March 31, 2022

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THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2022

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MARCHING FOR PEACE Students participated in “Our Walk for Peace” to protest war globally.

By MAX MAYLEBEN Editor in Chief

By HAFSA PEERZADA Staff Writer

The Kearney International Center at Minnesota State University, Mankato hosted the walk for peace protest on Wednesday at the mall outside the Centennial Student Union.

The event highlighted the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine as well as addressed the impacts of war in other parts of the world.

Attendees, including MSU students and faculty who gathered to show their support and use their voice to raise awareness about the events currently unfolding in Ukraine.

The protest provided an avenue for students on campus to peacefully march and publicly voice their opinions on the invasion of Ukraine by Russia that began on the morning of Feb. 24, 2022.

Participants in the march held anti-war posters and spoke on the realities of war and the suffering caused by it.

Majd Alharbi, a sophomore here at MSU, was one of the organizers of the protest.

Speaking to the attendees Alharbi summarized the current situation in Ukraine and spoke on the consequences of war.

“We know what’s happening in Ukraine. There’s violence, genocide, suffering, injustice,

MANSOOR AHMAD • The Reporter

After a night of non-stop rain, MSU students marched around the Centennial Student Union Mall protesting war worldwide while shedding light on the recent events in Ukraine.

“We are here raising awareness for all the people that are suffering everywhere.”

Majd Alharbi, a sophomore at MSU children dying, families separating, and homes destroyed. It is hard to hear, hard to say yet it is happening right now as we

speak,” said Alharbi.

Adding to the issue of war, Alharbi further used the opportunity to highlight ongoing wars and conflicts around the globe.

“Unfortunately, war is not just happening in Ukraine.

It’s happening in places like Palestine and Ethiopia and in over 30 countries all over the world,” voiced Alharbi. “We are here raising awareness for all the people that are suffering everywhere.”

A minute of silence was also observed during the protest for

those that have perished and those that are currently suffering as a consequence of war.

Darria Hozhenko, an international student from Ukraine, was also in attendance.

Hozhenko paid homage to her homeland and showed her love and admiration for her country.

“My name is Ukraine. I am only 30 but my roots are strong, expanding deep into history. All the past years have cultivated in me a love of freedom and a desire to be free but now war has fallen on us.

PEACE on page 2 

Staff Writer

This past Wednesday, Minnesota State University Mankato hosted its fourth annual Health and Biomedical Sciences Summit. This year’s summit centered around mental health, an issue that has become more topical and less stigmatized in recent years. The summit featured New York Times bestseller Johann Hari and leading child psychologist Abigail Gewirtz, as well as numerous Minnesota-based mental health professionals.

Hari opened the event at 8:30 a.m., speaking about the importance of acknowledging

COVID’s effect on the mental health crisis in the world.

“Why would a pandemic lead to an enormous increase in depression, anxiety, addiction, and overdose rates? I think if we can understand the key to that question, if we can figure that out, then we can figure out what was happening before the pandemic and what we need to change as we emerge from it,” said Hari during his talk.

Addressing the often overlooked social causes of mental illness, Hari voiced how communities around the world are substituting chemical solutions with connection.

“If you’re depressed, you’re not weak, you’re not crazy,

DYLAN ENGEL • The Reporter

‘Mental Health is Health’ summit comes to MSU

By ALEXANDRA TOSTRUD

Student Gov. addresses budget meeting

Johann Hari, shared his “War on Drugs” segment during the Health and Biomedical Sciences Summit at MSU on Wednesday.

you’re not a machine with broken parts. You’re a human being with unmet needs. What you need is love and practical support,” Hari said.

Brooke Sargent, a junior at MSU majoring in communication sciences, attended the sum-

mit for her coursework along with Laura Morrison. “We have a class that recommended it for us. We’re learning about mental health, specifically depression and anxiety,” Sargent said. The two also read Hari’s HEALTH on page 4 

Last night’s Student Government meeting achieved the passing of four different fees paid for by students, but the meeting was defined by what was said in the officer reports.

The meeting last week, which decided the budget for the Student Activity Fee, lasted over 10 hours, and was hampered by confusion and disagreements from members of the senate and the executive team.

Following the chaotic budget meeting last week, President Reauna Stiff, Vice President Kara Svercl and Speaker Minahil Khan addressed the senate, expressing their disappointment in the behavior that some senators exhibited.

“I cannot even fathom how disappointed I am in some of the people in this room,” said Stiff during her report to the senate.

During the executive team’s individual officer reports, they each took time to speak about how they felt that last week went.

“I’m afraid our kindness has been taken advantage of,” said Stiff to the senate.

“While we have constantly preached holistic support and grace for others, this year, there wasn’t much of that when it comes to us.”

Stiff went on to speak about the amount of time that she, Svercl, and Khan had put in preparing for the budget meeting, and expressed worry that senators did not do the same.

“We did our due diligence, as most of us were advised to do,” said Stiff.

Stiff went on to state her disappointment in the senate’s conduct during the budget meeting.

“It was disrespectful to this body, to our guests, and especially executive leadership,” said Stiff.

“Multiple times this year, we have been interrupted, talked over, we have had our comments disregarded,” Stiff said, referring to previous senate meetings.

Svercl went on to speak on the different knowledge that is held by senators and the executive team.

“You as senators know different than us,” said Svercl, “however, that does not STU GOV on page 5 

2 • MSU Reporter

News

Thursday, March 31, 2022

University settles in MavPODs complaint

By JENNA PETERSON Copy Editor

On Mar. 15, Minnesota State University, Mankato signed a resolution agreement with the U.S. Department of Education Office of Civil Rights regarding the MavPOD complaint sent in this past September.

MavPODs, which arrived on campus in late August, are individualized enclosed spaces where students and faculty can complete homework and attend meetings.

The initial complaint, sent in by MSU Professor of Social Work Nancy Fitzsimons, stated the MavPODs placed around campus did not allow full access to all students, specifically those with mobility disabilities.

Because of this, the MavPODs went against the Americans with Disabilities Act. “When I had filed the complaint and talked with the representative who’s handling the complaint, one of the things they told me, at the time, was the regulations didn’t really anticipate this. The only thing the

MANSOOR AHMAD • The Reporter

MavPODs which launched in late August have been criticized for their lack of accessibility. Since then the university has planned to purchase more that are accessible for those with disabilities coming later this spring and early fall.

office can do is to hold entities responsible for how the law is being interpreted through the

PEACE from page 1 Forces are trying to destroy our freedom and crush it forever,” added Hozhenko.

“Today we fight, we are not afraid. We will stand, and I know my wounds will



regulations,” Fitzsimons stated.

“I knew that unless they had found some other provision

heal, and my people will live peaceful lives again”.

The Russia and Ukraine conflict has been overwhelming for both communities on campus with the sudden onslaught

within Section 504 of the Rehab Act or the ADA within the regulations governing those two

disrupting many lives while bringing emotional distress. Students on campus can show their support and stand in solidarity with the Ukrainian community in numerous ways.

federal laws, this was probably going to be the best outcome there was going to be.”

The resolution agreement states the University must purchase and install another accessible MavPOD by May 1, with proof of purchase to be shown to the office by May 15. Additionally, the University must purchase another accessible MavPOD by Sept. 1 and show proof of purchase by Sept. 15 to comply with state law.

“My interpretation of this decision is the regulations saying, ‘Yes, you can discriminate,’ because I do believe this is what we would call, sort of, what is supposed to be ‘separate but equal,’” Fitzsimons explained.

“That this decision allows for students to have some access in some places on campus, but it is not comparable to the access that a student without a mobility disability would have, and that the regulations allow for it.”

MSU freshman Val Weber, is one within the student population who can’t access many MAVPODS on page 8 

“If you want to help, donate. If you can’t donate sign a petition. You can spread information about Ukraine with friends and family. If you can’t do that then you can just pray,” said Hozhenko.

Thursday, March 31, 2022

News

MSU Reporter • 3

Amazon union organizers face off in Alabama

By ANNE D’INNOCENZIO, HALELUYA HADERO, and JAY REEVES Associated Press

For union organizers at an Amazon warehouse in Bessemer, Alabama, the second time could be a charm — or not.

After a crushing defeat last year, when a majority of workers voted against forming a union, the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union is hoping for a different outcome in a do-over election. The National Labor Relations Board on Monday began counting mail-in ballots that were sent to 6,100 workers in early February. Results could come as early as Thursday.

If the vote goes in favor of the union, it would be Amazon’s first one ever in the U.S. Like last time, the RWDSU is driving the union campaign in Bessemer.

Vaccines have made it easier for organizers to do face-to-face meetings during the pandemic as opposed to the texts, emails and phone calls they relied on the first time around.

“It’s been easier to spread the message this time, and we’ve had more support inside the building,” said Dale Wyatt, an Amazon worker at the Bessemer facility who’s assisting in the

union push. “For example, more people are wearing T-shirts and pins and apparel, and more people are willing to come up and talk to us this time.”

Amazon has had a chance to regroup as well after the NLRB determined that the company unfairly influenced last year’s election.

The country’s second-largest private employer continues to hammer the message that it invests in both pay and benefits for its workers.

Regular full-time employees in Bessemer earn at least $15.80 an hour, higher than the estimated $14.55 per hour on average in the city based on an analysis of the U.S. Census Bureau.

They also get health care as well as a 401(k) with company match.

Amazon has also made some changes to but still kept a controversial U.S. Postal Service mailbox that was key in the NLRB’s decision to invalidate last year’s vote.

Labor activists say the company is still relying on consultants and managers to hold mandatory staff meetings to talk about why unions are a bad idea. Such meetings stopped right before the ballots were sent, in accordance with labor laws.

An Amazon spokesperson

JAY REEVES • Associated Press

Suspended Amazon employee Reyn McGuire talks about her support for a drive to unionize the company’s fulfillment center in Bessemer, Ala.

said the meetings give employees the opportunity to ask questions and learn what a union “could mean for them and their day-today life working at Amazon.”

Prior to the Bessemer union drive, Amazon hadn’t faced a major union election in the U.S.

since 2014 when the majority of the 30 workers at a warehouse in Delaware voted against organizing. In many European countries like France, Italy, Spain and Germany, where union membership is higher and there are fewer obstacles for labor

groups, Amazon workers have long been unionized.

Amazon also faces two union elections in the more labor-friendly New York City, though they’re being spearheaded by a nascent independent labor group.

