NI 03-11

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11, 2026

‘Together for their tomorrow’

UNI’s Dance Marathon raises $230,150.15 for Stead Family Children’s Hospital

By Josue Villatoro Staff Writer

For 12 hours on Saturday, UNI students packed Maucker Union, dancing to raise money for the Stead Family Children’s Hospital in Iowa City. Dance Marathon’s Big Give event raised $230,150.15, exceeding the previous school year’s total of $200,151.14 for standard pediatric care and also critical, often life-saving medical treatments.

Together, the students stand and drink no caffeinated beverages, to simulate the long hours of children in hospitals who may spend 12 hours a week in dialysis, chemotherapy and other types of rigorous treatments. Though it may sound intimidating at first for those who have never participated, Dance Marathon ensures that each hour spent has a theme to keep morale and a positive mentality for the duration of the event.

This student organization’s cause, exemplified by activities ranging from a miniature carnival, a scavenger hunt and a historical timeline of its events, to an hour dedicated purely to dancing and dressing up as the career aspirations of the Dance Marathon children, is one of exceptional selflessness and dedication. Participants in

the Dance Marathon demonstrated their commitment by dedicating an hour to shaving and cutting a specific amount of their own hair in solidarity with the children at the Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital.

With each hour presented, a family with a “miracle child,” an individual who is currently facing or has survived a life-threatening illness, was given the chance to tell their story and the

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impact that Dance Marathon has had on their lives. This event also serves a way to provide children with a time to lift the worries and stress about hospital-related topics. Members of the numerous fundraising teams are given a chance to not only acquire the funds desired throughout the year, but specifically get the chance to make as much as they can on the day of the “Big Event” through social media posts, emails and text messages. As the Big Give initiative advanced, a special gong was positioned in the center of Maucker Union.

For every $100 donation received, an individual would strike “The Miracle Maker Gong” to publicly acknowledge the contributions. Every philanthropic organization is driven by a mission statement focused on achieving a beneficial goal. This year, the theme is “Together for their Tomorrow.”

Executive Director Will

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Kruger said that “community, teamwork and support” has served as the forefront of the guiding light for the big event.

“We’re all working together to fundraise money, to help support the families right now, so their kids could get better and have a tomorrow,” he said.

Kruger’s personal experience of overcoming childhood cancer significantly motivated his commitment to Dance Marathon, a cause he had encountered frequently in his younger years.

Dance Marathon’s internal structure has expanded significantly, growing from eight executive members and 17 morale captains to approximately 30 leaders. This growth demonstrates the organization’s increasing impact on UNI students seeking greater involvement.

The Maucker Union Ballroom displayed banners supporting children both facing illness and for those who have passed, serving

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as a memorial and reason to honor them and push forward for the night of the Big Give. Each team is assigned a child for their group they are representing with a “Why Wall” being established as a motivational factor.

“Everyone has a different reason, but we put it up just to remind ourselves throughout the day of the Big Event the reason why we’re here and even when we get tired or don’t want to stand anymore, we always come back to the reason why we’re here,” said Director of Hospitality, Campbell Wolfe.

Wolfe described this annual event as a day where “kids can be kids.” Wolfe continued by stating, “So you can give them a little light in a dark time in their life or just a good place to come and hang out with friends and build those connections.”

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UNI police investigating sextortion scam cases

By Estelle Johnson Executive Editor

UNI’s Department of Public Safety sent a safety bulletin regarding recent cases of “sextortion” to the UNI community on March 3. According to the email, “Over the last few weeks, incidents of ‘sextortion’ have been reported to the UNI police and other campus offices. These types of cases have been increasing nationally over the last few years, and the schemes often target high school and college-aged victims.”

There have been two reported incidents of sextortion on campus, according to Joe Tyler, associate director of public safety.

“The victims were both male and female,” said Tyler in an email. “The victims have identified Snapchat, Grindr, Tinder, and text messaging as the forms of communication.”

The cases are currently under investigation by UNI police.

“These cases can be challenging as the offenders create fictitious identities and conceal their locations,” Tyler added.

In its safety bulletin email, UNI Public Safety said that sextortion scams work this way:

- Often using fake profiles, unknown individuals connect with students on dating apps or social media.

- Scammers build a false sense of trust and engage in online relationships.

- Once explicit images or videos are exchanged, the scammer demands money or more images, threatening to release the content publicly if the victim refuses.

UNI Public Safety advised “being cautious with people you meet online, never

sharing explicit photos and/ or videos, reporting threats of violence or pressure, and adjusting social media privacy settings to limit who can contact you.”

According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, sextortion can start on any site, app, messaging platform or game where people meet and communicate.

Sometimes, the first contact from the criminal will be a threat. Then, the person may claim to already have a revealing picture or video of the person that will be shared if the targeted party does not send more pictures.

According to UNI Public Safety, if you are a target in a sextortion scam, you should do the following:

- Do not pay or comply. Giving in to demands often leads to more threats.

- Screenshot and document

any messages and threats.

- Report to UNI Police immediately by calling 319-2732712 or visiting the UNIPD at 030 Gilchrist Hall.

- For support, report to the Office of Civil Rights Compliance at 319-273-2846 or visit the OCRC office at 117 Gilchrist Hall. You may also fill out an online form at https://cm.maxient.com/ reportingform.php?UnivofNorthernIowa&layout_id=1.

Students can also attend free workshops hosted by Green Dot, which is a bystander intervention program that empowers students to help prevent sexual violence, dating violence, stalking, and harassment on campus. Green Dot also connects students with campus resources and support services, helping them understand where to go for help and how to involve trusted

campus offices when someone may be at risk.

“Through interactive training, students learn how to recognize potentially harmful situations and safely intervene using simple strategies such as direct action, distraction, or seeking help from others,” said Brenda White, Investigator and Prevention Specialist for the Office of Civil Rights Compliance.

There are two Student Green Dot Workshops scheduled for April.

The first Green Dot workshop is scheduled for April 8, from 10 a.m. until 11 a.m. Both workshops take place in the State College Room, located in the basement of Maucker Union.

The second Green Dot workshop is scheduled for April 16, from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m, also in the State College Room.

