February 3, 2022

TODAY

A day in life of a

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theater student page

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Miserable and bitterly cold, y’all.

Why am I still living in Minnesota?

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MSU’s free dental care event for kids

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2022

KICKED OUT

Reporter wins 13 awards at state level

By JULIA BARTON

By JENNA PETERSON

Minnesota State University, Mankato’s Dental Education Program is offering free dental care to children today as a part of the Give Kids a Smile state-wide annual event.

Each year dental professionals from across the state participate in the Give Kids a Smile event, which typically happens the first week of February.

Providing free dental care to children in need, some of the services they provide range anywhere from cleanings, x-rays, and exams. All of these services, among others, will be available with no cost to those patients.

“It’s a really great event to provide care for those children that might otherwise not receive it due to financial situation, so this is our way of trying to give back to the community,” Brigette Cooper, Chair and Professor in the Department of Dental Education, stated.

The dental hygiene program at MSU has been participating in Give Kids a Smile since 2004.

“We have a lot of repeat patients since we’ve been doing this for so long during the first week of February. We also advertise on social media and put out flyers around the elementary schools,” Cooper said.

MSU’s Department of Dental Education and Dental Hygiene Program are part of the University’s College of Allied Health and Nursing.

The free event is made possible by donations from Henry Schein Inc. and MSU’s Dental Department.

As of Tuesday, MSU’s clinic had 75 patients who booked appointments for today’s services. The clinic is open for patients from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

“Give Kids a Smile is by far my favorite event, especially for those who may not have any dental experience before,” Karmen Hazen, Senior Class President of the dental hygiene program, shared.

MSU seniors who are a part of the dental hygiene program are now into their third semester conducting DENTAL on page 2 

Last week members of The Reporter attended the Minnesota Newspaper Association banquet. This banquet celebrates newspapers all over Minnesota, with awards handed out to college and city newspapers in a variety of categories.

The Reporter took home 13 awards, five of those being first place.

In the editorial category The Reporter was awarded first and second place, covering topics of the Lincoln statue on campus and the celebration of Columbus Day. The design and layout of the website won second place with the general excellence of the newspaper winning third place.

Staff writers of the newspaper took some awards home for their storytelling skills.

News Director Julia Barton won third place in Investigative Reporting for her story on police education standards for Minnesota.

Former sports editor Daniel McElroy was awarded first place in Sports Story for his coverage on the MSU hockey team and their advancement to the Frozen Four.

Staff writer Ashley Opina took first place in Social Issues Story with her story discussing the controversy of the Lincoln statue on campus.

The Reporter photographer Mansoor Ahmad left the awards ceremony with six awards.

He won first and second place for both Feature Photo and Sports Photo, and won second and third place for News Photo.

Ahmad was honored earlier in the school year with awards from the Associated Collegiate Press, a national organization that recognizes journalists and photojournalists throughout the country.

In this national competition, he was awarded first, second, ninth, and tenth place for his photos. Categories Ahmad placed in were Feature Photo, Sports Feature Photo, Hard/Breaking News Photo, and Environmental Portrait, respectively.

News Director

Staff Writer

MADDIE BEHRENS • The Reporter

181 students were affected by the policy this spring semester. 140 out of the 181 students were able to re-enroll.

181 students had their registration canceled a week into the semester

By MAXWELL MAYLEBEN Editor in Chief

As she sat in class on a recent Friday, Emma Zellmer received an email stating her enrollment had been canceled, and that she no longer was a student.

This came to Zellmer as a surprise, as in addition to being a Minnesota State University, Mankato student, she also represents student as the State Chair of Students United.

“Sitting in class finding out that I am no longer enrolled in said class was a very stressful situation,” said Zellmer, “especially on a Friday, because I could not resolve this issue for three days.”

Zellmer was one of 181 students that had their registration canceled due to not paying a $300 dollar fee by the fifth day of classes.

According to Minnesota State System policy, universities may cancel a student’s registration starting 15 days before the start of the semester, with the last day to accept being the fifth business day of the semester.

This cancellation is not applicable if a student has paid a $300 dollar fee or filled out their FAFSA. Many students were surprised by the fee, as it had been waived

by Chancellor Devinder Malhotra since fall of spring 2020, in reaction to the COVID-19 pan-

demic.

Before the pandemic, the university would run an early registration, as well as a final registration cancellation on the fifth day. This year, it was decided to simply do one on the final day.

“I can understand this semester there might have been some confusion,” said Vice President of Finance and Administration Rick Straka. “New entering freshmen or transfer students might not have been here last time we ran registration for cancellation.”

While 181 students were affected by the policy this year, Straka said this number resembles previous years for early regSTUDENTS on page 5 

Professor honored with Research Mentor Award

By JENNA PETERSON Minnesota State University, Mankato’s own Dr. Samantha Katner was awarded the 2021 Outstanding Undergraduate Research Mentor Award this past Thursday.

This award is given out to a faculty member who gives dedication to scholarly undergraduate research and creative work.

“I didn’t even know they nominated me. That was a really nice surprise, I have really good reAWARD on page 3 

MADDIE BEHRENS • The Reporter

Staff Writer

2 • MSU Reporter

News

Schools seek volunteer teachers amid staffing crunch

Thursday, February 3, 2022

More nations ease COVID restrictions

By JAMEY KEATEN Associated Press

MOSES LEOS • Consolidated Independent School District via AP

Brian McKinney, right, who has children in the Hays Consolidated Independent School District, in Kyle, Texas, teaches a class at Johnson High School, in Buda, Texas, Thursday, Jan. 27, 2022.

By CAROLYN THOMPSON Associated Press

With teacher absences mounting and substitutes in short supply, parents may be wondering: Who’s teaching the kids? The answer around the U.S. could be a local police officer, National Guard soldier, state budget analyst, parent or recent high school graduate nearly anyone willing to help keep schools’ doors open through the omicron-driven staffing crunch.

States have been loosening teaching requirements to give schools more flexibility on hiring as coronavirus exposures, illness and quarantines add to strains on schools that also have been tapping librarians, custodians and support staff to help cover classrooms during the pandemic. Brian McKinney, a parent with students in second and 10th grade in Hays DENTAL from page 1 clinicals with a variety of patients.

“Dental hygiene has always been a part of my plan ever since I was a little kid. My hygienist was so awesome and I just fell in love with it,” Hazen said.

Equipped with 24 dental chairs, students are able to have hands-on experiences with patients, and this is a valued learning opportunity at MSU.



County, Texas, spent part of this week as a substitute, helping sixth graders through a social studies assignment that had them writing essays about the Soviet Union.

A former teacher, he decided he could help as he waited out a cold snap that has slowed business at the World War IIthemed miniature golf course he and his wife now own.

“There was no down time today; I was heavily involved with the kids,” he said after school Tuesday.

The measures have kept schools from having to revert to the waves of remote learning that disrupted homes and left many students behind earlier in the pandemic. Supporters say it’s better to have students in school, where they are supervised and have access to food and services, even if the solutions fall short academically.

Late-night partying at clubs.

