January 17, 2019

THURSDAY JANUARY 17, 2019

Najwa Massad on being mayor, small business owner Massad speaks on Mankato, the community, and how it feels to be mayor to the council. Mayor Massad did her best to listen to both sides of the argument and tried to calm tensions from the residents, many of whom were close to tears as they spoke.

The resident’s anger did not subside nor did they go away as Mayor Massad watched the back and forth arguing getting nowhere.

She then called for a vote to end the public opinion and push discussions about the plan to a later date. This only infuriated the crowd more as some residents wished for their time to speak.

Mayor Massad looked visibly tired after the exchange with the angry residents who shuffled out of the chambers and continued to yell and argue outside. They got so loud that some in the room had to walk out to quiet them.

The meeting did not last

MICHAEL MCSHANE STAFF WRITER Walking into the city council room, I was bombarded by a sense that I did not belong; a fresh young reporter walking into a room filled with men and woman in business suits.

As I walked over to an open chair, I noticed a cluster of people crowded around near the center of the main council desk and it was at that glance I saw the newly elected mayor of Mankato, Najwa Massad.

Smiling and having casual conversation with the other council members, I had a sense that she was just as nervous about the meeting as I was.

It wasn’t long until the meeting began. As it went on I began to notice that,

David Bassey | MSU Reporter

besides our Editor In Chief, and a fellow writer, we were not the only citizens watching the council proceedings. In fact, there was a large group of citizens sitting behind us; a much larger group than a regular council meeting would normally have.

By the time the City Manager, Patrick “Pat”

Hentges, had finished his “State of the City” report to the council, it came time for public hearings to follow and what transpired may very well have been Mayor Massad’s first real challenge as Mayor – dealing with angry citizens.

A project feasibility hearing on a proposed reconstruction of sewer systems in the

Mankato neighborhood of Germania Park was held and the residents of the neighborhood came to the meeting to express their anger over the proposal that would involve deconstructing their driveways and front yards.

One frustrated resident after another came and spoke

MASSAD PAGE 2

The origin of MNSU’s “Big ideas. Real-world thinking.”

DAVID BASSEY EDITOR IN CHIEF It has been almost a decade since Minnesota State University, Mankato adopted the slogan that it bears today –”Big ideas. Real-world thinking”. Over the years, the University has identified and helped facilitate the execution of more than 200 plans across various disciplines through its integrated marketing.

But how did the five-word, super tagline come to be?

The vision birthed from a desire of the University to

Reporter Archives O-Cam, prize winners of the 2018 Big Ideas Challenge hosted by the College of Business, Center for Innovation and Enterpreneurship.

adopt a global perspective.

In the fall of 2009, President Richard Davenport conducted a campus-wide poll of staff, faculty and students, and discovered a

wealth of big ideas that could be transformed into programs and services for students.

These programs and services embraced real world thinking and real-world results. The

IN THIS ISSUE: New York bans reparative therapy ............ Page 4 Multiple vacancies at Student Govt .......... Page 6 Book Review: Stephen King’s “Outsider”....... Page 12 MSU hockey faces off LSS at home ......... Page 13

result: a whopping $25 million worth of ideas and $5 million of funding following the previous year’s budget cuts.

“These ideas were from

the heart and soul of the University and it is who we are and hope to build our future,” said President Davenport. “We’ve been living (big ideas, real world thinking) and there is not a university that would not want to steal that from us.”

Some of the big ideas that have erupted out of this vision are; - Fighting malnutrition with better access to high quality food, put forth by Mara Soupir, an undergraduate at the University who majored in history.

- Helping high school students get recruited to earn college scholarships, an idea proposed by Francis

BIG IDEAS PAGE 3

WEATHER OUTLOOK: THURSDAY (1/17)

H: 25 L: 8 Mainly cloudy.

FRIDAY (1/18)

SATURDAY (1/19)

H: 14 L: 2

H: 10 L: -4

Considerably cloudy.

Sunny to partly cloudy.

SUNDAY (1/20)

SATURDAY (1/21)

H: 8 L: 4

H: 17 L: 11

Clouds & sun; cold.

Cloudy; snow possible.

Have a story idea?

Email News Editor Madison Diemert madison.diemert @mnsu.edu

2 • MSU Reporter

News

Thursday, January 17, 2019

Populist Wave: On the Left and Right, Orthodoxies Crumble Opinion

JOSHUA SCHUETZ STAFF WRITER The Overton Window is shifting in American politics.

The populist wave, so often spoken of in 2015 and 2016, has not yet finished. America’s political parties are having a kind of ideological reckoning.

To understand this, we need to understand a bit of history.

In the aftermath of the Cold War, America had won the battle of ideas as to how human societies ought to be governed. Capitalism with a modest welfare state was the decreed answer. Enlightenment liberalism, born of Locke and John Stuart Mill, would win the day.

To this end, we saw the rise of the “Washington Consensus.”

This consensus consisted of two things. First, it provided a set of underlying assumptions that guided American and European domestic policy, and second, a set of reform ideas for non-Western countries, particularly those in Latin America and Eastern Europe.

The Washington Consensus held that market capitalism is fundamentally good, as is the liberal democratic system more generally. Free trade, property rights, moderate taxation, investments in education, and a modest welfare state to help the especially destitute were the order of the day.

Different countries applied the consensus in different ways, and there were right and left leaning versions of it. Britain and the U.S., for example, have generally taken a more right leaning approach to the Consensus, while other countries like France have taken a somewhat more left leaning approach.

But all of them shared in common a general optimism towards markets and trade liberalization.

Now, however, the

Consensus is collapsing.

On the left, democratic socialists like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Bernie Sanders have combined populist economic policies, including skepticism of free trade, a Scandinavian-style welfare system, higher taxes on the wealthy, and support for the revival of unions.

This represents a revival of New-Deal style liberalism,

who suffered a great deal at the hands of the financial crisis in 2008, and who tend towards a general pessimism regarding capitalism.

What about the right?

President Donald Trump campaigned as a populist, but has not always governed as one.

Nevertheless, the future of the right lies with populism of a different kind. This

“The Washington Consensus held that market capitalism is fundamentally good, as is the liberal democratic system more generally.” as well as a synthesis of the former with the social liberalism and concerns about racial justice traditionally held on the American left since the 1960s. It’s a powerful platform, particularly amongst the young,

tendency is best exemplified

by Tucker Carlson, whose recent monologue on Fox News about the decline of the American middle class has sent shockwaves through the conservative movement.

Besides arguing against increased immigration, a staple on the right, Carlson also railed against automation and asserted that market capitalism was a tool, not a fundamental good, and that one would be “a fool to worship it.” Strong words, given the history of American Conservatism’s quasi-religious dedication to markets since the 1980s.

The political future of both parties, then, would seem to be in a shared skepticism regarding the morality and efficacy of free markets, rather than a shared optimism about them, which is a fundamental reversal of the Washington Consensus.

