SENS. BRAUN, TESTER, MARSHALL AND RICKETTS INTRODUCE BIPARTISAN BILL TO PRIORITIZE AMERICAN-GROWN COMMODITIES FOR INTERNATIONAL FOOD AID
WASHINGTON—Today, Senators Mike Braun, Jon Tester, Roger Marshall and Pete Ricketts introduced bipartisan legislation to enshrine a continued role for American farmers in the Food for Peace (FFP) program and increase accountability and transparency in FFP program functions.
U.S. Representatives Tracey Mann (KS-01), John Garamendi (CA-08), Rick Crawford (AR-01), and Jimmy Panetta (CA-19) introduced the companion legislation in the House of Representatives in June.
“American farmers have played a critical role in reducing hunger overseas for decades. The bipartisan American Farmers Feed the World Act would ensure that American-grown food is prioritized over foreign competitors for American aid programs around the world. It will also allow for more efficient use of funding so we can feed even more hungry people without any additional taxpayer dollars.†— Sen. Mike Braun
“As a third-generation farmer, I know first-hand that Montana farmers produce the very best food that feeds the world. This bill ensures American-grown crops are prioritized when it comes to international aid – and the bottom line is it’s a win for our farmers on years where they grow more than they can sell, and it’s a win for hungry families around the world.†— Sen. Jon Tester
“Helping people in need is in Kansas’ DNA. Seventy years ago, Peter O’Brien stood up in Cheyenne County, Kansas and declared that Kansas farmers could donate their grain as aid to struggling nations, and shortly after, the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act was signed into law by President Eisenhower. Back then, American farmers and lawmakers shared one common goal: send safe, nutritious commodities from American farms to countries in need in order to help them survive through trying times. Today, we proudly continue that mission through the America’s Farmers Feed The World Act.†— Sen. Roger Marshall
The American Farmers Feed the World Act would:
- Reserve half of FFP dollars for purchasing commodities and shipping them overseas,
- Reduce the maximum share for 202(e) spending in FFP from 20 percent to 10 percent
- Move key decisionmaking points from USAID to USDA
- Prohibit the use of food vouchers or cash transfers instead of food, and
- Increase reporting requirements around any waivers granted under FFP.
UE Men’s soccer comes up short against No. 10 Louisville
“It was disappointing to lose, especially giving up a goal in the last 15 minutes,” said Interim Head Coach following the match. “That’s the fourth time we’ve done that this year, all four losses have happened that way. That was really disappointing but I thought that the amount of effort that our guys put in was incredible. I don’t think we could have asked any more from them.
“The things that we spoke about in our game prep, they executed for the most part. I thought we really grew into the game and started creating some pretty good chances. But once we extended ourselves, I think Louisville’s quality showed and that happened with the two goals. We’re running out of moral victories but I think that we can take some positives from this game. We talked about choosing to fight before the match and with our backs up against the wall, we did that. I’m proud of our guys for how we played tonight, and how we responded to certain things that happened. But we need to learn the lesson and start getting some wins on the board.”
It was a slow first half on both sides as the teams traded fouls through the first 25 minutes. Louisville picked up offensively in the 26th minute, taking four shots in 12 minutes. UE had its best opportunity of the half in the final five minutes as midfielder Nate Roberts found himself alone on the left side of the goal during a corner kick. Roberts got a foot on the ball but sent it high over the net. Diaz-Caneja added the last shot of the first half in the final second outside of the penalty box that went wide right.
The Cardinals quickly pressed to start the second half with two shots in under three minutes. But Evansville found its offense right after, responding with a close shot from winger Auden Engen Vik that hit the right side of the net. It became a back-and-forth battle over the next 22 minutes. Graham had an open opportunity for the Aces in the 73rd minute with a header right in front of the goal that forced Louisville’s goalkeeper to make a diving save left. But the Cardinals found their opportunity in the 79th minute with a goal from the left side of the penalty box that beat Madden in the upper right corner. Louisville tacked on the final goal of the night on a penalty shot in the final five seconds after Madden took down a player on a breakaway in the box.
No. 18 VUVB winning streak rolls on with Region 24 win at Kaskaskia
CENTRALIA, Ill. – The No. 18-ranked Vincennes University volleyball team extended their winning streaks Tuesday night with a big four-set Region 24 road win at Kaskaskia College, 25-22, 25-11, 22-25, 25-17.
The Trailblazers extended their winning streak to 11 matches and continued their winning streak against Region 24 opponents to 31 after the win.
The match started out as a back-and-forth battle, with Vincennes being the first team to separate themselves with a 5-0 scoring run to take a 9-5 lead.
Kaskaskia would continue to fight throughout the set, using a 6-1 scoring run to cut the VU lead to one but were unable to take the lead back as VU took set one 25-22 and earned a 1-0 match lead.
