Latest news with #UniversityOfWisconsin
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Britta Curl-Salemme's social media activity drew ire. PWHL fans won't let her forget it
As the Professional Women's Hockey League Finals unfold, Britta Curl-Salemme, a 25-year-old league newcomer from Bismarck, N.D., has emerged as one of the stars of the playoffs. Through two games, the Minnesota Frost forward has two goals, the most of any player in the Finals. Her game-tying and then overtime-winning goals on Thursday against the Ottawa Charge helped tie the series 1-1 heading into Saturday's Game 3 at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minn. Advertisement But Curl-Salemme has also been met with a chorus of boos every time she's touched the puck in the best-of-five series, which began in Ottawa on Tuesday. It's fair to wonder: Is she the new league's first-ever 'villain'? 'I'm sure people think that. I try not to get too involved with the outside noise or perspectives. I don't think that's helpful to me,' Curl-Salemme said on Friday. 'If that's the way it shakes out and I'm doing my job and I'm doing what I'm proud of, and the things I'm supposed to be doing, then that may be it. But I'm not too worried about it.' Why, exactly, has Curl-Salemme been so polarizing? Advertisement After a successful college career, where she won three NCAA championships with the University of Wisconsin, Curl-Salemme was widely viewed as one of the top prospects in the PWHL's 2024 draft class. But her social media activity stirred controversy in the weeks leading up to the draft. Her 'likes' on X included posts that many viewed to be transphobic — including one post that called Target a 'perverted company' for selling LGBTQ+ merchandise — and politically polarizing. Curl-Salemme was booed the night of the draft by Minnesota's home crowd at Roy Wilkins Auditorium. Her selection drew criticism from fans across the PWHL, a league that has welcomed LGBTQ+ fans. 'I can't really speak to the reasons behind it,' Curl-Salemme said when asked about why she's been met with such animosity throughout her rookie campaign. Advertisement Curl-Salemme wasn't made available to the media after Game 1 or 2 in Ottawa, despite multiple requests. Her comments on Friday in a Zoom media call were among Curl-Salemme's first on fans' reaction to her since posting her apology for the 'hurt' caused by her social media activity nearly a year ago. 'I specifically recognize that my social media activity has resulted in hurt being felt across communities, including LGBTQ+ and BIPOC individuals, and I just want to apologize and take ownership of that,' she said in her statement at the time. 'I do not and I've never held hate or judgment towards any groups or individuals.' Despite the apology, the booing has continued in some road cities in the regular season and into the playoffs in Ottawa. Curl-Salemme's mix of skill and physicality has made her an important part of Minnesota's top-six as it tries to win a second straight PWHL championship. But she's also been criticized throughout the season for crossing the line — something that hasn't earned her many new fans outside of the Twin Cities. Advertisement She has also been suspended three times in her rookie season, including for an illegal hit to the head against Toronto defender Renata Fast in the semifinals. On Tuesday, in Game 1 of the Finals, she collided knee-on-knee with Ottawa forward Kateřina Mrázová, which Ottawa head coach Carla MacLeod called a dangerous play. There was no penalty called, or any disciplinary action from the league. That only drew more ire from fans in Canada's capital. 'I'm sure it's annoying as hell being an opponent or being an opposing fan (with) the style that I play and, you know, I kind of try to embrace that obviously to a certain point,' Curl-Salemme said. 'I want to be a nuisance. I want to make it hard to play against me. So yeah, I'm sure that's part of it. But that's not why I do it either.' She added that finding the line between physicality and a bad hit has been a work in progress. 'I think I was excited just to play in a league that allows more physicality because I think it suits me,' she said. '(But) you've got to be able to find that line of, how do I stay in control and do it in a way that's not going to hurt my team or an opponent. Advertisement 'I'm never going out on the ice trying to hurt somebody or do something stupid. That's obviously never the intention, but I think it's just going to take a little bit of maturity in my game and just figuring out how to play that way.' Despite the criticism and the boos, Curl-Salemme's teammates have stood behind her and said they are 'lucky' to have her in the locker room. On Thursday night, she was given the team's player-of-the-game belt to a rousing cheer. Frost coach Ken Klee credited Curl-Salemme for her ability to remain calm and deliver in 'hostile environments.' Curl-Salemme said the crowd reaction doesn't change the way she plays, nor does it give her any extra satisfaction when she comes through in a tough road environment like in Ottawa. Advertisement 'Personally, I'd rather play in front of a full crowd that's booing me than an empty one,' she said. 