Washington
Washington Army Guard Soldiers Participate in Norwegian Foot March
ELLENSBURG, Wash. – It’s 8 p.m. at the John Wayne Trailhead near the Ellensburg Rodeo Grounds. After a three-hour drive through traffic, Lt. Col. Rob Goertzen, commander of the 341st Military Intelligence Battalion, arrives just in time to join his troops at the starting line of an 18.6-mile nighttime ruck march.
“We had a highly motivated team who wanted to attempt the Norwegian Foot March in the middle of a three-day drill full of ranges and weapon qualifications,” Goertzen said.
Soldiers from the 341st joined fellow Washington National Guard members and ROTC cadets for the fifth annual Central Washington University Army ROTC Norwegian Foot March—a challenging test of endurance under rugged conditions.
“We departed JBLM [Joint Base Lewis-McChord] for Ellensburg Friday after drill and checked in just prior to the start. Cadet Jada Hurst broke the women’s record completing 18.6 miles in 4 hours and 6 minutes finishing a little after midnight,” Goertzen said. “The entire team completed the full distance safely and we got back to JBLM with enough time for a shower and a nap before weapons draw. There were some tired eyes behind those smiles the next two days, but I expect we’ll have an even bigger turnout next year.”
Cavalry scouts from the 1st Squadron, 303rd Cavalry Regiment also participated, traveling north from their pre-deployment training at Yakima Training Center. For them, the once-a-year opportunity was well worth the effort.
“I am very proud of our troopers who executed the Norwegian Foot March, which included our dismounted reconnaissance troop and leaders of our medical section,” said LTC Eric Seeb, squadron commander, 1st Squadron, 303rd Cavalry Regiment. “All troopers showed the mental and physical toughness required to fight and win on today’s battlefield by pushing themselves physically while continuing to support the squadron training for mobilization to the African Command later this year.”
Maj. Brendan Thompson with the 1-303rd Cav. was the first-place finisher during the event. Thompson is part of both the Washington National Guard marathon and biathlon team.
The Norwegian Foot March, sanctioned by CWU Army ROTC, attracted participants from across the state and beyond, including CWU Air Force ROTC cadets and members of organizations from Washington and Oregon.
Among them were Soldiers from the Washington Army National Guard’s Medical Command who recently completed the grueling 26.2-mile Bataan Memorial Death March in New Mexico.
“I signed up at the last minute, but I participated in the Bataan this year so I felt relatively prepared. What’s funny is that these 18.6 miles felt harder than 26.2, as rucking in the dark is a whole different experience. Not to mention the high winds, and gravel 100 percent of the way. Next time, I will certainly remember to bring a head lamp,” said Sgt. Madison Ivey, medical command. “The morale was high, and it was truly inspiring to see such a strong turnout from the Washington Army National Guard. Whether or not participants met the time hack, what truly mattered was their willingness to show up and push themselves beyond what they think they’re capable of. At the end of the day, that’s all we should be aiming for. This ruck was inspiring and had myself and my teammates ready to find ‘what’s next’ on the challenge bucket list.”
To earn the official Norwegian Foot March badge—known as the Marsjmerket—participants must complete the course within four hours and 40 minutes while carrying a 25-pound rucksack. The badge, which originated in 1915 as a test of strength and endurance, is awarded in bronze, silver or gold based on the number of completions and may be worn on the U.S. Army service uniform when earned through an authorized event.
“This was my fourth Norwegian Foot March and I’m going to go again next year for number five and the gold badge,” said Maj. Tom Haydock, strategy and plans officer, Washington Army National Guard. “This event seems easy since the ruck is just 24 lbs and there’s no weapon or other gear. But when you get to about mile 14 and still have 4.6 more to go, and your legs hurt from stumbling over rocks because the ruck happens at night, you realize there’s a big difference between the standard Army 12-miler and this event.”
