Rated at 480-lb-ft of torque, the 2020 Ram 1500's EcoDiesel model tops the Chevy Silverado's diesel by 20 lb-ft and the Ford F-150's Power Stroke diesel by 40 lb-ft. The Ram EcoDiesel will be available across the entire 2020 half-ton lineup including the Ram Rebel . While fuel economy numbers have not yet been released, Ram is swaggering that it's turbocharged 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V-6 will also be the most efficient in the half-ton diesel class. Well that didn't take long. Less than three weeks after Chevrolet announced that its 420 lb-ft, 3.0-liter turbodiesel Duramax inline-six would finally see the light of day under the hood of the 2020 Silverado half-ton pickup, Ram has staged a torque coup d'état and retakes the throne with an updated version of its turbocharged 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V-6 rated at 480 lb-ft. Not only fourteen percent more powerful, it now reaches full torque output at 1600 rpm, 400 rpm lower than the previous version. That means a max tow rating of 12,560 pounds when properly equipped. The Ford F-150 Power Stroke diesel is rated to tug 11,400 pounds, while the Silverado half-ton diesel is slated to earn a 9700-pound tow rating. Ram says the 2020 EcoDiesel will be in showrooms in the fourth quarter of 2019. Research the Ram 1500 | Find a Ram 1500 in your area Ram is referring to the latest EcoDiesel engine as the "third-generation" model due to its myriad upgrades. Redesigned cylinder head and intake ports are said to improve both swirl and flow of the incoming air, the aluminum pistons have been redesigned and utilize thinner rings and a low-friction coating on the wrist pin and side skirts, the compression ratio has been increased slightly from 16.0:1 to 16.5:1, and the high-pressure injectors have been redesigned for optimal operation with the new combustion chamber. To further reduce noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH), the wrist pins are now slightly offset by about 0.1 inch. Externally, an updated exhaust-gas recirculation system features a new dual-loop design (high and low-pressure circuits), the added low-pressure loop drawing exhaust gasses downstream of the particulate filter to maximize efficiency, in turn increasing fuel economy. A new water-cooled turbocharger with variable geometry aims to improve efficiency and responsiveness, the lower portion of the two-piece oil sump uses a lightweight sandwiched polymer/metal material that further reduces NVH and the dual vacuum pump system now uses electric and a new mechanical low-friction pump with new blades said to increase overall efficiency. The compacted graphite iron block and forged steel connecting rods and crankshaft provide the strength and durability required by diesel engines. Built by the FCA-owned VM Motori in Ferrara, Italy, Ram's 3.0-liter Ecodiesel has always been a bit of wild card in the segment (you can find a storyline of the Ecodiesel's history here ), and in addition to bragging rights we're thinking the updates are long overdue. While the additional output is welcome, we hope the updates will successfully help to clean up its exhaust and refine its occasionally rattle-prone behavior. Here's a video of FCA Diesel Engine Chief Engineer Mauro Puglia explaining the changes for the Gen III EcoDiesel V-6 engine: If this latest round of truck manufacturer flexing has you feeling defeated, hang around for for a minute; the truck teams at Ford and Chevrolet are likely sequestered in their respective war rooms right now. Research the Ram 1500 | Find a Ram 1500 in your area


An stock market adage recommends to "sell in May and go away," but a review of historical data suggests that investors preparing to heed that advice and dump their holdings within a matter of days may be leaving money on the table. In a new research note, Sam Stovall, the U.S. equity strategist at S&P Capital IQ, says that while the market has indeed shown some seasonal trends over time, there may be a wiser path than walking away from stocks altogether: "History shows (for it never guarantees) that an investor was better off rotating into defensive sectors of the market during this seasonally soft six month period than they were by either holding the broader benchmark or leaving the equity market altogether." In other words, as Stovall puts it, it's better to rotate than retreat. Stovall looked specifically at the S&P SmallCap 600, and he found that since 1979 those small stocks have done best from November through April, posting an average gain of 10.5 percent, excluding dividends, over those months, compared with an average 2 percent gain from May through October. The reasons for that weakness, Stovall suggests, include reduced inflows from pension funds and from investors putting money (including tax refunds) into 401(k)s and IRAs. Stovall also points to summer vacations, impatience with soft earnings by that point in the year, and portfolio pruning by mutual funds, which sell their underperforming stocks so that they don't show up as current holdings in their quarterly or annual statements. Before you walk away from the market for six months, remember that the average gain of 2 percent is still better than what you can get by parking your portfolio in cash   and that some sectors, like Consumer Staples, Health Care and Utilities, have done much better than the overall index. "It's not that people prefer to get hip replacements in the summer, but Health Care and Consumer Staples likely do better during challenging times for the overall market, since investors would rather embrace more defensive sectors than bail out of stocks all together," Stovall writes. Since 1995, investors who rotated into the Consumer Staples and Health Care sectors from May through October would have boosted their compounded returns by better than 3 percentage points a year. As the chart below suggests, though, those gains could get wiped out if investors fail to rotate back into the broader market. Top Reads from The Fiscal Times:  What's Really Driving Stocks to Record Highs America's Highest Paid CEO: It's Not Who You Think 18 Companies Americans Hate Dealing With the Most


Amazon Inc. said it's taking deliveries to the next level -- quite literally -- within a few months by using drones. The company made the announcement Wednesday at its re:MARS Conference in Las Vegas, with the company's CEO of Amazon Worldwide Consumer, Jeff Wilke sharing the news and design specs for the newest Prime Air drone. "We've been hard at work building fully electric drones that can fly up to 15 miles and deliver packages under five pounds to customers in less than 30 minutes," Wilke said in a blog post. (MORE: Amazon can now deliver packages to your car) According to Amazon, the new drones will be more efficient, stable and safe because they're designed to detect static and moving objects from any direction while in motion. Detecting wires proved one of the most difficult challenges for low-altitude flights, Wilke said in the blog post, but Amazon accomplished it by using of proprietary computer-vision techniques. "We know customers will only feel comfortable receiving drone deliveries if they know the system is incredibly safe," Wilke said. "So we're building a drone that isn't just safe, but independently safe, using the latest artificial intelligence technologies." Related video: Amazon tech show touts advances in robotics (Associated Press) Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos first revealed plans for Prime Air in 2013, and the company made its first fully autonomous Prime Air delivery Dec. 7, 2016, in Cambridge, England, where the company has a fulfillment center. Also on Wednesday, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said it issued a Special Airworthiness Certificate to Amazon Prime Air, "allowing the company to operate its MK27 unmanned aircraft for research and development and crew training in authorized flight areas." It's eligible for renewal after a year, the agency added. The retail goliath's Wednesday announcement is just the latest in a string of delivery innovations from the tech giant that's invested billions of dollars into its fulfillment network. Earlier this week, Amazon announced one-day free shipping is now available to more than 100 million Prime subscribers. That service was announced in April along with Key For Garage, which debuted on "Good Morning America." (MORE: Amazon adds in-garage delivery to in-home, in-car options) Amazon said using drones is just the next step in customer convenience. "Can we deliver packages to customers even faster? We think the answer is yes, and one way we're pursuing that goal is by pioneering autonomous drone," Wilke said. But Amazon isn't the only company expanding drone deliveries. Alphabet, the parent company of Google, also has been working on Wing Aviation, the first drone company to receive an Air Carrier Certificate from the FAA, in April. (MORE: With FAA certification, Google's drone company set to start deliveries in Virginia) With the certificate, Wing Aviation, which became its own independent Alphabet company in July 2018, after graduating from company incubator Google X, can now turn its test flights into commercial deliveries in the U.S. Wing Aviation conducted over 70,000 test flights with more than 3,000 deliveries to Australian doorsteps, driveways and backyards over several years in order to meet the FAA's safety requirements to qualify, according to a Medium post by the company. The company plans to launch a delivery trial later this year in southwest Virginia and has recently announced it will be launching an early access air-delivery program in Finland this month. Residents of the Helsinki will be able to receive fresh Finnish pastries, meatballs and a range of other meals and snacks within minutes via Wing aircraft, according to a Medium post by the company. But it's not just technology companies considering drones. Air Canada on Tuesday announced a sales agreement with Drone Delivery Canada to deliver cargo, and a San Francisco-based medical delivery company called Zipline uses drones to distribute vaccines, blood and lifesaving medication across Rwanda and Ghana.


