Category Archives: News

Eclipse watch parties across Montreal

The place will you be be watching the overall photo voltaic eclipse?

The extremely anticipated day has arrived and watch events are deliberate throughout Montreal for residents to expertise the uncommon celestial occasion collectively on April 8 — seize your eclipse glasses, and luxuriate in watching the moon cross straight in entrance of the solar, blocking it to create a day-turns-to-night phenomenon.

When you can watch the present by yourself, listed below are some occasions within the metropolis:

McGill College

The Trottier House Institute and the Division of Physics on the McGill campus are internet hosting an Eclipse Truthful and Viewing Social gathering. From 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. there can be cubicles for all ages to discover the science behind eclipses, hands-on actions, and demos. The occasion is free, open to most people, and free eclipse glasses can be offered.

When: 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The place: McGill Campus, Decrease Subject (to the suitable of the Roddick Gates) | 859 Sherbrooke St W, Montreal

Parc Jean-Drapeau

“All collectively for a once-in-a-lifetime occasion,” writes Parc Jean-Drapeau on their web site. They invite Montrealers to hitch them for the distinctive occasion as we speak at Espace 67 that can characteristic musicians and consultants. Festivities start at 11 a.m. and free protecting eclipse eyeglasses can be handed out on-site.

When: Beginning at 11 a.m.

The place: Parc Jean-Drapeau (They strongly suggest utilizing the metro to get to parc Jean-Drapeau and buying round-trip fare prematurely.)

Montreal Science Museum

The Science Centre can be a free official viewing location as we speak. “Watching an eclipse collectively makes it all of the extra memorable,” writes the centre on their occasion web page. Everyone seems to be invited to collect in entrance of the constructing to observe the eclipse occur proper above the town. Free eclipse glasses can be obtainable, together with particular actions and contests.

When: Beginning at 1 p.m.

The place: The Montréal Science Centre 

Quartier des spectacles

The Quartier des spectacles can be crammed with music being performed by means of audio system in the course of the eclipse. The Orchestre symphonique de Montréal (OSM) has produced a playlist on Spotify that synchronizes with the phases of the eclipse — you may hearken to the playlist anyplace too, they suggest beginning it at 2:14 p.m. for a singular expertise.

When: 2:14 p.m.

The place: Quartier des spectacles

The overall photo voltaic eclipse will occur at round 3:27 p.m. and is predicted to final solely a couple of minute-and-a-half. 

These wanting to observe the overall photo voltaic eclipse ought to discover themselves a pair of protecting eclipse eyeglasses as wanting straight into the solar could cause everlasting eye injury, consultants have mentioned. 

The eclipse will be considered in several elements of Montreal, however areas just like the East finish and even Laval received’t expertise the day-turns-to-night phenomenon.

Purposes akin to My Eclipse can let you know if you can be within the complete photo voltaic eclipse zone and the way lengthy it would final for a particular location.

Joyful viewing!

Billie Eilish Announces New Album ‘Hit Me Hard And Soft’ 

As anticipated, Billie Eilish has formally introduced her third full-length album: “‘HIT ME HARD AND SOFT,’ MY THIRD ALBUMMMMMMMMMMMMM COMES OUT MAY 17THHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH AHHHHHHHHHH,” she wrote in an emoji-loaded social media publish accompanied by a photograph of the album’s cowl, which options Eilish underwater, swimming towards an open white door. “So loopy to be penning this proper now i’m nervyyyyy & exciteddd. Not doing singles i wanna give it to you abruptly. Finneas and i really couldn’t be extra happy with this album and we completely can’t wait so that you can hear it. Love you’re keen on you’re keen on you.”

The album’s official press announcement was accompanied by a brand new picture of Eilish underwater, just like the album cowl:

(Photograph: William Drumm)

The album’s controversial title — which, not like the all-lowercase kind Eilish has used in recent times, is in all-caps like her earlier releases — is at the least partially defined in a press announcement that adopted her publish: “The album does precisely because the title suggests: hits you laborious and comfortable each lyrically and sonically whereas bending genres and defying traits alongside the best way. ‘HIT ME HARD AND SOFT’ journeys by way of an unlimited and expansive audio panorama, immersing listeners right into a full spectrum of feelings. It’s what the a number of Grammy and Academy Award winner does greatest, persevering with to affirm Billie Eilish as the most enjoyable songwriter of her time.” 

As normal, the album was written by Eilish and her brother and musical collaborator Finneas, who additionally produced the album. 

