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The independent student newspaper at the University of Illinois since 1871

The Daily Illini
The independent student newspaper at the University of Illinois since 1871

The Daily Illini
The independent student newspaper at the University of Illinois since 1871

The Daily Illini
The independent student newspaper at the University of Illinois since 1871

The Daily Illini
Ella Narag

Ella Narag, Special Sections Editor

Hi! My name is Ella, and I am a junior studying integrative biology honors and global studies. I joined The Daily Illini as a staff news writer in September 2022, went on to serve as the news editor from March 2023-24 and am currently the special sections editor. When I’m not writing, I’m sipping matcha with a book in hand!

A Build-Your-Own bowl from Bibibop on Prospect Avenue in Champaign on Nov. 18.

[Photo] Review | Bibibop’s new CU location exceeds expectations

By Lauren Castaldo, Staff Writer • November 19, 2024
Nicholas Grossman, professor in LAS, stands in front of the screen before a talk titled “How did Global Events Shape the 2024 Presidential Election?” on Nov. 6.

UI professors talk role of global affairs in 2024 election

By Ella Narag, Special Sections Editor • November 7, 2024
Roland Realty property located on First Street on Wednesday, Oct. 9.

Roland Realty is not sorry for partying

By Lillie Salas and Ella Narag • October 21, 2024
Festival attendees take a photo on a large, centrally located screen at Lollapalooza on Aug. 4.

Lollapalooza 2024 day 4 recap

By Ella Narag and Annisyn Krebs-Carr • August 5, 2024
Lead vocalist of Two Door Cinema Club Alex Trimble performs with the rest of the band on the IHG stage on Aug. 4.

Two Door Cinema Club plays alternative set to crowded IHG

By Ella Narag, Special Sections Editor • August 5, 2024
Conan Gray dances around his simplistic Lollapalooza set at the Bud Light stage on Aug. 4.

Conan Gray cherishes audience during time on Bud Light stage

By Ella Narag, Special Sections Editor • August 5, 2024
Australian artist Ruel sits down for an interview with The Daily Illini on Aug. 4.

“I‘m in a good place to get disoriented”: Ruel shares new music plans, reflects on new EP

By Ella Narag, Special Sections Editor • August 5, 2024
Blink-182's Mark Hoppus closes out Lollapalooza 2024 alongside his bandmates at the T-Mobile stage in Grant Park on Sunday night.

Review | Blink-182’s performance distastefully closes Lollapalooza

By Ella Narag, Special Sections Editor • August 5, 2024
Hippo Campus lead singer Jack Luppen takes to the mic alongside the rest of the indie-rock band at the IHG stage during day 3 of Lollapalooza.

Hippo Campus provides audience with core memories in heartfelt performance 

By Ella Narag, Special Sections Editor • August 4, 2024
TV Girl concert goers jam out to their Bud Light stage debut on Saturday during day 3 of Lollapalooza

Lollapalooza day 3 recap

By Ella Narag and Annisyn Krebs-Carr • August 4, 2024
Crowd members raise their arms up during The Killers' headlining performance on Aug. 3.

Review | The Killers offer memorable set but unworthy of headlining title

By Ella Narag, Special Sections Editor • August 4, 2024
Briston Maroney plays their guitar as their outfit flows in the wind during their set at IHG during day 3 of Lollapalooza.

Briston Maroney displays loyalty, humanity in indie-rock set

By Ella Narag, Special Sections Editor • August 3, 2024
Mckenna Grace on stage at the Toyota Music Den during Lollapalooza day 2 on Thursday.

Lollapalooza 2024 day 2 recap

By Ella Narag and Annisyn Krebs-Carr • August 3, 2024
Laufey and the Chicago Philharmonic perform in unison at the Bud Light stage on Friday during day 2 of Lollapalooza.

Laufey stuns audience with Chicago Philharmonic performance 

By Ella Narag, Special Sections Editor • August 3, 2024
SZA performs on a large tree trunk staircase, fitting with the woodland theme of the set, to finish her show at Lollapalooza on Aug. 2.