Get to know Lions fans Detroit Lions fans are a special breed. It takes a special kind of commitment to go through the ups and downs of a Lions season and then continue to go through it all again year after year. It's because of that commitment that it's safe to say the Lions have the best and most loyal fans in the world. For the next month, we're going to celebrate some of them here at Pride of Detroit. You ever wonder if there are Lions fans far away from Michigan? I don't mean far away like California. I mean far away like thousands and thousands of miles away. Today we answer that question. (The answer is yes, by the way). Today's fan is Daniel Zax from Kiryat Shmona, Israel. Let's get to know Daniel. How did you become a Lions fan? "I became a Lions fan from an early age. I couldn't help but admire my father watching the team on many Sundays, and something within me fell in love with that Honolulu blue and silver (and at a later stage, with the underdog mentality). One memory that sticks out to me from when I was growing up, was driving around on a Sunday afternoon in the metro Detroit area. We had Dan Miller's voice on in the background, and while we were stopped at a red light, the Lions scored a touchdown. I got excited and fist-pumped, and so did my dad, but the thing that stuck out to me was that all the drivers in the cars stopped at the light did the exact same thing. It gave me a sense of unity, that every person in our city, no matter what race, gender, or religion could be a part of this and root together. In 2006, when I was 10 years old, my family moved from Detroit to Israel. It was a tough move at the time, but looking back, it worked out very well. We moved to Modi'in, a city with many American immigrants. The only problem was, most of them were Giants / Jets or Cowboy fans. It became kind of an honor to be basically the only one in the country walking around with Lions logos on hats and shirts. In our high school flag football league, I named out team Ndamukong, which somehow no one had a problem with. At some point, we were able to get NFL Game Pass, and ensure we'd never miss out on a game." Who is your favorite Lion ever? "My favorite Lion is Calvin Johnson . I always play receiver, and I loved watching his routes and trying to imitate them on the field. I win a lot of one-on-one battles as well. It was very cool to meet him in London (read below). My second favorite is Ndamukong Suh . (Yep, there were some rough offseasons in 2014,15). I loved the ferociousness that he played with on our D-Line. He transformed the defense at the time I was starting to understand football strategy, and it was great to watch. Even now, I watch the Lions in my (4XL) Suh Jersey." What's your favorite Lions moment ever? "My favorite Lions moments ever are in these two stories, which included meeting my favorite players, getting on the field and in the tunnel at Ford Field, and the most exciting game I've ever seen in any sport (2014 Lions- Falcons at Wembley). As I was entering 12th grade, I suggested to my father that we take a father-son bonding trip to celebrate graduation. It happened to be that the Lions were coming almost all the way to us, hopping over the pond to play the Falcons in London in Week 8 of 2014. We ordered the tickets, and finally I would get to go to my first Lions game. On the Friday before the game, I saw on Twitter that Tom Leyden was setting up a show in Trafalgar Square. After much waiting in the rain, and begging strangers for passes, we were able to get two entry passes to the show. I got in a picture with Ndamukong Suh and had a short conversation with him about how big of a fan I am, and that we flew in from Israel for the game. He said it was pretty cool that we flew in from there. Then I went to Calvin. He's more of a quiet guy, so I just gave him a high-five and asked him how his ankle was feeling. He said it was doing much better, and that he hoped to play that week. I just said "feel better", and then we took a selfie. I got to meet Coach Caldwell as well, and then we were able to take pictures with them. The interview itself was interesting, and it was cool meeting Tori Petry as well. My dad also met one of his childhood heroes, Bubba Baker (he'll come up again). On Gameday, we arrived at Wembley about five hours before the game. My dad recognized Bubba Baker sitting in a building lobby and said we should go talk to him. He was just sitting there with his wife and one more person. We walked in, and spoke with the three-time All-Star and 1978 Defensive Rookie of the Year for about 25 minutes. (Side Note: Bubba Baker is one of the nicest, down-to-earth people I have ever met). We talked about football, and then he asked us where we were from. We found out he loves Israel and had just visited there a few years before. We took a picture together, but he made me take off my Barry Sanders jersey and put on his Baker #60. As many of you probably remember, the game itself was crazy. The Lions were down 21-0 at halftime, only to somehow make a comeback and get the ball back down 21-19 with 1:38 to go. Here is an excerpt from my Lions in London Journal: "At this point we were going crazy. We were so excited, but knew that it could all be lost in one second. One bad pass, one big drop and it would all go for naught. The entire crown had gotten to its feet. The wild comeback storybook ending was all set up. Atlanta made another dumb defensive holding penalty, which again stopped the clock and got them 5 yards closer. Stafford let the clock run down to four seconds, and then spiked the ball to stop the clock. I could not believe this was happening. We were so close to victory, and we were going to rely on a Lions field goal to soar through the goalposts. I could hear my heart pounding. I was so nervous, yet excited. The noise in the stadium was deafening. We saw as Prater lined up, brought his foot back, and swung it forward. We saw the ball going towards the posts, rising ever so slowly in our minds. We saw it start to spin towards the right. It continued to veer off towards the right until… it went wide right. Shock. Disbelief. Devastation. We couldn't believe that they had come so close, inches away, only to have the kick go right. The Falcons started celebrating on the field, as our shock mingled with anger and disappointment. We heard whistles, and the refs got together. "Delay of game-Offense. 5 yard penalty." We had another chance! Our own incompetence gave us another chance at the game-winning kick. One part of me was thrilled at the chance for another kick, and another part of me felt that it was cruel to make it seem like we still had a chance when he would inevitably miss this one too. "Oh my God," was all I was able to say and repeat many times. We saw Prater line up again, swing his foot back again, and watched his foot touch the ball. We saw the ball rise up, to the left this time. We watched in awe as it sailed through the goal posts. 22-21. They had done it. I was beyond ecstatic, yelling and jumping up and down while hugging my dad. I just could not believe what I had witnessed. The Lions literally snatched victory from the hands of defeat, in absolute stunning fashion. The Lions rushed the field and started celebrating. We started hugging and high-fiving all the Lions fans that we saw. It was incredible." My second Lions game I ever went to was in 2018. My wife and I got married in January and decided that Detroit should be part of our honeymoon trip. We bought tickets for Week 5 Lions- Packers before we had even booked our flight tickets. This game was also great, watching the Lions hand it to One Pride Enemy #1, but it was the pregame festivities that I will remember forever. When Bubba Baker gave me his number in London four years ago, I don't know if he ever expected to hear from me again. Sure enough, I reached out to him and tried to see if he still had any connections that could help us make our experience special. After a few emails back and forth with the team, Lions President Rod Wood called me in my home in Kiryat Shmona, Israel. He said that he'd heard I was a big fan, and he wanted to make our honeymoon extra special. There were two special surprises we received. One, was to go on the sidelines for pregame warmups. This was really cool, having small talk, and high-fiving the guys I watch on TV every week from my home in northern Israel. It was very cool to see them warm up and get ready from very close. Next, we were brought into the tunnel, where we got to watch the players return to the locker room for the few minutes before the game. I was like a little boy, and to my wife's credit, she was enjoying herself as well. Finally, they brought us onto the field, where we got to stand when the players ran out for the game. We even stayed there for the National Anthem. The best part was, the Lions were able to dominate most of the game. Being in the stands for all five Mason Crosby misses that day was unforgettable. I love the Lions, can't get enough news and podcasts (especially here on Pride of Detroit), and am always watching them play. Night games are 3 a.m. here due to time difference, and I already have my alarms set for this year. The only time I can't watch live is during Jewish holidays, after which we watch as-if-live without knowing the score. I am incredibly grateful for the opportunities I have gotten in London and in Detroit last year at the games. It was beyond anything I could have ever dreamed of. I am especially grateful to my Dad and my wife Shifra for going with me to the games. As I grow up, I continue taking many responsibilities upon myself. Marriage, learning, and work highlight many things I have going on. It's nice to have the Lions as a reminder that I'm still that little boy inside, and that no matter what is going on, they will be playing on Sunday." What are your thoughts and predictions for the 2019 season? "I have high hopes for this year. I think this defense is going to be lethal. If you notice how last year ended, and then add the high-profile guys that they have, I think you have a recipe for success. I think Kerryon Johnson and Kenny Golladay are awesome franchise players, and they will lead the Lions to great things. And I'm still a believer in number 9. I'll go 10-6 with their first playoff win since before I was born. By the way, for whoever is paying attention, we're 2-0 with me in attendance. So, if anyone wants to guarantee a win or two, airfare sponsorship's are most welcome. Go Lions!"


Whitney Mercilus is entering the last year of the extension that he signed with the Texans in May 2015, but there has been no talk about a new deal for the former first-round pick at this point. And from the team's perspective, that makes sense, as Mercilus suffered a season-ending pectoral injury five games into the 2017 campaign, wasn't particularly effective last year   though he appeared in all 17 regular and postseason games   and hasn't totaled double-digit sacks since 2015. But the lower sack totals, at least, are not too much of a concern at this point, as Mercilus is no longer being featured as a primary pass rusher. Last year, not only did his snap count drop (partially due to a sore hamstring that bothered him throughout the first part of the season), but he was also routinely asked to drop into pass coverage for the first time in his career. As Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle writes, Mercilus concedes that the new responsibilities came with a learning curve. He said, "it was a new adjustment for me: understanding and dropping back into pass coverage, helping out there with the route combinations that were there and jumbling around in my head." But he believes that a fully healthy offseason and a year of experience in a different role will yield improved production, and he thinks that his newfound versatility will be a boon to him and to the Texans. Mercilus is also hopeful that a better showing in 2019 will lead to a new contract with the Texans. When asked if he wants to remain in Houston, he said, "[o]f course. Once we cross that road, we will. Right now, I'm just focusing on having the most stellar season that I can." Houston's coaching staff is confident that Mercilus' athleticism and intelligence will allow him to thrive, and if he does, then the team would certainly be open to re-signing the soon-to-be 29-year-old. The fact that he is well-liked in the locker room and active in the community could also help his cause.


MIAMI (CBSMiami)   On Tuesday afternoon, Miami Beach police said it had evacuated their headquarters on Washington Avenue, while bomb detection K9s "alerted to an area of their department." Miami-Dade police bomb squad was also responding to the scene. Commuters were urged to avoid the area and were prompted to used Collins Avenue or Meridian Avenue as an alternative. The all clear was given shortly before 7 p.m. UPDATE: Miami Beach and Hialeah K9 Officers searched the building with the assistance of @MiamiDadePD 's Bomb Squad. The building has been cleared and deemed safe. We will resume normal operations shortly.   Miami Beach Police (@MiamiBeachPD) July 23, 2019 Meanwhile, City of Miami police detectives were searching for an individual they say made 'specific threats' against law enforcement. "This one was specifically targetted toward the police department," said City of Miami Police Commander Freddie Cruz. "For us, it is very serious in nature. Our officers are vigilant." "Our investigations section is actively investigating to see if these threats are viable. This individual will be facing some very serious charges." Referring to the wanted person, Cruz said, "He threatened the safety of officers in law enforcement." Police said they received the threats Tuesday morning via a phone call to a 911 dispatcher. Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (305) 471-8477 or (305) 471-TIPS.


