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Sports key to keep youth away from drugs: Minister

Education Minister Rohit Thakur today said the role of sports was important in keeping the youth away from falling prey to drug menace. He presided over the closing ceremony of the 3rd Raj Kumar Memorial Kabaddi Premier League Tournament at Salna village under Kudu gram panchayat in Jubbal, Shimla district. Speaking on the occasion, the […]

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Education Minister Rohit Thakur today said the role of sports was important in keeping the youth away from falling prey to drug menace.

He presided over the closing ceremony of the 3rd Raj Kumar Memorial Kabaddi Premier League Tournament at Salna village under Kudu gram panchayat in Jubbal, Shimla district.

Speaking on the occasion, the minister said games like kabaddi, volleyball and kho-kho were the traditional games of the hilly region. In the present times when the youth is getting trapped in the drug abuse, organising such games becomes an important and necessary step to keep them away from the menace.

“Besides helping improve the health of the youth, sports create a healthy competition, channelising the energy of the youth in a positive direction,” he said.

Thakur said Kudu was a border panchayat adjoining Uttarakhand and he had a special interest in the area from the development point of view. He said during his present tenure as Education Minister in the last about two-and-a-half, 124 roads had been approved in the Assembly constituency. Of these, four roads are in Kudu panchayat and the road of Salna village is also included in it, he added.



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Coralville delays planned improvements to Youth Sports Park

The Gazette offers audio versions of articles using Instaread. Some words may be mispronounced. CORALVILLE — The City of Coralville is pausing a project that would have added two new baseball diamonds to the Coralville Youth Sports Park after construction bids came in higher than expected. Initially, the fields were planned to be available for […]

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The Gazette offers audio versions of articles using Instaread. Some words may be mispronounced.

CORALVILLE — The City of Coralville is pausing a project that would have added two new baseball diamonds to the Coralville Youth Sports Park after construction bids came in higher than expected.

Initially, the fields were planned to be available for limited use in the fall of 2026. Now city staff estimate the project will be delayed a year, though that is subject to change depending on when the city awards a construction contract.

The project at the park, 2480 Dempster Dr., would add a 375-foot-long diamond, with the option for 70-, 80- and 90-foot basepaths, and a smaller 250-foot diamond with basepath options of 50, 60 and 70 feet. Both fully fenced-in diamonds are planned to include a dugout, a batting cage/pitching warmup area and bleachers. Grass parking areas and a player drop-off area also would be added.

Estimated construction costs higher than expected

The city said the engineer’s estimate for the project was around $1.58 million. However, the three bids the city received ranged in price from $1.88 million to $2 million.

“We are recommending that we would reject these bids and go back to our consultants and talk about how we can change up either the structure of this bid and/or the timing of this bid so we can get some better pricing …,” Sherri Proud, director of Coralville Parks and Recreation, said at a city council meeting Tuesday.

Proud said the city will consider splitting the project into two in an effort to decrease the costs and increase the number of contractors that are able to complete each part of the project.

The city council approved a request to spend up to $1.8 million for the project in January.

Existing diamond moved to make space

Coralville is moving toward construction of a new recreation center after the council adopted a master plan in late 2024. The project’s cost is estimated to be between $50 and $55.4 million.

City staff have said the existing layout in S.T. Morrison Park, 1513 Seventh St., may not have enough space for both its existing baseball field and a new recreation center, and they are anticipating closing the diamond once construction on the center begins.

The two new diamonds at the Youth Sports Park would serve as a replacement for the closed diamond, should the city move forward with closing the field at S.T. Morrison Park.

The proposed new recreation center, to the east of the existing facility in S.T. Morrison Park, would be 109,700 square-feet and include three gymnasiums, an elevated track, a spa and three pools: a competition pool with spectator seating, a leisure pool and a recreation and community lap pool. Community meeting rooms and strength, cardio and fitness rooms also would be available.

Coralville and the Iowa City Community School District have indicated they would like to continue to partner on the facility to provide pool space for the district’s swimming program. The two came together to pay for construction of the current rec center pool, which was built 37 years ago.

The school board indicated earlier this month that it would support the city’s ask of $14 million to be allocated for the project.

