With the transfer portal set to open on Monday, Jacari White is a tall, lanky guard from North Dakota State who’s made himself available and claims to already have heard from 20 schools, including the University of Washington.

Whether it’s a personal choice or something involuntary, the 6-foot-3 White plays with a bald head, giving off a certain Slick Watts vibe.

While his appearance alone might make him a perfect player for Seattle, Danny Sprinkle’s Husky coaching staff has to determine right away whether White — hair or no hair — can handle the decided step up in competition to the Big Ten.

It clearly was a problem this past winter for multiple players coming to Montlake from basketball outposts such as Rhode Island, Butler, Portland and even North Dakota, and finding the new conference a collective shock to their system, sending the UW to a last-place finish (13-18 overall, 4-16 Big Ten).

That said, White’s list of pursuers who find him an intriguing player include Alabama, Boston College, BYU, Georgia Tech, Florida State, Illinois, LSU, Ole Miss, Seton Hall, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas A&M and USC. He has one season of eligibility remaining.

This past season, White was a 17.1 scorer for a 21-11 North Dakota State team, finishing with a dozen outings of 20 points or more, including three of 30 or more. He shot 45.2 percent from the floor, 39.8 percent from 3-point range.

He came to North Dakota State from his hometown of Orlando, Florida, where he first played a season of junior-college basketball.

In three seasons with the Bison in Fargo, North Dakota, he appeared in 94 games and started 61, steadily increasing his production each year. He was a second-team All-Summit League selection.

Interestingly enough, game photos of White from 2022 show him playing with a full head of hair. However, there’s no ready online explanation for his baldness.

To get the latest UW football and basketball news, go to si.com/college/washington

Cuts to Medicaid would have serious consequences for North Dakotans, threatening access to health care and services. This would place additional burdens on families, healthcare providers, and the economy. Currently in ND, the federal government pays 51% of the cost of traditional Medicaid and 90% of the cost of Medicaid Expansion. Therefore, changes in Medicaid could result in fewer services and fewer caregivers.

Medicaid is not just a safety net — it is a pillar of North Dakota’s healthcare system. Beyond providing direct health coverage, Medicaid plays a critical role in supporting hospitals, schools, workforce development, and the financial stability of families.

• 74% of seniors and adults with disabilities are eligible for Medicaid health coverage.

• Medicaid helps sustain North Dakota’s hospital systems and rural health clinics.

• Medicaid provides critical funding for health services in North Dakota schools, covering essential care such as speech.

We strongly urge Congress to reject any proposals that would weaken Medicaid and instead advocate for measures that strengthen this essential program. Cutting Medicaid would not only hurt North Dakota’s most vulnerable residents but would also destabilize our health care system and economy. Our goal through advocacy is to protect Medicaid and consider investing in the value of Medicaid by collaborating with providers to provide high quality care, focus on service delivery strategies that improve outcomes and prioritize reimbursement for higher value services.

The time is now to call and write our congressional representatives. The Capitol switchboard line is (202) 224-3121. Ask for the North Dakota representatives and let them know how Medicaid has helped you or your loved one.

This letter is on behalf of the North Dakota Disabilities Advocacy Consortium Board of Directors.

BISMARCK — North Dakota Gov. Kelly Armstrong issued his first veto since assuming office Friday, citing concerns over the constitutionality of Senate Bill 2261.

The legislation sought to establish a prison industries workforce development tax credit — a non-refundable tax credit equal to 10% of the cost of purchased components of final manufactured products or labor from prison industries.

In his statement on the veto, Armstrong said the credit would have potentially created an incentive to purchase components from Rough Rider Industries – a self-sustaining state agency at the State Penitentiary which qualifies as a prison industry providing final manufactured products.

He said the bill creates an “uneven playing field” by giving Rough Rider Industries an unfair competitive advantage over out-of-state manufacturers. That would potentially violate the Dormant Commerce Clause of the U.S. Constitution, which prohibits states from enacting laws that discriminate against or unduly burden interstate commerce.

“Tax credits, when given to micro-segments of the economy, decrease state revenue and further saddle those still paying taxes with a higher percentage of the tax burden,” Armstrong said in his statement. “Any tax policy that creates this type of carve-out must be tied to a significant outcome that benefits the state’s economic interests. This bill does not do that. Combined with the aforementioned legal concerns, the juice in this case is quite simply not worth the squeeze.”

The bill passed the Senate in a 43-3 vote and passed the House of Representatives on a 56-33 vote.

To override the veto, both chambers of the Legislature vote and both need to reach a two-thirds majority in favor of the override. A two-thirds majority is 63 votes for the House and 32 votes for the Senate.