Associated Press: US loses to Sweden on penalty kicks in its earliest Women's World Cup exit ever

By Associated Press / August 7, 2023

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — The United States played its best game of this Women's World Cup and it wasn't good enough to stop the two-time reigning champions from being eliminated in the round of 16. The Americans' bid to win an unprecedented third consecutive title ended Sunday on penalty kicks. It is the earliest exit in tournament history for the United States, four-time winners of the World Cup.

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LOCAL NEWS

Ball State hosting Fan Jam to celebrate fall sports

By Staff Reports / August 6, 2023

Ball State is hosting the Annual Fan Jam for area families to celebrate fall sports. The event will be on August 12 a Scheumann Stadium, according to a Ball State Athletics Release. Fan Jam will start at 5:30 p.m. and will have food, games, music, activities and autographs involving athletes from every Ball State fall sports team. Admission will be free to all. 

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SOCCER

Duty vs. Desire

By Kyle Smedley / August 5, 2023

After just the third practice back from the offseason, those in the Ball State soccer program gathered together to hear head coach Josh Rife’s closing remarks. The 2021 Mid-American Conference (MAC) Coach of the Year talked about the importance of being battle-tested, and encouraged the Cardinals to continue the energy they’ve brought to camp after just two days back in Muncie.

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NATIONAL NEWS

Associated Press: Why are actors making movies during the strike? What to know about SAG-AFTRA waivers

By Associated Press / August 4, 2023

The actors and writers strikes have resulted in most Hollywood film and television productions being shut down, from the “Gladiator” sequel to the live action “Lilo & Stitch.” But some independent films and television productions are being granted waivers by the union that will allow them to continue, with Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists actors, amid the strike.

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NEWS

Road closures impacting campus arrivals

By Staff Reports / August 3, 2023

As move-in day approaches for Ball State residents, construction may impact your arrival on campus, according to a Ball State Housing report. If you travel by Interstate 69, State Road 332 off of Exit 241 will be closed until mid-August. 

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INDIANA NEWS

Associated Press: Indiana abortion clinics stop providing abortions ahead of near-total abortion ban taking effect

By Associated Press / August 2, 2023

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Indiana’s six abortion clinics have stopped providing abortions ahead of the state’s near-total abortion ban officially taking effect and as a petition is pending before the state’s high court asking it to keep the ban on hold while legal action continues, clinic officials said Tuesday. Planned Parenthood’s four Indiana abortion clinics stopped performing abortions Monday in accordance with state guidance that providers received in July alerting them that on or around Tuesday abortion would become illegal in Indiana in clinic settings “with really very, very limited exceptions,” said Rebecca Gibron, CEO of the Planned Parenthood division that includes Indiana.

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NATIONAL NEWS

Associated Press: Relieved Americans escape and move on at the Women's World Cup

By Associated Press / August 1, 2023

AUCKLAND, New Zealand (AP) — The Americans came into the Women’s World Cup as the two-time defending champions and tournament favorites. By the end of the group stage, they are relieved to still be in the competition. “That was stressful. I was like (expletive),” said United States star Megan Rapinoe, using a curse word to describe her emotions after the team squeezed into the knockout stage with a 0-0 draw against Portugal on Tuesday.

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PEÑA NAMED SOFTBALL HEAD COACH

Helen Peña selected as Ball State Softball head caoch

By Staff Reports / July 31, 2023

As associate head coach at Middle Tennessee State University, Peña led the Blue Raiders to their second-ever Conference USA Tournament title. This gave the team a berth in the NCAA Tuscaloosa Regional Final. Before being defeated in the regional by fifth-seed Alabama, the Blue Raiders won three regional games. This is the most wins in a regional by a Conference USA team since 2014. 

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WOMEN'S PROFESIONAL SOCCER

Addie Chester: How one small decision led to big achievements

By Zach Carter / July 31, 2023

Since she was three years old, Addie Chester’s life was lived through the game of soccer. “I feel like as a kid, it's just kind of what you're good at,” she said. “If you're good at something, you'll keep doing it.” But when she was about to attend Delta High School, she was on the cusp of being done. “Anybody who's played a sport for that long gets burnt out at different times,” she said.

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LOCAL NEWS

Multiple people were shot late last night on Hackley and Willard

By Staff Reports / July 30, 2023

Delaware County 911 Dispatch received a call for multiple people shot in the area of S. Hackley St. and E. Willard St. at 1:14 a.m. on July 30, according to a City of Muncie press release. One 30-year-old male has been confirmed deceased. The Muncie Police Department along with Muncie Fire/EMS responded to the scene, the initial information was that there was a large party at this location. 

