Skip to Main Content
Emerson College’s only independent, student-run newspaper since 1947

The Berkeley Beacon

Emerson College’s only independent, student-run newspaper since 1947

The Berkeley Beacon

Emerson College’s only independent, student-run newspaper since 1947

The Berkeley Beacon

BIG HOME

‘Megalopolis’: Coppola’s ‘Roman Empire’ crumbles and falls in glorious green technicolor

‘Megalopolis’: Coppola’s ‘Roman Empire’ crumbles and falls in glorious green technicolor

By Bryan Hecht, News Editor / October 1, 2024
When it was first announced that legendary filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola had sold his $650 million wine empire to self-fund his passion project of over 40 years because no studio wanted to, it read as another sad signifier of Hollywood’s hesitancy to invest in original concepts. 
The sights of The Big E at night.

Entertainment, Excitement, Eats: The Big E’s in town

By Sam Shipman, Living Arts Editor / September 30, 2024
On a cool day in early fall, hundreds of thousands of people gathered in West Springfield to experience one of New England’s largest events of the year: The Big E.
Around 70 protesters standing on Tremont St outside of The Wang Theatre on Friday, Sept. 27, 2024.(Arthur Mansavage/ Beacon Staff)

Hillary Clinton’s book tour meets protesters in Boston

By Merritt Hughes, Multimedia Managing Editor / September 29, 2024
Hillary Clinton appeared live at the Wang Theater in Boston on Friday evening as part of a traveling tour discussing her new book, “Something Lost, Something Gained: Reflections on Life, Love, & Liberty.”
The Boston Inspectional Services Department responded to the scene to evaluate the building. The crash damaged the restaurant's front door. (Arthur Mansavage / Beacon Staff)

3 pedestrians struck by vehicle that crashed into Downtown Boston sushi restaurant

By Hannah Nguyen, Editor-in-Chief / September 27, 2024
Three pedestrians were hit Friday afternoon by a vehicle that also crashed into a sushi restaurant in Downtown Boston, according to police.
Boston Mayor Michelle Wu joined Globe work and income inequality reporter Katie Johnston in a discussion about skill-based employment and education at  the second day of the Boston Globe Summit on September 26, 2024 (Bryan Hecht / Beacon Staff).

‘Boosting the number of jobs in any community is a win-win’: Mayor Wu talks skills-based employment at Boston Globe Summit 2024

By Bryan Hecht and Sam Shipman / September 26, 2024
In the first event of the second day of the Boston Globe Summit 2024, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu joined Globe work and income inequality reporter Katie Johnston in a discussion about skill-based employment and education.
Photos: Hundreds gather on the Boston Common for a rally in solidarity with Haitian migrants

Photos: Hundreds gather on the Boston Common for a rally in solidarity with Haitian migrants

By Nick Peace, Dept. Photo Editor & Video Editor / September 25, 2024
Hundreds descended on the Boston Common around noon on Tuesday, Sept. 24, to denounce false allegations made against the Haitian community.
(Yogev Toby/ Beacon Correspondent)

High hopes for marijuana reform at the 35th Boston Freedom Rally

By Hannah Brueske and Yogev Toby / September 23, 2024
Hundreds of cannabis fanatics gathered in the Boston Common on Saturday for the 35th annual Boston Freedom Rally, the second-largest advocacy event for marijuana in the country. 
There is a Bright Light that never goes out

There is a Bright Light that never goes out

By Ryan Yau, Editor-at-Large / September 18, 2024
By its twelfth anniversary, the Bright Lights Cinema Series has introduced three generations of Emerson students to hundreds of independent films, highlighting social issues and marginalized perspectives.
Emerson's downtown Boston campus.

Emerson lays off 10 staff members, suspends two programs

By Hannah Nguyen, Editor-in-Chief / August 13, 2024

Emerson laid off 10 staff members and eliminated two programs Tuesday, college officials said in an email sent to staff and faculty. “We are grateful...

An Emerson College Police car.

Construction worker dies after falling from scaffolding at Cutler Majestic Theatre, police say

By DJ Mara, Senior Political Reporter / August 10, 2024

A construction worker died Friday afternoon after falling from scaffolding outside the Cutler Majestic Theatre, police said. Boston police reported...

President Joe Biden addresses nation on decision to drop out of presidential race

President Joe Biden addresses nation on decision to drop out of presidential race

By DJ Mara, Senior Political Reporter / July 24, 2024

President Joe Biden spoke from the Oval Office Wednesday night to address why he decided to drop out of the presidential race and endorse Vice President...

Elijah Brown - Actor / Movement Captain for "Hoops."

The colorful “Hoops” production arrives at The Strand Theater in Boston

By Rosa Morales-Simmons, Beacon Correspondent / July 20, 2024

Before Company One Theater got its hands on the BIPOC-led stage gem “Hoops,” it began as a photography exhibition by Wisconsin-born photographer Nicole...

Emerson will lay off staff and faculty positions due to enrollment decline partly caused by campus protests, college says

Emerson will lay off staff and faculty positions due to enrollment decline partly caused by campus protests, college says

By Hannah Nguyen, Iselin Bratz and DJ Mara / June 22, 2024

Emerson College will lay off faculty and staff and not fill some vacant positions in response to reduced enrollment, which it said was partly caused by...

Jim Hoppe (Middle) and Athletic Director Pat Nicol (Right) presenting the NEWMAC championship trophy to the Women's Soccer team in November of 2022.

Student Affairs VP Jim Hoppe to depart Emerson in July

By Jordan Pagkalinawan, Sports Editor & Website Editor / June 1, 2024

Jim Hoppe, the vice president of Student Affairs and dean for Campus Life, will leave Emerson in mid-July for Bowdoin College, where he will serve as the...

A student waves a Palestinian flag and holds up their hand, on which is written, “Ceasefire now.” (Rian Nelson/Beacon Staff)

Emotions split at commencement amid pro-Palestine protests

By Sam Shipman, Living Arts Editor / May 18, 2024

A sense of excitement and nervousness filled the air of Agganis Arena as friends and family of Emerson graduates filed in for the 2024 Commencement Ceremony.   This...

Notice outside Emerson College’s Visitors Center explaining closures (Bryan Hecht/Beacon Staff)

College briefly halts admissions proceedings in light of arrests, students and student workers reflect on closures

By Iselin Bratz, Content Managing Editor / May 15, 2024

Editor's Note: This article has been republished to include corrections and to acknowledge that admission activities were put on hold for two days and...

Valerie Harrison, marketing and communications coordinator at St. Francis House, talks to a guest on Friday, April 5, 2024. (Feixu Chen/Beacon Staff)

Photos: Combating homelessness, ‘one day at a time’

By Feixu Chen, Staff Photographer / April 27, 2024

The St. Francis House at 39 Boylston St. finds itself at the epicenter of an unprecedented surge in demand, reflecting the rising cost of living and the...