(Photo courtesy of Benjamin Heffner) “The entrance to the new Rowdy’s Esports Arena in UCrossing” Benjamin Heffner Connector Editor Just in time for the start of spring semester, Rowdy’s Esports Arena, nestled below the entrance to the River Hawk Shop at University Crossing, has officially opened its doors for professional and casual gamers alike. Graham…
Most recent features
Rowdy’s Esports Arena officially opens
Five-year-old released from ICE custody with his father
(Photo courtesy of Ali Daniels/AP Photo) “5-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos” Makayla Mahoney Connector Editor On Sunday, Feb. 1, five-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos and his father Adrian Alexander were released from an ICE processing center after being held there for more than a week. Their release comes after days of national outrage as a picture of…
The shocking truth about textbook affordability
(Photo courtesy of State House) “Luke Van Horn, UMass Lowell MassPIRG Vice Chair” Luke Van Horn and Mass PIRG Students Connector Contributor “For all the students out there who have gone hungry because they purchased a textbook. For all the students who have failed classes because of expensive materials. For the hope that this broken market will be fixed one day,” said Luke…
Popular features
Center for Asian American Studies to host forum about the 1991 Paris Peace Accords
Jessica Kergo Connector Staff The Cambodian culture in Lowell, Massachusetts is felt strongly throughout the city and the UMass Lowell community. UMass Lowell shares a city with the second largest Cambodian population in the United States and members of the university are working to support an understanding of the culture and the country’s rich and…
Mitch Shuldman discusses 34-year media career
UMass Lowell librarian and head of the media center Mitch Shuldman takes a look back on his career in media over the last few decades in this podcast. Click the link below to hear more. (George DeLuca/Connector)
“Life is Strange 3: True Colors”: Beloved franchise knocks it out of the park again
(Photo Courtesy of Square Enix) Kaliisha Cole Connector Editor The story-driven, choice game platformer series, “Life is Strange” by Square Enix Studios, has now released a new installment that exceeds all expectations. The game is set apart from the first two games and creates an entirely new atmosphere. In this game, the player is brought…
News
Five-year-old released from ICE custody with his father
(Photo courtesy of Ali Daniels/AP Photo) “5-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos” Makayla Mahoney Connector Editor On Sunday, Feb. 1, five-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos and his father Adrian Alexander were released from an ICE processing center after being held there for more than a week. Their release comes after days of national outrage as a picture of…
Campus Life
Rowdy’s Esports Arena officially opens
(Photo courtesy of Benjamin Heffner) “The entrance to the new Rowdy’s Esports Arena in UCrossing” Benjamin Heffner Connector Editor Just in time for the start of spring semester, Rowdy’s Esports Arena, nestled below the entrance to the River Hawk Shop at University Crossing, has officially opened its doors for professional and casual gamers alike. Graham…
Student spotlight: Immanuel Kelly (Manny), aspiring actor and creator of Disney Channel bully skits
(Photo courtesy of Immanuel Kelly) “Immanuel Kelly (Manny)” Jesse Nguyen Connector Editor At UMass Lowell, there are many students with inspiring stories and exciting careers. One of them is Immanuel Kelly, also known as Manny and @mannythemann1 on Tik Tok and @mannythemanzz on Instagram. He currently has 81.8 million likes on TikTok, and in just…
Lowell Kinetic Sculpture Race 2025
(Photo courtesy of the wgbh.com) “Entries in the Lowell Kinetic Sculpture Race must be able to handle all types of terrain, including as seen here, the Merrimack River.” Paul Melkonian Connector Contributor Saturday morning Sept. 20, Market Street, Lowell. Several hundred people milled around in a festive atmosphere; the street blocked at Shattuck and Central…
Rowdy’s Esports Arena officially opens
