Expect "major backups" and "significant delays" the next two weekends on Interstate 5 as it heads north from Olympia through Nisqually. The word came Monday from the Washington State Department of Transportation , which is the cause of the predicted backups and delays at the start of the summer travel season. WSDOT is closing one northbound lane of I-5 through Nisqually as part of a project to repair and replace deteriorating concrete a half mile north of the Nisqually Bridge. The stretch of I-5 through Nisqually is a notorious bottleneck. The nearest alternative route, state Route 507, is miles away and moves through small towns. The northbound lanes are the major route home from Portland and the Washington Coast for thousands of residents from Puget Sound population centers. "Doing this job at night takes time on the road, and we need help from the traveling public to reduce backups in this area," said Chuck Meade, project engineer with WSDOT. RELATED: 12 things we learned from the Reddit AMA with SPD's traffic collision investigator It's WSDOT's most controversial move since closing and detouring traffic off state Route 26, the main west-east highway to Pullman in Eastern Washington. The closure, for replacement of a bridge, coincided with home football games, an ESPN College GameDay broadcast from Pullman, and the holiday season. "Although busy, the number of travelers during the weekends is lower than weekday commutes," WSDOT explained in a statement. "Crews need the entire weekend to remove and replace worn elements of the bridge, including 12 hours without vehicle traffic so the concrete can cure and strengthen. "People traveling through may notice periods of little or no activity in the chosen lanes while this takes place." Motorists are used to seeing nothing going on when they pass in a crawl through the vast, decades-old I-5 construction zone through nearby Tacoma. The construction will be just north of the Billy Frank, Jr., National Wildlife Refuge, a frequent stop and respite on the route north. RELATED: From viaduct, to rubble, to tunnel infill: How WSDOT is filling the now-unused Battery Street Tunnel Nisqually is a watch-it place on the interstate. When traffic is running smoothly, the Washington State Patrol frequently runs a speed trap directed at southbound traffic. A project some years ago, beginning on a Friday night, delayed hundreds of political activists bound for a Democratic dinner in Olympia. The particulars on this June's mess: The lane closures northbound will run from 10 p.m. on Friday until 4 a.m. on Monday, the weekends of June 7 to June 10 and June 14 to June 17.


Real Madrid will look to spend roughly €300m this summer as manager Zinedine Zidane plans to overhaul the squad at the Santiago Bernabéu, but more than €200m worth of first-team players will also have to be sold to comply with UEFA's Financial Fair Play. The La Liga giants are already committed to signing FC Porto centre-back Éder Militão and Santos teenager Rodrygo to the tune of €95m, but Real Madrid are also believed to be closing in deals for Eden Hazard, Ferland Mendy and Luka Jović. As part of the club's spending spree, however, Marca insists that Real Madrid will do their best to meet UEFA's Financial Fair Play regulations by selling up to €200m worth of players at the end of the season. The same outlet previously listed 17 first-team players who could be thrown to the wolves this summer as Real Madrid look to recoup funds, including household names like Gareth Bale , Isco , James Rodríguez and Keylor Navas. But they will also be looking to offload youth players who haven't quite made the grade in the Spanish capital, meaning Sergio Reguilón, Jesús Vallejo and even famed wonderkid Martin Ødegaard could be available this summer. To meet Financial Fair Play, Marca claims that Real Madrid cannot exceed a €100m difference between the money they've drawn in and what they've spent. If they do then the club would put their future in the Champions League at risk, similar to what Premier League champions Manchester City are currently being threatened with. But Financial Fair Play revues are usually conducted over a three-year period and UEFA does not isolate one window to determine if there has been a breach. So far, Real Madrid do not have any confirmed departures to offset the €95m which has been spent on Militão and Rodrygo, but some players in the squad have already been told to look for new clubs this summer.


Editor's note: The opinions in this article are the author's, as published by our content partner, and do not necessarily represent the views of MSN or Microsoft. What do we mean by reparations? Writing recently in the Washington Post, Sheryll Cashin, a law professor at Georgetown University, argues that "reparations should repair what white supremacy still breaks. Atoning for the legacy of chattel slavery is simply not enough." That is, reparations must be broad enough to encompass the many crimes and injustices perpetrated against black Americans throughout our history, from slavery to Jim Crow to mass incarceration. The effects of these injustices, says Cashin, are "direct and measurable" among slavery's descendants: wage gaps, educational disparities, homeownership and property values, incarceration rates, health outcomes. She is of course right. There is no question that black Americans have suffered greatly, not just from the memory of slavery but from its long legacy of rampant discrimination and racist policies. It was this history that Ta-Nehisi Coates invoked in testimony last week before a House subcommittee considering a bill to create a commission to study reparations. Responding to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell's comment that reparations are not a good idea because no one responsible for slavery is alive today, Coates reeled off a list of racial injustices that were perpetrated in McConnell's lifetime. Because McConnell was born in 1942, there is plenty of injustice to point to, and Coates, who has built a successful career on elegantly expressing outrage over such injustice, made the most of it: We grant that Mr. McConnell was not alive for Appomattox. But he was alive for the electrocution of George Stinney. He was alive for the blinding of Isaac Woodard. He was alive to witness kleptocracy in his native Alabama and a regime premised on electoral theft. Majority Leader McConnell cited civil-rights legislation yesterday, as well he should, because he was alive to witness the harassment, jailing, and betrayal of those responsible for that legislation by a government sworn to protect them. He was alive for the redlining of Chicago and the looting of black homeowners of some $4 billion. Victims of that plunder are very much alive today. I am sure they'd love a word with the majority leader. This is powerful stuff. The history of America, like the history of all the world, is replete with wickedness and injustice, crimes perpetrated by the powerful against the weak. Slavery and racial discrimination are America's awful inheritance, which cannot be gainsaid. The proper response is to reproach the crimes of the past and, if possible, make restitution. The unique genius of America is that it contains within its system and structure a way to push back against the evils of the past. The American Founding itself was a promise against the perpetuation of those evils not all at once, but eventually. The only way, in fact, to root them out and guard against them is to adhere more closely to the American ideal, to insist upon it and cling to it through every circumstance and change in our national life. Ta-Nehisi Coates Believes America Is Irredeemable Coates does not believe this. To him, America was from the beginning a regime based on injustice and theft and violence. His 2014 Atlantic cover story on reparations is not so much an argument for reparations as an argument against America. "If we conclude that the conditions in North Lawndale and black America are not inexplicable but are instead precisely what you'd expect of a community that for centuries has lived in America's crosshairs, then what are we to make of the world's oldest democracy?" Coates asks. Later, he answers: "America begins in black plunder and white democracy, two features that are not contradictory but complementary." Another way of expressing this is to say that America is irredeemable, and that in order for justice to prevail, the regime itself must be destroyed violently, if necessary. Coates has hinted at this. In a 2017 podcast, Ezra Klein asked Coates what justice would look like for black Americans: When he tries to describe the events that would erase America's wealth gap, that would see the end of white supremacy, his thoughts flicker to the French Revolution, to the executions and the terror. 'It's very easy for me to see myself being contemporary with processes that might make for an equal world, more equality, and maybe the complete abolition of race as a construct, and being horrified by the process, maybe even attacking the process. I think these things don't tend to happen peacefully.' For Coates, even hope can be covered in blood. This is a vision of America wholly at odds with that of, say, Martin Luther King Jr., and not far removed from the one held by Richard Spencer and other blustering white supremacists. It posits that America was founded not on the proposition that all men are created equal, but on the belief that some were born with saddles on their backs and others with boots and spurs to ride them. It is America as a photographic negative, the inverse of the ideals stated in our founding documents and therefore nothing but a hypocritical enterprise based on vast plunder. It cannot be redeemed, so it must be swept away. Advocates for reparations claim that the victims of this plunder are no less figures of the past than are the perpetrators, which is why the debate swirling around reparations has less to do with our troubled history than assigning guilt in the present day. Assigning guilt is of course a means of seizing and wielding power, which is the true object of reparations. Yes, McConnell was alive for the electrocution of Stinney; he was two years old. He was alive for the blinding of Issac Woodward; he was four. He is of course responsible for precisely none of these things that Coates lays at his feet by implication. Like every American in his or her seventies, McConnell has lived through momentous change. Given the sweep of human history and the corrupt nature of man, the remarkable thing about the past seven decades isn't that black Americans suffered injustice but that the civil rights movement was so successful. That is not to say everything is fine now and we need not contend any longer with the consequences of our history. But the goal of Coates' strong rhetoric is not to do that, it is to associate McConnell with historic injustices against black Americans and thereby to impute guilt. The purpose of imputing guilt is ultimately to oust him and others like him from power, and usher in a new regime. Reparations Are Just a Way to Divide Americans Reparations, then, is like any other issue that animates the American left these days. Where you stand on reparations is like where you stand on immigration. It has nothing to do with the merits or wisdom of a given policy and everything to do with whether or not you are a good person. If you oppose reparations just like if you oppose immigration or gay marriage or transgenderism you are not a good person. In fact, you are part of the problem. You are helping to perpetrate the injustice at the heart of America, and therefore culpable. At a minimum, you can't be allowed a say in how the country is governed, not anymore. The goal here isn't to heal or to bring together, but to divide. Cashin, the law professor, tries to shoehorn reparations into nothing more than increased taxpayer spending on "richly resourced schools and community centers, public transit, opportunity fellowships, housing choice vouchers, and mandatory inclusive housing elsewhere." Nothing more than balancing out public spending in the face of "opportunity-hoarding among affluent whites." But this won't be enough, because reparations aren't really about outcomes or disparities or public spending. They are about sorting out Americans, separating the good from the wicked and making sure everyone knows the difference. They are about ushering in a new regime and new ruling elite. You might think it insane for the 2020 Democratic candidates to push reparations going into the election cycle, especially since it polls so low among Democratic voters . But for them it is not about winning over Americans who are on the fence. The entire point of the debate is to ratchet up racial tension and drive a wedge into our national life. That is another way of saying reparations aren't really about the past at all. They're about the future.


