September 28, 2021

· HOM ECOM I NG W E E K 2021 ·

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HOCO HEATS UP

10 candidates vie for Hoco royalty court

By JENNA PETERSON News Director

Over the past few decades, Homecoming at Minnesota State University, Mankato has been filled with festivities to celebrate school pride.

Homecoming royalty is one of the many activities planned for students, as it gives them an opportunity to express their school pride.

Each candidate is expected to meet each of the requirements set forward by the Student Events Team.

These requirements, as listed on the website, entail each candidate to have completed at least 30 credits at MNSU, hold at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA, be enrolled in at least six credits that semester, and complete the royalty application form.

This year’s Homecoming week kicked off with the bonfire that was lit behind the Blakeslee Stadium Monday night. President Inch, at his first homecoming at MNSU, announced to the crowd that had gathered to watch the spectacle that it was the largest the event has ever attracted.

Photos by MANSOOR AHMAD • Media Director

How college students come to the ‘major’ decision

By JULIA BARTON • Staff Writer Minnesota State University, Mankato offers more than 130 undergraduate areas of study, 13 pre-professional programs, and over 75 graduate areas of study that students can find interest in.

The six colleges in which your major will fall under

at MNSU entail the college of allied health and nursing, college of arts and humanities, college of business, college of science, engineering, and technology, and the college of social and behavioral sciences.

MNSU has roughly more than 14,000 students currently enrolled including over 1,000 international students from 89 countries as well as more than 125,000 MNSU alumni worldwide.

When it comes to picking a major many students have different reasons on why they decided to learn more about what they are passionate about.

“I’m majoring in psychology and as a person who MAJORS on page 7 u

This year, there are 10 candidates running for the chance to show their Maverick pride and influence other students to do the same. Audrey Hopwood, Joey Novack, Samuel Hodgson, Macee Reinardy, Emma Gabbert, Arnavee Maltare, and Jordan Quam are all entered to win their chance of becoming royalty.

Why did you decide to run for royalty?

Audrey Hopwood: “I think the main reason I wanted to run was to ROYALTY on page 3 u

DYLAN ENGEL • The Reporter

2 • MSU Reporter

News

Celebrating Homecoming safely amidst a pandemic

DYLAN ENGEL • The Reporter

By CLAIRE BRUNEAU Staff Writer Homecoming for MNSU students is an important and exciting season and it’s important to keep COVID safety in mind.

It is not only a first homecoming for freshman students but also returning sophomores due to COVID circumstances this previous year.

“I’m pretty excited for homecoming this year. I didn’t get the full experience last year and it makes me feel like I’m experiencing it for the first time. I hope they go all out this year to make up for it,” sophomore Ryan Schmidt said.

With this return to normalcy it is easy to forget the COVID threat remains.

Early in the fall semester, the University reinstated a mask mandate at the recommendation from Minnesota Department of Health due to low levels of vaccinations in the community.

There are several tips provided by the Student Health Services in order to help mitigate the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Recommendations to wash hands regularly, con-

tinue to wear a mask and get plenty of sleep are some ways that students are able to stay healthy amidst the pandemic.

In regard to homecoming, or any big event that could result in spreading the virus, it is recommended to get tested after five days to ensure creating a COVID-free space.

These may seem like simple tasks that we were taught as children but they truly make all the difference.

Not only can it make such a big difference but it can affect people’s lives when it comes to COVID. The CDC recommends washing your hands for 20 seconds or longer with soap and warm water regularly.

In between washing your hands it is important keep your hands away from your eyes, mouth, and nose.

When using hand sanitizer the CDC recommends that the hand sanitizer has 60% alcohol or higher.

Freshman KJ Corson said she was excited for her first homecoming here at Minnesota State University, Mankato.

She was most excited for the parade this SaturHOCO on page 7 u

Tuesday, September 28, 2021

Maverick Machine always hypes up the crowd

By JULIA BARTON Staff Writer The marching band is a key factor for any school.

They hype up crowds and are the ultimate super fans when it comes to football games.

Minnesota State University, Mankato’s Maverick Machine is ramping up for a busy week as homecoming festivities are upon Maverick fans.

This year the Maverick Machine’s halftime show theme is inspired by the new James Bond movie premiering in October.

The band undergoes hours of practice during the week before fall semester classes start as members learn choreography of precise routines.

After a year of limited in-person events the Maverick Machine is now back and better than ever as last year was not ideal having no major performances due to the strict COVID-19 protocols.

“The goal this year is to perform as much as we can since last year’s homecoming didn’t really exist,” said Michael Thursby, director of the Maverick Machine since 2013.

The whole idea of the band is to entertain the crowd and bring the energy.

“The students and the band are the most spirited and loyal students that I’ve ever seen. They are more dedicated to this university than just about anybody and they give up a ton of time, energy,

MANSOOR AHMAD • The Reporter

and effort and they definitely deserve to be recognized for that,” said Thursby.

About 150 students make up the Maverick Machine which also includes the color-guard, drumline and pepband.

However, sporting events are not the only events the band plays at during homecoming week. The Maverick Machine also performed on Monday’s bonfire and will be performing at the iconic lip sync battle and homecoming parade.

Other major events consist of the holiday lights parade as well as being highlighted as the special guest band who performed at the 70th annual TriState Band Festival last weekend.

“My favorite memory with the band members would be making up new dance moves to the songs we play,” Brook Ford, one of the two flute leaders of the Maverick Ma-

chine, who is entering her fifth year at MNSU, said.

“I’m most excited to play at the homecoming football game because it’s so nice to be back to hype up everyone in the crowd and get to perform our pregame and halftime shows again.”

Being a part of something so inclusive as a pep-band can really put you at the forefront of all the action.

“I joined the Maverick Machine because I like music and I wanted to continue playing tuba in college,” Nathaniel Fox, a senior and member of the Maverick Machine said. “Also because my parents were in the original Maverick Machine when they were in college.”

Whether the Mavericks are losing by a large sum or on the verge of a victory the Maverick Machine is sure to bring the school spirit regardless.

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Tuesday, September 28, 2021

News

ROYALTY Continued from page 1 show leadership and involvement for other people on campus. As a CA, I’m a resource on campus and I wanted to show that to my residents. Especially this being a PWI, a primary white institution, I think that it’s also kind of unique that I can be picked to represent our school being a person of color and being Black to show other Black women that they can also get on royalty. People are nervous to get outside of their comfort zone because they don’t see other women doing it, or they don’t see other people that look like them doing it.”

Joey Novak: “I decided to run because when I found out last year that the Homecoming court was gender neutral I was really inspired by that. I really love that because at my old high school it was one guy and one girl and they were the Homecoming King and Queen, and it felt very exclusive and I wasn’t really able to participate in that. I’m someone with a lot of school spirit, so I was like ‘Hell yeah, I want to be a part of this tradition.’”

Samuel Hodgson: “I think as a senior, I’ve done a lot at MNSU over the past four years and this was kind of the last big thing for me. I started thinking about it a couple months ago and decided I wanted to commit to it fully. It’s the last thing I can do to

MSU Reporter • 3

kind of represent the student body as a whole. I gotta show other students, younger students especially, what can happen your entire four years at MNSU. As you progress there’s a lot of great things that can come out as being a student here.”

Macee Reinardy: “It’s something I normally wouldn’t do. As an engineering major, I’m not outgoing but my personality pushed me to do something different. Last semester, I wanted other people to recognize me as a woman in engineering. I want them to be able to come up to me with questions.”

Emma Gabbert: “I was a freshman in 2018 and I was very good friends with Emily, who was the Homecoming queen that year. It looked like so much fun, all of the events they had, so I decided to run.”

Arnavee Maltare and Jordan Quam (running jointly): Maltare: “When I got here I got in the Student Events Team and I have been heavily involved in campus. I believe if you represent your school it’s an honor. I was hesitant about running, but my friends told me to do it so I did.”

Quam: “I’m from Mankato and grew up here.

As a child I would come to the football games and Homecoming parade. Being on the court is a good way to use my platform for good, especially for mental health and domestic violence awareness. Ar-

navee and I are also involved in many of the same things together on campus, but we also both do different things. We wanted to show that we can come together.”

What is expected of candidates to be considered?

What questions were asked in the interviews?

Hopwood: “If you do the interview and you represent the school well and you’re involved in a lot of things or represent diversity in some sort of way, I think that’s really where the importance of getting onto the Homecoming court was. I think the main thing they were really intrigued on was what one thing you didn’t do well on, but still succeeded later on.”

Novak: “I think it’s based on picking somebody that will be a good role model and a good representation of the college because when they’re picking the royalty it’s meant to be picking somebody that kind of symbolizes the student body, and I believe they want somebody that has a lot of school spirit, is a kind and outgoing person that’s able to pass that school spirit on to other people as well as passing on a positive spirit in general as well as motivating people to have a great day.”

Reinardy: “They wanted people that stood out as far as diversity goes. There’s a lot of candidates that ROYALTY on page 8 u

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News

N. Korea accuses US of hostility, continues weapons tests

Tuesday, September 28, 2021

Powell says spike in inflation lasting longer than expected

ASSOCIATED PRESS North Korea on Monday accused the United States of hostility and demanded the Biden administration permanently end joint military exercises with South Korea even as it continued its recent streak of weapons tests apparently aimed at pressuring Washington and Seoul over slow nuclear diplomacy.

North Korean Ambassador Kim Song’s comments on the last day of the U.N. General Assembly came shortly after South Korea’s military said the North fired an unidentified projectile into its eastern waters.

The North’s latest test, which followed two previous rounds of missile tests this month, indicated the country is returning to its triedand-true technique of mixing weapons demonstrations and peace offers to wrest concessions amid long-stalled negotiations over its nuclear weapons program.