Coralville also is considering going to voters this November or in March 2026 to seek approval of a local-option sales tax or general obligation bond, said Kelly Hayworth, Coralville’s city administrator.

The city is planning to keep the existing rec center open throughout construction of the new building. It would then be demolished once construction is complete.

Comments: megan.woolard@thegazette.com

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MLB steps into women’s sports with launch of pro softball league

Major League Baseball is investing in a new women’s professional softball league, Commissioner Robert Manfred announced Thursday on “CBS Mornings.” The partnership with the Athletes Unlimited Softball League marks MLB’s first major investment in women’s professional sports. Manfred said the timing felt right for the investment.  “We’ve been very engaged in the softball space as […]

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Major League Baseball is investing in a new women’s professional softball league, Commissioner Robert Manfred announced Thursday on “CBS Mornings.”

The partnership with the Athletes Unlimited Softball League marks MLB’s first major investment in women’s professional sports.

Manfred said the timing felt right for the investment. 

“We’ve been very engaged in the softball space as part of our youth participation programs. And the growing popularity in women’s sports motivated us to look around,” Manfred said. “We looked at startups, we looked at making an investment, and we thought AUSL was a great fit for us.”

When asked why MLB chose softball over women’s baseball, Manfred cited infrastructure advantages. 

“There’s such a great softball infrastructure that exists. A pipeline of athletes,” he said. “We thought that we could get to the point of having a sustainable league much quicker with softball.”

Kim Ng will serve as commissioner of the new Athletes Unlimited Softball League. Ng, who worked at MLB for 10 years before becoming AUSL commissioner, said the partnership is a big step for both sports. Ng noted that women’s college softball “routinely outdraws the men” during their respective College World Series.

“Having worked at major league baseball for ten years and having led that softball division, we were always trying to connect with the women’s side, you know, with women’s college softball,” she said.

Manfred said, “Kim showed great leadership skills while she was with us, great managerial skills. I had no doubt that she had the skill set to be successful in a job like this.”

MLB will broadcast select games on its network and streaming service, help with marketing and provide financial support for the league’s operations.

The AUSL launches Saturday, June 7, with Opening Day games in Rosemont, Illinois, and Wichita, Kansas. The Wichita game airs exclusively on MLB Network and MLB.TV at 7:30 p.m. ET.

The league’s four teams, the Bandits, Blaze, Talons and Volts, will play a 24-game season through July 23, culminating in a championship series July 26-28 at the University of Alabama’s Rhoads Stadium.

The AUSL will become city-based in 2026. This inaugural season features games in 12 cities.

Single game tickets are now available, with more information at theAUSL.com.



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Washington bishops sue over seal of confession

The bishops of Washington filed a lawsuit Thursday challenging a new state law that requires priests to violate the seal of confession if they suspect the abuse of minors. A Catholic confessional. Credit: Angela Marie via Flickr. (CC BY SA 2.0) The May 29 lawsuit argues that the new law violates First Amendment religious freedom […]

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The bishops of Washington filed a lawsuit Thursday challenging a new state law that requires priests to violate the seal of confession if they suspect the abuse of minors.

Confessional Credit Angela Marie via Flickr CC BY 20 CNA 12 16 14
A Catholic confessional. Credit: Angela Marie via Flickr. (CC BY SA 2.0)

The May 29 lawsuit argues that the new law violates First Amendment religious freedom protections, as well as the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment and the Washington constitution.

“Confession offers the faithful a confidential space to seek God’s mercy and guidance. This trust is sacred, and any law that jeopardizes it risks discouraging those who recognize the harm they have caused from seeking moral guidance,” said Jean Hill, executive director of the Washington Catholic Conference, in a statement.

The suit argues that the law constitutes religious discrimination, because it demands that priests violate the norms of the Catholic Church to adhere to the reporting requirements, while at the same time explicitly exempting multiple other groups from those requirements.

It accuses the new legislation of “[p]utting clergy to the choice between temporal criminal punishment and eternal damnation, interfering with the internal governance and discipline of the Catholic Church, and targeting religion for the abrogation of all privileges.”

According to the lawsuit, the three Catholic dioceses in Washington have abuse reporting policies which “go beyond what Washington law requires,” with the sole exemption of information learned in the sacrament of confession.”