Attorney General William Barr's decision to refuse to appear before the House Judiciary Committee Thursday has sparked a new round of political ire and threats. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, in a press conference Thursday, accused Barr of lying to Congress, saying "the attorney general of the United States of America was not telling the truth to the Congress of the United States. That's a crime." The Justice Department quickly returned fire, saying "The baseless attack on the Attorney General is reckless, irresponsible and false." Meanwhile, House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.) on Wednesday evening threatened the Attorney General with a contempt citation if he does not reach a "reasonable" agreement within "the next day or two" on the issue of a subpoena for an unredacted version of special counsel Robert Mueller's report. Curious how much of this is hot air and what's real? Here are a few things you should know. What is contempt of Congress? If someone refuses to testify or provide information to an investigation by House or Senate, that body can respond with a contempt citation. While it's not specifically spelled out in the Constitution, the Supreme Court has said several times that Congress has the right to compel people to comply when it's overseeing an inquiry. Once a contempt citation is issued, the full body the House, in this case, but sometimes the Senate debates and then votes on the matter. A majority vote is all that's needed. The chambers work separately on contempt matters, meaning the House does not need the Senate's blessing to move the contempt case forward. What are the penalties for contempt of Congress? Assuming the finding is prosecuted and there's a conviction (which is far from a sure thing), people cited can pay fines of up to $10,000 and face up to one year in prison. The offense is a federal misdemeanor. Who enforces a contempt of Congress finding? If the citation passes the full House or Senate, it's handed over to the U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia " whose duty it shall be to bring the matter before the grand jury for its action." This is where it gets tricky, though, especially when it's the Attorney General who's being cited. That U.S. attorney works for Barr. And the Justice Department ultimately will decide whether or not to prosecute the person found to be in contempt. The odds of the department going after the top law enforcement official in the country? Pretty low. What happens if this becomes a court battle? This seems the most likely outcome should the House issue a contempt finding against Barr. And it's certainly within the rights of Congress. The Trump administration, though, has been fighting every legal attempt by Democrats to obtain additional information about his family finances or business dealings and would likely fight against an unredacted version of the Mueller report just as ferociously. That means things would likely be bogged down until well after the 2020 elections at the very least. Probably longer. Has Congress ever held an Attorney General in contempt before? Holding an Attorney General in contempt might sound extraordinary, but it has happened more frequently than you might think. In 1998, Janet Reno was cited for contempt of Congress after not turning over internal memos related to a campaign finance controversy during Bill Clinton's impeachment. (The full House never voted on the resolution.) And Eric Holder was found in contempt by the full House in 2012 during the investigation of botched gun-trafficking sting by the ATF. He was later cleared of any wrongdoing. Congressional contempt citations are still a fairly rare occurrence, though, happening less than 30 times since 1980. Can Barr be arrested without involving the Justice Department? It's possible, actually, though much less likely. An authority known as inherent contempt allows the sergeant at arms of the House (or Senate) to arrest the person found in contempt and bringing them before that body for a full trial. If convicted, they're imprisoned either until they agree to comply or until the two-year session of Congress ends. Don't hold your breath for this one. First, Congress hasn't used it since 1935. And the sergeant-at-arms is going to have to get through an FBI security detail to make that arrest.


If you're a fan of the arts, mark your calendars: There's plenty to do when it comes to artsy events in New York City this weekend, from an art festival to a full reading of the "Mueller Report." 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. Bushwick Art Crawl From the event description: We invite the community to celebrate art with many artists studios, local musical talent, performance art, live art, body painting, installations and street life. When: Saturday, June 1, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Where: 9 Wyckoff Ave. Admission: Free Click here for more details, and to get your tickets 'Puss in Boots' From the event description: A classic story with a twist: "Puss in Boots" is the tale of two friends   Fergus Mundingle and his sly cat Puss   who are tired of their dull and penniless lifestyle. Looking for a change, Puss dons a snazzy pair of boots and sets off on a magical journey, proving himself a caring friend willing to help at any cost. When: Saturday, June 1, 1-1:45 p.m. Where: Swedish Cottage Marionette Theatre, West 79th Street and West Drive (inside Central Park) Admission: $8-$12 Click here for more details, and to get your tickets America Reads the 'Mueller Report' From the event description: We the people read aloud and listen to the entire redacted "Mueller Report." When: Saturday, June 1, 8 p.m.- Sunday, June 2, 8 p.m. Where: The Arc, 36-30 36th St. Admission: $10-$25 Click here for more details, and to get your tickets 'Tea Time' From the event description: Presented on the first day of the intersection of Black Music Month and Pride Month, "EllaMaeFlossie Presents Tea Time" is an audiovisual movement journey in afrofuturism. The concert-styled performance piece sumbolizes how women navigate through every type of "ism" from today and yesteryear. When: Saturday, June 1, 5-9 p.m. Where: Lower Eastside Girls Club, 402 E. Eighth St. Admission: $20 Click here for more details, and to get your tickets This story was created automatically using local event data, then reviewed by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.


Many NASCAR traditions have gone to the wayside over the years but should the annual 600-mile race in the Monster Energy Cup Series be the next on the hit list? Among drivers there seems a consensus there is still a place in the Cup series for an endurance-style race such as the annual Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway, although Denny Hamlin is not among them. "The sport doesn't 'need' any particular thing. I don't think that anything is totally necessary," Hamlin said. "If the race was 300 miles, you're going to have the same, I believe, core group watch the race and possibly even more that are interested because it's not five hours long." When asked what traditions he does like, Hamlin was incredulous. "Tradition, 'shmadition.' It's whatever. All sports adapt and change," he said. "I hate it when people say, 'Well, that's the way it always was.' Things are different. I'd be just as happy with a Coke 300 trophy as a Coke 600 to be honest with you. "I'm for whatever, but I certainly know that from my friends, they choose to come All-Star week and not 600 week because it's just too long and they don't want to sit here for five hours." A test of man and machine It's certainly true the original intent of the 600-mile race was a billing of the ultimate test of man and machine in stock car racing. Time and technology have made the tires, engines and the car virtually indestructible outside of freak accidents. What's left then is a more grueling test of the driver over 600 miles and the ability of a team's pit crew to make repeated near-perfect pit stops. "That's the crazy thing is when all the different challenges come because of the length of that race, a lot of different things   attrition with your equipment, attrition with your team, communication, any kind of weak link in the chain and you're out," said Clint Bowyer, who won the pole for last weekend's All-Star Race. "That's why I feel it's important to have at least one of those long races. I've always said it. I'm all for a 24-hour race in our sport. I think it would be totally cool." Kevin Harvick has clearly been a driver open to many of NASCAR's recent changes and is quite willing to challenge "how things have always been done." Still, he believes an annual 600-mile race is something NASCAR should continue to support. "I think as you look at the Coke 600 and you look at the Daytona 500 and the Southern 500, anything past that I would probably say you need to shorten your race," he said. "Honestly, it's a crown jewel race. It's close to home. Everybody puts a lot of effort into it. "There's a lot of things to prove and everybody wants to win at Charlotte and the 600 is one of those races that every driver and team in that garage are going to say that they want to win. There's only three or four races that everybody in the garage is going to say those are three or four races we can agree on as being our crown jewel races." Kyle Busch agreed. "Is it a tough race for the drivers? It is a tough race for the drivers. Is it as tough as it once was? Maybe not. Is it (tough) on the cars? No. The cars are way too sophisticated now," he said. "I bet you we could probably go 800 maybe even 1000 miles on a race car before you'd start to see problems. "Some other drivers would probably argue the fact with me that we don't need a 600-mile race, but it's tradition. I think you keep some of those that have been the longer ones that have meant more to our sport over the years like the Daytona 500, the Brickyard 400, the Coca-Cola 600, the Southern 500. "Those probably could stay the length that they are and many of the others could probably change."


The Washington Redskins are left searching for answers at inside linebacker in the wake of Reuben Foster's injury. And fifth-round rookie Cole Holcomb might just help solve the problem. Holcomb has looked good in OTAs so far and should have a chance to compete. Even better, he has the attention of a veteran leader such as Mason Foster. "Cole looks great, picking up my stuff, asking a lot of questions," Foster said, according to Redskins.com . "So, I'm excited to work with these guys and, you know, be there for them on and off the field." It's not a bad sign a rookie has the attention of the guy he'd be starting next to on the inside of the linebacker unit if he ends up stealing a start spot. Still, it is only May and the rookie has a long way to go before that happens. He'll be competing with Shaun Dion Hamilton and others, not to mention the newly signed Jon Bostic, for snaps in the base defense. But with praise from Foster already, Holcomb is certainly on the right path. MORE: Alex Trebek had a classic response to James Holzhauer's 'two dimes' wager 49ers LB roles change with new defensive front 20 fantastic quarterback-receiving combos in NFL history New Packers OLB coach raves about rookie Rashan Gary NBA Free Agency 2019: The top players


CINCINNATI (AP) Farad Cobb continued his hot start from 3-point range, scoring 20 points, and Cincinnati's defense was stifling in a 99-50 win over Arkansas-Pine Bluff on Sunday to start the Barclays Center Classic. Cobb hit 4-of-6 3-pointers, making him 16 of 26 for the season. Four other players scored in double figures for the Bearcats (4-0), who led 39-15 at halftime. Cincinnati held the Golden Lions (1-3) to 24 percent shooting in the first half and 31 percent for the game. The Bearcats scored 44 points off 30 turnovers and had 19 steals, giving them 57 already this season. They also went 41 of 59 from the foul line, a team record for attempts and one shy of the record for makes. Thaddeus Handley had 11 points and 11 rebounds for the Golden Lions. Cincinnati continues the Barclays Center Classic at home on Tuesday before playing Nebraska on Friday in Brooklyn, New York.


The man who was killed after being struck by multiple vehicles while walking on Interstate 37 South earlier this week has been identified. According to the Bexar County Medical Examiner's Office, the victim was 30-year-old David Tellez. At 10 P.M on Wednesday night, Tellez was walking between Fair and New Braunfels avenues when he was hit, according to San Antonio Police. Upon arrival, paramedics pronounced him dead, police said. FIND OUT FIRST: Get San Antonio breaking news directly to your inbox While the number of cars that struck Tellez has not been confirmed, only one of the drivers stopped to offer aid. It is unclear if the driver who stopped was charged with anything. San Antonio police have also not provided an update on the search for the other cars involved.


