Aces travel to Charleston, S.C. for weekend tournament
Aces play Friday through Sunday
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EVANSVILLE, Ind. – Looking to get back on the winning track, the University of Evansville softball team travels to Charleston, S.C. this weekend for the Low Country Classic. Between Friday and Sunday, the Purple Aces will play five games, taking on Buffalo, Wofford and the College of Charleston.
Evansville took part in the Best on the Bayou Tournament last week and put together multiple strong performances. Jess Willsey recorded four hits in the tournament with three of those being doubles. She finished the weekend with a .538 slugging percentage while picking up an RBI.
While she is batting just .190 on the season, Hannah Hood has appeared to turn the corner with a nice weekend in Louisiana. Hood recorded three hits in eight at-bats while picking up a double and scoring a run. Before this weekend, she opened the season 1-of-14 from the plate.
Buffalo will be the first opponent of the weekend. The Bulls enter the weekend with a 4-6 record highlighted by a 3-2 start to the season at the Cardinal Classic in San Antonio. Wofford holds an even 5-5 record. After beginning the season with a 4-1 mark, the Terriers have dropped four of their last five.
Host College of Charleston has gone 4-10 through the opening 14 contests and have dropped seven out of the last eight games. They earned a 4-0 win over South Carolina State in last weekend’s Cougar Classic.
UE women’s basketball ends four-game road swing at Murray State and Belmont
The Purple Aces head a couple of hours south for their last two road games of the 2023-2024 season. UE first stops in Murray, Ky. for a clash with the Murray State Racers. In the team’s matchup in Evansville, the two teams had an offensive slug fest that ended with the Racers on top after a cold fourth quarter for the Aces. Against Belmont, UE struggled to contain the Bruins offense during its Education Day at the Ford Center.
Murray State comes into Friday’s game with a 9-7 Missouri Valley Conference record for sixth place in the Valley standings. The Racers have a 16-9 overall record thanks to an 11-game win streak from the middle of the season. MSU is currently on a one-game losing streak after a 76-63 loss to Belmont on Sunday afternoon. Senior forward Kaitlyn Young continues to lead the Racers on both sides of the ball, averaging 19 points and 8.2 rebounds a game through 25 games.
The Bruins sit second in the MVC standings behind only Drake with just three losses in conference play. Belmont has a two-game win streak after losing to the Bulldogs two weeks ago at home. The Bruins have only lost to Drake and Missouri State during Valley play and look to maintain their second-place position over the final two weeks of the regular season. Similar to Murray State, Belmont is also led on both sides of the ball by the same player, junior forward Tessa Miller. Miller averages 13.8 points and 6.6 rebounds a game in 29 minutes of playing time. Junior forward Kendal Cheesman is also a threat for the Bruins, averaging 11.1 points and 6.4 rebounds a game.
Despite a close first half, two large scoreless droughts in the third quarter kept the Aces from picking up their first win against the Redbirds since 2017 on Sunday. In the 78-50 loss, UE was able to take advantage of 12 Illinois State turnovers for 17 points or 34% of the team’s scoring at CEFCU Arena. Evansville is still one of the best teams in the Valley at getting to the line during games through conference play. The Aces are second in the conference behind only UIC in free throw attempts per game. UE is currently averaging 22 free throw attempts per game for 15th in the country.
Junior guard Lexie Sinclair continues to improve on the season, having her third double-figure scoring game in four contests. The guard has jumped up her scoring average by over two points since the beginning of Valley play at the end of 2023. Sinclair had her first back-to-back double-figure games this season with 13 points at Indiana State and 10 points at Illinois State. Another junior guard with career numbers recently for Evansville has been Julia Palomo. Palomo matched a career-high six rebounds in Normal along with setting a new career-high in three-point attempts with four. The guard is currently on a five-game made three-pointer streak, becoming a threat outside the arc.
USI Communication and Media students win six BEA Awards
Six students from the University of Southern Indiana’s Communication and Media Program received Broadcast Education Association (BEA) Festival of Media Arts Awards in February. USI had winners in five areas, one of which is a big first. All students are a part of 95.7 The Spin, USI’s student-run radio station.
Jonah Addis won first place in the PSA, Promo or Commercial category for a promo of the Central Bears vs. Castle Knights football broadcast.
Dawson Cochran and Becca Lanham won second place in the PSA, Promo or Commercial category for a PSA concerning USI’s Free Admission week.
Tyler Huyser and Jada Hamby won third place in the On-Air Personality category.
Amber Brinton and Ethan MacCowan won first place in the Comedy and Drama category within the Audio Competition. Their entry was then named the Best of Festival in the entire audio area. The work on the winning production was done in the RTV 356 Advanced Digital Audio Production course. This marks the first time USI has won a Best of Festival Award from BEA.
