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Indians Fall to Eagles on the Road in Conference Bout

Posted on by Sam Parsons

By Sam Parsons

The Oskaloosa Indians made the short road trip to Pella Christian last night in pursuit of their first Little Hawkeye Conference win. Pella Christian, who entered the week as the #11 ranked team in the state among class 2A schools, would present a formidable challenge both on paper and on the hardwood.

The match began with Pella Christian going on an early run to take a 10-4 lead in the opening set, only for Oskaloosa to start stringing together quality rallies and serve-receives to get right back into it. The opening set was tied 22-22 before the Eagles buckled down and scored back-to-back-to-back points to win 25-22 and take a 1-0 set advantage.

Set #2 was a different story: it was back-and-forth to start, with the Eagles holding a 13-10 lead midway through; unfortunately, Oskaloosa’s serve-receive faltered for a period and the Eagles took advantage in a big way, rattling off 10 consecutive points. The set wound up being a dominant 25-13 victory for Pella Christian, who now led 2-0 and were searching for a sweep to avenge last season’s 5-setter loss at Oskaloosa.

The Indians, however, would not make things easy for the Eagles. Pella Christian suffered from a few service errors and hitting errors early in the 3rd set to give the Indians an early lead, but even as the Eagles rounded back into form, Oskaloosa continued to assert themselves: quality defensive performances from their middle hitters, Hannah Nelson and Ireland McGraw, combined with some consistent offense generated by Gracie DeRonde and Cylee Smith, who finished the night with 10 kills and 7 kills, respectively, prevented the Eagles from ever making the set interesting. Oskaloosa responded to PC’s dominant second set with a dominant set of their own, as they won the third set 25-14.

The Indians needed to win the fourth set in order to keep the match going, and they battled hard in front of a packed gym. The Indians and Eagles went back and forth, occasionally engaging in impressively long rallies. Neither team held a lead larger than 3 points until the Eagles led Oskaloosa 23-18 late, appearing to be poised to close the door. Oskaloosa then put up 3 straight points to quickly trim the lead to two, and after the teams traded points, it was 24-22 PC; the match would unfortunately end on an underwhelming note, as Oskaloosa was called for four hits on a short rally and PC would win the fourth set 25-22.

Oskaloosa (5-13) will play their next match at home versus #5 Pella next Tuesday. Coverage will start at 7pm on KBOE 104.9 FM and kboeradio.com.

MORE HINTS A RASCAL FLATTS REUNION COULD BE COMING

Posted on by Bob Ballard

Earlier this month there were hints that perhaps the biggest country band of the 2000s, Rascal Flatts, might be considering a reunion of some sort. Now, more hints that they may actually be getting the band back together. On the website for the Patriotic Festival in Norfolk, Virginia, a tease for their 2025 lineup of artists is leading fans to think the event will be opened up by none other than Rascal Flatts. A graphic shows the silhouette of three members of a band, and it’s not a huge leap to think those silhouettes are of Jay DeMarcus, Joe Don Rooney and Gary LeVox. The lineup is set to be officially released on October 14th; the festival kicks off May 23, 2025. We’ll know in three weeks.