A weight-loss supplement company that threatened to sue consumers for posting negative reviews of its product online is now facing a lawsuit of its own. The Federal Trade Commission has filed suit against Roca Labs for using gag clause provisions against consumers to stop them from sharing their negative experiences with the company's weight-loss product. Advertised as the "best non-surgical alternative to all bariatric surgeries," Roca Labs' dietary supplements included a powdered formula and separate anti-cravings powder that the company claimed would drastically reduce users' food intake, resulting in weight loss of up to 21 pounds in one month, and as much as 100 pounds in seven to 10 months, according to the FTC complaint . Roca Labs also provided baseless claims that its products had a 90 percent success rate. The powders sold for $480 for a four-month supply. The FTC said Roca Labs brought in more than $20 million from the dietary supplements since 2010. According to the complaint, the Florida-based company's actions harmed consumers by unfairly preventing users of the product from sharing any negative personal experiences. Roca Labs threatened to sue customers who posted negative reviews or testimonials about the product or who voiced complaints to the Better Business Bureau. The company also said it would force those customers to pay full price for the product, which was hundreds of dollars more than the initial $480 asking price. "Roca Labs had an adversarial relationship with the truth," said Jessica Rich, director of the FTC's Bureau of Consumer Protection. "Not only did they make false or unsubstantiated weight-loss claims, they also attempted to intimidate their own customers from sharing truthful   and truly negative   reviews of their products." Roca Labs claims that customers who posted negative reviews were in violation of a non-disparagement provision included in the "terms and conditions" they supposedly agreed to when purchasing the products. The FTC says Roca Labs solicited success videos from customers by offering a 50 percent discount on the purchase price of the product in exchange for a positive review. The FTC warns consumers to talk to their doctor before beginning a weight loss product. Get tips here on how to avoid being scammed by diet product claims . Have you ever shelled out big bucks for a product that didn't live up to its claims? Share your comments on our Facebook page .


Missed the the most recent top news in Charlotte? Read on for everything you need to know. Petition circulating to stop 5G from coming to Charlotte 5G promises faster internet speeds, but that's just part of the equation. It could also allow for smart stoplights, automated cars and even hologram video conferencing. Read the full story on WCNC . How a small idea in Charlotte became an international movement An international movement of empowering women to build houses with Habitat for Humanity is changing lives. See what Habitat for Humanity Women Build is all about. Read the full story on WCNC . 'He didn't look anywhere else:' UNC Charlotte shooter appears to have had specific targets The gunman who killed two students and wounded four at UNC Charlotte April 30 may have been targeting a group at a classroom table, witnesses said. Read the full story on USA TODAY . This story was created automatically using data about news stories on social media from CrowdTangle , then reviewed by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.


Read on for the most recent top news you may have missed in Philadelphia. Power restored to most Center City tourist attractions following manhole fire There was no power service at the Liberty Bell Center and around the Independence Visitor Center following a fire in a manhole. Read the full story on ABC Philadelphia, WPVI . 2 men open fire at Philadelphia playground, wounding 7 Authorities say two men opened fire at a crowded west Philadelphia playground, wounding seven people. Read the full story on MySanAntonio . Family, friends gather to remember Philadelphia TV pioneer Lew Klein Family and friends gathered for a celebration of his life. Read the full story on ABC Philadelphia, WPVI . Large fire rips through home in Philadelphia's Logan section No injuries were reported. Read the full story on ABC Philadelphia, WPVI . Suspects wanted for stealing donation jar for the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Police in Montgomery County are searching for three men caught on camera stealing a donation jar for the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. Read the full story on ABC Philadelphia, WPVI . This story was created automatically using data about news stories on social media from CrowdTangle , then reviewed by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.


Video by Yahoo Jun. 6--The Cubs' rebound from a sluggish start to the top of the National League Central convinced President Theo Epstein to add reinforcements to a team with World Series aspirations. Less than a week after signing Carlos Gonzalez to a minor-league contract and receiving instant production from the three-time All-Star outfielder, the Cubs made a massive strike Wednesday night by agreeing to terms with seven-time All-Star closer Craig Kimbrel. The agreement will become official once Kimbrel, 31, passes a physical examination. Kimbrel's agreement with the Cubs was first reported by The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal. MLB Network's Jon Heyman reported the deal is worth $43 million and runs through 2021. The addition of Kimbrel strengthens a bullpen already bolstered by the return of Pedro Strop, who said Tuesday he would gladly welcome a closer with the credentials of Kimbrel. The right-hander has a lifetime 1.91 ERA with 333 saves and 14.7 strikeouts per nine innings over nine seasons with the Braves, Padres and Red Sox. The deal would end a bizarre offseason for Kimbrel, the top reliever on the free-agent market who hadn't signed since helping the Red Sox win the 2018 World Series. By agreeing to terms with Kimbrel after Sunday night, the Cubs -- or any team that signed him -- would not lose a draft pick. This marks the third time in four seasons Epstein and his staff acquired a closer, but this one did not cost them any prospects. The Cubs acquired Aroldis Chapman from the Yankees in exchange for four players, led by dazzling infielder Gleyber Torres, one week before the July 31 trade deadline in 2016. Less than five months later -- and one month after Chapman filed for free agency -- the Cubs acquired Wade Davis from the Royals for enigmatic outfielder Jorge Soler at the winter meetings. The acquisition of Kimbrel nearly two months before the trade deadline stressed the importance of beating the competition for the prime reliever in a shallow market. "I've been open about (how) we'll be aggressive this year with the bullpen," Epstein said two hours before the Kimbrel agreement was reported. "We've moved some pieces around internally, got some nice contributions from some guys in Triple A. "We have a number of relievers throwing well, but we're trying to get better. We've been open about the fact at some point we'll probably get some help from outside the organization." Since Brandon Morrow suffered an elbow injury midway through last season, the Cubs have piecemealed the back end of their bullpen. Strop handled the bulk of save chances in the second half of 2018 until he suffered a left hamstring strain, and the Cubs had converted only 11 of 22 save chances this year entering Wednesday night's game against the Rockies. There are no guarantees Morrow will return, although Epstein said Morrow was throwing from 75 to 90 feet and mixing in breaking balls without any discomfort at the team's Arizona complex. When the Cubs' interest in Kimbrel surfaced last weekend, manager Joe Maddon said it normally would take about three weeks for a closer such as Kimbrel to get ready for a major-league season. The Cubs' 13-2 stretch that saw them jump from a 2 1/2 -game deficit April 27 to a 2 1/2 -game lead May 15 was a big step in giving Epstein the faith he could add reinforcements for a fifth consecutive playoff appearance. "We're getting there," Epstein said. "It's a long way to the trade deadline. We've shown we have a lot of talent, and the way we bounced back from that early-season adversity showed some character. And the rotation has a chance to be a real strength for us and keep us in every game the way they've thrown the ball, which is great. "Our offense has had ups and downs, as with any offense. But by and large, we've shown the second half of last season was an aberration and guys have made good adjustments. We're in a better spot now, up and down the lineup. We've had nice performances out of the pen, but certainly it's an area we plan to be aggressive, and an addition can help guys slide into the right spots and make it a real strength for us." The Cubs are expected to get financial relief while infielder Ben Zobrist remains unpaid on the restricted list. That could free up as much as $9.3 million if he does not return -- perhaps alleviating any concerns after Chairman Tom Ricketts said in February the team didn't have the money to afford Kimbrel, mgonzales@chicagotribune.com ___ (c)2019 the Chicago Tribune Visit the Chicago Tribune at www.chicagotribune.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Related slideshow: 2019 MLB season (Provided by imagn)


Following the surprise firing of the New York Jets former general manager, it was rumored that Indianapolis Colts great Peyton Manning was among the candidates to take the role. Those rumors were never confirmed, but Manning made it clear Wednesday that he wasn't in the running for the vacant job. The future Hall of Famer told The New York Post that he was never contacted by the Jets about the job. Peyton Manning, asked by The Post, about the #Jets open GM job: "Nobody ever contacted me … And I'm not sure I was qualified anyway." - NYPost_Cannizzaro (@MarkCannizzaro) May 29, 2019 The first part about not being contacted can be taken at Manning's word. The second part about him not being qualified is just outright silly. Of course, he would be qualified to be a general manager. Whether he wants to take on that much responsibility at this point in his life is the question, though. The Jets are still searching for the new general manager to work with new head coach Adam Gase, but we know now that Manning won't be, and apparently never was, a serious candidate. MORE: Kyle Busch was so frustrated during Coke 600 that he told Joe Gibbs he quit Report: The Celtics are no longer the favorites to sign Kyrie Irving Four potential Khris Middleton landing spots in free agency Draymond Green to LeBron James' 14-Year-Old Son: "I'm at Your F--king Neck This Summer" Interior pressure will still power Packers' pass rush in 2019


Wild winger Jason Zucker 's name has been in trade speculation for several months, with word leaking out twice about trades falling through. It may be time to put that speculation to rest. Minnesota GM Paul Fenton told Dane Mizutani of the Pioneer Press that after bringing in wingers Mats Zuccarello and Ryan Hartman in free agency, he's likely done making moves this summer. Fenton believes the additions, plus the return to health of blue liner Mathew Dumba , should be enough to vault Minnesota back into postseason contention. In June, Zucker was awarded the King Clancy Memorial trophy for his leadership and humanitarian service. There is more news to report from the Western Conference: Vancouver's amateur scouting department is undergoing some changes for next season. Postmedia's Patrick Johnston notes the Canucks have parted ways with a trio of scouts. One of those, Chris MacDonald, has left for a job with another team but has yet to officially be announced. GM Jim Benning indicated there will be further restructuring to the scouting staff in the weeks to come as some scouts are shifted into different positions. With the Sharks still needing to re-sign restricted free-agent winger Kevin Labanc , unrestricted free-agent center Joe Thornton , and fill out the rest of their roster, San Jose may still need to trim some payroll. Chelena Goldman of NBC Sports Bay Area suggests that center Melker Karlsson could be a trade candidate. With one year and $2M left on his deal, Karlsson's spot on the fourth line could be filled by someone cheaper (such as RFA Dylan Gambrell ), which would free up some much-needed funds to use elsewhere. The Jets offered defensemen Ben Chiarot a four-year contract with an AAV of just under $3M per season, reports Postmedia's Ken Wiebe . However, the blue liner declined the offer and signed a three-year, $10.5M deal with Montreal. The fact that Winnipeg felt they had the resources to offer Chiarot that type of deal suggests the Jets could still get involved in the free-agent market in the days to come.