Elbow-to-elbow seating in movie theaters. Going without masks in public, especially in Europe and North America: Step by step, many countries are easing their COVID-19 restrictions amid hopes the omicron wave may have passed its peak.

The early moves to relax precautions, based on declining or flattening case counts in recent days, represent what could be another turning point in a nearly two-year pandemic that has been full of them.

The extraordinarily contagious omicron has fueled more cases worldwide over the past 10 weeks — 90 million — than were seen during all of 2020, the outbreak’s first full year.

But the World Health Organization this week said some countries can now consider carefully relaxing the rules if they have high immunity rates, their health care systems are strong and the epidemiological trends are going in the right direction.

New cases worldwide for the week of Jan. 24-30 were similar to the level of the previous week, though the number of new deaths increased 9% to more than 59,000, reflecting the usual lag between infection and death, according to the U.N. health agency. The most pronounced pullbacks in restrictions are in Europe, for many months the world’s epicenter of the pandemic, as well as in South Africa — where omicron was first announced publicly — and the United States. In Britain

& CONGRATULATIONS TO NATHAN SMITH AND COACH HASTINGS AS THEY MAKE THEIR WAY TO THE 2022 WINTER OLYMPICS! FROM

and the U.S., as in South Africa before them, COVID-19 cases skyrocketed at first but are now coming down rapidly.

In the U.S., local leaders have served up a hodgepodge of responses. The city of Denver is ending requirements for proof of vaccination and mask rules for businesses and public spaces, while keeping them for schools and public transportation.

New York’s governor plans in the next week to review whether to keep the state’s mask mandate at a time when cases and hospitalizations have plummeted in the early omicron hotspot. New York City is averaging 4,200 cases a day, compared with 41,000 during the first week of January. The U.S. as a whole is on a similar trajectory, with infections plunging from an average of over 800,000 a day 2 1/2 weeks ago to 430,000 this week.

England, France, Ireland, the Netherlands and several Nordic countries have taken steps to end or loosen their restrictions. In some places, like Norway and Denmark, the easing comes even though case counts are still hovering near their highs. Some governments are essentially betting that the pandemic is ebbing.

“Rest assured that the worst days are behind us,” said Health Minister Fahrettin Koca of Turkey, where the number of daily infections topped 100,000 on Tuesday, the highest on record in the country of over 80 million.

Last week, England ended almost all domestic restrictions.

Masks aren’t required in public, vaccine passes are no longer needed to get into public venues, and the work-from-home order has been lifted. One lingering condition: Those who test positive still have to isolate.

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“I really enjoy all of us coming together and learning from each other at the MSU community clinic. I see myself doing community health, which is similar to what the MSU clinic is after I graduate,” Hazen explained.

“I really want to make an impact as much as I can and support the offices that might be understaffed right now and help people is something I am passionate about.”

GOOD LUCK

LISELOTTE SABROE • Ritzau Scanpix via AP

Denmark has become one of the first European Union countries to scrap most pandemic restrictions as the country no longer considers the COVID-19 outbreak “a socially critical disease.”

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Thursday, February 3, 2022 AWARD from page 1 search students,” Katner stated.

For a faculty member to receive this award, they must be nominated by MSU students through the Undergraduate Research Center on campus. This allows students to recognize the staff who have helped guide them through their academic career.

Over the past four years at MSU, and carrying over from Virginia CommonWealth University, Katner has been working on two main projects with her students.

“One project is on liver cancer and the other project is on glioblastoma, which is a brain cancer. My research size is typically ten undergraduate research students. About half are working on each project, and I typically have sophomores to seniors in there,” Katner explained.

She discussed further what type of work the research students complete in her lab.

“Usually, a student comes into my lab either sophomore or junior year and they spend at least two semesters in the lab.

They get to really know their project and can present their project at a local meeting, such as the URS (Undergraduate Research Symposium),” Katner stated.

“If they stay in my lab a little bit longer than two semesters and they generate more data, then they can present at a national meeting, like AACR (American Association for Cancer Research).”

Going into further detail about her research, Katner explained her passion in the carbohydrates that are found on the top of the cancer cells.

“I’m interested in the carbohydrates that are on the cancer cell surface for both cancers.

News

MSU Reporter • 3

Emergency preparedness addressed at the Stud Gov.



MADDIE BEHRENS • The Reporter

Dr. Samantha Katner was awarded the Outstanding Undergraduate Research Mentor Award for her research on liver cancer and glioblastoma.

We’re looking at targeting those carbohydrate genes that are on brain cancer and liver cancer,” she stated.

“We have some compounds that we are targeting and we are hoping to help advance the therapeutic approach for those cancers.”

Katner is appreciative of all of her students who voted for her to win this award, and is also delighted the University recognizes the hard work these students put into their studies.

“I’m really happy that my students nominated me. I think it’s great that the University recognizes the research that we do and the mentorship we provide to the undergraduates. I personally love doing the research here with the undergraduate students, that’s why I came here,” she stated.

Katner explained the type of work MSU students put in for their research and how different it is compared to other universities.

“It’s very much a rarity in

other universities [for undergraduates] to be able to join a lab and have a project to do.

Usually undergrads are just volunteers that just wash dishes or make buffers, but here they actually have their own projects and they get to present and they get to write grants for everything. It’s really such a cool opportunity that we have.”

Unlike other schools, Katner is able to train the undergraduate research students herself, instead of having graduate students do the work for her.

This is another aspect she loves and appreciates, as she’s able to watch the undergraduate students conduct the research themselves.

“I think it’s great that this university is promoting undergraduate research here. I think it helps set the university apart from others and it’s such a rare opportunity for students to take advantage of, is having that undergraduate research,” Katner stated.

DYLAN ENGEL • The Reporter

By MAX MAYLEBEN Editor in Chief

At MSU’s Student Government meeting, the senate listened to Valerie Weber, a student with a disability who, last August was left in her dorm during a fire alarm.

Weber, a freshman living in Preska Residence Community, uses a wheelchair due to a rare bone disorder.

On August 30, 2021, a fire alarm caused the residents to evacuate the building, however assistance never came.

Weber attended the meeting after being invited to speak during the open forum by Senator Abi Saha. She, along with Nancy Fitzsimmons, a professor of social work at MSU, spoke to the frustration. Weber expressed the frustration she experienced with the scheduling of the meeting following the incident.

“There is a definite reason I describe this meeting as a dumpster fire,” said Weber, who went on to recount feeling disregarded during the meeting, as it took over 20 minutes in for those attending to address her directly.

Fitzsimmons accompanied Weber to the meeting as an advocate, and was displeased with the handling of the situation.

“At one point I did say, if I was a parent and I heard how she was being treated in that meeting, I would have pulled my kid out,” said Fitzsimmons.

As the meeting went on, various senators vowed to help however they could, and asked about a few ideas including better training of community advisors as well as assigning those with disabilities ground floor housing to limit the need for elevator and stair use in the event of an emergency.

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A member of the Minnesota State system and an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity University. This document is available in alternative format to individuals with disabilities by calling Upward Bound at 507-389-1211 (V), 800-627-3529 or 711 (MRS/TTY).

