Because every bride deserves the most special celebration. They call it a bridal shower because it's meant to shower the bride with love, thoughtful gifts , and well wishes. Stick with that sweet, simple idea-plus throw in a few fun bridal shower decorations , non-cheesy games , and sweet treats -and the party is sure to be a success. If you're the maid of honor or mother-of-the-bride tasked with throwing this pre-wedding celebration, don't stress! From table settings and recipes to clever favors and themes, any of these DIY bridal shower ideas are easy and fun and not overdone. There's truly something for every to-be-wed, no matter her style. Plan an Around-the-Clock Gift Exchange The larger the group, the better this idea works. Essentially, each bridal shower attendee is assigned a specific hour of the day on the invitation, and their gift would ideally align with the designated time. Take it one step further by encouraging friends and fam to pen a poem alluding to their present and its use ("A cup of coffee at nine sounds fine" for a Keurig, etc.). During the party itself, the guest of honor will open the goodies and read the notes in chronological order. Get the clock tutorial at Lovely Indeed . SHOP FLORAL TAPE Keep It Cozy Embrace a homey, rustic vibe, right down to the shower tablescape. A colorful quilt-turned-tablecloth with matching serveware is bound to please even the bride's discerning grandmother . SHOP DECORATIVE PLATES DIY a Festive Cake Topper Love is in the air... and on the cake. Treat the bride-to-be with a strawberry-themed dessert decoration that's downright delightful. Plus, she and her future spouse can soak up this little number into their newlywed stage and beyond. Get the tutorial at The House That Lars Built . SHOP TISSUE PAPER Move the Festivities Outdoors Weather permitting, shower the bride in champagne and treats from the confines of a breathable picnic blanket. Wicker baskets stuffed with wine and lawn games are musts, too. SHOP PICNIC BLANKETS Splattered Balloon Letters Whether it spells out "Love," "Mrs." or the bride's name, a balloon letter sign looks completely cool and shower-ready with an extra layer of color. Get the tutorial at Twinkle Twinkle Little Party . SHOP BALLOON LETTERS Enhance the Desserts Not only can you organize a dessert or candy bar, but you can also make the confections look all the more enticing with a true-to-theme topper or two. Be on the lookout for custom versions with the couple's initials to really make a sweet statement. Get the recipe for Tulip Cupcakes . SHOP CUPCAKE TOPPERS Spark Some Friendly Competition There's no better way to keep the whole crew entertained and on their feet than a game to see who knows the happy couple best. Up the incentive with a grand prize for whoever wins the most points. Get the tutorial at Pirouette Paper . SHOP BRIDAL SHOWER GAMES Designate a Drink Station Whether plain-old lemonade , fruity mimosas , or a Bloody Mary are more their speed, lay out all the beverage-concocting essentials, straws and stirrers and all. Bonus points for having personalized cups. SHOP PAPER STRAWS Southwestern-Style Fiesta Taco 'bout an amazing bridal shower idea-especially considering this style has recently risen to the ranks as a popular overarching wedding trend . Rather than champagne and breakfast casserole , switch up the menu with margaritas and savory guac . Top it all off with more desert-inspired decor like cacti, vibrant flowers, and, should you be so inclined, a piñata. Get the tutorial at One Stylish Party . SHOP CACTUS DECOR Sip on Seasonal Cocktails It's no shower without a celebratory round(s) of libations ! Try your hand at mixology to conjure up some Instagram-worthy beverages that taste as good as they look. Or, if the to-be-weds have picked out a signature wedding cocktail, get your hands on the recipe and serve a sneak peek. Get the recipe here . SHOP EDIBLE FLOWERS Construct a Flower Wall Because every party, especially a pre-wedding party, needs a solid photo backdrop . Get the tutorial at Lovely Indeed . SHOP GLUE DOTS Foreshadow a Destination Wedding If she's saying "I do" abroad, consider a travel theme as a meaningful nod to the upcoming ceremony locale. (Guests will be all for this wanderlust-y vibe, too.) Stock up on decorative luggage, trunks, and mini globes (that well-wishers can even sign). Get the tutorial at A Joyful Riot . SHOP GLOBES Give a 'Pounding' We're not talking about a fistfight. Essentially a baking-themed bridal shower, this pre-wedding tradition goes way, way back. It's called a "pounding" party because guests all bring items to stock the bride's pantry , or "a pound of this, a pound of that." And how cute is this KitchenAid flower arrangement idea for decor? Get the tutorial at Hostess with the Mostess . Stock the Bar If her kitchen's covered, throw the bride a stock-the-bar-themed shower and set the newlyweds up for their first nights of entertaining together. There's even a website, ThirstyNest , where she can register for all her barware and entertaining needs. Get the tutorial. Build a Champagne Tower Kick off the festivities with a pop, fizz, clink! There's something so exciting about a display overflowing with bubbly. Assemble Affordable Decor No need to break the bank on expensive rentals for the bridal shower. When stacked, a few rustic crates make cute, shabby-chic tables, which you can top with florals in Mason jars (the blooms pictured are from FiftyFlowers.com ). Offer Bouquets for Favors At the wedding, only one woman traditionally takes the bouquet. Flip the script for the shower and send a handful home with every guest. Bonus: If you set up a station of stems for designing the arrangements, the idea doubles as an activity and a favor! Quiz Guests See which members of the bridal party know the woman of the hour the best with this fun party game. Get the tutorial at Bespoke Bride . What you'll need: c ard stock paper 8.5" x 11" ($10 for 50 sheets, amazon.com ); paper trimmer ($25, amazon.com ) Pack Photo Booth Props Use this fun, Instagram-style printable photo booth prop to encourage guests to snap a few pics. What you'll need: bridal shower photo prop ($18, etsy.creativeuniondesign.com ) DIY a Doughnut Bar This set-up is the perfect choice for a pastry-loving friend's shower. Get the tutorial at Something Turquoise . What you'll need: wooden candlesticks ($10, amazon.com ); wooden dowels ($8, amazon.com ); pink cardstock ($12, amazon.com ) Count Down to the Big Day This cute decoration doubles as a pretty prop for snapshots! Get the tutorial at No. 2 Pencil . What you'll need: chalkboard ($12, amazon.com ); gold glitter adhesive vinyl ($18, amazon.com ); pink card stock ($15, amazon.com ) Make Flower Crowns Make centerpieces double as a bridal shower activity when you set out floral wire and floral tape for crafting flower crowns. When the girls are done arranging their wreaths, they'll serve a third purpose: bridal shower favors! What you'll need: floral wire ($7; amazon.com ); floral tape ($3 for 3-roll pack; amazon.com ) Create a Date Jar Give the bride- and groom-to-be some newlywed date night ideas. Simply fill a Mason jar with popsicle sticks , display a sign , and let guests do the rest! What you'll need: wide mouth Mason jars ($9 for 4-pack; amazon.com ); jumbo popsicle sticks ($4; amazon.com ); chalkboard sign ($20; amazon.com ) Throw a Baking Party Have the group attend a cooking or baking class, or try your hand at one of the bride's family recipes right at home. Provide ingredients for each guest to make her own mini pie , for example, and send them home with something sweet (or freeze them for the wedding day). What you'll need: mini pie tins ($14 for 20-pack; amazon.com ) Send Home Succulent Favors Fill thrifted teacups with succulents for an affordable and adorable bridal shower favor. This idea is perfect for a tea party theme ! Get the tutorial at LoveLola . What you'll need: teacups ($30 for set of 4; amazon.com ); succulents ($40 for set of 20; amazon.com ); succulent soil mix ($10 for 4 quarts; amazon.com ) Write the Recipe for a Happy Marriage DIY a cute recipe box for a "guest book" and ask the bride's friends and family to jot down some words of wisdom for what makes a happy marriage. Or, if the bride loves to cook and bake, have everyone bring favorite family recipes to add to the box. Get the tutorial at Strawberry Milk Events . What you'll need: wood recipe box ($13; amazon.com ); recipe cards ($14 for 40-pack; amazon.com ) Set Up a Mimosa Bar Nothing says "bridal shower" like delicious sparkling refreshments. Start with Champagne on ice, then add carafes of juice and finish with bowls of fresh fruit. Get the tutorial at Smarty Had A Party . What you'll need: carafes ($22 for set of 3; amazon.com ); ice bucket ($10; amazon.com ); fruit bowls ($22; amazon.com ) Play Bridal Bingo For a little entertainment, try playing bridal bingo. Each guest fills out every box with a gift that she thinks the bride will receive come present time-the first guest to get five in a row wins. Get the tutorial at Something Turquoise . What you'll need: card stock paper 8.5" x 11" ($11 for 50 sheets; amazon.com ); paper trimmer ($26; amazon.com ) Give Out Matchbox Party Favors For fun yet inexpensive party favors, print the bride's initial onto these labels and adhere onto matchboxes . Get the tutorial at Lia Griffith . What you'll need: s trike-on-box matches ($11 for pack of 10; amazon.com ); black label paper ($11 for 120-pack; amazon.com ) Decorate With A Balloon Arch For a jaw-dropping buffet backdrop, create your very own balloon arch by attaching balloons of various sizes and colors onto a chicken wire frame . For extra pizzazz, mix in some fresh flowers. Get the tutorial at The House That Lars Built . What you'll need: balloons ($11; amazon.com ); handheld balloon pump ($8; amazon.com ); chicken wire ($18; amazon.com ); glue dots ($12; amazon.com ) Serve Sparking White Peach Sangria To make the shower feel more festive, try serving this fun sparkling drink that has only four ingredients. Get the recipe at The Kitchn . Indulge In Oreo Pops Serve these fanciful Oreo pops-dipped in melted white chocolate and covered in rainbow sprinkles-for a fun, portable dessert. Get the tutorial at Makoodle . Shower the Bride-To-Be With Good Advice Have each guest write a piece of marital advice onto an inexpensive wooden spoon, bundle them together in a Mason jar, and send the bride-to-be home with a "Recipe for a Good Marriage." Get the tutorial at Sweet C's Designs . Repurpose Glass Bottles To stay within budget, try crafting smaller items, like centerpieces. These spray-painted glass bottles look gorgeous as simple vases for individual blossoms. See more at Wedding Chicks . Use Glitter Glitter-adorned miniature Champagne bottles can work double-time as place cards for assigned seating or as bright party favors that guests can bring home. See more at Fab You Bliss . Make a Flower Chandelier For a whimsical decoration, hang three dozen flowers with ribbons from a delicate lace-covered embroidery hoop. Get the tutorial at Honestly WTF . Sparkly Sign Make sure the bride-to-be knows that she's the guest of honor by decorating her seat with this glittered wire sign. Get the tutorial at Oh Happy Day . Turn Doughnuts Into Engagement Rings Attach a diamond-shaped cutout to a toothpick and spear through a powdered doughnut to transform the tiny dessert into a cute decoration. See more at Emmaline Bride . Have Guests Sign a Champagne Bottle Party favors aren't just for guests! The bride-to-be can carry home this chalkboard-painted Champagne bottle covered with well wishes from her guests. Get the tutorial at Parties for Pennies . Hang Photographs of the Couple from Balloons Rather than framing pictures as decorations, suspend them from balloons for a truly entrancing display. Get the tutorial at Wedding Chicks . Cute Invitations Make your own invitations with a unique touch. Punch a hole in the top 2 points of a 4-point envelope. Thread 1/4" satin ribbon through holes, then through a shank button, and tie in a bow. Center: Fabric-glue a flat button to center of ribbon. Glue ends of ribbon to back of note card. Punch holes to form a V on envelope flap. Lace ribbon through holes (start at top). Thread end through loop of a shank button and tie in a knot. Glue a flat point of envelope flap; glue ribbon end to flap's underside. Bring ribbon down and over envelope and wind around button. Create Crystal-Adorned Centerpieces For a touch of elegance, place a glass bobeche (look for these candlestick collars where candles are sold) atop a bud vase and hang crystal lusters (we found ours at a flea market) around the edge. Finish with any single bloom that can stand on its own. Create a Tea Party Theme Set up a flower-filled spread for a daytime tea party. Offer a variety of teas and scones served in elegant china with floral-print paper napkins. Let each guest take a teacup as a favor. Create a Pretty Place Setting A spring green plate garnished with a single rose-tinged tulip sets a cheery backdrop for an alfresco meal. A mini pink handbag filled with chocolates and an individual menu makes guests feel special. Make Rose Napkin Rings Brighten up your table for entertaining with these floral table accessories. Buy faux roses in your favorite hues at a crafts store, then sew them, singly or in pairs, onto regular hair elastics with a few stitches. Display Silverware in Terra-Cotta Pots If your party features a buffet, set utensils out in pretty terra-cotta pots, suggests party planner Lulu Powers . Label each container using chalk, so you can wipe off the writing and reuse the pots. Set Out Dainty China Mix and match flea market finds and antiques for a shabby-chic look. Monogram Napkins For a personalized place setting, party planner Lulu Powers suggests monogramming napkins with stamps and fabric paint in your guests' initials. Let them take the napkins home as a party favor. Sew Pattern Flowers Use this pretty craft to fill in the bow bouquet that the bride makes from all the presents she receives. You just have to fashion it from the tissue-thin paper of old sewing patterns. Step 1: For each flower, cut six 7-inch squares from the pattern. Stack and fold them accordion-style six times, forming a one-by seven-inch rectangle. Snip off the corners of the rectangle with scissors. Step 2: Tightly twist a wire floral stem around the center of the rectangle. Step 3: Fan out the paper, then pull apart each layer, creating the blossom. Craft Mini Cloches Place pictures of the happy couple underneath ordinary glassware to create display domes. Use these as table centerpieces, or place them on buffet or guestbook table. To create these super-adorable mini cloches, raid your kitchen. We used (from left) a tumbler, a stemless wineglass, and a canning jar. Glue an iron lamp finial-like a tree-to the bottom of each container with a thin coat of E6000 Multipurpose Adhesive. Let harden for an hour before enclosing tiny photos underneath. Add a Personal Touch Make the bride-to-be a gift she can have forever with this DIY paper quilt. Write messages on paper before making it so she can have a thoughtful and personal piece of art. To make, select four different patterned papers; cut 20 two-inch squares from three of them and 21 two-inch squares from the fourth (the extra square will serve as the center of your quilt). Following our pattern template , adhere the squares to an 18-inch-square illustration board using a glue stick. Then, pop the quilt in a frame to show off your handiwork . Pineapple Cooler Fresh lavender and lemon verbena add subtle depth to this refreshing drink. Simply add rum to make it into a cocktail. Get the recipe. Employ Cocktail Wisdom Celebrate the bride by chilling drinks with her favorite frozen fruit. Party planner Lulu Powers suggests icy grapes or blueberries to give sweet drinks the look of swanky martinis. Try Something New Ricotta and fig bruschetta makes a chic appetizer. Slice a baguette, brush pieces with melted butter, and place them under the broiler until golden. Spread ricotta over the toasted bread, drizzle with wildflower or orange-blossom honey, top with a slice of ripe fig or fresh peach, nectarine, or plum, then serve. Try Bite-Size Sandwiches Not only are these Mini BLTs easy to make, but they are also a delicious treat that your guests (and the bride-to-be) will love. Get the recipe. Make Simple Finger-Foods Served with tea-small sandwiches, mini cookies, and tiny tarts-sweeten the pot. They also minimize the need for dishes. Make Pretty Desserts For a beautiful and light dessert, garnish whipped-cream-filled meringues with blueberries and violets, an edible flower. RELATED: 13 Floral-Infused Dessert Recipes Make a Fruity Dessert Filled with cassis-spiked blackberry jam and coated with lemon buttercream, this Lemon-Blackberry Cake is both delicious and beautifully display-worthy for a party. Get the recipe Give Floral Party Favors Don't toss broken flowers too small to fit in traditional-size vases. Gather a bunch of these tiny florets and place in small containers, such as egg cups. Let guests help themselves as they leave the party.