It’s difficult to imagine what such an era of politics would look like. Not only is the Consensus in collapse, but the very morality of the economic system it upholds is being questioned, even among those who were once favorably disposed towards it.

The Overton Window has indeed shifted. Now, we’ll have to see if the country’s politics as a whole follow suit.

MASSAD Continued from page 1 long after as adjournment came and a large majority of people soon left, leaving us to speak with Mayor Massad.

Mayor Massad spoke about her life before becoming mayor as a small business owner and what she plans to do now as mayor to the fifth-largest city in Minnesota.

“This community where we built our business from nothing, our first restaurant, and the way the community embraced us, and just

Mankato itself and the people,” said Mayor Massad.

“That’s what drove me to wanting to become mayor.”

When asked how she felt about her becoming the first elected female mayor of Mankato, she said, “I personally never thought of it that way. All I knew was I was a woman that was running for mayor.”

She later went on to say, “I hope we were elected, the females that were elected to Congress, to mayors, to

anything, they elected us because of our knowledge, and what we said we were going to bring forth.”

Midway through the interview, I asked Mayor Massad what makes Mankato a great city. She said that the community is what makes Mankato so special.

Using a story as an example, she tells of how her daughter fought to bring her adopted son back from Lebanon and residents of Mankato rallied to the

Massad family’s side and called for the aid of Senator Klobuchar who helped bring Mayor Massad’s grandson home.

“It was this community that engulfed us and prayed with us and wished us the best and did everything they could. That’s how we got Senator Klobuchar involved, it’s because someone from the community said, “we need help.”

Smiling and candid throughout the interview, I

went on to ask her what her plans were for the city of Mankato.

Mayor Massad said, “There is a lot of goals and objectives, but I’m going to have to take them one step at a time because I’m learning as we did tonight.”

Mayor Massad is a woman who has raised not only her family, but her small business in Mankato for decades and was welcomed and supported with open arms by the community.

Thursday, January 17, 2019

News

MSU Reporter • 3

MNSU student profile: Jack Schaper What is your name?

Jake Schaper

JOSHUA SCHUETZ STAFF WRITER

The gover nment shutdown remains ongoing, now the longest in U.S. history, with no end in sight.

Increasingly, there has been talk among pundits that President Donald Trump may declare a national emergency in order to build the border wall that he campaigned on.

Presidential declarations of emergency are authorized by the National Emergencies Act, passed in 1976.

In brief, the president can use such a declaration to acquire powers that he would not possess under ordinary circumstances.

How many powers? Over 100.

Included in these provisions are the ability to freeze Americans’ bank accounts, the power to shut down electronic communication systems, and the right to impose martial law. These powers go far beyond simply acquiring funds to build a wall.

To be clear: I don’t believe that President Trump is going to freeze your bank account and turn the country into a military dictatorship. I do, however, worry that using this tool to achieve a nakedly political goal may legitimize it as a means by which presidents might try to achieve other political goals, or as a means of subverting democracy altogether.

If that happens, it would represent a serious threat to American liberties at home and abroad. Moreover, these powers can be renewed each year, ad infinitum.

The executive would be able to achieve nearly complete dominance of almost every aspect of American life.

The question is simple: do we really want to take that chance? Given Congress’s propensity for gridlock and the growing problems of legitimacy in the judiciary, there is ample reason to worry that some Americans might say “Yes.”

NEXT ISSUE JAN. 24

Where is your hometown?

Maple Grove, Minnesota What is your major at MNSU? Sports Management Why did you choose MNSU? I chose MNSU for a few reasons. The football program here is great, the school wasn’t too far from home, and the people here are friendly. Though offering me a scholarship helped with my decision, I ultimately knew prior that I wanted to be a Maverick.

Are you an athlete at MNSU? What sport do you play?

I am a student athlete here at MNSU and I play football for the Mavericks.

What is your number and position on the football team?

My number is 93. I play defensive end.

What is your personal goal for this sport?

My personal goal is to be the best player I can be and help my team accomplish their goals as well.

How long have you played this sport, and how has playing this sport affected you?

I have played football for 14 years now. Football has helped set me up for the future because it teaches us how to have discipline, how to work with others, and how important time management is.

It also teaches many boys how to become young men.

How do you manage family, studies, and sport?

Managing football, school, family, and friends is never easy, but it prepares us for the real world. As student athletes we are always on our feet doing something and keeping busy, but that is how our lifestyle has always been and I believe we will be bored if given a lot of free time.

Do you plan on pushing football further as a career?

Just like any other athlete including myself, we all

Photo courtesy of Jake Schaper

want to try and continue our athletic careers past college. Only a slim margin of football players gets the chance to play in the NFL and many don’t last.

Trying to make league is difficult, but better to fail then to never try at all.

What motivates you being at MNSU apart from football?

Football is a great motivator, but so is graduating. Aside from football, I am motivated everyday to reach my goal and graduate with my degree.

Do seasonal changes affect your performance?

Seasonal changes do not have that much of an effect on me or any of my team mates. One thing about playing in Minnesota is we know how to adapt to any kind of weather.

What advice do you have for new incoming student athletes?

If I could give any piece of advice to new student athletes, it would be to manage your time wisely.

Get your schooling done before anything else.

There will always be time for parties and hanging out with friends, that’s college, but those fun memories will fall short if your grades are bad.

And remember to have fun. College is supposed to be fun. I think a lot of people get caught up in stress and forget how to enjoy college.

Compiled by Steven John Ndikum for the MSU Reporter

BIG IDEAS

Continued from page 1 Kanneh, CEO & founder of UnderRecruited Preps.

Civil engineering professor, Dr. Stephen Druschel’s big idea to make winter roads safer in Minnesota by partnering with the Minnesota department of transportation. By using research, he and his team is seeking new ways to apply deicers to snowy highways.

- Bringing data from Minnesota’s archeological sites into one virtual place, an idea by Dr. Ron Schirmer

from the anthropology department.

Whether you are undecided, a first generation, or a legacy Maverick with deep ties to the community, one thread runs through all Mavericks: we are hungry with multiple ideas baking through the course of our journey here as we continue to grow.

With the multitude of resources available, take steps to put your ideas to flight, one step at a time.

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4 • MSU Reporter

Thursday, January 17, 2019 EMAIL THE EDITOR IN CHIEF:

New York bans gay conversion therapy Minnesota has yet to catch up in New York’s progressive footsteps

Opinion KAITLYN JORGENSEN STAFF WRITER Tuesday was a huge victory for New York as their legislators voted to ban conversion therapy and add gender identity to the states list of anti-discrimination laws.

Conversion therapy or otherwise known as reparative therapy is treatment grounded in the belief that being LGBT is abnormal and is intended to change a person’s sexual orientation The origin of conversion therapy dates back to the 1890s however conversion therapy has been found to be not only harmful, but unethical and largely discredited.

According to the Human Rights Campaign Website, in 1997, the American Psychological Association produced a fact sheet on homosexual and bisexual issues, which states that, “there is no published scientific evidence supporting the efficacy of “reparative therapy,” as a treatment to change one’s sexual orientation.

