Against navel-gazing
(01/22/26 4:40am)
January is an interesting month. Remnants of the past year seep into the new as we reflect on 2025 and craft our vision for the months ahead.
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Irish ice out Duquesne and Western Michigan in doubleheader
(01/21/26 5:00am)
The Notre Dame men’s tennis team remains undefeated after a dominant display in the home opener.
Is Guillermo del Toro’s ‘Frankenstein’ actually ‘Frankenstein’?
(01/21/26 5:00am)
As a fellow Mexican, I am always thrilled to watch Guillermo Del Toro’s gothic films. From the Oscar-winning best picture, “The Shape of Water,” to the innovative animation “Guillermo Del Toro’s Pinocchio,” his beautifully grotesque art has been praised by critics and the public alike. Because of this, I was looking forward to watching his latest film, “Frankenstein,” which recently screened at the Browning Cinema in the DeBartolo Performing Arts Center. Already praised as “One of Del Toro's finest,“ I entered the theater expecting my already established idea of Mary Shelley’s classic novel to evolve into one of Del Toro’s saturated color palettes and tangible effects.
The ‘Stranger Things’ finale was so questionable, it sent fans into mass psychosis
(01/21/26 5:00am)
It’s hard to believe that only two weeks ago, every turn, both in public and online, seemed to have some correlation to the “Stranger Things” finale. These reactions, the majority of which included disappointed outrage over the series’ end, had fans sleuthing to find alternate endings to the show. Turns out, there was in fact no alternate ending, and the writers further solidified their flimsy writing in press interviews and a recent documentary. This downfall of “Stranger Things” praise was a shocking turn for its 10-year run, but the entire internet banding together en masse to spread conspiracies was an entertaining demonstration of the show’s impact.
Irish welcome Hurricanes for ACC showdown
(01/21/26 5:00am)
The unranked Notre Dame women’s basketball team seeks to return to winning ways on Purcell Pavilion on Thursday night at 6 p.m. The Irish are fresh off a stinging 85-47 loss to No. 1 UConn. Head coach Niele Ivey’s team held tough for the first half, but the Huskies took complete control in the final 24 minutes of play.
Sir Mohammed to return to familiar territory against the Tar Heels
(01/21/26 5:00am)
When Sir Mohammed stepped out onto the floor of the Dean E. Smith Center, informally known as the “Dean Dome,” the stakes could not have been higher. Mohammed, a junior in high school holding 14 Division I offers at the time, would be playing for a 4A North Carolina men’s basketball state championship. The Charlotte native had been representing Myers Park for the entirety of his high school career, a school that had not claimed a men’s basketball state championship in more than 60 years. Mohammed posted nine points, three rebounds and three assists to help propel the Mustangs to a state title. Wednesday night marks the first time Mohammed will return to the Dean Dome since making history on the court less than three years ago.
The news is dying piece by piece
(01/21/26 5:00am)
We constantly hear about the death of journalism and the defunct print model.
‘Stranger Things’ loses its way by chasing the crowd
(01/22/26 4:39am)
As a “Stranger Things” fan, I — like many others — was heavily disappointed by the series finale. As soon as episode eight, “Chapter Eight: The Upside Down” aired, my social media feed filled with clips comparing the early episodes to the final season. Ironically, the low-budget scenes from the early episodes were significantly better than the more expensive ones in the final season. Fans (as well as I), devastated by such an anticlimactic finale, clung to theories suggesting a surprise final episode would drop on a mysterious date, unwilling to accept the truth that the show had ended the (horrible) way it did.
