LCS Weekly Blog 1/26

Quote of the Week:

“The proper function of man is to live, not to exist. I shall not waste my days in trying to prolong them. I shall use my time.” –Jack London

Fun Fact of the Week:

During flight on an airplane, you can lose up to 30% of your taste buds’ sensitivity due to the dryness and low pressure at high elevation. Perhaps this explains why “airplane” food receives such a bad reputation.

News Update:

While our update typically revolves around news at the college level, this week we are reporting on an incident that took place at a middle school. The rumor? That a school district in Michigan placed litter boxes in unisex bathrooms for students who identify as furries.

The issue was brought to light at a school board meeting on December 20th, and was subsequently shared on Facebook. Michigan Republican Party Co-Chair Meshawn Maddock stated, “Parent heroes will TAKE BACK our schools”, bringing greater attention to the issue.

But Midland Public Schools superintendent Michael Sharrow immediately debunked the claim, likewise taking to Facebook to reply.

"It is such a source of disappointment that I felt the necessity to communicate this message to you," Sharrow said. "In this divisive/contentious world in which we currently find ourselves, I ask that if you hear wild accusations that don’t sound like something in which your Midland Public Schools Board of Education, Administration, District would be part… Let me be clear in this communication. There is no truth whatsoever to this false statement/accusation! There have never been litter boxes within MPS schools."

For those of you who do not know, Merriam-Webster defines furries as: people “who have a keen interest in, or even dress up as, anthropomorphic animal characters, like those often seen in comics, games, and cartoons."

USA Today contributed to this article.

Sports Update:

For the first time in team history, Auburn Men’s Basketball is ranked number one. The Tigers moved past Gonzaga to go from two to one, claiming the top spot in week 12 of the poll.

The Tigers are 18-1 and are currently on a 15-game winning streak, with their latest victory coming against Kentucky, 80-71. Several times in the past Auburn has been ranked number two (in 1959, 1989 and 1999), but they have never achieved that top spot until now.

“I think for us, it’s the sum of our parts,” said coach Bruce Pearl. “If we’re playing nine guys on a regular basis, or sometimes ten, you’ve got to account for all of them. And I thought [against Kentucky] we got really great contributions, you know from everybody.”

ESPN contributed to this article.