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MINNEAPOLIS — DIY projects are huge right now but can also cost you more time and money.
Issac Kamsin found himself knee-deep with repairs after buying a home. He was quoted thousands of dollars for a sewer problem, but he turned to a friend for help instead.
“He helped me solve the problem by myself without having to spend thousands of dollars,” Kamsin said.
He quickly thought how easy that FaceTime call was and started thinking how he could bring the ease he felt to others. A light bulb went off and he thought, why not develop a product?
The help from his friend Abe Dicks, turned into an app called Abe.
The app tailored for homeowners puts them in touch with a professional that can help with home projects.
“As a homeowner, this is where the issue is the pro is able to see that and can help you on the call,” Kamsin said.
Kamsin’s goal is to connect professionals in rural communities to homeowners all over.
Despite not launching publicly yet, he has been onboarding professionals already including Ryan Myers.
Myers lives in Tennessee and specializes in dryer repairs.
With a click of a button, Kamsin was able to write the issue he was having and connect with Myers.
Much like FaceTime, Kamsin showed Myers the make of his dryer and explained the problem, from there Myers was able to tell Kamsin the tools he would need to fix the issue.
Myers believes this collaboration is important for professionals to make extra money while homeowners benefit too.
WCCO
“If you want to save money, save time, and learn how to do things yourself, it’s absolutely worth it,” Myers said.
Though the pros set the price, homeowners can scroll until they find the price, they feel comfortable with.
“Having somebody in my pocket that I knew I can trust that’s not trying to upsell me, our incentives align,” Kamsin stated.
Kamsin hopes to connect people no matter the distance or project.
“We are building an app for that moment where you feel like you know enough, and you want to keep going but you get stuck and you’re like if I can just talk to a person just for a second, I can keep moving,” he said.
The app will be available in app stores in a few weeks.
Sherman Associates has completed Ladder 260, a new $34 million affordable housing development located at 260 Portland Avenue in the Mill District neighborhood.
Kraus-Anderson (KA) is the general contractor for the multi-phase project for Sherman, which is redeveloping most of an under-utilized city block at Washington Avenue and Portland Avenue. The first phase of the overall $161 million development project was a new $12 million fire station for the City of Minneapolis, which was completed in 2022. The final phase, called O2, is a 22-story, 240-unit market-rate apartment tower at 250 Portland Avenue, expected to be completed in early fall of 2024.
Designed by ESG Architects, Ladder 260 is a six-story, 82,225-square-foot low-rise apartment building, featuring 90 affordable housing units. Amenities include a hotel-like lobby and leasing center, fitness room, 2nd floor lounge and a rooftop deck, bike storage/parking and pet spa. Walk-up units on the street level provide a unique unit type to the market and will enhance the vibrancy along 3rd Street. The location has proximity to light rail and bus routes and is highly walkable and bike-friendly.
KA and Sherman have worked together on several projects that have enhanced the downtown Minneapolis community. Most recently, the 10-story Moment Apartments opened its doors in January 2023. The mixed-use, 222-unit development also includes the Transitional Healing Center for Firefighters For Healing. The center located on the 2nd floor includes 12 fully furnished suites for families of burn survivors, firefighters and first responders traveling to the Twin Cities for care at nearby Hennepin Healthcare.
Hennepin County will again be part of a state-led examination of government contracting to see if county officials’ efforts have helped level the playing field for businesses owned by women and people of color.
When county leaders last looked in 2017, a disparity study found businesses owned by women and people of color won county contracts half as often as researchers expected. The probe looked at five years of county contracts, between 2011 and 2016, worth $1.4 billion.
Michael Rosenfeld, from the county’s contracting and purchasing department, said the results of the previous examination led the county leadership to implement changes in 2018 to ensure more diversity in the ownership of firms awarded contracts.
Changes included giving narrow consideration to the race and gender of business ownership for the first time when awarding county contracts. Previously, the county had a race and gender neutral contracting program.
Rosenfeld said the modifications “generated unprecedented levels of participation” by firms owned by women and people of color for construction and professional service contracts.
The new study, which will also look at five years of contracts, will help county officials determine if the changes worked and should remain in place or be modified. Federal law requires governments to prove past disparities in order to use race-conscience contracting programs.
Commissioner Angela Conley noted the county’s past “gross under utilization” of firms owned by women and people of color during an April 2 committee meeting when the County Board discussed participating in the new study. The board officially approved joining the study Tuesday.
“I’m happy to see that we continue to do this,” Conley said, adding that she hopes to see strong evidence disparities are being reversed.
The latest study will be led by the state and cost the county $32,660 with the results expected in 2025. Fourteen other government entities, including several state departments; the University of Minnesota; St. Paul and Minneapolis; and Hennepin Healthcare System are also participating.
County Administrator David Hough noted the county first looked at disparities in government contracting in 1995. Keen Independent Research is the contractor for the upcoming study as well as the previous two.
“We are proud of the heritage and history here and we are building on it,” Hough said.
Keen identified a variety of reasons for disparities in government contracting. Businesses owned by women and people of color or more likely to be small, their leaders may not be as familiar with the bidding process and they might not have the financial backing needed to meet some government requirements.
The 2021 and 2023 NFL Drafts featured three quarterbacks going off the board within the first four picks.
Some believe that could be matched in 2024. Others think this could become the first time for a QB to be selected with each of the first four picks.
There’s been so much steam regarding this year’s draft class, and there are plenty of NFL teams where it would make sense for them to use a precious resource in trying to add to that position group.
There’s also the recency of seeing C.J. Stroud’s success last season with the Houston Texans, who drafted the former Buckeye at No. 2 overall and wound up going from worst (3-13-1) to first (10-7) in the AFC South, fueled by a 9-6 mark in games started by Stroud.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler noted eight rookie draft picks combined to start 60 games in 2023 while introducing a post that stacked 11 different QB prospects from Tiers 1 through 5 with help of NFL executives, scouts and coaches who were granted anonymity.
Tier 1 included just one player, Caleb Williams, who has been widely projected to become a Bear as the first player selected.
The only quarterback to receive a Tier 1 grade on every ballot. “He’s a star,” an NFL coordinator said of Williams. Added an NFL personnel director: “From a talent standpoint, he’s in his own class.” Williams’ “rare gifts” make him an exception to the rest of this year’s group, a veteran AFC scout said, because of his high-level instincts, foot quickness and accuracy.
Evaluators then placed Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye in Tier 2.
“Elite traits,” an NFC executive said [of Daniels]. “He’s always been an athlete but showed more clubs in the bag. Throws the ball really well and his decision-making is good. Accurate. Grown a lot as far as operating a passing game with rhythm and timing. Can make progressions. An impressive prospect.”
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Maye helped elevate a subpar supporting cast to produce 359 plays of 10-plus yards since 2022, second to Michael Penix, Jr., in the FBS. While some evaluators place him in Tier 1, above Daniels and on par with Williams, others knocked him for lack of refinement.
J.J. McCarthy managed to land at “Tier 2.5” and was most frequently compared to a “mix of Kirk Cousins and Brock Purdy.”
Fowler wrote McCarthy is “easily the most fascinating – and polarizing – quarterback prospect in the draft.”
McCarthy gets the game manager label, having averaged 22.6 passing attempts per game over the past two seasons (29 games). That lack of in-game volume only heightened the scrutiny around McCarthy’s pro day, where McCarthy “validated some things” with “one of the best pro days I’ve seen as a passer,” according to one veteran NFL personnel evaluator.