The announcement notes that the album can be out there on all digital platforms, and, reflecting Eilish’s latest feedback concerning the environmental wastefulness of bodily product equivalent to vinyl, provides, “In a continued effort to reduce waste and fight local weather change; throughout all bodily codecs in restricted variants on the identical day, with the identical track-listing and utilizing 100% recyclable supplies. For extra info on all sustainable practices for this album launch, please go to the official web site.” The hyperlink results in an in depth rationalization of the album’s manufacturing course of.

Eilish has been talking concerning the album for a number of weeks, and least week teased the album with a sequence of billboards in main cities internationally. The billboards didn’t characteristic the Grammy- and Oscar-winning artist’s title however did embody her acquainted “blohsh” image and what look like lyric snippets saying issues like “Did I cross the road?,” “I attempt to stay in black and white” and “She’s the headlights I’m the deer.”

Eilish’s group used an identical tactic in 2021 to tease the discharge of her second full-length, “Fortunately Ever After.”

Whereas Eilish and her brother/musical collaborator Finneas spent many of the previous few months on an exhaustive awards marketing campaign selling “What Was I Made For?,” their track from the blockbuster “Barbie” movie and soundtrack, they haven’t launched a brand new album since “Fortunately Ever After” in July of 2021, though they’ve toured and launched different materials.

Eilish confirmed late in February that her new album has been mastered, which is the often final step earlier than an album is manufactured and despatched to streaming providers.

She and Finneas have stated that writing “What Was I Made For?” opened up the floodgates after a logjam they’d been experiencing in arising with materials for Eilish’s third full album.

 “There’s a entire album of music coming,” Eilish stated in September. “We’re within the last phases of creating it, in order that doesn’t imply it’s about to return out, however it’s getting there and it’s very thrilling.”

Montreal gets front-row seat for total solar eclipse

Individuals who descended on southern Quebec from afar for a view of Monday’s whole photo voltaic eclipse have been rewarded with good viewing situations for what many described as an emotional expertise.

One of many province’s most prized viewing factors was Mont-Mégantic provincial park in Quebec’s Jap Townships, a dark-sky protect that has been getting ready for greater than a yr for Monday’s cosmic spectacle. It had made 2,500 tickets accessible for guests, they usually have been rapidly snapped up.

Simply earlier than totality hit the park at round 3:30 p.m., organizers requested individuals to show off their telephones and look to the sky.

“I cried. I used to be shaking, it’s distinctive,” stated Mira Cadotte Lachance, a instructor, as she pointed to Venus and Jupiter, which shone within the sky. “I contemplate myself privileged to expertise this second.”

Benoît Reeves, a scientific communicator and son of late Canadian astrophysicist Hubert Reeves, travelled from Paris to Quebec simply to see the eclipse.

Individuals watch the photo voltaic eclipse at Parc Jean Drapeau, in Montreal, Monday, April 8, 2024. (Ryan Remiorz / The Canadian Press)

He organizes astronomy journeys in France round phenomena resembling comets and eclipses. He could not go up an opportunity to see a complete eclipse in individual once more, particularly with the centre of the trail of totality passing nearly proper over Mont-Mégantic.

“As a result of I’ve already witnessed eclipses and it was so transferring — such a strong feeling — that, properly, I’ve to return,” Reeves stated. “It is like an habit.”

“As a result of I’ve already witnessed eclipses and it was so transferring, such a strong feeling that, properly, I’ve to return,” Reeves stated. “It is like an habit.”

The sky above the area about 200 kilometres east of Montreal was forecast to be clear, as the trail of totality travels over Mont Mégantic between 3:28 p.m. and three:32 p.m.

The totality part of a complete photo voltaic eclipse is seen at Parc Jean Drapeau, in Montreal, Monday, April 8, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz

In Montreal, viewing occasions are going down on the Previous Port, Université de Montréal’s CEPSUM stadium, on the campus of McGill College and at Parc Jean-Drapeau, the place 1000’s gathered forward of the occasion.

Michelle Crotteau, of Broadway, Va., was marking an eclipse-themed sixtieth birthday at Parc Jean-Drapeau. Crotteau stated she witnessed a complete eclipse in 2017 in Tennessee and wished to be in Montreal to expertise it as soon as once more.

“I believe it’s totally religious for me, and it simply makes me really feel a part of the universe in a really particular manner,” Crotteau stated, sporting a T-shirt that learn “totality my sixtieth birthday.”

