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Minnesota State University, Mankato
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THURSDAY FEBRUARY 2, 2017
Bee-friendly campus project aims to be friendly to bees New Zoology Club wants you to be informed about the critical importance of bees.
LUKE LARSON Staff Writer Those who have seen “Bee Movie,” the 2007 cartoon film featuring the voice of Jerry Seinfeld, may be aware of the critically important (but hidden) role bees play in our lives and the serious danger they currently face. “Most people don’t know that they’re endangered and that they are such a critical thing for our ecosystem,” says Taylor Heid, President of the newly-founded Zoology Club. “They don’t know how important they are and why this movement even needs to happen. That’s the first barrier I need to cross, through student outreach and education.” She, along with librarian Kellian Clink, are leading the charge in getting MNSU to
do its part to combat the plight of the bees. While it may not be easy to see, bees have a substantial impact on everyone’s dayto-day life. Aside from beautif ying gardens, pollination is also key to food production. “Bees are responsible for every three bites that we take in our food,” explains Heid. She also notes that they have a major economic impact. But bees are not thriving. Their numbers are being decimated due to the effects of pesticides, parasites, habitat loss, and climate change. A recent sign of this danger is found in the case of the rusty patch bumblebee, a species native to Minnesota which Heid notes was recently listed as endangered. Like many other environmental issues, the tragedy of the bees is a human issue, as well. When bees suffer, humans suffer. “If bees die out, who knows what’s going to happen to the ecosystem?” says Heid. “They’re a keystone species.”
(CC BY-NC-ND 2.0) by Pimthida
Heid and Clink are ambitious and optimistic in their vision. They aim to make MNSU a haven for bees. The plan for a “beefriendly campus” is twofold: to promote practices that will attract bees and to educate campus about the importance of the issue. Heid lists a number of ways to bring more bees to campus: l i m i t i n g pesticides, introducing hives, creating g a r d e n s , and using bee-friendly landscaping. The idea is not isolated to MNSU – it has already been gaining momentum across the nation. Bee City USA (www. beecityusa. org) is an organization dedicated to establishing “bee cities” and “bee campuses” This infographic is from BeeInformed.org, a partnership specializing in the across the research of the honey bee decline in the United States. countr y to
TODAY’S FEATURED STORIES
protect bee populations. Clink presented the idea to MSSA last semester, asking for support into investigation of the idea. Senators responded with concerns about bee stings. Heid notes that only 1,000 of the 20,000 bee species sting and that landscaping can be done with plants that only attract the non-stinging species. “My role in this movement of being a bee friendly campus is simply that of an enabler,” says MSSA president Faiçal Rayani. “My goal is to do what I do best for our students. It would be fantastic to increase the population of bees in our area and show support for the existence of bees as an institution without causing harm to our campus patrons.” Clink, who has made efforts to make her own yard bee-friendly, says, “I just think it’s important for us to do our part. I mean, it doesn’t have to be a big part, but I think I would like to see us at least make a symbolic step.” She adds that one of the most significant impacts bee-friendly measures have is their potential to create awareness. “[We’d] send out 15,000
Dear lawmakers: Can we please focus on policy?
Acoustic Showcase returns to Buster’s Bar
Pats poised to win fifth title in Brady, Belichick era
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people who are more aware of what the situation is,” said Clink. Heid and Clink hope that the movement doesn’t stop with the bees, but goes on to spark other environmental movements on campus. Creating a bee-friendly campus is a top priority of Heid’s newly-formed Zoology Club. The club meets every other Monday at 7 p.m. in Trafton Center 314. Its next meeting will be this upcoming Monday, Feb. 6. Zoology Club focuses on topics related to animals in some way. The goal of the club, Heid says, is to “educate ourselves, educate others, and volunteer in the community.” Last semester, the club hosted a showing of the film “Before the Flood” to raise awareness of climate change and this semester the club plans to promote the Save the Boundary Waters campaign. To keep up with the beefriendly movement, follow MNSU Bee Friendly Campus on Facebook.