NISG candidates debate safety, engagement

By Lily Munnik News Editor

Two teams vying to be the next leaders of the Northern Iowa Student Government presented their campaigns on campus engagement, safety and advocacy during a student debate ahead of the upcoming election.

The debate featured presidential candidates Gabriel Salazar and Jason Vinsick, along with their respective running mates Dee Dee Benton and Jasper DeWolf. Voting for the election took place March 10-11 through a link sent to students and winning candidates will be announced Wednesday, March 11 at 7 p.m.

Salazar and Benton announced their candidacy on Feb. 23, while Vinsick and DeWolf entered the race on March 2.

Salazar, currently vice president of Northern Iowa Student Government, is running with Benton, Cedar Falls native and the student government liaison to the Cedar Falls City Council. Both candidates are juniors. Their opponents, Vinsick and DeWolf, are freshmen. Vinsick currently serves as executive director of Dancer Hall and is majoring in business and philosophy, while DeWolf is an electrical engineering major.

Vinsick and DeWolf centered their campaign on increasing student engagement and improving campus culture.

“It’s not hard to see that

student engagement has been declining over the course of the past few years,” said Vinsick during his campaign introduction.

To address that issue, the pair proposed “Cedarfest,” a week-long festival designed to bring together student organizations and encourage collaboration across campus. Their campaign also aims to examine university policies that they say make organizing residence hall events difficult.

“Right now, it’s increasingly difficult to create events or to get anything planned for dorms,” Vinsick said. “So we’d like to kind of look at some university policy and see how possible it is for us to negotiate that.”

DeWolf said their positions as first-year students could provide an opportunity to adapt to the role while listening to a wide range of student perspectives.

“Because I am a freshman, that gives me a greater opportunity to grow as a person into this role and make sure that I listen to all sides of campus equally,” said DeWolf.

Meanwhile, Salazar and Benton focused their campaign on increasing awareness of campus resources and uniting the student body.

“The biggest thing that we are helping with is empowering student voices as well as unifying all of us, not only as students but as Panthers and

citizens of a broader community,” Benton said.

Salazar pointed to recent enrollment growth as an opportunity to expand awareness of university services.

“This 150th class is the largest total undergraduate class of students since 2017,” said Salazar. “Our campaign is really focused on expanding those campus resources and ensuring that students are aware of what’s available for them on campus.”

Audience members also questioned the candidates about campus safety following recent reports of sexual assault and reported incidents of what UNI public safety called “sextortion.”

Benton emphasized the emotional impact of these reports and the need to increase the visibility of support on campus.

“Seeing these emails absolutely breaks my heart and it makes me scared to walk across the campus that I call home,” said Benton. “That’s why one of the most important initiatives within our campaign is increasing the sexual assault resources that are on campus.”

Salazar said their campaign would also focus on prevention efforts by encouraging more student organizations to complete their Green Dot training.

“As long as we promote that, we can promote prevention, and we can help students look out for each

other,” Salazar said.

Vinsick said community building could also help address safety concerns.

“When individuals go out and seek to harm other individuals like that, it really creates a gap for people to trust,” said Vinsick.

He suggested exploring partnerships with organizations that could offer self-defense classes for students.

DeWolf highlighted the importance of strengthening connections within the community.

“If it’s easier to speak with people and ask them to walk home with you, then that functions as a way to prevent such terrible things from happening again,” said DeWolf.

Candidates were also asked how they would protect student press freedom and support academic programs facing political pressure, including humanities and social justice programs.

Salazar said the student government would continue defending students’ First Amendment rights.

“Our newspaper, our publications and any other student organization always has the right to voice their opinion and we will never take that away from them,” said Salazar.

Benton added that the campaign wants to promote First Amendment training that is already available to students.

Vinsick voiced similar

beliefs for press freedom and proposed stronger collaboration between the student government and campus media.

“I absolutely believe in the freedom of speech and freedom of the press entirely,” Vinsick said.

When asked about advocacy for humanities programs, Salazar pointed to recent conversations with the Iowa Board of Regents.

“By restricting our coursework, they’re restricting our ability to think, our free thought and our ability to express ourselves,” said Salazar.

Benton, who is pursuing a minor in women’s and gender studies, said she would continue to advocate for those programs.

“As a women’s and gender studies minor, but also as a queer woman myself, it is incredibly important that we are continuing our advocacy,” said Benton.

Vinsick also voiced his support for students’ ability to choose their own academic paths.

“They’re paying for this college, for this institution,” said Vinsick. “They should be able to choose their major and minor. It’s not the state’s job to tell them what major they’re supposed to take.”

Students can learn more about the two campaigns on Instagram @gabrielanddeedee4uni and @vinsickdewolf4uni.

N.I. EN ESPAÑOL

Los candidatos al gobierno estudiantil discuten la participación y la seguridad en el campus a una semana de las elecciones

Por Lily Munnik, Editora de noticias

Traductora invitada: Mariana Garcia, estudiante del curso SPAN 3016 Translation for Heritage Speakers

Dos equipos que compiten por ser los próximos líderes del gobierno estudiantil de UNI presentaron sus campañas sobre participación, seguridad y defensa en el campus durante un debate estudiantil antes de las próximas elecciones.

El debate contó con la participación de los candidatos presidenciales Gabriel Salazar y Jason Vinsick, junto con sus respectivos compañeros de plataforma Dee Dee Benton y Jasper DeWolf. La votación tendrá lugar el 10 y 11 de marzo a través de un enlace enviado a los estudiantes.

Salazar y Benton anunciaron su candidatura el 23 de febrero, mientras que Vinsick y DeWolf entraron en la carrera el 2 de marzo.

Salazar, actual vicepresidente del gobierno estudiantil de UNI, se presenta junto a Benton, natural de Cedar Falls y coordinadora con el ayuntamiento de la ciudad. Ambos candidatos son estudiantes de tercer año.

Sus oponentes, Vinsick y DeWolf, son estudiantes de primer año. Vinsick actualmente se desempeña como director ejecutivo de Dancer Hall y se especializa en negocios y filosofía, mientras que DeWolf estudia ingeniería eléctrica.

Vinsick y DeWolf centraron su campaña en aumentar la participación de los estudiantes y mejorar la cultura del campus.

