September 5, 2019

THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 5, 2019

Mav Life app created to connect students

New university app is designed to make student’s lives easier MARIA LY NEWS EDITOR

Minnesota State University, Mankato recently launched a new app in the beginning of fall semester, called Mav Life to improve student connection to the university.

The app contains features to help students connect with resources and organizations on campus. They also have a student feed so students can interact with one another and make friends.

The app has features such as: live bus tracking, customizable calendars, notifications for deadlines and due dates, access to D2L, Mav Mail, Mav Connect, eservices, job listings, campus maps, private instant messaging, groups, access to campus resources, menus for on campus food places, etc.

David Jones, Vice President of Student Affairs, says, “Prior to this you had to download D2L or a bright

Photo courtesy of Reporter Archives

space app, and if you wanted to interact with your student organization you had to download the engage app, if you have to go to your eservices, that’s a website located in another place so maybe you bookmarked it.”

He continues, “To manage

your life here at our university, you’re in nearly a dozen different websites or apps to do things, and that’s frustrating. I’ve heard it for years from our students.”

To combat this issue, Student Affairs worked with IT Solutions and the Student

Government to come up with a solution. With the feedback from the students, the team decided it was a need to develop an app that was a connection point that links to many services the university has to offer in one central place.

The app was in development since late last spring. In order to get the app available to students by fall 2019, the app was developed using an agile methodology.

They first identified what things were most prevalent to the students and worked in a timely matter to develop it in the app.

Mark Johnson, Vice President of IT Solutions, says, “We have a group that’s listening and trying to understand from everyone what’s working, what’s not, what else do you want, and we’re going to flow it into this group and they’re going to continue to implement things in an agile way. Hopefully every day you’re going to see something new, or every week you’re going to for some period of time.”

The app is funded through a combination of student and

MAV LIFE page 3

Campus and community fair gets students involved ment in a Registered Student Organization (RSO)?” the Career Development Center stated in a press release.

Along with part-time job openings, there will also be a raffle students can participate in, with the winner walking away with an iPad. “We have around 43 businesses attending the event,” Mandy Weister, assistant director at the CDC said.

“Some of them include businesses on campus.”

Businesses that attended this year were Hy-Vee, Buffalo Wild Wings and WOW! Zone Family Entertainment Center.

The CDC is not alone in conducting this event. The

MICHAEL MCSHANE STAFF WRITER For incoming students starting their first semester, the Career Development Center brings a great opportunity in the form of a job fair.

The Campus & Community Fairs and Involvement Fest gives students a way to meet with local businesses for a potential part-time job. Students wishing to join on-campus organizations will also find what they are looking for.

The fair was held in the CSU Ballroom, with foods such as cotton candy, corndogs and popcorn available for free for students.

“It’s a new academic year and it’s the perfect time to get involved, get experience, and build that resume! What

Mansoor Ahmad | MSU Reporter

better way to do so than with

a part-time job, a volunteer-

IN THIS ISSUE: The Ramen Journals................................... Page 2 Free Lot is Too Small .................................. Page 6 MNSU Football Opens Season ................ Page 13 MNSU Fall Theater Preview ..................... Page 17

FAIR page 2

ing experience, or involve-

WEATHER OUTLOOK: THURSDAY (9/5)

H: 83 L: 59 Morning t-storm, warmer.

FRIDAY (9/6)

H: 76 L: 57 Mostly cloudy.

SATURDAY (9/7)

H: 65 L: 54 T-storm in area, cooler.

SUNDAY (9/8)

H: 65 L: 57 Rather cloudy, cool.

MONDAY (9/9)

H: 69 L: 63 P.M. t-storm possible.

Have a story idea?

Email News Editor Maria Ly maria.ly@mnsu.edu

2 • MSU Reporter

News

The Ramen Journals MARIA LY STAFF WRITER This week I started the SNAP challenge. I decided to not go grocery shopping at all this week and see if I can make it through the week with what food I had leftover.

Looking in my fridge, I wondered if I can survive seven whole days on half a carton of eggs, half a thing of turkey bacon, a bag of frozen fruit, bananas, bread, milk, and cereal.

On the night of the last day before the start of my food stamp challenge journey, my long-distance girlfriend drunkenly told me that she herself had food insecurity.

“I don’t think you know how much I actually eat in a day,” she says.

Through slurs and drunken tears, she tells me sometimes all she eats is a couple of eggs and a granola bar on most days because she can’t afford to buy much food.

I felt bad for even complaining about how hard it’s going to be for me, when she deals with this in her everyday life.

I felt bad that I had a choice but she didn’t. She tells me she didn’t want to tell me because she was embarrassed and didn’t want to burden me.

This is a reality for many students who face food insecurity.

Our friends, lovers, coworkers and family could be facing food insecurity on a daily basis without us knowing. It’s a heartbreaking truth that I found out the hard way.

In the SNAP challenge I’m only allowed to spend $110

or $3.93 a day.

To some, this may be a lot or even a doable budget. However, looking at my past habits of spending on food, this is a drastic change.

Last month I spent a shocking $601.72 alone on food or about $20 a day. In the past month, I also did spend money on food for my girlfriend.

However, with $20 a day between two people, that is still a lot.

Luckily for me, this Wednesday I was able to find free food at the Reporter’s office left by our kind business manager, and free food around campus. At the career fair I was able to eat corndogs and cotton candy, I got a free soda at the involvement fest and free pizza at the office.

However, the other days proved to be more difficult.

I found that I had to manage my time, in order to make sure I had food to bring with me to school.

I had to wake up earlier in order to prepare, as nights seemed impossible to get anything done. On a normal day, I would usually eat at school and purchase something from Mav Ave. This time, I had to figure out ways to store cold foods and things that I could bring with me to school.

The challenge hasn’t taken a toll on me just yet, but I found myself to be more stressed as I felt like I had to ration the food that I had left.

I felt constant guilt throughout the week, as I thought about my girlfriend and how she must feel like this every day.

Thursday, September 5, 2019

Caribou announces new “cabin” concept

Photo courtesy of Caribou Coffee’s Facebook

MARIA LY NEWS EDITOR Caribou Coffee announced its newest store concept, Caribou Cabins.

The new Caribou Cabins will feature “Caribou-blue” exteriors, drive-thru windows, and convenient walkup windows. There will be no interior seating.

Caribou Cabins is meant to capture the brand’s iconic Northwoods feel and designed to be more efficient, convenient, and fast.

Caribou Cabins will aslo offer an expanded beverage menu and will be the first to launch “Caribou Bou-sted” beverages in Minnesota. The Caribou Bou-sted collection includes flavor infused beverages boosted with caffeine,

sparkling waters, crafted sodas and crafted juices.

John Butcher, President & CEO of Caribou Coffee, in a press release says, “Caribou Coffee will continue to lean into the Northern roots that made our brand what it is today.”

He continues, “We are confident that our new Cabin concept will differentiate us even more by delivering customers the highest quality coffee, expanded beverage innovation and ownable guest interaction that only Caribou can deliver.”

Along with drinks, Caribou also aims to improve customer service through their employees.

Customers at the new Caribou Cabins will be greeted with “Welcome to the Cabin”

by baristas.

Caribou Coffee will look to add locations over the next twenty-four months in both suburban and urban locations.

The company aims to meet the customer’s increasing demands for convenience and speed.

Internal training will also be given to workers with modules on how to best live “life at the cabin.”

Five Caribou Cabins will open in the coming months in Jordan, Burnsville, St. Peter, Big Lake, and Wilmar, Minnesota.

Butcher says, “Come visit us at the Cabin and we’ll get you to your next adventure quickly with your favorite Caribou beverage in hand.”

FAIR

Continued from page 1 Involvement Fest, which is held outside the Centennial Student Union next to the water fountain, is managed by the Student Events Team which works in conjunction with the CDC in organizing the entire event.

Organizations that were exhibited outside the CSU included the Zoology Club, American Red Cross and the Minnesota River Area Agency on Aging.

The entire event caters to students wishing not only to find a part-time job to have outside of class, but the CDC hopes it also will

help students find ways to build up their resume and improve their networking skills.

