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APRIL 7, 2016

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VOLUME 90 • ISSUE 18

Mayor Ronny Walker speaks at SGA meeting

Tech student at Brussels airport during bombing

STARLA GATSON Staff Reporter | sjg021@latech.edu

REBEKAH BARNES Staff Reporter | reb033@latech.edu.

Anthony Tchakounte was on his way back from recruiting future Louisiana Tech students at the U.S. College Fair in Cameroon on March 22, when the bombs went off at the Brussels airport.

“I had time between 6 and 10 to kind of relax,” said Tchakounte, a junior finance major. “My boarding gate was B5. I was in the building where the bombing occurred.”

That day, two bombs were detonated in the Brussels Airport, leading to at least 30 fatalities and hundreds of injuries, according to The New York Times.

Tchakounte said during the frenzied running, due to the pushing and shoving, he fell and injured his foot.

“Surprisingly, I hear some noise and the building is shaking, especially the floor, and I’m like, ‘What’s going on?’” he said. “And at the same time I see people passing in front of me going to B40.”

Tchakounte said airport employees were telling passengers to head toward gate B40 in order to leave the airport and wait on the tarmac.

“At 8:30 I hear the second explosion,” he said. “That’s when I realized we were being subjected to a terrorist attack. I just had 10 seconds to unplug my iPhone, try to get my carry-on and start running because everyone was running.”

All passengers were asked to leave their luggage inside because authorities were trying to locate a third suspect.

He said 6,000 people were left exposed on the cold tarmac for almost two hours with no protection.

“How can you secure 6,000 people outside?” he said.

“We were getting more frightened. People started leaving the airport trying to save themselves.”

They were moved from the tarmac to the freight area, then to an airplane hangar where they waited for four hours.

“The funny thing was, in the garage there were about three computers for Brussels’ airline employees that the passengers took hold of to connect on Facebook and try to

Photo by Rebekah Barnes

Anthony Tchakounte was returning from a trip to Cameroon when the Brussels airport was bombed. talk to their families,” Tchakounte said. “People were lining up to try to have five to 10 minutes to tell their families they were OK.” They were relocated to a military camp where Tchakounte spent one night before catching a plane from Frankfurt to the states.

“It’s a situation where you’re close to death,” he said.

“The first stress you have is trying to stay alive. The second stress you have is trying to get in touch with your family members to tell them, ‘Don’t worry, I’m fine.’ I had my mother crying all day.”

Above all, Tchakounte said he feels it is a privilege to be alive.

“I know such things can affect you throughout a certain period of time,” he said. “Since I’ve been back, I’ve not been able to focus on my duties, my coursework or my professional tasks because I still keep the souvenir of what happened. The images come back and haunt me and I feel like I’m somebody who was supposed to be dead.”

As Louisiana Tech prepares to modernize its campus and step into the future, the city of Ruston reveals plans to move with it. That was the message Mayor Ronny Walker delivered to a meeting of Tech’s Student Government Association on his plans for Ruston’s growth.

Walker told students about his proposed initiative Moving Ruston Forward. The initiative is a series of new projects to be done throughout Ruston to improve and modernize the community.

“Ruston has to be a college town, not just a town with a college in “Ruston has to it,” Walker said. “Our be a college city has a very tight connection with the univer- town. Not just a town with a sity.”

Moving Ruston For- college in it.” ward contains ideas such as a state-of-the- RONNY WALKER art community sports Mayor of Ruston complex and a new animal shelter.

One of the proposed additions to Ruston is Bulldog Village, a shopping center full of retail stores, restaurants and bars geared specifically for students. Walker said he also plans to turn the old railroad tracks into bike trails that will run north to south through Ruston.

“We’re also thinking about offering shuttles from downtown to Tech games next season,” Walker said.

In addition to developing new roads, bike trails and college-centered businesses, Walker said the city is also in the process of recruiting companies to move to Ruston to supply more jobs in the area.

> see WALKER page 10

History department hosts religion discussion STARLA GATSON Staff Reporter | sjg021@latech.edu

On March 30 in an open discussion, Louisiana Tech students, faculty and staff were asked the question: What do you believe and why?

The discussion, titled “How is Religious Belief and Nonbelief Changing in the United States?,” asked the audience to share their opinions on the decline of religious affiliation in America today.

“The topic of the discussion was based on a podcast about the rise of the non-affiliates called ‘‘Nones’ and Religious Identity Today’,” said David Anderson,

an associate professor of history.

The discussion was led by Anderson and Charity Carney, a project manager of curriculum design at Western Governors University and a historian of gender, religion and the American South.

The event began with a presentation of statistics from Carney and Anderson, presenting students with information about the decline of religion in the United States, specifically among millennials.

According to the statistics presented, “nones” comprise the second largest faith group in the United States and one in three millennials claim no religion.

The studies showed that the number of non-affiliates

went from 35 million to 55 million from 2007-2014.

“It’s not unusual to see secularization, but it’s unusual to see so much of it that isn’t being countered by evangelical groups,” Carney said.

Carney, who holds a doctorate in history from the University of Alabama, said the purpose of the event was not necessarily to get students to change their mindsets or beliefs but to encourage them to think more about the world around them.

> see HISTORY page 10

NEWS

2 • The Tech Talk • April 7, 2016

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‘Guys in Ties’ raises money for Alzheimer’s research PAYTON POTTER Staff Reporter | jpp017@ latech.edu

“They did an amazing job getting sponsors, participants, ticket sales, decorations and all kinds of As the doors to Howard Audi- other things.”

Finn Langley said he enjoyed torium opened, a crowd of women entered, ready to buy a date being a “Guy in a Tie,” and he had with the eligible bachelor of their fun showing off in front of the women in attendance. choosing.

“It wasn’t nearly as Anna Blake, a Sigma bad as I was initially Kappa member, said “It mainly expecting,” he said.

April 4’s “Guys in Ties” took the ...

“It mainly took the was a philanthropy dedication and willingevent sponsored by two willingness ness to get up on stage Greek organizations on to get up on in front of the girls in campus.

“Sigma Kappa part- stage in front the crowd, but I would nered with Beta Upsi- of the girls in most definitely do that again.” lon Chi fraternity for the crowd, Chris Turner said this event because they he thought the event are newer to campus but I would was fun for everyone. and have never put on most defi“Overall the event large events like this was a success,” he said before,” said Blake, a nitely do that “We had a wondersophomore kinesiology again” ful set of guys and a major. “We have a little very supportive crowd. bit more experience. FINN LANGLEY In the end it seemed Beta Upsilon Chi are in Guys in Ties that everyone who atthe process of getting participant tended, performed their own philanthropy and worked the actual so we decided that all the money raised would go to event had a blast!”

Turner, who helped coordinate Sigma Kappa’s main philanthrothe event, said a lot of planning py, Alzheimer’s research.”

Blake said planning an event went into making the night suclike Guys in Ties is difficult, but cessful.

“We met every week to hamthe people in charge worked hard mer out details and left with to make the night a success.

“Rachel Maxwell from Sigma homework after that,” he said.

Kappa and Chris Turner from “There were some things Sigma Beta Upsilon Chi were the main Kappa had to do because they two people in charge,” she said. had better relations with people

Photo by Brian Blakely

Emcee Seth Maggio names Callie Turner as the winning bidder for participant Brennan Edwards. and organizations but the same could be said about us at Beta Upsilon Chi, such as Sigma Kappa recruiting guys from other fraternities to be auctioned and Beta Upsilon Chi visiting other sororities to recruit audience members.

Even then, Beta Upsilon Chi and

Sigma Kappa worked as a welloiled machine through this whole process.”

Turner said he hopes “Guys in Ties” becomes an annual fundraiser.

“We certainly hope to make this an annual event that every-

one looks forward to,” he said. “I think that in the future you could expect to see Guys in Ties with even more guys and better date packages. We’ve also tossed around the idea of expanding it to benefit more than one philanthropy.”

Alpha Chi Omega hosts ‘Walk a Mile’ event AMBER HARRINGTON Staff Reporter | anh038@ latech.edu Men and women alike took part in Alpha Chi Omega’s “Walk A Mile In Their Shoes” march Saturday at R.L. Cook Park, to raise awareness of domestic violence and support Ruston’s local Domestic Abuse Resistance Team.

The fundraiser was an offshoot of “Walk A Mile in Her Shoes,” which according to the fundraiser’s official website, Walkamileinhershoes.com, is an international men’s march to stop rape, sexual assault and gender violence against women.

During the march, men walk a mile in a pair of women’s high heel shoes.

In Saturday’s campaign, however, men sported women’s shoes while women wore men’s.

“I have more respect for women “We’re help- after walking that mile,” said Jacob ing nationPorche, a sophomore civil engineerstudent at Tech and one of the ally, yes, but ing first to cross the finish line. “It was we’re also kind of a race between my friend bettering our and I; it was a lot of fun.”

Porche’s black pumps may have community. been the first to cross the finish line, That’s impor- but they certainly were not the last.

Hailey Cutts, Alpha Chi Omega’s tant to us.” president, said this year’s event had the biggest turnout yet, with roughly HAILEY CUTTS over 330 participants.

Alphi Chi Omega Cutts also said this event goes president hand-in-hand with the sorority’s national philanthropy of domestic violence awareness.

Participants paid a $20 which included a meal catered

by Brister’s BBQ, a T-shirt and shoes to wear during the walk.

The proceeds went to DART, a non-profit organization with which the sorority has been involved for several years.

“The fundraiser helps out the Ruston community,”

Photo by Ashley Kober

James Roberts, a senior history and economics major, won the “Walk a Mile in Their Shoes” event.

Cutts said. “We’re helping nationally, yes, but we’re also bettering our community. That’s important to us.”

“Domestic violence is something a lot of people don’t want to talk about,” said Mykel Hayes, a freshman psychology major and Alphi Chi Omega sister. “People like to sweep it under the rug. This raises awareness while also

making it fun.”