This day in Country Music History

Posted on by Bob Ballard
  • Today in 1962, Loretta Lynn joined the Grand Ole Opry.
  • Today in 1965, the Statler Brothers made their chart debut with “Flowers On The Wall”. In 2000, Eric Heatherly brought the classic back to life when he released his version of the song.
  • Today in 1992, Collin Raye’s single, “In This Life,” hit the top of the charts.
  • Today in 1993, the “Something Up My Sleeve” album by Suzy Bogguss was released.
  • Today in 1998, it was revealed that Johnny Cash had suffered a recurrence of pneumonia less than a year after nearly dying from the ailment. He would receive similar treatments repeatedly thereafter, and rebounded every time, before eventually dying of diabetes-related causes.
  • Today in 1998, Tim McGraw was #1 on “Radio & Records’” Country Top 50 chart with his single, “Where the Green Grass Grows.”
  • Today in 2000, Brooks & Dunn announced preliminary plans for their inaugural “Neon Circus & Wild West Show” tour. The shows, which also included Toby Keith, Montgomery Gentry and Keith Urban, went on to become one of the hottest tickets of the year.
  • Today in 2000, Aaron Tippin’s “People Like Us” album was certified gold.
  • Today in 2001, the album, “Never Love You Enough,” by Chely Wright arrived in stores. Other projects released on this day include Chad Brock’s “III,” SHeDAISY’s remix album, “The Whole SHeBANG: All Mixed Up,” and Willie Nelson’s “The Great Divide.”
  • Today in 2002, Diamond Rio’s Brian Prout and his songwriter wife, Stephanie Bentley, welcomed their first child, daughter Lily Arlina Kay Prout.
  • Today in 2002, Dwight Yoakam’s Bakersfield Biscuits went on sale nationwide.
  • Today in 2004, Lonestar drummer Keech Rainwater married CMT Canada employee Elissa Landsdell in Toronto.
  • Today in 2005, Jake Owens signed with RCA Records.
  • Today in 2012, Taylor Swift’s single, “Begin Again,” hit the airwaves.
  • Today in 2016, Lonestar, Mark Chesnutt, Jamie O’Neal and John Schneider performed at a flood-relief concert at Repentance Park in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The bill also features Tracy Byrd, John Conlee, Chad Brock and Mickey Gilley.
  • Today in 2016, Grand Ole Opry member Jean Shepard died in Nashville. A 2011 inductee in the Country Music Hall of Fame, she used a honky-tonk sound to become a pioneer among female country acts, best known for the singles “Slippin’ Away,” “Second Fiddle (To An Old Guitar)” and a Ferlin Husky duet, “A Dear John Letter.”
  • Today in 2017, Dolly Parton collected gold singles from the RIAA for “I Will Always Love You” and “Jolene,” plus a platinum award for “9 To 5.”
  • Today in 2017, Blake Shelton returned as a coach for the season premiere of NBC’s “The Voice,” joined by Adam Levine, Jennifer Hudson and Miley Cyrus. The contestants include Nashvillian Mitchell Lee, who covers the Hootie + The Blowfish song “Hold My Hand.”

The chunkiest of chunks face off in Alaska’s Fat Bear Week

Posted on by Sam Parsons

JUNEAU (AP) — An Alaska national park’s yearly celebration of the beefy, brown and bristly is getting underway as some of the chunkiest bears on the planet fatten up for their long winter slumber.

Fat Bear Week doesn’t officially start at Katmai National Park and Preserve until Oct. 2, when fans can begin voting online for their favorite ursine behemoths in tournament-style brackets.

But on Tuesday organizers revealed the four cub contestants in this week’s Fat Bear Jr. contest — with the “chubby champ charging on to face the corpulent competition” in the adult bracket, as Naomi Boak of the nonprofit Katmai Conservancy put it during the livestreamed announcement.

The annual contest, which drew more than 1.3 million votes last year, is way to celebrate the resiliency of the 2,200 brown bears that live in the preserve on the Alaska Peninsula, which extends from the state’s southwest corner toward the Aleutian Islands. The most dedicated fans watch the bears on live cameras at explore.org all summer long as they feast on sockeye salmon returning to the Brooks River.

This year’s contestants for Fat Bear Jr. include some familiar muzzles: Both the 2022 and 2023 junior champs are up for a repeat; they remain eligible because they still meet the criteria for being considered a cub, including remaining with a sow. Most cubs stay with their mother for about 2 1/2 years, but the 2022 Fat Bear Jr. winner, known as 909 Jr., who has remained with an aunt, is almost 4 years old.

