The Rock Chalkboard

Jayhawks in the NBA for Tuesday, Jan. 26, 2021 | KUsports.com

Coming off win, Jayhawks feel like they're on 'right path' again | KUsports.com
“We’re still getting better,” Stephens said. “I think coming off of quarantine and a lot of injuries and what not, I think moving forward (beating K-State) is a good win for us just to keep us on the right path and striving forward.”

KU junior Ochai Agbaji named one of 10 finalists for Jerry West Award | KUsports.com
“I just think he's been very efficient and he's been aggressive and you know he's had a pretty solid year,” Self said.

Former KU starting LB Denzel Feaster transferring to UTSA | KUsports.com
After a little more than a month in the NCAA’s transfer portal, former Kansas inside linebacker Denzel Feaster has found his next college football home.

UCF's Josh Heupel named Tennessee Volunteers football coach
New Tennessee athletic director Danny White didn't have to look far to land his head football coach. White named UCF's Josh Heupel as the Vols' next head coach on Wednesday.

Bits o Chalk

Minnesota Vikings TE Kyle Rudolph not pleased with usage, won't accept pay cut
Minnesota is projected to be $12.8 million over the cap ahead of the new league year and would gain $5.1 million in cap space if it was to release Rudolph this offseason (which comes with $4.35 million in dead money). The Vikings also could restructure Rudolph's current deal, with three years remaining, to lower his 2021 cap number from $9.45 million to nearly half.

Former Alabama football teammates DeVonta Smith, Tua Tagovailoa have discussed possible reunion with Miami Dolphins
"We just talked about it would be nice to run it back again," Smith told NFL Network after Tuesday's practice at the Senior Bowl about the possibility of teaming up again with the Dolphins' starting quarterback. "Not too much, but somewhat talked about it."

No one elected to Baseball Hall of Fame; Curt Schilling requests removal from writers' ballot
The leading vote-getter was controversial pitcher Curt Schilling, who was named on 71.1% of the ballots, 16 votes shy of the minimum needed for selection. Schilling was followed by all-time home run leader Barry Bonds (61.8%) and 354-game winner Roger Clemens (61.6) in the voting.

eraser dust

Rand Paul calls impeachment 'dead on arrival' after most Republicans signal that trial is unconstitutional - CNNPolitics
The Senate tabled an effort by Sen. Rand Paul Tuesday to force a vote on the constitutionality of former President Donald Trump's impeachment trial, but the vote offered an indicator for how Republican senators -- who overwhelmingly voted for Paul's measure -- feel about the trial.

Vaccine update: Biden announces purchase of 200M vaccine doses - CNNPolitics
President Joe Biden announced a series of measures on Tuesday aimed at ramping up coronavirus vaccine allocation and distribution, including the purchase of 200 million more vaccine doses and increased distribution to states by millions of doses next week.

Biden to reopen 'Obamacare' markets for COVID-19 relief - ABC News
Fulfilling a campaign promise, President Joe Biden plans to reopen the HealthCare.gov insurance markets for a special sign-up opportunity geared to people needing coverage in the coronavirus pandemic.

Biden orders Department of Justice to phase out contracts with private prisons - CBS News
In remarks before signing the orders, Mr. Biden said the U.S. government needs to change "its whole approach" on the issue of racial equity. He added that the nation is less prosperous and secure because of the scourge of systemic racism.

Immigration: Judge Drew Tipton temporarily blocks Biden's plan to halt deportations - CNNPolitics
Tuesday's order stems from a lawsuit filed by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton challenging the 100-day pause on deportations, which took effect Friday. The complaint cited in part an agreement signed between the Department of Homeland Security and Texas in the waning days of the Trump presidency that required the department to consult the state before changing or modifying policies.

Melvin Capital, hedge fund targeted by Reddit board, closes out of GameStop short position
GameStop, hedge funds’ most-hated stock, was targeted by an army of retail investors who marshaled forces against short sellers in online chat rooms. In the Reddit forum “wallstreetbets” with more than 2 million subscribers, rookie investors encouraged each other to pile into GameStop’s equity and call options, creating massive short squeezes in the stock.

After Coming Out As Trans, Elliot Page Announces Divorce From Wife Emma Portner
Actor Elliot Page and dancer Emma Portner are divorcing after three years of marriage, reported CNN. In a joint statement on Tuesday, Elliot Page and Emma Portner told CNN that even though they separated last summer, they continue to share cordial terms with each other: "After much thought and careful consideration, we have made the difficult decision to divorce following our separation last summer. We have the utmost respect for each other and remain close friends." Elliot Page and Emma Portner got married in January 2018, just a brief while after making their relationship public. The former couple began dating in 2017.