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Midwest Sports Headlines: 3/23/21

Sports

March 23rd, 2021 by Ric Hanson

Here is the latest Mid-America sports news from The Associated Press

SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Ashley Joens scored an Iowa State NCAA Tournament record 33 points, including the clinching free throw with 3.1 seconds left, to lift the Cyclones to a 79-75 women’s opening-round win over Michigan State. Iowa State made 8 of 12 free throws in the fourth quarter and 6 of 8 in the final 1:41 to hold off the 10th-seeded Spartans, who trailed by 10 with 1:40 to play in the third quarter. The seventh-seeded Cyclones will play second-seeded and fourth-ranked Texas A&M in the second round of the Mercado Region on Wednesday. Nia Clouden scored 16 points for the Spartans (15-9).

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Chris Duarte scored 23 points and Oregon showed no signs of rust in beating No. 2 seed Iowa 95-80 to reach the Sweet 16 after a long layoff. The seventh-seeded Ducks had advanced to the West Region’s second round without playing a game because first-round opponent Virginia Commonwealth had multiple positive COVID-19 tests. That left the Ducks with a nine-day break since losing in the Pac-12 Tournament semifinals. Oregon’s offense hummed like it was fresh off the line once the ball went up. It kicked off the NCAA Tournament’s first Monday of second-round games with a masterpiece. Two-time All-American Luka Garza capped his stellar college career by tying the Iowa NCAA Tournament record with 36 points.

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Marcus Zegarowski scored 20 points to help Creighton beat Ohio 72-58 in the NCAA Tournament. That secured the program’s first trip to the round of 16 in 47 years. Damien Jefferson added 15 points for the Bluejays, the fifth seed in the West Region. They’ll next face No. 1 overall seed Gonzaga in the the Sweet 16. Creighton hadn’t reached a regional semifinal since 1974. Dwight Wilson III scored 12 points to lead Ohio. The 13th-seeded Bobcats shot 32% and made 7 of 30 3-pointers after their upset of 2019 champion Virginia in the first round.

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Isaiah Mobley scored 17 points, younger brother Evan had 10 points and 13 rebounds, and No. 6 seed Southern California routed Kansas 85-51 to reach the Sweet 16. It was the worst loss in 49 trips to the NCAA Tournament for the No. 3 seed Jayhawks. USC ended the first half on an 11-0 run to take a 40-21 lead and never looked back. Marcus Garrett scored 15 points to lead Kansas, which was out-rebounded 43-27.

SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Brice Calip had 18 points and Missouri State used a huge third-quarter run to beat UC Davis 70-51 in the first round of the women’s NCAA Tournament. Jasmine Franklin added 17 points and 17 rebounds, helping No. 5 seed Missouri State dominate inside. Missouri State will face No. 13 Wright State on Wednesday after it advanced with an upset win against Arkansas.

Iowa early News Headlines: Tuesday, March 23, 2021

News

March 23rd, 2021 by Ric Hanson

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 3:30 a.m. CDT

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — People could buy firearms and carry a concealed handgun without first obtaining a state permit in the state under a bill the Iowa Senate approved and sent to Gov. Kim Reynolds. The bill was approved Monday with only Republican support. Last week it cleared the House with the backing of only one Democrat. The bill would eliminate current state permit requirements and the accompanying background checks that ensure the person obtaining or carrying a gun isn’t disqualified from ownership due to past felonies or abuses. It now goes to Gov. Kim Reynolds.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — A federal appeals court says three University of Iowa administrators can be held personally liable for monetary damages for improperly revoking a Christian student group that rejects homosexual relationships. The 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals says the administrators are not immune from the lawsuit brought by Business Leaders in Christ because they violated the group’s clearly established constitutional rights to freedom of speech and association. The case dates to 2017, when the organization barred a student from serving in its leadership after disclosing that he was gay and did not agree with its teachings on sexual morality. A federal judge ruled later that the university unevenly applied its human rights policy by revoking the group’s registration.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A 54-year-old mother and son from Iowa are facing new charges arising from their alleged roles in the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol. Deborah Sandoval, of Des Moines, and her 23-year-old son, Salvador Sandoval, of Ankeny, were each originally charged with three counts after their arrest on Feb. 19. A new federal indictment filed in their extradition case shows Salvador Sandoval now faces 13 counts and his mother faces five charges. Federal officials say video shows the younger Sandoval fighting with several police officers in the Capitol building. They are not currently in custody. They are scheduled to be arraigned Friday in Washington D.C.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The husband of Vice President Kamala Harris toured a Des Moines food bank as the Biden administration continued its effort to promote the recently passed $1.9 trillion COVID relief bill. Doug Emhoff, accompanied by U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack and Iowa U.S. Rep. Cindy Axne, toured the Food Bank of Iowa on Monday. Emhoff and Vilsack announced a 15% increase in benefits in the SNAP program through September 2021. The funding is in the recently passed bill and Vilsack says it will provide about $28 more per person, per month, or more than $100 more per month for a household of four, in additional SNAP benefits.

