Raphael Ranola

Cloudless sulphur rests on a sapling as the sun shines on Mar. 7, 2016.

I’m not a sports guy. I’m actually the editor of opinions, so this is the journalistic equivalent of a crossover episode. That gives me a unique position to represent the layman — the casual enjoyer of sports — amid a sea of many, many people who are more qualified than me to be talking about sports.

Formal group photograph of the Supreme Court on June 30, 2022.

Sophomore Business major Ariana Mizan addresses the Student Trustee Forum on Feb. 20.

The title of this “Perspectives” column is an homage to Roger Ebert, late editor-in-chief of The Daily Illini and renowned columnist, whose final column for The DI was titled “And in the end: Ars Gratia … Reflections.” Ebert’s writing voice is referred to as “ Midwestern,” and in all of my writing I hope to convey the same kind of kindly, conversational tone — a privilege afforded to me as a columnist and not a reporter.

I nonetheless applied to the Environmental Leadership Program offered by the Institute for Sustainability, Energy, and Environment. I’ll admit that I applied for purely pragmatic reasons, curious about corporate sustainability and networking opportunities.

During this period of polarization in American politics, bipartisanship seldom occurs in the legislature. Still, if there is one thing that brings our government together, it is their distrusting disposition toward China. With a potential TikTok ban on the horizon spurred by fears of China’s connection to the company, the effects will likely be negative for the average citizen and lucrative for one lucky social media giant.

I’ve never been one to partake in political debates. I just can’t be bothered to care about our future president, my local senator or the livelihood and freedoms of millions of citizens in one of the largest democracies in the world. It’s just not for me!

When I first moved into my apartment my sophomore year, I couldn’t help but notice a dreadful feeling of loneliness — one which I’m sure we all know but dismiss as: “That’s what adulthood is.” I’d like to push back on this notion. I am 20 years old, my rose-colored glasses are still slightly tinted...

At the start of the semester, during Quad Day, I was told some local politicians were hanging out at the Illini Democrats' tent. It was there I found out that the county coroner position is partisan and will be decided by voters this election.