Individuals with a disability who need a reasonable accommodation to participate in this event, please contact Upward Bound at 507-389-1211 (V), 800-627-3529 or 711 (MRS/TTY) at least 7 days prior to the event.

4 • MSU Reporter

Thursday, February 3, 2022

SPRING 2022 EDITOR IN CHIEF:

MAXWELL MAYLEBEN

Ways to combat seasonal depression

maxwell.mayleben@mnsu.edu

MADISON DIEMERT

madison.diemert@mnsu.edu

Editorial With temperatures dropping and sunlight becoming more and more limited, there is no surprise that Minnesota State University, Mankato students can catch a case of the winter blues, also known as seasonal depression.

With the lack of warmth and Vitamin D from the sun, days can feel very long and endless when it comes to the winter months.

Students who are up early and go to school all day only get a limited amount of sunlight, which can make every day feel like one big continuous loop.

Not to mention, if you are a student who also has a part time job afterward or on the weekends, these days can feel as if they’re dragging on.

Seasonal depression is more common than you might think.

Every year a number of college students suffer from this seasonal mood fluctuation.

Do you ever find yourself having low energy, eating out of boredom or a strong urge to sleep in late? Then you might have the winter blues.

Not being able to enjoy Minnesota’s intense, yet ever changing, winter months can take a toll on someone’s mental health.

Along with the lack of outdoor exercising, indoor exercising does not come close when compared.

Going from endless possibilities of the outdoors to being cramped in your small

NEWS DIRECTOR: Julia Barton julia.barton@mnsu.edu SPORTS EDITOR: Kole Buelow kole.buelow@mnsu.edu VARIETY EDITOR: Emma Johnson emma.johnson.5@mnsu.edu MEDIA/DESIGN DIRECTOR: Mansoor Ahmad mansoor.ahmad@mnsu.edu

MADDIE BEHRENS • The Reporter

and cozy dorm or apartment can be an adjustment.

Some may take up a hobby to combat the winter blues as it can help kill time and get your mind off the long nights.

Hobbies like reading a new book or finding and cooking new recipes on Pinterest is something that can help make the day feel more meaningful.

Eating a healthy diet can also play a huge role in affecting your daily mood.

When that doesn’t work, light therapy is always another option that MSU’s Counsel-

ing Center offers to students.

Light therapy involves sitting in front of a light box for a designated length of time each day, usually ranging from 20 to 30 minutes.

Unlike normal household lighting, the bulbs used in light therapy are more intense and are supposed to mimic the sun.

There is a bright light therapy box located in the Health Education office in Carkoski Room 100 that students are able to make appointments to use.

Other resources on campus

that students can take advantage of are the monthly therapy dog sessions that are available at the Centennial Student Union on campus and counseling sessions offered on campus.

Although this feeling is normally seasonal, it can make you appreciate the warmer seasons more.

Just know these feelings don’t last forever. We as students should support each other and help those who may be struggling during this time of year when many are going through the same experience.

“How do you cope with seasonal depression?”

Compiled by Dylan Long

LEAH COX, SENIOR “I like to stay active and take medicine.”

MARIELLE CALANZA, SOPHOMORE

MAGGIE SCANLAN, SOPHOMORE

JUSTIN GITONGA, SOPHOMORE

COLIN WILLIAMS, SOPHOMORE

“Exerting your emotion and talking to someone.”

“Hit the treadmill and get my legs working, it helps me get out of a rut.”

“Finding a hobby that I enjoy indoors or styaing active by going to the gym.”

“Talking to a therapy professional and trying to get outside for sunlight.”

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• If you have a complaint, suggestion or would like to point out an error made in the Reporter, contact Editor in Chief Maxwell Mayleben at maxwell.mayleben@mnsu.edu.

The Reporter will correct any errors of fact or misspelled names in this space. Formal grievances against the Reporter are handled by the Newspaper Board.

• The Minnesota State University Mankato Reporter is a studentrun newspaper published twice a week, coming out on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The Reporter generates 78 percent of its own income through advertising and receives approximately 22 percent from Student Activities fees. The Reporter is free to all students and faculty, but to start a subscription, please call us at 507-389-1776.

Subscriptions for the academic school year are $55.00 and subscribers will receive the paper within three to five days after publishing.

• Letters exceeding 400 words may not be accepted. The Reporter reserves the right to edit letters to fit space or correct punctuation.

The Reporter reserves the right to publish, or not publish, at its discretion. Letters must contain year, major or affiliation with the university, or lack thereof. All letters must contain phone numbers for verification purposes.

THE OPINIONS EXPRESSED IN THE MSU REPORTER ARE NOT NECESSARILY THOSE OF THE COLLEGE, UNIVERSITY SYSTEM OR STUDENT BODY.

Thursday, February 3, 2022

News

MSU Reporter • 5

Storm packing snow across US

By KATHLEEN FOODY

by the end of Thursday, said Andrew Orrison, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in College Park, Maryland.

Snow had begun to taper off in Missouri by early afternoon but much of the state could wind up with 8 inches to a foot (20 to 30 centimeters) of snow. Parts of

Michigan also could snow totals around a foot by Thursday.

In Chicago, Elisha Waldman and his sons welcomed the opportunity to hit a sledding hill Wednesday morning, even as snow continued to fall. “Cold and wet and wonderful, and getting cold and wet is part of the

fun with the guys, and we get to go inside and have hot cocoa and warm up,” Waldman said.

In Detroit’s western suburbs, Tony Haley also found an advantage to the weather.

He owns a landscaping and irrigation company that offers snow removal and salting ser-

vices, but the early winter weeks offered few opportunities for business.

“This one here, we’re looking for a good two, three days of work,” Haley said after clearing snow away from several businesses in Canton.

But for those on the roads, the heavy snow created hazardous conditions. “We’re receiving a lot of snow over here in northwest Indiana and it’s the wet, slushy snow that causes treacherous driving conditions to say the least,” Indiana State Police Sgt. Glen Fifield told WFLDTV. In central Missouri, officials shut down part of Interstate 70 midday after a crash made the roadway impassable.

Areas south of the heavy snow were expected to see freezing rain, with the heaviest ice predicted along the lower Ohio Valley area from Louisville, Kentucky, to Memphis, Tennessee.

“If everything holds to where it is right now, this is the real deal,” said Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, who ordered state government offices to close on Thursday. “It is dangerous. People need to be prepared.”

The disruptive storm moved across the central U.S. on Groundhog Day, the same day the famed groundhog Punxsutawney Phil predicted six more weeks of winter.

website and sent postcards to permanent addresses.

It was also indicated on the student’s eservices account via a red flag, which stated the individual had unpaid fees. Zellmer believes these lines of communication were not enough, and there should have been a better attempt to reach students with a more direct approach.

“I believe the university

should have given phone calls to the people they were going to cancel the registration of,” said Zellmer, noting that she, along with many students, do not use their school email account.

“Email, as administration knows, is not the primary source of communication for students, you give them a phone call,” said Zellmer, “We are paying customers, do you not want our

money?”

Zellmer brought up the current enrollment situation within the Minnesota State System as well, referring to the need for more students.

“When you are in an enrollment crisis,” said Zellmer, “you should not be kicking out students without giving them a phone call and a chance to resolve this issue.”