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NATIONAL NEWS

Associated Press: With Trump newly indicted, here's what to know about the documents case and what’s next

By Associated Press / July 29, 2023

Former President Donald Trump has been indicted on three additional charges in a case that accuses him of illegally possessing classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago estate, allegations that add fresh detail to the criminal case initially issued last month. Here’s a look at the charges, the special counsel’s investigation and how Trump’s case differs from those of other politicians known to be in possession of classified documents:

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LOCAL NEWS

He Built This City: The Muncie Architecture of Cuno Kibele

By Staff Reports / July 28, 2023

The E.B. and Bertha C. Ball Center is hosting He Built This City: The Muncie Architecture of Cuno Kibele on Aug. 4 from 10 to 11 a.m., according to a report. The program will tell the story of Kibele’s architectural impact on the city and his connection to Muncie's history with his drawings, photographs, maps and other resources. 

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NATIONAL NEWS

Associated Press: July has been so blistering hot, scientists already calculate that it's the warmest month on record

By Associated Press / July 27, 2023

WASHINGTON (AP) — July has been so hot thus far that scientists calculate that this month will be the hottest globally on record and likely the warmest human civilization has seen, even though there are several days left to sweat through.

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NATIONAL NEWS

Associated Press: UPS reaches tentative contract with 340,000 unionized workers, potentially dodging calamitous strike

By Associated Press / July 26, 2023

NEW YORK (AP) — UPS has reached a tentative contract with its 340,000-person union, potentially averting a strike that threatened to disrupt package deliveries for millions of businesses and households nationwide. The agreement was announced Tuesday, the first day that UPS and the Teamsters returned to the table after contentious negotiations broke down earlier this month. Negotiators had already reached tentative agreements on several issues but continued to clash over pay for part-time workers, who make up more than half of the UPS employees represented by the union.

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NATIONAL NEWS

Associated Press: The Biden administration proposes new rules to push insurers to boost mental health coverage

By Associated Press / July 25, 2023

The new regulations, which still need to go through a public comment period, would require insurers to study whether their customers have equal access to medical and mental health benefits and to take remedial action, if necessary. The Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act requires that insurers provide the same level of coverage for both mental and physical health care — though the administration and advocates argue insurers' policies restrict patient access.

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LOCAL NEWS

Groundbreaking ceremony celebrates the start of construction on the YMCA facility in Muncie

By Staff Reports / July 24, 2023

The City of Muncie and the YMCA broke ground on a new facility on July 18. The project will be an addition to the McKinley-Whitely Live Learn Neighborhood project, according to the report. The project is getting completed with the support of multiple donors including $1 million in Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative Funding (READI). The YMCA will be located adjacent to Muncie Central High School, and the 73,000-square-foot facility will offer a number of recreational opportunities. 

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NATIONAL NEWS

Associated Press: A UPS strike could be just around the corner. Here's what you need to know

By Associated Press / July 23, 2023

NEW YORK (AP) — The clock is ticking. As the deadline to reach a new contract nears, a potential UPS strike feels closer than ever. Negotiations broke down earlier this month and unionized workers have been holding rallies and practice pickets across the country. The Teamsters, which represent more than half of the company's workforce, will resume talks with UPS on Tuesday. That leaves less than a week to come to an agreement before the current contract expires on Monday, July 31. The union has authorized a strike and Sean M. O'Brien, a fiery leader elected last year to lead the union, has vowed to do so if their demands aren't met.

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NATIONAL NEWS

Associated Press: As he leaves Phoenix's blistering sun, AP's climate news director reflects on desert life

By Associated Press / July 22, 2023

PHOENIX (AP) — I blink, and the edges of my eyelids feel like they are being singed. My cheeks burn as if they are being pressed with a hot iron ready to tackle a pile of wrinkled shirts. It is 4 p.m. I look at my 12-year-old son, whose face is flushed. He lets out a groan and puts his hand on his forehead to shield his eyes from the blistering sun. It is 117 degrees Fahrenheit (47 degrees Celsius).

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NATIONAL NEWS

Associated Press: Tony Bennett, masterful stylist of American musical standards, dies at 96

By Associated Press / July 21, 2023

NEW YORK (AP) — Tony Bennett, the eminent and timeless stylist whose devotion to classic American songs and knack for creating new standards such as "I Left My Heart In San Francisco" graced a decadeslong career that brought him admirers from Frank Sinatra to Lady Gaga, died Friday. He was 96, just two weeks short of his birthday. Publicist Sylvia Weiner confirmed Bennett's death to The Associated Press, saying he died in his hometown of New York. There was no specific cause, but Bennett had been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 2016.

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LOCAL NEWS

Indianapolis Colts great and receivers coach Reggie Wayne held an autograph session at tent sale July 19

By Staff Reports / July 20, 2023

The 2023 Kia of Muncie and Toyota of Muncie held their tent sale at the parking lot of Scheumann Stadium yesterday. The event kept its annual tradition of having an athlete from the Indianapolis Colts visit and sign autographs. Last season, then-starting quarterback Matt Ryan stopped by. But when it was announced that this year's guest was Colts great and receivers coach Reggie Wayne, many first-time attendees like Phil Vinson made the stop.