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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

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Illustration by Kellyn Taylor.

Changes to college football playoffs shake up landscape and brackets

By Daniel O'Toole / November 25, 2024

In 2022, the NCAA announced that changes to the format of the college football playoffs would expand the number of teams from four to 12. Now in 2024,...

Aili Montague was adopted at the age of two and a half. They struggled to find their identity within a family where they bore no resemblance. (Rian Nelson/ Beacon Staff)

The end of China’s international adoption program has left adoptees with mixed emotions

By Hannah Woods, Staff Writer / November 22, 2024

For Aili Montague, being a Chinese adoptee makes up a significant part of their identity. Montague was adopted from the city of Huainan, China, in...

(McKenzie Cooper/ Beacon Staff)

The Boylston Chess Club: A testament to the world of chess

By McKenzie Cooper, Beacon Staff / November 20, 2024

Marked by only a plain sign hanging from an even plain-er building, there lives a strong-standing testament to the growing game of chess. Upon entering,...

Shawn Mendes peels back the curtain with fifth album ‘Shawn’

Shawn Mendes peels back the curtain with fifth album ‘Shawn’

By Danielle Bartholet, Assistant Living Arts Editor / November 20, 2024
The Canadian singer and songwriter released his fifth album “Shawn” on Nov. 15 after postponing the original Oct. 18 release date.
(Courtesy of Danielle Cohen)

EDC explodes with talent in ‘Wanderlust’ showcase

By Danielle Bartholet, Assistant Living Arts Editor / November 20, 2024
Emerson Dance Company presented “Wanderlust” as their Fall 2024 showcase.
Dawes the Band left to right: Griffin Goldsmith, Taylor Goldsmith. (Courtesy of Jon Chu)

Dawes returns with a rebound of creativity in latest album ‘Oh Brother’

By Sam Shipman, Assistant News Editor / November 20, 2024

Regardless of relationship status, family bond is forever. With Dawes’ latest record “Oh Brother,” brotherly love goes deeper than its title....

Members of Sweet93 performing at The Sinclair on Oct 15. (Nick Peace / Beacon Staff)

From a shoegazey haze, Sweet93 emerges

By Sam Shipman, Assistant News Editor / November 19, 2024

The five members of Sweet93 quietly set up their instruments in a relaxed room of 20 or so people. A few songs in and the gathering was fixated on the...

The Emerson women's basketball team in a timeout against Elms College on Monday, Nov. 11 (Courtesy of Anna Schoenmann).

Women’s basketball defeats Elms in home opener

By Hongyi Ji / November 13, 2024

As the final buzzer echoed through the Bobbi Brown & Steven Plofker Gym on Monday, the Emerson women’s basketball team became 2-0. The Lions...

 Good Morning Emerson Hosts Max Lasky (left) and Faith Pinnow (middle) interview one of the Co-Presidents of Emertainment Monthly, Emily Zeitz (right) live on the air. GME conducts an interview during most of their shows along with covering events around the city, and delivering news stories to their viewers. (Madla Walsh/ Beacon Staff)

A dive into campus media at Emerson

By Rina Laby, Beacon Correspondent / November 13, 2024

Emerson offers over 100 on-campus student organizations but is most famous for its many student performing arts groups. However, from broadcast and print...

The Emerson College visitor center on Boylston street. (Arthur Mansavage/ Beacon Staff, File)

Trump’s reelection forebodes an uncertain future for international students

By Hannah Brueske, Staff Writer / November 13, 2024

While on Nov. 6 Americans across the 50 states woke up with a variety of feelings about what a second Trump presidency meant for their country’s future,...

Teachers and other educational staff on strike wave as cars honk in support. (Rian Nelson/ Beacon Staff)

Teacher strike in Gloucester

By Rian Nelson / November 12, 2024

Teachers at West Parish Elementary School in Gloucester gathered Friday morning—not to head in to teach but to go on strike.  On Thursday night,...

Graduate guard Trevor Arico shoots against Salem State University (Arthur Mansavage/ Beacon Staff, File)

‘David vs. Goliath’: Men’s basketball gears up for Div. I test vs. Yale

By Jordan Pagkalinawan / November 12, 2024

Looking at the Emerson men’s basketball schedule, fans will find the usual slate of opponents: Babson, Clark, WPI, and more. And while their non-conference...

American reggae singer Matisyahu, ended his set with the 2009 hit, "One Day," on Thursday night, Nov. 7. (Bryan Liu/ Beacon Staff)

Yallapalooza Boston celebrates Jewish music

By Bryan Liu, Living Arts Editor / November 11, 2024

Act two of the three-part Yallapalooza 2024 concert series kicked off in Boston at the Emerson Colonial Theater on Thursday. The tour, presented by Hillel,...

Justine Kim feeds a treat to Lady, her 20-month-old golden doodle, a day after the pup was named one of five winners in the Seaport dog mayor on Nov. 2, 2024 (Bryan Hecht / Beacon Staff).

The election goes to the dogs: Seaport dog mayor race ends in five-way tie

By Bryan Hecht, News Co-editor / November 8, 2024

What was meant to be a more paw-sitive race this election season came to a ruff conclusion this past week, with a five-way tie in Seaport’s first-ever...

Courtesy of The Emerson Colonial Theatre

Character of Mystery: Louise Penny releases 19th novel

By Danielle Bartholet, Assistant Living Arts Editor / November 7, 2024

“Three Pines was not on any map and was only ever found by people who had lost their way.”    This was how Louise Penny described the fictional...

Kyle Klein Photo

Princess Polly opens new store on Newbury

By Hannah Woods / November 6, 2024

The fashion brand Princess Polly opened its newest store in Boston on Oct. 27 with customers lining up and down Newbury Street for the in-person shopping...

Boston City Hall Plaza in the evening on Monday, October 28, 2024.(Nick Peace/ For the Beacon, File)

Massachusetts officials react to Trump victory

By DJ Mara / November 6, 2024

Elected officials representing Boston on the local, state, and federal levels swiftly reacted to former President Donald Trump winning a second term...

A pro-choice protester marches with a sign during a women's march for Kamala Harris in Boston ahead of the 2024 presidential election on Nov. 2, 2024 (Hannah Brueske/ Beacon Staff).

Seven states approved abortion ballot measures, while three fell short

By Annie Sarlin, Assistant Living Arts Editor / November 6, 2024

After the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022 and ended the constitutional right to abortion, 10 states posed ballot questions in this year's...

Behind the scenes on "La Bibliothèque." Courtesy Dana Koops

Emerson alum Dana Koops commemorates her brother with short film ‘La Bibliothèque’

By Ryan Yau, Living Arts Editor / November 6, 2024
Dana Koops, BFA '23, wrote, directed, and starred in her thesis film "La Bibliothèque,” which follows a woman receiving a supernatural FaceTime call from her recently deceased brother.
Mass. voters approve ballot measures on removal of MCAS requirement, Legislature audit, and ride-hail unionization

Mass. voters approve ballot measures on removal of MCAS requirement, Legislature audit, and ride-hail unionization

By Rylie Burns / November 6, 2024

Mass. ballots included five ballot measures this year. After receiving official election results, voters approved the removal of the Massachusetts Comprehensive...