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Big Ten Conference updates forfeiture policy

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The Big Ten is joining the rest of the Power Five conferences in instituting a forfeiture policy regarding COVID-19 for the upcoming season.

Effective today, the conference has determined that if one of its member institutions is unable to play a conference contest due to COVID-19, that contest shall be declared a forfeit and will not be rescheduled.  That contest shall be considered a loss for the team impacted by COVID-19 and a win for its opponent in the conference standings.

If both of the two competing teams are unable to participate in a scheduled Conference competition due to COVID-19 and as a result the competition is unable to occur on the calendar day in which it is scheduled, the competition shall be considered a “no contest”.

Click here to view the 2021-22 Big Ten Conference Forfeiture Policy.

New DHS data shows continued efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines

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New data shows the number of fully vaccinated people in Wisconsin who tested positive for COVID-19 more than doubled between February and July.

But Traci DeSalvo, Director of the state Bureau of Communicable Diseases, says the more contagious delta variant remains a much greater threat to the unvaccinated.

“This data really does help to demonstrate the value of vaccines in preventing cases, and especially in preventing those more severe outcomes like hospitalizations and deaths,” DeSalvo said Thursday. “We do want to continue to show people the value of vaccines, and really encourage everyone who is not vaccinated to go get their vaccine.”

Those unvaccinated are three times more likely to get COVID, and four times more likely to be hospitalized.

The Department of Health Services COVID-19 information online now includes case counts and other information comparing the vaccinated with the unvaccinated.
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Crosby wants to keep going (AUDIO)

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Mason Crosby – WRN File Photo

Mason Crosby is about to enter his 15th NFL season, turning 37-years-old in September.  He ranks 20th all-time in scoring (1,682 points) and he has no plans to call it a career anytime soon.

Crosby’s current contract runs through the 2022 season and didn’t offer any ideas on how much longer he wants to keep playing, but he admitted how he feels mentally and physically will help him make his decision.

Crosby has hit 38 of 40 field goals over the last two seasons, including a perfect 16 for 16 mark last season alone.  After missing four field goals in a game against Detroit in 2018, Crosby has gone on to miss just four times in the last 47 games. [Read more…]

Brewers acquire veteran reliever John Axford

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The Milwaukee Brewers have acquired right-handed reliever John Axford from the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for cash considerations.  Axford will join the team in their series opener against the Pittsburgh Pirates tonight.

The 38-year-old Axford spent five seasons (2009-13) with the Brewers where he went 21-19 with a 3.35 ERA and 106 saves in 268 appearances.  He is the all-time franchise leader in saves for a single season with 46 back in 2011 and ranks second in franchise history to Dan Plesac (133) in career saves.  His 43 straight saves without a blow save in 2011 is a franchise record.

Axford hasn’t pitched in the Major leagues since 2018 and started as a studio analyst for Blue Jays television this season.  He then pitched for Team Canada in the Olympic qualifier before Toronto signed him to a Minor League contract on June 24.  He went 1-0 with a 0.84 ERA and 2 saves in 9 relief appearances at Triple-A Buffalo, holding opponents to a .061 batting average.

Axford has a career record of 38-34 with a 3.87 ERA and 144 saves in 543 games (1 start) during 10 Major League seasons with Milwaukee, St. Louis, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Colorado, Oakland, Toronto and the Los Angeles Dodgers.

 

 

 

Republican state Senator wants to block UW System COVID-19 protocols

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Senator Steve Nass

A Republican state legislator is seeking to block the University of Wisconsin System’s COVID-19 plans for the fall.

State Senator Steve Nass (R-Whitewater) wants the UW System to get legislative approval for any virus-related regulations. Nass co-chairs the legislature’s administrative rules committee. Nass explained his decision in media release on Wednesday.   

Unfortunately, some chancellors in the UW System consider themselves mini-Andrea Palms not beholden to following state law and moving quickly to take advantage of the Delta-variant hysteria to enact excessive Covid-19 mandates.  The legislature should not drag its feet in utilizing the powers we have to prevent state agencies from abusing the statutory and constitutional rights of citizens as was done in 2020.

 

Interim UW System President Tommy Thompson

Senator Kelda Roys (D-Madison) serves on the rules committee, and her district includes the Madison campus. “It’s just hard to see how any rational person could think that prohibiting any COVID precautions is a good idea. I mean unless you really think that unmitigated spread of COVID is a good thing,” said Roys.

Interim UW System President Tommy Thompson did not directly address Nass’ proposal, but expressed his concerns in a statement released on Thursday.

Given my experience as a former United States Health and Human Services Secretary, I know the biggest threat to in-person classes this fall would be actions that strip the UW System of the tools it has so successfully used to date to address outbreaks and reduce the spread of COVID-19.

Nass plans to hold a paper ballot vote Tuesday in the committee, in which Republicans hold a 6-to-4 majority. His effort to restrict the UW System’s efforts come with Wisconsin the midst of an increase in new COVID-19 infections.

