Indiana Daily Student -- Thursday, Apr. 11, 2024

loomington’s premier eclipse celebration took place at Memorial Stadium from 1-5 p.m. April 8. It featured performances and speeches from “Star Trek” actor William Shatner, astronaut Mae Jemison, and grammynominated R&B and pop singer Janelle Monáe, as well as several IU performing arts ensembles.

11:30 a.m. — The setup

“I think it's been just this nice steady flow of people I've seen. I've been out and about in town, all weekend,” McAfee said. “Friday, Saturday, Sunday and today I’ve met tons of people from all over the country that are that are here for it.” A day once forecasted to be cloudy was turning out to be clear

A chorus of horns and booming breakbeats rang out from the grand stage as 10-time Grammy nominated R&B singer Janelle Monáe’s band sound checked in IU Memorial Stadium. The bleachers were mostly vacant, save for the IU band who wandered in to take their seats by the end zone. They occasionally cheered for the horn section of Monáe’s ensemble.

The sun beamed down on the field, usually made of turf, but today covered in a gray plastic platform for showgoers to stand on. A crowd of around 10,000 were expected to flock to the stadium for the main event beginning at 1 p.m., according to Visit Bloomington Executive Director Mike McAfee.

7 attack. In response to this attack, Israel launched a ground offensive and airstrike campaign in Gaza, killing more than 32,000 Palestinians in Gaza and displacing 80% of Gaza’s population.

IU alum arrested during pro-Palestinian protest on eclipse day

IU Police Department detained and took one person away in a golf cart during a pro-Palestinian demonstration April 8 afternoon. The arrested individual, Tom Sweeney, is a former IU Wells Scholar and current senior research specialist at Princeton. Multiple other protestors were temporarily detained and were informed that prosecutors may soon reach out about potential misdemeanor charges.

The event began at the Cox Arboretum around twenty minutes before solar eclipse totality, with one protester using a megaphone to announce the protest to the crowd of eclipse-viewers in the arboretum. “Do not look away from what’s happening in Gaza,” the person with the megaphone said. According to an Instagram post, the event involved community members from multiple local groups including IU Alumni for Palestine, the IU Palestine Solidarity Committee, Central Indiana Democratic Socialists of America, Indiana Resiste, IU Students for a New Green World, Indiana Graduate Workers Coalition and Shattering the Silence Bloomington. The rally brought together a host of progressive causes to call for a permanent ceasefire and demands institutions “divest from genocide.” It also called to protect academic institutions from “MAGA reactionary extremism,” citing a perceived attempt to suppress pro-Palestinian speech and attacks on education from the Indiana General Assembly in the form of Senate Bill 202. Vicka Bell-Robinson, associate vice provost for involvement and belonging, told the protesters to stop using amplified sound multiple times. They briefly continued but eventually stopped. When the moon completely obscured the sun, the protesters, police and IU staff alike paused and stared through eclipse glasses as the air cooled, the sky darkened and the horizon burned orange. When the light returned, the protesters marched around the arboretum and chanted.

Once they had made a full loop, IUPD officers gestured for three demonstrators in neon vests to step away, the demonstrators told the IDS later. The demonstrators said police told them they could not protest in the arboretum and that they were engaging in disorderly conduct, a misdemeanor with a maximum penalty of 180 days in jail. The demonstrators said the officers took their identification cards and told

them prosecutors may be reaching out soon. They also said the police told them to move to Dunn Meadow, which is a designated assembly ground according to IU policy.

Demonstrations, tabling and other types of expressive activity are not allowed at the arboretum because it is designated as a space for “reflection and quiet respite from the sounds of the rest of campus,” according

to a

Traditional Powwow canceled in wake of eclipse

IU First Nations Educational and Cultural Center canceled its 2024 Traditional Powwow as both IU and the larger Bloomington community prepare to participate in events for the solar eclipse, according to a press release from the office of the Vice President for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion on Jan. 22.

The Powwow is traditionally planned for the beginning of April, but this year, the solar eclipse happened on April 8, when Bloomington hosted eclipse-related events. Some of these events happened across IU’s campus, leading to a lack of available space.

Sherene Ing, who is Diné and director of the First Nations Educational and Cultural Center, said in an email that the culture center worked closely with IU Athletics since last summer to secure Wilkinson Hall for the Annual Powwow in April. She said IU Athletics notified them that the space was unavailable for the first two weekends in April at the end of the fall semester.

The center then expanded its search to other campus locations and several local venues but, Ing said, all the spaces were claimed for various programs and events. Ing said there were many events related to the eclipse, including concerts, lectures, Science Fest and other activities on campus the weekend of the eclipse. The weekend after the eclipse, several music events including Bloomington Delta Music Club Presents, WIUX’s Culture Shock and Burning Couch festival are being held in Bloomington, followed by the Little 500 on April 19 and 20. Final exams will take place the week of April 29, and IU Graduation ceremonies will be held the weekend of May 3. Due to the lack of a venue during this timeframe, Ing said the center decided to cancel the Powwow but looks forward to organizing it next April.

The Traditional Powwow attracts hundreds of visitors each year and hosts a line-up of nationally-known singers, like Ho-Chunk Station, a family drum group that has won numerous

awards and championships at Powwow's throughout the US. It also features dancers, traditional food and crafts, according to the culture center’s website. During the event, performers continue cultural traditions, representing their people through feathers and beadwork, regalia, songs and dance styles. The hundreds of people, spanning across generations, share in song and dance and celebrate the diversity of modern Native American tribal identity, according to the website.

Verna Street, one of last year’s head dancers, Native American dance teacher, owner of the Raven Street Dance Studio and member of the Cherokee, Tuscarora and Meherrin Nations, said she was surprised and sad when she heard the Powwow was canceled. Street travels to similar events across the country and said the events help bring together Native American communities, as well as the communities hosting. “The food that they served, the booths that they had there,” Street said. “You could really tell that the staff and the students, it

was more than just a regular event. It was something that they were connected to.”

The cancellation is disappointing, Street said, because even by missing one year, as they did during COVID-19 in April 2020, the Powwow loses momentum and presence.

“I believe that the Native American presence is very important,” Street said.

Having Powwows on university campuses is important, Street said, because it helps spread cultural awareness. Powwows are a part of how the United States began, she said, so it’s important to show its connection to that beginning. Street said attendees don’t have to be Native American or raised in Native American culture to attend the event or dance. That is until a competition is announced, and then only professional dancers are allowed on the floor.

Street said that hearing the drums and seeing the dancing is both a unique and healing feeling. The connection someone gets while watching the competition and hearing the stories behind the dances, she said, is lost when events like the Powwow aren’t held.

“Being able to share that with everyone else is a part of it, it coincides,” Street said. “So with not having an event that I just feel like you know, it's a stumbling block, for people to keep us present, that we're still here.”

IU senior Catherine Bartlett, who said she’s a member of the Rosebud Indian Tribe, said she was disappointed when she learned that the 2024 Traditional Powwow was canceled because she’s a dancer and loves having her culture brought to Indiana.

But Ing, Bartlett said, has worked hard to get other activities for Native American students and faculty to do, like going to the Navajo nation over spring break.

“One thing I do like about the Powwow though, is bringing our culture to people who've never really experienced before,” Bartlett said. “So having it not this year, my senior year, it's a little bit disappointing.” Bartlett said she helped organize the head staff of last year’s Powwow, which included getting dancers and drummers from different states to perform.

“It's just great to hear people who have similar

There were five minor vehicle crashes in total, less than a normal weekday.

languages and similar dances to my culture,” Bartlett said. “It feels really empowering to be in a room full of Natives, because that normally never happens in Indiana.”

Events like the traditional Powwow are important on two levels, Bartlett said. The first, she said, is allowing Native Americans to feel like they’re still connected to their culture and their people. She said it’s crucial they’re seen, heard and receive recognition that they’re still here.

A 2018 survey from Reclaiming Native Truth found that 40% of respondents didn’t think Native Americans still existed according to an article from the Grand Falls Tribune.

The second level, Bartlett said, is giving students and faculty who have never experienced native culture the opportunity to see what it’s like to be a part of it.

“It kind of helps the perception of Native Americans because they get to meet a Native face to face and see us dance,” Bartlett said.

For future Powwows, Bartlett said highlighting Indigenous people particularly from Indiana is important in addition to people from Native tribes outside of the state.

“We are not all the original caretakers of the Midwest,” Bartlett said. “So it's important to highlight those people who have been here longer than we have.”

Even though this year’s Powwow isn’t happening, Barlett said people should come to next year’s Powwow, so they can continue to recognize that indigenous people are on IU’s campus.

Meredith Gray, who is involved with the center and the Powwow planning committee, said they were disappointed when the Powwow was cancelled this year. Even though they are not Native American, Gray said they’ve gotten a lot out of the Powwow and have seen how important the event is to their Native friends and the community.