“The awards these students won in a prestigious national competition show our talent. Many of the best-known universities enter this competition, and our students produce work that not only is competitive with them, but often will beat them,†said John Morris, Instructor in Radio and Television. “I am also very excited about Ethan and Amber winning the Best of Festival in the Audio category. While we have won numerous BEA awards over the years, we have never won a Best of Festival.â€
Best of Festival winners will be honored at the 22nd Annual BEA Best of Festival Awards Ceremony in Las Vegas on Monday, April 15 as part of BEA’s annual convention. During the ceremony, recipients will be recognized with a screening of their winning project, a crystal trophy and a cash award of $1,000 from the Diana King Memorial Endowment. The 2024 Best of Festival winners were selected from a pool of over 1,885 entries, representing more than 300 colleges and universities in the following competitions: audio, documentary, film and video, interactive multimedia, news, scriptwriting, sports, and two-year colleges.
USI Communication and Media students win six BEA Awards including Best of Festival Award
 2023-2024 SIC ALL CONFERENCE BOYS’ SWIM TEAMÂ
First Team Second TeamÂ
200 Yard Medley Relay 200 Yard Medley RelayÂ
Logan Tenison (12) North Carson Book (11) JasperÂ
Jaxson Cook (10) North Mitchel Huebner (10) JasperÂ
Noah Patterson (12) North Grant Wehr (9) JasperÂ
Lucas Petitt (12) North Pascal Conrad (9) JasperÂ
200 Yard Freestyle 200 Yard FreeystyleÂ
Seth Cannon (12) Castle Nathan Seibert (10) CastleÂ
200 Yard IM 200 Yard IMÂ
Cy Young (12) Castle Grant Wehr (9) JasperÂ
50 Yard Freestyle 50 Yard FreestyleÂ
Logan Tenison (12) North Carson Book (11) JasperÂ
1 Meter Diving 1 Meter DivingÂ
Mitchell Mauck (12) Jasper Tanner Shelton (11) NorthÂ
100 Yard Fly 100 Yard FlyÂ
Grant Wehr (9) Jasper Hayden Sitzman (12) MemorialÂ
100 Yard Freestyle 100 Yard FreestyleÂ
Seth Cannon (12) Castle Caden Zeidler (10) MemorialÂ
First Team Second TeamÂ
500 Yard Freestyle 500 Yard FreestyleÂ
Cy Young (12) Castle Jack Jones (10) NorthÂ
200 Yard Freestyle Relay 200 Yard Freestyle RelayÂ
Seth Cannon (12) Castle Logan Tenison (12) NorthÂ
Nathaniel Seibert (10) Castle Luke Baumberger (11) NorthÂ
Jack Rogers (9) Castle Jaxson Cook (10) NorthÂ
Cy Young (12) Castle Lucas Petitt (12) NorthÂ
100 Yard Backstroke 100 Yard BackstrokeÂ
Logan Tenison (12) North Carson Book (11) JasperÂ
100 Yard Breaststroke 100 Yard BreaststrokeÂ
Vincent Dewees (11) Memorial Simon Theby (11) MemorialÂ
400 Yard Free Relay 400 Yard Free RelayÂ
Cy Young (12) Castle Noah Patterson (12) NorthÂ
Nathaniel Seibert (10) Castle Luke Baumberger (11) NorthÂ
Jack Rogers (9) Castle Gavin Podewils (11) NorthÂ
Seth Cannon (12) Castle Jack Jones (10) NorthÂ
SwimmeroftheYear–SethCannon,Castle
CoachoftheYear–JakeDowns,North
BRAUN, MANCHIN STATEMENT ON TWO WEEK DELAY OF NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD JOINT EMPLOYER RULE
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Mike Braun and Joe Manchin released the following statement after a federal judge in Texas delayed the effective date of the National Labor Relations Board’s (NLRB) joint employer final rule from February 26 to March 11, 2024. The new joint employer rule would force liability on companies for another business’ employees even if they do not directly oversee them.
“While this two-week delay of the rule’s effective date is a good step in the right direction and will provide small businesses across the country with more time to prepare for these disruptions, we will not stop working to permanently block its implementation. The NLRB has made clear its willingness to harm thousands of small businesses, their employees, and the surrounding communities, and Congress must now act to prevent it. We encourage our colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support the Congressional Review Act resolution to overturn the rule and return our attention to commonsense, bipartisan policies that empower small businesses to do what they do best: create jobs, present new opportunities for workers and their families, and help our economy thrive.â€Â
A timeline of Senator Braun’s work to oppose the joint employer rule:
- On February 15, 2024, Senators Braun and Manchin wrote a letter to the NLRB requesting the delay of the implementation of the new joint employer rule.