There’s also an emotional favorite: a spring cub of Grazer, last year’s Fat Bear champ. The cub’s sibling died this summer after it slipped over a small waterfall on the Brooks River and was killed by a dominant adult male known as Chunk, or Bear 32 — an attack captured on the bear cams. Grazer fought Chunk in an effort to save the cub, but it later died.

Adult male brown bears typically weigh 600 to 900 pounds (about 270 to 410 kilograms) in mid-summer. By the time they are ready to hibernate after feasting on migrating and spawning salmon — each eats as many as 30 fish per day — large males can weigh well over 1,000 pounds (454 kilograms). Females are about one-third smaller.

The adult contestants for the Fat Bear Week tournament will be announced Sept. 30, with voting taking place Oct. 2-8.

Iowa Lottery revenue down at start of fiscal year

Posted on by Sam Parsons

By Dar Danielson (Radio Iowa)

Iowa Lottery sales are off to a slow start in the new fiscal year after setting a sales record the previous year. Lottery CEO Matt Strawn gave the Lottery Commission an update during their meeting this morning.

“Gross lottery sales through the first two months of fiscal ’25 totaled  $69,490,821. This represents a 26.8% decrease from this same point last year,” Strawn says. He says lottery proceeds to the state through August are down around 48 percent from the same point last year.

Strawn had warned at the end of the last fiscal year that maintaining the record sales would be tough due to national economic conditions and soft sales in national lotto games. He cited Powerball sales as an example of how lotto games have impacted the new fiscal year.  “Last year through August, Powerball sales in Iowa totaled  $16.5 million. This year, over that same two-month time frame, Powerball sales in Iowa totaled $5.9 million,” Strawn says. “Thus, year-over-year Powerball sales in Iowa are down 64.08%.” Strawn says national Powerball sales trends are down a nearly identical amount.

Strawn says jackpots are hard to predict and once they get going they bring in a lot of people who are not regular players. “And that’s even more so when those jackpots climb above the one billion-dollar threshold, which happened twice during the first two months of last fiscal year alone. Once in Powerball and once in Mega Millions,” he says. “And so not surprisingly as a result, Mega Millions performance to start the fiscal year is larger mirroring that of Powerball, as Mega Millions game sales are down 66.59% over the first two months.”  Strawn says the national economy has an impact on sales, and that includes changes in interest rates that impact the annuity and jackpot amount. “Simply stated, higher interest rates do lead to corresponding higher advertised grand prize amounts. And those higher advertised grand prize amounts lead to additional sales,” Strawn says.

Strawn says the issues they are facing were factored in as they prepared the budget for this fiscal year, and that has helped them stay close to their projections.
“Lottery sales for the first two months of fiscal 2025 are $3.01 million ahead of budget projections. Lottery operating expenses are $247,000 under budget. And when it comes to fiscal year-to-date proceeds, we are just less than one million behind our budget projections,” he says.

Strawn says sales are unlikely to reach the record heights of recent years, but the adjustments they made in this year’s budget and continued diversity of products with help them deal with the drop.

Lend a hand in a state park at Statewide Volunteer Day on Sept. 28

Posted on by Sam Parsons

DES MOINES — Iowans are invited to lend a hand at the DNR’s eighth annual statewide Volunteer Day on Saturday, Sept. 28. Several parks across the state will be hosting volunteer events to help spruce up trails, buildings and other park amenities.

“Iowa state parks are beloved places for many Iowans, and we greatly appreciate the help volunteers provide,” said Sherry Arntzen, chief of Iowa Parks, Forests and Preserves.

Clean-up efforts at Statewide Volunteer Day will be unique for each park and may include litter pick-up, staining or painting buildings, planting trees, clearing trails and more.

Citizens interested in volunteering can learn more at www.iowadnr.gov/volunteer. If weather looks inclement on Saturday, volunteers should contact the individual park office in case changes to date, time or meeting location for the event occur.