Being involved at the center and the Powwow as a non-Native American student, Gray said, has taught them a lot about taking a step back and letting others take the lead.

“I have really gotten the opportunity at the First Na-

tions center, to be in a space that isn't mine and to be aware of that,” Gray said. “And to be able to learn and grow with others in a way that's respectful of their background and making space for them, that's centered around them.”

Indigenous American communities have conducted ceremonial gatherings for centuries, according to the Sacred Springs Powwow website. Modern Powwows come from more recent ceremonies that began in the Plains area.

During the 1800s, according to the website, the U.S. government seized land from the Lakota, Dakota, Blackfoot and Ojibwa people in the Northern Plains and the Kiowa, Comanche, Pawnee and Ponca people in the Southern Plains. This period of forced migration and upheaval resulted in intertribal exchange and solidarity among Plains Natives.

According to the Sacred Spring Powwow website, two intertribal traditions, the Drum Religion, a sacred drum ritual that fosters peace and friendship, and the Grass Dance, a merged form of different tribal dances, emerged. Other tribes began to adopt and adapt these traditions as they were diffused through the Plains region.

During the reservation period, according to Sacred Springs Powwow, many ceremonies and customs were outlawed. Because the Grass Dance was more social, it was one of the only events allowed. As many tribes were pushed together, it was soon clear and necessary to transfer the traditions of the Grass Dance between tribes.

IU’s Traditional Powwow, Gray said, is a celebration of culture: specifically, a culture society historically hasn’t been kind to.

“For indigenous people being able to connect to their culture, and also nonIndigenous people getting to learn about that culture firsthand,” Gray said. “I think that's really powerful, so I was really disappointed that it wouldn't be possible this year.”

More information about the 2025 Traditional Powwow will be released at a later date, according to the First Nations Educational and Cultural Center.

Indiana Court of Appeals upholds injunction against part of state's abortion law

The Indiana Court of Appeals upheld an injunction against part of the state’s abortion law, ruling that the near-total prohibition may violate residents’ religious freedom. According to The Legal Information Institute, a preliminary injunction is a court order that stops someone from acting in a certain way

Mayor highlights 100 days in office, goals for Bloomington

Bloomington Mayor Kerry Thomson, who completed her 100th day in office, shared her administration’s accomplishments and goals for the future at her first State of the City address April 9 at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater.

In the 45 minutes leading up to Thomson’s address, more than 20 demonstrators lined the sidewalks in front of the theater holding Palestinian flags and signs reading “Don’t Veto Peace.” Jewish Voice for Peace Indiana, a state chapter of the world’s largest anti-Zionist Jewish group, organized the demonstration to urge Thomson to sign a city council resolution calling for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war, which the mayor said she would veto. While her speech covered a wide range of issues — including housing affordability, public safety and the eclipse — Thomson did not mention the protesters or resolution during her address.

Thomson discusses transparency, accessibility during address

Thomson began her speech talking about how the city welcomed thousands of visitors for the total solar eclipse on April 8. She thanked various city, county and state departments for their work coordinating tourism events and public safety across Bloomington.

“Despite the moon’s best efforts, Bloomington’s light shone through,” Thomson said. In her first 100 days, Thomson said, she met with all city departments to learn what her administration could do to support them. She said she has tried to include more people — including city workers, councilmembers and community members — in discussions about the present and future of the city by hosting town halls at various locations across the city. Thomson has also hosted public work meetings with city council and advisory commissions, such as a public meeting held to discuss the future of the Showers West project and public safety in Bloomington.

“When we need to create solutions together, we ought to be doing it in public where we can and will create safe spaces to bring ideas,” Thomson said. “Those tables are not always comfortable, but in Bloomington we must have the kind of conversations where we hear the hard truths, and we work through them together.”

Thomson said these town halls and work sessions allow leaders and community members more time to share their views and ideas than

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The chance to perform in a stadium setting at the same event as Janelle Monáe was an awe-inspiring moment for some student performers.

“I think that performing on the same stage, knowing that she was just there kind of brings me even more just spiritual, like excitement and just ready to go,” Madeline Corday, a contemporary dance major, said. “The adrenaline of performing for this many people is just insane.”

The groups spent a month and a half preparing for this event. "We’ve been working on it for a while so we’re super excited to perform,” Sir Jonathan Thompson, a freshman musical theatre major, said.

1:35 p.m. — “Minor Bodies”

Dancers Samiyah Lynnice and IU alumnus Corey Boatner pushed and pulled each other away as if gravitationally propelled during their duet dance performance “Minor Bodies.”

The title of the piece, Minor Bodies, was fitting for the day at hand. Minor bodies in astronomical terms are small objects — such as asteroids, comets or space junk — that drift around in space. They’re the seemingly insignificant pieces of rock floating along aimlessly.

But Minor Bodies isn’t about insignificance.

Choreographer Elizabeth Shea, an IU professor and director of the Contemporary Dance Program, said she was asked to choreograph

public comment during city council meetings. She alluded to portions of public comment at the council’s April 3 meeting, where several public commenters over Zoom used racist and anti-Semitic rhetoric. "Three minutes at the microphone doesn’t solve the problems and it often inflames them,” Thomson said.

During her address, Thomson also listed other ways her administration is trying to make city government more transparent and accessible, such as posting regular updates on their social media, publishing an employee compensation study and assessing how they can improve the city’s website’s accessibility. She announced former Bloomington Mayor Mark Kruzan, who served between 2004-2015, will lead a new resident advisory panel focusing on increasing transparency in the city government.

The mayor also discussed her plans to tackle affordable housing in Bloomington, where the average cost of a 1-bedroom unit is $1,000 per month. She said she tasked the Housing and Neighborhood Development Department with creating a comprehensive city housing plan based on findings from the 2020 and 2023 housing studies. “It’s 2024 and we’re just now implementing a 2020 study — that tells you a lot about how we got here in regard to housing and homelessness in Bloomington,” Thomson said. “Studies do no good on a shelf. Plans inform action.” Thomson said she would support projects like the Summit District, which could provide up to 4,250 residential units, and the Hopewell Neighborhood. She also said her administration is trying to find ways to address homelessness in Bloomington. The city has cleared two unhoused encampments in Bloomington thus far in Thomson’s tenure.

The city cleared an unhoused encampment near the intersection of Fairview Street and Patterson Drive on Jan. 4, displacing up to a dozen people. A dozen individuals were also displaced when the city cleared an encampment behind Wheeler Mission on Jan. 25.

Since clearing these encampments, Thomson worked with religious leaders from First Christian and First United Methodist Churches of Bloomington to host an emergency shelter for unhoused individuals in the case of dangerously cold weather.

“There’s no dignity in living in a tent,” Thomson said. “And there’s very little dignity in a community that thinks it

a romance for Eisenhower Dance Detroit. “I don’t really do romantic,” she said. “We’re going to do something about soul mates.”

Lynnice and Boatner danced around each other, at first hesitant to approach, then warm to the idea, and then all at once embracing. They both said when they perform, they feel the emotions of the performance and their own emotions deeply. “To be out in space wandering for millions of years, and I finally find somebody else. What does that feel like?” Lynnice said. “It feels like curiosity. Hope. Maybe you’re a little scared because you don’t know.” Usually, a dance number as complex as “Minor Bodies” would take months to learn, according to Boatner. But in preparation for their performance, Boatner and Lynnice had two and a half days.

Both Boatner and Lynnice are a part of the Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble, a professional dance company based in Denver. They learned the choreography almost exclusively remotely through videos sent from Shea. “We went to school for this, and now it feels good to come back and be here and do it,” Boatner said.

For Boatner, coming back is a literal turn of phrase. Boatner graduated from IU in 2020 and has since performed with a number of dance companies. For Lynnice, this was her first time in Bloomington. Both share a Bloomington

can do no better.” Thomson said her office will also focus on supporting Bloomington’s police and fire departments by helping hire and retain more first responders. In February, Bloomington Police Department Chief Michael Diekhoff said his department was short-staffed by around 20 officers. One way her department has accomplished this, Thomson said, is by implementing a “take home vehicle” program for police, which allows officers to take their squad cars home. She said this policy allows police to respond to calls, even if they are off duty.

“A week ago, we had off duty officers able to respond quickly to a shooting while in route to work, because they already had their cars with them,” Thomson said.

She concluded her speech by stating the Bloomington community should not let politics divide them.

“The state of our city is strong, and about to get stronger,” Thomson said.

Demonstrators urge Thomson to sign ceasefire

resolution

While Thomson’s speech addressed her administration’s accomplishments, protesters outside the BuskirkChumley focused on her lack of action in another area: not signing a resolution calling for a ceasefire and more aid in the Israel-Hamas war.

