Junior Jaxon Bolton is the president of the club, but the club's numbers were not looking strong when he started college. Bolton went to a callout meeting with club alumni freshman year, and there were only two people other than himself who showed up and were interested in what the club had to offer.

Bolton said he had a really good time at the event despite the lack of student interest. He talked to rugby club alumni and was able to get a feel for what the club was all about. He said talking to alumni sparked his interest to try to get the club back on its feet.

"They kept encouraging me, [they] wanted it to keep going," Bolton said. "It kinda just didn't happen."

The process of growing a club from the ground up is tedious. Bolton said it was especially hard to recruit guys to "want to get hit." But by talking to people on campus and bringing in some freshmen who had rugby experience in high school, Bolton was able to grow the club from two people to 22.

"It's good when you have a good culture around that people want to be a part of," Bolton said.

Senior Teo Sanchez was one of the two who wanted to get the club back on its feet with Bolton, and he now serves as the club's vice president.

"I stepped up because I enjoyed doing it," Sanchez said. "I enjoyed being with the guys, just being able to help compete, get practices running and stuff like that."

Sanchez said the team is starting to get "back in the groove of things." He said that a lot of the early stages of the season were about getting new guys into the sport, as well as getting players with prior rugby experience back in the swing of things.

"A lot of these guys either played rugby in high school, or never [have] played the sport, barely knew anything about it," Sanchez said. "It's just a learning process, being able to create some brotherhood here."

The brotherhood that Ball State Men's Rugby Club happened naturally. Sophomore Eland Savage said the club is not just a place where players hang out for an hour, but a real, competitive sport.

Savage said he has a very busy schedule as it is, but that being able to share a meal with players or work out together is what makes it worth it.

"It's nice to have a different sense of community," Savage said. "It's nice to have another friend group inside of Ball State."

A big difference between the rugby club and a collegiate rugby team is who runs it. Collegiate teams have a long list of coaches, ranging from a head coach to trainers. But for Ball State Men's Rugby, the club is completely run by students.

Bolton said the club had a coach, but not during the spring semester because of other coaching obligations at a local high school. That leaves a big role for Bolton- to not only help run the logistics of the club, but also coach and play with his peers.

"It's my goal to get everyone to keep going, everyone doing everything," Bolton said. "I do it because I love it; I love helping these guys."

Freshman Aidan Hansen played rugby in high school, and with encouragement from his friend and teammate Lucas Primrose, he decided to join the club. Hansen said he was nervous at first, but he felt the brotherhood "right away."

"I almost wish we had more practices," Hansen said. "Some nights I'm stressed out, and coming here, it's so fun to play and [to just let] loose."

Bolton said it is "amazing" that everyone has bought into the culture he tries to set, and that it makes him feel even more connected to the brotherhood the team possesses.

Primrose is a freshman alongside Hansen, and even though he came into college with a close friend, he said the community he found at Ball State men's rugby is "comforting."

"I always got at least 16 or more guys [that] I can always lean on," Primrose said.

"It makes me want to be here every day," Bolton said. "I have a busy schedule at work, I have other clubs, but it makes me want to come back and lead these guys."

The men's rugby club is not funded by the school. Although it is a student-run organization, the funds that allow players to participate in tournaments, have jerseys and pay for food do not come easily.

Bolton said the money they have to spend comes from alumni and fundraising, and he said he is thankful to have it. Even though the current team has not been around for long, Bolton said he still feels the support from alumni and people who want to pitch in.

"We have people who want to see us succeed," he said.

Bolton said the club has had success in the past, and while he wants to bring that success back, he wants to be able to do it in the club's own way.

"We really want to succeed and have that kind of success that they've had in the past," Bolton said. "But we want to bring it back and bring it to our own culture."

Ball State Men's Rugby Club is for everybody, Bolton explained, because almost everybody on the team is from a different major and has come from different places.

"It's not just about getting hit and doing all these crazy things," Bolton said. "It's about the brotherhood that we have."

Contact Kyle Stout via email at kyle.stout@bsu.edu.

A former Ball State University employee has settled her lawsuit against the Muncie school for firing her over a social media post about Charlie Kirk's death. IPR's Stephanie Wiechmann reports.

Suzanne Swierc was Director of Health Promotion and Advocacy for Ball State, untilshe was firedon September 17 of last year. That's after her private Facebook post calling conservative activist Charlie Kirk's death a "tragedy" but also pointing to "violence, fear, and hatred he sowed" wasshared publiclyby Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita.

Now Swierc and Ball State have reached a settlementin a lawsuitshe filed later that month.

Neither side has divulged the details from a settlement conference on Tuesday and say they cannot do so. The settlement still needs to be accepted by the court and the matter formally dismissed.

Read More: Indiana educators faced firings, resignations after Charlie Kirk posts - but no licenses revoked

In announcing her lawsuit in September, Swierc said she did not regret her post and would not take back what she wrote.

"I believe that I, along with every other person in this country, have First Amendment rights, and to be able to speak on a number of things," she said.

Ball State contended her post was not protected by the Constitution. In astatement, Ball State also said her post "caused significant disruption to the University" and was inconsistent with her leadership position. Stevie Pactor with the ACLU of Indiana said Swierc didn't create the disruption herself, but those like Rokita who amplified it online did.

"She is not the one who widely disseminated this post," Pactor said. "And of course, it wasn't only the attorney general of the state of Indiana that did, but he certainly did."

Read More: Muncie human rights commission president resigns over Charlie Kirk comments

Attorney General Todd Rokita was not named in thelawsuit.

This week, a Ball State spokesperson called the settlement "successful."

In the lawsuit, Swierc was not asking for her job back, with her lawyer saying she didn't feel like she could work at Ball State again.

Also in September, Ball State said it was investigating a post about Charlie Kirk's death from asecond university employee.