'That type of passion is really cool to see. I can't control how they may feel towards me. 'I think they enjoy that passion and putting it towards something. So it's fun to go there. It's fun to get a win too.' This article originally appeared in The Athletic. Minnesota Wild, NHL, Women's Hockey 2025 The Athletic Media Company
New York Times
24-05-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Britta Curl-Salemme's social media activity drew ire. PWHL fans won't let her forget it
As the Professional Women's Hockey League Finals unfold, Britta Curl-Salemme, a 25-year-old league newcomer from Bismarck, N.D., has emerged as one of the stars of the playoffs. Through two games, the Minnesota Frost forward has two goals, the most of any player in the Finals. Her game-tying and then overtime-winning goals on Thursday against the Ottawa Charge helped tie the series 1-1 heading into Saturday's Game 3 at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minn. Advertisement But Curl-Salemme has also been met with a chorus of boos every time she's touched the puck in the best-of-five series, which began in Ottawa on Tuesday. It's fair to wonder: Is she the new league's first-ever 'villain'? 'I'm sure people think that. I try not to get too involved with the outside noise or perspectives. I don't think that's helpful to me,' Curl-Salemme said on Friday. 'If that's the way it shakes out and I'm doing my job and I'm doing what I'm proud of, and the things I'm supposed to be doing, then that may be it. But I'm not too worried about it.' Why, exactly, has Curl-Salemme been so polarizing? After a successful college career, where she won three NCAA championships with the University of Wisconsin, Curl-Salemme was widely viewed as one of the top prospects in the PWHL's 2024 draft class. But her social media activity stirred controversy in the weeks leading up to the draft. Her 'likes' on X included posts that many viewed to be transphobic — including one post that called Target a 'perverted company' for selling LGBTQ+ merchandise — and politically polarizing. Curl-Salemme was booed the night of the draft by Minnesota's home crowd at Roy Wilkins Auditorium. Her selection drew criticism from fans across the PWHL, a league that has welcomed LGBTQ+ fans. Women's hockey was my safe space as a trans person. Super disappointing to see someone enter the league that would make my community feel anything but welcome. Trans people belong in sports. Trans women are women. — Harrison Browne (@Hbrowne24) June 11, 2024 'I can't really speak to the reasons behind it,' Curl-Salemme said when asked about why she's been met with such animosity throughout her rookie campaign. Curl-Salemme wasn't made available to the media after Game 1 or 2 in Ottawa, despite multiple requests. Her comments on Friday in a Zoom media call were among Curl-Salemme's first on fans' reaction to her since posting her apology for the 'hurt' caused by her social media activity nearly a year ago. Advertisement 'I specifically recognize that my social media activity has resulted in hurt being felt across communities, including LGBTQ+ and BIPOC individuals, and I just want to apologize and take ownership of that,' she said in her statement at the time. 'I do not and I've never held hate or judgment towards any groups or individuals.' Despite the apology, the booing has continued in some road cities in the regular season and into the playoffs in Ottawa. Curl-Salemme's mix of skill and physicality has made her an important part of Minnesota's top-six as it tries to win a second straight PWHL championship. But she's also been criticized throughout the season for crossing the line — something that hasn't earned her many new fans outside of the Twin Cities. She has also been suspended three times in her rookie season, including for an illegal hit to the head against Toronto defender Renata Fast in the semifinals. On Tuesday, in Game 1 of the Finals, she collided knee-on-knee with Ottawa forward Kateřina Mrázová, which Ottawa head coach Carla MacLeod called a dangerous play. There was no penalty called, or any disciplinary action from the league. That only drew more ire from fans in Canada's capital. 'I'm sure it's annoying as hell being an opponent or being an opposing fan (with) the style that I play and, you know, I kind of try to embrace that obviously to a certain point,' Curl-Salemme said. 