The potential risks of “reparative therapy” are great and include depression, anxiety, and self-destructive behavior, since therapist alignment with societal prejudices against homosexuality may

Photo courtesy of Flickr

reinforce self-hatred already experienced by the patient...

Therefore, APA opposes any psychiatric treatment, such as “reparative” or “conversion” therapy, that is based on the assumption that homosexuality per se is a mental disorder or is based on the priority assumption that the patient should change his or her homosexual orientation.”

This data is over 20 years old, however, nothing has been done in Minnesota since then to ban or change the laws regarding conversion therapy. If the FDA approves a drug and later finds its effects to be harmful to the general population, do they still keep it on the market? Of course not.

Therapy is no different

from any other medicine, and the fact of the matter is conversion therapy does not work. It has already been banned in 15 states in the U.S., with New York being the latest addition.

Minnesota is known for being a progressive state and it is time for us to catch up with the rest. Why haven’t we already?

Proponents of the ban claim that it is an infringement of free speech and the right to practice their religion.

However, many religious practices that are harmful to a person’s health are banned. Some examples of this include federal and state laws banning child marriage, polygamy and female genital mutilation.

Instead of allowing this

abuse of our LGBT youth to continue we need to be protecting, comforting, and allowing them to express themselves, not exposing them to more religious quackery at a time in adolescence when youth are especially impressionable.

If you agree with me on this matter, there are a few upcoming events that might peak your interest.

First off, Rep. Hunter Cantrell, DFL-Savage, is reviving a proposed ban in the state House this year for Minnesota.

In an interview with Torey Van Oot in the StarTribune published Jan. 10, 2019, the freshman legislator said his goal is to protect “children and vulnerable adults who are put into a difficult situation if they are pressured by their families to go through this incredibly harmful, medically negligent pseudotherapy.”

Another event of interest is the showing of the movie “Boy Erased” at the Stomper Cinema on campus this week which is based on the true story of Garrard Connely and his experience with conversion therapy.

The Outfront Minnesota group will also be in the LGBT Center on Thursday, Jan. 17 from noon to 1 p.m. to discuss their efforts in banning conversion therapy and what you can do to further support it.

“What do you want to see changed in the world?”

FARAH ALMEER, BIOMED SCIENCE “I wish people would be less selfish.”

HEESANG KIM, AUTOMOBILE ENGINEERING “No drugs.”

NICOLE DEE, UNDECIDED “Indifference.”

KYLE DUKELOW, ELEMENTARY ED. “A lot of things.”

DAVID BASSEY

david.bassey@mnsu.edu OR AT reporter-editor@mnsu.edu

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Compiled by Kolby Spomer

EMMA LIFTO, CREATIVE WRITING

SHELBY SWENSON, MASS MEDIA

“Respect for others.”

“The lack of acceptance of those who are different than oneself.”

Thursday, January 17, 2019

News

MSU Reporter • 5

Don’t miss Mean Girl’s Daniel Franzese’s performance

KOLBY SPOMER STAFF WRITER

Next week, a star is coming to our college.

Who is it, you might ask?

Beyonce? Lady Gaga? The Dame Queen Elizabeth?

No, the Student Events Team has something much better on tap for us Mavericks. We will be treated to about an hour of comedy from none other than the gay guy in “Mean Girls”.

Damien Franzese, the actor behind the character, has been touring lately and

Photo courtesy of Daniel Franzese’s Facebook page

“He’s gay,” another.

exclaimed

“One might go as far as saying his character was the greatest of the 2000s film scene.” getting all sorts of buzz. “He is funny,” raved one viewer.

If you are interested in seeing the voice of a

generation perform at his peak, then you can go to mnsuevents.com to pick up your tickets. No one will be admitted without one, so go grab your tickets now before they run out.

If you’re still on the fence about going to this once in a lifetime event, I can only assume it is due to the fact that you haven’t seen “Mean Girls”, and thus do not know the legend that is Damien.

Damien was the shining

Letter to the Editor: Listen up Democrats To the Editor: Here is the big problem for the Democrats.

The Republicans are correct when they say that we have not had a new idea for the past 50 years.

They are also right when they say that we have had no real national platform/agenda that we stand for.

I’m not the smartest guy in the world, but at least I have a platform/agenda that I believe in and stand for.

I want the federal government to do more and spend more to help our citizens who are poor, nearpoor, lower-middle-class, and middle-class who are struggling to survive and to pay their bills. I want the national Democratic Party to be the way that it was in the 1960s when we cared more about all of these people and we fought harder to make life better for them.

The problem with the national Democrats is that they have offered no way to pay for anything that would help to make life better for us.

So, we are stuck, and have

been spinning our wheels for the past 50 years doing virtually nothing to help anyone.

It’s no wonder why people are sick and tired of us. We haven’t offered anything new or different. I’m a Democrat, and I am also sick and tired of us.

The only way to get the revenue to actually do something to help Americans in a big way is something that the national Democrats seem to lack the courage and bravery to advocate for. So I will.

Donald Trump proposed it in 1999. Look it up.

The only way to get the revenue to fund my platform/ agenda is to pass a “National Wealth Tax.” If you want to play “Robin Hood” (as I do) , you have to tax WEALTH because that’s where the big bucks are.

So, I advocate for the passage of a National Wealth Tax of 10% on all individuals with a net-wealth and networth of $10 million and higher. This will affect less than 1% of our population.

If we want to have a Canadian-style national

health insurance program which will cover and help 99% of all Americans, this is the only way to come up with the money to pay for it.

It will also generate enough revenue for the President and the Congress to one day declare a “war on Cancer” so that we will finally spend enough to find cures for all forms of cancer and end the suffering once and for all.

Sincerely, Stewart B. Epstein 585-594-0610 phenom51@mail.com P.S. I am a retired college professor of Sociology and Social Work.

I taught at West Virginia University, Slippery Rock University, and SUNYBrockport.

On July 31, 2018, “USA Today” newspaper endorsed the passage of a “National Wealth Tax.” I recently announced my candidacy for the US Congress in 2020.

I will be running against the incumbent Congressman Chris Collins here in western New York.

star in a cast bolstered by actresses like Rachel McAdams and Lindsay Lohan. He had numerous memorable bits and always

delivered a sassy one liner when the script called for it.

One might go as far as saying his character was the greatest of the 2000s film scene.

The campus showed “Mean Girls” this week. So if you missed your chance then I recommend renting the film however you can and getting some of that Damien goodness.

In all seriousness, this event does look to be a great one. Damien is a legitimately funny person and his routine is very well done.

It is really nice of him to be doing this show for the students here, and if you have the chance you should go to the website and get your tickets for Jan. 24 at 7:30 p.m.

I know I’ll be going.