William Penn University’s Next Worldview Forum is Tonight

Posted on by Sam Parsons

OSKALOOSA — William Penn University announced its upcoming Worldview Forum, set to take place tonight, Wednesday, September 25th, 2024, at the George Daily Auditorium. This semester’s forum will explore the timely and thought-provoking topic of “Pacifism and Just War: Pathways to Peace?” The Worldview Forum is a signature event at William Penn University, bringing together students, faculty, staff, and community members to engage in meaningful dialogue on pressing global and ethical issues. The forum aims to foster critical thinking, promote diverse perspectives, and create a space for open, respectful discussion.

The event will be held from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM at the George Daily Auditorium. This semester’s forum will focus on the topic “Pacifism and Just War: Pathways to Peace?” and will feature two distinguished speakers.

Brian Terrell, a peace activist with nearly 50 years of experience, will represent the pacifist perspective. Brian has been deeply involved in the Catholic Worker movement, anti-nuclear, anti-war, and human rights protests across the globe. He currently resides in Maloy, Iowa, and serves as a coordinator for the Nevada Desert Experience.

Representing the Just War perspective, Tim Hadley, principal of Oelwein High School and a Chaplain for the 1-133 Infantry Battalion, will bring his insights to the discussion. Tim holds advanced degrees in Educational Administration and Divinity, and alongside his role as a school leader, he is actively involved in his church community in Independence, Iowa.

Manny Garcia will serve as the moderator for the forum, guiding the discussion and ensuring a balanced exploration of the topics at hand. As the Superintendent of the Iowa Yearly Meeting, Manny brings a wealth of experience in faith-based leadership.

Audience members will have the opportunity to submit questions and participate in real-time polling using Poll Everywhere, allowing them to express their views on the issues discussed. The forum is designed to be student-centered, ensuring that the voices of our students are at the forefront of the conversation. It provides an invaluable opportunity for attendees to deepen their understanding of complex issues and reflect on their own beliefs.

William Penn University, located in Oskaloosa, Iowa, is committed to providing a holistic education that prepares students for both personal and professional success. With a focus on community, diversity, and ethical leadership, William Penn fosters a learning environment that encourages students to become thoughtful, engaged citizens of the world. For more information about the Worldview Forum or William Penn University, please visit www.wmpenn.edu/worldview or contact Kevin Rohr at kevin.rohr@wmpenn.edu or 641.673.1297.

Who Is the Toughest Act to Follow in Country Music?

Posted on by Bob Ballard

Back during the “ACM Awards”, “The Boot” caught up with a bunch of Country stars, and asked them all the same question:  “Who was the toughest act to follow in all of Country music?”

And not surprisingly the most common answer they got was Chris Stapleton . . . Because who would ever want to go onstage right after Chris?  Not Thomas Rhett, that’s for sure.  He said, “I’ve done that before.  That’s not a fun gig.”

Here are some of the best answers:

1.  Chayce Beckham said, “I played after Zach Top the other day and that felt wrong to me.  I felt like I should be opening up for Zach.”

2.  Cody Johnson is a huge Brothers Osborne fan.  He said, “I would not in any capacity want to follow Brothers Osborne live on stage.”

3.  Which is funny because Brothers Osborne said the same thing about Cody Johnson.  They knew way back in the day when he opened for them, that he was “destined for greatness.”  Jelly Roll and Ian Munsick also named Cody, because he’s so talented.

4.  Kylie Morgan named Morgan Wallen, and with good reason.  She said, “He puts on such an incredible show that I’d be like, ‘I’m just gonna go home now.'”

5.  And then almost everyone else said Chris Stapleton.  Imagine him rocking out, singing, “White Horse” . . . and then it’s your turn.  Yeah, no thanks.

(You can check out all the rest of the answers, here.)

