Kyrie Thomas

Journalist at The Ohio State University with an interest in the local and niche stories that shape our community. I believe journalist give a voice to the voiceless, and that is what I strive to do. 

My Recent Work

BLACK X BOLD •

New Faces, New Paths: How the Department of African American and African Studies is Changing — BLACK X BOLD

The Department of African American and African Studies is in the process of hiring 10 new faculty members as part of overall efforts towards expansion of Black culture. The department received a financial grant from the Mellon Foundation, allowing them to hire on new faculty – two of whom being assistant professors Elea Proctor and Casidy Campbell. Coming into her position earlier this semester, Proctor said African American and African studies have always been a topic of interest, and through h...
BLACK X BOLD •

Hand-in-hand: Jason Rawls and Hip-Hop — BLACK X BOLD

“I love hip-hop. I consider myself hip-hop, and I think I will be until I die.”Jason Rawls, J Rawls, DJ Rawls, Professor Rawls, Dr. Rawls – whichever name you choose, each one is almost entirely synonymous with hip-hop. Rawls will say it started with the 1984 movie, Beat Street – that watching the movie ignited his love for everything hip-hop – but it’s difficult to imagine a time prior to when the culture wasn’t already a part of who he was. “I’m not anything but hip-hop,” Rawls stated with a f...
The Lantern •

Menus for all: How an Ohio State student organization is tackling restaurants’ lack of accessibility

Those with vision impairments often face challenges when trying to read menus in restaurants, but one Ohio State organization is trying to ensure everyone can have a place at the table.

The Main Menu Project creates free, screen reader-accessible menus for visually impaired individuals to use at restaurants in the Columbus area, according to its website. Though the organization was officially founded in the fall 2023, co-presidents Olivia Kalczynsk, a fourth-year in animal sciences, and Abi Dum...
The Lantern •

Ohio State fraternity Alpha Tau Omega placed on interim suspension Monday for potential hazing and student conduct abuse

As of Monday, Ohio State’s chapter of the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity has been placed on interim suspension due to hazing allegations, university spokesperson Dave Isaacs said in an email.

An email obtained by The Lantern — sent Monday from the Interfraternity Council to Interfraternity Council chapter presidents and other leaders — stated the potential violations include “hazing” and “student conduct abuse.” Isaacs said he cannot provide further information regarding the potential violations wh...
The Lantern •

University President Ted Carter Jr. teases 10-year plan for Ohio State at Friday’s investiture ceremony, discusses cancer research goals and collegiate sports landscape

Ted Carter Jr. officially stepped into Ohio State’s presidential role Jan. 1.

During a Jan. 24 Q&A with The Lantern, Carter said he wanted to produce a “three-to-five-to-10-” year plan around his 100th day in office. But, the day came and went with no plan being released.

Carter spent the early stages of his presidency in “listen-and-learn mode,” per prior Lantern reporting. This involved conducting workshop sessions with roughly 1,000 people from different Ohio State constituencies and organi...
The Lantern •

Pilipino Student Association sold out annual culture show for first time in two years

For the first time in two years, the Pilipino Student Association sold out its annual culture show Saturday.

Held in the Ohio Union’s Performance Hall, the association’s 2024 culture show sold out with an estimated 408 people in attendance, making it one of the largest shows to date, said Therese Demesa, PSA’s logistics director and a fourth-year in environmental engineering.

“This year, within the first few days, we had already sold over half of our tickets,” said Demesa, who was also an even...
The Lantern •

Living easy: How to set roommate boundaries

Sharing a living space with friends can feel like a dream — at least, at first.

But, in order to extend the honeymoon period, students must be able to establish healthy boundaries with their roommates.

​The “roommate agreement” is a document many Ohio State students living on campus might be familiar with. According to the Office of Student Life’s Housing and Residence Education website, the agreement outlines rules surrounding cleaning issues, use of personal property, conflict resolution and...
614NOW •

Celebrate and honor the spirits of loved ones this season with these three Columbus Day of the Dead Celebrations

El Día de los Muertos, also known as the Day of the Dead is a traditional Mexican holiday held Nov. 1 –2 that honors loved ones and others that have passed away. The day is typically filled with a reunion of family, celebrating with cultural food and activities. Whether you typically celebrate the holiday, or you’re looking to learn more about it, here are three, free, Columbus located Day of the Dead festivities that anyone can enjoy.Wexner Center for the ArtsOn November 1 from 4-8 p.m., join a...
The Lantern •

Photo gallery: Students for Justice in Palestine hosts study-in for northern Gaza at Thompson Library

Ohio State’s chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine hosted a silent “study-in” protest for northern Gaza in the Grand Reading Room of Thompson Library Tuesday.