Penix and Bo Nix landed in Tier 3.
The most frequent comparisons for Penix were fellow lefty Tua Tagovailoa “with a better arm” and Jordan Love.
Penix can throw with touch and timing. One NFL offensive coach thought Penix struggled at times throwing accurately to the left side of the field but is “brilliant” when throwing to his right. He will need to improve throwing from outside the pocket, where he completed 38.5% of his throws last season, ranked 114th nationally. But that’s nitpicky given his enormous production at Washington, where he became the first Pac-12 player with multiple 4,500-yard passing seasons.
Nix was most readily compared to Andy Dalton and Jimmy Garoppolo.
“Probably doesn’t have [same] ceiling as some of the other, younger quarterbacks with upside,” an NFC scout said. “But he’ll be a solid player. Fit and system will matter. For him to be successful in the NFL he’ll have to play as a ball distributor, making plays based on timing and rhythm patterns. He can extend plays and play with toughness but sometimes relies too heavily on his legs.”
Tier 4 included South Carolina’s Spencer Rattler, Tulane’s Michael Pratt and Tennessee’s Joe Milton III, and Tier 5 included Florida State’s Jordan Travis and Notre Dame’s Sam Hartman.
Could O’Connell’s QB history shape draft?
The Star Tribune’s Mark Craig has covered plenty of draft successes and failures around the NFL during his career.
Against the backdrop of many projecting Minnesota to select a quarterback with a high pick, either at 11, or 23, or by vaulting up the board, Craig wrote about O’Connell’s varied experiences potentially helping the Vikings succeed if they do opt for a QB early.
The who will have to wait. As for the what, well, [O’Connell] wants …
Accuracy. Toughness, both mentally and physically. A fast mind that instantly can process what the defense is giving, and the arm strength and/or athleticism to occasionally “change the game” by taking from the defense something that wasn’t there for the taking.
It all sounds so good. And yet we all know there are no guarantees. Teams working 24/7/365 with unlimited resources to unearth every last piece of information haven’t been and never will be immune to wasting great picks on bad quarterbacks who become remembered forever as infamously awful whiffs.
Why in the world is that?
“The quarterback position is one where you may have 10 really smart coaches or personnel folks watch the same cutup, and you might come away with 10 different opinions on the player,” O’Connell said.
Minnesota has gone through a comprehensive process to evaluate this year’s draft class that includes two years of research on the available quarterbacks. While General Manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah is sure to value O’Connell’s inputs as a former draft pick, backup to Tom Brady and reserve battling for a roster spot elsewhere, the head coach pointed toward continued collaboration.
“It definitely helps to know a background of coaching different guys, different skill sets as a quarterback coach, as a coordinator and now as a head coach and play-caller,” O’Connell said of his role in the process. “But I think it’s still got to be a [team] process.”
MINNEAPOLIS — This spring, trillions of periodical cicadas are primed to emerge from the ground in parts of the United States, bringing their inundatory buzzing and strewing remnant husks here and there.
There are two groups of periodical cicadas. One emerges every 13 years, while the other appears every 17. This year, cicadas from both groups — Brood XIX and Brood XIII, specifically — are set to show up in historic numbers.
Where will these broods emerge? Are we set to see any in Minnesota? All of your cicada-centric questions are answered below.
Will we see periodical cicadas in Minnesota?
The short answer is no. Minnesota does not see periodical cicadas, according to the University of Minnesota’s Department of Entomology.
Minnesota does have dogday cicadas, also known as annual cicadas. As their name implies, they’re seen every year.
Where will the closest periodical cicadas be?
According to the University of Connecticut Cicada Project, Brood XIII will emerge in southern Wisconsin, eastern Iowa and the northern half of Illinois.
Brood XIX will appear in the southern half of Illinois and parts of southeastern Iowa, in addition to much of the southeastern United States.
When do Minnesota’s cicadas appear?
Minnesota’s annual cicadas are active from July to September, according to the U of M. Like the periodical cicadas, they produce a loud buzzing sound and shed and abandon their molted exoskeletons.
Dog-day cicada (Neotibicen canicularis) on a wooden fence in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, on August 07, 2023.
Creative Touch Imaging Ltd./NurPhoto via Getty Images
What do Minnesota’s cicadas look like?
According to the U of M, dogday cicadas are an inch to an inch-and-a-half in length. They have a green or brown body with black markings, four clear wings and short antennae.
Are Minnesota’s cicadas harmful?
Dogday cicadas are not harmful to people, pets or property, the U of M says. While their feeding doesn’t harm trees, they could hurt them when they lay eggs in twigs.
Authorities have released the name of a Chicago man fatally shot Friday night on Penn Avenue in north Minneapolis.
James Purifoy, 27, died at North Memorial Health in Robbinsdale several hours after being shot in the torso, the Hennepin County Medical Examiner’s office said.
Police were alerted to the shooting at about 8:55 p.m. Friday by several 911 callers and a ShotSpotter notification. Officers arrived and found Purifoy lying on the ground with a gunshot wound.
Minneapolis police continue to investigate Purifoy’s death, which the medical examiner’s office ruled a homicide.
Police asked anyone with information to contact CrimeStoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or www.CrimeStoppersMN.org.
Nico Hoerner scored the tying run with a mad dash from second base on a wild pitch in the ninth and delivered the tiebreaking single in the 11th as the Chicago Cubs notched a 3-2 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Monday at Phoenix.
Michael Busch homered in his fifth consecutive game to tiethe Cubs’ franchise record, joining Hack Wilson (1928), Ryne Sandberg (1989), Sammy Sosa (1998) and Christopher Morel (2023). Hoerner and Garrett Cooper had two hits apiece as Chicago won its third consecutive game.
Jake McCarthy had an RBI single in the second that represented Arizona’s lone hit through the first 7 1/3 innings. Corbin Carroll added a run-scoring single in the eighth for the Diamondbacks, who finished with three hits while losing for the second time in six games.
Keegan Thompson (1-0) pitched two scoreless innings for the win, while Bryce Jarvis (0-1) took the loss.
Royals 2, White Sox 0
Seth Lugo threw seven shutout innings and Vinnie Pasquantino homered and doubled to lead visiting Kansas City past Chicago.
Lugo (3-0) scattered four singles, walked one and struck out four while lowering his ERA to 1.05. James McArthur pitched the ninth for his third save.
The loss was the 14th in 16 games for the White Sox, the worst start in the franchise’s 124-year history. Nick Nastrini (0-1) took the defeat in his major league debut, allowing two runs over five innings.
Braves 6, Astros 1
Four Atlanta relievers combined for 4 1/3 shutout innings and the Braves produced a four-run ninth inning to seal a victory at Houston.
Aaron Bummer (1-1), Pierce Johnson, A.J. Minter allowed three hits and posted two strikeouts while recording 10 outs to preserve a one-run lead before the first five batters reached off Astros closer Josh Hader in the top of the ninth.
Orlando Arcia, Austin Riley, Marcell Ozuna and Michael Harris II each plated a run in the final frame before Jesse Chavez closed the win with a hitless inning. Astros starter Spencer Arrighetti (0-2) gave up two runs in four innings.
Guardians 6, Red Sox 0
Will Brennan belted a pinch-hit, two-run homer to help visiting Cleveland earn a road victory over Boston.
Brennan batted for Tyler Freeman with two outs in the seventh inning and hit his first home run of the season. Tim Herrin (1-0) threw two hitless innings in relief of Guardians starter Xzavion Curry, who limited Boston to two hits in the first five frames.
