Home Blog Page 74

USI drops series opener at Morehead State

0

USI drops series opener at Morehead State

MOREHEAD, Ky. – University of Southern Indiana Softball dropped its series opener at Morehead State University Friday afternoon, 9-0 in five innings, to begin a road series in Ohio Valley Conference play.

Following two and a half scoreless innings on Friday, Morehead State (2-25, 1-6 OVC) quickly took hold of momentum and exploded for a big frame in the bottom of the third inning. The home Eagles tallied nine runs on nine hits in the inning, including a three-run home run.

Trailing 9-0, Southern Indiana (5-16, 2-4 OVC) sought to respond in the top of the fourth. Freshman catcher Jordan Mackey led off with a double, and after a walk, senior third baseman Whitley Hunter singled to load the bases. However, a double play and a strikeout ended the USI threat, and Morehead State went on to close out the game in five innings.

Junior outfielder Caroline Stapleton had two of USI’s four hits in the game. Senior pitcher Josie Newman (3-10) tossed four innings and struck out five in the start.

Morehead State totaled 12 hits with every player in the batting order recording at least one hit. Junior pitcher Rylie Burney (1-12) picked up her first win of the season in the five-inning shutout.

Southern Indiana and Morehead State conclude the series Saturday with a doubleheader beginning at 11 a.m. CT. The twin bill can be seen with a subscription to ESPN+ and heard on The Spin 95.7 FM. Additional coverage can be found at usiscreamingeagles.com.

Screaming Eagles drop OVC opener at WIU USI haunted by big innings in OVC opener

0

 

MACOMB, Ill. – University of Southern Indiana Baseball allowed three big innings to Western Illinois University, falling 15-5 in the Ohio Valley Conference 2025 opener Friday afternoon in Macomb, Illinois. USI is 8-13 overall and 0-1 in the OVC after today’s game, while WIU goes 6-12, 1-0 OVC this year.

The Screaming Eagles found themselves in a hole after the first frame as the Leathernecks scored five times in the first to lead 5-0. USI would cut the deficit to three with a pair of runs in the third inning to make the score 5-2.

USI junior first baseman Kannon Coakley drove in the first run with an RBI double to right center to score senior centerfielder Khi Holiday, who had walked and advanced to second on a ground out. Coakley would cross the plate with USI’s second run when sophomore rightfielder Cameron Boyd doubled off the right center wall for the RBI.

The Leathernecks responded by scoring 10 unanswered runs, four in the fifth, two in the sixth, and four in the seventh to lead 15-2. USI answered with three runs in the top of the ninth on an RBI single by junior catcher Micajah Wall and a two-run double by Holiday before WIU closed out the 15-5 final.

On the mound for USI, junior right-hander Andres Gonzalez started and took the loss. Gonzalez (0-3) allowed seven runs on five hits and four walks, while striking out five in 4.1 innings of work.

Up Next for the Eagles:
The Eagles and the Leathernecks continue the series Saturday and conclude Sunday. Both games are scheduled for 1 p.m.

USI returns home to the USI Baseball Field March 28-30 when the Eagles host the University of Arkansas at Little Rock for a three-game OVC series.

Thomas earns Region 24 Player of the Year, Cooper and Akanmu receive All-Region honors

0

Thomas earns Region 24 Player of the Year, Cooper and Akanmu receive All-Region honors

VINCENNES, Ind. – Vincennes University sophomore and 2024 NJCAA All-American Lebron Thomas (Bishopville, S.C.) headlined a trio of Vincennes University men’s basketball players to receive 2025 NJCAA Division I All-Region 24 honors.

Thomas earned NJCAA Division I Region 24 Player of the Year honors this season after leading the Trailblazers by averaging 14.2 points, 5.9 assists and four rebounds per game.

“I am truly honored and blessed to be the Player of the Year,” Thomas said. “It means a lot to me just being able to come out here and do what I love doing and working for. To be able to see this achievement I’m truly grateful for.”

“My favorite memory from this past season is probably when we beat Kaskaskia on Sophomore Night to go 16-0 in the Region,” Thomas added. “It just felt like the guys felt better about themselves and it is a great accomplishment in our lives.”

Thomas has scored in double figures 17 times this season and has four double doubles already this season.

Thomas’s best game this season came in a 39 point outburst in VU’s win over Triton College earlier this season, a game where Thomas also grabbed 10 rebounds and dished out six assists.

Thomas has a total of 939 points, 315 assists, 263 rebounds and 81 steals for the Trailblazers, scoring in double figures in 44 of his 62 games for VU.

