diff --git a/web/app/plugins/mitlib-blocks/blocks/hero-section/render.php b/web/app/plugins/mitlib-blocks/blocks/hero-section/render.php
index abd61e5a..53bf45ff 100644
--- a/web/app/plugins/mitlib-blocks/blocks/hero-section/render.php
+++ b/web/app/plugins/mitlib-blocks/blocks/hero-section/render.php
@@ -6,21 +6,22 @@
  * @var string   $content    Block default content.
  * @var WP_Block $block      Block instance.
  */
-?><section id="hero" role="img" aria-label="Two notebooks opened to show yellow graph paper; the top one has a black and white photo of a boat crew, and the bottom one shows handwritten text." style="background-image: url(https://libraries.mit.edu/app/uploads/2026/07/hero-image-edgerton.png);">
-	<div class="overlay">
-		<div class="content-wrapper">
-			<div class="hero-content">
-				<h1><?php echo wp_kses_post( $attributes['heading'] ); ?></h1>
-
-				<?php
-				// Search widget area for homepage. Uses Unified Search v2 for this page's search form.
-				if ( is_active_sidebar( 'sidebar-search' ) ) :
-					dynamic_sidebar( 'sidebar-search' );
-				endif;
-				?>
+?>	<section id="hero">
+		<div class="hero-bg" role="img" aria-label="Graphic illustration of a spiral in purple, black, and white." style="background-image: url(https://libraries.mit.edu/app/uploads/2026/09/hero-image-noise-reduction.jpg);"></div>
+		<div class="overlay">	
+			<div class="content-wrapper">
+				<div class="hero-content">
+					<h1>Welcome to the MIT Libraries</h1>
 
+					<?php
+						// Search widget area for homepage. Uses Unified Search v2 for this page's search form.
+						if ( is_active_sidebar( 'sidebar-search' ) ) :
+							dynamic_sidebar( 'sidebar-search' );					
+						endif; 
+					?>
+					
+				</div>
+				<span class="hero-image-credit">from the <a href="https://archivesspace.mit.edu/repositories/2/resources/244">Muriel Cooper personal archives</a></span>
 			</div>
-			<span class="hero-image-credit">from the <a href="https://archivesspace.mit.edu/repositories/2/resources/603">Harold E. Edgerton papers</a></span>
 		</div>
-	</div>
-</section>
\ No newline at end of file
+	</section>
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/web/app/plugins/mitlib-blocks/build/hero-section/render.php b/web/app/plugins/mitlib-blocks/build/hero-section/render.php
index abd61e5a..53bf45ff 100644
--- a/web/app/plugins/mitlib-blocks/build/hero-section/render.php
+++ b/web/app/plugins/mitlib-blocks/build/hero-section/render.php
@@ -6,21 +6,22 @@
  * @var string   $content    Block default content.
  * @var WP_Block $block      Block instance.
  */
-?><section id="hero" role="img" aria-label="Two notebooks opened to show yellow graph paper; the top one has a black and white photo of a boat crew, and the bottom one shows handwritten text." style="background-image: url(https://libraries.mit.edu/app/uploads/2026/07/hero-image-edgerton.png);">
-	<div class="overlay">
-		<div class="content-wrapper">
-			<div class="hero-content">
-				<h1><?php echo wp_kses_post( $attributes['heading'] ); ?></h1>
-
-				<?php
-				// Search widget area for homepage. Uses Unified Search v2 for this page's search form.
-				if ( is_active_sidebar( 'sidebar-search' ) ) :
-					dynamic_sidebar( 'sidebar-search' );
-				endif;
-				?>
+?>	<section id="hero">
+		<div class="hero-bg" role="img" aria-label="Graphic illustration of a spiral in purple, black, and white." style="background-image: url(https://libraries.mit.edu/app/uploads/2026/09/hero-image-noise-reduction.jpg);"></div>
+		<div class="overlay">	
+			<div class="content-wrapper">
+				<div class="hero-content">
+					<h1>Welcome to the MIT Libraries</h1>
 
+					<?php
+						// Search widget area for homepage. Uses Unified Search v2 for this page's search form.