After having their registration canceled, students were able to appeal to get back into their classes, which required receiving permission from the University, as well as each of their professors to get back into their classes. The university said 140 of the students who had their registration dropped were able to re-enroll back into their classes at MSU.

Associated Press

A major winter storm with millions of Americans in its path brought a mix of rain, freezing rain and snow to the central U.S. on Wednesday as airlines canceled thousands of flights, officials urged residents to stay off roads and schools closed campuses.

The blast of frigid weather, which began arriving Tuesday night, put a long stretch of states from New Mexico and Colorado to Maine under winter storm warnings and watches.

On Wednesday morning, Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana and Michigan saw freezing rain, sleet and snow. By midday Wednesday, some paces had already reported snow totals exceeding or nearing a foot, including the central Illinois town of Lewistown with 14.4 inches (36.6 centimeters) and the northeastern Missouri city of Hannibal with 11.5 inches (29.2 centimeters). “And it’s still snowing across these areas,” said Andrew Orrison, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in College Park, Maryland.

Central Illinois and northern Indiana appeared likely to receive the most snowfall, with expected totals ranging from 12 to 18 inches (30 to 45 centimeters)

STUDENTS from page 1 istration. “This one we did on the sixth day had very similar numbers to what we would see on our early one.” said Straka, “Right around 150 to 200, and that wasn’t very far out of the ordinary.”

In order to mitigate the amount of students whose registration was canceled, the university sent several notices to inform them before the final date.

“So we really tried to reach out and communicate as best we can,” said Straka, stating how the University communicated via several emails, posted on its



CHARLIE RIEDEL • Associated Press

A major winter storm with millions of Americans in its path brought a mix of rain, freezing rain and snow to the middle section of the United States with airlines canceling hundreds of flights.

CONGR ATULATIONS & GOOD LUCK to MSU Mens hockey player nathan smith & coach hastings as they head to the 2022 WINTER olympics!!

PRESIDENT EDWARD INCH

CONGRATULATIONS & GOOD LUCK

to all MSU Athletes & Coaches participating in the 2022 Olympics!

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6 • MSU Reporter

Sports

Thursday, February 3, 2022

M AV E R I C K S A T T H E 2 0 2 2 B E I J I N G W I N T E R O LY M P I C S

Mavericks at the Olympics And with that, they are off to China. After finishing their home series against Arizona State last weekend, Mavericks head coach Mike Hastings and junior center Nathan Smith are now off to Beijing to compete in the 2022 Winter Olympics.

By KOLE BUELOW • Sports Editor

MIKE HASTINGS HELPS STEER THE SHIP FOR TEAM USA AS ASSISTANT COACH It has been nearly a month since the announcement that the two would be representing Team USA, and it was coach Hastings who got the call first to join the Team USA coaching staff. Hastings will serve as an assistant coach for the games, alongside other assistant coaches in Brett Larson, Scott Young, David Lassonde, and Alex Dawes.

There is no shortage of accomplishments behind any of the coaches on Team USA’s roster, and Hastings only adds onto it. The current Mavericks’ head coach is no stranger to the international scene of hockey, as he will be behind the bench for a United States hockey team for the sixth time entering the games.

Hastings’ last experience as a coach for Team USA was during the U.S. National Junior Team’s run during the 2019 IIHF World Junior Championship. Hastings was the head coach of that team, and led Team USA to a silver medal.

The Mavericks’ coach has also appeared on coaching staffs for

NATE SMITH BECOMES A FIRST-TIME PLAYER FOR THE US NATIONAL TEAM

several other years of the national junior team, which includes 2000, 2003, and 2005.

Hastings has had a wild run to his successes which started back in 1986 where the coach started his collegiate playing career at St. Cloud State University. He was only able to play two years however, before he suffered a back injury that ended his playing career.

The coach then moved onto short stints with the University of Minnesota and Nebraska-Omaha before joining the Mavs. He is now in his tenth season as head coach for the Minnesota State men’s hockey team and has led them to the most wins than any other collegiate team during his tenure.

Hastings’ 236-89-24 record entering the current season is hard to look past when deciding who you want to be on your coaching staff.

Minnesota State had their most successful season to date this past year, where the team made it as a two seed into the NCAA tournament before eventually making an appearance in the Frozen Four.

Joining alongside the Mavericks’ head coach is current player Nathan Smith. Smith is a Hudson, Fla. native who is currently the leading point-getter in NCAA hockey.

The junior center is one of nine collegiate players at the time of the announcement who are on the Team USA roster and average a point or better per game for their respective collegiate team. Smith is the only NHL draft pick on the Mavericks roster, and was selected in the third round, 91 overall, by the Winnipeg Jets in the 2018 National Hockey League entry draft.

Prior to his drafting, the Florida native spent two seasons with Cedar Rapids in the USHL where he was the team’s leading scorer tallying 18 goals and 35 assists in 59 games for the RoughRiders in his last season before entering the collegiate scene. Before that, Smith played for the Tampa Scorpions AAA program and Mitchell High School.

Smith then went on to be drafted by the Jets and is now a junior at Minnesota State University. He

has earned WCHA All-Rookie honors as well as All-WCHA Second Team in his first two seasons on the Mavericks.

In his first year on MSU, Smith appeared in 35 games and registered nine goals and 18 assists. He also earned WCHA Rookie of the Week three times during his first season.

Smith then went on last year to be the team’s second leading scorer with nine goals and 16 assists, while scoring twice in the NCAA Frozen Four semi-final game against St. Cloud State in April.

He was named to the Frozen Four All-Tournament Team last season, and earned his first WCHA All-Academic honor last season too.

Smith will now join David Backes as Minnesota State’s only hockey player to have made an appearance in the Winter Olympic Games, and will be the only player representing the CCHA in the Olympics. With his best season to date starting to come to a close, it is only a matter of time before Smith moves onto the NHL.

THE MAVERICKS HAVE LANDED; NOW ONTO BRINGING HOME A MEDAL The two Mavericks are already on their way to Beijing, which included a stop in Los Angeles to get COVID testing and board the Team USA plane heading to China. Their flight to the Olympic village left Feb. 2 according to coach Hastings, which will have them in the air for at least 12 hours before making their landing near the Olympic site just in time for the opening ceremony.

PRELIMINARY GROUP STAGE Feb. 10 Feb. 12 Feb. 13

China Canada Germany

7:10 a.m. CT 10:10 p.m. CT 7:10 a.m. CT

Photos by MANSOOR AHMAD • Media Director

This year marked the first of what might be many going forward for the U.S. Olympic Men’s Hockey Team, as USA Hockey general manager John Vanbiesbrouck was required to build the team without talent from current players in the NHL. This opened leeway for collegiate players and other U.S. citizens playing overseas to get their chance at representing their country.

Thursday, February 3, 2022

Sports

MSU Reporter • 7

N AT I O N A L G I R L S A N D WO M E N I N S P O RT S DAY

GIRL POWER

Wednesday Feb. 2 marked National Girls and Women in Sports Day which embraces supporting female athletes across the world.

The Reporter interviewed five dynamic leaders within Minnesota State athletics to gain insight on their lives as female athletes.