Students were invited to study between 7:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. while organizers passed out signs for students to stick on the back of their laptops or other devices.

According to an Ohio State SJP Instagram post, the organization called students to protest “the horrific ongoing genocide in Gaza and the rampant escalations in North Ga...
The Lantern •

Sports and Society Initiative to host Wednesday presentation discussing Black hair in athletics

Ohio State’s Sports and Society Initiative will host a presentation discussing research on Black hair in athletics Wednesday.

The event — titled “Hair Matters: Race, Gender, and the Politics of Black Hair in Sport” — will be presented Wednesday from 4-5:30 p.m. in Room 360 in the Journalism Building by Letisha Brown, an assistant professor of sociology at the University of Cincinnati.

Alongside her research and writing on the topic, Brown said her personal experiences are a driving factor in h...
614NOW •

Fast–casual Mediterranean chain planning first central Ohio location

Bowls, wraps, pita and more – Hummus Republic appears to be bringing their signature Mediterranean cuisine to the campus area with their first central Ohio location. According to city permits, the franchise is planning its new location at 2108 N High St., near the north side of The Ohio State University’s campus.The location, previously home to a Chase Bank, will seemingly be undergoing alterations to accommodate the restaurant according to city permits.BROUGHT TO YOU BY ga('send', 'event', 'ads...
The Lantern •

Morning walk across campus led by OSU Hillel commemorates one-year anniversary of Hamas attack on Israel

Ohio State University Hillel led a silent walk of 1.07 miles Monday, observing the one-year anniversary of the attack by Hamas on Israel that led to the deaths of 1,200 Israelis.

The campus walk began at 6:29 a.m., the same time as the attacks last year, said Jordan Vandersluis, an attendee of the walk and a fourth-year in speech and hearing sciences.

“A year ago today, our friends in Israel went to sleep and were woken up to rockets at 6:29 in the morning, and the rest of the world still hadn...
614NOW •

You won’t want to miss Polaris’ huge free Halloween festival, with costume contests, pumpkin decorating, and more!

Your kid’s Halloween costume this year is too cute to just have them where it once during Trick-or-Treat night.Fortunately, Polaris Fashion Place is returning their annual fall events, bringing pumpkin decorating, costume contests and more for attendees of all ages!Kicking off the season, Polaris’s Boo & Brew will take place Oct. 19, 2 – 6 p.m. outside the Polaris Lifestyle Center.Local craft beer and various food trucks will be featured, such as Dos Hermanos, Whit’s Frozen Custard and Bada Bing...
The Lantern •

Grad school struggles: Finding balance between work and personal needs to achieve overall wellness

The classic airplane safety speech is often reiterated on TV, in movies and in real life. Passengers are told where the exits are, how to signal for help and — in the event that oxygen masks must be deployed — to put on their own mask first before helping others.

The same sentiment can be applied to graduate students when it comes to their mental and physical health, said Bernadette Melnyk, Ohio State’s vice president for health promotion and chief wellness officer.

“You can’t keep pouring fro...
The Lantern •

Ohio State students reflect on their cultures and identities during Hispanic Heritage Month

Reflecting on Hispanic Heritage Month, Ohio State students within the community have shared their experiences and how their cultures have shaped who they are.

Lasting from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, Hispanic Heritage Month is a period that celebrates and highlights different cultures, traditions and ethnicities within the Hispanic community, according to the Department of Latinx Studies’ website. September also celebrates Latinx Heritage Month, and though people use the two terms interchangeably, the...
The Lantern •

Silent march to take place across campus Saturday to raise awareness for voter registration and education

A committee of several Ohio State organizations, including NAACP OSU, will host a silent march Saturday to promote voter registration and education across campus.

Titled the “March on Scarlet,” the event will begin at 11 a.m. and is intended to represent or emulate the 1963 March on Washington, which made similar efforts to raise awareness for voting rights, said Isaac Wilson, a fourth-year in aerospace engineering and president of NAACP OSU.