Curious just how far your dollar goes in Brickell? According to Walk Score, this Miami neighborhood has excellent walkability, is convenient for biking and boasts excellent transit options. Data from rental site Zumper shows that the median rent for a one-bedroom in Brickell is currently hovering around $2,100. So, what might you expect to find if you've got a budget of $2,800/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. 260 S.W. 11th St. Listed at $2,712/month, this two-bedroom, two-bathroom unit is located at 260 S.W. 11th St. In the unit, you'll find in-unit laundry, a balcony and air conditioning. Amenities offered in the building include a fitness center and a swimming pool. Canine companions are welcome. There's no leasing fee required for this rental. (See the complete listing here .) 1050 Brickell Ave. Here's a two-bedroom, two-and-a-half-bathroom condo at 1050 Brickell Ave. that's going for $2,750/month. In the condo, you'll see stainless steel appliances and air conditioning. When it comes to building amenities, expect assigned parking, a fitness center and a swimming pool. Pet owners, inquire elsewhere: This spot doesn't allow cats or dogs. There isn't a leasing fee associated with this rental. (Take a look at the full listing here .) South Miami Avenue and Southwest Eighth Street Next, check out this two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment that's located at South Miami Avenue and Southwest Eighth Street. It's listed for $2,760/month. When it comes to building amenities, expect garage parking and on-site laundry. In the residence, you'll find in-unit laundry, a walk-in closet and a dishwasher. Cats and dogs are allowed. Expect a broker's fee equal to one month's rent. (Take a look at the complete listing here .) 90 S.W. Eighth St. Located at 90 S.W. Eighth St., here's a two-bedroom, two-bathroom unit that's also listed for $2,760/month. The unit features a dishwasher, air conditioning and in-unit laundry. When it comes to building amenities, expect assigned parking, a swimming pool and a fitness center. Neither cats nor dogs are welcome. There's no leasing fee required for this rental. (See the complete listing here .) 1250 S. Miami Ave. Finally, there's this two-bedroom, two-bathroom condo located at 1250 S. Miami Ave. It's listed for $2,775/month. In the unit, expect to find air conditioning, a walk-in closet and a balcony. Amenities offered in the building include a fitness center and a swimming pool. Neither cats nor dogs are permitted. There isn't a leasing fee associated with this rental. (Check out the complete listing here .) This story was created automatically using local real estate data from Zumper and Apartment Guide , then reviewed by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.


