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Northwestern University and Evanston's Only Daily News Source Since 1881

The Daily Northwestern
Northwestern University and Evanston's Only Daily News Source Since 1881

The Daily Northwestern

Laya Neelakandan

Laya Neelakandan, Print Managing Editor

Laya is a Medill sophomore from Baltimore, MD, studying journalism and sociology with a minor in music. She is currently in her second quarter as Print Managing Editor. At The Daily, she has previously served as Arts & Entertainment editor for two quarters and Assistant Arts & Entertainment Editor. On campus, Laya sings in the Extreme Measures a cappella group. You can reach her via email or Twitter.

Last updated spring 2022.

All content by Laya Neelakandan
Students sit in seats in a classroom looking at the front, where two students stand behind a podium.

A year in review: ASG’s landmark achievements from this academic year and priorities for the fall

May 27, 2022
purple newsstand next to a blue structure with an anchor painted on.

A map of The Daily Northwestern’s newsstand locations

May 25, 2022
Two Armenian flags are in each bottom corner. The top corners have white outlines of hands holding each other. In the middle, the logo of the organization reads “NU” in the colors of the Armenian flag with “Armenian Students Association” underneath the N.

‘A solid and vibrant community’: Newly approved Armenian Student Association joins campus

May 18, 2022
A person holds up a white piece of paper with a big red question mark in front of their face. The Daily Northwestern’s newsroom is in the background.

From The Newsroom: How and why we grant anonymity to sources

May 11, 2022
A woman with shoulder-length blonde hair stares directly into the camera with light shading parts of her face. There are trees in the background.

Musician of the Week: Singer-songwriter Ava Earl learns to smell the roses with her latest album

May 6, 2022
Sound Source: Deep Dive: Ava Earl

Sound Source: Deep Dive: Ava Earl

May 5, 2022

Police arrest suspect after University sends notice of active threat on its Chicago campus

May 2, 2022
In Focus: Multicultural Student Affairs office assistants report lack of support and action from professional staff

In Focus: Multicultural Student Affairs office assistants report lack of support and action from professional staff

April 28, 2022

Moyana Olivia finds harmony in her songwriting process

April 22, 2022
The Northwestern University sign in the snow.

Students can pick up one at-home COVID-19 test kit before Spring Break

March 8, 2022
NU Declassified: American Studies — small cohorts, big opportunities

NU Declassified: American Studies — small cohorts, big opportunities

February 23, 2022
A headshot of a man in suit and glasses.

Dan McAdams named interim dean of SESP

January 26, 2022
The U.S. Supreme Court building.

U.S. Supreme Court revives case against NU’s retirement plan

January 24, 2022
Two people walk in the fraternity quad, with sunlight shining on the tree.

All NU fraternities allowed to resume recruitment for Winter Quarter

January 5, 2022
In a theatre, a black chair sits in the center of the stage with a spotlight on it.

‘Harsh resistance and, at times, silence’: Students, alumni speak out after alum alleges harmful experiences with Communication Prof. David Bell

November 18, 2021
On a black background, the words “A Peculiar Inheritance” are written in yellow with a stylistic clock above it. At the top, “The 91st Annual Waa-Mu Show” is written in yellow and white.

The 91st Waa-Mu Show set to return to Cahn Auditorium this spring

November 17, 2021
A graphic using cutouts of two drag queens on a stage with the names Shea Couleé and Alyssa Edwards written in pink lights. A theatre sign reads “DRAG SHOW Lutkin Hall Nov. 17 8 p.m.”

Shea Couleé and Alyssa Edwards announced as A&O Productions fall speakers

November 10, 2021
A girl in a maroon sweater with curly black hair looks at the camera with trees in the background.

Q&A: NU alumna Deepikaa Sriram discusses music outside of careers

November 7, 2021
A group of students on a stage look in different directions, each student doing a different action.

New Chinese theatre group EighthDay Theatre Club to premiere Chinese show

November 3, 2021
Two people in purple stand in front of a green football field.