On Saturday afternoon, comic-book aficionados were celebrating the life of Stan Lee at Phoenix Fan Fusion, the annual pop-culture convention. They didn't know that just hours earlier, a former manager accused of bilking and abusing the late Marvel Comics writer was being arrested just miles away. Keya Morgan, 43, was taken into custody by a Phoenix police officer on Saturday , according to court records. Lee's former business manager was arrested on suspicion of elder abuse while he was staying at a Phoenix hotel. Authorities said Morgan sought to manipulate and exert control over Lee even though he didn't have authority to act on Lee's behalf, the Associated Press reports. He faces felony charges including theft, embezzlement, forgery or fraud against an elder adult, and false imprisonment of an elder adult. A misdemeanor count alleges elder abuse. Alex Kessel, an attorney for Morgan, said his client has never abused or taken advantage of Lee, according to the Associated Press. Lee died Nov. 12. He was 95. Morgan had his initial court appearance early Sunday in Arizona. It's unclear when Morgan will be extradited to California, the Associated Press reports. Want more stories about the best things to do, eat and see in the Valley? Subscribe to azcentral.com for guides, reviews and expert advice. 'He touched our lives' A northern Arizona cartoonist who goes by the moniker the Janimal was a speaker on a Fan Fusion panel titled "Remembering Stan Lee." After the news of Morgan's arrest broke, he said, "The hardest thing about this is that we want to remember our idols for all the good they did. Things like this tarnish their name and make you feel sad that these horrendous things were happening and no one knew. Your heart goes out to who really knew Stan and were trying to be there for him." Other artists in the industry echoed those sentiments. Jeff Mariotte , a Gilbert-based writer of comic books and pop-culture novelizations, said everyone in the industry was shocked when the abuse allegations were first made public in April 2018. That's when the Hollywood Reporter published a story with the headline "Stan Lee needs a hero." The story prompted an outpouring of sadness and support, including from filmmaker Kevin Smith , who offered to let Lee move in. This is heartbreaking. We love you, @TheRealStanLee . You are always welcome to come live with me - or please let us fans buy you a new place to live. We miss you, sir. https://t.co/egR7Ijv2pi   KevinSmith (@ThatKevinSmith) April 10, 2018 Mariotte said the initial news of the abuse allegations, made public last year, was puzzling. "It was really kind of hard to understand how it could even happen, because we thought that Stan had people looking out for him," he said. "I'm a comic book writer and editor, and those are pretty much jobs that wouldn't exist if it wasn't for Stan. It wouldn't have the same impact. He touched our lives in so many ways." James A. Owen is an Arizona illustrator known for the independent comic book "Starchild" and a series of fantasy novels called "The Chronicles of the Imaginarium Geographica." He was at Fan Fusion this weekend. "I've met him a few times, and I think his influence was immense," Owen said. "I also think he was definitely overworked the last couple of years of his life   and thought that how he was being treated by people who claimed to be supporting and helping him was a shame." Cadence Whiting, 21, of Phoenix, saw the news on social media. "I was kind of shocked because it's not something you think would happen, especially with someone like that," said Whiting, who attended Phoenix Fan Fusion. I know a lot of people who looked up to him." Arizona Republic reporter BrieAnna J. Frank and the Associated Press contributed to this report. Subscribe to azcentral.com today. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Arrest of Stan Lee's ex-manager sparks talk at Phoenix Fan Fusion


Brought to you by RAND Luxury! When people talk about the larger and more renown auctions, New York doesn't always make it into the conversation. That is a bit ironic, since it's home to one of the greatest concentrations of wealth and supercars in the world. This fall, Brandford Rand and his teams at RAND Luxury & EXPO International are planning to put New York back on the map when it comes to auctions. RAND Luxury will be holding an auction of collectible motorcars from a wide range of automakers, including Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Lamborghini, Ferrari, Aston Martin, and more. The event is set to take place on October 12, 2019 at the Nassau County Museum of Art, located in the picturesque village of Roslyn, New York. A portion of the proceeds from New York's Premiere Motorcar Auction will benefit the museum, which sits on more than 140 beautiful acres on the beautiful "Gold Coast" of Long Island. Each registered bidder will also automatically receive complimentary memberships to the Museum of Art, which was once home to the legendary Frick family. There will be a luxury brunch and a highly curated car concours at the start of the event, which will lead into the 4pm auction. RAND Luxury has an impressive list of sponsors for the occasion that will be inviting their top automotive clientele from across the Northeast to this incredible event. That list includes Aston Martin & McLaren of Long Island, Ferrari/Maserati of Long Island, Manhattan Motorcars, Sports Car Market, Hemmings, Porsche Club of America, and Putnam Leasing & Intercity Lines. As of this writing, the auction's 70 expected lots have been made public with many more on the way. The lots include something for everyone, like a 1974 Ferrari Dino GTS, Lamborghini Jalpa, Porsche 911 Turbo, Fisker Karma Signature Edition, Tesla Roadster, Packard Super Eight Coupe Roadster, Shelby Series 1, Pantera GT5-S, and a BMW Z8. The RAND Luxury Motorcar Auctin is still accepting consignment applications for high-quality, unique vehicles. Lots are limited to this one-day-only event, so contact Consign@RandLuxury.com if you or someone you know is interested in selling a collector car. This is one event you won't want to miss. What better way to spend a beautiful fall day than at an auction on Long Island's breathtaking Gold Coast. More details can be found at www.randluxury.com . Read More: How to Build a Valuable Car Collection According to the Collection Suites Grab The Bull By The Horns In A 1975 AMC Matador


Much has been made of the withdrawals from Team USA by prominent players as it prepares for the FIBA World Cup in China this summer. Team Canada has experienced similar issues. Canada Basketball unveiled its training camp roster in a press release and many notable names are missing. Nickeil Alexander-Walker , Dillon Brooks , Brandon Clarke , Luguentz Dort, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander , Mfiondu Kabengele , Naz Mitrou-Long , Trey Lyles , Dwight Powell , Marial Shayok , Nik Stauskas and Tristan Thompson were among the invitees who opted not to participate. Knicks lottery pick RJ Barrett and Nuggets guard Jamal Murray are on the roster but will participate only in training camp. Barrett is dealing with a mild calf strain, while Murray is nursing an ankle injury, Blake Murphy of The Athletic tweets . Among the NBA players who are on the roster and intend to participate in the tournament are Kings guard Cory Joseph , Heat forward Kelly Olynyk , Magic center Khem Birch and Raptors big man Chris Boucher . Toronto's Nick Nurse is the head coach of the team, which will play seven exhibition games before its FIBA opener against Australia on Sept. 1.


The San Jose Sharks have had their share of heartbreak over the last decade, but their elimination loss to the St. Louis Blues in the Western Conference Final might sting a little more because it might force them into some significant roster changes. Heading into the offseason, the Sharks have several players on expiring contracts. They include: Joe Pavelski , Joe Thornton , Gustav Nyquist , Joonas Donskoi and Erik Karlsson . That list doesn't include restricted free agents like Kevin Labanc and Timo Meier . The Sharks are also without their first, second and fourth round draft picks this year, so making a trade without subtracting from the current team will also be difficult. So, how will things shake out between the team and three of their key leaders? Let's start with Pavelski, who will be 35 years old by the start of next season. The veteran scored an impressive 38 goals and 64 points in 75 games during the regular season and he added four goals and nine more points in 13 postseason games. As his teammates pointed out on numerous occasions during the playoffs, he's more than just a goalscorer. After he went down with an upper-body injury in Game 7 of San Jose's first-round series against the Vegas Golden Knights, it became clear that he's an important figure in that locker room. But given his age, can they afford to bring him back at any cost? And where does he rank on the list of players they want to bring back? He's coming off a five-year, $30 million contract. Would the Sharks be willing to increase the money and would Pavelski be willing to bring down the term? Those are the biggest questions. In fairness to him, he's been very durable throughout his career. Over the last eight seasons, he's missed eight games but seven of those came in 2018-19. No matter what the offseason brings for the Sharks, it would just feel wrong for us to see him in another jersey. They have to find a way to get him under contract before he hits the market. As for Joe Thornton, the decision to return or not may be one sided. Thornton signed a one-year deal with the Sharks last summer, so agreeing on term shouldn't be an issue. The big decision will have to be made by Thornton. Does he want to play another year? [ NBC 2019 STANLEY CUP PLAYOFF HUB ] Don't get me wrong, I'm sure Thornton would like to win a Stanley Cup before his career is over, but he also seems like a guy that's come to terms with the fact that that might not happen. Even though he'll be 40 years old by the start of next season, he can still serve as an effective third-line center on this team. He just has to figure out if he's up to it or not. Now, let's tackle the situation with Erik Karlsson. Where to start? Does he want to be back in San Jose? We don't know. Details regarding his interest in re-signing have been few and far between. Assuming he's open to returning, how much term and money would he be looking for? You'd have to think that he'd want maximum term. So if he goes back to San Jose that would be for eight years and if he hits the market he'll be looking for a seven-year contract. But the reality is, anyone giving Karlsson that kind of term is taking a huge risk. He's only 28 years old, but his body has taken a pounding over the last few seasons. He played 82 games per season for three years between 2013 and 2016. Since then, he's suited up in 77, 71 and 53 contests. It was obvious during these playoffs that he was playing through an injury. He didn't suit up in Game 6 of the Western Conference Final and there was no guarantee that he could've played in Game 7 had the Sharks been able to force one. Since Ottawa's run to the Eastern Conference Final in 2017 (they made it to double overtime in Game 7 against the Pittsburgh Penguins) Karlsson has been playing banged up. He underwent a serious ankle procedure after that run and he's been fighting through injuries ever since. As of this moment, the Sharks have over $24 million in cap space. But as we mentioned before, there's so many key players that need to be paid that it might not be possible for them to bring them all back. We know that Pavelski and Thornton would want to stick around, but there's no guarantee Karlsson will be willing to take a discount. It's shaping up to be a very busy offseason for general manager Doug Wilson. MORE: Stanley Cup Final: Blues vs. Bruins full schedule, TV info   Joey Alfieri is a writer for Pro Hockey Talk on NBC Sports . Drop him a line at phtblog@nbcsports.com or follow him on Twitter @joeyalfieri .