That employee tells IPR she proved her claim her social media account had been hacked and she did not write the post herself. Because Ball State did not name her in its statement and the investigation ended with no disciplinary action, IPR is not naming her. She continues to work for Ball State.

Stephanie Wiechmann is IPR's Managing Editor and "All Things Considered" Host. Contact her atslwiechmann@bsu.edu.

"We've had a lot of great kids, a lot of support from the parents, a lot of behind-the-scenes things that nobody sees, but at the end of the day, the players do whatever we ask, and they're individuals that would run through a brick wall for you," Penrod said.

Senior Catcher Anna Rinker has started all four years under Coach Penrod, and she has also seen multiple sectional trophies. Rinker says his best quality as a Head Coach is establishing a team-friendly environment.

"To not take it too seriously. Obviously, we show up every day, work hard, but he's also willing to have fun with us as well, and I just think that helps keep it super light-hearted and fun every day at practice," Rinker said.

Along with three seasons with at least 20 wins in his four years as Head Coach, Penrod has won sectionals every season he's been at the helm for the Tigers. Continuing this streak is in the back of their minds, as they have a goal set out for more hardware, as he mentioned.

"It's definitely in our mind every year. Obviously, every team should have the same goals, I think, and that's to be playing your best when you get to the sectionals. When you're there, you want to be hitting on all cylinders, playing your very best, and see what happens," Penrod said.

Yorktown's next contest hosts Connersville Thursday at 6 p.m. as Rinker, Coach Penrod and the Tigers continue their early campaign.

Contact Aidan McNally with questions or comments at aidan.mcnally@bsu.edu

According to Matt Davis, the manager and son of Joe Davis, preparation for this spring season has been challenging.

"A week after Valentine's Day, Dad had a pretty nasty fall," said Matt Davis. "He hurt himself pretty bad. He lost his sight permanently in his left eye. With that being said, I've obviously had to take on more than I already was when he was here."

But shared wisdom from Joe Davis has kept Matt committed to the shop every day, especially now.

"My dad calls it the carousel of life that we experience," said Matt Davis. "I would say that part is super impactful to me. You know, one moment someone comes in, and they are ordering flowers for a joyous occasion. Then, two minutes later, a grieving family comes in and orders flowers for a loved one's funeral."

Matt Davis has been stocking, selling and creating arrangements in hopes of one day stepping into his grandfather's and father's shoes.

Paul Davis opened the shop in 1945 at its current location on South Madison Street. However, Paul Davis was no stranger to the business.

Davis grew up in a family of farmers and greenhouse growers in Centerville, Indiana.

He initially co-founded Davis Brothers Greenhouse with his brother Ernie. A few years later, Davis decided to open what is known today as Paul Davis Flower Shop.

In the mid-1990s, Joe Davis, the son of Paul Davis, returned to Muncie to take over ownership of Paul Davis Flower Shop.

This passion has been in Matt Davis' roots since he was just a kid, answering the

phones.

According to Matt Davis, he plans to eventually take ownership and continue serving the Muncie community.

Davis wanted to support his family's business, primarily because he shares a passion for flowers and plants, much like his father and grandfather.

To order plants or floral arrangements before the upcoming holidays, visit their online website.

Contact Lauren Burris via email at lauren.burris@bsu.edu.

The U.S. and Iran said they are prepared to hold talks to end the war in the Middle East during a proposed two-week pause in hostilities, even as Israeli strikes on Lebanon threatened to derail the fragile truce.

Further adding uncertainty, sporadic fighting continued throughout the region and the Strait of Hormuz remained largely blocked. President Donald Trump has said that reopening the strait was a condition for halting the fighting.

Trump's announced ceasefire Tuesday night was a retreat from threats to unleash massive devastation on Iran, easing fears of a protracted global energy crisis. Mediator Pakistan has floated negotiations later this week in Islamabad, and Trump said they could start very soon, according to the New York Post.

Yet, there were already signs that the agreement was buckling. Iran said it would withdraw from the deal if Israel kept up attacks in Lebanon, according to the semi-official Tasnim news agency. Passage of oil tankers through the strait were halted after Israel's attacks, the semi-official Fars news agency reported.

The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment on whether the president views the war front in Lebanon as included in the ceasefire.

Trump made a series of dubious claims about the terms of the agreement in a social media post on Wednesday morning. He said the Islamic Republic has gone through a "regime change," even though there have been no signs this week that new leadership had taken hold.

He also indicated the U.S. would use its own 15-point plan as the basis of negotiations with Tehran, after saying Tuesday the sides would begin discussions off of Iran's 10-point proposal. Nonetheless, he said the U.S. was prepared to discuss with Iran much-desired sanctions relief.

The shift to diplomacy came as countries including Kuwait, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates, as well as Israel, reported ongoing missile attacks into Wednesday, sewing confusion about when and how the ceasefire would be enforced. Saudi Arabia's oil pipeline to the Red Sea was hit by a drone strike, according to a person familiar with the matter.

Further uncertainty surrounded whether the ceasefire includes Israel's campaign in Lebanon, where the country is waging a parallel war against the Iran-aligned Hezbollah militia.

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, a key mediator, said the truce included Lebanon, but Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu disagreed. The Israeli military on Wednesday said it had carried out its largest operation against Hezbollah since the start of the Iran war, targeting more than 100 of the militia's command centers and military sites within ten minutes.

Still, oil and gas prices plummeted on news of the ceasefire, which paves the way for a potential resumption of energy supplies via the Strait of Hormuz - through which about fifth of oil and liquefied natural gas supplies typically flows.

Iran Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi pledged to reopen the critical chokepoint as part of the ceasefire agreement, albeit in coordination with Tehran's military. Hormuz appeared to remain largely blocked in the early hours of the agreement on Wednesday, as shipowners struggled to understand if they can safely transit the vital waterway.