Hayes said “Walk A Mile” is not the only colorful fundraiser Alpha Chi Omega hosts, others include “Throw Pies Not Punches”, “Light the Lady”, and a candlelight vigil.

“It’s awesome that groups on campus are getting involved in things like this,” Porche said.

UPCOMING EVENTS FRIDAY

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

• No calendar events

•The Lady Techsters tennis team plays Jackson State at 1 p.m. at Tech •The Lady Techsters softball team plays The University of Alabama at Birmingham at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. at Tech

•The Lady Techsters softball team plays The University of Alabama at Birmingham at 1 p.m. at Tech

• The Louisiana Tech Engineering and Science Day will be held from 8 a.m. - 12 p.m. in the Howard Center for Performing Arts.

• An I-20 Regional Accelerator meeting will be held from 5:30-7:30 p.m. in University Hall.

• The Lady Techsters softball team plays Northwestern State at 6 p.m. at Tech

• The Lady Techsters softball team plays Mississippi State at 5:30 p.m. at Tech

•The Lady Techsters tennis team plays Central Arkansas at 3 p.m.

•The Bulldogs baseball team plays Florida International University at 6 p.m.

NEWS

www.thetechtalk.org

April 7, 2016 • The Tech Talk • 3

TLC holds Arbor and Terrace auction JENNA PRICE Staff reporter | jmp073@ latech.edu

“The residents stay active during the events instead of sitting and drinkFake Monopoly money ing coffee in lobby,” Drake was spread across a table said. “They remain alert in front of the residents of and moving.”

Jacqueine Bourk came Arbor and Terrace Assisted Living Facility. The earn- to the facility to spend an ings won from bingo were afternoon with her mother used to bid on items provid- and assist her in bidding ed by the Tech Leadership for items. She stopped each member to inspect the prizCouncil.

“You all spend this es herself and give the gomoney and turn it loose,” ahead to her mother across said Pam Matthews, Arbor the room.

Bourk said and Terrace life residents not only enrichment coorenjoy their windinator. “It’s not “The nings from the earning interest.” residents at social events but TLC members also the company paraded lotions, Arbor and and help orgahouse slippers, Terrace nizations offer book and scarves brought me in front of the so much joy.” when hosting.

“For bingo, my residents to almother calls me low peeks at the EMILY and tells me what prizes. she has won,” M a t t h e w s MULHOLLAND family and child Bourk said. “She played auction- studies looks forward to eer while the rethe college stumaining members dents coming for knelt beside residents to assist them in bidding for the the events. The students are helpful.” auctioned items.

This service project is TLC hosted a casinothemed auction Monday for the first project of three put the residents of Arbor and on by TLC during the spring Terrace as one of their ser- quarter. Andr`ea Metoyer, a freshman secondary educavice projects.

Yvonne Drake, a person- tion history major, helped al care attendant, sat in the organize the event.

Metoyer said TLC corner watching the residents haggle among each split the members into six other and squabble with groups and pitched different ideas to brainstorm Matthews.

Drake said events like possible projects.

“We wanted to auction this allow the residents to enjoy a more upbeat social off things the residents wanted, not necessarily atmosphere.

Avery Bryan

Freshman animal science major Hannah Rhodes passes out fake money to senior citizens as part of the TLC service project at Arbor and Terrace Assisted Living Facility. what they needed,” Metoyer said. “The residents don’t get what they want a whole lot.”

Emily Mulholland, a

Tech revives Up ‘til Dawn, program to benefit St. Jude STARLA GATSON Staff reporter | sjg021@ latech.edu Louisiana Tech has joined St. Jude Children’s Hospital’s Up ‘til Dawn campaign and welcomed a new on-campus organization devoted to the cause.

Sophomore Avery Maness, the club’s executive director, decided to re-establish the Up ‘til Dawn program on Tech’s campus. She formed a club that will spend the year fundraising in preparation for the Up ‘til Dawn event, a night in which participants stay up all night the same way St. Jude patients and doctors often do.

“The club was on campus before, but there was a completely different structure, and it kind of faded off,” Maness said. “I ran across this program, and I noticed that “Because as a campus we that’s how don’t really have a St. Jude is; cause. So I thought it would be some- everyone can thing that could be a part.” unify Tech.”

Tech’s Up ‘til AVERY MANESS Dawn event will be executive director in February 2017, and the club will spend the coming months promoting the campaign. They hope to have a fundraiser before the end of the spring quarter.

“We’re planning on having our first fundraiser in April, and next year everything will be in full swing,” Maness said.

“Before the event in February, we’ll have a few side events to raise money and to

let people know what’s going on.”

Bailey Laborde, one of the organization’s recruiters, said he wants the club to bring a sense of unity to Louisiana Tech by bringing a wide variety of students together for a common cause.

“It’s a brand new organization for all kinds of people,” Laborde said. “Sometimes what happens during philanthropy events is people compete with each other, but it’ll be good to see everybody come together for one big cause and see all the cool things we can do.”

Maness hopes Up ‘til Dawn will be an event that students look forward to and are excited to be a part of.

“It’s going to be a lot of fun, and it’s a really good way to find out what St. Jude offers,” Laborde said.

Mason McElduff, club member, said he views the event as a chance to give back to the place that has personally impacted his family.

“This past September, my little brother Dylan was diagnosed with a cancerous brain tumor called Germinoma,” McElduff said. “He underwent two brain surgeries at Le Bonheur and then four rounds of chemo and five weeks of radiation at St. Jude.”

McElduff said he looks forward to offering support for the hospital that has given so much to his family and hopes to see others in the community become passionate about the cause.

Maness said she hopes students will appreciate the opportunity to give back to the hospital.

“There could be people who don’t know about St. Jude, and there are people whose lives have been directly affected by it,” Maness said. “But this can be a way for everyone to feel as if they’re a part of it all. Because that’s how St. Jude is; everyone can be a part.”

freshman family and child studies major, was a part of Metoyer’s group and lobbied for the project to be done at Arbor and Terrace.

Mulholland said she visited the facility earlier in the year and wanted to do something extraordinarily special with the residents.

“The residents at Arbor and Terrace brought me so much joy, and I wanted to do that for them, too,” Mulholland said.

Dudley returns to Tech for ‘Women in Engineering’ talk KEIERA BELL Staff reporter | klb072@ latech.edu Louisiana Tech’s National Society of Black Engineers want future engineers to know more about career opportunities, necessary business connections and flexibility within the industry.

Therefore, NSBE held their first ‘Insight to Engineering: Women in Engineering’ talk March 29 in Nethken Hall auditorium where Tech alumna Zazell Dudley spoke of her past and current experiences as an engineer and entrepreneur.

Dudley, who graduated in 1985, was the first African American female to graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree in petroleum engineering. She said she was happy to return and speak about her career and the places it took her after graduating from Tech.

“Tech holds a special place in my heart,” Dudley said. “So I will do anything for Tech and President Les Guice to help out and further the Bulldog family.”

She said she was asked to come and talk about women in engineering and different careers in STEM. Dudley said seeing the curiosity on everyone’s faces, especially the freshman,

was nice because she could tell they wanted to know what will happen after they graduate. She said she was amazed at the diverse group of students who attended.

“I want to compliment the demeanor of the meeting because it was a very good mix,” Dudley said.

“I appreciate that because having such a mixture doesn’t happen easily and I thank NSBE for making it take place.”

Warren Clardy, NSBE’s program chair, said he was trying to get the talks started for the past two years, but kept running into obstacles. He said one of NSBE’s initiatives was to increase the retention rates of black female engineers, and the only solution was to give them a role model in the industry they could relate to.

“In the engineering program there is a lack of diversity within the faculty so it makes it hard for incoming freshmen to find mentorship with their professors,” said Clardy, a senior chemical engineering major.

He said his reason for scheduling Dudley to speak at the first Women in Engineering talk was because he heard her speak before and knew she would be a

good speaker. Clardy said he enjoyed Dudley’s laidback style of speaking because she engaged with the audience.

“I think she touched on some major points and hopefully everyone in the audience got something from her speech,” Clardy said.

Maya Johnson, a junior fashion merchandising and retail studies major, said hearing Dudley speak provided her with a sense of empowerment and encouragement.

“Although I’m not an engineering major, I feel that flexibility is an essential factor to being successful in any industry,” Johnson said.

“One must not be closed minded when it comes down to making decisions geared toward a career.”

She said she felt as though NSBE was doing a wonderful job assisting students to become engineers.

Johnson said all majors can appreciate advice and guidance from a woman with as much experience as Dudley.

“Out of everything I have said tonight, I would want them to learn from the wisdom and trail of the people that have gone before them and use it as a blueprint for themselves,” Dudley said.

www.thetechtalk.org

4 • The Tech Talk • April 7, 2016

The

TechTalk

FROM THE EDITOR

MANAGEMENT

Don’t ignore the signs

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Rachel Maxwell

MANAGING EDITOR

RACHEL MAXWELL Editor-In-Chief | ram049@latech.edu

Caleb Daniel

NEWS EDITOR

Blake Branch

FEATURES EDITOR John Sadler

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR Ellie Moslander

MULTIMEDIA EDITOR Payton Potter

SPORTS EDITOR

Matthew Valcho

PHOTO EDITOR

Brian Blakely

PHOTOGRAPHERS

Colin Fontenot Devin Dronett Ashley Kober Jonathan Shaul Avery Bryan

ADVISERS

T. Scott Boatright Dr. Reginald Owens Dr. Judith Roberts

ADVERTISING ADVISER Michael LeBlanc

PRODUCTION MANAGER Michael LeBlanc

ADVERTISING PRODUCTION

W

omen in college are among the most likely to become victims of domestic violence. We have all been given the statistics and heard the stories from survivors, but it can be hard to imagine that you would ever be the on the other end of the story or that anything like that would ever happen to you or someone you know.

How do you know when to step in when friends tell you of potentially dangerous dynamics between themselves and their partners?