“I say it was very important and hard at the same time,” Thomas said when asked abut the importance of being a team leader as the only returning Trailblazer from the 2023-24 season. “Because the guys come in worrying and thinking too much about everything, so it’s hard to get them to calm down about everything. I try to show them more than I can tell them about how things go around here. But I’m truly grateful for being with this group of guys and working with them because they truly care about their careers. Also seeing them change during this process is important to me.”

VU sophomore Michael Cooper (Minneapolis, Minn.) was the second Trailblazer listed on the 10-man All-Region 24 team.

Cooper is averaging 13.3 points and 6.6 rebounds per game this season for the Trailblazers, while averaging just under two assists per game.

“It means a lot because I felt I have been overlooked a lot in my career but I worked extremely hard this year and it shows it paid off,” Cooper said. “My favorite memory would be after winning our last regular season game and becoming 16-0 in the Region, which hasn’t been done that many times.”

Cooper has scored in double figures 18 times this season for Vincennes, with a team-leading five double-doubles.

Cooper has a big run of games earlier this season for the Trailblazers, where he had three double doubles in four games to help the Blazers to wins in all four games.

Cooper kicked off this hot streak with a 22-point, 10-rebound double-double against Lake Land College, before getting 24 points and eight rebounds against Olney Central.

The streak continued with 26 points and 10 rebounds against Wabash Valley and a 14-point, 10-rebound double-double against Kaskaskia College.

Cooper’s best scoring game this season came when he scored 28 points in a VU win over Kankakee Community College in November.

“I think you can’t beat playing at VU,” Cooper added. “The coaches are the best of the best and I have learned a lot on and off the court this year. The crowd always brings energy and love. Playing at home inside the P.E. Complex has been a amazing experience that I’m definitely going to miss.”

Sophomore Bryan Akanmu (Paris, France) rounded out the Vincennes trio to earn All-Region 24 honors this season.

Akanmu is currently averaging 9.1 points, 7.4 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game for the Trailblazers.

“It means a lot to earn this recognition,” Akanmu said. “I wouldn’t be able to get here without my team and those who have always believed in me.”

“My favorite memory from this season is definitely going undefeated in the Region in the regular season with my team,” Akanmu added. “This history of winning at VU is normal and expected. The fans are amazing here too.”

Akanmu has scored in double figures 14 times this season and matched Cooper’s team leading five double doubles this season.

Akanmu has been playing his best basketball this season lately, finishing the regular season with a streak of four-straight double doubles, including a season high 22 points and 11 rebounds in VU’s win at Lake Land College.

Akanmu’s best rebounding game this season came with 15 rebounds, 12 points and six assists in VU’s win over Olney Central College.

This trio of VU honorees has helped guide the Trailblazers to a record of 26-4 this season, including a perfect 16-0 regular season record in Region 24 play.

The Trailblazers will be in action Saturday, March 22 in the first round of the 2025 NJCAA Division I National Championship tournament in Hutchinson, Kan.

Vincennes earned the No. 14 overall seed in the National tournament and will begin tournament play Saturday against No. 19 seed Three Rivers College from Poplar Bluff, Mo. at 9 p.m. eastern.

ALL-REGION 24 TEAM

PLAYER OF THE YEAR – LEBRON THOMAS – VINCENNES

Sam Hincapie – Lake Land

Davius Loury – John A. Logan

Johnny Anderson – Shawnee

Gabe Omoregie – Lincoln Trail

MICHAEL COOPER – VINCENNES

Matthew Elsy – Southwestern Illinois

Muja Burton – Wabash Valley

BRYAN AKANMU – VINCENNES

Ty Williams – Lincoln Trail

Vanderburgh County Recent Booking Records

0

Booked Last 24 Hours-Public

Vanderburgh County Arrest Warrants

0

Vanderburgh County Arrest Warrants

Legendary Evansville Journalist Brad Byrd to Speak at UE’s 2025 Spring History Lecture

0

Legendary Evansville Journalist Brad Byrd to Speak at UE’s 2025 Spring History Lecture

EVANSVILLE, IND. The University of Evansville’s (UE) Department of History, Politics, and Social Change is pleased to present the 2025 Spring History Lecture, featuring A Conversation with Brad Byrd. This engaging event will take place on Thursday, March 27, 2025, at 4:00 p.m. in Eykamp Hall and is free and open to the public.

Brad Byrd, a multi-award-winning journalist and the longest-serving weeknight anchor in Evansville television history, has earned a reputation as one of the region’s most trusted voices in journalism. Known for his sharp political analysis, deep historical insights, and compelling storytelling, Byrd has covered major events that have shaped society. He retired from the anchor desk in July 2024 after a distinguished career spanning decades.

