The Best Things to Do in Every National Park From scenic drives to boat trips, kayaking to slough slogging, hiking to backpacking, we've come up with the best of every national park. Part of what makes national parks so special is that there's no wrong way to visit them. Transcending all ages and fitness levels, all of the United States' national parks are welcoming doors to the wilderness accessible to all. No two parks, however, were created equal, and everywhere from Denali National Park in Alaska to Yellowstone in Wyoming offer vastly different ways to experience nature. Here's our guide to the best things to do in every one of the national parks in America. See North America's Highest Peak There are peaks around the world taller than Denali  Mount Everest and K2 are more than 8,000 feet higher than North America's highest mountain but from afar, not one of them can hold a candle to Denali, which has the highest vertical relief in the world: 18,000 feet from base to peak, and still growing. Located at the junction of two active tectonic plates, Denali grows about a millimeter each year. Visible for miles within the New Hampshire-sized Denali National Park , this sacred mountain, "the high one" in the Athabaskan language of the region's ancestral Koyukon people, literally cannot be missed. Hike Wild Game Trails There are no roads, no trails and no developed campsites in Gates of the Arctic National Park , just 8.4 million acres of untouched boreal forests, frigid lakes, and the rugged peaks and valleys of the Brooks Range. The only way to get to the park is by plane or on foot. Flying gives you a spectacular bird's eye view of Alaskan beauty, but only by hiking ancient caribou game trails will you truly be in awe of this far-flung northern wilderness. Take to the Water for an Alaskan Safari Glacier Bay National Park is just one corner of a 25-million acre World Heritage Site protecting a unique coastal landscape teeming with wildlife. You'll get the best views of coastal brown bears, orcas, sea otters, bald eagles, and humpback whales from the water; the only choice is by what type of vessel. Both small cruise ships and day boats traverse the Bay but if you're game for an adventure, kayaking the turquoise waters and camping overnight on the shores of the Bay is an unforgettable experience. Catch Sight of Bears at Brooks Camp Thousands, yes thousands, of bears live in the four-million-acre Katmai National Park in southern Alaska. In summer and early fall, the bears like to congregate at Brooks Camp at the mouth of the Brooks River and the shores of Naknek Lake where salmon are plentiful. The park has set up viewing platforms at these spots, as well as a visitor center and campground. When you've had your fill of furriness, lace up your hiking boots and head for the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes Road, a moderate trail with impressive views of the site of the 20th century's largest volcanic eruption. View the Harding Icefield The Ice Age never came to an end at southern Alaska's Kenai Fjords National Park . Though it's named for its beautiful, steep banked fjords, the most unusual feature here may be the Harding Icefield, 300 square miles of ice, ice, and more ice. From the Harding Icefield, close to 40 glaciers extend in all directions. A hiking trail across the icefield, the aptly named Harding Icefield Trail, offers intrepid explorers a strenuous 8.2-mile look at this unbroken landscape of ice and snow. See the Great Kobuk Sand Dunes Above the Arctic Circle might be one of the last places in the world you'd expect to find sand dunes, but that's where you'll discover the Great Kobuk Sand Dunes stretching as far as the eye can see at Kobuk Valley National Park . Great Kobuk is the largest of three sand dune fields in Kobuk Valley, remnants of windblown glacial detritus from the Pleistocene Era. It's also one of the sites NASA uses as a model for studying the polar dunes on Mars. Like at the neighboring Gates of the Arctic National Park , there are no roads, no trails, and no campsites in Kobuk Valley. If backpacking across the park with only your compass and wits to guide you seems daunting, you can see the dunes year-round from above via air taxis leaving from Nome, Bettles or Kotzebue. Hike the Historic Dena'ina Athabascan Route From time immemorial, the native Dena'ina Athabascan people have hunted, traveled and lived on the land now protected as Lake Clark National Park . They recognize it not only for its spectacular beauty but for the bountiful resources it provides thanks to the convergence of three mountain ranges, a rainforested coastline, alpine tundra, two volcanoes (one of which is still active) and plenty of salmon-bearing rivers, lakes, and streams, and the bears who love them. The Telaquana Trail, a two to four-day hike, was once part of the network of overland routes used by the Dena'ina Athabascans. On the trail from Telaquana Lake to Kijik Village on Lake Clark, traditional indigenous place names recorded by local elders help to give a cultural context to this rich natural landscape. Snorkel or Scuba Dive From the Shore of Tutuila Island The National Park of American Samoa protects three islands Tutuila, Ofu and Ta'u and their fragile coral reefs and rainforests. As one of the least visited national parks, American Samoa has very limited infrastructure but thanks to the abundance of underwater beauty here, you don't need a boat to see over 250 species of coral and 950 species of tropical fish. As long as you've got your own gear (which can be rented at the territorial capital of Pago Pago on the island), you can step into the deep straight from the beach on Tutuila Island. Visit the Only Place in the U.S. Where Mail Arrives by Mule The views from the rim of the Grand Canyon are the best way to get a sense of America's best-loved geological feature but down below, where the Colorado River and its tributaries flow, are the canyon's most fascinating details. Perhaps the most surprising is the small village of Supai . The Havasupai people, one of the smallest native American tribes, have lived here for over 800 years, eight miles from the closest road. While more than 20,000 people visit Supai annually, it can only be reached on foot (two or four legs are acceptable), making this the last town in the country to receive its mail by mule. Look Thousands of Years Into the Past Thousands of years of human history is scattered throughout the high elevation desert landscape at Petrified Forest National Park ; over 600 archaeological and petroglyph sites have been found within its boundaries. These ancient places are in varying states of preservation and most are kept secret in order to prevent troublemaking tourists from removing valuable artifacts but two of the most important, Puerco Pueblo and Newspaper Rock, are open for exploration. At its height, Puerco Pueblo, which was abandoned around 1380 CE, was home to around 200 Puebloan people. Nearby, at Newspaper Rock, there are over 650 carved drawings (petroglyphs), some dating back 2,000 years. Unfortunately, because the hillsides around Newspaper Rock are unstable, it can only be viewed from above on a catwalk studded with free spotting scopes. Take in the Scenery Along Cactus Forest Drive The Saguaro cactus, the largest succulent in the U.S., grows in abundance in the slice of the Sonoran Desert known as Saguaro National Park . From afar, the towering plants, which can reach heights of 40 feet, take on an almost forest-like appearance. To catch views straight out of a John Wayne movie, take a ride (on four wheels or two) on the 8-mile long scenic loop, Cactus Forest Drive. Take a Stroll Down Bathhouse Row Hot Springs National Park is not just one of the most unusual national parks in America, it is technically the first, protected before the national park system even began back in 1832. The thermal waters at the park, which include a portion of the town of Hot Springs, have been visited for centuries for its therapeutic effects. Instead of preserving the pools in their natural form, early entrepreneurs built bathhouses which still stand today on Bathhouse Row, a National Historic Landmark. While most are undergoing restoration, you can still enter the healing waters at two original bathhouses, the Buckstaff and Quapaw. Kayak Around Santa Cruz Island Though it's just an hour boat ride from the southern California city of Ventura, Channel Islands National Park could not be farther away from the hustle and bustle of the mainland. Due to thousands of years of isolation, these islands have a unique ecological environment with species of plants and animals literally found nowhere else on earth. Santa Cruz Island, the easiest of the park's five islands to access and the one with the best weather, can be explored on foot (there are no roads or services on the island) but for a different perspective, all you need is a kayak. Rent one or take a guided tour with the Channel Islands Adventure Company based at Scorpion Anchorage on Santa Cruz. Explore a Ghost Town Once upon a time, there was gold in the hills of the Panamint Mountains of Death Valley National Park . Small mining towns popped up throughout the valley but when the riches ran out, so did the people, leaving behind a ghostly shell of the lives they once led. Several of these abandoned towns still stand around Death Valley and two, Ballarat and Panamint City, are within the park boundaries. At Ballarat, you'll find the remains of a post office, jailhouse, cemetery and general store dating to the late 1890s, as well as a rusted out truck once owned by Charles Manson's followers. At Panamint City, a 7-mile uphill hike from Surprise Canyon, the remains of a mining operation in the 1870s are being slowly consumed by the desert. See the Desert in Bloom Two deserts, the Mojave and Colorado, come together at Joshua Tree National Park . Named, of course, for its unusual Joshua Tree, a tall, stately yucca plant, this rocky landscape is uniquely beautiful. But what is lovely in summer, fall, and winter becomes absolutely incredible in the springtime when cacti, succulents, and the Joshua Tree are in full bloom. The rainbow of flowering desert plants typically begins in mid-April and lasts into May. Hike a Portion of the Pacific Crest Trail The Pacific Crest Trail stretches 2,659 miles from the Mexican border to the Canadian one, passing through seven national parks in California, Oregon, and Washington. Through the Kings Canyon National Park section of High Sierra, a landscape of steep peaks and deep valleys carved by ancient glaciers, the trail hits its formidable highest point at Forester Pass, 13,153 feet above sea level. Even though the trail can be covered in snow well into early summer, when passable it's an incredible view of the rugged mountainous spine of the west coast, accessible both for day hikes and backpacking trips. Trek to the Summit of the Lassen Peak Lassen Peak, which dominates the landscape at Lassen Volcanic National Park , is the world's largest "plug dome" volcano, a rounded mound-shape volcano made from the slow seepage of lava from a volcano. The hike isn't long, just 2.5 miles each way. From the top, panoramic views of the "Devastated Area," a portion of forest destroyed by the erupting Lassen volcano between 1914 and 1917, offers impressive insight into the power of Mother Nature. The rotten-egg smell of sulfur hanging over the summit is a good reminder that Lassen, though dormant, is still considered the southernmost active volcano in the Cascade Range Explore Fern Canyon Redwood National and State Parks are, not surprisingly, known for their redwood trees; 45% of the world's remaining redwoods are found within their boundaries. But there's even more fascinating flora to see here. In Fern Canyon, a 325 million-year-old stream canyon, steep cliff walls carpeted with ancient ferns frame the gorge. As the walls narrow, a series of footbridges pass under miniature waterfalls, and hanging gardens frequented by Pacific giant salamanders which can grow nearly a foot in length. Gaze up at General Sherman Giant Sequoia trees, massive conifers that can grow up to 300 feet tall with a trunk circumference of over 100 feet, are typically found scattered sparsely among the forests of the high Sierra Nevada mountains. But natural conditions at Sequoia National Park have conspired to create 40 different groves with up to tens of thousands of sequoia each. The crowning jewel of them all is the General Sherman tree, the largest living tree in the world, 275 feet tall and 36 feet in diameter at its roots. Admire the ancient behemoth via a short ½-mile paved trail or take a shuttle to its base. Hike to the Top of Half Dome Hiking Half Dome, Yosemite National Park's iconic semi-rounded monolith, isn't for the faint of heart. Not only is it 16 miles round trip but the trail up is almost straight up, nearly 5,000 feet. And then there are the cables 400 feet of them which take hikers to the tippy top of the dome on a route that could previously be passed only by using climbing gear. It's a challenge, but one that's richly rewarded with views of the Yosemite Valley unlike those found anywhere else in the park. Spot Rare California Condors Pinnacles National Park , a surreal moonscape of eroded volcanic detritus, is an important part of a statewide effort to rebuild the endangered California condor population, black and white scavengers with an impressive 9-foot wingspan. Juveniles born at captive breeding facilities are released at Pinnacles when they're just under 2 years old. Because the birds do not migrate, park biologists can closely monitor them year round. There are currently just over 70 California condors in the park and the best chance for getting a glimpse of the birds is in the early morning or early evening at High Peaks or from the Peaks View scenic overlook. Cruise South Rim Drive for 12 Unique Scenic Views The chasm at the center of Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is a scar in the earth so deep that sunlight struggles to reach the bottom (hence why it is "black," shrouded in shadow). Carved out by the Gunnison River, this section of the canyon drops quickly in elevation between almost vertical cliff walls that appear to grow taller and taller as the river sinks. The most shocking feature of the canyon is its width, just 40 feet across at its most narrow point with steep volcanic cliffs on either side. Hiking to the bottom of the formidable rocky canyon is extremely strenuous and there are no maintained trails to mark the route. For something a little less daunting, the 7-mile South Rim Drive has 12 separate overlooks each offering a different perspective of the park's famous gorge. Sand Sled Down the Steepest Dunes in North America The sand dunes at Great Sand Dunes National Park are an unexpected feature in a Colorado landscape more often associated with aspen forests, alpine lakes, and wetlands. But there they are, on the eastern edge of San Luis Valley, made up of 5 billion cubic meters of sand once found at the bottom of mountain lakes. While visitors can hike the dunes, it's much more fun to ride them on sleds or boards. Rent one made just for the sand at the nearby Kristi Mountain Sports , Sand Dunes Swimming Pool and Recreation or Oasis Store then hit the park's tallest slope, High Dune, which soars 750 feet into the air. Explore the Cliff Palace, the Park's Largest Dwelling The largest archaeological preserve in the United States, Mesa Verde National Park , has more than 4,300 archaeological sites. The most impressive are the cliff dwellings, 600 of them tucked into natural rock crevices and balanced on outcroppings of steep canyon walls. The Cliff Palace , the largest pueblo dwelling at Mesa Verde, was inhabited by around one hundred people for just over a century before it was abandoned, probably due to a disruption in food production during mega-droughts in the 13th century. The sandstone Cliff Palace and its 23 kivas (sunken ceremonial rooms) and dozens of rooms were restored by archaeologists between 1908 and 1922 and have been open to the public ever since. Ride Across the Park on Horseback Rocky Mountain National Park is 415 square miles of incredible alpine beauty. There are 60 peaks in the park over 12,000 feet high and five distinct geographical zones which include meadows teeming with moose and elk, frigid tundra, forested wilderness, mirror-smooth lakes, and waterfalls. While there are over 300 miles of hiking trails and well-maintained scenic drives including Trail Ridge Road, the highest paved road in the country, one of the best ways to commune with nature in the Rocky Mountains is on horseback. There are two stables in the park the Glacier Creek Stables and Moraine Park Stables that offer guided tours in the summer, and other companies outside the park permitted to bring riders in. Follow a Trail of Historic Shipwrecks Florida's Biscayne National Park is 95 percent water, stretching from south of Key Biscayne all the way to just north of Key Largo. These seas may appear calm but their deeps reveal another story, one of turbulent waters, storms, and sinking ships. Biscayne has selected a string of six separate shipwrecks for their Maritime Heritage Trail , the only underwater archaeological trail in America's national parks. The Erl King , which sank in 1891, the 1905 Alicia wreck, and the 1913 Lugano wreck, are relatively deep and best seen with scuba gear. The 1966 remains of the Mandalay , on the other hand, are shallow enough to be easily ogled with just a snorkel and mask. Explore a Massive 19th Century Fort Dry Tortugas National Park protects seven of the most isolated islands in the Florida Keys and the archipelago's best-preserved coral reefs. On the second largest, Garden Key, are the well-preserved remains of Fort Jefferson, a coastal fort constructed between 1846 and 1874 that was abandoned before it was even completed. Today the historic fort shares the island with the park's visitor center and campgrounds and is open to visitors through ranger-guided tours and living history demonstrations. Slough Slog Through the River of Grass If you've never spent a lot of time in the swampy southeast, you've probably never heard of slough slogging, wading through shallow swamps to get up-close-and-personal with its unique living, breathing ecosystem. At Everglades National Park , rangers guide small groups of visitors along the River of Grass through one of the swamp cypress domes. The walk is buggy and wet sturdy closed-toed lace-up shoes and long pants are required and will be soaked by the end of the tour but slough slogging is a fascinating glimpse into a watery world that's more intensely intimate than gliding along in a kayak or canoe. Drive the Spectacular Chain of Craters Road After a temporary closure following unprecedented volcanic activity after the eruption of Kilauea Volcano in June, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is open to the public once again. Unfortunately, the volcanic activity resulted in the disappearance of the park's extant molten lava sites at Halema'uma'u and Pu'u 'O'o craters. The park's stunning natural beauty, though, that isn't going anywhere. For the best views, hit the Chain of Craters Road which goes from the rim of Makaopuhi Crater to the coast at Kalapana. Ten labeled stops along the way will draw your attention to other volcanic activity, Hawaii's largest petroglyph field (23,000 images altogether dating to between 1200-1450 AD) and a dramatic 90-foot sea arch reaching into the Pacific Ocean. Watch the Sunrise From the Volcano's Peak The sunrise views from the summit of Haleakala Volcano at the heart of Haleakala National Park are so spectacular that in 2017 the park began issuing permits in order to keep the landscape from becoming too overrun by early morning visitors. Permits, which cost just $1.50, are good for a parking spot on the peak, from which visitors have access to four separate viewing overlooks. Reservations can be made up to 60 days in advance. Go Deep Inside America's Longest Cave System The only way to enter Mammoth Cave, the underground centerpiece of Mammoth Cave National Park , is by guided tour . There are several options that cater to explorers of all types. For an easy route, check out the Frozen Niagara Tour (1/4 mile, $14 adults/$10 youth) which can accommodate small children and elderly visitors or the longer Mammoth Passage Tour (1 mile, $8 adults/$6 youth). For a more in-depth look, try the Violet City Lantern Tour (3 miles, $20 adults/$15 youth), which guides visitors through the darkness by candlelight. Advanced reservations are highly recommended for all tours, especially during the summer. Climb the Rugged Precipice Loop up Champlain Mountain The Precipice Loop at Acadia National Park isn't long just 3.2 miles round trip but it's brutal, rising over 1,000 feet in less than a mile. And the trail's intensity isn't just its steep grade; with iron rungs, ladders and granite stairs that take you up a sheer cliff, Precipice is as much a non-technical climb as it is a hike. Carefully make your way to the granite slopes of the summit of Champlain Mountain for stunning views of the park far below. Backpack Across the Isle Royale To call Isle Royale National Park isolated is a bit of an understatement. The 45 mile long Isle Royale and around 400 smaller islands in the middle of Lake Superior are only accessible by boat and have no permanent residents or services. What the island does have is campgrounds, 36 of them, to be exact, scattered around the island two to 12 miles apart. In other words, the National Park Service has created the perfect backpacking environment, with outhouses at each campground and fire rings and drinking water at some sites, including Rock Harbor and Windigo. Hit the trail for 2-3 nights or go for the gold with a full 40+ mile loop around the island. See the Northern Lights Without Leaving the Continental U.S. The expanse of wilderness on the Minnesota/Canada border that is Voyageurs National Park offers what is unarguably one of the best views of the Northern Lights in the continental United States. From here, with no light pollution to speak of, the radiation and magnetic waves space hurls towards the earth can be seen in brilliant colors of red, green, blue and purple as they collide with our atmosphere. You don't have to be at a lakeside campsite to watch the skies come to life (though it's one magical option); the lights are just as spectacular from the Rainy Lake and Ash River visitor centers, the Voyageurs Forest Overlook Parking Lot and Woodenfrog Beach. Drive the Famous Going-to-the-Sun Road Construction began in 1921 on the 53-mile long Going-to-the-Sun Road, which spans the width of Glacier National Park from the park's west entrance to Divide Creek in St. Mary on the eastern boundary. When built, the road was a feat of modern engineering that still tortures those charged with its maintenance today, especially in the spring when there can be snow over 80 feet high to plow. When passable typically between early June and mid-October the road offers incredible views of the park's most iconic features, including Lake McDonald, Bird Woman Falls, Garden Wall, and the Jackson Glacier. Wildlife, including mountain goats (the park's official mascot), bighorn sheep, moose, elk, and deer are also frequently visible as you're going-to-the-sun. See One of the World's Oldest Organisms and Feast on Pinyon Nuts Two fascinating pine trees dominate the landscape in Nevada's ancient high-elevation forest, Great Basin National Park . The Bristlecone pine, which grows in groves just below the treeline, is considered by scientists to be the world's longest-living tree and possibly its oldest living organism. There are at least three Bristlecone groves in the park but the interpretive signs spread out along the easy-to-moderate 2.8 mile Bristlecone Trail are an ideal way to learn about the lives of these one-of-a-kind trees. A little lower in elevation, between 6,000 and 9,000 feet, pinyon pine trees grow cones heavy with edible pinyon nuts (pine nuts), a historically important foodstuff for the region's Native American community. Great Basin allows visitors to collect 25lbs of pine cones (three gunny sacks worth) per family when they are plentiful in the late summer and early fall. Witness the Beauty of the Big Room There are several ways to see the caves at Carlsbad National Park but the massive cavern's most beautiful section is a softly lit ballroom of sparkling speleothems called the Big Room. The only part of the underground Carlsbad cave complex that doesn't require a tour guide or advanced reservations, the Big Room is ringed with a paved path that makes this underground world accessible to visitors of all types. Hike down to the chamber on the steep Natural Entrance Trail or take the cave's 750-foot deep elevator down from the visitor center. Explore Historic Log Cabins, Churches and Schools Before it was protected as a national park, people lived in the remote mountain landscape now known as the Great Smoky Mountains . Today, nearly 100 historic structures log cabins, barns, churches, schools, and grist mills are still standing in Cades Cove, Cataloochee, and Oconaluftee. On the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail , you can drive a 55.5-mile loop past some of those that have been best preserved. Watch the Goings on at Prairie Dog Town Black-tailed prairie dogs live in "towns" of interconnected burrows and tunnels at Theodore Roosevelt National Park . Each acre is occupied by a single family group an adult male, several females, and their offspring which cooperatively builds and defends their territory, using their distinct "bark" (more accurately a high-pitched squeak) to warn of approaching threats to the colony. You can see the busy little rodents scuttling about at more than one location in Theodore Roosevelt but the official "Prairie Dog Town," less than a mile down the Buckhorn Trail from the Caprock Coulee Trailhead, is the most easily accessible. Ride a Scenic Railroad Through the Valley Cuyahoga Valley National Park is different from the others. Just beyond its boundaries along the rural landscape of the Cuyahoga River between Akron and Cleveland are dense urban areas and small towns for whom this 51 square mile stretch of riverfront has provided outdoor recreation since the 1870s. In 1880, the Valley Railway began operations, transporting coal and passengers between Ohio's industrial cities. A 26-mile portion of that original rail line still operates today, taking Cuyahoga visitors on a 3.5-hour round trip along the valley's marshes, lakes, and rivers. Explore Wizard Island At the west end of Crater Lake, an extinct volcano and the deepest lake in the United States is the whimsically named Wizard Island. Wizard is a volcanic cinder cone is capped with the "Witches Cauldron," a 500-foot wide, 100-foot deep crater that formed when the volcano erupted nearly 8,000 years ago. In the summer months, Crater Lake National Park ranger-led boat tours ($57 adult/$36 child), demystify the island and the volcanic wreckage that is Crater Lake without docking. To hike around the rocky island, take the Wizard Island Shuttle ($32 adult/$20 child), instead. Paddle the Cedar Creek Canoe Trail Once upon a time, the river and lake floodplains of the southeastern U.S. were covered in old-growth hardwood forests. But hardwoods are valuable building materials and it wasn't long after colonization that the forests started to disappear. Congaree National Park protects the largest of those remaining, a wilderness of towering champion trees, oaks and elms. Beneath their high canopy flows the Cedar Creek Canoe Trail , a 15-mile waterway rife with opportunities to sight river otter, turtles, wading birds, and alligators. Kayak or canoe a section of the trail or pack up for an overnight trip that takes you all the way to the Congaree River. Discover Extinct Creatures In 2010, a seven-year-old girl found the skull of a saber tooth tiger that had eroded out of the earth near Badlands National Park's Ben Reifel Visitor Center. That's how exceptional this stark landscape of eroded rock formations is at preserving the remains of mammals 33 million years old. See replicas of some of the fossils discovered here over the years on the Fossil Exhibit Trail and get a look at what a real paleontologist does at the Fossil Preparation Lab (open daily from June through September). See Unusual Boxwork Cave Formations Wind Cave National Park in western South Dakota is the sixth longest cave system in the world boasting more than 140 miles of underground passageways. There are so many passageways, in fact, that Wind Cave is considered the densest "maze cave" on Earth. Add to the cave's list of superlatives the unusual honeycomb-patterned boxwork calcite formation; this cave has 95 percent of the boxwork in the world. Three regular tours, which range in difficulty from easy to strenuous, offered daily on a first-come-first-served basis will introduce you to the unusual boxwork, along with frostwork formations, stalactites and stalagmites, and underground lakes. Hike to the Dramatic Santa Elena Canyon The sheer cliffs of the dramatic Santa Elena Canyon flank the Rio Grande, forming the boundary between Mexico and Texas in Big Bend National Park . With vertical rock walls that rise as much as 2,400 meters above sea level here, Santa Elena Canyon is easily the most stunning feature in the park. Hike to the edge of the canyon walls to the river's edge via the Santa Elena Canyon Trail , a moderate 1.7-mile round trip that crosses Terlingua Creek. Hike to the "Top of Texas" Guadalupe Peak in Guadalupe Mountains National Park is the highest point in the state of Texas, a whopping 8,749 feet above sea level and if you're game enough to make it to the top, you'll hike three thousand of them. The 8.5-mile round trip trail, which begins at the Pine Springs Campground, passes through several ecosystems, from high desert to pinyon pine forest to ponderosa pine forest, before topping out at the mountain's summit where impressive views range across the state and into neighboring Mexico. Visit an 18th-Century Sugar Plantation The Virgin Islands were once an important way station in the barbarous sugar trade that dominated the Caribbean. The legacy of that slave-driven industry is still visible on the island of St. Johns, 60 percent of which is protected by the Virgin Islands National Park . Explore the ruins of one of St. John's earliest sugar plantations, Annaberg, from the L'Esperance and Reef Bay Trails. After passing Annaberg, both end at the beautiful beach at Reef Bay and can be either hiked independently or on a ranger-guided tour that will reveal details of the plantation's history and the island's local flora and fauna. See Delicate Arch and the Windows Section Arches. Yes, arches! Arches of all types big arches, small arches, skinny arches, fat arches. You like arches? You'll find them at the aptly named Arches National Park . The large concentration of sandstone arches here have been carved by thousands of years of wind, water, and ice to become some of the most iconic symbols of the American southwest. In the Windows Section of the park, hikes of varying difficulty lead to the North Window, Turret Arch, Double Arch and other formations impressive enough to deserve names of their own. Set apart from the others is the most famous formation of them all, Delicate Arch, the largest freestanding arch in the park located high up on a sandstone butte. Watch the Hoodoos Change Color at Sunset Bryce Canyon National Park has the largest concentration of hoodoos, towering rock formations carved by the elements, in the world. The stone spires here are the stuff of Native American legends the Paiute believed the hoodoos were ancient "legend people" trapped for eternity for misbehaving and at no time of day do they inspire the imagination more than in the early evenings. As the sun sets, shifting light across the natural amphitheaters of Bryce Canyon set the hoodoos ablaze in pinks, oranges, yellows, and reds. Get a view of their incredible density and shapeliness from viewpoints along the park's main road skirting the rim of the plateau above the canyon. Visit All Four Distinct Districts of the Park The Green and Colorado Rivers carve up Canyonlands National Park into four separate districts of canyons, mesas, arches, and hoodoos. To see them all, allot two to six hours to drive between the regions, not one of which is directly linked to the others. The most accessible of the districts is Island in the Sky , a massive sandstone mesa with sides dropping over 1,000 feet to the valley below. The Needles in the southeast corner of the park is known for the towering spires that dominate sites like Elephant Canyon and Horseshoe Canyon district preserves some of North America's most significant Native American rock art. Finally, there's The Maze , the most remote of the four, at which you'll find fascinating rock formations like the Chocolate Drops: tall, thin curtains of sandstone, and plenty of backcountry solitude. Explore a Geologic Wrinkle in the Earth Utah's nearly 100-mile-long Waterpocket Fold is a geological wrinkle in the Earth's crust where shifting tectonic plates sent sedimentary rocks upwards into a spiny plateau. The most scenic section of the fold is protected within the boundaries of Capitol Reef National Park , so-called for its domes of white Navajo Sandstone that resemble the dome on a capitol building. Since its formation millions of years ago, the elements have continued to shape the Waterpocket Fold, forming massive not-to-be-missed monoliths like the stone temple in Cathedral Valley near the park's northwestern boundary. Hike the Narrows The Narrows is one of the most popular areas of Zion National Park but that doesn't mean that hiking it will be a walk in the park. No matter what route you choose, the only way to pass through The Narrows, a gorge so slim that it's less than 30 feet wide at some points, is by walking in the Virgin River. Get your feet wet by hiking from the Temple of Sinawava to Big Spring and back (a strenuous 10-mile trip) or travel downstream from Chamberlain's Ranch to the Temple of Sinawava (16 miles, permit required). Hike to a 93-Foot Waterfall There are several stunning waterfalls in Shenandoah National Park but the tallest is Overall Run Falls, which drops from a soaring, 93-foot ledge. To get there you'll have to hike down 1,850 feet. If the 6.4-mile round-trip Overall Run Falls hike seems too intimidating, try Rose River Falls or South River Falls, both of which are 2.6-mile round-trip hikes that require a return climb of only 720 to 850 feet. Hike One of the World's Most Dangerous Volcanoes Mount Rainier, the tallest mountain in the Cascades, is considered one of the most dangerous volcanoes in the world due to its large film of glacial ice. When the volcano erupts, the ice will combine with debris to create a destructive slurry that will spell disaster for communities down below. The only unknown is when the event will occur. While we wait, Mount Rainier National Park does, too. The gorgeous mountain landscape spanning five major rivers can best be seen from one of its many hiking trails and scenic roadways. Backpack Beneath Mountain Glaciers Since its inception, North Cascades National Park was envisioned as a "wilderness park," meaning most of its land would remain undeveloped backcountry. True to the National Park Service's original plan, today 94 percent of the park remains vast, untouched wilderness dotted with alpine lakes, forests, and 300 separate glaciers. Pack your gear and head out overnight to see all the park has to offer which isn't accessible by road. 140 designated campsites are scattered along trail corridors in the backcountry and "cross-country camping" is permitted half a mile away from trails.