- On November 17, 2023, Senators Braun, T. Scott, Marco Rubio, and Pete Ricketts, all members of the Senate Special Committee on Aging, sent a letter to the NLRB sharing concerns with the new joint employer rule and its negative impact on older Americans.
- On December 8, 2022, Senator Braun led 67 Republican lawmakers in writing a letter to NLRB Chairman Lauren M. McFerran to oppose the Board’s joint employer proposed rule.
Attorney General Todd Rokita continues fight for patient privacy, files suit against Apria Healthcare
Attorney General Todd Rokita is filing a lawsuit on behalf of the people of Indiana against Apria Healthcare LLC for a massive data breach that impacted at least 42,000 Hoosiers and 1.8 million people nationwide.
Apria is a provider of home healthcare equipment and related services across the United States. Apria provides medical equipment to over 2 million patients across 270 locations, including Indiana.
“Patients should be able to trust their medical providers at all times,†Attorney General Rokita said. “All Hoosier patients deserve their privacy, especially when it comes to medical care.â€
On September 1, 2021, the FBI notified Apria that an unauthorized third-party was likely able to access their system. The intruder accessed millions of documents containing protected health information and other personal information. Further, the intruder accessed several Apria employee email accounts, including Apria’s CEO.
Apria failed to notify patients about the 2019 and 2021 data breaches until May 2023 – 629 days after the breaches were discovered. Apria’s delayed notification and actions resulted in alleged violations of HIPAA and Indiana law.
“Everyone should feel protected by their health care providers,†Attorney General Rokita said. “When your private information is accessible or leaked to a stranger, you’re susceptible to life-altering threats, such as identity theft and financial ruin. Our office has adamantly fought back against careless companies who disregard major cybersecurity threats.â€
Apria allegedly concealed the data breach from their consumers and failed to implement HIPAA policies and procedures. Due to a lack of security and technical safeguards, the unwelcome third party was able to access personal health information and personal identifiable information, such as Social Security Numbers, birth certificates, credit and debit card information, medical histories, addresses, and other identifiable information.
Apria’s notification to patients and consumers was extremely delayed and unreasonable. With this extreme delay, Apria greatly increased the chance of a Hoosier becoming the victim of identity deception, identity theft, or fraud.
Apria’s parent company, Owens and Minor, allegedly knew about the breaches when it purchased Apria in March 2022.
The lawsuit consists of the following five counts against Apria:
- Violations of HIPAA’s Notification Rule
- Violations of HIPAA’s Security Rule
- Violations of HIPAA’s Privacy Rule
- Violations of the Disclosure of Security Breach Act
- Violations of Indiana Deceptive Consumer Sales Act
- The complaint is listed below.
- STAMPED State of Indiana v. Apria Healthcare LLC 02.29.2024.pdf
UE BASEBALL RETURNS HOME THIS WEEKEND TO HOST PURDUE FORT WAYNE
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – The University of Evansville baseball team will return home to German American Bank Field at Charles H. Braun Stadium this weekend, as the Purple Aces will host the Purdue Fort Wayne Mastodons in a four-game series. The series will begin Friday night at 5 p.m. and continue with a Saturday doubleheader and a single game on Sunday, both scheduled to start at 1 p.m.
Evansville will return home with a 4-4 overall record after dropping a 7-3 decision at #9 Vanderbilt on Wednesday night. The Commodores’ four-run sixth inning proved to be the difference on Wednesday night, as Vanderbilt spoiled a strong start from senior hurler Shane Harris on the mound. Senior first baseman/outfielder Kip Fougerousse launched his third home run of the year on Wednesday night, and graduate outfielder Mark Shallenberger knocked an RBI double to help lead UE offensively.
Overall, junior second baseman Cal McGinnis continues to lead the way offensively for UE, as he will bring a .429 average into this weekend’s series. Shallenberger (.394) and senior shortstop Simon Scherry (.393) are not far behind, while Fougerousse is hitting above .355 as well. As a team, UE is hitting .318 so far this year, and the Purple Aces rank seventh in the country in doubles (seven) and 35th overall in scoring (9.8) entering this weekend’s series.
Purdue Fort Wayne, meanwhile, will bring a 2-6 overall record into this weekend’s series, although the Mastodons produced one of its program’s biggest victories on Tuesday night, as Purdue Fort Wayne knocked off #20 Indiana, 9-6, in Bloomington. The Mastodons launched five home runs on Tuesday in the win over IU, which was Purdue Fort Wayne’s first against a nationally-ranked team in program history. Junior infielder Camden Karczewski currently leads Purdue Fort Wayne with a .385 batting average, while senior infielder/outfielder Jacob Walker (.345) and freshman outfielder Nate Simpson (.300) also hit above .300 on the year.
