Comedian Ryan Hamilton performed Saturday evening at Illinois State University. The live performance began at 7:30 p.m. in the Braden Auditorium at the Bone Student Center. In addition to the performance, Chicago comedian Nate Armbruster opened before Hamilton took the stage. Hamilton, known for his clean, observational humor, has often appeared on Netflix and late-night television. Hamilton opened for Jerry Seinfeld and starred in the Netflix stand-up special “Happy Face.” His performance at ISU was one of many planned events for this year’s Family Weekend. “It was so refreshing to have a comedian like Ryan Hamilton on campus. He really got the crowd going, his humor felt relatable, and it had everyone laughing,” junior Reilly Schneider said. “I really liked when he talked with the audience,” sophomore Bradley Torry said. “The event made my friends and I feel very lighthearted and energetic. The vibe in the room was incredibly upbeat, and everyone seemed to have a great time.” Community members also attended. “My family and I sometimes have to drive as far as Chicago to see comedians like Ryan. Having him perform here at ISU was such a treat for the community,” Normal resident Ronald Perez said. Hamilton closed his show by asking the audience questions, a move that caught some attendees by surprise. Questions ranged from favorite ice cream flavors to any advice Hamilton had for college students and their families. “I was not expecting him to ask some questions,” junior Val Garcia said. “I’ve seen shows in Chicago where big stars don’t really have audience engagement, so him doing that made the whole experience feel more personal and memorable.” This performance comes a few weeks before Hamilton is set to record a new stand-up special coming to Netflix. Taping for the special will take place Saturday, Oct. 4, in Seattle, Washington.

The Illinois State University Planetarium welcomed families for Family Weekend by presenting its “Laser Fantasy” shows that featured the music of iconic artists throughout the decades. Beginning on Sept. 19, the ISU Planetarium showcased its first show at 6 p.m. and featured music from the well-known rock band, The Beatles. The shows began every hour and a half, featuring music from artists such as Taylor Swift, Elton John, Queen, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin and Garth Brooks. The show, created to be an immersive experience, showcased light-up images that followed the beats of the songs played. Attendees were able to lean back and watch the lasers in the planetarium's reclined seats. Shows lasted approximately thirty minutes. ISU Freshman Veronika Lyman commented on the dazzling light display and getting to experience the show with her family, who visited for Family Weekend. “I went to see the Taylor Swift show and really loved how they showcased a song from almost every album in her discography,” Lyman said. The ticket prices began at $10 for children 12 and under and for adults over 60. All other tickets were sold for $15. “I thought that the light show was really cool and the artwork was done very well. I wish they had played ‘Yellow Submarine' for The Beatles show, but overall I thought it was a great show,” Raquel Torres, freshman attendee, said. The ISU Planetarium will host the “Laser Fantasy” show again from Sept. 26 to Sept. 28, with times announced soon. More information about the show and times can be found on the website.

From 3-6 p.m. Wednesday, students will be able to receive free confidential STD testing. Testing provided by Central Illinois Friends will take place in the parking lot of the Multicultural Center on campus. This is a part of Sex-Ed Night hosted by Pride at Illinois State University, an event to inform students on safe sex practices. Vice president of Pride and junior piano performance student Ezra Tarcak commented on the importance of having these resources available. “We want to normalize getting tested; it’s something everyone can and should do. Our goal is to spread awareness about something people should pay attention to, and partnering with Central Illinois Friends is a great way to do so. Testing is confidential and easy; you can walk in and out and receive your results in 15 minutes,” said Tarcak. Additional information can be found on Redbird Life.

After closing its main branch for renovation in 2024, the Normal Public Library reopened to the public on July 25. The library hosted its grand reopening celebration from 3-5 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 16. Normal Public Library Director John Fischer explained the library’s history and what the renovations have to offer. “The library is in a building that was built in the ‘70s, and there was an addition made in the ‘90s,” Fischer said. “This is a renovation of that new building. So, what we have to offer are updated spaces, improved lighting, updated furnishing, more open areas, a bright collection [of books], and then a few new spaces including a tinker studio, which is the maker space, a preteen lounge area and a teen area.” Before the ribbon cutting ceremony, numerous activities were available for attendees to enjoy, including giveaways, a photo booth and tours of the newly renovated library. Giveaways included bookmarks, stickers, pens, keychains and more. Snacks and light refreshments were also available. Katherine Lester, a retired food service worker at Illinois State University and Normal resident of 13 years shared what it was like for her to come back to the library after it reopened in July. “It’s really amazing because I usually came to this library a lot and I really missed it. The other one was kind of tiny, and now this one is so open and spacious,” Lester said. “It’s just really beautiful. And the open space helps the people, you know. It really does something for your spirit.” Lester expressed that her favorite part of the newly renovated library is the study rooms. “You know, you could just get a pod by yourself. It has outlets and everything for your devices, it cuts off the noise and it’s like you’re in a room by yourself,” Lester said. “It has two seats in each one, so it’s not too big, but it’s just right.” The ceremony continued with a presentation at 4 p.m. led by the McLean County Chamber of Commerce. Membership Director Brooke Fenske took a moment to recognize everyone who made it possible for the renovation to occur. The presentation continued with five guest speakers, all of whom expressed gratitude and reflected upon their memories associated with the Normal Public Library. Guest speakers included President of Normal Public Library Board of Trustees Beth Robb, Mayor Chris Koos, state Rep. Sharon Chung, state Rep. Chris Welch and state Sen. Dave Koehler. Library foundation members, library trustees, the Town of Normal Council and state representatives took an opportunity to take pictures after the presentation. The ribbon cutting took place immediately after. Bloomington Public Library retired librarian Carol Torrens expressed satisfaction with the Normal Public Library’s new appearance. “It’s so much brighter with the carpeting, the pink colors, and the lighting. The previous library was darker, and built in the 1970s. At that time, it was a concrete block building, had smaller windows, and had more darker colors,” Torrens said. “Even visually, it’s just much more exciting beyond the services they can offer now with the teen space and the makers’ space.” For residents like Torrens, the Normal Public Library may hold many fond memories. Torrens, who has lived in Normal for over 26 years, recalled bringing her children to the library. “I brought my kids here when they were younger, and they had fun playing upstairs because they’ve always had a nice little play area,” Torrens said. “So, even at that time, it was more than just books. You can come here and do activities, and of course, there’s all those programs [to] continue learning and continue your education.” Attendees and guest speakers alike recognized how the Normal Public Library is a staple of the Normal community. Fischer expressed the importance of libraries and how they serve the community. “Our top priority is to ensure that our community has an excellent experience when they visit the library. Whether they’re coming in for a book or meeting a friend, or just using the space to read and study,” Fischer said.