Yamaha MotoGP rider Valentino Rossi has apologised for taking out LCR Honda's Takaaki Nakagami in the Dutch TT, the Italian admitting the crash was "my mistake". for 10th place at the fast Turn 8 right-hander on the fifth lap, but hit the deck as he lunged down the inside. He collected Nakagami in the process, both going off into the gravel at speed, with the Japanese rider then taken to the medical centre for a check-up. "I tried to overtake Nakagami in the entry of the Turn 8, but I was a little bit too much out of the line maybe, because when I entry I lose the front and unfortunately I take also Nakagami," Rossi explained. "So I have to say sorry because it's my mistake. And was also a quite big crash, I'm okay fortunately, I know also that Taka is good, so this is important." Nakagami's LCR team confirmed in the aftermath that the Japanese rider escaped any fractures in the accident, and that he had simply been dazed after hitting his head. Summing up his race, which ended with his third consecutive grand prix crash, Rossi said: "It's a great shame because was a difficult weekend, where I had also some unlucky [moments], but the bigger problem is that I was quite slow, not fast enough." Rossi felt that his track limits infringement in FP3, which wiped out his fastest lap and denied him a place directly in Q2, was the key moment in his unravelling Dutch TT weekend. "For me the bigger problem is that I did the fifth[-fastest] time for the Q2, but I take the green [zone], and I have to go into Q1. "Also a little bit of unlucky. But everything started because I'm not fast. "So we have to find something because usually in this track I'm always good, but I don't feel good with the bike, I don't ride well." He did, however, say that his team "modified something in the bike" that made him stronger in the race. "It's good to have Sachsenring next weekend, because looks like we find something to be a bit more competitive, so we will see next weekend in Germany." Additional reporting by Oriol Puigdemont


When players go out on loan in the lower leagues, it can often be difficult to tell how their form will translate to their first team chances at their parent club. Some youngsters star as a big fish in a small pond, and score a phenomenal amount of goals, but for whatever reason, just fall a yard or two short of making the cut in the top flight. Sometimes you get the opposite; players who don't set the world alight in a spell away from home, but then return with a vengeance. You only have to look at Harry Kane for that one. Football isn't a science, and it's rarely easy to tell how things will transfer across different levels, or even across different clubs in the same division. Now and again, however, you get a player you can tell, for all the world, will succeed at the height of the game. When Derby County 's Harry Wilson showed up to see off Leeds in the second leg of the Championship playoff semi-final , he cemented his status as one of those players. Heading into half-time, Derby looked down and out of the tie, trailing by two goals on aggregate. A Jack Marriott strike just before the break gave them some hope, but it was Wilson who would then step up and fire his side towards the Premier League. Taking the ball around 25 yards out, he controlled it in a tight space, and nonchalantly slotted the ball into Mason Mount, who drew his side level. Then, just 12 minutes later, when Derby won a penalty that would give them the lead, it was Wilson - their runaway top scorer - who was entrusted with the responsibility. With all the composure of a seasoned veteran playing five-a-sides with nothing to prove, he slotted it home and fired his side into the final. It was a magnificent individual performance, but it was no one-off. He's been coming up trumps for Frank Lampard's side all season, and has shown exactly why Jurgen Klopp does not need to dip into the transfer market for a new forward this summer. Harry Wilson vs. Leeds 60% Pass accuracy 1 Key pass 1 Assist 1 Goal 2/3 Dribbles complete 4/5 Aerial duels won 1/2 Tackles won 3 Blocks 1 Interception Direct, controlled and confident. Unlucky not to score another. A very good performance from the on-loan Liverpool man. pic.twitter.com/69iDWzZPFx   The Tactical Times (@Tactical_Times) May 15, 2019 His goal record, first and foremost, speaks for itself. Over his two loan spells in the Championship, the Welshman has netted 25 goals in 62 appearances, and only seems to be getting better with time. He had a ten-game spell in which he couldn't find the net for love nor money throughout February and March - not dissimilar to Mohamed Salah - but just like the Egyptian, was able to recover his best form when it mattered. With 18 goals in all competitions, then, he has established himself as too good for the Championship. Of course, there is more to playing for one of Klopp's teams than simply chipping in with goals. The German wants players who will work just as hard off the ball as on it, and you don't have to look very far to see that Wilson is prepared to put a shift in. I'd really like to see Harry Wilson get a chance to prove his worth next season. He's passed every task put in front of him with flying colours. I'd like to think playing with the likes of the front three will take him up several levels.   Karl (@Karlton81) May 14, 2019 He covers a tremendous amount of ground, and for Derby, has averaged 1.3 successful tackles per game ( WhoScored ). That doesn't sound like much, but when you put it into context - that it's more than any of Liverpool 's current front three, with Roberto Firmino the best of the lot at 1.0 - it paints a pretty clear picture. If you still need convincing that he is prepared to make the step up from the Championship, then you only have to look at his statistics compared to James Maddison, who signed for Leicester off the back of an impressive season with Norwich in the second tier. They play in different positions, granted, but Maddison - y'know, Maddison who Liverpool fans are now kicking themselves for not signing - managed 26 goal contributions across all competitions. Wilson, so far, has 24, with the playoff final still to play and various set-pieces still to take. It's clear that he will step up to the Premier League next season, be it in another spell with Derby, parent club Liverpool, or elsewhere. gbeng Championship Team of the Playoffs @samjohnstone50 @lukeayling_8 Craig Dawson @Hegazi @dallas_stuart @jmcginn7 @ConorHourihane @JackGrealish1 @harrywilson_ @tammyabraham @Harrison_Jack11 https://t.co/7094Sy229l pic.twitter.com/J0ZgGuTgnC   WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) May 16, 2019 At 22, he is the right age, and with 18 months of first team football under his belt, he has an adequate amount of experience to return to Anfield and fight for a spot in the team. It won't be easy, and he will likely have to claw for every minute of action he gets, with the likes of Xherdan Shaqiri, Divock Origi ( if he signs a new deal ) and the emerging Rhian Brewster all fighting to try and displace one of that coveted front three next season. But if Jurgen Klopp wants a hungry player who will settle for a place further down the pecking order and add some match-winning quality in depth to his front line, then there is no better option available at present than Wilson.