While the event is mainly for students trying to find a part-time job, students seeking a more full-time career will have that opportunity when the 2019 Career & Internship Expo comes to Minnesota State University, Mankato in October.

The Expo is scheduled for Oct. 15-16 and will also be held in the CSU Ballroom.

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Thursday, September 5, 2019

News

MSU Reporter • 3

Bomb threats are terrifying in today’s world OLAYINKA GBOLAHAN STAFF WRITER The River Hills Mall in Mankato got a bomb threat Sunday night. With vague details given about the potential bomb, the authorities conducted a full sweep of the premises around 2 p.m. and declared the threats where not credible. The mall was reopened to the public around 5:30 p.m.

It is sad, but we have to be thankful that we didn’t experience another deadly outcome like the Odessa mass shooting that happened on the same day, in which the shooter killed seven people and wounded 25.

With multiple and more frequent occurrences of mass shooting, it feels like it is becoming a norm and the death tolls are nothing but numbers, which is disheartening.

With fear still looming around, it is unnerving that someone would create a bomb threat.

It is incredibly hard to determine the sender’s motive.

Was he trying to make a joke, or was he promoting fear and insecurities, or testing the magnitude of response is threat would attract? These are questions nobody really knows the answer to.

The Blue Earth County officials are yet to make an arrest and until then, we might not get an answer.

Photo courtesy of the Associated Press

This brings me back to the culture. It is become more prevalent that after mass shootings, we as the society push forth multiple theory on what the real problem is. Beyond party lines, this should be a problem that needs to be eradicated quickly.

The government needs to conduct gun control debates and come up with the best bill to prevent more situations of gun violence.

I have been in the United States for three years and I can’t remember a month that went without any gun violence incidents.

It is easy to point at the common denominator, which in this case are guns, as the problem.

and the media.

The media needs to act

“The government needs to conduct gun control debates and come up with the best bill to prevent more situations of gun violence.” not limited to mental health, political evolution, the rise of social media, R-rated movies, discrimination, video games

with discretion when reporting gun violence in order to not sensationalize it and inspire more of these violent

ALL DAY, EVERY DAY!

occurrences. Releasing the shooters’ names, images and manifestos might just inspire and popularize the act of mass shootings.

There is no denying the fact that since the rise of social media, there has been an increase in the spark of violence.

The lack of regulation in social media posts has allowed people to promote hate without any repercussions.

With privacy concerns, social media companies need to quickly identify potentially unsafe posts before allowing them on their platforms.

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MAV LIFE

Continued from page 1 tech fees which were decided by students in a technology consulting committee.

From the deployment and configuration, many students took part in developing the app and making it successful.

Since the launch of the app, Mav Life has received 3900 downloads and the number keeps growing.

The app has seen an increasing active student feed as many students are connecting by giving out their Snapchats to make friends.

Anisa Omar, Student Government President, says, “I didn’t know that a lot of first year students or new students on campus would utilize it as a way to make friends, because that’s what’s really big on

I have also heard of multiple causes including and

the app right now, connecting with different organizations. Having that student voice and student connection on our campus, and connecting new students with old students, it’s very important.”

Omar continues, “As a student representative, our goal is to make student life easier and I do believe this app will help aid in that.”

Currently, only students and employees with a Star ID and password can access the app. In the future, the team hopes to open up the app to prospective students and alumni.

Mav Life is currently available for free in the Apple or Google Play stores.

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4 • MSU Reporter

News

Thursday, September 5, 2019

Syrian father who lost twins to poison gas uprooted again BEIRUT (AP) — When Abdel Hamid al-Yousef lost his 9-month-old twins in the poison gas attack that hit the Syrian town of Khan Sheikhoun in April 2017, the world witnessed his heartbreak and grief in the video of him cradling their lifeless bodies in his arms, bidding them farewell in the chaotic aftermath of the attack.

Determined to continue with his life despite the pain, he has since remarried, and now has a 1-year-old daughter who brings much needed joy to what remains of the family. But tragedy keeps chasing the 31-year-old former shopkeeper.

As Syria’s civil war edges toward a bloody end, many displaced persons like alYousef fear that a govern-

ment win will bring little relief — or sense of closure.

Al-Yousef recently fled Khan Sheikhoun again, joining tens of thousands fleeing heavy airstrikes and bombardment as government forces swept into the town, on the southern edge of the country’s last rebel stronghold in the province of Idlib.

He now lives among thousands of other internally displaced Syrians in a settlement near the Turkish border, worried he will never be able to go back to the hometown he left behind.

“I buried the most important thing I have in my life there, my children and my siblings. I used to find some relief by visiting them twice a week at the grave,” he told The Associated Press in a re-

cent interview. “I cannot do that anymore.”

Most of all, al-Yousef fears the takeover by President Bashar Assad’s forces of Khan Sheikhoun means that any leftover evidence from the April 2017 toxic gas attack will now be erased forever.

“The biggest fear now, after regime forces and the Russians and allied militiamen took over Khan Sheikhoun is that they will tamper with the evidence with regards to the chemical weapons attack and distort the facts,” he said.

The attack in opposition-held Khan Sheikhoun in the early morning of April 4, 2017 left residents gasping for breath and convulsing in the streets and overcrowded hospitals. Nearly 90 people were killed in the attack, one

of the deadliest in years.

At the time, the United States, Britain and France pointed a finger at the Syrian government, saying their experts had found that nerve agents were used in the attack. Days later, the U.S. fired 59 U.S. Tomahawk missiles at the Shayrat Air Base in central Syria, saying the attack on Khan Sheikhoun was launched from the base. It marked the first western airstrikes on targets of Assad’s government since the start of the conflict in March 2011.

The Syrian government and its Russian allies denied there was a chemical attack, while Syrian officials later said the air force bombed a rebel arsenal that had chemical weapons stored inside.

From his tent in the dis-

placed settlement near the Turkish border called “Mokhayyam al-Karamah,” Arabic for “Dignity Camp,” near the town of Atmeh, alYousef recalls that fateful day when he lost his twins, Aya and Ahmed, his wife Dalal and 16 other relatives.

It is a story he has told dozens of times, about how Khan Sheikhoun residents woke up at half-past six in the morning to the sound of explosions.

How people started running out of their homes and onto the street, trying to help each other. How he told his wife to take the twins to safety outside. The people he saw foaming at the mouth and nose.

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Thursday, September 5, 2019

News

MSU Reporter • 5

UK lawmakers take big step in Brexit showdown with Johnson LONDON (AP) — British lawmakers battling Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s plan to leave the European Union without a divorce deal took a big step Wednesday toward passing a law that could stop him from implementing his vow to deliver Brexit in less than two months, “do or die.”

In a second straight day of parliamentary turmoil, the House of Commons voted by 327-299 in favor of the bill, sending it to Parliament’s upper chamber, the House of Lords. An earlier version was approved 329-300.

Even so, the bill’s fate is unsure. Pro-Brexit peers in the Lords are threatening to try to stop it by filibustering until time runs out.

The maneuvers are part of a head-on showdown between Johnson’s Brexit-atall-costs administration and a Parliament worried about the economic and social damage that could be wrought by a messy divorce.

Johnson says Britain must leave the EU on Oct. 31, with or without a deal, and plans to seek a national election if the opposition bill becomes law in hope of getting a less obstructive crop of legislators.

Opposition lawmakers, supported by rebels in Johnson’s Conservative Party, warn that crashing out of the bloc without a divorce agreement would cause irreparable economic harm.

“There is very little time left,” said Labour Party lawmaker Hilary Benn as he introduced the measure. “The purpose of the bill is very simple: to ensure that the United Kingdom does not leave the European Union on the 31st of October without an agreement.”

The bill would require the government to ask the EU to delay Brexit until Jan. 31, 2020, if it can’t secure a deal with the bloc by late October.

The lawmakers hope to pass the bill into law — a process that can take months — by the end of the week, because Johnson plans to suspend Parliament at some point next week until Oct. 14.

Johnson became prime minister in July by promising to lead Britain out of the EU, breaking the impasse that has paralyzed the country’s politics since voters decided in June 2016 to leave the bloc. But he is caught between the EU, which refuses to renegotiate the deal it stuck with his predecessor, Theresa May, and a majority of British lawmakers opposed to leaving without an agree-

Photo courtesy of the Associated Press

ment. Most economists say a no-deal Brexit would cause severe economic disruption and plunge the U.K. into re-

makers.