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Washington
Iran warns Washington it will retaliate against any attack
DUBAI, Jan 11 (Reuters) – Iran warned President Donald Trump on Sunday that any U.S. attack would lead to Tehran striking back against Israel and regional U.S. military bases as “legitimate targets”, Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf told parliament.
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Washington
Washington National Opera cuts ties with the Kennedy Center after longstanding partnership | CNN Politics
The Washington National Opera on Friday announced it is parting ways with the Kennedy Center after more than a decade with the arts institution.
“Today, the Washington National Opera announced its decision to seek an amicable early termination of its affiliation agreement with the Kennedy Center and resume operations as a fully independent nonprofit entity,” the opera said in a statement.
The decoupling marks another high-profile withdrawal since President Donald Trump and his newly installed board of trustees instituted broad thematic and cosmetic changes to the building, including renaming the facility “The Donald J. Trump and The John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts.”
The opera said it plans to “reduce its spring season and relocate performances to new venues.”
A source familiar with the dynamic told CNN the decision to part ways was made by the opera’s board and its leadership, and that the decision was not mutual.
A spokesperson for the Kennedy Center said in a statement, “After careful consideration, we have made the difficult decision to part ways with the WNO due to a financially challenging relationship. We believe this represents the best path forward for both organizations and enables us to make responsible choices that support the financial stability and long-term future of the Trump Kennedy Center.”
Kennedy Center president Richard Grenell, who was appointed by Trump’s hand-picked board, said on X, “Having an exclusive relationship has been extremely expensive and limiting in choice and variety.”
Grenell added, “Having an exclusive Opera was just not financially smart. And our patrons clearly wanted a refresh.”
Since taking the reins at the center, Grenell has cut existing staff, hired political allies and mandated a “break-even policy” for every performance.
The opera said the new policy was a factor in its decision to leave the center.
“The Center’s new business model requires productions to be fully funded in advance—a requirement incompatible with opera operations,” the opera said.
Francesca Zambello, the opera’s artistic director, said she is “deeply saddened to leave The Kennedy Center.”
“In the coming years, as we explore new venues and new ways of performing, WNO remains committed to its mission and artistic vision,” she said.
The New York Times first reported the opera’s departure.
Founded in 1956 as the “Opera Society of Washington,” the group has performed across the district, taking permanent residency in the Kennedy Center in 2011.
The performing arts center has been hit with a string of abrupt cancellations from artists in recent weeks including the jazz group The Cookers and New York City-based dance company Doug Varone and Dancers who canceled their performances after Trump’s name was added to the center – a living memorial for assassinated President John F. Kennedy.
The American College Theater Festival voted to suspend its relationship with the Kennedy Center, calling the affiliation “no longer viable” and citing concerns over a misalignment of the group’s values.
American banjo player Béla Fleck withdrew his upcoming performance with the National Symphony Orchestra, saying that performing at the center has become “charged and political.”
The Brentano String Quartet, who canceled their February 1 performance at the Kennedy Center, said they will “regretfully forego performing there.”
CNN has reached out to the Kennedy Center on the additional cancellations.
The opera said, “The Board and management of the company wish the Center well in its own future endeavors.”
CNN’s Betsy Klein and Nicky Robertson contributed to this report.
Washington
Andre Washington’s 20 points help Eastern Illinois take down Tennessee Tech 71-61
CHARLESTON, Ill. (AP) — Andre Washington had 20 points in Eastern Illinois’ 71-61 victory over Tennessee Tech on Thursday.
Washington shot 8 for 13, including 4 for 6 from beyond the arc for the Panthers (5-10, 2-3 Ohio Valley Conference). Meechie White added 13 points and four steals. Kooper Jacobi finished with 11 points and added seven rebounds.
The Golden Eagles (6-10, 1-4) were led in scoring by Jah’Kim Payne, who finished with 11 points. Tennessee Tech also got 10 points from Mekhi Turner.
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
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