Wednesday, April 19, 2023

Wednesday, April 19, 2023

OSU defensive coordinator Nardo’s defense provides support to his players

Nardo,’ I want people to say ‘what a great play by Oklahoma State’s defense.’ It’s not about me, it’s about our players,” Nardo said.

Bryan Nardo doesn’t want recognition for a good play call.

Nardo wants his players to receive all the glory for the play.

That’s just one example representing OSU’s new defensive coordinator’s care for his players and how his scheme works well for the Cowboys. “I don’t want people to say ‘oh my god what a great call by Bryan

Fox News reaches $787 million settlement in Dominion defamation suit

ment “represents vindication and accountability, lies have consequences.”

WILMING -

TON, Del. — Fox News avoided one of the highestprofile defamation trials in history Tuesday by reaching a $787.5 million settlement with Dominion Voting Systems, the company that accused the conservative channel of smearing its reputation in the weeks after the 2020 election. The extraordinary settlement — one of the largest financial settlements in a defamation case — came on the same day the trial began in Delaware Superior Court.

The jury would have determined whether Fox News acted with malice by deliberately airing false statements about the voting machine maker. Dominion was seeking $1.6 billion in damages.

In addition to the monetary damages the network in a statement also conceded that it aired falsehoods about the Denverbased company.

“We acknowledge the Court’s rulings finding certain claims about Dominion to be false,” Fox News said in the statement.

However, Fox News won’t have to apologize for spreading false claims, nor will its anchors be required to read any contrite statements or retractions on the air, according to a person familiar with the agreement who was not authorized to comment.

Justin Nelson, an attorney for Dominion, said in remarks outside the courthouse that the staggering monetary settle -

In January, OSU coach Mike Gundy hired Nardo from Gannon University, a small college in Pennsylvania. The hire received mixed reactions from fans and media. Some questioned how a defensive gameplan from a Division-II school would transition into the Big 12. That will not be determined until fall, but one thing is for certain – Nardo cares about his players.

Nardo brings a defense seen in the Big 12. He runs a 3-3-5, something Iowa State runs and has had success with. The scheme counters the air raid attack, which is common in the

conference.

Nardo cultivated his defense to the liking of the players. Nardo said his defensive system provides play-

Nelson added: “The truth does not know red or blue. People across the political spectrum can and should disagree on issues even of the most profound importance. But for our democracy to endure for another 250 years and hopefully much longer, we must share a commitment to facts.”

The agreement was announced after a 12-person jury and 12 alternates were chosen in the court’s morning session. Following a 90-minute lunch break that stretched into three-hours, Delaware Superior Court Judge Eric Davis returned to the bench to say “the parties have resolved the case.”

Many legal analysts were surprised that the closely watched case had not settled before trial, given the potential legal and reputational damage to Fox News.

The resolution means Fox News avoids a media spectacle at the Leonard Williams Justice Center in Wilmington, Del. More than 50 working media have been gathered for the trial with TV outlets stationed under tents outside the courthouse.

The conservative network’s biggest stars, including Sean Hannity, Tucker Carlson and Maria Bartiromo, and top executives such as 92-year-old Fox Corp. Executive Chairman Rupert Murdoch and his son Lachlan were expected to be called to the witness stand.

OSU football coach Mike Gundy said his team’s recruiting budget needs to grow. But he wants to avoid an irresponsible pitfall.

“Do we need to increase it?

Sure. Are we increasing it? Sure. But

I’m not gonna waste money,” Gundy said.

OSU’s $455,689 in recruiting expenditure in the last fiscal year was the least among Power Five teams, according to information obtained by USA Today.

“Why would I not want more money?” Gundy said. “That’s like your wife. Like, she goes to the mall and you say, ‘OK, look, you can spend $200. Are we good with that?’

And then you say, ‘Nah, take the $500.’ Then she says, ‘Nah, I don’t want the $500. I want the $200.’ That’s crazy.”

The Oklahoma Sooners

ers support to play to the best

their abilities, without the need to do too much.

See Support on 4

($2,632,817) outspent the Cowboys by more than 5-to-1. Even the Big 12’s second-smallest spender, Iowa State, spent $804,942.

The report classified recruiting expenses as costs covering transportation, lodging and meals for recruits, additional personnel for official and unofficial visits, phone charges and postage for pursuing recruits and the value of schools’ vehicles and planes or those used by the school for recruiting.