'I want to be a nuisance. I want to make it hard to play against me. So yeah, I'm sure that's part of it. But that's not why I do it either.' She added that finding the line between physicality and a bad hit has been a work in progress. 'I think I was excited just to play in a league that allows more physicality because I think it suits me,' she said. '(But) you've got to be able to find that line of, how do I stay in control and do it in a way that's not going to hurt my team or an opponent. Advertisement 'I'm never going out on the ice trying to hurt somebody or do something stupid. That's obviously never the intention, but I think it's just going to take a little bit of maturity in my game and just figuring out how to play that way.' Despite the criticism and the boos, Curl-Salemme's teammates have stood behind her and said they are 'lucky' to have her in the locker room. On Thursday night, she was given the team's player-of-the-game belt to a rousing cheer. Minnesota Frost versus the world 😎 — x – Minnesota Frost (@PWHL_Minnesota) May 23, 2025 Frost coach Ken Klee credited Curl-Salemme for her ability to remain calm and deliver in 'hostile environments.' Curl-Salemme said the crowd reaction doesn't change the way she plays, nor does it give her any extra satisfaction when she comes through in a tough road environment like in Ottawa. 'Personally, I'd rather play in front of a full crowd that's booing me than an empty one,' she said. 'That type of passion is really cool to see. I can't control how they may feel towards me. 'I think they enjoy that passion and putting it towards something. So it's fun to go there. It's fun to get a win too.'
Fox News
22-05-2025
- Fox News
Two students dead in suspected murder-suicide at University of Wisconsin-Platteville
This story discusses suicide. If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, please contact the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-TALK (8255). Two female students have died in a suspected murder-suicide at a residence hall at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville. A spokesperson with the university confirmed with Fox News Digital that Kelsie Martin and Hallie Helms, both 22, were found with gunshot wounds at Wilgus Hall, a student residence hall, in what authorities believe to be a murder-suicide at approximately 4 p.m. local time on Monday, May 19. Helms, an elementary education major, was pronounced dead at the scene. Martin, a psychology major and assistant resident director, was transported to Southwest Health, and then flown to UW Hospital, where she later died. A preliminary autopsy found that Martin was determined to have died by gunshot wound, and Helms died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, the school said, noting that "all indications at this time from the preliminary autopsy suggest a murder-suicide." The university's police arrived at the scene following a call for a "disturbance." Photos following the incident captured college students being escorted out of the residence halls as police investigated the incident. The school said that "no other subjects are suspected to have been involved in the incident." The university canceled final exams for the remainder of the week. Counseling is being offered to the campus community, and a toll-free emotional support line is available at (844)602-6680 or (720)272-0004. Helms graduated magna cum laude with a degree in elementary education, and Martin graduated summa cum laude with a degree in psychology on Saturday, May 17, according to the university's graduation program. Helms was from Baraboo, Wisconsin, and transferred to UW-Plateville in the spring of 2023 after attending UW-Baraboo. Martin was from Beloit, Wisconsin, and had served as an assistant resident director on campus for the past three years, according to a "Student Staff Spotlight" posted by the university residence life office on Facebook. The university said in a Facebook message on Tuesday, "Thank you to all who have reached out to us through messages and offered to support in so many meaningful ways. We are overwhelmed by your kindness." "We are a close community, and this outpouring of care is a powerful reminder of who we are. We do not take it for granted. #PioneerStrong," they added. Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers wrote on Facebook, "I've been briefed on the situation at UW-Platteville, and we will continue to remain in close contact with university officials. As we await more information, please keep UW-Platteville students, faculty, staff, and the greater Platteville community in your thoughts." The UW-Platteville Police Department declined to comment on the incident, referring Fox News Digital to the university's statement.
