The breaking news of one of the biggest sports stories of the entire summer interrupted an entertaining storytelling session about beer and how picky people are about their beer.

Aaron Rodgers reportedly plans to sign with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Will he be any good? Will they be any good.

We could ask the same thing about Chase Mason as a first-time starting quarterback for South Dakota State, but Sioux Falls Live sportswriter Matt Zimmer long chat — and long, in-depth Sioux Falls Live story — suggest the former Huskers baseball pitcher is ready to light up the FCS.

Plus, how much will the Twins suffer from Pablo Lopez's injury, what do we make of (and how much do we care about) major college football events like Utah Valley leaving the FCS (domino effect leading to MVFC expansion) and the House Settlement involving revenue sharing?

Plus, our Dead Guy of the Week and a Dead Gal of the Week!

Stu Whitney's high school football team celebrated a big win by gleefully ripping to shreds a newspaper column he wrote claiming they weren't worthy of the playoffs. 

He ended up being right.

The head football coach at Michigan State invited Stu into his office to berate him at the top of his lungs and call him every nasty name you could imagine after he unvieled some unsavory information about the program.

But George Perles didn't deny his reporting. 

The Sioux Falls Stampede coach literally got in his face, point blank, after a game to intimidate him after a column about how that coach should be fired.

And he eventually was. 

Stu Whitney's words — in his own words, at times caustic and controversial — had a uniquely strong and memorable impact on those he wrote about as a sportswriter, at-large columnist, investigative journalist, and author of a fictional memoir called "The Covid Chronicles" that tackled the way leaders in Sioux Falls and South Dakota handled the pandemic.

Now, "SuFu Stu" is embarking on a second novel, this time a non-fiction about World War II aviator and former Washington High, Augustana, USD, and O'Gorman coach Bob Burns. He also has another script in the about South Dakota and its people, one that won't be in book form, a script he had yet to announce...

...until now, in a 90-minute sit-down with Happy Host John Gaskins from Gateway Lounge. Stu looks back on his 35-years in Sioux Falls — a stretch piled full of colorful characters, stories, columns, confrontations, and, ultimately, massive critical acclaim from readers — whether they liked him or not.

Once again, Twins fans and Minnesota sports fans can't have nice things — or at least, any nice thing to last.

That's likely what many thought last night as ace pitcher Pablo Lopez left during the middle of another solid outing with shoulder pain that turned out to be a strained lat muscle that will likely put him on the injured list.

But instead of woe-is-me, Happy Hour host John Gaskins says Twins fans should be feeling rather fortunate these days, at least when you look at other teams swimming in their mid/small market pool, like two of their opponents are the current road trip.

Meanwhile, an FCS school announced it is leaving its conference, which leaves experts to speculate how giant of a domino this will be to fall, potentially leading to expansion in both the Missouri Valley Football Conference and the Summit League.

Plus, a day after Minnesota Vikings icon Jim Marshall died, more epic stories from those who knew him well are pouring out. John lists some of his favorites, in case you missed them.

Since his South Dakota Coyotes' 19-win, high-flying season ended in the Summit League Tournament semifinals, coach Eric Peterson has been working at seemingly the same break-neck pace he expects from his athletes during their up-tempo games.

Spring and early summer no longer lazy and uneventful in the college basketball world, thanks to the revolving door nature of the transfer portal and heaviness of summer-based AAU events where coaches go to find high school prospects.

Peterson hit the transfer trail hard to find three incoming transfers and a couple prep studs he hopes will combine with his returning players like Isaac Bruns to contend for USD's first-ever Summit tourney title and NCAA Tournament berth. He talks extensively about these new additions all about them and what they'll bring in an hour-long conversation with Happy Hour host John Gaskins.

Most interestingly, Peterson describes the process and importance of helping his best players once they decide to leave his team and jump in the portal.

But, there are so many more topics to kick around:

• Why is he closely watching the Pacers in the NBA Finals
• What he likes and dislikes about the NBA 
• The impending "House Settlement" that could lead to revenue sharing
• If he thinks USD should "opt in" to revenue sharing (paying athletes directly)
• New assistant coach Matt Murken is "a steal" for USD
• Challenges and advantages of recruiting athletes to Vermillion

But first — Peterson describes his summer vacation that wasn't and how he (gladly) has his seventh grade daughter to blame for blowing up a trip to Florida.

Before the interview, John takes time to encourage Minnesota Twins fans to actually appreciate what they have, even after the latest Minnesota sports fans "can't have nice things" incident.