The Labour Party said it would oppose an election until legislation is in place to

pend Parliament for several weeks before the Brexit deadline, limiting the time that lawmakers can fight the

“Opposition lawmakers, supported by rebels in Johnson’s Conservative Party, warn that crashing out of the bloc without a divorce agreement would cause irreparable economic harm.” cession.

Johnson insisted Wednesday that talks with the EU on a revised deal were “making substantial progress.”

But the bloc says the U.K. has not submitted any substantial new proposals. European Commission spokeswoman Mina Andreeva said “there is nothing new” from London.

Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn accused Johnson of bad faith — pretending to negotiate but really frittering away time until a no-deal Brexit became inevitable.

“These negotiations are a sham. All he is doing is running down the clock,” Corbyn told lawmakers in the House of Commons.

Johnson condemned the opposition legislation as a “surrender bill” that would tie his hands and “wreck any chance” of Britain concluding successful negotiations with the EU. He said that if the bill passed this week, he would call a general election on Oct. 15, taking his message directly to the people in his bid to deliver Brexit. But it’s unclear whether Johnson has the votes to trigger an election, which needs the approval of two-thirds of the 650 House of Commons law-

block a no-deal Brexit. The party’s Brexit spokesman, Keir Starmer, said Johnson had violated the trust of the House of Commons with his decision last week to sus-

government’s plans.

“He has zero trust, because I’m afraid he has been dishonest time and again,” Starmer told the BBC. Johnson, who was a lead-

er of the 2016 campaign to leave the EU, has long said that his enthusiasm and energy for Brexit will allow him to succeed in leaving the EU where May had failed, leading to her resignation.

But events have spiraled out of his control. He leads a government with no majority in Parliament and may not be able to secure an election that could change that fact.

He was humiliated Tuesday — the first day of Parliament’s autumn term — by losing his first Commons vote as prime minister when lawmakers passed a motion 328301 that enabled their push for a law stopping a no-deal Brexit. His government lost its working majority as one Conservative lawmaker defected to the opposition, and more than 20 Tory legislators sided with the opposition on the vote.

“Not a good start, Boris!” one unidentified lawmaker shouted after the vote.

Johnson responded with swift vengeance, expelling the rebels from the Conservatives in Parliament, leaving them as independent lawmakers. Among those bounced out were former International Development Secretary Rory Stewart; Kenneth Clarke, a former treasury chief and the longest-serving member of the House of Commons; and Nicholas Soames, the grandson of Johnson hero Winston Churchill.

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6 • MSU Reporter

Thursday, September 5, 2019

FALL 2019 EDITOR IN CHIEF:

MADISON DIEMERT

Free Lot is too small for MNSU students

507-389-5454 madison.diemert@mnsu.edu

MADISON DIEMERT

madison.diemert@mnsu.edu

MADISON DIEMERT EDITOR IN CHIEF With all the talk around the new sports bubble being under construction, there has also been rumors that the Free Lot might be shortened a few spaces. Of course, these are just rumors. No need to panic—the Free Lot will still be here for us to never be able to park in!

But would happen if it did get cut in half to make room for the sports dome?

Well, as said before, the Free Lot is not free for off-campus students very often.

I have lived off campus for three years, and two out of those three years I never had a parking permit. Half of those times I had to park in the Paylot and if you’ve ever parked there for the day, it gets very expensive.

All the other times I could never park in the Free Lot, I had to just stick with a ticket or park on the street somewhere close, hoping I wouldn’t get towed.

This has been the case for many students, as well.

I can’t count how many times myself and at least two other cars have circled the Free Lot, waiting for another vehicle to leave so we can slip into their spot.

You can see how it would be problematic for the lot to be shortened in place of the

NEWS EDITOR: Maria Ly 507-389-5450 maria.ly@mnsu.edu SPORTS EDITOR: Andrew Neururer andrew.neururer@mnsu.edu A&E EDITOR: Kolby Spomer kolby.spomer@mnsu.edu ADVERTISING SALES: Cody VanDenEinde 507-389-5097 cody.vandeneinde@mnsu.edu

Photo courtesy of Flickr

dome.

But if this does not happen, you can probably tell

couple hundred dollars to just sit there car somewhere for a few hours a day while

“Paying for a place to park just seems like overkill.” that the Free Lot is still not a great choice for off-campus students. This forces them (me included) to fork out a

they go to class. Not ideal!

Students already pay thousands of dollars just to get a piece of paper that tells them

they are allowed to work somewhere. Paying for a place to park just seems like overkill.

Of course, the university has to make its money somehow, as does every other university. It’s just how it is, even though it definitely sucks.

And hopefully we won’t have a smaller lot to look forward to, because that will only make our problems worse.

At least those of us who don’t have the money to buy a piece of plastic can still continue to circle the lot for 20 minutes. Someone is bound to leave eventually.

“What do you think about the university’s free parking lot?”

Compiled by Maria Ly

HANNAH CHRISTY, ANTHROPOLOGY AND SCANDINAVIAN STUDIES “Heck yeah.”

HENRY PGEL CIVIL ENGINEERING “It’s useful.”

MAX ROSSETTI, CIVIL ENGINEERING

HUNTER BRINGS, MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

MICHAEL MCSHANE, MASS MEDIA

“Student are already paying a “We would need free parking “I wish there was more, and at lot so taking some of the free near Wieking.” a more convenient location” parking away would put them in a bind.”

Nathan Norman 507-389-5453 nathan.norman@mnsu.edu Jacob Plaetz 507-389-6765 jacob.plaetz@mnsu.edu BUSINESS MANAGER: Jane Tastad 507-389-1926 jane.tastad@mnsu.edu ADVERTISING DESIGN/ PRODUCTION MANAGER: Dana Clark 507-389-2793 dana.clark@mnsu.edu

POLICIES & INFO • If you have a complaint, suggestion or would like to point out an error made in the Reporter, call Editor in Chief Madison Diemert at 507-389-5454.

The Reporter will correct any errors of fact or misspelled names in this space.

Formal grievances against the Reporter are handled by the Newspaper Board.

• The Minnesota State University Mankato Reporter is a student-run newspaper published twice a week, coming out on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

The Reporter generates 78 percent of its own income through advertising and receives approximately 22 percent from Student Activities fees. The Reporter is free to all students and faculty, but to start a subscription, please call us at 507-389-1776. Subscriptions for the academic school year are $55.00 and subscribers will receive the paper within three to five days after publishing.

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

Thursday, September 5, 2019

News

MSU Reporter • 7

FBI: West Texas gunman ‘was on a long spiral of going down’

MICHAEL MCSHANE STAFF WRITER It is okay to pray for the survivors of a deadly tragedy such as a mass shooting – but that shouldn’t be the only thing we do.

I know I’m not the only one that finds “thoughts and prayers” to be almost a cliché we hear now whenever a horrific incident occurs.

To the common citizen, it’s all we can really do as a reaction to a mass shooting, but for someone who can act to make sure such an incident doesn’t occur again, like a politician, thoughts and prayers shouldn’t be their only response we get from them.

Politicians, primarily Republican lawmakers, have turned thoughts and prayers from a sincere gesture into a symbol of inaction. The victims, and family members of victims, don’t want empty words that are meant to derail the conversation.

When it comes to gun control, the common argument made is that it’s “too soon” to talk about gun control .

I feel that is a slap in the face to the victims.

Why can’t change occur that could potentially stop another shooting from happing the same way?

Why are thoughts and prayers the only thing politicians are supposed to do after an attack?

I am personally tired of hearing simple words of thoughts and prayers from politicians and want to see some action, big or small.

In a time where mass shootings are now becoming more and more widespread and common, lawmakers should be put onto the hot seat to give the public more than a press release and a hospital visit.

There is dispute whether more guns will deter mass shootings, but I believe we can all agree there’s nothing more ineffective than a Twitter post.

We’ve had too many tragedies and too many empty promises of days getting better. The families of victims deserve more than a press release, they deserve action that politicians and lawmakers have taken an oath to undertake for the sake of the American people.