The answer is a lot harder to find when you are looking at your own life rather than a hypothetical situation.

You make excuses and say

that it isn’t your place to get involved, or that he wouldn’t ever actually do anything to physically harm her, he just really loves her -- the list goes on.

The truth is, if you are aware of the situation, it is not only your place, but arguably your responsibility to intervene in some way.

How do you know when the line between caring and controlling is being crossed?

Honestly, if you are asking yourself whether or not the behavior in question is worth alarm, it probably is.

If the partner in question is excessively jealous, accusatory or insistent, you should be wary as these can be major red flags of domestic abuse.

I think a good rule of thumb is that if your partner is doing anything to make you question

whether or not you are in a potentially dangerous relationship, the relationship is not worth being in.

Again, its a lot easier to say such things from the outside looking in. However, I’m sure it is easier to get help or end the situation if you have a support network encouraging you to do so.

So if you’re a friend who sees warning signs, don’t be afraid to voice those concerns. You may be just the push your friend needs to see her relationship for what it is.

And if you are that person who needs help, or wonders if a relationship is healthy, don’t ignore the signs.

Rachel Maxwell is a sophomore journalism major from Benton who serves as editor-in-chief for The Tech Talk.

Michael LeBlanc

JOHN THE ROCKS

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Giving jazz a chance

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JOHN SADLER Features Editor | jts040@latech.edu

I

have, in my life, never been able to get into jazz.

I know the classics. I know the giants. I could tell you who was the bandleader on albums like “Monk’s Dream” and “Blue Train,” but get any further into the esotericism of the genre and I was more lost than Prince at a Hank Williams Jr. concert.

I’d briefly flirted with an interest in jazz in the past because, as a white, college male in a liberal arts field, I felt contractually obligated to do so. Listening to Coltrane, Davis and Monk, I felt dumb that I didn’t get it.

I understood the talent, and I appreciated it, but there was no “oomph” moment, no grand teary-eyed discovery of a new art form that left me in raptures.

New Orleans jazz, like Rebirth Brass Band and The Soul

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Rebels, had always been part of my friend group’s soundtracks for our trips to New Orleans, but other than that, jazz stayed out of my playlist.

A few months ago, on a lark, I listened to “Mingus Mingus Mingus Mingus Mingus,” a 1963 album by bassist and bandleader Charles Mingus. I had put it on just for background noise, thinking the lack of lyrics meant it wouldn’t be a distraction.

About an hour later, I had experienced my “oomph” moment.

The horns coming in over the bass line killed me. The improvisations blew me away. I went back and listened to the old albums I had tried to listen to before and found a new appreciation of them. The spontaneous, improvisational feel gave me goosebumps.

Looking into it, I’ve created a list of albums deemed essential by music publications. The

existence of a huge backlog of music to work through is both exciting and exhausting, but I’m ready to delve into it.

I am no jazz expert. The more avant-garde compositions still leave me feeling befuddled, and I don’t love “Bitches’ Brew” yet, which is apparently jazz sacrilege.

My internal rhythm is nonexistent, and the more technical explanations of the songs mean exactly nothing to me.

But technical explanations aren’t required for the songs to move you, for you to feel something in the spontaneous horn jam sessions. Look into the genre. Find an album you like, and go from there.

It’s beautiful.

John Sadler is a senior journalism and English major from Extension who serves as features editor for The Tech Talk.

READ BETWEEN THE SIDELINES

Thank you, college basketball MATT VALCHO Sports Editor | mvv002@latech.edu

M

onday night’s national title game between the Villanova Wildcats and North Carolina Tar Heels was the absolute perfect end to an unbelievable year of college basketball.

Down by three points with seconds to go, North Carolina star Marcus Paige hit a crazy 3-pointer to tie the game.

Tied up with 4.7 seconds left on the clock, Villanova’s Kris Jenkins inbounded the ball to his guard Ryan Arcidiacono. Arcidiacono ran down the floor and passed the ball off to a trailing Jenkins who put up the three.

While the ball was in the air, Villanova coach Jay Wright was seen mouthing one word: “Bang.”

Jenkins nailed the shot. The floor was immediately flooded with players and coaches of the Wildcats while the heartbroken Tar Heels lined up to shake hands and leave the floor as soon as possible.

As all this was going on, and as soon as I was done celebrating (the Tar Heels losing meant I won my bracket pool), I shook my head in disbelief.

Jenkin’s buzzer beater was the last of many this season, one of which came from our very own Derric Jean and the Dunkin’ ‘Dogs, a season in which literally anything could and did happen.

Connecticut sent Cincinnati to four overtimes with a buzzer beat from the opposite freethrow line during the conference tournament. Little Rock sent Purdue to two overtimes and Texas went down against North-

ern Iowa, both by buzzer beaters in the Big Dance. Texas A&M beat Northern Iowa in the next round by making an improbable comeback by scoring 14 points in the final 33 seconds.

The first weekend is a sports lover’s dream with games tipping off almost every 30 minutes. The amount of heart, blood, sweat and tears that the players put into this event is insane.

I could go on and on, but all this is to say that March Madness is the greatest sporting event in the country and possibly the world. That says a lot coming from a guy obsessed with soccer.

Just eleven months until the big dance starts next year, but who’s counting?

Matt Valcho is a junior journalism major from Benton who serves as sports editor for The Tech Talk.

Should Sony let Kesha break her contract?

S

ince 2014, popular singer/songwriter Kesha has been embroiled in a controversial and extremely public legal battle with Sony Music and record producer Dr. Luke. Claiming Dr. Luke has sexually, verbally and emotionally abused her for over 10 years, Kesha has been seeking release from her contract with Sony, which runs for six more albums.

Sony has offered to let the pop star work with another producer, but Kesha continues to push for her complete freedom, citing the fact Sony set her up with Dr. Luke in the first place.

The legal process is still ongoing, but in the latest ruling Feb. 19 a New York judge denied Kesha’s request for a preliminary injunction that would have allowed her to get out of her contract with Dr. Luke’s Kemosabe Records, which is a part of Sony Music.

In the latest development, Kesha claimed on April 2 that she was offered her “freedom, IF I were to lie… and say that I never got raped.” She did not explicitly say who made such an offer, but many of her fans on social media took it to mean Sony.

The “#FreeKesha” movement has gained enormous traction since the February ruling, with several A-list celebrities publicly supporting the pop star’s plight.

This story is still far from being resolved, but the question remains: with the law on its side (at least for now), is Sony justified in not letting Kesha break contract?

Abuse can be extremely damaging to an individual’s well-being. Kesha claims she started her lawsuit because doctors said her level of physical and psychological trauma could eventually be fatal if she continued to be around Dr. Luke.

Given such a serious set of circumstances, many believe letting Kesha go would be the only decent thing for Sony to do. Even working with a different producer, she would still be singing for the company that Dr. Luke represents. Any involvement with her alleged abuser, whether direct or indirect, could have serious ramifications.

There is also the issue of the uncertainty of the allegations against Dr. Luke.

The case essentially rests solely on Kesha’s word. Shirley Kornreich, the judge who made the February ruling, said regarding the abuse claims, “What disturbs me is the lack of facts.”

This uncertainty can be viewed one of two ways. Many think Sony should release Kesha on the possibility that these allegations are true.

Others, however, believe that in light of the lack of evidence to support Kesha’s claims, Sony has already fulfilled its ethical responsibility by offering her a new producer.

Releasing Kesha in these circumstances could send a message to Sony’s other artists that it is possible to break contract without substantial evidence.

Some believe Sony has the right to protect itself against the possibility that Kesha is simply inventing these allegations to escape her extensive record agreement.

These and other factors will continue to influence the final outcome of this battle, and millions of fans worldwide will continue to follow the story every step of the way.

NEWS

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April 7, 2016 • The Tech Talk • 5

Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity hosts step show KEIERA BELL Staff Reporter | klb072@latech.edu

Photos by Devin Dronett

ABOVE: Brandon Willinghan, the chapter dean for Alpha Phi Alpha, stands with fellow fraternity members.

LEFT: A member of Alpha Phi Alpha performs at the step show held in Howard Auditorium.

Human rights activist holds lecture at Tech Aimee Murphy shares her story to raise awareness AMBER HARRINGTON Staff Reporter | anh038@latech.edu

developed a philosophy of nonviolence.”

Part of Murphy’s mission is to help students get more involved.

A single incident during her teen years “When it comes to being a culture of set Aimee Murphy’s life on a completely nonviolence, you can’t just talk the talk. You new path. have to walk the walk,” she said. “Do someWhen Murphy was just 16, her boyfriend thing. Get out there and get your hands threatened to kill her after she dirty. Change the world. You, told him she might be pregnant. students, are the future to this Since that day, her mission movement.” is to bring an end to violence Tech students can join the through education and dispro-life club Bulldogs for Life course. to get involved in the cause, She said she does so specifisaid the club’s president, cally by opposing violence in all Courtney Smith. its forms, including abortion, Smith said the group unjust war, euthanasia, torture, strives to promote the dignity embryonic stem-cell research, of human life by volunteering capital punishment and human at Life’s Choices here in Rustrafficking. ton and educating students Now a human rights activwith speakers such as Murist and founder of Life Matters “I was scared. phy.

Journal, Murphy spoke at Loui- I was terrified.

“In our generation, I see so siana Tech Thursday night on I was mortified. much respect for human life,” the topic “Human Rights for Smith said. “We have a bright And in that mo- future ahead of us if we can ALL Human Beings.”