The first bill of the year was proposed at Illinois State University’s Student Government Association (SGA) meeting this past Wednesday. The bill will likely be voted on at the next meeting. If approved, it would provide funding for the School Street Food Pantry to buy canvas bags. Watterson Senator Lennon Stoner introduced it. “The School Street Food Pantry has reached out to us this year to help purchase some canvas bags for students to use during Friday pickup … the food pantry provides food and supplies to college students and trade students in the Bloomington-Normal area who are experiencing food insecurity,” Stoner said. “They are a great campus partner that we have worked with in the past.” Two Safe Redbirds representatives attended the meeting to give a presentation on how to stay safe with drugs, alcohol and social events. “One thing that [students] really have to think about is that when their parents were in high school and college, they were doing this kind of stuff … it was a lot different than it is now,” junior criminal justice major Jake Glynn said. Glynn further explained that five out of 10 pills with fentanyl contained a lethal dose, and fentanyl overdose deaths have been increasing dramatically in the past 10 years. He also discussed the dangers of alcohol poisoning and the importance of staying aware and planning. “If [students] take every single thing that we’ve talked about today, it is possible to have fun while also being safe and smart,” Glynn said. Off-Campus Senator Mikayla Blum also announced a field day event, which will allow sport and athletic registered student organizations (RSOs) to connect to potential new members. “It is going to be an opportunity for underrepresented RSOs, specifically like sports and athletics, and like gym-based RSOs … to come out on the Quad and have a little setup of what their sport is,” Blum said. The next SGA meeting will take place at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 1 in the Old Main Room at the Bone Student Center.

In honor of Constitution Day on Sept. 17, the Center for Civic Engagement (CCE) and Leader Education and Development hosted guest speaker Jason Mazzone. Mazzone, professor of law at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, talked about the importance of unity, the Constitution and how to deal with political polarization. Mazzone has a background in teaching the Constitution and law. His work has appeared in prominent legal journals, helped him teach around the world, and led him to meet people such as then-Illinois State Senator Barack Obama. Mazzone opened up his speech talking about the decline in civic America since the 1950s and what that means to the general public. “[There is] a reduction in all kinds of activities in which people had previously forged social connections,” Mazzone said. He said this decline in connection can impact the health of the public and of democracy. Mazzone said that evidence of political polarization is seen in the news almost every day. “We [are] increasingly detached from each other but increasingly attached to people who are like ourselves,” Mazzone said. According to Mazzone, the future of political polarization can be shifted based on how the public deals with each other, and college students want to make a change. “College campuses are polarized in the same way as the country,” Mazzone said. “At the same time, students long for more level-headed engagement.” Despite the need for change, Mazzone said students censor themselves on campus because of concerns of hate. Mazzone highlighted that the public’s trust in the federal government is now at a record low. “A majority of Americans are dissatisfied with the direction the country is taking,” Mazzone said. Even with the low reviews, Mazzone said that Americans still hold the Constitution in high regard. Professor of civic engagement and assistant director of assessment at the CCE, Rachel Waring-Sparks, said that the Constitution can be used for the country to strive. “The Constitution is a powerful but imperfect document that I would like to see society pay more attention to,” Waring-Sparks said. “[It’s] meant to strive to go for continuous improvement.” Graduate student of health sciences Keara Gray emphasized that the Constitution holds a lot of information on what rights you have. “It is important to continue educating yourself on democracy,” Gray said. “You have to take every opportunity to educate yourself.” The question of unity came up often. Mazzone believed that unity starts with who you are friends with. “People [students] hang out with … they all believe the same thing,” Mazzone said. “They are not willing to make an effort to reach across the political aisle.” Mazzone said that the Constitution holds some power to create unification. “The Constitution cultivates and requires connections among the public,” Mazzone said. “It can promote pluralism.” Listeners held Mazzone’s speech in high regard. “It gave me a sense of reassurance,” Gray said. “It’s important to have those conversations about what continuous improvement looks like for American society,” Waring-Sparks said. Mazzone encourages students to take some time to try and understand the Constitution. “From beginning to end, [it] has a lot of value,” Mazzone said. “It doesn’t answer everything,” Mazzone said. “But it gives you a good starting point for answering difficult questions.”