Roger and Sandra Kirkham, from the British island of Jersey, off the French coast, have been in Montreal celebrating their twenty fifth marriage ceremony anniversary and admitted they hadn’t recognized concerning the eclipse till not too long ago.

In downtown Montreal, individuals gathered on rooftops and loud cheers echoed by way of the streets because the sky darkened and temperatures dipped. 1000’s gathered within the metropolis’s Previous Port, filling a waterfront park beneath clear skies that provided an unobstructed view of the solar.

As the sunshine pale within the moments earlier than totality, avenue lights got here on and a string of lights at a restaurant throughout the road from the Previous Port lit up. A ship within the river sounded its horn and the group cheered once more. Because the solar re-emerged, one other cheer went up.

“It was really magnificent, an awe-inspiring expertise,” stated Gabrielle Gauthier. “I liked it,” chimed in her daughter, Alyssa, 7.

Gauthier stated the expertise was one that may make individuals assume extra concerning the world.

“It’s a studying alternative for kids,” she stated. “It’s vital for them to see issues like this, as a result of it goes a bit past what they will study in books, or at school, to expertise an occasion like this. I believe it can stick with us.”

Because the partial eclipse progressed, tens of 1000’s gathered at Montreal’s Parc Jean-Drapeau turned their gaze skyward, donning their eclipse glasses.

Some additionally common their very own distinctive security lenses. Lewis Mackay reworked a wormhole-shaped novelty popcorn bucket made for the second “Dune” film into an eclipse field. Others punched holes into items of paper to function makeshift pinhole cameras.

Michelle Crotteau, of Broadway, Va., was marking an eclipse-themed sixtieth birthday on the park. Crotteau stated she witnessed a complete eclipse in 2017 in Tennessee and wished to be in Montreal to expertise it as soon as once more.

“I believe it’s totally religious for me, and it simply makes me really feel a part of the universe in a really particular manner,” Crotteau stated, sporting a T-shirt that learn, “Totality my sixtieth birthday.”

Len Seals, an optical engineer at NASA who labored on the James Webb House Telescope, travelled to Montreal from Washington, D.C. to see the eclipse along with his spouse and two youngsters. He could not go up an opportunity to see the pure phenomenon because it occurs, in individual.

“I’m used to taking a look at issues by way of a pc display screen and seeing pictures, however not with my very own eyes. That’s all the time a special expertise,” stated Seals as he waited for the eclipse in Previous Montreal.

Ralph Bschor, who witnessed a complete eclipse in 2003, travelled from Germany to Montreal for the possibility to see one once more. “The second is improbable, when it is getting darkish and the birds cease,” he stated.

Again in Mont Mégantic, about 200 kilometres east of Montreal, cheers, screams and smiles washed over the group.

“It was shining like a diamond, phrases can’t relate my feelings,” stated Chantale Lapointe, who obtained a ticket as a birthday current. “It’s probably the most lovely reward my youngsters may give me. I didn’t assume I’d bawl.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first printed April 8, 2024.

— With information from Sidhartha Banerjee in Montreal and Stéphane Blais in Mont-Mégantic, Que. 

Nate Oats and Jay Wright pass on Kentucky Wildcats Basketball coach opening

Now that we’ve averted catastrophe, again to who replaces John Calipari.

It’s no secret that many round Kentucky wish to see Nate Oats as the subsequent head coach. After guiding the Alabama Crimson Tide to their first-ever Closing 4 berth, Oats is about as sizzling of a candidate as there may be outdoors of Dan Hurley.

Nevertheless, there’s been some uncertainty about whether or not Kentucky is excited about Oats, a giant cause being his reported $18 million buyout to pry him from Alabama. And that’s earlier than he indicators a contract doubtless paying him north of $8 million yearly.

So, to no shock, Nate Oats to Kentucky isn’t occurring, and he confirmed as a lot Monday on Twitter.

The 49-year-old Oats has been a rising star within the faculty ranks since taking on at Buffalo in 2015. In his 4 seasons with the Bulls, he received the MAC Match thrice and claimed a pair of NCAA Match wins, most notably over 4-seed Arizona in 2018.

At Alabama, he’s led the Tide to a 117–54 by 5 seasons and is coming off a Closing 4 berth. That got here after a 31-6 season the prior yr that ended with a Candy 16 loss to San Diego State.

Oats isn’t the one one saying no to Kentucky.

