Adam Beam Journalism

Featured Articles

Explore a featured selection of my writing work below.
KRIS 6 News Corpus Christi •

Qualified Candidates Overlooked: Investigation reveals pattern in Corpus Christi's hiring practices

CORPUS CHRISTI, Tx — An investigation by KRIS 6 News has revealed a pattern of high-level municipal appointments in Corpus Christi that raise significant questions about hiring practices, qualification standards, and personal connections within City Manager Peter Zanoni's administration.The investigation began when sources close to city operations alerted KRIS 6 News about concerns regarding hiring decisions. Through extensive public records requests and interviews with affected parties, our tea...
KRIS 6 News Corpus Christi •

Student injured as basketball team hopefuls wrestle under coach’s supervision at Veterans Memorial HS

CORPUS CHRISTI, Tx — “It’s heartbreaking,” is how David Gilmore described seeing the video of his son’s injury, sustained under a coach’s supervision during tryouts at Veterans Memorial High School.Gilmore’s son, who will remain unidentified at the family’s request, was trying out for the Eagles basketball team.The incident occurred on Wednesday, October 9, inside the school’s wrestling room. According to witness accounts, students were in the room preparing for a yoga session. While Assistant C...
KRIS 6 News Corpus Christi •

MILES OF MEMORIES: How five friends walked 167 miles to pay tribute to their fallen brother

BEEVILLE, Tx — Five men embarked on a four-day journey on foot from San Antonio to Corpus Christi to honor their late friend and brother.Wesley Tomas Sanchez, known to his friends as Nacho, was an MMA boxer with the Texas Street Fighting Championship. Sanchez passed away in October after sustaining a brain injury during a match.Following his passing, Alexander Niemietz, Tristan Ratliff, Dylan Smith, Enrique Trevino, and Brandon Villalba decided to honor Sanchez in a way they felt was fitting for...
KRIS 6 News Corpus Christi •

INVESTIGATION: Head of water district purchases property he later sells to public entity he works for

ROBSTOWN, Tx — The head of a water district in Robstown sold a small piece of land to the district he works for.Marcos Alaniz, the district manager of Nueces County Water Control Improvement District #3, and his wife bought several properties near the district's filter plant.Those properties, located on North 3rd Street in Robstown, were purchased in 2022 and 2023.One of those purchases included several parcels, which were purchased for $176,000.6 Investigates reviewed publicly available documen...
KRIS 6 News Corpus Christi •

CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION: Taft public officials under investigation for misuse of taxpayer funds

TAFT, Tx — The City of Taft's former Fiance Director misappropriated at least $30,000, and the city's general fund balance is critically low, according to the Taft Police Deparment and a 6 investigates review of financial documents. Now Taft Police and the Texas Rangers are investigating how city employees spent taxpayer money.KRIS 6 conducted an initial review of bank statements and credit card transactions. The statements reveal questionable purchases on a city credit card used by Taft's forme...
The Slate •

Dickinson College students set up encampment to protest war in Gaza

Dickinson College has now joined the ranks of other universities all over the country that have established encampments to protest the ongoing war in Gaza.
Over the past few weeks, colleges such as UCLA and Texas University have seen mass gatherings of students outraged over the violence in Palestine at the hands of the Israeli government. This comes after Congress passed a $95 billion national security package that included $26 billion in aid to Israel. Since October, college-aged Americans hav...
The Slate •

Cumberland Valley School Board reverses decision to cancel anti-bullying assembly

MECHANICSBURG — The Cumberland Valley School Board voted 5-4 Wednesday night to reverse its decision to cancel a guest speaker assembly at Mountain View Middle School after a nearly six-hour special meeting.

The assembly was set to highlight actor and author Maulik Pancholy, best known for his work on series like “Phineas and Ferb” and “30 Rock.” Pancholy is also an openly gay author who has written several children’s books about anti-bullying. The assembly was scheduled for May 22 before a una
The Sentinel •

Trump argues for Second Amendment protection, border security at NRA event at Farm Show

The annual 9-day event is the world’s largest outdoor recreation show since it began in 2014. The last time Trump made an appearance at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex and Expo Center was in 2016 when he first ran for office. The former president won the state of Pennsylvania with 48.85% of the votes over Hillary Clinton that year. However, Pennsylvania would then return to the Democrats in 2020 when Joe Biden flipped the state back to blue.

Trump stood before an enthusiastic crowd of thousa

KRIS 6 News

Explore my published pieces with KRIS 6 News (Corpus Christi, TX):

KRIS 6 News Corpus Christi •

BEETLEJUICE, BEETLEJUICE, BEETLEJUICE: Hit musical coming to GPISD stage this weekend

PORTLAND, Tx — It's showtime! The Gregory-Portland High School Theatre Department heads to the Netherworld in "Beetlejuice: The Musical Jr." this weekend."With all the buzz surrounding, you know, the upcoming movie and every one just the love that they have for it, I knew that we had to pivot and choose Beetlejuice Jr.," Director Salena Pereida told KRIS 6 News. "And so it really is like a student-centered production. And so to see it come from beginning to end has been absolutely fantastic."Eva...
KRIS 6 News Corpus Christi •

FALSE INFORMATION: How will AI affect the election?