Attendees of this event will have the rare opportunity to hear firsthand from Byrd as he reflects on his storied career, explores the changing landscape of news and media, and delves into the critical intersection of politics, history, and culture. His insights will offer valuable perspectives on the role of journalism in shaping public discourse and understanding pivotal moments in history.

UE is honored to host this thought-provoking discussion as part of its commitment to fostering meaningful conversations on history, politics, and social change.

The University of Evansville is a private, comprehensive university with a solid foundation in the arts and sciences and professional schools in business, engineering, education, and health sciences. Established in 1854, UE is recognized across the globe for its rich tradition of innovative, academic excellence and dynamic campus community of #Changemakers.

Home of the Purple Aces, UE is located in the southwestern region of Indiana and offers over 75 majors, 17 Division I sports, and a unique study abroad experience at Harlaxton, the University’s very own Victorian manor located in the countryside of England. For more information, please visit evansville.edu.

USI to host Rethinking Autism conference April 3-4

0

USI to host Rethinking Autism conference April 3-4

University of Southern Indiana Disability Resources, in partnership with Optimal ACCESS, Inc., is excited to present Rethinking Autism 2025: Shifting the Narrative through Applied Neuroscience and Optimized Supports on Thursday and Friday, April 3-4, in Carter Hall, located in University Center West on campus.

This year’s expanded conference, driven by popular demand, features inspiring presentations and interactive workshops led by autistic self-advocates. Sessions will explore how innovation and neurodiversity-affirming practices foster academic success, social connections, travel and person-centered sports. Workshops offer hands-on training in support skills for co-regulation, better assessments, communication support and reducing behavioral responses.

Parents, teachers, therapists and other professionals who recognize the challenges of autism are encouraged to attend.

This Conference is made possible through generous donors to the USI Foundation. It was created in collaboration with USI Disability Resources and Optimal ACCESS, Inc. Other sponsors include Dr. and Mrs. Michael Dukes, Ivy Tech Community College, Life in Motion Family Wellness Center, WIKY, Hot96, WABX, The Lloyd, Associates for Pediatric Therapy, CareSource and Liberty Federal Credit Union.

USI partners with Optimal ACCESS, Inc. for the Rethinking Autism Conference to foster innovative, neuro-affirming approaches to autism support. This collaboration is rooted in a shared commitment to expanding understanding and providing meaningful resources to individuals with autism, as well as practitioners, community members and students, including those enrolled at USI.

Optimal ACCESS, Inc. brings unique expertise in educational innovation, offering cutting-edge strategies that empower autistic individuals to thrive. Through their specialized support services and experience pioneering alternative education models, Optimal ACCESS, Inc. equips USI faculty and staff with transformative tools to enhance accessibility and inclusion across campus.

Registration is required to attend. To register, visit the 2025 Rethinking Autism Conference Facebook Event Page.

For more information or disability-related accommodations, contact Michelle Kirk, Manager of Disability Resources, at mdkirk@usi.edu.

MOVIE REVIEW: Mickey 17′ brings an expendable hero with a familiar message

0

‘Mickey 17’ brings an expendable hero with a familiar message

  • By Scott McDaniel, TheStatehouseFile.com

A celebrated filmmaker revives both a recyclable protagonist and familiar social themes in “Mickey 17.”

I love a “Groundhog Day” and “Edge of Tomorrow” type of premise, where the hero can endure endless horrors without consequence because everything resets. Bill Murray can electrocute himself with a toaster in the bathtub, Tom Cruise can be torn apart by aliens, and none of it matters—they just wake up and start again.

“Mickey 17” tweaks the formula. Mickey isn’t reliving the same day—he actually dies. Time moves forward, but thanks to advanced technology, his memories are uploaded into a freshly printed body, allowing him to continue as a human test subject. No sugarcoating it: His designated role on this space expedition is called an “expendable,” sent out first to explore the unwelcoming planet Niflheim for human colonization.

Of course, in Norse mythology, Niflheim is the misty world of the dead—not exactly a great omen. The film mostly follows the 17th iteration of Mickey, hence the title. So yeah, he’s died a lot along the way.

This is director Bong Joon-Ho’s first film since his Oscar-winning “Parasite,” and while it operates under a quirkier premise, the focus, though timely, is largely the same: social disparity and the powerful exploiting the expendable lower class—Mickey, in this case.

Inconsistent, cartoonish accent aside, Robert Pattinson does well with the variations in personality and physicality from one dumb, loving Mickey to the next. However, I don’t quite understand how there are such significant differences between them when they’re merely an exact copy with the same memories of the previous rendition. Flawed printer, I guess?