Martellus Bennett has been one of the most open and honest players to play in the NFL, and he'll always speak his mind. Some topics are difficult for professional athletes to speak about - especially domestic violence among their peers. Domestic violence is a crime that isn't uncommon in the NFL, and many players receive minor consequences before they return back to the field. Bennett strongly disagrees with this, and he was able to speak about it at the Athletes + Activism event that was hosted by The Atlantic's Jemele Hill. "Guys should be punished," Bennett said. "If you hit a woman, you should not be playing football." Bennett was narrowing in on the Ray Rice case, where he was caught hitting his wife in an elevator on video. "Watching the video of Ray Rice, I wanted to choke the (expletive) out of Ray Rice," Bennett said. "I wanted to punch him in the face. When I see those guys - if they're on my team, I have issues with those guys. Like I'm going to tackle you every single day. Right? Hit me. I'm serious. This makes me angry. This pisses me off when I see these things going on." Not only is he upset with fellow athletes abusing their spouses, but it really is upsetting when they abuse their children. Bennett has a 5-year-old daughter that he reveres, and he acknowledges the fact that he is so much stronger and bigger than her. "I don't think there's any excuse for child abuse. As a father - I don't whip my daughter, I just look at here like this," Bennett said. "Because my hands are so big. My feet are big, my body's big, I'm ridiculously strong. Hitting a child, to me at this position, is just ridiculous." The NFL hasn't taken domestic violence as seriously as they probably should have so far - and it'll take voices like Bennett to help raise awareness for the victims involved. MORE: NBA fans had so many memes for Steph Curry's exchange with Drake Giants get a chuckle: Odell Beckham already in hot water in Cleveland Could Raiders rookie DE Maxx Crosby start over Arden Key in 2019? Four potential Clint Capela trade destinations Why Pats are one of the best teams at managing salary cap Related slideshow: Top picks of 2019 NFL Draft (provided by imagn)


Boston Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia's career is officially in jeopardy thanks to a very troublesome knee. Pedroia spoke Monday about the pain he's endured and admitted that he's "not sure" if the knee will allow him to play baseball again. Dustin Pedroia, "The last game I played, the pain was kind of to the point I had to tell the trainer I had to come out. It was a tough day. Next day, I woke up and it wasn't any better. It's too a point now where my knee is not allowing me to play every day. "   Ian Browne (@IanMBrowne) May 27, 2019 Pedroia: 'I'm at a point right now where I need some time. That's what my status is' Said he's not considering another surgery. Asked if he thought he could play again: 'I'm not sure.'   Rob Bradford (@bradfo) May 27, 2019 "Some days, I feel fine, and an hour later, walking is tough. If I'm on an hour to hour basis of being able to do anything athletically, that's tough. I think the time will give me the right answer of if I can do this."   Pedroia.   Ian Browne (@IanMBrowne) May 27, 2019 Pedroia's comments come on the heels of a rehab assignment cut short . He has played just nine MLB games since the start of the 2018 season, and the knee surgery he underwent at the end of the 2017 season clearly has not corrected the problem. Combine that with the fact that he turns 36 in August, and it's a long road back for one of the most iconic Red Sox players ever, bringing the admission that we may have seen him play for the last time. Related slideshow: 2019 MLB season (provided by imagn)


Three Premier League sides are in the running to be Dani Alves' next club, after the Brazilian left Paris Saint-Germain. Now 36, Alves his a strong claim to being the most successful active player in the world, with this summer's Copa America win on home soil taking his personal trophy tally to around 40 (depending on your addition). Despite his age, Alves has little intention of winding down his career in the Far East or America and wants to continue playing at the highest level in order to be in contention to play at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar - when he will be 38. Mundo Deportivo say that the former Barcelona star is of interest to Premier League trio Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal. The report claims that Unai Emery has asked the board to make a move for the right back, as he seeks defensive reinforcements that won't break the bank. The latest gossip suggests Arsenal , who are famously working with a transfer budget of around £45m, have also seen a £25m bid for Celtic full back Kieran Tierney rejected. City, meanwhile, tried to sign Alves back in 2017 prior to his move to Paris, with the Brazilian a regular under Pep Guardiola in his Barça days. While Danilo's future remains uncertain, City may bring in the veteran as cover for Kyle Walker. Spurs have previously been mooted as a possible destination, with journalist Duncan Castles claiming contact had been made between the club and Alves' representatives last week. Tottenham are keen to reinforce at full back this summer, with Kieran Trippier likely to be sold after a disappointing season.


Spending time in West Arlington? Get to know this area by browsing its most popular local businesses, from a Hawaiian poke spot to a coffeehouse. Hoodline crunched the numbers to find the top places to visit in West Arlington, using both Yelp data and our own secret sauce to produce a ranked list of neighborhood businesses. Read on for the results. 1. Fork in the Road Topping the list is traditional American spot Fork in the Road . Located at 1821 S. Fielder Road, it's the highest-rated business in the neighborhood, boasting 4.5 stars out of 558 reviews on Yelp. Check out the build-your-own-burger, the Crackeroni (truffle macaroni and cheese) and the red velvet fudge pie. 2. Iris Bagel And Coffee House Next up is Iris Bagel and Coffee House , a spot to score bagels, coffee and tea, situated at 5801 Interstate 20. With five stars out of 136 reviews on Yelp, it's proven to be a local favorite. In addition to a full espresso bar, plenty of tea selections and bagels, this spot serves up breakfast and lunch sandwiches. Try the garden fresh breakfast sandwich with egg whites, bell peppers, tomato, avocado and veggie cream cheese. If you're stopping in for lunch, give the Al's lox special sandwich a go, with smoked salmon, sprouts, red onions, capers, tomato and chive cream cheese. 3. A Taste of Europe Russian, Polish and German restaurant and retail store A Taste of Europe is another top choice. Yelpers give the business, located at 1901 W. Pioneer Parkway, 4.5 stars out of 260 reviews. At this unique spot, patrons can dine on authentic Eastern European cuisine , such as beef stroganoff, Hungarian goulash, German schnitzel, Ukrainian pirogues, Russian borscht and chicken Kiev, and also purchase both traditional groceries and merchandise from this part of the world as well. 4. Halo Hawaiian BBQ & Poke Bar Check out Halo Hawaiian BBQ & Poke Bar , which has earned 4.5 stars out of 181 reviews on Yelp. You can find the Hawaiian spot, which offers poke and seafood, at 2613 W. Park Row Drive. Halo features make-your-own poke bowls, along with appetizers, Hawaiian fried rice and noodles and combination plates with a choice of beef, pork, chicken or seafood. 5. Olives Mediterranean Grill Finally, there's Olives Mediterranean Grill , a local favorite with 4.5 stars out of 190 reviews. Stop by 1714 W. Randol Mill Road to hit up the Mediterranean and vegetarian spot next time you're in the neighborhood. Try the Greek salad, the baba ganoush, the moussaka, the garlic chicken and the gyro sandwich. Save room for a piece of baklava. This story was created automatically using local business data, then reviewed and augmented by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.


Veteran swingman Terrence Ross was one of the first players to come off the board after the free agent period officially opened on the evening of June 30, opting to return to the Magic on a four-year deal that will pay him a reported $54M. However, remaining in Orlando was hardly Ross' only option. As John Denton of OrlandoMagic.com details, Ross said he received either serious interest or a contract offer from the Lakers, Jazz, Mavericks, Pacers and Kings while he was a free agent. Like teammate Nikola Vucevic though, Ross preferred to stick with the Magic. "I felt like for us, we both had a lot of other suitors, but our main focus all along was here (with the Magic)," Ross said. "It was one of those things where we were like, 'Hey bro, wanna go and run it back?' And we both were like, 'Yeah.' It worked out pretty quick because we were on the same page and it worked out perfectly." Let's round up a few more notes from around the Southeast… Speaking to Alex Kennedy of HoopsHype , new Wizards point guard Isaiah Thomas said his free agency this time around was all about "opportunity," since he wanted to join a team that would give him a chance to play a regular role. "When the Wizards called and showed interest, with John Wall being out possibly the whole year, that seemed like a big opportunity for me to be able to showcase that I'm 100 percent healthy and that I can still play at the high level that I'm used to playing at," Thomas said. The Wizards are interviewing candidates in an effort to hire a new assistant to Scott Brooks' coaching staff, reports Chase Hughes of NBC Sports Washington . While it's not clear what kind of coach the team is seeking, Hughes notes that there has been talk within the franchise about finding someone with a "strong defensive track record." According to Tim Reynolds of The Associated Press ( Twitter link ), Hawks guard Trae Young is expected to be among the players invited to join the USA Basketball Select Team, which will participate in training camp with the Team USA squad in Las Vegas next month prior to the 2019 FIBA World Cup. Related slideshow: 2019 NBA offseason moves (Provided by imagn)