Cyclones keep dancing with 79-75 win over Michigan State

Sports

March 22nd, 2021 by admin

SAN ANTONIO, Texas  – Survive and advance. The Iowa State women’s basketball team (17-10, 12-6 Big 12) did just that Monday night in a 79-75 victory over Michigan State (15-9, 8-7 Big Ten) in the first round of the NCAA Championship.

The win advances the Cyclones to the second round with a match up vs. No. 2-seeded Texas A&M on Wednesday.

Iowa State was able to stave off a Michigan State team that quickly erased a seven-point deficit at the beginning of the fourth quarter and was down by just one point (76-75) with :26 seconds left in the contest.

Iowa State made 6-of-their-last-8 free-throws, including a pair from Lexi Donarski with :26 seconds left and one by Ashley Joens with :02 seconds remaining to ice the victory.

With the season on the line the Cyclones went to their big gun Joens, who was absolutely sensational. The Big 12 leading scorer broke ISU’s NCAA Tournament scoring record by pouring in 33 points, her seventh 30-point outing of the season. Joens also drilled four 3-pointers and grabbed nine boards in the win.

Joens’ 33 points ties for the fifth-most by a Big 12 player in a NCAA Tournament game since 2000.

The Cyclones also received a major boost from off the bench from Madison Wise, who tallied her second double-double of the season with 13 points and 11 caroms. She was 5-of-7 from the field.

ISU also made a big dent with its 3-point shooting, connecting on 9-of-22 from downtown (41.0 percent).

The first quarter went according to plan for the Cyclones. Connecting on 64 percent of its shots from the field, including a 5-of-6 effort from downtown, Iowa State led 26-20 after the first 10 minutes. A key 8-0 run late in the quarter fueled by Wise and Joens 3-pointers allowed the Cyclones to move ahead.

Joens (10 points) and Kristin Scott (seven points) combined for 17 of ISU’s 26 points in the quarter.

MSU opened the second quarter on a 10-2 run to take a 30-28 lead, but the Cyclones quickly answered with an Emily Ryan bomb and a scoop shot from Joens, who was fouled and converted the free-throw to make it 34-30 ISU.

The half ended with the Cyclones owning a 45-39 lead, as Joens had 18 first-half points despite sitting out seven minutes to protect a couple of early fouls.

Joens helped the Cyclones increase their lead to 56-47 with under four minutes remaining in the third stanza by scoring seven of the team’s first 11 points. However, Joens picked up her third foul and Iowa State head coach Bill Fennelly made the wise move to sit Joens for the remainder of the period.

With Joens on the bench, the Cyclones remained on top to begin the fourth period at 63-56.

The Spartans briefly tied the game in the fourth quarter, but the Cyclones were able to counter and never gave up the lead for the remaining of the game.

Braddyville man arrested Saturday on a Burglary warrant & other charges

News

March 22nd, 2021 by Ric Hanson

Sheriff’s deputies in Page County, Saturday, arrested 26-year old Bryson Sean McAlpin, of rural Braddyville. McAlpin was arrested at his residence on a Page County Warrant for Burglary 3rd Degree, Theft 4th Degree Criminal Mischief 4th Degree, and Trespass – Injury or Damage greater than $300.00. He was transported to the Page County Jail and held on a $5,000 cash or surety bond, pending further court proceedings.

Bryson Sean McAlpin

Court: U Iowa officials liable for targeting Christian group

News

March 22nd, 2021 by Ric Hanson

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — A federal appeals court says three University of Iowa administrators can be held personally liable for monetary damages for improperly revoking a Christian student group that rejects homosexual relationships. The 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals says the administrators are not immune from the lawsuit brought by Business Leaders in Christ because they violated the group’s clearly established constitutional rights to freedom of speech and association.

The case dates to 2017, when the organization barred a student from serving in its leadership after disclosing that he was gay and did not agree with its teachings on sexual morality. A federal judge ruled later that the university unevenly applied its human rights policy by revoking the group’s registration.

