Gazette Daily News Podcast, Jan. 17

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This is John McGlothlen with The Gazette digital news desk and I'm here with your update for Monday, Jan. 17th, Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

According to the National Weather Service, we can expect a mostly cloudy day in the Cedar Rapids area, with a high near 30. Winds from the northwest, 5 to 10 mph, coming from the west in the afternoon. Then tonight, mostly cloudy still, with a steady temperature around 24.

A year and a half after the University of Iowa Athletics Department formed an alumni advisory committee in the wake of players alleging the football program fostered a culture of racism and bullying, head coach Kirk Ferentz last week abruptly dissolved the volunteer group. Ferentz wrote in a Tuesday email to the 10-member group of football alumni who have worked since summer 2020, “I have come to a decision that this is an appropriate time to dissolve our committee as it stands currently. As we start a new calendar year and prepare to move forward with our preparation for the 2022 season, I am giving thought to how we restructure the committee/board in a way that best serves our program moving forward.” Ferentz’s decision to dissolve the group came after a contentious meeting Oct. 18th and after committee chair David Porter, former Hawkeye offensive lineman, suggested to the group in a chain of text messages Jan. 2nd that it’s time to “bring in a new head football coach, football staff, and athletic director.” Ferentz declined The Gazette’s request for an in-person, phone or online interview. He said in an email provided by a spokesman that he decided to “evolve” the committee in November — after the contentious meeting but over a month before Porter’s message — and communicate the decision in January.

In college basketball, Iowa avoided an epic collapse and defeated a depleted Minnesota men’s basketball team Sunday afternoon in Williams Arena, 81-71. The Hawkeyes improved to 3-3 in the Big Ten, 13-4 overall. Playing with just seven scholarship players because of an ankle injury to starting forward Eric Curry and COVID-19 issues with others, Minnesota was undersized and outmanned. The Gophers took a 7-2 lead, but Iowa reeled off the next eight points and never gave up the lead. Iowa’s next game is Wednesday night at Rutgers.

Support for this podcast provided by New Pioneer Food Co-op. Celebrating 50 years as Eastern Iowa’s source for locally and responsibly sourced groceries with stores in Iowa City, Coralville and Cedar Rapids; and online through Co-op Cart at newpi.coop.

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🎹 Podcast music: “Momentum” by Emily McGlothlen