Husker News: A Nebraska chalk mine, Olympic basketball teams struggle, and an orange lobster

Happy Monday!

This week’s “Jill didn’t know this about Nebraska” article takes us to the Sandhills, specifically Scotia, and to a defunct chalk mine.

I have been through this area multiple times, but have not noticed the mine or the signs along the highway. You can bet I will stop the next time I am there and the mine is open.

Have any of you visited the Happy Jack chalk mine? What did you think?

Chalk Mine Is An Underrated Gem In Nebraska – Oh My! Omaha
The Happy Jack Chalk Mine has a lot to offer – geology, history and more.

Corn Flakes

Nebraska Football: Four Players Who Are Expected To Break Out On Huskers’ Death Row Defensive Line
Every position groups needs a great nickname and Nebraska’s defensive line is happy to oblige.

Huskers to host 2026 defensive back next weekend – Yahoo Sports
JJ Dunnigan is a 6-foot-2 defensive back from Manhattan High School in Manhattan, KS.

Nebraska Huskers Football: The Case for Heinrich Haarberg
The Cornhuskers might call on their future star quarterback, but could last year’s starter be who the Big Red needs to start the season?

Weekend Five: 5 Huskers maybe not talked about enough
Maybe these Huskers don’t get talked about as much as others but they will matter.

Sports!

The Case for Widening the MLB Foul Lines – The Ringer
And the forgotten history of an obscure proposal that might finally be ready for its call-up

Both U.S. Olympic basketball teams were in the news this weekend – and not for a good reason…

The wake-up call for the US men’s basketball team arrives with the Paris Olympics a few days away | AP News
South Sudan is the 33rd-ranked team in the FIBA world rankings, by far the lowest of any of the 12 nations that will be vying for men’s basketball gold in the Paris Olympics that start this week.

US women’s Olympic basketball knows it has work to do after loss to WNBA team | AP News
There is no panic in the U.S. women’s Olympic team. The Americans have been in this spot before. The U.S. lost to the WNBA All-Star team on Saturday night and are headed on a flight to London to continue their prep for the Paris Olympics.

Xander Schauffele, after starting the year without a single major, is suddenly dominating on golf’s biggest stages – Yahoo Sports
Xander Schauffele now has a legitimate claim for Player of the Year honors after his incredible run through the majors in 2024.

Shohei Ohtani nearly hits home run out of Dodger Stadium vs. Red Sox
Shohei Ohtani came extremely close to hitting a ball completely out of Dodger Stadium, crushing a 473-foot home run against the Boston Red Sox.

LeBron James to bear Team USA flag at Paris Olympics ceremony – ESPN
LeBron James has been selected to be the Team USA flag-bearer at the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics on Friday, the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee announced Monday.

Then There’s This

Scientists set up webcam in Colorado rattlesnake ‘mega den’ with up to 2,000 reptiles | Wildlife | The Guardian
Researchers say rattlesnakes have an undeservedly maligned reputation but are social creatures who make good mothers

Meet Crush, the rare orange lobster diverted from dinner plate to aquarium by Denver Broncos fans
The Downtown Aquarium in Denver has a new resident — a rare orange lobster that was rescued from a shipment of crustaceans delivered to a Red Lobster restaurant in Pueblo, Colorado.

Trader Joe’s ‘Everything But The Bagel’ faces crackdown in South Korean airports
Don’t try to take ‘Everything But The Bagel’ seasoning if you are headed to Seoul.