The Blue Angels got off to a quick start in set two, scoring the first three points before the Blazers answered back with four unanswered themselves.
VU would then ride this momentum to and go on to outscore the Blue Angels 15-3 through the middle of the set to give the Trailblazers a 20-8 advantage.
Kaskaskia looked to battle back but were unable to overcome the Blazers as Vincennes took set two 25-11 and gave VU a 2-0 match lead.
Vincennes went into set three looking to complete the sweep and early on looked well on their way after taking an early 8-2 lead in the third set.
The Blue Angels were not going to go away quietly on their home floor however, battling back to even the game at 10-10 and taking the lead with a 7-0 scoring run at 17-15.
Kaskaskia would grow their lead to four before VU would cut the deficit down to one point at 22-21 but were unable to overcome the deficit as the Blue Angels finished the set 25-22 and forced a fourth set.
Kaskaskia continued to put pressure on the Blazers in the fourth set, jumping out to an early 6-2 lead.
Vincennes then answered back with a 6-0 scoring run to take an 8-6 lead. The Blue Angels would take the lead back at 12-11 before VU outscored KC 7-2 to open a four-point lead.
The Trailblazers would never look back at this point, closing out the Blue Angels on the road by taking set four 25-17 and winning the match 3-1.
“We were without Audrey, so we had to do a makeshift lineup with a couple of position changes tonight,†VUVB Head Coach Gary Sien said. “I thought several players stepped up, in particular Isadora. She had a nice all-around game in the front row on her blocks and hits and a good job in her back row play and serving later on. She and Elisa combined for a number of stops at the net.â€
“The challenge was to stay highly competitive with this lineup and I thought we did very well overall,†Sien added. “Once again, blocking was the game changer as we literally took over the net and the match.â€
The VU offense was led by freshman Isadora Dias (Rio Grande de Norte, Brazil) who set a new career-high with 15 kills on the night, while also adding four blocks, four digs and an ace.
Sophomore Paige Parlanti (Las Vegas, Nev.) finished off another double-double with 12 kills and 11 digs to go along with four blocks and two aces.
Freshman Laura Tavares (Meridia, Venezuela) was the third VU hitter in double-figures, ending with 11 kills, six digs, three blocks and one set assist.
Freshman Elisa Dalla Pozza (Vincenza, Italy) picked up right where she left off last week, ending the night with a team-high nine blocks, seven kills, three digs and an ace.
Sophomore Kennedy Sowell (Effingham, Ill.) rounded out the VU front row production with four blocks, two digs and one kill.
The Trailblazer offense was run by sophomore setter Maecy Johnson (Chrisman, Ill.) who really showed off some versatility Tuesday night, playing as a setter, hitter and blocker.
Johnson set a new career-high with 36 set assists, ending with 30 or more set assists for the third time in the last four games, while also adding five digs, two blocks, two kills and a pair of aces.
Freshman setter Libby Mehringer (Jasper, Ind.) ended her night with seven set assists, six digs, one kill and one ace.
Sophomore libero Morgan Netcott (Montague, Mich.) continues to control the back row defense for the Blazers, leading VU Tuesday night with 16 digs and four set assists.
Freshman Grace Flexter (Oblong, Ill.) closed out the VU box score with five digs for the Blazers.
“Maecy was called to play all six rotations today and she did well in her net play, which she hasn’t done since last Fall,†Sien said. “I think she has worked her way into a very good, versatile setter. I talk all the time about making good choices at the right moment as a setter and she has learned to do that well.â€
“I think she deserves a lot of credit as someone who is still relatively new to the setting position,†Sien added.
VU will hit the road again this weekend when the Blazers take part in the Wallace State C.C. Fall Bash Friday, Sept. 22 and Saturday, Sept. 23 at Wallace State Community College in Hanceville, Ala.
The Trailblazers will have a weekend full of tough tests with three of Vincennes’ four matches coming against teams that received votes in this week’s NJCAA Division II National rankings.
The Blue and Gold will get the weekend started against RV Roane State Friday, Sept. 22 at 5 p.m. before immediately turning around to face RV Enterprise State at 7 p.m. eastern.
Vincennes will close out the weekend on Saturday, Sept. 23 against Calhoun at 10 a.m. and against host RV Wallace State C.C. at 12 p.m. eastern.