This day in Country Music History

Posted on by Bob Ballard
  • Today in 1962, Hall of Famers Flatt and Scruggs recorded “The Ballad of Jed Clampett.” It went on to become the theme song of the TV series, “The Beverly Hillbillies.”
  • Today in 1977, just one month after his apparent death, 2,500 fans of the King gathered in Cincinnati, Ohio, for the first Elvis Presley Convention where original copies of some early Presley singles sold for $300.
  • Today in 1973, Loretta Lynn’s classic single, “Coal Miner’s Daughter,” was released.
  • Today in 1989, Clint Black’s debut album, “Killin’ Time,” was certified gold.
  • Today in 1989, the Judds’ only Christmas album, “Christmas Time with the Judds,” went gold.
  • Today in 1991, Mark Chesnutt’s first album, “Too Cold at Home,” went gold.
  • Today in 1996, Clint Black released his “Greatest Hits” and John Michael Montgomery released “What I Do the Best.”
  • Today in 1997, Garth Brooks was named Entertainer of the Year at the 31st annual CMA Awards. It was his first CMA win since 1993. Other winners that night included Trisha Yearwood, George Strait, Deana Carter (Single of the Year) and LeAnn Rimes (Horizon Award).
  • Today in 1998, Elvis Presley was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.
  • Today in 1999, the “Complete Woman In Me” video by Shania Twain was certified platinum.
  • Today in 1999, Lee Ann Womack’s self-titled debut album was certified platinum, while her second project, “Some Things I Know,” was certified gold.
  • Today in 1999, the “Lonely Grill” album by Lonestar was certified platinum.
  • Today in 2002, the album, “Kindred Spirits: A Tribute to the Songs of Johnny Cash,” arrived in stores. The star-studded list of artists featured on the CD includes Rosanne Cash, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Sheryl Crow, Bob Dylan, Vince Gill, Emmylou Harris, Little Richard, Charlie Robison, Bruce Springsteen, Travis Tritt, Hank Williams, Jr. and Marty Stuart, who spearheaded the effort.
  • Today in 2002, Travis Tritt’s “Strong Enough” album arrived in stores. Other CDs released include Joe Diffie’s “Super Hits,” Elvis Presley’s “Elvis: 30 #1 Hits,” Doug Stone’s “The Long Way” and Tanya Tucker’s “Tanya.”
  • Today in 2002, Tennessee’s Governor Don Sundquist appointed Dolly Parton as the Official Ambassador for the Tennessee Film and Music Industries.
  • Today in 2002, Clint Black and Dixie Chick Martie Maguire were among the famous folks on hand at a California State Senate hearing on artists’ rights and the accounting practices of record labels.
  • Today in 2004, Loretta Lynn was a double-winner at the Americana Music Awards.
  • Today in 2005, Sara Evans completed her run to #1 on the Billboard charts with “A Real Fine Place To Start”.
  • Today in 2009, Miranda Lambert performed her entire “Revolution” album at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium for an audience that included Taylor Swift.
  • Today in 2014, Jason Aldean got engaged to Brittany Kerr at the San Diego Zoo.
  • Today in 2016, Kelsea Ballerini’s “Peter Pan” began a two-week stay at #1 on the Billboard country singles chart.
  • Today in 2016, Cam married Adam Weaver in Joshua Tree, California.
  • Today in 2017, Meghan Linsey kneeled at the end of her national anthem performance at Nashville’s Nissan Stadium in a show of unity with protesters following president Donald Trump’s verbal attack on NFL players.
  • Today in 2017, “Variety revealed that Luke Bryan had agreed to serve as a judge on ABC-TV’s revival of the music competition “American Idol.”
  • Today in 2017, Chris Stapleton played at a Concert for Charlottesville, a Virginia response to a racial confrontation over Confederate statues that drew national attention the previous month. Also appearing at Scott Stadium were Justin Timberlake, The Dave Matthews Band, Pharrell Williams and Cage The Elephant.
  • Today in 2018, Taylor Swift received three nominations as finalists are announced by E! for the People’s Choice Awards. Keith Urban was a double nominee, up for Male Artist for 2018 and a contender for Country Artist with Blake Shelton, Luke Bryan, Thomas Rhett and Carrie Underwood.
  • Today in 2018, Charlie Robison announced his retirement from performing on social media, citing a surgical procedure that made him unable to sing.
  • Today in 2018, Thomas Rhett’s single, “Marry Me,” was certified double-platinum by the RIAA.

