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. 

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WORLD NEWS

Associated Press: Why allowing Ukraine to ship grain during Russia's war matters to the world

By Associated Press / July 19, 2023

LONDON (AP) — Russia has suspended a wartime deal designed to move grain from Ukraine to parts of the world where millions are going hungry. The Black Sea Grain Initiative, brokered by the U.N. and Turkey, has allowed 32.9 million metric tons (36.2 million tons) of food to be exported from Ukraine since August, more than half to developing countries, according to the Joint Coordination Center in Istanbul.

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NATIONAL NEWS

Associated Press: Hollywood's actors are joining screenwriters on strike. Here's why and what happens next

By Associated Press / July 18, 2023

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Hollywood actors are joining screenwriters in the first dual strike from the two unions in more than six decades, with huge consequences for the film and television industry. Here is a look at how it has played out, why it's happening, and what could come next. More than a month of talks on a new three-year contract between the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists and the studios, streaming services and production companies that employ them led to little progress, and the tone became openly hostile in the days before union leaders voted to begin a strike on Friday. A last minute intervention from a federal mediator didn't bridge the gap.

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LOCAL NEWS

Road work on McKinley Avenue

By Staff Reports / July 17, 2023

Repairs are being made to McKinley Avenue between Riverside and Neely beginning today. The repairs will be complete by the end of July 20, according to a Facilities Planning and Management report. Riverside and Neely will remain open during the road work on McKinley. The Northbound lane of McKinley will be closed from Neely to Riverside today and will be open again at 5:00 p.m. 

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NATIONAL NEWS

Associated Press: 2024 GOP candidates desperate to make debate stage are finding creative ways to boost donor numbers

By Associated Press / July 16, 2023

With six weeks until the first 2024 Republican presidential debate, some hopefuls are finding creative ways to boost their donor numbers and ensure they make it on stage. Biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy rolled out a plan to let people who raise money for his campaign keep 10% of what they take in from other donors. North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum is offering $20 Mastercard or Visa gift cards in return for campaign donations of as little as $1. Businessman Perry Johnson is offering copies of his book in exchange for donations.

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HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL

Ullom, Nanko found ways to shine in North/South All-Star Classic

By Zach Carter / July 15, 2023

The 57th annual Murat Shrine North/South All-Star Classic did not go as planned as the contest was cut short due to multiple scuffles between the two teams. With 4:09 remaining in the fourth quarter, back-to-back plays ended with shoving matches and players screaming at their opponents. The referees did not hesitate to call the game. 

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HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS

Ullom, Nanko will compete in North/South All Star Classic

By Zach Carter / July 14, 2023

If an Indiana high school football athlete shines for their school, they could be chosen for the Murat Shrine North/South All-Star Classic, which is held by the Indiana Football Coaches Association. For this year’s 57th annual game, two Delaware County players will play for the North team. Those are Muncie Central’s Josiah Ullom and Yorktown’s Kolton Nanko. 

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BALL BEARINGS

Toys We Miss

By Meghan Holt / July 14, 2023

The 2000s were a time of rapid tech innovation.Instead of classic flip phones, our cell phones became sleek, small touch-screen computers. Bluetooth earpieces dominated the business world. USB flash drives made data storage easier than ever. Digital pets could keep you company from the comfort of your pocket. Toys became more intelligent.

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NATIONAL NEWS

Associated Press: First over-the-counter birth control pill gets FDA approval

By Associated Press / July 13, 2023

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. officials have approved the first over-the-counter birth control pill, which will let American women and girls buy contraceptive medication from the same aisle as aspirin and eyedrops. The Food and Drug Administration said Thursday it cleared Perrigo’s once-a-day Opill to be sold without a prescription, making it the first such medication to be moved out from behind the pharmacy counter. The company won’t start shipping the pill until early next year, and there will be no age restrictions on sales.

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NATIONAL NEWS

Associated Press: Senators call for Supreme Court to follow ethics code like other branches of government

By Associated Press / July 12, 2023

The chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, responding to Associated Press investigative stories on the Supreme Court, said Tuesday it was time for the justices to bring their conduct in line with the ethical standards of other branches of government. “If they just establish the basic standards of every other branch of government, it would give us much more confidence in their integrity,” Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., said. He commented in Vilnius, Lithuania, where he was attending the NATO summit as part of the U.S. delegation.

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NEWS

Ball State Public Media receives grant award from Indiana Arts Commission and Indiana Public Broadcasting Stations

By Staff Reports / July 11, 2023

Ball State Public Media has been awarded grants from The Indiana Arts Commission (IAC) and Indiana Public Broadcasting Stations (IPBS) to support its arts and culture content initiative. The IAC also recognized Ball State Public Media as an Indiana Arts Trust award winner. The grants will enable Ball State Public Media to launch a comprehensive arts and culture initiative. 

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NEWS

Associated Press: Disgraced sports doctor Larry Nassar stabbed multiple times at Florida federal prison

By The Associated Press / July 10, 2023

Disgraced sports doctor Larry Nassar, who was convicted of sexually abusing female gymnasts including Olympic medalists, was stabbed multiple times during an altercation with another inmate at a federal prison in Florida.

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NATIONAL NEWS

Associated Press: Megan Rapinoe says she'll retire after the NWSL season and her 4th World Cup

By Associated Press / July 10, 2023

SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) — U.S. women’s soccer star Megan Rapinoe is ready to retire after an illustrious career in which she won an Olympic gold medal, two World Cups and never shied away from using her platform to spotlight social issues. Rapinoe, 38, announced Saturday her fourth World Cup will be her last and she'll officially retire with the OL Reign at the end of the National Women's Soccer League season.

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WORLD NEWS

Associated Press: Zelenskyy hails Ukraine's soldiers from a symbolic Black Sea island to mark 500 days of war

By Associated Press / July 9, 2023

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy marked the 500th day of the war Saturday by hailing the country's soldiers in a video from a Black Sea island that became the symbol of Ukraine’s resilience in the face of the Russian invasion. Speaking from Snake Island, Zelenskyy honored the Ukrainian soldiers who fought for the island and all other defenders of the country, saying that reclaiming control of the island “is a great proof that Ukraine will regain every bit of its territory.”

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BALL BEARINGS

Bedside Burnout

By Savannah Jordan / July 7, 2023

Growing up, Kadee Klafka, registered nurse, always wanted to help others. She always imagined herself in healthcare and always had a curiosity for medicine.

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TRACK AND FIELD

From one bird to the next

By Zach Carter / July 7, 2023

Kendra Keesling was set on Ball State when she was making a decision when it came to her future education. But after four years of being a cheerleader, volleyball player, and track and field athlete for Delta High School, the senior and soon-to-be nursing major’s athletic career seemed to be coming to its conclusion. “I really had the mindset that I do not want to do sports in college,” Keesling said. “I think I'm just gonna focus on my schooling and figure out who I am as a person outside of athletics.”

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MEN'S VOLLEYBALL

Two Cardinals selected for the USA Men’s Collegiate National Team

By Elijah Poe / July 6, 2023

Vanis Buckholz started playing volleyball during his sophomore and junior year in high school, and only a handful of years later, Buckholz has now been selected to play on the USA Men’s Collegiate National Team. “I tried out my sophomore year in Spring and that was my first time ever playing volleyball and absolutely fell in love with it,” Buckholz said. “My summer going into junior year I started club volleyball at Balboa Bay, then I fully committed to it my junior year in high school.”