Brent crude fell as much as 17% to $92 a barrel, while European natural gas futures posted their biggest decline in more than two years, shedding as much as 20%.

Trump's ceasefire announcement represented a dramatic climb-down from a warning earlier Tuesday that "a whole civilization will die tonight, never to be brought back again" if Iran did not give in. His threatened attacks on Iran's civilian infrastructure, including power plants, may have been considered war crimes if they were carried out. More than 5,300 people have died in the near six-week war.

In a posting on Truth Social, Trump said "there will be no enrichment of uranium" - a reference to longstanding efforts by Washington and Israel to curb Iran's nuclear program. He also announced plans to impose 50% tariffs on U.S. imports from any country that sold weapons to Iran. It is unclear how he would follow through on that threat, since the Supreme Court curbed his authority to impose certain levies unilaterally.

Kuwait's army on Wednesday said it is still dealing with "intense" attacks. The U.S.expected orders to stand down from strikes would take time to reach Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Axios reported. Such lags are typical in conflicts, with hostilities often continuing before gradually tapering off.

Explosions occurred at Iran's Lavan Refinery after the start of the truce, the semi-official Mehr reported, without saying where it got the information.

U.S. Vice President JD Vance said at an event in Budapest that Trump has achieved Washington's military objectives in Iran, having set out to "decimate" Iran's ability to wage conventional war, while describing the truce as "fragile."

Both the U.S. and Iran are portraying the ceasefire as a "victory," but significant differences remain between their demands to bring the war to a complete end, according to Mona Yacoubian, a senior adviser with the Middle East Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

"Iran says it will allow free passage for the next two weeks through the Strait of Hormuz, but in coordination with Iran's armed forces. If the U.S. agrees to that, that is a huge concession to Iran," she said on Bloomberg Television.

While markets breathed a sigh of relief, the ceasefire addressed a crisis Trump helped create when the U.S. and Israel launched the war in late February. Although Trump claimed to have stopped Iran's nuclear program, there has been no mention of its missile or drone programs or support for proxy groups.

Pakistani PM Sharif invited all sides to Islamabad to continue negotiations. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian confirmed the Islamic Republic would participate, according to a statement by the Pakistan prime minister's office.

Vance, U.S. Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are expected to attend potential in-person negotiations between U.S. and Iranian officials in the coming days, CNN reported, citing U.S. officials.

The complete terms of a possible pact were not disclosed. Trump only said the U.S. had received a 10-point proposal from Iran, describing it as "a workable basis on which to negotiate."

Iran's demands include its continued control of the Strait of Hormuz, acceptance of its nuclear-enrichment activities, the lifting of all primary and secondary sanctions, and a withdrawal of U.S. combat forces from the region, according to a statement by its Supreme National Security Council carried by state media.

The two-week ceasefire can be extended by mutual agreement, though Iran will enter talks with "complete distrust," its state media said.

The focus will be on Hormuz and whether ships can pass safely through the vital waterway. While some vessels have made it through the strait in recent weeks, they have generally not been from countries Iran views as hostile or having at least tacitly supported the U.S. and Israeli strikes.

More than 800 freighters are stuck inside the Gulf, mostly waiting to leave, and shipowners and insurer groups have warned that more details will be needed to determine if safe transit is possible.

With assistance from Dana Khraiche, Eric Martin, Tooba Khan, Carla Canivete, Michelle Jamrisko and Jordan Fabian.

©2026 Bloomberg L.P. Visit bloomberg.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

As the blockbuster season is slowly coming upon us,the Project Hail Mary filmhas gracefully (pun intended) made it to the big screen as an adaptation from the 2021 book with the same title. With stunning visuals and a story of curiosity and friendship, the film has captured the hearts of many audiences, gradually becoming a fan favorite science fiction film.

Being someone who read the book before watching the film, I went into my first watch with a more critical lens than others may have, but I was pleasantly surprised by their dedication to bringing the book to life. With some minor cuts from the book as well as additional original scenes for the film, the balance between sticking to the source material while also spicing things up to make it visually appealing made for a great watching experience.

From Book to Screen

When it comes to book-to-screen adaptations, I am a bit late to the draw. Typically, I'll watch a film and read the book after, but in this case, I got to readthe book Project Hail Mary before seeing the film. The characterization of Rocky (James Ortiz) and Ryland Grace (Ryan Gosling) was just as charming in the film as in the book. The camaraderie between the two was the biggest reason I couldn't put the book down, and the film captured their chemistry so well. Gosling did an amazing job creating a strong relationship with a CGI creature, something not every actor can do.

There were a lot of scenes that were cut from the film that were in the book that surprised me. The entire premise of the story is the external conflict-the end of the world becoming more imminent-but there were other conflicts throughout the book that added some tension that didn't make it into the film. After discovering that the Astrophage have a predator, somehow they end up in Grace's engine and all of the Astrophage die, shutting down the entire ship. This is one of the biggest problems in the book that gets completely skipped in the film. Obviously, there's only so long a film can be, but it really took me by surprise that the film didn't take advantage of these scenes to add more tension, and instead went for the comedic route in most cases.

Show, Don't Tell

The film also does a great job at showing, not telling. With most of the book being written from Grace's perspective, it's hard to transfer that to film, but they made a great attempt. We get much more time with the original recruits for the mission in the book, but in the film, we see them few and far between; yet the relationships built are still just as strong. Grace's personality as a science teacher is also very compelling, and even with fewer mentions of his students, you can tell where his priorities lie and how great a teacher he is just by the subtext of the film.