SZA excels in fiery show to close out Lollapalooza day 2

By Ella Narag, Special Sections Editor • August 2, 2024
Tiny Habits take to the BMI stage during day 2 of Lollapalooza on Thursday.

Tiny Habits offers humble, refreshing point of view in both interview, performance

By Ella Narag, Special Sections Editor • August 2, 2024
Lollapalooza festival goers line up for a photo in front of the Clarence F. Buckingham Memorial Fountain in Grant Park during day one of Lollapalooza on Aug. 1.

Lollapalooza 2024 day 1 recap

By Ella Narag, Special Sections Editor • August 2, 2024
Chappell Roan, a relative newcomer to pop star status, performs to an enormous crowd at the T-Mobile stage on Aug. 1. Tens of thousands of people gathered en masse to see the performance, flooding all surrounding areas.

Chappell Roan overwhelms T-Mobile stage in packed set

By Ella Narag, Special Sections Editor • August 2, 2024
The crowd watches as Lizzie McAlpine performs at the Bud Light stage on Aug. 1.

Lizzy McAlpine offers realness during opening day of Lollapalooza

By Ella Narag, Special Sections Editor • August 2, 2024
Hozier closes Lollapalooza 2024 day one with a performance at the Bud Light stage at 8:30 p.m. Hozier’s set included many well-known favorites as well as a new unreleased track during the opening of his performance.

Hozier moves with heavy passion, energy in opening night of Lollapalooza

By Ella Narag, Special Sections Editor • August 2, 2024
The Block I cheers on the Illini defense during the second quarter against Toledo on Sept. 2, 2023.

Ever so Illini: Top tips to embrace the orange and blue

By Ella Narag, Special Sections Editor • July 29, 2024

Illini-Alerts notify subscribers of armed subject on Third, Green streets

By Ella Narag, Special Sections Editor • May 24, 2024
A protestor secures a tent to the ground after harsh winds dismantles tents on Tuesday morning.

Live Coverage: Increase in tents as day 10 of encampment meets heavy winds

By The Daily Illini News Staff • May 7, 2024
Encampment continues on the Main Quad in front of Foellinger Auditorium despite rain on Saturday evening.

Live coverage: Weekend sees days 7, 8 of solidarity for Gaza encampment

By The Daily Illini News Staff • May 5, 2024
A speaker calls demonstrators liars with a megaphone at the encampment on Friday.

Live coverage: Encampment keeps on to sixth day

By The Daily Illini News Staff • May 3, 2024
Protester rests beside the self-proclaimed liberation zone Tuesday morning.

Live coverage: Third day of encampment persists on Main Quad

By The Daily Illini News Staff • April 30, 2024
Protesters assemble on the Main Quad to reestablish an encampment. The SJP UIUC Instagram page posted a call for demonstrators at 1:17 p.m.

Live coverage: SJP calls for reinstated encampment on the Main Quad

By The Daily Illini News Staff • April 28, 2024
An attendee is taken into custody by UIPD during a Palestine encampment in front of Alma Mater on Friday morning.

Live coverage: Students supporting Palestine hold encampment at Alma Mater

By The Daily Illini News Staff • April 26, 2024
The official cover for “The Tortured Poets Department: The Anthology,” a 15-song part two to Taylor Swift’s latest album.

Review | ‘The Tortured Poets Department: The Anthology’ perfects TTPD (Part 2)

By Ella Narag, Special Sections Editor • April 20, 2024
The official album cover for Taylor Swift’s latest album, “The Tortured Poets Department,” released on April 19.

Review | Taylor Swift’s ‘The Tortured Poets Department’ aligns love, poetry (Part 1)

By Ella Narag, Special Sections Editor • April 19, 2024
Caffe Paradiso, a coffee shop located at 801 S. Lincoln Ave., has a generally rustic and natural feel and is filled with plants and pleasant aromas.

Best of CU | Best Coffee Shop: Caffe Paradiso

By Ella Narag, News Editor • March 28, 2024
Alpha Delta Phi Fraternity located on Daniel St. on Feb. 29.