FIND A PLACE TO RENT AT

M A N K AT O ' S R E N TA L L I S T I N G W E B S I T E

6 • MSU Reporter

News

Thursday, January 17, 2019

Multiple vacancies open at Student Government With the winter break exit of Ogunfolami, SG hopes to leave stong legacy

DAVID BASSEY EDITOR IN CHIEF It’s the start of the new year and a new semester and as such, it was a strange sight noticing the empty seat of the vice president.

As the meeting continued into a period of open forum, Emi Menk, interim Assistant Director of Student Activities introduced herself and reminded the student government body of the ongoing Recognized Student Organization (RSO) spring recognition. She highlighted two things for RSOs to do: update their profile on Engage and then come see her by Jan. 31.

Menk also mentioned the student involvement fair coming up on Jan. 29, 2019.

Lastly, she provided another opportunity for the student leadership retreat from Feb. 1 to 3 to hold in Waterville, Minnesota at a cost of $20.

For those who have been through fall recognition, there is no need for a spring renewal.

Vice President for IT Solutions, Mark Johnson, thanked the student body for a successful largest transition in state history from one tenant of Office 365 to another. It was initially intended for 72 hours but was completed in 24 hours and announced in 30 hours, compared to other schools who were down for as much as a month.

Some of the benefits are the integration of D2L currently available. Although they anticipated having to

Reporter Archives

offer support post-transition, they did not have that much due to students utilizing the website guidelines provided.

He also urged students to walk up, email or call at any time if they were experiencing difficulties.

Following a unanimous approval of the agenda, President Cronin began her officer report focused on Students United. The election of a new vice chair, Elijah Mason, who is a graduate student at MSU-Mankato.

President Cronin stated that the Students United advocacy conference coming up on February 24 with over 200 openings available to students. The deadline to sign up is January 30.

Cronin also added that there is an opening for the Mankato Coordinator position, grade appeal committee for the College of Arts and Humanities.

Next, she invited senators

MSUM STUDENTS, FACULTY & STAFF Mark your calendar for this special FREE EVENT! Mankato Area Lifelong Learners presents a FREE community event, Saturday, January 19th, 2019 at 1:00 p.m.

Ostrander Auditorium in the Centennial Student Union.

A question and answer session will follow.

The presentation will feature Tom Hanson, a 25-year U.S. Foreign Service diplomat, and a worldwide speaker. His topic is the U.S. Election and its effect on U.S. Foreign Policy.

Hanson is Diplomat in Residence at Alworth Institute for International Affairs at UM-Duluth. He is chair of Minnesota Committee on Foreign Relations and co-chair of the ChinaAsia Business Association.

He comes to Mankato from a recent weeks-long speaking tour to the U.K., central Europe, Georgia and the Ukraine.

COME AND LEARN! SATURDAY, JANUARY 19TH AT 1:00P.M. IN OSTRANDER AUDITORIUM

to join her in the box for her first game during the maverick hockey game on Saturday which she seemed pretty excited about. Finally, she reminded the senators about the spring retreat and encourage senators to take a look back at why they applied to be a senator to be discussed during the retreat.

Speaker Pesklo’s report focused on the operational items such as senator report format, office hours schedule to be available at the next week. He reminded the senators of an important

date, January 30, when 6 of their office hours are due.

He then added that the open vacancy election for the allied health and nursing senator is scheduled for next week, and encouraged senators to reach out to their peers who are interested.

He then highlighted the additional vacancies, offcampus and vice president positions which will take place on January 30. He concluded by encouraging senators to begin thinking of their legacy as they get closer to the end of their tenures.

Senator Moin volunteered to give his senator report which consisted of his meeting at the technology committee with VP Johnson.

He mentioned students asked a vital question, “Why did the transition happen?” His answer was, “Students will be able to get access to their calendars and MavMail from D2L,” and that they will also have access to their OneDrive without leaving D2L. Speaker Pesklo, also added that senators should reach out to him if they desired to give a senator report next week, as well as including the option of a group report.

Following the reports, the meeting ended with a plethora of announcements from senators and members of the gallery. Some of the announcements were the Farmers Market from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., volunteers will require their MavCard and arrive at 10:30 a.m. and signups are available on Engage and the community engagements page.

As Speaker Pesklo concluded the meeting, he named the Dean of the day, College of Allied Health and Nursing dean, Kristine Retherford, who replied, “Thank you.”

The next Student Government meeting is set for Jan. 23 at 4 p.m.

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Thursday, January 17, 2019

News

MSU Reporter • 7

Falling tree kills man as storm lashes California SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — A falling tree killed a man in Oakland on Wednesday as a powerful storm lashed Northern California with high winds and rain, authorities said.

The man was struck on an embankment near Interstate 580 and died at the scene.

The man, who was homeless, may have been “just trying to stay dry,” California Highway Patrol Officer Herman Baza said. “Unfortunately, that protection was deadly.”

The latest storm in a series that has pounded California all week closed a major freeway, triggered deadly wrecks on slick roads, had people in wildfireravished communities bracing for dangerous mudslides and mountain residents facing “potentially life-threatening” blizzard conditions in the Sierra Nevada.

In Lake County, winds gusts of 71 mph (114 kph) were reported.

Pacific Gas & Electric reported that some 46,000 customers were without

just north of the Golden Gate Bridge disrupted the morning commute. The slide closed southbound Highway 101 across the bridge for about an hour, shutting off the only direct access to San Francisco for drivers north of the city.

Weather concerns also kept a stretch of scenic Highway 1 in Big Sur closed.

In areas recently scarred by wildfires, authorities fear small rivers and creeks will flood their banks and cause massive mudslides, further damaging communities struggling to recover from a historically bad fire season.

The blazes stripped hillsides of trees and other vegetation that stabilize soil and prevent mudslides, putting at risk thousands of people living in foothill and canyon areas devastated by wildfires. That includes the Northern California region where a November fire killed 86 people and destroyed nearly 15,000 homes.

“If flooding occurs, this can quickly become a dangerous and lifethreatening situation,” the

“Three people, including an infant, were killed when their car spun out on a freeway in Placerville, about 130 miles east of San Francisco.” power Wednesday evening.

The heaviest rain was expected to fall Wednesday night but problems piled up earlier in the day.

Heavy snowfall and crashes shut down westbound Interstate 80 at the Nevada border, blocking one of the two routes to the Sierra Nevada and most of Northern California’s ski resorts, authorities said.

In Southern California, fog on a mountain highway triggered a 19-vehicle crash. Thirty-five people were evaluated for injuries after the pileup on Interstate 15 in Cajon Pass, but most declined to be taken to hospitals, the San Bernardino County Fire Department said.

A mudslide on a major Northern California freeway

Butte County Sheriff’s Office said.

Authorities told residents of Pulga to prepare to flee their canyon community that neighbors the town of Paradise, which was leveled two months ago by the Camp Fire.

Conditions started deteriorating on California roadways Tuesday night.

Three people, including an infant, were killed when their car spun out on a freeway in Placerville, about 130 miles (202 kilometers) east of San Francisco.

Authorities blamed it on high speed and rainslickened roads.