Red Sox reliever Brennan Bernardino (0-1) gave up a single to Josh Naylor ahead of Brennan’s homer and took the loss. Rafael Devers was back in the lineup after missing four games with a shoulder injury, and he collected one of Boston’s three hits.
Nationals 6, Dodgers 4
Mitchell Parker went five strong innings in his major league debut and Luis Garcia Jr. hit a three-run home run as Washington won in Los Angeles.
Parker (1-0), a fifth-round draft pick by Washington in 2020, allowed two runs on four hits. He didn’t issue a walk and struck out four. Kyle Finnegan pitched a perfect ninth inning for his sixth save.
Will Smith drove in a pair of runs for Los Angeles. Dodgers starter Tyler Glasnow (3-1) gave up a season-high six runs in five innings after he matched a career high with 14 strikeouts in his most recent start against the Minnesota Twins on April 9.
Rangers 1, Tigers 0
In his Texas debut, Michael Lorenzen pitched five scoreless innings to set the tone in a victory over host Detroit.
Lorenzen (1-0) allowed three hits and pitched around five walks against his former team. He represented the Tigers at the All-Star Game last season before he was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies on Aug. 1.
Detroit starter Reese Olson (0-2) gave up one run and six hits while striking out eight in 6 1/3 innings. Marcus Semien drove in the only run of the game.
Orioles 7, Twins 4
Cedric Mullins provided one of three Baltimore home runs with a two-run shot in the fifth inning, helping the Orioles beat visiting Minnesota.
Ryan O’Hearn and Gunnar Henderson also homered as the Orioles captured the opener of a three-game series. Mullins, who also made a diving catch in deep center field in the first inning, added a sacrifice fly.
Dillon Tate (1-0) worked 1 1/3 innings of shutout relief to post his first victory since Sept. 6, 2022. He followed Orioles starter Cole Irvin, who allowed two runs in 4 2/3 innings. Craig Kimbrel worked the ninth and recorded two strikeouts for his fourth save.
Phillies 2, Rockies 1 (10 innings)
Cristian Pache hit a walk-off RBI single to right field with two outs in the bottom of the 10th inning to lift host Philadelphia past Colorado.
Bryce Harper hit an RBI single and Stott had two hits for the Phillies. Philadelphia starter Aaron Nola tossed 7 1/3 innings of one-run ball, fanning nine. Seranthony Dominguez (1-0) earned the win.
Michael Toglia hit a solo home run and Elias Diaz had two hits for the Rockies. Colorado starter Cal Quantrill gave up one run in six innings. Jake Bird (0-1) took the loss.
Giants 4, Marlins 3
Wilmer Flores produced a pinch-hit, go-ahead single with two outs in the seventh inning as visiting San Francisco rallied for a win at Miami.
In his season debut, Marlins right-hander Edward Cabrera had 10 strikeouts over six innings and left with the lead before settling for a no-decision. Cabrera, who started the season dealing with a shoulder injury, allowed one run on five hits with a walk.
Giants starter Kyle Harrison (2-1) gave up three runs on eight hits over six innings with one walk and two strikeouts.
Angels 7, Rays 3
A two-run home run by Mike Trout and a three-run double by Matt Thaiss highlighted a five-run eighth inning as Los Angeles rallied for a victory over Tampa Bay in St. Petersburg, Fla.
Taylor Ward added a two-run homer in the ninth for the Angels. Patrick Sandoval pitched five innings of one-run ball, and Luis Garcia (1-0) tossed a scoreless inning to earn the win.
Harold Ramirez homered and Zach Eflin fired 6 1/3 scoreless innings for the Rays. Phil Maton (0-1) took the loss.
Mets 6, Pirates 3
Harrison Bader delivered a tiebreaking hit in the eighth inning for a second straight game, hitting a two-run double to highlight New York’s comeback from a three-run deficit en route to a win over visiting Pittsburgh.
The teams traded three-run rallies in the sixth inning before the Mets went ahead in the eighth against Aroldis Chapman (0-1). On Sunday, Bader beat out a bases-loaded infield single in the eighth inning to break a scoreless tie in the Mets’ 2-1 win over the Kansas City Royals.
Andrew McCutchen and Connor Joe had RBI singles for the Pirates in the top of the sixth, and Jared Triolo added a sacrifice fly.
Blue Jays 3, Yankees 1
Chris Bassitt allowed one run in 6 1/3 innings and Toronto defeated visiting New York in the opener of a three-game set.
Alejandro Kirk was 2-for-3 with a walk and an RBI for the Blue Jays, who are 5-2 on their nine-game homestand. Bassitt (2-2) gave up four hits and two walks while striking out five.
Luis Gil (0-1) allowed three runs in five innings for the Yankees, who have lost two in a row for the first time this season.
Padres 7, Brewers 3
Rookie Jackson Merrill singled home two runs during a six-run fifth inning as visiting San Diego opened a three-game series against Milwaukee with a win.
Padres starter Joe Musgrove (2-2) allowed three runs on seven hits over six innings. The Brewers loaded the bases with two outs in the ninth before Robert Suarez retired Sal Frelick on a fly ball to left field for his sixth save.
Merrill, who had three hits and a stolen base, is 9-for-17 over his past four games for San Diego, which has won four of its past five. Jackson Chourio went 2-for-4 with a two-run homer and a stolen base for Milwaukee.
Mariners 9, Reds 3
Jorge Polanco and Mitch Haniger hit homers as Seattle set a season high in runs during a victory against visiting Cincinnati.
Mariners right-hander George Kirby (2-2), who lost his previous two starts, went six innings and allowed two runs.
Jeimer Candelario and Jake Fraley went deep for the Reds, who had a three-game winning streak snapped. Reds starter Frankie Montas (2-2) lasted only two-plus innings as he walked five and allowed five runs.
Cardinals 3, A’s 1
Sonny Gray fired six shutout innings against his former team as St. Louis earned a victory at Oakland.
Willson Contreras, Nolan Arenado and Jordan Walker had RBI hits for the Cardinals, who evened their record at 2-2 on a six-game Western swing. Gray (2-0) gave up four hits and no walks while fanning six.
Esteury Ruiz, promoted from Triple-A before the game, had a pinch-hit homer to account for Oakland’s only run. Ross Stripling (0-4) yielded three runs in 5 2/3 innings.
MINNEAPOLIS — Police believe impairment may have been a factor in a northeast Minneapolis crash that injured two children and two adults Monday evening.
Officers responded to a crash at the intersection of University Avenue Northeast and Broadway Street Northeast just before 6 p.m., according to the Minneapolis Police Department.
A man was driving west on Broadway when he rear-ended a vehicle stopped at a red light. Police say that vehicle was then pushed into a third vehicle and the third vehicle was pushed into a fourth.
WCCO
A woman and her 5- and 6-year-old children in the second vehicle were transported to Hennepin Healthcare. None of their injuries were considered life-threatening, but police did say the children had serious injuries.
The driver of the first car had to be extricated from his vehicle. He went to the hospital for not life-threatening injuries and for blood tests, as police suspect impaired driving played a role in the incident. MPD says the man will be booked into Hennepin County Jail after he is discharged from the hospital.
The occupants of the third and fourth vehicles were not injured, police say.
Riley Fletcher Moser is a digital line producer at wcco.com. At WCCO, she often covers breaking news and feature stories. In 2022, Riley received an honorable mention in sports writing from the Iowa College Media Association.