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — As Election Day nears, the spread of disinformation is a key concern for many voters. One of the newest tools for falsifying information is artificial intelligence.“I think that it's more difficult to be an informed voter than it's ever been," Dr. Jared Schroeder of the University of Missouri told KRIS 6 News. Schroeder is an associate professor of journalism focused on disinformation and misinformation. “As we go into future years, more and more people are going to be ta...
KRIS 6 News Corpus Christi •

Taft community fills city hall in show of support for Police Chief

Editor's note: This story has been updated to correct statements regarding executive session.Taft City Hall exceeded maximum occupancy as citizens gathered in support of Police Chief John Landreth during Thursday’s special meeting, which addressed the potential termination of his employment.With only council members Chris Keeney, Alonzo Molina, and Rolando Rodriguez present, the meeting began with an hour-long executive session related to a lawsuit filed by Landreth.Following that executive sess...
KRIS 6 News Corpus Christi •

A glimpse at Gregory-Portland ISD's newest athletic facility

PORTLAND, Tx — The Gregory-Portland Independent School District (GPISD) is aiming for a 2025 completion date for its multi-million-dollar athletic facilities.The facilities include a brand new two-story, all-purpose practice facility/fieldhouse, which will be 153,000 square feet, and new baseball and softball fields at Gregory-Portland High School.“And once it's completed, it will really fulfill those needs as well as some dreams that our kids and our communities had for our students," Superinte...
KRIS 6 News Corpus Christi •

INVESTIGATION: Head of water district purchases property he later sells to public entity he works for

ROBSTOWN, Tx — The head of a water district in Robstown sold a small piece of land to the district he works for.Marcos Alaniz, the district manager of Nueces County Water Control Improvement District #3, and his wife bought several properties near the district's filter plant.Those properties, located on North 3rd Street in Robstown, were purchased in 2022 and 2023.One of those purchases included several parcels, which were purchased for $176,000.6 Investigates reviewed publicly available documen...
KRIS 6 News Corpus Christi •

Aransas Pass voters head to the polls early ahead of Election Day

ARANSAS PASS, Tx — Voters in Aransas Pass and across San Patricio County turned out as early voting got underway in the Coastal Bend."I've been living here [in Aransas Pass] all my life basically, and I normally always come in early to vote," Quincy Cooper told KRIS 6 News. "I've never seen a line this long. I was actually shocked when I walked in to see how long the line was."The polls at the Aransas Pass Civic Center opened at 10 a.m., and by 10:15 a.m., the line of voters stretched out the do...
KRIS 6 News Corpus Christi •

INVESTIGATION: Taft citizens demand accountability over misused funds

TAFT, Tx — Citizens of Taft took center stage at Tuesday's city council meeting to voice their frustrations over misused funds.On Monday, 6 Investigates reported that former Taft Finance Director Lee Ann Goben misappropriated at least $30,000 in taxpayer money. A criminal investigation by the Taft Police Department and Texas Rangers is underway.More than 50 Taft residents attended the meeting.Amalia Martinez, a Taft resident for over 30 years, told 6 Investigates that "she's never seen anything...
KRIS 6 News Corpus Christi •

CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION: Taft public officials under investigation for misuse of taxpayer funds

TAFT, Tx — The City of Taft's former Fiance Director misappropriated at least $30,000, and the city's general fund balance is critically low, according to the Taft Police Deparment and a 6 investigates review of financial documents. Now Taft Police and the Texas Rangers are investigating how city employees spent taxpayer money.KRIS 6 conducted an initial review of bank statements and credit card transactions. The statements reveal questionable purchases on a city credit card used by Taft's forme...
KRIS 6 News Corpus Christi •

Beeville cooks prepare for Uncommon Chef Competition

BEEVILLE, TX — The Uncommon Chef Competition is returning to Beeville on Saturday, and the culinary competitors are ready for the challenge.“Every possible combination they’re going to throw at you and just be ready for it," Chef Valery Jones told KRIS 6. The competition often involves one surprise for those competing, an unknown ingredient for example. "And then it be something completely different the day of and be ‘awh I didn’t see that coming.”Her partner and fellow Chef DJ Love is preparing...
KRIS 6 News Corpus Christi •

City of Gregory looks for potential solutions to stray animal concerns

GREGORY, Tx — Gregory Mayor Estella Boyes is touring San Patricio County in hopes of building partnerships to address concerns over stray animals.“I think if we can all work together in this area, we could probably make a good dent in the abandoned animal population,” Boyes told KRIS 6. The mayor has been attending several city council meetings to extend the offer. KRIS 6 first learned of Boyes’ plans when she appeared before the Taft City Council.Taft is being considered as a potential starting...
KRIS 6 News Corpus Christi •

Ingleside City Council assures residents 2024-2025 budget is on track

INGLESIDE, Tx — Following Tuesday's Ingleside City Council meeting, council members assured residents that the 2024-2025 fiscal year budget will be passed on time. The budget deadline is Tuesday, September 24.“Believe it or not, we are on track," Council member Steve Diehl told KRIS 6 News. "We will adopt a budget on time, no problem. And on Oct. 1, we will have an operating budget for the city manager to execute."Diehl, one of the council's most vocal members throughout the budget process, prev...
KRIS 6 News Corpus Christi •

Coastal Bend veterans, first responders reflect on September 11 attacks

ARANSAS PASS, Tx — Wednesday marked the 23rd anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks. Despite the passage of more than two decades, veterans and first responders in the Coastal Bend remember the day as if it were yesterday.On Saturday, a group of veterans and firefighters gathered at the Aransas Pass Moose Lodge to honor the 2,977 lives lost. Among them was Samuel F. Ramirez, who served 11 years in the U.S. Armed Forces. Ramirez was at work in 2001 when a coworker told him to turn on t...
KRIS 6 News Corpus Christi •

