Unfortunate development: I just got assessed a red card at home.

Hlas Out of Bounds: I went to Kinnick Stadium Saturday night to see a national phenomenon that makes people smile. The Savannah Bananas have hit on something we already knew. Girls, and boys, and adults, just wanna have fun. mikehlas.substack.com/p/the-savann...

On this Fourth of July, sing along with America's poet laureate, Lee Greenwood. www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bf3e...

Former Iowa forward Kris Murray is going to Memphis in the trade sending Ja Morant to Portland. www.hoopsrumors.com/2026/06/griz...

Something's weird in Washington.

Things I never thought I would type: look at how they greeted the Algerian team arriving back at the DoubleTree in Lawrence, Kansas

The World Cup is proof that if not for our leaders, the vast majority of the world's people would get along just fine.

Hlas Out of Bounds: Whether it's rock or wrestling, Chris Jericho (@IAmJericho) is a consummate showman, and he's in concert Saturday night in Cedar Rapids. mikehlas.substack.com/p/whether-ro...

And ... Bennett Stirtz is being moved to Oklahoma City. Quite a difference.

Iowa's Bennett Stirtz goes 16th in the NBA draft, to the Memphis Grizzlies.

This, of course, is the 29th anniversary of the night Norm MacDonald mortified the University of Iowa. www.thegazette.com/sports/colle...

I need to get to Washington, dip my pinky in some water.

Obama: Shared values that make democracy possible. A belief that our military and law enforcement owe allegiance not to any president or political party, but to the people and our constitution. A belief in the peaceful transfer of power after the people have spoken in fair and free elections.

DR Congo for the draw!

Hlas Out of Bounds: Imagine the postgame press conferences if a Donald Trump-type were coaching Iowa's football team. I did. mikehlas.substack.com/p/imagine-a-...

Really hope we see some dudes put some of Matthew's bangers like "I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me," or "Truly I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of my brethren you did it to me," and ask Robby to pay up.

The only acceptable use of Claude

CAPE VERDE!!!!! The tiny country's first World Cup game ever, they draw tournament-favorite Spain 0-0. 40-year-old goalie Vozinha made 7 saves.

Maybe 48 World Cup teams aren't too many after all. Cape Verde?

Cote d'Ivorie!

How can you not like this?

Hlas column: it was a happy and united Soccer Night in America Friday. open.substack.com/pub/mikehlas...

Hlas column: On Monday night, Caitlin Clark momentarily silenced all the noise surrounding her by getting open, getting in rhythm, and burying a game-winning bomb. mikehlas.substack.com/p/after-much...

Welcome to FIFA World Cup Iraq's World Cup striker, Aymen Hussein, was held and questioned for nearly seven ​hours at Chicago's O'Hare airport after arriving with the squad ‌early on Saturday, an Iraqi sporting official said.

Elon Musk's compensation last year was $132.3 billion. That’s not just 2.5 million times what the typical Tesla employee made; it’s 153 times the compensation of the second-highest paid chief executive, according to the latest survey conducted for The New York Times by the research firm Equilar.

Scott Pelley: Giant

I wrote a column about tattoos. Subscribe, if you want, with no obligation. mikehlas.substack.com/p/it-took-a-...

Tonight, in the same game: Megan Gustafson, 22 points, 8-8 FG Caitlin Clark, 6 points, 1-7 FG Expansion team Portland 100, Indiana 84

Caitlin Clark won over most of the country with the way she plays. She risks turning people off for the same reason.

ICYMI: The Sept. 12 Iowa State-Iowa football game will start at 6:30 p.m., on NBC. It will be a very long day in Iowa City, but nothing inappropriate or unfortunate will happen.

Hlas column: The College Football Playoff soon will be as inclusive as a Costco free sample station on a Saturday. You’re essentially telling half the Power Four that they’re in as long as they don’t lose to Rutgers. mikehlas.substack.com/p/mores-the-...

Ken Paxton? What a concept.

I know people say things like "I'll never watch CBS again," and then watch something on CBS. The NCAA tournament, the occasional Super Bowl or conference-championship game? ... maybe. The Masters? Don't know. News or prime-time programming? I think not.

It's not the best-case scenario.

Hlas Out of Bounds: Which is more popular in Iowa, pickleball or ripping former Hawkeye men's basketball coaches? mikehlas.substack.com/p/i-know-its...

Game 1 of Spurs/Thunder is entering a 2nd overtime. It has been great.

Rest in peace, Marie.

You don't get this in the Big Ten, my babies.

Well, another year is passing and I have yet to be asked to be a commencement speaker. Which is a huge mistake, because I have the insights to reach today's hippies that few of today's Truman Capotes and Joan Didions can match.

Hlas Out of Bounds: Nowhere is a jobs report as robust in Iowa City as it is in the Hawkeyes' football program. mikehlas.substack.com/p/hawkeye-fo...

Hlas Out of Bounds: None of the news about Ben McCollum's contract extension at Iowa is the least bit surprising, but sometimes the best news is getting suspicions confirmed and seeing the expected become reality. mikehlas.substack.com/p/iowa-ben-m...

I enjoyed this. www.nytimes.com/2026/05/09/o...

Hlas Out of Bounds: The new and not-improved NCAA basketball tournaments come your way next year. Mo Money, Mo Mediocrity. mikehlas.substack.com/p/with-a-big...

Nothing can prepare you for who's singing this National Anthem (via lpaulfranklin / TT)

The results are in. Now it's time for good governing in Valdez, Alaska.

On the same day it was announced that the FBI was investigating journalist Sarah Fitzpatrick after her devastating article on Kash Patel and alcohol…Sarah Fitzpatrick publishes yet another article on Kash Patel and alcohol. GIFT ARTICLE to read/share. www.theatlantic.com/politics/202...

This week's weather forecast for Valdez, Alaska:

I'm at the Met Gala. I got new Skechers for the event. The response has been muted, to say the least.