Gophers outclassed, outcoached in brutal defeat at Iowa

Gophers Outclassed, Outcoached in Brutal Defeat at Iowa

Following a 41-3 loss to the Hawkeyes and losing the Floyd of Rosedale trophy on Saturday, Minnesota is left searching for answers as the season hangs in the balance.

By Randy Johnson
The Minnesota Star Tribune
October 26, 2025 at 2:00 PM

It’s back to the drawing boards for P. J. Fleck and the Gophers after Minnesota turned in its worst performance of the season in Saturday’s 38-point defeat at rival Iowa.

(Alex Kormann/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

IOWA CITY

As black-and-gold-clad Iowa fans filtered through the concourse at Kinnick Stadium and onto the street on this crisp autumn night, the sounds of disbelieving laughter stood out. The Hawkeyes’ faithful were celebrating their team’s 41-3 dismantling of the Gophers in front of 69,250 fans on Saturday with an aura of, “Can you believe we beat them that bad?”

A pair of teams entered the game with identical 5-2 overall records and 3-1 marks in the Big Ten. One left with ownership of the Floyd of Rosedale Trophy. The other left wondering how it could be so thoroughly dominated by a rival.

Yes, it was a blowout. But the final score might not do it justice. This stat sums it up best: through Minnesota’s first four possessions, the Gophers had just 1 yard of offense. The Hawkeyes had scored 31 points.

“They absolutely dominated the football game from start to finish,” Gophers coach P. J. Fleck said. “I told our football team that those were three hours of not very good football. We did not play our best when we needed to play our absolute best.”

A Gophers team that eight days earlier played a complete game in a 24-6 thumping of Nebraska at Huntington Bank Stadium suddenly looked shell-shocked.

About the author: Randy Johnson covers University of Minnesota football and college football for the Minnesota Star Tribune, along with Gophers hockey and the Wild.

https://www.startribune.com/gophers-outclassed-outcoached-in-brutal-defeat-at-iowa/601492063

Extended interview: Kenny Chesney

In this web exclusive, the country superstar sits down with Lee Cowan to discuss his new book, *Heart Life Music*.

They dive into the inspiration behind the book and share insights into the stories and experiences that shaped it.

Fans will get an inside look at the journey of creating *Heart Life Music* and what the country star hopes readers will take away from it.
https://www.cbsnews.com/video/extended-interview-kenny-chesney/

Venezuela’s Maduro says the US is fabricating a war and seeks to revoke citizenship of opponent

CARACAS (AP) — Venezuela’s President Nicolás Maduro said the U.S. government is “fabricating” a war against him as the world’s biggest warship approached the South American country, while moving to revoke the citizenship of an opponent he accuses of inciting an invasion.

Maduro stated in a national broadcast on Friday night that the administration of President Donald Trump is “fabricating a new eternal war” as the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford, which can host up to 90 airplanes and attack helicopters, moves closer to Venezuela.

On Saturday, the Venezuelan president also referred to the pressure he has felt from the U.S. government as he initiated legal proceedings to revoke the citizenship and cancel the passport of opposition politician Leopoldo López.

“They promised they would never again get involved in a war and they are fabricating a war that we will avoid,” said Maduro during Friday night’s address.

Trump has accused Maduro, without providing evidence, of being the leader of the organized crime gang Tren de Aragua. “They are fabricating an extravagant narrative, a vulgar, criminal and totally fake one,” Maduro added. “Venezuela is a country that does not produce cocaine leaves.”

American forces have destroyed several boats off the Venezuelan coast, allegedly linked to drug trafficking into the United States. At least 43 people were killed in those attacks.

Tren de Aragua, which originated from a Venezuelan prison, is more known for its involvement in contract killings, extortion, and people smuggling than for playing a major role in global drug trafficking.

Maduro was widely accused of stealing last year’s election, and countries including the U.S. have called for him to step down.

Earlier, Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez stated on her Telegram account that Maduro had appealed to the country’s Supreme Court of Justice to revoke López’s nationality for his “grotesque, criminal, and illegal call for a military invasion of Venezuela.”

