The official student newspaper of University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire since 1923.

The Spectator
The official student newspaper of University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire since 1923.

The Spectator
The official student newspaper of University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire since 1923.

The Spectator
McKenna Dirks

McKenna Dirks, Editor-In-Chief

McKenna Dirks is a fourth-year journalism student and this is her seventh semester on The Spectator staff. She thrives under chaotic environments, loves plants and often gives off “granola girl” vibes with her Blundstone boots.

All content by McKenna Dirks
Four beverages, including a Brewing Projekt smoothie beer, a sour beer called ‘The Tumi,’ a coffee-inspired beer called ‘Breakfast at Wiley’s’ and the ‘Keep ‘Em Honest’ beer.

3rd and Vine

Story by McKenna Dirks, Editor-In-Chief
April 5, 2022
Editor-In-Chief McKenna Dirks’ 13-year-old papillon, Bella, the fluffiest furball to ever exist.

[Photo] Spec Pets

Story by Morgan Burke, Multimedia Editor
March 16, 2022
100 Women Who Care is a group of women who gather together throughout the Chippewa, Dunn and Eau Claire counties to make an impact in the community.

A local club donates $40,000 to local nonprofits each year

Story by McKenna Dirks, Editor-In-Chief
March 15, 2022
An organized mess

An organized mess

Story by McKenna Dirks, Editor-In-Chief
March 2, 2022
If stolen from a vehicle, catalytic converters can cost upwards of $2,000 to replace.

UW-Eau Claire sees rise in catalytic converter theft

Story by McKenna Dirks, Editor-In-Chief
March 1, 2022
A unique representation of the human brain and all its accompanying blood vessels.

Body Parts exhibit on display in Haas Fine Arts

Story by McKenna Dirks and Kyle Schmidtke
March 1, 2022
Police Blotter

Police Blotter

Story by McKenna Dirks, Editor-In-Chief
February 28, 2022
A piece of art on display for the “bones” part of the Body Parts exhibit.

[Photo] Art and science combine in the “Body Parts” exhibit

Story by Allison Hinrichs, Staff Writer
February 28, 2022
The world is witnessing the start of World War III first-hand,

What is Russia’s president doing?

Story by McKenna Dirks, Editor-In-Chief
February 28, 2022
A piece of art on display for the “bones” part of the Body Parts exhibit.

An Organized Mess

An Organized Mess

Story by McKenna Dirks, Editor-In-Chief
February 24, 2022
Nathan Rich performing comedy for a crowd at a local bar in Eau Claire

[Photo] Nathan Rich, student by day and comedian by night

Story by Elliot Adams, Editor-in-Chief
February 23, 2022
An Organized Mess

An Organized Mess

Story by McKenna Dirks, Editor-In-Chief
February 15, 2022
Lehner said the center of his campaign is formed around an alternative sustainability plan for Eau Claire County.

Blugold runs for Eau Claire County Board

Story by McKenna Dirks, Editor-In-Chief
February 15, 2022
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[Photo] Fall commencement 2021 to be held in Zorn Arena once again

Story by Lisa Snyder, Staff Writer
December 16, 2021
Rob Mattison, former owner of a Comic Book shop, began GEEKcon in 2017 after looking for a project that could bring together the Eau Claire community.

UW-Eau Claire hosts GEEKcon 2021

Story by McKenna Dirks, Editor-In-Chief
December 7, 2021
“Ndnai Eau-Claire” features three African American students and their experiences living in the Chippewa Valley at UW-Eau Claire.

UW-Eau Claire grad creates documentary

Story by McKenna Dirks, Editor-In-Chief
October 26, 2021
The pumpkin patch offers a walk-through pumpkin maze that begins in a sunflower field.

Pumpkin patch palooza

Story by McKenna Dirks, Editor-In-Chief
September 24, 2021
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[Photo] Student Senate passes resolution following Pedal to Divestment event

Story by Amira Lunderville, Copy Editor
April 22, 2021
“The university needs to realize that by investing in climate change, they aren’t investing in students’ futures,” Woodward said.

[Photo] UW Divestment Coalition urges administration to divest in fossil fuels

Story by Grace Schutte, OP/ED Editor
April 14, 2021
The new vaccination clinic on campus is opening April 8.

[Photo] UWEC partners with FEMA to host a mass vaccination clinic

Story by Amira Lunderville, Copy Editor
March 31, 2021
"Our mission is to protect everyone and anyone that are individuals who have taken on the title of being a member of WUF,” Jackie Buttafuoco, founder of Women Uniting and Fighting said.

[Photo] A seat at the table

Story by Evelyn Nelson, Freelance Writer
March 1, 2021
Alden Ferreira, a fourth-year nursing student, said he received two Pfizer vaccine doses over winterim.