Joey Batt

Kennedy Fabian

Kelsey King

Shari Dickerman

Katie Taylor

BASKETBALL • SO. GUARD

VOLLEYBALL • ASST. COACH

HOCKEY • JR. FORWARD

HOCKEY • ASST. COACH

TRACK • SR. THROWER

WHAT DOES NATIO NAL W O M E N AND G IRL S IN S P O RT S D AY M E A N T O Y O U ?

Taking steps in the right direction of getting more recognition and getting more equality to the men’s sports is what Girls and Women in Sports Day means to me.

I think it is just important to celebrate women in sports in general, because it has come such a long way. I think it is cool to see that and how it is growing.

I would say it is a huge step in the right direction to have a day to honor women’s sports. We’re trying to break these barriers and get more attention to women’s sports.

It is good time to remind and reflect that we have come a long way. But I also think it is a reminder that we still have progress to make to create more opportunities.

I think it is a way to showcase and celebrate all the women that have these amazing talents and are just fantastic.

WHAT AD VICE D O YO U HAVE F O R YO U NGE R G I R L S ?

Hold yourself accountable and get into the gym. Know that it takes a lot of hard work and dedication to get to the point of playing a sport at the college level.

Advocate for yourself because I think people often make assumptions. If you do not believe in yourself, nobody else is going to.

Never say I can’t, because there are so many times when you are faced with a challenge. It is the ‘never give up’ mentality, and always say ‘I can and I will’.

Paying attention to all the details, whether it is sleep, nutrition, the actual practice or cross training. Those little things are important and will add up.

No matter if you can’t see the end of the road, just keep going because you will get there. There may be bumps on the way, but it is a fun drive.

HOW HAS M INNE S O TA S TATE S U P P O RTE D YO U IN Y O U R J O U R N E Y ?

MSU made it a push to get students to games and support every sport. They’ve been really pushing to get more fans and support from all different areas.

Everyone is opening to listen and make sure you are advancing to the next level.

They personally help you find things and find resources to help you grow.

Everyone supports one another. They make sure we are meeting our goals. Everyone is so connected and United as one, we all have each other’s back at MSU.

When I was an athlete here I had We all work together and collaborate to give student athletes the best experience and help them grow as people and athletes.

I think they support me as much as they are able to, especially my coach. I feel like they are there when I need or want to do anything, they help me make it real.

EXCEPTIONAL LEADERS, IN AND OUT OF THEIR SPORT

Sophomore guard Joey Batt leads by example for the Minnesota State women’s basketball team.

Junior forward Kelsey King’s ‘never give up’ mentality pushes her and her teammates every day.

 Assistant

volleyball coach Kennedy Fabian embraces women in sports and helps them grow.

Assistant hockey coach Shari Dickerman pays attention to details because they always add up.

Maverick Athletics, The Reporter photos

Senior thrower Katie Taylor works relentlessly towards her goals even if they are not within sight.

8 • MSU Reporter

Thursday, February 3, 2022

Mavs battling Falcons on the road

By KOLE BUELOW Sports Editor

This weekend marks the first time in a while where the No.1 Minnesota State men’s hockey team will be without their head coach Mike Hastings. Hastings and fellow Maverick hockey player Nathan Smith are headed to the Winter Olympics this week and have plans to leave Los Angeles and land in Beijing on Feb. 3.

Despite the Mavs being without their head coach and star junior center, MSU still has games to play until they return.

First up is this weekend’s series against Bowling Green on the Falcons’ home ice.

History has been kind to the Mavericks when playing the Falcons, with the Mavs taking home the past seven games between the two since 2019.

The two teams recently played each other earlier in the season on Minnesota State’s home ice, where the Mavericks took care of business defeating Bowling Green 9-2 and 5-3.

BGSU comes into the series with a 13-10-3 overall record, while being 10-7-1 in CCHA play. Outside of playing the Mavs earlier in the season, the Falcons have also played previously ranked No. 16 Providence, No. 17 Ohio State, No. 17 Bemidji State, and No. 3 Michigan.

Bowling Green did not fare

By KOLE BUELOW Sports Editor

On the Mavericks’ side of the ball, the team is led by sophomore guard Joey Batt who averages 16.2 points per game as well as 3.5 rebounds and 3.2 assists. Batt leads the top

Heading into this weekend the Minnesota State men’s basketball team had a pit stop in St. Cloud this past Tuesday. It was a rescheduled game for the Mavericks, which was previously postponed to a later date due to Covid-19 protocols.

That game was replayed Tuesday, as the Mavs traveled to take on the top scorer in the NSIC. St. Cloud State’s scoring woes were apparent in the first half of play, with the Huskies taking a 38-34 lead into half time.

It was a disappointing half for MSU, who went into the intermission shooting 0 percent from three point range on ten missed threes. Despite shooting awfully from beyond the arc, the Mavericks were putting in work in the paint and were able to score 14 second chance points to the Huskies’ four to keep them in it.

Coming out of the half the Mavs zoned in on the basket and scored 53 points to the Huskies’ 42 to claim the lead and walk out with the 87-80 win. MSU’s depth proved crucial, with 34 of their points coming off the bench.

SCSU however, relied so heavily on their starters that their bench totaled zero points in their 15 minutes of action. Sophomore guard Malik Willingham and junior center Kelby Kramer led the way for the Mavs, each putting up 15 points.

The Mavs moved to 13-6 overall and 7-6 in the NSIC with the victory, and the Huskies dropped to 9-12 overall and 5-9 in the NSIC with the loss.

Minnesota State now moves onto their weekend games against Southwest Minnesota State and Sioux Falls on Friday and Saturday.

First up are the SMSU Mustangs who come into the matchup 11-8 overall and 7-7 in NSIC action.

The Mavs and Mustangs played earlier in the season, with SMSU taking home a 69-71 overtime victory over MSU on the Mavericks’

BASKETBALL on page 9

HOOPS on page 9

MANSOOR AHMAD • The Reporter

Senior forward Julian Napravnik (15) earned CCHA Forward of the Month honors for the month of January for scoring 14 points in nine games. Napravnik is the second leading scorer this season on the Mavericks at 33 points.

well in those matchups, going 1-7 against teams who were ranked inside of the top 20 of the USCHO Men’s Ice Hockey Poll.

The Falcons are not to be looked over however, and present two top forwards in the CCHA on their roster.

Forwards Taylor Schneider and Austen Swankler lead the

charge in scoring for BGSU, currently sitting at 25 and 24 points respectively.

Both forwards find themselves in the assists column regularly, while their teammate and senior forward Nathan Burke helps the team find the back of the net with his team-leading 13 goals. In goal the Falcons use a fairly balanced approach, start-

ing goaltenders Zach Rose and Christian Stoever in 13 and 17 games respectively.

The freshman goaltender, Stoever, has been the favorite recently in part due to his .911 save percentage and 2.67 goals allowed average. The netminder will have a tough task this weekend against the Mavericks, who BATTLE on page 9

Women’s basketball traveling to SMSU, USF

By KOLE BUELOW Sports Editor

It has been quite the year for the Minnesota State women’s basketball team, who have officially claimed 15 wins before the month of February with their recent wins over MSU Moorhead and Northern State this past weekend.