FARMINGDALE, N.Y. - Harold Varner III is in uncharted territory. After turning in a clean card following Saturday's third round of the PGA Championship - he shot the only bogey-free round of the day and signed for a 67, tied for the lowest round of the day - Varner learned he would be paired in the final group on Sunday with Brooks Koepka, the bash brother who is bludgeoning Bethpage Black. Varner, 28, whose only professional victory came in the 2016 Australian PGA Championship, is playing in just his fifth major. He's made just one cut in a major - he tied for 66 th in the 2016 British Open. While he faces a 7-shot deficit against the No. 3 player in the world, Varner, who is ranked 174 th , isn't about to back down. "It's a great opportunity," said Varner, whose rounds of 71-67-67 include just four bogeys, the fewest among any player this week. "It's going to be a great day no matter what happens. This is what you practice for, and obviously I'm super excited." Varner, who has missed four of his last six cuts and finished no better than a tie for 23 rd this year, will soak in as much as he can as he walks in step with Koepka. He's inspired by Koepka and how the winner of three majors has devoured Bethpage Black and demoralized the field. And Varner knows that the top 4 and ties this week get an invite to the Masters, a tournament he's never played. "If you don't go to sleep and think, 'This makes me want to work harder (to) be that good,' then I don't know why you're playing," he said. "You can't sit there and just weep and be like, 'He's so much better.' I think that's going to push you. It almost pisses me off. That's what I think." MORE: This photo of Kyler Murray led to more speculation about his height Did the Raiders steal the best fullback in the 2019 NFL draft? Patriots will prove Super Bowl LIII shutdown defense was no fluke Kyle Rudolph could be a late offseason acquisition Cowboys need NBA Free Agency 2019: The top players


