/NORTHERNIOWAN
@NORTHERNIOWAN
WWW.NORTHERNIOWAN.COM
UNIVERSITY OF NORTHERN IOWA CEDAR FALLS, IA THURSDAY, APRIL 5 VOLUME 114, ISSUE 42
CEDAR FALLS, IA
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2026
VOLUME 123, ISSUE 3
Sword fights, jam-packed schedules and all things international
IN THIS ISSUE:
UNI Study Abroad programs take students to Malta, France, Greece and Thailand By Giada Grimes
N.I. EN ESPAÑOL
Staff Writer
Panthers traveled all over the world this past summer. From Thailand to Greece, and from France to Malta, students learned about and experienced a wide range of cultures through UNI’s study abroad program. Whether it be discovering pirates in the Mediterranean or immersing yourself in learning at a university, UNI offers a wide range of different programs. It offers students the opportunity to explore different countries and grow their resume. Junior Makalya Crannell completed a two-week study abroad program in Malta, a small island south of Italy. Through her time there, she learned about the differences that Malta has from the United States culturally, as well as architecturally. “The structure of everything was much different than in the United States; food and water were different, traffic, buildings, historical structures and so much more. I loved picking up on the little things that the Maltese people did that were different from the US. Some of the structures that I saw were absolutely beautiful,” Crannell said. “I think that was the most surprising to me. Learning about the processes behind some of the structures, shelters, churches, cathedrals, villages and more that were built. Everything had so much meaning and purpose; it was beautiful.” She was led by UNI history professor Louis Fenech. Fenech has been guiding students around Malta for several years now and thoroughly enjoys showing the ins and outs of the quaint country and what makes it such a unique place to travel to.
The UNI Multicultural Fest took place on Sept. 2 at the Center for Multicultural Education. PAGE 4
Courtesy Photo/Makalya Crannell
Makalya Crannell in Malta, a small island south of Italy.
“One of the things I love the most about it is the culture,” Fenech said. “Because of Malta’s geographical location, it effortlessly blends the cultures of Christian Europe with those of Islamicate northern Africa.”
See ABROAD, page 6
Bridging the gap between the stage and the performer, the UNISTA way
OPINION
In honor of his recent passing, Northern Iowan staff writers collaborate to share the legacy of actor Tim Curry. PAGE 5
still, why should stage fright prevent you from taking a step How a student organization towards something you’re passionate about, like creating theater? TheatreUNI’s own student organization UNISTA (UNI creates a low-risk space of Student Theatre Association) can be that safe space for you, all while making the art form more accessible to all student on campus. acceptable risk on campus populations In the words of a fourth-year theater performance and
youth & communities student, Charlee Kay (UNISTA’s proBy Ulyana Karplyuk duction director), the organization’s mission is to “produce Assistant News Editor theater which offers students of the university opportunities to Stage fright is a familiar feeling to many of us. Whether you were a theater or a band kid in high school, had to give a presentation in front of your class or introduce yourself to a group of people you didn’t know, everyone has felt the jitters at least once in their life. Some people get over the fear sooner than others. But
explore their creative impulses in a non-critical environment.” Throughout the year, UNISTA provides the community with a variety of events, produced and managed by UNI students, both inside and outside the Department of Theater.
SPORTS
See UNISTA, page 6
PAGE 8
Panther XC raced in Iowa City on Sept. 4, with sophomore runner Ethan Olds capturing his first collegiate win.
PAGE 2
NEWS SEPTEMBER 9, 2026 |
NORTHERNIOWAN.COM
|
LILY MUNNIK Executive Editor
VOLUME 123, ISSUE 3
Meet the faces behind the Northern Iowan Lily Munnik
Executive Editor
Jenna Westendorf Managing Editor
What is the best piece of advice you’ve received? If you’re the best in the room, you’re in the wrong room. What is your worst habit? Watching #Reylo edits on TikTok and crying.
What is your favorite way to caffeinate? A sugar-free iced vanilla berry Red Bull. Who is your favorite music artist? It changes a lot but right now it is definitely Lord Huron.
Faith Vandenberg News Editor
Michael Spahn Sports Editor
If you could only eat one thing for the rest of your life, what would it be? The plain bagels from Biscottis, but it has to come with plain cream cheese. What is your worst habit? Wearing new clothes and immediately staining them. I have learned to bring a Tide stick wherever I go.
Who is your favorite Spider-Man? Tom Holland. What is your favorite way to caffeinate? Large hot mocha latte from Sidecar.
Meredith Manning Multimedia Editor
Naziya Crisp
Social Media Manager
What is your favorite way to caffeinate? With an Alani every morning. Favorite TV show/movie? Shameless and Avatar. I have the atokirina tattooed on my arm.
What is your worst habit? Spending money. I shop too much. What is your favorite way to caffeinate? Any flavor of Alani.
NORTHERN IOWAN L011 Maucker Union Cedar Falls, IA 50614 www.northerniowan.com northern-iowan@uni.edu 319.273.2157
LILY MUNNIK
EDITORIAL STAFF
PRODUCTION STAFF
FAITH VANDENBERG
JENNA WESTENDORF
News Editor vandenbf@uni.edu
MICHAEL SPAHN Sports Editor spahnm@uni.edu
CARTER LUST
Executive Editor munnikl@uni.edu 319.529.0526
Assistant Sports Editor lustc@uni.edu
JENNA WESTENDORF
Spanish Editor mineartz@uni.edu
Managing Editor westejac@uni.edu 515.776.0176
CIRCULATION ELIJAH HIETBRINK Circulation Manager
ZACH MINEART OLIVIA HARRINGTON Assistant News Editor harringo@uni.edu
ULYANA KARPLYUK Assistant News Editor karplyuu@uni.edu
Webmaster westejac@uni.edu
HOLDEN FROMM
Assistant Digital Editor frommh@uni.edu
NAZIYA CRISP
Social Media Manager crispnaa@uni.edu
MEREDITH MANNING Multimedia Editor mennimaa@uni.edu
ADVISERS ANELIA DIMITROVA anelia.dimitrova@uni.edu
CHRIS MARTIN
christopher.martin@uni.edu
The Northern Iowan is published weekly on Wednesday during the academic year, except for holidays and examination periods, by the Northern Iowan under the auspices of the Board of Directors of the Northern Iowan. Advertising errors that are the fault of the Northern Iowan will be corrected at no cost to the advertiser only if the Northern Iowan office is notified within seven days of the original publication. Publisher reserves the right to refuse any advertisement at any time. The Northern Iowan is funded in part with student activity fees. All material is © 2026 by the Northern Iowan and may not be used without permission.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Letters must be less than 300 words in length and are subject to editing. Not all submissions will be printed. Send submissions to northerniowan@uni.edu.
SEND US STORY IDEAS
Tell us what’s happening on campus. Email submissions to northern-iowan@uni.edu. Do you want to have an event listed here? Email us at northern-iowan@uni.edu with information about the event to have it featured.
PAGE 3
NEWS
LILY MUNNIK Executive Editor
SEPTEMBER 9, 2026 |
NORTHERNIOWAN.COM
|
VOLUME 123, ISSUE 3
More faces behind the Northern Iowan Olivia Harrington
Assistant News Editor
Ulyana Karplyuk
What is your favorite way to caffeinate? I love all energy drinks but my absolute favorite drink is from Hyper Energy Bar.