“It was an excellent job by the team tonight, considering the lack of time for preparation,†Sien said. “That will happen, so we need to stay ready for anything to occur.â€
“We will see a different brand of volleyball down in Alabama this weekend,†Sien added. “The officiating too. We will have to have a fast start in every match. We will need to play at a quick pace and to really use our length. That is a tough combination for most teams to match.â€
BOX SCORE
VUVB (15-1, 7-0) – 25   25  22  25  x
Kaskaskia – 22   11  25  17   x
VINCENNES STATS
Grace Flexter – 5 digs
Morgan Netcott – 16 digs, 4 set assists
Paige Parlanti – 16 points, 2 aces, 12 kills, 4 block assists, 11 digs
Isadora Dias – 18 points, 1 ace, 15 kills, 4 block assists, 4 digs
Maecy Johnson – 5 points, 2 aces, 2 kills, 2 block assists, 5 digs, 36 set assists
Kennedy Sowell – 3 points, 1 kill, 4 block assists, 2 digs
Elisa Dalla Pozza – 12.5 points, 1 ace, 7 kills, 9 block assists, 3 digs
Laura Tavares – 12.5 points, 11 kills, 3 block assists, 6 digs, 1 set assist
Libby Mehringer – 2 points, 1 ace, 1 kill, 6 digs, 7 set assists
Tickets for #CureFA Game on Sale September 25
EVANSVILLE, Ind. — Tickets for the West Side Nut Club #CureFA exhibition baseball game scheduled for October 21 at Bosse Field between the University of Southern Indiana and the University of Evansville go on sale September 25 at USI Athletics Ticket Office, UE Ticket Office, and all Banterra Bank Evansville/Newburgh locations. Fans also can purchase tickets on-line at curefa.org/USIBaseball. The ticket prices are $10 for adults and $5 for students.
Game sponsorships are available by contacting USI Head Coach Tracy Archuleta at Archuleta@usi.edu
The 2 p.m. exhibition game will benefit the fight against Friedreich’s Ataxia (FA), a degenerative neuro-muscular disorder that affects one in 50,000 people in the United States. Most individuals have onset of symptoms of FA between the ages of 5 and 18 years, but can occur anytime during adulthood. The Friedreich’s Ataxia Research Alliance is supporting research that will improve the quality and length of life for those diagnosed with FA and will lead to treatments that eliminate its symptoms. More information about FA can be found at CureFA.org.
The game will preview the 2024 USI Screaming Eagles, who were 17-38 mark in 2023. USI is in the second year of transitioning to the NCAA Division I after dominating Division II for 16 years with two national championships and five NCAA II Midwest Regional titles under Archuleta. Archuleta is in his 18th season at the helm and has a 544-351 (.608) and directed the Eagles to both of their national championships.
UE, who is under the direction of 16-year Head Coach Wes Carroll, was 37-24 last spring before ending the season in the finals of the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament.
EPD DAILY ACTIVITY REPORT
FOOTNOTE: Â EPD DAILY ACTIVITY REPORT information was provided by the EPD and posted by the City-County-County Observer without opinion, bias, or editing.
Evansville Man Arrested after Morning Chase
Pike County – Wednesday morning, September 20, at approximately 8:51 a.m., Trooper Manning was patrolling SR 64 near Meridian Road when he observed the driver of a 1996 Ford Ranger traveling east at 94 mph. Trooper Manning attempted to stop the vehicle, but the driver refused and continued east on SR 64 at a high rate of speed before turning onto CR 550 South and then north on CR 100 East. The driver disregarded the stop sign at CR 475 South and continued traveling west toward Meridian Road. The driver attempted to turn south onto Meridian Road but struck a guy wire for a utility pole causing the vehicle to roll over. The driver, identified as Henry DeWeese, 57, of Evansville, was taken into custody without further incident. DeWeese did receive minor injuries in the crash and was transported to Deaconess Midtown Hospital in Evansville where he was treated and released. DeWeese is currently being held on bond in the Pike County Jail.
Arrested and Charges:
- Henry G. DeWeese, 57, Evansville, IN
- Resisting Law Enforcement, Level 6 Felony
- Habitual Traffic Violator, Level 6 Felony
- Reckless Driving, Class B Misdemeanor
Arresting Officer: Trooper Hunter Manning, Indiana State Police
Assisting Agency: Pike County Sheriff’s Office
All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Indiana Latino Institute at ONB Events Center
Hundreds of Latino high school students from Southern Indiana will attend the Indiana Latino Institute Education Summit today at the Old National Events Plaza. Ivy Tech Community College is the title sponsor of the event. More information about the event can be found here:Â https://indianalatinoinstitute.org/events/education-summit/
Agenda for the day includes:
| Time | Event | Old National Event Plaza |
| 10:00 AM | Welcome | Main-Exhibit Hall |
| 10:12 AM | Introduction of Keynote Speaker | Main-Exhibit Hall |
| 10:15 AM | Keynote Speaker | Main-Exhibit Hall |
| 10:55 AM | Dismissal to workshop | Hallway |
| 11:15- 11:45 AM | English | Main-Exhibit Hall |
| 11:45-12:15 PM | ||
| 11:15- 11:45 AM | Spanish | Ballroom Next Door |
| 11:45-12:15 PM | ||
| 12:15 PM | College and Career Fair | Ballroom |
| 2:00 PM | Event Close | Ballroom |