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Washington Gov. Robert Ferguson signed a law May 2 making clergy members mandated reporters, who are required to report suspected child abuse. The law does not allow for an exemption if knowledge of the suspected abuse arises through the sacrament of confession.

The legislation was approved by a vote of 64-31 in the House and 28-20 in the Senate. It goes into effect in July.

Several earlier attempts to pass similar legislation had failed in the state of Washington, because of concerns over religious freedom regarding the failure to exempt information learned in the confessional.

In the Catholic Church, priests may not divulge anything revealed in the sacrament of confession, for any reason — and if they do so, they suffer the canonical penalty of excommunication, a serious sanction in the Church.

Canon law states that: “The sacramental seal is inviolable; therefore, it is a crime for a confessor in any way to betray a penitent by word or in any other manner or for any reason … A confessor who directly violates the seal of confession incurs an automatic (latae sententiae) excommunication reserved to the Apostolic See.”

Bishops from Washington’s three dioceses have been united in their opposition to the legislation, emphasizing that priests cannot and will not follow its demands.

Archbishop Paul Etienne of Seattle said in a statement earlier this month that the bishops of Washington had requested a meeting with Ferguson to discuss their concerns, but that the governor did not respond to their request.

Thursday’s lawsuit was filed on behalf of the bishops of Washington’s three dioceses, as well as several priests in the state, by the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, the non-profit First Liberty Institute, and the WilmerHale law firm.

The Archdiocese of Seattle and the Dioceses of Yakima and Spokane have all adopted “policies that go further in the protection of children than the current requirements of Washington law on reporting child abuse and neglect,” the lawsuit says.

Those policies include reporting requirements for both clergy and lay employees who have reasonable cause to suspect child abuse or neglect.

“The sole exception to this self-imposed reporting requirement—based on more than 2,000 years of Church doctrine—is information learned by a priest only in the confessional and thus protected by the sacramental confessional seal,” the suit argues.

At the same time, the state has maintained and even expanded exemptions from mandatory reporting requirements for certain non-clergy members, the lawsuit says, including lawyers and spouses.

It points to language in the law which specifies, “Except for members of the clergy, no one shall be required to report under this section when he or she obtains the information solely as a result of a privileged communication.”

“Non-clergy supervisors continue to be afforded exemptions when child abuse and neglect is learned about through attorney-client, spousal, domestic partner, or other privileged communications. That includes non-clergy supervisors within youth sports organizations, youth scouting organizations, and any number of other organizations who regularly come into contact with children,” the lawsuit adds.

Those exemptions make it clear that the new law is targeting religion in an unconstitutional manner, the lawsuit argues.

Many U.S. states include clergy members among mandatory reporters, but nearly all other states exempt information revealed in confession.

In 2016, the Louisiana Supreme Court ruled that priests could not be forced by law to violate the seal of confession in order to report alleged abuse.

On May 5, the U.S. Department of Justice announced that it was launching an investigation into “the apparent conflict between Washington State’s new law with the free exercise of religion under the First Amendment, a cornerstone of the United States Constitution.”



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40-minute hold reportedly takes place at Century High School Wednesday

ROCHESTER, Minn. (KTTC) – According to Rochester Public Schools (RPS), Century High School was placed in a hold for approximately 40 minutes on Wednesday. RPS describes a hold as being a protocol for when hallways need to be kept clear of occupants. Staff should lock the door and account for students, but both students and […]

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ROCHESTER, Minn. (KTTC) – According to Rochester Public Schools (RPS), Century High School was placed in a hold for approximately 40 minutes on Wednesday.

RPS describes a hold as being a protocol for when hallways need to be kept clear of occupants. Staff should lock the door and account for students, but both students and staff do business as usual otherwise.

Rochester police responded to the situation while learning continued as normal in the classrooms. The Rochester Police Department (RPD) said officers dealt with a “disorderly student.”

The hold has since been lifted, and RPS assured all students and staff are safe.

This story will update with any new potential information as it becomes available.

Find stories like this and more, in our apps.



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Rome High School Offering Several Youth Sports Camps

Rome High School is offering several sports camps this summer, allowing elementary and middle school-aged students a chance to polish up their skills at several sports while being coached by high school coaches and players. Soccer is playing host to two camps for boys and girls. The first camp is set for June 9 to […]

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Rome High School is offering several sports camps this summer, allowing elementary and middle school-aged students a chance to polish up their skills at several sports while being coached by high school coaches and players.

