By: Tyler Gieseke

Mandy Bradley needed a heart transplant as soon as possible.

Last summer, an ambulance rushed the 25-year-old to the University of Minnesota Medical Center, Fairview, where she waited for a donor. If she didn’t get one within two weeks, she would

likely die.

But on her 13th day on the waiting list, she was matched with the heart she needed — a feat that normally takes close

to two years.

“I was very fortunate,” she said.

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By: Alexi Gusso

Mayor R.T. Rybak, known for crowd surfing at First Avenue, wearing mismatched socks and visiting local breweries, isn’t seeking a fourth term, and his successors aren’t striving to mirror his persona.

Some mayoral candidates think their policies alone should set them apart, and they generally agreed they don’t feel pressured to follow in Rybak’s eccentric footsteps.

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By: Valerie Skinner, University student

Last weekend, while biking through the Southeast Como neighborhood, I was involved in a hit-and-run collision with a Comcast service van. As I was riding in the bike lane alongside the van, we reached an intersection and the van turned to the right, hitting me and my bicycle. Having a heavy vehicle hit your approximately 25-pound bicycle is a terrifying experience. Even more upsetting was the fact that the driver didn’t stop afterward. Thankfully, I was not injured and my bicycle was damaged, but still useable.

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By: Kyle Stowe

University of Minnesota police and student government are cracking down on cyclists this fall.

Police officers began issuing $98 fines last week to those riding on sidewalks or other places where biking is banned. The Minnesota Student Association is also working on a way to put time limits on bike parking.

University police received a record number complaints from pedestrians this fall, saying cyclists weren’t walking their bikes in highly congested areas.

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By: Katelyn Faulks

The government shutdown could have been detrimental to University of Minnesota researchers, but for now it’s only a speed bump.

University departments survived the 16-day shutdown mostly unharmed, but furloughed federal workers and a lack of federal funding has slowed research. It’s possible there could be another shutdown next year, and researchers said they’re still unsure of how the effects of this one will trickle down.

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By: Tyler Gieseke

Half a century ago, physicians at the University of Minnesota performed the institution’s first successful organ transplant, transferring a kidney between twins.

Now, University employees save lives through organ transplants on a regular basis.

To celebrate the 50-year anniversary and raise money and awareness for its programs, the University hosted a gala Friday and an education conference for patients Saturday.

The gala featured a dinner and silent auction. Ticket prices started at $200.

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By: Nate Gotlieb

EVANSTON, Ill. — Sophomore quarterback Philip Nelson hadn’t played meaningful minutes since the Gophers’ loss to Iowa on Sept. 28.

But he stepped right in Saturday and led Minnesota on a game-tying touchdown in the second quarter.

His presence catalyzed the Gophers’ offense against Northwestern on Saturday as Minnesota won its first Big Ten game since last November.

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By: Jake Stark

Though the Gophers men’s golf team posted its best score of the season, it could not compete with the top teams at the Alister MacKenzie Invitational on Monday and Tuesday.

Minnesota finished ninth out of 16 teams at the tournament held at Sonoma Golf Course in Sonoma, Calif.

“Ninth place is not necessarily indicative of how we played,” said head coach John Carlson.

He pointed out that most of his team shot under or near par, but calm winds and good course conditions led to low scores for most teams.

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By: Jace Frederick

In her first year, Gophers sophomore forward Taylor Stainbrook has demonstrated the ability to adapt.

And she’s needed it.

The transfer from North Dakota State has been forced to adjust to a new team and a foreign position, all while tackling Big Ten competition for the first time.

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By: Jack Satzinger

In August, Jerry Kill was the head coach of the Gophers and Philip Nelson was the starting quarterback.

Now, after two game-day seizures for Kill, a hamstring injury for Nelson and impressive starts for redshirt freshman quarterback Mitch Leidner, all of that has changed.

The University announced Thursday that Kill will take indefinite time away from the program to focus on his epilepsy treatment. In turn, defensive coordinator Tracy Claeys will serve as Minnesota’s acting head coach for the foreseeable future.

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