The Bloomington City Council passed a resolution April 3 urging national leaders to work toward a ceasefire, the release of hostages and providing more aid in the Israel-Hamas war, which began after Hamas killed about 1,200 people in Israel during their Oct. 7 attack. Hamas

connection in professor and dancer Baba Stafford Berry Jr., a local legend who has performed all over the US as a student of mid-20th century Black dancers. “When I was like four, he gave me a blessing,” Lynnice said. “It’s amazing now to come back at 28 and be able to perform for him and for Liz and Corey as well.” Totality lay imminent while they performed, but as two soul mates finding themselves in a lost universe, Boatner and Lynnice created their own little world on the stage.

2:10 p.m. — Mae Jemison speaks

Astronaut, doctor, engineer and professor Mae Jemison began her speech and discussed the importance of reflection on a special event like the solar eclipse. “It's really cosmic magic where the universe shows us its work,” Jemison said. “The universe shows us clues in the cosmos above and if you look closely enough, we get to find out some things about ourselves.”

Jemison, the first Black woman to go to space, spoke about her upbringing and the beginnings of her career as an astronaut. She referenced her fandom of the original Star Trek series featuring William Shatner, a reference the crowd applauded. Jemison also told the story of her first sight in space, her hometown of Chicago.

She concluded her speech by encouraging the attendees to reflect on how they spend their time, especially in the presence of such a rare celes-

also took around 250 hostages Oct. 7 and has since released around 110 hostages. In response to this attack, Israel launched a ground offensive and airstrike campaign in Gaza, killing more than 33,000 Palestinians in Gaza and displacing 80% of Gaza’s population.

While councilmembers unanimously passed the resolution, Thomson said she will not sign the legislation. At the council’s March 27 meeting, Thomson said she would not sign resolutions addressing issues outside of city business.

“There are significant problems that we are trying to solve and there are also many opportunities at hand which demand my full attention and I believe could demand yours as well,” Thomson said at the March 27 meeting. “I will be spending my time on the issues where I can effect change directly.”

Indiana Code requires Thomson to sign or veto resolutions that come to her desk. If she fails to sign the resolution, it is considered vetoed and would return to the council for another vote, where six of the nine councilmembers would need to vote to override her veto.

Daniel Segal, state coordinator for Jewish Voice for Peace Indiana, said he was disappointed when he heard Thomson say she wouldn’t sign the resolution, and that he wanted to educate her about the deaths and humanitarian concerns. The International Court of Justice issued a preliminary ruling in January stating there was “plausible” evidence Israel was violating portions of the 1948 Genocide Convention. While the court ordered Israel to increase aid in Gaza and prevent acts of genocide,

While she made this statement during the council’s debate on a resolution opposing a state-sponsored water pipeline, Deputy Mayor Gretchen Knapp confirmed to the Indiana Daily Student in March that Thomson also plans to not sign the ceasefire resolution.

tial occurrence.

2:38 p.m. — William Shatner’s story “Star Trek” actor William Shatner took the stage at 2:38 p.m. Shatner, 93, shared what he called a “campfire story.” The campfire story was the story of the earth, the moon and the human lives between them. Behind Shatner was an orchestral ensemble of Jacobs School of Music students and IU’s premiere student choir, NOTUS.

Shatner’s poem began the way Earth began: 4.5 billion years ago. He took listeners from the Permian era of strange reptilian creatures, to the dawn of humanity, to the crowd watching him in a semicircle in the bleachers. Shatner is well-acquainted with space. As Captain Kirk in the science fiction series “Star Trek” of TV and film, he traversed galaxies on the Starship Enterprise. Outside of TV, Shatner became the oldest man to go to space at 90 years old when he boarded Jeff Bezos’ “Blue Origin” space shuttle in 2021.

As Shatner continued to talk, underscored by an epic symphony, the light in the stadium slowly dimmed. The once blazing sun began to lose its potency. A light breeze swept through the stadium, raising hairs on necks and goosebumps on skin. Shatner began the final section of his monologue. “The moon is going to insert itself between us and the sun,” Shatner said. “Sparrows in the skies will glide, bewildered by the unexpected darkness and hunker down

for the night. Ghostly owls and curious bobcats will come out to hunt, equally miffed by the sudden night.” Shatner’s speech died down first, followed by the orchestra’s volume falling to a whisper. The stadium too fell silent. By 3 p.m., the cacophony of voices dimmed into a murmur. Shatner’s final words of his speech, though premature by about nine minutes, rang in everyone’s mind. “And now, the eclipse.” 3:30 p.m. — Janelle Monáe performs

Once totality had passed, some in the bleachers started to file out of the stadium. Others stayed for a dynamite performance from 10-time grammy nominated pop and R&B singer Janelle Monáe. Monáe made her grand entrance, donning a shawl adorned with flowers, matching the floral crown she sports. Her knee-high leg warmers were also covered with flowers. She quickly dropped the shawl after the opening piece, but the floral theme remained throughout, with her background dancers sporting bright colors and flowery decorations on the stage screens. Some of the instrumental was piped in through the speakers, but she was also accompanied by a live band of drums, bass, electric guitar, and a horn section. “How are you all feeling?” she asked the crowd. The response, in accordance with the name of the song she was playing, was “Phenomenal.” She discarded her flowery

it did not order a ceasefire in the war. However, Israeli officials rejected these allegations and argued representatives from South Africa, who brought the case to the court, were “weaponizing” the international convention against genocide.

“I'm hoping that the mayor is thoughtful and that she said that early and we of course would welcome her rethinking that and having a different view on reflection and we expect that she will,” Segal said. “We all make mistakes off the cuff and we just hope that she rethinks that mistake.”

IU freshman Tyler Henry said he decided to come out to the demonstration after seeing IU Police Department officers arrest a pro-Palestinian protester during a demonstration April 8 at Dunn Meadow. He said he does not understand why Thomson would not want to sign “a call for peace.”

“One of the things that IU says they stand for is unity,” Henry said. “Ignoring a call for peace, that doesn’t sound like unity to me. That just sounds like you’re just dividing your students even more.” Bloomington resident Lisa Miller Maidi participated in the demonstration outside Buskirk-Chumley and said she does not think Thomson, who she voted for in her campaign for mayor, should override the unanimous vote of the council. She said she was “appalled” when she heard Thomson would not sign the resolution but has not spoken with her about her concerns directly.

“This is not just city business. This is important to us and the rest of the world,” Miller Maidi said. “It is city business — we’re involved in the world.”

wreath for a red beret and a black-and-white schoolgirl outfit for the song “Django Jane”. It was one of five wardrobe changes during her show. The stage lights went red, and the monitors displayed a moon colored a deep red as she rapped over the song’s heavy bass and drum line. Monáe played her classics, but also some of her new hits. One new hit was “Lipstick Lover”, which hit #1 on the Billboard R&B charts last year, from her 2023 album “The Age of Pleasure.”

“I love you all so much,” she shouted to the crowd as the reggae shuffle bounced along in the background.

At the end of the show, she left the stage for a few minutes, before coming back for an encore at the crowd’s request.

She re-emerged on stage donning a black fedora with a cropped glittery black suit and tie for her most popular song, “Make Me Feel.”

Before the second song of her encore, “Tightrope,” Monáe gave a strongly worded speech voicing her support for transgender people , essential workers and other marginalized groups. She condemned lying politicians and urged listeners to vote for someone who will create change. Finally, she thanked those in the audience who refused to stand for abusers. She ended her set with the 2012 hit “We Are Young”, which she was featured on. She walked off the stage while the song was still ending, leaving only an audience clapping along to the rhythm in her wake.

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However, other residents have urged the council to abstain from introducing any resolution, arguing the council should use its time and resources to address other local issues. The debate among public commenters at the council’s previous three meetings turned contentious at times, and Wednesday’s meeting was no exception.

During public comment on the resolution, many community members said the legislation was inflammatory and divisive, while others said it did not go far enough to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

The resolution, sponsored by councilmembers Isabel Piedmont-Smith and Dave Rollo, asks national leaders to work toward a bilaterial ceasefire to allow more humanitarian aid in the war. It condemns Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack on Israeli civilians and opposes “all violence that leads to the loss of innocent civilian lives and ongoing human suffering in both Palestine and Israel.” The resolution also calls for a “lasting” ceasefire and a “sustainable, peaceful solution to the conflict between Palestinians and the State of Israel.”

Additionally, the resolution calls for the immediate release of all hostages taken by Hamas during their attack. Hamas took around 250 hostages Oct. 7 and has since released around 110 hostages.

While the resolution condemns Hamas’ attack, it does not include a clause stating Hamas should be disarmed, a clause some community members wanted the council to include. The legislation also does not include the word “genocide” referring to the Israeli military’s campaign — another classification heavily debated during past council meetings.

The International Court of Justice issued a preliminary ruling in January stating there was “plausible” evidence Israel was violating portions of the 1948 Genocide Convention. While the court ordered Israel to increase aid in Gaza and prevent acts of genocide, it did not order a ceasefire in the war. However, Israeli officials rejected these allegations and argued representatives from South Africa, who brought the case to the court, were “weaponizing” the international convention against genocide.