Have a story idea or a comment? EMAIL
News Editor Nicole Schmidt nicole.schmidt-3@mnsu.edu
2 • MSU Reporter
News
Thursday, February 2, 2017
Maverick Profile: Meet javelin thrower Madison Eggermont However, she still enjoys the water and swims as a hobby to pass time or just to blow off some steam. Eggermont’s father played a huge role in her athletic career by driving her to get into track and field, even if there are some restrictions with the javelin throw at high school level. “When I was younger and saw my dad interacting with the athletes he was coaching, the atmosphere was vibrant and amazing,” Eggermont said. The story of how she started competing in the javelin throw is quite intriguing. Eggermont had no intention of getting involved in the sport, but during one of the track and field meets last year, she gave the sport a shot and qualified for the finals during the meet. Since then, she has kept at it and never looked back with those
MARJAN HUSSEIN Staff Writer Madison Eggermont, a javelin thrower for the Maverick Women’s Track and Field Team, is without a doubt a phenomenal athlete. Inspired by her father who coached the sport back in her childhood days, Eggermont seeks to outshine expectations and always performs outstandingly in the sport. Her superb vigor and exuberant personality make her a delight to be around. Eggermont is a junior, pursuing a degree in Physical Education and Health. During her freshman year at Minnesota State University, Mankato she was involved in the weight throw, shot put, and discus. She just picked up the javelin throw last year when she was a sophomore and is very optimistic about this field event. “One of my role models would be my boyfriend, John Smith, who competes for Duke University,” Eggermont said. “He represents and models a good work ethic with a positive mindset giving his all whenever he is on the field.”
Photo courtesy of Madison Eggermont Eggermont stands with her father at a track meet. Eggermont is also strongly motivated by her religious beliefs, as she states, “I definitely perform for an audience of one since I am able to use my body and skills to glorify He who gave them to me.” Eggermont juggled several sports during her
grade school and high school years, performing exceptionally in anything she set her mind to. She swam, played a bit of soccer, volleyball, and basketball, while also managing to be on the track and field team, competing not only in field events but also in track.
TRACK page 3
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Self-driving car prototypes need less human help, data show LOS ANGELES (AP) — Self-driving car prototypes appear to be getting better at negotiating California streets and highways without a human backup driver intervening, according to data made public Wednesday by California transportation regulators. The data reflect safetyrelated incidents reported by 11 companies that have been testing more than 100
vehicles on public roads, primarily in the Silicon Valley neighborhoods where the technology has grown up. The reports were made to California’s Department of Motor Vehicles, which posted them online. The documents catalog the number of times from December 2015 through the end of November that humans took over control from a car’s software for
safety reasons. Waymo, as Google’s self-driving car project was recently rebranded, did far more testing than the other 10 companies combined — and had much greater success. Its fleet drove itself more than 635,000 miles with 124 safety-related “disengagements,” which must be reported when the technology fails or the
TRACK
Continued from page 2 moments being something that Eggermont cherishes to this day. “There are quite a few ups and downs with the sport as with any sport, but focusing on what’s important is the best way to get remarkable results,” Eggermont says. “The Maverick track and field team is awesome because they are a group of unique athletes who work extremely hard, and being part of that is a privilege as they have accomplished wonders over the years.” Eggermont is also quite the team player; she loves to support and cheer on her team during any competition. “I feel like I have this
inner coach in me. It probably comes from my father, which always makes me get people pumped up and hyped before they compete,” Eggermont said. Eggermont aspires to make it to the conference levels of competition this year, and perhaps even break her personal records. “Participating in any sport can teach one several things, like self-discipline, how to be a team player, [and] how to encourage others, so I am learning something new from javelin each day,” Eggermont said. Eggermont’s advice to any individual planning to compete in javelin or any other sport is to ask
NOW LEASING!
yourself, “Why not?” “You will never know unless you try,” she says. “I walked on to the track team not knowing how it would go, but it was a blessing in disguise and it has just been a river of opportunity.” Eggermont shows what true sportsmanship is about by not only striving hard to excel in her own field, but also supporting her teammates to reach their goals and surpass expectations. Eggermont shows sincere devotion, loyalty to her teammates, love for her sport, and a special denotation of the Maverick spirit.
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backup driver takes control out of concern the car is malfunctioning. The Google project’s disengagement rate was the equivalent of two incidents every 10,000 miles, a notable decrease over the prior year, when there were eight disengagements per 10,000 miles. “This f o u r- f o l d improvement reflects the significant work we’ve been doing to make our software and hardware more capable and mature,” Dmitri Dolgov, Waymo’s head of self-driving technology wrote in a blog post . Waymo’s chief critic a c k now l e d g e d t he
improvement, but John Simpson of the nonprofit Consumer Watchdog said the number of disengagements shows the cars still “simply aren’t ready to be released to roam our roads” without human backup drivers. Other companies also showed improvements. Nissan reported 28 disengagements over 4,099 miles, or 68 incidents per 10,000 miles — far better than the 106 in 1,485 miles (713 per 10,000 miles) it reported last year.
CARS page 5
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4 • MSU Reporter
Thursday, February 2, 2017 EMAIL THE EMAIL THE EDITOR CHIEF: EDITOR IN IN CHIEF:
Dear lawmakers: Can we please focus on policy? In a time of gridlock, Americans are relying on compromise more than ever.
