IOWA CITY, Iowa (KCRG) – This Labor Day, dozens of people gathered in Iowa City to celebrate the achievements of unions and to look for ways to make a better future for workers.

The Iowa City Federation of Labor hosted a picnic for the holiday. Gary Sanders, a 50-year member of unions, was one of those in attendance. He said the holiday was an opportunity to remember the progress that’s been made.

“We are reminded again that it’s because of labor unions in this country that we have a 40-hour work week, that we have safety issues and rules, that we have a minimum wage, that we have paid overtime,” said Sanders.

Many at Monday’s picnic said, despite all the successes from the past, workers right now are facing historic inequality.

“There’s just broad and deep awareness that our economy is out of whack. You know, we have CEO pay that’s almost 300 times what an average worker earns in a year,” said Jennifer Sherer, President of the Iowa City Federation of Labor.

Union supporters said, in Iowa specifically, organized labor is facing opposition and workers’ rights are being rolled back.

“In 2017, the Republican legislature and the Governor rolled back most of the bargaining rights for public sector workers in this state,” said Sanders.

“The child labor law changes in 2023 are just yet another example of very extreme anti-worker state legislation in what’s now become a long list since 2017,” added Sherer.

With unions on their mind, these advocates are looking to find like-minded leaders.

“I think people are very focused on the fall elections right now,” said Sherer.

“We have to keep fighting even for what we’ve maintained so far,” added Sanders.

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Iowa Cubs right-hander Cam Sanders and left-hander Riley Martin went on the Development List.

Left-hander Blake Weiman was promoted to Iowa from Tennessee.

Catcher William Simoneit was reinstated to Iowa from the Development List.

Just Iowa played today. They’ll be off tomorrow.

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs deconsecrated the St. Paul Saints (Twins), 11-8.

It was a bullpen game today and Daniel Missaki pitched the first three innings, allowing one run on two hits. Missaki struck out one and walked three.

The win went to Blake Weiman because Missaki didn’t go five innings. In his I-Cubs debut, Weiman was Iowa’s most effective pitcher, allowing no runs on just one hit over 1.2 innings. Weiman struck out three and walked no one.

Iowa put this game out of reach with a seven-run third inning. Center fielder Kevin Alcántara and catcher Moises Ballesteros hit back-to-back home runs in the inning. Alcántara’s was a three-run home run and his 12th of the season and third with Iowa. It was Ballesteros’ 195h home run and tenth with the I-Cubs.

Alcántara was 2 for 5.

Ballesteros went 2 for 4 and was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded in the eighth inning, driving in his second run of the night.

Third baseman Caleb Knight hit two home runs today, a three-run home run in the fourth inning and a solo home run in the sixth. It was Knight’s third and fourth home runs this season. Knight was 3 for 4. It was the first multi-homer game of Knight’s career in only his fourth career game at third base.

Left fielder Owen Caissie doubled twice in a 2 for 3 game. Caissie also walked once and was hit by a pitch. He scored twice and drove in one.

Alcántara’s, Ballesteros’ and Knight’s first home run.

Knight’s second home run.

One of Caissie’s doubles.

Myrtle Beach Pelicans

The Pelicans game at Fayetteville was postponed for wet grounds. No makeup date has been announced.

Darien Porter stands for a photo during Iowa State Football media day at Jack Trice Stadium in Ames, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024. © Zach Boyden-Holmes/The Register / USA TODAY NETWORK

 AMES — Iowa State wide receiver Jaylin Noel dazzled fans with his strong hands and fluid speed in his team’s 21-3 season-opening win over North Dakota last Saturday. Fellow receiver Jayden Higgins did the same whenever the Cyclones needed a big play. And quarterback Rocco Becht showcased the explosiveness and efficiency he’s known for, averaging 13.4 yards per completion and throwing for two touchdowns — one each to Higgins and Noel.

 So the Cyclones’ established stars fully lived up to their respective billings in week one, but it’s the players who operate in relative obscurity who often determine a season’s fate and several less-known contributors will be key in week two against intrastate rival Iowa at 2:30 p.m. Saturday (CBS) in Iowa City.

 “I think our greatest growth — I’ve always felt this way — is between week one and week two,” ISU head coach Matt Campbell said.

 In that vein, here are five (among several) Cyclones who have improved considerably from last season to this season and must continue to do so this weekend and beyond.

 Cornerback Jontez Williams

 The 5-11, 200-pound sophomore from Starke, Fla., led ISU in tackles in the season-opener with 11. That nearly doubled his previous career output (6) and showed that Williams is ready to shine at corner along with Myles Purchase and Darien Porter this season now that T.J. Tampa’s in the NFL. Williams did draw a flag for pass interference in the game, but otherwise his coverage was solid and should keep getting better.

 “He is an elite performer,” Campbell said. “And I think the consistency that he comes to work with every single day allows him to have great confidence.”

 Cornerback/special teams star Darien Porter

 Campbell’s repeatedly said that Porter’s special teams prowess alone could land him in the NFL. Now the former track star from Bettendorf — and converted wide receiver — has fully mastered the techniques to excel at cornerback, too. The 6-4, 200-pounder made his first career start in last Saturday’s win and provided taut coverage as well as a big special teams play when he downed a Jace Gilbert punt at the Fighting Hawks’ three-yard line.

 “We should also talk about his performance because he was elite,” Campbell said.

Kicker/punter Jace Gilbert

 The 5-11, 205-pound sophomore from Marlow, Okla., has provided the Cyclones’ program with a portrait of perseverance throughout his career, and even though he’s not a starter, he’s carved out an important role this season after redshirting in 2023. Gilbert’s ISU’s designated short-yardage or “pooch” punter and both of his punts last Saturday were downed inside the 20-yard line. The Cyclones’ former starter as a true freshman also kicked off once for a touchback, so his value to the team has shot upward since last season. And fun fact: Gilbert made his first career field goal attempt in ISU’s 10-7 win over the Hawkeyes two seasons ago. 

 “We don’t give up on people in our program,” Campbell said of Gilbert, who went 7-for-13 on field goals as a freshman. “What that young man has done — and obviously what he overcame was hard as a freshman.”

 Running back Carson Hansen

 The 6-2 sophomore’s bulked up to 220 pounds and will be ISU’s No. 1 short-yardage option at tailback. Hansen shined in that area last Saturday, providing a pair of tough runs for third-down conversions and he’s also a skilled pass catcher. Hansen complements home-run hitter Abu Sama perfectly and his ability to shine in pass protection will make him a prominent player against Iowa and beyond.

“Just to see him grow — to grow mentally, to grow physically — a lot of it’s a mindset,” said first-year assistant head coach/running backs coach Tyler Roehl.

 Wide receiver Jaylin Noel

 It’s important to circle back to Noel, who recorded his first 100-yard receiving game since the 2022 season in the win over North Dakota. He may already be a star, but he’s still markedly improved both as a pass catcher and a leader in the locker room.

 “He has, from year one to year four, been one of the most complete football players we’ve had in our program during my time here,” Campbell said.