LAS VEGAS   A former pro football player was ordered Wednesday to stand trial on murder and child abuse charges in the death of his girlfriend's 5-year-old daughter soon after they moved into his Las Vegas apartment this year. A judge told former NFL and Canadian Football League running back Cierre Marcelle Wood, 28, that testimony from a detective, firefighter and medical examiner convinced her that Wood and the child's mother, Amy Taylor, inflicted physical injuries that caused the death of La'Rayah Davis. "We know who was in that apartment during that period of time," Las Vegas Justice of the Peace Melanie Andress-Tobiasson said. "We know who was responsible for the ultimate and untimely and horrific death of this child: Mr. Wood and Ms. Taylor." Andress-Tobiasson rejected as "ridiculous" a bid by Wood's defense attorney, Thomas Ericsson, to throw out the murder charge for lack of direct evidence that Wood was responsible for the girl's fatal injuries. "There is simply no evidence that rises to his conduct as to this murder charge," Ericsson said. The attorney conceded, however, that the prosecution met the standard of "slight or marginal" evidence needed to put the 19 child abuse charges before a jury. The judge cited photos of numerous external bruises and autopsy findings that La'Rayah had 20 newly broken ribs, internal bleeding, a lacerated liver and bruises to her heart, diaphragm and connective tissue. Taylor and her daughter moved in with Wood and his young daughter on March 27, and Andress-Tobiasson said La'Rayah must have suffered before she died nearly two weeks later, on April 9. "She's 5 years old," the judge said. "It's hard for me to even conceptualize." Wood, who played for the University of Notre Dame before NFL stints with Houston, New England and Buffalo, is held without bail pending his arraignment next Tuesday in state court. He could face up to life in prison if he is convicted. His attorney said Wood will plead not guilty but declined to comment outside court. Taylor, 25, is jailed and faces a separate preliminary hearing Aug. 5. Her attorneys watched Wood's hearing and declined to comment afterward. Detective Jessica Rogers testified that Wood said he spanked the girl when she misbehaved, but Taylor disapproved so he turned to exercise as discipline and had La'Rayah do sit-ups and other exercises, including running sprints in the apartment. He called it "learning through fun." Wood, who was released by the Montreal Alouettes in Canada in May 2018, told detectives that La'Rayah complained of chest pains and lost her appetite in the days before she died but that she was tough and could handle a lot of pain, Rogers testified. The day she died, La'Rayah "got to a point she could no longer do a sit-up," Rogers said. Wood told police he pulled La'Rayah's shirt forward and when he let go, she fell backward and hit her head on the carpeted floor. Wood said he could tell La'Rayah was injured, called Taylor and had his daughter call 911, Rogers said. Taylor, a certified nurse's aide, told police she was at the store at the time. Paramedics reported finding La'Rayah unresponsive at Wood's apartment. She died at a hospital.


Amazon.com said it was hit by an "extensive" fraud, revealing that unidentified hackers were able to siphon funds from merchant accounts over six months last year. Amazon believes it was the victim of a "serious" online attack by hackers who broke into about 100 seller accounts and funneled cash from loans or sales into their own bank accounts, according to a U.K. legal document. The hack took place between May 2018 and October 2018, Amazon's lawyers said in a redacted filing from November that can now be made public. Amazon said it was still investigating the compromised accounts and believed that hackers managed to change details of accounts on the Seller Central platform to their own at Barclays Plc and Prepay Technologies Ltd., which is partly owned by Mastercard Inc., according to the filing. Amazon found the accounts were likely compromised by phishing techniques that tricked sellers into giving up confidential login information. An Amazon spokesman said the company had finished its investigation of the incident. The case highlights how the world's biggest online retail platform -- designed to be automated with minimal human input -- can be misused and how difficult it is for Amazon to find perpetrators. Lawyers for Amazon asked a London judge to approve searches of account statements at Barclays and Prepay, which "have become innocently mixed up in the wrongdoing." A spokesman for Barclays declined to comment specifically on the the case, but said the bank tries to quickly close accounts used by criminals to help protect customers. Representatives for Prepay didn't return emails seeking comment. Amazon needed the documents "to investigate the fraud, identify and pursue the wrongdoers, locate the whereabouts of misappropriated funds, bring the fraud to an end and deter future wrongdoing," the company's lawyers said in the court filing. The filing doesn't say how the suspected wrongdoers were able to add details of additional banks to the merchant accounts. The Amazon units named in the filing include Amazon Capital Services U.K. Ltd., which makes loans available to sellers for as long as one year. The first fraudulent transfer occurred on May 16, according to the filing. Amazon said Tuesday that it issued more than $1 billion in loans to merchants in 2018. It's unclear how much the hackers stole. --With assistance from Spencer Soper and Matt Day.


The year-old Ebola epidemic in the Democratic Republic of Congo is now considered a global health emergency, the World Health Organization said on Wednesday, in a formal declaration that many public health experts called long overdue. Emergency declarations are issued sparingly, reserved for outbreaks that pose a serious threat to public health and could spread to other countries. They are meant to increase international attention and aid to help stop epidemics. As of Monday, the Congo outbreak had infected 2,512 people and killed 1,676 of them. The disease has defied efforts to control its spread in the northeastern part of the country, a conflict zone under constant threat from warring militias. Dr. Tedros Adhanom Gebreyesus, the director-general of the WHO, has described the outbreak as one of the world's most dangerous viruses in one of the world's most dangerous areas. It is the second largest outbreak in history after the one in West Africa in 2014-15, which infected 28,616 people and caused 11,310 deaths. That epidemic was declared a global emergency. The decision on Wednesday was based on a vote by 11 members of an expert panel convened by Dr. Tedros to reassess the current outbreak after an infected man carried the virus to the city of Goma, a densely populated transportation hub close to Rwanda that has an international airport. That patient has died. Wednesday was the fourth time that Dr. Tedros convened the expert panel to consider whether the outbreak met the criteria for a " public health emergency of international concern." The first three times, the panel said no, drawing sharp criticism from many specialists in public health. Related slideshow: On the frontlines of Congo's Ebola outbreak (Reuters) Global health groups had been calling for the declaration for months. Josie Golding of the Wellcome Trust, a research charity based in London, said the response in Congo was "overstretched and underfunded." Giving the outbreak emergency status, she added, would "help raise international support and release more resources   including finance, health care workers, enhanced logistics, security and infrastructure." The WHO said it had received $49 million from international donors from February to July, only half the money it needs. Officials who have visited the region say supplies are running short, including the protective gear that health workers need to avoid becoming infected. At a United Nations meeting about the outbreak on Monday, one official said he had seen syringes and gloves being reused because equipment was becoming scarce. The man who brought the disease to Goma was a pastor who had preached in seven churches in the epidemic zone, laying hands on the sick. He became ill and was treated by a nurse, but got on a bus to Goma anyway. The bus stopped at three checkpoints meant to halt the spread of the disease by screening passengers for symptoms, but his illness was not detected. He gave a different name at each checkpoint, apparently hoping to avoid being detained, local health authorities said. Sick and feverish by the time he arrived in Goma, he went to a clinic there, where the disease was diagnosed. He was the only patient in the Goma clinic, which was disinfected after his visit. Health authorities have been tracking the 18 other bus passengers and the driver, as well as others who might have been exposed to the disease by the pastor, and providing vaccinations. Related video: WHO holds vaccination campaign in Goma after Ebola patient death (AFP)