Assistant News Editor
What is your favorite book you’ve read? The Midnight Library by Matt Haig.
What is your favorite Spider-Man? Andrew Garfield. His performance was incredibly authentic and vulnerable. What is your favorite way to caffeinate? A cappuccino from Sidecar.
Zach Mineart
Carter Lust
Spanish Editor
Assistant Sports Editor What is your favorite book you’ve read? Project Hail Mary or Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King. What is your favorite movie? Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope.
What is your favorite music artist? Humbe. What is your favorite book you’ve read? The entire Fourth Wing series.
Holden Fromm
Assistant Digital Editor If you could only eat one thing for the rest of your life, what would it be? Potatoes. You can eat them baked, mashed, wedged, roasted and of course there are multiple different shapes and sizes of french fry.
Elijah Hietbrink
Circulation Manager
Favorite trip you have ever taken? New Orleans. The French Quarter is interesting to walk through and look at all of the buildings while hearing live music spilling out into the streets. The food is phenomenal as well.
Who is your favorite Spider-Man? Tobey Maguire because he was the first, most iconic and inspired the most memes. Put simply, “They love me.” What is your favorite way to caffeinate? Red Bull. I get the energy and the wings are a nice bonus.
Our Mission
To support student voices and intentionally bring our best craft forward to better inform the Panther community. We strive for the most effective, efficient, concise and honest news in each of our issues.
PAGE 4
N.I. EN ESPAÑOL
N.I. EN ESPAÑOL SEPTEMBER 9, 2026 |
NORTHERNIOWAN.COM
|
JENNA WESTENDORF Managing Editor
ZACH MINEART Spanish Editor
VOLUME 123, ISSUE 3
¿Qué significa el Multicultural Fest para los estudiantes? Escrito por Zach Mineart Editor de Español
Cuando alguien se muda a un sitio nuevo, busca una comunidad donde pueda conectarse con otras personas similares a sí misma, donde pueda encontrar gente que ha tenido experiencias similares y donde alguien pueda entenderle sin explicar mucho. El segundo Multicultural Fest tuvo lugar el 2 de septiembre en el Centro para la Educación Multicultural, donde los estudiantes que regresan y los nuevos pueden conocer gente nueva, explorar organizaciones estudiantiles diferentes, comer comida de diferentes culturas y pasar un buen rato con otros estudiantes. Daniel Listo, el Director de Diversidad del Gobierno Estudiantil de la Universidad del Norte de Iowa, está a cargo de planear este evento y él, con un grupo de otros estudiantes, empezó el semestre antes del evento para garantizar que todo esté listo. “La única manera en
que este evento es tan exitoso como lo es ahora es gracias a la comunidad que puede dedicar su tiempo y compromiso”, comentó Listo. “Sin el trabajo que todos hacen juntos, nada de esto sería posible”. El evento ha sido importante para muchos estudiantes desde que empezó hace un año. Ha sido un evento que representa una mezcla de culturas para algunos; para otros, es una manera de pasar tiempo con gente con la que comparten una cultura. Para todos es un evento al que pueden venir, aprender y compartir la cultura en un formato tranquilo. “Para mí, este evento significa la comunidad y el poder que tenemos aquí y también el éxito que tienen los estudiantes aquí. Es muy importante que los estudiantes tengan una comunidad donde se puedan sentir a gusto y tener esta comunidad”, dijo Miranda Lozada. Este evento crea esa comunidad que los estudiantes quieren cuando vienen al campus por primera vez. Aquí pueden encontrar un espacio y sentirse como en su hogar.
Jenna Westendorf/Northern Iowan El segundo Festival Multicultural tuvo lugar el 2 de septiembre en el Centro de Educación Multicultural,
“Para mí, este evento que tenemos hoy [el Multicultural Fest] significa cultura, significa unidad y, verdaderamente, para mí significa ser una Pantera. Este es uno de los eventos más exitosos del Gobierno Estudiantil. El hecho de que podamos tener este evento y empezar una tradición
del Multicultural Fest es simplemente asombroso”, dijo Gabriel Salazar, el presidente del Gobierno Estudiantil. El Multicultural Fest es un evento que significa diferentes cosas para gente diferente. Para algunos podría ser el primer evento en el campus donde pueden
encontrar gente que recuerde a los del hogar. Para otros es una oportunidad de reunirse con antiguos amigos que no han visto desde el semestre pasado.
What does the Multicultural Fest mean to the students? new people, explore different student organizations, eat food from different cultures When someone moves and have a good time with to a new place, they look other students. for a community where Daniel Listo, the Diversity they can connect with other Director of the University similar people, where they of Northern Iowa Student can find people who have Government, is in charge of planning this event and he, with a group of other students, started the semester before the event to ensure that everything is ready. “The only way this event is as successful as it is now is thanks to the community that can dedicate their time and commitment,” Courtesy Photo/Instagram commented The Multicultural Fest offered the opportunity for students to get together and learn and L i s t o .
By Zach Mineart Spanish Editor
had similar experiences and where someone can understand them without much explanation. The second Multicultural Fest took place on Sep. 2 at the Center for Multicultural Education, where returning and new students can meet
share culture in a calm and welcoming environment.
“Without the work that everyone does together, none of this would be possible.” The event has been important for many students since it started a year ago. It has been an event that represents a mix of cultures for some; for others, it is a way to spend time with people with whom they share a culture. For everyone it is an event where they can come, learn and share culture in a calm format. “For me, this event means community and the power we have here and also the success that students have here. It is very important that students have a community where they can feel comfortable and have this community,” said Miranda Lozada. This event creates that community that students want when they come to campus for the first time. Here they can find a space and feel at home. “For me, this event that we have today [the Multicultural Fest] means
culture, means unity and, truly, for me it means being a Panther. This is one of the most successful Student Government events. The fact that we can have this event and start a Multicultural Fest tradition is simply amazing, said Gabriel Salazar, the student government president. The Multicultural Fest is an event that means different things to different people. For some, it could be the first event on campus where they can find people who remind them of home. For others, it is an opportunity to reunite with old friends they haven't seen since last semester.
FAITH VANDENBERG
OPINION
News Editor
SEPTEMBER 9, 2026 |
NORTHERNIOWAN.COM
|
PAGE 5
VOLUME 123, ISSUE 3
Loss of a ‘Sweet Transvestite’ The life & legacy of actor Tim Curry
Courtesy Photo/IMDB
Tim Curry, Nell Campbell and Patricia Quinn in The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975).
