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

The Thursday Paper

Illustration Rachel Choi

As a creator, the TikTok ban has alarming implications for us all

By Madison McMahon, Beacon Contributor / January 29, 2025

When all the Supreme Court opinions and congressional news coverage told me in no uncertain terms that TikTok would be banned in the United States, I cried.  Over...

(Courtesy Danny Lane)

Amanda Kramer talks Sundance, graduating from Emerson, and the woman-to-chair pipeline

By Ryan Yau, Living Arts Editor / January 29, 2025

Picture this: a woman, Camille, enters a furniture store and sees a chair she really wants, but cannot afford. Overcome by inexplicable feelings of desire...

‘Cat Kid Comic Club’ promotes paw-sitivity and i-meow-gination on the stage

‘Cat Kid Comic Club’ promotes paw-sitivity and i-meow-gination on the stage

By Hannah Hughes, Staff Writer / January 29, 2025

Emerson’s Colonial Theatre buzzed with little voices raised in excitement last Saturday as families were seated for “Cat Kid Comic Club: the Musical.” “Cat...

The Marlboro Institute for Liberal and Interdisciplinary Studies

Late Marlboro College professor leaves $1.5 million grant for student research

By Merritt Hughes, Dept. Campus Editor / January 29, 2025

Starting this semester, Emerson students and faculty have the opportunity to apply for research grants funded through $1.5 million left to Marlboro College...

Illustration Kellyn Taylor

The TikTok ban stunned America. The political agenda behind it should too.

By Bailey Flaherty, Beacon Contributor / January 29, 2025

On the evening of Jan. 18, TikTok’s American ban went into effect. Of course, mass panic ensued when the app shut down and all the phone addicts of...

Junior outside hitter Chase Fagen (#5) elevates for an attack against MIT on Jan. 28, 2025 (Rian Nelson/ Beacon Staff).

Men’s volleyball loses to MIT in home opener

By Jordan Pagkalinawan, Dept. Sports Editor / January 29, 2025

The Emerson men’s volleyball team lost to two nationally ranked opponents to begin the 2025 season. Days after losing to No. 19 Nichols, the Lions were...

Junior guard Bri Frongillo (#12) swished the game-winning floater with 0.6 seconds left against Coast Guard on Jan. 25, 2025 (Courtesy of Anna Schoenmann).

Bri Frongillo breaks Emerson women’s basketball scoring record with 44 points in win over Coast Guard

By Hongyi Ji, Staff Writer / January 28, 2025

Two between-the-leg dribbles seamlessly transitioned into a swift crossover and left the defender staggering. Junior guard Bri Frongillo cut into the lane,...

An Emerson College banner on the side of The Colonial Building on Boylston street. (Arthur Mansavage/ Beacon Staff, File)

Emerson doubles down on commitment to protect undocumented, international students

By Yogev Toby, Projects Editor / January 26, 2025

President Donald Trump’s vows for mass deportation and expansion of immigration law enforcement powers have generated hundreds of arrests across the...

Trump supporters watching the inauguration live stream outside of the U.S. Capitol on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. (Rian Nelson/ Beacon Staff)

As a second Trump term unfolds, Emerson watches as future of work sponsorships, DEI hang in balance

By Adam Nuñez, Staff Writer / January 22, 2025

As former President Joe Biden peacefully transferred power to President Donald Trump on Jan. 20, Emerson community members described feelings of uncertainty,...

A crowd of roughly one thousand people stood outside the Capitol inauguration morning, echoing the president’s sentiments about a coming “golden age of America.” (Rian Nelson/Beacon Staff)

Emerson students from Republican-led states share concerns of second Trump presidency

By Merritt Hughes, Dept. Campus Editor / January 22, 2025

President Donald Trump’s first few days in office came with a slew of executive orders and policy changes. He notably declared a state of emergency at...

‘Haunted’ exposes the comedy and the horror of Indigenous land rights

‘Haunted’ exposes the comedy and the horror of Indigenous land rights

By Rosa Morales-Simmons, Beacon Correspondent / January 22, 2025

In “Haunted,” a comical horror stage play, residents are haunted by their home’s previously living, Indigenous American ghosts, who pass their time...

Dray Drinks sells beer, wine, and spirits—sans alcohol

Dray Drinks sells beer, wine, and spirits—sans alcohol

By Hannah Hughes, Staff Writer / January 22, 2025

Dray Drinks offers evergreen beer, wine, and spirit selections, alcohol-free. In the South End, the store’s large windows, painted mural, and open floor...

A woman on the Public Garden Foot Bridge records people skating on the frozen Swan Pond below. (Nick Peace/ Beacon Staff)

Frozen over: Bostonians skate and scrimmage in the Public Garden

By Max Ardrey, Dept. Living Arts Editor / January 22, 2025

As the sky eases into perpetual gray and temperatures drop, Bostonians reclaim their favorite winter pastime: grabbing their skates and hitting the ice. While...

Illustration Rachel Choi

Is this the American Dream?

By Josie Arteaga, Dept. Opinion Editor / January 22, 2025
As President Donald Trump raised his right hand, I felt the knot in my stomach tighten. It’s a strange feeling, watching a nation change when you’re not part of it.
Illustration Rachel Choi

We can only fight for a better future if we hope for one too

By Ella Duggan, Opinion Editor / January 22, 2025

In four year’s time, none of us will be here. In four years, not a single editor I know will be left in this newsroom. By then, I could walk from Piano...

Come here often? Romance bookstore Lovestruck Books opens in Cambridge

Come here often? Romance bookstore Lovestruck Books opens in Cambridge

By Allison Po and Hannah Woods / January 22, 2025

Decorated with hearts and florals, romance bookstore Lovestruck Books opened to an eager public reception last week, bringing not only books but a safe...

A crowd protesting Trump's second term outside of the Massachusetts State House on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. (Arthur Mansavage/ Beacon Staff)

Mass. officials react to Trump inauguration

By DJ Mara, Dept. Metro Editor / January 22, 2025

Soon after President Donald Trump was sworn in for a second term, he signed several executive orders to set his agenda into motion. Public officials across...

Trump’s inauguration and the conversation around transgender athletes

Trump’s inauguration and the conversation around transgender athletes

By Anna Knepley, Meg Richards and Jordan Pagkalinawan / January 22, 2025

Among the onslaught of executive orders signed on day one, President Donald Trump targeted transgender and nonbinary Americans, claiming “it is the policy...

Illustration Kellyn Taylor

The best coffee shop in Boston is right under your nose

By Charlie Desjardins, Beacon Contributor / January 22, 2025

When I first came to Emerson, I made two promises: One to my sister, that I wouldn’t grow a man-bun (it becomes more and more tempting each day), and...

Illustration Rachel Choi

The blue-collar burden of paying for a Trump economy

By Tess Gleason, Beacon Contributor / January 22, 2025

As the daughter of a blue-collar family from the predominantly lower-middle-class village of Waterford, New York, I’ve shared economic concerns with...