Gundy said he will never turn down recruiting money, and his budget has gotten a boost.

Chase Davis

Gundy said

of

Jaiden Daughty

Bryan Nardo looks to bring a defensive change to the OSU football team.

Sam Hutchens Staff Reporter

Davis Cordova Staff Reporter

Stephen Battaglio Los Angeles Times

All photos by Ethan Hilbert

Continued from 1

“We’re getting more now,” Gundy said. “We’re not going to be in the millions like these other schools. We’re just not. But part of that, you

have

to take with a grain of salt.”

Gundy said the Cowboys don’t house recruits at the Ritz-Carlton or spend big on extravagant team meals.

The Cowboys offer a more realistic (and much cheaper) taste of Stillwater to recruits.

“We put them on campus in the hotel they’re going to be in on gameday so it’s exactly like it’s going to be like when they’re here,” Gundy said.

“We don’t take them to a restaurant

and spend $18,000 on food. We take them to training table because that’s where they eat when they’re here.”

Gundy said private airfare is a large part of teams’ recruiting expenses. He knows how much it costs to keep a jet ($4,800) and double-prop planes ($2,900) in the air for an hour.

The Cowboys have consistently finished in the Big 12’s top-five recruiting ranking in the previous six season, although they came in

at No. 7 in 2022. Gundy has done a decent ability to recruit on a discount, considering his rather extreme disadvantage.

“I’m also a good team player,” Gundy said. “I don’t want to take some money and waste it in areas we don’t need if I can help facilitate girls softball or track or equestrian or something else.”

sports.ed@ocolly.com

Jaiden Daughty

OSU had the lowest recruiting budget out of all public Power Five teams.

sports

Continued from 1

“What I’ve learned from (his defense) is it allows for players to play with a lot of confidence as long as they know what to do,” Nardo said.

“There’s not that perfect check, it doesn’t have to be a perfect defense, it doesn’t have to be a perfect call. It’s not selfcorrecting because that would make it seem like it’s way too easy, it’s not that, but it gives our players a lot of tools to where they are not put into a bad situation.”

Nardo makes sure he and his players are prepared come gameday because he doesn’t do much coaching during the game.

Nardo said that coaching happens mostly during practice. When it comes to the game, it’s all about business and executing the game plan.

“I heard someone say that ‘practice is class,’” Nardo said. “If you hear a good teacher, a teacher doesn’t say a word during a test, so I’m very nervous going up to a game because there’s nothing I can do to affect the outcome.

During the game, I’m very calm because the players have already done their preparation.

You don’t yell at

somebody taking a test, you let them go play. You try and guide them if they ask a question.”

Nardo has made quite the impression and impact on his players. He’s popular amongst the offensive group, too.

During Monday’s availability, a group of offensive players led by running back’s Ollie Gordon and Jaden Nixon hooted and hollered for Nardo. All Nardo could do was smile, laugh and say ‘it’s easy to have fun around good kids.”

Nardo makes sure to respect and care about his players as people because it helps the players and the team succeed.

“If a player doesn’t know you care about them, they won’t care what you know,” Nardo said. “Sometimes I think we miss that as coaches. We think that we have to draw this perfect play. The players make the play, we put them in a position to be successful, but they are the ones in the game on Saturday. If I fail as a coach, then fine. If my players don’t think I care about them, shame on me.”

sports.ed@ocolly.com

Jaiden Daughty

Bryan Nardo is OSU’s new defensive coordinator. He brings a 3-3-5 defense that’s had success in the past in the Big 12.

sports

Red Raiders shutout Cowboys tennis team, still winless in conference play

Baylor Bryant Staff Reporter

The Cowboys suffered only their second loss at home this season, and their fourth loss in the Big 12 Conference.

The No. 44 Oklahoma State Cowboys hosted the No. 33 Texas Tech Red Raiders for their fourth conference match of the season. The Cowboys and Red Raiders both went into the contest winless in Big 12 matches on the season looking to snag their first win. The Red Raiders came out on top, sweeping the Cowboys, 4-0.

The Greenwood Tennis Center suffered the harshest winds of the season, which caused both sides to adapt to the tougher playing conditions, and the Red Raiders took advantage of it. Alex Garcia reflected on how the weather impacted the match.