MONTPELLIER, France (AP)   Italy made its case to be considered a contender in the Women's World Cup after a convincing 2-0 win over China on Tuesday night. Coach Milena Bertolini believes Italy is set to play in its first quarterfinal since 1991 because her players are striving for a goal that goes beyond the final result. "They have a mission. Their mission is to try and have the Italian public to discover and appreciate the women's game," Bertolini said. "This aspect helps you because it allows you to find that extra energy and motivation. I really believe this side has allowed the women's game to break new ground back home." Italian viewers have had good reason to tune in. While the men's team failed to qualify for last summer's World Cup in Russia, the women are proving to be a revelation in France. China had only allowed one goal in its three group stage games but the talented Italian attack broke down the vaunted defense. Valentina Giacinti scored in the 15th minute. Aurora Galli's long strike put the result beyond doubt four minutes after halftime at the stiflingly hot Stade de la Mosson. Italy will play either Japan or the Netherlands on Saturday in Valenciennes. Germany and Sweden will meet in the other quarterfinal on Italy's side of the bracket. China coach Jia Xiuquan seemed to put his future in doubt after his team exited with just one goal scored in the tournament, saying "maybe it is time to take a break." "I believe the World Cup is a big stage and it makes us realize our shortcomings," Jia said through a translator. "To improve Chinese football it requires generations. It can't only depend on myself." Playing its first World Cup in 20 years, Italy had already surpassed expectations by winning its group ahead of Brazil and Australia before topping China with relative ease. The Italians have advanced in style, deploying an attack with three forwards that hasn't cost it at the back. Italy has scored nine goals in its three wins in the tournament, while the only two goals it has conceded have come on penalties. Giacinti said the secret to Italy's success is in the smallest of gestures. "This win was absolutely crucial as a squad as a whole," Giacinti said. "We try to have a smile on our face regardless of the circumstances. I think it is important to help one another on the pitch without shouting. Catching someone's eye or smiling can produce those fine margins" needed for victory. There was nothing subtle about Giacinti in the early stage of the match. The forward was a force as she threatened on two occasions before she sparked the chance that ended in her goal. After pressuring to win a ball near the touchline, she raced down the flank and found Barbara Bonansea, who waited to find left back Elisa Bartoli joining the move. Bartoli's shot was blocked by China goalkeeper Peng Shimeng but Giacinti pounced on the loose ball and drove it home. China midfielder Wang Yan did manage to make goalkeeper Laura Giuliani palm her effort over the bar in the 28th. But Peng then had to dive to parry a powerful strike from Valentina Bergamaschi as Italy looked close to a quick second goal against a China team that couldn't handle its press and its trio of attackers. Once China settled down and eliminated sloppy passes, the action tilted momentarily to the other half. Forward Li Ying gave Bartoli fits with her dribbling and she made the Italian defenders work with her dangerous crosses. Italy suffered a bigger blow when striker Cristiana Girelli had to walk off the field with an apparent leg injury in the 39th. She was replaced by Galli, who surprised Peng with a right-footed strike that went skimming over the turf and beyond the goalkeeper's reach. It was Galli's third goal of the tournament, all as a substitute. ------ More AP soccer: https://apnews.com/apf-Soccer and https://twitter.com/AP--Sports Related slideshow: Best of the Women's World Cup (Provided by imagn)