It’s time to move the chains: NUMB’s Spirit Leader and Grynder talk spirit at football games

November 2, 2021
A close-up headshot of a woman with brown hair and hazel eyes, wearing a red shirt.

NU alumna Katie Rich talks SNL, new animated Netflix series “Chicago Party Aunt”

November 1, 2021
A man with a black beard and wearing a green shirt smiles at the camera.

McSA brings comedian Azhar Usman for Fall Entertainment Event

October 25, 2021
In a dark green background, the words “Fall Speaker” are written in blue with a photo of Karan Brar, the word “Karan” repeated behind him and “Karan Brar” written in yellow underneath.

South Asian Students Alliance announces actor Karan Brar as fall speaker

October 19, 2021
A distant train rolls into the Loyola CTA station. City buildings are visible in the distance.

Getting out of the Northwestern and Evanston bubble: Students talk living in Rogers Park

October 18, 2021
A crowd of people at the Blowout event reaching out at the performer on stage behind the camera.

WILLOW headlines A&O’s Blowout, Raveena opens

October 11, 2021
In a dimly-lit, purple-hued room, two people sit together on a bench and look at two screens.

Sky Hopinka’s “Cloudless Blue Egress of Summer” exhibition reckons with colonial violence, highlights Indigenous resistance

October 5, 2021
A crowd of people at a past Blowout event have their hands up in the air.

WILLOW and Raveena to perform at A&O Productions Blowout

October 4, 2021
A promotional photo with a keyboard on the bottom. The words “Merrily We Roll Along” are written in an orange-pink shade, with a skyline in the background.

The Dolphin Show announces 79th Annual Show, “Merrily We Roll Along”

October 3, 2021
The back of a student watching a YouTube video on his laptop. The screen has a still of campus with the words “1 Sole Survivor” written across the bottom.

‘Cats Collide: “Survivor Northwestern” premieres inaugural season

September 28, 2021
Liana Wallace stands in front of a beach and hill with her hands on her hips.

Evanston resident Liana Wallace joins “Survivor” cast

September 28, 2021
An Emmy Award holds up the purple Northwestern logo.

NU alumni, faculty nominated and win Emmy Award

September 21, 2021
A woman in a long black dress and strappy heels looks away from the camera on a runway.

Q&A: NU grad Kemi walks NYFW runway while being a full-time student

September 21, 2021
Paintings and knicknacks sit in a white three-sided structure.

A breakdown of some of the arts Evanston has to offer

August 15, 2021
A man and a woman lean on the railing of a porch of an apartment, looking out into the city at sunset. There is a bridge in the background.

Students get exclusive early screening of “In the Heights” film adaptation

June 10, 2021
The Rock has layers of chipped paint laying on the ground on the left side.

Students chip away paint on The Rock, “Free Palestine” messages left intact

May 27, 2021
A pencil drawing of a Kenyan woman. She wears colorful beads around her neck and a colorful headband, but the rest of the drawing is black and white. Her hand sits in front of her mouth holding a stick.

Evanston Made to showcase local artists in annual art exhibit

May 25, 2021
A sideways microphone with a wire is in the center. Surrounding the mic are purple musical notes.

A year into virtual performances, students reflect on original music projects

May 18, 2021
Tayari Jones, wearing a black top, is on the left, and multiple copies of her book, “An American Marriage,” are featured on the right. The background is an ombre from orange to blue from left to right.

Award-winning author Tayari Jones talks race, marriage and incarceration in Leon Forrest Lecture Series

May 11, 2021
A children’s book cover. A young Black girl with braided hair, colorful beads and a pink shirt looks at other children in the background playing in a park. She has a thought bubble which reads, “I hope they understand.”

Evanston resident publishes children’s book celebrating racial and cultural diversity

May 11, 2021
A painting of a Burmese monk looking straight at the audience and wearing orange cloth. The background has a blue sky and green hills.

Q&A: Artist Matt Braun talks latest exhibition, “For Burma, With Love,” supporting Myanmar’s Civil Disobedience Movement

May 3, 2021
Several people stand several feet apart on the grass in front of Lake Michigan at sunset. They are holding large black megaphones with lights on the outer rim.