USA Basketball has settled on most of its roster for the Paris Olympics, which will include Stephen Curry making his first trip to the Games, ESPN and The Athletic reported Monday.
The team, led by managing director Grant Hill, has cemented 11 of 12 roster spots while leaving one vacancy to be filled after a training camp this July, according to ESPN.
LeBron James and Anthony Davis of the Los Angeles Lakers and Kevin Durant and Devin Booker of the Phoenix Suns are also featured on the roster. James is slated to make his first Olympic appearance since 2012 and the fourth of his career.
The other team members locked in are Jayson Tatum and Jrue Holiday of the Boston Celtics, Anthony Edwards of the Minnesota Timberwolves, Bam Adebayo of the Miami Heat and Tyrese Haliburton of the Indiana Pacers, the reports said.
Curry was not selected for the team that participated in the 2012 London Games, which took place after his third year in the NBA and before his rise as one of the greatest shooters in league history. He withdrew from consideration for the roster in 2016 due to multiple nagging injuries and turned down the 2021 Tokyo Games.
Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr serves as Team USA’s head coach and will be assisted by Los Angeles Clippers coach Tyronn Lue, Heat coach Erik Spoelstra and Gonzaga coach Mark Few.
The shiny, attractive appearance of a car is one of its best-selling features. However, not every vehicle’s destiny is to remain like this. Automobile lovers around the world are finding many new ways to add a special touch to them. Sure, customizing your ride can be harmless fun… until it no longer resembles a vehicle. Tacky stickers, unorthodox colors, and questionable modifications can transform your car into a vehicle of fears rather than dreams. A Facebook group called “PoSC” is a place where people gather to post their sightings of the most bizarre-looking vehicles on the streets. Enjoy steering through this list of some of the funniest ones that will make you question your knowledge about cars.
The origins of car modifications can be traced back to the 1920s–1930s in California, when “Hot Rodding” became a thing. It’s a transformation of a vehicle to be lighter and faster for racing. In the beginning, those were old cars that had been stripped of all nonessential parts like bumpers, windshields, and hoods and had modified or new engines to be more powerful. Eventually, it became a legitimate sport. Car clubs began to form, and race tracks were built so that people could show off their customized builds. Interestingly, the “Hot Rod” races were done in a straight line, as previously they were done illegally on city streets or straight roads. The racers would start at the same point and time after a given signal. The first car to cross the finish line became the winner. This gave way to the colorful culture of automotive modifications that we know today.
Not all mods are bad or tasteless, they can be renewed and brought back to life by someone who’s willing to put in some work. Here are some popular and unharmful ways a vehicle can be modified:
Repainting your car can make the biggest difference, but if you don’t enjoy making such long-term commitments, there is an alternative. Wrapping your car in vinyl film offers you the freedom to choose any color you’d like, provides protection, and can be removed whenever.
A set of sports seats looks cool and can be more comfortable and supportive.
Raising or lowering your vehicle’s height is also a great way to change the look of your car, and it might make your ride more comfortable.
Changing out your rear and tail lights can also add detail and interest to your vehicle.
Before customizing your ride, it’s a good idea to check your country’s guidelines for vehicles to avoid fines and safety issues.
Why exactly do people like to pimp up their cars? The main reason is to improve performance and make it go faster. Also, it helps to stand out in the crowd of ordinary-looking cars. By improving its fuel efficiency, it can save you money. Additionally, it’s a great hobby to express your personality and bond with other enthusiasts. Lastly, show-quality vehicles can enter competitions and win cash prizes, or they can be sold for a profit.
According to a survey done in the US, the most prioritized features when purchasing a vehicle are fuel efficiency and safety. Interestingly, only 32% seem to assign greater importance to the appearance of their new car. Prioritizing quality and comfort also ranks higher than design.
If not done correctly, mods can not only ruin the look of your car, but also cause safety issues. Tinting your headlights and windows creates a more uniform and aggressive look, but it can affect visibility for the driver and others, causing unpleasant accidents. Covering seats may also pose a danger, as some of them now have airbags inside. In case of an accident, they may prevent them from deploying correctly. Moreover, inadequate wiring and faulty installations of aftermarket parts can lead to malfunctions. Modifications can greatly interfere with or disrupt a delicate vehicle system, so it’s best to be knowledgeable in this area before committing to customizing.
Poorly executed paint jobs and additional body parts can not only damage your car but also make it less appealing to potential buyers. Customizations that speed up the car can affect insurance payments, adding to the general cost of maintenance and making it a less attractive purchase. A loud exhaust will inevitably decrease your vehicle’s value, as not everyone enjoys driving a car that everyone can hear from a mile away. Unless you’re selling a modified build to a fellow enthusiast, some of these advancements can shorten your list of buyers and decrease your profit.
It’s easy to get tied up in the world of cars, especially if you’re just a beginner. Automotive blogs stress the importance of planning your projects in advance. Conducting research about the best cars to alter and how is a smart thing to do before starting. Having the right car and your modifications planned can save you a lot of time, money, and nerves. It’s also important to be realistic; some alterations might not do what you expect them to. It’s best to be sufficiently informed and determined about your first customizations before you end up with a vehicle like this guy’s…
You might’ve noticed a little pattern that we’re doing here – car jokes. Somehow, we’ve turned a new page and found ourselves with a topic that’s far from funny kittens (although we’ll never denounce them) and more into the world of industries.
But hey, what are we to do if there are some pretty hilarious jokes that fall under this category? Ignore them completely? Well, that’s definitely not our style! So, if you’re wondering why on Earth we’re presenting you our latest roster of Ford jokes, just know this – they are, indeed, hilarious.
And no, we’re not sponsored by it. Although come to think of it, it would definitely be super cool to roll into the office each day in a Mustang from the early ‘70s.
Anyhoo, enough of daydreaming and back to the jokes about Fords. So, why Fords, exactly? Well, it’s just such a legend! A vehicle that was once a real trailblazer and an absolute trendsetter in its heyday.
Something that other countries should’ve been pretty jealous of, honestly. Also, acronyms. And boy, you can come up with some terrific Ford acronym jokes. You know, like F is for Funny, O is for Obsolete, and so on and so forth – I’m not going to make any new jokes when there are around a hundred funny Ford jokes a little bit further down!
That would be such a faux pas on my part.
So, ready for some quality jokes about cars? They’re just Ford-tastic! If you agree, scroll on down below to check them out, give the best jokes your vote, and be sure to share this article with your friends.
85% of all Fords made are still on the road today… The other 15% made it home.
Why are so many Hotwheels based after Ford models? So kids get used to pushing them at a young age.
“I woke up one day and wanted to go to the store. I went to my garage and saw that my car wasn’t there. That day, I realized I shouldn’t have bought a Ford Escape.”
What do you get when you crash a Ford Focus with a Ford Fiesta? A Ford Fusion.
You know what I like about Ford? They circle the problem for you.
When life gives you lemons… Quit buying Ford.
Why is Pokemon Go a lifesaver? Because it gives Ford owners something to do while they walk home.
“My boyfriend looked so excited when I told him I was going to get him an escort for his birthday! I couldn’t understand why he looked so disappointed when I handed him the keys to his new Ford.”
“My wife and I bought a Ford Escape… We heard it was a great car for getaways.”
FORD: Fix or Repair Daily.
Ford working on a new heated tailgate feature, that way when you have to push it in the snow your hands won’t be cold.
To tell me my zipper was open, a girl tells me, “Your garage is open” I said, “Did you see my ford mustang gt super sport?” She said, “No, but I did see your mini cooper with two flat tires.”