Previous to Monday’s NCAA Nationwide Championship, CBS commentator Jay Wright gave a definitive “no” when requested about doubtlessly popping out of retirement for Kentucky.

Wright was at all times a longshot, much more so than Oats. Whereas he’s a Corridor of Fame coach, it’s been fairly evident that the 62-year-old Wright is completely satisfied in retirement and never prepared to leap again into a university panorama that he was already rising uninterested in earlier than NIL turned an enormous ordeal.

So there’s two off the board.

J. Cole Backs Down From Kendrick Lamar Feud

Topline

Rapper J. Cole mentioned dropping his diss observe towards Kendrick Lamar was the “lamest, goofiest sh*t,” Sunday, sparking combined reactions from different artists for backing down from a feud that escalated after Lamar took pictures at each him and Drake on his verse on Future and Metro Boomin’s tune, “Like That.”

Key Info

J. Cole backtracked simply days after releasing “7 Minute Drill,” a diss observe aimed toward Kendrick Lamar, telling followers whereas onstage in North Carolina Sunday night time dropping the tune was the “lamest, goofiest sh*t” which “don’t sit proper with my spirit.”

He mentioned he launched the tune as a result of the “world wanna see blood,” including he was conflicted about releasing a diss observe as a result of he respects Lamar.

In “7 Minute Drill,” which dropped Friday, J. Cole fired what he known as “warning pictures” to Lamar, criticizing his final album as “tragic” and accusing him of being previous his prime.

In his rap, J. Cole accused Lamar of looking for “consideration,” referring to pictures Lamar took at him and Drake in his verse on “Like That” final month.

Chief Critics

J. Cole’s choice to disavow his diss observe was met with some important reactions from different artists, together with rapper Mick Jenkins, who tweeted: “As a. rappers rapper [sic]. As a competitor. I’m stunned. I’m disgusted. I’m dissatisfied,” including in a follow-up post he desires to see rappers that declare to be the most effective “to rap prefer it when they’re challenged.” Nigerian rapper Blaqbonez tweeted that J. Cole “damage me, damage us.” Comic Lil Duval criticized J. Cole for backing down, tweeting: “The entire cause we favored the Kendrick and j Cole [sic] beef was as a result of we knew it was pleasant competitors. No one noticed it as unhealthy power or unfavourable.”

Contra

Singer Ari Lennox, who’s signed to J. Cole’s Dreamville Data, supported the rapper in a touch upon his Instagram. “You’re so actual. I recognize the human you might be. I love your self consciousness and your self reflection,” Lennox wrote, including that he “made historical past tonight.” “The Breakfast Membership” radio host Charlamagne tha God mentioned on his Monday morning present that the rap fan in him understands why followers are dissatisfied in J. Cole’s response, however mentioned it takes a “actual human to verify himself,” including folks “need a man to assault a person to your leisure as a result of we’re a tradition that feeds off battle.”

Key Background

Lamar appeared to name out each Drake and J. Cole in his verse on “Like That,” which dropped in March and debuted at No. 1 on final week’s Billboard Scorching 100. In a earlier collaboration between Drake and J. Cole, “First Individual Shooter,” J. Cole declared himself, Drake and Lamar to be the “huge three” of recent rap. However on “Like That,” Lamar rejected the thought of a “huge three,” stating there’s simply “huge me.” The disses have been the most recent in a long-running beef between Drake and Lamar, whom followers consider have taken refined pictures at one another of their songs a number of instances over the previous decade.

Tangent

Earlier than J. Cole backtracked from “7 Minute Drill,” music critics and different artists criticized the rap. Rapper and podcast host Joe Budden known as J. Cole’s tone “narcoleptic,” suggesting it might’ve been a greater rap if he had sounded “alive.” In a evaluate of the observe, Rolling Stone author Andre Gee mentioned J. Cole introduced a “knife to a gunfight,” suggesting the lyrics weren’t aggressive sufficient to fulfill followers. Pitchfork critic Alphonse Pierre asserted that “rap beef is simply not for J. Cole,” stating he “doesn’t have the center for the mendacity, disrespect, and animosity it requires to make an efficient diss observe.” Billboard additionally accused J. Cole’s rap of falling flat, stating the observe “by no means crosses the traces that must be crossed.”

Additional Studying

J. Cole Releases Kendrick Lamar Diss ‘7 Minute Drill’ Amid Beef Involving Drake (Forbes)

J. Cole’s Response Is Good, However It’s Not Sufficient (Billboard)

Future, Metro Boomin & Kendrick Lamar’s ‘Like That’ Debuts at No. 1 on Billboard Scorching 100 (Billboard)

What Alabama basketball coach owes if he leaves

Nate Oats coached Alabama basketball to its first Ultimate 4 look this season.