Best of CU | Best Frat to Take Your Mom: Alpha Delta Phi

By Ella Narag, News Editor • March 28, 2024
A fresh sandwich from The Bread Company, a bread bakery located at 706 S. Goodwin Ave., on March 5.

Best of CU | Best Date Spot: The Bread Company

By Ella Narag, News Editor • March 28, 2024
The Chicago Symphony Orchestra pamphlet for its performance at Foellinger Great Hall at the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts on Thursday.

[Photo] Review | Chicago Symphony Orchestra bring sounds of Russia to KCPA

By Lisa Chasanov, Managing Editor for Reporting • February 23, 2024

Coroner releases Akul Dhawan’s official cause of death

By Ella Narag, News Editor • February 20, 2024
The elevator bay on the 10th floor of HERE Champaign experienced heavy flooding after a supposed sprinkler issue on Tuesday.

HERE Champaign apartment complex experiences flooding

By Ella Narag, News Editor • February 13, 2024
UI student found dead, UIPD to investigate further

UI student found dead, UIPD to investigate further

By Ella Narag and Jessie Wang • January 20, 2024
Illinois State Police launch new road rage campaign

Illinois State Police launch new road rage campaign

By Ella Narag, News Editor • January 4, 2024
Illinois courts to expand access for people with disabilities

Illinois courts to expand access for people with disabilities

By Ella Narag, News Editor • December 12, 2023
Guard Terrence Shannon Jr. takes a moment to briefly stretch his arms on the court during a game against Eastern Illinois on Nov. 6.

‘We’re here to win’: No. 24 Illinois men’s basketball opens Big Ten campaign at Rutgers

By Ella Narag and James Kim • December 2, 2023
Dean of Grainger College of Engineering Rashid Bashir speaking with members at the post panel gathering on Sept. 9.

Intersecting innovations: Dean Rashid Bashir’s research in biomedical engineering 

By Ella Narag, News Editor • November 25, 2023
Firefighters with the Champaign Police Department attempt to put out the flames at a building on the corner of First and Clark streets.

UPDATED: Fire at intersection of First, Clark streets

By Lisa Chasanov, Ella Narag and Michael Bales • November 7, 2023
Hundreds of students waited outside the JSM Living leasing office during the late hours of Monday night in hopes of signing a lease when the company opened their doors at 9 a.m. on Tuesday. After hours of waiting, only some students were able to sign, and JSM Living has since updated their leasing practices and sent an email to all potential residents with the new process.

JSM emails potential tenants after closing office in leasing incident

By Ella Narag, News Editor • October 17, 2023
Advocates, students and members of the community gather in front of the Alma Mater statue on Thursday as Students for Justice in Palestine hold a protest.

SJP, community members hold Palestine solidarity rally

By Lisa Chasanov, Ella Narag and Jessie Wang • October 12, 2023
UI professor testifies in Senate, discusses book bans

UI professor testifies in Senate, discusses book bans

By Ella Narag, News Editor • September 13, 2023
2 injured, 1 arrested after shooting in Urbana 

2 injured, 1 arrested after shooting in Urbana 

By Ella Narag, News Editor • September 5, 2023
Champaign roads close for Labor Day Parade

Champaign roads close for Labor Day Parade

By Ella Narag, News Editor • September 2, 2023
UI Alumni Association appoints new president

UI Alumni Association appoints new president

By Ella Narag, News Editor • August 31, 2023
Donald Trump's mugshot, the first ever of a former U.S. president.

Trump surrenders to charges, released on bond

By Lisa Chasanov, Ella Narag, Lika Lezhava and Lillie Salas • August 24, 2023
The Abbot Power Plant, located on the outskirts of campus in Champaign, on Aug. 24. The plant is responsible for producing a large amount of power used by the University.