"No es difícil ver que la participación estudiantil ha ido disminuyendo en el transcurso de los últimos años", dijo Vinsick durante la introducción de su campaña.

Para abordar esa cuestión, la pareja propuso "Cedar Fest", un festival de una semana de duración diseñado para reunir a las organizaciones estudiantiles y fomentar la colaboración por todo el campus.

Su campaña también pretende examinar las políticas universitarias que, según dicen ellos, dificultan la organización de eventos en las residencias universitarias.

"Ahora mismo, cada vez

es más difícil organizar eventos o planificar algo para las residencias", dijo Vinsick. "Por eso, nos gustaría revisar algunas políticas universitarias y ver si podemos negociarlas".

DeWolf dijo que sus posiciones como estudiantes de primer año podrían brindarles la oportunidad de adaptarse al rol a la vez que escuchan una amplia gama de perspectivas estudiantiles.

"Como soy estudiante de primer año, tengo una mayor oportunidad de crecer como persona en este puesto y asegurarme de escuchar a todos los lados del campus por igual", dijo DeWolf.

Mientras tanto, Salazar y Benton centraron su campaña en aumentar la conciencia sobre los recursos del campus y unir al colectivo estudiantil.

"Lo más importante que estamos haciendo es empoderar las voces de los estudiantes, así como unificarnos a todos, no solo como estudiantes, sino como Panteras y ciudadanos de una comunidad más amplia", dijo Benton. Salazar señaló el reciente crecimiento de la matrícula como una oportunidad para ampliar el conocimiento de los servicios universitarios.

"Esta promoción número 150 es la más numerosa de estudiantes de pregrado desde el 2017", afirmó Salazar.

"Nuestra campaña se centra en ampliar los recursos del campus y en asegurar que los estudiantes conozcan lo que

tienen a su disponibilidad ".

Los miembros de la audiencia también interrogaron a los candidatos sobre la seguridad del campus luego de los recientes informes de agresión sexual y los incidentes denunciados de lo que la seguridad pública de UNI llamó "sextorsión".

Benton enfatizó el impacto emocional de estos informes y la necesidad de aumentar la visibilidad del apoyo en el campus.

"Ver estos correos electrónicos me parte el corazón y hace que me dé miedo caminar por el campus que considero mi casa", dijo Benton. "Por eso, una de las iniciativas más importantes de nuestra campaña es aumentar los recursos contra la agresión sexual disponibles en el campus".

Salazar dijo que su campaña también se centraría en los esfuerzos de prevención alentando a más organización de estudiantes a completar su capacitación Green Dot.

“En la medida que promovamos eso, podemos promover la prevención y podemos ayudar a los estudiantes a cuidarse unos a otros”, dijo Salazar.

Vinsick afirmó que el desarrollo comunitario también podría ayudar a abordar las preocupaciones de seguridad.

“Cuando ciertos individuos buscan perjudicar a otros de esa manera, realmente se crea una brecha en la confianza de la gente”, afirmó Vinsick.

Sugirió explorar alian-

zas con organizaciones que podrían ofrecer clases de defensa personal a los estudiantes.

DeWolf destacó la importancia de fortalecer los vínculos dentro de la comunidad.

“Si es más fácil hablar con la gente y pedirles que te acompañen a casa, eso funciona como una forma de evitar que cosas tan terribles vuelvan a ocurrir”, dijo DeWolf.

También se preguntó a los candidatos cómo protegerían la libertad de prensa estudiantil y apoyarían los programas académicos que enfrentan presión política, incluyendo los de humanidades y justicia social.

Salazar afirmó que el gobierno estudiantil seguirá defendiendo los derechos de los estudiantes bajo la Primera Enmienda.

“Nuestro periódico, nuestras publicaciones y cualquier otra organización estudiantil siempre tiene el derecho a expresar su opinión y nunca se lo quitaremos”, dijo Salazar.

Benton añadió que la campaña busca promover la capacitación sobre la Primera Enmienda, que ya está disponible para los estudiantes.

Vinsick expresó convicciones similares sobre la libertad de prensa y propuso una colaboración estrecha entre el gobierno estudiantil y los medios de comunicación del campus.

“Creo firmemente en la libertad de expresión y la libertad

de prensa”, dijo Vinsick.

Al preguntarle sobre la defensa de los programas de humanidades, Salazar mencionó conversaciones recientes con la Junta de Regentes de Iowa.

“Al restringir nuestros cursos, están restringiendo nuestra capacidad de pensar, nuestro libre pensamiento y nuestra capacidad de expresarnos”, dijo Salazar.

Benton, quien cursa una especialización en estudios de la mujer y de género, afirmó que seguirá abogando por esos programas.

“Como estudiante de estudios de la mujer y de género, pero también como mujer queer, es fundamental que continuemos con nuestra labor defensa”, afirmó Benton.

Vinsick también expresó su apoyo a la capacidad de los estudiantes para elegir su propia trayectoria académica.

“(Los estudiantes) están financiado esta universidad, esta institución”, dijo Vinsick. “Deberían poder elegir su especialización y subespecialización. No es responsabilidad del estado decirles qué especialización deben cursar”.

Los estudiantes pueden obtener más información sobre las dos campañas en Instagram. @gabrielandeedee4uni and @vinsickdewolf4uni.

Mega Dimensions DLC: A Watered-Down add-on to an Incredible Game campaign

By Theo Trimble Staff Writer

On Dec. 10, 2025, around two months after the base game’s release, Game Freak came out with the official Pokémon Legends Z-A: Mega Dimensions DLC, also known as downloadable content. As the hype for the game grew, the sudden release of the DLC drew mixed reviews from the fanbase, splitting the group into two main sides: did Legends Z-A need a DLC, or was it too soon?

The Strange World of DLCs

DLCs for the mainline Pokémon series have always been a mixed bag. While a majority of people say the Sword and Shield DLC was a significant boost for the plain base game, those same people will say that Scarlet and Violet’s DLC was a useless addition to the media.

While Pokémon Legends Z-A took place entirely within Lumiose City, the DLC gives the player a chance to explore new dimensions within Lumiose, titled Hyperspace Lumiose, using special berries and baking with Hoopa, a longtime Kalos mythical, and Ansha, a new character introduced in the series. The main goal is to work with your team to research the mysterious wormhole looming over the city.

