Midweek Mashup

The Bulletin | Voice of the students since 1901

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The Bulletin
February 18, 2026

Good morning!

It’s Isabel here with your morning newsletter! Today is Wednesday, Feb. 18th. Thanks for tuning in!

I have been a part of The Bulletin staff since 2023! I started as a staff writer, then got promoted to copy editor, then to news editor and now I am serving as the managing editor.

I study secondary mathematics education here at Emporia State, and I hope to be a high school math teacher after I graduate in 2027. I also have a minor in music, and play the saxophone in five different ensembles. In my free time I love to try new foods, shop, and play video, board and card games. Right now, my favorite game is Civilization 6!

If you missed us last week, we printed our Valentine’s Day special edition. Pick up your copy at our drop-box locations on campus! Now onto this week!

Isabel Ayala, Managing Editor

Isabel Ayala is in her first semester as managing editor for The Bulletin and joined the staff in 2023. Previously, Ayala was the news editor of The Bulletin and also held positions as copy editor and staff writer.

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This week’s headlines

‘Couldn’t believe it’: Freshman sprinter breaks women’s indoor 200m record, goes on to break another

Stella Agbokpah, sprinter for Emporia State Track and Field, says it felt “super exciting” to be named MIAA Women’s Indoor Track Athlete of the Week.

New Fresh Ideas initiative helps fight campus food insecurity, waste

Corky’s Cupboard has partnered with Fresh Ideas, Emporia State’s dining servicer, in a new initiative aimed at helping fight food insecurity on campus.

Hornet women defeat McPherson, fall to Rockhurst in weekend split

The Emporia State Women’s Tennis secured a  6-1 win at home against McPherson on Saturday at the Kossover Family Tennis Complex. 

ASG passes FY27 line item fee rates, creates new LIOs

Emporia State Associated Student Government voted unanimously Thursday on a set of bills that will merge and create Line Item Organizations and set line item fee rates for fiscal year 2027.

As ESU’s beloved mascot turns 93, The Bulletin tracked down its 9 decade journey

Feb. 15 marks the 93rd birthday of Corky the Hornet, Emporia State’s beloved mascot who debuted in 1933 as the mascot of Kansas State Teachers College.

For the record

Each week, The Bulletin chooses one staff member to give their perspective on a topic of their choosing. Views reflected in these opinion columns are the sole belief of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the stance of The Bulletin.

Can’t spell ‘independence’ without ‘dependence’

A big thing that people associate with college is the concept of independence;you’re on your own for the very first time in your life.

Becoming in the “in-between”

Somewhere between who I used to be and who I want to become, I’m still becoming. The in-between is an awkward space to be, and no one really warns you about how heavy it can feel.

Feb. 17

Officer dispatched to North Tower sixth floor for odor of marijuana. Officer identified room N615 as the point of origin. Subject refused to answer door. Search warrant executed. Report taken. Case closed.

Feb. 14

Officer responded to anonymous tip regarding underage drinking in North Tower, 4th floor. Nothing found.

Feb. 13

Officers conducted case follow up at Campus Woods. Report completed

Officers located drug paraphernalia while conducting case follow up at Campus Woods. The items were secured at ESU PD. Report taken/Case Closed.

Emporia Fire responded to the area north of I-35 to assist PAROC with the scheduled control burn. ESU PD did not respond.

Feb. 12

An individual reported personal items were left in the area of Campus Woods. Officers were unable to locate the items.

Officer was contacted by an individual concerning suspicious text messages. This is related to the ongoing issues on the Group Me App scam reports. Informational report completed.

Officer located personal items at the far north area of the Campus Woods. The items were secured at ESU PD. Report taken.

What’s Trending?

To be a bad hombre: “One Battle After Another”

“One Battle After Another,” written and directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, follows Leonardo Dicaprio’s character Bob Fergusson as he attempts to protect his daughter, Willa, from Colonel Lockjaw, who is hunting them down due to her mother and Bob’s previous work in rebel group the French 75.

Kansas wants to cut $200 million from its budget. A former ESU president will help

Former Emporia State President Ken Hush will consult with the Kansas Legislature on higher education spending budgets for a portion of the 2026 session, a move that was approved down party lines 5-2 on Jan. 8 by Republican members of the Legislative Coordinating Council. 

Protesters find hope in community support

Emporia State students ,as well as community members, gathered in front of Plumb Hall at noon on Saturday, Feb. 7 to protest against the presence of United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement across the country. 

Final stretch of Morse demolition set to begin mid-2026

South and Southeast Morse halls, the final two buildings to be torn down as part of the Morse complex demolition project, will be demolished this summer. 

ESU Police warn of GroupMe scam: What you should know

Emporia State Police and Safety has received multiple reports of a financial scam over GroupMe, a group communication app long used by students, faculty and staff. ESU Police Chief Jerry Cook warned of the scam in a Wednesday email announcement to campus.