Here is the latest Mid-America sports news from The Associated Press
UNDATED (AP) — Les Miles is out as Kansas’ head coach just days after he was placed on administrative leave amid sexual misconduct allegations from his tenure at LSU. Kansas described Miles’ departure as a mutual agreement to part ways. He has three years left on his original five-year contract with the school. Last week, LSU released a 148-page review by a law firm about the university’s handling of sexual misconduct complaints. It described how Miles “tried to sexualize the staff of student workers in the football program by, for instance, allegedly demanding that he wanted blondes with big breasts, and ‘pretty girls.'”
OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Creighton has lifted coach Greg McDermott’s suspension for making racially insensitive remarks to his players during a postgame talk. McDermott twice used the term “plantation” as part of an analogy urging team unity. He apologized but was suspended last Thursday. Athletic director Bruce Rasmussen says the coach understands that forgiveness must be earned and he is willing to work for it. McDermott will become active in a campus program designed to help participants better understand racism and create change. He will return for this week’s Big East Tournament and the NCAA Tournament that begins next week.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Big 12 Commissioner Bob Bowlsby says it could be years before its schools recover from the financial blow they took when the COVID-19 pandemic shut down sports. Bowlsby believes there is reason to feel good about the future. That includes the return of the men’s and women’s conference tournaments this week in Kansas City, Missouri.
IRVING, Texas (AP) — Oklahoma State guard Cade Cunningham is the fourth freshman to be selected as the Big 12 player of the year by the league’s coaches. The rest of the first team includes guards Jared Butler and Davion Mitchell from regular-season champion Baylor, guard Austin Reaves from Oklahoma and West Virginia forward Derek Culver. Baylor’s Scott Drew is the coach of the year for the second season in a row. The other freshmen tabbed the top player by Big 12 coaches were Oklahoma State’s Marcus Smart in 2013, Kansas State’s Michael Beasley in 2008 and Texas’ Kevin Durant in 2007.
UNDATED (AP) — Gonzaga remains entrenched at No. 1 in The Associated Press men’s college basketball poll in its bid to go wire-to-wire. The Zags received 61 of 63 first-place votes from a media panel as they attempt to become the first wire-to-wire No. 1 since Kentucky in 2014-15. Baylor had two first-place votes and moved back into the No. 2 slot after dropping a spot last week. Illinois, Michigan and Iowa rounded out the top 5. No. 8 Arkansas is in the top 10 for the first time since reaching No. 1 in 1994-95.
NEW YORK (AP) — Connecticut forward Isaiah Whaley and St. John’s point guard Posh Alexander have been named co-winners of the Big East Conference’s defensive player of the year award. The league’s most improved player award was shared by St. John’s guard-forward Julian Champagnie and Xavier forward Zach Freemantle. Tyler Polley of UConn was the winner of the league’s sixth man award and Mitch Ballock of Creighton received the conference’s sportsmanship award. The league’s head coaches selected the awards. They weren’t permitted to vote for their own players.
Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 3:40 a.m. CST
IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — A police officer testified that he arrested a journalist at an unruly Black Lives Matter protest last year in Iowa after he repeatedly shot clouds of pepper spray to disperse a crowd and she did not leave. Officer Luke Wilson said he wasn’t aware Andrea Sahouri was a Des Moines Register reporter when he responded to a chaotic scene where protesters were breaking store windows and throwing rocks and water bottles at police outside Merle Hay mall on May 31. Wilson said he sprayed the chemical irritant to clear a commercial parking lot and that it worked in scattering the rest of the group, including Sahouri’s then-boyfriend Spenser Robnett. Wilson testified on the first day of trial for Sahouri and Robnett, who face misdemeanor charges.
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds has signed into law a Republican-backed bill that makes it harder to vote early, potentially eroding a key aspect of Democratic campaigns. Republicans in the House and Senate quickly approved the changes Monday over the opposition of all Democratic legislators. Republicans say the rules are needed to guard against voting fraud, though they noted Iowa has no history of election irregularities and that November’s election saw record turnout with no hint of problems in the state. In the last election, more than 70% of Democrats voted early.
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Police have arrested a brother and sister in the shooting death earlier this month of a man whose body was found inside a Lincoln home. Lincoln police said in a news release Monday that officers on Thursday arrested 31-year-old Marques Moten, of Omaha, in Council Bluffs, Iowa, in connection with the March 1 death of 33-year-old James Shekieand. Also arrested Thursday in Lincoln was Moten’s 17-year-old sister. Both have been charged with conspiracy to commit a felony. An arrest warrant also has been issued for 25-year-old Deontae Rush of Omaha charging him with first-degree murder in Shekie’s death. Court documents say the three drove to Shekie’s trailer home to steal marijuana and that Rush shot Shekie.