ODESSA, Texas (AP) — The gunman in a West Texas rampage “was on a long spiral of going down” and had been fired from his oil services job the morning he killed seven people, calling 911 both before and after the shooting began, authorities said Monday.

Officers killed 36-year-old Seth Aaron Ator on Saturday outside a busy Odessa movie theater after a spate of violence that spanned 10 miles (16 kilometers), injuring around two dozen people in addition to the dead.

FBI special agent Christopher Combs said Ator called the agency’s tip line as well as local police dispatch on Saturday after being fired from Journey Oilfield Services, making “rambling statements about some of the atrocities that he felt that he had gone through.”

“He was on a long spiral of going down,” Combs said.

“He didn’t wake up Saturday morning and walk into his company and then it happened. He went to that company in trouble.”

Fifteen minutes after the call to the FBI, Combs said, a Texas state trooper unaware of the calls to authorities tried pulling over Ator for failing to signal a lane change. That was when Ator pointed an AR-style rifle toward the rear window of his car and fired on the trooper, starting a terrifying police chase as Ator sprayed bullets into passing cars, shopping plazas and killed a U.S. Postal Service employee while hijacking her mail truck.

Combs said Ator “showed up to work enraged” but did not point to any specific source of his anger.

Ator’s home on the outskirts of Odessa was a corrugated metal shack along a dirt road surrounded by trailers, mobile homes and oil pump jacks. On Monday, a green car without a rear windshield was parked out front, the entire residence cordoned off by police tape.

Combs described it as a “strange residence” that reflected “what his mental state was going into this.” Combs said he did not know whether Ator had been diagnosed with any prior mental health problems.

A neighbor, Rocio Gutierrez, told The Associated Press that Ator was “a violent, aggressive person” that would shoot at animals, mostly rabbits, at all hours of the night “We were afraid of him because you could tell what kind of person he was just

Photo courtesy of the Associated Press

by looking at him,” Gutierrez said. “He was not nice, he was not friendly, he was not polite.”

The daylight attack over the Labor Day holiday weekend came just weeks after another mass shooting killed 22 people in the Texas border city of El Paso. Authorities have not said how Ator obtained the gun used in the shooting, but Ator had previously failed a federal background check for a firearm, said John Wester, an agent with the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms.

Wester did not say when Ator failed the background check or why.

Online court records show Ator was arrested in 2001 for a misdemeanor offense that would not have prevented him from legally purchasing firearms in Texas. Federal law defines nine categories that would legally prevent a person from owning a gun, which include being convicted of a felony, a misdemeanor domestic violence charge, being adjudicated as a “mental defect” or committed to a mental institution, the subject of a restraining order or having an active warrant. Authorities have said Ator had no active warrants at the time of the shooting.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott tweeted Monday that “we must keep guns out of criminals’ hands” — words similar to his remarks that followed the El Paso shooting on Aug. 3, when he said firearms must be kept from “deranged killers.” But Abbott, a Republican and avid gun rights supporter, has been noncommittal about tightening Texas gun laws.

Abbott tweeted that Ator didn’t go through a background check for the weapon he used in Odessa. He did not elaborate, and a spokes-

man referred questions to the Texas Department of Public Safety, which didn’t immediately respond for comment.

Odessa Police Chief Michael Gerke said Ator’s company also called 911 on Saturday after Ator was fired but that Ator had already taken off by the time police showed up.

“Basically, they were complaining on each other because they had a disagreement over the firing,” Gerke said.

Gerke said he believes Ator had also been recently fired from a different job but did not have any details.

Authorities said they remain unable to provide an exact timeline of the shooting, including how much time passed between the traffic stop at 3:13 p.m. and police killing Ator at the movie theater.

Odessa officials Monday released the names of those killed, who were between 15 and 57 years old. Among the dead were Edwin Peregrino, 25, who ran out of his parents’ home to see what the commotion was; mail carrier Mary Granados, 29, slain in her U.S. Postal Service truck; and 15-year-old high school student Leilah Hernandez, who was walking out of an auto dealership.

Ator fired at random as he drove in the area of Odessa and Midland, two cities more than 300 miles (482 kilometers) west of Dallas. Police used a marked SUV to ram the mail truck outside the Cinergy Movie Theater in Odessa, disabling the vehicle. The gunman then fired at police, wounding two officers before he was killed.

Police said Ator’s arrest in 2001 was in the county where Waco is located, hundreds of miles east of Odessa. Online court records show he was charged then with misdemeanor criminal trespass and evading arrest. He entered guilty pleas in a deferred prosecution agreement where the charge was waived after he served 24 months of probation, according to records.

The weekend shooting brings the number of mass killings in the U.S. so far this year to 25, matching the number in all of 2018, according to The AP/USATODAY/ Northeastern University mass murder database. The number of people killed this year has already reached 142, surpassing the 140 people who were killed all of last year. The database tracks homicides where four or more people are killed, not including the offender.

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8 • MSU Reporter

News

Thursday, September 5, 2019

Dorian triggers massive flooding in Bahamas; at least 5 dead NASSAU, Bahamas (AP) — Hurricane Dorian unleashed massive flooding across the Bahamas on Monday, pummeling the islands with so much wind and water that authorities urged people to find floatation devices and grab hammers to break out of their attics if necessary. At least five deaths were blamed on the storm.

“We are in the midst of a historic tragedy,” Prime Minister Hubert Minnis said in announcing the fatalities. He called the devastation “unprecedented and extensive.”

The fearsome Category 4 storm slowed almost to a standstill as it shredded roofs, hurled cars and forced even rescue crews to take shelter until the onslaught passed.

Officials said they received a “tremendous” number of calls from people in flooded homes. A radio station received more than 2,000 distress messages, including reports of a 5-monthold baby stranded on a roof and a grandmother with six grandchildren who cut a hole in a roof to escape rising floodwaters. Other reports involved a group of eight children and five adults stranded on a highway and two storm shelters that flooded.

The deaths in the Bahamas came after a previous storm-related fatality in Puerto Rico. At least 21 people were hurt in the Bahamas and evacuated by helicopters, the prime minster said.

Police Chief Samuel Butler urged people to remain calm and share their GPS coordinates, but he said rescue crews had to wait until weather conditions improved.

“We simply cannot get to you,” he told Bahamas radio station ZNS. Forecasters warned that Dorian could generate a storm surge as high as 23 feet (7 meters).

Meanwhile in the United States, the National Hurricane Center extended watches and warnings across the Florida and Georgia coasts.

Forecasters expected Dorian to stay off shore, but meteorologist Daniel Brown cautioned that “only a small deviation” could draw the storm’s dangerous core toward land.

By 11 p.m. EDT Monday, the storm’s top sustained winds had fallen to 130 mph (220 kph), still within Category 4 range. It remained almost stationary, centered just 30 miles (55 kilometers) north-northeast of Freeport — about the same distance from the city it had been at

Photo courtesy of the Associated Press

9 a.m. Hurricane-force winds extended outward as far as 45 miles (75 kilometers) from the center The water reached roofs and the tops of palm trees.

One woman filmed water lapping at the stairs of her home’s second floor.

In Freeport, Dave Mackey recorded video showing water and floating debris surging around his house as the wind shrieked outside.

“Our house is 15 feet up, and right now where that water is is about 8 feet. So we’re pretty concerned right now because we’re not at high tide,” said Mackey, who shared the video with The Associated Press. “Our garage door has already come off. ... Once we come out of it with our lives, we’re happy.”

On Sunday, Dorian churned over Abaco Island with battering winds and surf and heavy flooding.

Parliament member Darren Henfield described the damage as “catastrophic” and said officials did not have information on what happened on nearby cays. “We are in search-and-recovery mode. ... Continue to pray for us.”

A spokesman for Bahamas Power and Light told ZNS that there was a blackout in New Providence, the archipelago’s most populous island. He said the company’s office in Abaco island was flattened.

“The reports out of Abaco as everyone knows,” spokesman Quincy Parker said, pausing for a deep sigh, “were not good.”

Most people went to shelters as the storm neared.

Tourist hotels shut down, and residents boarded up their homes. Many people were expected to be left home-

less.