More information continues to trickle out about Tom Brady 's contract. The Patriots initially offered Brady another batch of incentives to start this process, Tom Curran of NBC Sports Boston reports ( video link ). Considering that Brady did not capitalize on any of his 2018 incentives, it was understandable his camp balked at such a proposal. The 20th-year quarterback did not mind a year-to-year setup, and Curran adds the clause preventing the Pats from franchising him next year came about because Brady wanted autonomy for the first time. He has never played into a contract year; he will now. Through the void years tactic, the Patriots will be tagged with just north of $13 million in dead money if Brady were to leave after 2019, Curran adds ( on Twitter ). In structuring the deal this way, the Patriots gained $5.5 million in cap space and the opportunity to evaluate Brady's age-42 season without making a true commitment beyond 2019. With news surrounding the highest-profile player in the history of the AFC East overshadowing the others, let's look at what else is coming out of this division on Tuesday evening: The Bills are still deciding between playing second-round pick Cody Ford at tackle or guard, Joe Buscaglia of The Athletic notes ( subscription required ). The bulk of Buffalo's offensive line depth resides on the interior, with Russell Bodine , Jon Feliciano and Wyatt Teller (seven starts as a 2018 rookie) on the roster. Ford moving inside could complicate their statuses, but Mitch Morse dealing with another concussion may make the Bills opt for extra insurance on their interior. Feliciano and Teller are likely to be on the 53-man roster, per Buscaglia. Ford started a handful of games at guard in 2016 and '17 before moving to right tackle last season. T.J. Yeldon joins some of the Bills' veteran reserve linemen on the roster bubble. The four-year former Jaguar is battling special-teamer Senorise Perry for the final running back job, Buscaglia writes, adding that Yeldon appears to be losing this competition. The Bills signed Yeldon to a two-year, $3.2 million deal with $500,000 guaranteed. The latter figure does not exactly ensure a roster spot. But Yeldon could benefit if the Bills try to trade LeSean McCoy , which has been rumored this summer. Reshad Jones has been spotted in a walking boot and a cast on his right foot, Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald notes . He has missed multiple Dolphins practices. The well-paid safety has been a trade candidate for a bit now, and moving a $17.1 million cap figure off the roster would be in line with the rebuilding team's offseason decisions. Additionally, Jones has been working with Miami's second-string defense, with Jackson adding that Bobby McCain and T.J. McDonald have seen the bulk of the starter reps in camp. The Dolphins may have a difficult time unloading Jones' $12 million average annual value contract. A UDFA wideout has caught Xavien Howard 's attention. The Dolphins' No. 1 corner tabbed rookie Preston Williams as a potential "No. 1 receiver one day," per Jackson. A 6-foot-5 receiver out of Colorado State, Williams made an impression in minicamp and has continued to do so in pads. Albert Wilson , Kenny Stills , Jakeem Grant and DeVante Parker are roster locks, Jackson adds, with Williams likely competing with Allen Hurns and Brice Butler for one of the final two slots in a likely six-man receiving corps.


It was a gallant effort but the rain finally won out, postponing Sunday's Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race until Monday afternoon. NASCAR nearly got Sunday's FireKeepers 400 started around 3 p.m. ET and was on the final pace lap when rain again picked up forcing the cars to be brought down pit road. NASCAR finally called the race around 4:30pm ET. It has been postponed until 5 p.m. ET Monday and will be broadcast live on Fox Sports 1. Postponed races are generally started early the next day but all of Fox Sports' channels are tied up with live coverage of the FIFA Women's World Cup until late in the afternoon. Joey Logano will start from the pole followed by Aric Almirola, Kevin Harvick, Denny Hamlin and Clint Bowyer. Rounding out the top-10 when the race gets underway is Paul Menard, Kurt Busch, Brad Keselowski, Daniel Suarez and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. From the editor, also read: Does anyone know what the Cup race at Michigan will look like?


Soccer's transfer window slammed shut on Thursday with a crazy deadline day. What follows is our look at the 10 biggest moves from the 2019 summer transfer window. Keep in mind, we've left off deals that were agreed to in January, even if they were finally executed this summer. 10. David Luiz to Arsenal Chelsea let David Luiz go just before the transfer window closed and I'm fairly puzzled as to why. He was a stalwart at centre-back for The Blues for years and even signed a new contract in May. But Arsenal badly needed someone in the middle of the back line and they got him for the paltry sum of £8 million. Luiz is a 32-year-old who is still wildly effective and Arsenal was able to get him cheaply just before the window closed. It was a huge deal for the Gunners. 9. Moise Kean to Everton This is a huge pickup for Everton . They landed a 19-year-old with major upside for £25.5 million from Juventus . Juve wanted to sign him long-term but couldn't agree to a deal, so they shipped him to the Premier League. Kean can play as a striker or an attacking wing and the young Italian can be a dynamic playmaker and scorer. In 41 first-team appearances over the past three seasons (for Juventus and during a loan spell at Verona) he's scored 12 goals. He also scored six goals in 13 Serie A appearances last year. Kean has already stated he wants to take Everton to the Champions League, and a move like this could help them get there. 8. Rodri to Manchester City Manchester City 's long quest to find a replacement for Fernandinho in the midfield is over. Singing Rodri away from Atletico Madrid for £62.8 million was a huge move for City, which was also the biggest transfer in club history. The 23-year-old arrived at City after signing a five-year contract after he made it clear he wanted out of Madrid. The deal made Manchester City even better as the arms race in the Premier League ramped up yet again this summer. Rodri spent just one season at Atletico appearing in 47 total match and making 34 La Liga appearnaces. City's new addition is an outstanding defensive mid and an excellent passer. He'll fit in well on the squad. 7. Tanguy Ndombele to Tottenham Tottenham Hotspur made a number of big moves during the summer transfer season, but none was bigger than Tanguy Ndombele . Ndombele arrived from Lyon for on a club-record £55.5 million transfer, and he'll give them a replacement for the recently-departed Mousa Dembele . The 22-year-old midfielder is one of Europe's top young prospects. Ndombele made 49 appearances for Lyon last season, including eight Champions League starts. He was named to both the Champions League Squad of the Season and the Ligue 1 Team of the Year in 2018-19. After two years at Lyon, he was ready to move on to bigger things. Tottenham didn't spend any money last year and wound up as runners-up in the Champions League. It was clearly time to add to the squad, and Ndombele was a big addition both now and for the future. 6. Nicolas Pepe to Arsenal Arsenal was looking to add some punch up front and landed one of the best wingers on the market. The Gunners netted Lille 's Nicolas Pepe for a total of £72 million - fee will be paid out over the next few years, instead of all at once. Arsenal beat out Napoli, PSG and some other big clubs to land the 24-year-old. During the 2018-19 season, Pepe scored 23 goals in 41 appearances for Lille, 22 of those goals came during league play as he helped his club to a second-place finish. He was named to Ligue 1's Team of the Year for his performance. The Ivory Coast international wanted a move to the Premier League and he got it. Arsenal spent nearly twice its transfer budget on Pepe, but got the player it desperately wanted. 5. Harry Maguire to Manchester United Manchester United desperately needed to beef up the middle of its back line and paid handsomely to do so. United sent £80 million to Leicester City in exchange for Harry Maguire , representing the world record transfer fee for a defender. The 26-year-old has become one of the more consistent defenders in the Premier League and is also a fixture for England's national team. Over the last two seasons, Maguire made 69 league appearances for Leicester City and 76 total. He was named Leicester's Player of the Season for 2017-18. United tried to make a move for Maguire during last summer's transfer window, but wound up balking at the price. After a terrible season defensively, the club couldn't afford to pass him up again. 4. Antoine Griezmann to Barcelona Antoine Griezmann 's marriage to Atletico Madrid felt uncomfortable for years and he finally decided to leave this summer. FC Barcelona pounced, agreeing to a £107.5 million deal to land him and signing him to a five-year deal. He'll be part of an insanely potent offense that includes Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez . The 28-year-old Frenchman has been a prolific scorer for Atletico, bagging 133 goals in 257 total appearances over the past five seasons. Griezmann has been a two-time finalist for the Ballon d'Or, was the 2016 European Championship Player of the Tournament, won the Bronze Ball and Silver Boot at the 2018 World Cup and was named La Liga's Best Player in 2016. Griezmann scored 15 La Liga goals during the 2018-19 season, which followed 19 during the 2017-18 campaign. Expect that production to increase in Barcelona's potent offense. He'll also take pressure off Messi and Suarez, who aren't getting any younger. 3. Matthijs De Ligt to Juventus Matthijs de Ligt was one of the most sought-after players in the world heading into this summer and Ajax was destined to move him. Juventus was more than happy to oblige, paying €75 million for the 19-year-old Dutchman who is rapidly becoming one of the best centre-backs in the world. Over the past two seasons with Ajax, de Ligt made a total of 94 appearances and was named the Dutch Footballer of the Year for the 2018-19 season. He was also named to the Eredivisie Team of the year for both the 2017-18 and 2018-19 seasons. Juventus desperately needed to secure its defense to pair with the club's offensive firepower. Juve paid dearly to land de Ligt, as Pairs Saint-Germain , Bayern Munich , Manchester United , FC Barcelona and others were chasing the youngster. De Ligt and Leonardo Bonucci will now combine to create a phenomenal tandem in the middle of the defense. 2. Joao Felix to Atletico Madrid With Griezmann clearly on his way out, Atletico Madrid pulled off a massive transfer of its own. Atletico shipped £112 million to Benfica in exchange for 19-year-old sensation Joao Felix . To get the deal done, Atletico had to fend off every major club in Europe but it was able to secure the rights to the Portuguese teenager. In his only season with Benfica's senior squad, Felix bagged 15 goals in 26 league matches, and 20 in 43 total appearances. He was named the Primeira Liga's Best Young Player of the Year and helped Benfica win a league title. His incredible dribbling and scoring abilities became the stuff of YouTube legend . Top clubs were dreaming on his talent, but Atletico was able to land him. An attacking midfielder who can also line up as a winger or striker, Felix should fill Griezmann's scoring shoes well. 1. Eden Hazard to Real Madrid This was a move years in the making, so it didn't take Eden Hazard long to decide to find a new home this summer. The 28-year-old moved from Chelsea to Real Madrid for the tidy sum of £89 million, but the total could rise by as much as £60 million if certain bonus marks are hit. Hazard spent seven seasons at Chelsea and was phenomenal for the club. He was named Chelsea Player of the Year four times, was on the PFA Premier League Team of the Year four times, was the Premier League Player of the Season in 2014-15 and won the Silver Ball at the 2018 World Cup. While at Chelsea, The Blues won two Premier League titles, an FA Cup, two Europe League titles and an EFL Cup. History is great, but Hazard is still at the top of his game. During the 2018-19 season he led the Premier League with 15 assists and was eighth with 16 goals. He also nabbed Player of the Month honros for September yet was somehow left off of the PFA Team of the Year. The bottom line is that Real Madrid finally found a replacement for Cristiano Ronaldo , after the club failed to do so following his departure last summer. Hazard is in the midst of his prime and his five-year deal with Los Blancos will carry him through the rest of it. MORE: Browns mob touchdown scorer who slept outside a gym during tryouts 6 takeaways from Packers' preseason victory over Texans Duke Johnson trade: what they're saying around the NFL Roundup: Bo Bichette is On Fire; Bachelor in Paradise Drama; Joe Biden Steps in It 5 takeaways from Patriots' preseason win over Lions


