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Ward to Participate in State Farm Slam Dunk Contest

Sports

April 2nd, 2024 by Asa Lucas

AMES, Iowa – Iowa State’s Hason Ward has been selected to participate in the Slam Dunk Contest at the annual State Farm College Slam Dunk and 3-Point Championships in Phoenix this week.

Grand Canyon University and Global Credit Union Arena will host the 35th annual State Farm College Slam Dunk & 3-Point Championships on April 4 at 8 p.m. CT, tipping off college basketball’s most exciting weekend of the season. The event will air live on ESPN.

Ward just wrapped up his fifth year of college basketball, playing the final two in Ames. He tallied a team-leading 33 dunks this season and had 51 over his two years with the Cyclones. In 28 games this year, Ward averaged 6.0 points and 3.8 rebounds per game, while shooting.628 from the field. For his career, he scored 658 points, averaging 5.1 per game on .597 shooting. He blocked 162 shots and tallied 92 steals, while grabbing 479 rebounds.

The event returns to the home of the Havocs for the second time, having previously been contested there in 2017, the last time Phoenix hosted the men’s basketball national championship game. A sold-out crowd of more than 7,000 fans packed Global Credit Union Arena to take in college basketball’s highest flyers and dynamic scorers in a nationally televised showcase.

Ward is the first Cyclone to participate in the Slam Dunk Contest. Previously, Donovan Jackson (2018), Nazareth Mitrou-Long (2017), Tyrus McGee (2013), Dedric Willoughby (1997) and Fred Hoiberg (1995) have participated in the 3-point contest at the event.

“We’re really looking forward to returning to Grand Canyon University for the State Farm College Slam Dunk & 3-Point Championships,” said Mark Starsiak, vice president of basketball at Intersport. “The atmosphere at Global Credit Union Arena is off the charts and our experience there in 2017 set a new standard this event. The way the school and the Havocs embraced us the last time we were in Phoenix made us incredibly eager to return. We anticipate a highly engaged and animated crowd as we celebrate the beginning of college basketball’s national championship weekend.”

Twenty-four of the nation’s elite men’s and women’s college basketball players will compete for slam dunk and 3-point shooting bragging rights. The night features the King’s Hawaiian Slam Dunk Championship, the Hanes Men’s 3-Point Championship, the Hanes Women’s 3-Point Shooting Championship and the Team Shootout. The winners of the Hanes Men’s and Women’s 3-Point Championships will then compete in the Skechers Battle of the Champions.

Senate votes for liability protection for farm chemical companies

Ag/Outdoor, News

April 2nd, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – A bill that’s passed the Iowa Senate would block lawsuits against farm chemical companies based on how the products are labeled. It means the companies couldn’t be sued for failing to warn of potential health risks if product labels meet federal guidelines.

“Iowa feeds the world and we need partners in that who aren’t constantly under threat of lawsuit for following the very laws governing the ways they do business,” Senate President Amy Sinclair, a Republican from Allerton, said.

In February a federal appeals court refused to dismiss a lawsuit claiming Roundup causes cancer and the CEO of Bayer, the company that produces Roundup, recently told investors lawsuits are a huge burden for the company. Senator Jeff Edler, a Republican from State Center, said the costs of Bayer’s legal predicament are passed along to farmers.

“We’re dealing with billions of dollars of lawsuits,” Edler said. “…The price of Roundup has gone up exponentially because of these lawsuits.”

Thirty Republican Senators voted for the bill. Four other Republicans joined Democrats in the Senate in voting against it. Senator Molly Donahue, a Democrat from Cedar Rapids, said the legislature should be looking out for farmers.

“The people of Iowa should matter more than the corporations and whatever funding they’re pouring into the state to get this bill passed,” Donahue said.

Senator Janice Weiner, a Democrat from Iowa City, said the legislature should be focused on responding to the fact Iowa has the fastest rising cancer rate in the country.

“What we should not be doing is taking away options from Iowans who fall ill,” Weiner said.

A key lawmaker in the HOUSE says the bill could soon come up for a vote in a House committee. Similar legislation has been introduced in Missouri and Idaho, but Idaho’s Senate rejected the bill in February.

BRUCE BEHRENDS, 87, of Wiota (Celebration of Life 4/13/24)

Obituaries

April 2nd, 2024 by Ric Hanson

BRUCE BEHRENDS, 87, of Wiota, died Tuesday, April 2, 2024, at Jennie Edmundson Hospital in Council Bluffs. A Celebration of Life Memorial Service for  BRUCE BEHRENDSwill be held 10:30-a.m. April 13th, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Atlantic Roland Funeral Service in Atlantic has the arrangements.