Seoul’s Joint Chiefs of Staff didn’t immediately say what the North launched in its latest test, which took place early Tuesday on the Korean Peninsula, or how far the weapon flew.

Speaking through a translator, Kim justified North Korea’s development of a “war deterrent” as a necessity to defend against U.S. threats, and also accused of South Korea of betraying inter-Korean peace agreements by prioritizing its Western ally over “national harmony.”

He demanded that the United States “permanently” stop its military exercises with South Korea, which the North has traditionally described as invasion rehearsals, and end the deployment

JOSE LUIS MAGANA • Associated Press CIA PARK • United Nations via Associated Press In this photo released by the United Nations, North Korea’s U.N. Ambassador Kim Song speaks during the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Monday, Sept. 27, 2021, at U.N. headquarters.

of U.S. strategic weapons to the Korean Peninsula.

“The possible outbreak of a new war on the Korean Peninsula is contained not because of the U.S.’s mercy on the DPRK, it is because our state is growing a reliable deterrent that can control the hostile forces in an attempted military invasion,” Kim said, referring to North Korea by the abbreviation of its formal name, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.

He called for the United States to contribute to the peace and stability of the peninsula and the world by withdrawing an “anachronistic, hostile policy towards the DPRK in a bold and complete manner.”

North Korea mainly uses the term “hostile policy” to refer to U.S.-led sanctions over its nuclear weapons program and the joint U.S.South Korea military drills.

“If (the United States) is really desirous of peace and reconciliation on the Korean Peninsula, they should take the first step towards giving

up its hostile policy against the DPRK by stopping permanently the joint military exercises and the deployment of all kinds of strategic weapons which are leveled at the DPRK in and around the Korean Peninsula,” Kim said.

The United States keeps about 28,000 troops in South Korea to help deter potential aggression from North Korea. The allies say their drills are defensive in nature, but they have canceled or downsized them in recent years to create space for diplomacy or in pandemic response.

North Korea’s nuclear program has seemed to recede in attention at this year’s General Assembly in the face of new and broader challenges like COVID-19 and rising U.S.-China tensions, and the meeting ended without meaningful new proposals to break the diplomatic stalemate.

But North Korea usually hates being ignored. After months of relative quiet, the country this month tested new cruise missiles.

ASSOCIATED PRESS Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell is preparing to tell Congress that the current spike in U.S. inflation has proven to be larger and more long-lasting than expected.

He says that if inflation does not abate, the Fed is ready to use its tools to lower the pressure on prices. Powell is due to appear Tuesday with Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen at an oversight hearing on the government’s massive support programs passed to deal with the COVID pandemic.

“As the economy continues to reopen and spending rebounds, we are seeing upward pressure on prices, particularly due to supply bottlenecks in some sectors,” Powell says in his prepared remarks.

“These effects have been larger and longer lasting than anticipated, but they will abate, and as they do, inflation is expected to drop back toward our longer-run goal 2% goal.”

Powell is expected to face tough questions about inflation, especially from Republican lawmakers, who are warning that the country could be seeing the type of runaway inflation not seen since the 1970s.

Consumer prices in recent months have been posting 12-month gains as high as 5.4%. Powell said the unprecedented process of reopening the economy after the COVID shutdowns has resulted in a number of problems that could continue in coming months.

“As reopening continues, bottlenecks, hiring difficulties and other constraints could again prove to be greater and more enduring than anticipated, posing upside risks to inflation,” Powell said.

He said, “If sustained higher inflation were to become a serious concern, we would certainly respond and use our tools to ensure that inflation runs at levels that are consistent with our goals.”

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Tuesday, September 28, 2021

Biden, McConnell get COVID-19 boosters, encourage vaccines

EVAN VUCCI • Associated Press

ASSOCIATED PRESS S event y- eig ht-yea r- old Joe Biden and 79-year-old Mitch McConnell got their booster shots Monday, the Democratic president and the Republican Senate leader urging Americans across the political spectrum to get vaccinated or plus up with boosters when eligible for the extra dose of protection.

The shots, administered just hours apart on either end of Pennsylvania Avenue, came on the first workday after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration recommended a third dose of the Pfizer vaccine for Americans 65 and older and approved them for others with preexisting medical conditions and high-risk work environments.

Both leaders said that even though the booster doses provide more enduring protection against the virus, they weren’t the silver bullet to ending the pandemic.

“Boosters are important, but the most important thing we need to do is get more people vaccinated,” Biden said.

Nearly 25% of eligible Americans aged 12 and older haven’t received a single dose of the vaccines. They are bearing the brunt of a months-long surge in cases and deaths brought about by the more transmissible delta variant of the virus that has killed 688,000 in the U.S. since the pandemic began.

“Like I’ve been saying for months, these safe and effective vaccines are the way to defend ourselves and our families from this terrible virus,” said McConnell, a polio survivor.

Biden got his first shot on Dec. 21 and his second dose three weeks later, on Jan. 11, along with his wife, Jill Biden. The first lady, who is 70, received her Pfizer booster dose in private at the White House on Monday afternoon, said her spokesperson, Michael LaRosa.

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MSU Reporter • 5

Uncertain start to post-Merkel era after close vote ASSOCIATED PRESS The party that narrowly beat outgoing German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s bloc pushed Monday for a quick agreement on a coalition government, but Europe’s biggest economy could still be in for weeks of uncertainty after an election that failed to set a clear direction.

Olaf Scholz, the candidate of the center-left Social Democrats, called for Merkel’s center-right Union bloc to go into opposition after its worst-ever result in a national election. Both parties finished with well under 30% of the vote, and that appeared to put the keys to power in the hands of two opposition parties, raising questions over the stability of a future government. Armin Laschet, the Union’s candidate, rejected the idea that the election gave any party a clear mandate and made clear he still hopes to lead a new government.

But he sounded considerably less confident Monday than he did a day earlier, when he said his bloc would do “everything we can” to form one — and some allies hinted at skepticism that would happen.

Whoever becomes chancellor will lead Germany into a new era. During Merkel’s 16 years in office, she was seen abroad not just as Germany’s leader but in many ways as Europe’s, helping steer the European Union through a series of financial and polit-

WOLFGANG KUMM • Associated Press German Social Democratic Party, SPD, party leaders Saskia Esken, right, and Norbert Walter-Borjans, center, applaud to the party’s candidate for chancellery Olaf Scholz as he arrives at the meeting of the SPD Federal Executive Committee in Berlin, Germany, Monday, Sept. 27, 2021.

ical crises and ensuring her country maintained a high profile on the international stage. It remains to be seen whether the next chancellor will match her global standing.

The unclear result, combined with an upcoming French presidential election in April, creates uncertainty in the two economic and political powers at the center of the EU, just as the bloc struggles with how to counter Russia and China, revamp its relationship with the United States and address questions about its future from populist leaders in eastern countries.

Scholz, the current finance minister and vice chancellor, pulled his party out of a long poll slump to win on Sunday. Laschet, the governor

of North Rhine-Westphalia state, stumbled in a campaign that was strewn with missteps.

But the kingmakers are likely to be the two prospective junior partners in any coalition, the environmentalist Greens and the business-friendly Free Democrats.

The Greens traditionally lean toward the Social Democrats and the Free Democrats toward the Union, but neither ruled out going the other way.

“Voters have spoken very clearly,” Scholz said Monday.

“They strengthened three parties — the Social Democrats, the Greens and the Free Democrats — so this is the visible mandate the citizens of this country have given: These three parties should lead the next government.”

6 • MSU Reporter

Tuesday, September 28, 2021

FALL 2021 EDITOR IN CHIEF:

MAXWELL MAYLEBEN maxwell.mayleben@mnsu.edu

We need to stay COVID-safe during hoco

MADISON DIEMERT

madison.diemert@mnsu.edu

Editorial As Homecoming week is upon for the first time since 2019, it’s important for us to revisit what we as students can do to keep ourselves and the community COVID safe, as well as why we should be taking these precautions.

For a lot of students at Minnesota State University, Mankato, this is their first homecoming experience. After missing out on freshman year, it makes this year’s festivities that much more exciting.

With everything back in action, it is tempting to just forget about everything we have practiced over the past 18 months and party like we never have before. While taking part in the events all around campus is encouraged, there is a smart way to go about it.

First and foremost, COVID-19 is still among us and is very alive and well.

According to the Minnesota Department of Health, confirmed cases of COVID-19 have only been rising since we’ve been back in class.

This is a worrying trend for students because it means that the biggest gathering of students in Mankato is a very probable cause for an outbreak in our community.

It is one of our goals as a collective community to stop the spread as much as possible. Being vaccinated is one of the more important pieces of doing your part. As we’ve seen with our friends

NEWS DIRECTOR: Jenna Peterson jenna.peterson-3@mnsu.edu MEDIA/DESIGN DIRECTOR: Mansoor Ahmad mansoor.ahmad@mnsu.edu SPORTS EDITOR: Daniel McElroy daniel.mcelroy@mnsu.edu ADVERTISING SALES: Baylee Sorensen 507-389-5097 baylee.sorensen@mnsu.edu

DYLAN ENGEL • The Reporter

and family, though, people can still contract the virus while being vaccinated. This is why wearing a mask and social distancing wherever possible is still very relevant.

There will be some situations where social distancing will not be able to be practiced, so wearing a mask will go a long way. At the football game where the Mavericks will take on the Concordia-St. Paul Golden Bears in the homecoming football game and homecoming concert featuring Jesse McCartney are

two events where social distancing will be virtually impossible, but is still a great opportunity to practice wearing a mask and doing your part.