Opinion
NICOLE SCHMIDT News Editor If you’ve been awake the past week, you might have heard a few things here and there about our government and newlyelected administration. President Donald J. Trump may help ring a few bells if you are still struggling to put
workers, organizations, and the people alike have not hesitated in releasing resistance statements, shows of solidarity, or anything else that conveys one key message: We are not with you, and we will never be. We will resist. All of these displays of fortitude are something every American citizen has a right to, thanks to our First Amendment rights (thank you, First Amendment). It is something that can make you tip your hat to those legally using their rights to make their voice heard, no matter where you fall on the political ideology spectrum. However, in a time
“With ideologies spanning from Bernie Sanders to Ted Cruz, common ground is beginning to look more like a “keep off the grass” area than the public park it should be thought of as.” a finger on what exactly I’m talking about. In probably the most controversial election in generations, lawmakers are digging their heels into the dirt and promising a battle in upcoming years. Elec ted governmental
where political war is not an empty threat but rather a promise, American citizens need to consider the effects of political gridlock in Washington. It’s easy to see that Washington is possibly more divided than ever.
Pulse TRAVIS MEYER FINANCE
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“I eat a lot of oranges and try to relax.”
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With ideologies spanning from Bernie Sanders to Ted Cruz, common ground is beginning to look more like a “keep off the grass” area than the public park it should be thought of as. This feeling of many lawmakers to resist, on both sides of the spectrum, hurts the American people. While we may feel a bit of pride for officials standing for what they believe is right, maybe even granting them the number one trending hashtag on Twitter for the night, we as the American people lose. You see, when governmental officials either blatantly resist or walk away pointedly, nothing is being accomplished but a feelgood display of self. Consider this. If a lawmaker you really admire walked away from their post on account of “just not being able to work with them,” that lawmaker is out. Gone. Their voice is now silent in making real change as they could have done in office as appointed to do by the people. They are no longer a legitimate force in changing policy like they could have been while still in office. Sadly, this display is not uncommon in today’s political arena. Call me crazy, but I want those in government to make policy. I want
lawmakers throughout the whole spectrum to listen to even the most opinionated arguments, learn from it, and find common ground. This will take a real, conscious effort on lawmaker’s part, and sadly, this effort has seemingly not been made over the course of the last 16 years or so. I truly believe that we can learn from each other’s ideas and ways of thinking. There is validity in almost every researched and factuallylegitimate argument. We need to stop thinking that people are crazy, insensitive, dumb, etc. just because they have a different way they view life. So Washington, these next four years, I’m not asking you give up on your ideals. I’m not asking you sacrifice your entire way of thinking. I’m not asking you to pretend everything is alright. I’m not asking you to pretend it’s easy. Instead, I’m asking you to turn a fair and open ear to those unlike you and find a way to see that even your most bittier enemy is a human. I’m asking that you do what you were elected to do; not to stand for your personal beliefs or ideologies, but the beliefs of the people that elected you, and make policy. Period. It won’t be easy, but we the people are counting on you.
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KER LOR EXERCISE PHYSIOLOGY
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“Emergen-C, water, and sleep.”
“Drink tea with honey.”
“Drink hot milk with garlic in it. That’s how my mom did it for me.”
Thursday, February 2, 2017
MSU Reporter • 5
News
CARS
Continued from page 3 Cruise Automation, a startup acquired last year by General Motors, reported driving the second most test miles this year. Cruise said its prototypes had 181 disengagements over 9,776 miles (185 per 10,000 miles) and that it was “pleased with our progress” during testing on the complex streets of San Francisco. The company did not file numbers for 2015 because it did not have a testing permit that year. Though imperfect, the data represent the best peek the public gets into the secretive and fiercely competitive world of selfdriving cars and how the prototypes are performing. California required the disengagement reports as part of regulations governing testing on public roads. Separately, the state also requires companies to report any collisions involving its cars. When the technology will be ready for the public depends on several factors, including regulators’ readiness and company
Photo courtesy of The Associated Press confidence the vehicles are safe. While Tesla’s Elon Musk has been bullish, talking about months rather than years, companies such as Waymo have suggested 2017 or 2018 is more realistic. Tesla’s disengagement report said four prototypes drove a total of 550 miles last fall, experiencing 182 disengagements —
the equivalent of 3,309 disengagements ever y 10,000 miles. Tesla logged the miles primarily to develop a publicly posted video , set to the Rolling Stones song “Paint It Black,” of the driver’s seat perspective in a car where a person does not have to put their hands on the wheel or feet on the pedals. The video promoted how Tesla was
shipping cars with advanced sensors that will be activated in the future. Generally, Tesla tests on private land, not public roads. Those disengagements are not reported to the state. Meanwhile, Tesla is gathering tens of millions of miles of real-world data when owners engage the current Autopilot feature, which can control steering and speed
but is not sophisticated enough to make the cars selfdriving from the regulatory perspective. California’s Department of Motor Vehicles has been working for several years on regulations that will govern how the technology can be rolled out to the public when companies believe testing shows it is ready. The state expects to release final “public operation” regulations within six weeks, according to Melissa Figueroa, a spokeswoman for California’s State Transportation Agency. The Department of Motor Vehicles, which is part of the agency, made public a first draft in December 2015, nearly a year after final rules were supposed to be in place. The department has since revised the language based on developments at the federal level and input from industry and other groups. The agency and the depar tment declined comment on the reports released Wednesday.