With six remaining games on the Mavericks’ schedule before the beginning of the NSIC tournament, the Mavs now have a chance to claim their fourth and fifth straight wins against Southwest Minnesota State and Sioux Falls this weekend.

MSU first travels to Marshall to take on SMSU. The Mustangs come into the game with a 9-9 overall record while going 6-8 overall in NSIC action.

They face a tough Mavericks group who are third in the NSIC with an overall record of 15-4 and a conference record of 114. The Broncos also come into the matchup on a three-game

Men’s hoops extends win streak to 3

losing streak, whereas the Mavs come in with a three-game winning streak.

The two teams have been fairly evenly matched the past few years, but overall history has not been kind to the Broncos who have only won 21 of the 65 meetings. In their most recent meeting, the Mavericks came out on top 96-74 back on Dec. 18 of last year.

SMSU comes into the matchup led by senior guards Meleah Reinhart and Sadie Stetler who average 13.9 and 12.9 points per game respectively.

MSU then moves on to Sioux Falls, who come into the matchup 13-8 overall and 8-6 in the NSIC. The Cougars can put points up on the board, and rank fourth in the NSIC in scoring offense averaging 69.6 points per game.

This weekend’s game will be the first time the teams have met since Dec. 17 of last year, where the Mavs defeated the Cougars 72-64. Despite the win, Sioux

MANSOOR AHMAD • The Reporter

Freshman guard Destinee Bursch (14) has been great off the bench for the Mavs, averaging 12.1 points per game in 18.4 minutes per game. Bursch and the Mavericks face SMSU and USF this weekend on the road.

Falls does own the all-time series record 7-11.

USF is led by freshman guard Magan Fannin and senior forward Krystal Carlson, who average 14.6 and 9.9 points per game respectively.

Thursday, February 3, 2022

Sports

MSU Reporter • 9

Mavericks return home to face No. 2 Buckeyes in WCHA play

WOMEN’S HOOPS TRAVELS WEST

MADDIE BEHRENS • The Reporter

Junior goaltender Calla Frank (77) is set to face No. 2 Ohio State for the first time this season. Frank is 10-11-1 on the season through 22 starts and has a .901 save percentage.

BASKETBALL from page 8 offense in the NSIC, with the Mavs averaging 79.1 points per game which is also ranked No. 16 in all of NCAA Division II women’s basketball.

Not far behind her is freshman guard Destinee Bursch, who comes off the bench for the Mavericks while averaging 12.1 points per game.

Bursch is an amazing second option at the point for MSU,

making the most of her 18.4 minutes per game.

Minnesota State also boasts amazing special teams play, owning a massive plus9.6 turnover margin over opposing teams.

They do this behind their 274 total steals on the season, which helps them hold the fourth ranked turnover margin in NCAA Division II women’s basketball.

By KARSON BUELOW



HOOPS from page 8 home court.

Southwest Minnesota State is led by senior guard Kenny Byers who averages 14.8 points and 5.7 rebounds per game for the Mustangs.

Minnesota State then travels to S.D. to take on Sioux Falls, who come into the matchup 10-9 overall and 6-7 in NSIC matchups. The Cougars faced the Mavs earlier this season at the Taylor Center in Mankato, with Minnesota State claiming a convinc-

ing 81-63 victory.

Sioux Falls is led by senior guard Matt Cartwright who averages 18.9 points and 3.1 rebounds per game.

The Mavericks come into their contests this weekend led by sophomore Quincy Anderson, who leads the team in points at 16.3 and rebounds at 6.4 per game. Following closely behind him is Freshman Brady Williams, who averages 12.7 points per game while shooting 51.9% from the field.



MANSOOR AHMAD • The Reporter

After a tough, hard fought series against Minnesota Duluth, the Minnesota State women’s hockey team is set to return home this weekend as they play host to the Ohio State Buckeyes who are 19-5 overall and 15-5 in the WCHA. The Mavs come into this weekend’s series 1213-1 overall and 8-13-1 in the WCHA. Both teams are ranked inside the USCHO’s Pairwise Rankings, however No. 2 Ohio State is significantly higher than No. 19 Minnesota State.

With a win against Ohio State this weekend, Minnesota State could build themselves credibility for a higher spot come next week’s poll.

A sweep for the Buckeyes could put them closer to stealing the number one spot in the nation from the University of Minnesota in the Pairwise rankings heading into the NCAA tournament. The Golden Gophers will host Bemidji State this weekend for a pair of games at Ritter Arena.

The Mavericks are 14-73-11

all-time against the Buckeyes and 8-26-6 at home, with their last regulation win coming in 2018.

Both teams met earlier this season in Columbus with Ohio State handling Minnesota State in both games, routing them 6-3 in game one and 9-0 in game two. The Mavericks, however, were without three of their starting goaltenders and were forced to call up Litchfield native and Minnesota State women’s tennis player Avery Stillwell. The Mavs are hoping this series will be different as they will have junior goaltender Calla Frank back between the pipes.

One key player to watch this weekend will be Buckeye defenseman Sophie Jacques.

Jacques was honored as the WCHA defenseman of the month for January, registering 14 points from five goals and nine assists in six games played. The Buckeye defenseman is also ranked second in the NCAA in assists per game and points per game.

On the Mavericks’ side of the ice be sure to watch out for junior goaltender Calla Frank.

Due to Minnesota State’s emergency goaltender situation earlier this season, this will be Frank’s first attempt at the Buckeyes.

The Maverick goaltender is coming off a 48-save performance this past weekend against the Bulldogs. She will be looking to keep Jacques and the rest of the Buckeyes off the board this weekend.

Minnesota State’s leading point scorer this year is senior forward Brittyn Fleming, who has 32 points in 26 games played. Junior forward Kelsey King follows closely behind Fleming with 29 points.

On the other side of the ice, Jacques leads OSU in scoring this year, registering 44 points in 24 games played. Junior forward Jennifer Gardiner is second on Ohio State this season, tallying 35.

Puck drop for this weekend’s series begins on Feb. 4 at 6:01 p.m. and will return back to action on Feb. 5 at 2:01 p.m.

Both games will be held at the Mayo Clinic Health System Events Center in downtown Mankato.

BATTLE from page 8 average just over four goals per game while only allowing an average of one.

No. 1 Minnesota State comes into the series this weekend with a 25-5-0 overall record while holding the best record in CCHA play at 17-30. The Mavs lead the CCHA standings with 50 points, followed by Michigan Tech at 38 and Bemidji State at 34.

Junior center Smith still leads the charge for the Mavs in scoring, and not only that, he also remains atop all of NCAA hockey in points. Shortly behind him follows senior Julian

Napravnik, and juniors Cade Borchardt and Brendan Furry.

The three forwards have been great for the Mavs this season and have all surpassed the 30-point mark.

Napravnik leads the group with 33, but not far behind are Borchardt and Furry at 30. With the month of January most recently ending, Napravnik was named the CCHA Forward of the Month for the month of January.

The Bad Nauheim, Germany native earned six goals and nine assists to toatal 14 points in nine games during the month.

