The Daily Northwestern Podcasts

Behind the scenes of NU in Bloom: The Daily’s Spring 2026 Poll by The Daily Northwestern

In Opinion: “I have a recurring nightmare that I don’t get a good photo to post on Instagram for my birthday and the whole day is ruined,” writes Columnist Sylvie Slotkin.

In Opinion: “The 15 minute mass is a simple concept — take away the singing, merge the collection and liturgy and tighten the homily down to two to three minutes,” writes Assistant Opinion Editor Ivy Frater.

For this full-length bonus segment of The Weekly on What’s New at NU, The Daily’s explains how the newsroom responds to developing crises on campus, as well as who the ShinyHunters hacking group is and why it may be targeting educational institutions.

This week, The Daily covered Illinois legislation defining where “detention center facilities” can be located, professors’ policies on artificial intelligence and a nationwide Canvas hack.

This week on Who Asked You, Opinion Editor Alexia Sextou, Assistant Opinion Editor Ivy Frater and Copy Editor and columnist George Koutrouvelis discuss what distinguishes the Chicago “L” train system’s Blue Line from others — in both good ways and bad.

Communal Shower Thoughts: She done already done had herses by The Daily Northwestern

The Evanston/Skokie School District 65 Board of Education examined a childcare program following considerations to cut other student-facing positions as part of its wider budget reduction plan.

Students from areas with lower representation at Northwestern talk about how they have found community and connection despite not knowing many people with similar geographic backgrounds.

New Northwestern quarterbacks coach Jerry Neuheisel burst into the college football scene last season, leading UCLA to an upset over No. 7 Penn State in his first game calling plays. Now, he could have a major impact on Northwestern’s offense. For more on the impact he could bring to Northwestern, here’s former sports editor and Daily senior staffer Kamran Nia

In Opinion: “It felt easy to have a machine define me, crafting my musical persona by recommending the same sequence of songs over and over, instead of spending my own energy figuring out who I was,” writes Assistant Opinion Editor Ivy Frater.

The final round of the Bienen 2026 Concerto/Aria Competition took place on Tuesday, April 28. Twelve students, ranging from vocalists to clarinetists, performed.

On The Weekly, The Daily covers the lack of support transgender students said they feel at Northwestern, Bienen junior Tehya Shapiro’s life as a trumpet major and a new discovery in plasma research at NU’s labs.

For Iranian artist Farnaz Khosh-Sirat, it was critical to end the performance with “a blossom of hope,” believing hope is the reason Iranians will never be defeated. She communicated this with a lively song on a major scale.

Other songs performed by Iranian artist Farnaz Khosh-Sirat drew from classical Persian poetry, including works by Hafez emphasizing themes of grievance and the necessity of love and friendship.

Iranian artist Farnaz Khosh-Sirat performed at the “Among the Tulips” concert behind the mural she had created for Multicultural Center through the week of April 12.

Iranian artist Farnaz Khosh-Sirat’s opening pieces, performed in a minor scale, centered on grief and loss. One referenced a well-known lyric, “from the blood of the youth, a tulip has grown,” a line that mirrored the Multicultural Center’s tulip mural behind her.

This week on Who Asked You, Assistant Opinion Editor Ivy Frater and Opinion Columnist Allie Deutsch talk about surviving, and thriving in, Northwestern winters, dining hall rankings and lessons from freshman year.

“When the Blue Line is compared to other “L” systems, it is glaringly obvious that the line lacks the fundamental uniqueness to its service that all of the others possess,” writes Copy Editor George Koutrouvelis.

In Opinion: “I know I have the capacity to get back in shape, it’s only a question of whether or not I want it,” writes Opinion Columnist Sylvie Slotkin.

City Council unanimously voted to provide just less than $63,000 in additional aid for Wesley tenants Monday. It also expanded its guaranteed income program to all Evanston residents 55 years and older living at or below 185% of the federal poverty level.

In Opinion: “Instead of creating community and new bonds, I think people living in my dorm are soon going to dread my presence in the elevator,” writes Assistant Opinion Editor Ivy Frater.

In the first episode of Fieldnotes, a special episode of What’s New at NU, Emmy-award winner and Medill Prof. Craig Duff talked about his career in video, his recent theatre projects and his search for stories.

Multimedia Managing Editor Ruby Dowling joined Evanston Running Club members for an early-morning training session as part of the club’s 2026 free 0-5k Training Program.

Last week, The Daily reported on how Northwestern’s transition to UnitedHealthcare is affecting faculty and staff, Evanston City Council considering the future of the city’s newest TIF district and an NU alum speaking about their culinary journey and appearance on MasterChef.