UE and Purdue Fort Wayne have met eight times on the diamond all-time, with Evansville holding an 8-0 edge in the all-time series which began in 2006. Five of the eight all-time series meetings have been decided by two runs or less. Evansville will send senior LHP Donovan Schultz (0-0, 9.00 ERA) to the mound in Friday’s series opener. He is expected to be opposed by Purdue Fort Wayne RHP Mac Ayres (0-1, 12.00 ERA).
IDEM Requests Proposals to Develop Statewide Materials Management Plan
IDEM is looking for consultants, companies, or university members to develop a statewide materials management plan.
The plan should include ways to identify waste management issues, advance pre- and post-consumer materials management, and decrease the disposal of valuable materials throughout the state. The plan will also act as a guide to waste and materials management in Indiana and aid local governments in developing their own materials management plans.
Learn more in the Request for Proposal (RFP) documents posted on the Indiana Department of Administration’s (IDOA) Business Opportunities webpage (search for IDEM, RFP 24-77622, or Event ID 0000077622).
Per state procurement rules, IDEM cannot answer questions regarding this RFP. Refer all questions to the IDOA contact for this RFP as listed on this website.
Hoosier Finalists Set for Day Two of Big Tens
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Indiana swimming and diving will send 17 individuals to finals on the second day of action Thursday (Feb. 29) at the 2024 Big Ten Swimming and Diving Championships inside the McCorkle Aquatic Pavilion on the campus of the Ohio State University.
IU has four individuals in championship finals, 12 in consolation finals and one in a C final. The Hoosiers will also swim the 400-yard medley relay, vying for their ninth-straight title in the event.
Indiana diving entered the mix on day two, with all four Hoosiers qualifying for finals on the 1-meter springboard. Juniors Carson Tyler (381.00) and Quinn Henninger (371.10) showed their experience, finishing second and third respectively. Dash Glasberg (300.00) finished 11th, while fellow sophomore Maxwell Weinrich (287.05) scored 63.00 and 54.00 points on his final two dives to grab the final qualifying spot for the consolation final.
In the 500-yard freestyle which kicked off the session, senior Warren Briggs (4:18.85) and junior Mason Carlton (4:20.84) reached the consolation final, while junior Kai van Westering (4:24.55) was the final qualifier for Thursday night’s C heat.
Junior Luke Barr led the way in the 200 IM, getting into the A final in 1:43.45. Freshman Toby Barnett, sophomore Collin McKenzie, seniors Jassen Yep and Maxwell Reich and sophomore Drew Reiter all went career-best times under 1:45.00 to earn B final positions.
Junior Finn Brooks was fourth best in the 50 free, going 19.41 to secure a place in the top heat. Freshman Mikkel Lee (19.61), junior Rafael Miroslaw and senior Gavin Wight (both 19.69), qualified for the consolation final.
TEAM SCORES
1. Indiana – 128
2. Michigan – 108
t3. Wisconsin – 102
t3. Penn State – 102
5. Ohio State – 100
6. Minnesota – 98
7. Purdue – 96
8. Northwestern – 94
RESULTS (PRELIMS)
500 FREESTYLE
10. Warren Briggs – 4:18.85 (Consolation Final, NCAA B Cut)
- Mason Carlton – 4:20.84 (Consolation Final, NCAA B Cut)
- Kai van Westering – 4:24.55 (C Final)
- Tristan DeWitt – 4:18.81 (Exhibition, Career Best)
- Elliot Weisel – 4:21.32 (Exhibition)
200 IM
6. Luke Barr – 1:43.45 (Championship Final, NCAA B Cut) - Toby Barnett – 1:44.13 (Consolation Final, NCAA B Cut, Career Best)
- Collin McKenzie – 1:44.20 (Consolation Final, NCAA B Cut, Career Best)
- Jassen Yep – 1:44.29 (Consolation Final, NCAA B Cut, Career Best)
- Maxwell Reich – 1:44.76 (Consolation Final, NCAA B Cut, Career Best)
- Drew Reiter – 1:44.86 (Consolation Final, NCAA B Cut, Career Best)
- Dylan Smiley – 1:45.12 (Exhibition, Career Best)
- Lucas Piunti – 1:46.38 (Exhibition, Career Best)
50 FREESTYLE
- Finn Brooks – 19.41 (Championship Final, NCAA B Cut)
- Mikkel Lee – 19.64 (Consolation Final, NCAA B Cut)
t12. Rafael Miroslaw – 19.69 (Consolation Final, NCAA B Cut)
t12. Gavin Wight – 19.69 (Consolation Final, NCAA B Cut)
1-METER DIVING
- Carson Tyler – 381.00
- Quinn Henninger – 371.10
- Dash Glasberg – 300.00
- Maxwell Weinrich – 287.05