+						if ( is_active_sidebar( 'sidebar-search' ) ) :
+							dynamic_sidebar( 'sidebar-search' );					
+						endif; 
+					?>
+					
+				</div>
+				<span class="hero-image-credit">from the <a href="https://archivesspace.mit.edu/repositories/2/resources/244">Muriel Cooper personal archives</a></span>
 			</div>
-			<span class="hero-image-credit">from the <a href="https://archivesspace.mit.edu/repositories/2/resources/603">Harold E. Edgerton papers</a></span>
 		</div>
-	</div>
-</section>
\ No newline at end of file
+	</section>
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/web/app/themes/mitlib-parent/css/v2/pages/home.css b/web/app/themes/mitlib-parent/css/v2/pages/home-v001.css
similarity index 98%
rename from web/app/themes/mitlib-parent/css/v2/pages/home.css
rename to web/app/themes/mitlib-parent/css/v2/pages/home-v001.css
index f29e6607..4e920877 100644
--- a/web/app/themes/mitlib-parent/css/v2/pages/home.css
+++ b/web/app/themes/mitlib-parent/css/v2/pages/home-v001.css
@@ -39,11 +39,20 @@ body.v2-page {
 #content > #hero {
   padding: 0;
   position: relative;
-  background-size: cover;
-  background-position: center center;
   color: var(--color-text-on-color);
 
+  /* Decorative background image, kept out of the focusable/overlay content so role="img" has no children */
+  .hero-bg {
+    position: absolute;
+    inset: 0;
+    z-index: 0;
+    background-size: cover;
+    background-position: center center;
+  }
+
   .overlay {
+    position: relative;
+    z-index: 1;
     padding-top: calc(var(--content-section-vertical-padding) + var(--sp-600));
     padding-bottom: var(--content-section-vertical-padding);
     background: linear-gradient(90deg, #1A1A1A 24.52%, rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.50) 70.67%, rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.00) 100%);
diff --git a/web/app/themes/mitlib-parent/css/v2/v2.css b/web/app/themes/mitlib-parent/css/v2/v2.css
index f65159b3..0272ed0c 100644
--- a/web/app/themes/mitlib-parent/css/v2/v2.css
+++ b/web/app/themes/mitlib-parent/css/v2/v2.css
@@ -26,4 +26,4 @@
 @import url('partials/footer.css');
 
 /* Page-level styles */
-@import url('pages/home.css');
\ No newline at end of file
+@import url('pages/home-v001.css');
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/web/app/themes/mitlib-parent/templates/page-home-v2.php b/web/app/themes/mitlib-parent/templates/page-home-v2.php
index 282b8798..e80f454b 100644
--- a/web/app/themes/mitlib-parent/templates/page-home-v2.php
+++ b/web/app/themes/mitlib-parent/templates/page-home-v2.php
@@ -27,346 +27,344 @@
 			// If the page's content is empty, render the default static markup instead
 			?>
 
-			<section id="hero" role="img" aria-label="Two notebooks opened to show yellow graph paper; the top one has a black and white photo of a boat crew, and the bottom one shows handwritten text." style="background-image: url(https://libraries.mit.edu/app/uploads/2026/07/hero-image-edgerton.png);">
-			<div class="overlay">	
-				<div class="content-wrapper">
-						<div class="hero-content">
-							<h1>Welcome to the MIT Libraries</h1>
-
-							<?php
-								// Search widget area for homepage. Uses Unified Search v2 for this page's search form.
-								if ( is_active_sidebar( 'sidebar-search' ) ) :
-									dynamic_sidebar( 'sidebar-search' );					
-								endif; 
-							?>
-							
-						</div>
-						<span class="hero-image-credit">from the <a href="https://archivesspace.mit.edu/repositories/2/resources/603">Harold E. Edgerton papers</a></span>
-					</div>
+	<section id="hero">
+		<div class="hero-bg" role="img" aria-label="Graphic illustration of a spiral in purple, black, and white." style="background-image: url(https://libraries.mit.edu/app/uploads/2026/09/hero-image-noise-reduction.jpg);"></div>
+		<div class="overlay">	
+			<div class="content-wrapper">
+				<div class="hero-content">
+					<h1>Welcome to the MIT Libraries</h1>
+
+					<?php
+						// Search widget area for homepage. Uses Unified Search v2 for this page's search form.