On Sunday, Dorian’s maximum sustained winds reached 185 mph (297 kph), with gusts up to 220 mph (354 kph), tying the record for the most powerful Atlantic hurricane ever to make landfall. That equaled the Labor Day hurricane of 1935, before storms were named. The only recorded storm that was more powerful was Hurricane Allen in 1980, with 190 mph (305 kph) winds, though it did not make landfall at that strength.

The Bahamas archipelago is no stranger to hurricanes.

Homes are required to have metal reinforcements for roof beams to withstand winds into the upper limits of a Category 4 hurricane, and compliance is generally tight for those who can afford it. Risks are higher in poorer neighborhoods that have wooden homes in low-lying areas.

Dorian was likely to begin pulling away from the Bahamas early Tuesday and curving to the northeast parallel to the southeastern coast of the U.S. The system is expected to spin 40 to 50 miles (64 to 80 kilometers) off Florida, with hurricane-force wind speeds extending about 35 miles (56 kilometers) to the west.

An advisory from the hurricane center warned that Florida’s east-central coast could see a brief tornado sometime Monday afternoon or evening.

A mandatory evacuation of entire South Carolina coast took effect Monday covering about 830,000 people.

Transportation officials reversed all lanes of Interstate 26 from Charleston to head inland earlier than planned after noticing traffic jams from

evacuees and vacationers heading home on Labor Day, Gov. Henry McMaster said.

“We can’t make everybody happy, but we believe we can keep everyone alive,” the governor said.

A few hours later, Georgia’s governor, Brian Kemp, ordered mandatory evacuations for that state’s Atlantic coast, also starting at midday Monday.

Authorities in Florida ordered mandatory evacuations in some vulnerable coastal areas. North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper warned his state that it could see heavy rain, winds and floods later in the week.

A hurricane watch was in effect for Florida’s East Coast from Deerfield Beach north to South Santee River in South Carolina. A storm surge watch was extended northward to South Santee River in South Carolina. Lake Okeechobee was under a tropical storm watch.

A National Guard official, John Anderson, said many people were complying with the evacuation orders.

“We have not seen much resistance at all,” he said in a phone call with reporters.

People do understand that Dorian is nothing to mess around with.”

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News

MSU Reporter • 9

Minnesota State Fair sets attendance record with 2.1 million visitors

Photos by Andrew Bravo | MSU Reporter

10 • MSU Reporter

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

Minnesota State University, Mankato

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Minnesota State opens up season against the Mustangs The Mavericks look toward a championship run after falling just short last season AARON YOUNG STAFF WRITER The Minnesota State Mavericks football team will kick off their 2019 campaign against Southwest Minnesota State 6 p.m. Saturday in Marshall.

Last season, the Mavericks finished 7-0 in the division and 12-0 in the conference.

They were unstoppable from start to finish until they ran into a roadblock in No. 2 Ferris State, where they were defeated 42-25.

They come into this year ready for vengeance and a chance to not only reach the championship, but win it all.

In the rankings, the Mavs are No. 3, behind the Blazers of Valdosta State and the defending champs, Ferris State Bulldogs. Not only are they highly ranked, but the Mavericks are on fire with a 23game winning streak in the

NSIC, which dates all the way back to 2016.

This also marks Todd Hoffner’s 10th season at the helm, and he has had quite the amount of success. He has made the NCAA tournament six of the previous seven years, missing out once in 2016. Hoffner has a record of 92-81 and looks to improve that this year.

Ryan Schlichte will take the first snap of the season for the Mavs. The senior threw for 1,914 yards and 19 touchdowns last year, and hopes to continue that success this year.

Minnesota State has won 17 of their previous matchups against the Mustangs, with 18 meetings all-time between them. In their last matchup, the Mavericks stomped over the Mustangs, winning 49-13.

During the contest, the Mustangs were limited to only 335 yards on offense with 45

Mansoor Ahmad | MSU Reporter

yards on the ground.

Let’s hope the Mavericks

can begin the year with a victory and give their fans a rea-

son to cheer as it’s that time of the year.

“Bomba Squad” breaks the MLB Single-Season Home Run Record The Twins continue to mash the ball with eight players over 20 home runs MEL STRAMM STAFF WRITER Buck Farmer takes a deep breath, throws the pitch and within seconds the ball is gone and into the crowd.

Mitch Garver hits it confidently all the way through left field and thereby breaks the record for the most single-season home runs in MLB. By hitting their 268th home run of their season during the first game of their series against Detroit Tigers last week, the Minnesota Twins have officially broken the record, which was previously set by the New York Yankees last season.

While they eventually lost the game, 7-10, they did go on to win the series against the Tigers. That loss ended the Twins winning streak of six games, but they are 9-1 in the last 10 games.

The Twins have been tracking their home run count throughout the last couple of weeks and months, dubbing themselves the “Bomba Squad.” With that well-deserved nickname, there has been lots of runs on the

scoreboard in almost every game this season.

The Yankees again are on track to break their previous record with 261 home runs this season, trailing the Twins as the next closest team in that stat category.

The team’s current home run leaders are Max Kepler with 36, Nelson Cruz with 35, and Eddie Rosario and Miguel Sano with 27 currently.

Cruz was the one to tie the record earlier in the game, however, it was catcher Garver who eventually made the historic hit during the ninth inning.

One other record the Twins recently broke, is having eight players with at least 20 home runs. Kepler, Cruz, Rosario, Sano, Garver, first baseman C.J. Cron, second baseman Jonathan Schoop and now shortstop Jorge Polanco.

The Twins have been able to improve their batting average tremendously from the previous seasons and are now considered one of the best hitting teams within the league.

As we take a look into the rest of the season, we can

Photo courtesy of the Associated Press

surely expect to see more

great hits with a month of

baseball remaining.

14 • MSU Reporter

Sports

Thursday, September 5, 2019

The Vikings strive to have a bounce back 2019-20 season Minnesota has its key players returning in hopes of a playoff run JENNA PETERSON STAFF WRITER The Minnesota Vikings are looking forward to tackling the 2019 season after winning three of their four preseason games. Throughout the past few years, the Vikings have outdone predictions made against them and came out with a better season than some would have expected.

This year, the football team is back to full strength and will feature some key offensive players. If Adam Thielen, Stefon Diggs and Dalvin Cook can stay healthy, then the Vikings could really be potent offense.

Last season, Minnesota signed quarterback Kirk Cousins on a 3-year, $84 million contract, in hopes of having a veteran talent under center.

Cousins struggled to adapt to the Vikings’ offensive scheme last season because he has never played in an offensive system the Vikings implemented, but he has spent the entire offseason working each day to familiarize himself with the playbook.

This offseason, the Vikings extended tight end Kyle Rudolph, to a contract of four years at $36 million. He is a

Photo courtesy of the Associated Press

key component to the Vikings’ success and never fails to contribute his efforts for the team.

On defense, the Vikings still have all its key players returning and see a return of last year’s rookie, Mike Hughes. Hughes suffered an ACL injury during week six of the regular season.

By the end of the regular

season last year, the Vikings were ranked as the fourth best defense in the NFL. If star players such safety Harrison Smith, defensive end Everson Griffen, and linebacker Anthony Barr can stay healthy, then the Vikings will have no problem advancing to the playoffs this season.

The first game of the 2019 regular season for the Vikings

begins Sunday, against the Atlanta Falcons, with kickoff starting at noon.

The Falcons didn’t play as well as the Vikings did in their preseason, winning only one of their four games; their only win was against the Jacksonville Jaguars Thursday, Aug. 29.

A much-anticipated game for Midwest football fans

comes during week-two of the regular season, with the Vikings facing off against the Green Bay Packers.

The Packers had an average preseason, with two wins and two losses. The first match-up between the two teams will take place at noon, Sunday, Sept. 15.

Indians pitcher Carrasco cheered in return from leukemia ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — This was no ordinary outing for Carlos Carrasco, and everyone at Tropicana Field knew it.

The popular Cleveland Indians pitcher nicknamed Cookie made his return to the mound from leukemia Sunday and was applauded by both teams in a touching scene during Tampa Bay’s 8-2 victory that completed a threegame sweep.