DLCs for the mainline Pokémon series have always been a mixed bag. While a majority of people say the Sword and Shield DLC was a significant boost for the plain base game, those same people will say that Scarlet and Violet’s DLC was a useless addition to the media.

Positives

Overall, I enjoyed the experience of this DLC. I thought it was a nice way to wrap up loose ends for the original story, and bringing in new Pokémon and Mega Evolutions through Hyperspace Lumiose was an interesting touch. I think a large chunk of the new mechanics was also very interesting, especially the boss battles and Hyperspace quests.

The DLC also brought back one of my favorite parts of the main game: side quests, as they added over 50 new entries, both within Lumiose City and Hyperspace Lumiose. These small additions can make a huge difference by expanding the world-building and character development in a game.

The minor things I enjoyed were the references and appearances of characters we knew from the original X and Y games. These references to the outside of Lumiose and other parts of the Kalos region, again, were a good way to storybuild. The expansion of the Pokédex was also a nice touch, though it was obvious it would happen due to GameFreak’s track record.

Negatives

My enjoyment of this DLC was obviously prominent during my playthrough, but I found myself disappointed with several elements of this expansion pack. My overall disdain stemmed from how slow and grindy the new Hyperspace Quests were. Having an original Switch obviously made loading times between dimensions slower — but I believe that just because a new model has come out doesn’t mean the old one should decline in quality.

This DLC had major problems with pacing and story. It felt very forced that every single mythical and legendary creature not in the base game was suddenly introduced in strange, uncanonical ways. Although we are given a reason why the final boss is upset, it is obvious that the developers were confused about which creature they should introduce as a main threat to the story.

There’s also the problem of the mechanic getting into Hyperspace Lumiose. The player is required to get berries from inside these wormholes to make donuts, but since the time inside these pockets is limited, it’s hard to get everything they need, while Pokémon and barriers around the city block them from all of it.

The new Mega Evolutions are not something to write home about. Megas are not supposed to just be a bigger version of a Pokémon with an extra few add-ons; they’re supposed to be an advancement of the creature’s evolution, bringing something new and exciting to a design.

I was incredibly disappointed in these new installments, and although some had fun and quirky ideas, they did not fully hit the nail on the head.

The expansion pack is also full of cutscenes. I felt like every time I wanted to do something, I was dragged into the slowest and most boring cutscene in the world. Pokémon has always had this problem of unneeded cutscenes, and I doubt they’ll stop for Generation 10 and beyond. The story felt clunky at times, and was very forced in the way it pushed along — almost as if the writers were improvising along the way.

Overall Thoughts

With an overall 65 out of 100 and a Generally Unfavorable user score from Metacritic, Pokémon Legends Z-A: Mega Dimensions DLC did not live up to the hype of the base game.

Many people predicted this, saying that it was too soon for a DLC to be released, as it had only been two months since the base game was released. ScreenRant’s review, giving the game a 50 out of 100, claims “There’s a lot to like here, but it also feels like the post-game content that should’ve just been in Legends: Z-A to begin with.”

I was incredibly disappointed by this game’s downfall. The base game was such an interesting and fun experience for old and new fans of the series, but the DLC felt so forced and unneeded, adding things that should’ve been in the base game.

My review of the DLC itself was a 6.1/10, and with my original base game review of 8.7, it brings us to a heartbreaking 7.4/10. Hopefully, Game Freak can learn from their mistakes on this one.

People You Should Know UNI spotlights campus leaders in honor of sesquicentennial celebration

Ruth Bluford Anderson

Courtesy/InsideUNI

”

A

trailblazer

for women and people of color in higher

education

I knew my teaching here would affect the quality of social work in Iowa and I felt it needed it.”

By InsideUNI

As a Black woman navigating the challenges of the late 1960s, the achievements of Ruth Bluford Anderson were built on resilience and a deep commitment to helping others. She was a trailblazer for women and people of color in higher education roles, and eventually led to her becoming the first African American department head across UNI’s campus.

In her 1985 autobiography, she documents her longstanding legal battle with the university:

“I began what was to be for me, personally, the longest battle against discrimination that I have had to fight. My request for promotion to full professor, while recommended by my Departmental Professional Assessment Committee and my department head, was denied.”

The battle eventually resulted in her being awarded a full professorship with tenure. The out-of-court settlement was seen as a major victory for female professors at public universities in Iowa.

Anderson founded the social work program at the University of Northern Iowa in 1969 and taught all three courses offered at the time. She

also built a social work library, established field placement connections with local agencies, designed and built the social work curriculum and obtained program accreditation approval from the Council on Social Work Education.

“I decided to come to UNI after checking the enrollment and realizing that a large percentage of UNI students continue to reside and work in Iowa throughout their lives,” said Anderson in the Northern Iowan. “I knew my teaching here would affect the quality of social work in Iowa and I felt it needed it.”

Today, the UNI Bachelor of Social Work program regularly has 200 students enrolled in the major.

In recognition of Anderson’s contributions to the program, the department offers the Ruth Bluford Anderson Social Work Scholarship for an undergraduate social work major.

Previously employed as a social worker in Waterloo, she worked in and studied public welfare and addiction. Anderson was one of the first to focus on the problems faced by minorities, specifically women struggling with alcoholism and substance abuse by Black people.

She was heavily involved in the area, serving

- Ruth Bluford Anderson, founder of UNI’s social work program in 1969

as the president of the Black Hawk County chapter of the NAACP, a member of the Iowa Substance Abuse Commission, active in the Sickle Cell Foundation of Black Hawk County and also wrote letters and spoke on the phone with prisoners in Iowa’s penitentiary.

After 22 years of service to UNI, Anderson retired with a Professor Emeritus status. She then began serving on the Black Hawk County Board of Supervisors, becoming the first African American woman elected to a county Board of Supervisors in the state of Iowa.

Anderson’s work earned her numerous awards, such as induction into the Iowa Women’s Hall of Fame in 1982 and the Iowa African American Hall of Fame in 1996.

She was also named Social Worker of the Year by the Iowa Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers and received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Association of Social Workers.

“I feel I’ve been recognized because I’ve taken advantage of all the opportunities given to me to impact the lives of others,” she said after her induction into the Iowa Women’s Hall of Fame.

