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Dallas Seavey wins Iditarod despite penalty for moose-gutting
Dallas Seavey has once again made history by winning his record sixth Iditarod sled dog race, despite facing numerous challenges during the competition. One of the most notable incidents occurred when Seavey’s dog team got entangled with a moose near Skwentna, Alaska. Seavey, who was permitted to carry a firearm during the race, had to shoot and kill the moose to protect his dogs. Unfortunately, one of his beloved dogs, Faloo, was critically injured in the encounter but underwent successful surgeries and was expected to recover.
After the moose was shot, the rules of the Iditarod race required Seavey to stop and gut the animal, as its meat must be taken and distributed when a large animal is killed during the competition. However, Seavey was judged to have not completed this task adequately, resulting in a two-hour penalty. Despite this setback, Seavey persevered and ultimately emerged victorious in the race.
The Iditarod is a grueling 1,000-mile race in Alaska, spanning from Anchorage to Nome. Seavey completed the race in nine days, two hours, and 16 minutes, crossing the burled arch finish line at 5:16 p.m. local time. This win marks Seavey’s sixth victory in the Iditarod, surpassing the previous record of five wins held by Rick Swenson.
At just 37 years old, Seavey has already established himself as one of the greatest mushers in Iditarod history. He first entered the race in 2005, the day after he turned 18, becoming the youngest musher ever to participate. His first win came in 2012 at the age of 25, making him the youngest winner in Iditarod history. He went on to win back-to-back-to-back races from 2014 to 2016, and added another win in 2021, tying the record for most victories. His family has a long history of involvement in the sport, with his father, Mitch Seavey, winning the race three times and his grandfather, Dan Seavey, also participating in the Iditarod.
“This one was supposed to be hard,” Seavey remarked after crossing the finish line. “It had to be special, it had to be more than just a normal Iditarod. And for me, it was.”
Seavey’s resilience and determination in overcoming the challenges he faced during the race exemplify the spirit of competition and sportsmanship that are integral to the Iditarod. His remarkable sixth victory cements his legacy as a true legend of the sport, and his achievements will undoubtedly inspire future generations of mushers to push their limits and strive for greatness in the world of sled dog racing.
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University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and Protesters reach an agreement to dismantle encampment
Protesters at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee have agreed to end their pro-Palestinian encampment following an agreement reached with the school, university officials announced on Sunday. The encampment, which had been in place for two weeks, will be dismantled by Tuesday, marking the end of what was believed to be the last standing encampment at a Wisconsin college.
University officials had allowed the encampment to remain on a patch of lawn between Mitchell Hall and a busy thoroughfare on the campus’s southern boundary, opting not to involve law enforcement. This approach differed from the response at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where police were called in to remove tents after negotiations fell through. Despite initial efforts to disband the encampment, Wisconsin-Madison eventually reached an agreement with protesters to voluntarily dismantle the camp prior to commencement ceremonies.
Chancellor Mark Mone of Wisconsin-Milwaukee stated last Wednesday that the university had exhibited “the widest possible amount of patience and restraint.” However, he also cautioned that patience was wearing thin and hinted at potential action by the school. Following discussions with the UWM Popular University for Palestine Coalition, the university agreed to advocate for a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas, condemn the destruction of schools and universities in Gaza by Israeli forces, and hold meetings with protest leaders regarding university investments.
Additionally, the university pledged to urge the Water Council, a Milwaukee organization of water technology companies, to sever connections with two Israeli government-owned entities, Mekorot and the Israel Innovation Authority. Chancellor Mone serves as the treasurer on the Water Council’s board of directors.
In return for these commitments, the protesters agreed to dismantle the encampment beginning on Sunday and completing the process by Tuesday. They also agreed not to disrupt the university’s commencement ceremonies scheduled for Sunday. In a statement, the protesters expressed their satisfaction with the agreement, stating, “After hard fought edits and careful consideration by the coalition, we determined we had obtained all possible benefits from the encampment.”
The resolution of the encampment at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee represents a successful outcome of negotiations between university officials and protesters. By reaching a compromise that addresses the concerns of both parties, a peaceful resolution has been achieved, allowing for the encampment to be taken down without incident.