Ingleside officer honored for saving man's life during suicide attempt

**Warning:** This article discusses suicide, which may be distressing for some readers.The Ingleside Police Department awarded Sgt. John Crawford for saving the life of a man attempting suicide.The incident occurred in April when Ingleside Police responded to a call about a man who had placed several zip ties around his neck. Crawford arrived on the scene, removed the ties, and administered CPR."Your professionalism and composure under pressure saved a life," Ingleside Police Chief Martin Molina...
KRIS 6 News Corpus Christi •

Ingleside residents voice YaREN concerns during TCEQ public meeting

Correction 09/09 - 9:15 a.m: The public comment period will end on September 30, 2024.Original Story:Residents of all ages from across Ingleside gathered to voice their concerns over Project YaREN during the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality's (TCEQ) Air Quality Permit public hearing in Portland.The meeting was held to address the pending permits for the proposed ammonia plant by Enbridge and Yara, which would be located at 1450 Lexington Boulevard. The event provided Ingleside residents...
KRIS 6 News Corpus Christi •

Coach Chris Soza reflects on his career, family and retirement

BEEVILLE, Tx — "My dad always said that when you retire, every day is a Saturday except for Sunday," is one of the many pieces of advice Coach Chris Soza's father gave him. Now, he's living up to that sentiment.Soza has lived and breathed football since his high school days and seasons at Texas A&M University-Kingsville. After graduating, he traded his helmet for a playbook, beginning his coaching career in Palacios, Texas. Soza quickly made his way around the Coastal Bend, coaching in his homet...
KRIS 6 News Corpus Christi •

Beeville ISD superintendent provides update on Bond 2024

BEEVILLE, Tx — Beeville Independent School District Superintendent Travis Fanning said the Bond 2024 project is on track.Bond 2024 is a $62 million initiative aimed at improving schools within Beeville ISD. The largest project under this bond is the construction of a new elementary school, which will consolidate students from FMC Elementary and RA Hall Elementary under one roof.KRIS 6 spoke with Superintendent Fanning after a meeting with teachers, nurses, and other stakeholders to discuss poten...
KRIS 6 News Corpus Christi •

Taft City Council issues statement following City Secretary's indictment

TAFT, Tx — The City of Taft has issued a statement following the indictment and pending resignation of City Secretary Andrea Gomez.Gomez wasindicted by the San Patricio County District Attorney on four counts of tampering with government records with intent to defraud.KRIS 6 reached out to City Manager Ryan Smith, who issued the following statement:The third-party investigation referenced above was conducted into the excessive overtime accumulated by Andrea Gomez. However, it hit a roadblock whe...
KRIS 6 News Corpus Christi •

Taft High School marks first stop on poster campaign

TAFT, Tx — A new poster campaign by This One's for the Gals and Bechtel is kicking off at Taft High School. The initiative is designed to encourage students to pursue careers they might not typically consider when entering the workforce.Stephanie Hajducek, founder of This One's for the Gals, a nonprofit organization dedicated to career development for girls and young women, explained to KRIS 6, “The Coastal Bend is a great place to live. It's a great place to work, a great place to raise a famil...
KRIS 6 News Corpus Christi •

Ingleside City Council concerned over 2024-2025 budget as deadline approaches

INGLESIDE, Tx — The Ingleside City Council will revise the proposed 2024-2025 fiscal year budget following a lengthy discussion during Tuesday's meeting. The deadline to approve the budget is less than a month away.“My personal opinion is we’re nowhere near having a budget to vote on, and we’ve got 30 days to go," Council Member Steve Diehl told City Manager Brenton Lewis during the discussion. In reality, the budget is due in 27 days, as the council looks to approve it by September 24.Diehl was...
KRIS 6 News Corpus Christi •

Rockport residents reflect on Hurricane Harvey seven years later

ROCKPORT, Tx — Sunday, August 25, marks the seventh anniversary of Hurricane Harvey making landfall in Aransas County, leaving a path of destruction that cities like Rockport are still recovering from.“I will never forget watching the news channel show your town on the news," said Maythy Camacho, describing how she spent her second day of senior year. Camacho, a 24-year resident of Rockport, witnessed Harvey's destruction firsthand. "Receiving text messages saying, 'Oh my gosh, that's my house o...
KRIS 6 News Corpus Christi •

Port of Corpus Christi will no longer pursue La Quinta desalination location

CORPUS CHRISTI, Tx — The Port of Corpus Christi CEO Kent Britton says the facility will no longer pursue the La Quinta Channel as a location for a potential desalination plant. La Quinta and Harbor Island were the two sites the Port was evaluating for possible development."What we found is that we could only support a 20 to 30 million gallons per day facility at that location without impacting the salinity of the bay," Britton found with the testing of a potential La Quinta site.In contrast, the...
KRIS 6 News Corpus Christi •

Taft City Council swears in new City Manager

TAFT, Tx — The Taft City Council has officially appointed Interim City Manager Ryan Smith to the role full-time following a vote on Tuesday.Smith will be the first permanent City Manager for Taft since William Linn vacated the position in October 2023.Smith has been the volunteer fire chief for the City of Taft since October 2021. During his time with the fire department, Smith faced a legal battle with the City of Taft in 2022 when the volunteer fire department opposed the city's attempt to cre...
KRIS 6 News Corpus Christi •