The speech answered ques- ment when my raise awareness and get peotions surrounding points such ple involved.” as the definition of human rights own life was Marco Guirlando, a sophand who deserves them while threatened, omore evolutionary biology also challenging those who label that’s when I major and a human rights themselves pro-life. activist, said those who are “We hear talks about people developed a unsure of their position on claiming to be a human rights philosophy of human rights can still be inactivist but then excluding volved in the nonviolence death row inmates and preborn nonviolence.” movement without fully children,” Murphy said in her agreeing with all its stances. speech. “So really, do we love AIMEE MURPHY “People definitely have human rights or do we love the Life Matters Journal different opinions on human idea of it?” rights,” Guirlando said. “I Murphy, a graduate of Carncame to hear Aimee speak egie Mellon University, founded Life Mat- because I saw she was against some of the ters Journal in 2011. She has been nation- things I’m for. I mostly agree with her, but in ally speaking on human rights since 2012. my opinion there are extremes that people “I was scared,” she said. “I was terrified. need to re-evaluate. But in the end, I still I was mortified. And in that moment when think everything that can be done, should my own life was threatened, that’s when I be done, to ensure life.”

“Since it’s a big day for them and us, I just want everything to flow smoothly without any problems,” said Sumbler, a seLouisiana Tech might not have all the nior chemistry major.

Sumbler said as the president of a traditional African American Greek organizations, but those present are working to growing campus fraternity, he was put into a good position to combine ideas with his build their membership.

The Eta Kappa Chapter of Alpha Phi fraternity brothers to help uphold the imAlpha Fraternity Inc. held its probate,which age and presence on campus.

“It feels great being president because is a formal presentation of new members, I’m able to instill leadership skills and Thursday in Howard Auditorium.

Brandon Willingham, Eta Kappa’s chap- higher morals so that they can become ter dean, said it was his job to teach and better respectful, young black men,” Sumprovide prospective members with infor- bler said. “With that, our opportunities are limitless.” mation about their organization.

Jalen Clark, a junior He said in order for them to sociology major from pass the national test they had “I want them to Northwestern State Unito learn the history of Alpha Phi versity, said he attended Alpha and be able to recite what breathe, bleed they learned for the national and sweat energy. the event because he was curious about what exam.

I want the crowd Tech’s new Alphas were “It’s my job to teach and repgoing to do. resent to them the standards of to be able to He said the event a true Alpha man,” said Willing- feel their energy seemed like it was going ham, a senior health informatics to be exciting because of and information management coming from the stage.” the growing crowd. major.

“I’ve visited Tech’s He said it took them hours of campus a few times bepractice in order to be ready for BRANDON fore and I really liked my the show.

WILLINGHAM time being here,” Clark Willingham said the neo- Eta Kappa chapter dean said. “Everyone seems phytes, who are new members like they know how to to a cultural Greek organization, were taught how to step, and how to feel have a good time.”

He said the neophytes did a good job rhythms and beats.

He said since it was the neophytes’ first of displaying their unity and hard work time being revealed, he wanted it to be the through their step show performance.

Clark said it was nice to see the end rebest show they could possibly perform in sult of a membership process because the front of a big audience.

“I want them to breathe, bleed and performance is always the best part.

“I’ve seen this membership process sweat energy,” Willingham said. “I want the crowd to be able to feel their energy com- done for two years and it’s comforting to finally have my opportunity to bring in new ing from the stage.”

Marcus Sumbler, Eta Kappa’s president, members,” Willingham said. “It’s a real said he was in charge of delegating tasks honor to get the chance because not everyone is chosen to be the dean of pledges.” and making sure they were done on time.

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NEWS

April 7, 2016 • The Tech Talk • 6

Alpha Chi Omega hosts Mini Market JENNA PRICE Staff reporter | jmp073@latech.edu

Small as it was, Pardue said she was glad the market was indoors, but she is The Alpha Chi Omega already looking to a bigger sorority opened its doors and better turnout for next to a light breeze, warm sun year.

“I would like to really and eager vendors for their push to get a wide variety first Spring Mini Market.

Sorority members and of vendors,” Pardue said. “I see big things to alumnae banded come for our mini together April 2 to markets.” sell their merchanFor 12-year-old dise from compaAutumn Moon, nies like Love Your the market was Melon and small her very first. entrepreneurial Moon said she businesses like was enthusiastic Label Me Custom about the expoCreations. sure she was getVictoria Pardue, ting for her jewelry an Alpha Chi Omebusiness. Moon ga member, said established her she helped orga- “Being a business, Label nize the sorority’s member, I Me Custom Crefirst market and ations, as a part wanted it to be ca- met so many of the Young sual and informal. people I Entrepreneurs “We chose to never would Academy. do a spring mini “It kinda just market so that our have othercame to me chapter members wise.” when I saw my would have an opfriend’s necklace portunity to show MELANIE one day,” Moon their parents the HYDE said. “The busilodge,” said Par- chapeter alumna ness is based on due, a junior biolmy belief that a ogy pre-medical simple positive major. “Many of our vendors donated part word can uplift individuals.”

Moon said each piece of their earning to Alpha of her jewelry is handChi Omega.”

Skin care products, stamped with a positive monogrammed tumblers word, and about 20 of and customized jewelry these necklaces were sold were available from the within the first hour at the handful of vendors who all market.

Melanie Hyde, an alumfit into the front room of na of Alpha Chi Omega, the sorority house.

Colin Fontenot

Alpha Chi Omega’s first Spring Mini Market provided patrons a chance to shop for merchandise from vendors such as Stella & Dot, Love Your Melon and Label Me Custom Creations. said she saw the mini market as a way to reconnect with her sorority sisters.

Setting up her booth to sell Rodan and Fields skin care products, Hyde was able to visit with Anna Dickson, a fellow alumna

of the sorority, whom she has not seen in 10 years.

Dickson was selling Stella & Dot jewelry at the market.

“Being a member, I met so many people I never would have met otherwise.

Carney speaks on women’s role in Evangelical Church

And now as a professional, the sorority helped with networking,” Hyde said.

Pardue said she wishes for the mini market to grow so more college students could sell their merchandise.

“We hopefully will be able to have it open to the community,” Pardue said.

“I hope that we can continue to grow this small event into something that would happen two to three times a year.”

SPEAK MAGAZINE

ISABELA PALMIERI Staff reporter | ipa001@latech.edu

church.”

“I am going to try to bridge my research and Louisiana Tech’s histo- talk about women and their ry department celebrated roles in the church from the Women’s History Month 19th century to the presby co-hosting a talk about ent,” said Carney, who is the change in women’s also a columnist for the presence in the evangelical Daily Sentinel in Nacogdoches, Texas. church.

The discussion was free, The history department welcomed Charity Carney open to the public and attended by of Western more than 50 G ove r n o rs students.

U n i v e r s i t y “I thought the Car ney who led the discussion was spoke about discussion women’s efMarch 31 at very interesting, forts to grow the Lincoln because being their authorParish Library. ity in the early “I consider from California, I our speaker don’t know much e v a n g e l i c a l churches and one of the about preachers congregations great minds of in the anteintellect in re- in the south.” bellum period ligious history, all the way to women’s his- HANNAH PAWLEK modern pastory and gen- marketing major tors. der history,” “One of said David Anderson, associate professor the questions I want us to of history, “She talks about consider is how far have religion with sensitivity and women really come in the sympathy. She is not cyni- church?” Carney said.

Carney said although cal, but is trying to understand religion, especially women were not allowed to preach or be ordained today in America.”

Carney, who received years ago, they exercised her doctorate in history at their authority in other the University of Alabama, ways.

“We have women nowabased the discussion off her first book, “The Mak- days who rely on their femiing of the Southern Mega- ninity to spread their mes-

sage,” Carney said.

Carney said women made the argument that they should have the same power as men because they were seen as equals in the eyes of God since the early 19th century.

“Because of spiritual equality, women should be able to do the same things as men,” Carney said.

Hannah Pawlek, a freshman attendee, said she enjoyed learning about women striving for equality in the church.

“I thought the discussion was very interesting, because being from California I don’t know much about preachers in the South,” Pawlek said. “I liked listening about these women reaching for equality.”

Chelsea Fortenberry, who attended the talk with Pawlek, said although she had seen women pastors before, she didn’t know about the women pastors in the evangelical church seeking for the same authority as men.

“I am Methodist and have had a woman pastor before,” Fortenberry said.

“I liked the discussion because these women are very different from what I have heard before. It was definitely an interesting talk.”

is available digitally on issuu Go to issuu.com/speakmagazinemedia or download the issuu mobile app and search for SPEAK Magazine

2 | SPEAK magazine

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7 • The Tech Talk • April 7, 2016

COMMUNITY

Regional band debuts at Sundown Tavern DILLON NELSON Staff Reporter | djn005@latech.edu The Hollow Decks, Shreveport’s premiere ‘90s cover band, made its Ruston debut Friday night at Sundown Tavern.

The band consists of Dexter Duran, Gregg Gregory, Adam Pike and Ben Tynan. Each member was born in the ‘90s and shares a love of the era’s music. “‘90s music has varying degrees of significance to everyone,” said Duran, the lead vocalist and guitarist, “but people never seem to hold a negative opinion of it in the same way they do of other eras.”

Duran said he and his bandmates love trying out different vocal ap“Nostalgia proaches and always aim to sharpen is a major their grasps on the overall style of ‘90s part of why I music.

“I sing the most, but Ben, Adam enjoy listen- and Greg sing too,” Duran said. “We have songs that are very much Ben ing to and or Greg songs. When we take playing ‘90s songs turns this frees each one of use up to music.” join in on the harmony parts, which we pride ourselves on.”

BEN TYNAN Tynan, the rhythm guitarist, said Guitarist of the band was happy to play in Ruston, Hollow Decks a college town with plenty of people who hold ‘90s music dear. He said doing justice to the covers they perform is his primary goal.

“Nostalgia is a major part of why I enjoy listening to and playing ‘90s music,” Tyran said. “I know that a lot of the people in this area from Louisiana Tech and Grambling have the same kind of fond memories.”

Tynan said the ‘90s is his favorite era of music because he believes it to be the artistically pure.

“The intentions of the artists of the ‘90s seemed truer than they do now, and I think that is what fans like, even for some of the songs that haven’t aged well,”Tynan said.