“My friend and I decided to race our Ford Pintos. Mine broke three miles down the road. I had to walk the rest of the way. I won.”
What do you call a Ford Fiesta that won’t start? A Ford Siesta.
What do the new speed limit signs say on our suburban roads? Max speed: 60 km/h. Fords do the best you can.
“I took a photo next to a Ford, but it’s blurred because it wasn’t Focus.”
What’s on pages 4 and 5 of the Ford user’s manual? The train & bus schedules.
“I gave some Adderall to my Ford Fiesta… It’s now a Ford Focus.”
Why did the blonde stare at the Ford? It said Focus.
What do you call a Ford on top of a hill? A lie.
What does the GT stand for on a Ford? Glued together.
“I got to test the new self-driving prototype, the Ford Dixie. But it crashed and I can’t get the police to help. They hang up every time after I tell them “My Dixie wrecked.””
“I tried to start up a business as a Ford dealership. I lost my focus.”
Did you know Jesus had a Ford? That’s why he walked everywhere.
Which brand of cars can you buy without going over budget? A Ford!
“I really wish people would just put their phones down and drive. Sent from my Ford Fiesta.”
“I went to a car show but there was nothing but Fords. I guess you could say it was a real Ford Fiesta.”
What’s the difference between a golf ball and a Ford? You can drive a golf ball 200 yards.
Buy a Ford and you buy the best… Drive the first mile and walk the rest.
Why does Ford put magazines in the glove box of their new vehicles? So you’ll have something to read while waiting on the tow truck.
“I went to a car dealership with my wife we were intending to swap our old Ford to a newer one.” The salesman sees us climb out of our car, comes up, and says: “Is that an Escort?”, “No this is my wife.”
Ford should create an 8-cylinder Fusion model. It would be a V8 Fusion.
Ford has announced their new car. But the Ford Siesta has caused some safety concerns.
What do you call a Ford with a twin exhaust? A wheelbarrow.
“I don’t get new car smell air fresheners. Your ’98 Ford Taurus isn’t fooling anyone.”
How do you get a Ford recalled? Wait.
What is the photographer’s favorite car? Ford Focus.
Man: “Dude my wife just crashed my mustang!” Friend: “OMG is she okay??” Man: “Well she may need some buffering and a new coat of paint but she should be alright.”
Wanna hear a Ford joke? Never mind, it won’t start.
How do you double the value of a Ford Focus? Fill the tank.
Why did the cat sleep under the Ford Focus? Because he wanted to wake up oily.
Did you know that Ford has a new magnetized bumper? They needed something to pick up the parts that fell off along the way.
A man is talking to his friend… “Today I got a brand new Ford for my wife.” “Eyyy, nice trade.”
What’s your favorite pickup line? Mine is the Ford F Series.
Why do Ford vehicles have heated rear bumpers? To keep your hands warm when you’re pushing it.
If you leave a Sombrero and Maracas in your Ford Focus will it become a Ford Fiesta?
What does Ford stand for? “Found On Road Dead.”
“I told my doctor, I think I have ADHD because I keep forgetting where I parked my Ford.” Doctor: “That’s not how ADHD works.” Me: “But I keep losing my Focus.”
“I asked my father for a 30-year-old escort for my birthday… He brought home a 30-year-old Ford Escort instead.”
“I bought a rooftop tent for my Ford SUV. I like living on the Edge.”
What did they change the name of the Ford Bronco to when O.J. Simpson got acquitted? The Ford Escape!
Why were there 5 Mexicans in a Ford? It was a Fiesta.
What is the car that everyone sleeps in? The Ford Siesta.
Why couldn’t 1 Ford Focus give the other Ford Focus a message? Broken transmission.
“I see the new Ford Bronco is coming out soon. I bet the glove compartment is absolutely killer.”
“My neighbor traded in his KIA yesterday. Sold his Soul for a Mustang.”
What do you call a Mustang in Canada? A Moosetang!
Sitting in traffic today waiting for the light to change. The car in front of us was a Ford Focus. I turned to my daughter and said.. if that driver opens her door and steps out of the car, does she get all blurry? Because if she did, wouldn’t she be “out of Focus?”
My friend is getting a new car – a “tangerine” Ford Focus. Dad drops this one… Tangerine Focus… Isn’t that the same as orange concentrate?
“My friend tries to impress girls by drawing realistic pictures of the Ford F-150. He is a pickup artist.”
What’s more powerful than a North Korean nuclear bomb? Ford Fiesta.
What does a Playboy Magazine and a Model T Ford have in common? These days they’re both hard to come by.
What did Darth Vader say when he was disappointed with his shipment from the Ford dealership? There is no escape.
Ford announced today that they are discontinuing all but two of their cars… They’ve really lost their Focus.
American car companies have announced they are going 100% green. Starting with the Ford Ficus.
A man is texting and driving in his Ford by doing so he crashed and the car is totaled. You could say he lost his focus.
“It’s insane that car companies, especially Ford, pay hundreds of millions to try to stay ahead of the game. I guess they can’t a Ford to lose out.”
“I just saw an accident with a Ford Focus. Now it is all blurry.”
What’s a rapper’s favorite car? Ford Flex.
What comes after the third car? The Ford car.
What car does a nuclear physicist ride to work with? Ford Fusion.
“Why didn’t I buy a mustang? I couldn’t a Ford it.”
“I saw a horse driving a car the other day. It was a Mustang.”
Ford has announced their new car. But the Ford Siesta has caused some safety concerns.
What is a Ford F125? An F150 that the bank still owns.
What do you call a Ford Convertible? A mini-skip.
“My first escort… Was a Ford.”
“My father only hit me once as a child. But he used a Ford Transit.”
“So I went to buy a new truck… Too bad I can’t a Ford one.”
What did the man say when he saw the car cross the river? Ford!
What do you call a Ford towing another Ford? A Ford Fiesta!
What kind of car does a Jewish person drive? A Ford Torahs.
60 Drivers are killed by Ford but in a galaxy far far away.
What car does an alien abductee drive? A black Ford Probe.
“I finally figured out what Ford stands for… Fix Over Rand Dover.”
“I bought a Ford 4WD and I instantly scratched it with my keys, I was just marking my Territory.”
The Ford Edge… For when you want to get almost all the way there.
What’s the difference between a Ford and a shopping trolley? A shopping trolley is much easier to push.
“My father works as a statistician at Ford. He must be pretty well-respected there, people are always asking for his autograph.”
What would Chrysler’s version of the Ford Focus be called? Chrysler Concentrate.
“My lucky day! I didn’t have enough money for the Honda, but the dealership took pity on me and gave me an old Fiesta. I couldn’t afford an Accord, but I was accorded a Ford.”
“I just read a book about how Henry Ford created the Ford Model T. It was a really interesting auto-biography.”
A car salesman asked me, “What are you looking for in a car?” I said, “It has to be affordable” He said, “I’m sorry sir, I’ve never heard of a Ford Ibble.”
“I let my Ford Explorer produce beats for Waka Flocka Flame. Now it’s a Ford Flex.”
The cops arrested me when they found me beating a Ford with a golf club. “I was charged with domestic abuse.”
What do you call a contract driver riding a Ford ranger? A ute-Uber.
Smuckers and Ford are getting together. They’re gonna make a traffic jam.
What do you call a car made of stone? A Ford.
Did you hear the news about the CEO of Ford? He was seen with an Escort…
If conceited people were cars, what engine would they run on? A Ford EgoBoost engine.
