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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
An organized mess

An organized mess

Story by McKenna Dirks, Editor-In-Chief
March 2, 2022
Police Blotter

Police Blotter

Story by McKenna Dirks, Editor-In-Chief
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
An Organized Mess

An Organized Mess

Story by McKenna Dirks, Editor-In-Chief
February 24, 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
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
"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
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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
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
 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
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
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
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 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 20, 2019
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