Aransas Pass welcomes new Tri-County EMS facility

ARANSAS PASS, Tx — Aransas Pass celebrated the opening of a new Tri-County EMS facility with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday morning.“We would not have been able to accomplish this goal without all of those donations and contributions towards the project," Tri-County EMS Executive Director Carrie De Leon told KRIS 6 after the ceremony.The facility has been in the works since 2019, as Tri-County EMS recognized the need for additional resources beyond their single base in Ingleside. “We noti...
KRIS 6 News Corpus Christi •

Making Strides kicks off breast cancer awareness events

CORPUS CHRISTI, Tx — Making Strides of Corpus Christi held a kick-off event on Wednesday to launch their breast cancer awareness efforts for the year.Making Strides is part of the American Cancer Society's initiative to raise funds for life-saving breast cancer research and is dedicated to advancing health equity through essential programs and services.Now in its 16th year in the Coastal Bend, the event marks the beginning of the journey leading up to the Making Strides Breast Cancer Awareness W...
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THE CARLISLE SENTINEL

Explore my published pieces with The Carlisle Sentinel:

The Sentinel •

Cumberland Valley reverses assembly cancellation during heated special meeting Wednesday

The meeting was scheduled after local and national attention following an April 15 school board meeting in which the board unanimously voted to cancel an assembly with speaker Maulik Pancholy at Mountain View Middle School. Pancholy, a comedian, actor and openly gay author was set to speak with students on the importance of bullying prevention based off his experiences as a child. In an unscheduled vote, the Cumberland Valley School Board made the decision to cancel Pancholy’s visit.
The Sentinel •

Shippensburg University students training to be educators air worries about ongoing teacher shortages

The teacher shortage has been an ongoing crisis facing schools across the country. Pennsylvania is no different, with a study by the Learning Policy Institute saying that in 2021-22 alone, more than 13,000 teachers were not fully certified for their teaching assignments.

Shippensburg University is the only university in Pennsylvania with an on-campus public elementary lab school, giving students hands-on experience working in the classrooms. Despite the resources provided, the university is see
The Sentinel •

Cumberland County departments discuss rising costs for services

During Wednesday’s finance meeting, the board held open discussions with fiscal departments, including Aging & Community Services and the Drug & Alcohol Commission. Each group outlined their expenses and costs moving into the new fiscal year, with a focus on the passage of Gov. Josh Shapiro’s budget for the state as a whole.

The aging office initiated discussions by addressing the increasing cost of transportation for people 60 or older. The department is looking at an increase in cost for tran
The Sentinel •

Shippensburg University secures grant for regional preservation efforts

Shippensburg University has received a grant of more than $10,000 from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and National Resources and the Appalachian Trail Conservancy to promote preservation efforts throughout the region.

“We’re trying to connect and support people who care about this work,” said Steven Burg, a professor in Shippensburg University’s History Department and director of this preservation project.

The $12,000 grant will support collaborative efforts among the university’s
The Sentinel •

Trump argues for Second Amendment protection, border security at NRA event at Farm Show

The annual 9-day event is the world’s largest outdoor recreation show since it began in 2014. The last time Trump made an appearance at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex and Expo Center was in 2016 when he first ran for office. The former president won the state of Pennsylvania with 48.85% of the votes over Hillary Clinton that year. However, Pennsylvania would then return to the Democrats in 2020 when Joe Biden flipped the state back to blue.

Trump stood before an enthusiastic crowd of thousa
The Sentinel •

Parx Casino hits jackpot in first year at Shippensburg

While the glitzy lights of Las Vegas remain miles away from Cumberland County, high rollers have discovered a haven for their gaming thrills in Shippensburg’s Parx Casino, which is celebrating its one-year anniversary.

Parx Shippensburg at 250 Conestoga Drive opened its doors to the community on Feb. 3, 2023, boasting an array of 500 slot machines, 50 electronic table games and amenities like the Liberty Bar and Grill.

“We firmly believe the biggest difference between our property and others s
The Sentinel •

Report: Pennsylvania hospitals lost $8.1B in revenue due to COVID-19 between 2020 and 2022

From January 2020 to December 2022, Pennsylvania hospitals reported an overall revenue loss of $8.1 billion associated with COVID-19, according to the latest report from a state agency watchdog of Pennsylvania’s health care system.

The Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council, or PHC4, released a report this month that detailed the financial, institutional and overall toll the pandemic has taken on the state from 2020 through 2022.

Of that $8.1 billion, staffing expenses were a signif
The Sentinel •

Sunnyside owner takes over Shippensburg's Select Diner, closes restaurant for major makeover

The Shippensburg Select Diner, a long-standing establishment on the corner of 2 W. King St., has closed as of Sunday. While Select may be gone, Shippensburg residents can anticipate having a dining option, although they’ll need to be patient.