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6 • MSU Reporter
A&E
Minnesota State University, Mankato
Thursday, February 2, 2017 Have a story idea or a comment? EMAIL
A&E Editor Gabe Hewitt
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Acoustic Showcase returns to Busters Bar & Grill Musicians Colby Straka and Ocho will perform at revived event Feb. 10.
CHRIS BERTRAND Staff Writer An old Mankato music series has been resurrected, and its reappearance has inspired a gambit of local artists who are eager to toss their tunes at the crowd. Last October, Ocho (a.k.a. Dave O’Connell) revived his Roman-numericized “Acoustic Showcase” (a postponed yet long-living series whose frequency in number has nearly matched that of the Super Bowl,) and the forty-first installment returns at Busters Bar and Grill on Friday, Feb. 10 at 9:30 p.m. While I used the term “resurrection” above to describe the return of the “Acoustic Showcase,” it is perhaps apt to note that acoustic showcases have not been entirely absent from Mankato in recent years. “Acoustic Showcase” began in 2010 and was hosted once a month at the Red Sky Lounge; this relationship lasted until 2013 when the closure and (eventual) destruction of the Red Sky Lounge forced performers to
Colby Straka scan other stage sources like country cats roaming corn rows for mice. However, similes aside, there hasn’t been a shortage of musical opportunity in Mankato per se. In fact, live performances at those other
(CC BY 2.0) by Reva Strunk stage sources have been on the rise. But the three-year absence of “Acoustic Showcase” has nonetheless been felt by artists and non-performing patrons. There can never be too many opportunities to perform one’s art,
and having local venues to host these opportunities is crucial. Thus being, Ocho is happy to have the “Acoustic Showcase” back on the docket. Although his calendar is consistently stuffed with ev-
erything music, he is by no means desensitized by the draw of a live show. Luckily, the Mankato music scene seems to share Ocho’s attitude toward local artists. In regards to progressing communal musical support, Ocho claims that it is a “testament to the creative community,” adding that “it’s [the showcase] all local, and it’s also an opportunity for solo performers.” Support is a necessity in the musical realm, especially for solo artists, and series like the “Acoustic Showcase” are important beacons of such support in Mankato. As far as February 10 goes, there will be two solo artists: Ocho and Colby Straka. Needless to say, Ocho has performed ‘round these parts for years and has the lyrical chops of a witty, satirical boxer. He plans to have friends join him on stage to perform his folky tunes throughout
SHOWCASE
page 8
Film review: La La Land is a story about taking risks Whiplash director and composer reunite for Oscar-nominated musical.
RACHAEL JAEGER Staff Writer La La Land opens with a long shot in downtown Los Angeles where everyone is stuck in traffic. Suddenly, they start emerging from their vehicles and dancing on the hoods, twirling partners around, and some take charge of their own individual dances. Every person has their own destination in mind, but the characters influence each other by either challenging or encouraging each other. As the plot progresses, you do see this theme integrated in the choices each character makes and how they interact with the other characters. The coordination of colors splashed on the screen is vibrant, incorporating yellow, green, red and blue. One of the thematic
Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling in La La Land. threads that stood out is the idea that art appears to be dying and both the major characters have strong passions for keeping it alive. One thrives on jazz music and dreams of opening his own club and the other is relent-
Photo courtesy of The Associated Press
less in her pursuit in theatre. A scene I appreciated is when one of the main characters, Mia (Emma Stone), makes the comment about how she hates jazz and said she said it to “get it out of the way.” Sebastian (Ryan Gos-
ling) then introduces her to a jazz club he likes to go to and points out how each musician plays to their own tune. “It’s conflict, it’s compromise,” he says. “It’s never ending but it is dying.” In the same scene or clos-
er to it, the director cuts to a collage of the instruments, each in their individual image. I thought that was a powerful moment that reflected Sebastian’s words. I do love the prevailing theme throughout the movie that strongly encourages viewers to step outside of their comfort zones and take more risks. Sometimes those risks lead you down different life paths. It shattered my heart into a million pieces, but for any art to be truly successful, it must resonate with strong emotion even if it’s painful. La La Land received fourteen Oscar nominations after its December release, including Best Picture, Best
LA LA LAND
page 8
Thursday, February 2, 2017
MSU Reporter • 7
A&E
Film review: Rogue One: A Star Wars Story Prequel tells the story of the Death Star’s single weakness.