Did you know there was a decision made by Ford to stop producing tow trucks? They finally realized a tow truck couldn’t be expected to tow itself.
What’s a terrorist’s favorite car? A Ford Exploder.
Ford moved its production plants to Mexico. Introducing the Burro 350.
What does a mustang order at Starbucks? A Mach-e auto.
Ford recalls nearly 1.4 million cars, the steering wheel can come loose. Is this Ford’s idea of a driverless car?
What’s the difference between a Ford and the principal’s office? It’s less embarrassing if your friends see you leaving the principal’s office.
“That’s not a leak… My Ford’s just marking its territory.”
Why are the new Ford trucks and cars more aerodynamic? So they’ll save the Chevy gas when it tows them away.
What should the Ford Mustang really be called? The Ford Rustang.
Why are there sidewalks beside streets? So that Ford owners have a safe place to walk home.
What did the Chevy say to the Ford? Would you like a tow home?
What do you call someone who buys a second-hand Ford? A scrap dealer.
Why are Ford dealers giving away a dog with each Ford sold? So the owner has someone to walk home with.
What did Lincoln say about his experience at Ford theater? He said it was mind-blowing.
In 1974, Volkswagen introduced the Golf to Europe as a small car with a trunk large enough to stuff your golf clubs… American companies would follow the success of this model, with Ford soon releasing the Escort in 1980.
“I tried to download Ford Racing 2 today… It crashed.”
“Tim Cook was just named as the new CEO of Ford, and I for one am really excited! Now everyone will have the chance to buy a Ford-Apple car.”
How long does Ford go before doing a recall? About 36 years.
“I just walked into a Lincoln dealership that was a Ford dealership, Ford store, and seven years ago.”
What do you call a Ford F-350 stuck in a pond? One-Ton Soup.
“I heard someone got shocked by their Ford… That must stang.”
What do you call a Ford that’s out of gas? A Ford Parked.
Why did the Ford stop in the middle of the road? It wanted to live up to its reputation.
What’s Ford’s new model for introverts? The Ford Avoid.
Why are Ford jokes getting harder to make? Even the jokes are on a recall.
What’s the latest Ford feature? An Uber app, because you’ll need it.
Why do Ford owners never play hide and seek? Because good luck hiding when you’re always beside the road.
What’s the Ford motto at NASCAR? “Turning left and right into the repair shop.”
Why did the Ford sit next to the fire? To rekindle the spark it never had.
What do you call a Ford at a big car show? Lost.
Why do Fords make great movie cars? They always stop for dramatic effect.
CHANHASSEN, Minn. — A family is in mourning after a deadly assault in Chanhassen.
Erik Berger of St. Paul, 33, is being remembered as a pillar of the Twin Cities car community.
“Huge smile, infectious laugh, extremely intelligent, very loyal to his friends,” said TJ Beadle, a friend.
The Carver County Sheriff’s Office says Berger’s parents found him inside the Chanhassen AutoPlex last week, a private garage complex for collectors to store and showcase cars.
Berger died on the scene. Deputies say he was shot and stabbed.
“I was not aware of any conflict, no,” Beadle said. “That’s why it was all the more shocking. [Erik] was a staple, very well-known, at the Chanhassen Autoplex. His passion was being around his vehicles.”
Erik Berger
TJ Beadle
Friends say Berger had a considerable car collection.
“He was more than happy to open it up and show people the type of things he owned and enjoyed,” said Steve Flaten, the Chanhassen AutoPlex board president. “Very heavy in the BMW community as well. Knew people across the country.”
Beadle says for a lot of people, Berger “was one of the first people that they would call if they needed help with a project or advice on something.”
The sheriff’s office says Berger knew the man suspected of killing him.
Deputies say that person was found dead in Minneapolis, apparently by suicide.
Friends of Berger’s are now left trying to understand how something like this could’ve happened.
“It’s a huge tragedy to have him taken away from all of us in this manner,” Beadle said. “Just not being able to realize his full potential. He was a bright spot in everybody’s life.”
Flaten says the man suspected of killing Berger was not a member of the AutoPlex.
David joined the WCCO team in April 2020, previously working at CBS 58 in Milwaukee. Prior to that, he worked in Las Vegas. While there, David covered several stories in the national spotlight, including the October 1 mass shooting and political visits from President Barack Obama and candidates Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton.
It was January 29th and the sun had set behind downtown building. The glow of the setting sun continued to light up the sky and the cirrostratus clouds. I had gone out specifically to photograph the sunset. The cloud formation was stunningly beautiful. Mother nature put on quite a show.
WEST CONCORD, Minn. — A southern Minnesota police officer was injured during an attempted traffic stop Sunday evening, and during a subsequent pursuit, the suspect died by suicide, authorities said.
According to the Dodge County Sheriff’s Office, the suspect “swerved towards” a West Concord police officer’s squad car on Highway 56 around 7:40 p.m. The suspect then pulled into a gas station, turned around and “aggressively drove towards the squad car,” the sheriff’s office said.
Back on Highway 56, the officer tried to pull the suspect over. The driver then reversed into the squad car, disabling it and setting off the airbags, which injured the officer, according to the sheriff’s office.
A citizen followed the suspect vehicle, the sheriff’s office said, and with their help, Dodge County deputies found it and gave pursuit. Other agencies also joined in the chase.
The pursuit ended in the parking lot of the Mayo Clinic Health System hospital in Cannon Falls, where the suspect died by suicide, according to the sheriff’s office and the Cannon Falls Police Department.
“There were no firearms discharged by law enforcement,” the sheriff’s office said.
The West Concord officer was hospitalized and is now recovering at home.
The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is investigating.
Mental Health Resources
If you or someone you know is in crisis, get help from the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988.
In addition, help is available from the National Alliance on Mental Illness, or NAMI. Call the NAMI Helpline at 800-950-6264 or text “HelpLine” to 62640. There are more than 600 local NAMI organizations and affiliates across the country, many of which offer free support and education programs.
In Norway, the hardingfele, or the Hardanger fiddle, is deeply woven into the nation’s cultural tapestry. From the earliest known iteration made in 1651 by Ole Jonsen Jaastad, the instrument originates from its namesake region, the western district of Hardanger, where it was traditionally used to play wedding music, dances, and other songs.
A Hardanger fiddle looks at first glance like an intricately ornamented violin, with a fingerboard and tailpiece often inlaid with mother-of-pearl, ebony, or bone. It is more lightweight, however, with four slimmer strings, ink decorations on the wooden body, and the scroll at the end often carved into the likeness of a dragon or wild animal.
Another key element of a Hardanger fiddle is the addition of sympathetic strings, which sit in a layer below those that the bow touches, vibrating when the instrument is played and adding a richness to the sound. “You are playing, generally, two notes at once whenever you play a Hardanger fiddle,” says luthier Robert “Bud” Larsen, a side effect of the instrument’s flat bridge.
Larsen, who is based in Brainerd, Minnesota, was introduced to the art of fiddle-making and restoration with the help of local violin-maker Gunnar Helland. Helland had emigrated to the U.S. from Norway in 1901. After stints in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, and Minneapolis, he established a shop in Fargo, North Dakota, to carry on his family’s craft tradition.
“Our family moved into the same building where Gunnar had his shop,” Larsen says. “We hung out a lot, and I was very interested in what he was building. When I was in the seventh grade, he gave me an old violin and helped me through the process of restoring it.”
Larsen’s lifelong love for the instrument was born. Over the next several decades, he would build at least 40 Hardanger fiddles and restore more than twice that many.