4 • MSU Reporter

News

Jones faces fines for skipping Sandy Hook deposition

Thursday, March 31, 2022

Will Smith faces more if charged

By BRIAN MELLY Associated Press

SCOTT APPLEWHITE • Associated Press

This Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2018, file photo shows radio show host and conspiracy theorist Alex Jones at Capitol Hill in Washington.

By DAVE COLLINS Associated Press

A Connecticut judge said Wednesday Infowars host and conspiracy theorist Alex Jones will be fined for each weekday that passes without him appearing for a deposition in a lawsuit brought by relatives of some victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting.

The penalties were in response to Jones defying court orders to attend a deposition last week, when he cited a health problem including vertigo that later turned out to be a sinus infection. His testimony is being sought ahead of a trial to determine how much he should pay in damages to the families for pushing a conspiracy theory that the massacre never happened. The penalties will begin at $25,000 per weekday beginning Friday and increase by $25,000 per weekday until he appears for a deposition, Judge Barbara Bellis said. She found Jones in contempt of court orders and repeated her view Wednesday that letters submitted by Jones’ doctors did not include enough evidence that he was too ill to attend last week’s deposition.

 HEALTH from page 1 bestseller “Lost Connections”.

The second keynote speaker, Gewirtz, spoke on resilience and parenting. “There is arguably nothing more terrifying than to be a parent and know your child may be in danger and you can’t protect them, or conversely to be a child and not have your secure base,” Gewirtz said.Over the last 12 years, her research centered on military families, immigrant families, and victims of domestic abuse.

In addition to the keynote speakers, the event also hosted lightning round talks and breakout rooms to add different perspectives on the topic of mental health.

Thad Shunkwiler, Assistant Professor in the Department of

She noted Jones appeared on his website show — either in-person or by phone — every day last week.

“The court finds by clear and convincing evidence that the defendant, Alex Jones, willfully and in bad faith violated without justification several clear court orders requiring his attendance at his depositions,” Bellis said during a court hearing held by video conference.

Bellis, a judge at Waterbury Superior Court, also ordered the deposition to be held at the Bridgeport, Connecticut, office of the families’ lawyers, instead of Austin, Texas, where it was scheduled last week. Austin is home to Jones and Infowars.

The judge, however, again denied a request by lawyers for the Sandy Hook families to order Jones arrested and detained until he could appear at a deposition. The attorneys first made the request last week. Jones’ lawyer, Norman Pattis, criticized Bellis’ ruling and planned to appeal to the Connecticut Supreme Court on Thursday. “The judge’s order is shocking and an insult to the medical doctor who advised Alex not to attend court proceedings,” Pattis said in an email to The Associated Press.

Health Science at MSU, was heavily involved in planning this year’s summit aiming to get more students curious.

“That’s the reason we do it, is students. Everything we do on this campus should also go through the lens of how does this impacts our students,” Shunkwiler said. “There are experts in different areas to help our audience understand the industry of mental health.

The goal is for them to learn more about healthcare and how it’s delivered.”

Lynae Casto, a first-semester nursing student, shared why she came “I’m interested in mental health, and I wanted to see what it’s about since mental health is such a broad topic,” she said.

Will Smith’s slap seen ’round the world at the Oscars was clearly a crime, legal experts say, but the chances of prosecution are slim and even if convicted he’d likely face little more than a slap of his own — on the wrist.

Smith left millions of witnesses stunned Sunday when he marched onto the stage of the Dolby Theatre and smacked Chris Rock in the face after the comedian made a joke about his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, who was sitting with the actor in the front row.

The Los Angeles Police Department has said it was aware of the incident but was not investigating because Rock declined to file a police report.

While police could technically open an investigation based on the Academy Awards broadcast, they wouldn’t do so without Rock’s participation, said defense lawyer Alan Jackson, a former Los Angeles County prosecutor who oversaw high-profile cases.

“Would they ever in a practical world do that when Chris Rock is saying, ’I won’t cooperate with a criminal investigation?’ Not in a million years,” Jackson said. “LAPD is probably breathing a relative sigh of relief that they don’t have to get involved with two high-profile actors duking it out on a world stage.”

The Los Angeles city attorney’s office, which prosecutes misdemeanor crimes, declined to comment, but said it couldn’t bring charges without a police referral.

CHRIS PIZZELLO • Associated Press

Presenter Chris Rock speaks onstage as Will Smith and Jada Pinkett, bottom left, listen from their seats at the Oscars, Sunday, March 27, 2022, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.

“If he’s going to be charged, I can’t speak to what the charge would be,” spokesman Rob Wilcox said.

News of celebrities in trouble has been a fixture in LA since Hollywood’s early days, and questions frequently arise about whether the rich and powerful receive a different brand of justice.

“The celebrity thing is coming into play, unfortunately,” said former LA District Attorney Steve Cooley. “If some Joe Blow committed this act in front a police officer, would he would be able to walk away from it? Probably not.”

If Smith is not charged, it could imperil the justice system’s credibility, said Jody Armour, a law professor at the University of Southern California.

“How can what appears to be an obvious criminal act

committed in the open publicly not result in any criminal consequences?” Armour asked.

“Do different standards apply to celebrities and noncelebrities? Apparently, we seem to all recognize that is the case. But what does that recognition say to us about the legitimacy and credibility of our criminal justice system?”

While the famous can use their status to influence decision-makers, their fame can work against them if the prosecutor decides to make an example of a crime by someone well-known.

“I would surprised if the city attorney does not seriously consider it because it was so public,” said Alison Triessl, a criminal defense lawyer who has handled many misdemeanor battery cases. “Are they sending the wrong message if they don’t prosecute him?”

ASK A LIBRARIAN service is available online 24/7 to assist you with your research questions big and small!

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Thursday, March 31, 2022

News

Worst cyberattack of Ukraine war

By FRANK BAJAK

MSU Reporter • 5

Nurses: Guilty verdict for dosing mistake could cost lives

Associated Press

A malicious software update that crippled tens of thousands of modems across Europe anchored the cyberattack on a satellite network used by Ukraine’s government and military just as Russia invaded, the satellite owner disclosed Wednesday.

The owner, U.S.-based Viasat, provided details for the first time of how the most serious known cyberattack of the Russia-Ukraine war unfolded. The wide-ranging attack affected users from Poland to France, getting almost immediate notice by knocking off remote access to thousands of wind turbines in central Europe.

Viasat did not say in its statement who it believed was responsible for the attack.

Ukrainian officials blame Russian hackers.

The Viasat attack, coming just as Russia was launching its invasion, was considered at the

STU GOV from page 1 mean you know more than us.”

Svercl also referenced the amount of meetings that the executive team have been a part of, noting that many of the senators did not have the same background information. “There are some people in this room who do not have that context, but they may have more clout,” said Svercl, “and sometimes, I think we forget who we have elected as our executive team, and who we have elected as senators.”

Khan, the speaker of the 

JON ELSWICK • Associated Press

A Joint Cybersecurity Advisory published by the Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency about destructive malware that is targeting organizations in Ukraine is photographed Monday, Feb. 28, 2022.

time by many a harbinger of serious cyberattacks that could extend beyond Ukraine.

Such attacks haven’t yet materialized, though security researchers say the most impactful war-related cyber operations are likely occurring in

the shadows, focused on intelligence-gathering.

A free-for-all of lesser attacks, many apparently carried out by volunteers, have been launched against both Russia and Ukraine.

senate, was at the forefront of last week’s meeting, was not thrilled with the level of respect that was given from senators.

“You are not just making yourself look bad, you are also making the position and senate look bad,” said Khan to the senators.

Senator Douglas Roberts, who was a part of the SAC and a member of the senate, asking for respect from both sides. “It is a mutual problem,” said Roberts, “it is a universal problem where we all need to learn to respect one another

better.” Senator Zahara Osman was looking for more of a discussion about the budget meeting, but was upset that the executive team didn’t allow for rebuttal from the senate. “We all had stuff to say about what they said,” said Osman, “I just think they should have let us have a discussion on it.”

After officer reports, senate approved of the budgets for the Student Health Services Fee, the Student Union Fee, the Student Technology Fee, the dome fee and the Campus Outdoor Recreation Facility Fee.

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STEPHANIE AMADOR • The Tennessean via AP

RaDonda Vaught, a former Vanderbilt University Medical Center nurse charged with in the death of a patient, listens to the opening statements during her trial at Justice A.A. Birch Building in Nashville, Tenn.

By TRAVIS LOLLER Associated Press

The moment nurse RaDonda Vaught realized she had given a patient the wrong medication, she rushed to the doctors working to revive 75-yearold Charlene Murphey and told them what she had done.

Within hours, she made a full report of her mistake to the Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Murphey died the next day, on Dec. 27, 2017. On Friday, a jury found Vaught guilty of criminally negligent homicide and gross neglect.

That verdict — and the fact that Vaught was charged at all — worries patient safety and nursing groups that have worked for years to move hospital culture away from cover-ups, blame and punish-

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ment, and toward the honest reporting of mistakes. The move to a “Just Culture” seeks to improve safety by analyzing human errors and making systemic changes to prevent their recurrence. And that can’t happen if providers think they could go to prison, they say.

“The criminalization of medical errors is unnerving, and this verdict sets into motion a dangerous precedent,” the American Nurses Association said. “Health care delivery is highly complex. It is inevitable that mistakes will happen. ... It is completely unrealistic to think otherwise.” Just Culture has been widely adopted in hospitals since a 1999 report by the National Academy of Medicine estimated at least 98,000 people may die each year due to medical errors.

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6 • MSU Reporter

Editorial

Thursday, March 31, 2022

Perspectives

Editorials represent the opinions of The Reporter editorial board.

The opinions expressed here are not necessarily those of the college, university or student body.

Maxwell Mayleben Editor In Chief

Julia Barton News Director

Mansoor Ahmad Media Director

Kole Buelow Sports Editor

Emma Johnson Variety Editor

Jenna Peterson Copy Editor

When did ‘Kato become such a drag?

MavPODs: a step in the right direction The tiny rooms that popped up all over campus this past spring were a surprise for many students, who were left with the question: What are these?

After a few weeks of implementation, what we learned to be called “MavPODS” become more and more of a hot button issue, as accessibility concerns brought a complaint about the University’s compliance to the Americans with Disabilities Act. With the MavPODs being on campus for almost a full school year, there still continues to be an issue with the number of accessible MavPODs available for all students and faculty to utilize.

This issue was brought to light when the MavPODs were first launched in the beginning of the academic year, as it was pointed out that there was not enough student consultation when the pods were initially purchased.