MATTHEW EBERLINE Editor in Chief Warning: This review contains spoilers for Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. Hope. It inspires action, builds rebellions, and shines like a candle in the darkest of times. It’s also the most prominent theme in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, a film that all but radiates a firm and decisive message against oppression and authoritarian regimes. In many ways, Rogue One is a film that reignites a passion for freedom and democracy with its unwavering themes of peace and goodwill, of hope for the destruction of oppressive systems and the downfall of tyranny and bigotry; it’s also the movie that has firmly reinvigorated my hope for the future of the Star Wars franchise. Rogue One follows Jyn Erso (Felicity Jones), the daughter of prominent Imperial scientist Galen Erso (Mads Mikkelsen), who finds herself swept up in a desperate mission with the newly formed Rebel Alliance. The mission: meet with militant renegade, Saw Gerrera (Forest Whitaker) and acquire a secret mes-
Felicity Jones in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. sage sent from Galen concerning the Empire’s newest weapon of mass destruction. Joining Jyn on this mission are Rebel Intelligence officer Cassian Andor (Diego Luna) and K-2SO (Alan Tudyk), a captured Imperial protocol droid reprogrammed to serve the rebellion. Meanwhile, ambitious Director Orson Krennic (Ben Mendelsohn) oversees the completion of the final stages of the Empire’s new colossal superweapon, the Death Star. As the weapon nears its initial testing phase, Krennic attempts to navigate through the machinations of Imperial leaders higher up than him and finds himself constantly overshadowed by Darth Vader and the ruthlessly cunning
(CC BY-NC-ND 2.0) by Tom Simpson
Governor Tarkin. As Jyn and crew bring the fight to the Empire, they are joined by Chirrut Îmwe (Donnie Yen)—a warrior-monk who worships the Force—his protector, Baze Malbus (Wen Jiang), and a former Imperial shuttle pilot by the name of Bodhi Rook (Riz Ahmed). Together, this crew of renegades make up the eponymous Rogue One squad who ultimately find themselves on a seemingly suicidal mission to steal the Empire’s architectural plans for the Death Star and send them to the rebellion leadership. In many ways, Rogue One is a Star Wars fan’s dream come true (at least for me). For the first time in the history of the franchise, we finally get
to see, on screen, elements of the universe that are not directly related to the Force or the Skywalker lineage. We also don’t get to meet any new Jedi Knights, not even the few who supposedly escaped the Empire’s purge of the Jedi Order. What we do get to see is the rise of the rebellion and the hopeful mission that acts as a catalyst for the civil war that spans the entire original trilogy. Altogether, these changes to the often formulaic Star Wars story come together to create a film that is equally fun and refreshing. The film manages to capture the Star Wars spirit (witty one-liners, intense action sequences, themes of hope and honor) while also providing a fresh
and creative spin to the series. As a lifelong Star Wars fan, I can honestly say, without a doubt, that I’m now more excited for the future of the Star Wars series than I was with The Force Awakens. Don’t get me wrong, that film was great, but all too often it held fast to the typical Star Wars formula, creating what was essentially a rehash of A New Hope. With Rogue One, Disney (and the director, Gareth Edwards) have created something that is both familiar and fresh, and I am very excited to see what is yet to come from the future Star Wars Anthology films. Of course, as a film that is steeped in the ideas of hope and active rebellion against an authoritarian regime, Rogue One is a movie that has become increasingly timely in recent weeks. Its themes reflect the values inherent in American society, values that many believe are under attack with the new administration. I won’t drag real-world politics into this review, but I will say that, whether intentional or not, Rogue One finds itself in a unique position to become the type of film that may very well be a symbol of our times.
Reporter Rating
5 5
Samantha Bee plans counter Correspondents Dinner Comedian welcomes ‘nerds’ not invited to White House dinner.
NEW YORK (AP) — Comic Samantha Bee is throwing an alternative party to the annual White House Correspondents Dinner this spring. Bee, who hosts TBS’ “Full Frontal” weekly show, said she will welcome journalists and “non-irritating celebrities” to the first annual Not the White House Correspondents Dinner. It will be held on the same April night as that annual event, a fundraiser that mixes politicians, journalists and celebrities. “It’s a party for the nerds not invited to the real ‘nerd prom,’” Bee said, using the real event’s common nickname. Bee said she and her staff thought of throwing their own party as they sat around depressed in the days follow-
ing the November election. They wondered what form the White House Correspondents Dinner would take with the arrival of a new administration that says the media is the opposition. “I had my gown all picked out,” she said. “However, that didn’t work out on several different levels.” Her event at Washington’s Willard Hotel will be televised in some form on TBS, although plans are still being drawn up. All proceeds from the dinner will go to the Committee to Protect Journalists. Bee said it wasn’t her intention to damage the real White House Correspondents Dinner, which distributed $118,500 in scholarships and grants to needy students this year. Bee’s show has been
Photo courtesy of The Associated Press outspoken in its criticism of President Donald Trump, so her event may be a tough sell for journalists who don’t want their objectivity questioned. Asked to comment on
Bee’s plans, Jeff Mason, White House correspondent for Reuters and president of the WHCA, said the group “looks forward to hosting our annual dinner this year as we
do every year to celebrate the First Amendment, reward some of the finest reporting of the past year and recognize promising young student journalists.”