Bucks acquire draft rights to two players in draft night deal with Pacers

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The Milwaukee Bucks have acquired the draft rights to Sandro Mamukelashvili and Georgios Kalaitzakis, who were selected by the Indiana Pacers with the 54th and 60th overall picks in the 2021 NBA Draft, in exchange for the draft rights to Isaiah Todd, who was selected by the Bucks with the 31st overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft.  The Bucks also receive two future second round draft picks to complete the trade.

Mamukelashvili, a 6’11, 240-pound-pound forward from Seton Hall, was named the 2020-21 co-Big East Player of the Year, earned First Team All-Big East honors and was named an AP All-America Honorable Mention after averaging 17.5 points (2nd in Big East), 7.6 rebounds (5th in the Big East) and 3.2 assists (12th in the Big East) per game as a senior last season.  The Republic of Georgia native was also a top-five finalist for the 2020-21 Karl Malone Award, which honors the top power forward in college basketball, and was one of only two players [Read more…]

Rodgers signs reworked deal

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Aaron Rodgers – WRN Photo

Green Bay Packers MVP quarterback Aaron Rodgers is signing his reworked deal, allowing him to leave after the 2022 season if he so chooses.

The new contract voids the 2023 year in his original deal and saves the Packers around $10 million in 2021 cap space.

Rodgers counts #37.2 million against the cap and  by guaranteeing his $14.7 million base salary, the Packers gained the extra cap space.

Rodgers voiced his displeasure with the Packers front office this offseason and considered retiring amid his standoff.

It means Rodgers current deal expires after 2022.

Evers declares statewide State Of Emergency following severe weather

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Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers has declared a statewide State of Emergency. The action follows severe overnight storms affecting several regions of Wisconsin, and causing widespread damage, downed trees and power lines, power outages, and road closures due to debris.

Evers said he’s declared a State of Emergency to ensure state resources are available to get communities the support and help they need. The order directs state agencies to help those affected by the storms and also allows the Wisconsin National Guard to be called to active duty to provide assistance supporting local authorities with their recovery efforts.

The National Weather Service is investigating several possible tornadoes that were spawned in Wednesday night’s derecho. Meteorologist Andy Boxtell said possible tornadoes spawned in southern Wisconsin, near Concord and in Waukesha County.

“So far just sporadic reports of damage nothing on the order of what we’ve heard about in the Concord area but undoubtedly some trees down and such things across that region,” Boxtell said.

Teams are also investigating possible tornadoes in Marathon, Portage and Winnebago counties. Some areas of Central Wisconsin received several inches of rain overnight, causing minor flooding along the Wisconsin River.

Thousands of people remain without power as of Thursday morning, including about 6,000 customers of Wisconsin Public Service in Wausau.

“We understand that it’s frustrating to be without power, but we’re committed and will continue to work tirelessly so that we can restore service,” said WPS spokesman Matt Cullen. Cullen said many of those same crews were working in the Rhinelander-Antigo area earlier this week. If you come across downed lines or damaged equipment, do not try to fix it yourself and call it in immediately.

Affiliate WSAU contributed to this report

 

Adams says there’ll be no home town discount

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Davante Adams (WRN Photo)

Contract talks have stalled between wide receiver Davante Adams and the Green Bay Packers but he made it clear on day one of training camp that there’ll be no discount for the home team.

Adams told reporters on Wednesday that he expects to be the NFL’s highest-paid receiver after being named first-team All-Pro last season.  Adams set a Packers franchise record with 115 receptions and tied another with 18 touchdowns.

“That’s not going to happen,” Adams said about accepting a discount.  “It’s not about being a baby, but what other profession do you take less than what you have earned?  It’s not how it goes.

‘I’ve earned the right to be paid highest in the league.’

Four receivers in the NFL average at least $20 million a year.  That group consists of DeAndre Hopkins, Amari Cooper, Keenan Allen.  Hopkins deal is worth $27.25 million a year.

Adams said they had all offseason to get a deal done and now that training camp has started, he’s ready to put his focus on football.  It is possible the two sides could reach a deal during the season.  The Packers made David Bakhtiari the highest paid offensive tackle back in November.

 

Cobb returning to Green Bay

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Randall Cobb (Photo Courtesy of Mike Clemens)

It would appear the Green Bay Packers are trying to keep Aaron Rodgers happy, at least for this season.  The Packers are bringing back Rodgers close friend Randall Cobb, who turns 31-years-old next month.

The Packers will send a 2022 sixth-round draft pick to the Houston Texans for Cobb.  To make the deal work, the Texans have agreed to pay roughly $3 million of Cobb’s guaranteed $8.25 million deal.

The Packers let Cobb walk after the 2018 season.  Cobb had 38 receptions for 383 yards and two touchdowns that season, but played in just nine games due to injury.  He signed as a free agent with Dallas and played in 2019 for the Cowboys and last year in Houston.

Cobb was the Packers second round pick in 2011 and has become a good friend with Rodgers.

Cobb’s return is questionable to those outside the organization after the Packers used a third-round draft pick on Clemson slot receiver Amari Rodgers.

Cobb does bring leadership to the locker room and is well respected by his former teammates.