WIMBLEDON, England (AP) -- Novak Djokovic watched his Wimbledon semifinal opponent's shot hit the net tape, pop in the air and slide over for a winner that tied things at a set apiece. Centre Court spectators stood and cheered, perhaps thinking Roberto Bautista Agut was ready to keep this one tight, after all. Walking to his changeover chair, Djokovic nodded and waved his racket, then his right hand, at the crowd, sarcastically encouraging folks to get louder, as if to say, "Yeah, good for him and good for you. Enjoy it while you can." Soon enough, the defending champion was bellowing and shaking his fist after putting away an overhead to go up a break in the third set. Moments later, he was ending a 45-stroke baseline exchange -- the longest on record at Wimbledon, where such stats date to 2006 -- with a backhand winner to save a break point. Djokovic eventually overcame Bautista Agut 6-2, 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 Friday to reach his sixth final at the All England Club. "I had to dig deep," Djokovic said. In Sunday's final, he will seek a fifth Wimbledon title and 16th Grand Slam trophy overall when he faces either Roger Federer or Rafael Nadal. Those two great rivals were scheduled to face each other later Friday in their first meeting at Wimbledon since the epic 2008 final won by Nadal, 9-7 in the fifth set as darkness descended. "Of course I will watch it," Djokovic said of the day's second semifinal. "My coaches will probably see the whole match. I'll definitely see parts of it. I'm a fan of that matchup, as well. Federer-Nadal is one of the most epic rivalries of all time. So it's fantastic to see them play today." The opening semifinal was played under a cloudy sky and with a breeze that topped 10 mph, occasionally bothering the No. 1-seeded Djokovic. It was his 36th career appearance in the final four at a major tournament -- and the debut in that round for Bautista Agut, who was seeded 23rd. Even HE didn't really expect his visit to the All England Club to last this long: The Spaniard was supposed to meet a half-dozen of his buddies on the island of Ibiza this weekend for his bachelor party. Instead, those pals were sitting in a guest box at Centre Court on Friday. "He was not really overwhelmed, so to say, with the stadium and with the occasion. He played really well," Djokovic said. "First set, he was still probably managing his nerves and he made some uncharacteristic unforced errors. But later on, at the beginning of the second, he established himself." After a flat forehand return winner off a 107 mph serve on the very first point, Bautista Agut certainly did lose his way for a bit. Djokovic won 14 of the next 18 points while pulling out to a 3-0 lead -- and he didn't need to produce much magic to do so. Just one of those initial 14 points came via his own winner; 10 resulted from Bautista Agut's unforced errors. But the second set saw a shift. Djokovic stopped his until-then successful tactic of offering some variety and heading to the net when he could. His forehand also became problematic, while Bautista Agut couldn't seem to miss a shot. Bautista Agut already beat Djokovic twice earlier this season. Could he do it again? No, largely because Djokovic rediscovered his best abilities. He came up bigger in the longest points, eventually holding a 29-17 edge when they lasted at least 10 strokes. Once his volley winner found the net tape and trickled over to cap the third set -- turnabout was fair play, in this instance, after the way the previous set ended -- the outcome seemed inevitable. Djokovic broke to lead 2-1 in the fourth, and again for 4-1, then needed a handful of match points to seal the victory. Whether he faces second-seeded Federer or third-seeded Nadal next, it will be the 22nd Grand Slam final involving two members of the Big Three, and the seventh at Wimbledon. One of that trio will be the champion at an 11th consecutive major tournament and for the 54th time in the past 65. ------ More AP tennis coverage: https://www.apnews.com/apf-Tennis and https://twitter.com/AP--Sports Related slideshow: Best of 2019 Wimbledon (Provided by imagn)


Darius Bazely is the newest member of the Oklahoma City Thunder after going 23rd overall in the 2019 NBA Draft. The Thunder acquired the pick and a second-rounder in the 2024 draft from the Memphis Grizzlies in a trade for the 21st pick in this year's draft. The Grizzlies had acquired the pick from the Utah Jazz in the trade for Michael Conley Jr. A standout at Princeton High School in Cincinnati, Bazely was originally supposed to be the first high school athlete to go to the G League over college. The former Syracuse commit didn't wind up playing in the G League either, opting out to train on his own. He explained his decision in August of 2018 to The Athletic : Talking about it over with my group, we felt confidently that the G League wasn't going to be needed and now I can use this time to work on my craft. It's mainly me talking to [agent] Rich [Paul], he knows so much, and whenever he speaks my ears perk up. When Miles [Bridges] was in Cleveland for his predraft workouts, whenever he got a chance to work out in front of NBA teams, I was working out in the gym, too. So that played a part in it, me playing well in those workouts for us to say there's no upside in the G League. If you play well, it's expected. If you don't play well, you're not NBA-ready. That's what they'll say. For me, working out and preparing is the best route. Interestingly, Bazley also interned for New Balance while training for the NBA. "You got everyone else and then you got me." - Darius Bazley Big week for the former @newbalance intern #NBHoops pic.twitter.com/X1ydlNNJpK - New Balance Basketball (@nbhoops) June 19, 2019 Bazley celebrated his 19th birthday on June 12 and turned some heads at the NBA Combine. Although he needs to develop further, he's shown both fluidity and explosiveness when attacking the rim. Also, the fact he shares an agent with LeBron James doesn't hurt. Thunder fans this is Darius Bazley in high school! pic.twitter.com/n9l5bJu26g - Matt Reynolds (@MattReynolds___) June 21, 2019 It may take time, but it appears the Thunder have found a diamond in the rough. Cincinnati native Darius Bazley goes 23rd to the Oklahoma City Thunder! ⛈ pic.twitter.com/obeOID7eHU - SLAM HS Hoops (@SLAM_HS) June 21, 2019 MORE: It's time for the Cowboys to consider trading Dak Prescott Danny Ainge's plan to restock the Celtics' cupboard of draft assets The 2019 NBA draft pick by pick Pelicans trade fourth pick from Lakers to Atlanta Hawks in deal for picks No. 8, 17 and 35 Rob Pelinka May Not Have Known the Cap Rules for Anthony Davis Trade


As 9/11 first responders push Congress to extend funding for their care, a grim new marker was reached with the death of the 200th member of the New York City fire department from World Trade Center related illnesses. Firefighters Kevin Nolan died on Tuesday and Richard Driscoll died on Wednesday, according to the Fire Department of New York (FDNY). "It is almost incomprehensible that after losing 343 members on September 11, we have now had 200 more FDNY members die due to World Trade Center illness," fire commissioner Daniel Nigro said in a statement Thursday. "These heroes gave their lives bravely fighting to rescue and recover others. We will never forget them." Congress is currently considering a 9/11 victims compensation bill that would ensure funding through 2090. The bill passed the Democrat-controlled House overwhelmingly last week, but proponents are waiting for Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to bring the bill to the Republican-led Senate floor for a vote. The Senate bill has been held up since Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., raised concerns about how it would be paid for. New York City mayor Bill de Blasio tweeted about the deaths and called for the fund to be fully funded. (MORE: Sen. Rand Paul objects to 9/11 compensation fund bill over cost) "They didn't hesitate to run into danger. They stayed until the work was done. The Senate MUST fully fund the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund," de Blasio wrote in his tweet. Nolan retired from the FDNY in 2007 and is survived by his wife and three adult children, the New York Daily News reported. The specific nature of his illness was not immediately publicly disclosed. The Uniformed Firefighters Association of Greater New York said his funeral is scheduled for Saturday. On their website, they asked all off-duty members to attend in their class A uniforms. Driscoll, retired from the department in 2002 after serving for 32 years, was the 200th FDNY member to die of a World Trade Center-related illness, and died of cancer. He was a Vietnam veteran and the FDNY confirmed that he had been cited five times for bravery in the course of his career. According to a list compiled by the union, there have been eight FDNY deaths so far in 2019 as a result of World Trade Center-related illnesses.


Tana Mongeau has delayed heading to her honeymoon with Jake Paul due to a family emergency. The YouTube stars tied the knot in Las Vegas, Nevada, over the weekend and on Monday, Mongeau explained that while Paul, 22, was still Europe-bound, she wasn't joining him just yet. "Last night was an unconventional crazy girl's dream wedding," she wrote in a series of tweets. "I love jake so f****** much and there's no one else on earth i could've done that with. truly slow dancing while they're screaming. we're both still recovering hard- Jake's headed to Europe and i have to deal with a family emergency.... i'm gonna meet him there the second i can." "So excited to decompress from the past few months of chaos & celebrate US with no one around.." Mongeau, 21 , continued. "Thank u guys for all the ridiculous amounts of love & support. we f****** love u. pictures and stuff soon but right nowmy number one focus is dealing with this family emergency...." While she didn't share details regarding the emergency, Mongeau assured fans that she was doing her best to stay strong during the difficult time. "Sometimes God gives us hardships at really bad timing which sucks because i truly don't want this to take away from all of the love i was surrounded by last night & in this life," she wrote. "Trying to be strong to be the best example i can be for all of you. thank you for everything u guys. u are truly my family." The posts came less than 24 hours after the couple celebrated their nuptials with a wild reception at Sugar Factory, where they sat on a throne while being showered by champagne. The wedding also featured multiple outfit changes and a fight which an eyewitness told ET appeared to be staged. Following the nuptials, ET spoke to Mongeau about how Paul's brother, Logan, had previously indicated that he thinks their relationship is "fake." "I think Logan is just apprehensive to see Jake get hurt because Jake's been hurt a lot," she said about her brother-in-law's doubts about their relationship. See more below.