SHIRLEY IRENE BISHOP, 76, of Griswold, died Sunday, March 7th, at the Heritage House in Atlantic. Memorial services for SHIRLEY BISHOP will be held at a later date. Rieken-Duhn Funeral Home in Griswold is assisting the family.
SHIRLEY IRENE BISHOP is survived by:
Her husband – Richard, of Griswold
Her son – Dwight Dotson.
Her brother – Leland Kelley.
6 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren, and her sisters-in-law.
The driver of a semi tractor-trailer is dead, and while another driver was injured, during a fiery crash on Interstate 80 early Monday afternoon, near the Highway 6 interchange, northeast of Council Bluffs. The Iowa State Patrol says 51-year old Daniel L. Owens, of Omaha, died in the crash that happened at around 12:45-p.m.
Twittter image from ISP Trooper Ryan Devault
Owens was operating a 2012 Freightliner Cascadia semi westbound on I-80, when he struck a 2013 International 7300, driven by 39-year old Daniel W. Huneke, of Neola. Hueneke was stopped in the outside lane with his Iowa DOT vehicle’s emergency warning light activated and arrow board directing traffic to the inside lane, when his truck was struck from behind.
Following the impact, the International came to rest blocking both westbound lanes of I-80, facing southeast. The semi caught fire upon impact, and came to rest partially in the outside lane, across the outside shoulder and into the west ditch. Owens was found lying in the outside lane He died at the scene. Huneke was transported by Treynor Rescue to Mercy Hospital in Council Bluffs.
The crash caused the interstate to be blocked for several hours. An Iowa DOT Highway Helper, Motor Vehicle Enforcement Officer, and others assisted at the scene.
Des Moines, Iowa – Agricultural teachers play an essential and selfless role in the communities they serve. As they prepare future generations for successful careers, many also devote countless hours and often their own resources to make a difference. To shed light on the contributions of Iowa’s leading agricultural teachers, Nationwide, insurer of farms and ranches in the U.S.1, is honoring seven exceptional teachers as finalists for its Golden Owl Award. Among the finalists is Brittany Elmquist, Ag Teacher for the Audubon High School.
In partnership with the Iowa FFA Foundation, Nationwide collected more than 400 nominations from local students, fellow teachers, parents and community members from August to December 2020.
Iowa’s 2020-2021 Golden Owl Award finalists are:
Dr. Michael Retallick – Iowa State University
Wyatt Forsyth – Wapsie Valley High School
Elisa Russ-Poggemiller – Clear Lake High School
Kylie Nettinga – Western Christian High School
Marcia Kilgard – Iowa Valley High School
Monty Collins – Pleasantville High School
Brittany Elmquist – Audubon High School
Each finalist will receive an individualized plaque and $500 to help fund future educational efforts and will be entered into a final selection stage for the chance to be crowned as Iowa’s Ag Educator of the Year. In addition to the Ag Educator of the Year designation, the grand-prize winner will also receive a $3,000 Nationwide-funded check to help bring new educational opportunities to the program and its students and the coveted Golden Owl Award trophy.
Nationwide’s agribusiness president, Brad Liggett said “We created the Golden Owl Award in 2018 to honor the contributions of teachers, highlight the growing need for their services, and supply additional resources to help boost their programs and provide students with optimal learning experiences.”
In the award’s second year, Nationwide broadened the program from two states to five, recognizing the efforts of 31 agricultural teachers across California, Illinois, Iowa, Ohio and Pennsylvania with the 2019-2020 Golden Owl Award. As a result of the positive response from the communities that Golden Owl Award nominees make a difference in, Nationwide expanded the 2020-2021 Golden Owl Award even further to include Indiana and New York. Nationwide is also investing $5,000 in each participating state’s FFA organization, including the Iowa FFA Foundation, to further support aspiring agriculture professionals.
To learn more about the Golden Owl Award, visit www.GoldenOwlAward.com.
PAMELA JEAN [Shanno] MAZETIS, 72, of Oakland, died Sunday, March 7th, at CHI Mercy Hospital in Council Bluffs. Funeral services for PAM MAZETIS will be held 11-a.m. Thursday, March 11th, at the Oakland United Methodist Church. Rieken Vieth Funeral Home in Oakland is assisting the family.