FILM REVIEW

‘Send

Help’: A horrifically farcical time at the movies

By Brendon Schnathorst Staff Writer

Since 2009s “Drag Me to Hell,” director Sam Raimi (“The Evil Dead” & “Spider-Man” trilogies) hadn’t delved into the realm of horror, instead delivering big budget blockbusters under the Disney banner.

Now, with his latest entry, he returns to his roots to deliver “Send Help,” a battle of the sexes story that effortlessly blends deliciously bloody survival horror with outrageously quirky comedy.

It stars Rachel McAdams (“Mean Girls”) as the dedicated Linda Liddle, an unpopular strategist whose attempt to climb the corporate ladder is foiled by a snarky and misogynistic new CEO, Bradley (Dylan O’Brien, “The Maze Runner”).

On a flight to an important conference, the plane crashes into the ocean, with only Linda and Bradley surviving.

Now stranded on a deserted island, the two are forced to stick together for survival, slowly delving the two into insanity.

Sam Raimi’s style positions itself within in the cultural zeitgeist with “Spider-Man 2,” delivering sensitivity with abject amusement.

His style often includes some creative camera fluidity within set pieces like with “Spider-Man 2” or “Army of Darkness.” These techniques always complement sympathetic characters such as in “A Simple Plan” or “Darkman.” “Send

Help” graciously follows this trend, leading to a delightful, if not flawed time.

As aforementioned, Sam Raimi’s direction contributes to the ever growing tension between Linda and Bradley.

An example of this that best exemplifies this is when the first two meet. We are shown how Linda’s colleagues don’t think highly of her, juxtaposing how Linda looks highly upon herself. Raimi chooses to utilize extreme close-ups and wider lenses for their first interaction as it graciously demonstrates the differences between them, while also showing Bradley’s overly sensitive and passive view of her.

The editing in this movie advances the pacing and comedy that Raimi interjects. While the quick cuts and edits used for comedic timing may turn off some viewers, it ultimately works for this movie, given how much of it is set in one isolated location, but also to add a sense of personality and polarity to the leads.

Rachel McAdams and Dylan O’Brien keep the audience engaged. McAdams blends the awkward quirkiness of her character at the beginning with a sense of ferociousness.

Dylan O’Brien manages to echo the gleeful scumbaginess of frequent Raimi collaborator, Bruce Campbell. O’Brien combines a hilariously exaggerated representation of nepotism, delivering a biting comedic performance while supplying levels of seduction and backstabbing.

The on-screen dynamic between McAdams and O’Brien helps their slow descent into madness be more believable to the audience. The fluctuation of their relationship, with them hating each other and them growing closer helps the movie feel fresh.

While the audience is supposed to like Linda, and love-to-hate Bradley, the movie gives Bradley a more sympathetic edge.

While this may help some audiences relate more to Bradley, it does take away from the intentions of the movie, showing how sympathetic higher ups (typically men) can belittle the people below.

There are major plot elements that are fairly predictable for a movie riding the expectations of unpredictability. Some audience members may expect the movie to get crazier, especially compared to the outrageous “Evil Dead 2.”

Ultimately, “Send Help” features great performances from Rachel McAdams and Dylan O’Brien, combining terror with comedy that ranges from snappy, to outrageous.

The violence is extreme, the setting is utilized well in the story, and it manages to avoid repetition. At the end of the day, Raimi delivers an entertaining movie that can appeal to those looking for a good time.

“Send Help” is currently awaiting a streaming release date.

Four wins in four days: Panthers break 10-year NCAA Tournament drought

By Cohen Kamaus Sports Editor

Trey Campbell didn’t have to be a Panther for four years. He could’ve gone elsewhere. He could have pursued opportunities that involved more money, more success or more recognition.

But he didn’t.

Instead, Campbell stayed loyal to the program that offered him his lone opportunity out of high school. On Sunday, that loyalty paid off, as Campbell scored 23 points to help the Panthers win the Missouri Valley Conference championship and punch their ticket to the NCAA Tournament with an 84-69 victory over the UIC Flames.

“This is what we plan for, exactly what we work for, exactly what we talked about in the office,” said Campbell, who was named the Doug Elgin Most Outstanding Player of the Tournament. “They got me to stay here, we wanted to come here and win a championship and go to the tournament and that’s what we did.”

The Panthers’ path to the top of the MVC was not easy, and included a gauntlet of four games in four days. UNI defeated the Evansville Purple Aces in the opening round, advancing with a 68-59 victory. In the quarterfinals, the Panthers faced the No. 3 seeded Illinois

State Redbirds, a team that swept them in the regular season. UNI flipped the script, jumping out to a quick lead and never looking back, beating the Redbirds 74-52. That set up a semifinal game with the Bradley Braves, the No. 2 team in the field. Once again, the Panthers were scorching hot from the opening whistle, shooting an astonishing 67% from beyond the arc, carrying a 45-32 lead into halftime. The Braves closed the gap in the second half off some Panther miscues, but UNI prevailed, 73-69, setting up a date with the UIC Flames in the final.

The Panthers and Flames split the season series against each other. UNI went on the road on Dec. 17 and won 60-54. UIC returned the favor on Jan. 13, winning 69-61 inside the McLeod Center. Entering that game, the Flames were 7-10 and looked to have no postseason aspirations. Now, they entered the MVC championship game with a 19-15 record, pulling off one of the best midseason turnarounds in the country.

But at this point, prior games and records do not matter. This was a winnertake-all game, with the winner advancing to the NCAA Tournament as the MVC representative. Despite playing two games in just 18 hours, coach Ben Jacobson assured

everyone that “they’ll be ready.” Much like the other games, UNI got off to a fast start. Senior guard Max Weisbrod scored early buckets for the Panthers, while also pacing the defensive intensity on the other side. The Panthers were ferocious in the paint, finding easy layups and spreading the ball around. Assists accompanied 15 of the first 19 Panther baskets, helping them carry a 48-41 lead into the break.

The Flames would battle back in the early stages of the second half. Elijah Crawford put the team on his back, netting 29 points and keeping UIC in the game. That was until the Panthers made a play that changed the trajectory of the game.