Preserving, and Evolving, Tradition
Troyd Geist, state folklorist of North Dakota, is a big fan of traditional culture and history. He focuses not only on the heritage of traditional arts but also sees the potential for craft to contribute to health and a sense of wellbeing. He heads an apprenticeship program where a master artist is paired with a younger person in order to pass along knowledge.
Geist is fascinated by how U.S. makers have gradually evolved the Hardanger fiddle over time. Though the instruments have maintained many of their recognizable features, their designs have become distinctly American.
“For instance, the fiddles in Norway would have different rosemaling designs and different flowers that they really focus on,” Geist says. “And the head above the fret is often carved, in Norway, like a lion or a dragon. They do that here, too, but they also carve, instead of a lion or a dog head on the end of it, a buffalo head.”
Larsen and others in the community who are passionate about the Hardanger fiddle liken the craft to being similar to language.
“We know that a language that is not willing to change will soon die,” says Larsen, who was a linguist in Papua New Guinea for more than 20 years before turning to fiddle making. “If people say a language should be prescriptive and you should write it the way the dictionary tells you to, and speak it that way, then the language will die out because it can’t change. And that’s the same with Hardanger fiddle music. Because new music is being written, and it’s being used in different genres as well, it will stay with us for a long time because the music has learned to adapt to people’s interests and cultures.”
Both Geist and Larsen agree that it’s important to continue to teach others how to make the fiddles, which can sometimes take a novice apprentice up to two years to complete. Some makers seek to protect their secrets, but “if you’re not willing to share broadly and freely, the tradition is going to die,” Geist says.
A Generational History
First comes the making of a fiddle and then, of course, comes the playing. Arts Midwest’s GIG Fund recently supported an event at the Historical and Cultural Society of Clay County (HCS) where more than 220 people attended a concert performed by the Fargo Spelemannslag.
A spelemannslag is a group of folk musicians, often dominated by fiddles.
The wintertime concert featured a song written two centuries ago by Eirik Medas. “Eirik’s direct descendant, a high school student named Elsa Ruth Pryor, played a new song that she wrote herself, on a Hardanger Fiddle that she made herself,” says Markus Krueger, programming director of HCS.
“Minnesota and North Dakota are the two most Norwegian states in America. For a lot of people in our community, this is the music of their childhood that they remember their parents and grandparents playing,” Krueger says, reflecting on the significance of the event. “It’s a symbol of Norwegian culture and heritage, and even more than that, it’s a symbol of Midwest culture.”
The concert featured performances by Bud Larsen and Loretta Kelley, the president of the Hardanger Fiddle Association of America. It was a meaningful showcase of a living tradition, passed down through generations.
“The immigrants brought their fiddles with them, and they kept playing them in America, says Krueger. “They kept making them in America. We still make them and play them today.”
Star Tribune 2023 Metro Player of the Year Drew Rogers, a catcher who played last season for Mounds View, has transferred to Hamilton High School in Chandler, Ariz. The family moved to Arizona in July.
“My brother [Will] was at Arizona State, and my mom and dad wanted to be somewhere that had nicer weather,” Rogers said. “The hardest part was moving away from all the people that I was closely connected with.”
A gap-to-gap hitter, Rogers produced back-to-back .400 seasons for the Mustangs, going 65-for-150 for a .433 average. The 6-foot, 220-pound Rogers had nine home runs and 46 RBI last season. He has committed to Georgia Tech.
“A person has to do what they think is best for their future,” Rogers said. “I have made a lot of new friends. I fit in well with all the guys.”
His best “pop” time — the seconds that pass between the ball hitting his mitt and his throw getting to second base, requiring footwork, dexterity and velocity — is 1.81; the major league average is 2.0. Like at Mounds View, he is also pitching for Hamilton.
“We were short of pitchers, so I’m doing that as well,” Rogers said. “Everything is going really well for me.”
How well will be determined July 14-16, when the Major League Baseball draft will be held in Fort Worth, Texas.
“There are a lot of scouts in Arizona, and spring training is here for a lot of teams [15],” Rogers said. “I’m like a lot of players, and my goal is to go in the first round.”
Mounds View coach Nik Anderson said Rogers’ departure is something to overcome.
“We love Drew. He is an incredible baseball player but even better kid,” Anderson said. “We would obviously love to see guys that start their high school career here also finish here, but that’s outside of our control and nothing for us to dwell on as we chase another state run again this year.”
Skippers pitcher injured
Minnetonka righthanded pitcher Evan Kueppers was ready for a stellar senior year coming off a strong 2023 season, but Kueppers suffered a lower back injury in the Skippers’ season opener. It’s unclear how long he’ll be out.
“When a senior is hurt in their last year of high school, they realize time is lost and they cannot get this competition back,” Minnetonka coach Paul Twenge said.
Kueppers set the school record for saves with 10 last year. A Kansas recruit, he went 3-0 with a 0.00 ERA, allowing only 10 hits in 24 innings. He struck out 34 and walked six.
“Evan is a strike thrower, strong competitor,” Twenge said. “He loves pitching and will give everything he has to win, a coach’s dream.”
Brothers in arms
Two of the state’s best pitchers from outside the metro area are at Class 2A Zumbrota-Mazeppa. They are brothers, senior Preston Ohm and sophomore Hudson Ohm.
“The Ohm boys eat, sleep and breathe baseball,” Cougars coach AJ Yusten said. “They dedicate a great amount of time to the game, and they are always working to be better.”
Preston, who is headed to St. Thomas, went 6-0 with a 0.00 ERA last season. He allowed 18 hits in 35 innings while striking out 64 and walking 14. A 6-4 lefthander who plays outfield when not on the hill, he also hit .424.
Hudson went 4-2 with a 2.51 ERA as a freshman. The 6-2 righthander threw a no-hitter, striking out 15 and walking one in a 4-0 victory over Caledonia in his debut this season.
“They are amazing young men on and off the field,” Yusten said. “They are very polite and respectful at all times. When it is practice or game time, they are ultimate competitors.”
The Cougars, coming off a 15-5 season, are ranked No. 9.
Can Raptors repeat?
East Ridge coach Brian Sprout hopes his squad will be playing its best baseball “at the end of the regular season.”
In all likelihood, the Class 4A defending state champion also will be doing so at the beginning of the season. Sprout welcomes back five of the state’s best players, including his top two pitchers — seniors Max Arlich and Jake Reigert. Arlic is a lefthander and a Texas A&M recruit; Reigert is a hard-throwing righthander and headed to Mississippi. Arlich threw a complete-game, two-hit shutout in a 1-0 victory over Rosemount in the 2023 championship game.
Sprout also returns four-year starter Alex Mezzetti (Illinois-Chicago) at third base, Luke Skinner (Loyola Marymount) at shortstop and righthanded junior pitcher/outfielder/designated hitter Luke Ryerse (Alabama).
Three other seniors — righthanded pitcher Ashton Poole, outfielder/infielder Will Preimesberger and second baseman Cole Widen — also will play significant roles for the Raptors, ranked No. 1 in the state by the Minnesota Coaches Association.
“We expect to compete and play high-level baseball throughout a tough schedule,” Sprout said. “We have a lot of experience back with a cohesive group of seniors.”
Champs and challenges
The three other state champions from 2023 — New Prague (Class 3A), Esko (Class 2A) and Fosston (Class 1A) — face separate challenges in trying to go back-to-back. Last season’s state titles were the first for each.