The diner is under new ownership. Previously co-owned by a duo, Sam Kamel has acquired Select and is now the sole owner. Kamel is also the proprietor of Trojan Diner & Sports Bar in Chambersburg, Sunnyside Family Restaurant in Carlisle and the recently ina

THE SLATE:

Explore my published pieces with The Slate Newspaper:

The Slate •

Dickinson College students set up encampment to protest war in Gaza

Dickinson College has now joined the ranks of other universities all over the country that have established encampments to protest the ongoing war in Gaza.
Over the past few weeks, colleges such as UCLA and Texas University have seen mass gatherings of students outraged over the violence in Palestine at the hands of the Israeli government. This comes after Congress passed a $95 billion national security package that included $26 billion in aid to Israel. Since October, college-aged Americans hav...
The Slate •

Cumberland Valley School Board reverses decision to cancel anti-bullying assembly

MECHANICSBURG — The Cumberland Valley School Board voted 5-4 Wednesday night to reverse its decision to cancel a guest speaker assembly at Mountain View Middle School after a nearly six-hour special meeting.

The assembly was set to highlight actor and author Maulik Pancholy, best known for his work on series like “Phineas and Ferb” and “30 Rock.” Pancholy is also an openly gay author who has written several children’s books about anti-bullying. The assembly was scheduled for May 22 before a una
The Slate •

‘Civil War’ is a tense and chilling what if

Alex Garland is arguably one of the most divisive directors working in Hollywood today. Whether “Annihilation” or “Men,” his directorial efforts typically see very drastic differences amongst critics and audiences. Well Garland continues that streak with his latest film “Civil War” starring Kirsten Dunst, Wagner Moura, Cailee Spaeny and Stephen McKinley Henderson.

Set in the not too distant future, the film centers around a team of photo journalists looking to interview the President of the Uni
The Slate •

Safety on Campus: Student leaders reflect on the semester

As the semester draws to a close, it is often a time for many students to reflect on the past three months as a whole: the ups, the downs, the good, the bad and the ugly. The semester is different for each student, but the fall semester, in particular, had many students concerned about one thing — safety.

In September, a fight broke out near McLean Hall involving several individuals not associated with the university. It also resulted in multiple arrests and injury to one of the responding offi
The Slate •

Bringing the YWCA to campus

If you have ever wandered the hallways of the Ceddia Union Building at Shippensburg University, you have likely come across the colored banner for the Pride Center. The Pride Center is only part of a much bigger resource on campus. In the winter of 2021, CUB 232 was officially dubbed the PAGE Center (Pride and Gender Equity) and combined forces with the former Women’s Center.

Of the many resources the PAGE Center provides to the student body, the most important one is connecting students with a
The Slate •

The importance of Black Horror

If you consider yourself a fan of the horror genre, you have probably heard the cliché “the black guy dies first” or “the black character always dies first.” Some of the most popuAlar franchises have indulged in it and many others have poked fun at this “trend.”

However, the representation of African Americans in horror is a long road, closely entwined with the civil rights movement and the struggles for representation that faced them and other people of color.

During the past few months, I ha
The Slate •

Custodians: The unsung heroes of Shippensburg University

In the four years I have spent living on-campus, I will admit I never got to know the custodians who worked in each of my buildings.

My first-year was COVID-19, while sophomore and junior years kept me busy to the point where I practically lived everywhere but my dorm room. However, this summer was an eye-opener, and now I bring that message to all of you: Respect our custodians.

For the past three months I have been working as a temporary custodian from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Monday, Thursday
The Slate •

'Five Nights at Freddy’s' is light on scares and fun

After 8-years in development limbo, the long-awaited adaptation of the popular horror franchise “Five Nights at Freddy’s” is finally here. Courtesy of Blumhouse, the beloved video games by Scott Cawthon come to life on the big screen with big stars like Josh Hutcherson and Matthew Lillard.

I must admit right off the bat that I have only ever played two of the 10 mainline “FNAF” games. However, I have kept pretty up to date with the ever-sprawling lore (shoutout to LS Mark on YouTube for having
The Slate •

'The Nutcracker' brings magic back to Luhrs

My first time ever seeing “The Nutcracker” was actually the performance by the State Ballet Theatre of Ukraine at the Luhrs Performing Art Center in Nov. 2022. I initially went for the sake of getting photos, but found myself enraptured by the magic of the dancing and music. I’m always impressed when stories can be told only through the visuals and body movement rather than spoken dialogue. Needless to say, I was thrilled to see this troupe would be returning once again and they haven’t skipped
The Slate •

Tower of Power is Soul with a capital 'S'

I will be the first to admit that I am a secret-lover of funk music. Something about the 70s soulful sounds just make for the perfect vibe. With that being said, I will be the first to admit that Tower of Power was not a band that ever came across my radar. Even before their performance on Friday, I checked with a resident music lover (my mother) who had never heard of the ensemble group before. So, I went into this performance completely blind.

Tower of Power was formed in 1968 and has been en
The Slate •

'Argylle' is worse than kitty litter

Whatever happened to Matthew Vaugh? I mean obviously he’s still working, but why can’t he make a good movie anymore? “X-Men: First Class” is the best “X-Men” movie and “Kingsman: The Secret Service” is one of the best action films of the past decade, but ever since then it’s been dud after dud.

Despite these past blunders, I was still optimistic for “Argylle”. Sure, the PG-13 rating and obnoxious marketing had me concerned, but the cast was easily Vaughn’s most stacked one yet, so I thought the
The Slate •

'Madame Web' must be seen to be believed

“He was in the Amazon with my mom when she was researching spiders just before she died.” I wanted to get the joke out of the way, because sadly, this incredible line is not in the finished movie. However, that does not mean there are not plenty more hilariously awful lines to be found in “Madame Web.”

