Serving the Southern Illinois University community since 1916.

The Daily Egyptian
Serving the Southern Illinois University community since 1916.

The Daily Egyptian
Serving the Southern Illinois University community since 1916.

The Daily Egyptian

Sara Wangler

All content by Sara Wangler
Nicole Miskelley helps fit a client for a dress April 3, 2021, at Melise’s Boutique in Marion, Ill. Miskelley entered into the formal wear business in 2019 and said it was difficult to begin her business during the pandemic. “We were shut down March of last year up until about October [...] so it’s been really hard, especially it being my first year in business, trying to get everything going,” Miskelley said.

Local dress boutique business slowly returns since pandemic

By Sara Wangler, Staff Reporter
April 18, 2021
Two Funko POP figures sit together awaiting to be stocked on the shelves at RND Collectibles Thursday, Mach 4, 2021, in Carbondale, Ill. “It’s pop culture man, I think that’s why people love it. You know, anything you can think of there’s probably a POP figure of it. It’s just an easy way to enjoy your fandom,” Randy Arena, owner of RND Collectibles said.

From SIU to Pop! President of Funko shares his journey

By Sara Wangler, Staff Reporter
April 10, 2021
Kenneth Christensen, a resident of Carbondale, performs bicep curls on Sunday March 21, 2021 at the SIU Student Rec Center, in Carbondale Ill. Christensen believes working out every part of the body is very essential for maintaining physical health. “I copied routines of famous body builders and started working out to get in shape,” Christensen said.

A roller coaster cycle: Carbondale native shares fitness journey

By Sara Wangler and Riley Hemken
April 1, 2021
Marty Mansker of Marty’s Munchies organizes her money drawer Saturday, February 27, 2021, in Carbondale, Ill. “I guess you could say I try to make things you can’t buy at the store,” Mansker said.

Annual Carbondale community winter market continues despite COVID-19 restrictions

By Sara Wangler, Staff Reporter
March 16, 2021
Garden of the Gods in Shawnee National Forest is a popular tourist destination in Southern Illinois on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019 in Heron, IL. @bisalo

Archaeological investigations of freed slave community uncover Black history in southern Illinois

By Elena Schauwecker and Sara Wangler
February 26, 2021
Samaritan Saturday Pulliam logo

Samaritan Saturday: USG starts program to waive counseling copay

By Sara Wangler, Staff Reporter
February 13, 2021
A close up of “Sloth," by Tim Asteff as part of the exhibit “The Art of Darkness” located in the University Museum at SIU in Carbondale, Ill.

SIU alumnus addresses Trump presidency in University Museum exhibit

By Sara Wangler, Staff Reporter
February 1, 2021
Samaritan Saturday Pulliam logo

Samaritan Saturday: Graduate student advocating for Graduate Assistant protections amid pandemic

By Sara Wangler, Staff Reporter
January 30, 2021
Image provided to the Daily Egyptian by Blanche DuBois.

Local drag queen shares their 40 year long career story

By Sara Wangler, Staff Reporter
November 17, 2020
Southern Illinois native makes a splash with YouTube diving channel

Southern Illinois native makes a splash with YouTube diving channel

By Sara Wangler, Staff Reporter
October 14, 2020
Drag king performer, Faim Lee Jewls, sits for a portrait on Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2020 in Murphysboro, IL. Jewls, the lone drag king in the southern Illinois region, says he is celebrating his 15th year as a drag king. "Performing for me has always been a release, it's always been something that I could be a little bit more open about who I am. Rather than just everyday normal things I would be doing," Jewls said. "It also gives me a sense of purpose, for the community as well. I do interact with youth groups. My title that I hold for Southern Illinois Pride is held by the Rainbow cafe youth center for all the kids in the area." The drag community in Southern Illinois has been affected by the series of cancellations due to COVID-19 cancelling all planned drag shows. Drag shows in Carbondale and surrounding areas are commonplace events that occur regularly. "I'm excited to eventually be able to hit a stage again and feel somewhat normal. I've been on stage a couple of times and it just hasn't been the same. [...] Seriously it's kind of like feeling like a bird in captivity," said Jewls.

Queens and kings in quarantine: Local Drag performers adapt to COVID-19 regulations

By Sara Wangler, Staff Reporter
October 1, 2020
Vehicles line up at a Covid-19 drive-thru test site run by the SIH Memorial Hospital of Carbondale, located at the former Regions Bank building, Rt 13 and Poplar Street (500 W. Main Street), Carbondale, IL, Wednesday, July 29 ,2020. Angel Chevrestt // @sobrofotos

Grant allows COVID-19 testing on SIU campus

By Sara Wangler, Staff Reporter
September 14, 2020
A new Daily Egyptian sign donated by SIU alum Steve Brown. (Mary Newman | @MaryNewmanDE)

From the DE newsroom to professional careers, here’s what some of our recent alumni are doing now

By Sara Wangler, Staff Reporter
September 3, 2020
Rev. John Annable poses for a potrait. When speaking with Rev. John Annable, pastor at the University Baptist Church, he noted that the amount of food donations to the Good Samaritan Food Pantry has been down due to COVID-19. He stated, "it has affected quite a bit in terms of the amount of food that we have to give away and the way that people have to get here and get the food that they need." Even though the food pantry has had a rough couple of months, they are still able to get the food stuffs from other Good Samaritan Food Pantries and bring them to Carbondale for the community to be able to participate in the drive-by food pantry. He also noted that since a lot of churches aren't meeting in person right now, it is harder to find churches who are able to take their turn on a weekly basis and can donate food from their congregation. Just like how they were able to make it through in regards to the food pantry, Pastor Annable shares the positivity when looking at the church family as well as the community by stating, "I think that the church will grow stronger as they deal with these sort of things because they will realize that they have to find ways to meet the needs of people in difficult times." Aug. 23, 2020.

Local churches continue to serve Southern Illinois communities amid COVID concerns

By Sara Wangler, Staff Reporter
August 30, 2020
SIU develops confidential COVID-19 reporting system

SIU develops confidential COVID-19 reporting system

By Sara Wangler, Staff Reporter
August 18, 2020
Students at Harrisburg High School in Harrisburg, Illinois participate in a pep rally. Photo by Emma King.

Online classes, canceled activities and uncertain futures: Life as a high schooler in a pandemic

By Sara Wangler, Guest Writer
April 14, 2020
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