Thursday, February 27, 2025
Please read today's newsletter and know that the Herald is committed to prioritizing you always, especially in light of Student Press Freedom Day. We are committed to informing you amidst DEI changes, breaking campus news and important sports updates The Herald is here to serve YOU Have a great day, and as always, GO TOPS!
Across the United States and around the world, journalism is under attack like never before World leaders seek to control the narrative and control reporting whileseeking to limit access by reporters to be in the room where it happens. Those in charge reward journalists who skew the news toward positive coverage while penalizing those who seek to hold them accountable
Read more by the EdBoard
@kystudents4dei on Instagram.
Ali Costellow | Content Editor
Rallies protesting legislation advocating against diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) will occur at each Kentucky public university Friday.
Kentucky Students for DEI, a coalition comprised of student organizers at each involved school, planned the rallies to “combat anti-DEI efforts on the campus, state, and national level,” according to a press release
Actions such as House Bill 4, Senate Bill 164 and one of President Donald Trump’s day-one executive orders support the dissolution of DEI initiatives at local and national levels.
Students gather at the newly reopened da Vinci’s Cafe on the ground floor of Snell Hall on Monday Jan. 27, 2025. Photo by Ava Davis.
Farmer | News Reporter
The WKU Restaurant Group teased a “ new look”for a beloved campus restaurant to start the spring semester Originally opened as DaVinci’s in 2009, the restaurant re-opened on Jan. 27 as da Vinci’s Cafe with a new name and logo. Located in Snell Hall, da Vinci’s Cafeis the only dining option in the “Ogden College neighborhood ” The nearest alternatives are in the Commons “It was time to update the look and feel of daVinci’s with new logos, counters and even some equipment,” WKU Restaurant Group Director of Marketing Nena Shomler stated in an email to the Herald. “We were able to expand our back of house space and provide a more conducive mobile ordering pick up space so we can better serve our guests ”
Read more by Malone Farmer
Western Kentucky Hilltoppers guard Jalen Jackson (3) walks through the tunnel of his teammates as his name is announced on the starting lineup before their game against the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs in E.A Diddle Arena in Bowling Green, Ky., on Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025. Photo by Adin Parks.
WKU Men’s Basketball will look to finish February play strong as they travel to El Paso, Texas to play the UTEP Miners Thursday night After a close finish against Louisiana Tech in Diddle Arena on Saturday, the Hilltoppers will start a two-game road trip in the southwest, hoping to start a winning streak
WKU won a nailbiter versus the Bulldogs 64-63, with guard Braxton Bayless scoring a careerhigh 27 points on 11-19, with the game-winning layup with 0 4 seconds remaining The win snapped a four-game losing streak for the Hilltoppers, moving them to 15-12 (6-8 Conference USA).
Read more by Michael Givner Jr.
After a three-game road trip, WKU Women’s Basketball will be back inside Diddle Arena Thursday to take on the 10-15(3-11) UTEP Miners
The Lady Toppers come back home after
Western Kentucky Lady Toppers guard Alexis Mead (3) inbounds the ball to Western Kentucky Lady Toppers guard Destiny Salary (1) during the matchup against Jacksonville State University in E.A Diddle Arena on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025. Photo by Ian Pitchford.
Western Kentucky University head coach
Greg Collins shouts instructions at his team during a game against Sam Houston State University in Diddle Arena on Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025. Photo by Dominic Di Palermo.
Read more by Austin Rice
winning two of the three road games. Most recently the Lady Toppers defeated Louisiana Tech in comeback fashion 78-73.
Read more by Peyton Reid
Coming off a 15-win season in which the Lady Toppers fell below .500 and lost in the first round of the Conference-USA tournament, the offseason became an important one
In a new era of college basketball, the transfer portal is paramount in attempting to put together a winning team. WKU understood this and brought in several transfers, along with young players finding a swift change in fortune in just one season
Saturday, the Lady Toppers secured their 19th win of the season, exceeding last season ’ s win total by four games. The offseason additions and internal improvement have been essential to the new heights reached by the Lady Toppers
'Steal My Girl' by One Direction
The College Heights Herald is the independent, student-run news organization operating on the campus of Western Kentucky University, emphasizing accuracy and truth while being a public forum for the fair display of diverse opinions and viewpoints. The Herald works to be steadfast and unwavering in its pursuit of truth while being true to the tenets of the WKU Student Publications mission to grow exceptional journalists and innovative leaders through real-world experiences and a strong educational and ethical foundation centered on principled journalism All creative and editorial decisions are made by the Herald’s student leadership, and all consequences of those decisions are the sole responsibility of these student leaders While editorially and operationally independent from the university, the Herald participates in the mission of WKU to prepare students of all backgrounds to be productive, engaged and socially responsible citizen-leaders of a global society, both within and outside of its newsroom Views expressed are diverse and, as an independent publication, should not be taken as representative of views of WKU and any of its administration, faculty, staff, student body or other constituency