The resolution directs City Clerk Nicole Bolden to send a copy of the legislation to the Indiana Congressional delegation and President Joe Biden.

President Biden told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu April 5 that future U.S. support for the war will depend on Israel taking steps to protect civilians and aid workers. According to the Associated Press, Biden urged the Israeli leader to reach an immediate ceasefire “without delay.”

In a memo to the rest of the council, Piedmont-Smith and Rollo said they focused the resolution on humanitarian concerns instead of military or political causes.

“We do not presume to know how to resolve the complicated, nuanced, longstanding conflict between the State of Israel and the Palestinian people,” they wrote.

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In an email to PSC president Aidan Khamis on April 3, Bell-Robinson warned the group against holding a planned April 8 rally. The email was also addressed to IU professor Amr Sabry and two other individuals possibly involved in the protest.

“Aidan, if what we see is accurate, the PSC is actively and publicly planning to violate university policy,” she said. “We do not want to see the organization, or you get into trouble because you are associated with planning and implementing an unsanctioned event. This rally cannot occur on April 8th. We are happy to work with you to select a different date that falls within the planning guidelines.”

In the email, Bell-Robinson noted that events were already planned for Dunn Meadow and the arboretum, writing that “disrupting a previously scheduled event violates university policies and might be considered disorderly conduct by IUPD.”

“What we intend is to speak out against the intolerable cruelty of children dying of hunger, women subjected to surgery without anesthetic and Gazans of all ages stricken by preventable disease due to unsafe drinking water.”

Before the first public comment section, councilmember Sydney Zulich, the only Jewish member of the council, urged members of the public to be careful of using harmful language conflating being Jewish with supporting Israel’s actions. She also said there were comments at the March 27 public comment section equally hurtful to Palestinians.

Councilmember Hopi Stosberg said she was disappointed with the behavior of audience members during the March 27 council last meeting, where some audience members booed and shouted “shame” at a speaker who said the council should avoid using “inflammatory language” and that claims Israel is committing genocide are unfounded. She said making noise while someone is at the podium means the council cannot hear what the speaker is trying to say.

In response to Stosberg’s request that audience members not boo, clap or yell during public comment, one public commenter said it was the duty of those in the audience to boo to express their opposition to racism and hate.

During the first public comment section, where members of the public can comment on issues not on the council’s agenda, several speakers on Zoom used racist and antisemitic rhetoric. Two speakers concluded their statements with “Hail Hitler.”

During the public comment section on the ceasefire resolution later in the meeting, another speaker made antisemitic statements, including claims that Jewish people control media and government.

Zulich pointed out that most of the antisemitic, antiPalestinian and racist hate speech occurred over Zoom. “It’s easy to spew that kind of rhetoric without looking any of us in the eye,” Zulich said.

Bloomington Mayor Kerry Thomson took to the podium, fighting back tears, to address these comments. She said she was disappointed and shocked by the comments and condemned the hate speech. She urged Bloomington residents to stand up to hate speech and threats.

“You do not need to say something perfectly,” Thomson said. “Just stand up and say something.”

At the council's meeting March 27, Thomson said she would not sign any resolutions addressing issues outside of city business. While she said this during the council’s debate on a resolution opposing a state-sponsored water pipeline, Deputy Mayor Gretchen Knapp confirmed to the Indiana Daily Student last week her statements also applied to the ceasefire resolution.

Indiana Code requires Thomson to sign or veto resolutions that come to her desk. If she fails to sign the resolution, it is considered vetoed and would return to the council for another vote. Six of the nine councilmembers must vote to override her veto.

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tions of the university.” Editors Note: Tom Sweeney is a former member of the Indiana Daily Student staff.

In an email to the IDS, Hannah Skibba, public information officer for IUPD, wrote that protesters were disruptive and were asked to stop being disruptive three separate times. She wrote that protesters were asked to move their demonstration to a new location that was not already reserved for another event and confirmed that three individuals — including two IU students and one “non-affiliated” individual — were detained and released at the arboretum. She confirmed another individual was arrested for disorderly conduct at Dunn Meadow after being asked to stop using a megaphone. “As a public institution of higher education, IU encourages the free and civil exchange of ideas from students, faculty, staff, and the public,” IU Executive Director of

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An experience beyond the celestial spectacle

With Bloomington being the epicenter of the solar eclipse, the hype surrounding the event was unreal and evident in the preparation preceding the event. IU gave out free eclipse glasses to encourage safe viewing. The university also planned many events with celebrities like Janelle Monáe and William Shatner performing at the Hoosier Cosmic celebration. I chose to venture offcampus to the WonderLab Science Museum, where a street party was in full swing. For me, this presented a break from a recurring audience of college students to community members and local families. WonderLab is a science museum that caters to kids of all ages and focuses on active learning.

After a quick conversation with the organizers, I learned this event had been two years in the making. Supported by the “In the Path of Totality” initiative of the Simons Foundation, private spaces of the museum were made available for free for people to enjoy this once-in-a-lifetime phenomenon together.

WonderLab had multiple stalls at the party selling and recycling solar eclipse glasses. One stall that caught my eye was where children could make decorative masks for their solar eclipse glasses. This revived the kid in me, and I made one which was a sorry attempt at mimicking the Spider-Man mask. The stall hosts emphasized this activity that worked on two levels: highlighting the importance of solar eclipse glasses, but also doing fun activities like encouraging making masks.

After having spent a while exploring the event, I spoke to a local family who was very enthusiastic about the event. They had even brought a telescope with them. I was honored to be invited to their watch party.

Why the U.S. needs to reform presidential elections

Staples of the United States’ current election process include attack ads, a laser focus by parties on campaigning in states believed to hold greater sway in elections and a dizzying amount of money poured into campaigns.

But the American people are burnt out and tired of the current way of doing things. Many overwhelmingly view our electoral process and political system in negative terms. In a 2023 Pew Research study, when asked to identify a strength of the U.S. political system, one-third of respondents gave no answer, and another 22% wrote that there were no strengths.

The list of problems with our current system is long. Our political parties encourage and reward division and polarization. Extremism is pushed to the forefront over moderate candidates who promote compromise. Representatives do not accurately represent the country they stand for.

laws restricting the length of elections. Mexico, for example, has a presidential system like the U.S. and passed a law in 2007 restricting the main election season to 90 days, with an additional 60 days allowed for the equivalent of our party nomination process.

The solar eclipse presented me with a realization of the wonders that our universe entails and how small we as humans are in the grand scheme of things. Nature has a great power to unite people through beauty. It represents a lesson for us humans to look for beauty in the world, to look for beauty that has the power to unite us all. As a first-time viewer of a total solar eclipse, I was not only amazed by the beauty of this magnificent phenomenon, but also hit with a realization that there is life beyond college. The organizers I met who have been planning this event for the last two years, the family who very kindly let me use their telescope to view the eclipse — all these people were not college students but local Bloomington residents. Living in a college town blinded me to a limited understanding of this beautiful city. There is more to Bloomington than just being home to Indiana University — it is also home to a vibrant community that should not be overlooked.

Anticipation grew as the clock hit 3 p.m. I wore my solar eclipse glasses and pointed my phone toward the sun as all of us were looking in one direction. As soon as the 10-second countdown to the solar eclipse ended darkness ensued in Bloomington. I removed the complete darkness of my solar eclipse glasses; I saw one of the most spectacular sites nature had to offer: a total solar eclipse. A small ring of light lit behind the darkness of the moon outlining its circumference. I had the privilege to see this sight up close through a telescope, where I could see the subtle movement of the Sun’s corona outlining the moon. The beauty of the phenomenon is not only in the aesthetics of it but also in the emotional response it evoked in me.

ausave@iu.edu

It’s clear the United States’ election system needs an overhaul. This may seem like a monumental task, but it’s not impossible — elections have changed plenty over the years and they can change again. Here are some ways to fix the election game:

Shorten the election season

An overwhelming 72% of Americans believe recent presidential elections have lasted too long. In the U.S., presidential campaigns can last almost two years. For example, Donald Trump announced he was running in the 2024 presidential race in November 2022, a full two years before the election. His fellow Republican candidates, Vivek Ramaswamy and Nikki Haley, announced their candidacies in February 2023. But it doesn’t have to be this way.

Drawn-out election seasons only began in the US in the 1970s, when Jimmy Carter announced in candidacy for the 1976 election in December 1974. Other countries like Canada and France manage to elect a leader of their country in less time.

So how do other countries manage to have such short election seasons? Many have

Restricting funding also helps achieve this because millions of dollars are required to maintain a campaign for so long. By limiting the flow of money into campaigns, it is much less likely that candidates would be able to afford the current two-year-long campaigning. They would be forced to begin campaigning later, and Americans would escape the slog of listening to candidates squabble for years on end. Our government would benefit too. Incumbents could spend less of their time campaigning and more governing, which is what they’re there to do, after all.