With exactly five weeks until the Chicago Bears report for training camp, the team has released the official schedule. The Bears will conduct training camp July 25 through Aug. 11 at Olivet Nazarene in Bourbonnais. The Bears will have nine practices open to the public, the first of which is Saturday, July 27. Those practice dates are: July 27-29, Aug. 1-2, Aug. 5-6, and Aug. 10. All practices begin at 8:15 a.m. Doors are open from 7:30 a.m. to noon on each day that practice is open to the public. Admission to practice is free, but fans must get their tickets at chicagobears.com/camp . Who's coming with us?! ⛺: https://t.co/GjRWCXCMOY pic.twitter.com/G1yM2opqmf - Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) June 20, 2019 There will be giveaways for the first 1,000 fans that include arm sleeves, eye black, headbands, jersey can coolers, mini fans, magnet schedules, stadium seat cushions and umbrella hats. This year marks the 18th straight year that the Bears return to ONU in Bourbonnais for training camp. MORE: Nick Nurse recalled the time Kawhi Leonard interrupted his speech with a knockout punchline Five potential Kevin Durant landing spots in free agency Reggie Bush says Lions cut him, Joique Bell because they went cheap at RB Warriors and Kevin Durant Could Reportedly Work Out Wild 'Delayed' Sign-and-Trade with Knicks Browns have several single-season records that could fall in 2019


It's the largest gathering of LGBTQ+ people in the nation and an excellent anchor for a trip to the Bay Area. San Francisco Pride runs June 29 and 30 this year, in the heart of the city. Beyond the centerpiece parade  1.5 miles down Market Street from Embarcadero to Civic Center on June 30   the festival offers two days of speakers and performers designed to inspire and entertain. Nearly two dozen community stages and spaces scattered around town invite you to explore the city over the weekend. It's more doable than you think. According to travel site Skyscanner , there are plenty of flights from Baltimore to San Francisco in that time frame, and the prices aren't too shabby. So if you're looking for a change of scenery, here are some deals to put on your to-do list. (Prices and availability are current as of publication and subject to change.) Hoodline offers data-driven analysis of local happenings and trends across cities. Links included in the articles may earn Hoodline a commission on clicks and transactions. Flight deals to San Francisco The cheapest flights between Baltimore and San Francisco are if you leave on June 26 and return from California on June 30. American Airlines currently has roundtrip, nonstop tickets for $646. If you fly out of Baltimore on June 26 and return from San Francisco on June 30, United can get you there and back for $743 roundtrip. Top San Francisco accommodations Regarding where to stay, here are some of San Francisco's top-rated hotels, that we selected from Skyscanner's listings based on price and customer satisfaction. The Fairmont San Francisco (950 Mason St.) If you're looking to treat yourself, consider The Fairmont San Francisco . The hotel has a 4.6-star rating on Skyscanner, and rooms are currently available for $186. This Nob Hill hotel is close to Grace Cathedral, while within easy walking distance to Union Square shops and restaurants. Additional attractions include Chinatown, easily accessible by foot or via the California Cable Car line that runs just out front. The Buchanan (1800 Sutter St.) If you're looking for an inexpensive place to stay, there's The Buchanan , which has rooms for $92/night. "Located in Japantown next to a bunch of great little shops. ... Clean rooms, great amenities and the world's most comfortable bed," wrote visitor Jamie. The Hotel Vertigo (940 Sutter St.) A third option is The Hotel Vertigo . The 4.8-star hotel has rooms for $99/night. "This hotel is one of the trendiest in San Francisco that I've seen. It manages to pay homage to Alfred Hitchcock's classic film 'Vertigo', without coming across as kitschy," wrote reviewer Kate. "Several scenes from the movie were actually filmed here, so its credibility is real!" Featured San Francisco restaurants Don't miss San Francisco's food scene, with plenty of popular spots to get your fill of local cuisine. Here are a few of the top-rated eateries from Skyscanner's listings. Bi-Rite Creamery (3692 18th St.) First things first: dessert. For a popular option, check out Bi-Rite Creamery , which has an average of 4.7 stars out of 188 reviews on Skyscanner. The creamery uses Straus Family Farms organic dairy in its ice cream and strives to create unique and exciting flavors. "They attract loads of customers from the nearby Dolores Park social scene ... In this foodie city the locals are still willing to wait for an hour or more to get a scoop of Earl Grey, lavender honey, black sesame, malted vanilla and my favorite, salted caramel," wrote visitor Tracy. "If the line is daunting, try the shorter line that serves soft serve only." Gary Danko (800 N. Point St.) One of San Francisco's most popular restaurants is Gary Danko , with 4.8 stars from 61 reviews. The award-winning restaurant has consistently received a five-star Mobil rating and reviewers continue to extol its delights. "One of the top restaurants in the city," wrote Albert. "I've been here a few times and their menu is extremely well done. If you do the five-course, please get ready to eat a feast. Cocktails are a must. Reasonably priced, very kind staff and amazing aura." Nopa (560 Divisadero St.) Finally, there's Nopa , a San Francisco gathering place north of the Panhandle, that serves urban rustic food and specializes in organic wood-fired cuisine. "Hip restaurant serving gourmet comfort food," wrote diner Travis. Featured San Francisco attractions San Francisco is also full of sites to visit and explore. Here are some popular attractions to round out your trip, again from Skyscanner's listings. Golden Gate Bridge First up is the 1.7-mile Golden Gate Bridge , which opened in 1937. The name doesn't come from its color, but because the Golden Gate Strait is the entrance to the San Francisco Bay from the Pacific Ocean. The bridge is painted "international orange." "An amazing feature of modern engineering, the space surrounding the Golden Gate Bridge could not be more beautiful," wrote visitor Anna. "We went at sunset to catch the views and I was blown away with how impressive the bridge itself was." Golden Gate Park (Stanyan and Haight streets) The 1,000-acre Golden Gate Park is another popular destination. You'll find serenity with a myriad of attractions   art museums, a Japanese tea garden, a Shakespeare garden, even a buffalo paddock. You can also take part in activities such as hiking, riding horseback, archery or feeding the ducks at one of three ponds. "This is a scenic, tranquil place to go," wrote visitor Irene. "It is so calm here and a great escape from the busy city streets. There are lots of native plants here and birds to view. Nearby are several museums and the iconic bridge." California Academy of Sciences (55 Music Concourse Drive) Lastly, spend some time at the California Academy of Sciences , a research and natural history museum located in Golden Gate Park. Designed by Italian architect Renzo Piano, the academy's roof is made of grass and sculpted to look like the park's rolling hills have been lifted up and the academy slipped underneath. Beneath the roof, the building houses a full-scale aquarium, a natural history museum and a planetarium. Great for kids, there is enough to see here for a full day. This story was created automatically using flight, hotel, and local attractions data, then reviewed by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.