After dropping to No. 1 total seed UConn, Oats was emotional and promised Alabama followers that “we’re not completed.” Nevertheless, neither that assertion — nor the actual fact Oats signed an extension with Alabama lower than a month in the past — has stopped musings that he would probably match at Kentucky following John Calipari’s reportedly taking the Arkansas job from working rampant.

REQUIRED READING:`Inside Nate Oats’ long-winding journey to the Ultimate 4

Oats, 49, led the Crimson Tide to SEC Event championships in 2021 and 2023 and has produced six NBA draft picks — together with No. 2 total choose Brandon Miller in 2023 — making him an attractive match for the Wildcat’ basketball-first program.

Oats signed his first contract extension in February 2023, and one other on March 18, after his title was floated for quite a few nationally outstanding jobs, together with Ohio State and Michigan. The newest extension runs by March 14, 2030 and features a hefty buyout, a instrument Alabama hoped would hold away potential suitors.

FOLLOW THE MADNESS: NCAA event brackets, scores, schedules, groups and extra.

“We have this system headed in the appropriate path,” Oats stated after signing the extension. “We have the dedication from the administration that they’ll proceed to help us in the way in which I really feel like we will compete to be a prime 10, prime 25 crew year-in and year-out. I respect their help in protecting me right here, take my title out of a few of the different job openings which might be there. In all probability not nice timing with this loss tonight.”

This is all the things to find out about Oats’ contract, together with his buyout:

Nate Oats wage

At $6.275 million, Oats’ contract ties him for tied for third amongst school basketball’s highest-paid coaches amongst public college coaches. He is making the identical compensation as Auburn coach Bruce Pearl and solely trails Kansas’ Invoice Self ($9.14 million) and Kentucky’s Calipari’s previous contract ($8.6 million). Calipari’s new deal is value reportedly value $7.5 to $8 million.

In common annual wage (AAV), Oats is fourth, making $6.275 million. He trails solely Self ($9.265 million), Calipari ($8.9 million), and Pearl ($6.525 million). Earlier than the extension, Oats ranked No. 10 amongst coaches with a wage of $4.53 million this previous season.

Nate Oats buyout

If Oats have been to go away Alabama within the first two years of his contract, he would owe the college $18 million. After March 31, 2026, the buyout falls to $10 million for one yr till March 31, 2027. The buyout is $4 million for the next season and $0 afterward.

However, despite the fact that Oats’ contract is 100% assured, if Alabama fired him, he must make a “affordable and good religion effort” to pursue one other head teaching place with a median annual wage equal to or better than $3.5 million, per particulars of his contract.

Nate Oats report

  • Profession report: 213-97
  • Buffalo (2015-19): 96-43
  • Alabama (2019-present): 117-54

NCAA title-game loss highlights Iowa women’s need for depth

CLEVELAND − The beginning of Iowa’s NCAA Event title sport couldn’t have been scripted any higher. After South Carolina missed a challenged shot, Kate Martin boxed out 6-foot-2 Chloe Kitts for a textbook rebound.

Martin supplied an outlet go to Caitlin Clark, who on her first contact of the sport dribbled twice and flung an extended chest go to Hannah Stuelke within the reverse free-throw lane. Stuelke spun and whipped a left-handed go to Sydney Affolter, who from the left sideline rapidly slipped a brief go to the coming Martin on the 3-point line. Martin squared up and uncorked a high-arching 3-pointer over 6-7 Kamilla Cardoso.

Swish, for a 3-0 Iowa lead.

Rewatch that play, and also you’ll additionally see Affolter attacking the rim and curling her physique inside a South Carolina defender to be in place for a possible offensive rebound.

These issues highlighted precisely what Iowa wanted to do to spring the upset in opposition to the unbeaten Gamecocks. The Hawkeyes needed to rating in transition with their elite ball motion, needed to hit a excessive variety of 3s and needed to be as aggressive as attainable on the glass.

Impressively, Iowa’s sizzling begin continued. Martin’s first mid-range jumper was true. Affolter raced up courtroom after one other defensive rebound and scored in transition along with her left hand. Clark buried her first 3-point attempt of the sport, from the proper wing, for a 10-0 Hawkeyes uppercut.