“It was hard, but it’s not that we aren’t used to it,” Garcia said “I feel like the conditions have been like that, probably like five days of practice outside. It is true that if it gets to the point where it was today, we would probably finish inside because, like in terms of work, it’s kind of tough. It’s true that we haven’t really done much yet in those conditions. Their place is like that most of the time. You could tell that their guys were maybe more comfortable with it. And the confidence that they had maybe was a bit higher. I would say that if we were to play indoors, maybe it would have been a different match.”

The Cowboys are now 0-4 in Big 12 Conference matches with just one more to go just two days later against Baylor. On a five-match losing streak, the Cowboys look to finish out the regular season with a win on Sunday. Coach Dustin Taylor emphasized how the team is going to prepare for the last regular season match of the season.

“Just get back up, do your job,” Taylor said. “That’s what we try to do each and every day. And again, we’ll look back at this at this trying time, especially this back end of the season and think about

it at some point, you know, as painful as it is. You either win or you learn and we’re learning a lot right now. Learning all about our team, learning a lot about our culture and learning a lot about our

guys. And don’t forget we’re still a young team. We will lose one player this year and the future’s bright. You take the lumps and you know if you’re going to take the highs you got to take the lows and

Mia Ledbetter

right now we’re certainly at a low, but we’ll wake up again tomorrow, get back to work, have a good practice, prepare for a good Baylor team and take a crack at them on Sunday.”

sports.ed@ocolly.com

The Cowboys tennis team is on a five-match losing streak.

Agribusiness professor accepts prestigious award

hit the ball, applying it to the content of their supply chain management class.

continue to bring joy and purpose to his life.

Your Classmates” activity to foster a strong classroom environment.

Kennedy Thomason Assistant News & Lifestyle Editor

Agribusiness students stood scattered along OSU’s intramural field’s baseline yesterday.

They were awaiting instruction from Professor F. Bailey Norwood, who stood on the pitcher’s mound. This out-of-classroom adventure is typical for Norwood, who does this activity almost every semester. Students collect data from how far they

The students were also gathered to celebrate Norwood’s recent accomplishment. Norwood is the 2023 recipient of the Oklahoma Medal for Excellence in Teaching at a Research University. Along with the award, Norwood received a $5,000 check for his efforts.

“As far as my identity, I’m a husband, I’m a father, but a lot of my identity is around teaching,” Norwood said. “Almost 30 years ago I decided I wanted to be a teacher, started working really hard at it, and getting something like this really gives my life meaning, and I appreciate it.”

Norwood said that despite the hardships he has faced, his students

Taya Maxson, student of Norwood, said he is deserving of this award.

“I don’t think it could go to a better candidate,” Maxson said. “Dr. Norwood, he’s done everything to make sure his students are successful, to know them on a personal level and to make sure they are successful, which is, you know, what more can you ask from a professor?”

Norwood goes above and beyond for his students. When Maxson needed a quiet space to take her LSAT last semester, Norwood made sure to personally secure a room for her.

Norwood emphasizes this kind of personal connection. He learns every students’ name, and holds a “Meet

Henley Foster, student and advisee of Norwood, said Norwood is one of the most engaging and influential professors she has encountered at OSU.

“He’s a good person, and he’s very personable,” Foster said. “All of his classes are super fun, and if you have a problem, he’s going to work you through it. Your day is better when you get to go to his class because he has a lot of jokes, good jokes and some bad jokes.”

Norwood will officially accept his award in May at the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence’s Academic Awards Banquet.

Chase Davis

Professor F. Bailey Norwood is the 2023 recipient of the Oklahoma Medal for Excellence in Teaching at a Research University.

Continued from 1

Fox News entered the court proceeding at a disadvantage. Davis ruled March 31 that on-air statements about Dominion made by network hosts and their guests were false.

Davis also shot down Fox’s assertion that its reporting on false allegations was justified because they were made by former President Donald Trump and were therefore newsworthy.

“Just because someone is newsworthy doesn’t mean you can defame someone,” Davis said at an April 11 pretrial hearing.

Court filings in the case provided a glimpse into the inner workings of Fox News, with emails and texts showing how executives and hosts tried to balance their own disbelief of Trump’s allegations with their perceived need to mollify his supporters who habitually watch the network.

Depositions depicted a highly decentralized operation where management often did little to control what its on-air talent said.

Dominion accused Fox News of amplifying false charges made by Trump’s attorneys Sidney Powell and Rudolph W. Giuliani that the company’s machines manipulated votes to help elect Joe Biden president.

There was no evidence of widespread voter fraud or any wrongful actions by Dominion. Claims to the contrary were fact-checked by some Fox News journalists and the network’s own research department, known as the “brain room.”