+						if ( is_active_sidebar( 'sidebar-search' ) ) :
+							dynamic_sidebar( 'sidebar-search' );					
+						endif; 
+					?>
+					
 				</div>
-			</section>
-
-			<?php //get_template_part( 'inc/alert-local' ); ?>
-
-			<section id="todays-hours">
-				<div class="content-wrapper">
-					<h2>Today's hours</h2>
-					<ol class="hours-list">
-						<li>
-							<span class="library-name"><a class="link-no-underline" href="/hayden">Hayden Library</a></span>
-							<span class="library-hours"><span data-location-hours="Hayden Library"></span></span>
-							<span class="library-study">
-								<i class="fa-light fa-moon" aria-hidden="true" role="img"></i>
-								24/7 study
-							</span>
-						</li>
-						<li class="hour-rotch">
-							<span class="library-name"><a class="link-no-underline" href="/rotch">Rotch Library</a></span>
-							<span class="library-hours"><span data-location-hours="Rotch Library"></span></span>
-							<span class="library-study">
-								<i class="fa-light fa-moon" aria-hidden="true" role="img"></i>
-								24/7 study
-							</span>
-						</li>				
-						<li class="hour-barker">
-							<span class="library-name"><a class="link-no-underline" href="/barker">Barker Library</a></span>
-							<span class="library-hours"><span data-location-hours="Barker Library"></span></span>
-							<span class="library-study">
-								<i class="fa-light fa-moon" aria-hidden="true" role="img"></i>
-								24/7 study
-							</span>
-						</li>
-						<li class="hour-lewis">
-							<span class="library-name"><a class="link-no-underline" href="/music">Lewis Music Library</a></span>
-							<span class="library-hours"><span data-location-hours="Lewis Music Library"></span></span>
-							<span class="library-study"></span>
-						</li>						
-					</ol>
-					<a href="/hours" class="link-on-dark">See more locations and hours</a>
+				<span class="hero-image-credit">from the <a href="https://archivesspace.mit.edu/repositories/2/resources/244">Muriel Cooper personal archives</a></span>
+			</div>
+		</div>
+	</section>
+	<section id="todays-hours">
+		<div class="content-wrapper">
+			<h2>Today's hours</h2>
+			<ol class="hours-list">
+				<li>
+					<span class="library-name"><a class="link-no-underline" href="/hayden">Hayden Library</a></span>
+					<span class="library-hours"><span data-location-hours="Hayden Library"></span></span>
+					<span class="library-study">
+						<i class="fa-light fa-moon" aria-hidden="true" role="img"></i>
+						24/7 study
+					</span>
+				</li>
+				<li class="hour-rotch">
+					<span class="library-name"><a class="link-no-underline" href="/rotch">Rotch Library</a></span>
+					<span class="library-hours"><span data-location-hours="Rotch Library"></span></span>
+					<span class="library-study">
+						<i class="fa-light fa-moon" aria-hidden="true" role="img"></i>
+						24/7 study
+					</span>
+				</li>				
+				<li class="hour-barker">
+					<span class="library-name"><a class="link-no-underline" href="/barker">Barker Library</a></span>
+					<span class="library-hours"><span data-location-hours="Barker Library"></span></span>
+					<span class="library-study">
+						<i class="fa-light fa-moon" aria-hidden="true" role="img"></i>
+						24/7 study
+					</span>
+				</li>
+				<li class="hour-lewis">
+					<span class="library-name"><a class="link-no-underline" href="/music">Lewis Music Library</a></span>
+					<span class="library-hours"><span data-location-hours="Lewis Music Library"></span></span>
+					<span class="library-study"></span>
+				</li>						
+			</ol>
+			<a href="/hours" class="link-on-dark">See more locations and hours</a>
+		</div>
+	</section>	
+	<section id="using-the-libraries">
+		<div class="content-wrapper">
+			<h2>Using the Libraries</h2>
+			<div class="box-wrapper">
+			<div class="option-boxes">
+				<div>
+					<i class="fa-light fa-lightbulb" aria-hidden="true" role="img"></i>
+					<div class="option-box-content">
+						<h3><a href="/study">Find a study space</a></h3>
+						<p>Quiet and group spaces—many available 24/7</p>
+					</div>
 				</div>
-			</section>	
-			<section id="using-the-libraries">
-				<div class="content-wrapper">
-					<h2>Using the Libraries</h2>
-					<div class="box-wrapper">
-					<div class="option-boxes">
-						<div>
-							<i class="fa-light fa-lightbulb" aria-hidden="true" role="img"></i>
-							<div class="option-box-content">
-								<h3><a href="/study">Find a study space</a></h3>
-								<p>Quiet and group spaces—many available 24/7</p>
-							</div>
-						</div>
-						<div>
-							<i class="fa-light fa-file-alt" aria-hidden="true" role="img"></i>
-							<div class="option-box-content">
-								<h3><a href="/get-materials">Learn how to get materials</a></h3>
-								<p>Find, request, and get articles, books, and more</p>
-							</div>
-						</div>
-						<div>
-							<i class="fa-light fa-book" aria-hidden="true" role="img"></i>
-							<div class="option-box-content">
-								<h3><a href="/experts">Discover guides &amp; librarians</a></h3>
-								<p>Resource and class guides with experts for every subject</p>