Shreveport ‘90s cover band, Hollow Decks, performed at Sundown Tavern.

Photo by Brian Blakely

The band’s set list Friday night was composed of a wide range of perennial ‘90s hits. These included one-hit wonders and pop hits like The Spin Doctors’ “2 Princes” and rock favorites like Green Day’s “When I Come Around.”

“I was happy to hear them play some Green Day after a couple of songs I didn’t know,” said Caleb Richardson, a senior computer information systems major. “I’m not the biggest fan of ‘90s music, but their cover took me back and actually had me singing along.”

Gregory, the bassist and manager of the band, said he has a clear vision of the types of places he would like to book the band next.

“We’re emerging artists, so we’re not going to turn

MY BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING 2 ISABELA PALMIERI Staff Reporter| ipa001@latech.edu Everyone’s favorite Greek family, the Portokalos, returned to the big screen 13 years later for another big wedding celebration March 25 in “My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2.”

The movie was exactly as I was expecting: full of humor, Greek words I didn’t understand and Windex.

While sequels are usually big letdowns for me, “My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2” did not disappoint. The mixture of humorous scenes and heartfelt moments created just the right balance for the perfect “chick Universal Pictures flick.”

The Portokalo family returns to the big screen in the sequel to “My Big Fat Kirk Jones directed most of Greek Wedding.” the original cast maintaining their same personalities and mannerthe end she would let her daughter fail to make the public laugh. The isms from the first movie. comedic scenes had a lot of the However, like any other romantic follow her heart.

The movie was hilarious as well same aspects as the first movie, comedy, the movie is highly predictable. It lacked substantial conflict. as heartwarming, but it did not have but they were funny nonetheless.

The only real clash was when Gus a central character for the audience Michael Constantine, who played Portokalos, the main character and to follow. In the beginning of the Gus, did a wonderful job in portrayToula’s father, tells his wife Maria movie, it seems like Paris will be ing the funny yet grumpy grandpa they are not married; but it doesn’t the protagonist, but her story gets of the family.

Although there were a great take long for the family to fix the overshadowed by her grandparents’ number of characters trying to problem and start planning for the discovery of their false marriage.

The touching scenes through- share camera time in the movie, all big wedding.

The Greek family bantered out the movie are what made it so of the actors maintained a strong throughout the extent of the movie, enjoyable. Maria and Gus find love presence in each shot, entertaining but it did not have an important again after 50 years. Toula and Ian the audience in each scene no matobstacle the Greek family had to also rekindle their marriage through ter how short it was.

“My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2” overcome. Unlike the first movie the wedding planning.

The movie is a wonderful por- is an excellent sequel, especially in where they were all trying to accept Toula’s American boyfriend Ian, the trayal of love in all of life’s differ- the midst of other sequels in the ent stages. It shows love in the early comedy/romance genre. sequel is anti-climactic.

Even with its flaws, the sequel The characters were individually stages through Paris and Bennett, in dealing with obstacles such as Tou- the middle of life through Toula and brought steady laughs in the audila letting her daughter Paris attend Ian and love throughout the years ence. It was exactly what I expected from a good romantic comedy. college in New York and working through Gus and Maria.

Although the movie is full of It did not have strong content, but it on her marriage with her husband.

But there was never any doubt in heartwarming scenes, it does not was hilarious, witty and sweet.

down many shows, but we do have a preference for interesting, distinctive venues,” Brooks said.

Gregory said they expected to play in New Orleans soon and intend to go on to several other Louisiana locales in the coming months.

“There’s just something about the South that we as a band enjoy,” Gregory said. “I think it’s the specific feel of the ‘90s that goes over well with people of the South, especially Louisiana.”

He said the band has been enjoying spreading their love for music.

“I hope one day I’ll be able to book them in even bigger venues,” said Gregory. “But I think, for now, the band is happy doing what they do, together in the state they love.”

THE JOY FORMIDABLE “HITCH”

DILLON NELSON Staff Reporter| djn002@ latech.edu On The Joy Formidable’s previous two albums, sustaining momentum has occasionally been an issue.

This is especially prevalent in their third album “Hitch.”

The album isn’t quite as track-for-track fresh as their debut, and it also lacks the kind of precise, thematic heft of “Wolf ’s Law,” their sophomore LP. The band’s signature brand of distorted, epic sound does remain intact, but the songs just don’t hang together as well as in previous efforts. However, despite this messiness, “Hitch”contains a considerable amount of successes.

“A Second in White” is a fine way to open the album.

Like the best tracks in their discography, this one finds the same sweet spot between noise and pop that the band’s previous openers have possessed. Its propulsive drums and themes of uncertain newness set a spontaneous tone well; the song possesses the overall feel of starting on a blank page.

What follows are several crowd pleasers which seem to indicate a great direction for the album. The two songs following, “Radio of Love” and the lead single “You’re

C’mon Let’s Drift / Caroline Records

the Last Thing on My Mind,” show the band streamlining their focus as they successfully work through a persistent issue with their music: self-indulgent length.

A more pronounced concern for tunefulness and memorability over their usual languishing, dissonant stylings marks direction of the first half of “Hitch.” These two tracks, each over six minutes long, keep the album going briskly on without missing a step.

After this near-perfect opening suite, there are some other scattered standout tracks, but “Hitch” does list into a sort of happy holding pattern after this. “The Brook,” is the best of these tracks with lead singer Ritzy Brian deftly belting out some Florence Welch-esque lyrics and vocals.

The straightforward closer, “Don’t Let Me Know,” is preceded by an Asian-tinged standout “Blowing Fire.” The lyrics, “It’s coming to a head, quit screwing around,” seem to indicate that the band knows where they have been and where they are going.

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8 • The Tech Talk • April 7, 2016

W&NBRIEFS WORLDNEWS Legal pressure for law denying service to gays JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — The decision by Mississippi’s governor to sign a law that allows religious groups and some private businesses to deny services to gay and transgender people may have headed off gathering opposition in the state’s business community, but it could launch the state into litigation.

Cruz, Sanders victorious in Wisconsin MILWAUKEE (AP) — Republican Ted Cruz stormed to a commanding victory in Wisconsin Tuesday, denting front-runner Donald Trump’s chances of capturing the GOP nomination before the party’s convention. Democrat Bernie Sanders triumphed over Hillary Clinton but still faces a mathematically difficult path to the White House.

China restricts trade with North Korea over nukes BEIJING (AP) — China has banned most imports of North Korean coal and iron ore, the country’s main exports, in a significant increase in pressure on the North under U.N. sanctions against its nuclear and missile tests.

STATENEWS Despite budget gap, no cut proposed for legislative agencies BATON ROUGE, (AP) — Though Louisiana continues to struggle through deep budget gaps, House and Senate leaders aren’t proposing that they slash their own spending.

Hospital hacked ASSOCIATED PRESS

WASHINGTON (AP) — The hackers who seriously disrupted operations at a large hospital chain recently and held some data hostage broke into a computer server left vulnerable despite urgent public warnings since at least 2007 that it needed to be fixed with a simple update, The Associated Press has learned.

The hackers exploited design flaws that had persisted on the MedStar Health Inc. network, according to a person familiar with the investigation who spoke on condition of anonymity because this person was not authorized to discuss the findings publicly. The flaws were in a JBoss application server supported by Red Hat Inc. and other organizations, the person said.

The FBI, which is investigating, declined to discuss how the hackers broke in.

The JBoss technology is popular because it allows programmers to write custom-built software tools that can be quickly made available across a company, but security researchers discovered it was routinely misconfigured to allow unauthorized outside users to

gain control. The U.S. government, Red Hat and others issued urgent warnings about the security problem and a related flaw in February 2007, March 2010 and again earlier this week.

The government warned in 2007 the problem could disrupt operations and allow for unauthorized disclosures of confidential information.

Fixing the problem involved installing an available update or manually deleting two lines of software code.

It was not immediately clear why the hospital chain, which operates 10 hospitals in Maryland and Washington including the MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, was still vulnerable years after those warnings. The new disclosure doesn’t diminish the potential culpability of the hackers responsible for the break-in, but it reveals important details about how the crime unfolded.

And it could affect MedStar’s civil or administrative exposure under U.S. laws and regulations that require health providers to exercise reasonable diligence to protect their systems.

MedStar’s assistant vice president, Ann C. Nick-

AP/Molly Riley

Design flaws had persisted on the MedStar Health Inc. network, and these flaws were exploited by hackers to disrupt operations at a large hospital chain les, said in a statement Tuesday to the AP that the company “maintains constant surveillance of its IT networks in concert with our outside IT partners and cybersecurity experts. We continuously apply patches and other defenses to protect the security and confidentiality of patient and associate information.” MedStar said Monday its systems “are almost fully back online,” just over a week after the March 28 hacking. The company hired experts from Symantec Corp. to help investigate.

Internet searching for accessible and vulnerable JBoss application servers, especially ones used by hospitals. It’s the realworld equivalent of rattling doorknobs in a neighborhood to find unlocked homes. When it finds one, the software breaks in using the old vulnerabilities, then can spread across the company’s network by stealing passwords. Along the way, it encrypts scores of digital files and prevents access to them until victims pay the hackers a ransom, usually between $10,000 and $15,000.

San Francisco approves fully paid leave for new parents ASSOCIATED PRESS SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — San Francisco became the first place in the country Tuesday to require businesses to provide fullypaid leave for new parents in what was hailed as the latest move to address income inequality in the nation.

The measure approved unanimously by the Board of Supervisors will give new mothers and fathers six weeks of fully paid time

off, a rarity now offered to some government sector workers and some private employees, particularly those who work in the tech industry.

“The vast majority of workers in this country have little or no access to paid parental leave, and that needs to change,” Supervisor Scott Wiener, who pushed the measure, said at a news conference before the vote.

The measure requires another formal vote by the

board next week as well as approval by Mayor Ed Lee, but the unanimous vote makes the measure veto-proof. Lee was not immediately available for comment.