López, a prominent Venezuelan opposition figure who has been exiled in Spain since 2020, has publicly expressed support for the deployment of U.S. ships in the Caribbean and attacks on suspected drug trafficking vessels.

The vice president said that López’s passport will be revoked “immediately,” and he is also accused of promoting “economic blockage” and “calling for the mass murder of Venezuelans in complicity with enemy and foreign governments.”

In response, López dismissed the move on his X account, stating, “According to the Constitution, no Venezuelan born in Venezuela can have their nationality revoked.” He reiterated his support for U.S. military deployment and military actions in the country.

“Maduro wants to take away my nationality for saying what all Venezuelans think and want: freedom,” López wrote. “After having stolen the 2024 election, we agree to pursue all avenues to end the dictatorship,” he added.

López spent more than three years in a military prison after participating in anti-government protests in 2014. He was sentenced to over 13 years in prison on charges of “instigation and conspiracy to commit a crime.”

He was later granted house arrest and, after being freed by a group of military personnel during a political crisis in Venezuela, left the country in 2020.

https://whdh.com/news/venezuelas-maduro-says-the-us-is-fabricating-a-war-and-seeks-to-revoke-citizenship-of-opponent/

Sydney Sweeney Debuts Sexy Short Blonde Bob at ‘Christy’ Premiere

Sydney Sweeney is in her bombshell era, debuting a sexy new blonde bob and a plunging pink gown at the *Christy* premiere in Los Angeles. The “Euphoria” star turned heads at the AFI Fest on Saturday night, showing off a new chop that had everyone doing a double-take.

Sydney ditched her long locks and debuted a fresh, wavy blonde bob that hits just above her shoulders, a switch-up from her signature look. She matched her bold new ‘do with a light pink halter dress that hugged her curves and cinched perfectly at the waist, serving old Hollywood glamour meets Barbie vibes.

The actress stars in *Christy*, a biopic about trailblazing boxer Christy Martin, alongside Ben Foster and Merritt Wever. Sydney packed on 30 pounds to physically embody the fighter’s strength and resilience, fully committing to the demanding role.

Off-screen, things are heating up too! Sydney recently confirmed her romance with music executive Scooter Braun. The couple was spotted at Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights, after first meeting at Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez’s Venice wedding in June.
https://www.tmz.com/2025/10/26/sydney-sweeney-debuts-short-blonde-bob-at-christy-premiere/

After UNO campus rape, Heidi Hess chose courage and reclaimed her life

**Editor’s Note:** Earlier this week, Journal Star reporter Peter Breen wrote about how former Lincoln Police Department officer and FBI detective Jeff Howard’s career took a turn while investigating a 1997 rape.
https://journalstar.com/news/local/article_125de286-1300-4b69-9819-529fd23b3777.html

US, China reach ‘framework’ of trade deal, Bessent says

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Sunday that the U.S. and China will likely avoid 100 percent American tariffs on Chinese goods after negotiators settled on a plan for a possible trade agreement.

Bessent told NBC News’ Kristen Welker that “after two days of negotiations” with Chinese International Trade Representative Li Chenggang in Malaysia, a “framework” has been established to move forward. This development suggests progress in easing trade tensions between the two nations.

The proposed framework aims to reduce the likelihood of full tariffs being imposed, which could have significant impacts on both economies. Further details are expected as discussions continue.
https://thehill.com/policy/international/5573659-us-china-trade-agreement-bessent/

Marjorie Taylor Greene’s Pivot From Trump, Explained

Marjorie Taylor Greene, the firebrand Georgia Republican, has been breaking ranks with President Donald Trump and the GOP leadership in Congress on an increasingly long list of issues.

She wants Congress to end the government shutdown by agreeing to extend the Affordable Care Act tax credits.

Additionally, Greene has demanded the release of the Jeffrey Epstein files and called for a pathway to citizenship for immigrants.

She has also blasted the White House’s funding of wars in Ukraine and Israel.