Reel in campaign spending

The Citizens United v Federal Election Commission Supreme Court ruling declared corporations count as individuals under U.S. law, and as such, they can spend unlimited amounts on elections. This decision opened the door for greater political spending from outside groups and contributed to the infusion of even more money into elections.

Super PACs are large organizations that help campaign for candidates. Officially, they do not coordinate with formal campaign committees, though they are often very closely affiliated. Through super PACs, wealthy donors and corporations have huge power over the election. Further, these huge organizations increase the possibility for corruption of the electoral process. “Dark money” — money which

cannot be traced back to its donor — is common, decreasing transparency.

Common Cause, a non-profit organization dedicated to the democracy reform movement, suggests specific laws such as the DISCLOSE Act and strengthening of the Federal Election Commission. The DISCLOSE Act would require organizations that spend money in elections, including super PACs, to disclose donors who give more than $10,000.

Implement ranked choice voting

Ranked choice voting allows voters to rank candidates in order of preference rather than choosing just one. RCV systems require candidates have a majority of the vote to win, and it accomplishes this through “instant runoffs.” In this system, if no candidate wins a majority of overall votes, the candidate with the fewest first-preference votes is eliminated. Those votes then go to whoever the voter ranked second or third. The process continues until one candidate wins the majority vote. RCV could lead to the election of candidates with greater broad support. RCV incentivizes campaigning to a wider variety of people and trying to find a middle ground in politics. It also encourages voters to look past political parties. Since they can rank all candidates on the ballot, voters may also consider voting for third-party or independent candidates. Currently, many people avoid voting for a third party because they believe their vote will be “wasted.” Further, many third-party candidates are discouraged from running to begin with because it is believed they will siphon votes from one of the two major parties. But ranked choice voting eliminates this

Making sense of the nonsense

After hearing about the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore collapsing, I, like most people, felt saddened and my heart went out to the families that lost loved ones. However, these sorrows were distracted by conspiracy theories that I found littering the internet after the incident. I fell down a Googling rabbit hole, reading conspiracies about the event, each one seeming more outlandish than the last. The Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed March 26 when it was struck by a cargo ship that lost power. The incident is still being investigated, but despite evidence it was accidental, the internet has its own theories. Andrew Tate, a popular yet controversial influencer, posted his beliefs on X (formerly known as Twitter) that the ship was deliberately steered toward the bridge. Alex Jones, a Sandy Hook conspiracy theorist, posted his thoughts on the attack being deliberate as well. He also mentioned that he believed this was an indication that “WW3 has already started.”

After reading these conspiracies, I found myself feeling uncomfortable by

the lack of decency that these people online were showing to those who lost their lives. It’s also troubling that the evidence provided about the bridge was undoubtedly ignored as the conspiracy theories took charge, spreading fear and uncertainty in people that didn’t know enough about the matter to begin with.

Princess Kate of Wales was also plagued by her own torment of conspiracy theories recently. After being admitted into a hospital for abdominal surgery, people later began to speculate where she was. She then posted a picture that was deemed tampered

with, which the Associated Press later retracted. This incident, however, sent the conspiracies spiraling. In the end, Middleton came out with a video explaining her cancer diagnosis, which helped to quiet the conspiracies. Conspiracies may seem harmless at first, but they can have lasting effects on those involved in the situations that the conspiracies are targeting. Kate Middleton felt compelled to out her cancer diagnosis in light of the theories about her, even if it was something she was hoping to keep to herself for a little longer. The recent conspiracies

don’t stop there. Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce have been making headlines since they went public with their relationship, and the conspiracy theories have jumped at every opportunity to make something more of it. Their relationship has been dragged into theories from the Super Bowl to politics, assuming they are together for reasons of political agendas, presidential endorsements, COVID-19 vaccines, you name it. It’s undeniable that they are a famous couple, both popular in their respective areas, and with that popularity comes a sort of power. But nevertheless,

this popularity power is not justification or evidence for any of the speculation they have been targeted with. And yet, they continue to have theories aimed at them for things that have little relation to them.

Conspiracy theories can be silly and harmless, but in other situations, they can be damaging to real people and dangerously misleading. For example, conspiracies such as the flat Earth, anti-vaccine, and QAnon theories have misled people for years and have had real-world consequences. Spreading misinformation and creating conclusions based on little to no evidence

hand-wringing, allowing for voters to choose who they truly want as president without worrying about “wasting” their vote.

Elimination of the electoral college in favor of the popular vote

The electoral college has a myriad of issues: faithless electors, underrepresentation of people in certain states and over-representation of those in others. For years, eliminating the electoral college, which is a system in which Americans vote for electors who then vote for president, has been touted as a potential solution to these issues. In fact, 65% of Americans support changing the way we elect the president so that the winner of the popular vote wins the presidency. Though Democrats are much more likely to support elimination of the electoral college than Republicans, even Republican support is at an all-time high of 47%. With the movement to a popular vote, candidates would be forced to adjust their strategy. Rather than ignoring some states because they reliably fall for one party or the other, every individual vote would count.

Inevitably, there are varied arguments both for and against each of these potential reforms. And, certainly, there are valid concerns about each one of these reforms that must be debated and thought through before changes are made. But my hope in writing this article is to get people thinking about the possibilities. The U.S. election process is tiring and confusing, but it does not need to be this way — we must use our imagination to break free of the confines of our current process to consider alternatives.

scamire@iu.edu

can cause confusion, mistrust and alarm. I fear that constantly spreading unproven theories, especially things including politics, can increase the sense of distrust that people have towards news outlets and the government, regardless of the true facts that are provided. The internet and the ease in which we can now communicate with one another seems to be only adding fuel to the fire. Conspiracy theories existed before the internet, but the internet has made it “easier than ever for people to get involved in conspiracy networks.” Theories with no profound evidence can spread expeditiously and they tend to find their way into every corner of the internet so most people have come across them at one time or another. I find myself becoming more hesitant with the sorts of information I consume online. I’m overly cautious with where I get my news, and I find myself fact checking the sources I read, especially when the information comes from an unfamiliar source. As the saying goes, you should not trust everything you read on the internet, especially when the information contains unsupported theories.

Underneath Collins’ white jersey was a black long-sleeve shirt, while a red football helmet sat atop his head. Nothing was out of the ordinary — except for his cleats.

Collins sported red Adidas’s with three white stripes littered with a repetitive three-word acronym: LEO, short for “Love Each Other.”

It’s the slogan former Indiana head coach Tom Allen swore by and the basis on which he built his culture.

But new head coach Curt Cignetti wants to create change. After all, he’s never had a losing season across 13 years on the sideline. Indiana is just 9-27 over the past three campaigns.

And during practice April 9, Cignetti felt the Hoosiers resembled more the team they once were instead of who he hopes they become.

“I think a lot of them were mature enough to come out, have the right mindset to get better,” Cignetti said. “But too many of them that people that follow Indiana ‘think’ are players came out like the old Indiana. And that’s what we need to eliminate — that kind of habit, choice, decision and mindset.” Cignetti was displeased, and he let his players know. After practice ended at around 10:40 a.m., the 62-year-old coach said he delivered a “pretty stern message,” recognizing the session didn’t meet his standard.

Still, such a performance didn’t surprise Cignetti. Indiana gave its players an off-day Monday to watch the solar eclipse, and apart from a film session April 7, Cignetti hadn’t seen his team since the first scrimmage April 6.

The Hoosiers usually practice Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, so the gap between April 6 and April 9 wasn’t abnormal, but the off day was.

The scrimmage was productive, Cignetti said, and even with his frustration, there were unnamed valuable lessons pulled from Tuesday’s session.

But Cignetti doesn’t want such practices to become the norm — after all, under the prior coaching staff, they already were. “Knew it would be a challenge this morning, and it was,” Cignetti said. “I still think there’s probably a good core nucleus of guys who came out with the right mindset and got better, but too many didn’t. We can’t have practices like that and get done what we want to get done. So, we’ll keep plugging along.” Cignetti said he likes how lots of players and positions are shaping up this spring; he praised senior quarterback Kurtis Rourke, along with the running backs, receivers and the offensive line as collectives.

Senior receiver Ke’Shawn Williams, who Cignetti said April 2 has been good in practice, was in a walking boot April 9. Similarly, Indiana’s defense is a bit shorthanded due to injuries, according to Cignetti. Still, players gelling isn’t Cignetti’s primary concern. Instead, it’s about on-field

performance leading to a more defined pecking order come fall camp.

“The cream rises to the top,” Cignetti said. “Who comes out and practices every day, day in, day out consistency. Who learns the plays, who does the right thing, who makes plays, who gives consistent effort, who doesn’t know their plays and who’s inconsistent.”