-							</div>
-						</div>
-						<div>
-							<i class="fa-light fa-database" aria-hidden="true" role="img"></i>
-							<div class="option-box-content">
-								<h3><a href="/data-services">Find and manage data</a></h3>
-								<p>Get support from creating and visualizing to using and sharing data</p>
-							</div>
-						</div>												
+				<div>
+					<i class="fa-light fa-file-alt" aria-hidden="true" role="img"></i>
+					<div class="option-box-content">
+						<h3><a href="/get-materials">Learn how to get materials</a></h3>
+						<p>Find, request, and get articles, books, and more</p>
 					</div>
-					<div class="ask-us-box">
-							<i class="fa-light fa-messages-question" aria-hidden="true" role="img"></i>
-							<div class="option-box-content">
-								<h3>Ask Us</h3>
-								<p>Get help via email, live chat with staff, and book appointments</p>
-								<div class="ask-us-links">
-									<div id="libchat_fa6edc50fe81603743870ca1772bc5b2e7e121436b62ba7da331b9dcabf289c0"></div>
-									<a href="/ask">All help options</a>						
-							</div>
+				</div>
+				<div>
+					<i class="fa-light fa-book" aria-hidden="true" role="img"></i>
+					<div class="option-box-content">
+						<h3><a href="/experts">Discover guides &amp; librarians</a></h3>
+						<p>Resource and class guides with experts for every subject</p>
 					</div>
 				</div>
-			</section>
-			<section id="featured-and-events">
-				<div class="content-wrapper">
-					<div class="featured-content">
-						<h2>Featured</h2>
-						<div class="featured-items count-6">
-							<article class="featured-item">
-								<span class="item-type spotlight">Spotlight</span>
-								<img src="https://libraries.mit.edu/app/uploads/2026/07/0fBLLWk0.jpeg" alt="A seated audience watches a man and a woman standing at a podium; a slide on the wall behind them reads, 'Democratizing Access to Climate Data.'" />
-								<div class="featured-item-content">
-									<hgroup>
-										<h3><a href="https://libraries.mit.edu/opendata/open-data-mit-home/mit-prize/">2026 MIT Prize for Open Data</a></h3>
-										<p>Nominate an MIT researcher for the $2,500 prize</p>
-									</hgroup>
-								</div>
-							</article>					
-							<article class="featured-item side-by-side">
-								<span class="item-type spotlight">Spotlight</span>
-								<img src="https://libapps.s3.amazonaws.com/accounts/349/images/apaz-100x100.jpg" alt="Headshot of Alejandro Paz" />
-								<div class="featured-item-content">
-									<hgroup>
-										<h3><a href="https://libguides.mit.edu/profiles/apaz">Alejandro Paz</a></h3>
-										<div>
-											<p>Librarian for Energy and Environment</p>
-										</div>
-									</hgroup>
-									<a class="arrow-right" href="https://libguides.mit.edu/profiles/apaz">How can Alejandro help you?</a>
-								</div>
-							</article>
-							<article class="featured-item side-by-side">
-								<span class="item-type news">News</span>
-								<img src="https://libraries.mit.edu/app/uploads/2026/08/XKQoSUbi-1.png" alt="A white, two-column locker with a digital screen and text reading &quot;MIT Libraries, Pickup Locker&quot;"/>
-								<div class="featured-item-content">
-									<hgroup>
-										<h3><a href="https://libraries.mit.edu/news/coming-soon-self-service-lockers/44582/">Coming soon: Self-service lockers</a></h3>
-										<p>Pick up and drop off library items 24 hours a day, seven days a week</p>
-									</hgroup>
-								</div>
-							</article>						
-							<article class="featured-item">
-								<span class="item-type service">Service</span>
-								<div class="featured-item-content">
-									<hgroup>
-										<h3><a href="https://libraries.mit.edu/about/service-updates/">Service updates</a></h3>
-										<p>The latest information about access to library collections, spaces, and services</p>
-									</hgroup>
-								</div>
-							</article>
-							<article class="featured-item">
-								<span class="item-type service">Service</span>
-								<div class="featured-item-content">
-									<hgroup>
-										<h3><a href="https://libraries.mit.edu/scholarly/">Learn about your options and rights in scholarly publishing</a></h3>
-										<p>Including open access, copyright, and research funder requirements</p>
-									</hgroup>
-								</div>
-							</article>																	
-							<article class="featured-item">
-								<span class="item-type resource">Resource</span>
-								<div class="featured-item-content">
-									<hgroup>
-										<h3><a href="https://libguides.mit.edu/libkey/nomad">Quicker access to journal articles</a></h3>
-										<p>The LibKey Nomad browser extension instantly checks for full-text access to articles as you browse the web</p>
-									</hgroup>
+				<div>
+					<i class="fa-light fa-database" aria-hidden="true" role="img"></i>
+					<div class="option-box-content">
+						<h3><a href="/data-services">Find and manage data</a></h3>
+						<p>Get support from creating and visualizing to using and sharing data</p>
+					</div>