Ace pitcher Pablo Lopez left during the middle of another solid outing with shoulder pain that turned out to be a strained lat muscle that will likely put him on the injured list.

But instead of woe-is-me, Happy Hour host John Gaskins says Twins fans should be feeling rather fortunate these days, at least when you look at other teams swimming in their mid/small market pool, like two of their opponents are the current road trip.

Meanwhile, an FCS school announced it is leaving its conference, which leaves experts to speculate how giant of a domino this will be to fall, potentially leading to expansion in both the Missouri Valley Football Conference and the Summit League.

Plus, a day after Minnesota Vikings icon Jim Marshall died, more epic stories from those who knew him well are pouring out. John lists some of his favorites, in case you missed them.

Since his South Dakota Coyotes' 19-win, high-flying season ended in the Summit League Tournament semifinals, coach Eric Peterson has been working at seemingly the same break-neck pace he expects from his athletes during their up-tempo games.

Spring and early summer no longer lazy and uneventful in the college basketball world, thanks to the revolving door nature of the transfer portal and heaviness of summer-based AAU events where coaches go to find high school prospects.

Peterson hit the transfer trail hard to find three incoming transfers and a couple prep studs he hopes will combine with his returning players like Isaac Bruns to contend for USD's first-ever Summit tourney title and NCAA Tournament berth. He talks extensively about these new additions all about them and what they'll bring in an hour-long conversation with Happy Hour host John Gaskins.

Most interestingly, Peterson describes the process and importance of helping his best players once they decide to leave his team and jump in the portal.

But, there are so many more topics to kick around:

• Why is he closely watching the Pacers in the NBA Finals
• What he likes and dislikes about the NBA 
• The impending "House Settlement" that could lead to revenue sharing
• If he thinks USD should "opt in" to revenue sharing (paying athletes directly)
• New assistant coach Matt Murken is "a steal" for USD
• Challenges and advantages of recruiting athletes to Vermillion

But first — Peterson describes his summer vacation that wasn't and how he (gladly) has his seventh grade daughter to blame for blowing up a trip to Florida.

One of the six Minnesota Vikings to ever have his number retired died on Tuesday at age 87.

Jim Marshall was not only captain of Bud Grant's four Super Bowl teams (1968-76) and part of the "Purple People Eaters" defensive line that menaced offenses throughout the team's dominating decade, he is still No. 3 on the all-time NFL list of most consecutive games played.

Through gruesome injuries, he laced it up for 270 straight contests, including the first game the Vikings ever played in 1961, all the way to his last game in 1979. He is on multiple lists of "best players in NFL history not in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

So, what was Marshall, who has mythical status in Vikings lore, like to play with?

Fellow Vikings Ring of Honor member Chuck Foreman — a five-time Pro Bowler and three-time Super Bowler running back himself — has vivid and incredible stories, including the time an ambulance came to the stadium to pick up a gruesomely-injured Marshall before a game.

Foreman pays tribute to Marshall for 16 minutes with Happy Hour host John Gaskins.

A running back 50 years Foreman's junior also joined Tuesday's show.

Some men who possess the same exact name as their father decide to not follow in dad's footsteps and seek different or opposite interests. That is not the case of Charles Pierre, Jr. Like father, like son. Dad was Florida Atlantic's first 1,000-yard rusher, Florida Atlantic, using his immense strength to plow over, or through, defenders.  Pierre, Jr., became the University of South Dakota's first 1,000-yard rusher in the Div. I era last season as the Coyotes reached their first FBS semifinals. It was as if it was what he was born to do, and the junior-to-be walks through his childhood of wanting to be just like pops. But Pierre, Jr., almost gave up football when family tragedy hit his freshman year. His college prospects took a hit when an injury to his "alien leg" ended his junior season after just three games. So how did he plow through the adversity to become a major cog in a national championship contender? How did he get to Vermillion from Orlando in the first place? What was it like splitting time with Travis Theis? What is Aidan Bouman like in the huddle before big plays? Stories flow about the big wins over North Dakota State in both 2023 and '24 and the crushing losses to the Bison in '23 and SDSU and Montana State in '24. Then, Bob Nielson's retirement and Travis Johansen taking the reigns as 2025 began.  The speedster brings us up to speed as USD looks to remain a Top 5 program, even after some other All-Americans left for greener pastures in the FBS during and after spring ball.

One of the six Minnesota Vikings to ever have his number retired died on Tuesday at age 87.

Jim Marshall was not only part of the "Purple People Eaters" defensive line that menaced offenses throughout the team's dominating decade (1968-76) that included four NFC Championships, he is still No. 3 on the all-time NFL list of most consecutive games played.