If these precautions aren’t taken, we will be seeing the effects in the weeks to come and how it will impact the student body and university.

It is likely that we will end up going back to a similar lifestyle of the semester of the fall of 2020, where campus will have plenty of limitations, classes will be held via Zoom, and plenty of students

won’t be able to experience the college lifestyle we have all been waiting fa long time for.

Not only should we take these precautions during homecoming, but also for the weeks after, especially into and through Halloween. In a time where COVID-19 is very susceptible to be contracted, we need to make sure we are doing the most to mitigate confirmed cases throughout the community. In the case that you do contract the virus, it is highly encouraged to report your case to the University.

“How are you staying COVID safe during homecoming?”

Compiled by Maddie Behrens

GABRIELLA SANCHEZ, JUNIOR

MITCHEL POMIJE, SOPHOMORE

“Wering my mask and being vaccinated. Mask up horns up!”

“I stay emotionally close to everyone while trying to be physically distant.”

ADAM CHANG, FRESHMAN

JOSE LUIS MONTIEL, FRESHMAN

DYLAN THOMAS, SUPER SENIOR

“Staing socially distanced and “Wearing a mask and staying “I don’t go out unless I need wearing a mask.” social distanced.” to, and I wear a mask in public places.”

BUSINESS MANAGER: Jane Tastad 507-389-1926 jane.tastad@mnsu.edu ADVERTISING DESIGN/ PRODUCTION MGR.: Dana Clark 507-389-2793 dana.clark@mnsu.edu

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

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

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

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

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

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

Tuesday, September 28, 2021 MAJORS Continued from page 1 has struggled with mental health I really want to help others who also struggle with their mental health. I can see myself working at maybe a mental hospital after I graduate, probably working with teens or young adults,” Sydni Angus, freshman at MNSU said.

“I’m undecided but I’m thinking about majoring in elementary education. I’ve worked at a daycare before and took a class in high school where we’d go over to the elementary schools and help out and I really enjoyed it,” Abby Heisinger, freshman at MNSU shared.

Others have a unique way on how they discovered their interests.

“I took a job quiz in high school and it said I would’ve been a good fit for psychology so that is what I’m majoring in,” Greta Lampe, freshman at MNSU stated.

“Business management is my major, I wanted to major in this because when I was 15 and started my own business. It was a Liquidation business where you buy and sell overstock products,” Nataile Moerke, freshman at MNSU, said.

Some have more personable career interests.

“My major is sports management because I love all sports. A dream job of mine would be to work in the front office for the Vikings on more of the business side and working with finances,”

Max Wiener, freshman at MNSU said.

“I am majoring in graphic design, because I have no other skills other than doodling. I chose graphic design because every brand has some type of logo and I also enjoy drawing,”Mason Neuman, freshman at MNSU, shared.

“I’m actually double majoring in marketing and in graphic design. I’ve always liked art and I got into graphic design ever since I got a Cricut and I really like making shirts and stickers,” Faith Mounce, a junior at MNSU, stated.

Like most colleges, the first couple classes you most likely are going to take your first semester are general education courses.

“I’m a finance major because I enjoy math and working in the professional setting. I’d say my college classes have a bigger workload than my high school classes but it’s not too bad,” Autumn Manni, freshman at MNSU said.

“My major is human resource management and the reason why I chose this is because I want to help others,” Courtney Pepper, a junior at MNSU, shared.

Founded back in 1868 MNSU is a public institution with a campus size of about 303 acres as well as the city of Mankato equipped with an abundance of parks, waterfalls, and hiking trails.

HOCO Continued from page 2 day at noon and supporting her school with her friends.

Coming from a small town, Corson said she is excited to be a part of a big community and the fun events planned.

Freshman Mariah Palmby said she was excited for Monday’s bonfire and fireworks, saying she’s excited to get into the school spirit and

“mav out” with her friends.

Shailee Nagel, also a freshman, says that not being able to have these experiences really makes her appreciate them and want to go all out in all of the events during the school year, especially homecoming and football games which she missed the most.

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News

MSU Reporter • 7

Judge blocks AZ laws banning city mask mandates ASSOCIATED PRESS A judge on Monday struck down Republican-passed Arizona laws that block schools from requiring masks and restrict the power of local governments to impose COVID-19 requirements, the latest turn in a nationwide legal battle over pandemic rules.

If it withstands a promised appeal, the ruling by Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Katherine Cooper could clear the way for Arizona cities and counties to enact mask requirements.

At least 29 public school districts had defied the laws and enacted their own mask requirements.

Cooper’s sweeping ruling also struck down a number of non-virus provisions that were slipped into the state budget and an entire budget measure that had served as a vehicle for a conservative policy wish list. They included a required investigation of social media companies and stripping the Democratic secretary of state of her duty to defend election laws.

The ruling comes as the fight over school masks and other COVID-19 restrictions has moved into courtrooms across the U.S. Lawsuits have been filed in at least 14 states either for or against masks in schools. They directly challenge either state rules banning masks or local school board policies mandating them.

ROSSS D. FRANKLIN • Associated Press In this Dec. 2, 2020, file photo, Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey speaks at a press conference in Phoenix.

In Texas, dozens of school districts have defied Republican Gov. Greg Abbott’s mask mandate ban, but the state’s highest court sided with him last month. In Florida, an appeals court overruled a lower court this month and allowed Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis’ ban on school mask mandates to go back into effect.

The case has ping-ponged between federal and state courts. A federal judge in Iowa blocked a state law that bans school masks.

Parents are split, with some scared that their children could be exposed to the coronavirus without a mask mandate and others saying their children are at little risk and that mask requirements harm their kids. The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends mask-wearing in schools, and

children 12 and under are not yet eligible for vaccines.

In Arizona, a coalition of educators and allies had sued to challenge laws prohibiting public school districts from imposing mask requirements, colleges from requiring vaccinations for students, and communities from establishing vaccine passports for entry into large events, businesses and other places.

It also challenged a broad invalidation of any other local virus measure.

The coalition argued a large number of Arizona children would get sick with COVID-19 if the new laws weren’t blocked. The restrictions had been written into state budget measures that were passed near the end of the legislative session with only support from majority Republicans.

8 • MSU Reporter

News

Hospitals fear staffing shortages as vaccine deadlines loom

EDUARDO MUNZO • Associated Press In this Dec. 21, 2020, file photo, Michelle Chester, director of employee health services at Northwell Health, prepares the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine at Northwell Health’s Long Island Jewish Valley Stream hospital in Valley Stream, N.Y.

ASSOCIATED PRESS Hospitals and nursing homes around the U.S. are bracing for worsening staff shortages as state deadlines arrive for health care workers to get vaccinated against COVID-19.

With ultimatums taking effect this week in states like New York, California, Rhode Island and Connecticut, the fear is that some employees will quit or let themselves be fired or suspended rather than get the vaccine.

“How this is going to play out, we don’t know. We are concerned about how it will exacerbate an already quite serious staffing problem,” said California Hospital Association spokesperson Jan Emerson-Shea, adding that the organization “absolutely” supports the state’s vaccination requirement.

New York health care employees had until the end of the day Monday to get at least one dose, but some hospitals had already begun suspending or otherwise taking action against holdouts.

Erie County Medical Center Corp. in Buffalo said about 5% of its hospital workforce has been put on unpaid leave for not being vaccinated, along with 20% of staff at its nursing home. And the state’s largest health care provider, Northwell Health, said it has begun removing unvaccinated workers from its system, though it said its workforce is nearly 100% vaccinated.

“To those who have not yet made that decision, please do the right thing,” New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said.

Some New York hospitals prepared contingency plans that included cutting back on noncritical services and limiting nursing home admissions. The governor also drew up plans to summon help from National Guard members with medical training, retirees or vaccinated workers from outside the state.

About a dozen states have vaccination mandates covering health care workers in hospitals, long-term care facilities or both.

Some allow exemptions on medical or religious grounds, but those employees often must submit to regular COVID-19 testing.

States that have set such requirements tend to have high vaccination rates already. The

highest rates are concentrated in the Northeast, the lowest ones in the South and Midwest.

The Biden administration also will require the roughly 17 million workers at health facilities that receive federal Medicare or Medicaid to be fully vaccinated under a rule still being developed.

That has worried some hospital officials, particularly in rural communities where vaccination rates tend to be lower.

“We are looking at the need to reallocate staff, in some cases just to maintain services that are essential, and there are going to be some delays” in care, said Troy Bruntz, president and CEO at Community Hospital in McCook, Nebraska.

He said 25 of the hospital’s 330 employees said they would definitely resign if they were required to be vaccinated. The remainder of the approximately 100 unvaccinated employees haven’t decided.

He also worries that it will be difficult to hire new workers when the hospital is already short-handed.

“It doesn’t make us feel too confident that this isn’t going to turn into something short of a nightmare for American health care,” he said.

Many hospitals and nursing homes are already suffering staff shortages because many nurses and others have quit as a result of pandemic-related burnout or have left for lucrative jobs traveling from state to state.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki noted that hospitals in Houston and Maine lost a relatively small number of employees recently after requiring employees to get vaccinated.

“We’re seeing in a lot of places that this is working, it’s effective. It’s creating more certainty and protection in their workforces,” Psaki said.

In California, where health care workers have until Thursday to get fully vaccinated, some hospitals are anticipating firings, suspensions or the moving of people to other positions, Emerson-Shea said. She said many traveling nurses have declined assignments in California because of the state’s vaccine requirement.

Tuesday, September 28, 2021 ROYALTY Continued from page 3 represent different groups on campus. I think they choose people based on what they do on campus, how others can look up to them.”

