Wednesday, May 12, 2021
Report: Bush to throw
Adam Luther/O’Colly
O’Brate Stadium will replace Allie P. Reynolds Stadium as the home of Cowboy baseball.
Former President George W. Bush has reportedly rescheduled his first pitch at O’Brate Stadium, Bill Haisten of the Tulsa World reported Monday. Bush will throw out the first pitch on Thursday, May 20 in the Cowboys series opener against New Orleans.
Bush was scheduled to throw out the first pitch in O’Brate in the inaugural game March 20, 2020, but 12 days before the event the NCAA canceled all spring seasons due to COVID-19. But now Cowboys fans will have the chance to see the former president more than a year later. On Sunday, Oklahoma State
announced full capacity inside of stadiums for the remainder of the spring seasons. O’Brate Stadium can fit 8,000. No official announcement from OSU regarding the first pitch has been made. sports.ed@ocolly.com
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WASHINGTON – A major fuel pipeline supplying the East Coast was shut down Friday after the Georgia-based company operating it became the victim of a ransomware attack. Friday’s hack forced Colonial Pipeline to halt operations in what it called an abundance of caution. The company said the ransomware attack targeted its information technology systems. White House officials said Monday that the pipeline did not appear to suffer any damage. Cybersecurity experts have been warning for years about the threat posed by a ransomware attack on U.S. infrastructure
in the wake of thousands of successful hacks of computer systems operated by governments, school districts, companies and hospitals. To combat such cyberattacks, governments and businesses must beef up their defenses, better prepare to respond to intrusions and put diplomatic pressure on countries harboring cybercriminals, the experts say. What happened? Ransomware is malware that infects and locks computer systems until victims pay hackers a fee to unlock them. Hackers typically infect such systems by tricking unwitting computer users into clicking an email attachment or a link containing the virus. See Pipeline on pg.2
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Page 2 Wednesday, May 12, 2021
News Pipeline... Colonial Pipeline reported over the weekend that it became the victim of a ransomware attack that locked up its business-side computers. The company said in a statement that on Friday it “proactively took certain systems offline to contain the threat, which has temporarily halted all pipeline operations.” The cyberassault did not appear to infect systems operating the pipeline. By Monday, the company reported, it was bringing back online segments of the pipeline, which supplies about 45% of jet fuel, gasoline and heating oil consumed on the East Coast. White House officials and industry analysts said the shutdown was not likely to cause fuel shortages or lead to a rise in gas prices. “It is relatively easy to hack a business network,” said James Lewis, a cybersecurity expert and a senior vice president at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. “It’s harder to hack the industrial network. Colonial did everything right after it was hacked. But we don’t yet know if Colonial made the right move to prevent the hackers from crossing over.” How big a problem is ransomware? The Colonial hack shouldn’t surprise anyone, said Bruce Schneier, a cybersecurity expert and lecturer at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government. “This happens hundreds of times a day,” Schneier said. “These hackers, this time, just happened to land a big fish.” A task force of more than 60 experts from industry, government and nonprofits issued a report last month that called ransomware “a flourishing criminal industry that not only risks the personal and financial security of individuals, but also threatens national security and human life.” The report, published by the nonprofit Institute for Security and Technology, estimated that nearly 2,400 governments, healthcare facilities and schools were victims of
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ransomware attacks last year. Ransom payments rose to $350 million last year, a 300% increase over 2019, the report said. The average such payment topped $300,000. The problem is growing, experts said. A cyber insurance firm told the task force that it tallied a 260% increase in ransomware attacks of its policy holders. A
cybersecurity firm estimated that ransomware hacks spiked 700% in 2020 over 2019. Christopher Krebs, the former head of the Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, testified before congress last week that “we are on the cusp of a global digital pandemic,
driven by greed, a vulnerable digital ecosystem in an ever-widening criminal enterprise.” Why are ransomware attacks on the rise? Cybersecurity experts say two trends are behind the increase in ransomware assaults. The See Pipeline on pg.3
News
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Pipeline... first, they said, was the growth of difficult-to-trace cryptocurrency, which has allowed hackers to easily obtain large ransom payments under the nose of financial regulators. Meanwhile, they said, foreign governments have recognized the value in allowing hackers to operate inside their borders. Such hackers pay bribes to officials and agree to only target victims overseas. Russian operatives, in particular, believe such hackers help advance their foreign policy goals by causing trouble for adversaries, according to law enforcement officials and cybersecurity experts. President Biden told reporters Monday that it did not appear
that Moscow was behind the attack but there was evidence the “actor’s ransomware is based in Russia.” “I’m going to be meeting with President Putin,” Biden said, referring to his Russian counterpart. “They have some responsibility to deal with it.” Who targeted Colonial Pipeline? The FBI on Monday attributed the attack to DarkSide ransomware, which is produced by an eponymous criminal organization that U.S. officials and cybersecurity experts say operates in Eastern Europe or Russia. DarkSide is a “ransomwareas-a-service” business that relies on selling malware to hackers who then launch attacks and share proceeds with the developers, according to U.S. officials and cybersecurity experts.
