J. R. Ogden

Jul 27, 2023 | thegazette.com | John Steppe |Vanessa Miller |Jeff Linder |J. R. Ogden

INDIANAPOLIS — An onslaught of media commitments awaited Iowa linebacker Jay Higgins when he arrived at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis on Wednesday morning in a well-tailored, navy-blue suit. But first, he and his teammates took advantage of a few free minutes and made their way to a small elevator in the southwest corner of the stadium.

Jul 26, 2023 | thegazette.com | John Steppe |Vanessa Miller |Jeff Linder |J. R. Ogden

INDIANAPOLIS — As Iowa football has upgraded its roster in the offseason via the transfer portal, Kirk Ferentz also has received an upgrade at his Iowa City home. “We got YouTube TV, so I get ESPN News, not just 1 and 2 like we used to have,” said Ferentz, the state’s highest-paid public employee. “Mary has opened the budget up a little bit.” With that “really fancy TV system,” Ferentz can’t help but see sports betting odds.

Jun 19, 2023 | thegazette.com | K.J. Pilcher |Savannah Blake |Jim Slosiarek |J. R. Ogden

The Iowa high school baseball postseason is rapidly approaching. Districts for Class 1A begin June 29, while 2A starts July 1. The next 10 days will include conference battles and late tune-ups against non-conference foes in another class. Here are five notable Gazette-area games this week: Tuesday: DeWitt Central at Marion Marion has been steady this season. The Wolves have been a mainstay in the rankings and opened the week with a 17-4 record.

Jun 19, 2023 | thegazette.com | Jim Slosiarek |Savannah Blake |Jeff Linder |J. R. Ogden

Anamosa started the season inexperienced but determined. The Blue Raiders were depleted by graduation, returning just one starter and just two more letterwinners. First-year head coach Adam Tvedt, who previously served as an Anamosa assistant, recognized the newcomers’ potential. The question was how soon they would produce. “We have guys who are hungry,” Tvedt said. “They waited their turn while our senior class worked their way through and they got their opportunity. “They accepted the call.

Jun 12, 2023 | thegazette.com | Clark Kauffman |Emily Andersen |Trish Mehaffey |J. R. Ogden

DES MOINES — Iowa Sen. Zach Wahls, in a social media post Monday afternoon, described and defended the events that led to his ouster as Democrats’ leader in the Iowa Senate. Wahls last week was voted out of his position as Iowa Senate Minority Leader when Senate Democrats called an impromptu meeting and voted to make Sen. Pam Jochum, of Dubuque, their new leader. Wahls’ post Monday was his first public comment since the vote.