By Brendon Schnathorst & Theo Trimble Staff Writers
Actor and singer Tim Curry passed away from coronary artery disease in his home on Aug. 25, 2026, at age 80. Best known for originating the role of Dr. Frank-n-Furter in “The Rocky Horror Picture Show,” Curry was a beloved icon to people of all backgrounds, especially the LGBTQ+ community. He is remembered by his nieces, great-nieces and nephew, as he never married or had children in his long life. However, he lives on in the visual arts, with the legendary characters he originated and reimagined. In a 2025 CBS Sunday Morning interview with the actor, Curry stated, “I don’t fear death. I tried to avoid it, as I think we all do. But I suspect that in the end I will welcome it. I think it may be very comforting to go bye-bye, and I want to earn it.” Acting History Curry had a long and fulfilling career. From the big screen to Broadway, this “Sweet Transvestite” has made an impact on children, adults and the elderly alike. First rising to fame with the cult classic film “The Rocky Horror Picture Show,” Curry began scoring iconic lead and supporting roles, including Wadsworth in “Clue,” Long John Silver in “The Muppets: Treasure Island,” Pennywise in” “IT” (1990) and Mr. Hector in “Home Alone 2: Lost in New
York.” His final on-screen role was Lockwood in the 2024 horror film “Stream,” with filming for the sequel “Stream 2: Sudden Death” wrapping up shortly before his passing. When it comes to stage acting, Curry has no shortage of experience. But of course, his stage acting career began with the original production of “Rocky Horror.” On Broadway, he was nominated for a total of three Tonys, including a nomination for Best Lead Actor in a Play (Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart in “Amadeus”) and two nominations for Best Lead Actor in a Musical (King Arthur in “Spamlot”; Alan Swann in “My Favorite Year”). Curry also received two Laurence Olivier Awards in the category of Best Leading Actor in a Musical, for “The Pirates of Penzance” and “Spamalot.” Curry was also an incredibly skilled voice actor, working on “Over the Garden Wall,” “Phineas and Ferb,” “FernGully” and “Jimmy Neutron.” His TV show work was also diverse, having roles in “Criminal Minds,” “Tales from the Crypt” and “Psych.” When asked about his career in a 2002 interview with the Houston Chronicle, Curry said, “I really never call it a ‘career’ because it implies a certain amount of forethought, and I can’t pretend there’s been any. But I never thought I’d have a ride like this. I’ve been incred-
ibly lucky.” Curry’s Impact Throughout his career, Curry not only displayed himself as a versatile character actor, but also as an incredible human being. Since his passing, many of his former collaborators and apprentices have come out to express their appreciation. Several of his “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” cast members have sung their love for the actor. Susan Sarandon, who portrayed Janet Weiss in the film, looked back on Curry, impressed that “even wheelchair bound he continued to be so sweet and generous with his fans.” Richard O’Brien, the playwright for the original musical and who portrayed Riff Raff in the film, added: “Tim Curry was a wonderful man by nature who was also a wonderful performer and understood the difference between such delightful achievements. He never sought attention and never put himself before the roles that he played. He was, in short, a good egg and class act. It was both a privilege and delight to have known him and worked with him” Another cast member of his, Lesley Ann Warren, who portrayed Miss Scarlet in “Clue” alongside Curry, celebrated his memory. “My dear companion in crime, the brilliant, hilarious, hysterically funny magician of
artistry has left us. What an unbelievable joy to have shared a sound stage with him and to engage with such a master talent. I adored him. Bless his wild and inspired soul. Love you, Tim.” One of the most touching tributes came from Luke Evans, who recently received a Tony nomination for his performance as Dr. Frank-N-Furter in a new revival. After sharing the existence of a letter Evans sent to Curry, Evans reflected on the late actor, saying that “He was a force, a bright fierce flame, an exquisite charm and that rich vocal tone; he was an inspiration to me and so many more people for the roles he played and the effect he had on so many of us” Curry inspired many actors in the entertainment industry, but he has touched the hearts of many others, helping them get a better understanding of where they stand in this crazy world. Theo’s Experience When I was a small child, my first experience with Tim Curry was the 1985 film “Clue,” which I watched with my mother on our apartment’s wall-mounted TV. I remember laughing at the humor and enjoying the bit of the different “endings” the movie introduced to the audience. Most of all, I adored the character of Wadsworth, especially with how Curry portrayed him.
Curry never became a favorite actor of mine until middle school, when a close friend recommended that I watch “The Rocky Horror Picture Show.” Being a closeted and confused tween, I wasn’t sure how I would feel about the material. I remembered my mom mentioning the film in passing, and the overall message and vibe, but would I like it? Or was it simply overhyped? No. It’s not overhyped. In fact, it’s the right amount of hyped. “Rocky Horror” is an experience unlike anything else, especially to sheltered kids or questioning humans. I remember being in awe that this was a movie that existed; that in a time when queer people were being shunned and murdered, they could still thrive and rise to the occasion. I had never seen another movie like it, and I doubt I’ll ever see one for the rest of my days. Curry taught me to be free. That being different or strange was something of beauty and not something to be ashamed of. The everlasting legacy that his performance has on latenight movies, queer culture and performance culture will shine for decades to come. In the words of Dr. Frank-n-Furter himself, “Don’t dream it; be it.”
Continue reading at northerniowan.com.
PAGE 6
LILY MUNNIK
NEWS SEPTEMBER 9, 2026 |
NORTHERNIOWAN.COM
Executive Editor
|
VOLUME 123, ISSUE 3
ABROAD
continued from page 1
The trip to Malta had an intriguing goal: to explore pirates and uncover pirate lore in the Mediterranean. The students were even able to learn from a pirate swordmaster and were given a twohour sword-fighting lesson, immersing themselves in the history of the Maltese people. Fenech recalls this being a highlight of the trip. “We all grabbed a cutlass and learned how to defend ourselves and attack pirates on the ramparts of Fort Saint Angelo, a huge sixteenth-century fort with a stunning view of the Mediterranean while the sun was going down. Stunning,” Fenech said. Junior Maya Williams, on the other hand, studied in Besançon, France, at the Centre de Linguistique Appliqué. She took intensive French classes for her two weeks abroad. “I was expecting it to be pretty class-focused since it was only two weeks,” Williams said. “It was a jampacked schedule, but I liked staying busy and having the
school host activities, so I didn’t have to do as much planning.” Despite a smooth trip and experience studying at the university, it took Williams a little longer than anticipated to get there. “When I arrived in Besançon, I got lost trying to find the bus. Luckily, I found the bus and friends that I would be with for the rest of my study abroad,” Williams said. “The bus only runs at 7 a.m. on weekends, so my friend Sasha and I got up at 3 a.m. to travel to Colmar, France. We had to walk 40 minutes from our dorms to the train station. I would love to relive that day again because it was so crazy but such a fun experience.” Professor Christine Schrage has been a part of multiple faculty-led abroad programs and took students to Thailand this past summer. She has seen how studying abroad has positively influenced students for several years. “I have been facilitating cultural intelligence assess-
ments since 2015 for both UNI students going abroad and student programs I have hosted here, “She said. “There is a tremendous amount of growth in the four aspects of CQ in the students even in just two weeks.” Study abroad director Stephanie Rojas and assistant director Charity Eckhardt strongly encourage students to explore the programs UNI offers. There are multiple summer programs, but students can also study abroad for an entire semester, or for a portion of winter break. “Some people are really intimidated by the thought of being gone for a full semester, but it genuinely goes by so incredibly fast,” Eckhardt stated. “By the time you are getting there and settled in, it is like, ‘oh my gosh I already have to go.’” In all programs, studying abroad has been shown to evolve and grow students’ perspectives of culture and the world, but it goes beyond that. It can also grow connections between students and
Courtesy Photo/Maya Williams
Junior Maya Williams in Besançon, France while studying at the Centre de Linguistique Appliqué.
employers to help graduates find a job post-grad. “Some of our programs we’re partnering with have locations where they can visit sites and companies where they might have offices across the world and then be able to get a job with them,” Rojas said. Studying abroad offers more than just traveling to a new country; it brings UNI
students an array of different opportunities, experiences and knowledge that they can use beyond college. Students can find information about study abroad programs and applications at the study abroad website, https://studyabroad.uni.edu/, or at the Study Abroad Fair on Sept. 23, 2026, from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.