Small business owners complained that the mandate is the latest in a long list of city mandates — including paid sick leave and health coverage — that unfairly targets them.

“They don’t necessarily have the resources, they can’t absorb the increases

Former Louisiana prosecutor facing obstruction charge NEW ORLEANS (AP) — A lawyer says the former district attorney of south Louisiana’s St. Charles Parish plans to plead guilty to a federal obstruction of justice charge.

Reward doubled in murders of mother, boyfriend KENNER, (AP) — Crimestoppers is doubling its reward to up to $5,000 for information leading to an arrest in a double murder that happened Monday in Kenner.

WVUE-TV reports 28-year-old Dawn Scott and 31-year-old Raynell Kimbrough were found shot multiple times in their apartment bedroom.

Nickles said Tuesday there was no evidence that patient or employee records were compromised.

MedStar said in a statement Friday evening to the AP that it would not provide details about how the attack occurred, and it criticized further media coverage of the case as perpetuating “the infamy of malicious attacks for airtime and publicity” and encouraging copycat hackers.

The MedStar hackers employed virus-like software known as Samas, or “samsam,” that scours the

AP/Eric Risberg

Founder and CEO Mark Dwight poses inside his Rickshaw Bagworks factory store on April 4, in San Francisco. The San Francisco Board of Supervisors is voting on whether to require six weeks of fully paid leave for new parents, a move that would be a first for any jurisdiction.

in cost, and they feel like it’s kind of relentless, it’s one thing after the next,” said Dee Dee Workman, vice president of public policy at the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce.

The issue of paid parental leave is gaining momentum across the country much like the debate over a higher minimum wage.

Paid leave has become a topic in the presidential campaign as companies, especially in Silicon Valley, start offering better benefits. Twitter announced Tuesday that it would offer up to 20 weeks of fully paid leave for new parents starting May 1.

San Francisco approved a $15 hourly minimum wage for workers in 2014. California Gov. Jerry Brown signed legislation Monday mandating that amount for the entire state.

The U.S. lags other countries in providing parental leave and is the only major industrialized nation that doesn’t require paid leave.

Federal law grants workers up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave. California, Rhode Island and New Jersey provide partial pay, with the money coming from employees. Legislators in New York last month approved up to 12 weeks of partial pay.

The state of California currently allows workers to receive 55 percent of their

pay for up to six weeks to bond with a new child. The money comes from a state insurance program funded by workers.

The San Francisco measure requires employers with at least 20 employees to make up the rest. The regulation will be phased in, starting with businesses that employ 50 workers in January 2017.

Among the dozen or so attendees at the Tuesday press conference was Kim Turner, a nonprofit attorney who took advantage of the state parental leave program. She says full paid leave would have been better.

“I do think employers should be pitching in more,” she said. “I think we all need more help. It’s just so hard to make ends meet with little ones in the house.”

Businesses with 35 to 49 workers must comply starting in July 2017 and businesses with 20 to 34 workers have until January 2018.

The business-sponsored Bay Area Council, whose members include tech giants Google and Facebook, supports the measure.

“Paid parental leave increases the probability that employees will return to work, be more productive, and earn higher wages,” said Jim Wunderman, president and CEO of the Bay Area Council.

W&N

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April 7, 2016 • The Tech Talk • 9

Outcry grows over North Carolina LGBT bathroom law ASSOCIATED PRESS RALEIGH, N.C. — An economic backlash broadened Tuesday against a North Carolina law that critics say discriminates against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people with PayPal announcing it has canceled a major expansion in the state.

North Carolina has come under heavy criticism since Gov. Pat McCrory signed the law, requiring transgender people to use public bathrooms that match the sex on their birth certificates. The law, passed in response to a Charlotte ordinance that offered protections to gay and transgender people, also excludes sexual orientation and gender identity from the state’s anti-discrimination law and bars local governments from expanding antidiscrimination rules.

More than 100 corporate leaders have decried the law, saying it is unfair and makes it more difficult to attract talent.

Just days before signing the law last month, McCrory personally attended PayPal’s announcement that it was opening a new operation center in Charlotte, where he was once mayor. On Tuesday, the San Jose, California-based company said it was canceling the $3.6 million plan, which would have created 400 jobs.

“This decision reflects PayPal’s deepest values and our strong belief that every person has the right to be treated equally, and with dignity and respect,”

the company said in a statement.

PayPal’s announcement came days after Lionsgate decided to move the filming for the pilot episode of a comedy series to Canada.

New Jersey-based Braeburn Pharmaceuticals also said it was reconsidering building a $50 million facility in Durham County projected to bring 50 jobs paying an average of $76,000 a year.

The NBA raised doubts about whether it would continue plans to hold its all-star game in Charlotte next year.

But PayPal’s decision isn’t likely to lead to a wave of businesses fleeing the state, said Ryan McDevitt, a Duke University professor who studies how companies compete. Technology companies are particularly outspoken on social issues because they need to attract highly skilled and mobile employees while also appealing to younger customers, he said.

“They’ve built a lot of their brand or identity on the idea of being inclusive,” McDevitt said. “I think this law in particular goes against that, and so no one wants to be seen as implicitly endorsing it by locating in North Carolina now if a segment of their employees and many of their customers are going to be affected by it.

One test of how upset some businesses may be comes in less than two weeks with the twice-a-year High Point Furniture Market, which brings 20,000 companies and about

AP/Toby Talbot

Gov. Pat McCrory recently signed a law requiring transgender people to use public bathrooms that match the sex on their birth certificates.

75,000 people to the state.

The market is responsible for about $5 billion in economic activity each year, organizers estimate.

A slow stream of buyers canceled trips to boycott the law, but few sellers have decided against coming, market spokeswoman Ashley Grigg said. The American Society of Interior Designers still plans its events at this year’s market but said it will reassess its relationship next year if no change.

Red Ventures, a South Carolina-based sales and marketing company, is in the midst of a 500-job expansion in Charlotte. But the company “will not move forward with hiring in North Carolina until we understand what is happening with” the state law, spokeswoman Katie Zach said.

Red Ventures CEO Ric Elias said he has shifted his political support from McCrory to Attorney General Roy Cooper, a Democrat

challenging McCrory in November. Elias and Cooper, who has said he would not defend the law against lawsuits, each issued statements calling for its repeal.

When asked about PayPal’s move Tuesday, McCrory repeated earlier comments that he was open to improving the state law but said it was needed to counteract the Charlotte ordinance.

The law’s backers say it prevents men from molesting women in restrooms and

locker rooms while claiming to be transgender. Opponents say that claim is bogus.

A group that supported the legislation said PayPal pulled out despite being promised millions in incentives. The North Carolina Values Coalition said in a statement that “a company with its hands in the pockets of the taxpayers of North Carolina shouldn’t insert itself into the bathroom policies of the state.”

California lawmaker wants to allow supervised heroin use ASSOCIATED PRESS SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A lawmaker wants to allow California addicts to use heroin, crack and other drugs at supervised facilities to cut down on overdoses, joining several U.S. cities considering establishing the nation’s first legal drug-injection sites.

The proposal introduced Tuesday comes as San Francisco, Seattle, New York City and Ithaca, New York, weigh ordinances to set up the facilities, citing the success of a site operating in Canada since 2003.

But law enforcement has opposed the move in California, saying it will worsen addiction. And lawmakers seemed reluctant to support it, postponing a committee vote.

Though federal authorities have taken a hands-off approach to states’ legalization of marijuana, it’s not clear how they would respond to facilities permitting users to shoot up hard drugs.

The bill from Democratic Assemblywoman Susan Talamantes Eggman would make it legal for local and state health departments to allow the use of controlled substances in clinics that would offer medical intervention.

Supporters say that the facilities would reduce deaths and transmissions of HIV and hepatitis C. “Addiction is a health care issue, and I think it’s high time we started treating it as a public health issue, versus a criminal issue,” Eggman said. “This bill is one step to be able to address the heroin addiction and epidemic

AP/Allison Noon

Canadian Sen. Larry Campbell, left, joins California state Assemblywoman Susan Talamantes Eggman, DStockton, at a news conference in Sacramento, Calif., Tuesday, April 5, 2016. Campbell helped establish North America’s only supervised drug use facility in Vancouver, British Columbia in 2003. of overdoses that we’re having in our country.”

Advocates of drug policy reform point to the success of North America’s only supervised injection facility, established 13 years ago in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Canadian Sen. Larry Campbell, who helped establish the facility as Vancouver mayor, joined Eggman in Sacramento to support her proposal. He said that

the Vancouver program has reduced the number of overdoses in the city and moved drug use out of the public eye.

“The drug is illegal, but the person who’s using that drug is suffering from a recognized medical disease,” Campbell said. “What this does is simply treat the addiction, keep somebody alive and keep them off the streets.”

The Canadian facility, which has overseen more than 2 million

injections, costs $2 million a year to run, he said. In 2003, it saved the state $1.5 million in health care costs, largely due to decreased emergency room visits.

The California measure faces strong opposition from sheriffs and police chiefs concerned the facilities would encourage drug use.

“This sends entirely the wrong message regarding drug use and likely creates civil liability issues

for participating governments and officials,” said Asha Harris, spokeswoman for the California State Sheriffs’ Association.

The supervised consumption sites would violate federal law banning certain controlled substances such as heroin, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration spokesman Michael Shavers said.

There is no official guidance from the agency on the facilities.

The “DEA focuses its resources on criminal distributors and not individual users; our focus is on eliminating the suppliers, the distributors, the larger controlled substance providers,” Shavers said.

Eggman said she has not reached out to the agency about her proposal.

Republican Assemblyman Tom Lackey echoed law enforcement concerns and said California should consider how to control addiction to opioids and other prescription medications before moving toward such facilities.

“We need to discourage people, but we also need to help them,” said Lackey, a 28-year veteran of the California Highway Patrol. “But I just can’t support this because there’s a number of problems at this stage.