Since the arrival of the pods, a complaint was sent by MSU Professor Nancy Fitzsimons to the U.S. Department of Education Office of Civil Rights. This complaint states the MavPODs placed around campus did not allow full access to all students, specifically those with mobility disabilities, therefore going against the Americans with Disabilities Act. In response to the complaint, the University must purchase two additional accessible MavPODs by May 1 and Sept. 1 of this year, as well as show proof of the purchases in order to meet regulation standards. Although this is a step in the right direction with having equity and inclusion for all, this should’ve been a point voiced before the initial launch of the MavPODs rather than it being an afterthought.

Especially when the intention for the MavPODs were for students to use them as study areas, the first step should have been asking a larger population of MSU students of their initial thought on the functionality of them. The relaying of this information could have been conducted through sending surveys out via emails, hosting public meetings, or by tabling in the Centennial Student Union.

Purchasing the MavPODs cost the University roughly $1 million.

With a purchase of that size, student feedback should’ve been a number one priority. The disregard of accessibility should be particularly haunting for our campus as we gear up for the proposed replacement of the Armstrong building. Students need to be consulted when it comes to massive costs and amenities that directly impact them.

While the solution to the MavPODs issue solves the noncompliance with ADA, and is overall a step in the right direction, we have to ask ourselves: is the disregard of student feedback going to continue? And if so, what will be the cost?

File photos

Past drag shows, from left ot right, the Ms. Mankato Drag Race in 1975, to the Come as You Are Drag Ball in 2001, to the fall 2019 Gender Bender drag show.

J E R E M Y R E DL I E N As any historian will probably tell you, researching history is never straightforward. With the upcoming drag show this Saturday, I decided to try to determine the origins of the Mankato Drag Show. In doing so, I found myself stumbling across a variety of contradictory information. The only thing I could be sure of at the beginning of my research was that the Mankato Drag Show has been a regular staple on campus from at least the early 2000s.

A perusal of the online archives of The Reporter quickly revealed a few clues but not a lot of definitive answers. An article published on April 4, 2013 “The Show Must Drag On!” described

the Mankato Drag show as a “20 year tradition”.

An article on Oct. 26, 2010 “Drag Show Goes Gaga”, which interviewed the late director of the Jim Chalgren LGBT Center, Jessica Flatequal, stating the following, “The concept for this event is laced in mystery and intrigue. Flatequal said the history of the event is ultimately unknown, but the show has become a core part of the work done by the LGBT center.”

An article published on Oct. 5, 2005 “Three Cheers For the Gender Bender” states that the drag show

for 2005 was in its “second straight year”.

Searching through Kellian Clinks’ “A History of the Center for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Students on the Campus of Minnesota State University, Mankato” revealed a single reference to drag. That reference was for a cabaret show in 1993 that included a drag performer by the name of Felitia Fontaine.

To find more definitive answers, I turned to the Southern Minnesota Historical Archives, which has the physical archives for the LGBT Center. This proved a little more useful.

One interesting find was a poster for a “1st Annua”, “Come as you are Drag Ball” on Mar. 6 2001. Given other information I came across, COLUMN on page 10 

“How does the rainy weather make you feel?”

Compiled by Ajay Kasaudhan

ZAVERY GALBA, FRESHMAN

YA FAATOU SOWE, JUNIOR

NOAH THIESFELD, JUNIOR

RABY DIENG, JUNIOR

NIAMUL HAQUE AKIB, FRESHMAN

RADIT MAHMUD, SENIOR

“It is depressing and I’m ready for sunny weather.”

“Gloomy and scary thunder.”

“Makes me excited for summer.”

“Feeling good, hopefully no more snow.”

“Feels good and new weather for me in the USA.”

“Gloomy and sad.”

Thursday, March 31, 2022

With at least one GOP vote, Jackson likely to be confirmed

News

MSU Reporter • 7

Letter to the Editor: “Point of Order: Accessibility”

CAROLYN KASTER • Associated Press

Supreme Court nominee Ketanji Brown Jackson meets with Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, on Capitol Hill in Washington, March 8, 2022.

By MARY CLARE JALONICK Associated Press

Maine Sen. Susan Collins said Wednesday she will vote to confirm Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson, giving Democrats at least one Republican vote and all but assuring that Jackson will become the first Black woman on the Supreme Court.

Collins met with Jackson a second time this week after four days of hearings last week and said Wednesday that “she possesses the experience, qualifications and integrity to serve as an associate justice on the Supreme Court.”

“I will, therefore, vote to confirm her to this position,” Collins said.

Collins’ support gives Democrats at least a one-vote cushion in the 50-50 Senate and likely saves them from having to use Vice President Kamala Harris’ tie-breaking vote to confirm President Joe Biden’s pick. Senate Democratic leaders are pushing toward a Senate Judiciary Committee vote on the nomination Monday and a final Senate vote to confirm Jackson late next week.

Biden called Collins on Wednesday to thank her after her announcement, according to the senator’s office. The president had called her at least three times before the hearings, part of a larger push to win a

COLUMN from page 1 this event would most likely represent the beginning of the modern incarnation of the Mankato Drag show.

“Don’t be a lemming!” states the poster, reflecting the attitude of drag as a means of flaunting social norms.

I went through several year end reports for the LGBT Center from the late 1990s and none contained any references to any drag shows.

While it did not appear to lead to an annual tradition, there was a drag race organized

by Jim Chalgren, the found

bipartisan vote for his historic pick. Jackson, who would replace retiring Justice Stephen Breyer, would be the third Black justice, after Thurgood Marshall and Clarence Thomas, and the sixth woman. She would also be the first former public defender on the court.

It is expected that all 50 Democrats will support her, though one notable moderate Democrat, Arizona Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, hasn’t yet said how she will vote.

Collins was the most likely Republican to support Jackson, and she has a history of voting for Supreme Court nominees picked by presidents of both parties, as well as other judicial nominations. The only Supreme Court nominee she’s voted against since her election in the mid-1990s is Justice Amy Coney Barrett, who was nominated by then-President Donald Trump after the death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg in the weeks before Trump’s election defeat to Biden in 2020.

Collins, who was up for reelection that year, said she voted against Barrett because of the accelerated six-week timeline. “It’s not a comment on her,” Collins said of Barrett at the time. In her statement supporting Jackson, the Maine senator said she doesn’t expect that she will always agree with Jackson’s decisions.

er of the Jim Chalgren LGBT Center, in May of 1975. “The Ms. Mankato Drag Race” came with the tagline “the end of an age and the beginning of an era.”

“Social norms will be transgressed and attitudes will be challenged,” The Reporter published in Drag City (May 14, 1975).

In any case, regardless of the precise origins of the Mankato Drag Show, drag has been transgressing gender roles in Mankato for many decades.

Hopefully it continues to do so for many more.

Members of the student body, the Senate, and former leadership have expressed significant concerns about Student Government operations of the March 23 budget meeting.

Many of us choose to remain anonymous due to threats of retaliation.

We cite the recent budget meeting actions - the rules were unfairly enforced and a palpable bias demonstrated towards certain senators. These actions effectively silenced multiple constituencies with rulings that prevented a fair and equitable meeting.

In this meeting, the “out of orders” rule directly harmed inclusivity, specifically targeting multiple senators who are neurodivergent. Examples of this include surprise resolutions, surprise new rules, misinforming and/or disinforming the senate.

Attempts to reach out to leadership by both current and former members of senate have been met with silence, and whether intentional or not, has led to some senators resigning.

Furthermore, members of the student body have become outraged with a lack of access to Student Government. After complaints of having no access to the Student Government office because it is constantly closed, student body members feel this is a direct attempt to exclude them from being

able to communicate their concerns about important issues.

Additionally, this has resulted in senators not being able to access resources such as their office, mailbox, and conference rooms.

It is for these reasons that we senators, former leaders, and members of the student body believe that accessibility of meetings, both open to the public and accessible to those with specific needs in order to fully take part in such meetings, is of paramount importance.

While we value the planning put into the budget meeting, particularly the time spent and the creation of multiple budget options, we cannot condone the removal of senators from meeting over relatively minor infractions.

Additionally, this letter was prompted by statements made in the senate meeting today, which did not allow further discussion on why senators took certain actions.

This letter serves as a response to those statements.

Sincerely, Patrick Flynn On behalf of current and former senators, former leadership, and student body at large.

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8 • MSU Reporter

Willis, with aphasia, steps away from acting

By JAKE COYLE Associated Press

Bruce Willis is stepping away from acting after a diagnosis of aphasia, a condition that causes loss of the ability to understand or express speech, his family said Wednesday.

In a statement posted on Willis’ Instagram page, the 67-year-old actor’s family announced that Willis was recently diagnosed with aphasia and that it is impacting his cognitive abilities.

“As a result of this and with much consideration, Bruce is stepping away from the career that has meant so much to him,” read the statement signed by Willis’ wife, Emma Heming Willis, his ex-wife Demi Moore, and his five children, Rumer, Scout, Tallulah, Mabel and Evelyn.

“We are moving through this as a strong family unit, and wanted to bring his fans in because we know how much he means to you, as you do to him,” they said.

“As Bruce always says, ‘Live it up’ and together we plan to do just that.”

There are many potential causes of aphasia. It often occurs after a stroke or head injury, but can also develop gradually due to a slow-growing brain tumor or a disease that causes degenerative damage, like Alzheimer’s disease. It’s treated primarily with speech therapy and learning non-verbal means of communication.

Willis’ family didn’t divulge what caused his aphasia. Representatives for the actor declined to comment.

The news about Willis, one of Hollywood’s most beloved actors, immediately spread online as fans reacted. His four-decade career has amassed more than $5 billion in box office worldwide, Willis had been working steadily and frequently.

Renowned for films like “Die Hard,” “Pulp Fiction” and “The Sixth Sense,” Willis has in recent years churned out straight-to-video thrillers.

Last year, he starred in a staggering eight films. Most came and went quietly, including titles like “Cosmic Sin,” “Out of Death” and “Deadlock.”

Most recently, Willis starred in February’s “Gasoline Alley” and “A Day to Die,” released in early March. Willis has already shot at least six more films due out in 2022 and 2023.

News

Thursday, March 31, 2022

How China’s influencers push propaganda

By AMANDA SEITZ, ERIC TUCKER and MIKE CATALINI To her 1.4 million followers across TikTok, YouTube, Instagram and Facebook, Vica Li says she is a “life blogger” and “food lover” who wants to teach her fans about China so they can travel the country with ease.