Dominion said Fox News acted out of fear that the MAGA faithful would tune out and move to upstart conservative network Newsmax, which was gaining

viewership at the time.

While media coverage of Dominion’s case was voluminous and largely negative for Fox News, it did little to damage the network’s standing with its audience. It remains the most-watched cable news network, well ahead of CNN and MSNBC, according to Nielsen data.

However, the network’s standing in journalism circles has been diminished by the scandal. The media industry will be watching to see if Murdoch makes any significant changes to Fox News management or its lineup of on-air talent in reaction to the public humiliation his company has experienced.

Such moves could take awhile as Fox News management is averse to the public perception that Murdoch is responding to outside pressure.

Fox News also is facing a $2.7 billion defamation lawsuit by Smartmatic, the voting software company that Trump’s lawyers falsely accused of manipulating vote counts in the 2020 presidential election. Smartmatic has accused Fox News and three of its on-air hosts — Bartiromo, Lou Dobbs and Jeanine Pirro — of presenting disinformation on their programs.

Stuart Brotman, a journalism professor at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, said the settlement — far exceeding the $177 million paid to Beef Products Inc. by the Walt Disney Co. in 2017 over an ABC News report — means Smartmatic is likely to see a substantial payday as well.

Fox News also faces a gender discrimination lawsuit from a fired producer, Abby Grossberg, who also claims she was coerced to give misleading answers in her deposition testimony for the Dominion case.

“The settlement shows that they (Fox News) don’t have an appetite for having their people go on trial,” Brotman said. “They are going to be writing more checks.”

Fox News is no stranger to paying out settlements as a means to make legal problems and scandals go away.

The company paid $20 million in 2017 to former anchor Gretchen Carlson, whose sexual harassment lawsuit against founding Fox News chief Roger Ailes was among the most high-profile in the #MeToo movement.

The network went on to pay millions in settlements to other women who brought harassment allegations.

A $15 million payout went to former Fox News personality Melissa Francis in 2022 after she filed a gender-

based pay-disparity claim against the company.

Fox News also paid millions to the family of Seth Rich, a 27-year-old Democratic National Committee employee, after the network’s website published unsubstantiated stories that his 2016 murder was tied to the leak of Hillary Clinton’s emails.

Fox has sufficient cash reserves to pay the Dominion settlement with $4 billion in cash on hand, according to the company’s recent securities filings.

Fox referenced the Dominion and Smartmatic litigation in its last quarterly

report, noting the company would “vigorously” defend itself against the claims of defamation, “including through any appeals.”

Since that filing, Fox has lost a series of court motions. But the company noted that it had the financial strength to weather the storm.

“The Company does not currently anticipate that the ultimate resolution of any such pending matters will have a material adverse effect on its business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.”

Courtesy of Tribune

The legal team representing Fox News arrives at the Leonard Williams Justice Center where Fox is being sued by Dominion Voting Systems in Delaware Superior Court on April 18, 2023, in Wilmington, Delaware. Dominion is seeking $1.6 billion in damages because it claims it was defamed by Fox when the cable network broadcast false claims that it was tied to late Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, that it paid kickbacks to politicians and that its voting machines were “rigged” and switched millions of votes from Donald Trump to Joe Biden in the 2020 election.

The showstopping finale Lifestyle

‘Barry’ Season 4 premiere review

Michael Clark Staff Reporter

The official Oklahoma

Here is one of the many things that makes “Barry” so incredible. When you go back to the first season after watching this premiere, it will feel like a different show. Despite this, the slow descent into darkness this series brings feels completely natural.

Seasons one and two of HBO’s “Barry” are a hilarious romp, with some occasionally deep and heartfelt writing. Season three elevated the series with an even deeper look into what makes these characters tick with dark, shocking moments in nearly every episode. Finally, season four has come along with sweeping the stage with an absolutely stunning and twisted final act.

The two-episode season premiere covers the titular Barry (Bill Hader) coming to terms with his actions and mistakes while in prison. Meanwhile, the people he has hurt across the series struggle to put the pieces together as everything falls apart around them. These first two episodes are psychological, heartbreaking and an absolute joy to watch.

Bill Hader wrote and directed every episode of this season, and his work is nothing short of spectacular. Nearly every shot of the episodes are wallpaper worthy, with consistently innovative framing and composition in each scene. The emotional beats hit hard, even if the pacing is equal parts fast and slow.

