “The coaches that they may

PASS UNIVERSAL HEALTHCARE This is not an abstract concept or a handout. Universal healthcare is a nonpartisan policy in nearly every other modern country. It is proven to lower costs while removing the middlemen who tell us which doctors we can see and which medications we can buy. It provides the freedom to start a business without the fear that you or your child will get sick, the freedom to leave a job you hate and find one you love, and the freedom to take a chance on something without your health being chained to an employer’s HR department. Right now we tie our lives to jobs in a way that keeps us stuck. Coverage disappears when employment does. A layoff becomes a medical crisis. An entrepreneur has to “price in” private premiums before they even open the doors on a new business. That is not a market that encourages innovation and growth. It is a system that punishes risk and rewards consolidation. Universal healthcare breaks that chain.

people need a place to live that does not feel like the Sword of Damocles. Note: This is Jerrad Christian’s position on this issue, but many centrist and progressive politicians hold similar positions.

meet with will be at the event,” Boyle said. “Maybe if they need to be a little brave, it gives them the opportunity to be like, ‘okay, I’m going to go to this event, I don’t know anybody, but I do know the ArtsCare coach who I’ve met with,’ and I think that’s really helpful.” To get connected, the self-referral form connects students with coaches. By knowing there will be a familiar face at events through coaching, students have the extra support to try something new. The program aims to decrease loneliness and limit barriers in place for students to get more involved on campus. Bobcat Artscare offers a variety of events on campus. Thrive Mobile is on campus from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Monday, where two coaches drive a golf cart and give people rides to class while sharing what the program is. On Wednesdays from 4-6 p.m. in the WellBeing Wing in Ping Recreation Center, located at 82 S. Green Dr., the program covers a different craft activity. Fridays 12-2 p.m., coaches have a table in front of Baker University Center, 1 Park Place, with information and merch to give out. In March, the program will be hosting a two-day arts

celebration in collaboration with various creative campus and community departments. The event will feature multiple disciplines for students to have access to all at once. The program also hosts a bigger event every month that features a workshop or class of different art experiences, the next gathering will be held on Oct. 13 outside of Ping. It will be a larger-scale program where students can paint records. The program aims to share that there are many different facets of art available outside of typical drawing and painting. Bobcat Artscare aims to give students access to all kinds of different art forms, and to continue using arts as a way to improve mental well-being. “It really can be an independent experience, but it can also be a communal experience,” Boswelo said. “I think that’s what I love so much about Bobcat ArtsCare, and just really spreading the love for the arts on campus and for those who may not have thought it was accessible to them before.”

@LIBBYSHOE_ LS299724@OHIO.EDU

ARE YOU A VOTER IN OHIO DISTRICTS 2 OR 12? JENNIFER MAZZUCKELLI (mazz-uh-kelly) is running to become US Representative for Ohio District 2. jen4oh2.com

JERRAD CHRISTIAN is running to become US Representative for Ohio District 12. christianforohio.com

CONFIRM YOUR VOTER REGISTRATION: www.usa.gov/confirm-voter-registration

 Visit Can I Vote [ https://www.nass.org/can-I-vote ] and select "voter registration status."

 Choose your state. You will be taken to a page on your state's election website.  Check to see if you are registered. David Bruce paid for this ad, which is not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s campaign.

 DEADLINE TO REGISTER

TO VOTE: MON, OCT. 5

 EARLY VOTING IN OHIO

BEGINS ON TUE, OCT. 6

 THE ELECTION IS TUE, NOV. 3

12

THEPOSTATHENS.COM