“I don’t think we’re quite ready for this step,” he said.

At least 87 drug consumption facilities existed in 58 cities around the world in 2012, according to researchers Eberhard Schatz of the Correlation Network and Marie Nougier of the International Drug Policy Consortium, citing the most recent data available.

www.thetechtalk.org

10 • The Tech Talk • April 7, 2016

WEEKLYHOROSCOPE www.horoscopes.com.net

Aries March 21 – April 19 An unexpected financial setback could have you reeling at first, Aries. Perhaps an emergency, such as a toothache or car breakdown, requires a substantial expenditure that you hadn’t planned for. You can probably find a way to deal with the crisis. You may have resources to draw upon that you aren’t aware of now.

Go over all your finances and you could be pleasantly surprised. Hang in there!

Taurus Apr 20 - May 20 You could be feeling restless and frustrated due to a temporary separation from a partner, Taurus, perhaps a business partner but more likely a romantic one.

Phone contact could be difficult as well, because you could both be busy and keep missing each other. Find something fascinating to do that will take your mind off the situation. Get together with friends and have some fun. The time will pass more quickly.

Gemini May 21 - Jun 20 A rather disconcerting rumor about your job could reach your ears, Gemini. Perhaps you’ll hear that the company is being sold or undergoing a shakeup in the hierarchy. You might get caught up in a frenzy of worry about whether or not you’ll stay on. Before jumping to any conclusions, phone someone who knows what’s going on and find out the truth. What you’ve heard is probably just gossip.

Cancer Jun 21 - Jul 22 A number of great ideas either for new creative projects or enhancing ongoing ones could pop into your head during the day, Cancer. If you don’t write them down immediately, they could just as easily pop right out again, never to return! With all your responsibilities, you could have a rather frantic day as your mind constantly shifts from one focus to another.

Stay with it. You can handle it.

Leo Jul 23 - Aug 22 A person with whom you work, probably a woman, could leave suddenly without notice or stated reason, Leo. This could be confusing, and you might find yourself wondering if there are changes within the company that you know nothing about. Try to learn exactly why this person left. If you can’t ask him or her directly, discreetly ask someone who might know. It’s important, if nothing else, for relieving your anxiety.

Virgo Aug 23 - Sep 22 Someone you’ve wanted to hear from for a long time, perhaps an old friend who lives far away, could ring you up today while you’re out, Virgo. You’ll be happy to get the message, but it could result in a frustrating game of phone tag throughout the day. Don’t get so

irritated you give up. Keep trying. You’ll eventually touch base, and you’ll be glad you did!

Libra Sep 23 - Oct 22 A rather upsetting dream could disturb your sleep tonight, Libra. When you wake up and focus on the real world, it could seem so bizarre as to not be worthy of serious consideration. Nonetheless, write it down.

After some time has passed, go over the symbols and see what they suggest to you. The dream is trying to tell you something about a specific situation in your life, albeit in a weird way!

Scorpio Oct 23 - Nov 21 A colleague or possibly a romantic partner could be in a rather touchy mood today, Scorpio. Therefore, you might find this person difficult to deal with. You could get a bit irritated and wonder if this person is worth the aggravation he or she is causing you. Don’t do anything foolish. This mood will pass. Try to stay out of your friend’s way, if possible. All should be back to normal by tomorrow.

Sagittarius Nov 22 - Dec 21 You tend to be very intuitive, Sagittarius, but today you could find your psychic abilities short-circuit. If you give readings, don’t schedule any for today. This isn’t to say your abilities are blocked, but they aren’t as dependable as they usually are. Likewise, your imagination isn’t as reliable either. Don’t worry. This is just typical writer’s or artist’s block. You’ll be back to normal by tomorrow.

Capricorn Dec 22 - Jan 19 Some rather upsetting news about a friend could come to you today, Capricorn, probably over the phone. This could be the truth, but more likely the facts have been distorted in the retelling. In fact, what you’re hearing may actually be nothing more than gossip. Phone someone who might know what’s really going on, preferably the friend you heard about, and check the facts before driving yourself crazy.

Aquarius Jan 20 - Feb 18 Today you could receive a lucky career break of some kind that brings some extra money your way, Aquarius.

The downside is that you might have to put in many extra hours. Your good fortune could cause temporary problems in your personal life. Your significant other and family members could be disgruntled. Point out that it may be inconvenient now, but everyone will be better off in the long run.

CROSSWORDPUZZLE Across 1. Manhattan neighborhood 5. Donnybrook 10. Send packing 14. Copycat 15. Anouk of “La Dolce Vita” 16. Feminizing suffix 17. Unremitting 19. Oops!

20. Locations 21. Harsh 23. Left out 26. Saw.toothed 27. Facade 28. Herb 29. Light ___ 30. Copland ballet 31. Due follower 34. Spanish snack 35. Assorted 36. Burn slightly 37. Clairvoyant’s gift 38. Stream of water 39. Balkan capital 40. Rubbed out 42. Taste carefully 43. Tense 45. U.S. space probe to Jupiter 46. Full assembly 47. Try to bite 48. Lacking 49. Illiterate 54. Suffix with exist 55. Fishhook line 56. “Mon Oncle” director 57. Summer shirts 58. “Steppenwolf” author 59. Chapters of history

Down 1. Mediterranean isl.

2. Poetically ajar 3. Norse goddess 4. Aeschylus trilogy 5. Pound steadily 6. Seeing red 7. Singing brothers’ surname 8. Basketball Hall of Famer Unseld 9. Diminished 10. Body of work 11. Unwholesome 12. Stable sound 13. Snickering sound 18. Fertilizer ingredient 22. Inventor Rubik 23. Like Humpty Dumpty 24. Flat.topped formations 25. Lack of appetite 26. Exodus commemoration 28. Deceived 30. Metal pin 32. Poker ploy 33. One of the Muses 35. Jumble 36. Meditate 38. Prego rival 39. Psalms interjection 41. Salon jobs 42. Mottled marking 43. Disturbed 44. Flat surface 45. Breathing organs of fish 47. Scottish refusals 50. Compass dir.

51. Tavern 52. Sorority letter 53. ___ the season...

DAILY U

Have any ideas for future comics or feedback? Email dwyer@latech.edu

www.accuweather.com

TODAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

HIGH 82 LOW 52

HIGH 76 LOW 43

HIGH 75 LOW 51

HIGH 78 LOW 61

HIGH 76 LOW 67

HIGH 82 LOW 60

HIGH 82 LOW 51

WALKER from pg. 1

“We’re looking at recruiting four different plants to supply jobs, and we have several entertainment centers and hotel chains looking at property here,” he said.

SGA members said they are enthusiastic about the potential changes for Ruston.

“I’m really excited about everything,” said Annie Kate Lee, a junior aviation major. “I’m especially excited about the bike trails, and I think the sports complex will definitely bring a lot of new people to Ruston.”

SGA President Maggie Brakeville said she is eager to see the growth and the future of Louisiana Tech and Ruston.

“As we move into Tech

LAST ISSUE’S SOLUTION

Pisces Feb 19 - Mar 20 An unexpected visit from someone who lives far away is likely to throw your schedule off kilter, Pisces.

Even though you’ll be glad to see your friend, the visit could require a lot of calls to break appointments and postpone meetings. Once that’s done, however, you’ll have a good visit. You and your friend should each have a lot to report. You’ll talk for hours. Relax and have some fun!

WEEKLYWEATHER

>

www.bestcrosswords.com

2020, it only makes sense that Ruston grows with us,” Brakeville said.

Walker said if the initiative is voted into effect, the town will begin to put his plans into action 90 days following the vote on Saturday.

“A lot of things are happening,” Walker said. “We’re expecting to see drastic changes in the next 16-18 months, really.”

Walker said he hopes these potential changes will inspire students to get involved, voice their opinions and vote. He said he is excited to see the growth of both Ruston and Louisiana Tech.

“People are ready for a change,” he said. “And I think this will help tie the university and the town closer together.”

>

SUDOKUPUZZLE Difficulty HARD

www.sudoku-puzzles.net LAST ISSUE’S SOLUTION

Fill in the grid so that every row, every column and every 3x3 grid contains the digits 1 through 9.

HISTORY from pg. 1

“I think religion’s someand her fellow classmates were givthing that’s difficult to disen an opportunity to discuss and cuss,” Carney said. “A lot share their opinions on the topic. of students were raised in “It’s important to talk about, religious environments, and especially in Ruston because it’s to move away from that or such a small community with a lot think critically about it is difof very devout Christians,” Haley ficult and can be painful. It’s said. “And I think it’s important an important conversation to to discuss what’s happening elsehave, and I think we need to where in our country as far as the push it and make sure that “It’s important direction religion is going.” it’s confronted in the classCarney said she hopes after atto talk about, room.” tending the discussion, students “A lot of students were especially in became more aware of the inraised in religious environ- Ruston.” crease of the “none” group and ments, and to move away will ask questions about the befrom that or think critically JENNIFER liefs of the rest of the country. about it is difficult and can HALEY “We want students to see these be painful. It’s an important graduate student national trends and question conversation to have, and I where we’re going,” Carney said. think we need to push it and make sure “We’re trying to get them to consider that it’s confronted in the classroom.” whether they’re contributing or reacting Jennifer Haley, a graduate student at to the trend, and ultimately, to think critiLouisiana Tech, said she was pleased she cally about their experiences.”

WE ARE

www.thetechtalk.org

More Talk

April 7, 2016 • The Tech Talk • 11

FINDING MORE IN

LESS Lauren and Aaron Jennings practice ‘mindfulness and sustainability’ on their small-scale farm PAYTON POTTER | Staff Reporter | jpp017@ latech.edu

our question was, ‘What drew us to this life?’ I don’t know. I mean, how could you not love this?”

The life about which Lauren Jennings spoke is one of intentions, convictions, gardens and bees — a life of sustainable subsistence farming.