Bienen hosts first in-person, walk-through performance on the Lakefill in over a year

April 27, 2021
A brown scroll of papyrus with branches on the top and bottom. The ink on the papyrus creates a circle design. Below, there are various hanging objects.

Local artist, educator, community activist and art therapist Melissa Raman Molitor creates space to uplift work by APIDA artists

April 21, 2021
A man in the background behind the counter of a restaurant uses his phone, while another prepares a plate. To the right, one customer eats. There are red booths and red and orange hanging lights.

NU alumna Woojae Julia Song captures immigrant-owned restaurants during the pandemic

April 21, 2021
On a pink and orange ombre background, four figures dance. From left to right, there is a yellow modern dancer, a blue ballerina, a green hip hop dancer and a teal modern dancer mid-leap.

Members of Dancers Amplified, network of dancers striving for inclusivity, discuss equality in the industry

April 12, 2021
A picture of a Zoom screen with speakers on the right side and a slide deck on the left side. The slide, with a red banner at the top reading “Contemporary Composers,” lists names of Black art song composers.

Bienen event highlights importance of studying and performing Black art songs

April 7, 2021
A blue circle graphic, which reads “Soul4Real Presents Hard Times 4 Real April 3, 2021 | 8PM CST.”

“Hard Times 4 Real”: Soul4Real’s first concert since the pandemic’s onset

April 1, 2021
A wide shot of a colorful jewelry store, with color-coordinated beads hanging in the back.

Q&A: Ayla’s Originals boutique co-owner talks pandemic pivots, future plans

March 31, 2021
A pair of folded blue jeans on top of a tan canvas bag, both with rainbows and hearts sewn on.

Artist and shop owner Barbara Ruiz talks upcycling, sustainability in fashion

March 8, 2021
(Left to right) Ari Lennox, posing in a photoshoot. Druski posed with a funny gesture toward the camera. Up close of J.I.D. singing while at a concert. Text reads: “A&O Productions presents Ari Lennox, J.I.D., Druski March 11 8 pm CT.”

A&O to virtually host Ari Lennox, J.I.D. and Druski on March 11

March 4, 2021
Sticks wrapped in colorful yarn are tied together with blue-dipped corks hanging beneath them on strings. There is snow in the background.

Evanston youth create art project entitled “Bridge Over Troubled Water”

March 2, 2021
Dr. Murphy in a tan suit and tie mid-sentence. He is sitting in a church.

YoFresh Yogurt Cafe’s Larry Murphy featured in PBS documentary on the Black church

March 1, 2021
A colorful book opens with “Storytime” written in white lettering over it; there is a bookshelf in the back.

Children turning into apples: Imagine U Storytime’s latest installment

February 22, 2021
Owner of TaKorea Cocina and Founder of West Town Feeds Robert Magiet with a local street vendor. Over the last few weeks, Magiet has been buying out local vendors and donating the food to people experiencing food insecurity.

Local business owner buys out street vendors, donates food to community fridges

February 17, 2021
One of the Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre’s lectures by Associate Artistic Director Bria Walker analyzing the life and work of playwright Ntozake Shange.

Bria Walker discusses work, legacy of playwright Ntozake Shange

February 16, 2021
The New Tradition Chorus sings one of their Virtual Singing Valentines.

The New Tradition Chorus serenades loved ones with Virtual Singing Valentines

February 15, 2021
Liana Wallace. An ETHS alumna, Wallace is known for her spoken word poetry.

“Poetry disarms people”: ETHS grad Liana Wallace on her spoken word poetry

February 11, 2021
Evanston Made’s show of emerging Black artists at Backlot Coffee in February. This month, Evanston Made is highlighting local Black artists and their work through their Black Art Drive.

Evanston Made highlights Black artists during Black History Month

February 10, 2021
Monique B. Jones, president and CEO of Forefront. Jones is this year’s recipient of the Evanston Chamber of Commerce’s Nonprofit Person of the Year Award.