+				</div>												
+			</div>
+			<div class="ask-us-box">
+					<i class="fa-light fa-messages-question" aria-hidden="true" role="img"></i>
+					<div class="option-box-content">
+						<h3>Ask Us</h3>
+						<p>Get help via email, live chat with staff, and book appointments</p>
+						<div class="ask-us-links">
+							<div id="libchat_fa6edc50fe81603743870ca1772bc5b2e7e121436b62ba7da331b9dcabf289c0"></div>
+							<a href="/ask">All help options</a>						
+					</div>
+			</div>
+		</div>
+	</section>
+	<section id="featured-and-events">
+		<div class="content-wrapper">
+			<div class="featured-content">
+				<h2>Featured</h2>
+				<div class="featured-items count-6">
+					<article class="featured-item">
+						<span class="item-type spotlight">Spotlight</span>
+						<img src="https://libraries.mit.edu/app/uploads/2026/07/0fBLLWk0.jpeg" alt="A seated audience watches a man and a woman standing at a podium; a slide on the wall behind them reads, 'Democratizing Access to Climate Data.'" />
+						<div class="featured-item-content">
+							<hgroup>
+								<h3><a href="https://libraries.mit.edu/opendata/open-data-mit-home/mit-prize/">2026 MIT Prize for Open Data</a></h3>
+								<p>Nominate an MIT researcher for the $2,500 prize</p>
+							</hgroup>
+						</div>
+					</article>					
+					<article class="featured-item side-by-side">
+						<span class="item-type spotlight">Spotlight</span>
+						<img src="https://libapps.s3.amazonaws.com/accounts/349/images/apaz-100x100.jpg" alt="Headshot of Alejandro Paz" />
+						<div class="featured-item-content">
+							<hgroup>
+								<h3><a href="https://libguides.mit.edu/profiles/apaz">Alejandro Paz</a></h3>
+								<div>
+									<p>Librarian for Energy and Environment</p>
 								</div>
-							</article>									
+							</hgroup>
+							<a class="arrow-right" href="https://libguides.mit.edu/profiles/apaz">How can Alejandro help you?</a>
 						</div>
-					</div>
-					<div class="events">
-						<div class="events-header">
-							<div class="events-header-title-paragraph">
-							<h2>Events &amp; Workshops</h2>
-							<p>Featured classes, workshops, and speaker events</p>
-							</div>
-							<a class="button secondary" href="https://libraries.mit.edu/news/events/">See all events</a>
+					</article>
+					<article class="featured-item side-by-side">
+						<span class="item-type news">News</span>
+						<img src="https://libraries.mit.edu/app/uploads/2026/08/XKQoSUbi-1.png" alt="A white, two-column locker with a digital screen and text reading &quot;MIT Libraries, Pickup Locker&quot;"/>
+						<div class="featured-item-content">
+							<hgroup>
+								<h3><a href="https://libraries.mit.edu/news/coming-soon-self-service-lockers/44582/">Coming soon: Self-service lockers</a></h3>
+								<p>Pick up and drop off library items 24 hours a day, seven days a week</p>
+							</hgroup>
+						</div>
+					</article>						
+					<article class="featured-item">
+						<span class="item-type service">Service</span>
+						<div class="featured-item-content">
+							<hgroup>
+								<h3><a href="https://libraries.mit.edu/about/service-updates/">Service updates</a></h3>
+								<p>The latest information about access to library collections, spaces, and services</p>
+							</hgroup>
+						</div>
+					</article>
+					<article class="featured-item">
+						<span class="item-type service">Service</span>
+						<div class="featured-item-content">
+							<hgroup>
+								<h3><a href="https://libraries.mit.edu/scholarly/">Learn about your options and rights in scholarly publishing</a></h3>
+								<p>Including open access, copyright, and research funder requirements</p>
+							</hgroup>
+						</div>
+					</article>																	
+					<article class="featured-item">
+						<span class="item-type resource">Resource</span>
+						<div class="featured-item-content">
+							<hgroup>
+								<h3><a href="https://libguides.mit.edu/libkey/nomad">Quicker access to journal articles</a></h3>
+								<p>The LibKey Nomad browser extension instantly checks for full-text access to articles as you browse the web</p>
+							</hgroup>
 						</div>
+					</article>									
+				</div>
+			</div>
+			<div class="events">
+				<div class="events-header">
+					<div class="events-header-title-paragraph">
+					<h2>Events &amp; Workshops</h2>
+					<p>Featured classes, workshops, and speaker events</p>
+					</div>
+					<a class="button secondary" href="https://libraries.mit.edu/news/events/">See all events</a>
+				</div>
 
-						<?php
-							/* 
-							*  EVENTS LOGIC
-							*  This logic pulls the next two upcoming events from the News site and displays them on the homepage.
-							*  This respects the "Featured on homepage" radio button, making sure those posts are prioritized.
-							*/
-						
-							// Switch to the News site (blog 4) to query event posts.
-							$news_site_id = 4;
-							switch_to_blog( $news_site_id );
+				<?php
+					/* 
+					*  EVENTS LOGIC
+					*  This logic pulls the next two upcoming events from the News site and displays them on the homepage.