500 new documents delay sentencing for couple charged with confining malnourished kids


TOKYO, May 25 (Reuters) - U.S. National Security Adviser John Bolton said on Saturday North Korea's recent missile launches violated a U.N. Security Council resolution and urged leader Kim Jong Un to return to denuclearisation talks. It was the first time a senior U.S. official has described the tests as a violation of U.N. resolutions aimed at halting North Korea's nuclear and missile programs and came ahead of a four-day visit to Japan by U.S. President Donald Trump who arrives later in the day. "The U.N. resolution prohibits the launch of any ballistic missiles," Bolton said at a press roundtable. North Korea's test firings included short range ballistic missiles and so there was "no doubt" it was a violation, he added. Earlier this month, Kim Jong Un oversaw the first flight of a previously untested weapon - a relatively small, fast missile experts believe will be easier to hide, launch and maneuver in flight. Bolton said that the United States was still open to talks with Kim's regime but that it had not changed its position from the one outlined at the last summit between the United States and North Korea in Hanoi. "Trump has held the door open for Kim, the next step is for Kim to walk through it," he said. Bolton also urged Kim to agree to a meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, which he said could help restart dialog on North Korea's weapons programs. An Abe Kim summit "could be substantive assistance to that," he said. Trump, who will play golf with Abe on Sunday before watching Sumo wrestling, is expected to discuss topics ranging from North Korea to China and two-way trade when they sit down for a summit on Monday. The two leaders will also discuss rising tensions with Iran, Bolton said. Abe is considering a visit to Iran as early as mid-June, public broadcaster NHK said on Friday, the first such trip in four decades. Washington has said it will stop waivers for countries buying Iranian oil and has designated Iran's elite Revolutionary Guard Corps as a foreign terrorist organization. The United State is also deploying a carrier strike group and bombers to the Middle East in response to what the Trump administration described as troubling "indications and warnings" from Iran. Bolton, who has spearheaded an increasingly hawkish U.S. policy on Iran, described recent attacks on tankers off the United Arab Emirates and a pipeline pumping station in Saudi Arabia, as well as a rocket attack in Baghdad's Green Zone in Iraq, as "manifestations of concern." The United States has "deep and serious" intelligence on the threat posed by Iran, said Bolton, who declined to provide details. (Reporting by Tim Kelly; Editing by Nick Macfie)


Minnesota's top investigator of child care fraud has been paid about $42,000 since she was put on leave nearly four months ago. Inspector General Carolyn Ham was put on paid leave March 18 after an audit singled her out in detailing a rift within the ranks of those responsible for rooting out fraud. She makes $132,880 a year, according to the Department of Human Services. Ham had been put on leave while DHS officials investigated a complaint against her. The department said Wednesday that the investigation is still going, and refused to elaborate further. State laws require officials to acknowledge the existence of a complaint against a public employee, but the details of the complaint are not disclosed unless a worker is disciplined. A March report from the Office of the Legislative Auditor found "pervasive" fraud in a state-administered child care program. The audit painted a picture of a team of 14 fraud investigators who seemed on a different page than their boss, Ham, who oversees some 250 employees charged with oversight of human services programs. The report noted that fraud investigators said they worked closely with Ham's predecessor, but none of them had any interaction with Ham since she was appointed in 2017. Some investigators said they felt Ham tried to undermine them when they raised concerns about the potential extent of the fraud. Ham fired back after she was put on leave and said the allegations against her were "completely without merit." "The results of this investigation will show that there was no failure of leadership on my part," Ham said in a statement in March. State Rep. Mary Franson, R-Alexandria, questioned the length of the investigation. She criticized DHS and the administration of Gov. Tim Walz for not firing Ham earlier. Related Articles Lawmakers say they want more transparency when deciding how to spend taxpayer money. Do they mean it? Old debate on homeowner privacy dominates talk on Ramsey County's body cameras Lt. Gov. Flanagan to lead MN delegation to Germany for renewable energy seminar Minnesota DHS deals out $1 million for naloxone distribution, cuts out largest supplier of the drug Minnesota opioid deaths decreased in 2018. Has state turned the corner in drug battle? "I'm not exactly sure where this investigation is going," Franson said. "The fact that she is sitting at home, doing nothing, getting paid for her incompetence, is only going to enrage taxpayers further." Ham could not be reached for comment. The governor's office has not yet responded to requests for comment. DHS Deputy Commissioner Chuck Johnson is in charge of the Office of the Inspector General for the time being, according to a department spokeswoman.


After searching more than 11,000 square kilometers in Northern Manitoba, Canadian Police are 'scaling down' their manhunt for two men suspected of killing three people, including a Charlotte woman. Kam McLeod and Bryer Schmegelsky are wanted for the murders of Chynna Deese, her boyfriend, Lucas Fowler, and another man. McLeod and Schmegelsky have been on the run since the murders were discovered on July 15. Canadian Police announced during a news conference on Wednesday that their officers have searched more than 500 homes in the surrounding area for the two suspects. "We conducted exhaustive searches on foot, with dogs, and with all-terrain vehicles. We used boats on lakes and searched in the air with drones, helicopters and planes," said Canadian Police. RELATED: Canadian police locate burnt-out car linked to murder of Charlotte woman, boyfriend RELATED: Canadian police identify suspects in murder of Charlotte woman RELATED: Charlotte woman, boyfriend murdered during road trip in Canada Canadian Police said they have used some of the most advanced technology during their search and had assistance from some of the most highly skilled search and rescue personnel in the country. Police said even with all of these extraordinary efforts, they have not had any confirmed sightings of the suspects since the burned vehicles were located about a week ago. After reassessing the search for the suspected killers, Canadian police have decided to scale down their manhunt efforts. "This will include the phase withdraw of the majority of specialized RCMP and RCAF personnel and assets over the coming week. To be clear, we are not ending the search," police said. Police said all of their resources will be ready to respond to the region, as required, should new information emerge. "I know today's news is not what the families' of the victims and the community of Manitoba wanted to hear,' Canadian Police said. "But searching for people in vast and rugged locations - it's always a possibility that they're not going to be immediately located." Canadian Police said the terrain in Northern Manitoba has made the search for the two suspects extremely difficult. "The terrain is immense and it's unforgiving. The weather is often very unpredictable," police said. "In addition, there remains a possibility that the suspects had some assistance to flee the area." Police are continuing to encourage the public to be on the lookout or these tow suspects and to continue to submit tips. "Something that may seem insignificant to you, maybe extremely valuable to our investigation," Canadian Police said. Canadian Police are assuring the community that their officers will still have a presence in the area and will be there for residents. "Do not hesitate for one moment to reach out to us if you need help," Canadian Police said. "While the search in Manitoba is scaled down, it's not over. Not by any means." POPULAR ON WCNC: Body of 1930s gangster John Dillinger to be exhumed 'I wanted to be buried with them one day' | Charlotte man reunited with lost wedding rings honoring late wife NC Gun Shop Buys '4 Horsemen' Billboard Calling Congresswomen 'Idiots'


PHILADELPHIA (CBS)   A heat health emergency has been issued for Philadelphia as oppressive heat has settled in over the entire region. The dangerous weather is going to last several days as the heat health emergency goes until Sunday at 11 p.m. LATEST FORECAST An excessive heat warning is also in effect for Philadelphia and the surrounding suburbs as the region could see 100-degree temperatures this week. Because of this long stretch of dangerous heat, many communities are offering discounted or even free pool rates to help people cool off. Hot weather means fun day at the pool! These kids are also loving the splash pad here in #NorthPhilly @CBSPhilly pic.twitter.com/DDc3jRakEQ   Matt Petrillo (@MattPetrillo) July 17, 2019 The pool at 26th and Master Streets in North Philadelphia is just one of more than 70 public pools in the city that are now operating on a free swim schedule. Philadelphia Weather: Delaware Valley Could See Temperatures Reach 100 Degrees As Dangerous Heat On The Way What the free swim schedule means is that all classes and camps that have designated times to use the city's pools must also share it with the public as temperatures soar. Philly pools are really expected to get packed with people over the next several days. "When there's a code red and there's excessive heat on a day like this, we have open swim from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday, and then 12 to 5 on Saturday and Sunday," Alain Joinville, of Philadelphia Parks and Recreation, said. "Open swim, you can come at any time, there's no designated family swim, or anything like that, we just want everybody to get in the pool and stay cool." Philadelphia Weather: Remnants Of Tropical Storm Barry To Bring Threat Of Downpours, Thunderstorms To Delaware Valley The city also says there are several cooling stations for homeless people and its six adult centers for seniors are having extended hours.