With 13:40 remaining in the game, the Panthers went cold, allowing for UIC to crawl back and make it a three-point game, 54-51. Then, Campbell swung the ball to Leon Bond, who drove in, cocked the ball back and slammed it home for the one-handed flush, sending the UNI faithful into a frenzy and changing the momentum for good.

From there on out, it was all UNI. Campbell and Ben Schwieger made back-toback three-pointers to extend the lead to eight. Yet again, UIC did not go away easily, bringing the game back to a two-possession game multi -

ple times, but each time the Panthers had a response. As the time kept ticking, the UNI fans in the stands started to feel it, breaking out in “U-N-I” chants every time the Flames had the ball. The final few seconds ran off the court and the Panthers mobbed each other at center court, completing the climb to the top of the MVC. Head coach Ben Jacobson was proud of his team and the effort they displayed all week.

“I’m just happy for these guys, they don’t know anything about the 10 years,” said Jacobson when he was asked what it meant to get back to the NCAA tournament after a 10-year drought. “You have no idea how lucky I am to be around these guys every day. It’s been such a privilege.”

Campbell led the Panthers with 23, with Schwieger registering a season-best 18 points. Bond and Tristan Smith both added 10, while RJ Taylor provided five points off the bench. Campbell joins Cam Johnson in 1994, Ben Jacobson in 2004, Kwadzo Ahelegbe in 2010, Seth Tuttle in 2015 and Wes Washpun in 2016 as the sixth player in team history to be named MVC Tournament MVP. Coach Jacobson was asked about the culture of his program and what he looks for in potential players.

“We’ve tried to stick with what we’ve been doing for a long time. Really good high school players that’ll stick around and buy in to what you’re doing and that want a place they can call home. Trey, Tytan Anderson last year, Jacob Hutson last year, these guys love Northern Iowa and they want a place to call home. Legacy means something to them.”

The win puts the Panthers in the MVC history books as the lowest seed to ever win Arch Madness. It is the program’s sixth MVC title, the most among current conference members. Jacobson extended his grasp on the lead for most MVC tournament wins by a head coach, now standing at 24 wins. UNI trailed for just 34 seconds of game time during the whole MVC tournament, cementing themselves as one of the most dominant conference tournament runs in MVC history.

“They earned it,” said Jacobson. “This is the best thing you can do as a college basketball player. And a college team. [What] these guys are doing right now, that’s what I’m happiest about.”

The Panthers now wait for the NCAA Tournament selection show to learn their opponent. The show is set for March 15 at 5 p.m.

Strong Finish

UNI closes regular season strong, defeat Sycamores and Bulldogs

By Nicole Waters Sports Writer

The Northern Iowa women’s basketball team’s regular season came to a close this past weekend, but not before the squad picked up two crucial wins against Indiana State and Drake. A pair of wins ensured the Panthers the No. 4 seed at the upcoming MVC Tournament in Coralville.

UNI started the weekend playing against the Indiana State Sycamores, where the Panthers opened on a 5-for5 run from the floor during an 11-0 start. Taryn Wharton nailed a 3-pointer out of the gate to force an early ISU timeout. Northern Iowa continued pushing with four straight layups to give them an 11-0 lead before the Sycamores answered with two baskets. UNI responded with a 20-8 run, including eight points from the free-throw line to build an 18-point lead at 31-13. Jenna Twedt ended the quarter with a layup to give the Cats a 34-17 lead heading into the second quarter.

Twedt opened the second quarter with a pair of 3-pointers to give the Panthers their first 20-point lead of the game at 42-22. The Sycamores answered each Panthers basket with two points of their own to cut into the lead, but UNI remained up 49-32 going into halftime.

Ryley Goebel opened the third quarter, scoring the first five points for the Panthers, followed by four straight from Wharton to keep the lead at 20. Maren Schmotzer secured a couple of baskets before Twedt scored the last four

points of the quarter, including a 3-pointer to give the Cats a 21-point lead heading into the final frame. Entering the fourth quarter with a 71-50 lead over the Sycamores, UNI knocked down three 3-pointers and also scored six points from the free-throw line to walk away with a commanding 92-73 win over Indiana State.

The Panthers hosted their final game of the regular season inside the McLeod Center, where they welcomed in-state rival Drake. Drake came out firing in the first quarter, holding the Panthers to just four points. Twedt had all four points for UNI with a 3-pointer and a free throw as the Bulldogs took a 17-4 lead heading into the second quarter.

UNI found its groove in the second quarter and outscored Drake 26-15 as the Panthers cut the deficit to just four points at 22-18 with a 14-5 run to open the frame. Goebel and Wharton each scored four points to start the quarter as the Panthers continued to push the pace with a 10-3 run, which included four points from Virginia Edmondson. Northern Iowa trailed the Bulldogs by just two going into halftime, 32-30.

Both teams came out fighting in the third quarter with eight points apiece in the first five minutes of play. Abby Tuttle secured a pair of late 3-pointers to give UNI a onepoint edge in the frame and cut the deficit to just one at 48-47 heading into the fourth quarter.

The Panthers opened the

fourth quarter with four free throws, including three from Twedt and one from Goebel to take a three-point lead early. Drake responded with a six-point run to retake the lead before Northern Iowa answered with a 6-2 run of its own to give the Cats a one-point advantage. The Bulldogs had a layup with about two minutes left, which would be their final basket of the game, as UNI closed on an eight-point run to seal a 65-58 win on Senior Day.

Head coach Tanya Warren was proud of her team’s effort.

“A lot of emotions for a variety of reasons. The men’s game was on, you know it’s your last day in the McLeod, I expected us to be a little rocky early, and we definitely [were],’ said Warren. “I’m so proud of this team.”

Entering the season, the Panthers only had five players on their roster that had Division 1 game experience. Warren says that’s a testament to the new players, and the ones who returned, especially Goebel.

“She led the league in field goal percentage, blocked

shots, had a triple double with 10 blocked shots, and just had a terrific year. And this is a young lady who stayed for four years, who could’ve went and got paid, and got very little NIL to stay, and that’s the definition of loyalty and it has paid off with her leadership and how she has led this team to third place. Extremely proud of these young women.”

The Panthers secured a first round bye in the MVC tournament, and will face the Bradley Braves on Friday at 2:30 p.m.