(Photo courtesy of Benjamin Heffner) “The entrance to the new Rowdy’s Esports Arena in UCrossing” Benjamin Heffner Connector Editor Just in time for the start of spring semester, Rowdy’s Esports Arena, nestled below the entrance to the River Hawk Shop at University Crossing, has officially opened its doors for professional and casual gamers alike. Graham…
Arts & Entertainment
“Umamusume: Pretty Derby” releases globally
(Image courtesy of Cygames. “Umamusume is one of the most popular Japanese franchises right now, and its flagship game just saw a global release.”) Maxi France Connector Staff One of the most popular Japanese multimedia franchises, “Umamusume: Pretty Derby” has managed to spark interest in global audiences. Cygames, the creators of this racing game franchise,…
Machismo and misogyny in “Hurricane Season”
(Image courtesy of Goodreads. “‘Hurricane Season’ speaks about some of the worst humanity has to offer.”) Rick Dalton Connector Staff “Hurricane Season” is a novel by Fernanda Melchor, with elements of crime, mystery and horror. It was first published in Spanish in 2017 before being translated into English by Sophie Hughes in 2020. The story…
“Umamusume: Pretty Derby” releases globally
(Image courtesy of Cygames. “Umamusume is one of the most popular Japanese franchises right now, and its flagship game just saw a global release.”) Maxi France Connector Staff One of the most popular Japanese multimedia franchises, “Umamusume: Pretty Derby” has managed to spark interest in global audiences. Cygames, the creators of this racing game franchise,…
“Zootopia 2” is an action-packed film about cultural erasure
(Photo courtesy of IMDb.com) Left to right, Nick Wilde, Gary De’Snake, Judy Hopps Jesse Nguyen Connector Editor Crafty fox Nick Wilde and determined rabbit Judy Hopps make their box office shattering return to the big screen in “Zootopia 2,” released Nov. 26th, 2025, almost 9 years after the first Zootopia released in 2016. In its…
2026 Grammy Awards Recap
(Image courtesy of Grammy. “This year’s Grammy Awards ceremony was marked by a surprising amount of sentimentality.”) Tristin Henson Connector Editor The Grammys kicked off the night with a performance by Sabrina Carpenter, featuring a rendition of “Manchild.” Soon after, Doechii and Queen Latifah presented the award for Best Rap Album, with nominees CHROMAKOPIA and…
2026 Grammy Awards Recap
(Image courtesy of Grammy. “This year’s Grammy Awards ceremony was marked by a surprising amount of sentimentality.”) Tristin Henson Connector Editor The Grammys kicked off the night with a performance by Sabrina Carpenter, featuring a rendition of “Manchild.” Soon after, Doechii and Queen Latifah presented the award for Best Rap Album, with nominees CHROMAKOPIA and…
“Explosive” comedy, right here in Lowell
(Photo courtesy of James Guiry) “Casey Woods hosts the “Bomb Shelter!” open mic night. James Guiry Connector Contributor “The Bomb Squad” (@bombsquadpresents on Instagram) is a group of local Lowell comedians that run shows around the city. The group consists of Fredo Cruz (@fredoacruz), Sean Delson (@soyboychik), Ren Marquez (@rrenmarquez), and Casey Woods (@caseywootchudoin). I…
Sports
Lowell unable to keep up with Boston College, lose 3-1 on home ice
(Photo courtesy of UMass Lowell Athletics) “Freshman Mirko Buttazzoni skates between two Boston College defenders, entering the zone with the puck.” Jake Messer Connector Editor On Friday, Dec. 5, the River Hawks lost 3-1 to the no. 14/15 Boston College Eagles in a dominant showing from the Eagles, as they have now won seven out…
Patriots win big on Monday Night Football, extending their win streak to 10 games
(Photo courtesy of usatoday.com) “Patriots quarterback Drake Maye looks to pass the football down field against the Giants.” Jake Messer Connector Editor The New England Patriots beat the New York Giants by a score of 33-15, improving their record to 11-2 on the year, the best in the NFL as they finally enter their bye…
Lowell unable to keep up with Boston College, lose 3-1 on home ice
(Photo courtesy of UMass Lowell Athletics) “Freshman Mirko Buttazzoni skates between two Boston College defenders, entering the zone with the puck.” Jake Messer Connector Editor On Friday, Dec. 5, the River Hawks lost 3-1 to the no. 14/15 Boston College Eagles in a dominant showing from the Eagles, as they have now won seven out…