The Tennessee Titans started the season off on a high note, recording a dominant 27-10 win over the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. It wasn't all smooth sailing, though. Here's a look at when went well, what went bad and what was just plain awry from Thursday's game. The Good Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports • Quarterback Play- Ryan Tannehill and Logan Woodside both had strong games. Tannehill looked comfortable behind the offensive line, and steadily went through his progressions. Tannehill finished his night 12-of-16 passes for 130 yards, two touchdowns, and a two-point conversion. Woodside fit the ball into some tight windows. He threw touchdowns to multiple receivers and looked composed in the pocket. He finished the night 15-of-20 passes for 138-yards and 2 touchdowns. • Young receivers stepped up - Kalif Raymond led Titans receivers catching 6 passes for 80-yards. He seemed to catch on as Tannehill's favorite target early on. Derrius Jennings caught a 2-point conversation. He caught the ball short of the goal line, but powered his way in through two defenders. Cody Hollister had a solid night catching 4 passes for 58 yards, and a 25-yard touchdown on a contested target. Tanner McEvoy caught his only target for a 17-yard touchdown, and Anthony Firkser rebounded from his down performance at the scrimmage game, making two receptions for 29-yards and a touchdown. • Coming out on the right side of the turnover battle- Alex Barnes and Logan Woodside each had a fumble, but the Titans recovered each one. However, JoJo Tillery came away with an interception for the Titans and Isiah Mack recovered a fumble. • Stingy defense - The Titans held the Eagles to only 10 points and less than 250 total yards. The Bad Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports • Adoree' Jackson gives up a long touchdown - Jackson gave up a 75-yard touchdown to Marken Michel on a play that could have been an interception. Jackson fully committed to breaking the pass up, but mistimed his dive. After Jackson failed to make the play, Michel was able to trot into the end zone with no one else even close to him. • Run game struggles - Aside from McNichols' 37-yard run, the Titans struggled to run the football. After the 37-yarder, McNichols finished the night with 44-yards. Alex Barnes had the fumble, and only managed 1.4 yards per carry. Dalyn Dawkins has the best night of Titans running backs averaging 3.5 yards per carry, on 10 carries. • Taywan Taylor misses easy touchdown - On one particular play, Taywan Taylor was able to beat his man and get wide open. Tannehill hit him, on what should have been an easy touchdown. While Tannehill probably could have thrown a better ball, it did bounce off of Taylor's chest. • Kicking game has to be better - Alex Barnard was the Titans kicker and punter for this game. Barnard missed two extra-point attempts, although one was tipped. The Ugly Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports • Penalties in bulk - As to be expected in the first week of the preseason, we saw a lot of penalties. The Titans committed 12 penalties, costing them 117 yards, while the Eagles committed 11 penalties costing themselves 89 yards. • 4th and No - As we've seen in the past, Mike Vrabel isn't afraid to be aggressive. However, tonight wasn't the night for it, the Titans went 0-4 on fourth down attempts. • Sloppy tackling - While the Titans defense looked well coached on assignments, created consistent quarterback pressure, and forced a few turnovers, their tackling was a little sloppy. On multiple plays, the defensive player chose to lay a big hit on the ball carrier opposed to wrapping him up. This resulted in the Eagles gaining a few more first downs than they would have. The Titans will play the New England Patriots in week two of the preseason on Saturday August 17th. Until then, the Titans plan to host joint practices with the Patriots leading up to the game. 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


TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) Junior college forward James Rojas has signed to play with Alabama. Rojas, whose signing was announced on Tuesday, is the Crimson Tide's sixth signee and second transfer who will be eligible for coach Nate Oats' first season. The 6-foot-8, 215-pound Rojas initially committed to play for Oats at Buffalo. He was a junior college All-American at Hutchinson Community College. He averaged 19 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.5 steals as a sophomore. Rojas joins West Virginia graduate transfer guard James Bolden and freshman Raymond Hawkins as spring signees. Then-coach Avery Johnson signed three high school players in the early signing period. Oats calls Rojas ''one of the toughest players I've ever seen.'' --- More AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/MarchMadness and https://twitter.com/AP-Top25 Related slideshow: Best photos of NCAA Championship (Provided by imagn)


Take a tour of New York City's most famous and luxurious hotel The Plaza led by architectural historian and author Francis Morrone and journalist and author Julie Satow. The Plaza has almost become synonymous with New York City, made famous by beloved children's book character Eloise, famous weddings like Donald Trump's and Macaulay Culkin in 'Home Alone 2.' Learn the secrets behind its grandeur, from its ornate lobbies and ballrooms to its lavish penthouse hotel rooms.


Goldman Sachs Group Inc. has shifted money to the sidelines of the municipal junk-bond market, waiting for it to crack. The company's $7.3 billion High Yield Municipal Fund, the third biggest focused on the riskiest state and local government debt, had about 62 percent of its assets in investment-grade securities by the end of April. It marks the fund's biggest move ever away from the lowest-rated bonds and a wager that the run-up in prices will reverse as speculative projects start to run into distress, said Ben Barber, head of municipal bonds at Goldman Sachs's asset management arm, which oversees $62 billion of the securities. "What we're hoping for is there's a new round of opportunities in the muni market over the course of 2019 or 2020," he said in an interview. Goldman's high-yield muni fund beat more than 90 percent of its peers over the last five years. Barber is adding to a small but growing chorus on Wall Street that's raising concerns about a corner of the $3.8 trillion municipal market that finances shopping malls, charter schools, retirement homes and speculative business ventures. Investors have piled into such securities as low interest rates leave them hunting higher yields, driving the sector to a 5.7% return this year, according to the Bloomberg Barclays index. Analysts from Bank of America Corp. and UBS AG have recommended that investors back off amid uncertainty over whether the decade-long expansion will continue. Related: N.J. Mega Mall, Other High-Risk Muni Deals at Make-or-Break Year But Goldman's pullback stands in contrast to other big high-yield municipal bond funds. Nuveen's $19.3 billion fund, the largest tracked by Bloomberg, had just 20.7 percent exposure to investment-grade debt at the end of April. Invesco Ltd.'s $10 billion high-yield municipal fund, the second-biggest, had about one-third of its holdings in debt with better-than-junk grades. Securities sold for speculative ventures are one of the few risky areas of a market that's otherwise a haven from defaults, since most debt is backed by states and cities with the power to raise taxes. Related video: 'Tough climb' for munis to outperform Treasurys, expert says Projects financed with municipal bonds typically can pay investors from a capitalized interest fund for about two years as they get off the ground, Barber said. Many may find it challenging as they reach the point soon when they will need to start generating money to pay their debts, he said. "You've got a lot of deals that will have to stand on their own two feet this year and next," he said. "That could create some pretty good opportunities in the high-yield market." In the meantime, Barber's high-yield fund, which has returned over 8% over the past year, has been buying investment-grade bonds, such as general-obligation debt backed by governments' revenue collections. The fund owns debt issued by Illinois, the lowest-rated state, Chicago and the New Jersey Transportation Trust Fund Authority, all of which Barber said have been "beaten down" over concerns around their finances. "You're talking about sectors that are truly traditional municipal finance that have been beaten down," Barber said. "Our job is to find out whether they're beaten down too much and what's a good entry point. They're still held in a high conviction." --With assistance from Danielle Moran.


PHOENIX   Residents of the Roosevelt and Roosevelt Lakes area east of Phoenix are being ordered to immediately evacuate due to the Woodbury Fire, the Gila County Sheriff's Office announced. Residents should be sure to take any medications, pets and family valuables along with them. Doors and windows including window coverings should be left closed. The evacuation affects 250 residences, officials said. A temporary shelter facility has been established for community members and small pets at a school in Miami, according to a news release from the Sheriff's Office. Any livestock are being sheltered at the Gila County Fairgrounds. The human-caused Woodbury Fire has already scorched 79 square miles of Superstitions Wilderness since June 8, according to Tonto National Forest officials. Firefighters have established 41% containment. Roosevelt, a community that is adjacent to Roosevelt Lake, about 32 miles northwest of Globe, and other areas near the lake were the focus of the notice. State Route 88 north of Apache Junction to Roosevelt Lake is closed. The road is a major thoroughfare to Canyon and Apache lakes, as well as trails, campgrounds and Tortilla Flat, a restaurant and gift shop attraction along the roadside. Follow Aubrey Carpenter on Twitter: @aubreycarp1 . This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Arizona residents ordered to evacuate because of wildfire