+					*  This respects the "Featured on homepage" radio button, making sure those posts are prioritized.
+					*/
+				
+					// Switch to the News site (blog 4) to query event posts.
+					$news_site_id = 4;
+					switch_to_blog( $news_site_id );
+
+					// Query upcoming posts that have an event_date, sorted soonest-first.
+					$today = date( 'Ymd' );
+
+					$events_args = array(
+						'posts_per_page'      => 20,
+						'post_type'           => 'post',
+						'post_status'         => 'publish',
+						'orderby'             => 'meta_value',
+						'meta_key'            => 'event_date',
+						'order'               => 'ASC',
+						'ignore_sticky_posts' => 1, // Prevents sticky posts from being pushed to the top of the order
+						'meta_query'          => array( // Ensures that the event date is today or later
+							array(
+								'key'     => 'event_date', 
+								'value'   => $today, 
+								'compare' => '>=',
+							),
+						),
+					);
+
+					$events_query = new \WP_Query( $events_args );
+
+					// Loop through results, filter to is_event posts, and bucket into featured vs regular.
+					$featured_events = array();
+					$regular_events  = array();
+
+					if ( $events_query->have_posts() ) :
+						while ( $events_query->have_posts() ) :
+							$events_query->the_post();
+							$custom = get_post_custom(); // store custom fields for this post in an array
+
+							// Skip non-event posts (is_event checkbox unchecked).
+							if ( ! isset( $custom['is_event'][0] ) || $custom['is_event'][0] !== '1' ) {
+								continue;
+							}
 
-							// Query upcoming posts that have an event_date, sorted soonest-first.
-							$today = date( 'Ymd' );
+							// Skip events with no date or a past date.
+							$event_date_raw = isset( $custom['event_date'][0] ) ? $custom['event_date'][0] : '';
+							if ( ! $event_date_raw || $event_date_raw < $today ) {
+								continue;
+							}
 
-							$events_args = array(
-								'posts_per_page'      => 20,
-								'post_type'           => 'post',
-								'post_status'         => 'publish',
-								'orderby'             => 'meta_value',
-								'meta_key'            => 'event_date',
-								'order'               => 'ASC',
-								'ignore_sticky_posts' => 1, // Prevents sticky posts from being pushed to the top of the order
-								'meta_query'          => array( // Ensures that the event date is today or later
-									array(
-										'key'     => 'event_date', 
-										'value'   => $today, 
-										'compare' => '>=',
-									),
-								),
+							// Build event data array, preferring homepage overrides for title and URL.
+							$event_data = array(
+								'title'      => ! empty( $custom['homepage_post_title'][0] ) ? $custom['homepage_post_title'][0] : get_the_title(),
+								'url'        => ! empty( $custom['calendar_url'][0] ) ? $custom['calendar_url'][0] : get_the_permalink(),
+								'event_date' => $event_date_raw,
+								'start_time' => isset( $custom['event_start_time'][0] ) ? $custom['event_start_time'][0] : '',
+								'end_time'   => isset( $custom['event_end_time'][0] ) ? $custom['event_end_time'][0] : '',										
+								'location'   => isset( $custom['event_location'][0] ) ? $custom['event_location'][0] : '',								
+								'excerpt'    => get_the_excerpt(),
 							);
 
-							$events_query = new \WP_Query( $events_args );
-
-							// Loop through results, filter to is_event posts, and bucket into featured vs regular.
-							$featured_events = array();
-							$regular_events  = array();
-
-							if ( $events_query->have_posts() ) :
-								while ( $events_query->have_posts() ) :
-									$events_query->the_post();
-									$custom = get_post_custom(); // store custom fields for this post in an array
-
-									// Skip non-event posts (is_event checkbox unchecked).
-									if ( ! isset( $custom['is_event'][0] ) || $custom['is_event'][0] !== '1' ) {
-										continue;
-									}
-
-									// Skip events with no date or a past date.
-									$event_date_raw = isset( $custom['event_date'][0] ) ? $custom['event_date'][0] : '';
-									if ( ! $event_date_raw || $event_date_raw < $today ) {
-										continue;
-									}
-
-									// Build event data array, preferring homepage overrides for title and URL.
-									$event_data = array(
-										'title'      => ! empty( $custom['homepage_post_title'][0] ) ? $custom['homepage_post_title'][0] : get_the_title(),
-										'url'        => ! empty( $custom['calendar_url'][0] ) ? $custom['calendar_url'][0] : get_the_permalink(),
-										'event_date' => $event_date_raw,
-										'start_time' => isset( $custom['event_start_time'][0] ) ? $custom['event_start_time'][0] : '',
-										'end_time'   => isset( $custom['event_end_time'][0] ) ? $custom['event_end_time'][0] : '',										
-										'location'   => isset( $custom['event_location'][0] ) ? $custom['event_location'][0] : '',								
-										'excerpt'    => get_the_excerpt(),
-									);
-
-									// Bucket into pinned (pin_event_on_homepage) vs regular.