Tatum returns: unprecedented or unexpected

Just 10 months after tearing Achillies, the Celtics star forward is back

By Carter Lust Sports Writer

On May 12, 2025, the Boston Celtics returned to Madison Square Garden for Game 4 of the Eastern Conference semifinals on their hopeful path to winning backto-back NBA championships. Although the Celtics were up 2-1 in the series against the New York Knicks, Boston found itself trailing late in the fourth quarter amid a rambunctious playoff atmosphere at The Garden.

With 3:14 of game time remaining, Jayson Tatum calls for the basketball near the right elbow while sealing Knicks forward OG Anunoby on his back. Anunoby, not willing to give up any ground on Tatum, nudges him out toward the 3-point line to hinder the Celtics star’s chances of breaking into New York’s 111-104 lead.

After receiving the entry pass from teammate Jrue Holiday, Tatum sizes up Anunoby before surveying the floor, looking for an open teammate to get an easy score. Then he sees him — a cutting Jaylen Brown coming off a near-left elbow pindown screen. Tatum fires an overhead pass to Brown, who has a step on defender Mikal Bridges. However, Bridges swipes at the ball as he stumbles to the ground, causing it to slip from Brown’s hands. With the ball between Tatum and Brown, Tatum dives to the ground in an attempt to save the possession.

And then it pops. The crowd roars in excitement as Anunoby races down the floor for a breakaway dunk to put the Knicks up nine.

Yet so did Tatum’s Achilles, which split when he pushed himself off the hardwood trying to secure the basketball.

According to the Hospital for Special Surgery, one of the United States’ top orthopedic hospitals, an Achilles rupture requires casting or bracing for an average of eight to 10 weeks. The organization also states that most individuals take six to nine months to begin activities such as running and jumping. Rationally, it would take a professional basketball player even longer to return to full-contact play in the world’s top league.

And for most players, it does, at least within the last decade. For instance, Tyrese Haliburton and Damian Lillard, who both tore their Achilles tendons in last year’s playoffs, are each sitting out the entire 2025-26 NBA season.

Haliburton recently

appeared on the “Mind the Game” podcast with LeBron James, where he discussed his eventual return to the court.

About 30 weeks into his rehab journey, Haliburton mentioned he had started playing 3-on-3 and 4-on-4 fullcourt with the Indiana Pacers interns and player development staff.

“I’m playing with these guys, and I feel so nice. I’m like, ‘Oh, I could play an NBA game right now,’” said Haliburton.

So later he went up against (now former) Pacers starter Bennedict Mathurin in another live-ball scenario. “(Mathurin) hesied me one time,”

Haliburton said with a smile.

“He was at the rim. I was still at the 3-point line. I’m like, ‘I still got some time, you know?’ I got to give myself some grace … understand it’s going to take some time.”

Time is something Damian Lillard is no stranger to, even if a yearlong recovery process was not on his schedule when he returned to the Portland Trail Blazers. Nevertheless, “Dame Time” still answered the call for the 2026 NBA 3-point contest, where he won the competition despite not appearing in an NBA game since last May.

After his emphatic shooting display, Lillard told reporters on-site at All-Star Weekend in Los Angeles that he believes he represents strength for all individuals going through hardship, not just injured basketball players.

“We are athletes, so when we go through injury, people act like it’s the end of the world because people are used to us being lifted up and

2015, recovery timelines were only around 10 months.

Why are today’s players taking longer to rehab?

Maybe it’s the increased pace of play, where athletes are now running more miles per game than ever before. The physical beating NBA players take during an 82-game season, filled with back-to-backs and three games in five days, is unprecedented compared to even a decade ago. Players today also receive proper training and coaching to maximize their athletic potential, further straining their bodies during practices and games. As an individual’s running and jumping demands increase, so does their need for recovery from their efforts. With the NBA continuing to enforce load management restrictions, players may miss significant time away from the court — more than they would if they just rested a game or two.

everything being about us,” Lillard said. “But people go through way worse. For me, it was more about representing strength. I didn’t choose to be weak about it.”

While an injury may not compare to some life-altering challenges many people face, it does weigh heavily on the mental and emotional state of athletes whose lives have largely revolved around their sport. For instance, Kevin Durant, perhaps the most notable basketball player to tear his Achilles tendon before last summer’s unfortunate trio, thought his career was over.

“I heard a pop,” Durant said on his podcast “The Boardroom.” “My whole basketball career just flashed before my eyes. Everything. Everything that I did. Everything that I thought about. All my favorite moments. All my bad moments.”

As Durant sat gripping his lower leg while gazing into the Scotiabank Arena crowd during Game 5 of the 2019 NBA Finals, he contemplated his next steps within the game and beyond.

“Like, I truly don’t know what I’m about to be,” Durant said. “And that’s a nerve-racking feeling when you don’t know who you are.”

It took Durant 18 months to feel comfortable enough to return to NBA play, the third-longest recovery timeline in league history. In fact, according to Yahoo Sports’ Tom Haberstroh, most players healing from a torn Achilles over the past 10 years have taken at least 12 months before checking into a game (via Jeff Stotts of InStreetClothes. com). However, from 2005 to

of the late Kobe Bryant, one of his greatest role models. Bryant made the second-shortest comeback from a torn Achilles in NBA history, appearing at Staples Center only eight months after famously nailing two free throws with one good leg. And luckily, Tatum is following a similar trajectory.

Tatum’s orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Martin O’Malley, was in New York the day of the Celtics forward’s Achilles rupture. O’Malley was able to surgically repair Tatum’s tendon within 24 hours of injury, expediting the recovery process. Immediately after his release from the surgery center, Danny Chau of The Ringer reported that Tatum did “physical therapy and weight training every day from then on.”

Long-term injuries are a part of the game and always will be. Regardless, the NBA may soon need to adjust its game schedule, total games or in-season demands to help keep its players on the court for the majority of the year.

Also, many recent players haven’t had compelling reasons to return to action so soon. Take Haliburton, whose Pacers squad is currently 15-48 and not-so-secretly tanking for a top draft pick. Or Lillard, who returned to Portland after two seasons with the Milwaukee Bucks to be closer to his family. The Blazers are 30-34 with an outside-looking-in shot at the playoffs but no Durant famously left the Golden State Warriors for the Brooklyn Nets after his injury. At age 30, Durant didn’t see a point in rushing back and playing at a subpar level for his new organization.