The latest offering from Sony’s “Spider-Man” Universe has been the butt of the joke for many movie fans (and even some of its stars) since the trailer debuted in November. From the stilted-lookin
The Slate •

'On Your Feet' fails to strike a chord

I will be the first to admit that I am in no way familiar with the music of Gloria and Emilio Estefan. I love “Conga,” and that is really all I know about their discography. Heck, I was not even familiar with the songs of their titular musical, “On Your Feet: The Story of Emilio and Gloria Estefan.” However, I was still curious when the show was performed at the Luhrs Performing Arts Center on Tuesday.

Based on the true story, the musical recounts the tale of how Gloria María Milagrosa Fajardo
The Slate •

Netflix's attempt at 'Avatar: The Last Airbender' misses the mark

There is no denying that even those critical of animation cannot deny that the original “Avatar: The Last Airbender” is one of the greatest television series of all time. From its masterful storytelling, timeless characters, rich world-building and gorgeous animation, it is a series that will transcend generations. So many were worried when Netflix announced that they were going to give it a shot, bringing the world of “Avatar” to live-action. I mean, it worked so well the first time.

Netflix’s
The Slate •

'Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire' is a lukewarm sequel

It is astounding how, five films in, no sequel or reboot has succeeded in capturing the magic of the original 1984 masterpiece that is “Ghostbusters.” A true lightning-in-a-bottle film, everything came together to create one of the all-time great film comedies with one of the all-time great casts. Unfortunately, Sony will not let the series rest, and they are once again trying to make “Ghostbusters” their new MCU with the new “Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire.”

The Spengler Family (Paul Rudd, Carrie
The Slate •

'Small Island, Big Song' is a beautiful piece of culture

Over the past few months, I have been seeing many promotional materials for “Small Island, Big Song.” Not just from the Luhrs Performing Arts Center, but professors from across several different departments have been encouraging their classes to attend the performance on Monday.

I admittedly knew very little about the show going into it, but after experiencing “Drum Tao,” I knew that was not a bad thing. And just like “Drum Tao,” this show is excellent, filled with incredible music and a rich v

SUTV (Shippensburg University Television)

Explore my published pieces with Shippensburg University Television (SUTV)

SUTV News •

Governor Josh Shapiro makes budget address in Harrisburg

"We need to build a more competitive Pennsylvania that starts in our classrooms, runs through our union halls and our small businesses, through our farmlands and our high rises, our college campuses, and leads to a life of opportunity and retirement with dignity," Shapiro told guests in attendance during his address.

Shapiro is heavily focusing on the classroom ahead of the budget for the 2024-2025 fiscal year. One of the ways Shapiro hopes to accomplish his goals is to allocate $1.1 billion to
SUTV News •

Political Science Dept. holds 5th Annual Political Caucus

The Political Science Department at Shippensburg University hosted its 5th annual Political Caucus in Stewart Hall on Thursday.

This event, held every election year since 2008 when the race for the White House came down to then-Senator Barack Obama and Senator John McCain, aims to provide students with a hands-on simulation of the election process, allowing them to determine a winner before November.

In this election season, although the likely candidates are once again President Joe Biden and
SUTV News •

Gov. Shapiro announces vision for Pennsylvania's Higher Education

Governor Josh Shapiro, D-PA, has revealed a comprehensive blueprint for a significant transformation of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) and colleges across the state.

Amid the financial challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, institutions within the PASSHE system, including Shippensburg University, have faced substantial setbacks. In a press release issued on Friday, Shapiro stated, “Colleges are competing with one another for limited dollars – duplicating degree
SUTV News •

Shippensburg University alum killed in altercation with Carlisle Police

A man was killed in Carlisle on Saturday following an altercation with borough police on the 300 block of C Street. The man has now been identified as 33-year-old Nathaniel Law Liberator, according to the Pennsylvania State Police.

The Carlisle Borough Police Department was called to the scene in response to a disturbance earlier Saturday. An altercation ensued between Liberator and the officers, resulting in shots being fired. Liberator was pronounced dead at the scene.

Pennsylvania State Pol
SUTV News •

Haley and DeSantis clash in Republican debate ahead of Iowa Caucus

Vivek Ramaswamy and Former President Donald Trump were both absent from Wednesday's debate, hosting their own separate town hall events. Ramaswamy said the debate would be "the most boring in modern history" in a post to X, formerly known as Twitter. Ramaswamy is currently polling with 5.8% of the voting average in Iowa, according to 270toWin.com.

Haley and DeSantis squared off on several topics that have driven the GOP ticket over the past few months, from the influx of migrants to the state o
SUTV News •

Former Shippensburg University professor Rupert Charles Loucks passes away at 87

Rupert Charles Loucks, a former professor and integral member of the Shippensburg University History and Philosophy Department, has passed away at the age of 87. Loucks worked at Shippensburg University from 1969 until he retired in 1997.

Born on January 25, 1936, Loucks pursued a degree in history at Jamestown Community College and Binghamton University’s Harpur College. He would go on to receive his Master's and Doctoral degrees from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, specializing in the Co
SUTV News •

17-year-old shooter kills one, wounds five before taking own life in Iowa school shooting

New details are emerging about the suspected Iowa shooter, Dylan Butler, as federal investigators search through the 17-year-old's various social media profiles. Butler, a student at Perry High School, opened fire Thursday morning, leading to the death of a sixth-grader and injuring five others, including a school administrator. Butler is believed to have taken his own life at the scene.

