Author: Tanjid Osman

The Iowa men’s basketball team bounced back in a big way on Sunday, crushing Western Michigan 91-51 at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. The win improved Iowa’s record to 9-2 under first-year head coach Ben McCollum. After losing to Michigan State and Iowa State in their last two games, Iowa came out strong against a mid-major opponent. Junior forward Cam Manyawu said the team treated the game as a fresh start to focus on improving after recent losses. Iowa quickly built a double-digit lead and never looked back. Senior point guard Bennett Stirtz, known for heavy minutes, played only 24 minutes, a season…

Longevity science is shifting the focus from lifespan to healthspan—the years you thrive rather than just survive. Muscle plays a major role in this, according to Gabrielle Lyon, DO, a family medicine physician and author of Forever Strong. She coined the term “musclespan” to describe the length of time you live with healthy skeletal muscle, highlighting its impact on long-term health. Muscle is not just about appearance or athletic performance. It is central to aging well and maintaining quality of life. Nathan K. LeBrasseur, PhD, a Mayo Clinic professor of physical medicine and rehabilitation, says losing muscle function increases the…

Utah State men’s basketball secured an 83-78 victory over Illinois State on Saturday at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, improving its record to 9-1 ahead of Mountain West play. The Aggies dominated the boards and moved the ball effectively, pulling down 33 rebounds to Illinois State’s 18, including 19 offensive rebounds—the most by a Utah State team since 2020. Senior forward Garry Clark led the effort with eight total rebounds, seven on the offensive glass, while scoring 18 points and adding two assists and two steals. Senior forward Zach Keller made his first start of the season and…

The Arizona GymCats are preparing for their 50th season, aiming to build on a highly successful 2024-25 campaign. With a younger roster, the team kicks off its season tomorrow at McKale Center at 2 p.m. MST during the GymCat Showcase. The GymCat Showcase offers newcomers a chance to adjust to the arena before scores count. Freshman Hillary Puleo said the showcase helps her learn the layout, sightlines, and atmosphere. “I’m getting all my jitters out before the season starts,” she said. McKale Center, a busy venue this winter, required adjustments to accommodate gymnastics practice. Volleyball has concluded its season, women’s…

As the college football playoff approaches, Alabama players say their attention is locked firmly on the field, not on outside talk about their head coach. Recent rumors linking head coach Kalen DeBoer to a high-profile coaching vacancy have circulated widely on social media, but players insist the noise has not affected their preparation. The Alabama Football Focus inside the program remains clear and steady. Players say their priority is the upcoming playoff matchup against Oklahoma, a game that carries major stakes for the season and the program’s goals. Sophomore wide receiver Ryan Williams said DeBoer has not spent time addressing…

Flagstaff, Arizona, offers visitors a mix of natural beauty, historic landmarks, and festive charm, especially during the winter season. Known as the world’s first International Dark Sky City and located along historic Route 66, the area is just 90 minutes from Grand Canyon National Park. Among the top places to stay in the region is the Little America Flagstaff hotel, which provides year-round activities and extra holiday experiences. The hotel sits on 500 acres of Ponderosa pine forest and features two miles of nature trails exclusively for guests. The trails are particularly scenic in winter when snow blankets the forest,…

The Kansas City Chiefs are confronting a rare challenge: missing the playoffs. After losing 20-10 to the red-hot Houston Texans, the Chiefs’ postseason hopes are in serious jeopardy. With a 6-7 record, they currently sit as the 10th seed in the AFC, competing for the final playoff spot with the Ravens, Colts, and Texans. In the Patrick Mahomes era, Kansas City has never failed to reach at least the AFC Championship Game. While the Chiefs maintain one of the NFL’s most potent offenses, Sunday’s loss highlighted several weaknesses that could prevent the team from sustaining its dominance. Houston’s defense, one…

Michigan lawmakers are considering a bill that would require social media platforms to verify users’ ages and get parental consent for anyone under 18. House Bill 4388 would apply to platforms with at least 5 million users. Teens could only create accounts after a parent or guardian approves them. Once approved, the account would be classified as a “minor account” and include additional restrictions. Parents who provide consent would be able to access their child’s posts and private messages. They could also set nighttime curfews to limit when their teens use the platform, unless they manually disable the feature. Supporters…

Charleston Southern cruised to an 84-44 win over South Carolina State on Monday night. Brycen Blaine led the Buccaneers with 18 points and added seven rebounds to help the team improve to 7-5 on the season. A’lahn Sumler contributed 14 points, while Jesse Hafemeister scored 12, hitting five of six shots from the floor. The Buccaneers’ balanced attack helped them control the game from start to finish. South Carolina State struggled to score, with Rayniel Wright, Noah Treadwell, and Obie Bronston Jr. each contributing eight points for the Bulldogs, who remain winless at 0-10. The Bulldogs were unable to match…

West Virginia lawmakers were briefed on approved changes to the state’s Public Employee Insurance Agency (PEIA) coverage during December legislative interim meetings. The updates include modest premium increases and higher fees for certain plan options, set to take effect in July 2026. The Joint Standing Committee on Insurance and PEIA met at the State Capitol to review the new plan year. PEIA Director Brent Wolfingbarger presented the changes approved by the PEIA Finance Board, noting that the fiscal year 2027 financial plan for both state and non-state funds includes a 3% aggregate premium increase for employees and retirees. This is…