Visitation with the family will be on Wednesday from 5:30 PM until 7:30 PM at the Oakland United Methodist Church.
Interment will be in the Oaklawn Cemetery. Following the interment, lunch will be served at the Oakland Christian Church.
PAMELA JEAN [Shanno] MAZETIS is survived by:
Her daughters – Shelly (Todd) Williams; Rachael Scott (Evan Jones).
Her sons – Jamie (Jill) Kadel; and Christopher (Shalimar) Mazetis.
Her brothers – Richard (Joan), and Lonnie (Janice), Shanno.
11 grandchildren, 6 great-grandchildren, other relatives and friends.
The 2021 State Boys Basketball Tournaments get started today in Des Moines. Here is a look at the schedule for Monday’s games.
Class 1A
#1 North Linn 77, #8 South Winneshiek 52
#4 Martensdale-St. Marys 51, #5 Easton Valley 45 OT
#7 Montezuma 64, #2 Lake Mills 61 OT
#3 Grand View Christian 54, #6 St. Mary’s, Remsen 49
Class 2A
#1 Boyden-Hull 74, #8 South Central Calhoun 49
#4 Aplington-Parkersburg 68, #5 Van Meter 41
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds has signed into law a Republican-backed bill (S.F.413) that makes it harder to vote early, potentially eroding a key aspect of Democratic campaigns. Republicans in the House and Senate quickly approved the changes Monday over the opposition of all Democratic legislators.
Republicans say the rules are needed to guard against voting fraud, though they noted Iowa has no history of election irregularities and that November’s election saw record turnout with no hint of problems in the state. In the last election, more than 70% of Democrats voted early.
Gov. Reynolds released the following statement on S.F. 413:
“It’s our duty and responsibility to protect the integrity of every election. This legislation strengthens uniformity by providing Iowa’s election officials with consistent parameters for Election Day, absentee voting, database maintenance, as well as a clear appeals process for local county auditors. All of these additional steps promote more transparency and accountability, giving Iowans even greater confidence to cast their ballot.”
SF413: An act relating to the conduct of elections, including absentee ballots and voter list maintenance activities, making penalties applicative, including effective date and applicability provisions.
Gov. Reynolds also signed the following bills into law:
HF200: An act relating to the military code and duty performed by a member of the United States Coast Guard.
HF235: An act relating to service charges on consumer credit transactions.
HF232: An act relating to the crime of disorderly conduct and making penalties applicable.
SF240: An act relating to the creation, administration, and termination of custodial trusts.
SF239: An act relating to proper parties in causes of actions following the death of persons entitled or liable to such causes of actions and including applicability provisions.
SF231: An act regarding driving privileges of persons issued a special minor’s driver’s license, and making penalties applicable.
SF173: An act relating to trusts, including requirements for certifications of trust and the general order of abatement.
SF343: An act relating to authorized access to certain confidential records by employees of the Department of Corrections, a judicial district Department of Correctional Services, and the Board of Parole.
SF285: An act relating to suspension of a student’s participation in the All Iowa Opportunity Scholarship program.
SF130: An act relating to a temporary exception to a limitation compensation for a member of a board of directors of a school corporation, and including effective date provisions.
HF386: An act striking certain reporting requirements related to non profit school organizations established by school districts.
HF308: An act relating to eligibility requirements for students under the senior year plus program and including effective date and applicability provisions.
HF283: An act creating the criminal offense of defrauding a drug or alcohol test and providing penalties.
HF231: An act relating to a special sentence for sexual abuse committed during a burglary.
SF314: An act relating to approval of executive branch employee travel claims.
HF418: An act relating to property tax levies, exemptions, classifications, assessment limitations, and administration, and including effective date and applicability provisions.
IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — A police officer testified that he arrested a journalist at an unruly Black Lives Matter protest last year in Iowa after he repeatedly shot clouds of pepper spray to disperse a crowd and she did not leave. Officer Luke Wilson said he wasn’t aware Andrea Sahouri was a Des Moines Register reporter when he responded to a chaotic scene where protesters were breaking store windows and throwing rocks and water bottles at police outside Merle Hay mall on May 31.
Wilson said he sprayed the chemical irritant to clear a commercial parking lot and that it worked in scattering the rest of the group, including Sahouri’s then-boyfriend Spenser Robnett. Wilson testified on the first day of trial for Sahouri and Robnett, who face misdemeanor charges.