Soccer is playing host to two camps for boys and girls. The first camp is set for June 9 to 13. The second camp is scheduled for July 7 to 11. Both camps will be held at Rome High School’s upper field from 6 to 8 p.m. each day. The camp is for kids in grades kindergarten through eighth. Registration is $60 and includes a t-shirt. For more information or to register, please email Edison Puccio at [email protected].

The track and field camp will be June 9 and 10 at the Rome High School lower field track from 4 to 6 p.m. both days. The camp is for kids in grades kindergarten through eighth. Registration costs $60 and includes a t-shirt. For more information or to register, please email Kelly Carter at [email protected].

Wrestling camp will be held June 16 and 17 in the wrestling room at the College and Career Academy from 9 a.m. to noon both days. The camp is for kids in grades kindergarten through eighth. Registration is $40 and includes a t-shirt. For more information or to register, please contact Cody Amos at [email protected].

Baseball camp is set for June 16 and 17 at the Rome High School baseball field from 8 a.m. to noon on both days. The camp is for kids in grades kindergarten through eighth. Registration is $50 and includes a t-shirt. For more information or to register, please contact Trevor Proctor at [email protected].

Girls basketball camp is set for June 23 to 26 from 8 a.m. to noon at the Rome High School main gym. The camp is for kids in grades kindergarten through eighth. Registration is $60 and includes a t-shirt. For more information or to register, please contact Jared Hughes at [email protected].

Softball camp is set for June 26 and 27 from 8 a.m. to noon at the Rome High School softball field. Registration is $50 and includes a t-shirt. For more information or to register, please contact Trevor Proctor at [email protected].

Boys basketball camp is set for July 8 to 10 from 8:30 a.m. to noon in the Rome High School main gym. The camp is for kids in grades kindergarten through sixth. Registration is $60 and includes a t-shirt and a basketball. For more information or to register, please contact Dawson Wehunt at [email protected].

Volleyball camp is set for July 8 to 10 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Rome High School main gym. The camp is for kids in grades third through eighth. Registration is $50 and includes a t-shirt and snack. For more information or to register, please contact Devon Grendow at [email protected].

Cheerleading camp is set for July 14 and 15 in Rome High School’s east gym from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. both days. The camp is for kids in grades pre-kindergarten through fifth. Registration is $45 and includes a t-shirt and a snack, or $60 and includes a t-shirt, snack, and a bow. For more information or to register, please contact Bianca Griffin at [email protected].



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Join the Monks this Summer! 2025 Summer Sports Camps

Story Links STANDISH, Maine – Looking to sharpen your skills, explore a college campus, and enjoy summer on the shores of Sebago Lake? Saint Joseph’s College of Maine is excited to announce a full slate of 2025 Summer Sports Camps designed for athletes of all levels and interests. From youth development […]

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STANDISH, Maine – Looking to sharpen your skills, explore a college campus, and enjoy summer on the shores of Sebago Lake? Saint Joseph’s College of Maine is excited to announce a full slate of 2025 Summer Sports Camps designed for athletes of all levels and interests. From youth development clinics to elite prospect experiences, there’s something for everyone.

Check out the full lineup below and register today!


Monks Baseball Prospect Camp

Date: Sunday, August 24th, 2025

Ages: 15 – 19

Time: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Cost: $125

Register: Click here

The Saint Joseph’s College Baseball Instructional Prospect Camps are open to any high school player aged 15-19, who is focused on playing baseball at the next level. The clinics are staffed by Head Coach Will Sanborn, his assistant coaches, alumni and players. Players will experience instruction in a format very similar to a college practice session. The clinics will include instruction in hitting, throwing, fielding, base running, and pitching.


Monks Men’s Soccer Prospect Camp

Date: Sunday, August 2nd, 2025

Ages: 15 – 18, Boys

Time: 8:30 AM – 4:15 PM

Cost: $75

Register: Click here

Monks Soccer Camps will host a Prospect Camp on Sunday, August 2nd, from 8:30 AM to 4:15 PM for prospective high school students at its campus on Sebago Lake in southern Maine. The event offers prospective students a chance to tour the Standish campus, attend information sessions on the application process and financial aid, enjoy lunch and have the opportunity to learn more about one of the more than 40 majors and programs offered.