Gabbert: “They asked what hoco royalty means to use and I said it represents what makes Mankato great, academics and involvement, working for the community.”

Maltare and Quam: Maltare: “They looked at the overall performance of the person.”

Quam: “Academics were very important to them. We got asked what Homecoming royalty means to us and why we ran. They understood that mistakes aren’t going to be the defining notion of someone, but they wanted to know how we grew from our mistakes.”

What are some things students should know before voting for you?

Hopwood: “I think my big involvement with diversity and how big it is to me. I’m in student government and one of my projects last year was to bring more diversity to Julia Sears because I was the only Black CA that was a woman there.

If people are going to vote for me I want them to know that I want everybody to be inclusive and to be involved. I just want everybody to come as one and come together instead of being divided. I want them to know that I’m here to support everybody.”

Novak: “I like to think of myself as someone who is able to be very positive and try to brighten everyone’s day. I try to make it my personal mission to always be very positive and uplifting to everybody I interact with. I try to dish out compliments like there’s no tomorrow. Whether that makes me unique among the candidates or not, that’s alright. I’m just trying to spread as much positivity as I can.”

Hodgson: “If I won, the recognition I would use to spread positivity. The message I would spread is that if you really pursue things and get involved in the things you like, like I did, a lot of stuff can change for the better. I would like to continue showing what it means to be a Maverick and representing school pride at all times.”

Reinardy: “I am representing a different side of the campus that you generally don’t see. Engineers don’t really stand out, so I want to bring recognition to the other side of campus.”

Gabbert: “I’m a huge advocate for accessibility resources for ADHD, and having this visibility to disability is something we need to recognize. In Mankato everyone celebrates their differences.”

Maltare and Quam: Maltare: “We bring the best of both worlds and we try to represent different areas in the best possible way we can. We love working for students and this is an important step to being involved. We have worked a lot for the school and there’s more we can do.”

Tuesday, September 28, 2021

News

Republicans block bill to keep government going

MSU Reporter • 9

Superstar R. Kelly convicted in sex trafficking trial ASSOCIATED PRESS R. Kelly, the R&B superstar known for his anthem “I Believe I Can Fly,” was convicted Monday in a sex trafficking trial after decades of avoiding criminal responsibility for numerous allegations of misconduct with young women and children.

A jury of seven men and five women found Kelly, 54, guilty of all nine counts, including racketeering, on their second day of deliberations. Kelly wore a face mask below black-rimmed glasses, remaining motionless with eyes downcast, as the verdict

was read in federal court in Brooklyn.

Prosecutors alleged that the entourage of managers and aides who helped Kelly meet girls — and keep them obedient and quiet — amounted to a criminal enterprise. Two people have been charged with Kelly in a separate federal case pending in Chicago.

He faces the possibility of decades in prison for crimes including violating the Mann Act, an anti-sex trafficking law that prohibits taking anyone across state lines “for any immoral purpose.” Sentencing is scheduled for May 4.

KATO QUICK WASH J. SCOTT APPLEWHITE • Associated Press Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., walks to the chamber for a test vote on a government spending bill, at the Capitol in Washington, Monday, Sept. 27, 2021.

ASSOCIATED PRESS Republican senators blocked a bill Monday night to keep the government operating and allow federal borrowing, but Democrats aiming to avert a shutdown pledged to try again — at the same time pressing ahead on President Joe Biden’s big plans to reshape government.

The efforts are not necessarily linked, but the fiscal yearend deadline to fund the government past Thursday is bumping up against the Democrats’ desire to make progress on Biden’s expansive $3.5 trillion federal overhaul.

It’s all making for a tumultuous moment for Biden and his party, with consequences certain to shape his presidency and the lawmakers’ own political futures.

Success would mean a landmark accomplishment, if Democrats can helm Biden’s big bill to passage. Failure — or a highly unlikely government shutdown and debt crisis — could derail careers.

“You know me, I’m a born optimist,” Biden told reporters Monday, as he rolled up his sleeve for a COVID-19 booster shot.

“We’re gonna get it done.”

Monday’s 50-48 vote against taking up the bill fell well short of the 60 needed to proceed over a GOP filibuster. Democratic Majority Leader Chuck Schumer switched his vote to “no,” a procedural step to allow him to bring the measure back for consideration, which he said would happen this week.

With days to go, Democrats said they will try again before Thursday’s deadline to pass a bill funding government operations past the Sept. 30 fiscal yearend, stripping out the debate over the debt limit for another day, closer to a separate October deadline.

Meanwhile, the real action is unfolding behind the scenes over the $3.5 trillion measure, with Biden and his Democratic allies in Congress seeking a once-in-a-generation reworking of the nation’s balance sheets.

From fee pre-kindergarten and child care subsidies for families with small children to dental care and hearing aids for seniors with Medicare, there’s a lot in the president’s proposal — all to be paid for with higher taxes on corporations and the wealthy.

With Republicans solidly opposed, Democrats are rushing to trim the total and win holdouts within their own party.

As the overall price tag comes down, Speaker Nancy Pelosi told House Democrats the president is “working on a number,” referring to talks underway with the Senate, according to a person granted anonymity to discuss the late-evening private caucus meeting.

Despite the rush to amass votes, Pelosi said the House Democrats would not move ahead on a bill until it is acceptable to their colleagues in the Senate, the person said.

Exiting the caucus meeting, Rep. Richard Neal, D-Mass., the chairman of the Way & Means Committee, said as momentum builds toward Thursday, he was expecting a new total amount: “Let’s pop the number.”

Building on a separate $1 trillion bipartisan public works package that’s already cleared the Senate and is heading for a House vote, also on Thursday, Biden is seeking major spending for health care, education and efforts to tackle climate change. The total price tag, he contends, is actually “zero” — covered by the expected increase in tax revenue.

He is personally calling fellow Democrats in Congress an effort to resolve differences and bring his sweeping domestic policy vision forward.

Ticking off the weighty list of goals along with meeting the other deadlines, Biden said: “If we do that, the country’s going to be in great shape.”

Biden, Pelosi and Schumer conferred in the afternoon on the path forward and will “continue their close coordination over the coming days,” the White House said in a readout of the call.

But Republicans say it’s real spending that can’t be afforded, and a reflection of the Democrats’ drive to insert government into people’s lives.

And so far, the bill is also too big for key Democrats whose votes are needed in the face of the GOP opposition. Two Democratic holdouts, Sens. Joe Manchin of West Virginia and Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona, have said they won’t support a bill of that size. Manchin has previously proposed spending of $1 trillion to $1.5 trillion.

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Tuesday, September 28, 2021

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MSU Reporter • 11

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12 • MSU Reporter

Tuesday, September 28, 2021

Mavs keep rolling with stomp over Minot

By KOLE BUELOW Staff Writer A beautiful fall day began the recipe for a dominant Minnesota State football win over Minot State this past Saturday. The Mavericks traveled to Minot to take on the Beavers in their fourth game of the season, defeating them 68-10.

This was the Mavs first game against the Beavers since 2018, where they defeated Minot State handily, 62-13. Minot State had been struggling coming into this game, starting the season off 0-3 while giving up over 48 points per game.

Minnesota State was destined for an offensive show out, and they did just that, totalling 615 offensive yards to go along with nine touchdowns. The Mavericks put their foot on the pedal right off the bat in this one, and never let off.

For the first time this season, Mavericks running back Kaleb Sleezer and wide receiver Jalen Sample did not have to carry the bulk of the offensive load. The Mavs shared the ball to what seemed like almost everyone in the game, having seven different players find the endzone.

Sleezer and Sample still had great games, but Charles Coleman and Nyles Williams were the clear cut standouts.

Coleman led the Maverick running back room with 103

By DANIEL McELROY Sports Editor

SEAN ARBAUT • Minot Athletics With the win over Minot State, the Mavericks moved into rank No. 17 in the AFCA poll.

yards and a touchdown while Williams led all receivers with four catches, 67 yards, and a touchdown.

Williams also added on a 36 yard rushing touchdown and a 90 yard punt return touchdown to his monstrous game. Minnesota State once again used their dual quarterback system to attack the Minot State defense.

Both JD Ekowa and Hayden Ekern had great games, each throwing for over 120 yards with Ekowa throwing for one touchdown, and Ekern, two. The Mavericks’ defense was an absolute

force to be reckoned with on Saturday, holding Minot State quarterback Dawson Macleary to 62 passing yards and not allowing a passing touchdown.

The Mavs’ defense also tallied three sacks and two interceptions.

Dez Basset was the player of the game for the Minnesota State defense, leading the team in tackles for loss with two.

Basset also recorded five total tackles and an 11 yard sack. The two Mavericks interceptions were recorded

by Ty’Shonan Brooks and

TaeVyn Grixby.

Brooks now has an interception in each of the past two games, and will look to extend that streak to three against Concordia-St.Paul next week. The light only seemed to shine for one Beaver player in Ali Mohamed, who rushed for 139 yards on 18 touches.

Minnesota State’s record now sits at 3-1 on the season, heading into their homecoming matchup against Concordia-St.Paul Saturday. The Mavericks have won the last nine games against the Golden Bears, dating back to 2011.

Frank earns first shutout, Mavs roll over Warriors JIM STANKIEWICZ • Merrimack Athletics

By KOLE BUELOW Staff Writer The Minnesota State women’s hockey team traveled to North Andover, Mass. this past weekend to take on Merrimack college for their first games of the season. The Mavericks had not played Merrimack since 2019, and went into this matchup playing on their strengths in hopes to overpower their non-conference opponent.