In the mountainous community of Truckee where it snowed Tuesday, residents were preparing for the next storm by clearing

Photo courtesy of the Associated Press

driveways and buying wood and food in case they have to stay inside.

“It took my husband an hour to get to Safeway last week because there were so many people and no one could get home,” Whitby Bierwolf told the Sacramento television station KCRA. “You just need to have an alternate plan and have enough stuff in your car because accidents happen.”

The Sierra Nevada and Lake Tahoe regions could see up to 5 feet (1.5 meters) of snow.

In the south, some evacuation orders were in place in the Malibu area west of Los Angeles and parts of neighboring Ventura County. Both were affected by a November fire that destroyed more than 1,500 homes and killed four people.

A rockslide Paul Manion was busy filling sandbags in the community of Bell Canyon.

“It’s something we have to do. I mean, if the water comes, it comes,” Manion told KABC-TV. “Everything around our house burned.

All the houses around our house burned. But it’s the hillsides that we’re worried about.”

Others refused to leave after authorities went door to door at the highrisk Paradise Cove mobile home park in Malibu.

Beaver Valenzuela said he’s survived fiercer storms and wouldn’t leave until he was convinced the danger was more immediate.

“I’m not going anywhere,” he told the Los Angeles news station.

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MSU Reporter • 9 Have a story idea or a comment?

Minnesota State University, Mankato

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A&E Editor Lucas Torborg

lucas.torborg@mnsu.edu

Dred I Dread brings good vibes to Mankato Grammy-nominated band brings reggae music to MNSU MANSOOR AHMAD STAFF POTOGRAPHER The basement of the Centennial Student Union was buzzing with sounds of drums and acoustic guitar riffs.

The Flexible Programming Space was filled with tropical vibes as the crowd inside bobbed their heads to Dred I Dread and their reggae tunes on Wednesday. Performing songs filled with messages aimed at every single soul present in the room, the band had one take-away message for any and all who listened: peace above all.

Fronted by the unmistakably distinct presence of the literally dreaded Peewee Dread, the band performed numerous songs from their first album to their latest, spanning 21 years.

One song that touched hearts was their performance of “Stew Peas & Rice” that spoke about the love of a mother, something everyone can relate to.

Mansoor Ahmad | MSU Reporter

Peewee Dread performs at the Serendipity Music Series Jan. 16 in the CSU Flexible Programming Space.

Formed in 1998, the colorful band’s members are from Jamaica, New Orleans, Turkey, and Minnesota, and if that alone doesn’t hint at how diversely beautiful their music is, you might want to hop on your favorite streaming platform and give their

songs a listen.

The band also touched a sensitive topic in “Gunman”, singing about active shooters across the country.

The passion Dread puts into his songs, coupled with the lyrics, end up having a profound effect on those who

listen. And if you think Dred I Dread was just about sad, sentimental songs, they also mix hip-hop into their music to make it more relatable to the younger generation.

When asked what he hopes to achieve from his songs, Dread said he wanted

to promote peace among the community, while also making them self-sustained.

Based on the same principle,

DRED PAGE 10

Spring 2019 MSU Theatre production preview Peter and the Starcatcher, Macbeth, and more Opinion ring in the new year

LUCAS TORBORG A&E EDITOR Minnesota State University, Mankato’s Theatre Department continues their school season with five new productions for the spring semester.

The semester will consist of five theatre productions, in addition to a dance concert that will be held the first week of May to cap it all off. According to Paul Hustoles, the Chair and producer of Theatre Department, four of the five shows will be plays the department has never done before, which is very excit-

Ted Paul Theatre after the renovation.

ing for everyone involved.

The four new shows for the department consist of “Peter and the Star catch-

er”, and the musical “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” which are main stage productions in the Ted Paul

Photo courtesy of the MSU Theatre Department

Theatre. The other new shows consist of “Mothers and Sons” and “Brain People” which will be the

THEATRE PAGE 11

10 • MSU Reporter

A&E

What to do with items after you tidy up with Marie Kondo ALYSSA BUNDE STAFF WRITER Marie Kondo has sparked an organization revolution thanks to Netflix’s latest documentary hit, “Tidying Up with Marie Kondo”.

Through a series of five steps Kondo teaches individuals to declutter their spaces. However, as individuals clear their home of items that no longer “spark joy”, it is vital to remember that these objects may help someone else. There is a plethora of options for items besides the trash can.

Homeless shelters are always looking for donations to assist the people who stay with them. Mankato is home to various shelters that have lists on their websites of items they need that you may have excess of. Nonperishable food, blankets, pots, pans and cooking glassware are a few examples of the objects needed.

Mankato has a lengthy list of thrift stores that have free donation drop offs. They accept a variety of items like clothing, working electronics, decorations and many more. They will re-sell your objects at a highly discounted price for those who can’t afford full prices.

Pet shelters do not always appear first on people’s minds when thinking of places to donate to. Shel-

ters do their best to make homeless pets comfortable, but they can’t always accommodate every animal as much as they’d like to.

Therefore, donations of things like pet beds, towels and toys are welcome so our furry friends can thrive.

In addition, Mankato’s pet shelters have lists available on their websites describing specifics they are requiring.

Moreover, Facebook’s marketplace is a great tool to earn cash from your unwanted items. One quick search for selling groups will generate an abundance of results. They’re simple to use and can get you a few quick bucks.

Most importantly, there may be objects during the decluttering process that are not donatable, sellable and salvageable. These items may be best for the trash.

However, before tossing them first check if they are being tossed in the right can. things like shampoo bottles, Tupperware, hangers, bottles, jugs and jars are all examples of things that can all be recycled.

Decluttering your home can be a liberating process. However, after you thank your objects for what they’ve done for you, remember that their journey may not be finished. They can still assist others long after your done with them.

DRED Continued from page 9 Dread also makes and sells his own hot sauce called “Rasta Tease”.

Although Dred I Dread is classified as a reggae group, the secret to the Grammy-nominated band’s longevity, besides the undying support of their fans, is their own take on reggae and how they “stretch it to the limits” while staying close to the core of the vibrant music genre. Dread added, “We

always push our fans outside the box. We get them out of their comfort zone.”

When Dread moved from New Orleans to Minneapolis, he started Dred I Dread with Rawle G. Since then, the band has released four studio albums, and one live album– and they don’t have plans to stop anytime soon, as they will be travelling around the country playing across multiple states.

Thursday, January 17, 2019

Drake and Millie Brown’s questionable relationship Are stranger things happening between the two?

KOLBY SPOMER STAFF WRITER In our society today, we champion some pretty garbage people. Louis C.K., who was at one time the biggest comedian in the world, had rumors dogging him for years about his “questionable” self-care habits before he was finally confronted about it. Bill Cosby was a serial rapist, and a good amount of people knew about the allegations before any sort of justice was actually served.