Citywide San Francisco-based banking company SynapseFI has secured $33 million in Series B funding, according to company database Crunchbase , topping the city's recent funding headlines. The cash infusion was announced June 6 and led by a16z crypto. According to its Crunchbase profile, "SynapseFI is a banking platform that enables companies to provide finance products to their customers for a fraction of the cost of traditional banks. They help fintech companies work together to develop technology." The five-year-old company also raised a $17 million Series A round in 2018. The round brings total funding raised by San Francisco companies in lending and investments over the past month to $104 million, an increase of $4.5 million from the month before. The local lending and investments industry has produced 56 funding rounds over the past year, yielding a total of $1.9 billion in venture funding. In other local funding news, commercial real estate and energy efficiency company Carbon Lighthouse announced a $32 million funding round on June 4, led by GRC SinoGreen Fund. According to Crunchbase, "Carbon Lighthouse is on a mission to stop climate change by making it easy and profitable for building owners to eliminate carbon emissions caused by wasted energy. The company's unique approach to efficiency production goes deep into buildings to uncover and continuously correct hidden inefficiencies that add up to meaningful financial value and carbon elimination that lasts." Founded in 2010, the company has raised four previous rounds, including a $7.5 million round in 2018. Meanwhile, smart cities and advertising platforms company Firefly raised $30 million in Series A funding, announced on May 30. From the company's Crunchbase profile, "Firefly is building the first mobility-based 'smart screens/smart cities' advertising and data platform that utilizes the ride share and gig economy for distribution and scale. Firefly's unique location-based, 'situationally aware' software and first-party data enable the most granular, audience-based targeting of any away-from-home medium on any screen type. Through the digital signages installed atop hundreds of taxis, Firefly is sending targeted ads via 4G and 4G LTE cellular transmission." Firefly last raised $21 million in seed funding in 2018. Also of note, computer company Welkin Health raised $17 million in Series B funding, announced on May 29 and led by Altos Ventures. From Crunchbase, "Welkin is patient management software that guides teams through their care, keeping them on track. It tells health workers when to do what, focusing attention on the people who need it, when they need it." The company previously raised $8 million in Series A funding in 2017. Rounding out the city's recent top local funding events, information services company Weights & Biases raised $15 million in Series B funding, announced on May 30 and led by Coatue Management. From Crunchbase, "Weights & Biases is on a mission to build the best software tools for machine learning. Weights & Biases helps companies turn deep learning research projects into deployed software by helping teams track their models, visualize model performance and easily automate training and improving models." The company previously raised $5 million in Series A funding in 2018. This story was created automatically using local investment data, then reviewed by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.


It can be challenging to find a quality spot for a reasonable price when in the market for a rental. So what does the low-end rent on a rental in Neartown-Montrose look like these days   and what might you get for your money? Per Walk Score ratings, the neighborhood is quite walkable, is quite bikeable and boasts excellent transit options. It also features median rents for a one bedroom that hover around $1,264, compared to a $1,215 one-bedroom median for Houston as a whole. A look at local listings for studios and one-bedroom apartments in Neartown-Montrose via rental sites Zumper and Apartment Guide paints a picture of what price-conscious apartment seekers can expect to find in this Houston neighborhood. Read on for the cheapest listings available right now. (Note: prices and availability are subject to change.) Hoodline offers data-driven analysis of local happenings and trends across cities. Links included in this article may earn Hoodline a commission on clicks and transactions. 4207 Mount Vernon St. This one-bedroom, one-bathroom rental, situated at 4207 Mount Vernon St., is also listed for $795/month for its 450 square feet. The unit has hardwood flooring and a walk-in closet. On-site laundry is offered as a building amenity. Both cats and dogs are welcome. The rental doesn't require a leasing fee. (See the complete listing here .) 4403 Woodhead St. Here's a one-bedroom, one-bathroom abode at 4403 Woodhead St., which is going for $825/month. The building offers on-site laundry. You can expect to see hardwood flooring in the unit. Pet owners, take note: cats and dogs are welcome. There's no leasing fee required for this rental. (See the full listing here .) 2006 Sul Ross St. Then there's this studio at 2006 Sul Ross St., listed at $825/month. You can expect hardwood flooring in the unit. If you've got a pet, you'll be happy to learn that cats and dogs are permitted. The building offers on-site laundry. Future tenants needn't worry about a leasing fee. (See the listing here .) This story was created automatically using local real estate data from Zumper and Apartment Guide , then reviewed by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.


PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. (AP) Gary Woodland denied Brooks Koepka's bold bid at history with two clutch shots and made U.S. Open memories of his own, starting with that silver trophy in his hands at Pebble Beach. Woodland finished in style Sunday. He holed a 30-foot birdie putt for a 2-under 69, giving him the lowest 72-hole score in six U.S. Opens at Pebble Beach and a three-shot victory over Koepka, who was going for a third straight U.S. Open. Koepka had to settle for a footnote in history as the first player with all four rounds in the 60s at the U.S Open without winning. But he made Woodland earn every bit of his first major championship. And he did. Clinging to a one-shot lead with more pressure than he has ever felt, Woodland seized control by going for the green on the par-5 14th hole with a 3-wood from 263 yards, narrowly clearing a cavernous bunker and setting up a simple up-and-down for a two-shot lead. Even more significant was a shot from 90 feet. Woodland hit the edge of the green on the par-3 17th all the way to the right, with the pin on the hourglass green on the other side. Ahead on the 18th, Koepka's 3-iron went just over the back of the green, leaving him a chip for eagle to tie, with a birdie likely to do the trick considering what Woodland faced. Koepka chipped to just inside 10 feet and missed the putt. Woodland delivered again. Unable to use putter to get it close, he perfectly clipped a pitch over the mound, and it checked about 12 feet short of the hole and trickled down to tap-in range. That effectively ended the U.S. Open. Woodland played conservatively down the 18th and made one last birdie that only mattered in the record book. He finished at 13-under 271, one shot better than Tiger Woods' historic rout in 2000. The difference was Woods won by 15 shots and was the only player under par. With a marine layer blocking the sunshine, and no significant wind at Pebble Beach all week, 31 players finished under par. Koepka closed with a 68 for his second runner-up in the majors this year, along with his second straight PGA Championship title. Justin Rose was the only one who caught Woodland, with a birdie on the opening hole. Rose bogeyed from the bunker on No. 2, and fell out of the race with three bogeys in a four-hole stretch on the back nine. He shot 74 and shared third with Xander Schauffele (67), Jon Rahm (68) and Chez Reavie (71). Woods birdied six of his last 12 holes and was never a factor. --- More AP golf: https://apnews.com/apf-Golf and https://twitter.com/AP-Sports


FARMINGDALE, N.Y.   Brooks Koepka's coronation in this PGA Championship nearly got blown off the golf course. It didn't because his main competition, Dustin Johnson, had just as much trouble keeping his ball in play down the stretch. Johnson was within one stroke of his close friend after a birdie on No. 15, a hole he birdied all four rounds. The 3 he shot added significant tension to what had looked like a runaway win by Koepka -- until Koepka's seven-shot lead and the way he was mastering the course disappeared in a flurry of bogeys on the back nine after a birdie at No. 10. Two of the longest and strongest players on the PGA Tour struggled mightily with the swirling winds that at times reached 20 mph in some spots. "I knew today, starting off, that it was going to play tough," said Johnson, who wound up two shots behind Koepka and will relinquish the No. 1 ranking to the winner. "You know, the wind was up. It was the most wind we've had all week." The gusts might have been at their worst on the 16th hole, where Koepka pretty much clinched his second straight PGA, his fourth major, and became the first player to hold two back-to-back major crowns at the same time. Johnson was having what had been by far the best round of the day. He was at 8 under overall when his tee shot on 16 landed smack in the middle of the fairway. But from 194 yards, his 5-iron approach caught a gust and soared over the green into nasty rough. A nice chip out of that toward a flag whipping in the wind got Johnson to 7 feet, but he missed the putt. "You know, wind was howling in my face a little bit off the right," he said. "I hit a 5-iron but almost went back and got a 4-iron because I didn't think the 5 was going to even come close, based on the shots that I've hit earlier in the round into the wind. The wind was just really eating the ball up when you're hitting into it. "So I tried to hit kind of like just a little low draw. Hit the shot I wanted to right at the flag. Just I don't know how it flew 200 yards into the wind like that." His momentum was gone with the wind, and he also bogeyed the 17th after a tee shot well right into the rough beside the par-3 green. The wind again played a role. Koepka, who was on the 15th fairway and knew from the crowd's reaction that Johnson had dropped a shot, came to 16 having bogeyed four in a row, looking a bit worn and, perhaps for the first time in four days, sensing this was no cinch. He desperately needed to hit the fairway -- something he did only six times all day -- and did so. From 163 yards he put his ball 49 feet from the hole, providing more of a test. Koepka passed it by two-putting. "Probably doesn't sound like much, but the putt on 16 I thought just gave me a little bit more confidence coming down the stretch," Koepka said. "I know I missed one on 17, but you know, I think 16 helped me make 18." That was enough for the 29-year-old Koepka to hold on, denying Johnson a massive comeback for his second major title. "With this golf course and this amount of wind, it's very, very difficult," Johnson said. "So I mean, it's definitely one of the tougher days we've played in. "Obviously I knew starting seven back that it was going to be a big feat to catch Brooks. You know, I definitely gave him a run, though, so I was happy with that." In the end, Koepka was the happiest, even if he hadn't exactly conquered Bethpage Black -- or the swirling wind -- on Sunday. "I mean, I challenge anybody to go play this golf course in 15- to 20 mile-an-hour winds and see what they shoot," he said. ------ For more AP golf coverage: https://apnews.com/apf-Golf and https://twitter.com/AP--Sports Related slideshow: Best of PGA Championship (Provided by imagn)


GWANGJU, South Korea (AP) -- Caeleb Dressel led all the way in winning the 100-meter freestyle at the world swimming championships on Thursday night, earning the American his third gold and fourth medal overall. Dressel touched in 46.96 seconds, the only man to dip under 47 seconds in the final. He was only 0.05 seconds off the 10-year-old world record of 46.91 set by Brazil's Cesar Cielo. Olympic champion Kyle Chalmers of Australia settled for silver in 47.08. Vladislav Grinev of Russia took bronze in 47.82. Dressel tied for being quickest off the starting block and held off a challenge from Chalmers in the closing meters to defend the world title he won in 2017. Dressel hopped on the lane rope, tossing his head back and his legs out in front of him in celebration. Dressel's other golds came in the 50 butterfly, a non-Olympic event, and the 4x100 free relay. He took silver in the mixed 4x100 medley relay. The men's 200 individual medley title went to Daiya Seto of Japan. He touched in 1:56.14. Jeremy Desplanches of Switzerland took silver. Chase Kalisz, the 2017 champion, earned bronze, ending the Americans' streak of winning at eight consecutive worlds. In the women's 200 butterfly, Boglarka Kapas of Hungary won in 2:06.78. U.S. teammates Hali Flickinger and Katie Drabot took silver and bronze, respectively, after coming in as the top two fastest qualifiers. The U.S. earned a second gold in the women's 50 backstroke, a non-Olympic event. Olivia Smoliga won from Lane 2 after her more heralded teammate, Kathleen Baker, had the fastest qualifying time. Smoliga clocked 27.33 seconds. Baker faded to sixth. In the semifinals of the men's 200 breaststroke, Matthew Wilson of Australia equaled the world record of 2:06.67. His time matched the mark set by Ippei Watanabe of Japan in January 2017. Watanabe finished third in the same heat. ------ More AP swimming: https://apnews.com/Swimming and https://twitter.com/AP--Sports