The group’s malware packs a dual punch: It not only locks networks but also siphons data. This kind of attack is effective even if a company or government backed up its information to mitigate the damage from ransomware because hackers can still threaten to release the data they are holding publicly or to competitors. Cybereason, a Boston-based cybersecurity firm, reported that DarkSide’s approach “effectively renders the strategy of backing up data as a precaution against a ransomware attack moot.” In a statement obtained by multiple media organizations, DarkSide said its “goal is to make money, and not creating problems for society.” What’s next? The U.S. government is taking steps to address the ransomware
threat. The Justice Department last month formed a task force to combat ransomware, and the Biden administration says it is formulating a plan to tackle the problem. Cybersecurity experts said they expect high-profile hacks like the one on Colonial Pipeline to prod potential victims to heighten security, create backups of data and come up with effective response plans. “This problem will be greatly reduced over the next year because there is so much attention being paid to it,” predicted Lewis, the cybersecurity expert at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. Other experts are not so sanguine, saying hackers have proved adept at devising new ways to overcome cyberdefenses. news.ed@ocolly.com
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sports
Burks enters transfer portal Adam Engel Staff Reporter Jakason Burks will no longer wear the orange and black. Burks, an Oklahoma State 125-pound freshman wrestler, joins Daniel Jezik, a freshman 174-pounder in the transfer portal, per Willie Saylor of Intermat. He has five years of eligibility remaining. “Thank you OSU
for all your support!” Burks said in a tweet. “I appreciate everything that I have gained this year and I hope you guys support my decision. Love.” Prior to his arrival in Stillwater, Burks won two Nebraska state titles at Burke High School in Omaha, Nebraska. He was also a member of the United States world team at the 2018 United World Wrestlers Cadet World Championships in Zagreb, Croatia. As a Cowboy, Burks compiled a 6-2 record with one start — a 141-pound bout against Dom Demas of
Oklahoma on Feb. 7. Burks was pinned in the second period. A highly-touted lightweight, Burks was also recruited by Iowa State, Minnesota, Nebraska and Ohio State. His departure leaves Alexander Yokubatis and Colten Klein as the only true 125-pound backups to Trevor Mastrogiovanni, OSU’s starter. 125/133-pounders Cooper Birdwell, a four-time Montana state champion and Cade Nicholas of Stillwater will arrive in the fall. sports.ed@ocolly.com
Jakason Burks wrestles during Bedlam on Feb. 21 inside Gallagher-Iba Arena.
Bruce Waterfield
sports Eckroat sets tone, U.S wins Walker Cup
Austin Eckroat will be the next in the long list of Cowboys to play in the Walker Cup.
Chris Becker Assistant Sports Editor
Cole Hammer needed to sink one more putt at Seminole Golf Club. Hammer stepped onto the 15th green with a three up lead. Winning the hole would mean a match win for him, and a Walker Cup
OSU Athletics
win for Team USA. He sank a birdie putt to win the hole, and with the match point toward the U.S tally. They captured their second straight Walker Cup win 14-12. Hammer was used See Eckroat on pg.3
Page 8 Wednesday, May 12, 2021
sports
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Eckroat... to the pressurefilled moment, as he needed one final putt on the final hole in the Big 12 Championship on April 28. Hammer was one of three Big 12 golfers in the event and he finished 3-0-1 to add to his impressive 2021 season. Austin Eckroat represented Oklahoma State at the Walker Cup, and he performed when he was called on. Eckroat played in
three of the four events during the weekend. He went 2-1, winning both singles matches after losing his first foursomes match. He was paired with Oklahoma’s Quade Cummings. The final match on Sunday was the most important. Eckroat was tasked with being the first match on the course for Sunday afternoon singles. He was faced with Mark Power of Team Great Britain and Ireland. Power was undefeated prior to his face off with Eckroat.