8 • MSU Reporter
A&E
Thursday, February 2, 2017
SHOWCASE Continued from page 6
Photo courtesy of The Associated Press
Reality show comparisons in Trump announcement inescapable NEW YORK (AP) — President Donald Trump’s past life as a television showman provided an irresistible comparison for the media covering his nomination of Neil Gorsuch to the U.S. Supreme Court. Trump’s announcement from the White House on Tuesday had a prime-time slot with broadcast and cable news networks all on hand, genuine suspense over the choice and, finally, the big reveal when Gorsuch and his wife, Louise, emerged from a doorway at the host’s — make that the president’s — request. “Was that a surprise?” Trump asked audience members and television viewers. Supreme Court nominations are usually not primetime affairs and usually not surprises; a president’s selection typically leaks to the news media before the two people make it to the podium. Throughout Tuesday, however, anticipation built, with reporters primarily speculating it would be one of two men, Colorado’s Gorsuch and Pennsylvania Judge Thomas Hardiman. CNN’s Jim Acosta hyped the event as “reality television meets the Potomac.” CNN took a chance moments before the announcement, correctly predicting Gorsuch. “High drama all day as the president and his team ratcheted up the suspense,” NBC’s Lester Holt said as that network cast aside its traditional prime-time fare for the announcement. “We’ve never seen anything like this,” said ABC’s George Stephanopoulos. The announcement gave
Trump the chance to move public attention off Friday’s much-criticized decision to restrict travel from seven Muslim-majority countries, which had dominated headlines. After the buildup, the new president’s first prime-time address to the nation was a staid and serious affair. Trump avoided ad-libs in extolling Gorsuch’s background
and judicial philosophy, while pointing out he was fulfilling a campaign promise in nominating someone like him. If Gorsuch’s nomination is approved, that would mean all nine justices of the nation’s top court will have studied at either Harvard or Yale, noted CBS News’ Scott Pelley. “For those of you keeping score, it’s now Harvard 6, Yale 3,” Pelley said.
the night, and anyone who knows Ocho is well-aware of his lack of selfishness and possessiveness, especially on the stage. Straka is relatively new to the Mankato scene, but he has been busy making a name for himself by playing open mics, bridal shows, and entire sets of pop and country covers, along with his catchy originals, at venues like the American Bar and Moonshiners. Also performing Feb. 10 are The Bear and the Bard and Bee Balm Fields. Alec, Sam, and Tim Maertens are the components that make up The Bear and the Bard, a familial trio of two guitar-playing brothers and a father on drums. The trio has been performing around the area for three years or so and
their acoustic indie-rock is a frequent treat at Moonshiners. Bee Balm Fields consists of Laura Karls on acoustic guitar and vocals, Pete Klug on guitar, and Dustin Voges on trumpet. Karls has played numerous solo shows under the title of Bee Balm Fields, and the addition of Klug and Voges will undoubtedly make her mellow meadow folk songs pop. One final note – just because the title of the event is “Acoustic Showcase” doesn’t mean that the show will be entirely acoustic. The three-dollar cover charge guarantees you a night of genuine music provided by genuine performers. The show starts at 9:30 p.m., so don’t be late!
LA LA LAND Continued from page 6 Original Score, and Best Actor (Ryan Gosling). As a film major, you quickly understand that a release comprises many factors, especially those at the forefront like the director and actors, even the people who work from behind the scenes like the writing and the editing.
Even if you normally despise chick flicks or musicals, I would recommend watching La La Land at least once.
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MSU Reporter • 9
Thursday, February 2, 2017
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Pats poised to win fifth title in Brady, Belichick era With a series of unpredictable events this season, the Patriots are ready for the Big Game.