A perfect addition to the film was the use of Rocky's perspective. Rocky and all Eridians see through sound waves, something humans can't process, as we have eyes. The film took the initiative to show a few scenes from Rocky's perspective, using the visual medium to explain the difference in the human and eridian experience without going into much detail. It also relates to the experiment Grace was performing for his class at the beginning of the film, making for a great parallel.

Stunning Visuals

The visuals of the movie are so stunning. Space in film can be pretty bleak and stale, but Project Hail Mary goes above and beyond. Because the film is set in an entirely different solar system, why not have fun with it! The contrast between the bright greens and oranges of Adrian and the reds and pinks of the IR light-emphasizing the Astrophage in the Petrova line-is absolutely insane; it's exactly the kind of visual experimentation that should be done in science fiction films.

One detail that I loved was any time light glared in the scene, a tiny petrova line appeared with it. It's such a small detail, but it creates a constant reminder of why Rocky and Grace are in the situation they are. As the story progresses and they get closer to their solution, the color of the line changes from blue to warmer colors, something that I found very creative and a small touch that tells the story without giving away too much in dialogue.

Rocky and Grace Save Cinema

Being an early entry to popcorn movie season, Project Hail Mary is a solid start to a great year for the film industry. Audiences want compelling stories and great visuals to keep them entertained for the full runtime, and with the way 2026 is going, this seems pretty promising. As Rocky would say, "Rocky Grace save movies!"

Sources: IMDb, Goodreads

Images: Sony Pictures

Contact Sam Jasionowski with comments at samantha.jasionowski@bsu.edu or on Instagram @sjasionowski.

In this episode of 9-1-1 What's Your Hot Take, Sam and Willow discuss the events of season 9 episode 16 of 9-1-1.

Music track: Talk by Chill Pulse

Source:https://freetouse.com/music

Copyright Free Music for Videos

Hosted by: Sam Jasionowski and Willow Emig

Edited by: Sam Jasionowski

Graphic by: Willow Emig

Tonight: Temperatures are expected to drop to the low-50s overnight, leaving us with much warmer conditions than we have seen the past few nights. Skies will be mostly clear with winds coming from the south southeast at around 10 to 15 mph.

Tomorrow: In the morning, the temperature will be in the high-50s. As we make our way throughout the day tomorrow, our temperatures are going to rise, reaching the high-60s by noon and mid-70s by 5 p.m. It will be relatively windy tomorrow with sustained winds from the southwest at around 13 to 17 mph with gusts over 30 mph. Skies will be mostly cloudy early in the day tomorrow, but should start to clear up later in the evening.

Seven-Day Forecast:Temperatures are looking up as we make our way later in the week, with a slight dip on Saturday. This drop in temperature is due to the 70 percent chance of rain with possible thunderstorms on Friday. After the slight drop in temperatures on Saturday, we will increase to a forecasted 80 degrees on Sunday, followed by more rain chances early next week with a slight decrease in temperatures. This upcoming rain will hopefully be able to provide relief to the moderate drought conditions currently in Muncie.

- Weather Forecaster Halle Dziekan

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and X @NLIWeather for breaking weather updates.

NewsLink Indiana is a proud Ambassador for the NOAA Weather-Ready Nation program.

For more information about the Weather-Ready program from the National Weather Service, visit their website

According to a press release from the governor's office, the suspension takes effect under an emergency declaration issued by Braun and will last for 30 days, with the possibility of an extension depending on the ongoing economic conditions.

"I am declaring a gas tax holiday to give Hoosiers relief from the pain at the pump from high gas prices," Braun said during his announcement at the governor's office. "Affordability is my top priority."

The move is designed to lower costs for drivers statewide, though the actual savings will depend on whether gasoline retailers pass the tax break on to consumers. Braun urged retailers to ensure the relief is reflected in lower prices at the pump.

To enforce that expectation, the state plans to monitor fuel prices during the suspension period. According to the press release, Braun said officials will be "patrolling the pumps" to track whether retailers are complying and passing along the savings.

In addition, Braun called on the Indiana Attorney General's Office to take action against any instances of price gouging during the tax holiday.

Contact the Daily News at editor@bsudailynews.com.

Ball State is home to a host of excellent students across every college and campus building. This week, meet the newest student to join the list of Cardinal Spotlights, Ree Perry, a junior majoring in history from El Paso, Texas.

Perry has had a life-long interest in history, but he credits his high school history teachers with his decision to study history as a college student.

"I moved around a lot, and it was always the history teacher I gravitated to," Perry said. "I have had an interest in history for as long as I could remember, and they really made me want to peruse it in college."

While at Ball State, Perry has had opportunities to share his passion with others on and off campus. One of his favorite experiences off campus was the opportunity he had in the fall. He was able to assist in taking an eighth-grade class to the history museum in Indianapolis.

On campus, he has found community within his major, something he describes as the coolest aspect of his major.

"All the people I have come across in the history department are great," Perry said "There is always someone willing to talk shop or that shares a passion for whatever topic you have, and all the professors are great, willing to work with you and help in any way they can."

History isn't Perry's only passion. He is an avid adventurer, with aspirations to hike up to all the highest points in the western hemisphere and explore North and South America.

His adventurous nature is something that Perry cites as one of the most unique facets of his personality.

"I'm all over the place, because I always want to explore something new or interesting," Perry said. "And at any given opportunity, I love to go on an adventure."

As he continues toward graduation, Perry will continue to grow as a student of history and as an adventurer.

At Cardinal Media, we believe everyone at Ball State has a story worth telling. Cardinal Spotlight is our way of getting to know students beyond the surface - what they're up to, what matters to them, and what makes them who they are. Ordinary college life is more interesting than it gets credit for, and we want to hear about it.

"I think especially in the state of Indiana, student film isn't as focused on as it could be." Luci Bluto, the President of Frog Baby Film Festival, said. "And Ball State's media department is a great breeding ground for student creativity and media production," Bluto said.