When does curiosity turn into a microaggression? We break down the Sabrina Carpenter Coachella moment, celebrity accountability and what we can all learn.

Hear from four Northwestern students pursuing at least three majors. These “unicorns” reflect on tips and strategies that help them manage workload.

In Opinion: “I’ve gone on dates with two guys from school now, three if you count a frat date party,” writes Columnist Sylvie Slotkin.

The Evanston/Skokie School District 65 Board of Education weighed additional spending cuts while community members sharply criticized the decision to cut middle school librarians.

After three years of waiting, Olivia Rodrigo is releasing an album in June, after the single “drop dead” gave listeners a preview. Managing Editor Melody Xu and A&E Assistant Editor Alden Farrow share their predictions.

In Opinion: “We asked ourselves, how is it that we go to a school of 9,000 people, yet only see and talk to the same 100 or so every single weekend?” writes Assistant Opinion Editor Ivy Frater.

Last week, Northwestern Medicine’s Human Longevity Clinic conducted a study on biological age, Evanston City Council rejected the “Circuit Breaker” program and the Northwestern Figure Skating Club placed 13th at Nationals.

DJ Perl is a sophomore at Northwestern. He recently signed a record deal with AAO Records, and his new single, “Where?” was released on April 17.

In this episode, The Daily reports on hot takes of the week, and Opinion Editor Alexia Sextou and Assistant Opinion Editor Ivy Frater talk walking, joking and (not) living with your family.

As one of Northwestern’s standout teams, the women’s lacrosse team continues to see success as No. 2 in the country. On this episode, Newsletter Editor Yoni Zacks breaks down the team’s key strengths and underscores what he believes will be crucial for a successful postseason run.

In Opinion: “To this day, I have the same tendency to escape rooms — both literally and figuratively,” writes Assistant Opinion Editor Ivy Frater.

In Opinion: “If you could see my social calendar, you’d understand why my hamper has turned into a textile avalanche,” writes Columnist Sylvie Slotkin.

City Council tabled Housing4All, Evanston’s first-ever strategic housing plan, in a 5-4 vote Monday. Councilmembers will have until April 20 to submit written amendments, and voting on the plan will take place on May 11.

Why are Evanston parents upset about Evanston/Skokie School District 65's new iPad purchase? What is next for the Northwestern men’s basketball team as most of its players enter the transfer portal? What legacy has Director of Athletic Bands Dan Farris left on athletic games and the Northwestern Marching Band? The Daily answers these questions and recaps other top stories from the last week.

From barbells to Latin dancing, students, faculty and Evanston residents have found more than a workout through Northwestern Recreation’s group fitness classes.

In Opinion: “Today, it’s time to introduce my loyal readers to Burt, my stuffed koala,” writes Columnist Sylvie Slotkin.

This Easter Sunday, the voices of Northwestern Community Ensemble’s talented singers rose in praise at their 55th Anniversary Concert entitled “Raised to Praise” with guest artist and Grammy award winner Jekalyn Carr. Visitors gathered not just to listen, but to experience something deeper — the intersection of between music and faith.

How have wait times and Immigration and Customs Enforcement at O'Hare International Airport impacted students returning from spring break? Did two 9th District congressional candidates go back on their promises to drop out of the race? What will Northwestern’s new women’s basketball coach bring to the team? The Daily answers these questions and recaps other top stories from the last week.

Hundreds of residents rallied for “No Kings” day demonstrations, the Chicago Stars stepped away from a contested stadium contract and City Council rejected the plan for a day care while Northwestern was on Spring Break.

Over the past few weeks, Northwestern’s winter sports closed their seasons and have their eyes set on the next. Sports Editor Jonah McClure sits down to talk about this year’s notable moments from NU’s basketball, wrestling, fencing and swimming and diving teams as well as how they’re shaping up for the future.

In Opinion: “Don’t fire me and expect your business to thrive,” writes Columnist Sylvie Slotkin.

Yesterday, The Daily covered several polling locations around Evanston and talked to dozens of voters about what issues are top of mind as they voted for who should replace outgoing U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky in Congress.

Ahead of the March 17 primary in Illinois, The Daily talked to nine journalists and analysts who have been covering Illinois’ 9th Congressional District to figure out what you should be watching for as the polls close, and who’s actually voting in the district.

This spring, Medill and SESP junior Anavi Prakash will take over as Daily editor in chief from Medill senior Emily Lichty. The Daily sat down with editors in chief current and future to discuss where the paper is headed next.

Evanston City Council tabled the “circuit breaker” property tax relief program and advanced a grant application for a transportation infrastructure initiative on Main Street at its meeting Monday night.