But it’s fine because this time Joon-Ho is going for an exaggerated tone. Performances are intentionally over the top, especially Mark Ruffalo as Kenneth Marshall—a failed politician turned ruthless space expedition leader. Looking like a Donny Osmond knockoff while doing a bad Donald Trump impression, Marshall is desperate for glory at any cost. There are clear Trump parallels, down to his mannerisms and even a bullet grazing his face, but Marshall is so bumbling that it’s hard to take him seriously as a genuine threat.

The cast is strong, adding Toni Collette and Steven Yeun to the mix of greedy people looking out for only themselves. Meanwhile, Mickey, forced to die over and over, develops a rare appreciation for life—only for the story to lead him to its inevitable, predictable sacrifice.

And that’s where the movie comes to an abrupt end, concluding its playful take on a classic abuse of power. Mickey’s latest clone may be fresh, but the themes remain comfortably familiar.

3.5/5

Scott McDaniel is a department chair and assistant professor of journalism at Franklin College. He lives in Bargersville with his wife and three kids.

Students from Indiana’s independent colleges lobby lawmakers at the Statehouse

0
Photo by Steven Van Elk: https://www.pexels.com/photo/statue-of-george-washington-in-front-of-indiana-statehouse-17292571/

Students from Indiana’s independent colleges lobby lawmakers at the Statehouse

  • By Caleb Crockett, TheStatehouseFile.com.   

The Independent Colleges of Indiana (ICI) held its Student Lobby Day at both the Indiana Historical Society and Indiana Statehouse on Wednesday. Over 100 students spent the day listening to government officials, touring the Statehouse and speaking with their legislators.

Iain Crowe, a student at Marian University, spoke on what he was most excited to experience.

“Just interacting with legislators and getting to learn more about the voting process and the condition of the Frank O’ Bannon funding,” Crowe said.

The Frank O’ Bannon Grant was one of the top issues the students were there to discuss with their legislators. The grant offers students up to $10,000 in financial aid; however, these funds hang in the balance with potential cuts to several state grant programs.

Crowe took full advantage of the opportunity and was prepared to petition his legislators.

“I’m just really excited to share my personal story with the lawmakers, just to try and show the importance of the Frank O’Bannon scholarship,” Crowe said. “Just the good it can do and how it can affect people that need funding for higher education needs.”

The students were encouraged to set up appointments with their legislators ahead of time to increase the odds of speaking with their specific representative or senator. They also wrote detailed letters to their legislators about the issues that meant something to them.

“We want them to learn about the legislative system, how it works and why they need to be involved,” said Kelley Smith, executive assistant to the ICI president. “They can make a difference. If they have something they’re passionate about, they can make a difference and they can have a voice.”

There were also several faculty members from various universities across the state showing their support for the students.

One such faculty member, Lauryn Jones, coordinator of DEI programming and engagement at Butler University, expressed similar sentiments.

“I’m excited for students to feel empowered to talk to legislators and to share their voice,” Jones said. “It’s a student-focused event, and we are just here to support them.”

The students spent a lot of time learning helpful information about their local government. Jones expressed a positive outlook about two key skills everyone must learn: patience and perseverance.

“One thing that we learned about in one of our sessions today was that creating these bills and laws does take time and there is a long process, especially if a bill gets amended,” Jones said. “So I think just (the students) should know, even if things look rough right now, the fight still continues and there’s always room to continue fighting and advocating for the bills they want.”

The Student Lobby Day had many goals, but the largest goal was to ensure the students know their role in society. Jones felt the day marked another step forward in grasping their futures.

“I just want the students to feel confident, make sure they feel empowered to know that their voice counts,” Jones said. “Even though they are younger and they may not know as much technical information, they are the next generation and all of this depends on their voice.”

Caleb Crockett is a reporter for TheStatehouseFile.com, a news site powered by Franklin College journalism students.

New Playground Equipment Coming to Fulton Park

0

Installation of new playground equipment at Fulton Park will begin this spring, with a funding assist from the Department of Metropolitan Development.

Danielle Crook, Executive Director of Parks & Recreation, made the announcement – and presented the plans – at today’s meeting of the Board of Parks Directors. The park’s old equipment, located on the south side of the park, will be removed, and the new playground will be installed in the Northeast corner.

Work is expected to be completed by early June, including the installation of safety surfacing.

“We’re excited today to announce our second new set of playground equipment for 2025,” Crook said. “This project, along with the Activity Zone at Garvin Park, is an illustration of our commitment to take care of the things we have, and to ensure that everyone in our community has access to safe, beautiful parks and recreational opportunities.

“We’re also grateful to the Department of Metropolitan Development for their partnership in making this project happen.”

The project is being funded jointly by the Department of Parks & Recreation and by Community Development Block Grant funds, administered through the Department of Metropolitan Development.

1...737475...7,197Page 74 of 7,197