[Photo] Nursing students are receiving COVID-19 vaccinations

Story by Miles Plueger, Staff Writer
February 17, 2021
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[Photo] Office of Multicultural Affairs celebrates Black History Month

Story by Ashlie Fanetti, Managing Editor
February 11, 2021
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[Photo] Eau Claire eats

Story by Avery Shanahan, Freelance Writer
February 4, 2021
An organized mess

An organized mess

Story by McKenna Dirks, Editor-In-Chief
November 24, 2020
Spectator Songs

Spectator Songs

Story by McKenna Dirks, Editor-In-Chief
November 18, 2020
Pictured is one of many voting stations for Eau Claire citizens to exercise their rights to vote.

[Photo] UW-Eau Claire students and members of the community vote in-person Nov. 3

November 6, 2020
An organized mess

An organized mess

Story by McKenna Dirks, Editor-In-Chief
November 2, 2020
An organized mess

An organized mess

Story by McKenna Dirks, Editor-In-Chief
October 21, 2020
An organized mess

An organized mess

Story by McKenna Dirks, Editor-In-Chief
October 14, 2020
I got up close and personal to nature's creations.

A tunnel breaks up a naturistic scene.

Rushing waters of the Temperance River flow into Lake Superior.

A cliff stretches out of the deep waters of Lake Superior.

Colors of fall brace against the blue of Lake Superior.

Where water meets land — Temperance River State Park.

There are over 200 waterfalls leading into the waters of Lake Superior.

A bridge leads down to the shore in Temperance River State Park, MN.

This is one of many cliffs on the shore of Lake Superior.

This shoreline of Lake Superior is near Silver Bay, MN.

Pictured is an island on the coast of Lake Superior where birds flock.

Women face hardships everyday, whether that be at home or beyond.

It’s hard being a woman

Story by McKenna Dirks, Editor-In-Chief
September 30, 2020
Police Blotter

Police Blotter

Story by McKenna Dirks, Editor-In-Chief
September 9, 2020
The people of Eau Claire organized a protest on Sunday, May 31 in honor of black lives being taken by police brutality. The peaceful protest started at 12 p.m. at Phoenix Park and ended at Owen Park.

Eau Claire community comes together for peace and justice

Story by McKenna Dirks, Editor-In-Chief
June 2, 2020
Police Blotter

Police Blotter

Story by McKenna Dirks, Editor-In-Chief
May 13, 2020
Police Blotter

Police Blotter

Story by McKenna Dirks, Editor-In-Chief
April 29, 2020
Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, many people are still required to work at essential businesses.

In the eyes of essential workers

Story by McKenna Dirks, Editor-In-Chief
April 29, 2020
UW-Eau Claire to transition to online instruction

UW-Eau Claire to transition to online instruction

Story by McKenna Dirks, Editor-In-Chief
March 12, 2020
Police Blotter

Police Blotter

Story by McKenna Dirks, Editor-In-Chief
March 12, 2020
Trust isn’t easy to build when it’s been broken, but there are possibilities in doing so.

Surviving betrayal and trusting again

Story by McKenna Dirks, Editor-In-Chief
March 11, 2020
Police Blotter

Police Blotter

Story by McKenna Dirks, Editor-In-Chief
March 4, 2020
Superintendent Dan Peggs was arrested on charges of sex trafficking of a minor and production of child pornography.

Superintendent contradictive of his home and work life

Story by McKenna Dirks, Editor-In-Chief
February 26, 2020
Police Blotter

Police Blotter

Story by McKenna Dirks, Editor-In-Chief
February 26, 2020
Albert Colom, vice chancellor for enrollment management, started in his position at UW-Eau Claire on Oct. 1, 2018.

BREAKING: Albert Colom resigns

Story by McKenna Dirks, Editor-In-Chief
February 24, 2020
Local artists will create over 50 murals in what is currently an empty alley in downtown Eau Claire. Work on the murals will begin June 2020.

Local artists will revitalize empty alley

Story by McKenna Dirks, Editor-In-Chief
February 20, 2020
Police Blotter

Police Blotter

Story by McKenna Dirks, Editor-In-Chief
February 19, 2020
Police Blotter

Police Blotter

Story by McKenna Dirks, Editor-In-Chief
February 12, 2020
Police Blotter

Police Blotter

Story by McKenna Dirks, Editor-In-Chief
February 5, 2020
Blu's Clues

Blu’s Clues

Story by McKenna Dirks, Editor-In-Chief
December 12, 2019
Police Blotter

Police Blotter

Story by McKenna Dirks, Editor-In-Chief
December 11, 2019
Professors, students and residents of Eau Claire attended the event.

Locals celebrate 150 years of the Periodic Table

Story by McKenna Dirks, Editor-In-Chief
December 4, 2019
The computer science department at UW-Eau Claire is facing difficulties with its students and faculty.

Computer science department struggling to stay afloat

Story by McKenna Dirks, Editor-In-Chief
November 21, 2019
The week of Nov. 18-22, UW-Eau Claire will be hosting a handful of events to celebrate International Education Week. The outcome of these events will give all university and community members an opportunity to support the benefits of education.

International Education Week celebrated at UWEC

Story by McKenna Dirks, Editor-In-Chief
November 19, 2019
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