HOLLY BLUFF, Miss.   In parts of the Mississippi Delta, farm workers struggle to make ends meet, families must use boats to navigate miles of flooded roads , people construct dirt and sandbag levees, in hopes of saving their homes from the rising waters and volunteer firefighters face down a watery catastrophe instead of battling blazes. The flood is not going anywhere soon in Holly Bluff, a community about 70 miles northwest of Jackson, Mississippi. Recent predictions show the Mississippi River cresting at the end of June, said Ray Coleman, spokesman for Mississippi Emergency Management Agency. That would mean waters are expected to recede in late July. Some homes in the Delta have been flooded since February. More than 500,000 acres   including about 250,000 acres of farmland   are covered in water and damage could total tens of millions of dollars, state officials have said. The prolonged flooding has fueled calls to revive a long-dead Yazoo backwater pumps project. Difficult decisions Brown water lapped at the sides of Sonny Cliburn's mobile home near the Sunflower River in Mississippi as he clambered off his stepson's boat and onto his cluttered porch. First priority for the 84-year-old was unloading the boat of supplies   cardboard boxes of medication, a sack of dog food and plastic coolers filled with bread, tomatoes, milk and butter pecan ice cream. Health woes: No swimming! No seafood! Toxic bacteria afflicting coast causes rashes, diarrhea, vomiting Cliburn's home, where he has lived alone with his three dogs since his wife died a year ago, has been surrounded by miles of flooded roads and fields for more than 15 weeks. June 12 marked the second time he has journeyed to town by boat during the months-long flood in the Mississippi Delta. Through the flood, Cliburn's dogs have been his steadfast companions. Together, they've seen the water rise   inches away from creeping over the floorboards of his wooden porch   then ebb, but only slightly. People in Cliburn's situation have had to make a difficult decision: Do they stay, knowing that a hard downpour could bring the water into their living rooms, or do they abandon their homes? Some of Cliburn's neighbors have left but he refuses. "I had been there 60 years and I don't want to leave," he said. His stepson, Tom Clements, frequently makes the 8-mile boat trip from Holly Bluff to deliver food and insulin to Cliburn. Then there are people who were left no choice. They had to find shelter elsewhere when their homes flooded and their utilities cut off. Ohio flooding: Ohio farmland is underwater. That's big trouble for the corn industry Mississippi Emergency Management Agency doesn't know how many families have been displaced. Numbers from a temporary housing program, which provides rental reimbursement, represent only a portion of the people forced to leave their homes because of flooding. In Warren, Yazoo, Sharkey, Issaquena, Humphreys and Wilkinson counties, the agency received more than 500 applications for the temporary housing program, Coleman said, and the state has disbursed more than $304,000. Flood a blow to already shrinking town Longtime residents of Holly Bluff know what to expect after a major disaster: People move away. "That's why I'm afraid of what this one is going to do," said Junae Brooks, a Holly Bluff resident and business owner. "A lot of people have moved out, relocated and I'm afraid they're going to stay gone. We have about 200 locals and we can't really afford to lose anybody." Decades ago, Holly Bluff was " the town," Brooks said. Small but thriving, Holly Bluff had doctors, grocery stores and a school. Now those are gone. The only remaining store and community hub is Junae's Groceries. There, locals can buy a burger and a cold beer. Also for sale are cartons of cigarettes, candy and travel-sized toiletries. "After (the flood of) '73 it became kind of a ghost town," she said. "I can't even imagine what it's going to be like after this flood." While Brooks used to have more than 100 customers a day, that number has dropped to 10 to 15, she said. "Once it dries, (farmers) can get back in the fields. But I think it will have a long term affect on our wildlife. From November to February, our sole financial income is based on the deer and duck hunters," she said. "If wildlife isn't here ... we'll have no income coming in for the store for the next five months." The flooding is taking an emotional toll on everyone in the community, she said. "People are getting very depressed. Nobody comes in laughing. Nobody comes in like normal. They're all just like, 'What are they saying about the water today? Did it rise last night?' " she said. "... These people, they're grown men who have worked their whole lives. ... They call me crying or come into the store, literally crying, because they're scared they're going to lose everything." 'A total loss' for young farmer's family In order for Parker Adcock, 25, to get into his home, he must drive over miles of water-covered roads, wade through the knee-high pond that is his front yard and check for snakes on the porch. He, his pregnant wife and 6-year-old daughter are staying with his parents after they were forced to leave their home by flooding. The interior of his house is waterlogged; the air is humid and malodorous and a slippery film of algae covers his floors under inches of water. Though there's not much sentimental value attached to this house, he said it's a huge financial blow to his family. "It was kind of my stepping stone coming out of school. I put what I did have, what I made during school into it … now it's a total loss," Adcock said. He expects the worst is yet to come. His baby boy is due in December. He is doubtful he'll have a permanent place to stay by then. In addition to losing his home, the young farmer won't have a crop this year. "It's a day-to-day strain. You just kind of have to roll with the punches. Take it one day at a time," he said. Even so, Adcock manages to stay upbeat. He acknowledges that he is in a better situation than some others. For the time being, he can stay at his parents' home and he has flood insurance. For him, what cuts most deeply is the belief that the scope of the flooding could have been limited, or altogether avoided. "This is a man-made disaster that could have been easily prevented," he said. Will salvation be found in pumps? Signs are popping up in the Delta. They're posted on billboards, hung from houses and scrawled with spray paint on levees. "Finish the pumps!" they demand. The longer the flood drags on, more support builds for the Yazoo Backwater Pump project, a long-dead flood control and drainage proposal. Weather losses: Don't expect big tax breaks on losses from flooding, storms The project, which started taking shape with the Flood Control Act of 1941, was killed in 2008 by the Environmental Protection Agency, which said the pumps would result in "unacceptable damage" to wetlands that serve as "critical fish and wildlife habitat." The Yazoo pumps project would cost more than $220 million to build, with an annual operating cost of more than $2 million, according to an EPA news release from 2008, announcing the agency's decision to veto. Opponents say the pumps could worsen flooding downstream , and environmental groups have argued that the pumps would be used by farmland owners to increase agricultural production. If the pumps had been built, they would not have prevented the backwater area from flooding, said Kent Parrish, senior project manager with the U.S. Corps of Engineers, Vicksburg District. The pumps wouldn't start working until flood water reaches 87 feet above sea level. They would have limited the scope of the flood's impact, however. Many Holly Bluff residents feel resentment toward the EPA and believe flooding has harmed wildlife and the environment more than the pumps would have. "People who live here say, 'When did wetlands become more important than human beings?' ....That's how we look at it," Brooks, the Holly Bluff business owner said. During a May news conference Gov. Phil Bryant said the EPA is reviewing its veto decision. Dale Cockrell's family has been farming in the Delta for at least four generations, but after weathering this year's flood, he says he won't be staying in the area. Flooded farmland has prevented him from planting anything. His home is underwater. Cockrell fears that flooding will only come back stronger and more frequently in the future. "Do I want to stay and put up with this? No, not if they don't put in the pumps," he said. Asked where he might be headed next, Cockrell mused: "I've always wanted to go to Alaska." Follow Alissa Zhu on Twitter: @AlissaZhu This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Weathering months of flooding, residents fear Mississippi town will never be the same


With a roster emerging with young talent, the Indianapolis Colts will have several position groups hungry to show they can be impactful in the NFL. Not all of the position groups will reach their ceilings in 2019. Some might even regress. Such is the nature of football. Still, there will be a handful of positions throughout the Colts' roster that will be hungry to prove something. This notion isn't even exclusive to positions that have recently struggled and are looking to show improvements. This can also be applied to position groups that balled out during the 2018 season and now will be looking to prove it wasn't a fluke. There is no denying the Colts will feature a roster that is immensely deeper than it has been this decade-when considering both sides of the ball. The infusion of athleticism and intelligence has increased tenfold since Chris Ballard took over as general manager. As training camp and the 2019 regular season quickly approach, there will be a number of position groups out to prove something. But which one has the most to prove in 2019? Take Our Poll MORE: Tiger Woods grimaced after his opening tee shot and golf fans started panicking Ranking the Packers' position groups from weakest to strongest News: Cowboys' $100 million men underpaid, and more dangerous in 2019 Roundup: Hustlers Trailer, El Chapo Getting Supermax Prison, Dan Patrick on Ben Simmons The top 100 players in the NFL today


Listen Even in training camp, people deserve to get faded! Early injuries, idiots who run over team owners, long shots getting cut and a slew of young quarterbacks looking to make their mark. The 2019 season is upon us and the NFC East is as interesting as ever! Season 5 Premiere and Catch This Fade expands to NFC East coverage. With beat writers covering the Cowboys, Eagles, Giants and Washington, K.D. Drummond hosts a roundup of the latest news from the best division in football. Joined by Patrik Walker, Emory Hunt, Lake Lewis and Glenn Erby, this star-studded line-up keeps the action going and keeps you locked in for the razor-sharp fade! MORE: Hiker stalked by cougar says Metallica song helped her escape Steven Jackson gets random drug test from NFL after signing 1-day contract Biggest winners from the first week of Packers training camp Winners and losers from first week of Raiders training camp 3 standouts from Thursday's Lions practice


Sergio Garcia's record shows he hasn't won anywhere on the golf course in 2019, but the Spaniard has lost even more this year in the court of public opinion . On Tuesday, a seemingly unbecoming video of Garcia taken by a fan at the Open Championship went viral. In the 20-second clip, Garcia hits his tee shot on the fifth hole at Royal Portrush during the final round. Clearly disgusted with the result, Garcia tosses it over his shoulder at his caddie while not looking as they walk off the tee box, drawing an audible gasp from those in the crowd. Watch and listen: https://twitter.com/RayOwensMU20/status/1153651236996091905 Garcia went on to double bogey the hole. He shot a final-round 78 to tumble down the leader board and finish in a tie for 67th place. Adding another layer to this incident is who Garcia's caddie was for the event: Victor Garcia. As in Sergio's brother. It should be noted that the video is difficult to see and we don't know the full context. Perhaps, that's how the Garcias show affection for each other. RELATED: You have to see Sergio Garcia's bunker tantrum to believe it Not surprisingly, though, Golf Twitter took Garcia to task for his actions. Here's a (small) sampling from fans and golf writers: https://twitter.com/CalebHarrell9/status/1153827587212267520 https://twitter.com/AlexPatrick94/status/1153821499616137219 https://twitter.com/cablestation947/status/1153815455871594497 https://twitter.com/RyanBallengee/status/1153817663094718468 https://twitter.com/BrendanPorath/status/1153816435967188993 This is the second time Garcia has been criticized harshly for a video taken by a fan during a tournament. In February at the European Tour's Saudi International, a clip of the 2017 Masters champ surfaced in which he angrily slammed his club in a bunker several times . Garcia was disqualified from the event for "serious misconduct" after being accused of purposely damaging greens . "I feel terrible about it," Garcia told the AP at his next tournament. "I've been thinking about it for the last week, every day. I'm an emotional player. That emotion is probably my biggest strength, but it's also one of my biggest flaws. If I channel it the right way, it's amazing. I think that's why people follow me the way they do. If I channel it the wrong way, it's too extreme. My goal is make sure the bad gets better and the good stays." Judging from this weekend, it appears Sergio still has some work to do. RELATED: Introducing the "Content Kings" of the PGA Tour WATCH: GOLF DIGEST VIDEOS


