Sports

'Protects fairness'

Published

4 weeks ago

May 29, 2025

Late Wednesday night, Nebraska lawmakers passed a scaled-back version of the Stand With Women Act.Protesters chanted outside the chamber. At one point, the process was interrupted by someone yelling from the balcony, but LB89 passed 33-16. According to the text of the bill, it “promotes equality between the sexes, provides opportunities for female athletes to compete against their female peers rather than against male athletes, and allows female athletes to compete on a fair playing field for scholarships and other athletic accomplishments.” “This isn’t about exclusion, it’s about ensuring our daughters, sisters, and friends have a level playing field to compete, succeed, and shine,” Sen. Loren Lipincott said. “LB89 recognizes a simple biological truth: biological males and females are different.”LB89 defines male and female, and limits participation in sports to athletes of the same biological sex unless that sport is defined as co-ed. It also requires documentation verifying biological sex. Sponsored by Sen. Kathleen Kauth, the original bill extended the definition of sex to public buildings and locker rooms. Ralston Sen. Merv Riepe offered an amendment during the second round for the bill to focus solely on sports, which passed.”He and I talked about bringing back bathrooms and locker rooms next year,” Kauth said. “He said he’s willing to look at it but wanted to things done in a slower measure. “I can’t think of one time in American history when the passage of something like LB89 was looked back upon favorably,” Sen. John Fredrickson said. According to the Nebraska School Activities Association, eight athletes have applied for transgender exceptions since the waiver policy was put in place in 2018. “When you talk about culture war issues, why do you think they pick on gender, race, and class?” Sen. Megan Hunt said. “It’s because it keeps us divided.”Gov. Jim Pillen praised the bill’s passage, saying, “This legislation achieves a key goal — protecting girls and women’s sports. It’s just common sense that girls shouldn’t have to compete against biological boys. This legislative win will lead to many more victories for Nebraska’s female athletes, as we ensure a level and fair playing field for all girls who compete. I look forward to signing it into law.”Paid Minimum WageLawmakers also gave final round approval to LB 415, which pulls back on the voter-approved Earned Paid Sick Leave law. It passed 33-16. “We don’t need to thwart the will of the voters and undercut, or carve out, or cap access to basic sick leave,” said Sen. Danielle Conrad, who spoke against the measure. Some of the exceptions for earned paid sick leave include certain contractors, businesses with 10 or fewer employees, and minors under the age of 16. “We have to find the balance of creating economic vitality for our state while maintaining a great workforce,” said Sen. Jane Raybould, who supported the bill. Raybould was unable to attach LB258, which included exceptions for the voter-approved minimum wage law, to LB 415. It’ll likely be brought back next year. Other Notable Bills That AdvancedLB504: Age Appropriate Online Design Code Act, which bans the private information sharing of minors and gives parents more access to monitoring toolsLR19CA: A constitutional amendment to extend state senator term limits from two to three terms. Since this a constitutional amendment, it will require a public vote. LB521: Election Act, which would allow cities like Omaha to hold elections that coincide with statewide and presidential election years.NAVIGATE: Home | Weather | Local News | National | Sports | Newscasts on demand |

LINCOLN, Neb. —

Late Wednesday night, Nebraska lawmakers passed a scaled-back version of the Stand With Women Act.

Protesters chanted outside the chamber. At one point, the process was interrupted by someone yelling from the balcony, but LB89 passed 33-16.

According to the text of the bill, it “promotes equality between the sexes, provides opportunities for female athletes to compete against their female peers rather than against male athletes, and allows female athletes to compete on a fair playing field for scholarships and other athletic accomplishments.”

“This isn’t about exclusion, it’s about ensuring our daughters, sisters, and friends have a level playing field to compete, succeed, and shine,” Sen. Loren Lipincott said. “LB89 recognizes a simple biological truth: biological males and females are different.”

LB89 defines male and female, and limits participation in sports to athletes of the same biological sex unless that sport is defined as co-ed. It also requires documentation verifying biological sex.

Sponsored by Sen. Kathleen Kauth, the original bill extended the definition of sex to public buildings and locker rooms. Ralston Sen. Merv Riepe offered an amendment during the second round for the bill to focus solely on sports, which passed.

“He and I talked about bringing back bathrooms and locker rooms next year,” Kauth said. “He said he’s willing to look at it but wanted to things done in a slower measure.

“I can’t think of one time in American history when the passage of something like LB89 was looked back upon favorably,” Sen. John Fredrickson said.

According to the Nebraska School Activities Association, eight athletes have applied for transgender exceptions since the waiver policy was put in place in 2018.

“When you talk about culture war issues, why do you think they pick on gender, race, and class?” Sen. Megan Hunt said. “It’s because it keeps us divided.”