Visitation will be one hour before the service with lunch being served in the church fellowship hall after the service.

Memorials may be made to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Atlantic.

BRUCE BEHRENDS is survived by:

His wife – Marilyn.

His daughter – Jodi (Mark) Page, of Waconia, MN.

His sons – Kent, of Oviedo, FL, and Keith (Lily), of Bradenton, FL.

His sister – Delores (Ray) Christensen.

His brother – George (Diane) Behrends.

9 grandchildren; 2 great-grandchildren; and other relatives.

Condolences may be left at www.rolandfuneralservice.com

Iowa women shift focus to the Final Four

Sports

April 2nd, 2024 by Asa Lucas

The Iowa Hawkeye women have shifted their focus to the next challenge and that is perennial power UConn in the Final Four in Cleveland. The Hawkeyes advanced to their second straight Final Four after Monday night’s 94-87 win over defending champion LSU.

That’s Iowa senior guard Caitlin Clark, who finished with 41 points and 12 rebounds in the win over LSU. The Hawkeyes will be looking to take the next step after falling in the title game last year.

The trip to Final Four will put Clark’s Olympic dream on hold for the time being. Last week she was added to the roster of the U-S squad that will take part in training camp in Cleveland beginning Wednesday.

For now, Clark is focused on winning a national title.

Friday’s game will feature Clark against UConn stare Paige Bueckers. UConn legendary Geno Auriemma says in the past stars of the women game were lauded for ‘playing like a man”. Now they are appreciating for being talented.

Auriemma will try to draw up a game plan against Clark, who had 41 points and 12 assists in a Monday night victory over LSU.

Iowa coach Lisa Bluder previews the Final Four

Sports

April 2nd, 2024 by Asa Lucas

Iowa coach Lisa Bluder says experience has allowed her team to handle the pressure of a postseason run. The Hawkeyes beat defending national champion LSU 94-87 Monday night in Albany to advance to their second straight Final Four, they play UConn Friday night in Cleveland in the national semifinals.

The national spotlight has been bright on the Hawkeyes this season and Bluder feels that has helped them handle the pressure of the tournament.

Bluder says the crowds the Hawkeyes have played in front of this season have prepared them for the big stage.

Bluder says the experience of being in the Final Four last season will allow them to handle the atmosphere surrounding the event.

Bluder feels her team got worn down last year by attending so many of the events at the Final Four.

The first of two national semifinals on Friday night finds top ranked South Carolina against North Carolina State.

Sandfort Declares for NBA Draft; Maintains Eligibility

Sports

April 2nd, 2024 by Asa Lucas

IOWA CITY, Iowa – University of Iowa junior Payton Sandfort has submitted paperwork for early entry into the 2024 NBA Draft while maintaining his college eligibility.

Underclassmen have until May 29 to remain in or remove their names from the draft.

“It has been a dream come true to represent this program and my state the past three seasons as a Hawkeye,” said Sandfort. “Every day I pushed myself to make our team as successful as possible. I have loved every second of being a Hawkeye.

“It has been my lifelong dream to get the opportunity to play in the NBA. I plan to enter my name into the 2024 NBA Draft while maintaining my eligibility. I will continue to push myself every day to make this dream a reality. I appreciate the support from Hawkeye nation as I go through this process.”

Sandfort, a 6-foot-7, 215-pound forward, put up career-best numbers across the board during the 2023-24 season, averaging 16.4 points, 6.6 rebounds and 2.7 assists, while shooting 44.6 percent from the floor, 37.9 percent from distance and 91.1 percent from the free throw stripe. He ranked second in the Big Ten in free throw percentage, third in 3-point percentage, eighth in scoring, 12th in field goal percentage and 13th in rebounding en route to third-team All-Big Ten honors.

The Waukee, Iowa, native scored in double figures in 27 games and posted a team-best 11 20-point contests, including a career-best 30-point, 12-rebound outing in Iowa’s NIT First Round win over Kansas State.  He made a career-high seven 3-pointers in the victory.

During the season, Sandfort was one of the best shooters in the Big Ten, leading the league with 94 3-point field goals. He made two or more 3s in 27 games, three or more in 17 games and four or more 12 times.  The 94 makes ranked in the top 40 nationally.

Sandfort, who became just the second Big Ten Player since 1992-92 to average 16+ points, 6+ rebounds, 2.5 assists and 2.5 3-point field goals, made Iowa history during a Feb. 27 victory over Penn State. He recorded the first triple-double in program history, finishing with 26 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists and three blocks in the game.