“Through my lens, I will take you around China, take you into Vica’s life!” she says in a video posted in January to her YouTube and Facebook accounts, where she also teaches Chinese classes over Zoom. But that lens may be controlled by CGTN, the Chinese-state run TV network where she has regularly appeared in broadcasts and is listed as a digital reporter on the company’s website.

And while Vica Li tells her followers that she “created all of these channels on her own,” her Facebook account shows that at least nine people manage her page. That portfolio of accounts is just one tentacle of China’s rapidly growing influence on U.S.-owned social media platforms, an Associated Press examination has found.

As China continues to assert its economic might, it is using the global social media ecosystem to expand its already formidable influence. The country has quietly built a network of social media personalities who parrot the government’s perspective in posts seen by hundreds of thousands of people, operating in virtual lockstep as they promote China’s virtues, deflect international criticism of its human rights abuses and advance Beijing’s talking points

MAVPODS from page 2 of the MavPODs put in place throughout campus due to a rare bone disorder that has left her in a wheelchair.

“I’ve had my disability for so long at this point that when you see things like that [inaccessible MavPODs] it’s in the back of your head, ‘Oh I can’t use that,’ but you don’t necessarily think too much about it just because there’s a lot of things you can’t use in your daily life that other people can,” Weber stated.

“I didn’t really think about it and then after Nancy brought it to my attention, ‘Hey, this is kind of ableist,’ I was like, ‘Yeah, it kind of is.’”

Weber continued to discuss the initial purchase of the MavPODs and how the decision didn’t include every student in mind. “It was kind of interesting because it shows it’s kind of an easy thing to miss if you aren’t really thinking about how these decisions will affect other peo-

ple,” Weber stated.

Fitzsimons and Weber have worked together throughout the academic year to tackle other ableist issues found on campus.

Fitzsimons expressed her frustration of these issues and how the University should do better.

“If we are a campus that says ‘diversity, equity, and inclusion’, these are the exact opposite of what you say you are striving to create. It inherently affords some students opportunities that others are not going to have. They inherently send a message to students with mobility disabilities or anybody on campus that, ‘This isn’t for you,’” Fitzsimons stated.

She then went on to point out some of the good that came out of the MavPOD purchase.

“It [MavPODs] was an unnecessary purchase. It’s a want, it’s not a need. I think the only good, from my perspective, that has come from any of this is the increased awareness people are

Associated Press



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

BEBETO MATTHEWS • Associated Press

Clint Watts, president of Miburo, a research firm that tracks foreign disinformation operations, works at his desktop at company headquarters, on March 15, 2022, in New York.

on world affairs like Russia’s war against Ukraine. Some of China’s state-affiliated report-

ers have posited themselves as trendy Instagram influencers or bloggers.

having about ableism. It is starting conversation, it is starting to have some recognition,” Fitzsimons explained.

Weber, on the other hand, is glad to see some action is being taken by the University.

“I think that was kind of a good decision to add more, but at the same time it’s still not as many as there are inaccessible MavPODs,” Weber stated. “I’m kind of glad they didn’t take away all of the MavPODs because I do know a lot of people use them. I feel like if that were to be the case people might have anger towards disabled students, like we took away something that they were using, and we don’t need that.”

While the settlement is a step in the right direction, Weber pointed out some things the University should consider. “I feel like there should be an accessible MavPOD either in every building or, if it’s a big enough building like the CSU, maybe

one or two on each level because I know there aren’t a whole lot of people that have noticeable disabilities. Even people with invisible disabilities, sometimes they need more space,” Weber stated.

MSU’s statement on the matter was: “Minnesota State University, Mankato is pleased to have reached a resolution agreement with the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights with regard to federal accessibility requirements and placement of MavPods on campus. The University worked with OCR, faculty experts and students to reach a solution that ensures the University fully complies with ADA requirements while also ensuring the MavPods are an asset that enhances the campus experience for all of our students and entire campus community. MNSU is committed to equal opportunity and non-discrimination in employment and education.”

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SPORTS

NATTY’S IN SIGHT The Mavericks are busy preparing to take on Minnesota in Boston.

Staff Writer

Sports Editor

MANSOOR AHMAD • The Reporter

Senior goaltender Dryden McKay (right) saves a shot from sophomore center Ondrej Pavel (middle) at practice Wednesday. The Mavericks are preparing to play Minnesota in the Frozen Four on April 7.

The Mavericks are now practicing hard to face the Gophers in Boston, where the Frozen Four will see two Minnesota-based teams facing each other in the semifinal round. This year’s Frozen Four will mark not only the second straight year the Mavericks made it to the semifinal round of the tournament, but also the second straight year two or more Minnesota-based teams claimed a bid in the semifinal.

Last year’s teams included Minnesota Duluth, Minnesota State, and St. Cloud State.

Practices don’t quite look

the same as they do in the middle of the year. Hastings explained them as, “Short and crisp and hard, and that there’s purpose to them.”

The Mavericks head coach went on to explain the team will be taking the team captains’ word into account, as it is most important to be staying healthy and sharp with a long week ahead. “(Next) Thursday is a long way away from today. We don’t have to be perfect today.

We’ve gotta be prepared when that puck drops a week from this Thursday.”

Teams close to home have Hastings’ eye this late in the season, and Minnesota fits that mold when it comes to game planning.

“I know they are excited about playing us,” said Hastings.

“They’ve had success throughout this season. They had a bump in the road against Michigan in the championship game, otherwise they are a number one seed. They are everything that everybody talks about. They’ve got guys that once the season’s done are gonPRACTICE on page 15 

Softball squeaks past CSP, eyes No. 7 Augustana

By KARSON BUELOW Staff Writer

Following two hard-fought games, the Minnesota State University, Mankato softball team swept Concordia-St.Paul this past Tuesday in a mid-day double-header to improve to a 20-6 overall record on the season and 2-0 in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) play.

The Mavericks had momentum heading into the series after defeating Southwest Minnesota State in both games of last week’s double-header. The Mavs outscored the Mustangs 19-4 in two games including putting the run rule into effect in game one.

After a scoreless first inning in game one of the double-header, senior infielder Hailey Forshee tallied her 13th RBI of the season on a sacri-

Baseball travels north for series against UMD Bulldogs

By KARSON BUELOW

By KOLE BUELOW With 11 days between games, the Minnesota State men’s hockey team must stay prepared for their upcoming Frozen Four matchup against the University of Minnesota.

Following wins over Harvard and Notre Dame in the Albany Regional of the NCAA tournament, the Mavericks now await a trip to Boston in the hopes of claiming their first NCAA Division I title. MSU head coach Mike Hastings was excited to be returning home with the Mavs making their second straight Frozen Four appearance.

Neither Harvard nor Notre Dame were an easy task for Minnesota State, where the team squeaked by with two one-goal wins.

Hastings explained in a press conference Wednesday, “I thought we had a really good start against a talented Harvard team and were able to get out to a lead and actually extend the lead. Then you knew Harvard was going to make a push, and they did. (Harvard) came back and stressed us out a little bit.”

“It’s difficult to move on. … At this time of the year, you play a lot of one goal games.

We were fortunate to get the first goal against Notre Dame and be able to ride Dryden McKay’s play as well as our defenders.”

MSU Reporter • 11

MADDIE BEHRENS • The Reporter

Sophomore outfielder Kylie Sullivan leads the Mavericks’ bats with a batting average of .373 while batting in 13 RBIs in 75 at bats.

fice fly to left-field that would drive home freshman infielder Cheyenne Behrends for the 1-0 MSU lead. Senior pitcher Mackenzie Ward was nearly

flawless through the first four innings, striking out 11 of her 12 batters faced.

In the bottom of the fifth, sophomore utility Madi New-

man recorded a sacrifice bunt that brought sophomore Sydney Nelson across the plate extending the MSU lead to 2-0. The next play, sophomore Courtney Baxter stole home, giving the Mavericks a 3-0 lead.

Moments later, MSU added to their lead as sophomore outfielder Kylie Sullivan recorded her 13th RBI of the season, bringing the Minnesota State lead to 4-0. Ward would allow just two more hits the remaining two innings, as MSU went on to win by a 4-0 final.

The Mavericks and Golden Bears returned to the field at 12:35 p.m. for game two of the double-header. Both teams were able to get runners on base in the first inning, but to no avail, as the game remained scoreless heading into the second.

SOFTBALL on page 13 

After inclement weather forced the Minnesota State University, Mankato baseball team to postpone yesterday’s games against St. Cloud State, the Mavericks will be back in action this weekend as they take on the Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs in a three-game weekend series. The Mavs head into the weekend with a 13-4 overall record including a 6-2 record in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) play.

MSU owns the all-time record between the two clubs at 28-9, and a 7-3 record against UMD in Duluth. The Mavericks have also won nine of the last 10 matchups against the Bulldogs, dating back to 2017.

The Mavs are coached by Matt Magers who is in his 14th season with the program. Deemed as one of the winningest coaches in NCAA Division II baseball, Magers owns a dominant 505-161 overall record through 2021 and has a long list of accolades to go along.

Leading MSU in hitting this season is junior infielder and pitcher Nick Altermatt.

The Wanda, Minn. native boasts a .400 batting average so far this season and leads the team with six home runs and 28 RBIs. Junior outfielder Ryan Wickman is having a great hitting season as well with a .356 batting average. Wickman also owns 18 runs on 21 hits including 14 RBIs. Senior Brendan Knoll leads the Mavericks on the mound this season with a 1.07 earned run average (ERA). Knoll owns a 3-1 record on the season and has 21 strikeouts through 91 at-bats.

On the other side of the plate, the Bulldogs enter this weekend’s games with a 9-9 overall record and 3-2 in NSIC play as of Mar. 30. Duluth also has two games on Mar. 31 against Concordia-St. Paul in Hopkins, Minn before they return home for Mankato.

The Bulldogs are coached

by Bob Rients who is in his 17th season with the program. Rients owns a 345-392 overall record in his tenure.

Senior first-baseman and catcher Tosten Mann leads the Bulldogs in hitting this season with a .343 batting average. Mann has 17 runs on 23 hits so far including three BASEBALL on page 12 

12 • MSU Reporter

Sports

Correa’s arrival gives Minnesota Twins whole new look and feel

Thursday, March 31, 2022

Hotbed for women’s hoops in Minnesota beyond Bueckers

FRANK FRANKLIN II • Associated Press

Connecticut guard Paige Bueckers (5) reacts in double overtime against NC State during the East Regional final college basketball game of the NCAA women’s tournament, Monday, March 28, 2022.

By DAVE CAMPBELL Associated Press

STEVE HELBER • Associated Press

Minnesota Twins’ Carlos Correa stretches as he gets ready for baseball batting practice at Hammond Stadium Wednesday, March 23, 2022, in Fort Myers, Fla.