The camp is staffed by Head Coach Will Pike, his assistant coaches, alumni and players. Players will experience instruction in a format very similar to a college practice session – allowing them to experience a practice structured at a higher level. The camp will include instruction in warm-up, possession, and an inner squad scrimmage.


Saint Joseph’s College of Maine Track & Field Camp

Dates: July 8th – 11th, 2025

Ages: 13 – 18 (rising 9th – 12th graders)

Commuter Cost: $300

Residential Cost: $470

Register: Click here

Join us at one of the nicest Track and Field Facilities in New England where Camp Athletes will learn about Power, Strength, Technique, and Endurance through discussion, demonstration, and practice. The week  will be filled with opportunities to explore and focus on various track and field events – including sprints, distance, hurdles, jumps, and throws – of their choice.

We recommend that each participant choose at least 2 or 3 different events.


Youth Summer Field Hockey Clinic

Dates: Tuesdays – June 17, 24 & July 1, 8, 15, 22

Grades: K – 8

Time: 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM

Cost: $60

Register: Click here

Join the SJC coaching staff, on their home turf, to learn skills, concepts, and have fun playing field hockey. The clinic is open to players of any level.


Saint Joseph’s Women’s Lacrosse Summer Clinic

Date: Friday, July 25th, 2025

Grades: 9 – 12

Time: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM (Tour: 12:00 PM – 12:45 PM)

Cost: $30

Register: Click here

The Saint Joseph’s College Lacrosse Prospect Camps are open to any high school player, who is focused on playing lacrosse at the next level or looking to improve their skills!  The Clinic will include small sided drills and live scrimmage play. This is also a great opportunity to visit our beautiful college campus and meet the Saint Joseph’s women’s lacrosse coaching staff . An optional campus tour will also be provided following our clinic. You could also choose to jump in the Sebago Lake at our waterfront access on campus to cool off!

This clinic features high-intensity, small-sided drills and live scrimmage play to sharpen your game and showcase your talent.

There will also be a chance to explore our beautiful lakeside campus, connect with our coaching staff, and play lacrosse!  After the clinic, you may take an optional guided campus tour — or cool off with a refreshing dip in Sebago Lake, just steps away from our athletic facilities.

Don’t miss this exciting opportunity to grow your game and discover what makes Saint Joseph’s College a special place to play lacrosse and learn!


Volleyball Elite College Prospect Clinic

Date: Sunday, July 20th, 2025

Grades: 9 – 12, Girls

Time: 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Cost: $75

Register: Click here

This Elite Level Prospect Camp is intended for strong players in high school who are focused on playing college volleyball at a competitive level.  This is not a good fit for beginners. 

Spend the day with Head Coach Jon Roberts, Assistant Coaches Tori Huntley & Jamie Jannarone (current SJC volleyball players may be available TBD).  Experience a FUN, supportive, and competitive training environment on the beautiful campus of Saint Joseph’s College, located right on the shore of Sebago Lake.

Players will experience instruction in the same format as a college training session. The camp will include technical drills, small sided games, and fun competitive play. 

Also enjoy lunch, a Question & Answer session, optional campus tour, time at the lake for a swim, and the opportunity to speak to our coaches about your college goals.


Monks Youth Sports Camp

Dates: Monday, July 21st – Thursday, July 24th, 2025

Ages: 6 – 13

Time: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Location: Alfond Center, Saint Joseph’s College

Cost: $285 (Add-ons: Early Drop-Off $25, Late Pick-Up $25, Both $40)

Register: Click here

The Monks Sports Camp will be conducted on the beautiful campus of Saint Joseph’s College. The Monks Sports Camp is designed to provide children with the opportunity to experience a wide range of sports.  Through games, competitions, and challenges geared to the individual ability levels, campers learn skills for multiple sports, gain self-confidence and acquire a love of sports to match their talents and interests. Counselors are selected with extreme care.  They reflect outstanding teaching ability and the desire to help develop campers into good citizens.


Don’t miss your chance to train, compete, and explore with the Monks this summer! Spots are limited—secure yours today!



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