Argentinian immigrant Alejandro de Tomaso started his eponymous car company in Italy 60 years ago. It soon turned out to be one of the wildest car-building enterprises the world has ever seen. Now, six decades later, the investor behind Apollo Automobil is determined to do Alejandro's legacy justice. It announced today that it's working on a new car, which is set to make its debut this summer at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. In 2014, Ideal Team Ventures, the Hong Kong investment fund owned by Apollo Automobil CEO Norman Choi, paid a little over €1 million ($1.1 million) for the De Tomaso brand assets . Soon after, work began to create a new car for the brand's 60th anniversary. According to Choi, the new De Tomaso, code-named "Project P" is engineered by "the same core team behind Apollo", which suggests some involvement from AMG co-founder Hans-Werner Aufrecht's race firm HWA . Challenged by the status quo in Italy, de Tomaso first move as an automaker was to develop a Formula One chassis he could race. After that program lead nowhere, De Tomaso created the stunning Vallelunga (pictured above), an aluminum sports car powered by a mid-mounted Ford four-cylinder. Built by Carrozzeria Fissore, this limited-production 1965 model was followed by the more grown up Mangusta, a heavily re-engined Vallelunga with a Ford V-8, and lines penned by Ghia. Then came the Ford Cleveland-powered Pantera, which was sold in Lincoln-Mercury dealerships across America, letting De Tomaso play with the big fish. De Tomaso also built luxury cars like the Deauville and the Longchamp to compete with Jaguar and Mercedes-Benz. The company bought Maserati from Citroën, and Innocenti in order to build Minis in Italy, too. And finally, who could forget Alejandro's adventures with Japan's Daihatsu ? By the late nineties, De Tomaso ran out momentum, and one cool-but-ultra-limited production car and a failed concept later, the company went bankrupt. Alejandro de Tomaso died in 2003, only to be remembered fondly even by those who really didn't want to work for him earlier. Like design master Marcello Gandini : Other historic sports-car makers have staged comebacks at Goodwood in recent years, to varying degrees of success. Brisol and TVR both spring to mind . It would be easy to dismiss the chances of a newly revived De Tomaso, but given Apollo's progress, this team shouldn't be underestimated.


Coaches usually deflect the question of "Who has stood out?" Zac Taylor points to CB B.W. Webb and WR Hunter Sharp. - Jay Morrison (@JayMorrisonATH) June 4, 2019 B.W. Webb is quickly making a name for himself with the Cincinnati Bengals. Webb was initially a bit of an under-the-radar move when he joined the team this offseason via free agency. At best, he figured to get some snaps if the team couldn't get Darqueze Dennard back under contract. But above, The Athletic's Jay Morrison pointed out Zac Taylor did a bit of a rare thing by identifying Webb as a standout. This praise follows on the heels of new Bengals defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo praising Webb as a guy who can help teammates understand the defense after the two spent some time together with the New York Giants. Call it another feather in the cap of sorts for Webb, who could have a bigger role than expected given all the noise he's made since arriving. If so, the long-term outlook has to come into the discussion too given the fact the front office gave him a multi-year deal. MORE: WATCH: Did Nike just reveal Kevin Durant's free agency destination? Did Nike accidentally reveal that Kevin Durant is staying with the Warriors? Report: Suns, Bulls offering lottery picks for Lonzo Ball Return of NASCAR: Packers planning ways to get 4 OLBs on the field together Pelicans 'Listening' to Anthony Davis Trade Offers Now


W Series, the first women-only motor racing championship, has been rocked by a sex discrimination claim on its opening weekend. While Britain's Jamie Chadwick won the inaugural round in Hockenheim on Saturday, Sportsmail learned that two woman mechanics, who were featured in Channel 4's promotional film of the series, were axed because, as one of them put it, 'certain individuals didn't like female mechanics around'. Joy Pratt, 32, who has worked in motorsport for a decade, was sent an email by Hitech GP, the company who run the cars for W Series, saying that her services were no longer required after she had worked in the garages at the driver selection tests in Almeria, Spain. Pratt and Laura Jones were both discarded at that stage, seemingly making a mockery of W Series' stated ambition to develop women mechanics. Pratt's dismissal, in particular, has surprised motorsport insiders because her c.v. suggests she is supremely qualified for the job: a champion Formula Ford mechanic and a technician at Aston Martin. Jones, though less experienced, is also highly rated. Pratt said: 'I worked with W Series in one garage in Almeria and everything went well. I was welcomed into the crew and we got on well. Then I was moved to another garage, where the atmosphere was frosty. 'The chief mechanic took a dislike to me. I think I did a pretty excellent job. My cars ran well. I don't think I was dropped because of the job I did. My face did not fit. 'I think certain guys feel threatened by female engineers. They do not like us around. There is a feeling of, 'You shouldn't being doing this job'. 'I massively feel as if there is discrimination in motorsport. You can feel as a woman as if you are banging your head against a brick wall. 'W Series say they are about promoting women and it would be nice to think they want to hold on to the girls they have.' Pratt says she has the support of W Series chief executive Catherine Bond Muir, who was apparently unaware of Hitech's decision to sack her. Bond Muir has held out the hope that Pratt will be handed a role in subsequent races, an opportunity she would consider. A W Series spokesperson said: 'Sadly, we were unable to continue with the two mechanics concerned, for underperformance reasons. 'Our duty of care is and must always be to our drivers' safety, which necessitates our always using competent mechanics so as to provide our drivers with well prepared cars, as we did in Saturday's race at Hockenheim, during which our cars posted a 100 per cent reliability record. 'Wherever and whenever we are unsatisfied by a mechanic's competence, it is therefore our duty to replace him or her. 'We considered offering alternative roles to the two women concerned, but unfortunately we have none suitable for them.' Related slideshow: Danica Patrick through the years (provided by photo services)


By Vimvam Tong and Delfina Wentzel HONG KONG (Reuters) - Hong Kong was plunged into chaos again on Thursday as protesters rallied outside the justice secretary's offices, blocking roads and forcing workers to leave in the latest unrest to rock the city over an extradition bill that has now been suspended. Millions have thronged the streets in the past three weeks to demand that the bill, which would allow criminal suspects to be sent to the mainland for trial in courts controlled by the Chinese Communist Party, be scrapped altogether. "I think this movement is very successful because this time the goal is very clear," said one protester, Ken Yau, drawing a contrast with Hong Kong's 2014 democracy movement that gridlocked parts of the Asian financial center for 79 days. "I was 11 when the Umbrella Movement happened. I only went to the occupied sites a few times with my family." In sweltering heat of 32 degrees C (89.6°F), some protesters chanted, "Withdraw evil law, release martyrs...Teresa Cheng, come out," referring to the justice secretary. Others shouted, "Condemn excessive force by police and release protesters." Police formed a cordon to block the demonstrators, and one officer held a banner warning them away. Minor scuffles broke out between pro-democracy group Demosisto and officers. "Fight for Justice", "Free Hong Kong," and "Democracy Now" were some of the demands emblazoned on the protesters' banners. Police chief Stephen Lo warned of consequences for outbraks of violence and condemned what he said was an environment of hostility making his officers's task difficult. In the early hours, riot police wielding batons and shields chased dozens of protesters as they broke up a siege of police headquarters. The demonstrators have seized on this week's G20 summit of world leaders in Japan to appeal for Hong Kong's plight to be put on the agenda, a move certain to rile Beijing, which has vowed not to tolerate such discussion. "We know that the G20 is coming. We want to grasp this opportunity to voice for ourselves," said Jack Cool Tsang, 30, a theater technician who took a day off work to protest. Images of police firing rubber bullets and tear gas beneath gleaming skyscrapers this month near the heart of the financial center grabbed global headlines and drew condemnation from international rights groups and protest organizers. Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam, who has kept a low profile over the past few days, bowed to public pressure and suspended the bill a day after the violent protests but stopped short of a full withdrawal and rejected repeated calls to step down. The demonstrations, which pose the greatest popular challenge to Chinese President Xi Jinping since he took power in 2012, have repeatedly forced the temporary closure of government offices, blocked major roads and caused massive disruptions. Since Hong Kong returned to Chinese rule in 1997, it has been governed under a "one country, two systems" formula that allows freedoms not enjoyed in mainland China, including the liberty to protest and an independent judiciary. But many accuse China of increased meddling over the years, by obstructing democratic reform, interfering with elections, suppressing young activists, as well as being behind the disappearance of five Hong Kong-based booksellers who specialized in works critical of Chinese leaders. Opponents of the extradition bill fear being placed at the mercy of a justice system rights group say is plagued by torture, forced confessions and arbitrary detentions. (Reporting By Vimvam Tong, Jessie Pang, Delfina Wentzel, Donny Kwok and Noah Sin, Writing by Anne Marie Roantree; Editing by Clarence Fernandez)


Read on for the most recent top news you may have missed in Berkeley. 50-year-old Country Cheese Co. in Berkeley to close Owner Shirley Ng is selling the building to concentrate on her second specialty food store in San Francisco. Read the full story on Berkeleyside . Berkeley Unified closes its only charter school After a months-long saga, the school board denied REALM's application to merge with an online charter system, then revoked the school's charter. Read the full story on Berkeleyside . Berkeley police respond to crash at Dwight Way, Browning Street A crash Thursday afternoon in West Berkeley left a vehicle on its side after a driver ran into a parked car, according to BPD. And pedestrians have been injured in two other recent crashes. Read the full story on Berkeleyside . This story was created automatically using data about news stories on social media from CrowdTangle , then reviewed by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.