The Mavs were able to take care of Merrimack handily this past weekend, defeating the Warriors by scores of 3-0 and 9-3. Minnesota State scored all three of their goals in the first game in the second period.

No. 15 BSU leaves The Pitch winless

The Mavericks outscored Merrimack 12-3 over two games.

The game started off slow for both teams, as expected for the first game of the season. Neither team was able to put anything on the

board in the first, but the Mavericks opened up the door at the 11:41 mark in the second period on a power play goal from Charlotte Akervik.

The Mavs did not stop there. After suffering a slashing penalty at the 15:15 mark, Maverick forward Kelsey King buried a short-handed second goal of the game with 4:01 left in the second.

And if it could not be any better of a period for Minnesota State, they padded their lead to three with a goal coming from Brooke Bryant with less than two minutes to go in the period. There were no more goals scored in the rest of the contest, giving Mavericks goaltender Calla Frank her first shutout of the year.

Minnesota State went with a different approach at goaltender in the next game, substituting Frank for sophomore SHUTOUT on page 16 u

The Minnesota State Mavericks played their NSIC home opener last weekend when they took on No. 15 Bemidji State and Minnesota Crookston.

MSU went into the weekend with a 3-2-0 (11-0 NSIC) record with a chance to prove themselves against one of the top teams in the nation in Division II soccer.

In a very close matchup, the Mavericks were the first to strike just 15 minutes into the game with Jenny Vetter’s third goal of the year from a phenomenal pass at midfield from Olivia Thoen.

Vetter was able to beat out the defender and slip it right under the goalkeeper in a sliding attempt to deny Vetter’s goal.

Bemidji tallied their first of the game in minute 43 when Maria Stocke of Bemidji took a shot at the goal to create an opportunity for the Beavers, but a muffed save from Mackenzie Rath tied the game at one for BSU. In the second half, the Mavericks were able to regain the lead after a nice one-timer from Vetter to Claire Cater right in front of the net, making it a 2-1 game.

Not too long after, Bemidji tied the game at two with a shot from just outside the penalty area by Erin Becker.

The game would stay tied at two through the end of regulation, the end of the first overtime, and the end of the final overtime. Both teams took their first tie of the season, in a game that could have gone either way.

Minnesota State went into Sunday with a much more optimistic outlook on their opponent, Minnesota Crookston.

Crookston came into Mankato with a 1-5-0 record, with their only win coming against the winless MSU Moorhead.

PITCH on page 15u

Tuesday, September 28, 2021

Sports

Cousins thriving, Vikings find balance on offense

MSU Reporter • 13

Volleyball splits games on their first NSIC road trip

MANSOOR AHMAD • The Reporter

By DANIEL McELROY Sports Editor

JIM MONE • Associated Press Minnesota Vikings punter Jordan Berry (3) is congratulated by teammates after a punt to the 1-yardline to the Seattle Seahawks in the second half of an NFL football game in Minneapolis, Sunday, Sept.

26, 2021.

ASSOCIATED PRESS Kirk Cousins took the shotgun snap and had the Seattle Seahawks’ pass rush immediately closing in. The Minnesota quarterback lofted a pass into the middle of the field while backpedaling, a potentially scary situation for a team nursing a 10-point lead and looking to win its first game of the year.

On the other end of the pass, though, was second-year receiver K.J. Osborn coming across the middle to convert an important third down.

Running back Alexander Mattison, filling in for the injured Dalvin Cook rushed for 112 yards, including 76 yards in the second half to help salt away Minnesota’s 30-17 victory.

With fill-ins playing vital roles, the Vikings’ offense is humming with Cousins as the distributor and first-year coordinator Klint Kubiak at the controls.

“There’s so many guys that can come in and contribute, and that’s what Kirk is good at,” receiver Adam Thielen said. “He’s good at distributing the ball, finding the open guy. He doesn’t care who it is.

He’s going to trust you.”

Minnesota is fourth in the league in total offense, averaging 425 yards per game.

It’s seventh in scoring at 29 points per game.

Cook is still a big piece, missing his first game of the season on Sunday due to an ankle injury, and Cousins still has Thielen and Justin Jeffer-

son as his top targets. But the Vikings have found balance early this season with production from a few surprise contributors.

Osborn has taken advantage of his chances, particularly on third downs. His two catches Sunday each converted third downs.

Osborn has become Cousins’ third-most frequent target with tight end Irv Smith Jr. out for the season after knee surgery.

Tyler Conklin, the immediate fill-in for Smith, had career highs with seven catches for 70 yards and his second career touchdown on Sunday.

“I think it says a lot about our coaches,” Cousins said.

“I think it says a lot about balance as an offense. We’re going to throw to the tight ends, we’re going to throw to the running backs, we’re going to throw to the receivers – we’re going to throw to several receivers. I think being a multiple offense really helps.”

A big part in the offensive production and Cousins’ fast start has been the play of the offensive line. Cousins was sacked just once Sunday and he repeatedly had time to survey the field and find open receivers.

The line had a tough Week 1 with penalties and Cousins was sacked three times by the Bengals. He’s been sacked just twice the past two weeks.

Minnesota’s defense, at its best, has typically tightened up when opponents get to the red zone. The Vikings were second or third in the league

in red-zone defense from 2017-19 before dropping to 11th last season.

This year, Minnesota has allowed opponents to score touchdowns six of the eight times they’ve reached the red zone. The 75% scoring rate is 27th in the NFL. Seattle scored on its only red-zone possession on Sunday.

Conklin entered this season with 32 receptions for 329 yards and one touchdown through three NFL seasons.

His 2021 role wasn’t likely to grow much with Smith expected to take a step forward as a receiving option.

With Smith out, Conklin has become a reliable target for Cousins. He has 13 receptions on 16 targets for 126 yards and is coming off his best game as a pro.

“There’s not too many great ones to compete with at this moment,” Conklin joked when asked to rank his game Sunday among his career best. “But we’re going to keep stacking them and make some great ones, so that’s all that matters.”

A revamped secondary with three new starters is still trying to find its way. Russell Wilson and the Seahawks averaged 9.33 yards per play in the first half, with 218 of the 308 yards coming through the air.

Cook’s status will be watched closely, though Mattison has proven to be a capable fill-in. Cook missed practice all last week with his ankle injury.

The Minnesota State Mavericks (8-5, 3-2 NSIC) volleyball squad began their first road trip of conference play last weekend when they traveled to Aberdeen, S.D. on Friday to take on Northern State (9-4, 4-1 NSIC), then to Moorhead on Saturday to take on the Dragons (1-12, NSIC 1-4).

The Mavs went into Aberdeen knowing that it wouldn’t be easy, going face to face with one of the top teams in the NSIC who was on a fivegame winning streak, including a 3-0 against the No. 10 Winona State Warriors.

Northern State started the first set off with some very aggressive plays, taking the first four of five points.

The Wolves did not let go of the lead for the entire set, closing out the set with a 9-3 run and taking the first set, 25-13.

In set number two, the Mavericks found themselves

with their first lead of the match, taking the 6-3 lead after dropping the first point of the set.

The Wolves found their groove, and made a 7-1 lead, overtaking the Mavericks with a 10-7 lead.

The two NSIC teams traded points, with the Wolves maintaining about a three point lead for the majority of the set. The Mavericks brought it within two points at the end of the set with a 2224 score, but it wasn’t enough to get on top, when a Maverick hit the ball just barely out of the court.

The Mavericks come into set three with one last chance to stay alive in the match, and they make the most of it. The first 10 points of the set, both teams were neck and neck, until the Mavericks started to pull ahead 10-6, forcing the Northern State to take a timeout.

Following the timeout, MSU adds another five points, while the Wolves can SPLIT on page 13 u

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14 • MSU Reporter

Sports

Hot Harper carries Phillies into NL East title contention

MATT LOCUM • Associated Press

ASSOCIATED PRESS Bryce Harper waited for the “MVP!” chants to fade as he stepped to the microphone at the Phillies’ home finale to thank fans for sticking by them in the pennant race.

The National League MVP contender who bows every game to fans in right field — he might even play catch with a lucky few — told the city the Phillies just might have more games to play in Philadelphia.

“We have six more big ones,” he said. “Hopefully, we’re back here Oct. 11 with you guys waving your flags and your towels and we bring back October baseball.

We’ve got a big week ahead.”

Not since the halcyon days of Jimmy Rollins, Ryan Howard and Chase Utley have the Phillies played big September games with postseason stakes, and six this week will determine if they make the playoffs for the first time since 2011.

The 28-year-old Harper is doing it all — from sliding headfirst into home to win games to throwing fastballs home from right field to save games — for the Phillies in their pursuit of the NL East crown. He has slugged them

into contention since the AllStar break and has them facing a make-or-break series in Atlanta.

The Braves are in control of the NL East when they open a three-game series with the Phillies on Tuesday. Atlanta leads the division by 2 1/2 games — its magic number to clinch is five — and the Phillies will likely have to sweep the series to have a shot at the division. Philadelphia ace Zack Wheeler gets the start in the opener against Atlanta’s Charlie Morton.

“We have to go down there, we have do our job, we have to be ready from pitch one,” Harper said. “Every time you play somebody, you want to sweep them.”

The pennant-race pressure cookers are a hefty reason the Phillies gave Harper $330 million over 13 years to sign in 2019.

His contract is big.

His numbers, even bigger.

Harper is batting .313 with 34 home runs and 82 RBIs, leads the league with a 1.055 OPS and has a career-high 40 doubles. He has reached base in 22 straight games, the longest active streak in the National League. Harper has walked 20 times over his last 16 games.