It is no secret that the Brooklyn Nets are interested in signing Kyrie Irving . But one way they hoped to attract him may be more surprising. Memphis radio host Chris Vernon shared an interesting angle on his latest podcast appearance ( via The Ringer ): "I've talked to a lot of people about this. Brooklyn is all over the Kyrie thing. All over it. They want Kyrie badly. And I think that has been a plan for some time. And I think you saw with that trade when they moved the multiple draft picks and they're clearing out space. The reason that everybody is reporting that is because that is true. I know at one point, they had even reached out - on a small level - interested in Mike Miller's [services]. He's an assistant coach at the University of Memphis for Penny Hardaway . He is also extremelely close friends with Kyrie Irving … They are close, close, close." Miller and Irving were teammates for just one season on the Cleveland Cavaliers. Vernon compared it to when you bring someone on the staff to help with college basketball recruiting. He also mentioned that Irving and Miller are both tied to the underwear company PSD. One fascinating development: another person tied to the brand is Jimmy Butler . Now that Kevin Durant will likely miss all of next season with a ruptured Achilles tendon, the Philadelphia 76ers star is perhaps the next-best, win-now, realistic fit for Brooklyn to sign this offseason. .  @ChrisVernonShow  made note of the Nets interest in getting Mike Miller on their staff. He referenced that Miller is "extremely close" with rumoured free agent Kyrie Irving. pic.twitter.com/0Y14HDbcC1 - Jac Manuell (@TheJManJBT) June 12, 2019 Regardless, the interest that the Nets may have in Miller due to his apparent connection with Irving is one that dates back to Irving's first season when he was on the same team as LeBron James . Here is what Miller told Jonathan Abrams back in December 2014 ( via Grantland ): "What I do is, I understand people. I understand what they're going through. For some reason, I'm always in a good mood. It's a blessing for me. I understand it's a team sport and if there's going to be individuals inside it, how do I relate to every one of those players differently? The way I do stuff with LeBron during a game is completely different than what I'm going to do with Kyrie. … What I really am is a friend first. I like to be cool with people. Like Kyrie - that's my guy. He's a great kid, unbelievable point guard. I think I can help him be better. Not a better basketball player. Just understanding things." Vernon made it clear that he does not think Miller would leave Memphis to work for the Nets. He also seemed to think he would more likely be in their front office than as an assistant coach. Brooklyn, however, would have several coaching opportunities potentially available to offer Miller. For example, player development coach Pablo Prigioni recently left the Nets to become an assistant for the Minnesota Timberwolves and G League head coach Will Weaver left to become the head coach of the Sydney Kings in the NBL. MORE: Steve Kerr opens up on decision to play Kevin Durant: 'The Achilles came as a complete shock' NBA trade rumor rankings: Rockets on the move? Lakers reportedly make Ball and Ingram available for AD, Pelicans want Kuzma Nate Burleson thinks Patriots RBs are most electrifying position group in NFL Davante Adams on Packers rookie S Darnell Savage: 'We got a steal'


Maurice "Moe" Mitchell stalks the stage aggressively, barking lyrics in pointed contrast to his black T-shirt, which reads in bold white letters: "Don't Shoot." It's August 2014, and the socially conscious punk rocker is grieving. Not just because this Afropunk Fest show is his band Cipher's first in three years after the death of its drummer Danny Bobis, but also because, less than three weeks earlier, the unarmed Black teenager Michael Brown had been shot dead by police in Ferguson, Missouri. The shooting pushed activists nationwide into the spotlight, including DeRay Mckesson, who would later run for mayor of Baltimore. And there was Mitchell too, a longtime progressive organizer around New York who helped build the strategy that led to Black Lives Matter becoming a ubiquitous phrase. Last year Mitchell was named national director of the Working Families Party (WFP)   a third-party underdog attempting to break up America's dominant duopoly of Democrats and Republicans. "Maurice is one of those rare people who brings together deep experience with mass social movements, grass-roots neighborhood organizing and electoral strategy," says Ana Maria Archila, co-executive director of the Center for Popular Democracy, famous for her confrontation with Republican Sen. Jeff Flake during the Supreme Court confirmation hearings of Justice Brett Kavanaugh . It's something that "wasn't in my life plan," the fedora-clad Mitchell says, laughing, at the Starbucks in the Marriott Marquis in Washington. Sure, the broad strokes were. While others wanted to be firefighters or astronauts, Mitchell knew that he wanted to "transform society." He was the middle schooler writing essays about communing with the spirit of Malcolm X, inspired by his parents, who were from Grenada and Trinidad   an immigrant experience akin to the second episode of season one of Aziz Ansari's Master of None , he says. Mitchell's parents saw their own countries go through moments of intense political upheaval while growing up in the mid-20th century. "We were immigrants in America, and we had a sense of pride for the freedom struggle in America but also the freedom struggle in Africa and the Caribbean," the 39-year-old says, noting that he has been on a singular path toward enacting meaningful change since a very young age (for instance, Mitchell lives a drug-free and vegan lifestyle, and his lyrics are rife with references to feminism and animal rights, which you don't often find in punk rock). Only the second national director in the WFP's two-decade existence, Mitchell has arrived at a pivotal moment. After operating mostly on the fringes of left-leaning politics, the party saw nearly two-thirds of its 1,036 endorsed candidates win state and local offices in 2017. Buoyed by a renewed interest in alternative candidates, as evidenced in the success of Bernie Sanders on the left and Donald Trump on the right, Mitchell led a midterm cycle with some notable wins   defeating conservative Democratic incumbents in New Mexico, Rhode Island and Maryland and contributing to candidates who ended Republican control of the Colorado Senate. Under his leadership, the WFP joined other progressive groups in helping flip the U.S. House of Representatives while supporting insurgent Democrats such as Antonio Delgado in New York and Jahana Hayes in Connecticut. Mitchell speaks at the Long Island Progressive Coalition in Brentwood, New York, in July 2005. Perhaps his biggest victory was the party's work to overthrow the Independent Democratic Conference (IDC) in the New York Senate, eight renegade incumbents who had swung the upper chamber right by caucusing with Republicans. Within a month after the 2016 election, WFP activists were organizing in the districts of the Republican-allied Democrats, talking to voters and releasing a "Resistance Agenda" that became a blueprint for the insurgents the party helped recruit and staff. They were aided by the gubernatorial campaign launched by WFP-endorsed Cynthia Nixon who, despite losing by nearly 30 percentage points in the Democratic primary, forced Gov. Andrew Cuomo and his allies to spend heavily on attack ads rather than on defending the IDC candidates. "She was the recipient of $30 million in negative spending," says Joe Dinkin, the WFP national campaigns and communications director, "and we ultimately won in six of the eight IDC races." The party carries its most weight by far in New York , but it's increasingly focused on going national. By targeting state legislative seats where a few progressives can change the balance of power   such as Pennsylvania and possibly Wisconsin, Texas and Arizona, although the party's 2020 priorities are still in flux   Mitchell hopes to have outsize influence. While other organizations receive flashy accolades for endorsing ascendant Democrats such as, say, Georgia gubernatorial hopeful Stacey Abrams (which, to be fair, the WFP also did), the party is much more focused on the quiet, down-ballot races that lead to change down the line. It helped build the early political careers of New York Attorney General Letitia James (the first African-American and first woman to hold the post) and 32-year-old Wisconsin Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes. In June, the party sprang an upset with another rising star, when WFP-endorsed public defender Tiffany Cabán, 31, won the Democratic primary for Queens district attorney. But that race is itself a sign of how WFP isn't yet a true third party: It's fighting within Democratic primaries. It could well have a bigger impact this way. The Libertarians and the Greens nominate their own candidates, who routinely get crushed in general elections. Yet WFP is far from a major brand; even politicians with similar aims   Sanders or Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez , for example   remain under the Democratic umbrella. (The WFP, in fact, endorsed Ocasio-Cortez's primary foe, then Rep. Joe Crowley   thinking he was the safe choice. Party leaders later apologized.) While the WFP has been mostly a coalition party, where "members" were labor groups and grass-roots organizations, Mitchell hopes it becomes a hybrid that incorporates ordinary people more easily and forms caucuses that challenge the status quo even in Democrat-controlled legislatures. But talking with Mitchell, it's often hard to pin him on strategy   he clearly prefers to talk spiritually, whether it's about building "a multiracial populist alignment" or unleashing the "trapped energy" behind the "top vs. bottom divide." "I don't know, man. I'm not into metrics   that's such a neoliberal [concept]. That conversation, those data points aren't super helpful," he says. After an hourlong interview and a follow-up call, Mitchell finally concedes a few strategic points of some substance: that progressives must lead with big, bold ideas like the Green New Deal, government-owned banking systems and trillions of dollars' worth of infrastructure stimulus. "We have a critical role around building the appetite" for those ideas, he says, as his upstart tries to expand its appeal to a country hungry for change.