The Jennings’ tiny house sits just behind their farm that is home to chickens, pigs, a large vegetable garden, a small vineyard, several fruitbearing trees and bees.

Although working on a small, independent farm is rare in modern times, Lauren Jennings said it is the only life she and her husband Aaron can imagine.

“This is where I find fulfillment and I feel like I’m actually doing something that’s meaningful to me,” Lauren Jennings said. “I get to grow wholesome food for me and my body, and I get to share it with other people. That’s something that’s really important for me.”

She said her passion for living a sustainable life began before she met her husband.

“In high school, I started reading Henry David Thoreau and I was really struck by his lifestyle and his approach to simple living and relying on the land,” Lauren Jennings said. “That struck a chord with me. I didn’t know how it was going to happen, but I knew it was how I wanted to live.”

After college, she travelled with World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms. When she returned to Ruston, she met Aaron Jennings at the Ruston Farmers Market and the two married in October 2015.

“When I met him, it was like the perfect timing,” she said. “He was keeping bees and selling honey at the farmers market, which I was crazy about. I found we both really wanted to try sustainable living and we wanted to try out a tiny house and that’s working out good for us.”

Aaron Jennings said he began beekeeping to make organic lotions to use in his massage therapy practice.

“I wanted to make lotions that were good for people’s skin,” he said. “I started researching, and I found that most of the lotions called for beeswax. When I started looking into beeswax, I found out that most beekeepers used a lot of pesticides and antibiotics inside the hive. So, I decided to get a hive and do it myself. I got one beehive. From there, I ended up getting five beehives. I turned that into 20 hives.”

He now sells honey, lip balm, sunscreen, lotion, beard balm, beard oil and mustache wax made from beeswax at several Ruston stores.

Aaron Jennings said their house, outdoor shower and outdoor composting toilet are other ways they practice mindfulness and sustainability.

“It goes all back to Thoreau saying ‘simplify, simplify, simplify,’” Aaron Jennings said. “In every aspect of our life, we’re trying to get it to the simplest level. It’s very financially advantageous. Just because you have a very small overhead. You don’t buy a lot of crap because you don’t have anywhere to put it.”

He said the tiny house serves not only as a reminder of simplification but also as a means of financial freedom for the couple.

“We’ve heard people say ‘Oh, if I didn’t have all this debt, I would live like that,’” he said. “This is how you get rid of debt. This is how you save money. We like to travel, so, instead of buying junk, we spend our money on gas or hotels or traveling.”

Lauren Jennings said living in the tiny house and working on the farm helps her stay aware of the world around her.

“I just think there is value in being conscious,” she said. “Not being swept up in everything that is going on. There are a lot of opportunities for us to turn on the TV and just zone out. It’s really important to check oneself out of that sometimes and pay attention to the world around you, the people around and to what’s going on inside. We don’t get it right every day, but we try to be conscious. This is not right for everybody, it’s just what we want. And it’s worked out for us.”

Top: Lauren Jennings checks the honeycomb of her beehive.

Left: Aaron Jennings uses smoke to calm the bees in order to check the hive.

Bottom: Lauren and Aaron Jennings live on a small farm where they produce products from their beehives. The couple keep livestock and grow produce in order to be as self-sustaining as possible.

Photos by Jonathan Shaul

www.thetechtalk.org

12 • The Tech Talk • April 7, 2016

Lady Techster tennis nationally ranked KERRY WAGUESPACK Staff Reporter | kfw005@latech.edu The Lady Techsters tennis team continues to gain confidence and momentum as the season enters its final month.

For the first time in the history of the program, the Techsters are nationally ranked in the Oracle/ITA Collegiate Tennis Team rankings.

“To see our hard work pay off and finally get a number next to our name is living a dream, and we could not be more excited going down the stretch,” said head coach Chad Camper.

He said the team feels like they are one of the better programs in the country, and that is a direct result of how hard they worked in the offseason.

“This season is going to be a hard season to beat, it seems like whenever we need to catch a break or have something go our way it does and it always helps motivate the girls,” Camper said.

He said finally being ranked gives the girls a confidence boost when it comes to knowing they can beat the more established programs.

“We go into matches now thinking that we are just as good as the big programs because we have proven that we can play with those teams and we don’t back down,” Camper said.

He said one of the biggest keys to the team’s success this season is finally learning how to play doubles.

“Although we are an older group, doubles were a weakness for us coming into the season,” Camper said. “As the team started to figure out doubles, we found ourselves winning more and more matches.”

Alexandra Starkova, a senior, was recently named Conference USA player of the week for her performance in the Techsters’ shutout road win against Southern Methodist University. The Techsters handed the Mustangs their first home loss of the season.

“I am very excited going into the last month of the season, everyone is playing

Photo by LA Tech Communications

Alexandra Starkova was recently named Conference USA player of the week amazing right now and we need to keep it up to finish the season,” Starkova said.

She said the coaching staff has done an awesome job of pushing them to play their best and motivating them to become closer as a team.

“This team is like one big family, whenever one of us is playing the rest are right there cheering for every point and picking each other up if we lose,” Starkova said.

She said at the beginning of the season the team was not as focused as they

Track and field preforms well in Texas Relays NEWS SERVICES Louisiana Tech junior Janiel McDonald won her heat and finished 21st in the 100m hurdles in action delayed multiple times due to inclement weather at the 89th Nike Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays at Mike A. Myers Stadium in Austin, Texas last week.

McDonald was able to get in her race before the worst of the storms hit, delaying the meet by more than two hours as weather forced three delays in last Friday’s action. The Miramar, Florida native ran 14.12 in the 100m hurdles to win her heat and finish 21st overall.

Having to wait until after a two-hour lightning delay, Chloe Lautric registered a high jump mark of 5-3.25 (1.61m), once the high jump was able to begin, placing sixth.

Back on the track, the women’s 4x400m relay team ran 3:51.05 as the quartet of Kirsten Johnson, Mia Adams, Brandi Dobbin and Daphney Campbell finished 20th overall.

A day after April Fool’s Day, Adams’ performance at the Texas Relays was no joke. The redshirt senior was the runner-up in the long jump in the prestigious meet’s final day of competition at Mike A. Myers Stadium in.

Adams’ edged Texas Tech’s Gionna Jackson by a mere half-inch to claim the silver medal in the women’s long jump.

Adams jumped 20-3 (6.17m) to stand second on the podium.

Teammate Denisha Henix jumped 17-9 (5.41m) to finish 12th in the event while LSU’s Nataliyah Friar won the competition with a jump of 20-8.5 (6.31m).

In the men’s long jump competition former Louisiana Tech jumper Jarvis Gotch set a Myers Stadium record and qualified for the U.S. Olympic Trials with a winning long jump of 27-0.5 (8.24m).

Louisiana Tech returns to action with the Leon Johnson NSU Invitational beginning Friday in Natchitoches.

needed to be, but once they have gained focused the team started playing better.

Camper said for the team to continue to improve and get to where they want to be they have to focus on themselves and not let anything distract them from their goals.

“If the team wants to have a shot to be successful in the postseason, they are going to have to pick up their play to another level that they may not have thought was possible,” Camper said.

To find themselves in a position to have

a shot at the conference title the team needs to get stronger in the last month of season. Currently ranked fourth in the conference, the team has only five events left before heading to Murfreesboro, Tennessee, to compete for the conference championship.

The Lady Techsters will be in action again at home on April 9 against Jackson State in Ruston at the Tech Tennis Complex. The following week they will take on Central Arkansas at home on April 15.

Football preps for spring game NEWS SERVICES Louisiana Tech practiced in full pads in what seemed like a two-part practice Friday at Joe Aillet Stadium with individual work making up the first half and a situational scrimmage wrapping things up over the latter half.

Friday’s session wrapped up a short week of work for the Bulldogs and turned the corner as the team is about to enter the final stretch of the spring with only six practices remaining.

Aggressive play dominated the scrimmage session on both sides of the ball as players were doing anything but going through the motions.

“It was almost like two practices in one,” Louisiana Tech head coach Skip Holtz said. “We got some work in out here. I love the intensity and I love the hitting. We are getting some great evaluations of some guys in game-like situations and in scrimmage-like situations. (We are seeing) what people are going to do in the open field, the new coaches on the field, learning the offense and defense. I really like the attitude and the aggressiveness on both sides. There was a lot of intensity. We have to learn to be able to play in between the whistles a little bit more but that also spurs the emotion of practice.”

While the scrimmage was a scripted, schematic session with set down and distance settings preset by the coaching staff, the defense limited the offense to only one big play with Ryan Higgins finding Carlos Henderson in the end zone for a 30-yard touchdown pass. Credit a high-flying defensive unit that seemed to be all over the field at certain points of the scrimmage.

Photo by Donny J. Crowe/LA Tech Communications

Offense and defense participated in a scripted scrimmage last week in preperation of the spring game.

“Right now they are doing some really good things,” Holtz said of the defense. “This became a little more of a scheme-oriented scrimmage than I wanted. You are trying to evaluate and it became a little bit of a blitz fest. They know what they are doing though.

“One of the things that our defense does such a great job of is disguising things and trying to create confusion and disruption,” he said. “It is great for us offensively because we have to learn to play against it in the fall. But I like the way they are flying around. I think we have a pretty good concept of what we are trying to do.”

More importantly than just a successful day for the defense were the big plays made by some of the younger players. Despite the defensive unit

registering several pass break-ups and quarterback hurries, the big play of the scrimmage was Theron Williams’ interception return for a touchdown.

He is just one of several younger players that saw game action and experience last season instead of redshirting their rookie campaign.

“I think Theron Williams is really growing up,” Holtz said. “I look at a guy like Jaqwis Dancy who didn’t get a chance last year to carry the ball a lot but played a lot on special teams.

Some of the freshmen we played last year were played because we knew they were going to have to play a major role for us this year and I didn’t want the first game they played in to be one where they play 60 plays.”

Tech’s spring game is on Sat. April 16 at noon in Joe Aillet Stadium.