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Tuesday, September 28, 2021

COVID is hot topic at NBA media day ASSOCIATED PRESS Utah center Rudy Gobert revealed that after much deliberation, he decided to become vaccinated. San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich has gotten his booster shot already. Boston coach Ime Udoka had his shots and tested positive for COVID-19 anyway.

And Brooklyn guard Kyrie Irving is keeping everyone guessing.

The NBA season arrived Monday with media days in advance of training camp, with the ongoing pandemic as much if not even more of a topic than basketball. This will be the third season affected at least in part by the pandemic, almost certainly not the last, and some teams revealed that their rosters are 100% vaccinated entering the season.

“When I felt like it was the right time, I did it,” said Gobert — the first NBA player who was known to test positive for COVID-19, back on March 11, 2020.

Same goes for Giannis Antetokounmpo of the NBA champion Milwaukee Bucks, who still isn’t totally sure if the vaccine will present issues down the road.

But much like sentiments expressed by Portland’s Damian Lillard and Memphis’ Ja Morant, Antetokounmpo — a father of two — said his family played a major role in his decision to get vaccinated.

“I did what was best for me and my family’s safety. ...

You do whatever it takes for you and your family to be OK,” Antetokounmpo said.

The Spurs have a fully vaccinated roster, Popovich said.

The New York Knicks and Los Angeles Lakers said last week that they would have the same, and some other clubs — including Utah, Port-

NICK WASS • Associated Press

land, Houston and Charlotte — said they were at the 100% mark.

Other teams are close to being fully vaccinated.

Miami will be by the start of the season, a person with knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press, speaking on condition of anonymity Monday because the Heat vaccine rate has not publicly revealed by the team.

Toronto general manager Bobby Webster said the Raptors are “one dose” away from being there, as did Atlanta GM Travis Schlenk.

Leaguewide, the rate is believed to be around 90% and climbing.

“There is still a lot of stuff going on out there,” Popovich said. “You see all the bumps in cases here and there. You see all the areas where people are not vaccinated.

It’s a double-edged sword.

I think we are in good shape right now. We’re trying to do everything we can to make sure we can be safe, which means we’ve got to be disciplined day to day to day to day.”

Players who are vaccinated will not be tested often; unvaccinated players will be tested on all practice days and travel days, and at least once on game days.

The list of unvaccinated players includes Washington’s Bradley Beal — who missed out on the chance to play for an Olympic gold medal with USA Basketball this summer after testing positive.

Beal said he remains unvaccinated for “personal reasons,” and has questions about why someone can still contract the virus even after being vaccinated.

“Would I love to sit here and tell you that we’re 100% vaccinated? I’d be thrilled about that,” Denver coach Michael Malone said. “The fact is that we’re not, and that’s all I’ll say on that matter regarding who is and who’s not. It’s a delicate balance. It is not my place to tell somebody that they have to be vaccinated.”

Irving is among the individuals at the center of that debate in the NBA right now.

By local rule in New York, to play for the Nets at home this season Irving would have to be vaccinated or receive an exemption — something that Golden State’s Andrew Wiggins sought from the NBA unsuccessfully last week because San Francisco has similar rules.

“I’m just going to keep fighting for what I believe,” Wiggins said Monday.

GO MAVS!

Tuesday, September 28, 2021

Sports

Ohtani ends his brilliant season hungry for winning

MICHAEL OWEN BAKER • Associated Press Los Angeles Angels pitcher Shohei Ohtani smiles after finishing the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Seattle Mariners, Sunday, Sept. 26, 2021, in Anaheim, Calif. The Mariners won 5-1.

ASSOCIATED PRESS Shohei Ohtani pitched seven innings of one-run ball in his final game at Angel Stadium this season, striking out 10 Mariners amid the serenades of “M-V-P!” that have been the soundtrack to his summer.

Yet he left the mound with the score tied because his Los Angeles Angels teammates couldn’t score more than one run, denying Ohtani a chance for his 10th victory. When the Angels’ bullpen took over, its first two relievers swiftly surrendered four runs to playoff-contending Seattle in a 5-1 loss.

That sunny Sunday in Orange County neatly exemplified the gloomy context around the sensational season put together by Ohtani, a two-way superstar without precedent in the modern game.

Heading into the final week, Ohtani has 45 homers and 98 RBIs as a designat-

PITCH Continued from page 10 UMC has been outscored 21-2 through six games in the 2021 season, giving high hopes for the Mavericks.

Despite a slow and scoreless start to the game, the Mavericks got right into it when Shelby Lund and Maille Mathis got it started for MSU with Lund’s long shot from the side of the penalty area,

ed hitter along with a 3.18 ERA and 156 strikeouts on the mound. He is both one of the best pitchers and one of the best hitters in the major leagues, and he is widely expected to win his first AL MVP award this fall.

But baseball won’t get to enjoy Ohtani’s talents in the postseason because he plays for the Angels, a big-budget franchise mired in six consecutive losing seasons and seven straight non-playoff seasons, including all four of Ohtani’s stateside campaigns. The Halos’ loss to Seattle in their home finale was their 82nd of the season, officially extending the majors’ longest active streak of losing.

“It’s very frustrating, very disappointing,” Ohtani said through his interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara. “I always look forward to being in the playoff race at the end. I always think about that.”

The Angels have two works of baseball art, and owner Arte Moreno has hung them

in a dingy, derelict gallery: Mike Trout has won two of his three MVP awards during the Angels’ six-year losing skid, and Ohtani is likely to win the third.

Ohtani is tied to the Angels for two more seasons under the terms of his move from Japan to the majors in late 2017, but he hasn’t had extension talks with the franchise beyond 2023. It’s a bit too early to predict his future, but Ohtani clearly wants the Angels to get better soon — and he is unafraid to say it.

“I really like the team, I love the fans and the atmosphere of the team,” Ohtani said. “But more than that, I want to win. That’s the biggest thing for me. So I’ll leave it at that.”

Ohtani was the third prominent member of the Angels in the past week to publicly call out the team’s personnel failures.

Trout, who hasn’t played since May due to a nagging calf injury

and buried in by Mathis after a bobbled save from Crookston’s goalkeeper.

From there, Cater and Ashlyn Watt connected for the second goal of the game at 48:25.

Just 10 minutes later, Cater scored her second goal of the season after a nice feed from Caitlin Brown, making it a 3-0 game.

The Mavericks wouldn’t stop there, as Vetter scored her fourth goal of the season

just 59 seconds later, making it a 4-0 game.

Rachel Luedtke managed to grab her first of the year at the 89:54 mark to seal the 5-0 win.

Maverick goalkeepers split time in the contest, with Clare Longueville playing the majority of the game at 63:54, and Ava Blackney seeing her first minutes in net at 26:06.

Both keepers made one save each for the combined shutout against the eagles.

MSU Reporter • 15 SPLIT Continued from page 13 only add three, forcing NSU to take their second timeout of the set in an attempt to slow down the Mavericks’ momentum.

The wolves get to work immediately after, and bring it to a one point game at 1716. The Mavericks start to pull away and maintain their lead to take their first set of the match, 25-21.

MSU came into their first set number four of the year with the momentum still in their favor, trying to push it to a final set.

Set four couldn’t be closer, with the entire first half of the set being a one point match, until Northern State started to pull away with a 16-12 lead. The Mavericks tried to keep themselves in the contest, but wouldn’t be able to accomplish their goal, as the end of the set was all Wolves, taking the 25-17 set win, and the 3-1 match win.

Mariah Edgington led the Mavericks in kills with 10, adding on 12 digs, and one ace, while Mara Quam led MSU with 17 digs and two aces.

The loss in Aberdeen didn’t hinder the Mavericks performance at all on Saturday, where they looked to bounce back against the Dragons of Moorhead.

The Mavericks started off a tad shaky, falling behind 8-2 in the first set, but started to pull it together following a timeout from head coach Corey Phelps.

The Mavericks then found themselves in a 16-9 deficit, making an attempt to come back with a couple kills from Ellie Danielson and Kiya Durant.

MSU found their focus and took control of the second half of the first set, going on a 16-5 run, and making the comeback in the first set 2521.

In set two, the Mavericks had a far better start than previously, grasping the lead immediately.

Though it was a small 11-8 lead for the Mavericks, it turned into something much bigger. Minnesota State University, Mankato scored the next 11 of 14 points making it a 22-11 game.

But it wouldn’t stop the Dragons from fighting back.

MSU-Moorhead went on a run of their own, making it a 24-21 game, but couldn’t find success on the Mavericks first set point.

Going into set three with a 2-0 lead, the Mavs wanted to go back to Mankato with at least one win from their road trip, and do exactly that. Set three was completely dominated by the Mavericks, winning set three 25-14, and sweeping the Dragons.

The win would mark the Mavericks sixth straight win against Moorhead, and send the Mavericks home with split games.

Edgington once again led the Mavericks with 11 kills, totaling 21 on the weekend.

This slots Edgington in as the lone Maverick in the top 20 in the NSIC in kills with 142 (2.96/set).

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16 • MSU Reporter

Sports

Porter agrees to massive 5-year deal with Nuggets

DAVID ZALUBOWSKI • Associated Press

ASSOCIATED PRESS Sharpshooting forward Michael Porter Jr. has agreed to a five-year maximum extension with the Denver Nuggets that could be worth up to $207 million.

His agent, Mark Bartelstein, confirmed the deal to The Associated Press on Monday. ESPN first reported the deal.

Porter’s agreement would be worth at least $173 million over five years and could rise to the supermax level of $207 million over that span if he reaches certain criteria this season.

He’s assured of making at least $29.8 million in 202223, a figure that would rise if

SHUTOUT Continued from page 12 Lauren Barbro. The Mavericks did not have quite the successful defensive performance in the second contest, conceding three goals to the Warriors.