The Middle States Commission on Higher Education announced on Friday that it had placed the University of Maryland, College Park on warning amid a review of the university's accreditation. The accreditation agency's decision, which puts the university's accreditation at risk, is the latest development in the aftermath of football player Jordan McNair's death from heatstroke in June 2018. A statement that the commission released Friday noted that it put the university on warning during a meeting the previous day. The decision came after the university, in compliance with the commission's instruction, submitted a supplemental report in February and met with commission leaders in late March or early April. Margaret M. McMenamin, commission chair, wrote in an additional emailed statement that the team "identified concerns regarding the institution's compliance with Standard VII (Governance, Leadership and Administration) and more specifically transparency of its governance structure" that contributed to the warning status. Brian Kirschner, the commission's communications director, confirmed in a phone call with The Baltimore Sun that the fallout from McNair's death ultimately prompted this decision. The university must submit a monitoring report by March 1, after which a commission team will visit to follow up, according to the statement. In the meantime, the commission required the university to meet with one of its representatives this fall to discuss expectations going forth. During this time, the university's accreditation will remain intact. A loss of accreditation would prevent university students from receiving federal financial aid, as well as affect processes for transfer students. The U.S. Department of Education notes that 33% of UMCP students receive federal loans. In a joint statement Friday, the University System of Maryland, Board of Regents Chair Linda R. Gooden , Chancellor Robert L. Caret and university President Wallace Loh confirmed the warning status. They affirmed that they are "committed to working together" to provide transparency and accountability in compliance with the commission's rules. "Progress towards full compliance is already underway and will be completed by March 1, 2020," they wrote. McNair's death led to a leadership shakeup in which football coach DJ Durkin was fired, Gooden was appointed, and both Caret and Loh set their departures for June 2020. srao@baltsun.com twitter.com/amancalledsrao


It's pretty obvious to say that Notre Dame's success in 2019 will be heavily tied to Ian Book's performance at quarterback. That reality doesn't seem too concerning. Book had a great 2018 and finished the year near the top of the NCAA in completion percentage. But recent history suggests Book could be in for a rough second year as a starter. Under Brian Kelly, starting quarterbacks have seen a dip in production in their second season under center compared to their first. It happened with Everett Golson, it happened with DeShone Kizer and it happened with Brandon Wimbush just last year. Irish fans have to hope it won't happen to Ian Book. The trend started in 2014 with stalwart Tommy Rees gone and Everett Golson entering his senior season of eligibility. In 2012, the sophomore had led Notre Dame to an undefeated regular season and secured a berth in the BCS Championship game. Golson was suspended for the 2013 season due to academic issues and in 2014, something changed. The stats for most of the season were fine. Golson improved his completion percentage by about one point and he threw 29 touchdowns to 14 interceptions. But as Notre Dame's season began to go down the drain after the heartbreaking loss to Florida State, Golson's season went down with it. In a 55-31 loss to Arizona State, Golson threw four interceptions. In Notre Dame's 43-40 loss to Northwestern at home, Golson went just 21-40. Against USC in Notre Dame's final game of the season, Golson was replaced by Malik Zaire at the end of the first half after going 7-18 with an interception, as Notre Dame was demolished 49-14. Golson transferred before the 2016 season after it became clear Zaire would win the job. In 2015, Zaire went down with an ankle injury in the second game of the year and DeShone Kizer stepped up to lead Notre Dame to a New Year's Six bowl. But 2016 would see Kizer's Irish career go bottom up. Kelly declined to name a starter before the season and played both Kizer and Zaire versus Texas, potentially messing up the team's chemistry as well as Kizer's confidence. As Notre Dame dropped games to Duke, Michigan State and North Carolina State, Kelly threw Kizer under the bus, saying the quarterback was trying to do too much. Kelly would continue to make seemingly negative comments about Kizer when the quarterback (unsurprisingly) decided to leave for the NFL. From 2015 to 2016, Kizer's completion percentage dropped about four points and his yards per attempt average decreased slightly as well. The number of interceptions wasn't a problem, but each pick seemed to come at a critical juncture in the game. Kizer was forcing balls into windows that simply weren't there. For a quarterback who picked up eight wins in his first season as a starter, Kizer's second year was an unambiguous disappointment. Brandon Wimbush's struggles as a starter were also well-documented in 2017. Wimbush had the arm-strength and the mobility, but with a 48% completion percentage, he couldn't find a way to make Chip Long's offense work to its fullest potential. But hopes for Wimbush were again high coming into 2018. Another offseason of development should have helped Wimbush get more comfortable finding his receivers, but again, a second-year starter under Kelly failed to improve. Wimbush played well the first game of the season against Michigan, but extremely inaccurate performances versus Ball State and Vanderbilt led to Ian Book taking over the starting job midway through the year. In each case you could make excuses. Golson was suspended for a season, the whole team sucked in 2016 for Kizer and maybe Wimbush wasn't that accurate to begin with. But when you look at the evidence as a whole, the picture is pretty bleak for quarterbacks in their second year as starter in the Brian Kelly era. This isn't to say Kelly can't coach quarterbacks, because he can. Tommy Rees' career is a testament to that, and Golson, Kizer and Wimbush all had good first years under center. But there clearly is some kind of disconnect Kelly faces when he tries to build on a good first year. Even if he isn't objectively harming their confidence - like he did with Kizer - he isn't putting them in position to succeed. So will Book fall victim to the same troubles as Golson, Kizer and Wimbush? That remains to be seen, but Irish fans should take some solace in the fact that Chip Long and Tommy Rees appear to know what they're doing. The fact that Book pushed Wimbush at all is a testament to those two coaches and the fact that Book is the unquestioned starter entering 2019 also should help, but then again, no one was calling for Wimbush's job at this point last year. Look for Book's touch on deep passes as an early sign of improvement. If Book still looks lost on those plays - or if the Irish aren't running any - that could be a sign the trend will continue. MORE: Francisco Lindor's one-handed HR should be evidence of MLB's juiced baseballs Phil Simms: 'Multiple' teams were set to take Daniel Jones before No. 17 Report: Eric Dickerson says big-name HOFers may boycott 2019 ceremony 5 possible landing spots for former Cowboys WR Dez Bryant Jordan Poole expected to be drafted by Spurs, not by Warriors