Carrasco entered in the seventh inning for his first major league appearance since being diagnosed with a treatable form of leukemia in June.

The right-hander received a standing ovation from the crowd, and players from both sides cheered while standing in front of their respective dugouts.

“Even the other team came out. My teammates, that was great because they have supported me from Day One to now,” Carrasco said. “It’s unbelievable.”

Indians star shortstop Francisco Lindor went to the mound and hugged an emotional Carrasco, who was ac-

tivated before the game following several minor league rehab outings.

“He told me, ‘Welcome back, Cookie,’” Carrasco said. “’This is you. This is you right here. We are behind you. Just go and throw the ball.’”

Normally a starter, Carrasco is expected to pitch in relief for the Indians as they chase a playoff spot down the stretch. He worked one inning and gave up two hits, including Travis d’Arnaud’s run-scoring single.

“It was a lot to think about,” Carrasco said. “I was trying to hold the game right there, but in the end I gave up one run. But I’m healthy and it was go to the next pitch and go from there.”

Carrasco was given the game ball from the third out of the seventh, a grounder by Joey Wendle, as the Indians headed off the field.

“Certainly, you saw the respect and the admiration that his teammates have for him,” said Rays manager Kevin Cash, a former Cleveland coach.

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Sports

MSU Reporter • 15

Lara knocks out Alvarez in the second round

Lara claims WBA Super Welterweight Championship at the Armory MANSOOR AHMAD STAFF WRITER In a match-up of seasoned boxers, Erislandy “The American Dream” Lara displayed dominance as he knocked out Mexico’s Ramon “El Inocente” Alvarez.

Lara landed 64 percent of his power punches to win the vacant WBA World Super Welterweight Championship Saturday, Aug. 31 at the Armory in Minneapolis.

A two-time WBA Super Welterweight champion, Lara seemed confident from the start as he fended off a number of body shots from Alvarez earlier in the second round, maintaining his composure.

What followed was a series of powerful punches by Lara that almost led Alvarez out of the ring. It was clear that Alvarez was hurt at this point, and Lara capitalized on it. With 1:07 remaining in the second round, Lara unleashed a flurry of punches against Alvarez who was against the ropes.

“Once I had him against the ropes, I knew I had it won & I didn’t want to give him another power punch to hurt him,” said Lara.

Securing his first win since 2017, Lara was visibly satisfied with the outcome of the night.

“It means the world to be champion again,” said Lara.

“I felt like in my past fights I didn’t lose, and that stings a bit, but to come back & win the title feels great. I’m back.”

In the co-main event, Coachella’s Sebastian “The Towering Inferno” Fundora boxed Jamontay “The Quiet Assassin” Clark to a split draw. Fundora, who was boxing at the Armory for the third time, said he believed he was “the one doing all the work.”

“I felt like I got more jabs & punches on him,” said Fun-

Photos by Mansoor Ahmad | MSU Reporter

dora.

However, data from CompuBox, a computerized punches scoring system used

match. I’ll run it back. We can do it tomorrow,” said Fundora. “I’ll hit him harder.”

The TV opener on FOX fea-

“Once I had him against the ropes, I knew I had it won & I didn’t want to give him another power punch to hurt him.” for boxing matches around worldwide, showed otherwise. Clark connected on 168 punches as opposed to Fundora’s 130, throwing only three punches than Fundora in total.

The two boxers exchanged body shots throughout the 10 rounds, and Fundora seemed eager to get a rematch.

“I’d be happy with a re-

tured a clash of heavyweights in which Cuba’s Frank Sanchez displayed dominance over Puerto Rico’s Victor Bisbal with a fourth-round technical knockout (3:00).

Boxing in his 13th professional fight, Sanchez took advantage of being 55.25 lbs. lighter than Bisbal, and it showed in his speed throughout the bout. Sanchez successfully managed to throw just about twice as many punches than Bisbal, out-punching him 70-36.

“I was putting pressure on Bisbal just to get him tired, starting to break him down a little,” said Sanchez. “I knew he wasn’t going to go the distance with that kind of pressure.” And the pressure did pay off. By the end of the fourth round, Sanchez landed 42.1 percent of his power punches.

Boxing on the undercard earlier in the day was Minneapolis’ Celso Ramirez, facing off against Tyrone Luckey. The hometown crowd, noticeably

upset at the officials’ decision, sounded off as the fight was announced to be a majority draw. The two had their own moments throughout the six rounds, but Ramirez’s consistent power punches gave him an edge, showcasing his versatility.

Also fighting on the undercard and making his pro debut was Osvary Morrell, facing off against Yendris Valdez. Morrell showcased his

skills as he knocked down Valdez twice before securing the knockout. Morrell, born in Cuba, moved to Minneapolis and trains at the Circle of Discipline Gym, alongside a hometown hero in welterweight Jamal James.

James will be back in action in a title eliminator bout Saturday, Dec. 21 at the Armory.

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Sports

Thursday, September 5, 2019

Verlander pitches 3rd career no-hitter, Astros beat Jays 2-0 TORONTO (AP) — Justin Verlander took the mound for the ninth inning, fully aware of the no-hitters he finished — and his near misses, too.

Zeroed in, he wouldn’t be denied this time.

Verlander pitched his third career no-hitter, punctuating a dominant season by striking out 14 to lead the Houston Astros past the Toronto Blue Jays 2-0 on Sunday.

Verlander became just the sixth pitcher to throw at least three no-hitters in the majors, an elite club that includes the likes of Nolan Ryan, Sandy Koufax and Cy Young.

“It means a lot,” Verlander said. “I’d be lying if I said I didn’t know that. I’ve come so close. Since I’ve had two, I think I’ve blown two in the ninth and another couple in the eighth.”

“I was definitely aware of the history aspect of it. Definitely a big hurdle to get over and a very special moment for me,” he said.

Verlander (17-5) is the first pitcher to throw two no-hitters as a visitor in the same park — he also threw one at Rogers Centre in 2011 with Detroit. His other no-no was in 2007 for the Tigers against Milwaukee.

“I guess I have to like this mound a lot now,” Verlander joked.

Verlander allowed only one runner, with Cavan Biggio drawing a one-out walk in the first inning. The Blue Jays, with a lineup full of young, aggressive batters, never came close to a hit in the Astros’ second no-hitter of the season — four Houston pitchers combined to blank Seattle a month ago.

The 36-year-old Verlander joined Ryan (seven), Koufax (four) and Young, Bob Feller and 1880s-era Larry Corcoran (three each) in rarefied air on the no-hitter list.

“Some of the guys I’ve idolized,” Verlander said.

And it came after a series of close calls.

Verlander lost a no-hit try in the eighth inning late in 2011, had bids broken in the ninth in 2012 and 2015 and had another attempt spoiled last May in the seventh by Jose Abreu of the White Sox. Verlander’s wife, model Kate Upton, is currently attending the Venice Film Festival, where she tweeted out a message of congratulations.

“She was the first one I called,” Verlander said. “She was actually up very late watching the whole thing, so that’s awesome.”

Verlander threw a season-high 120 pitches, mixing a fastball that reached the upper 90s mph with a sharp

Photo courtesy of the Associated Press

curve.

The right-hander retired the last 26 hitters in a row.

But he still needed help because the game was scoreless going into the last inning — according to baseball rules, Verlander had to pitch a complete game to get credit for a no-hitter.

That’s when Canadian-born rookie Abraham Toro stepped up for the AL West leaders.

The Astros newcomer hit a two-out, two-run homer in the ninth inning off Ken Giles (2-3) that cleared the way for Verlander to complete the no-hitter.

“The whole dugout was going crazy because everybody knew what was one the line,” Toro said.

Toro made a routine play on Bo Bichette’s grounder to third base for the last out. Verlander joked the 22-year-old Toro, playing just his eighth game in the majors, was in for quite a nice reward.

“I could not be happier for that kid,” said Verlander, who sought out Toro for an on-field hug after the game. “Just an incredible moment for him, from Canada, able to do that and then get the last out as well. Such a special moment and I’m happy I’m able to celebrate with him.”

Said Bichette: “I honestly thought I was going to get him, but then he made a really good pitch.”

“He is who is for a reason,” Bichette said.