Law enforcement officials told the Associated Press that they are in the process of interviewing those close
SUTV News •

PA Senator calls for investigation into Mastriano's January 6th connection

Sen. Art Haywood, D-PA, announced on Tuesday that he will be filing a formal complaint with the Senate Ethics Committee to determine if Doug Mastriano, R-PA, should be held responsible for comments made in support of former President Donald Trump. Mastriano supported the Trump campaign's claims of election fraud that cost Trump a second term.

The announcement by Haywood cites several documented cases of Mastriano speaking at rallies and hearings, alleging that votes cast in the 2020 presidentia

THE GETTYSBURG TIMES/REPUBLICAN HERALD

Explore my published pieces with The Gettysburg Times and The Pottsville Republican (Republican Herald)

GettysburgTimes.com •

Re-enactment starts today

Despite a moderate drizzle, canvas tents began dotting the fields along Black Horse Tavern Road Thursday as re-enactors set up camps before the “Acts of Valor” event kicks off Friday morning.

Some 3,500 re-enactors will be on hand, with 10,000 spectators anticipated, according to organizers.

The camps open to the public at 8 a.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and close at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 3 p.m. Sunday.

The inaugural clash between Northern and Southern re-enactors is set for 5 p

TV TEA/BROADWAYWORLD

Explore my published pieces as a student blogger for TV Tea and BroadwayWorld

BroadwayWorld.com

Student Blog: Bringing Broadway to the Small Screen: Can Musical Television Work?

It seems only fitting that after my last article explored movie musicals, that this time around I explore the vast world of musicals on television. While it seems impossible to bring the theatrics of musical theatre to TV screens on a weekly basis, when you get down to it, television provides an insanely wide array of opportunities. However, just like movie musicals, its history is filled with ups and downs, and even nowadays networks struggle to find that balance.

Before we begin, this article
BroadwayWorld.com

Student Blog: Cutting Songs: The Dos and Don'ts of Adapting Musicals

"In the Heights" has hit theaters and even if it didn't live up at the box office, the movie itself was a true delight. I'd even be happy to call it the best movie musical in years. Filled to the brim with talented performers, show stopping dance sequences, and some spectacular visuals, the movie marks a great return to the movie theaters.

While I went in blind to my viewing of the film, knowing very little about the musical beforehand, my girlfriend joined me and noticed that a handful of song
BroadwayWorld.com

Student Blog: A Letter to High School Directors: STOP DOING THIS SHOW!

Imagine for a moment, the curtain has closed on this year's spring musical, the sets have been taken down, the costumes buried in the prop room to be repurposed for a show five years down the line. Your castmates and you have finally gotten over the Sunday show blues. As you move on, you ask yourself the age old question, "What's the show going to be next year?" Now at most other high schools, the directors would announce the show well in advance. When I went to school, we got the show with the
TV Tea

‘Glass Onion’ and the Five Best Movie Cameos of All-Time

*The following list may contain major or minor spoilers.

“Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery” was easily one of the best films to come out of 2022, and that is largely due to the absolutely stellar cast on display. From Daniel Craig once again crushing it as Benoit Blanc to Janelle Monae and Edward Norton stealing the scene with their respective characters, needless to say, it continued the trend of “Knives Out” movies having some of Hollywood’s best. However, while it’s debatable which film cas
TV Tea

‘Matilda’ and Other Great Movie Musicals Streaming Right Now

It’s hard to pinpoint exactly which film kicked off the modern obsession with movie musicals, but it’s clear that these types of films are here to stay. What’s not to love after all? For theatre fans like myself, nothing is better than seeing the magic of Broadway from the comfort of our homes. Netflix has surprisingly become one of the streaming services dedicated to adapting as many beloved shows as possible. From “The Prom” to “tick…tick…BOOM!” the service has delivered some truly stellar out
TV Tea

The Top 10 Worst Films of 2022

2022 was an absolutely solid year for movies, and narrowing down the best films of the year is easier said than done. Unfortunately, my task today isn’t to discuss the best films of the year. Rather, I’m here to take a look at some of the absolute worst to come out this year. From underwhelming conclusions to long-running series and generic action blockbusters, finding the worst of this year was pretty easy. Having to sit through the viewing of each was the hard part.

It’s amazing to see the co
TV Tea

What Will Happen in 'Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny'?

The last time we saw Dr. Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford) on the big screen was in the much derided “Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.” Despite the efforts of Steven Spielberg and George Lucas, the film angered fans for many reasons including the nuked fridge, the CGI ants, and of course those controversial aliens. Needless to say, having a film so hated resulted in the franchise having to lay dormant since. This is surprising as once Disney purchased Lucasfilm it seemed like an “Indiana Jones” film wo
TV Tea

‘The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special’ Is a Heartwarming Christmas Adventure

The last time we saw the Guardians, they were serving as a temporary home for the displaced Thor (Chris Hemsworth). However, once Thor needed to have his own adventure in “Thor: Love and Thunder,” they very quickly flew off into space, leaving us to wonder what was next. Well, James Gunn has promised that “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3” is going to be one emotional ride, so I guess it’s fitting he decided to give the team one more fun outing before the tears start flowing.