The Independent
17-05-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Easily distracted? How to improve your attention span
Feel like you can't focus? Like you'll never finish a book again? Like the only way to keep your mind and hands busy is to scroll on social media for hours? You're far from alone. One body of decades-long research found the average person's attention span for a single screen is 47 seconds, down from 2.5 minutes in 2004. The 24/7 news cycle, uncertainty about the state of the world and countless hours of screen time don't help, experts say. 'When my patients talk to me about this stuff there is often a feeling of helplessness or powerlessness,' said Dr. Michael Ziffra, a psychiatrist at Northwestern Medicine. 'But you can change these behaviors. You can improve your attention span.' Here are ways to start that process. As you read, challenge yourself to set a 2.5 minute timer and stay on this article without looking at another device or clicking away. How did we lose focus? A shifting attention is an evolutionary feature, not a bug. Our brains are hardwired to quickly filter information and hone in on potential threats or changes in what's happening around us. What's grabbing our attentions has changed. For our ancestors, it might have been a rustle in the bushes putting us on guard for a lurking tiger. Today, it could be a rash of breaking news alerts and phone notifications. The COVID-19 pandemic warped many people's sense of time and increased their screen usage like never before, said Stacey Nye, a clinical psychologist at the University of Wisconsin- Milwaukee. Technology isn't the only thing that influences our attention, experts say, but the effects of those pinging notifications or hours scrolling through 30-second long videos can build up over time. 'Our attention span has really been trained to only focus in those little, small blips and it interrupts our natural focus cycles,' she said. Give your wandering mind 'active breaks' Experts say 'active' breaks are among the best way to retrain your mind and your attention. They only take about 30 minutes, Nye said, and can be as simple as taking a walk while noticing things around you or moving to another room for lunch. Don't be afraid to get creative. Develop a list of alternative activities or randomly choose ideas out of a fish bowl. Try craft projects, a short meditation, fixing a quick meal or talking a walk outside. All the better if you can involve a friend as well. The break needs to be a physical or mental activity — no passive phone-scrolling. When the brain is understimulated and looking for change, it'll usually grab onto the first thing it sees. The smartphone, an 'ever-producing change machine,' is an enticing option, said Cindy Lustig, a cognitive neuroscientist at the University of Michigan. Turn off unnecessary notifications and put that 'do not disturb' mode to good use, especially before bedtime. Better yet, put your phone in a whole different room, Lustig said. Say no to multitasking Multitasking may make you feel like you're getting more done, but brain experts recommend against it. 'Be a single tasker," Nye said. ' Work on one thing at a time, for a specified period of time and begin to work your way up.' Lustig is a big fan of the 'Pomodoro technique," in which you set a timer and work on something for 25 or 30 minutes before taking a five-minute break. She tells herself: 'I can do anything for this amount of time," and the world will still be waiting for her at the end. Start with something you actually like and set a goal It's not enough to just have a hobby, Lustig said. It helps to choose hobbies that include deliberate practice and a goal to strive toward, whether it's playing guitar for an audience or improving in a sport. It helps to pick something that you enjoy as well. 'You don't want to start with the heavy nonfiction or like 'War and Peace,'' Lustig said. 'If you need to start with the romance novel, then start with the romance novel. You can work your way up.' It's also important to be kind to yourself. Everyone has good and bad days, and attention needs are different — and even vary from task to task. The key is to make an intentional effort, experts say. 'It is in many ways similar to a muscle in the sense that we can build it up with practice and exercises,' Ziffra said. 'Conversely, it can weaken if we're not exercising it.' ___ The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute's Science and Educational Media Group and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
Wall Street Journal
13-05-2025
- General
- Wall Street Journal
I Polluted the Minds of 8,679 College Graduates
I'm not worthy. Readers of this column know I have zero business advising anyone, much less the graduates of my alma mater, the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