New Prague will have to take a much different path to a championship. The Trojans move up to Class 4A for the 2024 season.
Mahtomedi is ranked first in 3A; the Zephyrs won the 2021 state title.
Esko is ranked No. 1 in 2A and well-positioned to repeat. Fosston is ranked second in 1A, behind Lyle/Pacelli.
Back to Target Field
After a one-year hiatus, the state championship games in all four classes will return to Target Field on June 17, starting at 10 a.m. The title games were played at CHS Field in St. Paul last season.
Target Field also will play host to six regular-season games this spring, including an all-Iowa pairing. The matchups are: Owatonna vs. Red Wing on April 20; Prior Lake vs. Shakopee and Minneapolis Edison vs. St. Paul Johnson on April 25; New Life Academy vs. St. Agnes on May 9; Hopkins vs. Rogers on May 16; and Kee (Lansing, Iowa) vs. South Winneshiek (Calmar, Iowa) on May 30.
Tied to the baseball games, the Minneapolis Edison and St. Paul Johnson softball teams will meet Saturday at Jane Sage Cowles Stadium on the University of Minnesota campus.
“The Minnesota Twins believe that baseball and softball change lives for the better, and we are proud to provide both our home ballpark and our financial support to create lifelong memories for these young athletes and their communities,” Twins President and CEO Dave St. Peter said in a news release. “We thank the Minnesota State High School League and the University of Minnesota for their continued partnership, and we look forward to welcoming the student-athletes, coaches and fans from these 12 schools to Jane Sage Cowles Stadium and Target Field this spring.”
Legend marches on
The state’s winningest coach, Bob Karn of St. Cloud Cathedral, isn’t ready to stop making mound visits. Karn, 82, enters his 53rd season at the helm of the Crusaders with a career record of 833-343.
Karn has won nine championships in 20 state tournament appearances at the school from which he graduated in 1959. His most recent state trip was in 2018 and most recent Class 2A title was in 2015.
Brainerd’s Lowell Scearcy, who coached for 49 years before retiring in 2017, stands No. 2 in victories with a career mark of 765-325.
Michael Lorenzen was chosen for the All-Star team as a member of the Detroit Tigers last season. He will make his season debut against them on Monday night when the Texas Rangers open a four-game series in Detroit.
The veteran right-hander will be activated from the 15-day injured list and make his Rangers debut. Lorenzen had a rehab start at Triple-A Round Rock on Wednesday, going 4 2/3 innings and throwing 89 pitches.
Lorenzen, who was dealing with a neck injury during spring training, made three rehab starts at Round Rock. Lorenzen was a late signee, inking a one-year deal as a free agent on March 22.
“He’s going to help give the guys a break,” Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said. “We have some versatility with a couple of guys in the rotation.”
Lorenzen’s presence in the rotation is needed, as Cody Bradford went on the injured list on Sunday due to a lower back strain.
The 26-year-old left-hander gave up just three earned runs and 10 hits in 19 1/3 innings this season while winning all three of his starts.
Lorenzen went 5-7 with a 3.58 ERA in 18 starts with the Tigers last season. He was then dealt to Philadelphia, where he made 11 more regular-season appearances, including throwing a no-hitter.
He’s made six appearances (one start) against Detroit in his career, going 1-1 with a 3.58 ERA.
Reese Olson (0-1, 5.40 ERA) will get the start for the Tigers. In his season debut, Olson held the New York Mets scoreless in 5 2/3 innings.
His last outing didn’t go as smoothly, giving up six runs in 4 1/3 innings to the Pittsburgh Pirates last Monday.
“Obviously, I didn’t do a good job getting ahead in counts,” Olson said. “Can’t be successful when you are doing that. … The main thing was falling behind in counts. I become a little more predictable and they took advantage of that.”
Olson gave up one run in 1 2/3 innings in his only career outing against the Rangers.
The Tigers salvaged a split in their four-game weekend series against the Minnesota Twins thanks to a late rally. Spencer Torkelson’s go-ahead single capped a four-run eighth as they collected a 4-3 win Sunday afternoon.
“It was tough to do anything against (Twins starter Bailey Ober),” Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said. “We needed any spark. A base hit would have been a spark at that point.”
They got the best base hit possible to start a rally as Javier Baez hit his first homer of the season. Mark Canha supplied a two-run double during the comeback.
It was not only Baez’s first long ball but his first extra-base hit of the season.
“I finally got one,” Baez said. “I’m still working. Today, I feel good. Yesterday, I felt good, too. Just need to be consistent every day and take it out there. I’ve been thinking too much. Once I slow everything down, I should be good.”
The Rangers lost the last two games of a three-game series against Houston. They trailed 8-2 entering the ninth on Sunday before falling 8-5.
“Our bats were a little quiet. It was good to see them wake up there in the ninth and make them bring the closer into the game but the damage was done,” Bochy said.
MINNEAPOLIS — Sunday was a perfect day to get outside and do some yard prep for spring and summer.
The nice weather can be misleading though; there’s still some gardening work it’s too early in the year for.
Carolyn and Mark Muchow have been tending to their home in Minneapolis for decades. They were busy working on Sunday.
“I’m going to lay some grass seed on the bare spots,” Carolyn said. “Trying to do that and clean up the leaves and cut back because I’ve got some new peonies here that I planted last year.”
If you’re looking to plant annuals, Laura Mathews with Tangletown Gardens in Minneapolis says to be careful right now.
“You don’t want to plant any of those warm-weather annuals that can’t take a freeze,” she said. “So it’s not time for tomatoes or basil or petunias or anything like that because those things are not ready for our temperatures.”
Mathews says now is the time to assess your yard and make a plan.
“If you have any shrubs that need to be pruned or any trees, this is your last chance to do some pruning before they’re finally leafing out,” she said. “It’s a great time to put down seed while the weather’s still cool to fill in spots in your lawn as well.”
Mathews says it’s safe to plant pansies, violas, kales and grasses. She also recommends planting trees now before it gets too hot.
David joined the WCCO team in April 2020, previously working at CBS 58 in Milwaukee. Prior to that, he worked in Las Vegas. While there, David covered several stories in the national spotlight, including the October 1 mass shooting and political visits from President Barack Obama and candidates Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton.
Reporter Olivia Weeks with The Daily Yonder, who produced and hosts the podcast, said meth use was once associated with rural areas, but that assumption is inaccurate. Weeks said Missouri fought back against its meth-lab reputation.
“They policed their meth-lab problem really strongly, and had really high lab bust numbers and then those have basically disappeared,” she said. “But now, the rest of the country is dealing with this problem that was associated with Missouri.”
In the podcast, she explains that most of the methamphetamine entering the United States comes through commercial points of entry, hidden in legal shipping containers, rather than being smuggled across the border by individuals.
Weeks said the real dangers of meth result in part from it being outlawed. She explained that even when it was a prescription drug in the 1950s and ’60s, there was illegal use – but at least it was made by pharmaceutical companies. Once methamphetamine became illegal, she said, the lack of control over its production has led to environmental damage and dangerous chemical processes being attempted in home labs.
“The main problem, main danger of using methamphetamine is that you don’t know what’s in it,” she said, “and you don’t know what dose you’re taking.”
She acknowledged the pharmaceutical industry’s history of exploiting addictive drugs, and cautioned against a simple solution such as decriminalizing or legalizing meth use. Instead, she said, her research has prompted her to support harm-reduction strategies that keep users safe.
This story was produced with original reporting by Olivia Weeks for The Daily Yonder.