“[It’s] the same time that March on Washington star...
614NOW •

The ‘World’s Largest Bounce House’ is in Columbus for one weekend only

The Big Bounce America Tour is visiting Columbus for three–days of bouncy, family fun, bringing the World’s Largest Bounce House, a deep sea themed inflatable, a DJ and more.The event will also showcase the World’s Largest Bounce House, reaching heights of up to 32 ft and spanning over 24,000 sq. ft. The spacious playground will also host ball pits, climbing towers, basketball hoops, and – at its center – a DJ playing music and announcing games and competitions. Themed inflatables such as “airSP...
614NOW •

Speciality pizzeria planning new High Street location

Combining styles from New York, Connecticut and Ohio to create their signature dough, Brenz Pizza Co. appears to be opening their fourth location in the central Ohio area.According to city permits, Brenz is planning its newest location at 5063 N High St., on the city’s North Side.Currently, the building houses Clean Eatz, a health-oriented restaurant, but according to their website, the store is temporarily closed.BROUGHT TO YOU BY ga('send', 'event', 'ads', 'impressions', 'Tanger Inline Oct 202...
The Lantern •

Recent University District crime sparks conversation surrounding campus safety resources, Ohio State joins forces with city of Columbus

After two near-campus shootings in three days, Ohio State is collaborating with the city of Columbus in attempts to bolster safety resources for the campus community.

Per prior Lantern reporting, a shooting took place Wednesday night near 11th Avenue and North High Street. The incident resulted in an injured graduate student, and the two unidentified suspects remain at large. A separate shooting took place Monday night near Olentangy River Road and John H Herrick Drive, resulting in one individ...
The Lantern •

Two Ohio State alums added as board members for Disability Rights Ohio

Ohio State alums James Fetter and Anders Miller were selected as Disability Rights Ohio’s newest board members March 15, adding their distinct skill sets to the nonprofit.

Disability Rights Ohio — also known as DRO — is a local organization dedicated to creating a more accessible and equitable world for people with disabilities, according to its website. Kerstin Sjoberg, president and CEO of DRO, said the nonprofit aims to represent Ohioans with disabilities through both external and internal m...
614NOW •

Moon Festival returns to the Columbus area this Saturday

Featuring demonstrations, games and food, the eighth annual Moon Festival and Ohio Kung Fu Tai Chi Day returns for a range of culturally–inspired fun, Sept. 14, 12 – 9 p.m..The event will be held at Riverside Dr in Dublin and will celebrate the Mid Autumn Festival. The festival – observed in many Asian cultures such as China, Korea, Japan, Vietnam, ect… – honors the moon and the end of autumn harvest, making it perfect for the fall season. Kicking – off, 12 – 5 p.m. will highlight traditional As...
614NOW •

Five Pumpkin – themed festivals to help you welcome the fall season

The season is upon us. The leaves are changing colors, coffee orders are going from iced to hot and sweater weather is back. As you step over the threshold into fall, here are just some of the festivities that involve the most notable fruit of the season – pumpkin. Pumpkin Fest at Pigeon Roost Farm, Hebron With wagon rides, barnyard animals, and a pumpkin patch, Pigeon Roost Farms is open Sept. 14 – October 31 providing their 44th year of seasonal fun. The farm will also feature a children’s fun...
The Lantern •

OSU Hillel’s Bagel Café now accepts BuckID swipes, aims to expand kosher dining options for Jewish students

OSU Hillel’s Bagel Café — located at 46 E. 16th Ave. — now accepts BuckID swipes as part of a general movement to increase kosher, on-campus dining options for students.

Students who live on campus must select an Ohio State dining plan, according to Dining Services’ website. With on-campus living being a requirement for first-year students, having access to food that meets their dietary restrictions is a critical component of the college experience.

“I got approved to use one of the off-campus...
The Lantern •

Approximately 130 gather Tuesday night for vigil on Oval, commemorate deaths in Gaza and the West Bank

A vigil with approximately 130 attendees took place on the Oval around 6:30 p.m. Tuesday to honor two young Palestinians and one American who died as a result of the Israel-Hamas war.

The vigil, organized by Students for Justice in Palestine — or SJP — highlighted several activists and individuals. These include Aysenur Ezgi Eygi — an American activist — and Mohamad Zakaria Zubeidi, both of whom were killed amidst violence in the West Bank territory, according to reports by BBC and the Associat...
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