The Teen Choice Awards are, well, an award show for teens. Once you've graduated from Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards, but aren't quite ready for, say, the Oscars or Grammys, there are the Teen Choice Awards. Naturally the hosts tend to be people who appeal to a teen audience. Not every year has had a host, though. Instead, somebody would "introduce" the show and move on from there. Britney Spears got that honor twice early on, and once alongside Verne Troyer. Then, after several years of hosts, the show went hostless again in 2017 when Logan Paul introduced the show. That's a decision that likely won't age well. With that caveat noted, here is every host the Teen Choice Awards has had. Every Teen Choice Awards host The Teen Choice Awards are, well, an award show for teens. Once you've graduated from Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards, but aren't quite ready for, say, the Oscars or Grammys, there are the Teen Choice Awards. Naturally the hosts tend to be people who appeal to a teen audience. Not every year has had a host, though. Instead, somebody would "introduce" the show and move on from there. Britney Spears got that honor twice early on, and once alongside Verne Troyer. Then, after several years of hosts, the show went hostless again in 2017 when Logan Paul introduced the show. That's a decision that likely won't age well. With that caveat noted, here is every host the Teen Choice Awards has had. 2003: David Spade Yes, the first person to ever officially host the Teen Choice Awards was…David Spade? Well, he's friends with Adam Sandler, but his heyday was in the '90s when he was on "Saturday Night Live" and starring alongside Chris Farley in buddy comedies. He was pushing 40 by the time he got this gig. It's not so much his age that's puzzling, though, as much as it is that it feels like Spade had exited the zeitgeist by 2003. 2004: Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie Solo hosts at the Teen Choice Awards have been rare, but this duo hosting feels like a real blast from the past. Remember when people cared about Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie? Hilton rose to fame for, um, reasons, and then Richie joined the fray as the two headed off into the blooming world of reality TV. They had their own catchphrase in "that's hot." To Richie's credit, she's actually become a decent comedic actress, as seen in the short-lived sitcom "Great News." 2005: Hilary Duff and Rob Schneider Maybe teenagers just love Adam Sandler's friends? First it was Spade, and now it's Schneider. Maybe teens loved "The Animal?" Duff feels like the perfect choice for a show like this, though. She rose to fame starring on a TV show that appealed to kids in "Lizzie McGuire," and the tweens who had grown up watching it were the target audience for the Teen Choice Awards in 2005. 2006: Dane Cook and Jessica Simpson This is another time capsule hosting choice. Cook, for a time, was the biggest standup in the world. Standups tend to be good picks for hosting, as it's not that different of a gig from what they are used to. Simpson was still a big pop star at the time and had done some acting as well. In fact, Cook and Simpson were co-stars in the film "Employee of the Month," which fittingly came out in 2006. 2007: Hilary Duff and Nick Cannon Duff's first stint as host must have gone well because they invited her back to host only two years later. This time, apparently all of Sandler's friends were busy, as she got Cannon for a co-host. However, this is a much more sensible choice, not only because of his age but also because Cannon has, in the ensuing years, done a ton of hosting. It seems to be his most marketable skill. 2008: Miley Cyrus Yes, Miley Cyrus has been famous enough for long enough to host the Teen Choice Awards in 2008. This was still the days of "Hannah Montana," when Cyrus was a huge star among young people   but basically only young people. She also was one of only two musical performers at this year's show, alongside Mariah Carey. 2009: Jonas Brothers Everything old is new again, as the Jonas Brothers have recently began their comeback. A decade ago, though, they were still basically kids making music, sort of the evolution of the boy band. At least the Teen Choice Awards knew they were getting hosts with chemistry. Kevin, Nick, and Joe had plenty of experience working together. Also, they grew up together. 2010: Katy Perry, Cory Monteith, Mark Salling, Chris Colfer, and Kevin McHale No, former Celtics legend Kevin McHale was not a co-host at the 2010 Teen Choice Awards. If he had been, Larry Bird would have been there as well. You know Perry, who was one of the biggest pop stars on the planet for a while and then feuded with Taylor Swift before burying the hatchet. If the other four names aren't familiar, they were all stars on "Glee," which was briefly a hugely popular show best known for giving Jane Lynch a whole new audience. 2011: Kaley Cuoco After having five hosts the year prior, the Teen Choice Awards really pared it down by going with only one. Cuoco was still in the early days of the run of "Big Bang Theory," but it was already a huge hit, albeit, on CBS, the network largely thought of as watched only by old people who love "NCIS." "The Big Bang Theory" had a slightly younger audience, though, although it ran for long enough that people who started watching it as teenagers were well into adulthood by the time it ended. 2012: Demi Lovato and Kevin McHale Do you think the other three "Glee" actors felt stiffed that McHale got to host a second time and they didn't? Or had they all moved on and only McHale was willing to take the gig? Also, wouldn't it have been fun if it was the Hall of Fame basketball player? Although, he was busy coaching the Houston Rockets at the time. Lovato was emerging as a pop star and had just finished a run on her own Disney Channel show "Sonny with a Chance." 2013: Darren Criss and Lucy Hale Criss is another guy with "Glee" connections, but he's got a lot going for him on the acting front. In addition to Broadway success, he recently won an Emmy and a Golden Globe for his chilling work in "The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story." Hale was one of the stars of "Pretty Little Liars," which certainly was right in the Teen Choice Awards' demographic. 2014: Tyler Posey and Sarah Hyland Remember that MTV show "Teen Wolf?" You know, it was like the ridiculous Michael J. Fox movie "Teen Wolf," only the TV version inexplicably took the idea seriously and seemed more interested in the main actor's abs than having any fun? Well Posey was the Teen Wolf, and he didn't even play basketball! Sarah Hyland was one of the kids on "Modern Family," a show that is somehow still on the air after seemingly a million seasons. 2015: Gina Rodriguez, Josh Peck, and Ludacris The year 2015 was a big one for Rodriguez. In addition to co-hosting this show, she won a Golden Globe for "Jane the Virgin" that year. (That show has just come to a close.) Ludacris made his name as a rap star, but the teens of this era probably knew him best as one of the guys in the "Fast and Furious" movies. Peck was the titular Josh of the Nick show "Drake & Josh," but as that show began airing a decade prior to 2015, it feels like he might not resonate with a teenage audience. Or maybe he did. You'd have to ask somebody who was a teenager in 2015. 2016: John Cena and Victoria Justice Cena rose to fame as a pro wrestler, but like The Rock, he's made the leap to acting. While he hasn't had a Dwayne Johnson-level career yet, he's getting there. He also seems always game to try and expand his horizons to legitimize his career, as he's hosted both the Teen Choice Awards and the Kids' Choice Awards. Victoria Justice sounds like the name of the main character in a CBS procedural about a judge, but in actuality she was a Nickelodeon star in the 2000s, including starring in the show "Victorious." 2018: Nick Cannon and Lele Pons Remember, YouTube star and general irritant Logan Paul introduced the 2017 event, but the show had no official host. It got back into the hosting game in 2018 and brought along old pro Cannon to shoulder the load. Pons is an internet star who was the most followed person on Vine when the app was shut down. She actually won "Choice Viner" in 2015, which was apparently an award it was giving out for a time. 2019: Lucy Hale and David Dobrik This year, Hale is back hosting. "Pretty Little Liars" ended in 2017, but she's starring in the upcoming show "Katy Keene," a CW show apparently tied to the "Riverdale" universe. That'll probably bode well for her. Dobrik is another internet person. Kids love the internet, and there is nothing we can do about it.


Think about all of the greats who have suited up for the New York Yankees in their heralded history. It's absolutely wild to think about those who have worn the pinstripes. It's even more bizarre to realize that youngster Gleyber Torres has now accomplished a feat only two others before him in Yankees history have done. Torres took Minnesota Twins starter Jake Odorizzi deep in the third inning of Wednesday's game, representing his 20th homer of the season. Bomber Squad. pic.twitter.com/7TvVi9yPKu   New York Yankees (@Yankees) July 25, 2019 That's not necessarily the story here. The Yankees hitting a homer is nothing new. Rather, it's the fact that Torres has now joined Joe DiMaggio and Mickey Mantle as the only Yankees players to have multiple 20-plus homer seasons before turning 23 years old. Say what? No Babe Ruth? No Lou Gehrig? No Derek Jeter? We have absolutely no idea how good Torres is going to be down the road. He still boasts untapped potential. Even then, this is an absurd stat right here. Related slideshow: The 2019 MLB season (Provided by imagn)


Philadelphia will see a return of last week's hot temperatures this coming week, according to drone-powered weather forecasting service Saildrone . Temperatures will reach a high of 89 degrees today and tomorrow, then rise even more on Saturday, with a high of 92 degrees. Also look for light rainfall coming in a few days. The best chance of rain is expected on Saturday at 52 percent. Skies will be partly cloudy today and tomorrow, and cloudy on Tuesday. Winds will reach a modest high of 13 mph on Sunday, while today and tomorrow will continue to be calmer. 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.


Ai Weiwei has posted a number of pictures of what he says are listening devices found in his Beijing studio. The Chinese dissident artist captioned one photo of a bug on Instagram with "There will always be surprises". His friend Liu Xiaoyuan confirmed the bugs were found after the artist returned from a trip to Germany. Xiaoyuan tweeted that they were found when redecoration started on Ai's home and were found in the office and a living room. The pictures show the devices were hidden in electric sockets. The artist also posted a video clip of firecrackers being set off in a metal bucket next to one of the devices. He wrote "Did you hear it?" next to the video. The artist has retweeted an article saying listening devices had been found at his studio. His mother Gao Ying told Radio Free Asia that she believed the devices were placed in his studio four years ago when the artist was arrested and his studio was searched by the authorities. The artist has long been critical of the ruling Communist Party and was held in 2011 for 81 days before being released. He was arrested during a government crackdown on political activists. He was held over alleged crimes of bigamy and tax evasion, but was released without charge. He was later given a 15 million yuan (£1.5m) fine for evading taxes, although the artist maintains the charges were politically motivated in retaliation for his criticism of the Chinese Government. The authorities kept his passport for four years but it was returned earlier this year. Since then he has visited Germany, where his son lives, and London. In September he was in London for the launch of a retrospective of his work at the Royal Academy.