All these issues additionally highlighted that Iowa, at its finest, was succesful for a second straight 12 months of taking down Daybreak Staley and South Carolina.

“We have been excited. We have been prepared,” fifth-year senior guard Gabbie Marshall stated after her Iowa-record 166th profession sport. “We saved telling one another to play free, play free. We don’t have something to lose. Simply go do what you do on the market to the very best of your capacity. That’s why we began off so sizzling.”

At its core, this was an amazing Iowa group. However, partly as a consequence of accidents, this was not a deep Iowa group by the top of a grueling NCAA Event and 39-game schedule. And the group on the opposite bench was arguably one of many deepest groups in ladies’s basketball historical past.

How deep? The Gamecocks’ main scorer Sunday was Tessa Johnson with 19 factors. She was the group’s ninth-leading scorer for the season. Raven Johnson led South Carolina with 36 minutes and Cardoso (15 factors, 17 rebounds) performed 30. Seven different Gamecocks performed between 14 and 25 minutes. Brisker, longer our bodies ultimately overwhelmed the Hawkeyes.

Meantime, Iowa used Marshall, Clark and Martin for each second (39:40) till taking the seniors out with 20 seconds to go. Affolter performed 35. This was in spite of everything 5 Iowa starters performed 37-plus minutes in Friday evening’s 71-69 win over UConn that ended simply earlier than midnight in Cleveland.

Whereas Iowa was in a position to outrun LSU within the Elite Eight regardless of a brief bench, South Carolina was a far taller, deeper problem.

“We have been hitting quite a lot of our photographs and had our transition sport going slightly bit,” Affolter stated of the quick begin, which continued to a 20-9 lead whereas Iowa’s legs have been nonetheless springy. “However we have been enjoying so arduous within the submit to get rebounds. These ladies are nice basketball gamers. Clearly very robust, very tall. It takes quite a bit. We are able to’t guard 6-7 after we’re 6-foot. It’s simply arduous. However I believe we battled the entire total sport.”

Iowa affiliate head coach Jan Jensen knew the Hawkeyes wouldn’t have the ability to outrebound Cardoso, the 6-7 heart, when their solely starter taller than 6 ft is the 6-2 Stuelke.

“You must hit 3s at a excessive price. You must restrict all people else on the boards. You’ll be able to’t restrict (Cardoso),” Jensen stated. “We didn’t restrict the others.”

Repeated putbacks not solely have been a relentless stream of two factors for South Carolina however demoralizing for Iowa. The Gamecocks wound up with a whopping 51-29 benefit in rebounds.

Iowa’s mid-range photographs that went in early started to overlook. Clark began 3-for-4 from 3-point land within the first quarter however went 2-for-9 the remainder of the way in which. Even so, the Hawkeyes have been inside 5 factors within the sport’s remaining 4½ minutes.

“We have been enjoying with that mentality all sport,” Affolter stated. “Simply combat, combat, combat. Each possession issues a lot.”

The largest distinction: South Carolina scored 37 bench factors to Iowa’s zero. The 13 minutes Iowa bought from Addison O’Grady and 5 from Kylie Feuerbach have been unproductive.

And when brisker legs are guarding drained legs, it’s no marvel that Iowa hit solely 17-of-48 photographs (35.4%) after an 8-of-15 (53.3%) first quarter that noticed it take a 27-20 lead.

“To have the ability to have all these contemporary legs on Caitlin was actually powerful,” Iowa head coach Lisa Bluder stated. “And never solely their depth, their top. I am not simply speaking about their facilities. They’re actually fairly massive at each place, which makes it arduous. They might get better very well after we (tried) 3s.”

This sport was a reminder of simply how good Clark is, to raise this group into this elite spot two years in a row – and that it was fairly the feat that the Hawkeyes, in final 12 months’s Ultimate 4, nonetheless are the one group to beat South Carolina prior to now 81 video games.

Iowa wanted to play near a flawless sport Sunday, however the process (and the opponent) was simply too tall and too deep.

“At that time, you’ve bought to principally shoot excellent to win,” Clark stated. “A lot to be happy with. A lot to carry our head excessive about. It stings, however life goes on.”

This sport ought to function a beacon of hope mixed with a warning.

The hope: The Hawkeyes have the teaching employees, the system and skill in place to realize massive issues shifting ahead. Seeing blue-collar gamers like Martin and Affolter flip into vital elements for a Ultimate 4 group is one thing any younger or future Hawkeye can embrace.

