What is The Daily Beacon?

Updated

The Daily Beacon is the student news site of the University of Tennessee, published under the name "The Daily Beacon – The News Site of University of Tennessee." It covers campus news, Tennessee athletics, opinion columns, and photo galleries, with content written by student contributors, staff writers, and editors. It is aimed at the UT community — students, faculty, alumni, and anyone following the university.

Who runs it

The site identifies itself as the news site of the University of Tennessee. Its bylines show a student newsroom structure:

  • Contributors — for example, Peyton Hooser wrote the Vols Study tab story, and Anna Reiffer covers football and the "Champions Corner" feature.
  • Columnists — opinion writers such as Avangeline Greco.
  • Editors — including an Opinions Editor and a News Editor, plus a Sports Editor.
  • Staff Writers — general news and campus coverage.

This mix of roles indicates a student-run operation rather than a professional commercial newsroom.

What it covers

The homepage excerpt shows four main content areas:

Section What appears there
News Campus items like the revamped Vols Study tab in Canvas, Faculty Senate salary discussions, and visits by political figures
Sports Tennessee football coverage, including AP poll rankings, opponent reports, NFL alumni updates, and game-day photo galleries
Opinion Columns on social and cultural topics, such as advertising double standards and Olivia Rodrigo's music
Photo Galleries Visual coverage of events like College GameDay and the Texas Longhorns game

Why it matters to readers

If you want University of Tennessee news from a student perspective — campus services, athletics, and student opinion — The Daily Beacon is the outlet to check. It is especially useful for:

  • Current students tracking campus changes, such as the Canvas Vols Study tab update.
  • Sports fans following Tennessee football rankings, opponents, and former players in the NFL.
  • Alumni and community members who want a student-eye view of university events and debates.

Because the reporting comes from student journalists, expect campus-focused coverage rather than national or investigative news.