When we meet the Gua
TV Tea

‘Wednesday’ Is Creepy, Kooky and Overall Entertaining

I’ve always been a massive fan of “The Addams Family” and love whenever they get a chance to shine. Of course I love the original two Barry Sonnenfeld films, with “Addams Family Values” being my favorite of the pair. I also love to put the original black-and-white series on as background noise while I’m working from home. Heck, I even pop in the musical soundtrack from time to time as it has some real earworms throughout. Being such a fan, I’m sure you’re not surprised that Netflix’s new adaptat
TV Tea

7 Great 'Christmas Carol' Adaptations to Watch After 'Spirited'

Of all the great literary classics, none has stood the test of time more so than Charles Dickens’ 1843 novella “A Christmas Carol.” With nearly a hundred adaptations across television, film, stage plays and other mediums, it’s a story that people just love to tell time and time again. Now Ryan Reynolds is taught the meaning of Christmas when he’s visited by Will Ferrell in the new movie musical “Spirited.” The film is just one of the many modern retellings of the Dickens story, but with so many
TV Tea

7 More Movie Mysteries to Watch if You Loved ‘Enola Holmes 2’

Millie Bobby Brown’s young sleuth is back in “Enola Holmes 2.” Following the success of her first Netflix outing, Enola is back for a new adventure in which she must team up with her more famous brother, Sherlock (Henry Cavill) to solve the case of a missing girl that soon unravels a much bigger conspiracy. With the film looking to be another success for the streaming service, it’s clear that people are hungry for a fun, good old fashioned mystery. No matter the case, whether amateurs or profess
TV Tea

Netflix’s 'Wendell & Wild' Is a Visual Marvel, But Lacks Focus

Stop-motion and adult-animation are two subgenres that work incredibly well together. Unfortunately, these two genres are also the two most difficult ones to sell to an audience. However, if there’s one person who has mastered the art form it’s visionary director Henry Selick. While many look to Tim Burton as the mind behind “The Nightmare Before Christmas,” it’s Selick’s unique vision that has helped the film become a seasonal classic. This October also brought about my first viewing of “Corali
TV Tea

‘Black Adam’ Is a Shockingly Boring Ego Trip For The Rock

What a time to be a DC fan, and I don’t mean that in a good way. As the Warner Bros. and Discovery merger continues to take a toll on the plethora of now-canceled projects, it’s unfortunate that the projects that remain on the release schedule show much less promise. Take for example “The Flash,” a movie whose lead is still embroiled in numerous criminal charges, yet is still allowed to return for reshoots. On the other hand, you have “Batgirl,” a movie that could’ve been a much-needed breath of
TV Tea

The Top Ten Best Episodes of Modern ‘Doctor Who’

As Jodie Whittaker’s time in the TARDIS comes to an end, so does another era in the modern run of “Doctor Who.” Not only will Whittaker be regenerating into the first Doctor of color with Ncuti Gatwa, but showrunner Russell T. Davies will be returning to the show after departing in 2010. “Doctor Who” has dazzled as some of the best science fiction on television, and while every Doctor has had its rough patches, each era of the show has also given us some truly great work. So in honor of the 13th
TV Tea

‘Hellraiser’ Wastes the Potential of a New Pinhead

Of all the long-running horror franchises to arise from the genre boom of the 1980s, none is more surprising than that of “Hellraiser.” Directed by Clive Barker in 1987 and based on his 1986 novel “The Hellbound Heat,” “Hellraiser” wasn’t really a slasher film. Rather, it was a revenge story that just so happened to center around a group of demons known as Cenobites. These demons found pleasure in the pain and suffering of others and were led by Pinhead, who throughout most of the franchise was
TV Tea

6 Spooky Episodes From Our Childhoods to Rewatch This Halloween

As Halloween approaches, many look for their own ways to celebrate. Some hold parties, others hit the streets for delicious candy, and others bundle up and watch whatever spooky goodness the TV offers. Even now as an adult, this is my favorite time of year, and it’s mainly due to the media this season offers. Unfortunately, I feel much modern television shows increasingly water down their Halloween episodes every year. Growing up, TV shows would take these episodes as an opportunity to do someth
TV Tea

Dahmer, Bundy and Beyond: Are True Crime Series Harmful?

The rise in our mass obsession with true crime has been an interesting, albeit disturbing, trend when you really think about it. On the one hand, the genre introduces a massive audience to unsolved crimes, which in turn can lead to cases being reopened and in some rare instances, also lead to them being solved. For example, “The Jinx: The Life and Deaths of Robert Durst” was the documentary that led to the capture and arrest of its titular subject. On the other hand, true crime podcasts, documen
TV Tea

31 Days of Halloween: The Ultimate October Movie Marathon

It’s essential, whether you’re young or old, to gather around the TV and indulge in some spooky movies once October rolls around. Some people (including yours truly) love Halloween so much that they make it a yearly tradition to watch a movie every day in anticipation of our favorite holiday. Thankfully, the hit-horror podcast “Nightmare on Film Street” hosted by Jonathan Dehaan and Kimberley Elizabeth has released their annual “31 Days of Halloween Horror Challenge.” This guide makes it easier
TV Tea

‘Werewolf By Night’ Could Change the Marvel Universe Forever

The D23 Expo in recent years has almost taken over Comic-Con when it comes to massive reveals and notable first looks. As Disney continues to absorb more and more companies, the natural result is a sandbox that is more vast, and has much more opportunity for creativity. This year’s expo was no exception. Their animation departments (including Pixar) showed promise on a lot of new and original animated films…and “Inside Out 2.”. For live-action offerings, they showcased upcoming releases like “Ho