For many students, this film festival is more than just showcasing the works of fellow Ball State students; it's about coming together and learning to appreciate others' works.

"My biggest dream is to support other student filmmakers. I have plenty of friends who want to pursue film, and the idea of being able to support them on their sets in their productions and having the knowledge and mindset for that type of thing is just a huge aspiration for me," Bluto said.

​

Bluto prides herself on being heavily involved on campus, with organizations like Digital Corps, Radiance Cinema, and the Frog Baby Film Festival. Through these experiences, she can strengthen her talents as a media student at Ball State.

"I had the opportunity to work on a short film this semester for radiance, actually," Bluto said, in reference to radiance cinema.

"And the story was just incredible. It was written by two close friends of mine, and they were pulling from their own personal experiences, and I just learned so much about myself, " Bluto said.

Experiences like these highlight the collaborative space Ball State creates for its students to connect and bond over their shared love of media.

"As you see these groups or these people that are making films, it is not just one individual." Bluto said, "While there might be one name listed as director, you're going to see these groups of people that have been working to create this incredible product, and that should encourage you to do the same."

While many awards will be distributed Saturday evening, that is not the main point of the night.

"We're not looking for you to win an Oscar, we're not even looking for you to win a regional award of some sort, we're looking to recognize students that are going out there and trying to make something," Bluto said.

Students and staff are welcome to join in on the celebration and attend the annual Frog Baby Film Festival on Saturday, April 4th, at 6 pm in Pruis Hall.

Contact Brianna Baariu with comments at brianna.baariu@bsu.edu

Haney Lawncare focuses on mowing, weed wacking, landscaping,mulching and more. His business focuses on affordable prices and community building.

"I am trying to be that middle ground, where it's affordable and you're also getting really good quality of service," Haney said.

Over the past four years, Haney has expanded his client base to attain bigger properties including Campus Edge, Muncie Land Bank and Eco Rehab.

"Business from day one has doubled about every year, starting from my sophomore year in high school to now. We went from last year having at most about 70-80 properties that I was maintaining at the regular, and now I'm at about 160," Haney said.

With the growth of Haney's business, he has had to upgrade some of his equipment. Haney has recently bought a second truck and a warehouse that doubles as storage and office space. Along with this, Haney has hired new employees to broaden the business's reach.

"He does a really good job. And he does a good job making sure everything's all picked up, I think he does a really good job at the job he does," Lee Smith, employee said when talking about Haney's business.

Haney emphasizes the importance of supporting small businesses by saying "every client matters" to small businesses while bigger corporations always have clients lined up.

"There's more of a personal relationship with a small business than there is with a corporation. They're just straight up numbers trying to get as many people as possible. And small businesses are more willing to work with the client," Haney said,

As summer approaches, Haney will be mowing and landscaping yards daily all across Delaware County hoping to further grow Haney Lawncare. For more information follow Haney Lawncare on Instagram and Facebook.

Contact Stella Davis with comments at estella.davis@bsu.edu.

1-0 in favor of the Cardinals.

The early Huebner home run was contagious for the Cardinals, as the team tallied four runs in the first inning, forcing Indiana to make an early pitching change.

"We came out, we were hitting the ball," Head Coach Rich Maloney said. "We had all the momentum on our side."

The Cardinals could not have drawn up a better start, and the influx of runs in the first inning led to an early 4-0 lead. That lead did not last though. The Hoosiers answered back and tied the game up 4-4 in the same inning.

"It was unfortunate that we turned around and gave it right back," Maloney said.

The Cardinals kept the game tied until the seventh inning, when the Hoosiers scored on an error at first base.

"We made one mistake, and that was the end of the game," Maloney said.

Ball State fell 6-4, which gives them a losing record for the first time this season.

Maloney said he was encouraged by the Cardinals' bullpen efforts, and he especially mentioned the play of graduate pitcher Alex Burden. Burden pitched 3.1 innings and tallied four strikeouts.

A problem for the Cardinals after the explosive first inning was their lack of "timely hits."

The phrase is one that Maloney has used all season, and he said the Cardinals have not been hitting timely recently, which has contributed to a five-game losing streak. He said a big issue against the Hoosiers was missed opportunities, and leaving runners in scoring position.

"We had opportunities, we just couldn't get them in," Maloney said.

Maloney said the Cardinals lost the "freebie war", as the Hoosiers only left four runners in scoring position compared to the Cardinals' nine. The head coach said wins and losses come down to if you can make routine plays, throw strikes and get a timely hit, which he said the Cardinals did not do enough of.

Maloney said the team has been close in games all season but has not had the ability to finish. Three of the Cardinals' last five losses have come within two runs or less.

"We're not far off, but we're far off," Maloney said.

After the one-run loss to Miami (OH) April 4, Maloney said the team was in a "rut." In past seasons, the head coach said it usually takes someone to have a good pitching performance, or somebody making a big play, to turn things around.

"We really haven't made any special plays at the right moment in a while," Maloney said. "They're capable of doing it."

Despite the five-game losing streak, the Cardinals will turn around and have a home game against Manchester April 8 to try and get back into the win column. After that, Ball State will have a home Mid-American Conference (MAC) series against Akron April 10-12.

"We're in a little bit of a rut right here, [and] we gotta fight our way out," Maloney said.

Contact Kyle Stout with questions via email at kyle.stout@bsu.edu or on X @kylestoutdailyn.

Tonight: Hopefully you haven't planted those spring flowers, because below freezing temperatures this evening bring a freeze warning into effect from 11 p.m. to 9 a.m. Wednesday morning. Conditions with be mostly clear this evening and winds coming in from the east at 7 mph.

Tomorrow: Freeze warning still in effect as you head out the door in the morning. Lingering clouds all throughout the day but temperatures are on the rise. Starting the morning with 36 degrees then by 5 p.m. warming up to 66 degrees. Winds trending breezier as Thursday will be breezy.