Vendettas work both ways. The Dallas Cowboys are both the most beloved and most hated team in the NFL. There's a reason that the highest rating games every year include the Cowboys, the star shines bright. This year's team will have an opportunity to silence some of the haters, and collect on some past debts. Both the organization and individual players will have their chances at revenge in 2019, both current and former Cowboys. 2019's daunting schedule will bring rematches of games that left a catch in the throat, like last year's clash vs the New Orleans Saints, and the Green Bay Packers, who have bounced the Cowboys out of the playoffs twice in the last five seasons. Former Cowboy Cole Beasley will make his return to Big D with something to say, and something to prove, while some current Cowboys will get to face off against former teams. One lucky Cowboy, Robert Quinn, gets a double shot. Take a look at the five vendetta games on Dallas' 2019 schedule. Continue… Cowboys at Saints, Week 4 (AP Photo/Ron Jenkins) The ire in this one belongs to the Saints after they suffered a surprising defeat to the Cowboys in Week 12 of 2018. The Saints came into the Thursday Night matchup 10-1, averaging 37 points per game. (That's not a typo.) The Cowboys defense had a coming out party, holding the Saints to 10 points while continually frustrating future Hall of Famer Drew Brees, who threw for just 127 yards on 18/28 passes completed. The Saints will host the Cowboys on Sunday Night Football this year, in what we have rated as the best road trip of the season . This one will be a doozy. Continue… Cowboys vs Packers, Week 5 Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports The Cowboys and the Packers, a tale as old as time. In the 1990's the Cowboys were the Packers kryptonite, knocking the Cheeseheads out of the playoffs in 1993, 1994 and 1995. Sound familiar? The Packers have turned the tide and knocked the Cowboys out of the playoffs in 2014 and 2016. Mason Crosby nailed two 50+ yard field goals in the last 1:33 of the 4th quarter to break Cowboys fans' hearts in 2016. In a strange twist of fate, Crosby is a native Texan, so he was likely breaking the hearts of friends and family too, if that makes anyone feel better. This age-old rivalry will see its next chapter at AT&T, Week 5. Continue… Cowboys vs Bills, Week 13 (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) This time last year, this game would not have registered very high on the vendetta scale. Sure the Cowboys smoked the Bills in back to back Super Bowls, but that was almost 25 years ago. This year this game is circled for one reason, Cole Beasley. The Cowboys former slot man has continued to throw shade at the Cowboys organization since leaving. He's turned his focus backward rather than forward over and over again, to the point that it's become a point of contention. Beasley would surely love to stick it to the Cowboys, who he believes under-utilized him, and never showed a real desire to keep him in free agency. He'll have his shot. Continue… Cowboys at Rams (In Hawaii), Preseason Week 2 (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) Okay, okay, it's a preseason game. To be more precise, it's Week 2 of the preseason which means very few starters will be playing. The game is also being played in Hawaii; the vengeance level for this game will be low-key. The Cowboys will have their chance to avenge their loss later on in the season. Let's put this one on pause for a moment. Cowboys vs Rams, Week 15 This matchup will have a host of story lines surrounding it once Week 15 arrives. Both the Cowboys and the Rams are expected to be in the playoff mix in 2019, and this late season game may have huge implications for playoff seeding. Jared Goff and Dak Prescott will square off in a battle of 2016 draft class QB's, Goff the No. 1 overall pick, Prescott the 135th. Perhaps the memory of the 2018 playoffs will be a background thought for the two teams by the time they square off in December, but then again, maybe not. Other notable vendetta games Rod Smith, now of the Giants, who will get to face the Cowboys and brother Jaylon Smith twice, in Weeks 1 and 9. Robert Quinn, who will see both of his former teams this season. Quinn played the first seven years of his career with the Rams organization before moving on to Miami for one year. The Cowboys will host the Dolphins Week 3, and the Rams Week 15. Dan Bailey, who was unceremoniously released by the Cowboys on the last day of cuts in 2018. At the time, Bailey was the second most accurate kicker in NFL history, behind only Justin Tucker of the Ravens. It didn't take him long to find work with the Vikings, who the Cowboys will host in Week 10, 2019. You can follow Burke at @BurkeDowner. MORE: Everyone had so many LeBron jokes about the reported 'Space Jam 2' cast Five potential Kevin Durant landing spots in free agency Warriors and Kevin Durant Could Reportedly Work Out Wild 'Delayed' Sign-and-Trade with Knicks Reggie Bush takes shot at Lions, calls them cheap Browns have several single-season records that could fall in 2019


The Jacksonville Jaguars took the practice fields at TIAA Bank Field for their third consecutive week of organized team activities Monday, and it once again was another session in which the offense put on an impressive aerial display. Of course, leading the way in that process was none other than Nick Foles, who continued to impress as he has all summer. The veteran started the day dropping dimes in the team's 7-on-7 drill linking up deep with two other OTA stars in Keelan Cole and Chris Conley. However, the display didn't stop there as he also linked up with a name fans haven't heard much from in second-year receiver C.J. Board. We can't wait to see this connection on the field this fall. pic.twitter.com/IwnkbYqafF - #DUUUVAL (@Jaguars) June 3, 2019 Nick Foles is spinning dimes today. Hit Chris Conley and Keelan Cole for big gains over the top in 7-on-7. #Jaguars - Daniel Popper (@danielrpopper) June 3, 2019 Nick Foles with a great throw down the left sideline to … *checks notes* … WR C.J. Board. Terrific throw and grab. #Jaguars - Phillip Heilman (@phillip_heilman) June 3, 2019 After watching the first-team impress, Jags reserves Gardner Minshew and Tyre Brady also had a highlight moment Monday, as the two linked up for a beautiful arching pass in the back of the end zone during red-zone drills. Both rookies are two names we believe could make the team, and with OTAs wrapping up, it would be nice to see the two gain some momentum heading into mandatory mini-camp. Other Day 7 tidbits and absences Guard Andrew Norwell missed Monday's session with an ankle sprain . However, coach Doug Marrone told the media that he thought it was minor and simply wanted to play it smart with the veteran. Defensive end Yannick Ngakoue, tailback Leonard Fournette and receivers Dede Westbrook and Marqise Lee missed Monday's practice after missing time last week, too. Ngakoue's situation, of course, is tied to his contract situation as he's on the last year of his rookie deal. Linebacker Myles Jack and safety Ronnie Harrison were new additions to the absentee list after missing their first days Monday. Jalen Ramsey also missed Monday's session as he continues to train in Tennessee. Veteran cornerback A.J. Bouye continued to practice on the side Monday as he did last week. Defensive lineman Calais Campbell met with the media Monday to discuss how OTAs have gone so far. He also told the media that he was holding on to a small bit of hope that veteran linebacker Telvin Smith would return in 2019 . Listen to the latest from the Jags Wire team by checking out the Jags Den Podcast. Subscribe on Apple's iTunes podcasts or Stitcher Radio . Listen MORE: Did Nike accidentally reveal that Kevin Durant is staying with the Warriors? Why James Holzhauer's small Final Jeopardy! bet made total sense Gerald McCoy explains why he picked the Panthers over Browns, Ravens Report: Suns, Bulls offering lottery picks for Lonzo Ball Jordy Nelson to sign 1-day contract to retire as a Packer in August


The Broncos and Chris Harris ' representation are talking, Mike Klis of Denver's 9News reports. That's the good news. The bad news is the sides remain far apart in negotiations, per Klis. Harris is looking for a deal that will pay him more than $15 million or a trade to a team that will meet his demand. The Broncos have no desire to trade Harris, who has played in Denver for eight seasons, started most of the past seven seasons and made four Pro Bowls. But the team took a step in resolving the contract impasse by giving Fred Lyles, Harris' agent, a first offer this week. Harris' $8.5 million annual average salary ranks only 25th in the NFL among players at his position, trailing even Kareem Jackson , whom the Broncos signed in free agency. Jackson has never made the Pro Bowl. Harris is due to make $7.8 million in base salary this season in the final year of his deal.