Society tends to forgo their values if they like what you do or if you can entertain them. That is why the world’s biggest pop star, Canadian rapper Drake, is still and will continue to be very much in the spotlight, despite the growing disgust many online forums and articles are showering the artist with in response to his increasingly disturbing relationships with

Photo courtesy of Flickr

young women like “Stranger Things” star Millie Bobby Brown.

All of this outrage was kickstarted by the leak of a video. Taking place at a Drake concert back in 2010, the video in question showcases Drake interacting with a young girl on stage.

He is seen fondling her breasts and body, after which he asks the girl her age. She responds with the answer 17, to which Drake jokingly says, “I can’t go to jail yet, man!

Why do you look like that?!

Well, look, I had fun. I don’t know whether I should feel guilty or not, but I had fun.

I like the way your breasts feel against my chest. I just

want to thank you.” He then proceeds to kiss her on the face multiple times before escorting her offstage.

Drake has not changed much since then, if rumors are to be believed. Recently, it has been speculated that he is in a relationship with 18-year-old model Bella Harris. The age difference of 13 years on top of the incredibly young age of Bella is cringe inducing alone, but after some digging by internet detectives the whole situations gets even more disturbing.

DRAKE PAGE 12

Thursday, January 17, 2019

A&E

Best movies of 2019 Did your favorite movies make the list?

KOLBY SPOMER STAFF WRITER

2018 was a BIG year for film. The Avengers all died, horror continued its much needed renaissance, and streaming continued to be insanely popular. A lot of great films were made, but not everyone can get on our extremely prestigious and well respected list.

Awards like that are saved for very special films. Films like…

“The Ballad of Buster Scruggs” by the Coen Brothers. Originally designed to be a Netflix miniseries and eventually converted into a movie, this western anthology film deals with existentialism, morality, and above all else, some rootin’ tootin’ westerness. The cast holds huge names, most of which give outstanding performances that are often against type.

The script is relatively tight, and the cinematography is very well done. But what really sets this film apart is the stellar direction the Coen’s provide.

Next up we have “Annihilation” by Alex Garland. A movie set during a tumultuous set of events, the most compelling drama might very well be the personal ones. The way Garland interweaved main character Lena’s drama into the unique fictional nightmare the movie takes place in is

extremely well done and worthy of note. Natalie Portman also gives a stellar performance here.

The next two films were a little more indie. “Eighth Grade” and “You Were Never Really Here” wowed the few who actually watched them. The first film deals with growing up in the digital age, and the stress that can cause. Written and directed by comedian Bo Burnham in his first film venture, his attempt is very reminiscent of Jordan Peele’s recent turn with the unbelievable “Get Out”.

Elsie Fisher gives one of the best performances I have ever seen from a child actress here, as her character Kayla experiences the highs and lows of her final year in junior high.

In the second indie darling listed, Joaquin Phoenix continued to add to his wildly underrated career with the near pitch perfect performance of a man nearing his emotional limits.

Lynne Ramsay’s deconstruction of violence in this tightly written script deserves much, much more praise than it received, especially considering how far behind the rest of hollywood when it comes to the subject matter. The final thirty minutes are amongst my favorite of the 21st century, let alone the year.

Last, and definitely not least, we have the masterclass of horror filmmaking

that is the film “Hereditary”

by Ari Aster. Everything about this movie is what I want in my horror. Light on cheap scares, filled to the brim with tension, doubling as a metaphor for something larger, and all in all being a very, very well executed film, Aster has created something special. Focusing on the family, it showcases strong performances from the whole cast, top to bottom. The way problems like leaving disorders and personal struggles behind for your kids is expressed is near genius. I cannot gush about this movie enough.

However, the ending could have been handled a little more...elegantly. But still, amazing film.

Of course, these are not the only worthwhile films from the year. Animated films like “The Incredibles 2” and “Into the Spider Verse” were extremely well recieved by children and adults alike, and blockbusters like “Infinity War” and “Black Panther” proved that Marvel is here to stay for the long foreseeable future.

And even I haven’t seen Oscar favorites like “The Favourite” and “If Beale Street Could Talk”. Point is, 2018 rocked film-wise and you should try to see any number of movies. But the previously mentioned five are a great starting point.

Photo courtesy of the Associated Press

Black Panther pounces on the car of the villain Klaw in the critically aclaimed 2018 Marvel movie.

MSU Reporter • 11

THEATRE

Continued from page 9 productions for the studio season this semester in the Andreas Theatre.

The sixth show, “Macbeth”, may have been performed by the department many times in the past however, this performance will bring a fresher, more original take to the Shakespeare classic. “Macbeth” will be brought to life on the Ted Paul Theatre February 14 through the 16 as well as the 21 through the 24.

“Macbeth” is being directed by Heather Hamilton who traditionally brings a feminist viewpoint to works originating in a male dominated world.

Look for a very strong Lady Macbeth to light that world on fire,” Hustoles said.

“Peter and the Starcatcher” will be the first play of the semester. Directed

by Paul Hustoles, based on a book by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson, the play focuses on Peter Pan, Mrs. Darling, Tinker Bell and Hook in a prequel to the original story everyone knows and loves.

“It has a stunning cast featuring junior Ryan Feist as Peter and senior Zoe Hartigan as the Starcatcher, both are BFA Acting

majors and seasoned veterans of our stage. The cast is intimate, only 13, but the set, designed by 2nd year MFA candidate Ben Kramer, is one of the most spectacular we have ever had in the Andreas Theatre,” Hustoles said.

Peter and the Starcatcher will be playing in Andrea’s theatre January 31 through February 3 as well as February 6 through 10.

It is evident that there are some great shows to look forward to this semester. However, there is much more going on besides for the upcoming productions.

The Ted Paul Theatre’s $500,000 renovation has just finished making for a better a viewing experience for the audience and better place to learn for the students.

Students who could not afford tickets in the past should be happy to learn that ticket prices have been decreased.

Students can buy a pass for all 6 shows including the dance concert for $50.

Tickets can be purchased online at www.mnsu.edu/ theatre/season/ or at the box office located in the lobby of the Earley Center for Performing Arts on the campus.

12 • MSU Reporter

A&E

Thursday, January 17, 2019

Book Review: Stephen King’s “Outsider” AMANDA BETTERS STAFF WRITER Are you looking for a new book to read? Are you a fan of horror? If so, please consider picking up a copy of “The Outsider” by Stephen King.

It’s no surprise that Stephen King is the “King of Horror”, but this time, he will leave you on the edge of your seat. The story takes place in Flint City, Oklahoma, and it revolves around the murder of an 11-year-old boy.

WARNING: Potential spoilers are ahead, so they will be kept to a minimum, out of respect for future readers.

The book starts out with Ralph Anderson, a detective for the Flint City Police Department. Ralph Anderson and his colleagues from the police department have a warrant for the arrest of Terry Maitland, who is suspected of killing the 11-year-old boy.

Photo courtesy of the Associated Press

Terry Maitland is publicly arrested at a Little League Baseball game, where he is the coaching the team that is playing.