ably their best defensive players before the season even begins. Castaways like linebacker Kyle Van Noy and cornerback Eric Rowe step up in big ways. Brady receives a four-game suspension and the Patriots go 3-1 in his absence, using not only back-up Jimmy Garoppolo but also third-stringer Jacoby Brissett. New England loses one of the best tight-ends of all-time in Rob Gronkowski to a season-ending injury. Chris Hogan, who was once a standout college lacrosse player, turns into a reliable wide-receiver for Brady. The team continues to plug in guys who are on the backend of rosters and find suc-
COLTON MOLESKY Staff Writer In a few short days, Super Bowl LI will kick off in Houston, Texas. The Atlanta Falcons are representing the NFC for the second time in their franchise’s history. The New England Patriots are representing the AFC for the eighth time, and seventh in the Tom Brady/Bill Belichick era. While Matty “Ice” Ryan and the Falcons are the top scoring offense in football, the Patriots are favored by three points. Here’s reasons to believe the New England-area will be rejoicing after the Big Game. The Patriots have had themselves quite the season, with a lot of challenges thrown their way. Jamie Collins and Chandler Jones are traded off the team, argu-
Photo courtesy of The Associated Press Quarterback Tom Brady (left) and head coach Bill Belichick (right) have one of the greatest player/coach dynasties in the history of professional sports. A win on Sunday could cement it as the greatest ever.
PATRIOTS PAGE 10
Falcons will rely on Ryan’s arm, young defense Atlanta will go into the matchup the underdogs, but it’s been nothing new all season.
COLT JOHNSON Staff Writer The New England Patriots are this year’s Super Bowl yet again, and many without any hesitation are taking them as the victors. The Atlanta Falcons are much more than just another opponent for the Patriots, as they have the weapons to capture their first title in the franchise’s history. On Sunday, the Patriots and the Falcons will square off in Houston, Texas at NRG Stadium for Super Bowl LI. New England is the slight favorite heading into the contest, with the Patriots being the three-point favorites over the young Falcons. After a mediocre 8-8 2015 season, the Falcons returned in 2016 with a 11-5 record, winning the NFC South. Their success stems from possessing the best offense in the
Photo courtesy of The Associated Press Quarterback Matt Ryan has finally led the Atlanta Falcons to the Super Bowl with aspirations to finally bring the city a title. Will he be able to go neck-and-neck with the Patriots’ Tom Brady? NFL. Some fans like the idea of NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell handing the Lombardi Trophy to future Hallof-Famers Tom Brady and Bill Belichick after Brady was suspended for four games in the regular season due to the ‘deflateagate’ scandal of 2015. The Falcons should not
be overlooked, as they feel it is their year to ‘Rise Up.’ The Falcons know they will have their hands full on both sides of the ball, but their recent performances have showed they belong on a big stage like this one. This is a championship-caliber football team that is completely
capable of beating the Patriots on Sunday. To beat the Patriots, it is going to take everything the Falcons have in every element of the game. New England brings in a defense that ranks first in scoring defense. They have shown repeatedly they are extremely difficult to
score on; against the run, the Patriots are fourth in rushing yards against with 88.6. Any time Brady takes the field, the defense must recognize that and cover the passing game. As long as the Falcons can consistently put pressure on Brady, New England will have to turn to their running game, which has not been relied on heavily for the most part in Brady’s career. New England’s secondary is effective, yet still has their flaws. In fact, they’re fairly average. The Patriots are only the 12th best team against the pass, allowing 237.9 yards per game, according to nfl. com. 21 of the 27 total touchdowns allowed by the Patriots during the regular season have come through the air. They have also given up a touchdown in each of their playoff games, and have averaged more than one passing touchdown against per game all season. If the Falcons are going to
FALCONS PAGE 10
10 • MSU Reporter
PATRIOTS
Sports
Thursday, February 2, 2017
CONTINUED FROM 9
“Defensively, the Patriots will have their hands full against a Falcons offense that may be considered as one of the greatest to witness on the gridiron.” cess with them. Head coach Bill Belichick really worked some magic this season with his personnel choices and decisions on how to work out of jams in 2016. Defensively, the Patriots will have their hands full against a Falcons offense that may be considered as one of the greatest to witness on the gridiron. Julio Jones is one of the best receivers in the game, a quality second receiver in Mohamed Sanu, a hot quarterback in Ryan and a great running back combination in Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman creates a tough situation for any defense. The first thing defensive coordinator Mat Patricia and the Patriots do well is take away the number-one threat in Jones. Rowe is the big corner for the Patriots, and having Devin McCourty play over the top should limit Jones’ production. The more talented corner in Malcom Butler can go man-toman with Sanu, leaving the other Patriots safety, Patrick Chung, to come down and play the running backs or
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tight-ends. While the Falcons have an abundance of threats to go to, the most underrated player on defense is Logan Ryan, the nickel corner. He moved into the slot defensive position over the last six weeks of the regular season and has played phenomenally on defense. Ryan can tackle well, and his talents will be worth keeping tabs on. This defense is the number-one scoring defense in the league, and those teams have gone 5-1 in the Super Bowl, per ESPN. Offensively, Brady will face a young, Atlanta defense that has struggled at times, but has shown resiliency as of late. The Falcons’ base defense is zone coverage, and in 2016 Brady had a completion percentage of 66 against the zone, per ESPN. This defense has speed, but is limited in size. New England will run LeGarrette Blount be-
hind their big offensive line right up the gut against this defense. Then, they can use many route concepts with their quick receivers and pass-catching backs to confuse this defense. In open space, running backs Dion Lewis and James White have the edge against Atlanta’s linebackers. This team has players with experience in the Big Game, led by a quarterback with 1,605 yards in Super Bowl games (most in Super Bowl history). Couple that with a defense good enough to keep them ahead of the Falcons, and the Patriots could be raising the Lombardi Trophy at the end of the matchup. Every element of the team can make plays. Brady has a high likelihood of taking home a record fifth Super Bowl victory on Sunday. Final Score: 34-28, Patriots.
