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Michigan Panthers knocked out of UFL playoffs with loss to Birmingham Stallions

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Michigan Panthers knocked out of UFL playoffs with loss to Birmingham Stallions


It felt like déjà vu, but stung worse in every way.

Just like last week’s regular-season finale, the Michigan Panthers let another first-half lead slip away and fell to the Birmingham Stallions, 31-18, in Saturday’s USFL Conference Championship game at Protective Stadium in Alabama.

The Panthers (7-4) scored on each of their first five offensive possessions, with kicker Jake Bates going 4-for-4 on field goals to build an 18-3 lead in the first half. But the Panthers never scored again, allowing 28 unanswered points to the Stallions.

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Danny Etling made his third straight start at quarterback and on the first drive, which was set up by a 37-yard opening kickoff return from Devin Ross, connected with Siaosi Mariner on a short pass for a 35-yard touchdown as the Panthers took an early 6-0 lead.

On Birmingham’s ensuing possession, Ricky Pearson Jr. got stopped short of the first-down marker by linebacker Noah Dawkins on fourth-and-1, as the Panthers took over on the Stallions’ 42-yard line. The Panthers didn’t get a first down, but they got close enough for Bates to boot a 53-yard field goal to make it 9-0.

It seemed the Stallions came out the gates undisciplined, as they amassed four penalties for 45 yards in the first quarter alone, with just one first down on their first two drives. Another Birmingham punt would lead to another field goal from Bates, as the Panthers extended their lead to 12-0 by the end of the first quarter.

Birmingham’s Adrian Martinez got a big 38-yard reception from the star tight end Jake Sternberger that put the defending USFL champions at the Panthers’ 2. Keith Gibson Jr. made a terrific stop on third-and-goal that forced the Stallions to settle for a field goal.

After another field goal from Bates, Dawkins forced a fumble when sacking Martinez, with the ball recovered by the Panthers for the game’s first turnover. Still, the Panthers could only muster another field goal for an 18-3 lead.

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After the kickoff from the Panthers went out of bounds and put the Stallions at the 50, Martinez found Jordan Thomas deep down the middle on the first play for a touchdown, cutting the deficit to 18-9.

The Panthers got into Bates’ range again late in the first half, but he missed a 51-yard attempt to the left. The Stallions took advantage of the field position and Chris Blewitt made a 43-yard field goal to trim the Panthers’ lead to 18-12 at halftime.

The Stallions received the ball to start the second half but after a big 39-yard return from Deon Cain into Panthers territory, Martinez was picked off by Panthers cornerback Adonis Alexander at the 1-yard line.

The Panthers faked a fourth-down punt when Kai Nacua threw it to Kedrick Whitehead Jr. for the first down, but Etling fumbled while getting sacked on the next play and the Stallions recovered.

It was a turnover-prone quarter, as Martinez fumbled the ball back to the Panthers. After both teams traded punts, Etling threw an interception on his first play of the drive to Ike Brown.

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Matt Corral replaced Martinez at quarterback for the Stallions, but the turnovers kept coming as Corral overthrew his target and the ball found its way into Javin White’s hands. But the sixth turnover of the quarter would be the biggest, as Etling threw it right to Daniel Isom, who took it 48 yards for a pick-six.

With the game tied at 18 and one quarter remaining, Corral remained under center and led a five-play, 75-yard drive that ended in a 7-yard touchdown pass to Amani Rodgers and gave the Stallions their first lead of the day.

After being unable to convert on third down, Bates came out for a 44-yard attempt that was blocked by two Stallions. Down 24-18 with 9:43 remaining, the Panthers needed a stop from their defense.

But they couldn’t get it, as Corral led another touchdown drive to make it 31-18, putting the exclamation mark on another comeback from the Stallions and an end to the Panthers’ season.

Kameron Goodwill is a freelance writer.

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Michigan State University partially reverses policy on co-ed community bathrooms after complaint

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Michigan State University partially reverses policy on co-ed community bathrooms after complaint


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Michigan State University has partially reversed course on its decision to make all community bathrooms in its honors dorm co-ed, following complaints from students and parents who said the arrangement made them uncomfortable.

Officials placed new signs at Campbell Hall last week to label some bathrooms by gender, a shift that came after a formal complaint and survey results showing unease among residents about a $37.1 million renovation that turned all 20 community bathrooms into unisex facilities.

Parents were not notified beforehand that bathrooms would no longer be separated by gender — prompting at least one student to seek out other facilities, according to a parent’s letter.

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Michigan State University partially ended its co-ed community bathrooms in its honors dorm. (Istock/ AndreyPopov)

The facilities were the first co-ed community bathrooms of their kind at any of the institution’s 27 dorms. MSU said it moved to unisex community bathrooms at Campbell Hall to adapt to a future shift in student populations.

“Following review of the survey data, the decision was made to provide options for students,” MSU spokesperson Kat Cooper said in a statement to Bridge Michigan.

The honors dorm spans four floors and includes 20 shared bathrooms, along with five single-use restrooms. Cooper said she was unsure how many of the community bathrooms will remain unisex and how many will be assigned as male or female.

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Michigan State

The university did not notify parents that bathrooms would not be designated by gender. (Getty Images)

In an email to Campbell Hall residents, school officials said that bathrooms “will be configured as much as possible to the gender make-up of the community” on the ground and first floors, where there are two community bathrooms, and “gendered bathroom options” on the second and third floors of the dorm, where there are eight community bathrooms, as well as single-use restrooms.