Cignetti wants everything to be earned, not given — and doesn’t seem overly concerned about hurting feelings.

“Our job isn’t to please them,” Cignetti said. “Their job is to please us.”

So, when Indiana’s practices aren’t pleasing Cignetti

as much as he feels they should, he speaks up.

This is something he feels is his responsibility, not the players. Cignetti previously noted he’s still trying to figure out leaders on his team, though redshirt junior running back and James Madison University transfer Kaelon Black spoke to the team before a period of stretching.

“Who you doing this for?” Black yelled. Collins later repeated the same phrase on the side to redshirt junior running back Trent Howland. The Hoosiers have a blend of returning leaders from last year, such as seventh-year linebacker Jacob

Mangum-Farrar and sixthyear offensive lineman Mike Katic, but also an influx of veterans from the transfer portal.

Still, Cignetti is taking charge.

“It’s part of my job to have the team ready,” Cignetti said. “Day in, day out, maintain high standards. They become us; we don’t become them. Can’t compromise your standards, and when something doesn’t meet the bar, players need to know.”

On April 9, the standard wasn’t met. It’s not a representation of Cignetti’s first spring in Bloomington, as he’s oft expressed satisfaction with the Hoosiers’ on-

field product.

But as practices dwindle and Indiana’s April 18 spring game nears, Cignetti is still trying to build the foundation for his debut season — a goal he feels has grown closer to completion since practice began March 21.

“It’s hard for me to say where I wanted it to be because I never put a limit on any self-imposed limitations,” Cignetti said. “But I’ve definitely seen progress. Players understand how we practice — the way we practice — will make us better. I’ve seen improvement. We just want to make the most of every opportunity every day, every rep, every drill.”

Kappa Alpha Theta, Black Key Bulls win Team Pursuit

Just as the frenzy of March Madness grips the nation with close matchups and bracket-busting upsets, Little 500 had a similar frenzy in the Team Pursuit event April

7. Two titans of the women’s Little 500 field had a showdown in the Team Pursuit finals. Kappa Alpha Theta and Teter, close in the running for the Spring Series title, settled the standings at Bill Armstrong Stadium’s cinder track. “Teter is a really strong team,” Kappa Alpha Theta’s Bailey Cappella said following the preliminary heat. “Our time doesn’t matter as much in the first heat, so we need to put our heads down and work hard.“ A short rain shower and lightning delay prior to the final heat affected the flow of teams, which sought shelter whilst simultaneously warming up. “I think the best thing for the track is a light shower,” Race director Emily Carrico said during the delay. A damp track can improve grip on the cinders, allowing riders to turn more aggressively.

Following a short break, both teams began their series-defining races. Teter took an early lead, finding itself five seconds ahead by lap five. Teter’s Jessica DiBella dropped from the team’s

paceline on lap nine, leaving Seneca Simon, Cecilia Ball and Allison Edgar to ride the final six laps.

Kappa Alpha Theta’s lineup of Audrey La Valle, Claire Tips, Greta Heyl and Bailey Capella narrowed the fivesecond gap to 2.5 with five laps to go. The team consistently nibbled at the Teter lead, leaving just one second between with two laps left.

Kappa Alpha Theta overcame the gap in the final seconds and edged out Teter by 1.1 seconds, with a time of 10:16.95. The win allowed

Kappa Alpha Theta to improve its Spring Series lead by three — 42 points compared to Teter’s 48. The win not only defined the team as Spring Series champions and recipient of the white jersey, but also toppers of the record books — a total eclipse of the standing record by nearly 20 seconds. “Today was a total testament,” La Valle said after finals. “It was 100% a team effort and we couldn’t have done it without the whole team behind us.” La Valle also notably won all three Spring Series events: ITTs, Miss N Outs and Team Pursuit — a feat rarely achieved, last done by Caitlin Van Kooten (Teter) in 2011.

All teams’ final chance to test their legs was the the practice race April 10. Teter will wear green, and Kappa Alpha Theta will wear white for that one day in April: the 19th.

Anticipation for the Little 500 continues to build as the teams completed another event in the Spring Cycling Series on April 6 with Miss N Out. The winners of the event were Conor Furlong of Beta Sigma Psi on the men’s side and Audrey La Valle of Kappa Alpha Theta for the women. Other notable finishes included two placements in the final heat for Sigma Phi Epsilon from Max Martin and Will Pitts on the men’s side, along with two Teter finalists in Allison Edgar and Cecilia Ball for the women. The event consisted of a group of six-to-12 riders in a short lap race, with the riders progressively getting whittled down. The top three riders advanced in the first heat and the top two advanced in the following rounds before a champion was crowned in the final heat. Crashes were a consistent theme of the event, as the riders were heavily

*** A last-second buzzerbeater occurred in the men’s team pursuit. Black Key Bulls set a benchmark time of 9:33.40 early April 7, with Sigma Alpha Epsilon following close behind in 9:35.54. The two were expected to face off in the final heat of the evening.

Sigma Phi Epsilon placed fourth on the day, giving the team enough room to take first place in the Spring Series standings and earn the white jersey for race day.

In the third-to-last heat prior to finals, BKB’s second squad of four riders took to the track and defied expectations, overshadowing SAE’s earlier result by just .24 seconds. The finals featured the two BKB teams against each other, guaranteeing them the top two spots and a boost in confidence.

“It was absolutely insane,” BKB’s Zane Snider said after the final heat. “It was everything we ever could have wanted. We talk about how team pursuit is BKB’s strong suit, and how one day that we want to be in the finals with ‘BKB 1’ and ‘BKB 2,’ and we finally did it.”

In the final race between the two BKB teams, rain poured and cinders sprayed behind each rider. ‘BKB 2,’ comprised of McGuire Wolfe, Zack Villarreal, Brady Larkin and Snider completed its final heat on tired legs and high spirits

compacted due to the race’s length. Although wipeouts were plentiful throughout the event, injuries did not appear severe, as riders walked off the track. The riders discussed their strategy for avoiding a wipeout that would cost them a chance to advance.

“The track’s pretty dry today,” said senior Delta Tau Delta rider Sean Simpson. “Definitely want to stay towards the front and try not to box yourself in.”

Sophomore rider Ben Nordstrom, one of Simp-

son’s teammates at Delta Tau Delta, offered a more mechanical analysis. “Running lower tire pressure can help with sliding out and staying controlled, calm, cool so you’re not having to sprint every time on the backstretch,” Nordstrom said. Riders see the Miss N Outs as useful practice for the upcoming race and believe race day principles can be taken from the event. “It gives you a sense of riding with a pack,” said sophomore Black Key Bulls

rider Leo Switzer. “It’s helpful with strategy and the final sprint.”

Miss N Out also presents teams with an opportunity to evaluate themselves and their opponents, helping identify strategic advantages as the Little 500 calendar progresses.

“It definitely shows who’s a good sprinter so you can mark the good riders on other teams, and shows who’s the good sprinter on your team,” Simpson said. “It’s a really good test to see who can have legs after long

fast laps.” The teams will look forward to a quick turnaround with Team Pursuit on Sunday, which marks the last event of the Spring Cycling Series before the races April 19-20. Riders were not concerned with fatigue due to the short nature of Miss N Out. “Miss N Out shouldn’t have a massive toll because the races are so short, and it’s mostly sprinting,” Switzer said. “The legs should be fresh for tomorrow’s Team Pursuit.”

Bats catch fire, starters solid in Indiana win

Powered by 34 runs in three games over the weekend in College Park, Maryland, Indiana baseball raced to a 2-1 series win over the Terrapins, its first at Bob “Turtle” Smith Stadium since 2019.

After trouncing Indiana State University 16-7 on April 2 at home, the Hoosiers’ hot bats carried into the weekend. Indiana plated 14 or more runs twice against Maryland en route to a 15-4-win April 5 and a 14-2 victory April 6 before falling 6-5 in walk off fashion April 7.

Though the Hoosiers’ pitching staff has been a cause for concern throughout the season, it was solid over the weekend. Graduate lefty Ty Bothwell got the ball Friday and turned in his second longest outing of the year, going six innings and giving up four runs, three of which were earned.

Bothwell punched out seven and tossed a seasonhigh 104 pitches in his fourth win of the season. After giving up a solo shot to Maryland junior Eddie Hacopian in the bottom of the first, Bothwell retired the Terrapins in order in the ensuing two frames before running into trouble in the fourth.

Maryland slapped three hits and pushed three runs across in the fourth before Bothwell stranded two runners to get out of the inning. Bothwell struck out four in his final two innings of work, and Indiana’s offense was humming in the meantime.

Tied 1-1 in the top of the third, junior Nick Mitchell and redshirt freshman Joey Brenczewski knocked backto-back RBIs, and the Hoosiers added two more runs to take a 5-1 lead. Brenczewski added an RBI double in the fifth, and after redshirt junior Jake Stadler plated a run in the seventh, the Hoosiers exploded in the final two frames.