By DAVE CAMPBELL In the mere three weeks since the end of the lockout, no major league team has altered its outlook more than the Minnesota Twins.

Last month, the Twins were a last-place club with thin starting pitching coming off a 73-89 finish. Now, even if their shortcomings persist into the summer, they have Carlos Correa to play shortstop and hit in the heart of the order.

Any bettor who predicted that one this winter would have enjoyed quite the windfall of cash when the 2021 All-Star and Gold Glove award winner picked the Twins for a $35.1 million annual salary that is the highest in history for an infielder.

“It tells you all need to know about what they’re thinking upstairs. They want to win right now, and I think that’s definitely our best chance to do that,” Twins reliever Tyler Duffey said. “Bring in a guy like him who’s been there and done it and has a ton of experience and a lot of years left on his career, it’s going to be overnight a big, big shift for us.”

Never before have the Twins landed one of the biggest prizes on the free agent market like Correa, but the key to a middle-of-the-pack payroll team getting a deal done with an elite player at a premium position was to make it a short one.

The three-year contract includes an opt-out for Correa after each of the first two seasons, meaning that he can enter another bidding war next winter and potentially price himself out of Minnesota.

The 27-year-old didn’t pick the Twins just for their willingness to let him walk, though.

Correa raved about the connection he felt with the team. He has a staggering .783 slugging percentage in 17 career games at Target Field, his highest at any current major league ballpark. He even has a previously acquired taste for a Twin Cities culinary favorite: the cheese-infused hamburgers known as juicy lucys.

“We’re not seeing this like a one-year thing,” Correa said at his introductory news conference. “We’re seeing this as, ‘I want to build a championship culture in this organization. I want to show you guys what I can bring to the table so we can have a long-term relationship at some point.’ I’m very excited to show them what I can do and for this team to start building that championship level and championship mentality for years to come.”

The Twins are all ears.

“How do we make this look like a long-term partnership?” president of baseball operations Derek Falvey said. “We recognize that takes work and time, and we’re going to invest and get to know each other over that time. The contract

structure is creative and unique, and we’ll address that at the right time.”

Correa will make his Twins debut on April 7, when they open the season at home against Seattle. There are four games against the Mariners and a two-game series against the Los Angeles Dodgers on the docket for Minnesota’s first homestand. Correa said he appreciates the batter’s eye at Target Field the most, the living wall of junipers that stretches from the berm beyond center field to the limestone façade of the upper deck. He has six home runs there, including one in the 2020 AL wild card series.

“You can see the ball real well,” Correa said. “The stats speak for themselves in that ballpark, but I feel really comfortable in the box.”

Twins starting pitchers had a 5.18 ERA last season, the thirdworst in the AL. The rotation to open 2022 will be completely different than a year ago, with newcomer Sonny Gray now fronting the group. Gray was acquired from Cincinnati in one of three trades the Twins struck in the first three days after the lockout was lifted.

Dylan Bundy and Chris Archer were signed as free agents nearly four months apart to fill in the gaps. Joe Ryan and Bailey Ober are the holdovers after promising debuts in 2021. Kenta Maeda (elbow) and Randy Dobnak (finger) are out with long-term injuries.

BASEBALL from page 11 homeruns and 15 RBIs. Senior Ben Shepard leads Duluth on the mound this season with a .450 ERA. The Eden Prairie native owns a 2-0 record so far and has 17 strikeouts through 18 innings pitched.

Redshirt freshman Ben Reilley has had a good start to his season as well in his two games pitched. Reilley allowed only one run and four hits in his win against Missouri-St. Louis.

The Mavericks are set to return to the field this weekend

as they take on the Bulldogs in a three-game series starting on Apr. 2. The two teams will take part in a doubleheader on Saturday starting at 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m in Superior, Wis. They will close with a series finale on Apr. 3 at 12 p.m. in Duluth.

Associated Press



Cheryl Reeve was once in between weightlifting sets at a Twin Cities area fitness center when she spotted a scrawny youngster working on her game on an otherwise-empty basketball court.

This sixth-grader had the moves, determination and moxie to catch the eye of a WNBA head coach, and Reeve was so impressed she initiated an impromptu shooting drill for the girl to run through over the course of the next halfhour.

When Paige Bueckers became a star on the local high school scene a few years later, Reeve — who is beginning her 13th season with the Minnesota Lynx — had a revelation.

“I know her!” Reeve said to herself that day she made the connection.

This weekend, Bueckers will be back home, leading the Connecticut Huskies into their 14th straight Final Four. Minneapolis is the too-good-to-betrue host city for Bueckers, the smooth-shooting sophomore guard who has been working her way back from a serious midseason knee injury. “She’s a generational talent,” Reeve

said Tuesday as she reflected on that chance first encounter with Bueckers, who in 2021 became the first freshman to win the AP women’s national player of the year award.

“You can spot those at a very young age. I was really glad to see that it was a young girl, and I needed to acknowledge that. I didn’t know what it was going to turn into, but I was happy she was there hooping and I wanted to let her know that.”

As the northernmost state in the union with a long history of turning out top-level talent on the ice, Minnesota naturally gets labeled as the land of hockey.

This is a basketball-avid area, too, from the four-time WNBA champion Lynx on down to the little girls learning to pass and dribble.

A progressive culture provided fertile ground for Title IX advancements to spur growth of the women’s game, and the arrival of the Lynx in 1999 gave the Twin Cities a professional team to follow.

One of their best stars was Lindsay Whalen, who grew up in Minnesota, stayed home to play for the state’s flagship university and led the Gophers to their only Final Four in 2004.

Thursday, March 31, 2022

Sports

Women’s Final Four can be a financial windfall for players

MSU Reporter • 13

NBA prospects get another incentive with paid deals

TONY AVELAR • Associated Press

Duke forward Paolo Banchero celebrates after Duke defeated Arkansas in a college basketball game in the Elite 8 round of the NCAA men’s tournament in San Francisco, Saturday, March 26, 2022.

By AARON BEARD Associated Press

TED WARREN • Associated Press

Stanford forward Cameron Brink (22) celebrates with teammates as confetti flies after Stanford beat Texas 59-50 in a college basketball game in the Elite 8 round of the NCAA tournament, Sunday, March 27, 2022.

By PAT EATON-ROBB Players at the women’s Final Four this week have been calling for equity in their sport on various fronts — just not when it comes to cashing in on their celebrity. Turns out they just might be better at capitalizing on the new rules than their male counterparts.

Women’s basketball is ranked second, behind only college football and ahead of men’s basketball in the amount of income generated by name, image and likeness deals, according to Blake Lawrence, the chief executive of Opendorse, a company that helps colleges and athletes navigate the NIL landscape.

As their exposure increases during the NCAA Tournament, members of Final Four teams — and especially stars such as Paige Bueckers, Cameron Brink, Aliyan Boston and Hailey Van Lith — will have the opportunity to make tens of thousands of dollars from endorsement deals, experts say.

That’s on top of the money that top social-media influencers, such as Bueckers, are already making, which Lawrence estimates is up to $1 million.

“There are women basketball players that are pulling in up to $20,000 for one tweet leading up to March Madness,” he said. “You can imagine that each round there is another on-

line advertiser that would be interested in compensating them handsomely.”

Details on individual deals are not generally publicly released, not by the schools, athletes or the companies paying for the exposure. But it’s not hard to figure out and breakout performances — such as Bueckers’ 27-point effort in UConn’s double-overtime thriller over North Carolina State in front of a large TV audience — only enhance earning potential.

“When you have all eyes on you, marketing values skyrocket,” Lawrence said.

Bueckers, who has longterm deals with companies such as Gatorade, said she told her agents that she is not doing any more endorsements until the tournament is over because she wants to focus on basketball.

“I think women’s basketball is doing really well in that regard, just with the opportunities we’re given, and sort of the chances we’re getting in the field,” she said. “I think we’re taking great strides with it, and I think that’s really important for the growth of our game.”

LaKeisha Marsh, a Chicago attorney who specializes in higher education and college athletics, agrees.

Marsh, who also teaches sports law and ethics at Northwestern, said many players have done a better job than the schools in marketing women’s college basketball to a young

audience.

“These women dominate social media, whether its their presence or ability for their audience to relate to them on so many different levels,” she said.

“Young people who watch these TikTok videos and see these various brands on social media, now they want to see these women in action.”

Marsh said she is concerned that many of the top money-makers, at least at this point, are white women. As more companies notice there is a big young, racially diverse audience on social media, she said she hopes that will change.

There are general guidelines that limit what schools can do with NIL as a recruiting enticement, but it’s a very loose area.

Notre Dame coach Niele Ivey said she will point out to recruits the center that the school established to help athletes navigate NIL. She also believes that young women will be attracted more to schools that consistently make runs in the tournament.

“I think it’s incredible, she said. “I’m hoping that us advancing is giving them more opportunities just because of them being in the Sweet 16.”

Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., has been pushing for some uniformity nationwide in how NIL rules are implemented, though Congress does not seem to be close to moving forward on the topic.

SOFTBALL from page 11 MSU Sophomore Katie Bracken came into the game at the top of the fifth to pitch in relief of sophomore McKayla Armbruster, who allowed two hits with six strikeouts on 17 batters faced. The close game remained deadlocked at zeros through six innings as neither

team was able to bring home runners they had on base.

In the top of the seventh, the Mavericks allowed zero hits and gave themselves a chance to get a walk-off and end the game. Senior infielder Torey Richards was the first to hit for the Mavs in the bottom of the seventh, and provided an im-

portant single to left-center to get a runner on base.

Minnesota State opted to have sophomore pitcher Kacy Nickerson pinch-run for Richards, and with a runner on first, Behrends hit a sacrifice bunt that moved Nickerson to second base.

SOFTBALL on page 15 

Associated Press



NBA prospect Dyson Daniels will be tuned in for this weekend’s Final Four, watching college players pursue a national championship while maybe making endorsement money along the way.

The Australian teenager won’t feel like he is missing out, though.

“I love watching college basketball and the NCAA Tournament, it’s huge,” said Daniels, a 6-foot-7 point guard who joined the G League Ignite developmental program for elite NBA prospects. “It’s one of the biggest tournaments in the world. But for me, my goal was to get to the NBA.” Daniels, 19, is among a growing number of players

opting to bypass college basketball to pursue what they see as more training-focused and financially lucrative alternative routes to the pros.