The 49ers took the field Tuesday for their first OTA practice open to media. Chris Biderman of the Sacramento Bee was on site and found a few things that stood out to him throughout the session. He and Kyle Madson look back at their five big questions heading into OTAs to see where those stand after a day of on-field workouts. The guys also go over the slew of injuries that hit the 49ers throughout the offseason, and give updates on some of those injured players. View embedded content MORE: Alex Trebek had a classic response to James Holzhauer's 'two dimes' wager New Packers OLB coach raves about rookie Rashan Gary NBA Free Agency 2019: The top players Roundup: Michael Avenatti Charged With Defrauding Stormy Daniels, George RR Martin on Game of Thrones Books, Ron Artest Doc Trailer 49ers LB roles change with new defensive front


Stationed a week before the UFC returns home to Las Vegas for International Fight Week, Saturday's fight card at the Target Center in Minneapolis is poised to fly slightly under the radar as anticipation mounts for next week's blockbuster pay-per-view card at T-Mobile Arena. But skipping this card or overlooking the importance of this event would be a missed opportunity for fight fans, as this weekend's offering features crucial matchups with championship implications and a pivotal contest for a streaking talent at welterweight, plus an opportunity to get a closer look at a handful of emerging prospects and what could very well be a must-win fight for an athlete who felt primed to be a contender just 16 months ago. Join DAZN and watch more than 100 fight nights a year Originally scheduled to be headlined by a rematch of the UFC 201 welterweight title fight between Tyron Woodley and Robbie Lawler that no one was really asking for, an injury to Woodley forced the UFC to shuffle the deck, moving the heavyweight banger between Francis Ngannou and Junior dos Santos off next weekend's mega-show and onto the top of the marquee in Minneapolis. Independent of anything else, this is a terrific contest and a deliciously compelling matchup as both men rediscovered their winning ways in the second half of last year, posted victories earlier this year and yet still feel like they need one more key triumph in order to really convince people that they're back-back and not just back to being better than 85 percent of the division. After losing to Stipe Miocic to start 2018 and looking completely lost against Derrick Lewis last International Fight Week, Ngannou accepted a second fight against Curtis Blaydes in Beijing last November and promptly halted the Elevation Fight Team member's climb up the rankings. It took all of 45 seconds for the Cameroonian punisher to collect a second victory over Blaydes, whom he'd previously beaten in April 2016, and remind those who might have written him off as overhyped that he's still a dangerous threat in the heavyweight division. Twelve weeks later, Ngannou registered his second straight win, catching returning former champion Cain Velasquez with an uppercut in tight that caused the veteran's knees to give out and the fight to be stopped just 26 seconds after it began. While Ngannou's twin victories might have generated more fanfare, dos Santos' return to form might have been even more impressive. Following more than a year on the sidelines dealing with injuries and an anti-doping violation that was caused by a contaminated supplement, "Cigano" returned to out-box Blagoy Ivanov in July, turned around to hand Tai Tuivasa his first loss in December and then stopped Lewis in March. That brings him into this weekend's main event on the first extended winning streak he's enjoyed since his 10-fight winning streak that began prior to his UFC debut. He showed in those outings that the speed and power that made him a champion in the past are still there, but now they're accompanied by a more intelligent approach in the Octagon   one that plays to his strengths and keeps him from getting into too many extended exchanges. Where each man is at entering this weekend's contest automatically makes it an intriguing fight, but what really ratchets up the anticipation and excitement are the additional pieces tethered to this contest. With the heavyweight championship rematch between Daniel Cormier and Stipe Miocic set for August and the ridiculous notion of having Brock Lesnar return to challenge for the title thankfully no longer being discussed, the winner of Saturday's main event should be next in line to challenge for the title. They are ranked second and third in the heavyweight division, respectively, and are coming off victories over the No. 4 and No. 5 ranked fighters in the division, leaving the victor with no suitable, sensible options coming out of this contest other than challenging for UFC gold. Obviously, there are always different things that can transpire to alter what seems like an obvious next step   Miocic wins setting up a trilogy bout with Cormier, Jon Jones decides to go up to heavyweight to face "DC" for a third time   but if Cormier wins and a third bout with Jones isn't made, a date between the heavyweight champion and Saturday's winner should be penciled in before the end of the year. While championship stakes certainly up the ante, adding in some genuine animosity between the two really takes this to must-see-TV levels of anticipation. Earlier this month, Ngannou took part in a media scrum where he voiced skepticism about dos Santos being a legitimate black belt in Brazilian jiu jitsu . Normally one of the most easy-going and amiable competitors in the sport, the comments genuinely irked dos Santos, who wondered what basis Ngannou has for questioning the legitimacy of his credentials and promised to make him pay for disrespecting his mentor, Yuri Carlton, by punching "The Predator" in the face this weekend. Both these men fancy themselves the best boxer in the heavyweight division, both are gunning for another opportunity to fight for UFC gold, and now they're adding legitimate spice into the mix? Don't be surprised if Saturday's main event produces a highlight reel finish and some serious 'Who's stopping this guy?' momentum for the winner. But the main event isn't the only potential title eliminator set to hit the Octagon this weekend in Minneapolis, as flyweight standouts Jussier Formiga and Joseph Benavidez will run it back in a rematch of their September 2013 clash to determine the top contender in the 125-pound division. Eight months after it seemed like the flyweight ranks were being purged of talent and fit to be closed, a skeleton crew remains active and Benavidez and Formiga are clearly the best of the bunch. After dropping his first fight back following an ACL repair, Benavidez has won back-to-back outings and looks to use a second win over the Brazilian to secure a second meeting with champion Henry Cejudo, who is likely to be sidelined for the remainder of the year after undergoing shoulder surgery. Formiga is also bent on garnering a second meeting with Cejudo, having dropped a split decision to the champion in November 2015. Over his last four outings, the former world No. 1 has posted four straight victories, including unanimous decision wins over Sergio Pettis, who beat Benavidez last year, and Deiveson Figueiredo, who entered their bout with a perfect 15-0 record and three stoppage wins in his first four UFC appearances. Although a timetable for Cejudo's return has yet to be announced   and there is no guarantee that he defends the flyweight belt again now that he's the reigning bantamweight champion as well   this weekend's penultimate pairing carries championship ramifications regardless of what comes next and can't be overlooked now that Dana White has made it clear the division will live on. Saturday's fight card features more than just a pair of contests with championship implications though, and one of the most intriguing names to keep an eye on this weekend is Anthony Rocco Martin. The fighter formerly known as Tony Martin has gone 4-0 since deciding to use his given name, most recently scoring a unanimous decision victory over Sergio Moraes in March. This is a homecoming of sorts for the 29-year-old, as he started his MMA career training under veteran Brock Larson before bouncing around and eventually settling at American Top Team. Having dispatched a collection of unranked veterans and Australian youngster Jake Matthews during his current run of success, Martin gets the opportunity to prove he deserves a place in the Top 15 this weekend when he takes on Demian Maia, the ageless Brazilian contender who got back into the win column with a dominant submission win over Lyman Good in February. While Maia isn't the same fighter who previously challenged for gold at both middleweight and welterweight, he remains a difficult puzzle for most welterweights to solve and the kind of crafty veteran who will force Martin to be at his best if he hopes to continue climbing the divisional ladder after this weekend. Just 16 months after headlining opposite Lyoto Machida as an undefeated middleweight contender on the rise, Eryk Anders enters his light heavyweight matchup with Vinicius Moreira in dire need of a victory. The former Alabama linebacker lost that main event assignment to Machida by split decision, rebounded with a late stoppage win over Tim Williams, and has since dropped three straight. While the first setback in that string of defeats   a short-notice assignment at 205-pounds against Thiago Santos   is excusable, his split decision loss to the since-released Elias Theodorou and 15-minute beating courtesy of Khalil Rountree raise serious questions about where the once promising Anders fits going forward. Light heavyweight feels like the better divisional fit for him, however, the loss to Theodorou and his tepid effort before finishing the journeyman Williams raised a lot of red flags. The potential is there   he showed that in his final appearance on the regional circuit and UFC debut   and if Anders can get back to being aggressive and throwing more than a single shot at a time, he could certainly get back on course, but it needs to happen this weekend in order for him to avoid extending his already ugly run of results. The final piece that makes Saturday's fight card worth tuning in for is the opportunity to see a little more of a trio of upstarts who have thus far shown a great deal of potential in their respective divisions. Roosevelt Roberts has gone 2-0 since punching his ticket to the UFC via the Contender Series last summer, following up his first-round submission win over Darrell Horcher in his debut with a dominant effort against Thomas Gifford at the end of April. The 25-year-old lightweight wasn't overly happy about his performance, which speaks to the high standards he holds himself to, and he gets the chance improve upon that effort Saturday in his toughest pairing to date against Vinc Pichel. The 36-year-old TUF alum has struggled with injuries since his time on "The Ultimate Fighter Live," but Pichel has proven he's a formidable competitor in the middle of the loaded 155-pound weight class and much like Martin's bout against Maia, it will take Roberts being at his best to emerge with another victory. Light heavyweight prospect Alonzo Menifield kicks off the main card in a showdown against Scottish submission ace Paul Craig that will go a long way to determine where each man fits in the wide open division going forward. The feature of this week's entry into the Under the Radar series , the 31-year-old Menifield has the markings of someone who could follow a similar path to the one blazed by Johnny Walker   albeit with fewer self-induced injuries and clowning for the camera   but Craig is a game talent who has already up-ended one Fortis MMA prospect this year and will be bent on making it two-in-a-row on Saturday. Lastly, Emily Whitmire has quietly put together back-to-back wins after dropping her debut and stands as someone to keep an eye on long-term in the strawweight division. The 28-year-old is only six fights into her professional career and is coming off a slick submission win over Alexandra Albu last time out. If she can add a third straight win to her resume this weekend against the debuting Amanda Ribas, "Spitfire" could find herself creeping into the Top 15 and facing far more established names in the second half of the year. MORE: Join DAZN and watch more than 100 fight nights a year Next weekend's event carries a great deal of buzz, boasting twin championship bouts, the light heavyweight debut of Luke Rockhold, a potential welterweight title eliminator and so much more, but just as Dustin Poirier doesn't need Khabib Nurmagomedov to be weak in order for him to be strong, this weekend's offering doesn't need to be diminished or overlooked in order for UFC 239 to succeed. Saturday's fight card in Minneapolis will have a major impact the championship picture in two divisions, provide further clarity about a couple intriguing upstarts and potentially deliver another new name into the mix in the always competitive welterweight ranks. It's not even sneaky-good   it's just good   and should produce an entertaining night of action.


Residents of a small Southern California desert community hit hard by this month's big earthquakes no longer need to boil tap water. San Bernardino County authorities announced Wednesday the boil-water notice for Trona and neighboring areas has been lifted and citizens do not need to rely on bottled water. The Mojave Desert community of 2,000 residents was strongly shaken by a magnitude 7.1 earthquake on July 5 and a magnitude 6.4 foreshock on July 4. The county says damage assessments resulted in 31 residences red tagged and 51 yellow tagged. Eight commercial buildings were red tagged and four were yellow tagged. A red tag means a structure is too dangerous to enter. A yellow tag means a structure can be entered briefly for retrieval of essential items. READ MORE: Water safe to drink in quake-shaken California town CHECK OUT KCRA: Stay informed. Get the latest Modesto, Stockton and Sacramento news and weather from the KCRA news team.