40 reasons to start planning your summer getaway ASAP. Whether you're looking for a quick weekend getaway, the ultimate surf, or planning the trip of a lifetime, a beach vacation is always a good idea. To get you inspired, here are some of the world's most beautiful beaches from South Beach to Sri Lanka. Railay Beach, Thailand Cut off from the rest of the mainland of Krabi province by high limestone cliffs, Railay Beach is only accessible by boat, making it one of Thailand's most peaceful and beautiful beaches. Whitehaven Beach, Australia Australia's East Coast is home to some legendary beaches-Whitehaven Beach in the Whitsundays is particularly heavenly. Over on the West Coast, Turquoise Bay in the Cape Range National Park is equally gorgeous. Just watch out for those sharks. Ruby Beach, Washington While the coastal section of Olympic National Park is rockier than it is sandy, it's still worth visiting Ruby Beach for the views alone. Monterosso Al Mare, Italy Home to the Cinque Terre's only sand beach, Monterosso al Mare is the spot to post up for a long day of sunbathing on the Italian Riviera. Tunnels Beach, Kauai, Hawaii One of the best places for snorkeling on Kauai's north shore, the coral reefs at Tunnels Beach are suitable for divers of all skill levels. Durdle Door, England Set upon the Jurassic Coast between Swanage and Weymouth, this natural limestone arch is the perfect secluded cove for your next Insta-worthy travel diary. Anse Source d'Argent, Seychelles There are too many beautiful white sand beaches in Seychelles to even count, but Source d'Argent on La Digue is known for being one of the best. Tulum, Mexico The ancient Mayan ruins overlooking the white sand beaches and bright blue waters of Tulum feel a world away from Cancun, which happens to be just a two hour drive north. Cannon Beach, Oregon The 235-foot-tall Haystack Rock dominates the shoreline of the Oregon Coast at Cannon Beach, which is also home to a host of art galleries and restaurants. Cala Goloritzè, Sardinia For those who prefer to get off the beaten track, let the gleaming gem of Cala Goloritzè be your reward. Accessible by boat or an athletic hike, this tiny beach is a dream spot for climbers (the nearly-150 meter rock spire just up the beach offer spectacular views) as well as for those who just enjoy a pristine private spot to lounge. Walvis Bay, Namibia The massive sand dunes alone are reason to book a trip to Walvis Bay. But you'll also want to come to this beach on Namibia's Skeleton Coast for the wildlife-you're likely to spot flamingos, seals, whales and even hyenas here. Ngapali Beach, Myanmar With the rise of tourism in Myanmar, there are plenty of places to stay in this beach town on the Bay of Bengal but don't fear that it's lost its charm, it still maintains its sleepy fishing village vibe. Baker Beach, San Francisco While San Francisco might not be the sunny beach town you would imagine to see on a list like this, Baker Beach is worth visiting for the spectacular views of the Golden Gate Bridge. Fair warning: the northernmost end of the beach is clothing optional. Bells Beach, Australia This sandy coast is home to the world's longest-running surf competition, and showcases some of the biggest rip curls you'll ever see. High cliffs provide a dramatic backdrop to the natural amphitheater of this gorgeous Australian oasis. The Baths, British Virgin Islands Large granite boulders line the coast at the southern tip of Virgin Gorda, forming shallow pools that make The Baths an ideal spot for swimming and snorkeling. Clifton Beach, South Africa The luxe beach houses here might try to overshadow this coastline, but the beach itself is still the most beautiful part of this Cape Town suburb. Tangalle Beach, Sri Lanka If you're looking for untouched beaches, head to southeast Sri Lanka to enjoy the wide open sands of Tangalle Beach. Praia Dona Ana, Portugal Surrounded by cliffs, this small beach outside of Lagos is one of the most beautiful in Portugal's Algarve region. Trunk Bay, St. John USVI Even though Trunk Bay is St. John's most visited beach, this quarter mile stretch of pristine white sand on the island's north shore is worth braving the occasional crowd. Rhossili Bay, Wales The UK has some gorgeous beaches-even if the weather isn't ideal for sunbathing. Rhossili Bay on the tip of Gower Peninsula in Swansea is particularly pretty just look at those blooms. Polihale Beach, Kauai, Hawaii It's hard to pick just one amazing beach in Hawaii, but Polihale Beach on Kauai's west coast is perfect for those seeking a bit of isolation and calm. Usedom Island, Germany Don't think of Germany when you think of beach vacations? Think again. Located just off Germany's northern coast in the Baltic Sea, Usedom Island is home to miles of white sand beach covered in classic wicker beach chairs that Berliners flock to in the summer. Maya Bay Beach, Thailand After this secluded beach on Phi Phi Island was featured in the 1999 movie The Beach it became wildly popular with tourists. Visit in the early morning to avoid the crowds. Lanikai Beach, Oahu, Hawaii In the Hawaiian language, Lanikai translates to "heavenly sea" which is a fitting name for a beach with such calm and tranquil waters. South Beach, Miami Known as much for its nightlife as it is for its white sands, South Beach is an easy weekend getaway for anyone living on the East Coast. Kaputas Beach, Turkey Greece and Italy might get more attention when it comes to Mediterranean beaches, but Turkey's southwestern coast is home to some beautiful options including the small sandy cove at Kaputas Beach. Grace Bay, Turks and Caicos With 12 miles of white sand beaches and the clearest water you'll likely ever encounter, there's no question why this beach on the north shore of the island of Providenciales made this list. Champagne Beach, Vanuatu If you're looking to go off the grid, head to this remote white sand beach on Espiritu Santo Island in the South Pacific. Anakena Beach, Easter Island An unusual site on the otherwise rocky coast of Easter Island, the white sand beach at Anakena is also home to several Maoi statues carved by the Rapa Nui people. La Playa Escondida, Mexico You'll need to take an hour-long boat ride to the Marietas Islands to get to this hidden beach off the coast of Puerto Vallarta, but the trek is worth it. Where else can you sunbath on a beach that is entirely enclosed within a cave that has a massive hole in its roof? Playa Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica Costa Rica has over 750 miles of shoreline, but Playa Manuel Antonio on the Pacific coast is one of the most popular. Black Sand Beach, Iceland Iceland might not conjure up images of a beach vacation, but the black sand beaches of its southernmost town, Vik, are worth exploring. Zlatni Rat Beach, Croatia Located on the southern coast of Brac Island, Zlatni Rat Beach is nicknamed the Golden Horn for its unusual shape that juts out into the Adriatic Sea. One Foot Island Beach, Cook Islands Also called Tapuaetai, One Foot Island is exactly the place you want to be if you're looking for miles of secluded beaches Baia do Sancho, Brazil Located 200 miles off Brazil's coast on Fernando de Noronha island, Baia do Sancho is only accessible via boat or by hiking down a narrow staircase from surrounding cliffs making it secluded and virtually untouched. El Nido, Palawan, Philippines Tucked away on the northern tip of Palawan island, El Nido is home to off-the-beaten path beaches surrounded by limestone cliffs. Maho Beach, St. John Less bustling than neighboring Trunk Bay but equally beautiful, Maho cements its status as one of the U.S. Virgin Islands' finest white sand beaches. The calm, relatively shallow waters are also a prime feeding ground for sea turtles and rays, making it a thrilling spot for snorkelers of all skill levels. Koekohe Beach, New Zealand According to Maori legend, the marble-like Moeraki Boulders on Koekohe Beach are the remains of the ancient Araiteuru canoe that crashed into the Otago coast. Cabo San Juan de la Guia Beach, Colombia While it isn't the easiest to get to, Cabo San Juan de la Guia Beach in Tayrona National Nature Park is worth the trek through the jungle to get there. Navagio Beach, Greece Located in a remote cove on Zakynthos in Greece's Ionian Islands, Navagio Beach gets its nickname-Shipwreck Beach-because of the ship that ran aground here in the 1980's.


Missed the the most recent top news in Chicago? Read on for everything you need to know. Suburban Chicago residents warned about lead in tap water Residents of Chicago's southern suburbs have been warned about higher-than-normal lead levels in tap water. Read the full story on MySanAntonio . Premier Health Urgent Care becomes first black-owned urgent care facility on Chicago's South Side A group of African American doctors have opened the first black-owned urgent care facility on Chicago's South Side. Read the full story on ABC Chicago, WLS . Dodgers Lose 2-1 on Cubs' 9th Inning 2-Run Homer Anthony Rizzo hit a go-ahead, two-run homer off closer Kenley Jansen in the ninth, lifting the Chicago Cubs to a 2-1 victory over the NL West-leading Los Angeles Dodgers on Saturday night. Read the full story on NBC LA . 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.