Gov. Jim Pillen praised the bill’s passage, saying, “This legislation achieves a key goal — protecting girls and women’s sports. It’s just common sense that girls shouldn’t have to compete against biological boys. This legislative win will lead to many more victories for Nebraska’s female athletes, as we ensure a level and fair playing field for all girls who compete. I look forward to signing it into law.”

Paid Minimum Wage

Lawmakers also gave final round approval to LB 415, which pulls back on the voter-approved Earned Paid Sick Leave law.

It passed 33-16.

“We don’t need to thwart the will of the voters and undercut, or carve out, or cap access to basic sick leave,” said Sen. Danielle Conrad, who spoke against the measure.

Some of the exceptions for earned paid sick leave include certain contractors, businesses with 10 or fewer employees, and minors under the age of 16.

“We have to find the balance of creating economic vitality for our state while maintaining a great workforce,” said Sen. Jane Raybould, who supported the bill.

Raybould was unable to attach LB258, which included exceptions for the voter-approved minimum wage law, to LB 415. It’ll likely be brought back next year.

Other Notable Bills That Advanced

LB504: Age Appropriate Online Design Code Act, which bans the private information sharing of minors and gives parents more access to monitoring tools

LR19CA: A constitutional amendment to extend state senator term limits from two to three terms. Since this a constitutional amendment, it will require a public vote.

LB521: Election Act, which would allow cities like Omaha to hold elections that coincide with statewide and presidential election years.

Sports

Parkway Central freshman takes fifth at state tennis tournament | Sports

Parkway Central Colts freshman Arhan Meka finished fifth in his first state boys tennis tournament. Parkway Central Colts freshman Arhan Meka with Colts coach Lee Hays. (Photo provided) Provided Coach Lee Hayes was happy to have Meka join his program. “I had heard of him through the kids on the team and some teaching pros,” […]

Published

18 minutes ago

June 24, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Parkway Central Colts freshman Arhan Meka finished fifth in his first state boys tennis tournament.

ParkwayCentraltennisfreshman — Parkway Central Colts freshman Arhan Meka with Colts coach Lee Hays. (Photo provided)

Provided

Parkway Central Colts freshman Arhan Meka with Colts coach Lee Hays. (Photo provided)

Provided

Coach Lee Hayes was happy to have Meka join his program.

“I had heard of him through the kids on the team and some teaching pros,” Hays said. “He was young and impressive as a player.”

Meka went 17-2 in the regular season and in districts. His only two losses were to Eureka senior and Class 3 state singles runner-up and Webster Groves’ Paul Castleman, the Class 2 singles runner-up.

In the Class quarterfinals, Meka lost 6-2, 6-2 to Castleman.

“Castleman really wanted the match,” Hays said. “He raised his level and played exceptionally well against Arhan.”

Meka then rebounded with three wins to finish fifth. Meka defeated Noah Blum, of Warrensburg, 6-1, 7-5 to finish in fifth place.

His strong effort at state impressed Hays.

“He is not a quitter,” Hays said. “Though disappointed, he finished strong. To be 14 and be this solid of a player, he will be fun to watch. If he stays with it and is healthy, he will be a player we will all enjoy watching.”

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Sports

Meet the High Divers of the World Aquatics Championships – Singapore 2025

Up next in the Women’s competition is Maya Kelly. Maya achieved a 6th place finish at the World Aquatics High Diving World Cup 2024 in Bahrain, Manama and is excited to compete in Singapore 2025. We put Maya into the question-and-answer hot seat. Here’s what we got from her: Image Source: Maya Kelly competes at […]

Published

1 hour ago

June 24, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Up next in the Women’s competition is Maya Kelly. Maya achieved a 6th place finish at the World Aquatics High Diving World Cup 2024 in Bahrain, Manama and is excited to compete in Singapore 2025.

We put Maya into the question-and-answer hot seat. Here’s what we got from her:

Maya finds beauty in architecture, and one landmark stands out to her is Copenhagen Opera House “I do find the Opera House really cool in Copenhagen, so I think I would like that,” she shared. A dive with the iconic building as a backdrop would be a spectacular sight!

Though her competition experience is just beginning, Maya has a favorite. “Probably Bahrain,” she said, referring to her current World Cup event in Bahrain. Her only other major competition was in Montreal during her junior years, but “that was indoors,” so this outdoor adventure takes the top spot.

Maya finds her competitive focus with the help of music—and she’s a proud Swiftie! “Probably anything by Taylor Swift,” she revealed about her go-to playlist. “I have a specific meet playlist I listen to before every competition.” Swift’s empowering lyrics and catchy tunes help set the mood.

Among her repertoire, one dive stands out as her favorite. “Probably my backflip pike,” Maya said. While she didn’t compete with it at Bahrain 2024 World Cup, it remains her personal signature move, showcasing her grace and precision in the air.