Russian President Vladimir Putin and President Donald Trump have for years shared the same concern that birds were being killed en masse by wind turbines. Putin said on Tuesday that "we in Russia are hit the hardest" by the effects of climate change, noting that the temperature in his country was growing "2.5 times faster" than the global average. Speaking at the second Global Manufacturing and Industrialisation Summit in the Russian city of Yekaterinburg, the Russian leader asserted that this could not be an excuse to curb technological progress in favor of "absolutist, blind faith in simple, showy but not effective solutions" such "as the total rejection of nuclear or hydrocarbon energy" or "going all in on existing alternative energy sources alone." "Will it be comfortable to live on a planet covered in fences of wind turbines and several layers of solar batteries? As they say, it's like sweeping the rubbish under the rug instead of just cleaning the house," Putin said. "Everybody knows that wind power is good, but is anyone thinking about the birds? How many birds die? They shake the ground so much that the worms crawl out. This is not a joke, really, it is a serious side-effect of these modern modes of energy generation. I am not saying it should not be developed, of course it should, but let's not forget the related problems," he added. While Putin and his officials have generally been more open to recognizing environmental issues than Trump, who once called climate change a "hoax," the Russian president has at least since 2010 warned that wind turbines "kill birds" and cause worms or even moles to emerge from the ground. Going back to at least February 2012, Trump too dismissed wind turbines, telling his personal vlog viewers they were "horrible-looking structures" that "make noise" and "kill birds by the thousands." Just two months later in April, Trump took his testimony to the Scottish Parliament as he fought to block wind turbines from being installed near his golf course in Aberdeenshire. Trump said that "many countries have decided that they do not want wind, because it does not work without massive subsidies, it kills massive amounts of birds and wildlife and for lots of other reasons." Pressed for evidence on his claims, he merely said "I am the evidence" and, despite being met with laughter, the future president would go on to tweet semi-regularly about the phenomenon, continuing to use questionable sources. Over the years , Trump made or shared claims that turbines killed either "thousands" or "up to 39 million birds a year," sometimes also including bats in this figure and often citing conservative online news outlets. The argument was repeated along the campaign trail and, though he defeated Democratic opponent Hillary Clinton in 2016, Trump continued to cite her in his anti-wind stance in recent months. "Hillary wanted to put up wind. Wind," Trump told the National Republican Congressional Committee in April. "If you have a windmill anywhere near your house, congratulations, your house just went down 75 percent in value." He then introduced the claim that "they say the noise causes cancer" a position that research has proven baseless . That particular claim was later the subject of widespread mockery, but Trump also pressed on with his claim at the time that windmills "are like a graveyard for birds." He added: "If you love birds, you'd never want to walk under a windmill because it's a very sad, sad sight. It's like a cemetery. We put a little we put a little statue for the poor birds. It's true. You know in California, if you shoot a bald eagle, they put you in jail for five years. And yet the windmills wipe 'em all out. It's true. They wipe em out. It's terrible." That same approach appeared in his May remarks in Hackberry, Louisiana, where Trump told the crowd that supporters of the ambitious Green New Deal "sort of like wind, even though it kills all the birds." This time he called it a "bird cemetery" and again he repeated his take on the California penal code regarding killing the U.S. national bird a crime that in actuality carries a maximum penalty of a fine or two years in prison for a second offense. Unlike Trump's cancer claims, his and Putin's bird-killing theory does hold some weight, but is a relatively minimal threat to the creatures when compared to some of the mass killers out there, at least in the U.S. The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service estimated as of 2017 that 140,430 to 327,586 birds are killed in collisions with land-based wind turbines per year, while figures for offshore wind turbines were unavailable. By comparison, deaths at the hands of building glass collisions could be anywhere from 365 million to 988 million annually and communication towers took some 6.6 million bird lives annually. Electrical lines were believed responsible for between 8 million and 57.3 million deaths and vehicles were blamed for between 89 million and 340 million fatalities. By far the worst killer, however, was cats. Cats killed anywhere between 1.4 and 3.7 billion birds each year, according to the official figures. It was unclear whether it was Putin or Trump who was first between them to begin touting bird deaths the two men have previously expressed admiration for one another's views on some subjects and have greatly diverged on others but such claims have long been parroted by questionable advocacy groups associated with advocates of fossil fuels like coal and gas. Both industries have long been cornerstones in the U.S. and Russia, but only the latter will be moving ahead in ratifying the 2015 Paris Climate Accord since it was abandoned by the Trump administration. Related Articles The Best #WindmillsCauseCancer Tweets In Response To Donald Trump's Claim Wind Power Could Cause Cancer Donald Trump Is Glad the U.S. Is Not Being Powered by Wind 'Because It Only Blows Sometimes' Donald Trump Says Windmills Are Bird Killers As He Tries to Revive Coal Industry Sign up to our newsletter and get Newsweek stories delivered to your e-mail


Looking to satisfy your appetite for traditional American fare? Hoodline crunched the numbers to find the best high-end traditional American restaurants around Baltimore, using both Yelp data and our own secret sauce to produce a ranked list of where to venture when cravings strike. 1. Woodberry Kitchen Topping the list is Woodberry Kitchen . Located at 2010 Clipper Park Road, Suite 126, in Woodberry, it is the most popular high-end traditional American restaurant in Baltimore, boasting four stars out of 2,062 reviews on Yelp. Woodberry serves locally sourced fare and weekend brunch items like the cast-iron buttermilk pancake and vegetarian flatbread. For dinner, try trout served with Fuji apples, cipollini onion, sweet potato cream and sorrel. Thirsty? The restaurant has an extensive list of global wines, cocktails and Maryland beers. On Oct. 9, Yelper Tessie K. wrote , "Everything about the restaurant was absolutely incredible and our server was extremely attentive and friendly. We tried a cheese plate and deviled eggs as appetizers, had steaks for dinner (cooked perfectly to temperature) and then tried the apple pie for dessert. The food was delicious and it will definitely not be our last time at this restaurant." 2. Gunther & Co Next up is Canton's Gunther & Co , situated at 3650 Toone St. With four stars out of 224 reviews on Yelp, the traditional American and Asian fusion spot, offering seafood and more, has proven to be a local favorite for those looking to indulge. Whether it be weekend brunch, lunch, dinner or dessert, there's a wide selection of upscale food to enjoy at Gunther & Co. It offers several wines, specialty cocktails and beers. On the menu, look for the tea-smoked duck breast, served with roasted wild mushrooms and Pernod-roasted fennel, or the grilled Berkshire bone-in pork chop with house-made boursin blue cheese. Yelper Mary M. said , "Gunther & Co is definitely one of my top choices for a nice dinner in Canton. The ambiance and decor are exactly my aesthetic (modern with natural green incorporated). The food and drink matches the elevated decor." 3. Minnow Baltimore Minnow Baltimore , located at 2 E. Wells St. in South Baltimore, is another top choice, with Yelpers giving the fancy cocktail bar and traditional American spot, which offers seafood and more, four stars out of 123 reviews. The restaurant's focus on regional seafood can be seen throughout its menu. Start off with shrimp ceviche or grilled calamari and move on to entrees like the rockfish with crowder peas, haricots verts and toasted-garlic vinaigrette. On weekends, stop by for the bottomless brunch of tapas items.


You will see more Uber-owned Jump bikes and scooters in Sacramento as the company nearly doubles its fleet in the area. There will now be nearly 1,200 scooters and bikes available in the capital, up from 620. The company expects to add an additional 250 every quarter, someone close to the agreement said. Jump is also expanding its service area. The expansion comes as Jump operates under a new permit in the city as of Tuesday. An Uber spokesperson called Sacramento a model city for bike and scooter sharing. READ MORE: Uber nearly doubles Jump bike, scooter service in Sacramento CHECK OUT KCRA: Stay informed. Get the latest Modesto, Stockton and Sacramento news and weather from the KCRA news team.


Looking to add a new companion to the family? There are dozens of cute-as-can-be kittens up for adoption at animal shelters in and around Chicago, so you won't have to look far to find the perfect fit. Hoodline used data from Petfinder to power this roundup of kittens available for adoption near you. Read on to meet some friendly, furry locals. (Details like pet availability, training, vaccinations and other features are based on data provided by Petfinder and may be subject to change; contact the shelter for the latest information.) Walmer, domestic shorthair Walmer is a darling male domestic shorthair kitten in the care of CARF: The Critical Animal Relief Foundation . Walmer loves other cats. He has mastered his house-training etiquette. His vaccinations are up to date. From Walmer's current caretaker: Meet Walmer! This kid may look a little standoffish, but he's actually a sweetheart! Apply to adopt Walmer today at Petfinder . Squirrel, domestic shorthair Squirrel is a sweet female domestic shorthair kitten staying at CARF: The Critical Animal Relief Foundation . Squirrel is friendly as can be   she's happy to keep company with other cats and dogs. She's mastered her house-training etiquette. She already has all of her shots. Here's what Squirrel's friends at CARF: The Critical Animal Relief Foundation think of her: Meet Squirrel! This little cutie is something special! She is super sweet with people and excellent with other animals. Read more about how to adopt Squirrel on Petfinder . Fleur, domestic shorthair Fleur is a lovable female domestic shorthair kitten in the care of CARF: The Critical Animal Relief Foundation . Fleur will get along great with your other cats and dogs. CARF: The Critical Animal Relief Foundation, however, wants to place her in a home without small children. She's mastered her house-training etiquette. She has all her shots. Notes from Fleur's caretakers: Fleur has quite the personality going on! She's super outgoing and loves to climb on your lap and shoulders and hang out on your chest. Apply to adopt Fleur today at Petfinder . Bebe, domestic shorthair Bebe is a sweet male domestic shorthair kitten being cared for at CARF: The Critical Animal Relief Foundation . Bebe loves to socialize, and he's happy to keep company with other cats and dogs. He has all his shots. He has mastered his house-training etiquette. Bebe's current caretakers say: Super friendly and outgoing. Loves to play with anyone and everyone who will play with him. Read more about Bebe on Petfinder . Rosie, tabby and domestic shorthair mix Rosie is a darling female tabby and domestic shorthair kitten staying at Feline Friends Chicago . Rosie is ready to make friends   she loves other cats. She has been vaccinated. Have no fear: She's already house-trained. Here's what Rosie's friends at Feline Friends Chicago think of her: Sweet little Rosie just arrived! Rosie is very affectionate, playful and easy going. Read more about how to adopt Rosie on Petfinder . Sky, domestic shorthair Sky is a male domestic shorthair kitten staying at Chicago Pet Rescue . Sky likes to socialize   he gets along well with other cats. He has been vaccinated. He is already house-trained. Sky's current caretakers say: Sky is a very friendly little kitten! He loves to play and snuggle, and he loves to play hide and seek and follow you around to see what you're up to. Read more about how to adopt Sky on Petfinder . Charlotte, Dilute calico and domestic shorthair mix Charlotte is a lovable female Dilute calico and domestic shorthair kitten staying at Feline Friends Chicago . Charlotte is friendly as can be, and she'll get along great with other cats. Her vaccinations are already up to date. No need to worry: She is already house-trained. Here's what Charlotte's friends at Feline Friends Chicago think of her: Pretty Charlotte just arrived! This sweet girl is playful but gentle and would do well in a home with another gentle, playful cat or kitten. Read more about how to adopt Charlotte on Petfinder . This story was created automatically using local animal shelter data, then reviewed by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.