-									if ( ! empty( $custom['pin_event_on_homepage'][0] ) && $custom['pin_event_on_homepage'][0] === '1' ) {
-										$featured_events[] = $event_data;
-									} else {
-										$regular_events[] = $event_data;
-									}
-								endwhile;
-								wp_reset_postdata();
-							endif;
-
-							// Pick 2 events to display: prefer featured, backfill with regular, keep date order.
-							if ( count( $featured_events ) >= 2 ) {
-								$display_events = array_slice( $featured_events, 0, 2 );
-							} elseif ( count( $featured_events ) === 1 ) {
-								$display_events = array_merge( $featured_events, array_slice( $regular_events, 0, 1 ) );
-								usort( $display_events, function( $a, $b ) {
-									return strcmp( $a['event_date'], $b['event_date'] );
-								} );
+							// Bucket into pinned (pin_event_on_homepage) vs regular.
+							if ( ! empty( $custom['pin_event_on_homepage'][0] ) && $custom['pin_event_on_homepage'][0] === '1' ) {
+								$featured_events[] = $event_data;
 							} else {
-								$display_events = array_slice( $regular_events, 0, 2 );
+								$regular_events[] = $event_data;
 							}
-
-							// Check if there are events to display. If there are, display them. If not, show the empty state.
-							if (count($display_events) > 0) {
-
-								// Render each event card with date, title, excerpt, time, and location.
-								foreach ( $display_events as $event ) :
-									$event_dt = \DateTime::createFromFormat( 'Ymd', $event['event_date'] );
-									$event_month = $event_dt ? $event_dt->format( 'M' ) : '';
-									$event_day   = $event_dt ? $event_dt->format( 'j' ) : '';
-
-									$time_display = '';
-									if ( $event['start_time'] ) {
-										$time_display = $event['start_time'];
-										if ( $event['end_time'] ) {
-											$time_display .= ' &#150; ' . $event['end_time'];
-										}
-									}
-									?>
-									
-									<div class="event">
-										<div class="event-date">
-											<span class="event-month"><?php echo esc_html( $event_month ); ?></span>
-											<span class="event-day"><?php echo esc_html( $event_day ); ?></span>
-											<span class="event-weekday"><?php echo esc_html( $event_dt ? $event_dt->format( 'D' ) : '' ); ?></span>
-										</div>
-										<div class="event-details">
-											<h3><a href="<?php echo esc_url( $event['url'] ); ?>"><?php echo esc_html( mb_strimwidth( $event['title'], 0, 75, '…' ) ); ?></a></h3>
-											<p><?php echo esc_html( $event['excerpt'] ); ?></p>
-											<?php if ( $time_display || $event['location'] ) : ?>
-											<div class="event-metadata">
-												<?php if ( $time_display ) : ?>
-												<span class="event-time"><i class="fa-light fa-clock" role="img" aria-label="Event time"></i><?php echo wp_kses( $time_display, array() ); ?></span>
-												<?php endif; ?>
-												<?php if ( $event['location'] ) : ?>
-												<span class="event-location"><i class="fa-light fa-map-pin" role="img" aria-label="Event location"></i><?php echo esc_html( $event['location'] ); ?></span>
-												<?php endif; ?>
-											</div>
-											<?php endif; ?>
-										</div>
+						endwhile;
+						wp_reset_postdata();
+					endif;
+
+					// Pick 2 events to display: prefer featured, backfill with regular, keep date order.
+					if ( count( $featured_events ) >= 2 ) {
+						$display_events = array_slice( $featured_events, 0, 2 );
+					} elseif ( count( $featured_events ) === 1 ) {
+						$display_events = array_merge( $featured_events, array_slice( $regular_events, 0, 1 ) );
+						usort( $display_events, function( $a, $b ) {
+							return strcmp( $a['event_date'], $b['event_date'] );
+						} );
+					} else {
+						$display_events = array_slice( $regular_events, 0, 2 );
+					}
+
+					// Check if there are events to display. If there are, display them. If not, show the empty state.
+					if (count($display_events) > 0) {
+
+						// Render each event card with date, title, excerpt, time, and location.