Anderson, who shows little sympathy for Maitland, has him taken down to the police station and he is immedi-

ately questioned about his whereabouts at the time of the murder. Maitland’s fingerprints were found on the murder weapon that was found at the scene, and in the van that was used as a getaway vehicle.

It’s safe to assume at this

point that Maitland is guilty and that the case seems ironclad, as the synopsis of the book indicates. That’s where the book begins to take a dramatic turn and it turns out, Maitland has an alibi for the time of the murder. He was out of town at a conference and eyewitness statements, as well as video footage, confirms this.

This is where the questions start occurring, and the biggest one is how can a person be in two places at once? It’s physically impossible, but how is it that Maitland would have had time to drive to the conference, after just committing the murder? The case takes a more bizarre turn when a similar murder was committed in another town, thousands of miles away.

It should be evident to the reader at this point that there was no way that two murders would occur the same way, but by two different people.

The only connection between the two men was that Maitland’s father was a resident

at the nursing home, and the other man worked there. It’s very doubtful that the two men would have concocted such gruesome murders to happen at different times.

Anderson and his colleagues are forced to come to the realization that the evidence is contradictory and they might be dealing with an unlikely doppleganger.

They team up with Holly Gibney, a former assistant to their deceased colleague, Bill Hodges. They soon uncover more evidence that only confirms their deepest fears.

Anderson slowly begins to believe that they are no longer dealing with any average man, but rather something that is beyond their world.

Anderson and his colleagues must work together to stop the killer, before he finds his next victim.

Readers should really take a chance on “The Outsider”.

The book will suck them in and shock them, as only King can.

come to a man like Drake?

Maybe. The culture we live in right is starting to change, and men like this are starting to lose their power.

That being said, any punishment that comes will pale in comparison to the damage men like this cause in their

victims psychologically and physically.

Sadly, there is little people can do outside of voice their outrage and fight for a better world. If garbage eaters like Drake have a fire put on them for long enough, eventually they’ll sweat too.

DRAKE Continued from page 10 Photos from 2016 surfaced of the two backstage at a Rihanna concert. That means he was going to events with his now girlfriend when she was only 15 years old.

It’s not incriminating necessarily, but when coupled with the aforementioned video and the many rumors circling around online, it at the very least makes one pause and contemplate the situation.

These, among other

things like age difference and the history child actors have in Hollywood, are all reasons why people are concerned about Millie Bobby Brown. The 14-year-old girl and the 32-year-old rapper apparently have a very close relationship, with the latter giving the former advice on things like dating and boys.

It is clear to me, and many others, that Drake has started performing what many call “grooming”. Grooming is a

practice older men participate in in which they find a young, underage girl and befriend them. They do this until they turn of age, in which they finally pounce. Or in Drake’s case, they make the relationship public.

Will any repercussions

Spring Student Subscription

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Order before February 3, 2019, to get the best seats for the 6 shows this semester by the Department of Theatre & Dance.

Spring Semester Shows • Peter and the Starcatcher • Macbeth • Mothers and Sons • The Hunchback of Notre Dame • Brainpeople • Spring Dance Concert Forms can be completed at the main Theatre & Dance office (PA201), or download online at

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Thursday, January 17, 2019

MSU Reporter • 13 Have a story idea or a comment?

Minnesota State University, Mankato

EMAIL

Sports Editor Kevin Korbel

kevin.korbel@mnsu.edu

MSU hockey faces off with Lake Superior State at home The Mavericks (18-5-1) are ready to do battle this weekend against the Lakers from Michigan

BRADY OLSON STAFF WRITER It was a tough winter break for the Minnesota State men’s hockey team, but the No. 6-ranked Mavs will look to keep their newborn winning streak alive as they face No. 18 Lake Superior State at home this weekend in a twogame series.

Minnesota State was flying high as students were let out for winter break. They had a record of 13-2, and had won their previous four games.

Then, they suddenly got swept on the road by a redhot Bowling Green team, lost a heartbreaking 4-3 game to Minnesota-Duluth, and

fought to a draw in the desert against Arizona State.

Since then, the Mavericks have regained some steam.

In their first series of the new year, they managed to earn a crucial sweep over Michigan Tech, and followed it up with a pair of road wins against Ferris State. The four-game winning streak has allowed the Mavericks to retake first place in the WCHA standings, as they currently hold a three-point lead over Northern Michigan.

A lot of credit can be attributed to freshman goalie Dryden McKay. McKay, who was last week’s WCHA Goaltender of the Week, has stopped 90 of 96 shots in the last four contests, giving him a save percentage of 94 percent over that time.

On the season, McKay is currently 13th in goals allowed per game, and has compiled a record of 11-4-1 on the season.

Samuel Oluwadoromi | MSU Reporter

Sophomore Riese Zmolek (25) and the Mavericks look to continue their latest success on the season this weekend with Lake Superior State coming to town.

On the offensive end, the Mavs’ offensive attack is being spearheaded by juniors Marc Michaelis and Parker Tuomie. They have amassed 26 and 22 points, respective-

ly, and are both converting on over 20 percent of their shots. Both are a big reason that MSU is currently sixth among Division I programs in goals scored per game.

HOCKEY PAGE 14

Championship Sunday Preview: Old Age vs. New Age Will newcomers Goff and Mahomes prevail, or will Brady and Brees steal the show Sunday?

KEVIN KORBEL SPORTS EDITOR This Sunday, millions of NFL fans around the world will finally get to see who will be playing in Super Bowl 53.

The Los Angeles Rams march into Louisiana to face the New Orleans Saints, followed by the New England Patriots traveling to Arrowhead Stadium to face the Kansas City Chiefs.

In both matchups, you’ll see rematches from two of the best games from the 2018 regular season, with the Rams facing the Saints in a rematch from week nine, followed by the Patriots facing off with the Chiefs in a rematch from week six.

The first matchup on Sunday will feature two of the most high-powered offenses in the NFL, when the Los Angeles Rams face-off against

Photos courtesy of the Associated Press

Patrick Mahomes (top, left) and Jared Goff (bottom, left) look to show Tom Brady (top, right) and Drew Brees (bottom, right) who rules the NFL. the New Orleans Saints in New Orleans, Louisiana.

The New Orleans Saints go into Sunday, second in

the NFL in points scored per game. The Los Angeles Rams sit right behind them, at third place in the NFL.

Both teams are very similar, in terms of how their offense is built. For starters, at the quarterback position, Jared

Goff of the Rams and Drew Brees of the Saints both top the league terms of passing yards, passing touchdowns, and completion percentage on the year.

Both teams also feature two of the best running backs, and wide receivers in the league.

Running backs Todd Gurley (Rams) and Alvin Kamara (Saints) have a combined 39 touchdowns on the season, and look to be a nuisance for any opposing defender who try to take them down.

Wide receivers Michael Thomas (Saints), who leads the league in catches on the season (125), and Brandin Cooks (Rams), who has 1,204 receiving yards on the season, have given their teams an extra-added flavor to their teams’ offenses.