UNISTA
continued from page 1
While the process of putting together a show has its own complications, involving many moving parts, the organization rarely relies on the faculty’s help. “Our advisors [Matt Weedman and Mark Parott] come in when we need extra guidance, or when we need an example of what’s happening in the [theater] industry, outside of college,” said Grace Hamann, a senior majoring in communication-theater teaching and the executive director of UNISTA. According to Kay, Matt Weedman has always told the board, “I’m as involved as you want me to be.” This is exactly what sets UNISTA apart from other organizations within the department. It allows students to take charge of their own experience. Whether you want to be up on stage or behind the scenes, there is a place for everyone. Students take on any role they want – acting, designing, stage managing or simply being in the auditorium,
watching the show. The variety of programming offers the student community a multitude of ways to express themselves creatively. “UNISTA has hit a special mark about not overly qualifying too much in one category,” said Zach Johnson, a second-year theater performance and design & production major, who is UNISTA’s marketing director this year. The organization’s events range from open mic nights to larger-scale stage productions. “As the years go on, we are adapting and creating new events to [reach more people than we have before],” Johnson said. UNISTA values making theater more accessible to all student populations. This year, there have been talks of implementing new changes in their programming. For one of the events, Cabaret nights, the board is considering a new theme, different from the ones they’ve done in the past, such as Miscast or Best of Broadway nights. “We got some feedback from the students that [previous] themes were more constraining than they wanted them to be,” said Hamann. “A lot of students have had the chance to be involved in that specific theme of cabaret [in the past]. So look out this year for a new theme to get involved.” Courtesy Photo/UNISTA 2026 UNISTA Board (from left to right): Charlee Kay, Theo Trimble, Riley There might Sergent, Zach Johnson, Grace Hamann, Logan Mitchell, Kolton Messer.
be some who love watching theater but are hesitant to participate directly. Indeed, being on the opposite side, up on the stage, surrounded by beaming spotlights can be an intimidating prospect. “As an organization, we try to lower the stakes, create opportunities that are a little more accessible to all students,” said Hamann. “If you mess up or fumble something, we’re not gonna get mad at you or criticize you,” added Theo Trimble, a second-year theater performance major and the administrative director of the organization. At the beginning of his freshman year of college, Johnson was dealing with some anxieties about being in a new environment. That’s when he stumbled upon UNISTA’s Play-in-a-Day event, which allows students to devise their own 10-minute performance. For Johnson, the experience set the tone for the rest of the year. Getting to act on the stage with other students, even those a few years older than him, relieved his tension and helped him realise that everyone just wants to collaborate with one another in a fun, low-risk environment. “Immediately after, I walked up to Charlee [Kay], and I was like, ‘this board is awesome, how do I get on?’” he said. Now serving on the board, Johnson is looking forward to creating more performance opportunities for new and returning students on campus. For many who are trying to find their place within the community, UNISTA can be a place full of meaningful connections and personal growth. Trimble’s first production in his college career was last spring’s “Almost, Maine.” In a team full of theater and non-theater majors, Trimble has made many people who he now considers close friends. He also realized that the department is not as intimidating as he initially thought: “...now I think that every-
body’s in the department is super cool, and so am I,” said Trimble. In the past, those who have been involved as designers on a UNISTA show are now taking on similar roles in theaterUNI’s main stage productions, stated Kay. “We’re a stepping stone in some ways,” Kay said. The upcoming Play-in-a-Day event is an opportunity for both theater and non-theater students to participate in student-produced shows. “Everyone on campus can participate,” said Hamann., “Wwe don’t want any barriers to people thinking ‘Oh, I can’t do that.’” Which is why this year, those interested in participating can sign up alone; they’re not required to have a team ready. The application will be accessible on UNISTA’s Linktree as well as by scanning the QR code on the posters promoting the event around campus. On Sept. 11 at 5 p.m., the participants will meet at the Strayer-Wood Theater where they will be assigned into groups, draw prompts and receive a mystery prop which will help them devise their play. Sept. 12 is tech day, where the groups and the board decide on the best options for light cues, scene changes and other aspects of the show. The show will take place on Sept. 13 at 8 p.m. During the judges’ decision process, the board will put on their own Play-in-an-Hour to entertain the audience. The show will close with a rather silly awards ceremony. If you’re looking for a way to finish your weekend on an uplifting note or find out if UNISTA is your fit, Play-in-a-Day should be your number one choice. To claim your place in the UNI’s performing arts scene, find UNISTA on Instagram at (@unista_board). You can also sign up for their newsletter on their Linktree: https://linktr.ee/unistaboard.
FAITH VANDENBERG
PAGE 7
NEWS
News Editor
SEPTEMBER 9, 2026 |
NORTHERNIOWAN.COM
|
VOLUME 123, ISSUE 3
Cedar Falls Community Theatre brings fresh entertainment to downtown Cedar Falls By Ulyana Karplyuk
Assistant News Editor
As TheatreUNI gears up for the inaugural show of the 2026-2027 season, “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” college thespians and casual enjoyers alike are looking for accessible local entertainment. With September being just around the corner, Cedar Falls Community Theatre at the Oster Regent Theater is set to host the annual Cabaret Series: Open Mic Nights, scheduled for the first four Tuesday nights of the month. With a wide range of themes, CFCT is sure to bring a variety of amusement to the public in the upcoming month. “Cabaret Series has been super popular with patrons in the past,” said Carrie Peiffer, director of marketing and development at CFCT.
Courtesy/Cedar Falls Community Theater Actress performs in Christmas Carol
Previously set on the theater’s first-floor main stage, this year the event will be hosted on the newly remodeled third floor. Initially, the small, intimate space was used for CFCT’s “Studio Series” productions; the latest was last April’s “The Apiary,” which was a “great success,” said Peiffer. The goal of September’s events is to offer a different kind of entertainment from the theater’s usual main-stage productions. “Cabaret Series” is also an accessible opportunity for local performers to show off their talents. It doesn’t matter whether you are a seasoned performer or someone simply looking to share your passion for the arts with others. The open mic nights are a place for everyone to create and enjoy art. Peiffer is particularly interested in seeing students at the events. “We always try to find ways to engage students more, not just from UNI but the greater community,” said Peiffer. Lately, CFCT has shifted its focus to providing more shows and events that appeal to younger audiences. In Peiffer’s view, engaging with the off-campus community is crucial. “It [going to local events] rounds out [students’] experience and makes it feel more like home,” she said. If students are looking for a change of scenery, exploring Cedar Falls and its creative community is a fitting choice. Each Open Mic night will
UNI Theater presents...