+						foreach ( $display_events as $event ) :
+							$event_dt = \DateTime::createFromFormat( 'Ymd', $event['event_date'] );
+							$event_month = $event_dt ? $event_dt->format( 'M' ) : '';
+							$event_day   = $event_dt ? $event_dt->format( 'j' ) : '';
+
+							$time_display = '';
+							if ( $event['start_time'] ) {
+								$time_display = $event['start_time'];
+								if ( $event['end_time'] ) {
+									$time_display .= ' &#150; ' . $event['end_time'];
+								}
+							}
+							?>
+							
+							<div class="event">
+								<div class="event-date">
+									<span class="event-month"><?php echo esc_html( $event_month ); ?></span>
+									<span class="event-day"><?php echo esc_html( $event_day ); ?></span>
+									<span class="event-weekday"><?php echo esc_html( $event_dt ? $event_dt->format( 'D' ) : '' ); ?></span>
+								</div>
+								<div class="event-details">
+									<h3><a href="<?php echo esc_url( $event['url'] ); ?>"><?php echo esc_html( mb_strimwidth( $event['title'], 0, 75, '…' ) ); ?></a></h3>
+									<p><?php echo esc_html( $event['excerpt'] ); ?></p>
+									<?php if ( $time_display || $event['location'] ) : ?>
+									<div class="event-metadata">
+										<?php if ( $time_display ) : ?>
+										<span class="event-time"><i class="fa-light fa-clock" role="img" aria-label="Event time"></i><?php echo wp_kses( $time_display, array() ); ?></span>
+										<?php endif; ?>
+										<?php if ( $event['location'] ) : ?>
+										<span class="event-location"><i class="fa-light fa-map-pin" role="img" aria-label="Event location"></i><?php echo esc_html( $event['location'] ); ?></span>
+										<?php endif; ?>
 									</div>
+									<?php endif; ?>
+								</div>
+							</div>
 
-									<?php
-								endforeach;
-
-							} else { 
-								
-								// Render the empty state template
-								?>	
+							<?php
+						endforeach;
 
-								<div class="no-events">
-									<h3>Nothing scheduled at the moment</h3>
-									<p>Check back later or <a href="/news/subscribe">sign up for our newsletter</a> to stay on top of new events</p>
-								</div>
+					} else { 
+						
+						// Render the empty state template
+						?>	
 
-							<?php }
+						<div class="no-events">
+							<h3>Nothing scheduled at the moment</h3>
+							<p>Check back later or <a href="/news/subscribe">sign up for our newsletter</a> to stay on top of new events</p>
+						</div>
 
-							restore_current_blog(); // returns from the News site to current for future queries
-						?>
-					</div>			
-				</div>
-			</section>
-			<section id="featured-collection">
-				<div class="content-wrapper">
-					<div class="featured-collection-image" role="img" aria-label="Architectural elevation of a house with two gables and two chimneys by Howe, Manning and Almy Architects, dated 1927." style="background-image: url('https://libraries.mit.edu/app/uploads/2026/07/Howe-Manning-Almy-1.jpg');">
-						<span class="featured-collection-tag">Exhibit</span>
-					</div>
-					<div class="featured-collection-content">
-						<h2 class="sr">Featured Exhibit</h2>
-						<p class="eyebrow">Howe, Manning & Almy</p>
-						<h3>Boston's First All-Woman Firm and the Changing Face of Architecture</h3>
-						<p>Learn about the role MIT's architecture program played in supporting women in the field since the 1890s, Howe, Manning & Almy's influence on the built environment of Cambridge, and the firm's ecofriendly approaches to renovation.</p>
-						<a class="button secondary" title="Read more about the Howe, Manning & Almy exhibit" href="https://libraries.mit.edu/exhibits/exhibit/howe-manning-almy/">Check it out</a>
-					</div>
-				</div>
-			</section>
+					<?php }
+
+					restore_current_blog(); // returns from the News site to current for future queries
+				?>
+			</div>			
+		</div>
+	</section>
+	<section id="featured-collection">
+		<div class="content-wrapper">
+			<div class="featured-collection-image" role="img" aria-label="Architectural elevation of a house with two gables and two chimneys by Howe, Manning and Almy Architects, dated 1927." style="background-image: url('https://libraries.mit.edu/app/uploads/2026/07/Howe-Manning-Almy-1.jpg');">
+				<span class="featured-collection-tag">Exhibit</span>
+			</div>
+			<div class="featured-collection-content">
+				<h2 class="sr">Featured Exhibit</h2>
+				<p class="eyebrow">Howe, Manning & Almy</p>
+				<h3>Boston's First All-Woman Firm and the Changing Face of Architecture</h3>
+				<p>Learn about the role MIT's architecture program played in supporting women in the field since the 1890s, Howe, Manning & Almy's influence on the built environment of Cambridge, and the firm's ecofriendly approaches to renovation.</p>
+				<a class="button secondary" title="Read more about the Howe, Manning & Almy exhibit" href="https://libraries.mit.edu/exhibits/exhibit/howe-manning-almy/">Check it out</a>
+			</div>
+		</div>
+	</section>
 
 		<?php }