That means they were saying “no thanks” to being part of March Madness — which up until recently did not come with the opportunity to profit from use of a player’s name, image and likeness (NIL).

The options for top pro prospects have changed dramatically in a relatively short time. They can go overseas, play in the second-year NBA-affiliated Ignite program or the first-year Overtime Elite developmental program.

And the evolving world of bustling financial opportunities created last summer when the NCAA allowed athletes to INCENTIVE on page 14 

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Sports

Thursday, March 31, 2022

Antetokounmpo’s 40 leads Bucks past Sixers

By AARON BRACY Associated Press

Giannis Antetokounmpo’s game is no laughing matter. His jokes? Well, they could use some work.

Antetokounmpo scored 40 points and had a game-deciding block of Joel Embiid in the final seconds to lead the Milwaukee Bucks to a 118-116 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers on Tuesday night in a matchup of two of the Eastern Conference’s top teams.

Khris Middleton added 22 points and Jrue Holiday had 18 for the Bucks, who pulled within a half-game of idle Miami for first place in the East. Milwaukee was clinging to a two-point lead when Antetokounmpo swatted away Embiid’s put-back attempt with 1.6 seconds left.

“Spectacular block,” 76ers coach Doc Rivers said.

“Just a special block,” Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer said.

It was an amazing play. Antetokounmpo, though, seemed more eager to test out his material from his postgame read, a book titled “Dad Jokes,” and opened his postgame press conference like this: Q: What do you call a cow on the floor?

A: Ground beef Antetokounmpo seemed amused by the joke, which drew only light chuckles from reporters. If not an air ball, it certainly seemed like a miss. His game, however, continues to get rave reviews.

“We count on him to make big plays,” Middleton said. “We don’t expect him to make that block, but when he does, we’re

INCENTIVE from page 13 cash in on their fame while in school gives them something else to consider.

“I think that there’s enough room for all of us,” said Aaron Ryan, Overtime Elite’s commissioner and president.

Ryan may be right. It seems to be working out for those who skipped school and for the trio of college players considered to be the top NBA draft prospects.

Duke freshman Paolo Banchero, whose Blue Devils face longtime rival North Carolina in Saturday’s national semifinals, is reaping the benefits now awaiting marketable NBA prospects.

The 6-10 forward from Seattle said he was approached about playing in the G League or overseas. He opted to fulfill his dream of playing college basketball, with that growing sweeter as endorsement opportunities rolled in before he ever played a game.

“It’s definitely been more money than I’ve seen growing up,” said Banchero, represented by Creative Artists Agency (CAA) for marketing deals.

Those have included Banchero becoming the first col

MATT SLOCUM • Associated Press

Milwaukee Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo, left, and Philadelphia 76ers’ Joel Embiid talk during the final seconds of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, March 29, 2022, in Philadelphia.

not surprised.”

Said Holiday, “Giannis just being Giannis. Made a great play and saved the game.”

James Harden had 32 points and nine rebounds for the 76ers, and Embiid recovered from a slow start and finished with 29 points, 14 rebounds and seven assists. Philadelphia dropped 1½ behind the Heat in the conference. “Couple mistakes defensively and they made us pay for it,” Harden said.

Antetokounmpo added 14 rebounds, six assists and three blocks for the defending NBA champion Bucks.

lege player featured in the latest NBA 2K video game, a basketball trading card from Panini as part of a multi-year deal, an ad with British sports-fashion retail company JD Sports.

The Blue Devil and fellow top prospect Chet Holmgren of Gonzaga to become “brand ambassadors” for Yahoo Sports’ NCAA Tournament picks contest.

Holmgren also has deals such as with Topps trading cards, while Auburn’s Jabari Smith – another top freshman pro prospect – has his own T-shirt collection with 2 Commas Clothing.

“College can definitely become more and more enticing just because now you can make money and go to college as well,” Banchero said. “So I think it’s a good thing.”

The options change a bit for players who don’t play in college basketball’s wide-exposure spotlight that comes with every NCAA Tournament. Then again, missing March Madness didn’t hurt Houston Rockets rookie Jalen Green, the No. 2 overall draft pick by the Houston Rockets and one of three Ignite players to be drafted last summer.

The Bucks scored 13 of the first 17 points of the fourth, going in front on Middleton’s 3-pointer that made it 94-93 with nine minutes to play. The game remained close the rest of the way, with neither team going up by more than six points.

Every time it looked as if Milwaukee was going to pull away, the 76ers answered with a 3 to stay close. Embiid’s 3-pointer with 49.8 seconds left pulled Philadelphia within 117-116.

After a turnover by Brook Lopez, Philadelphia had a chance to go in front, but Embiid missed a 14-footer following a timeout.

Antetokounmpo was fouled on the ensuing possession and made the first of two free throws to put the Bucks up 118-116 with 13.2 seconds to play. After another 76ers timeout, Harden’s step-back 3 was long. Embiid grabbed the rebound and looked primed to tie it with an easy layup, but Antetokounmpo blocked it. The officials originally ruled that it was goaltending, tying the score, but it was overturned after a video review.

“Just let my instincts play,” Antetokounmpo said. “I just tried to jump as high as I can and make a play.” The 76ers

controlled the ensuing jump ball but ran out of time for a shot.

Antetokounmpo and Harden traded first-half highlights, with the Bucks star and twotime MVP dunking on Embiid with his left hand late in the first quarter before a thunderous, two-handed jam late in the second. Harden scored over Antetokounmpo with his trademark step-back 3 with 35.7 seconds left in the first and connected with Matisse Thybulle with a beautiful three-quarter court pass to set Thybulle up for an easy dunk.

The game pitted a pair of teams that have their eyes on the NBA title. The Bucks broke a long title drought last season, earning the franchise’s second title after winning their first in 1971. Philadelphia last won a championship in 1983, and the 76ers added Harden at the trade deadline to bolster their chances of the franchise’s fourth title.

Milwaukee has been one of the NBA’s best teams since the All-Star break, going 11-4 as it gears up for another postseason run. Philadelphia coach Doc Rivers said he doesn’t hear the Bucks enough when NBA title contenders are mentioned.

“I hear everybody but Milwaukee,” Rivers said. “They didn’t luck into winning.”

Bucks: Jrue Holiday (left ankle soreness) and Serge Ibaka (non-COVID illness) returned after both sat out Saturday’s 127-102 loss at Memphis. …

Antetokounmpo is 40 points from passing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as the franchise’s all-time leading scorer. Antetokounmpo has scored 14,172 career points.

Thursday, March 31, 2022

NATTY’S IN SIGHT

Sports

MSU Reporter • 15

Woods arrives at Augusta National

By DOUG FERGUSON Associated Press

MANSOOR AHMAD • The Reporter

Senior defenseman Andy Carroll at the Mavs’ practice Wednesday.

PRACTICE from page 11 na step in and probably play in the NHL.” The Gophers will pose a tough task despite coming into the Frozen Four as the only team slotted into a No. 2 seed. Minnesota claimed the Big Ten regular season title this year and made it to the Big Ten championship before eventually falling to the University of Michigan.

Minnesota is a well-known producer of NHL talent, and coach Hastings did not sell the Gophers short when it came to that department. The Mavericks’ coach got the chance to coach a few of the Gophers’ players at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics on team USA, one being captain Ben Meyers.

Meyers is having an incredible season for his team, scoring 17 goals and tallying 24 assists for a total of 41 points.

Hastings stated Meyers as a, “really good hockey player, really good.” Hastings went on to say, “He can beat you in a lot of different ways. He plays with pace, he’s strong. [Meyers] has no fear of playing inside the dots or getting to the paint.”

The Gopher’s captain is making a lot of noise around the NHL scene and is expect-

ed to get signed by an organization when the season ends.

Meyers has even found himself inside the top 10 in voting for the Hobey Baker award, which is given to the best player in college hockey.

“He’s energy driven, a self motivator. He’s a heck of a hockey player and a really good guy you want to be around,” said Hastings.

The Gophers bring a lot of talent from Minnesota, and with several players on the Mavericks originally from the state as well, there will be a lot of familiar faces for both teams on the ice. Senior defenseman Andy Carroll, a Northfield native, is excited to get back to playing some of his former teammates and foes.

“As a Minnesota kid, myself, I’ve played with and played against a lot of these kids growing up.”

But for Carroll and the team, “It’s another hockey game.

You’re going to approach it the way you approach every game.

We’re going to prep the way we always prep, but it’s always exciting playing an in-state rival for sure.”

Carroll did not forget to mention however that, “It’ll be an exciting time to play the maroon and gold.”

SOFTBALL from page 13 With no outs on the board, sophomore Ellie Tallman called game with an RBI single up the middle that brought Nickerson across home plate, helping MSU prevail 1-0.

The Mavericks will be back in action Apr. 2 taking on Augustana in an afternoon double-header. Start times for these games are 2:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m in the Maverick All-Sports Dome.

Augustana comes into this weekend’s games with an 18-5 overall record while being 2-0 in NSIC play. The Vikings are coached by Gretta Melsted, who is in her 15th season with the program and sports a 593232 overall record.

Leading Augustana in hitting this season is junior catcher and outfielder Gracey Brink.

The Rapid City, S.D. native owns a convincing .457 batting average this season with 13 runs and 21 hits.

The Vikings’ pitching crew is led by graduate-student Ashley Mickschl. Mickschl boasts a 7-1 record and a 1.02 earned run average.

The Mavericks will finish off the weekend with a double-header against Wayne State on Apr. 3. Start times are set for 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. in the Maverick All-Sports Dome.

Wayne State comes into the games with a 3-20 overall record and 0-2 record in the NSIC. The Wildcats are coached by Shelli Manson, who is in her eighth season with the team and owns a 120191 overall record.

Wayne State’s bats are led by senior outfielder Kortney Buresh, who has a .384 batting average and 10 runs on 28 hits this season.

On the mound, sophomore Callie Carraher leads the Wildcats with a 4.40 earned run average and has 20 runs off 22 hits this season.





Tiger Woods flew to Augusta National on Tuesday, sparking even greater speculation the Masters next week could be his first time competing against the best since a car crash 14 months ago severely injured his right leg.

Various plane-tracking websites showed a Gulfstream registered to Woods leaving South Florida at about 9 a.m., and the twitter handle “Eureka Earth” showed the private jet on the runway at Augusta’s regional airport.

SI.com’s “Morning Read” cited a source as saying Woods was at Augusta National with 12-year-old son Charlie.

Woods’ agent at Excel Sports did not immediately respond to a voicemail from The Associated Press seeking comment.