have its own distinct theme and respective host. To many, especially those who follow the Cedar Valley arts scene, these names are very familiar. “[For hosts], we wanted people who could set the tone,” said Peiffer. The Sept. 1 opening night is Musical Theater, hosted by local theater artist Chloe Ryann Anderson, with accompanist Casey Tecklenburg, a music teacher at Peet Junior High, on piano. One of Anderson’s most recent acting credits includes Alice/ Alice Spencer in CFCT’s “Alice by Heart”. While the night’s focus is primarily musicals, other music mediums are welcome. Performers are encouraged to bring their own materials and even play the piano themselves, but show books will also be provided. If comedy is more your jam, Sept. 8 should be your first choice. Hosted by David Olson, who participated in fundraising events as part of the “Giggles for Good” comedy series, the event will welcome everything from stand-up to mime acts. The following Sept. 15 poetry night will be emceed by Vincent Ali, a new face for CFCT’s team who was discovered when participating in a past event at Oster Regent with the Cedar Valley LGBTQ+ Coalition. Ali is also the 2025 1st Place Winner of the Iowa Poetry Association’s Cedar Falls/Waterloo Qualifier. Those willing to participate can bring their own original work but also read other authors’ poetry. The Cabaret series will close on Sept. 22 with a night of Short Scenes/
Courtesy/Cedar Falls Community Theater Cast performing in the production of The Apiary.
Monologues. UNI’s Professor of English, Grant Tracey, known for his work in film studies and the local theater scene, will host the event. “I’m really curious to see what people come up with [for the short scene/monologue night]. It’s a new thing for Open Night Mic,” said Peiffer. The events are general admission, with tickets available online at https:// mycfct.ludus.com and through the box office in Oster Regent Theater. The space’s capacity is limited, with 60 seats available each night. Check-in for performers starts at 6 p.m. and is first-come, first-served, so arrive on time to secure your spot. For the general public, the doors will open at 6:30 p.m. Each night will run until approximately 8:30 p.m., and if there is a large number of performers, the hard stop will be 9 p.m.
PAGE 8
MICHAEL SPAHN
SPORTS SEPTEMBER 9, 2026 |
NORTHERNIOWAN.COM
|
Sports Editor
VOLUME 123, ISSUE 3
Olds earns first collegiate victory
Five Panthers etch their name into record book By Carter Lust Assistant Sports Editor After a long summer of humid morning runs and blistering afternoon doubles, the University of Northern Iowa men’s and women’s cross country teams will have to wait a little longer to escape the heat when racing. On Friday, Sept. 4, the Panthers made the short commute to Iowa City for their season-opening dual against the University of Iowa at the Hawkeye Invite. In typical rust-buster fashion, the men and women stepped down from their usual race distances: The men dropped their standard 8K to run 6K, while the women ran 4K instead of their traditional 6K. Following a promising 2025 campaign that left both teams with plenty of momentum to build on, UNI welcomed back returning faces and newcomers for their first race on the grass. Another sticky Midwest morning made for less-thanideal race conditions, even with early-morning start times. The women leaped from their starting boxes at 8 a.m., with the men following soon after at 8:30 a.m. Even with the early wakeup, the runners still could not escape the extreme heat warning in effect throughout the day. However, the rising
sun and thick air did not stifle the Panthers, as they emerged with program-best times and an individual win by the end of the morning. The UNI women rewrote the school record books with five new top-10 times over 4K, headlined by Clare Wright. The junior finished third overall in 14:25.0, the third-fastest time in Northern Iowa history and the school’s quickest finisher over the distance since 2017. Freshman Izzy Hardin made her collegiate debut in 14:34.8 for fourth and now sits fifth all-time in UNI history. Meghan Wheatley was just a step behind in 14:35.1, earning her sixth overall with the sixth-fastest time ever by a Panther. Josee Simonson followed with a seventh-place finish in 14:37.5, the program’s eighth-fastest time. Lucy Murphy rounded out the group of Panther record-breakers with a time of 14:41.2, good for ninth overall and setting UNI’s 10th-fastest mark in the process. A quintet of Northern Iowa women followed suit, all crossing the finish line one after another. Sarah Fedderson took 12th in 14:57.0, Evie Hennebery 13th in 15:02.1, Kaylee Woolery 14th in 15:12.4, Abbi Durow 15th in 15:24.0 and Brooke O’Brien 16th in 15:27.9. The Hawkeyes narrow-
Photo Courtesy/UNI Athletics
Ethan Olds sprints down the course at the Hawkeye Invite. Olds won the 6K race with a time of 18:24.
ly edged the Panthers to take the women’s team title, 26-29. Ethan Olds led the way for the UNI men and, eventually, for the entire field. The sophomore shaved more than 30 seconds off his previous 6K best for a new personal record of 18:24.1, capturing his first collegiate win in the process. Highly touted freshman AJ Willey and Cooper Erickson also had strong performances,
with Willey running 18:55.8 for fifth place and Erickson taking seventh in 18:58.3. Chase Lauman returned from injury to run his first race on the grass since 2024, capturing 10th place in 19:11.1. Sophomore Jonas VanDis clocked 19:32.4 for 13th, and Ty Getz rounded things out for Northern Iowa with a 19:44.5, 15th-place performance. The University of Iowa also slightly bested the
Panther men, winning the dual 25-32. What’s next? Both the Panther men and women will race next on Friday, Sept. 25, at the Gans Creek Classic hosted by the University of Missouri. The meet will feature many Power Five opponents and nationally ranked universities, making it the Panthers’ largest competition until the NCAA Midwest Regional.
UNI soccer falls in 6th match of season By Sam O’Hair Sports Writer
The University of Northern Iowa women’s soccer team traveled to Macomb, Illinois, on Sunday, Sept. 6, to face off against the Western Illinois Leathernecks. The Leathernecks created threatening chances early, putting two shots on target before Callie McMurtrey found the net in the 17th minute to put Western Illinois up 1-0. UNI’s opposition would continue to put the pressure on the Panthers offensively, placing two additional shots on target throughout the first half. While the Panthers struggled to gain momentum in the first period, junior midfielder Ella Ubben and
freshman forward Shalee Franck combined for five shot attempts. Goalkeeper Hailey Luedtke shined the rest of the half – marking two additional saves before the whistle blew for halftime. The Panthers found a spark in their offensive attack in the second half, as Franck had a shot on target in the 48th minute before getting another in the 51st minute. Junior Kylie Knief found another attempt in the 67th minute. The second half marked a rise in tension with eight fouls in the first 15 minutes, including a yellow card on sophomore Keira Bogott. Disaster struck UNI in the 69th minute when defender Kacy Kuehl was issued a red card, forcing the Panthers down to 10 players. The
Photo Courtesy/UNI Athletics
UNI midfielder Kailey O’Brien dribbles towards the goal in a late August match.
Leathernecks would immediately take advantage of the deficit, finding another goal to increase their lead to 2-0. Western Illinois regained control of the match’s tempo, firing three shots on target in the winding minutes of
the contest, each of which were saved by Luedtke. Not all was over for the Panthers in the late minutes of the competition. Freshman Ella McGinnis recorded her first career goal for UNI, a header in
the 89th minute to bring the score to 2-1. Western Illinois senior Claire Brown would be issued a red card shortly after the goal before full time arrived. The tight loss brings the Panthers’ record to 0-6-1.
