The Rock Chalkboard

Reports: RB Velton Gardner leaving KU football via transfer portal | KUsports.com
Though Gardner came into the season as KU’s No. 1 running back, the junior from Dallas had yet to produce much out of the backfield. This past weekend, the 5-foot-9, 195-pound veteran only carried the ball twice for 4 yards in the Jayhawks’ blowout home loss to Baylor. That brought Gardner’s season totals to 56 yards on 29 rushing attempts (1.9 yards per carry) with no touchdowns.

With Velton Gardner gone, RB Devin Neal to take on expanded role for KU football | KUsports.com
“We’re focused on the guys in the program. Wish him the best with this future,” Leipold said, adding the KU coaches want to “create a culture of competition within the program each and every day, and that’s where our focus will be moving forward.”

Notebook: Class of 2022 3-star CB Jalon Peoples decommits from KU football | KUsports.com
The first high school recruit to publicly commit to Kansas football after Lance Leipold took over the program, Texas prep cornerback Jalon Peoples backed out of that decision on Tuesday.

Bits o Chalk

Superdome roof catches fire in New Orleans; one injured with minor burns
"Upon further investigation it appears that a pressure washer being used to clean the roof caught fire. Damage is still being assessed," said a statement from the Louisiana Stadium and Expedition District, which is a state board that governs the dome, and ASM Global, which manages the Superdome.

Sources -- Ben Simmons won't report, done with Philadelphia 76ers
In a looming standoff that could have lasting implications for the NBA, Philadelphia 76ers All-Star forward Ben Simmons will not report for the opening of training camp next week and intends to never play another game for the franchise, sources told ESPN on Tuesday.

Everything we know and don't know about Ben Simmons, the Philadelphia 76ers and their trade impasse
Sources previously told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski that Simmons has sought a trade out of Philadelphia and that Simmons' agent, Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul, and Sixers management met earlier this summer. On Tuesday, sources told Wojnarowski that Simmons will not report to the opening of training camp next week and intends to never play another game for the franchise.

Eraser Dust

Walmart Worker's Emotional Rant on Loudspeaker Goes Viral
It's the kind of announcement that probably would have made you pause if you'd been shopping for groceries or other items at your local Walmart. "Attention Walmart shoppers and associates," one store associate said. Then she proceeded to call out store management and the Walmart company about her experiences after five years of working there.

Donald Trump sues niece Mary Trump, New York Times reporters over disclosure of tax documents - CNNPolitics
Trump's lawsuit -- which is seeking "damages in an amount to be determined at trial, but believed to be no less than One Hundred Million Dollars" -- alleges that Mary Trump's disclosure of the tax information to the Times amounted to an illegal breach of contract, among other claims, because the disclosure allegedly violated a 2001 settlement agreement among the Trump family.

What happens if Congress doesn't raise the debt ceiling? - CBS News
The U.S. has had a debt ceiling for more than 100 years. It was first established in 1917 with the Second Liberty Bond Act and set at $11.5 billion. Prior to that, lawmakers had to approve every issuance of debt separately. Different kinds of debts were later consolidated under one aggregated debt limit in 1939, which was first set at $45 billion. The national debt ceiling has been raised or suspended more than 100 times since then, according to the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget.

Fewer than one-third of Americans want to see Roe v. Wade overturned, new polling finds - CNNPolitics
(CNN)Fewer than one-third of Americans want to see the Roe v. Wade decision overturned, according to a set of three polls released over the past week, with key elements of Texas' restrictive new abortion law also garnering relatively little support in the polls.

Families, students left reeling after several deaths by suicide | Daily Inter Lake
Seven local teens ages 15 to 19 have died by suicide since May 2020, tragedies that mirror a major public health issue nationwide.

Covid surge pushes Billings Clinic past the tipping point | Daily Inter Lake
Recently, a patient’s dying wish was to have their preschool-age child come and sit with them, to see them one last time. That typically wouldn’t be allowed, but an exception was made, with staffers at the hospital draping the child in oversized protective clothing, goggles and an N95 mask. Afterward, the nurse and doctor sobbed with the patient.

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