Woods has not said anything publicly or even walked in a way that suggested he would be ready to play his first major — and first PGA Tour event — since the Masters in November 2020.

Speculation began to pick up when Phil Mickelson was removed from the list of players who plan to compete in the Masters, which starts April 7.

Woods was still on the active invited players list, and when asked a week ago for guidance on a decision, his agent said it was too early.

Unlike regular tournaments, players don’t have a commitment deadline. Woods is a fivetime Masters champion who can play every year. It’s up to him to tell Augusta National whether he will play, and that

JOHN AMIS • Associated Press

Tiger Woods celebrates on the 18th green after wining the Tour Championship golf tournament Sunday, Sept. 23, 2018, in Atlanta. Woods will be the star attraction in the World Golf Hall of Fame induction ceremony.

can happen all the way up until the start of the tournament.

Woods was seen playing at The Medalist near his home in Jupiter Island, Florida, over the weekend. He presumably was at Augusta National to see how his legs could hold up on one of the toughest walks in golf. The course has elevations on nearly every hole.

He played in December in the PNC Championship with his son — they finished runner-up — in a 36-hole tournament in Florida where Woods was able to ride in a cart and the format was a scramble.

“But to be able to be out here and play, call it six rounds of golf, a practice round, proam, four competitive days, it’s the cumulative effect of all that.

I’m not able to do that yet. I’m still working on getting to that point,” Woods said six weeks ago at Riviera, where he was host of the Genesis Invitational.

During an interview on CBS Sports that weekend, Woods gave no timetable on a return and said he wouldn’t want to show up just to play.

“I need to feel that I’m confident that I can beat these guys, and I got to do the legwork at home. It’s on me,” he said.

Woods has been seen moving well but slowly in his few public appearances, such as at Riviera or three weeks ago when he was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame.

His last Masters victory, in 2019, followed four surgeries on his lower back and was among the most remarkable comebacks in sports. Later in the year, he won the Zozo Championship in Japan for his 82nd career PGA Tour title, tying Sam Snead for the all-time record.

He played only nine times during the pandemic-shortened 2020 season.

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16 • MSU Reporter

VARIETY

Drag queen hosts local podcast

By EMMA JOHNSON Variety Editor

Despite the negativity the Covid pandemic brought to millions, it was an opportunity for several to pick up hobbies they had been wanting to start.

For Wyatt Otto, a Mankato resident it was learning how to perform in drag and connect with others through a podcast.

While Otto grew up watching drag races and saw his first drag queen performance in high school, he never thought he would have the opportunity to perform. When Covid hit, he was able to invest a good chunk of time learning the craft.

“All throughout college, I loved drag, but I never got to participate. When the pandemic hit, I was unemployed, classes were online, and I had some unemployment money. I had the money and time, but I couldn’t perform anywhere,” shared Otto. “I spent a whole year practicing makeup, outfits, all of that and when the pandemic lifted, I started doing drag.”

Otto hosts a local podcast called “Drag Me with a Spoon,” a play on the popular 80s phrase, “Ugh, gag me with a spoon!”

Otto explained that the podcast came to be when he still wanted to learn drag culture, but was unable to perform for businesses that shut down. “[My partner and I] decided to start this podcast where we would review local performers and ask them all their tips about drag because I was new and I wanted to learn so much. I wanted to know how they started, why they wanted to drag, and advice they would give people,” said Otto.

Courtesy photo

Mankato resident, Wyatt Otto, combined his love of drag shows and podcasting by creating the local podcast “Drag Me With a Spoon.”

The podcast is hosted by Otto, also known as Wanda Gag, and his partner, Alec, with the stage name Miss Avo Cado. They open each of their episodes with a discussion on whatever they feel like talking about, usually love or fashion.

The latter half of the episodes features various aspects of drag culture, including interviews of

drag performers in Minneapolis.

“We have a segment where we feature some of our favorite looks that performers have been posting on Instagram. We just started a new segment that features a local, new performer who just started to be like ‘Hey, look at this cool new performer who just got started.’ After

that, we do our interview with our main guest,” shared Otto.

Otto describes the environment at a drag show as, “A night of debacle and raunchiness usually, but filled with so much fun, love and excitement.”

The versatile art forms he’s witnessed from lip-syncs, dances, and standup has given him respect and appreciation for all performers.

“You get to see all these artists coming together to make a really cool show and it’s full of love and fun,” said Otto. “It’s an art that I don’t think is going anywhere soon. It’s here to stay.”

With a significant drag scene in the Twin Cities, Otto found it important to base the podcast in Mankato to cultivate a strong drag scene.

“There was nothing here before, but we started planning our shows and because we’ve been performing, more people have started. I figured this would be one of our anchor points with the news of Mankato drag. We have this podcast as well as these cool shows and people are going to take us seriously,” shared Otto.

“Venues have been approaching us lately as they have been seeing our success and have been wanting a piece of the pie. It’s been really cool.”

Otto has found success by performing at a variety of venues over the last year, ranging from Chankaska Creek Ranch and Winery to The Blue Boat, with an upcoming show at the What’s Up Lounge.

The feedback Otto has received since beginning their drag career and the podcast has been nothing short of positive.

PODCAST on page 17 

Maverick Writers make space to share stories

By SYD BERGGREN Staff Writer

The Maverick Writers, Minnesota State University, Mankato’s newly revived creative writing club, opens a door for creative freedom for any students who wish to cultivate their writing.

Club President Elizabeth Thoelke has worked hard over the last few years to get the club back on its feet. At the end of fall semester 2019, she was approached by Creative Writing Professor Robin Becker about becoming the president of the club and reviving it from where it was.

“The previous president had graduated and there wasn’t anyone to take over, and I was apparently the most enthusiastic,” said Thoelke. “I said yes

DYLAN LONG • The Reporter

Maverick Writers is a creative writing club that allows students to expand their writing skills and talk with others who share the same passion.

because I love creative writing and I wanted to create a space

for students who love writing, whether creative or journalis-

tic, to be able to write.”

In spring of 2020, they relaunched under a new name: Maverick Writers. However, due to the pandemic, the meetings were cut short.

“We had maybe 3 meetings before the pandemic happened and no meetings through the last school year,” said Thoelke.

“In spring 2021, I met up with the Faculty Advisor Chris McCormick, and we had our first meeting back in late fall 2021.”

Thoelke’s goal for the revision of the club was to create a comfortable space where members could be creative without pressure.

“At every writing club meeting, we have some time for freewriting- no homework, no stressing about writing, just creativity. It has been a great WRITERS on page 17 

Thursday, March 31, 2022

The Sunshine Act is raining on my parade

By LILLY SCHMIDT Staff Writer

This is a satire. Don’t take this seriously.

On Tuesday, March 15, I just finished my last class for the day via Zoom, and I hear a shatter coming from the kitchen. My roommates have broken three glasses in the past month, and at this point I think I’ve decided I’m going to ask my mother for hand-medown sippy cups.

Anyway, I make my way out of my room and my roommate is flopped across the couch like every movie rendition of a therapy session, staring at the ceiling fan. He throws his arms up and announces that we’re getting rid of Daylight Savings Time.

I don’t know about you, but for me, the only thought running through my mind was, I guess that means I won’t have to spend half the year with the clock in my car an hour behind. However, my roommates first thought was, society as I know it, is collapsing.

I tried explaining to my roommate that Daylight Savings Time really isn’t one of the fundamental parts of America - that would be the Constitution and racism - and that it’s okay for things to change, but this man wouldn’t have it.

I hadn’t previously taken him for the conspiracy theory type of dude, but he drew a line from the mask mandate being lifted, to the loss of Daylight Savings Time, to the revolution soon to hit our country. I told him not to worry; we still have a couple phases between now and the revolution, like converting to the metric system and having a women president.

He took our notepad off the fridge and started writing down a list for his underground bunker. Canned beans, Ramen, and toilet paper. I’m not really ready for another toilet paper shortage, so I wrapped him in a blanket – I’ve heard those are good for shock – and gave him soup in a heart-shaped bowl.

I managed to get him to put down his list, but I did see him change his weather app to Celsius instead of Fahrenheit. In hindsight, making a joke about the metric system might not have been my smartest decision.

I offered that if he needs something to change twice a year instead of his clocks, he can worry about the batteries in the fire alarms. He seemed to like that. I pulled up an artiDAYLIGHT on page 18 

Thursday, March 31, 2022

Variety

MSU Reporter • 17

Celebrity tribute to cricketer Shane Warne

By ROD McGUIRK Associated Press

An eclectic array of celebrities including singer Elton John, golfing legend Greg Norman and champion surfer Kelly Slater paid tribute on Wednesday to their friend, former Australian cricketer Shane Warne, at a star-studded state memorial service.

More than 50,000 mourners chanted their hero’s nickname “Warnie” at the outset of the service at the Melbourne Cricket Ground as they used to do when he took to the pitch for a match.

It was his hometown pitch where he cemented his sporting legend in 2006 by becoming the first bowler in the world to take 700 test wickets.

Warne’s death at a Thai resort of a suspected heart attack on March 4 at the age of 52 made headlines around the world.

The pain was felt far beyond the cricket world. Tributes came from the fields of music, acting, business, golf, politics, surfing, comedy, poker and others.

Elton John dedicated a rendition of “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me” to Warne’s children — Brooke, Summer and Jackson — who were among the crowd that included Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison.

John and fellow British musicians Ed Sheeran, Robbie Williams and Coldplay front-

JOEL CARRETT • Associated Press

Images were projected on the ground during a memorial service for Shane Warne at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Melbourne, Australia. Warne, widely regarded as one of the top cricket players of all time, died on March 4.

man Chris Martin appeared on a large screen via video. So too did Australian singers (and sisters) Kylie and Dannii Minogue.

Martin played “Eulogy,” a piano piece that he composed for the occasion. In another video, Martin apologized for not attending the memorial in person.

“We’re on tour in Central

WRITERS from page 16 experience to have that space,” shared Thoelke.

The meetings follow a routine structure, starting with prompts and allowing students plenty of time to work on their own projects.

“In a standard meeting we start with a writing promptsometimes it’s a picture, sometimes it’s a starting line, just something to inspire writing,” said Thoelke.

“We then have a writing discussion where we talk about different aspects of writing that members are interested in. We plan for the next meeting, and then the rest of the time we spend free writing.”

The group also holds workshop meetings, where they either workshop their own writing or discuss the writing of others. The club has been helpful in allowing students to expand their writing skills and to communicate with others who share that passion.

“The club has really helped me increase my ability to write.