Seven-Day Forecast: Spring has sprung and temperatures are trending warmer with highs near 80 and lows in the mid-60s. Spots of sunshine but lingering clouds throughout. Some breezy and rainy conditions late week clearing up for the weekend but returning early next week. Winter coats can be put away but keep the rain coats handy.

- Assistant Chief Weather Forecaster Elizabeth Myers

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Built in 1928 with a 6,579-person capacity, the Muncie Fieldhouse has been home to the Muncie Central Bearcats since its opening.

However, in November of 2017, the fieldhouse sustained severe damage to the west end of the building, tearing up the gymnasium floor. Though this left the community wondering if that was the end of the fieldhouse, it was far from that.

The Bearcats returned home to the Muncie Fieldhouse in 2019 after several upgrades. Even though renovations took time, the fieldhouse ultimately hosted the 2026 Indiana High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) Men's Basketball Semi-State, during which it showcased its brand-new scoreboard and bleachers.

Chief Communications Officer of Muncie Schools Andy Klotz described the new atmosphere as "more modern."

"The bleachers have been replaced on the court, the scoreboards are more visible and attractive, and those are just really the superficial changes that people notice right away," he said. "We received a lot of feedback that people appreciate those upgrades there."

While the fieldhouse now has updated bleachers and scoreboards, Klotz said the "bigger, more meaningful work" is the addition of air conditioning, as the fieldhouse's boilers are over 50 years old.

"I'm not an expert on heating, but they were well past their life expectancy, and we've actually been having a temporary heating hookup in the building for the last two years," he said. "Heat has been funneled into the building from these units outside of the building, and that was a short-term patch until we could get to this massive capital project."

He explained that a new HVAC system will be installed in the building, which will provide air conditioning for the first time since it was built.

With all these new additions, Klotz said the key is to preserve the building's history, even with all the modern amenities.

"It is very much still the same building. It still has narrow halls, and the outlay of all the seating has not been altered at all, even with the new bleachers," he said. "They are put in the exact same place as the old bleachers. They'll just function better, and they really are more attractive. So really there's not been anything to alter the history of the building at all."

Klotz said the key to renovations like these is investors, since there is still plenty of return for them.

"When you sell a bond, you are getting money from people who are looking for an investment, and it's a very common tool that a lot of schools use to improve their facilities, and we've done that several times over the years as well," he said. " It is a process by which we get these funds from investors, and then we promise to make the payments that give them their return on their investment."

When the new renovations were seen for the first time March 21 during semi-state, Klotz said all of the feedback he heard was positive.

"People were raving about the facility, they were happy to be in there, [in] an exciting atmosphere again, and obviously with brand new scoreboards to be able to see the scores and the statistics and other things that it displays. It just made it a more enjoyable experience," he said.

However, Muncie Community Schools is not just renovating its field house; Southside Middle School and Northside are being renovated as well.

"We're going to be doing some other things to the high school [as well]. We're going to be replacing some doors … we're going to be resurfacing the tennis courts over at Muncie Central. There's also going to be resurfacing of the tennis courts at Southside Middle School, and they're gonna be doing some other striping and reconstruction on the south side gym floor as well," Klotz said.

But there are more than just additions for athletics, as heating for Northside is being added not only in the gym, but throughout the school itself.

"Northside needs some work as well. So they're going to be getting new bleachers. They're [also] going to be getting new boilers in that building, not just for the gym, but for the whole building," he said. "So all of those are very expensive jobs that require hundreds of thousands of dollars."

While the school district has many renovation plans lined up, Klotz said it is more than just making more room for revenue in sports; it is about proving how important sports are to the community and to the history of Muncie Central.

"Muncie Central has a long tradition of athletic success, and people are proud of that, especially being a town of Muncie's size. Those high school sporting events are still a place where the community comes together. That's where people talk, catch up, visit and enjoy seeing a quality team be competitive on the field of play," Klotz said.

Klotz emphasized the importance of providing the Muncie community with high-quality facilities to create a positive experience for student-athletes, as well as for parents and supporters who attend.

"A lot of community members who don't have kids in our school still want to come out and be part of the action, part of the excitement, because they are proud of the product that goes on out there," he said.

Contact Rylan Crum with any questions at rylan.crum@bsu.edu or on X @RylanCrum

Today: It will be a sunny day with the temperature being 48 degrees with the winds coming from the north-east direction at 15 mph, if you are going out on a walk, to north dining, or the atrium make sure to bring a jacket and some warm pants.

Tonight: We will be seeing clouds move in with it being 30 degrees with winds coming from the east direction at 10 mph and it being below freezing, so if you are planning to go out for dinner bring a coat and warm pants.

Tomorrow: During your morning commute the temperature will be 35 degrees with it being cloudy and winds coming from the east south-east direction at 9 mph. During lunch hour it will 53 degrees with winds coming from the south south-east direction at 11 mph, and it will be sunny the rest of the day. At 5 p.m. the temperature will be 62 degrees with sings coming from the south 13 mph.

Seven-Day Forecast: 68 degrees on Wednesday being mostly sunny. on Thursday it will be partly cloudy with it being 78 degrees. Friday brings in rain with is being 76 degrees. Saturday 66 degrees with it being partly cloudy. Sunday gets much warmer with it being 83 degrees and partly cloudy. Monday will be mostly cloudy with the temperature being 82 degrees. Tuesday 77 degrees with it being stormy in the afternoon.

-Weather Forecaster Jon Urbina-Reyes

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Ullom saw his team rally around the player, as well as the community, and a couple days later, the Bearcats defeated Richmond in a sectional playoff game.

"We stopped worrying about other things; we all saw each other," Ullom said.