Only one Toronto player hit a ball harder than 100 miles per hour off the bat.

Billy McKinney sent a grounder that first baseman Aledmys Diaz, playing an

unfamiliar position in place of the injured Yuli Gurriel, stopped in the fifth. Diaz fed Verlander to end the inning.

“I think every no-hitter needs something to go your way,” Verlander said. “That was a pretty poor pitch that was hit pretty hard, fortunately on the ground, and AD over there is a great athlete and was able to knock it down and make a great play.”

Just two other pitchers have no-hit the same team more than once. Cleveland’s Addie Joss did it to the White Sox in 1908 and 1910, while San Francisco’s Tim Lincecum held San Diego hitless in 2013 and 2014.

This was the fourth no-hitter in the majors this year. The last one was by the Astros, a combined effort from Aaron Sanchez, Will Harris, Joe Biagini and Chris Devenski against Seattle on Aug. 3. Sanchez and Biagini did it in their first game since being acquired in a trade with Toronto.

Houston is the first team to pitch two no-hitters in a season since Max Scherzer threw a pair for Washington in 2015.

Oakland’s Mike Fiers and a tandem effort by Taylor Cole and Felix Pena of the Angels accounted for this year’s other gems.

Verlander is tied for the big league lead in wins. The eight-time All-Star and former AL MVP and Cy Young Award winner tops the majors in strikeouts (257) and innings (193) and leads the AL with a 2.56 ERA. With the crowd of 24,104 getting to its feet to begin the ninth, Verlander retired Brandon Drury on an easy

grounder and struck out Reese McGuire.

After that second out, catcher Robinson Chirinos went to the mound for a quick visit with Verlander. The count went full on Bichette, who fouled off a pitch before hitting a bouncer to Toro.

Verlander took a couple hops toward first as he watched Toro field the ball, saw the throw on target and then began the celebration in the middle of the diamond.

Not bad for an ace who was ejected in his previous start. Verlander was tossed last Tuesday at home shortly after a close pitch didn’t go his way against Tampa Bay. It was Verlander’s ninth career shutout and first this season. This was the 13th no-hitter for the Astros, including one by Ryan.

The Blue Jays were nohit for the sixth time. Before Sunday, the last to do it was Seattle’s James Paxton, who became the first Canadian pitcher to throw a big league no-hitter north of the border when he beat the Blue Jays on May 8, 2018.

TRAINER’S ROOM Astros: Gurriel (left elbow contusion) was scratched from the lineup. He was hit on the elbow by a pitch Saturday. ... RHP Josh James (right shoulder) was activated off the injured list.

Blue Jays: Reinstated RHP Ryan Tepera (right elbow) from the 60-day injured list.

To make room on the 40-man roster, RHP Neil Ramírez was designated for assignment. ... OF Lourdes Gurriel Jr. (strained left quadriceps) took batting practice on the field

before the game and could be activated off the injured list Thursday. ... OF Derek Fisher (sprained right ankle) was scratched from the lineup and replaced by Drury. Fisher ran into the wall while fielding a double Saturday. ... LHP Clayton Richard (strained left lat) allowed three runs and four hits in two innings in his first rehab start at Triple-A Buffalo Saturday. He struck out one and walked one.

ROSTER REPORT Astros: Manager AJ Hinch said Houston will likely add two or more players before Monday’s game at Milwaukee, and said more players will arrive when the team returns home Thursday to face Seattle.

Blue Jays: Toronto recalled C Beau Taylor from Triple-A Buffalo. ... The Blue Jays completed their July 28 trade with Tampa Bay by acquiring minor league RHPs Edisson Gonzalez and Curtis Taylor.

Toronto traded INF Eric Sogard to the Rays. Gonzalez, 19, was 4-2 with a 2.45 ERA at Class A. Taylor, 24, had seven saves in nine opportunities at Double-A. UP NEXT Astros: RHP Gerrit Cole (15-5, 2.85) starts against the Brewers on Monday in the opener of a two-game interleague series. RHP Adrian Houser (6-5, 3.52) starts for Milwaukee.

Blue Jays: RHP Jacob Waguespack (4-2, 3.93) starts Monday in the opener of a two-game interleague series at Atlanta. RHP Mike Soroka (103, 2.44) starts for the Braves.

Thursday, September 5, 2019

MSU Reporter • 17 Have a story idea or a comment?

Minnesota State University, Mankato

EMAIL

A&E Editor Kolby Spomer

kolby.spomer@mnsu.edu

MNSU Fall Theater Preview RACHAEL JAEGER STAFF WRITER The Theatre & Dance Department in Mankato reached their 53RD summer season this year and busied itself with putting on entertainment for the community: Baskerville, A Sherlock Holmes Mystery, A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder, Shadowlands and Sister Act. Dr. Paul Hustoles, Chair, expressed excitement over the fact that Minnesota State University produces more shows than most regions in the Midwest. He also commented that during the academic year, the schedules tend to be more “schizophrenic” but in the summer, the department has more time to dedicate to the shows, despite that the preparation time may be tight. But because Hustoles believes the tight time works out in the department’s favor since all who play a part in the different shows’ successes, also devote their sole focus to the present project.

Corrie Eggimann, Director of Public Relations, said the performers have no more

John Shrestha | MSU Reporter

than two weeks to rehearse for the Highland Summer.

“It made it a challenge to promote since the shows happened so quickly, but it was a fun and exciting experience!” Eggimann said.

Eggimann has been in her role since January and she expressed her excitement about her upcoming first fall season. “I am super excited that the show will include so

much dancing, I think that’s what I’m looking forward to most, especially the tap dancing,” Eggimann wrote in an email. “It also will be so fun to meet the new freshmen and transfer students and see what they have to offer!”

Newsies is the first show of the fall season and the Theatre and Dance Department and will launch Sep-

tember 26. The department also just finished casting the actors and actresses. Mack Spotts-Falzone, a senior, is one of them and has been engaged with the Theatre & Dance Department since his freshman year. He has acted in Sister Act, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Ragtime, and Peter and the Starcatcher and was selected to play Jack Kelly, the leader of the

Newsies in New York.

“This has been a role I’ve been wanting to play for so long and never thought I’d have the opportunity to, so I’m very excited to work on this show,” Spotts-Falzone remarked. “The cast is super talented and after our first

PREVIEW page 18

Amazon’s “The Boys” is super, unlike its heroes LIDIA VASSAR STAFF WRITER Are you a fan of superheroes? Or large amounts of gore? Maybe bad guys?

Well, you’re in for a treat!

“The Boys” is an Amazon Prime exclusive that premiered late last month. If you haven’t watched it yet you’re missing out on gratuitous violence, a shameless cast of characters, morally abhorrent heroes, and sexuality galore!

It pulls no punches, and keeps you hooked with excellent performances from a cast including Karl Urban and Antony Starr. This 8-episode series is a thematic adaptation of a comic book of the same name.

The pilot drops you into a familiar setting… but with the addition of privatized superheroes. Having superpowers is everyday life for many citizens of this world. However, the best-of-the-best are

Photo courtesy of The Boy’s Facebook

the Seven; a team of all-star heroes working under the superhero-managing corporation called Vought. These heroes include Homelander (played by Antony Star) the veritable Superman of the Seven, Queen Maeve (Dom-

inique McElligott) who is the world’s equivalent of Wonder Woman, The Deep (Chace Crawford) who is somehow even lamer than our very own Aquaman, and the up-andcoming Starlight (Erin Moriarty), who has worked her

whole life for this very job.

In addition to these heroes are our (hardly ordinary) cast of nonheroes. Jack Quaid plays Hughie, an understandably depressed tech salesmen living with his dad who just underwent a… shocking

experience. Karl Urban, with his aggressive New Zealand accent and a taste for Hawaiian shirts, is always enter-

SUPER page 19

18 • MSU Reporter

A&E

Thursday, September 5, 2019

“Good Boys”? More like “Eh Boys”

Photot courtesy of the Associated Press

RACHAEL JAEGER STAFF WRITER The impression you first receive for the Good Boys is the picture of innocence— literally—with a cute kid peering from a tire swing. It is Max (Jacob Tremblay), a sixth grader and leader of his small gang, the Beanbag Boys, who have all remained friends since kindergarten.