I think it’s a good experience to be a part of a writing club if you want to have a career in writing,” said member Josh Drackley.

“I think the connections that I make with people throughout the English Department are my favorite part of being involved.”

Maverick Writers isn’t just for creative writing students. The club welcomes everyone who has

PODCAST from page 16 “I think people liked it as an opportunity to learn more about fellow performers and we don’t always get to meet each other.

You get to find out about these

performers and get to know them in a way,” shared Otto.

“It’s been helpful in connecting the community together. Being able to see [the drag scene grow] is inspiring a lot of people





America and there are a lot of background noises, but I feel like that might be OK with him,” Martin said in a jungle setting.

“I think chaos and Shane were good friends,” Martin added before performing “Yellow” with a guitar.

Sheeran described Warne as “such a great bloke.”

any interest in writing.

“I’d love to see more people outside of the creative writing department to bring in that experience,” shared Thoelke.

“Coming to a club like this can be nerve-wracking, but we have such a great and growing community and everyone is so supportive- there is plenty of room for new people.”

“We don’t have a lot of members right now, so I encourage anyone who wants to join to do so,” said Drackley.

Maverick Writers meetings are from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. on Thursdays in CSU 202.

Students are invited to check them out on Presence for more information.

and making them want to do it.”

Otto’s podcast, “Drag Me With a Spoon,” is available on all streaming platforms. Students can learn more about the

American surfer Kelly Slater described Warne as an “Australian classic.”

Some knew Warne as one of the all-time great spin bowlers.

Others knew him as the dapper one-time fiancé of glamorous British film star and model Elizabeth Hurley.

“It seems too cruel that all the people who loved him will

never have another Lion hug,” Hurley posted on social media in a tribute to the former lover she called Lionheart after his death.

She did not take part in Wednesday’s service.

Warne once appeared in an episode of the Australian comedy TV series “Kath and Kim” as a Warne impersonator named Wayne.

“He turned up and he was so easy to work with, had so much fun,” actor Glenn Robbins, who played Kel Knight in the series, told the service.

Actors Hugh Jackman and Eric Bana also paid tribute to their friend. Bana described Warne as a “fun loving larrikin” — an Australian term for a mischievous troublemaker — whose feats had changed cricket.

Former English cricket team captain Nasser Hussain and former West Indies team captain Brian Lara also spoke at the service.

Warne’s love life and off-field indiscretions were often fodder for tabloid journalists.

But his determination to be his authentic, flawed and irreverent self endeared him to his friends and fans alike.

A statue of Warne outside the cricket ground became a focus of public grief.

Tributes left at the statue included beer bottles and cigarette packets.

DYLAN LONG • The Reporter

Maverick Writers usually start out their meetings with a writing prompt.

drag scene by following “dragmewithaspoon” on Instagram and Facebook or visiting dragmewithaspoon.com.

For those interested in experiencing a drag show, the Minne-

sota State University, Mankato Student Events Team is hosting a Maverick Drag Night this Saturday in the Centennial Student Union Ballroom from 7 to 10 p.m.

18 • MSU Reporter

Variety

The Wanted singer Tom Parker dies of brain tumor

Thursday, March 31, 2022

UK Queen attends Philip service

By DANICA KIRKA Associated Press

EVAN AGOSTINI • Associated Press

The Wanted’s lead singer, Tom Parker died Wednesday, March 30, 2022, after being diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor. He was 33. Parker is survived by his wife, Kelsey Parker, his son and daughter.

By ASSOCIATED PRESS Tom Parker, a member of British-Irish boy band The Wanted, has died after being diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor. He was 33.

The band announced that Parker died Wednesday, “surrounded by his family and his band mates.”

Parker announced his diagnosis in October 2020, and underwent chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Earlier this year, he performed onstage with the group during its much-delayed reunion tour.

The Wanted members Max George, Jay McGuiness, Siva Kaneswaran and Nathan Sykes said they were “devastated by the tragic and premature loss”

of their bandmate. “He was our brother, words can’t express the loss and sadness we feel. Always and forever in our hearts.”

Formed in 2009, The Wanted had a string of hit singles including U.K. No. 1s “All Time Low” and “Glad You Came.”

The members went their separate ways in 2014 after releasing three albums, but reunited for a September 2021 concert organized by Parker at London’s Royal Albert Hall to support cancer charities.

Before the concert, Parker had said: “It’s not that I’m ignoring cancer but I just don’t want to pay it any attention.”

Parker is survived by his wife Kelsey Parker, a son and a daughter.

DAYLIGHT from page 16 cle and saw that it only passed the Senate. I reminded him that the good ol’ “Sunshine Protection Act” could always be vetoed by the house or the president.

I saw Mark Rubio had introduced the bill. Maybe if he ever runs for president again, I’ll consider him on the hope that he can get rid of the imperial system.

Of course, though, that might result in my roommate trying to convince me to rent out an underground bunker next semester, although they are more expensive than my apartment. The only problem with that is I wouldn’t be able to even notice a change in the daylight hours outside, making his argument invalid.

Wish me luck if the clocks change.

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Queen Elizabeth II shrugged off recent health issues to attend a service of thanksgiving for her beloved husband, Prince Philip, at Westminster Abbey on Tuesday, entering the cavernous church through a side door to shorten the distance to her seat.

The monarch entered the abbey on the arm of her second son, Prince Andrew, then separated from him to walk to her seat alone, easing concerns about unspecified “mobility issues” that have limited her public appearances in recent months.

Her choice of escorts will be seen as a vote of support for Andrew after he settled a lawsuit linked to his relationship with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Elizabeth, who recently recovered from COVID-19, didn’t go to a Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey earlier this month, though she continued with other scheduled engagements.

The 95-year-old monarch was deeply involved in planning the service, which included hymns and tributes from the charities Philip supported.

Such touches weren’t permitted during his funeral last year due to pandemic restrictions.

About 1,800 family members and guests attended Tuesday’s memorial. Only 30 people last year were allowed at the funeral, conducted under strict lockdown rules that forced the queen to sit alone wearing a black mask as she mourned the loss of her husband of 73 years.

Philip, duke of Edinburgh, died

FRANK AUGSTEIN • Associated Press

Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II was driven in to attend a Service of Thanksgiving for the life of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh at Westminster Abbey in London on Tuesday, March 29, 2022 nearly a year after his death.

on April 9 at age 99.

The Rev. David Conner remembered Philip’s service to the queen, his dedication to environmental protection and his commitment to equipping young people with the skills they need to succeed through his Duke of Edinburgh Award.

“Through his passionate commitment, he drew others to himself in admiration and respect and, in the case of those who lived and worked most closely to him, genuine love,” Conner said.

There were also subtler honors, delivered through the royals’ clothing choices. Elizabeth, her daughter, Princess Anne, and Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, were all dressed in dark green — echoing Philip’s livery color of Edinburgh Green.

Also wearing green was Doyin Sonibare, 28, who won top honors from the Duke of Edin-

burgh Award, created by Philip to teach young people confidence and life skills through outdoor activities and community service. More than 6.7 million teenagers and young adults have taken part in the program since 1956.

Sonibare delivered the primary tribute to Philip, thanking him for creating a program that gave her the tools she needed to get her first job, go on to university and now study for a Ph.D. in sickle cell research.

The culmination of the program is an overnight expedition, something that frightened a teenager from East London who had never been camping before and had a fear of climbing steep hills.

The entrances to Westminster Abbey were lined by winners of the program’s top honor, the Gold Award, as well as members of youth cadet associations.

Thursday, March 31, 2022

Variety

MSU Reporter • 19

2022 Grammy win predictions

By JONATHAN LANDRUM JR and KRISTIN M. HALL Associated Press

The number of nominees for the Grammys’ top awards keeps growing, up to 10 this year, making the competition stronger, but predictions a lot trickier.

Are too many pop artists going to split the vote, making an upset more likely? Can we even count on past wins as a guide?

Associated Press Entertainment Writers Jonathan Landrum Jr. and Kristin M. Hall break down the Grammy nominees, agreeing at the very least that Olivia Rodrigo is going to pick up gold trophies. But the writers (and likely Grammy voters, too) are conflicted when there is so much stiff competition between artists like Lady Gaga and Tony Bennett, Billie Eilish and Rodrigo.

The 64th annual Grammy Awards will air on Sunday, April 3 on CBS and Paramount+.

ALBUM OF THE YEAR: “We Are,” Jon Batiste; “Love For Sale,” Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga; “Justice (Triple Chucks Deluxe),” Justin Bieber; “Planet Her (Deluxe Edition),” Doja Cat; “Happier Than Ever,” Billie Eilish; “Back of My Mind,” H.E.R.; “MONTERO,” Lil Nas X; “Sour,” Olivia

Associated Press

Doja Cat and H.E.R both have eight nominations for this year’s Grammys, including Album of the Year and Song of the Year. The 64th Grammy Awards will be airing on both CBS and Paramount+ on Sunday April 3.

Rodrigo; “Evermore,” Taylor Swift; “Donda,” Kanye West.

LANDRUM: Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga are a perfect match to win album of the year against some stiff competition.

I think Bennett and Gaga will

reign supreme above the rest of the well-respected pack with their unmatched chemistry displayed by the legendary crooners on “Love for Sale.” True, there’s a lifelong bond and synergy between the sister-brother

combo of Eilish and Finneas.

Rodrigo has one of the biggest early career splashes of success too. But the magic created by Bennett and Gaga is a rare occurrence — especially for Bennett, who showed in his 90s that

he can still vocally hold his own and flourish with Gaga in their collection of masterful duets.

HALL: Even a hard-hearted cynic like me has a hard time arguing against a duo who has 30 Grammys (and a lifetime achievement award) between them. This category has such variety from debut albums and pop and rap stars evolving through various levels of fame all the way to musical icons.

Rodrigo ekes out a tight contest that is likely to split among pop fans.

Her inescapable fun pop rock hits have turned the young artist into a household name, giving her a slight edge over Grammy favs Eilish and Swift.

BEST POP SOLO PERFORMANCE: “Anyone,” Justin Bieber; “Right on Time,” Brandi Carlile; “Happier Than Ever,” Billie Eilish; “Positions,” Ariana Grande; “Drivers License,” Olivia Rodrigo.

LANDRUM: Eilish or the Biebs could derail, but Rodrigo’s “drivers license” should be coasting down the road in the winner’s seat with no detours.

HALL: You know what is even better than finally earning your driver’s license? A Grammy trophy. I hope she drives it around in her passenger seat to gloat over that ex.

20 • MSU Reporter

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Thursday, March 31, 2022