Rounding out the top five scorers on the Mavericks is the team-leading goal scorer and junior winger Ryan Sandelin. Sandelin’s 17 goals is tied for fourth in NCAA Division I hockey with Michigan’s Brendan Brisson.

Senior goaltender Dryden McKay remains MSU’s backbone in the blue paint, stopping .927 percent of shots while only allowing 1.33 goals per game.

McKay most recently broke the century barrier for career wins as a net minder, and will look to push his mark closer to the leaders with two wins this weekend.

Staff Writer



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10 • MSU Reporter

Thursday, February 3, 2022

From school to the spotlight

By SYDNEY BERGGREN

Biebel leads the Midwest to GT

Staff Writer

“Wounded Healers,” a play written by Minnesota State University, Mankato faculty member Timothy Berry, is a story centering long-term trauma caused by systemic racism. The cast of five tells stories of Black American history and the lasting effects that it has had on Black people in America.

MSU junior, and actor in the show, Joaquin Warren discussed the responsibility of performing a show with such heavy material.

“This show really takes a toll, being black and speaking on experiences that some of us have lived or history that we have learned. It’s trying to not bring that outside of the rehearsal, but when it’s something that affects your life it’s really hard,” Warren stated.

Not only do the actors involved carry around the heaviness of the show in their day to day lives, they also have to figure out the balance and logistics of being an active student involved in a theatre production.

“We’re going to these rehearsals or performing shows and then the next day you’re in class, but all you can think about is the show you have at night,” said Warren.

“Whether it’s technical

By EMMA JOHNSON Variety Editor

Courtesy photo

Finding time to balance schoolwork with theater performances can be tough. MSU students Joaquin Warren and Marquise Myles take time for themselves before performing in the latest theatre production “Wounded Healers.”

things, like missing a line, or it’s the stuff you’ve covered and the weight it holds; it can be very hard to not let things weigh you down while you go about your day.”

Marquise Myles, a sophomore and actor in the production, agrees that balancing stu-

dent life and theatre comes with difficulties.

“It’s busy. Having rehearsals every day for two months was definitely a process to get used to. Ultimately, our director is very considerate and we never stay past when we need to,” Myles stated.

The actors noted that it’s all about balance and learning to prioritize. However, prioritizing doesn’t always look the same.

“For me, school is usually my biggest priority, but it’s really an understanding that sometimes you have something you’re suACTOR on page 12 

MSU theatre program promises great degrees

By LILLY SCHMIDT Staff Writer

With the Theater Department at Minnesota State University, Mankato currently performing “Wounded Healers”, it’s important to recognize the value of the theater program and the degrees that students can obtain through them.

Graduate Assistant Morgan Benson is working towards her Master of Fine Arts in acting.

She is currently working at MSU as a teaching assistant and as a box office manager. She says, most times, people believe that theatre a risky degree, when in reality it isn’t.

“What I really love about general theater degrees is that you get to work in every single department that gets to make up a theatrical performance. You work with lights, sound, set construction, set design, costume design, costume construction,” said Benson. “You get directing experience [too], so really you get a little flavor of all these elements so you can see what you like best. A theater degree reach-

es beyond acting.”

Furthermore, earning a theater degree prepares students for the workforce in unseen ways.

“What I love most about it is that it makes you such a well-rounded person. You can sew, you can use a table saw, you can wire things together electrically,” said Benson. “You learn to take an idea and turn it into a reality.”

This skill set opens a range of career options due to the variety of skills students learn from their classes.

“I really think that it makes you such a strong communicator. You can walk into any interview and tell them ‘I can take any idea and turn it into a reality on a budget and timeline’ and when you work with that type of mentality, I think it makes you a marketable person in many business industries. And that’s what theater is,” shared Benson. “You produce a product on a budget and timeline.

You make it happen, no matter what.”

For Benson, what inspired her to pursue a theater degree

Courtesy photo

The MSU College of Arts and Humanities offers a wide variety of degrees through the theatre department. Theatre classes don’t just include acting, but costume design, set design, lights, sound and set construction.

was creating change through storytelling.

“I think people only change when they can relate to something, an idea, or a person.

When you see these stories being told, it’s just a way to create a positive change. I feel like it’s doing good and it’s a purposeful thing as a human being to do,”

said Benson.

In the future, Benson hopes to create positive change through the use of storytelling as an educator.

“I want to teach full time at some point and to help people view the world with curiosity instead of judgment,” said BenDEGREE on page 11 

The first Good Thunder event of the new semester brings author and Minnesota State University, Mankato alumni Brett Biebel to campus.

Biebel found his love of writing at an early age from reading. Growing up, he found a love for language and during his time at MSU he took several classes on different storytelling aspects.

“I read a lot [as a kid] and when I got to college, I didn’t major in Creative Writing or English; I majored in Communication.

I think it was because I enjoyed language,” said Biebel. “Combining storytelling aspects and using words to tell stories was something that spoke to me. I’ve always liked playing with words.”

As an alum of MSU, Biebel credits the English Department for the critique that helped improve his writing. Biebel didn’t find any pretentiousness or pressure to publish that can arise from being a writer, which he found refreshing.

“Sometimes in writing workshops you run into snobbishness and there wasn’t any of that here.

I think my writing really started to click when I didn’t worry so much about publication and career success and I started writing for fun and to just enjoy the process,” shared Biebel. “I think I wouldn’t have gotten here without MSU. It was a really important step.”

Biebel’s most recent book “48 Blitz” is a compilation of 48 short stories that take place in Nebraska along I-80. While most stories in the book are under three pages, Biebel’s character’s are all linked together to create one larger story altogether.

“The characters move in and out and each story has its own little mini arc, but when you put them all together, certain things fit,” said Biebel. “It’s trying to make every page fun to read in of itself while still making the book fun to read as a whole.”

Biebel noted that writing has impacted other aspects of his life as it has made him more aware and observant AUTHOR on page 11 

Thursday, February 3, 2022

‘Queen of Italian cinema’ Monica Vitti dies at age 90

Variety

MSU Reporter • 11

ABC suspends Whoopi Goldberg

By DAVID BAUDER Associated Press

JEAN JACQUES LEVY • Associated Press

Monica Vitti, the versatile blond star of Michelangelo Antonioni’s “L’Avventura” and other Italian alienation films of the 1960s, and later a leading comic actress, has died. She was 90.

By VICTOR SIMPSON Associated Press

Monica Vitti, the versatile movie star of Michelangelo Antonioni’s “L’Avventura” and other Italian alienation films of the 1960s, and later a leading comic actress, has died.

She was 90.

Her death was announced Wednesday on Twitter by a former culture minister, Walter Veltroni, who said he had been asked to communicate her death by her husband, the photographer Roberto Russo.

“Goodbye to the queen of Italian cinema,’’ the current culture minister, Dario Franceschini, wrote in a statement.

Vitti had been out of the public spotlight for years, living quietly in Rome with her husband. She reportedly suffered from a form of dementia.

In her glamour days in the 1960s, she was best known

DEGREE from page 10 son.