Eckroat jumped out to an early lead, and never turned back. He was three up after four holes, and four up after the front nine. Eckroat won the next three holes, and with a win on the par-4 12th hole the match was over, and Eckroat won 7-and-6. Nine of 11 golfers for the U.S. team contributed to the point total for the U.S. The U.S’. record in the Walker Cup moves to 38-9-1 in the history of the Walker Cup. sports.ed@ocolly.com
FOR RELEASE MAY 12, 2021
Los Angeles Times Daily Crossword Puzzle
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Edited by Rich Norris and Joyce Lewis ACROSS 1 Boyfriend 5 Still, briefly 8 Taunt 12 Chief Norse god 13 Adler in Sherlock Holmes fiction 15 “I got this, boss” 16 __ Khalifa: Dubai 17 Apple throwaways 18 Bout enders, briefly 19 Julie Andrews Oscar-winning role 22 Crimson Tide nickname 23 Hightail it, oldstyle 24 Caps for Highlanders 26 Character who sings “When You Wish Upon a Star” 29 By oneself 30 Garden clippers 32 “Best in Show” actor Willard 33 Pack animals 37 “Shucks!” 38 Approved, briefly 39 Part ways 41 Operative partner on “The Avengers” 44 Luminance 47 Towing org. 48 Twiggy abodes 52 Clothing store department predecessor 55 With “The,” Netflix title superhero team ... and a hint to something associated with 19-, 26- and 42-Across 59 Born, in bios workplace 61 “The Grand Budapest Hotel” director Anderson 63 Up-and-down rides 64 Sign at a hot show
Daily Horoscope
Level 1
5/12/21
By Freddie Cheng
DOWN 1 Hope with jokes 2 School URL letters 3 Sent by plane 4 Removed stuck paper from 5 Prize on the mantel 6 Like many a rescue 7 Sale limit, briefly 8 Prepared to skinny-dip 9 Fountain pen mishaps 10 eharmony profile part 11 Sci-fi beings 13 Bone-chilling 14 Sixth sense: Abbr. 20 Amtrak track 21 Something to scratch 22 One-named Icelandic singer 25 Watch fastener 27 Female folklore deity 28 Put into circulation, as stamps 29 Bay Area airport code 31 Messy dorm room, say
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3
Tuesday’s Puzzle Solved
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34 Arm bone 35 __ Cuddy, Dean of Medicine on “House” 36 “At Last” singer James 150+ 40 Ballpoint covers output 43 Kaput, as a battery
5/12/21
44 Took a cut, in baseball 45 Baseball dinger 46 Glowing leftover 49 Oodles 50 It may set off a beeper 51 Right to decide 53 Gin fizz flavor 54 Garbage boat 56 Caustic cleanser 57 Pack animal 58 “Bingo!”
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Nancy Black Tribune Content Agency Linda Black Horoscopes Today’s Birthday (05/12/21). You’re a rising star this year. Disciplined efforts build strong foundations for growing success. Switch collaborative directions this spring, before landing a lucrative summer opportunity. Redirect a personal project next winter before netting a bonus into shared accounts. Savor satisfying rewards while climbing the charts. 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 an 8 — Solve a puzzle by reviewing the data, eliminating false clues one at a time. You’re especially brilliant. Others may seek your assistance. Patiently untangle. Taurus (April 20-May 20) — Today is a 9 — Find the part of your work that you love. Your passion is contagious. Share your dream. Unexpected opportunities are worth grabbing. Strengthen support structures. Gemini (May 21-June 20) — Today is an 8 — Take extra care of yourself. Indulge in a personal passion. Listen to birdsong or trickling water. Relax and dream about what could be possible. Cancer (June 21-July 22) — Today is a 7 — You may feel sensitive. Avoid noise or crowds. Enjoy music, art, nature and beauty. Work privately. Organize your plans and ideas. Savor familiar rituals. Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) — Today is an 8 — Make interesting social connections. through your networks. Collaborate to grow a possibility. Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) — Today is a 9 — Pursue professional dreams. Rely on experience and follow the rules. You can learn what you need. Take action for intended results. Follow your heart. Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) — Today is a 9 — Your exploration reveals a beautiful side of your subject. Push to advance a dreamy possibility. Notice connections and synchronicity. Discover treasure. Expand your investigation. Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) — Today is an 8 — Invest in home and family. You’re building for the future. Collaborate for shared gain. Grow shared accounts. Determine priorities and who will do what. partner. Talk about your latest passions, enthusiasms and ideas. You have more in common than you knew. Discover another connection. Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) — Today is an 8 — Build strength and endurance with steady practice. Exercise and self-care feed your mind, body and spirit. Connect with nature. Keep your heart happy and healthy. Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) — Today is an 8 — Relax and enjoy yourself. Take a spontaneous opportunity. Connect with your sense of fun, romance and light-heartedness. Dreamy scenarios entice. Set aside your load and rest. Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) — Today is an 8 — Delight in domestic creativity. Rearrange spaces for family comfort. Research possible options and choose. Consider details like color, texture and lighting. Realize your vision.
5/12/21 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
Page 8 Wednesday, May 12, 2021
sports
File Photo
Eckroat... to the pressurefilled moment, as he needed one final putt on the final hole in the Big 12 Championship on April 28. Hammer was one of three Big 12 golfers in the event and he finished 3-0-1 to add to his impressive 2021 season. Austin Eckroat represented Oklahoma State at the Walker Cup, and he performed when he was called on. Eckroat played in
three of the four events during the weekend. He went 2-1, winning both singles matches after losing his first foursomes match. He was paired with Oklahoma’s Quade Cummings. The final match on Sunday was the most important. Eckroat was tasked with being the first match on the course for Sunday afternoon singles. He was faced with Mark Power of Team Great Britain and Ireland. Power was undefeated prior to his face off with Eckroat.
Eckroat jumped out to an early lead, and never turned back. He was three up after four holes, and four up after the front nine. Eckroat won the next three holes, and with a win on the par-4 12th hole the match was over, and Eckroat won 7-and-6. Nine of 11 golfers for the U.S. team contributed to the point total for the U.S. The U.S’. record in the Walker Cup moves to 38-9-1 in the history of the Walker Cup. sports.ed@ocolly.com