However, Tatum’s situation is different.

The Celtics are currently sitting at the No. 2 spot in the East with a 42-21 record. Boston and Tatum have a legitimate shot at winning their second championship in three years. With Brown having an MVP-caliber season, Tatum’s return could alleviate the increased defensive attention his co-star has seen this year. Or Tatum could be attempting to follow in the footsteps

After two months, Tatum was already doing double calf raises. “I don’t think I’ve seen a person’s calf look as strong as his,” O’Malley told People magazine. “He worked his calf so hard that the side effect of loss of strength, I don’t think he’s going to have any.”

Only one way to find out.

On March 6, 2026, Tatum returned to TD Garden for his first minutes of NBA action in 9.9 months. “The Anomaly” received thunderous applause from the home crowd as his name boomed over the intercom when announcing the game’s starters. However, the crowd went silent after Tatum missed an early open dunk attempt and stumbled to the ground, the status of his body in question. Was he actually ready to handle the demands of NBA play?

He soon silenced all doubt with a putback slam for his first points of the night.

Tatum continued providing consistent buckets, boards and dimes throughout the contest, finishing with 15 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists in just 27 minutes of playing time. He connected on multiple contested 3-pointers and looked to have lost little feel for the flow of the game, even after his time off.

“I’m not coming back to be no role player, Doc,” Tatum told O’Malley on his YouTube docuseries, “The Quiet Work.”

Yeah, that looks like a fair assessment.

MICHAEL SPAHN Assistant Sports Editor

Three wrestlers earn automatic qualifier for NCAA Championships

Panthers place 10th at Big 12 Championships

By Michael Spahn Assistant Sports Editor

The University of Northern Iowa wrestling team battled in the Big 12 Championships last weekend, placing 10th among 14 programs. UNI’s Caleb Rathjen, Julian Farber and Ryder Downey all secured automatic bids to the NCAA Championship Tournament with the results from their matches.

Rathjen squared off against seventh-ranked Casey Swiderski from Oklahoma State in a 149-pound matchup. Swiderski took control early by securing a takedown followed by an escape. Rathjen fought back with an escape of his own, cutting the lead to 4-2. Swiderski eventually earned a riding-time victory by a margin of 5-3.

In the 133-pound division, Farber took on No. 15 Gunner Andrick out of West Virginia. Andrick secured a takedown early on, but Farber battled back to secure a 5-3 lead and a third-place finish. UNI wrestling head coach Doug Schwab was impressed with Farber’s preparation ahead of the Big 12 Tournament.

“The guy is incredibly consistent in how he shows up every day and stays very steady in wins and losses,” said Schwab. “I’m proud of his response coming back

and getting third is always a great thing because it’s the next best thing.”

Downey clawed his way to a fourth-place finish in the 165-pound division, opening play Saturday against South Dakota State’s Marcus Espinoza-Owens. In the second round, Downey gained momentum with a takedown, taking the lead and eventually winning 4-2. In his final match of the tournament, Downey faced No. 13 Connor Euton out of Iowa State. Downey secured a takedown early but ultimately fell 13-12 in a back-and-forth battle to take fourth place.

UNI’s Nick Fox secured a victory in the 184-pound division against Brian Soldano out of Oklahoma, earning ninth place in his weight class. Despite it being a lower-placement match, Schwab was proud of Fox’s effort to conclude his tournament play.

“He showed some serious resolve and guts to go win that match,” said Schwab. “You think your tournament is done, then you have to wrestle and dig deep for a couple matches against a guy that’s as dangerous as can be. I was really proud of that.”

UNI will travel to Cleveland, Ohio, for the NCAA Championships, which are scheduled for March 19-21.

The guy is incredibly consistent in how he shows up every day and stays very steady in wins and losses. I’m proud of his response coming back and getting third is always a great thing because it’s the next best thing.”

UNI

CROSSWORD

BY RYAN SALES

Across 1) Football team in Buffalo

6) ___ fail

10) Historic periods

14) Common Wordle starting word

15) ___ 1 (speed of sound)

16) Pleasant 17) Subject of an overnight lab study

19) Where the Panthers play 20) Rooster's mate 21) Ceremony 22) News anchor Holt

24) Like morning grass

25) Eiffel Tower city

26) Where "29A "performs"

29) Celebrity who faced criticism after saying 'no one cares' about opera and ballet, with 9A

32) "Rolling in the Deep" singer

33) Double agents

34) Roth ___

35) Genuine

36) Belief

37) Swampy spots

38) Louisville Slugger

39) x

40) "Honest!"

41) Zigzagged, in the

SUDOKU ANSWERS

Milan Olympics

43) Some semiconductors

44) "Looking at it now / It all ___ so simple" (Taylor Swift lyric)

45) Treaty

46) Elegant

48) Film featuring 29A

49) First name of singer featured in "A Great Unknown", played by 29A 52) "Clumsy me!"

53) "Everything's going to be OK"

56) Tony's cousin

57) Charged particles

58) Ceremonies

59) Solitary

60) Dole (out)

61) Leavening agent

Down

1) Criticize harshly

2) Doing nothing

3) Property claim

4) Director Spike

5) Marty ________, film featuring 29A

6) Meaningless

7) Window section

8) "Abolish ___" (anti-deportation rallying cry)

9) See 29A

10) Breaks up

11) Protection used by 9A

12) Pinnacle

13) Oracle

18) Former Sony brand

23) Greek god of love

24) Big name in PCs

25) Stacks of stuff

26) Marathoners' sources of energy

27) Standard of perfection

28) In perfect order

29) In shape

30) Bert's buddy

31) Softens

33) Much internet humor

36 Lil _____, rapper name of 29A

37) Pedal pusher

39) Low digits

40) "Close, but no cigar"

42) Rent payer

43) Great ___

45) Prize money

46) Like a refrigerator

47) Timber wolf

48) Fender flaw

49) What Alpha males might call

someone they think is a loser

50) Mine finds

51) Second to none

54) Garden tool

55) Make haste