The stigma around theater programs doesn’t live up to the value it holds. Benson encourages students who are considering joining the program to 

for her starring roles in “L’Avventura,”“Eclisse” (“Eclipse”) and “Red Desert,” all films directed by Antonioni, her lover at that time. The two were constant targets of paparazzi.

“L’Avventura” won her international attention and praise for her role as an icy cool woman drifting into a relationship with the lover of her missing girlfriend. In “Red Desert,” the last of the cycle, she plays a woman suffering from a deep, elusive neurosis as she struggled to deal with a transformed industrial world.

Vitti’s blond hair and blue eyes set her apart from classic Mediterranean screen stars such as the brown-haired Sophia Loren.

After Vitti’s relationship with Antonioni ended, they didn’t work together again until 1980. At that point, she changed focus sharply and began making comedies.

see what they can get out of the program.

“I encourage people to look past that and really look at it and see what you’re getting out of the degree,” said Benson.

★ Used Parts ★ Highest Prices Paid for All Grades of Metal including Appliances ★ Top Dollar Paid

Whoopi Goldberg was suspended for two weeks Tuesday as co-host of “The View” because of what the head of ABC News called her “wrong and hurtful comments” about Jews and the Holocaust.

“While Whoopi has apologized, I’ve asked her to take time to reflect and learn about the impact of her comments.

The entire ABC News organization stands in solidarity with our Jewish colleagues, friends, family and communities,” ABC News President Kim Godwin said in a statement.

The suspension came a day after Goldberg’s comment during a discussion on “The View” that race was not a factor in the Holocaust.

Goldberg apologized hours later and again on Tuesday’s morning episode, but the original remark drew condemnation from several prominent Jewish leaders.

“My words upset so many

AUTHOR from page 10 by noticing little details that others might not necessarily notice.

“Writing has made me be more open minded and curious.

I think that helps my writing by being curious and wanting to know a lot of different things,” shared Biebel. “It’s appreciating all the cool things that happen in small experiences.”

Biebel said that the event he is anticipating the most during Good Thunder is the craft talk, since it allows audiences to par

CHARLES SYKES • Associated Press

Goldberg has been suspended for two weeks as co-host of “The View” because of what the head of ABC News called her “wrong and hurtful comments” about Jews and the Holocaust.

people, which was never my intention,” she said Tuesday morning. “I understand why now and for that I am deeply, deeply grateful because the information I got was really helpful and helped me understand some different things.”

Goldberg made her original comments during a discussion on the show Monday about a Tennessee school board’s banning of “Maus,” a Pulitzer Prize-winning graphic novel about the Nazi death camps during World War II.

ticipate in conversation.

“I’m leaning more towards the workshop and craft talk because those are the places where people can ask questions and I enjoy the conversation a lot,” said Biebel. “I love reading [my work] aloud and putting the material up for conversation, but I look forward to the Q/A events the most.”

Biebel wants those who are wanting to pursue writing to, while it may be harder than it seems, enjoy the process as it makes it all worthwhile.

“It’s hard to plan [a writing career] but figure out what you really enjoy, pay attention to it and make a lot of care to observe it,” shared Biebel. “Keep writing no matter what and find joy in the process.”

The Good Thunder events include a workshop that takes place from 10-11 a.m at the Emy Frentz Art Guild, located near downtown Mankato, a craft talk from 3-4 p.m. and a reading from 7-8 p.m., both in Centennial Student Union Room 245.

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12 • MSU Reporter

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Thursday, February 3, 2022

4 charged in death of actor Michael K. Williams

By LARRY NEUMEISTER Four men believed to be members of a drug distribution crew have been charged in the overdose death of actor Michael K. Williams five months ago, authorities said Wednesday.

All four were arrested Tuesday and were in custody based on criminal complaints in Manhattan federal court, including one defendant who was arrested in Puerto Rico, according to a news release from U.S. Attorney Damian Williams and New York City Police Commissioner Keechant Sewell.

Three defendants were scheduled to make initial appearances in Manhattan federal court to face narcotics conspiracy charges alleging the distribution of fentanyl-laced heroin that resulted in the death of Williams, who gained fame playing Omar Little on “The Wire.”

New York City’s medical examiner earlier ruled that Williams, 54, died of acute drug intoxication Sept. 6. He was found dead by family members in his penthouse apartment. At that time, the medical examin-

er’s office ruled Williams’ death an accident.

The U.S. attorney said the crimes and charges resulted from a “public health crisis.”

“And it has to stop. Deadly opioids like fentanyl and heroin don’t care about who you are or what you’ve accomplished.

They just feed addiction and lead to tragedy,” the prosecutor said.

Sewell said police detectives in Brooklyn “lived this case, never relenting in their investigation until they could bring a measure of justice to Michael K. Williams and his family.”

According to court papers, Williams’ death resulted from drugs sold by a drug trafficking organization that has operated since at least August 2020 in Brooklyn’s Williamsburg neighborhood.

Authorities said members of the organization sold the actor heroin laced with fentanyl Sept.

5.

The court papers contained photographs, including one in which defendant Irvin Cartagena can be seen executing the hand-to-hand transaction, authorities said. They added that

ACTOR from page 10 per passionate about, like the show right now, and that is going to take higher priority,” said Warren. “I’m still going to get my school work done, but you have to establish priorities in a way that makes sense for you.”

When learning to find balance, Myles emphasizes self care.

“I know it’s so basic, but you really have to take care of your-

self. If you treat yourself like you’re sick, you will feel so much better. I drink tea, I am always using cough drops, I’ll drink water. I know it sounds like, ‘oh duh of course,’ but it helps so much to rest and treat yourself kindly,” Myles explained.

Both actors encourage attendance to “Wounded Healers,” as an opportunity for learning.

“You should always be seeking to learn,” said Warren. “We

Associated Press

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CHRIS PIZZELLO • Associated Press

A federal prosecutor says four men have been charged in the overdose death of Williams, who gained fame playing Omar Little on “The Wire.” The 54-year-old Williams died of acute drug intoxication in September.

the screenshots were taken from surveillance video.

Authorities said that the men

continued to sell fentanyl-laced heroin in broad daylight amid apartment buildings in Brook-

lyn and Manhattan even after knowing that Williams had died from one of their products.

cannot grow and unify as people if we don’t understand where everyone’s coming from. I want people to come and see truths in ways they may not have seen before, and understand that we have people around us to connect with and grow and support each other.”

Myles discussed the show’s representation of American history and how audience members can learn from the show, as well

as their most fond moments of being part of the production.

“The show is a conversation.

It doesn’t matter your identity in any way, shape, or form to be a part of this type of conversation.

This is American history, and it’s important to involve yourself,” Myles concluded.

“I think my favorite part about being in the show is being a part of something so unapologetically black. There’s not that

many opportunities like this here in the Midwest, and especially not here in Mankato. Having the opportunity has been really empowering and invigorating to be who I really am instead of assimilating.”

“Wounded Healers” will be running in the Andreas Theater until Feb. 6. Tickets can be bought on the MSU theatre website or at the box office.

CONGRATULATIONS & GOOD LUCK to the past and present MSU hockey players & coaches headed to the 2022 Winter Olympics!

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