The warning: Extra depth in this system is required, particularly contemplating the unlikelihood of discovering and touchdown one other generational expertise like Clark.

The Hawkeyes have actually raised the bar as a program. Bluder’s postgame locker-room speech was tear-jerking and a testomony to the household love that exists in Iowa Metropolis. Now is a superb time to promote Hawkeye ladies’s basketball to younger weapons across the nation.

“Rejoice that we bought to do that collectively,” Bluder advised the group. “… Sure, you like a shiny trophy. However the influence you had on younger ladies on this sport would not get tarnished.”

Highschool recruiting goes properly. Bluder has a powerful freshman class signed, led by 4 top-100 gamers in Ava Heiden, Aaliyah Guyton, Teagan Mallegni and Taylor Stremlow. And Addie Deal, the No. 12 general recruit within the Class of 2025, is already dedicated. The switch portal will be difficult turf, however that could possibly be a risk to restock the cabinets subsequent season with Clark, Martin and Marshall departing.

Lack of depth was the final word key Sunday. If Iowa may have had a wholesome Molly Davis and extra explosive dimension within the center in opposition to South Carolina, perhaps issues would’ve been a bit completely different.

Constructing high quality depth going ahead could possibly be the Iowa key to future, sustained success.

Hawkeyes columnist Chad Leistikow has served for 29 years with The Des Moines Register and USA TODAY Sports activities Community. Chad is the 2023 INA Iowa Sports activities Columnist of the Yr and NSMA Co-Sportswriter of the Yr in Iowa. Be part of Chad’s text-message group (free for subscribers) at HawkCentral.com/HawkeyesTextsComply with @ChadLeistikow on Twitter.

Willie Nelson, Colbie Caillat, Gavin DeGraw among new acts at Britt Music Festival | Community

Public ticket gross sales begin April 26.


JACKSONVILLE, Ore. — The Britt Music & Arts Pageant introduced 12 new reveals for the 2024 summer season season — and a few huge names will likely be coming to Jacksonville in a few months. 

In response to a information launch from the pageant, the brand new additions embody Willie Nelson, Colbie Caillat, Gavin DeGraw, Shaggy, Filth Heads, Walker Hayes, Paul Cauthen and extra. 

“We’re thrilled about this upcoming season,” president and CEO Abby McKee stated within the launch. “We’re proud to have one thing for everybody yearly, and this 12 months is not any exception… our lineup this 12 months contains not solely names everybody will know and love , but additionally newcomers to the Britt stage.” 

Within the launch, they stated Britt Fest will announce extra acts later. A full record of acts and reveals could be discovered within the desk beneath. 

Britt Pageant 2024 lineup

Date Act
June 8 Pink Martini that includes China Forbes
June 13 Grieg, Dvorak and Gabriela Montero with the Britt Pageant Orchestra
June 15 Beethoven, Tchaikovsky and Geneva Lewis with the Britt Pageant Orchestra
June 20 Star Wars: A New Hope in Live performance
June 21 Star Wars: A New Hope in Live performance
June 22 Mahler 1 and Alex Gonzalez with the Britt Pageant Orchestra
June 24 Judy Collins presents “Wildflowers in Bloom”
June 27 Scheherazade and Joshua Roman with the Britt Pageant Orchestra
June 29 Tango: Piazzolla and Music of Latin America with the Britt Pageant Orchestra
June 30 Colin Mochrie and Brad Sherwood: Asking for Bother
July 5 Nickel Creek and Andrew Fowl
July 7 The California Honeydrops
July 9 Ziggy Marley
July 16 Paul Cauthen
July 17 Umphrey’s McGee
July 19 SOJA
July 25 Willie Nelson & Household
July 26 Randy Houser
July 27 Shaggy
July 31 Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue with particular visitor Celisse
August 1 Colbie Caillat & Gavin DeGraw
August 2 Rick Springfield & Richard Marx
August 5 The Notorious Stringdusters and Molly Tuttle & Golden Freeway
August 6 Jason Mraz & The Superband
August 9 Walker Hayes
August 12 The Lifeless South
August 13 Michael Franti & Spearhead
August 16 Traditional Albums Reside: Fleetwood Mac “Rumors”
August 17 Chris Younger
August 20 Soiled Heads
August 29 Iration & Pepper with particular friends DENM and Artikal Sound System
September 5 Buena Vista Social Orchestra
September 8 Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Night
September 11 Chris Isaak

In response to the discharge, most of the people will be capable to purchase tickets at 10 a.m. on April 26. Clef Membership ($750) and above members will be capable to order tickets on April 8; Donor ($300) members will be capable to order on April 22 and Patron ($150) and Senior Patron ($65) will be capable to order tickets on April 24. 