They did however, find their groove on the offensive end. The Mavs scored nine times, including another short-handed goal from Kelsey King.

MSU shared the puck to seemingly everyone in game two, letting seven different girls score. Bryant and Brittyn

he qualified for more by being voted onto an All-NBA team or winning the league’s MVP award this season.

This crowns a meteoric rise for Porter, whose college basketball career at Missouri was derailed by a back injury so severe that many questioned if he was worth the risk of being taken in the 2018 NBA draft.

He slid to Denver at No. 14, the final lottery selection.

Porter sat out his first season in Denver after undergoing a back procedure in July 2018.

He rebounded and has been rewarded handsomely.

Porter is averaging 14.4 points per game in the NBA, eighth-best of those taken in that class.

Fleming led the Mavs goal scorers with two goals a piece.

Bryant also led the Mavericks in points in the second contest tied at four with King.

The Minnesota State women’s hockey team is now 2-0 on the season heading into their first conference matchups against Minnesota-Duluth this upcoming weekend.

The Bulldogs are yet to play a game this season, and their first will come against the Mavericks this weekend. The Mavs will look to remain undefeated with a sweep against Duluth, while the Bulldogs will look to start their season off strong.

Tuesday, September 28, 2021

US can turn the tides with Ryder Cup ASSOCIATED PRESS Europe had players who weren’t even born the last time it was beaten this badly in the Ryder Cup by what was clearly a superior American team on Midwestern soil.

This wasn’t Sunday at Whistling Straits.

This was five years ago at Hazeltine, where the 17-11 outcome suggested the Ryder Cup was turning in favor of the Americans. Darren Clarke was the captain in 2016 and he pledged Europe would “be back stronger to fight” in two years.

That’s exactly what happened.

So while the Americans looked better than ever — “the greatest team of all time,” U.S. captain Steve Stricker said in a moment of exuberance — their 19-9 victory was only a step, even if it felt like a giant leap.

Not only was it the biggest blowout against Europe since it joined in 1979, it equaled the largest margin in any Ryder Cup since 1975.

The big picture? Nothing matters until Italy in 2023.

Rory McIlroy, even after his least productive Ryder Cup performance inside the ropes, didn’t sound overly concerned.

“It seems the way the Ryder Cup is going, the home team certainly has an advantage every time that we play this thing,” McIlroy said.

“That was apparent in Paris

ASHLEY LANDIS • Associated Press

a couple years ago. I think it was pretty apparent this week, as well.”

The difference is the makeup of this American team.

More than just being the youngest U.S. team ever for a Ryder Cup — average age 29 — they were not part of a recycled group of Americans who still have, “Ole, ole, ole, ole” ringing in their heads from hearing it so often after losing so much.

And it even goes further than that.

The nickname “Patty Ice” is not just for Patrick Cantlay’s big moments with the putter. He is cold-blooded when it comes to winning and losing.

So is his best friend, Xander Schauffele, no matter how nonchalant he appears beneath that look that oozes California chill.

The Ryder Cup had been decided for well over an hour

Sunday at Whistling Straits.

Berger was in the final match, which was meaningless except for the official score. He was 1 down to Matt Fitzpatrick until winning two of the last three holes to get the point.

“One thing we all share in common is we hate losing,” Schauffele said. “I think I can speak for everyone on that one.”

That should be enough to give McIlroy pause.

“There’s phenomenal talent on that team,” McIlroy said. “I think the most important thing for the U.S. team is a lot of young guys that are great players have bought into the Ryder Cup. I think that was probably missing in previous generations.

“They are going to be formidable opposition from now until I’m probably not playing Ryder Cups, whenever that is, in hopefully 20 years’ time.”

GO MAVS!

Tuesday, September 28, 2021

MSU Reporter • 17

Homecoming’s back: here’s what to expect

By SYDNEY BERGGREN Staff Writer

It’s Homecoming week here at Minnesota State University, Mankato and the school is putting on a variety of events for students to get involved in and enjoy.

Starting off strong, Monday afternoon featured a kickball tournament on the softball fields. Students were invited in the week leading up to create and register their teams, and started at 4 p.m. John Shea, a junior at MNSU, stated, “I know that most of the Student Ambassadors made a team and they were super pumped up about going.”

Monday night featured the popular bonfire event, with a Ferris Wheel, DJ, and fireworks. The Homecoming bonfire stands 25 feet tall, and always draws a large crowd.

“The bonfire looks like it’s going to be super fun,” said freshman Cassady Callahan.

“I’m really looking forward to the bonfire,” agreed Kaley Daniels.

Tuesday, students will be able to attend and/or participate in a food eating contest in the Hearth Lounge located in the CSU. No prior registration is required, you just have to show up and eat! You can make teams to maximize the points earned as well.

Thursday is one of the busier days of the week, featuring

By EMMA JOHNSON Staff Writer

MANSOOR AHMAD • The Reporter Monday’s bonfire and firework show outside of Blakeslee Stadium. Free pizza was offered to students as they kicked off this years homecoming week.

the drive through food pantry in Lot 20, the judging of the campus office decorating contest, and the lip sync battle in the Bresnan arena. “I love the energy of lip sync,” said Shea.

“The vibe is immaculate.”

Caitlyn Loya agreed, saying that “it is so fun to see what people come up with choreography-wise. People are super creative.”

Additionally, Homecoming royalty voting closes on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. Idman Ibrahim said that she is “really looking forward to seeing who

wins.”

The Homecoming concert featuring artist Jesse McCartney is Friday night, which many students are pumped about. Kendall Soloman said that she is going to show up an hour before doors open. “We are really trying to get front row seats.”

Saturday holds all of the classic Homecoming activities; the parade, tailgate, and football game are all that afternoon. “The parade looks super cool,” said Callahan. The President’s Pancake Breakfast

is also Saturday morning in Blakeslee stadium from 9-11 a.m.

“I also really want to go to the football game,” said Daniels.

“I am just looking forward to everything being in person and lively,” said Student Government President Reauna Stiff.

Homecoming events are coordinated by the Student Events Team. More information surrounding Homecoming events can be found on the MNSU website.

Cirque Italia adds a splash of theatrics to Mankato

By LILLIAN SCHMIDT Staff Writer

Big tents were set up outside the River Hills Mall for Cirque Italia’s water circus show from Sept. 23-26.

Sarah Kessler, the Public Relations and Media Representative of Cirque Italia shared, “We have the only travelling water stages in the world.”

The water theatrics include a water curtain programmed with designs, a moat, and numerous fountains.

Kessler elaborated, “Our water circus stages hold 35 thousand gallons of water.”

The inspiration behind this design is credited to Manuel Rebecchi, an innovative Italian immigrant, who developed the concept from a love of water and a goal to remain animal-free while still offering something in addition to the performers.

Rasmussen Woods perked up for fall

The stage appears normal upon arrival at the tent, but during the show the magic is revealed.

A section of the stage rises and the moat becomes visible.

The water curtain begins to fall and the fountains spring into action, leaving the audience in awe.

Throughout the show, the stage is manipulated in relation to the act, sometimes showing water theatrics, and other times appearing as a normal stage.

Performers from around the globe are staffed by Cirque Italia to provide an array of acts, including arial, balancing, tightrope, and more.

Kessler explained how performers fall into the art: “Most of our performers, it’s a generational thing. So they grow up in it.”

Cirque Italia has performers that are 6th, 7th, and 8th generational performers.

LILLIAN SCHMIDT • The Reporter Cirque Italia’s Saturday Performance and some theatrics done along with water works surrounding the performer.

However, in addition to their extravagant stunts, they also work as staff before and after shows.

As Kesser said, “So, the person in the ticket office that you’re your ticket from could be the same person flying across the stage in the show.”

The performances in Mankato over the past weekend had a 50’s and 60’s theme, building an entrancing aesthetic through poodle skirts and a jukebox.

The show even included a humorous Elvis impersonSPLASH on page 18 u

This weekend, the Rasmussen Woods got the perfect perk-up for fall. On Saturday, Sept. 25th, nine students walked down to Rasmussen Woods to clean up the surrounding area.

From 8:30 a.m to 12:30 p.m., students cut buckthorn tree saplings, an invasive species, to help clear the surrounding area.

The event was organized by Mavs in Action, a RSO based out of the Community Engagement Office. The event originated last year as a way for students to get hours amid the pandemic. Co-President Leah Peterson helped organize the event after the amount of success of the event last year.

“We did it for the first time last year because we wanted to do something environmentally friendly to help the area,” said Peterson. “Everyone who helped loved it so much that we did it a second time last year, so we wanted to do it again this year.”

In years past, the invasive species were destroyed through controlled burns to the area. However, due to COVID-19 and the drought, these events were postponed.

Buckthorn saplings are known for having roots that spread easily and shoot up other saplings in the area. One sapling can be connected to hundreds of others, making it difficult to kill the main source. Students cut tree saplings close to the trunk and then sprayed a herbicide that killed the roots.

The goal of the event was to help restore a part of the prairie that doesn’t need mowing, provide quality water and give wildlife better habitats and pollinator food sources.

One of the benefits of volunteering is helping give back to the community. For graduate student Katja Nielsen, the event was an opportunity to

WOODS on page 18 u

18 • MSU Reporter

Variety

In Murdaugh family scandal, tiny South Carolina town shaken ASSOCIATED PRESS Ask any of the 2,600 residents in this South Carolina town whether they know Alex Murdaugh, and you’ll probably get a quick nod. Nearly everyone does in Hampton, a tiny place where every road in has just two lanes.