MICHAEL SPAHN
PAGE 9
SPORTS
Sports Editor
Dailey shines on the ground SEPTEMBER 9, 2026 |
NORTHERNIOWAN.COM
|
VOLUME 123, ISSUE 3
Panthers fall to Eastern Washington in road defeat
By Tyler Wood Sports Writer The University of Northern Iowa Panthers traveled to Cheney, Washington, this weekend to take on the Eastern Washington Eagles. The two teams met last year at around the same time, with UNI winning 17-14. This year, Eastern Washington got their revenge, beating the Panthers 34-24. UNI had a productive first half on offense, scoring 24 points in two quarters. Quarterback Nate Bell of Eastern Washington scored first with a 34-yard quarterback scramble. After a blocked point-after-attempt, the game started with a 6-0 lead for the Eagles. The Panthers quickly responded after quarterback Jaxon Dailey found the end zone on a four-yard scramble. A shifty juke from Dailey put the defender off balance, as he waltzed into the end zone, making the game 7-6 in the Panthers favor. The Eagles didn’t take
long to score again. After completing several passes, Bell found Jaxon Branch in the end zone for a 16-yard touchdown. UNI would respond with 10 unanswered points. Kicker Max Bartachek nailed a 25-yard field goal, and Dailey rushed for another touchdown at the start of the second quarter. Another strong drive for the Eagles would make the game 20-17 in their favor, followed by another rushing touchdown from Bell. UNI would end the first half of scoring with another rushing touchdown from Jaxon Dailey to claim a 24-20 lead at the break. After an exciting first half of offense from both teams, both defenses found their footing and played better in the second half. The only score in the third quarter came with about 1:30 remaining, when Bell scored his third rushing touchdown of the game. The Panthers looked to respond late in the third quarter, but Dailey was picked off by Ambrose Marsh in the Eagles’ red
Photo Courtesy/UNI Athletics
Jaxson Dailey runs past the defense for a touchdown. Dailey rushed for a careerhigh three touchdowns Saturday.
zone. Later in the fourth quarter, the Panthers had another miscue, after Bartek missed a 36-yard field goal attempt. The Eagles capitalized on the mistake with another touchdown to make the score 34-24. Bell found
Jamai East for a 15-yard touchdown, scoring his fifth touchdown of the day. The Eagles shut out the Panthers in the second half and took the victory at home. Dailey completed 20 of 28 passes on the day, a 71% completion percentage. He
threw for 287 yards passing, an interception and three rushing touchdowns. His three rushing touchdowns were just one away from former UNI quarterback Aaron Bailey’s record set in 2015, which was four touchdowns. The Panthers’ leading ruser was running back Taj Hughes, who had just three rushing attempts for 23 yards. Wide receiver Tay Norman had a productive day, catching four passes for 61 yards. Kai Black caught two passes for 57 yards, Brady McCullough had four receptions for 54 yards, while Christian Collins had three catches for 30 yards. Linebacker John Powers led the Panthers with 11 total tackles on the day. Braden McShane had nine tackles, while Kolben Miller had seven. Miller also recorded a sack, two tackles for loss, and a pass breakup. The Panthers will look to get back on track next week at home against the Drake Bulldogs. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 12, at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls.
UNI volleyball goes 2-1 at South Dakota Classic By Michael Spahn Sports Editor The Northern Iowa volleyball team notched their best tournament performance so far this season at the South Dakota Classic, finishing 2-1 in last weeks invite. UNI defeated Air Force on Thursday in four sets by a margin of 3-1, followed by a sweep over Utah Valley on Friday, 3-0. The Panthers’ only loss in the tournament was to the host school, South Dakota, in a close match that ended 3-2 in favor of the Coyotes. Against Air Force, UNI dug themselves a 1-0 hole after the first set. With the match tied at 10-10 in the second set, UNI rallied with a 5-1 run, with Calia Clubb, Cassidy Hartman and Lily Dykstra securing one kill each to give the Panthers a 15-11 lead. Late into the set, UNI scored two points from service errors by the Falcons, followed by three kills from Dykstra to secure set two. Leading 7-6 early in set three, Dykstra once again
Photo Courtesy/UNI Athletics
The UNI volleyball team celebrates after scoring a point against Air Force at the South Dakota Classic.
tallied three straight kills to give the Panthers a huge boost offensively and a 10-6 lead. As the Falcons cut the lead to two points, UNI’s Claire Munch posted back-to-back kills to extend the Panthers lead to 14-10. Hartman closed the door for Air Force comeback attempt, notching three straight kills
en route to a 25-17 victory in set three. The Panthers trailed in set four 14-13, but Hartman and Dykstra combined for six kills the rest of the way to earn the victory over Air Force. In Friday’s match against Utah Valley, the two programs were tied 6-6 early in set one. From that point on,
the Panthers went on a 3-0 run, as Hartman, Dykstra and Maryn Bixby rallied three straight points to extend their lead to 9-6. Down the stretch in the first set, Grace Hannam and Maryn Bixby stepped up and secured one kill each to help lead UNI to a 25-20 victory. The Panthers and Wolverines played a contested match in set two, which came down to the wire. With UNI ahead 19-18, Dykstra scored a crucial point to give UNI a two-score lead. Isabelle Elliot and Hartman followed with back-to-back kills, extending UNI’s lead to 22-19. Leading 24-21, Hartman would earn the final point of the match to give UNI the set victory. UNI dominated in set three, holding a lead as big as ten points to earn a 25-17 victory and secure the sweep. Elliot led the offensive attack with 12 kills in the contest, followed by Dykstra and Hartman with 10 each. The Panthers dropped the first set of Saturday’s matchup against South
Dakota but tied things up quickly. Hartman led UNI with eight kills to propel them to a 25-21 victory in set two. Dykstra also played a crucial role on offense with five kills, along with Hannam, Bixby and Calia Clubb scoring one each. UNI earned another victory in set three by a score of 25-19. Once again, Hartman led the Panthers with six kills while Dykstra posted five. The Panthers kept pace with the Coyotes in set four but ultimately fell 25-21. In the fifth and final set, UNI held a 15-14 lead and was one point away from clinching a victory. South Dakota rallied three straight points to secure the overall victory, 3-2 UNI falls to 3-3 on the season. They travel to Houston, Texas, to participate in the Rice Tournament, with the first match being against nationally ranked No. 15 Creighton on Sept. 11. UNI will also play Rice, the host school, on Sept. 12, followed by No. 5 Louisville on Sept. 13.