“We fully support Payton using this opportunity to gain valuable feedback from NBA personnel through workouts and interviews,” said Iowa head coach Fran McCaffery. “Payton is one of the best shooters in the nation and he displayed an all-around game during his junior season.  He will go through this process with a professional approach, and we are excited to see his game continue to grow to another level.”

Work release escape of Joshua Bergen

News

April 2nd, 2024 by Ric Hanson

BURLINGTON, Iowa – Joshua Michael Bergen, convicted of Willful Injury Causing Serious Injury, Willful Injury Causing Bodily Injury, and Burglary 3rd Degree in Louisa County, as well as Escape of Felon in Des Moines County, failed to report back to the Burlington Residential Facility as required yesterday.

Bergen is a 30-year-old, 5’5″, 169-pound white male. He was admitted to the work release facility on Jan. 18, 2024.

Persons with information on Bergen’s whereabouts should contact local police.

Joshua Michael Bergen

Person of interest sought in Fort Dodge homicide investigation

News

April 2nd, 2024 by Ric Hanson

Fort Dodge police are asking the public for help locating a person of interest. Police say they are looking for Lewis Ayala, 49, of Fort Dodge. Investigators want to question Ayala regarding the shooting death of Ryan Andrews in December. Police previously took in David Dayton after labeling him a person of interest in connection to Andrews’ death.

Ayala is described as 5 feet, 3 inches tall and approximately 145 pounds. He is wanted in Webster County for possession of a firearm as a felon, according to police. Webster County Crimestoppers is offering a $500 reward for information regarding Ayala’s whereabouts.

Lewis Ayala

Bill with new hemp regulations heads to governor

Ag/Outdoor, News

April 2nd, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – There are likely to be new limits on how much T-H-C from hemp may be legally added to food or drinks sold in Iowa. A bill that’s passed the Iowa House and Senate closes what bill backers say are loopholes in a 2020 law that made it legal to produce, sell and consume hemp in Iowa. Senator Dan Dawson, a Republican from Council Bluffs, says the bill lays out desperately needed regulations to prevent highly-intoxicating products from being sold.

“To not only protect the industry, but also to protect the consumers who might indulge in these products,” Dawson says. The bill also bars businesses from selling hemp-infused “consumables” like drinks and gummies to anyone under the age of 21. Dawson says some hemp-infused consumables being sold in Iowa have really high levels of T-H-C — and seem to be competing with state licensed medical marijuana businesses.

“That program starts at a 4.5 milligram THC usage,” Dawson says. “The Iowa Hemp Act, or the program that we’re talking about here today, needs to be at a milligram usage that’s less than our Medical Cannabidiol program, otherwise the lines are blurred.” Senator Tom Shipley, a Republican from Nodaway, says four years ago when he worked on the law that made it legal to sell hemp in Iowa, he had an inkling people with nefarious motives would exploit it.

“Some people could find an angle to around things and do things that are not good for Iowans,” Shipley said. The House approved the bill with new regulations for hemp-infused products last month.

The Senate approved the bill today (Tuesday) and sent it to the governor.

Senator Grassley seeks balance after Iowa neighbor’s AR-15 ban

News

April 2nd, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird is joining counterparts in 26 other states in urging the U.S. Supreme Court to reject what she calls Illinois’ unconstitutional ban on AR-15s and other semi-automatic rifles. Bird calls the Illinois law “an outright assault on Americans’ Second Amendment rights.”

U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley says he always tries to “find a balance between AR-15s or any Second Amendment right and protecting the people.”

“The Supreme Court 15 years ago made it very clear that it gives utmost protection to most guns,” Grassley says. “Submachine guns would be an example that’s been outlawed for 90 years.” Grassley says it was a few years later that the nation’s high court made it a fundamental principle that applied to the states through the 14th Amendment.

“That doesn’t mean that states can’t outlaw certain things,” Grassley says. “I know that some states have done that, and I think that that’s a factor that you’ve got to take into consideration, that the states can do some of this themselves.”

Grassley says nobody who wants to hurt someone should have a gun, and he notes, that’s why we have background checks.

“States can, in 50 different ways, try to regulate guns but it’s got to be within the Supreme Court decision,” Grassley says. “So, Illinois can pass what they want to pass, but sometimes it’s going to be checked by the Supreme Court, and the Supreme Court’s going to make that determination of constitutionality.”

Grassley says the AR-15 is the most popular rifle in the U.S., with a recent poll showing more than 24-million Americans own one, or a comparable firearm.