Evanston Chamber of Commerce awards Monique B. Jones the Nonprofit Person of the Year Award

February 4, 2021
Some Evanston/Skokie School District 65 parents have been looking for tutors to supplement their children’s education during online learning, but tutoring is not an option for everyone.

As some D65 students lean on tutors during online school, access could widen the achievement gap

February 3, 2021
Opera Projects for University Singers’ first audiobook, “Hansel and Gretel.” The audiobook was released in Dec. 2020 and was entirely student-run.

Opera Projects for University Singers releases first-ever audiobook to raise awareness around food insecurity

February 1, 2021
A scene from last year’s Cardboard Carnival. This year’s virtual program centers around building a marble run, and the deadline to submit a video is Mar. 6.

Cardboard Carnival: Marble Adventure Edition STEM challenge launches for Evanston youth, focus on underrepresented groups

January 27, 2021
Five young Evanstonians discussed racism and MLK Day during a panel Monday night.

Panelists discuss racism, significance of this year’s MLK Day

January 19, 2021
The exterior of the Hilton/Orrington Evanston.

Students scramble after Hilton Orrington/Evanston closed weeks before Northwestern move-in

January 14, 2021
Natasha Sondakh (SESP ’22). Sondakh’s debut novel, “She Smells of Turmeric,” will be published at the end of April.

SESP junior Natasha Sondakh prepares to publish debut novel exploring Indonesian identity

January 14, 2021
A sign that says “Evanston Township High School” is in front of a large, tan school building on a sunny day.

Some ETHS students notice dip in antiracist activism, but continue to fight

January 11, 2021
City clerk and 8th ward challenger Devon Reid. In an open forum Thursday night, Reid spoke about his plans for addressing racial injustice and working with the community.

Aldermanic candidates discuss racial inequity, affordable housing in open forum

January 8, 2021
Amar Shah (Weinberg ’16). After graduating from NU, Shah has been a consultant, Hindu monk, entrepreneur and motivational speaker, all in four years.

NU alum Amar Shah talks career, post-graduation journey

November 12, 2020
Sarita Kamat Designs, 1627 Sherman Ave. Sarita Kamat is an Evanston-based artist originally from India who works in a variety of mediums including jewelry, acrylics, watercolor and more.

Evanston artist Sarita Kamat talks her artistic journey from India to the U.S.

November 12, 2020
Hillary Bachelder (Communication ‘12) behind the scenes on her new film, “Represent.” The film features three Midwestern women running for local office and was released for streaming on Oct. 26 on PBS.

Northwestern alumna Hillary Bachelder’s documentary features three women running for local office

November 9, 2020
U.S. Rep. Lauren Underwood. Underwood was declared the winner of her race against Republican Jim Oberweis.

Evanston residents help Lauren Underwood seek re-election in historically red District 14

November 1, 2020
U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-Evanston) speaks at an event in January 2018. Schakowsky is currently up for re-election against Republican Sargis Sangari.

Jan Schakowsky up for re-election against Republican Sargis Sangari

October 29, 2020
Students perform for each other at an Evanston Young Artists performance before the pandemic. EYA is one of the 2020 recipients of the Cultural Fund Grant, which aims to create a more inclusive and vibrant arts community in Evanston through supporting local organizations.

2020 Cultural Fund Grant recipients discuss plans amid the pandemic

October 26, 2020
Swantiques pop-up shop, 518 Main St. Owner and Evanston resident Lora Swanson discusses the impact of the pandemic on her shop. Amid COVID-19 restrictions, Swanson said she’s seeing a larger turnout than she had expected.

Evanston pop-up shop Swantiques features vintage and antique furnishings

October 20, 2020
A view of The Garage lounge. Two individuals stand over a table in the distance.

The Garage identifies personality traits of highly successful entrepreneurs in new study

October 13, 2020
Bienen junior Jaime An plays her cello over Zoom, utilizing the newly improved audio features. By using high-fidelity music mode, the sound is clear and consistent.

High-fidelity music mode: new audio improvements for musicians on Zoom

October 5, 2020
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Northwestern University and Evanston's Only Daily News Source Since 1881
Laya Neelakandan