PAGE 10
SPORTS SEPTEMBER 9, 2026 |
NORTHERNIOWAN.COM
|
MICHAEL SPAHN Sports Editor
VOLUME 123, ISSUE 3
Premier League transfer window winners and losers By Sam O’Hair Sports Writer With the FIFA transfer window closed on Sept. 1, clubs across Europe will have to hold off on tacking on any more new talent until January. Every summer, Premier League clubs have to sell and spend wisely in order to achieve their goals in the toughest league across world soccer. Whether it is winning the league, earning European qualification, or simply staying up for another year of Premier League glory, each club has incredibly high stakes. Once again let’s take a look at the clubs who made the most of their cash, as well the clubs who struggled in this year’s market. Brentford: Bees Retain Talent, Find Value Last year, I marked Brentford as major losers of the window. That really couldn’t have ended up more wrong, as the Bees tied their highest table finish in club history, finishing ninth. With clubs of a similar stature to Brentford, fans usually have to watch the Premier League goliaths snatch up their talent after any taste of success. That’s been the model for years – sell the young players that want their chance at the big legacy clubs for a profit, recruit and repeat. Brentford has defied this system in this window, convincing key players such as top goalscorer Igor Thiago, midfielder Mikkel Damsgaard, and fullback Micheal Kayode to stay and push the club’s project further along. On top of holding onto their talent, the Bees have been wickedly efficient in their incoming transfers. Bringing in Mamadou Sangare and Malick Diouf for roughly £40 million each feels like wonderful business in a market where young talents easily fly for £75 million or more a piece. Sangare has already looked like a surefire star, adapting well to the Premier League immediately, while pairing Diouf and Kayode raises the club into “best fullback duo” conversations. Brentford’s ability
Photo Courtesy/Reuters
Liverpool players form a huddle before a match against Brentford.
to stabilize their squad is impressive, but they weren’t the only club that carried out good business. Leeds United: Addressing the Problem Positions Leeds United are in a similar boat as Brentford in terms of retaining their key players. While the club wasn’t nearly as successful as the Bees last season, finishing 14th, there were still plenty of poachable players Leeds managed to hang onto. What separates Leeds’ window from Brentford’s is bringing in proven Premier League players, specifically in positions they have desperately needed. Adding Harry Wilson on a free deal on the back of the Welsh winger’s most complete season with Fulham is an incredible addition to the squad. But it’s mainly the signing of goalkeeper James Trafford from Manchester City that brings the window from good to excellent. “A player who has potential to be one day, world class” manager Daniel Farke told ITV Sport about James Trafford upon first impressions of the keeper in preseason. For £40 million, Leeds managed to put the future of English goalkeeping in net week in and week
out, a weak position for the team last season. Gaining Jean MattéoBahoya on loan from Eintracht Frankfurt is also really exciting. Bahoya fills the quick, inverted-winger role that the club and Farke have been missing since their sale of Crysencio Summerville following a memorable 2023-24 season. Leeds have only had to pay upfront for one of the three additions mentioned above – and for well below market value. Leeds and Brentford have done incredibly well navigating the market, but the same can’t be said for every club – even one of the biggest in the world. Liverpool: Flashy Signing, Same Problems A year ago, I labeled Liverpool’s transfer business as the “window of dreams.” While the club still managed to finish in the top five, the Reds had clear issues that prevented them from competing with the likes of Arsenal, Manchester City, and Manchester United. Liverpool conceded 53 league goals last season, the eighth most in the Premier League. Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez, both signed by the Reds last summer, really struggled as start-
ing fullbacks last season. Liverpool did sign two new center backs in Jeremy Jacquet and Ronald Araujo, but absolutely zero fullbacks as reinforcements to Frimpong and Kerkez. The signing of Bradley Barcola from Paris SaintGermain for £140 million to replace a leaving Mohamed Salah is brilliant. The French winger likely waltzes into the Premier League as a top three attacker in the league. But is another ten to fifteen goals from Barcola worth it if the defense continues to deeply struggle? Just like last season, Liverpool’s issue was never a lack of flashy attacking signings, yet that’s precisely what they prioritized this window. While Liverpool gambled with a shaky defense, another club had an even more risk-adverse, identity-questioning window. Fulham: It’s Not Broken, Why Risk it? Fulham are a keystone mid-table club. Obviously, its ambitions are set highly, but the main goal every season is to avoid disastrous relegation. Clubs like Fulham live for extended stints in the Premier League, which the Cottagers have settled well into since last being promoted to the top
flight after the 2021-22 season. For mid-table sides like Fulham, risks that can shake the certainty of Premier League soccer should be avoided at all costs. That was not the philosophy Fulham accounted for throughout their transfer business. The club appointed Álvaro Arbeloa as manager heading into this season. Arbeloa came to Fulham with very little management experience, just a brief yet disastrous time with Real Madrid and a more promising stint with their youth academy. Fulham focused on bringing a bulk of Real Madrid’s academy players to accommodate Arbeloa, such as striker Gonzalo Garcia, winger César Palacios, and midfielder Manuel Ángel “Arbeloa has taken a major risk by effectively putting his eggs all into one basket of former Real Madrid academy players. They come from good stock but have zero Premier League experience and that shows” Tom Masters with Yahoo Sports writes. Fulham weren’t in need of an overhaul, but it’s what they gave themself. Now their fate is in the set of inexperienced hands.
PAGE 11
MICHAEL SPAHN
SPORTS
Sports Editor
Who’s built to win Super Bowl LXI? SEPTEMBER 9, 2026 |
NORTHERNIOWAN.COM
|
VOLUME 123, ISSUE 3
Ranking the NFL’s top 10 ahead of the 2026 season By Mason Kalkbrenner Sports Writer After seven long months, football season has officially begun! This past offseason completely reshaped the league, with many superstar players switching teams and plenty of dynamic rookies ready to make a splash. You never know what to expect with a brand-new season on the horizon. However, with all the shocking moves in the offseason, there’s a handful of teams that now have every piece of their roster assembled. Therefore, before a single snap is played, it’s extremely important to take a look at what teams could be an extra step closer to Super Bowl LXI in Los Angeles on Feb. 14. 10. The Chicago Bears Under first-year head coach Ben Johnson, the Chicago Bears made a surprising playoff run last year. The Bears went 11-6, won the NFC North and even beat the Packers in the wild-card round. Not to mention, they put up a great fight against the Los Angeles Rams in the divisional round, losing 17-20 in overtime. However, in the offseason, the Bears lost a few major pieces in their secondary, as well as wide receiver DJ Moore. In the first round, they selected safety Dillon Thieneman out of Oregon, who will be an explosive addition to a shallow Bears secondary. As long as Caleb Williams keeps taking huge steps forward and the defense can find its footing early, the Bears could be looking forward to another NFC North title. 9. The New England Patriots This may come as a surprise to many, as the Patriots are fresh coming off of a Super Bowl appearance against Seattle in February. However, partly due to their easy schedule last year, a lot of dominoes fell perfectly for the Patriots to reach the Super Bowl. Not to discredit how incredible the team played last year, but it still had a lot of work to do. This was painfully clear in the Super Bowl, with the score ending 29-13. The game, however, wasn’t as close as the scoreboard indicated. The Patriots were aware of this when it came to their game plan for the offseason. With the addition of star wide receiver A.J. Brown, the Patriots acquired the missing piece to its offense. Their schedule
is significantly tougher this year, but expect the Patriots to remain in serious contention this season.