Extreme heat closes schools, UI to backtrack energy consumption

By Ella Narag, News Editor • August 24, 2023
Man robbed, hit with tree branch in Urbana

Man robbed, hit with tree branch in Urbana

By Ella Narag, News Editor • August 23, 2023

Protect your mental health from academic stress

By Ella Narag, News Editor • August 17, 2023
The cover of the highly anticipated re-recorded "Speak Now" album

Taylor Swift stuns fans with ‘Speak Now’ rerecording

By Ella Narag, News Editor • July 11, 2023
McKinley Health Center in Urbana.

How to lead a healthy lifestyle on campus

By Ella Narag, News Editor • July 11, 2023
Frame from "WALL-E" (2008)

Column | 15 years later, Pixar’s ‘WALL-E’ could be a window into our future

By Ella Narag, News Editor • June 26, 2023
Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria, Germany, where the two victims were visiting before the attack.

UI alum killed after attack in Germany

By Ella Narag, News Editor • June 21, 2023
Theodore Kaczynski, American mathematician and "Unabomber" in 1968

Ted Kaczynski, the ‘Unabomber,’ dead at 81

By Ella Narag, News Editor • June 11, 2023
‘The New Normal’ documents UI’s methods regarding COVID-19

‘The New Normal’ documents UI’s methods regarding COVID-19

By Ella Narag, News Editor • June 5, 2023
Mckinley Health Center on S Lincoln Ave

What is the McKinley Health Center and why should I care?

By Ella Narag and Michael Bales • May 26, 2023

Nancy Makri elected to the National Academy of Sciences

By Ella Narag, News Editor • May 10, 2023

19-year-old arrested for attempted murder in Urbana

By Ella Narag, News Editor • May 4, 2023
The CU community and Illini family come to the Alice Campbell Alumni Center to watch the fountain kick off the homecoming week as Jen Dillavou, the president of the University of Illinois Alumni Association gives a speech during a rainy day on Oct. 2, 2021.

President of University of Illinois Alumni Association dies of cancer

By Ella Narag, News Editor • May 1, 2023
A semi-truck destroyed on the side of the road after multiple vehicle crash on Interstate 55.

Interstate 55 shuts down in multiple vehicle crash

By Ella Narag, Aidan Sadovi and Kiran Bond • May 1, 2023
Language arts teacher Wendy Rice reminisces on successful radio career

Language arts teacher Wendy Rice reminisces on successful radio career

By Ella Narag, News Editor • May 1, 2023

Illinois baseball winds up for 3-game series against Ohio State

By Ella Narag and Lillie Salas • April 27, 2023

UI students charged with battery after fight at FAR

By Ella Narag, News Editor • April 24, 2023
Students for Environmental Concerns marched beginning at Alma Mater calling for the University to divest in fossil fuels.

SECS hosts climate strike, calls for UI to divest in fossil fuels

By Ella Narag, News Editor • April 24, 2023

Supreme Court hears case about abortion pill, reaffirms Illinois’ role in abortion access

By Ella Narag, News Editor • April 22, 2023

Moms Weekend: A guide to C-U’s bars

By Ella Narag, Jessie Wang, Anneliese Cornejo Garcia and Layli Nazarova • April 14, 2023
UPDATED: Black Students for Revolution receive racist, threatening responses in opinion survey

UPDATED: Black Students for Revolution receive racist, threatening responses in opinion survey

By Jessie Wang and Ella Narag • April 13, 2023
Einstein Bros. Bagel selection at the Illini Union on April 12. Einstein Bros. Bagels will be leaving campus this month on April 28.

Einstein Bros. Bagels to close all UI campus locations

By Ella Narag, News Editor • April 13, 2023
Vladimir Putin, President of the Russian Federation, was accused of war crimes for actions committed in Ukraine.

Arrest warrant issued for Putin by ICC

By Ella Narag, News Editor • March 17, 2023
Spring break springs forward, students react to change in clocks

Spring break springs forward, students react to change in clocks

By Ella Narag, News Editor • March 12, 2023

Gies receives $25 million donation to build new intercollegiate building

By Ella Narag, Staff Writer • January 4, 2023