Those times are a big reason why Ullom got into coaching basketball.

Around the time he was in college, Ullom received a phone call from Paul Keller, his high school coach. He decided to give coaching a shot after Keller offered him the opportunity to coach middle school basketball at Delta. It was a time in his life before he had a wife and kids, and Ullom said he quickly realized how much he loved it.

"Just getting back in the gym and seeing how much fun you can have coaching basketball [and] how much fun you can have investing in young guys' lives," Ullom said. "I decided then that I wanted to try and find a way to be involved."

Ullom played for Keller at Delta, and Keller said he was always a "smart player." He said that it always felt like having another coach on the floor when Ullom was in the game.

"The fact that he became a coach certainly didn't surprise me at all," Keller said.

Even though Ullom was only a middle school coach at the time, Keller said he thought Ullom was "one of the best coaches he had." So, it was no surprise to him how fast Ullom moved up the rankings at Delta after his initial first year coaching middle school.

"I wasn't the head coach when he made those moves, but I did talk to the incoming head coach and I said, 'Justin Ullom is one of your best coaches,'" Keller said. "He was more than capable of moving up the ladder."

Being able to be a role model for high school kids has always been a passion for Ullom. He recalled times where he was able to reach out to his former coaches when "something exploded in life."

Ullom said that even though years would go by without him talking to those coaches, he knew they were always a call away. He said that is something unique about coaching high school basketball, with the opportunity of helping kids realize the importance of not only basketball, but becoming an adult.

"You're getting kids at a formative time in their life doing something they love," he said.

While Ullom wants his players to realize the importance of playing high school basketball at a high level, he also wants to teach them lessons about what really matters in their lives, and he said coaching gives him the opportunity to do so.

"At the end of the day, this is basketball, it's not who you are," Ullom said. "It's something you do and helping it to shape and guide you is okay, but to let it become your identity is not generally a good place to be."

Ullom spent four years at Delta High School as a freshman and junior varsity coach, and in 2014, he was given the opportunity to begin his head coaching career. He coached with former head coach Stan Daugherty at Delta, and when the Monroe Central job opened, Daugherty recommended Ullom to the school's superintendent, saying that Ullom was "ready."

Even though Ullom said he was not sure if he was ready for the job yet, Monroe Central decided to hire him.

"I don't know when you are ready," Ullom said. "But it was a great fit for me."

Daugherty said he saw Ullom mature the most when he started at Monroe Central. He was not coaching with Ullom at the time, but when he went to Monroe Central games to watch, he noticed Ullom's "coaching presence."

"He had a really good coaching presence," Daugherty said. "He had a good mind for the game [and] he had a plan."

Daugherty said he saw an exponential amount of growth from Ullom's first year working with him to his first year as a head coach, and he said he has seen that continue in each year of Ullom's career.

"Justin [Ullom] was great because he wanted to learn and he was always asking questions [and] observing," Daugherty said.

"Moving over that one seat" from an assistant coach to head coach was one that Ullom said matured him really quickly. He said that when he was thrown into that big of a change that quickly, the only choice he had was to mature.

Ullom said he realized off the bat how big a shift it was sitting in that head coach seat.

"It's not just basketball," Ullom said. "It's year-round investing in kids, being there, supporting them, helping with any struggles they may have."

With that shift, Ullom said his first couple of years at Monroe Central were like "drinking out of a fire hose." He said instead of being someone who dishes out suggestions to the head coach during a game, he was the one making those decisions.

"When you're in the seat, you're taking suggestions from maybe two or three assistant coaches and then having to make a decision, having to explain it, implement it, teach it and then get guys bought in on it," Ullom said.

Despite the jump to head coach being a big one, Ullom saw a lot of success at Monroe Central. Ullom had a 25-1 season in 2021-22, and won IBCA district two coach of the year that same season.

He went 119-72 in eight seasons with the Golden Bears, won four Randolph County Tournament titles and took home the school's first Alexandria sectional trophy since 2010.

After eight years at the school, Ullom decided to move on, taking an opening at Muncie Central to be the Bearcats' head coach. The decision to move on from a place where he had been for nearly a decade was not easy, and it came with a lot of thought. Ullom has five kids, and three out of five play basketball.

Ullom said he has always had a great relationship with his third son, Justus, but he said he did not know if that would be the case if he continued to coach at Monroe Central. He said their personalities could sometimes clash on the court, and he valued keeping that relationship with his son.

"I had a great relationship with Justus, and I wasn't sure I was gonna have that if I coached him, and that's not fair to either one of us," Ullom said.

Ullom said it was "really hard" for him to make the decision to leave the school knowing he would have to miss some of Justus' games. He said initially, he thought taking a break from coaching could have been a path for him, but after conversations with his wife and a job opening at Muncie Central, Ullom knew he still wanted to coach.

"My wife really encouraged me to keep doing it, it's something I love," Ullom said. "She helped me realize that it's something we think I'm good at."

The difference in size between Monroe Central and Muncie Central is vast, and Ullom said he recognized that immediately. The Bearcats have what is called a feeder system into their high school basketball program, with two sixth grade teams, two seventh grade teams and two eighth grade teams.

Muncie Central is a historically good program, and Ullom said there was initial pressure when he first accepted the job.

"[There's] been some great coaches through there, some great players," Ullom said. "We wanted to just honor them in trying to do it the right way and get back to winning."

Ullom had a shaky three years at Muncie Central, as he led the Bearcats to a 31-41 record in three seasons. The expectations that he and his staff placed on himself were high, and Ullom said he was not sure he could live up to those after his third season there.

He said it was a "long three or four weeks" after the season ended, where he was going back and forth on if he should stay or leave. Once again, Ullom had the idea of maybe taking a break.

Then the head coach position at Yorktown opened.