“We wanted to ensure that no room moves were required as part of these changes,” the email reads. “The updates are intended to offer more choice and help residents feel more comfortable in their daily routines.”

Some members of the MSU Board of Trustees said this week that the university made the right call in responding to student and parent feedback.

Bathroom sign male and female

The dorm has four floors with 20 community bathrooms and five single-use bathrooms. (Jeffrey Greenberg/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

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“I’m happy that the university listens to the concerns of its students,” Trustee Mike Balow said.

“It’s important for our students to feel comfortable and to have options. This is the right move by the university,” Trustee Dennis Denno added.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.



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Michigan family fought to stop mom’s sudden deportation. After 20 years, she had to leave

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Michigan family fought to stop mom’s sudden deportation. After 20 years, she had to leave


MACOMB COUNTY, Mich. – A Michigan family tried everything to stop the sudden deportation of their mother.

They spoke with a lawyer. They called state senators. And they reached out to Local 4 to share their story with our viewers.

But on Friday, Irina Sobierajska went to Detroit Metro Airport to head back to Poland, leaving the United States after 20 years.

Her family said they were told she had to leave the country within 48 hours, even though they kept up with her immigration requirements.

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“They look at her as a criminal and that’s just the heartbreaking part,” her son, Bernard Sobierajska, said. “She’s never done anything, and she’s just the nicest person in the world. I don’t get it.”

“I feel like people could find it in their hearts to not separate a family who is trying to just live a life like anybody else, and have the same opportunities and work hard,” her daughter, Patrycja Sobierajska, said.

They received a notice last week that Irina Sobierajska’s stay of removal request was denied by ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations.

“How can you go back to a country you have literally nothing?” Irina Sobierajska said.

She is a Polish citizen who lived in Poland for about 10 years. She’s allowed to work in the U.S. but is currently an unlawful resident because she doesn’t have legal status.

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“Her and my dad came to the country to help build a better life and start a strong foundation for my brother and myself,” Patrycja Sobierajska said.

Irina Sobierajska is also the caretaker for her husband, who suffers from diabetes, arthritis, and depression. The family fears his condition will worsen without her.

“He just doesn’t know how he is going to continue his daily life without his wife by his side,” Patrycja Sobierajska said.

“It’s just all unfair,” Bernard Sobierajska said. “I don’t think her case was looked at enough.”

ICE released the following statement about Irina’s case to Local 4:

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Irina Sobierajska was ordered removed by an immigration judge in 2014 as she was a visa overstay. She has been afforded due process as she made multiple attempts to appeal that decision with the courts, but the immigration judge’s order of removal still stands. ICE allows aliens to pursue relief from removal but when they exhaust all legal avenues to do so, ICE must carry out the judge’s removal order.

Statement from ICE

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European theater chain buying Emagine Entertainment, including 9 Michigan locations

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European theater chain buying Emagine Entertainment, including 9 Michigan locations


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  • A European theater chain, Kinepolis Group, is acquiring the Troy-based Emagine Entertainment.
  • The deal is valued at $105 million and is expected to be finalized by the end of the year.

A European theater chain is buying Troy-based Emagine Entertainment.

Kinepolis Group, a Belgian company, announced on Tuesday, Nov. 4, that it plans to acquire 14 Emagine theaters in Michigan, Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin and finalize the $105 million deal by the end of the year.

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The deal is for 100% of Emagine’s business, according to a news release, and the theaters will continue to operated under the Emagine brand name.

Crain’s Detroit reported that Glantz and his family own about 36% of Emagine.

Not all of the 28 theater locations listed on Emagine’s website are included in the deal, as about half are operated by third parties.

The Kinepolis Group previously acquired the MJR Digital Cinemas chain in 2019 and continued to operate those theaters under the MJR brand.

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“Kinepolis has a reputation for operating exceptionally well-run cinemas both in Europe and in North America,” Glantz said in the news release. “Their commitment to providing guests with an unforgettable movie experience makes them the ideal suitor to continue the stewardship of Emagine into the future.”

Glantz was not available for additional comment Tuesday morning.

“With the acquisition of Emagine Entertainment, we are back on track with the execution of our expansion strategy since the pandemic,” Eddy Duquenne, CEO of Kinepolis Group, said in a statement. “We do this with a high-quality asset in a market where we have had positive experiences with our Kinepolis concepts. The location and size of the cinemas make them a valuable addition to the Group’s portfolio, allowing us to expand our presence in the US market and strengthen our national structure.”

The news release says Emagine’s theaters have about 6 million visitors a year and do nearly $129 million in revenue.

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Michigan theaters not included in the deal are The Riviera Cinema in Farmington Hills and Emagine Woodhaven, which operate under the Emagine brand but are managed by third parties through a brand licensing agreement, the news release says.

The theaters that are in the deal are:

Michigan

  • Emagine Canton
  • Emagine Royal Oak
  • Emagine Hartland
  • Emagine Birch Run
  • Emagine Saline
  • Emagine Novi
  • Emagine Macomb
  • Emagine Rochester Hills
  • Quality 10 Powered by Emagine (Saginaw)

Illinois:

  • Emagine Frankfort
  • Emagine Batavia

Indiana:

  • Emagine Noblesville
  • Emagine Portage

Wisconsin:

Check back to Freep.com for more on this developing story.



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