FALCONS cont. from 9 hoist the Lombardi Trophy, their passing game must keep them in it. Ryan has been spreading the ball around the field efficiently. The MVP-candidate in Ryan has thrown touchdowns to 13 different players on offense this season. “Matty Ice” will frequently look to his star receiver Julio Jones to carry the workload, but don’t be surprised if the Patriots shadow Jones or throw a safety over the top every time he runs down field. The X-Factors in the Super Bowl will be running backs Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman. Whether it’s on the ground or through the air, these two have provided more depth for the Falcons’ offense. Both these running backs are extremely productive
pass-catchers out of the backfield. Atlanta has experienced great success when at least one of these players can get it going. Ryan and the Falcons’ high-powered offense have more weapons than the Patriots defense can handle if Atlanta’s game plan goes to plan and adjusts to Patriots’ head coach Bill Belichick’s schemes. It’s going to take an almost perfect game on the Falcons’ part to win the franchise’s first Super Bowl ever. The offense will have to spread the ball around and dominate the time of possession, while the defense steps up against Brady and company. The Falcons should win a tightly contested contest. Final Score: 31-27, Falcons.
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MSU Reporter • 11
Sports
Men’s basketball picks up two more NSIC wins
COREY YUMAN Staff Writer The Minnesota State men’s basketball team picked up two NSIC wins on the road last weekend. After escaping Minnesota-Crookston with a four-point win, the Mavericks asserted their dominance against Bemidji State, picking up a double-digit win. The set of wins has Minnesota State improving to 15-7 overall and 10-6 in the NSIC. MNSU started their weekend against the University of Minnesota-Crookston on Jan. 27 in Crookston. The Mavericks got off to a fast start by going on a 13-4 run, including back-to-back three-pointers from Aarias Austin. However, the Golden Eagles didn’t let go after the slow start and clawed their way back into the game. With 7:26 left in the first half, Crookston’s Connor Gamble hit at three to tie things up. However, MNSU’s Joey Witthus scored six of eight points to put the Mavs back ahead. At the half, the Mavericks went into the locker room holding a 39-32 lead. MNSU came out of the locker room strong. Within four minutes of the half, the Mavericks were up by ten points. The Mavericks maintained a strong lead through the majority of the second half, but Crookston battled back and brought the deficit down to one possession with 2:36 left. Knuth and Jon Fuqa answered with a combined five points to go back up by seven to cement the lead for the game. Minnesota State’s Witthus scored 16 points, Fuqa had 15 points and seven rebounds, Cole Harper added 15 points and grabbed six rebounds, while Charlie Brown added 11 points for MNSU. Saturday’s game against Bemidji State did not see the same hot start like the game prior. The Beavers were up by seven points within the first five minutes of action. Halfway through the first half, BSU built their lead up to 13 points and looked as if they were going to control the rest of the game. Minnesota State’s Trey Sampson and Cameron Kirksey tallied five points onto the board to bring it back below double-digits, as the Mavs began to fight back. The Beavers would step on
Photo by BoHyun Ahn the gas again and built their lead back up, this time by as much as 18 points. As the first half whistle sounded, the Beavers held a 47-36 lead. Minnesota State held Bemidji State scoreless as they came out of the locker room and had four different players score to erase the deficit. Just over five minutes into the
second half, the Mavericks tied it up and moments later Kirksey hit a three-pointer to give Minnesota State the lead. The Beavers took the lead again and held it for the next five minutes, until two three-pointers from Austin tied it then gave the Mavericks the lead. MNSU went on a three-
point tear in the last 6:31 of action. The Mavericks hit six three-pointers out of the seven field goals made. Austin
and Witthus scored 15 points from beyond the arch in this stretch, giving the Mavericks an 86-73 comeback victory. Minnesota State’s Witthus had 19 points and eight rebounds, Austin scored 17 points, Brown had 18 points, and Kirksey added 14 points. Witthus and Austin combined for 9 of 18 from three-point land, a ridiculous 50 percent shooting clip. The Mavs will return to Bresnan Arena this coming weekend after spending the past two weekends on the road. They’ll face off with Minnesota Duluth and St. Cloud State in two NSIC match ups.
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