8. San Francisco 49ers Under head coach Kyle Shanahan, the 49ers have always come up just short of greatness. Their roster is full of extremely talented players on both offense and defense, but somehow, there is always a team just a step ahead. With the addition of former Tampa Bay Buccaneers Mike Evans, San Francisco has exactly what it needs: a No. 1 receiver. Along with Christian McCaffrey, George Kittle, Brock Purdy, and rookie wide receiver De’Zhaun Stribling, the pieces are all there. The biggest concern is injuries. Losing defensive end Nick Bosa early in the season last year, along with linebacker Fred Warner, proved to be absolutely detrimental to the 49ers’ season. As long as the team can stay healthy, San Francisco can be a sneaky powerhouse in the playoffs. 7. Houston Texans The narrative behind the Texans is incredibly clear. Their defense is one of the best in the league, no doubt about it. With Will Anderson Jr., Danielle Hunter, and Derek Stingley Jr. leading the pack, this team is built for long-term success. The culprit behind this team is the inconsistent play of quarterback C.J. Stroud. The 2023 Offensive Rookie of the Year has continued to struggle to perform since his breakout rookie season. If Stroud can return to his former self with a complete offense, the Texans can make a strong push for the AFC Championship. After all, the AFC as a whole is completely wide open, making it perfect timing for Houston. They just need their offense to start clicking again if they want to make it out of the wild-card round. 6. Buffalo Bills It’s the same thing with the Bills every season: They get so close to glory, then fall short. Quarterback Josh Allen puts the team on his back every year, hoping to carry Buffalo into the promised land. It was finally time for a change of strategy for the Bills, and they made that decision in a huge way. They fired head coach Sean McDermott early in the offseason, ushering in a brand-new age of Buffalo Bills football.
Photo Courtesy/Reuters
Quarterback Josh Allen hopes to lead the Buffalo Bills to their first Super Bowl in franchise history.
There was a lot of controversy with this decision in the eyes of fans and critics alike, but regardless, it’s hard to count out Buffalo. Adding a talented veteran wide receiver in D.J. Moore will help regulate the offense and allow for more consistent play. Even with a rookie head coach like Joe Brady, the Bills will always have a fighting chance. 5. Baltimore Ravens After a heartbreaking loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, many questions emerged as the Ravens missed the playoffs entirely last year. In terms of Ravens head coach John Harbaugh, was his style of play good enough to elevate the Ravens to the next level? The lack of a true anchor on the defensive front left some holes on a usually elite defense. Instead of settling for little change, the Ravens flipped the script completely. They fired Harbaugh after 18 seasons and signed former Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson to a four-year, $112 million deal. Now, with former Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter as head coach, Baltimore is looking for a fresh start. With Lamar Jackson at the helm, Derrick Henry in the backfield and Hendrickson on the front line, the Ravens can make a strong run in the AFC. 4. Philadelphia Eagles After a year of a dysfunctional and chaotic offense under offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo, the Eagles needed to completely overhaul their offensive game plan for 2026. Not to mention, the continuous off-field concerns over A.J. Brown’s frustrations in Philadelphia made the overall flow of the offense spiral out
of control. The Eagles fired Patullo and brought in former Packers quarterbacks coach Sean Mannion as his replacement. Not to mention, the Eagles made the tough decision to send A.J. Brown to the New England Patriots, a move that was rumored for months leading up to it. The Eagles picked USC receiver Makai Lemon in the first round of the draft, along with adding another pass catcher in Dontayvion Wicks in a trade with Green Bay. Philadelphia bolstered their defense as well, trading for former Minnesota Vikings pass rusher Jonathan Greenard and former Seattle Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen. If the Eagles can get past their old struggles on offense, perhaps a third Lombardi Trophy for the franchise is in the near future. 3. Denver Broncos The Denver Broncos had a trip to the Super Bowl ripped from their hands when quarterback Bo Nix went down with an injury in the divisional round against Buffalo. They had arguably the best defense in the league, as well as a quarterback who was taking his play to the next level. But regardless of coming up just short in the AFC Championship Game, the Broncos kept most of their offseason moves in-house. One piece they were missing was a true No. 1 wide receiver, a player who could help elevate Bo Nix. In a blockbuster trade with Miami, the Broncos acquired Jaylen Waddle. The Broncos didn’t completely revamp their roster or coaching staff; they just filled the holes that were necessary. If the team remains healthy, the Broncos are the team to beat in the AFC this
season. 2. Seattle Seahawks It may be a shocker to see the reigning champions at No. 2 on the power rankings. However, Seattle lost many key players from last year. Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III, Coby Bryant, Riq Woolen, and Boye Mafe all left in free agency. But instead of panicking and signing a bunch of players, the Seahawks doubled down and chose to extend their existing players. Wide receiver Jaxon SmithNjigba got a well-deserved four-year extension worth up to $168.6 million. Not to mention, the Seahawks found Kenneth Walker III’s replacement in the draft, picking running back Jadarian Price out of Notre Dame. The Seahawks being at No. 2 isn’t because of anything they did wrong in the offseason; rather, it’s because of what their biggest rival did right. 1. Los Angeles Rams The Rams’ season ended in the NFC Championship Game last year against Seattle. Many fans thought that game would be a complete toss-up and either team could win. With their division rival coming out with not only the NFC Championship but also the Super Bowl championship, one could say the Rams felt personally challenged. The Rams conducted two absolute blockbuster trades, acquiring cornerback Trent McDuffie from the Chiefs and defensive end Myles Garrett from the Browns. These moves alone immediately made Los Angeles the Super Bowl favorite. Read the full version on our website.
PAGE 12
ETC. SEPTEMBER 9, 2026 |
CROSSWORD
Across
1) Chocolate alternative 6) Venomous snake 11) "Goodfellas" fellas 14) Cocktail garnish 15) Hot spot 16) Indignation 17) Prince hit, "I Wanna Be Your ____" 18) Pick up the tab 19) Conk out 20) Kind of leather 22) More miffed 24) Pet name 25) In all respects 26) Take in 29) Dress down 30) Scribble (down) 31) Aussie "bear" 33) Choppers, so to speak 36) Region 38) Kind of wine 40) Take a chance 41) Drive away 43) Miser's problem 45) Sargasso, for one
46) Modular home 48) Passel of pups 50) Workplace newbie 52) Belinda Carlisle, once 53) Legalese word 54) Motorcycle escort 58) Poetic palindrome 59) Fluid build-up 61) Skip a syllable 62) Vintner's vessel 63) Word repeated twice in a 1983 Bond film 64) Twill fabric 65) Picnic pest 66) What's hot 67) Pittsburgh product
Down
1) Hard-hearted 2) Succulent plant 3) Tear apart 4) Cook too long 5) Bad way to go 6) In motion 7) Mend socks 8) Word on an invoice 9) Beguile
NORTHERNIOWAN.COM
JENNA WESTENDORF Managing Editor
|
VOLUME 123, ISSUE 3
SUDOKU
10) Machine gun sound 11) Bahrain's region 12) Bay window 13) Drunken 21) Shish ___ 23) Old-fashioned 25) Coquettish woman 26) Open, a little 27) Drag 28) Mike Brady was one 29) Book jacket ad 32) Pool problem 34) Elder or alder 35) Preside over 37) Lofty nest 39) Feudal slave 42) Far from strict 44) Go off-topic 47) Ding site, maybe 49) Bathroom furnishing 50) Sorority letter 51) Air again 52) Prison profession 54) Black cat, to some 55) Nearly hopeless 56) Drop-off point 57) Rod's companion 60) Cain raiser
ANSWERS