"[I was thinking] 'maybe I'll get back in [to coaching], maybe I won't,'" Ullom said. "The Yorktown job opened the next day."

With the idea of taking a break from coaching in the back of his head, Ullom always recognized his love for the sport, and his love for coaching and that is what always brought him back.

"I love watching young men grow and become young adults," Ullom said. "I love the challenge of putting a team together, figuring out what parts we have, where we excel, where our deficiencies are."

Ullom has been all around Delaware County in his three trips, and he described it as a "basketball community." Every place he has been, he said, he has felt the support from every community he has been in.

The head coach said he came into Yorktown with a great foundation laid out by previous head coach Matt Moulton, and Ullom is motivated to bring Yorktown championship hardware.

"I think the community is starving to cut down some nets," Ullom said.

Ullom and the Tigers nearly did that in year one, as the team went 16-9 and fell just short in the sectional championship to Delta 56-48. Even though the Tigers fell just short this season, Ullom said there is momentum in the community with all their athletic teams, and he knows he can win at Yorktown.

"You don't have to look very far down the hall to know that it can be done here," Ullom said.

Ullom said this year's Yorktown team had "one of the best locker rooms" that he has ever had in his coaching career. He said the buy-in from his players made it easy to perform. Ullom said he noticed the community rallied behind the team when they were losing, and also when they went on an eight-game win streak late in the season.

The head coach said he learned an important thing in year one at Yorktown.

"This is a place I can see being a coach for a long time," Ullom said.

Ullom said he wants to stay in high school coaching for the rest of his career. He said he knows it is the right spot for him, and he has seen the impact he has been able to have on players at the high school level, and vice versa.

Ullom said he wants his players to not only learn things on the basketball court, but also be able to apply them to their lives.

"I hope that I've made it hard enough and yet enjoyable enough for guys to take those lessons with them," Ullom said.

Contact Kyle Stout with questions via email at kyle.stout@bsu.edu or on X @kylestoutdailyn.

Tonight: Another cold night is ahead for us with temperatures expected to reach 28 degrees for our low. There is a freeze warning in effect so make sure to bundle up if you are going outside tonight. Conditions will remain partly cloudy with winds blowing from the north north west at 10 mph and gusts up to 20 mph.

Tomorrow: A chill will carry over through the night into the morning with temperatures remaining at 28 degrees as you start your morning commute. Temperatures will slowly increase throughout the day being in the mid-to-high 30s at noon and 45 degrees for our high at 5 p.m. Conditions will be sunny and clear with winds blowing a consistent 10 mph throughout the day.

Seven-Day Forecast: Even with a cool start to the week, temperatures will increase dramatically by Wednesday afternoon. Temperatures will jump almost 20 degrees back up to the mid-60s. Temperatures will continue to increase up until Thursday with a high of 73 with more cloud cover moving in Thursday afternoon. Friday will bring a 40 percent chance of rain in the afternoon with temperatures cooling off to 69 degrees. That rain will continue into Saturday morning. The temperatures will remain warm despite the rain on Saturday with the high being 65 degrees. The heat will return on Sunday though with a warm highs in the low-80s. Winds and cloud cover will stay in our area even into next work week with the temperatures remaining in the mid-70s.

-Weather Forecaster Evan Reed

NewsLink Indiana is a proud Ambassador for the NOAA Weather-Ready Nation program.

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The ceremony will be May 2 at 10:00 a.m. in The Quad, followed by individual college celebrations throughout the day at Worthen Arena and Emens Auditorium, according to the press release.

Jackman will receive an honorary Doctor of Arts degree during the main ceremony, according to the press release.

For more information about commencement, including ceremony times and locations, as well as travel and parking information, visit Ball State's commencement website.

Contact the Daily News via email at editor@bsudailynews.com.

Pickle Festival

The 2nd Annual Pickle Festival is officially back, and it's even more zany! There will be pickle flinging (you asked, now come see it!), chocolate-covered pickles & more "Tasting Lab" experiments, pickle decorating, spoon races, Dill E. Pickle painting, and exclusive pickle-themed foods at North Dining eateries.

• Price: Prices vary

• Location: North Dining

• Date and Time: Wednesday, April 8, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Adult Easter Egg Hunt

Hop on over for a grown-up twist on a childhood favorite! Grab your basket and hunt for eggs filled with an assortment of goodies! Come for the hunt, stay for the fun-great drinks, delicious food, and a chance to win big! This event is 21+.

• Price: Adult: $8 per participant
• Location: Belgian Horse Winery
• Date and Time: Saturday, April 11, from 12:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Spring Opera - The Marriage of Figaro

For their spring performance, Ball State's Opera Theatre program will presentThe Marriage of Figaro.The Marriage of Figarocontinues the plot of The Barber of Seville (which centers around Count Almaviva's pursuit of Rosina) several years later and recounts a single "day of madness" (la folle journée) in the palace of Count Almaviva. Come see these talented performers!

• Price:General Public: $18 in advance, $20 at the door, Students: $5 in advance, $8

at the door, Seniors (62+)/ BSU Faculty/Staff: $15 in advance, $17 at the door

• Location:Sursa Performance Hall

• Date and Time:Saturday,April11, at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, April 12, at 3:00 p.m.

River Teeth Birthday and Book Launch with Editor Jill Christman

Come join the hometown launch of co-editor Jill Christman's new memoir,The Heart Folds Early, & the 27th birthday of Ball State's top-ranked national literary magazine-River Teeth: A Journal of Nonfiction Narrative.Come to the Student Center for Jill's reading & a premiere video montage of RT readers in the Multipurpose Room followed by snacks, signings, and pool in the Billiards room.

• Price:Free
• Location:Student Center, Multipurpose Room and Billiards Room
• Date and Time:Thursday, April9,from 7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.