Herald Newsletter 04-20-2026

Monday,April 20, 2026

WKU Police Department investigation details Kappa Sigma hazing

The chapter house of the Theta-Theta chapter of the Kappa Sigma fraternity sits on Chestnut Street on Sunday,April 19, 2026 following the revoking of their university recognition after a hazing-related incident was reported to WKUPD. The sanctions will last five years.(Jonah Savage)

Police reports of the hazing at the Theta-Theta chapter of Kappa Sigma, which resulted in a five-year university suspension of the chapter, include reports of physical abuse, humiliation and drug use.

WKU’s disciplinary committee, composed of seven faculty and six staff, decided the chapter could not operate as an official WKU student group for five years in March, after it investigated the hazing that happened last fall. The WKU chapter of Kappa Sigma filed an appeal following the university’s decision, with support from alumni and the international chapter.

Ayoung girl walks between her guardians with a painted face as it rains during the Big Local Fest at Circus Square Park in Bowling Green, Kentucky, on Saturday,April 18, 2026. (Hallie Stafford)

For Gracie Goodlett, a freshman horticulture major at WKU, plants are her passion.

“I just chose the plant path, and it makes me happy seeing other people happy with plants,” Goodlett said.

In her booth, she sold a large variety of plants, flowers and succulents, as well as some crocheted stuffed animals made by one of her friends, bookmarks and claw clips.

Gold Rush: Brilliant batting leads to Softball sweep of Miners

WKU outscored UTEP24-4 in an offensive onslaught that led to a threegame sweep over the Miners this weekend.

The batting performance throughout the weekend was killer. Junior first basemanAnnie White set the tone for batters in game one and junior infielder Maci Masters continued it with a grand slam in the first inning of game two.

Western Kentucky University infielder JPAcosta (4) refrains from swinging at a high pitch during WKU’s 9-4 win against the New Mexico StateAggies at Nick Denes Field on Saturday,April 11, 2026.Acosta had three hits and three runs to support the Hilltoppers third straight win.(Von Smith)

Bullpen struggles haunted WKU Baseball as they suffered their fourth Conference USAseries loss at the hands of Missouri State this weekend at Hammons Field.

The Hilltoppers fall to 20-20 and 7-11 in CUSA. WKU is 3-9 away from Nick Denes Field.

VISUALS: Hilltoppers return to Diddle for spring invite

This week, News Reporter Caroline Chubb talks about the SGA presidential election, Spanish ProfessorYertty VanderMolen’s Afrolatinidad event, the Faculty Senate election, WKU Softball’s win over UTEPand the University offering second-year LLCs

Make sure the follow the College Heights Herald Instagram and TikTok, follow or subscribe on your podcast platform of choice and pick up the latest Herald Print magazine on campus.

VISUALS: WKU Swim Club

hosts first meet in over a decade

Silence! Opera in the courtroom

All rise as Plaintiff,Angelina makes her entrance into the courtroom during Western Kentucky University Opera Theater’s performance of “Gilbert & Sullian’s trial By Jury” on Friday,April 17, 2026 at Warren Co. Bowling Green Justice Center. (Sam Huffman)

WKU Opera Theater took its show to court by performing “Trial by Jury” at the Warren County Justice Center.

The comedic opera by Victorian playwrights W. S. Gilbert andArthur Sullivan ran on Friday at 5 p.m. and returned on Sunday at 3 p.m. The theater used Courtroom C on the building’s fourth floor for their performance while justice center staff supervised.

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Chinese Music Ensemble connects the community

Community members experienced the harmonies of “Little Yellowbird” on Friday at the Chinese Music Ensemble.

The WKU Chinese Music Club performed the ensemble at the Ivan Wilson Center for the FineArts. The performance consisted of five members playing eight different Chinese originating instruments.

The College Heights Herald is the independent, student-run news organization operating on the campus of Western Kentucky University, emphasizing accuracy and truth while being a public forum for the fair display of diverse opinions and viewpoints. The Herald works to be steadfast and unwavering in its pursuit of truth while being true to the tenets of the WKU Student Publications mission to grow exceptional journalists and innovative leaders through real-world experiences and a strong educational and ethical foundation centered on principled journalism. All creative and editorial decisions are made by the Herald’s student leadership, and all consequences of those decisions are the sole responsibility of these student leaders. While editorially and operationally independent from the university, the Herald participates in the mission of WKU to prepare students of all backgrounds to be productive, engaged and socially responsible citizen-leaders of a global society, both within and outside of its newsroom. Views expressed are diverse and, as an independent publication, should not be taken as representative of views of WKU and any of its administration, faculty, staff, student body or other constituency

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