With both teams having high-powered offenses, the key of this matchup is who will make the key stops on defense, and who will be able

PLAYOFFS PAGE 14

14 • MSU Reporter

Sports

PLAYOFFS continued from page 13

Thursday, January 17, 2019

Photo courtesy of the Associated Press

Atlanta, Ga. is the site of Super Bowl 53 this year, and it looks like no matter which of the four teams make the Super Bowl this season, it’ll be a great matchup to see no matter who ends up making it to the big dance in February. to give the ball to their top playmakers.

The pick: Saints 27 Rams 24 Tom Brady, and the New England Patriots march into Arrowhead Stadium to face

HOCKEY

MVP-candidate Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs in the last matchup of Sunday.

Mahomes, who was second in the league in passing yards (5,097), first in passing

Continued from page 13

touchdowns (50), and second in passer rating on the season (113.8) looks to lead the Chiefs to their first Super Bowl since 1970, and potentially capture the franchises’ second championship in franchise history.

On the other side of the pond, Tom Brady and the New England Patriots march into their eighth-consecutive

AFC championship appearance, and with a victory on Sunday would play in their third-consecutive Super Bowl.

The matchup between Brady (41 years old) and Mahomes (23 years old) will be the biggest age difference ever in a conference championship game.

Brady has 28 playoff vic-

tories in his career, which is more than the age of Patrick Mahomes (23).

With Brady being the more experienced veteran in the NFL, and Mahomes being in his postseason, look for Brady to have the leg-up going into this matchup.

The pick: Patriots 31 Chiefs 27

Stop by our booth at the Housing Fair next Wednesday in the CSU!

* URGENT * LIMITED UNITS AVAILABLE!

Samuel Oluwadoromi | MSU Reporter

Sophomore Jake Jaremko (5) and the Mavericks look to provide the home crowd with some much-needed success at the Verizon Center this weekend.

Despite the Mavericks’ latest success, don’t expect LSSU to roll over just yet.

They have clawed their way into the Top 20, and still have an outside shot at the WCHA title. Currently sitting in fifth place, a series sweep would pull them within four points of the Mavericks.

They are also currently third in the conference in both goal differential and goals scored.

The series will take place this Friday and Saturday at the Verizon Center. Both games have a start time of 7:07 p.m.

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Thursday, January 17, 2019

Sports

MSU Reporter • 15

Michigan State Interim President Engler set to resign next week DETROIT (AP) — The former governor brought in to help Michigan State University recover from the Larry Nassar sexual abuse scandal resigned Wednesday as the school’s interim president amid backlash over his comments about some of the exsports doctor’s victims.

John Engler, who had resisted pressure to step down over previous remarks, announced his plans in an 11page letter to Dianne Byrum, chairwoman of Michigan State’s Board of Trustees. It makes no mention of recent criticism of his comments and instead lists what he considers to be his accomplishments in his one year of service, saying the university is a “dramatically better, stronger institution.”

“It has been an honor to serve my beloved university,” he wrote.

Engler said he was in Texas attending a burial service for his late father-in-law. His resignation, which he said he was making at the trustees’ request, is effective Jan. 23.

With his sudden reversal, Engler joins a long list of people — including his predecessor as president — who have been fired, forced out of their jobs or charged

with crimes amid fallout from the school’s handling of the once-renowned sports doctor stretching back decades.

The final straw for the university’s board came last week when Engler told The Detroit News that Nassar’s victims had been in the “spotlight” and are “still enjoying that moment at times, you know, the awards and recognition.”

Nassar is now serving decades-long prison sentences for sexually assaulting patients and possessing child pornography.

The Associated Press left messages Wednesday seeking comment from Engler, who was hired last February following the resignation of president Lou Anna Simon over the Nassar scandal.

Brian Mosallam told the AP that the board had enough votes to force Engler out at a special meeting scheduled Thursday at the school in East Lansing.

Byrum stopped short of confirming that she asked Engler to resign but told the AP he had “a decision to make” because the board is poised to name a new interim leader at Thursday’s meeting. Both Byrum and Mosallam are Democrats, and Engler is a

Photo courtesy of the Associated Press

former Republican governor.

Mosallam, a long-time Engler critic, said on Twitter that “JOHN ENGLER’S REIGN OF TERROR IS OVER.” His tweet followed a post by Byrum announcing Thursday’s meeting.

After Engler was hired by the board, Michigan State agreed to a $500 million settlement with 332 women and girls who said they were sexually assaulted by Nassar. Of that, $75 million will cover future claims.

In April, Engler told another university official in emails

that Rachael Denhollander, the first woman to go public with her accusations about Nassar, was probably getting a “kickback” from her attorney.

Denhollander told the AP Wednesday that her hope is that the board “is signaling at least the beginning of a true change in direction and tone.

And in order to do that, they have to deal with the person they put in place.”

She said who Engler was and how he operated “was no secret in Michigan.” The former board — five mem-

bers remain and three are gone — picked Engler “for a reason,” she said, and it “needs to take responsibility for what they did.”

Her biggest concern with Engler’s tenure has been what he has “communicated about abuse,” Denhollander said. “What he has communicated is that survivors who speak up will be attacked and blamed and shamed, that those who push for change are going to be accused of enjoying the spotlight, that they will be lied about.”investigation.

Peaceful, Convenient and Comfortable Living at Glenwood Terrace Amenities

+ Spacious, Air-Conditioned Units + Outdoor heated swimming pool, beautifully lit at night + Conveniently located only one mile from MSU + Free Extra Storage Space +Free heat, water, sewage and garbage removal (included in your lease) + New outside gas grills with wooded picnic areas + Laundry Facilities on bottom level of each building + Off-street parking space with electricity + Free parking 1/2 block from MSU Campus + On-site resident manager, caretaker and maintenance + Internet, phone and cable hookup-ready

*Rates are monthly. Leases are 12-months.

Pet-friendly units will require an additional $20/month.

The dog or cat must be under 20 pounds and spayed/neutered.

Limit of 1 pet per unit. A $200 pet fee is required.

Additional Information Application Fees

(includes a and b below) $30 per person | $40 per married couples (for in-state MN license) $50 per person | $60 per married couples (for out-state license)

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BATH

KITCHEN

2-Bedroom Layout • 830 sf BATH LIVING ROOM

BEDROOM

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a | Credit history & criminal background checks are done on all applicants

b | Rental history background verification, employment and/or income verification c | A co-signer may be required if we are unable to verify applicant’s credit, employment or rental history background

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Contact us to reserve your new space!

LIVING ROOM

BEDROOM

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1-Bedroom $710* 2-Bedroom $825*

1-Bedroom Layout • 640 sf

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Rental Rates

KITCHEN

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BEDROOM

Security Deposit(s)

Security deposits are $200 per person/roommate

507-387-1217

www.mfdc.com/glenwood

Reserve Now: 507-387-1217 | www.mfdc.com/glenwood Office Hours are M-F 9 am -5 pm; Evenings and weekends by appointment

16 • MSU Reporter

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