But, a potential kissing party resulting in a drone mission are about to change that.

Both events also prove

right: Max’s dad makes a (Will Fortes) foreshadowing comment that Max is growing up.

All of the young actors accomplished a fine job with each of their character’s unique personalities.

Max is already a hopeless romantic, with his sights set on Brixlee (Millie Davis), a curly-haired skateboarder who possesses the knowledge of Max’s feelings of her, but is reserved until Max is able to prove it. Keith L. Williams plays an angelic and

PREVIEW

Continued from page 17 few rehearsals, I know it’s going to be a great show!”

He also said that he had wanted that particular part because he has been a fan of the show for a while.

“This role is so emotionally meaty and has moments that I’m really looking forward to exploring onstage,” he added.

Joshua Snapp, a junior in the Theatre & Dance Department, remained involved in the drama department in middle and high school. In addition, he kept active in choir for the last five years and was a chorus member in the Hunchback of Notre Dame in the Spring Semester. It was the first show he performed in at Minnesota State University, In Newsies, he is a

tertiary character, Seitz.

“In a performance, I’m always in it for the music,” Snapp said. “When the passion behind the composer shines through as a result of a good performance, the power of music is unparalleled Yes, that’s super corny, but hey, it’s drama.”

Hustoles encourages students to invest in the season series that include six shows and the processing fee for a total of $55. If students purchase the package deal at the box office instead of online, students will not be charged service fees which is $2 more a ticket online. The deadline to order the season ticket package is September 20 and is open to current students only.

charming Lucas, who is taller than either of his Beanbag Boy buddies but faces the devastating news that his parents are divorcing. Thor

The first scenes of the movie are shockingly provocative with how many “f” bombs are dropped and how many sexual innuendos and scenes

“In fact, all the young kids must come to terms with who they are and the fact that they are growing up and quite tragically, growing apart.”

(Brady Noon) attempts to maintain a tough guy face in order to score popularity status, but must eventually accepts the natural gifts that make up who he is, a drama nerd.

In fact, all the young kids must come to terms with who they are and the fact that they are growing up and quite tragically, growing apart. But it takes them a perilous mission across the highway to wake them up.

The boys’ initial mission was to learn kissing techniques for a party they were invited to by spying on some neighbor girls with Max’s dad’s drone. Max’s dad had forbidden him to play with it since he knew what inevitable disasters it would cause.

Spoiler alert: The neighbor girls catch them and… the drone breaks!

The downside of Good Boys is that the mood goes bad real fast.

are used for that age group, including the Beanbag Boys running into a sexually explicit fraternity group.

One of the members is dressed only in a diaper and a capitalized “D**KLESS” declares exactly the personality of that minor character.

However, in a very small fraction of the time, I wasn’t sure if I should find these

growing stages adorable and laughable. My open-mindedness argues that, despite the countless provocative scenes, it shows the director’s whole point. Which is that the trio is discovering what makes them adults through their varying awkward dialogues and scenarios. A stronger part of me believes that could have been accomplished with even a PG-13, rather than an “R” rating.

Good Boys shows how each of the boys evolve into who they are after the drone mission.

Brixlee doesn’t stay with Max and Max goes out with other girls, Thor stops being someone he’s not, and Lucas finds peace in an anti-bullying squad called the SCABS. Even adults can learn from Good Boys, despite my willfully strong opinion, the movie is too adult for an adolescent movie.

Thursday, September 5, 2019

A&E

MSU Reporter • 19

Your weekly horoscope ALYSSA BUNDE STAFF WRITER Aries Life can get messy and today may be one of those messy days. Your head may feel cluttered today so be careful to not overload yourself. Take time for yourself and remember that not everything has to get solved today.

Taurus With an abundance of energy today you should be focusing on the critical areas of your life. Make today one the best ones this week. Take advantage of today’s burst of energy and make sure to write down all these wonderful ideas that are populating your mind. Just make sure you don’t try acting on too many of them, pace yourself.

Gemini With all the changes that have been surrounding your life today will be a relaxing day. The day will start out with mental clarity that all

your fears were really not as bad as you once believed them to be. As the day continues your calmness may falter but just remember that breath and not to overexaggerate the things you can’t control. At the end of the day does that little worry really matter?

Cancer Keep your priorities in check today, make sure you’re not letting others control your actions. Check in on your communication with others and the friends that you haven’t been giving as much attention to. You may feel restless and impulsive today but discipline yourself and get even the boring work done.

Leo Today you must understand challenges are here to do just that, challenge you.

You may encounter some mental obstacles today; you may feel inclined to throw caution to the wind but keep on track and focus. You’ll thank yourself later.

Virgo Your brain will be full of curiosity and questions today, make sure to reign in at least some of it. You can’t do everything, but you should at least do some of it. That new outfit you are wanting?

Get it. That career move you’ve been nervous about, crush it. Change is in the air and today is a great day to embrace it.

Libra Expect some new information early in the day, but with the positivity floating around today even if it’s negative you will glide right over it. Make sure as the day progresses to not make any mountains out of molehills, today is a day with great possibilities for you. Keep the optimism up and reap the rewards later.

Scorpio Take today to do some reflecting dear Scorpio, just make sure during your reflecting you don’t seclude yourself too much. Let your thoughts roam freely but

don’t go down the rabbit hole of negativity. Remind yourself of the dreams and aspects of your life that you’re here for in the first place. As the day progresses make sure you take a break and go outside or hang with some friends, after all you can only think for so long.

Sagittarius Get out today Sagittarius.

Travel outside your comfort zone. Let your mind stretch and try to handle your business today. Don’t take it all on at once, but instead take it by ear and tackle the projects you feel are most important today. Just make sure you do something fun today because you deserve it.

Capricorn Your schedule has been feeling crowded and never ending but today is a great day to achieve it all. The recent fog in your mind will clear today and you will be able to gain the clarity you’ve been striving for. Get back on track and crush the day and if you feel like you can’t alone, enlist others to help.

Aquarius Today you may feel like you can climb a mountain but perhaps today you only climb a hill. Don’t overstretch yourself, enlist others for support and guidance.

You may have been feeling vulnerable and this sudden burst of confidence could be your downfall if you apply it wrongly. Make practical decisions and relax.

Pisces You will accomplish many things today, but you can expect more to be piled on.

Today is a good day for collaboration and seeking help.

Sometimes you can’t tackle it all on your own. Don’t rush through it all, take your time, just remember not finishing it all doesn’t mean you’ve failed it just means your human. Take breaks today and enjoy some creative and relaxing time for yourself.

SUPER

Continued from page 17 taining to see onscreen as Billy Butcher. And leading Vought with an iron fist is Elisabeth Shue, playing the intimidating Madelyn Stillwell.

Now, we’re all used to superhero movies by now.

Heroes questioning their morals and the consequences of their actions is old news. But what about heroes who are only heroes in the public eye? What about heroes who are bought and sold as icons?

Who perform in their own movies, and promote merchandise? Heroes whose identities are owned by American corporations?

“The Boys” turns the normal onscreen portrayal of superheroes on its head, with American icons who don’t bother to wonder if what they do is ethical, because who cares? There are no consequences when you’re practically a god. At least, not when you have money.

It’s this dystopian take on heroes that really makes this show so good. The realism in the portrayal of a capitalist society and its handling of superpowers is amazing, and honestly makes you second guess whether or not having a real-life Spider-Man would actually be all that good.

Just what is it that keeps superheroes in check? If we can’t prevent ordinary everyday crimes, what’s there to stop a hero from committing some extraordinary ones? And if those heroes have corporate backing, what makes you think you’d ever find out about those crimes in the first place?

The first episode alone will pull you through emotions varying from shock and awe to laughter. The episodes following will make you love characters while simultaneously wishing they’d just turn invisible… or at least Translucent? If this show appeals to any of your tastes, I would highly recommend binge-watching it ASAP. Just don’t help yourself to any salsa or similarly red and chunky foods if you’re faint of heart.

Now Hiring to finish out the season.

Part-Time or Full-Time Positions.

View website for job descriptions www.greencare4u.com

507-344-8314

20 • MSU Reporter

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Thursday, September 5, 2019