Ask them to tell you about Murdaugh, though, and you’ll get a firm head shake, followed by: “You’re not going to quote me, are you?”

No one wants to talk about the influential lawyer whose wife and son were killed and who’s now accused in a string of controversies — at least, not in the open.

For the past century, the Murdaughs have steered much of the legal world in this remote corner of South Carolina — north of Savannah, Georgia, and far from the interstate or just about anything else. Running the prosecutor’s office and a large civil law firm allowed the Murdaughs to do it quietly, until recently.

Murdaugh’s wife, Maggie, and son Paul were killed June 7, shot multiple times at the family’s sprawling estate.

No one’s been arrested in their deaths, which brought scrutiny into every nook of Murdaugh’s life.

Six investigations are underway, over the killings, stolen money, death coverups and a Sept. 4 shooting in which a bullet grazed Murdaugh’s head on a lonely highway.

Police said he tried to arrange his own death and make sure a $10 million life insurance policy would pay off for his surviving son.

The man charged with shooting Murdaugh is Curtis “Eddie” Smith, a former client from a workplace accident case. Smith said they became friends, and he was stunned to find himself dismissed as a callous drug dealer by Murdaugh’s lawyers.

“With a friend like that, who needs enemies,” Smith said as he limped around his property in Walterboro, checking on his shop and rescue dogs.

He wouldn’t say anymore, insisting he was done discussing Murdaugh and the case — for now.

Like many people in town, Smith got entangled with the Murdaughs in a courtroom in Hampton County, population 20,000, where the family is used to being in power, not being questioned.

If you stole something or

JEFFREY COLLINS • Associated Press A sign welcomes people to the town of Hampton, S.C., on Monday, Sept. 20, 2021. Attorney Alex Murdaugh and his family have steered much of the legal world in this town of 2,600 for a century.

had something stolen from you, the Murdaughs ran your case for the state. Alex Murdaugh’s father, grandfather and great-grandfather were the elected prosecutors for 87 years straight.

If you got hurt on the job, the Murdaughs took you on as a client. The family founded a law firm a century ago.

It now employs several dozen lawyers, and its brick headquarters takes up a whole city block. There’s no sign out front; everyone knows it’s the Murdaughs’ firm.

And if you had a charity or other cause, the Murdaughs donated. The family has given millions to all sorts of projects. Alex Murdaugh’s father was grand marshal of the parade of the town’s marquee Watermelon Festival several years ago.

But plenty of people tell hushed stories of what happened if the Murdaughs were crossed.

Connor Cook said that in 2019, he knew his friend Paul Murdaugh was intoxicated when he drove a boat that crashed, killing a 19-year-old passenger.

But the Murdaughs tried to pin him as the driver, Cook said, according to a wrongful death lawsuit.

In a deposition, Cook said he feared the family: “Just anything they get in, they get out of. I’ve always been told that.”

The night of the crash, Alex Murdaugh and his father visited the hospital. Murdaugh scrutinized a board where staff kept track of patients and tried to talk to everyone who’d been on the boat, nurses told investigators.

The crash bought the kind of attention the Murdaughs always tried — and for decades, succeeded — to avoid.

It took months to charge Paul Murdaugh with boating

under the influence causing death, the local newspaper noted. Many around town wondered whether the family was wielding their sizeable influence.

Paul Murdaugh was awaiting trial when he died. Now, state police are investigating whether the Murdaughs obstructed that investigation.

They’re also looking into the 2018 death of family housekeeper Gloria Satterfield.

She died after falling in the Murdaughs’ home, but the death wasn’t reported to the coroner. Documents appear to show Murdaugh’s insurance paid more than $4 million in wrongful-death claims.

But a lawyer for Satterfield’s sons said they haven’t seen a dime since agreeing to use an attorney who was Murdaugh’s college buddy to handle the legal work and another banker friend as estate executor.

The documents have signatures purported to be from judges, but some were never entered into publicly searchable court records. Others don’t appear to have followed state rules for settlements.

Despite long staying out of headlines, the Murdaughs aren’t strangers to their own legal troubles. Alex Murdaugh’s great-grandfather, Randolph, founded the family law firm and in 1920 became the elected prosecutor for the five-county region that includes Hampton County.

Randolph Murdaugh died when his car was hit by a train as he headed home from a poker game in 1940.

His son, Randolph “Buster” Murdaugh Jr., took over the law firm and prosecutor position; he served for 46 years, with the exception of several months awaiting federal trial over tipping off a local moonshiner to move his still.

Tuesday, September 28, 2021 WOODS Continued from page 17 learn more about the surrounding area.

“I study cultural psychology and I really wanted to focus on not just the culture of mainstream America, but also indigenous people and the land that was here before,” said Nielsen. “I wanted to help give back to the land as it was before.”

Other students had motives for helping out at Rasmussen Woods.

“I had a class that I needed volunteer hours for and I also like to help out with community events,” said freshman Elena Drake. “This one worked out with my schedule on the weekends, so I signed up for it right away.”

“I wanted to meet new people and have the opportunity to have more connections and help out,” said junior Makayla Lewis. “I want to have that sense of feeling that I helped with the environment.”

By the end of the morning, Rasmussen Woods looked fresh and healthy, rid of several saplings that had accumulated.

More importantly, new friendships were created while serving a good cause.

If students are interested in participating in future events similar to this one, they can reach out to the Community Engagement Office or create an account on INVOLVE U to register and sign up for other events.

SPLASH Continued from page 17 ation.

It mastered Rock and Roll, successfully distracting between set swaps, and encouraging audience participation.

Theatrics and skits such as the Elvis impersonation acted as a both smooth and entertaining transition between acts, and costume changes kept the reappearing performers appearing fresh to the audience.

Such aspects drew in such a large crowd that more shows were scheduled due to popular demand.

Children poured out after showing with toys and treats in their hands, covered in face paintings and smiles.

GO M AVE R I CKS !

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Tuesday, September 28, 2021

Variety

Former UFC champ Jon Jones jailed in Vegas battery incident ASSOCIATED PRESS Former UFC champion Jon Jones was jailed in Las Vegas early Friday after an incident at Caesars Palace that police said led to his arrest on charges of domestic battery and damaging a vehicle.

Details of the incident that led to Jones’ 5:45 a.m. arrest at the Las Vegas Strip resort were not immediately made public by Las Vegas police.

Jail and court records showed Jonathan Dwight Jones, 34, posted $8,000 bail and was due for an initial court appearance Saturday, with an Oct. 26 date for prosecutors to file criminal charges. The domestic battery charge is a misdemeanor.

The vehicle charge is a felony, with damage reported at more than $5,000.

It was not immediately clear if Jones had an attorney.

Caesars Entertainment Inc. declined to comment, citing an active police investigation.

“JacksonWink Academy is aware of the allegations and is conducting its own review of the matter. It would be inappropriate to comment further at this time,” said James Hallinan, a spokesman for the Albuquerque, New Mexico, gym where Jones trained.

Jones lives in Albuquerque, but he attended a Thursday night UFC Hall of Fame induction ceremony at the

JOHN LOCHER• Associated Press In this Jan. 31, 2019, file photo, light heavyweight champion Jon Jones attends a news conference for the UFC 235 mixed martial arts event in Las Vegas. Former mixed martial arts champion Jones was jailed in Las Vegas early Friday, Sept. 24, 2021, after a predawn incident at Caesars Palace that police said led to his arrest on charges of domestic battery and felony damaging a vehicle.

Park MGM hotel honoring his 2013 fight with Alexander Gustafsson.Jones (26-1, 1 no-contest) had three separate stints as the UFC’s light heavyweight champion from 2011 to 2020, and he is widely considered one of the greatest fighters in MMA history.

But his UFC career has been defined more by misbehavior outside the cage than his excellence in it. In 2012, a year after becoming the youngest champion in UFC history, Jones was arrested for DUI after crashing his Bentley into a telephone pole in upstate Binghamton, New York.

Jones then lost his title in 2015 when he was arrested and charged with a felony stemming from a hit-and-run accident in New Mexico in which he broke a pregnant driver’s arm.

Jones pleaded no contest to disorderly conduct in 2019 after an incident with a waitress at a strip club in Albuquerque, and he was arrested last year in Albuquerque on charges of aggravated driving under the influence and negligent use of a firearm. Jones has failed several drug tests from the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency, which runs the UFC’s antidoping program.

MSU Reporter • 19

Illinois man wins marathon after 2 leaders take wrong route ASSOCIATED PRESS An Illinois man unexpectedly won the Quad Cities Marathon this weekend when the two Kenyan runners who had far outpaced him were disqualified after being diverted off the course by a race volunteer bicyclist.

Tyler Pence crossed the finish line in 2 hours, 15 minutes, 6 seconds to become the first U.S. runner since 2001 to win the race through the Quad Cities along the Mississippi River in Illinois and Iowa.

Pence, the head track and cross-country coach at the University of Illinois-Springfield, logged his fastest time ever with the win and took the first prize of $3,000.

Pence’s win came after Elijah Mwangangi Saolo and Luke Kibet diverted from the course a little more than halfway to the finish line when

the bicycle rider leading them mistakenly went straight when he should have turned, the Quad-City Times reported.Race director Joe Moreno confirmed that the bicyclist went the wrong way but said the two runners also should have known not to follow him.

“At that intersection where that incident happened, the course was wellmarked,” Moreno said. “The signage is well-displayed. The volunteers are there. And the fourth element is those elite runners have a meeting the day before to get familiar with the course.”

Saolo — the grandson of Kenya running great Joseph Nzau — was on a near-record pace before the mishap.

He has been training in New Mexico and trying to scrape together enough money to stay in the U.S. with his wife and two children.

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