Indiana tallied eight runs and nine hits across the eighth and ninth to secure its blowout victory in the series opener. Mitchell and Brenczewski logged four hits apiece, and Stadler, sophomore Tyler Cerny and junior Josh Pyne each collected three hits. On April 6, the Hoosiers received a brilliant performance from sophomore righty Connor Foley. Like Bothwell, Foley turned in his second longest start of the year and struck out 10 in six shutout innings while only surrendering one hit. Foley upped his previous career-high pitch count from 103 to a whopping 116 on April 6 and used his flamethrowing fastball and whirling slider to baffle Terrapin batters. And like the day prior, Indiana backed up its starter with plenty of run support.

With runners on the corners in the top of the first, Mitchell launched a towering three-run homer to kickstart an 11-hit, 14-run afternoon for the Hoosiers. Pyne stayed hot, matching Mitchell with a three-run homer of his own to left field in the sixth to put Indiana up 13-0.

Junior Carter Mathison

capped the offensive outburst with an RBI double in the eighth, and junior Julian Tonghini and senior Seti Manase combined to close out the final three innings on the mound and clinch Indiana’s series win. Freshman second baseman Jasen Oliver’s 13-game hitting streak ended in the 14-2 victory, but four Hoosiers registered multi-hit efforts. Foley picked up his fourth victory of the year and continued to cement his role as the staff’s ace after shining as a reliever last year.

Foley is among the Big Ten’s best in a handful of statistics. His 3.21 ERA ranks sixth, his .139 opposing batting average, 64 strikeouts and 20 hits allowed all rank second and his 42 innings pitched come in ninth.

After piecing together two of its finest offensive outings of the season, Indiana slowed a bit April 7. The Hoosiers tallied just three hits in the 6-5 defeat, with sophomore Devin Taylor knocking two of them.

Graduate righty Ty Rybarczyk got the start and hurled two shutout frames to kick off the afternoon. Maryland plated a pair of runs in the third off a fielding error, and Rybarczyk’s outing concluded after three innings of five-hit, two-run ball, neither of which were earned.

Taylor crushed a solo shot to center field to open the scoring for the Hoosiers, and Indiana tacked on four runs in the top of the sixth to take a 5-2 lead. The Terrapins jumped on Indiana senior reliever Jack Moffitt

in the bottom of the frame, plating a run and forcing redshirt sophomore lefty Brandon Keyster to enter. Keyster immediately issued a bases-loaded walk and Indiana brought in graduate righty Drew Buhr to try and limit the damage. Buhr plunked a batter to bring in the tying run before getting out of the inning, and things remained scoreless until the ninth. Hoosier sophomore Brayden Risedorph loaded the bases before getting an out, and after striking out one, he surrendered the game-winning single to Maryland senior Kevin Keister.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) Today is a 9 —

Despite the loss in the series finale, Indiana’s offense and pitching staff took major steps forward against the defending Big Ten Champion Terrapins. The Hoosiers impressively did it all without junior catcher and first baseman Brock Tibbitts, who is currently sidelined with a lower body injury.

(April 20-May 20) Today is a 9 — Bring home the bacon and fry it up in a pan. Don’t get pushy. Reinforce the basics. Grab lucrative opportunities. Develop prospects naturally.

Bloomington restaurants that visitors will love

With the spring semester ending and move-out day approaching, many parents will be visiting Bloomington in the upcoming weeks. If your parents are in town, I recommend you stop by these restaurants to ensure they get an extensive taste of Bloomington.

Breakfast Spots

Rise and shine! Start off your day with a quick meal at one of the following local Bloomington spots.

Inkwell Bakery & Café

If you are looking for a filling meal at a comfortable coffee shop, stop by the Inkwell Bakery & Café. The shop opens at 8 a.m., Saturday and serves espresso drinks, pastries, breakfast and lunch.

Gables Bagels

A hot Bagel with a schmear of homemade cream cheese from Gables Bagels is one of the best ways to start the day. You can grab your fresh bagel and begin the rest of the day’s adventure.

Village Deli

In the heart of downtown Kirkwood, the Village Deli is a classic breakfast diner. Whether you are craving a giant pancake, breakfast burrito, or a vegetable omelet, this local breakfast spot has it all.

Lunch Spots

Re-energize with one of these local lunch spots before the rest of your afternoon activities.

BuffaLouie’s

While this local restaurant is well known for its wings,

do not underestimate the rest of its menu. BuffaLouie’s hot turkey sub is my favorite lunch item, but you cannot go wrong with its wings, burgers, salads, or mac and cheese.

Fat Dan’s Deli

On the corner of E. Kirkwood Ave and N. Lincoln St, is this local Chicagostyle restaurant. The shop is known for its smoked meats, giant burgers and Chicagostyle hot dogs. If you stop by, avoid wearing nice clothes because it’s bound to get messy.

Feta Kitchen and Café If you’ve never been to a Mediterranean-bowl restaurant, I recommend you stop by Feta Kitchen and Café. At Feta, you can assemble a Mediterranean flavored salad or rice bowl.

Canterbury Mission

719 E. Seventh St. 812-822-1335 IUCanterbury.org

facebook.com/ECMatIU

Instagram & Twitter: @ECMatIU

Sunday: 3 p.m. - 7 p.m.

Mon., Wed., Thu.: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Tuesday: 12 p.m. - 8 p.m.

Fri., Sat.: By Appointment

Canterbury: Assertively open & affirming; unapologetically Christian, we proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ by promoting justice, equality, peace, love and striving to be the change God wants to see in our world.

Ed Bird - Chaplain/Priest

Gaden KhachoeShing Monastery

2150 E. Dolan Rd. 812-334-3456 ganden.org

Modern Buddhism

facebook.com/ganden.org

Dedicated to

First Church of Christ, Scientist

2425 E. Third St. 812-332-0536 csmonitor.com bloomingtonchristianscience.com

Sunday: 10 a.m.

Wednesday: 7 p.m.

A free public reading room in

Try topping it with gyro, pickled cauliflower, corn relish, baba ghanoush and whipped feta for a real treat.

Dinner Spots End the night on a positive note by dining at one of these Bloomington restaurants!

Da Vinci Pizza and Pasta After indulging in a slice of Da Vinci’s delicious wood fired pizza, you will never forget this Bloomington trip.

Da Vinci’s offers an array of mouthwatering Italian dishes and is consistently my favorite Italian restaurant in Bloomington.

Big Woods

Big Woods is a highquality dinner option with five locations in Indiana. The Bloomington location serves a little bit of everything with a menu containing

margherita pizza, pulled pork sandwiches, chicken street tacos and Asian chicken salad.

Yogi’s Bar & Grill

After a long day, Yogi’s is a great laidback dinner option. You can pair the classic bar

First Church of Christ, Scientist

2425 E. Third St. 812-332-0536 csmonitor.com bloomingtonchristianscience.com Sunday: 10 a.m. Wednesday: 7 p.m. A free public reading room in the east wing of our church is open weekdays from noon until 2 p.m. Here you may read the awardwinning Christian Science Monitor and other church literature. An attendant is glad to answer questions.

Bloomington Friends Meeting

3820 E. Moores Pike 812-336-4581

bloomingtonfriendsmeeting.org

Facebook: Bloomington Friends Meeting

Sunday (in person and by Zoom) : 9:45 a.m., Hymn singing 10:30 a.m., Meeting for Worship 10:45 a.m., Sunday School (Children join in worship from 10:30-10:45) 11:30 a.m., Light Refreshments and Fellowship 12:45 p.m., Often there is a second hour activity (see website)

Wednesday (Via Zoom) : 9 a.m., Midweek Meeting for worship 9:30 a.m., Fellowship

We practice traditional Quaker worship, gathering in silence with occasional Spirit-led vocal ministry by fellow worshipers. We are an inclusive community with a rich variety of beliefs and no prescribed creed. We are actively involved in peace action, social justice causes, and environmental concerns.

Peter Burkholder - Clerk burkhold@indiana.edu

Jubilee

219 E. Fourth St. 812-332-6396 jubileebloomington.org

facebook.com/jubileebloomington

Instagram: @jubileebloomington

Sunday: 9:30 a.m., Classic Worship 11:45 a.m., Contemporary Worship

Wednesday: 7:30 p.m., College & Young Adult Dinner

Jubilee is a Christ-centered community open and affirming to all. We gather on Wednesdays at First United Methodist (219 E. 4th St.) for free food,

- jubilee@fumcb.org

Bahá'í Association of IU 424 S. College Mall Rd. 812-331-1863

bloomingtoninbahais.org

facebook.com/Baháí-Community-ofBloomington-Indiana-146343332130574

Instagram: @bloomingtonbahai

Sunday: 10:40 a.m., Regular Services, Devotional Meetings. Please call or contact through our website for other meetings/activities

The Bahá'í Association of IU works to share the Teachings and Principles of the Founder, Bahá'u'lláh, that promote the "Oneness of Mankind" and the Peace and Harmony of the Planet through advancing the "security, prosperity, wealth and tranquility of all peoples."