For extra info, go to brittfest.org.

Isabela Lund is the digital content material supervisor at NewsWatch 12. You possibly can attain her at ilund@kdrv.com. 

‘Wheel of Fortune’s Maggie Sajak, 29, Confirms She’s Dating Actor Ross McCall, 48 | Entertainment

Maggie Sajak is spinning the wheel of affection! Pat Sajak‘s daughter confirmed she’s relationship Scottish actor Ross McCall, who is nineteen years her senior, in a collection of PDA pictures obtained by Web page Six.

Within the pictures, the Wheel of Fortune star could be seen kissing McCall whereas strolling in Los Angeles on March 26. The pair held palms as they crossed the road along with his canine. TV Insider has reached out to McCall’s crew for remark.

Sajak and McCall haven’t been shy about their emotions for one another in latest weeks. They’ve constantly “favored” one another’s posts on Instagram. When Sajak posted an Instagram picture on February 8, McCall commented, “Magnificence.” The day earlier than, Sajak shared an Instagram picture of her rocking a Kansas Metropolis Chiefs cheerleading outfit. McCall commented, “Knockout,” together with a wink emoticon.

Till now, Sajak has stored her non-public life out of the general public eye. McCall, finest recognized for his function as Joseph Liebgott in HBO‘s Band of Brothers, was beforehand engaged to Jennifer Love Hewitt. He later acquired engaged to actress Alessandra Mastronardi in 2021, however they broke up in 2022.

Sajak is presently the social media correspondent for Wheel of Fortune, the enduring recreation present her father has hosted for over 40 years. In Might 2023, the elder Sajak introduced that Season 41 can be his remaining season as host. His final episode date is predicted to air on June 7. Ryan Seacrest will take over as host in Season 42.

The youthful Sajak is predicted to remain on at Wheel of Fortune after her father steps down. Wheel of Fortune co-host Vanna White championed Sajak as a “good alternative” for her sooner or later. “I believe she’s a superb alternative if I can’t be there for some cause,” White informed E! Information. “She’s been round it her complete life, so I believe she will fill in for me for positive.”

Wheel of Fortune, Weekdays, examine your native listings 

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April 8 – Warby Parker opens first Savannah location | Featured

April 8, 2024 – Warby Parker – a direct-to-consumer life-style model centered on imaginative and prescient for all – lately opened a brand new retail retailer at 226 W. Broughton St., a property owned by Acadia Realty Belief (AKR) within the coronary heart of downtown Savannah, Ga. A grand opening celebration befell on Saturday, April 6.

The brand new Warby Parker location, which is conveniently situated on Broughton Road between Barnard Road and Jefferson Road, is the corporate’s first retail retailer in Savannah and ninth location in Georgia. The corporate’s new Broughton Road location is open Monday by means of Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday from midday to six p.m.

Choose Realty founder and CEO Lori Choose leased the business property. “We’re delighted to welcome Warby Parker to Savannah,” Choose stated. “The brand new Warby Parker location is a perfect addition to the incredible mix of shops that outline Broughton Road.” 

The brand new Warby Parker retailer will make it simpler for Savannah prospects to entry all their eye care wants. The situation presents in-store eye exams and carries Warby Parker’s full assortment of optical and solar eyewear choices, together with the latest Spring 2024 Collections, Scout by Warby Parker every day contact lenses, third-party contacts and extra.  

Warby Parker was based in 2010 with a mission to encourage and impression the world with imaginative and prescient, goal and magnificence – with out charging a premium for it. Headquartered in New York Metropolis, the co-founder-led life-style model pioneers concepts, designs merchandise, and develops applied sciences that assist folks see, from designer-quality prescription glasses (beginning at $95) and contacts, to eye exams and imaginative and prescient assessments obtainable on-line and in additional than 240 retail shops throughout the U.S. and Canada.

Warby Parker goals to show that companies can scale, do properly and do good on this planet. In the end, the model believes in imaginative and prescient for all, which is why for each pair of glasses or sun shades bought, they distribute a pair to somebody in want by means of their Purchase a Pair, Give a Pair program. Up to now, Warby Parker has labored alongside its nonprofit companions to distribute greater than 15 million glasses to folks in want.