Through gruesome injuries, he laced it up for 270 straight contests, including the first game the Vikings ever played in 1961, all the way to his last game in 1979. He is on multiple lists of "best players in NFL history not in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

So, what was Marshall like to play with?

Fellow Vikings Ring of Honor member Chuck Foreman — a five-time Pro Bowler and three-time Super Bowler running back himself — has vivid and incredible stories, including the time an ambulance came to the stadium to pick up a gruesomely-injured Marshall before a game.

Foreman pays tribute to Marshall for 16 minutes with Happy Hour host John Gaskins.

Some men who possess the same exact name as their father decide to not follow in dad's footsteps and seek different or opposite interests.

That is not the case of Charles Pierre, Jr. Like father, like son.

Dad was Florida Atlantic's first 1,000-yard rusher, Florida Atlantic, using his immense strength to plow over, or through, defenders. 

Pierre, Jr., became the University of South Dakota's first 1,000-yard rusher in the Div. I era last season as the Coyotes reached their first FBS semifinals. It was as if it was what he was born to do, and the junior-to-be walks through his childhood of wanting to be just like pops.

But Pierre, Jr., almost gave up football when family tragedy hit his freshman year. His college prospects took a hit when an injury to his "alien leg" ended his junior season after just three games.

So how did he plow through the adversity to become a major cog in a national championship contender? How did he get to Vermillion from Orlando in the first place? What was it like splitting time with Travis Theis? What is Aidan Bouman like in the huddle before big plays?

Stories flow about the big wins over North Dakota State in both 2023 and '24 and the crushing losses to the Bison in '23 and SDSU and Montana State in '24. Then, Bob Nielson's retirement and Travis Johansen taking the reigns as 2025 began. 

The speedster brings us up to speed as USD looks to remain a Top 5 program, even after some other All-Americans left for greener pastures in the FBS during and after spring ball.

Blazing Brandon Valley wide receiver Landon Dulaney broke Nathan Garry's 12-year-old record in the 200 meter dash, part of a three gold medal meet. Happy Hour host John Gaskins starts the show by discussing how that speed against Griffin Wilde — a former Jackrabbit who is now in the Big Ten at Northwestern — and how it translates to Dulaney's potential (immediate?) production at SDSU.

Meanwhile, Karl Anthony Towns' performance on Saturday in the Knicks' season-clinching loss to the Pacers — and what New York media and fans are saying about KAT, in general — has Timberwolves fans both shuddering with flashbacks and laughing.

Also, goodbye to "Inside the NBA." Well, not really. But maybe the best version of it, now that ESPN takes the torch from TNT. How could the "mother ship" possibly screw up its brilliance? 

By being ESPN, that's how.

What does "larger than life" sound like? In this case, a lot like it looks.

Lincoln Semchenko is a 6'5, 300 lb. road-grading all-state offensive lineman from Sioux Falls Christian who is joining the "605 Hogs" at South Dakota State. You'll have a hard time believing he is just 18 years old with his wit, wisdom and storytelling.

The son of former North Dakota State and Sioux Falls Storm lineman John Semchenko, Lincoln describes the all-out coaching his father gave him from an early age, his three years (fourth, fifth and sixth grade) in the Brandon Valley School District — and brushes with eventual Lynx stud linemen, like Hudson Parliament — building a state champion at SFC, and why he is gung ho about becoming a Jackrabbit.

What advice does he have for high school athletes who are constantly bombarded with calls and texts from college coaches?

What was his reaction when he found out Jimmy Rogers and his entire staff was leaving for Washington State, and did Rogers try to bring Lincoln with him? 

It is 47 minutes of living large, and if that isn't enough for Jacks fans to be excited about the incoming freshmen, the results of the state track meet over the weekend sure is.

Blazing Brandon Valley wide receiver Landon Dulaney broke Nathan Garry's 12-year-old record in the 200 meter dash, part of a three gold medal meet. Happy Hour host John Gaskins starts the show by discussing how that speed against Griffin Wilde — a former Jackrabbit who is now in the Big Ten at Northwestern — and how it translates to Dulaney's potential (immediate?) production at SDSU.

Meanwhile, Karl Anthony Towns' performance on Saturday in the Knicks' season-clinching loss to the Pacers — and what New York media and fans are saying about KAT, in general — has Timberwolves fans both shuddering with flashbacks and laughing.

Also, goodbye to "Inside the NBA." Well, not really. But maybe the best version of it, now that ESPN takes the torch from TNT. How could the "mother ship" possibly screw up its brilliance? 

By being ESPN, that's how.