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Sports

Attend water polo tournament on the waters of Oswego Lake this weekend

Attend water polo tournament on the waters of Oswego Lake this weekend Published 4:20 pm Monday, June 23, 2025 The tournament was held for the first time in 2024. (Courtesy photo: Lake Oswego Open Water Polo Invitational) Those strolling near Millennium Plaza Park and Lakewood Bay this weekend may notice splashing and excitement emanating from […]

Published

3 hours ago

June 24, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Attend water polo tournament on the waters of Oswego Lake this weekend

Published 4:20 pm Monday, June 23, 2025

: The tournament was held for the first time in 2024.
(Courtesy photo: Lake Oswego Open Water Polo Invitational)

Those strolling near Millennium Plaza Park and Lakewood Bay this weekend may notice splashing and excitement emanating from the Oswego Lake waters near the Lakeshore Inn.

The Lake Corporation and the Lake Oswego Water Polo Organization are organizing the second annual Lake Oswego Open Water Polo Invitational from Friday, June 27 to Sunday, June 29 at a sectioned-off course on Lakewood Bay near the Lakeshore Inn.

The event will feature teams from the local water polo club (which includes athletes from Lake Oswego High School and Lakeridge High School) as well as squads from areas such as San Diego, Seattle, Portland and Beaverton.

Organizer Katy Brown said the idea was hatched due in part to the success of the local water polo teams and wanting to provide a community event while highlighting a sport that is often overlooked in the Pacific Northwest. The area of play had never been used as a water polo course before, but Brown said it worked well.

“It far exceeded our expectations,” Brown said of last year’s event. “We got great feedback from the water polo club and the community.”

The Lake Oswego Water Polo Organization consists of more than 100 kids ranging in age from 8 through 18. It includes competitive teams with a range of ages that compete year-round, club director Daniel Ramirez said. A number of teams recently qualified for the Junior Olympics.

“We have the best depth (in the Pacific Northwest) and it’s a real testament to the kids, the coaching staff and the community we have built,” Ramirez said. “Our kids like being a part of our club. They are proud to be local athletes. They like our coaching staff, enjoy competing for us and the community we bring.”

Competitive water polo players have to be very strong swimmers who are able to stay in the water for minutes on end while being grabbed by opponents, and Ramirez said the sport promotes swimming skills and confidence.

“The intense exercise allowed me to perform much better academically. It taught me discipline, and the twelve years of practice taught me time management to also keep up with my school work,” Lakeridge High school graduate Adrienne Medak said in a press release.

Ramirez said an event like this gives exposure to the sport while providing an opportunity for the kids to get more recognition.

For more information on the event, visit https://lowpoopenwaterinvitational2025-n53399.mystrikingly.com/#home.

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Sports

Will Taylor's minor league baseball journey brought him back to Greenville for the weekend

Former Dutch Fork and Clemson standout Will Taylor is now a member of the Greenville Grasshoppers, part of the Pirates organization. GREENVILLE, S.C. — Will Taylor was back in familiar territory this past weekend. The Dutch Fork graduate is in his first full season of professional baseball. A fifth round draft pick by the Pirates […]

Published

3 hours ago

June 24, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Will Taylor's minor league baseball journey brought him back to Greenville for the weekend

Former Dutch Fork and Clemson standout Will Taylor is now a member of the Greenville Grasshoppers, part of the Pirates organization.

GREENVILLE, S.C. — Will Taylor was back in familiar territory this past weekend.

The Dutch Fork graduate is in his first full season of professional baseball. A fifth round draft pick by the Pirates in the 2024 MLB Draft, Taylor started his career at the Single A affiliate in Bradenton, Florida before being called him to Greensboro, the High A affiliate of the Pirates.

That promotion brought him to the Upstate as Greensboro faced the Greenville Drive at Fluor Field where Taylor has played before during his days at Clemson.

In his first two seasons at Clemson, Taylor played football and baseball. Taylor came to the Tiger program as a quarterback with the plant for him to move to wide receiver. As a freshman in 2021, he was the team’s primary punt returner before suffering a season ending knee injury which set him back at bit in the spring for baseball.

In 2024, Taylor had made the decision to concentrate on baseball and last April, he injured his wrist while diving for a foul ball and that broken bone in his wrist kept him out of the lineup for the rest of the season.

But in spite of those setbacks, Taylor looks back on his time at Clemson with great fondness as he was one of the occassional athletes who played two sports in college at a high level.