The outstanding performance Hader delivers as Barry Berkman is truly worth admiring. If he wasn’t already

talented enough as a director and writer, he is even more talented as an actor. The “Saturday Night Live” alumnus proves that he can do more than just make you laugh as his performance in these episodes is sure to chill anyone down to the bone. He manages to effortlessly swap from an abusive, angry monster to a docile, soft-hearted man, to

displaying an almost animalistic, terrified, primal kind of brokenness that only exists in the deepest depths of someone’s soul. It is a powerhouse performance, easily one of the best of the decade. The psychological horror these episodes provide work well in this regard. If these two episodes are only a taste of what’s to come,

it’s terrifying and exciting to imagine what else could come from these characters in the final act of their story. What’s truly fascinating is that this show could end in any given way and still be satisfying. It is so unpredictable, shocking, and twisty that all bets are off and anything could go.

These final episodes are what will define “Barry”’s

legacy. This show could be remembered in the hall of fame, right next to the likes of “Breaking Bad” and “The Sopranos” if the landing sticks. If these first two episodes are anything to go by, then this final season is sure to be the curtain call of a lifetime.

Lethal fentanyl poisoning is real.

The drastic increase in opioid overdose deaths is largely due to fentanyl poisoning. Illegal fentanyl is cheaper than most other drugs on the streets and is being intentionally substituted into cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine and drugs like counterfeit Adderall®, Percocet® and Xanax® as well.

Learn the facts and protect those you love.

Merrick Morton

Bill Hader is the co-creator and star of “Barry,” now in its fourth and final season.

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Daily Horoscope

Nancy Black

Tribune Content Agency

Linda Black Horoscopes

Today’s Birthday (04/19/23). This is your year of personal brilliance. Nurture your spirit with comforting routines. Flower into power and confidence this spring. Work with your partner to adapt around summer financial changes, building for cozy autumn romance. Shift perspectives for new winter income. Practice living with integrity.

To get the advantage, check the day’s rating: 10 is the easiest day, 0 the most challenging.

Aries (March 21-April 19) — Today is a 9 — Pursue personal dreams. Expand talents, capacities and skills over six months following this New Moon Eclipse in your sign. Grow and develop. Shine your light.

Taurus (April 20-May 20) — Today is a 7 — Insights, breakthroughs and revelations sparkle after the New Moon Eclipse in Libra. Dreams seem within reach. Enjoy a sixmonth creative, imaginative and organizational phase.

Gemini (May 21-June 20) — Today is an 8 — Connect for shared support, fun and appreciation. This six-month New Moon phase benefits team efforts. Grow through friendships, social networks and community participation.

Cancer (June 21-July 22) — Today is a 9 — This New Moon Eclipse reveals professional opportunities. Develop interesting projects over the next six months. Pursue exciting possibilities. Your career, status and influence rise.

Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) — Today is an 8 — Educational opportunities arise after tonight’s Eclipse. The next half-year phase favors study, investigation and exploration. Consider new perspectives. Make connections, contributions and bold discoveries.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) — Today is an 8 — Find creative ways to grow your family’s nest egg. A lucrative six-month phase dawns with this New Moon. Launch valuable initiatives with your partner.

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) — Today is an 8 — Enjoy yourself. Stir up some romance. The New Moon initiates a six-month partnership, fun and passion phase. Get creative. It’s all for love.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) — Today is a 9 — Energize your physical moves. The New Moon tonight begins six months of growing health and strength. Put your heart into your actions. Practice makes perfect.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) — Today is an 8 — Creativity, beauty and passion flower over six months following the Libra Eclipse. Deepen a romance. Practice your favorite arts, games and sports. Follow your heart.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) — Today is a 7 — Realize domestic visions with upgrades over a half-year Eclipse phase. Get creative. Improve the beauty and functionality of your home. Nurture your family.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) — Today is an 8 — Profit through communications over the next six months. Possibilities spark in conversation over this New Moon Eclipse phase. Creative projects flower. Express, share and connect.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) — Today is a 9 — Begin a lucrative phase after this Libra Eclipse. Discover fresh markets and rising prosperity. Strengthen financial foundations for growth. Rake in a healthy harvest.

Brice Venzke

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Complete the grid so each row, column and 3-by-3 box (in bold borders) contains every digit 1 to 9. For strategies on how to solve Sudoku, visit sudoku.org.uk.