Flaneur at Saint Mary’s: Off the Avenue cafe
(01/21/26 5:00am)
Last semester, I began working at Saint Mary’s College as an adjunct lecturer. On the days I teach, I board the No. 17 — the campus sweep — at Notre Dame’s library circle to get to Saint Mary’s. I get off the bus after it crosses SR 933 and walk a quarter mile north to Spes Unica Hall, home to the English department. As fate would have it, my office in Spes — as the building is colloquially known — is on the same floor as a cafe called Off the Avenue. So, for better or worse, I’ve made the spot a regular haunt of mine. Usually, I stay for about an hour to grade papers, read through the required course materials for the day and lesson plan before heading back to my office. The regular caffeine and sugar fixes, as well as the background chatter, get me through the mornings and prime me for giving lectures in the afternoons. By doing my flaneur thing and inadvertently eavesdropping on conversations around me, I’ve gotten a better sense of the vibe at Saint Mary’s, which I knew little about before the start of the academic year.
2026-2027 study abroad decisions released
(01/21/26 5:00am)
Study abroad decisions for the 2026-27 academic year were released Jan. 17, marking a key moment for Notre Dame sophomores as they consider academic plans abroad and evaluate their options following a competitive application cycle. According to the University’s Study Abroad Office director, Robert Leis, Notre Dame received over 2,300 applications from nearly 1,200 individual students for various overseas programs.
It’s time for Micah Shrewsberry to change the Irish offense
(01/23/26 5:06am)
Notre Dame’s offense is a clear problem for the Markus Burton-less Irish in the midst of a slump, and Micah Shrewsberry is the only one who can fix it.
Notre Dame men’s tennis clutches in season opener
(01/19/26 5:00am)
The Notre Dame men’s tennis program emulated their individual season success and earned a hard-fought 4-3 victory against Yale in their first dual of the season. The Irish went 3-3 in singles matches, but secured the doubles team point going 2-1 on the weekend. After a rough 2025 spring season, the away dual triumph is exactly what the Irish needed to set themselves up for a successful 2026.
‘Don’t Be Dumb:’ A$AP Rocky is all grown up now
(01/19/26 5:00am)
It has been a long, long eight years for A$AP Rocky fans. The Harlem-born rap and hip-hop superstar has grown significantly since his last album, “Testing,” released all the way back in 2018. Now 37 years old, in a long-standing relationship with Rihanna, the father of three kids, and acquitted from not one, but two criminal trials, one can certainly say Rocky has a lot to talk about.And talk about it he has: The rapper recently released “Don’t Be Dumb,” his fourth studio album, on Jan. 16, and it is undeniable that he did not waste such copious life experience in the 17 tracks. Perhaps his most emotionally sincere and internally thorough album yet, Rocky reflects on all the aspects of his life that make him, him. He’s no longer the person he was eight years ago, and he’d like everyone to know it.First and foremost, the album boasts an incredible lineup of features, a success most certainly due to the project’s extended production. Staple artists like Brent Faiyaz and Tyler, the Creator appear alongside newly-minted legend Doechii and an unusual but rewarding choice in folk singer Jessica Pratt. They make for a roster as dynamic and unpredictable as Rocky’s last eight years.“Stop Snitching” with Sauce Walka very much emphasizes the tumult of this period. Rocky divulges the broken friendships and tenuous moral codes within rap circles, alluding to certain individuals over the years who have lost his trust, as well as to the up-and-coming, often reckless new faces of rap. The title of the track is very relevant in this manner, as Rocky warns such members of the community to speak with poise and intention, and to “stay the f— up off the interviews.”“Stay Here 4 Life” with Brent Faiyaz is a much more relaxed piece. Very simplistic in theme and lyricism, the track explores the rapper’s romance with partner Rihanna, and much like the music of Miguel, Jhené Aiko or any R&B artist of the early 2000s, the song is soft, smooth and endlessly replayable. Though the track’s genre is not new or significantly innovative in any meaningful way, it is still well done and worthy in its own right.But one cannot say that Rocky isn’t that innovative in other ways. “The End,” featuring Jessica Pratt and will.i.am, is conclusive evidence of this. Tackling some of the most polarizing issues of modern-day society — climate change, reliance on technology and police brutality — Rocky takes a stand in a very messy political climate. Repeating the refrain of “This is the way