Most recently, she torched the…
https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2025-10-26/marjorie-taylor-greene-s-trump-pivot-explained

Melissa strengthens into a Category 4 hurricane, threatening catastrophic flooding in Jamaica, Haiti

Hurricane Melissa Strengthens to Major Category 4 Storm, Threatening Northern Caribbean

KINGSTON, Jamaica (AP) — Hurricane Melissa has intensified into a major Category 4 hurricane, with the potential to strengthen further into a Category 5 storm Sunday night. The hurricane is unleashing torrential rains and poses a severe flooding threat across the northern Caribbean, including Haiti and Jamaica, the U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC) reported.

The NHC added that Melissa is expected to reach the southern coast of Jamaica as a major hurricane late Monday or Tuesday morning, urging residents to seek shelter immediately.

“I urge Jamaicans to take this weather threat seriously,” said Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness. “Take all measures to protect yourself.”

As of Sunday morning, Melissa was centered approximately 120 miles (195 kilometers) south-southeast of Kingston, Jamaica, and about 280 miles (450 kilometers) south-southwest of Guantanamo, Cuba. The storm had maximum sustained winds of 140 mph (225 kph) and was moving west at 5 mph (8 kph).

Heavy Rainfall and Widespread Impact Expected

Melissa is forecast to drop torrential rains of up to 30 inches (760 millimeters) on Jamaica and southern Hispaniola, including Haiti and the Dominican Republic. Some areas could see as much as 40 inches (1,010 millimeters) of rainfall.

The hurricane center warned of extensive damage to infrastructure, power and communication outages, and the potential isolation of communities in Jamaica.

After affecting Jamaica, Melissa should be near or over Cuba by late Tuesday, potentially bringing up to 12 inches (300 millimeters) of rain before moving toward the Bahamas late Wednesday.

In response, the Cuban government issued a hurricane watch Saturday afternoon for the provinces of Granma, Santiago de Cuba, Guantanamo, and Holguin.

Storm’s Slow Progress and Fatalities

The erratic and slow-moving hurricane has already claimed at least three lives in Haiti and a fourth in the Dominican Republic, where another person is still missing.

“Unfortunately for places along the projected path of this storm, it is increasingly dire,” said Jamie Rhome, deputy director of the NHC, earlier on Saturday. He added that Melissa is expected to continue moving slowly for up to four days.

Jamaica Prepares for Impact

Authorities in Jamaica announced Saturday that the Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston would close at 8 p.m. local time. It remains unclear whether the Sangster airport in Montego Bay on the island’s western side will also close.

More than 650 shelters have been activated across Jamaica. Officials confirmed that warehouses are well-stocked with thousands of food packages prepositioned for rapid distribution if needed.

Rising River Levels and Damage in Haiti and Dominican Republic

Haitian authorities reported three deaths linked to the hurricane and five injuries caused by a collapsed wall. Rising river levels, flooding, and a destroyed bridge due to breached riverbanks have been reported in Sainte-Suzanne in northeast Haiti.

Ronald Délice, a Haitian civil protection director, expressed concern about the storm’s trajectory. Local authorities are organizing lines for food kit distributions, although many residents remain reluctant to leave their homes.

In the Dominican Republic, Melissa has damaged nearly 200 homes and disrupted water supply systems affecting more than half a million people. The storm also downed trees and traffic lights, caused small landslides, and isolated over two dozen communities with floodwaters.

Threat to The Bahamas and Turks and Caicos

The Bahamas Department of Meteorology warned that tropical storm or hurricane conditions could affect islands in the Southeast and Central Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands by early next week.

Season Overview

Melissa is the 13th named storm of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season, which officially runs from June 1 to November 30. The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) had forecast an above-normal season, predicting 13 to 18 named storms.

___

Associated Press writer Evens Sanon in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, contributed to this report.

https://whdh.com/news/melissa-strengthens-into-a-category-4-hurricane-threatening-catastrophic-flooding-in-jamaica-haiti/

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