Reggie Bush sues USC, Pac-12 and NCAA to seek NIL compensation from football career 2 decades ago

Posted on by Sam Parsons

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Former Southern California football star Reggie Bush says he is suing his school, the NCAA and the Pac-12 in a bid to recoup money made on his name, image and likeness during his career with the Trojans two decades ago.

In a brief news release from Bush’s attorneys Monday announcing the filing, the Heisman Trophy-winning tailback’s representatives claim he should be paid “to address and rectify ongoing injustices stemming from the exploitation of Reggie Bush’s name, image, and likeness during his tenure as a USC football player.” The release revealed no specifics about the intended suit.

“This case is not just about seeking justice for Reggie Bush,” attorney Evan Selik said in a statement. “It’s about setting a precedent for the fair treatment of all college athletes. Our goal is to rectify this injustice and pave the way for a system where athletes are rightfully recognized, compensated and treated fairly for their contributions.”

Bush was one of the most exciting players in recent college football history during his three years at USC from 2003-05 while winning two national titles and the Heisman. He went on to an 11-year NFL career.

Bush forfeited his Heisman in 2010 after USC was hit with massive sanctions partly related to Bush’s dealings with two aspiring sports marketers. The Heisman Trust restored the honor earlier this year and returned the trophy to Bush, citing fundamental changes in the structure of college athletics over the past 14 years.

Bush is still pursuing the separate defamation lawsuit he filed against the NCAA last year over the governing body’s 2021 characterization of the circumstances that led to Bush’s troubles.

It’s unclear how the new lawsuit will affect Bush’s relationship with USC, which had been particularly warm this year. He celebrated the return of his Heisman with a news conference atop the Coliseum last spring, and he was expected to lead the current Trojans out of the Coliseum tunnel at an undetermined game later this season.

The university issued a statement in response to Bush’s lawsuit announcement: “Reggie will always be a revered member of the Trojan Family, and we were very pleased to support his successful efforts to recover his Heisman Trophy. We have not received a copy of the lawsuit so we are unable to address its allegations.”

The school was ordered to disassociate from Bush for 10 years after the 2010 NCAA ruling, but USC had welcomed back Bush. Last month, USC returned his retired No. 5 to its place of honor among USC’s eight banners for its Heisman winners on the Peristyle at the Coliseum.

“We appreciate that the new administration at USC is trying to pick up the pieces of the former administrations’ unjust and improper handling of Reggie Bush,” Levi McCathern, the attorney also handling Bush’s separate defamation lawsuit against the NCAA. “However, the delay in fixing this speaks volumes.”

Bush is only the latest former athlete to seek compensation through the courts this year for their prior athletic careers under the new rules in college athletics.

Denard Robinson and Braylon Edwards were among several former Michigan stars who sued the NCAA and the Big Ten Network earlier this month. In June, a group of 10 players on NC State’s 1983 NCAA championship-winning basketball team sued the NCAA and the Collegiate Licensing Company to seek compensation for use of their names, images and likenesses.

The NCAA and major college conferences are currently attempting to settle three antitrust lawsuits related to NIL compensation for athletes. There is a settlement agreement in place to pay $2.78 billion to hundreds of thousands of college athletes.

The NCAA changed its rules in 2021 to allow athletes to make money through sponsorship and endorsement deals after fiercely fighting against it for decades.

Bush left his job as a commentator for Fox Sports shortly before last season. Bush was at his Encino home during an attempted break-in two weeks ago, but was unharmed.

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