the world ends” over and over again, Rocky tells his audience that even as a person with fame and fortune, he feels and understands the effects that our modern politics have on the world, and he sees no end in sight. His track reflects much of Childish Gambino’s words in “This is America.” The haunting part is that Gambino released this single eight years ago — a very telling sign of the progression, or lack thereof, of American society.However, not every track rang as deep as “The End,” and for good measure, too. “Punk Rocky,” one of the only solo efforts on the album, offers a sliver of lightheartedness amid a sea of despair and anguish. Though the track’s lyrical depth is not particularly positive, as it explores heartbreak and love, the song’s backing instrumentation evokes the summer nostalgia of Rocky’s 2018 hit, “Sundress.” And especially in an era of societal turmoil, a hint of nostalgia might be just what the heart needs.A$AP Rocky’s newest album has demonstrated that he still, in fact, has got it. Though one could argue that the album may not justify the eight-year wait, I still maintain that it is highly significant, relevant and definitely worth the time. Rocky has grown. He is ever-evolving, and he is finally in a place not just of monetary success but of personal satisfaction, and it shows.Personally — and not to greatly upset any reader — I believe that he just might be exactly who The Weeknd wishes he was. His dynamism and nuance in genre, as well as his cultural contributions to the fashion and film industries, are robust and intentional. He does not build a brand simply for the sake of building a brand. He truly is who he sets out to be; he is honest and authentic, and I certainly look forward to seeing what is next for him.
'The Friend of the Family': A discussion with author Dean Koontz
(01/19/26 5:00am)
“The Friend of the Family,” Dean Koontz’s new novel, is a book for book lovers, heartfelt and genuine. While Koontz is primarily known for his works of suspense and horror, “The Friend” is a work of period fiction echoing classic literature and nineteenth-century “big house” novels. Set in California during the early decades of the twentieth century, it presents the story of Alida, a captive “star” of a circus freak show, who, after a particularly cruel exhibition, is freed from her carnival prison and adopted by a caring couple and their loving family. For the first time, Alida is seen beyond her deformity and acknowledged for her intelligence and humanity. What follows is an account of compassion and testimony for the discovery of beauty in all places.
Notre Dame hockey swept by Penn State
(01/19/26 5:00am)
Notre Dame hockey dropped to 0-12 in Big Ten conference play this weekend, swept 4-1 and 6-3 at No. 8 Penn State. Despite facing a banged up Nittany Lions team, especially Saturday night, the Irish could not put an end to a season-long nine-game winning streak.
Print Edition for Friday, January 16, 2026
(01/16/26 7:49am)
Print Edition of The Observer on Friday, January 16, 2026.
The Observer updates print schedule for spring semester
(01/16/26 5:00am)
Beginning this semester, The Observer will be reducing its print quantity to twice a week, printing on Tuesdays and Fridays. The change in print quantity comes as part of the paper’s “Observer 60” plan, marking the 60th anniversary of the paper’s founding. The plan seeks to prioritize digital content, deliver stories in the time and place most convenient to readers and produce the highest quality content for the next 60 years.
Second half run dooms No. 23 Irish in top-25 home showdown with No. 9 Louisville
(01/16/26 5:00am)
The No. 23 Notre Dame Fighting Irish women’s basketball team lost to the No. 9 Louisville Cardinals 79-66 in a highly anticipated battle at Purcell Pavilion. The result drops Notre Dame to 12-5 on the year and 4-3 in the ACC, while Louisville improves to 17-3 on the year and an undefeated 7-0 in the ACC. The loss showcased some glaring issues for the Irish as they look to improve their form in the coming games.
Institute for Social Concerns launches justice and society minor
(01/16/26 5:00am)
This semester, the Institute for Social Concerns is redesigning their poverty studies minor, renaming it the justice and society minor. Co-directed by professors Connie Snyder Mick and Dan Graff, the new curriculum is designed to weave together the theoretical study of justice and its practical application, specifically focused on ensuring that students have the research skills to effectively grapple with justice questions and foster change.
Student government releases petitions, signaling start of 2026 election cycle
(01/16/26 5:00am)
Student government petitions became available Wednesday, marking the beginning of the annual student government election cycle.