Karen Pollock Dan Enslow

Christian community who values the faith, gifts, and ministry of all God’s people. We seek justice, serve our neighbors, and love boldly.

Rev. Adrianne Meier

Rev. Lecia Beck

Rev. Amanda Ghaffarian - Campus Pastor

Kane Brown to headline ‘The Full Ride Tour’ on April 13

Country musicians

Kane Brown, Jon Pardi, Jessi Murph and Clayton Anderson will make the first stop in “The Full Ride Tour” college concert series at 5:30 p.m. April 13 at Memorial Stadium. Created in collaboration by the hospitality company On Location and Doussan Music Group, the tour curates concert experiences for each college community, while finding ways to support the university, according to “The Full Ride Tour” press release. On Location President Paul Caine was a graduate from the IU class of 1986 and established the Caine Family Scholarship fund for Media School students. “In launching ‘The Full Ride Tour,’ we will bring an elevated concert experience to schools across the nation,” Caine said. “In addition to the incredible artists who will perform at some of the most iconic venues,

each event will be a special experience tailored to its locale as we incorporate and celebrate the local campus culture, atmosphere, and personality.” While at IU, “The Full Ride Tour” will partner with the student-led charitable organization Students–Helping–Students. Future tour dates and universities will be announced, according to the press release.

The headlining artist, Kane Brown, first rose to popularity after the release of his self-titled debut album in 2016, which earned the musician two of the most streamed country songs of all time – “Heaven” and “What Ifs.” Brown’s sophomore album, “Experiment,” hit number one on the Billboard Top 200 allgenre list. Brown has been nominated for 15 different Academy of Country Music Awards between 2016 and 2023, securing Video of the Year in 2020 for “Worldwide Beautiful” and the ACM

First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)

205 E. Kirkwood Ave. 812-332-4459 fccbloomington.org

Sunday: 10 a.m.

We are an inclusive community of people who are diverse in thought and unified in spirit. We are an LGBTQIA+ welcoming and affirming congregation known for our excellent music and commitment to justice. Our worship services will not only lift your spirit, but also engage your mind. You are welcome!

Pastor Kyrmen Rea - Senior Pastor Pastor Sarah Lynne GershonStudent Associate Pastor Jan Harrington - Director of Music

Emmanuel Church

1503 W. That Rd. 812-824-2768

Emmanuelbloom.com Instagram & Facebook: @EmmanuelBloomington

Sunday: 9:15 a.m., Fellowship

Sunday: 10 a.m., Worship Groups: Various times

Emmanuel is a multigenerational church of all types of people. Whether you are questioning faith or have followed Jesus for years, we exist to help fuel a passion for following Jesus as we gather together, grow in community, and go make disciples.

John Winders - Lead Pastor

321 N Rogers St 812-327-1467 sbcbloomington.org facebook.com/2ndbaptistbloomington youtube.com/@secondbaptist churchbloomington

International Award in 2023.

“The Full Ride Tour” will also feature performances by ACM and Country Music Association award-winning singer songwriter Jon Pardi, known for songs “Heartache on the Dancefloor” and “Head Over Boots.” In an email, Pardi shared his excitement for The Full Ride Tour’s opening night.

“I’ve been really looking forward to coming to the IU campus for ‘The Full Ride Tour,’ to get to play for the crowd of fans there, and to get to do it with a great line up that they have planned, is really fun!” Pardi said. “Plus, Kane and I are friends, so who knows what other surprises may be in store.”

Brown and Pardi will be accompanied by fellow country musicians Jessi Murph and Clayton Anderson.

Tickets start at $19.50 for general admission with several different packages available for purchase on “The Full Ride Tour” website.

Lifeway Baptist Church

7821 W. State Road 46 812-876-6072 lifewaybaptistchurch.org facebook.com/lifewayellettsville

Sunday: 9 a.m., Bible Study Classes 10 a.m., Morning Service 5 p.m., Evening Service *Free transportation provided. Please call if you need a ride to church. Barnabas College Ministry: Meeting for Bible study throughout the month. Contact Rosh Dhanawade at bluhenrosh@gmail.com for more information.

Steven VonBokern - Senior Pastor Rosh Dhanawade - IU Coordinator 302-561-0108 bluhenrosh@gmail.com

United Presbyterian Church 1701 E. Second St. 812-332-1850 upcbloomington.org

Sunday worship service: 10 a.m.

Tuesday Bible Study: 6 p.m., in-person and via Zoom

A diverse and inclusive people of God determined and committed to reflect an authentic presentation of the church universal. We cherish the authority of Scripture and the elemental Presbyterian confession that that God alone is Lord of the conscience.”

Cheryl Montgomery - Reverend

Benjamin Watkins, PhD - Music Director Allen Pease - Event Coordinator & Secretary

Unitarian Universalist Church of Bloomington

2120 N. Fee Ln. 812-332-3695 uubloomington.org

facebook.com/uubloomington

Sunday: 10:15 a.m.

With open hearts and minds, we celebrate diverse beliefs and engage in a free and responsible search for truth and meaning. We are passionate about social justice and lifelong learning. We are an LGBTQA+ Welcoming Congregation. Wherever you are on your spiritual journey, we welcome you!

Rev. Constance Grant - Lead Minister

Anabel Watson - Connections Coordinator

Unity of Bloomington

4001 S. Rogers St. 812-333-2484 unityofbloomington.org facebook@UnityofBloomington

Sunday: 10:30 a.m.

Unity is a positive, practical, progressive approach to Christianity based on the teachings of Jesus and the power of prayer. Unity honors the universal truths in all religions and respects each individual’s right to choose a spiritual path. Our God is Love, Our Race is Human, Our Faith is Oneness.

Doris Brinegar - Administrator Phyllis Wickliff - Music Director

Mennonite Fellowship of Bloomington

2420 E. Third St. 812-646-2441 bloomingtonmenno.org

facebook.com/Mennonite-Fellowship-ofBloomington-131518650277524

Sunday: 5 p.m.

A welcoming, inclusive congregation providing a place of healing and hope as we journey together in the Spirit of Christ. Gathering for worship Sundays 5 p.m. in the Roger Williams room, First United Church. As people of God's peace, we seek to embody the Kingdom of God.

John Sauder - mfbjohn@gmail.com

Christ Community Church

503 S. High St. 812-332-0502 cccbloomington.org

facebook.com/christcommunitybtown

Instagram: @christcommunitybtown

Sunday: 9:15 a.m., Educational Hour 10:30 a.m., Worship Service

We are a diverse community of Christ-followers, including many IU students, faculty and staff. Together we are committed to sharing the redeeming grace and transforming truth of Jesus Christ in this college town.

Bob Whitaker - Senior Pastor

Adam deWeber - Worship Pastor

Dan Waugh - Adult Ministry Pastor

Christian Student Fellowship

1968 N. David Baker

812-332-8972 csfindiana.org

Instagram & Facebook: @csfindiana

Monday - Friday: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Office

Thursday: 8 p.m., Worship Service

Christian Student Fellowship (CSF) is a ministry built on Jesus Christ. We exist to help students pursue authentic faith and build intentional communities while in college. Come check out our campus house and/or any of our other various ministry opportunities.

Ben Geiger - Lead campus minister

Joe Durnil - Associate campus minister

Stephanie Michael - Associate campus minister

Hailee Fox - Office manager

Church of Christ

825 W. Second St. 812-332-0501

facebook.com/w2coc

Sunday: 9:30 a.m., Bible Study

10:30 a.m. & 5 p.m., Worship

Wednesday: 7 p.m., Bible

Rev. Dr. Bruce R. Rose - Pastor Tallie Schroeder - Secretary

Bloomington Young Single Adult Branch

2411 E. Second St.

To Contact: Send message from website maps.churchofjesuschrist.org/ wards/237973

Sunday: 12:30 p.m.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints has four congregations in Bloomington—Three family wards and our young single adult branch for college students. This info is for the YSA Branch.

Weekday religious classes at 333 S Highland Ave, Bloomington IN 47401, next to campus.

More info at churchofjesuschrist.org.

Jody Killingsworth - Senior Pastor Lucas Weeks - College Pastor

City Church For All Nations

1200 N. Russell Rd.

812-336-5958

citychurchbloomington.org

facebook.com/citychurchbtown

Instagram: @citychurchbtown

Sunday Service: 9:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m.

Always check website for possible changes to service times.

City Church is a non-denominational multicultural, multigenerational church on Bloomington's east side. The Loft, our college ministry meets on Tuesdays at 7 p.m.

Emergency contraception is most effective 3 – 5 days after unprotected sex.