 

Iowa mom, son face more charges in Jan. 6 Capitol riot

News

March 22nd, 2021 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A 54-year-old mother and son from Iowa are facing new charges arising from their alleged roles in the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol. Deborah Sandoval, of Des Moines, and her 23-year-old son, Salvador Sandoval, of Ankeny, were each originally charged with three counts after their arrest on Feb. 19. A new federal indictment filed in their extradition case shows Salvador Sandoval now faces 13 counts and his mother faces five charges. Federal officials say video shows the younger Sandoval fighting with several police officers in the Capitol building. They are not currently in custody. They are scheduled to be arraigned Friday in Washington D.C.

 

Republicans send bill loosening gun laws to Gov. Reynolds

News

March 22nd, 2021 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — People could buy firearms and carry a concealed handgun without first obtaining a state permit in the state under a bill the Iowa Senate approved and sent to Gov. Kim Reynolds. The bill was approved Monday with only Republican support. Last week it cleared the House with the backing of only one Democrat. The bill would eliminate current state permit requirements and the accompanying background checks that ensure the person obtaining or carrying a gun isn’t disqualified from ownership due to past felonies or abuses. It now goes to Gov. Kim Reynolds.

 

Vice president’s husband discusses hunger at Iowa Food Bank

News

March 22nd, 2021 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The husband of Vice President Kamala Harris toured a Des Moines food bank as the Biden administration continued its effort to promote the recently passed $1.9 trillion COVID relief bill. Doug Emhoff, accompanied by U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack and Iowa U.S. Rep. Cindy Axne, toured the Food Bank of Iowa on Monday.

Michelle Book, president and CEO of the Food Bank of Iowa gives Doug Emhoff, the husband of Vice President Kamala Harris, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, and U.S. Rep. Cindy Axne, D-Iowa, a tour of the Des Moines facility Monday, March 22, 2021. (Zach Boyden-Holmes/The Des Moines Register via AP)

Emhoff and Vilsack announced a 15% increase in benefits in the SNAP program through September 2021. The funding is in the recently passed bill and Vilsack says it will provide about $28 more per person, per month, or more than $100 more per month for a household of four, in additional SNAP benefits.

 

Dump truck and Red Oak Schools Suburban collide Monday morning

News

March 22nd, 2021 by admin

The Red Oak Police Department reports a two-vehicle accident between a Red Oak Schools Suburban and a dump truck occurred Monday morning.

At 9:54 a.m. Officers were dispatched to the accident at state highway 48 and Broadway Street in Red Oak. A 1998 Peterbilt Dump Truck operated by 60-year-old Lance Blaine Most of Red Oak was traveling southbound on Broadway Street and attempting to make a right turn into the alleyway just south of 2nd Avenue. A 2017 Chevy Suburban owned by the Red Oak Schools and operated by 72-year-old Steven Grant Thomas of Red Oak was southbound on Broadway following behind the dump truck. The dump truck needed to swing a bit into the turning lane to make the turn and Thomas misinterpreted the trucks intentions and proceeded forward and the left front of the Suburban collided with the pusher axle on the dump truck. No one was injured in the collision and no students were on board the Suburban.

The dump truck sustained an estimated $360 damage and the Suburban sustained an estimated $2,000 damage. No citations were issued at the scene.

Forecasters predict warmer, drier spring & summer ahead

Ag/Outdoor, News, Weather

March 22nd, 2021 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – New climate outlooks being issued show a warm and dry trend for Iowa and for much of the country this spring and well into summer. Climatologist Pat Guinan, who moderated the monthly North Central Region climate update for the National Weather Service, says the warming pattern will start in April. “It does look like above-normal temperatures are anticipated across all of the NWS central region,” Guinan says, “and below-normal precip is in the cards, at least according to the forecasters.”

Guinan says the next 90 days shows warm conditions spreading. “We see a lot of the country covered in above-normal temperatures for the April-May-June period,” Guinan says, “We see below-normal precipitation indicated, not good, when you consider much of the western half of the country is still experiencing some form of drought.” The latest map from the U-S Drought Monitor shows much of northern and western Iowa is abnormally dry, with some areas ranging from moderate to severe to extreme drought.

As the La Nina pattern fades, Guinan says the summer forecast indicates continued warm, dry weather. “All of the Corn Belt, we’re forecasting a slight enhanced likelihood of above-normal temperatures this summer,” Guinan says. “That dryness has shifted a little bit toward the north and northeast for the summer, for below-normal precipitation with the highest likelihood extending through the Dakotas, western Minnesota, northwest Iowa, all of Nebraska and northern Kansas.”

In the short term, Guinan says the expectation is for moderate to heavy rain much of this week across Iowa and into the central U-S.