Sports

Women's sports surges, presenting an opportunity for advertisers

The news: Women’s sports had a strong presence at Cannes Lions 2025 as advertiser interest grows. One Axios event featured X CEO Linda Yaccarino, Disney global ad chief Rita Ferro, and Olympian Ilona Maher, who all spoke on the value of women’s sports for brands. Ferro emphasized “triple digit” viewer growth in the last year, […]

Published

3 hours ago

June 24, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Women's sports surges, presenting an opportunity for advertisers

The news: Women’s sports had a strong presence at Cannes Lions 2025 as advertiser interest grows. One Axios event featured X CEO Linda Yaccarino, Disney global ad chief Rita Ferro, and Olympian Ilona Maher, who all spoke on the value of women’s sports for brands. Ferro emphasized “triple digit” viewer growth in the last year, while Yaccarino said sports is a way to access highly engaged consumers and fandoms. Maher attributed viewership gains in part to prominent athletes like Caitlin Clark.

By the numbers: Women’s sports has surged in recent months, reaching new milestones in 2024, per research from the charity Women’s Sport Trust.

Leagues like the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) grew significantly across social media in the 2024 season, reaching a single-season record of nearly 2 billion video views across WNBA social media platforms—more than quadruple the previous season. Monthly active users grew 252% YoY on the WNBA app, while TikTok views grew 250% to reach 361 million.
The report cited SportsPro findings that female athletes accounted for 61% of all TikTok views among the 50 most-marketable athletes.
Women led in content volume across platforms, representing 51% of total content posted by athletes on Instagram and 80% on TikTok. Engagement was different—male athletes represented 90% of engagement/views on Instagram, though women maintained a lead on TikTok, accounting for 61% of engagement/views.
Women’s sports content is particularly effective at reaching female audiences. Across the board, the female proportion of YouTube audiences for women’s sports channels was higher than male equivalents, regardless of sport.

Zooming out: Women’s sports has consistently maintained momentum and proven to be a key opportunity for advertisers.

Ads during women’s sports events have a 40% greater impact on consumer engagement than the average primetime TV ad airing, marking a 56% YoY jump, per an EDO report. The report also found that investment in women’s sports rose 139% YoY in 2024, reaching $244 million.

Sports

Marietta College's Thomas selected to College Baseball's Hall of Fame

OVERLAND PARK, Kansas — Former Marietta College Pioneer Joe Thomas (Class of 1997) has been selected as a member of the 2025 class of inductees into the College Baseball Hall of Fame. Thomas will be the third Pioneer inducted joining Don Schaly (Class of 1959) and Matt DeSalvo (Class of 2002) “Joe is very deserving […]

Published

3 hours ago

June 24, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Marietta College's Thomas selected to College Baseball's Hall of Fame

“Joe is very deserving of this honor. He was a true two-way player and one of the greatest to ever wear the pinstripes,” Marietta College head coach Brian Brewer said. “Joe was that rare player who posted All-American numbers on the mound and All-American numbers as a position player.”

Thomas led the Etta Express to four Ohio Athletic Conference titles, a pair of NCAA Mideast Regional championships, and NCAA Division III World Series appearances in 1995 and 1996.

The NCAA Division III National Player of the Year in 1996 and 1997, Thomas was a three-time All-American. After earning second team honors as a sophomore, he was a first team selection his final two seasons in the Navy Blue and White. Thomas was named first team All-Ohio Athletic Conference in each of his final three seasons and was the OAC Jack Rafeld Player of the Year and MVP of the OAC Tournament in both 1996 and 1997.

Thomas served as a team captain for the 1997 Etta Express and capped his career with the 1997 Way-Weigelt Award as Marietta College’s top senior male athlete.

Following his career in the pinstripes, Thomas was drafted in the 21st round of the 1997 Major League Baseball Draft by the Boston Red Sox. He played seven years of minor league baseball and was named to the Frontier League All-Decade Team. Thomas spent time as an assistant coach at Temple, the New York Institute of Technology, Mercyhurst, and with the Kalamazoo Kings of the Frontier League.

The 18th induction class will be honored at the Night of Champions presented by Prairiefire on February 12, 2026 in Overland Park, Kansas, the home of the College Baseball Hall of Fame. The event will serve as the ceremonial start to the 2026 college baseball season.

“We are beyond excited to welcome the 2025 Hall of Fame Class as we continue our planning for what will become their ‘home’ in Overland Park, Kansas in the College Baseball Hall of Fame,” CEO/Executive Director of the CBF and College Baseball Hall of Fame Tom Jacobs said. “This is another stellar class that represent the absolute best of college baseball. We look forward to celebrating and honoring their accomplishments as well as those of our CBF award winners at the 2026 Night of Champions. We hope you will join us for their special evening!”

To be eligible for the College Baseball Hall of Fame ballot, players must be out of college for 15 years and have completed one year of competition at a two-year institution in the CCCAA, NJCAA or a four-year NCAA (Division I, II or III) or NAIA institution. Ballot-eligible coaches must be retired for two years or be active and no less than 75 years old.