"What truck should I buy?" It's a question consumers ask themselves every day, but what would features editor Christian Seabaugh drive? Keep reading for the answer, and see other editors' picks here . I may not look like the type, but I love pickup trucks. There's just something about their purposeful design and the sense of freedom trucks provide that really gets me going. I may not go off-road, tow something, or need to haul hay bales every day (or ever, aside from that one time), but knowing that I can is incredibly liberating. Because of that, if I were spending my hard-earned money on a new pickup, I'd be purchasing a 2019 Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 AEV Bison, equipped with a V-6, crew cab, and 5-foot bed. Research the Chevrolet Colorado | Look for a Chevrolet Colorado near you The Colorado ZR2 Bison is the perfect truck for my little family. My wife and I currently rent a place in Los Angeles, live with two dogs, like to be self-sufficient, and love road trips, both to places where roads actually go and to places where they don't. Any vehicle we buy would be a lifetime purchase, so we'd be comfortable stretching up to a hypothetical $50,000 in the near term in order to get a truck that best meets our long-term needs. Aside from a $50,000 price cap, my pickup would have to check a few boxes: It'd have to be off-road capable, able to tow a small trailer or camper (up to 5,000 pounds), and have a minimum 1,000-pound payload capacity. It would also have to have a dog-friendly back seat, Apple CarPlay, and be relatively efficient. Before settling on the Colorado Bison, I considered a few different trucks, like the Jeep Gladiator , Ram 1500 Rebel, and Ram 2500 Tradesman Power Wagon. Ultimately, I picked the Bison for a couple reasons. For starters, it (along with the Ford F-150 Raptor, which is outside my budget) is among the best-driving off-roaders on road. The Bison is comfortable and quiet on the highway and actually handles pretty well for what it is, thanks to its Multimatic DSSV shock absorbers. It's quick, too, thanks to its well-sorted 308-hp V-6 and eight-speed automatic. The ZR2 Bison is also undeniably stellar off-road, expertly balancing high-speed desert running with true rock-crawling capabilities it's a harmony not found elsewhere on the market. As for how I'd spec my truck, I need a crew cab so there's room for my pups; on the Colorado ZR2, that means you have to get a 5-foot bed. For my purposes, the baby bed is just fine; I rarely ever haul long items, and if I needed to I'd simply rent a trailer. I'd also opt for the standard 3.6-liter V-6 over the fantastic 2.8-liter turbodiesel I-4. The little diesel engine is super-efficient, but it's $3,500 more than the gas V-6. Plus, it puts out more greenhouse gas emissions than the six-cylinder, and will cost me more to fill up at the pump. Great little engine, but I'm all about minimizing impact both to my wallet and the environment when I can. I could, in theory save almost $6,000 by opting for the standard Colorado ZR2 over the Bison package, but considering the steel bumpers and well-designed body armor the Bison brings to the table, I'm not sure I can replicate a similar amount of off-road protection on the aftermarket. Plus, it looks cool. Opting for the Bison package limits your color choices, unfortunately, so I'd opt for a Summit White truck. I'd also go for a soft-folding tonneau cover, extra cargo tie-downs in the bed, and LED bed lighting. All in, my Colorado ZR2 AEV Bison stickers for $49,130. Not half bad for what's currently the ultimate factory overland pickup and a two-time MotorTrend Truck of the Year winner . Research the Chevrolet Colorado | Look for a Chevrolet Colorado near you


CINCINNATI (AP) Struggling Roughned Odor made a bold prediction before his bases-loaded at-bat. ''(Odor) even said, `If this guy throws me a slider for a strike, I'm going to take it deep,'' manager Chris Woodward said. He sure did. Odor hit Wandy Peralta's over-the-plate slider for his fourth career grand slam, and the Texas Rangers went with their bullpen from start to finish - even getting an interleague hit from a pitcher, too - while beating the Cincinnati Reds 7-1 on Friday night. Odor's homer off Wandy Peralta highlighted a game full of big Rangers moments, including Elvis Andrus' second theft of home on the back end of a double steal and Delino Deshields' on-field reunion with his father. The biggest hit came from Odor, who has struggled all season but is finally making solid contact. In the last six games, he has raised his average from .165 to .182. ''I'm just trying to stay positive and do my work in the (batting) cage,'' Odor said. ''I'm feeling better the last couple of games.'' DeShields was participating in a game with his father - Reds first base coach Delino - for the first time in the majors. He singled off Tyler Mahle (2-7) to start a two-run rally in the first inning, scored a run and added a sacrifice fly. ''It's nerve-racking for me to watch him play,'' the elder DeShields said. ''I've played in front of packed houses, but there's nothing like watching your kids play.'' The Rangers went with a bullpen day, using reliever Jesse Chavez as a starter for the fourth time this season. He allowed one hit in a season-high three scoreless innings and contributed his second career hit . Brett Martin (1-0) got his first major league win as four Rangers relievers combined on a five-hitter. ''It literally couldn't have worked out better,'' Woodward said. Former starter Drew Smyly pitched the last three innings for his first save since 2013 with Detroit and No. 3 for his career. Smyly was moved to the bullpen after giving up 19 runs in his last three games. ''It's not anything new for me, it's just been a while,'' Smyly said. Andrus' dirt-raising theft of home in the first inning came on the back end of a double steal with Asdrubal Cabrera. When catcher Curt Casali threw to second, Andrus dashed and slid head-first, his left hand catching the back of the plate as he beat shortstop Jose Iglesias' throw. Umpire Jerry Meals called him out, but Andrus was ruled safe after a replay review. It was his sixth career steal of home and the Rangers' second in six games. Odor had a straight steal of home last Sunday against Oakland. Joey Votto was back in the Reds' lineup after coming through a pregame workout without problem. Votto left a game Wednesday with a stiff back. He singled, grounded out and struck out twice. RANGERS MOVE Texas acquired right-hander Jake Petricka from Milwaukee for a player to be named or cash. The 31-year-old reliever had no record and a 3.38 ERA in six appearances for the Brewers in April. He was assigned to Triple-A Nashville. INTERLEAGUE The Rangers are 7-6 in interleague game this season. The Reds are 2-4. STARTING OFF ... Chavez's other starts this season were at Houston on May 11 (one inning), May 22 against Seattle (1 2/3 innings), and May 28 at Seattle (one inning). ... AND A HIT Chavez singled in the second inning. He also struck out, leaving him 2 for 19 career with 17 strikeouts. SLICK PLAY Iglesias dived in the grass in left field to get a grounder by Tim Federowicz in the second inning, popped to his feet and threw him out . TRAINER'S ROOM Rangers: Outfielder Joey Gallo could begin a rehab assignment next week. He has been on the injury list since June 2 with a strained left oblique. Reds: Infielder Alex Blandino was reinstated from the 10-day injured list and optioned to Triple-A Louisville. He's recovering from a torn ACL last July. ... Left-hander Alex Wood is scheduled to throw to hitters on Tuesday. He has been sidelined since spring training by a back injury. UP NEXT Rangers: Left-hander Mike Minor (5-4) is 0-1 in his last four starts despite allowing only six earned runs. The Rangers have scored five runs behind him in those four games. Reds: Tanner Roark (4-5) has lost both of his June starts, giving up eight runs in 11 innings. --- More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP-Sports


Miami will see a return of last week's light rainfall over the next few days, according to drone-powered weather forecasting service Saildrone . Tuesday should see the most rain, with a predicted accumulation of 0.63 inches. The coming days will also see warm temperatures, persisting through Sunday as well. Temperatures will reach a high of 85 degrees on Sunday. Winds will continue to be fairly calm throughout the week, with the highest speeds today at only 12 mph. This story was created automatically using Saildrone's local weather forecast data, then reviewed by an editor. We also incorporate historic weather data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.


After the Raiders traded away Khalil Mack before the 2018 season, it was evident that the team wasn't trying to compete for a playoff spot. Instead, head coach Jon Gruden knew that last season was a rebuilding year and the team was trying to get inside of the top-five picks to secure an elite pass rusher. Mission accomplished. But could the Raiders be in a position where they could "tank" in 2019, as well? According to Barry Werner of the Touchdown Wire , the Raiders are one of the few teams could be competing for the No. 1 pick next season: Oakland has finished with a win percentage greater than .500 once since 2003. That is once. That run includes 12 10-plus loss seasons. The Silver and Black have picked up Antonio Brown. Before you think that guarantees a lot of yardage, check Cooper, Amari. There is no reason to think Jon Gruden will turn a 4-12 team into a nine-win team in his second season. If Oakland finds out early in the season that they aren't ready to compete in the AFC, it's not totally unrealistic to think they could be in a position to tank, especially if they don't believe Derek Carr is the answer at quarterback. With Alabama's Tua Tagovailoa being widely considered the best quarterback prospect to enter the draft in years, the Raiders could opt to throw away their season at a chance of grabbing the next All-Pro passer. However, don't expect this to be the case for the Raiders. They have too much talent on both sides of the ball, and they have a coach who wants to win now. Look for the Raiders to be much closer to making the playoffs rather than competing for the No. 1 pick. MORE: Kawhi Leonard Rumors: No Decision Yet, Lakers Not Ahead of Clippers or Raptors Klay Thompson celebrates new deal with Warriors with hilarious 'Wolf of Wall Street' video Projected depth chart for the 76ers with Al Horford, Josh Richardson Stephen A. Smith: 'Andre Iguodala is planning on joining the Lakers' Do Cowboys have horses to absorb another Ezekiel Elliott suspension?


Curious just how far your dollar goes in Loch Raven? According to Walk Score, this Baltimore neighborhood isn't very walkable, is somewhat bikeable and offers many nearby public transportation options. Data from rental site Zumper shows that the median rent for a one bedroom in Loch Raven is currently hovering around $0. So, what might you expect to find if you're on a budget of $1,100 / month? Read on for a roundup of the latest rental offerings, via Zumper and Apartment Guide . (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. 6101 Loch Raven Blvd. Listed at $1,041/month, this 488-square-foot studio is located at 6101 Loch Raven Blvd. In the unit, you can anticipate a dishwasher, in-unit laundry and a balcony. The building offers a fitness center and a residents lounge. Pet owners, inquire elsewhere: this spot doesn't allow cats or dogs. (Check out the complete listing here .) 1712 Waverly Way Next, there's this one-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment situated at 1712 Waverly Way. It's listed for $1,029/month for its 660 square feet of space. In the apartment, anticipate hardwood floors, in-unit laundry, air conditioning and a dishwasher. Building amenities include a fitness center, a swimming pool and on-site management. Pet owners, take heed: cats and dogs are welcome. (See the complete listing here .) 1806 Ramblewood Road Here's an 816-square-foot two-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment at 1806 Ramblewood Road that's going for $1,025/month. Inside, you'll get hardwood floors, air conditioning and a balcony. Amenities offered in the building include a fitness center, covered parking and extra storage. If you've got a pet, you'll be happy to learn that cats and dogs are welcome. Be prepared for a $35 application fee, $250 pet fee. (Check out the complete listing here .) This story was created automatically using local real estate data, then reviewed by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.