If you follow regional high school baseball, chances are you've already made your picks for this coming week. If not, here's a peek at some stand-out upcoming boys varsity baseball games in and around Detroit, selected using data from high school sports source MaxPreps . (Hoodline offers data-driven analysis of local happenings and trends across cities. Details like game dates/times and team records are based on data provided by MaxPreps and may be subject to change; the latest up-to-date information is available at the links below.) Richard vs. Western International On Thursday, May 30, the Richard varsity Pioneers (17-5) have a home nonconference game against the Western International Cowboys (19-8). The action kicks off at 15325 Pennsylvania Road in Riverview, starting at 4:30 p.m. Hamtramck vs. King On Friday, May 31, the Hamtramck Cosmos (6-6) face the King Crusaders (1-7) in a conference game on their own turf. The first pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m. at 11410 Charest St. in Hamtramck. While Hamtramck has a 4-4 conference record, the visiting King boys are 1-3 in conference play this season. Harper Woods vs. Denby The Harper Woods Pioneers (1-5) will play a nonconference game against the Denby Tars (0-1) at home on Friday, May 31. The first pitch is set for 3 p.m. at 20225 Beaconsfield St. in Harper Woods. Renaissance vs. University of Detroit Jesuit The Renaissance Phoenix (5-8) have a nonconference game against the University of Detroit Jesuit Cubs (8-8) at home on Saturday, June 1. The tussle is set for 10 a.m. at 6565 W. Outer Drive. Hamtramck vs. King On Saturday, June 1, the Hamtramck Cosmos (6-6) will meet the King Crusaders (1-7) in a home nonconference game. The first pitch is set for 12 p.m. at 11410 Charest St. in Hamtramck. Henry Ford Academy: School for Creative Studies vs. Pershing On Saturday, June 1, the Henry Ford Academy: School for Creative Studies varsity Mustangs (1-11) have a home nonconference game against the Pershing Doughboys (1-0). It all goes down at 485 W. Milwaukee, starting at 12 p.m. Harper Woods vs. Denby The Harper Woods Pioneers (1-5) have a nonconference game against the Denby Tars (0-1) at home on Saturday, June 1. The first pitch is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. at 20225 Beaconsfield St. in Harper Woods. This story was created automatically using local sports data, then reviewed by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.


Expect bare-knuckle political sparring when 2020 frontrunner Joe Biden battles his Democratic rivals this week, with challengers criticizing him on racial issues and low-polling candidates seeking last-gasp breakouts for their sagging campaigns. Twenty Democratic White House hopefuls will gather under the klieg lights for their party's second nationally-televised debate, a two-night affair beginning Tuesday in Detroit that is expected to bring more heat than the debut showdown last month. "I'm not going to be as polite this time," Biden told a fundraiser in Detroit Wednesday, as the two most prominent African American candidates in the race -- senators Kamala Harris and Cory Booker -- signaled they will be seize the offensive against the former vice president. Despite differences over how to go after Republican President Donald Trump, and recognition that issues such as the economy and health care should dominate campaign talk, the escalating conflict over race has emerged as perhaps the prominent issue of the moment ahead of the debate. Trump himself has fueled the divisions, attacking ethnic minority lawmakers in tweets and campaign appearances that sparked fraught national deliberations about race relations in America. With Biden the clear leader in Democratic polls -- he has double the support of number two candidate Bernie Sanders -- he is also the primary target. He will face open confrontation about his record when he takes the stage Wednesday for his rematch with Harris, which will also feature Booker. Both have pointed to controversial positions in Biden's past, including his work with segregationists in the US Senate and his opposition to federally mandated busing to desegregate schools. "If they want to argue about the past, I can do that," Biden said at the fundraiser. "I got a past I'm proud of. They got a past that's not quite so good." Several candidates have prepared for the two-night clash by wooing black voters, a crucial Democratic demographic. Harris, an ex-prosecutor who has been criticized for opposing some criminal justice reforms while attorney general of California, rolled out a $60 billion plan for black higher education. Biden unveiled a criminal justice proposal, and Pete Buttigieg, an Indiana mayor in the second tier of candidates, recently presented a plan for what he calls "investment in the empowerment of black America." Biden, 76, has acknowledged he was ill-prepared to counter the brickbats against him in the opening debate. Polls show many black voters are unmoved by the fracas with Biden, who enjoys good will from African Americans over his eight-year stint as Barack Obama's loyal deputy. A Monmouth University poll released Thursday shows Biden with 51 percent support among African Americans in early-voting South Carolina. Booker, currently eighth in polling according to RealClearPolitics, sought to capture some of that support by noting Biden's new criminal justice plan stands in contrast to the 1994 crime bill Biden helped draft. Booker dubbed Biden an "architect of mass incarceration" for supporting that bill, and he told the National Urban League that a candidate gets "no great badge of courage" for calling Trump a racist today. "The question is, what were you doing to address structural inequality and institutional racism throughout your life?" - Progressive standoff - Another key showdown on Tuesday will be between the race's top progressives, Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders. Both are popular senators advocating for the Democratic Party's more liberal policies. Sanders and Warren are essentially tied for second in the race at 15 percent and 14.5 percent support respectively. They debated on different nights last month, so Tuesday's face-off between them could draw fireworks. Critics warn that progressives could make unforced errors by moving the party positions so far leftward ahead of the 2020 election. Trump is already blasting his Democratic rivals as "socialists." Moderate candidates like Senator Amy Klobuchar have expressed skepticism about the viability of Sanders's "Medicare for All" universal health program and Warren's plan for tuition-free college. So has Biden, who has positioned himself as the chief protector of Obamacare, the health law Republicans have repeatedly sought to gut. The debate will be the first since former special prosecutor Robert Mueller's congressional testimony last week, which fell short of many Democrats' expectations that he would dramatically boost the case for Trump's impeachment. More than half of the Democratic candidates support impeachment proceedings, and moderators may ask whether such action is more or less likely following Mueller's underwhelming performance.


After striking out with Anthony Davis, the Boston Celtics are looking elsewhere to improve their roster. Reports suggest that they are in a position to have themselves a top-five pick in Thursday's draft . Some media personnel are saying that Boston may even trade for a critical piece for the franchise . Whether it's a draft prospect or a proven star in this league, the next two and a half days will be crucial for Danny Ainge and his franchise. This won't be your typical offseason. The Vet: Washington's Bradley Beal Many people in the NBA don't get the credit they deserve, and somewhere in the top-tier is Washington Wizards shooting guard Bradley Beal. On a poorly constructed team that struggled with injuries and bad contracts, Beal played in all 82 games last season and averaged 25.6 points, 5.5 assists, 5.0 rebounds and 1.5 steals per contest, With star playmaker Kyrie Irving all but set to depart his home of the last two seasons, Boston will have to give the keys to the offense to a deserving successor. Forward Jayson Tatum could be given the keys to the offense and, in fact, that's the expectation on a roster without Irving. However, Tatum and Beal - two former third overall picks - can be the one-two punch that nobody saw coming. Both are from St. Louis, and Beal and Tatum are close friends and often train together, which is a bonus for the two of them. For the Celtics as a whole, it provides them with an elite sniper from three-point range who can create his own shots and quietly explodes to the rim. A trade for Beal would have to include at least one first round pick and a couple players. On Tuesday, NBC Sports Boston's Darren Hartwell wrote about two potential trade packages : One league source suggested that Washington would need to strongly consider an offer of Jayson Tatum, Marcus Smart and a protected pick for Beal or that Boston could offer Smart, Jaylen Brown and two future first-rounders as an alternative trade. Losing Tatum or Jaylen Brown would obviously take away a young core piece of the Celtics' rebuild but it would also keep Boston in step with the top-tier Eastern Conference like the Toronto Raptors and Milwaukee Bucks. Getting Beal would be a trade that could also lead to an extension, as his deal does expire in 2021. The Prospect: Mfiondu Kabengele After leading the Florida State Seminoles to their school's best record (29-8) since the 1977-78 season, big man Mfiondu Kabengele is ready to take his talents to the best basketball league on the planet. A projected lottery pick, his athleticism, motor and willingness to improve his game make him one of my favorite prospects in Thursday's NBA Draft. As a sophomore, the former Seminole led his team in scoring this past season off the bench and was quickly the best player on their roster. His 13.2 points came in a variety of ways but the 6-10 power forward was most impressive beyond the arc, shooting the ball at 36.9 percent from deep for the year. An impressive stat for player his size. Entering this summer, the Celtics don't have anyone who they can turn to and ask to be a stretch-big and hit the boards. The 250-pound Kabengele is that guy; a fearless competitor who will be able to provide energy on both ends of the floor. Acquiring these two players would improve the Celtics roster and bench by immediately inserting one of the league's best scorers into the starting lineup and one of the more dynamic prospects in the 2019 draft. MORE: Four potential Kawhi Leonard landing spots in free agency Suspended NASCAR driver still found a way to race this weekend Three Potential Trade Destinations for Chris Paul Raiders DE Clelin Ferrell signs contract, offers message to fans Position flexibility giving Packers DB Natrell Jamerson a chance to stick