Leeds will take a small lead into next week's second leg in the play-offs over Derby thanks to a decisive second half goal from Kemar Roofe on Saturday evening at Pride Park. An exciting encounter saw the visiting side the more dominant for most of the game. Derby came alive in the second half but couldn't keep hold of the ball as Leeds' pressing ensured they won the ball back swiftly after losing it. FULL TIME: #LUFC head into the second leg at Elland Road with a 1-0 advantage after Kemar Roofe's 55th-minute goal   Leeds United (@LUFC) May 11, 2019 Roofe broke the deadlock after smartly finishing Jack Harrison's brilliant cross. Drama ensued late on when referee Craig Pawson awarded the hosts a penalty after Harrison and Jayden Bogle tangled in the area, only to reverse his decision after consulting his assistant. Here's 90min's breakdown of the game. DERBY Key Talking Point In the 78th minute, Rams full back Bogle surged into the Leeds penalty area, and moments later was sent tumbling to the turf after a collision with Harrison.  Referee Craig Pawson pointed to the spot. Penalty to Derby and a chance to draw level in this tie. But Pawson then headed over to his assistant to see what his view of events were and after a brief discussion he overturned his original decision and awarded a goal-kick to Leeds. Harrison was adjudged to have kicked Bogle's leg as he attempted to clear the ball, and probably didn't know where the Rams player's leg was. It was a contentious decision and one that will be debated long after the final whistle. Frank Lampard will know his side have plenty of work to do in the second leg, but can at least take hope from Leeds' implosion of form towards the end of the season. Don't think it is. Bogle puts his foot in front of Harrison. Contact. That's not a penalty. Collision. Not even a foul other way. https://t.co/6E9zy2HF7K   Alan Nixon (@reluctantnicko) May 11, 2019  Erm, so isn't that Bogle fouling him then? 樂   Owen Bradley (@OwenBradley) May 11, 2019  - if you look closely harrison didn't even make contact with bogle's leg - plus Bogle put his hand on harrison initially https://t.co/WBWXdXla8D   Robert Herman (@RobertHerman97) May 11, 2019 Player Ratings Starting XI: Roos (7); Bogle (7), Tomori (8), Keogh (7), Malone (6); Mount (6), Johnson (6); Wilson (8), Holmes (6), Lawrence (6); Nugent (5). Substitutions: Marriott (6), Bennett (6), Huddlestone (5). STAR MAN - Harry Wilson has impressed while on loan at Derby from Liverpool and his performance against Leeds in this game, whilst not as impressive as some of his other displays, showed the youngster's ability to perform on the biggest stage. He constantly troubled the Leeds defence with his direct running and pace. He was let down on a few occasions by his normally reliable delivery but that can be chalked up to age rather than a lack of ability. Leeds are still within sight and Wilson is capable, as seen a number of times this season, to produce the spectacular for Derby, which could be vital if the Rams are to reach Wembley at the end of May. LEEDS Key Talking Point Leeds midfielder Mateusz Klich was lucky to remain on the field following an apparent head-butt on Derby defender Fikayo Tomori. 5 - Leeds will be participating in their fifth Football League play-off campaign; they've never won promotion via this method, losing most recently against Millwall in the League One play-off semi-finals in 2009. Frustration. #EFL #EFLPlayOffs pic.twitter.com/tWOBFVcunL   OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) May 11, 2019 Klich had lost the ball on the edge of the Derby box in the 88th minute and, in response to a Tomori's intervention, seemed to head-butt the English youngster in the chest. Tomori and his defensive teammates complained profusely to Craig Pawson with the referee booking the Leeds player. The replays showed that it was a clear head-butt, with Klich lucky to still be on the field. Yellow card: Klich after leaning his head into Tomori. No need to do that. Tomori wanted a red. 88th minute. #lufc   Phil Hay (@PhilHayYEP) May 11, 2019 88' | Klich is fortunate to get away with a booking after a clash with @FikayoTomori_ . [0-1] #DCFCvLUFC | #EFLPlayOffs   Derby County (@dcfcofficial) May 11, 2019 Sky commentators going on about Klich deserving a red but not huddlestone for that elbow? They'll be talking about Klich for days but there was no outrage when he was punched last weekend. Sky Sports are actually unreal man hahahahahahahahahaha #lufc   Daniel Hopper (@DanielH_LUFC) May 11, 2019 Player Ratings Starting XI: Casilla (8); Ayling (7), Berardi (7), Cooper (7), Dallas (6); Phillips (7); Hernandez (7), Forshaw (7), Klich (6), Harrison (7); Roofe (9)*. Substitutions: Shackleton (6), Clarke (6). STAR MAN - Kemar Roofe had found the net against Derby in the two league games this season, so the Leeds defence must have come into this game with one eye on the 26-year-old. 4 - Kemar Roofe has scored four goals in three appearances against Derby County this season - no player has more against a single opponent in this season's Championship (including play-offs). Nemesis. #EFL #EFLPlayOffs   OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) May 11, 2019 He was a constant threat throughout the game, making some good runs, and was rewarded for his efforts when Harrison put the ball on a plate for him to fire the Whites into the lead. The Englishman will want to replicate his performance next week as he aims to help his team reach the play-off final at Wembley. Looking Ahead These sides face each other again in the second leg at Elland Road on Wednesday, with a trip to Wembley on the cards for the winner. Marcelo Bielsa will be confident of progressing seeing as his side have the home advantage and are leading after this game, but Derby manager Frank Lampard will want his players to build on their good display in the first leg and make it to the final on the 27 May.


Angelique Kerber's Wimbledon title defense ended improbably Thursday in the second round as she was ousted by American Lauren Davis, who overcame an ankle injury to win, 2-6, 6-2, 6-1. Kerber had been in the same section of the draw as Serena Williams and world No. 1 Ashleigh Barty but will not face either star after falling foul of the dangerous, diminutive Davis. Davis, already wearing heavy strapping on both her left knee and right shoulder, twisted her left ankle midway through the first set yet remarkably recovered. Kerber, a three-time Grand Slam champion, by contrast was completely out of sorts and a break-heavy contest finally went Davis' way. She'll play Carla Suarez Navarro next. The defending #Wimbledon champion is out! World No.95 and lucky loser Lauren Davis beats Angelique Kerber coming from a set down to win 2-6 6-2 6-1 Upset of The Championships? pic.twitter.com/Qf9c26a54I   Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 4, 2019 Davis broke the German immediately in the first, creating the opening with the considerable power of her backhand before Kerber prodded into the net. That backhand was wayward in the following game, but, as in Kerber's first-round match, the breaks kept coming until the first hold saw the fifth seed 3-2 in front. Davis then skidded toward the net as she sought a response and immediately indicated an issue with her ankle, seeing Kerber ruthlessly break twice to close out the set as she attempted to shake off the problem. A trainer was belatedly called to Davis' aid, adding more tape to her ankle, and she improbably but deservedly broke at the start of the second. The earlier pattern was repeated as Kerber broke and Davis hit back, with the hobbling right-hander this time getting the breakthrough hold to lead at 3-1, before bravely maintaining her advantage at 4-2. Another break saw Davis ease into a decider and she accelerated out of sight, drawing sloppy errors from the increasingly frustrated Kerber to break three times with relative ease and seal a sensational win. STATISTICAL BREAKDOWN Lauren Davis bt Angelique Kerber [5] 2-6 6-2 6-1 WINNERS/UNFORCED ERRORS Davis - 45/50 Kerber - 13/31 ACES/DOUBLE FAULTS Davis - 2/2 Kerber - 0/2 BREAK POINTS WON Davis - 8/18 Kerber - 5/9 FIRST SERVE PERCENTAGE Davis - 75 Kerber - 68 MORE : Wimbledon 2019: Brit dumps mixed doubles partner   via text   for Coco Gauff PERCENTAGE OF POINTS WON ON FIRST/SECOND SERVE Davis - 55/39 Kerber - 48/38 TOTAL POINTS Davis - 93 Kerber - 81


Liverpool and Lyon go head to head on Wednesday evening, as the Reds compete in their final pre-season match before their Community Shield showdown with Manchester City. Jurgen Klopp's side have been endured a poor run of pre-season form, failing to win in their last four games - albeit with a slightly weakened side as a string of key players recover from international duties. Lyon, meanwhile, are preparing for life without former Liverpool target Nabil Fekir, having sold the talismanic Frenchman to Real Betis earlier in the transfer window. With both sides having one final opportunity to get up to speed before the domestic season starts, it will be all to play for at the Stade de Geneve. Check out 90min's preview for Sunday's game below. Where to Watch When Is Kick Off? Wednesday 31 July What Time Is Kick Off? 18:00 BST Where Is it Played? Stade de Geneve Channel/Live Stream? LFC TV Team News Liverpool will be without South American stars Roberto Firmino and Alisson Becker, as well as African forwards Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mané as they have been granted extended time off following international duty. It is likely that Divock Origi will continue to lead the line for the Reds, with Dutchman Georginio Wijnaldum playing in a more advanced role. Lyon will continue their pre-season preparations by fielding a strong side against Liverpool , and new signing Thiago Mendes may make an appearance after his €25m move from fellow French side Lille. Predicted Lineups  Liverpool Mignolet; Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Matip, Robertson; Oxlade-Chamberlain, Henderson, Fabinho, Milner Wijnaldum; Origi Lyon Lopes, Denayer, Dubois, Yanga-Mbiwa, Rafael, Mendes, Tousart, Cheikh, Terrier, Depay, Traore. Head to Head Record  The two sides do not have a rich history against each other, but they did meet during the 2009 Champions League group stages.  The French side got the better of the Reds at Anfield, beating Liverpool 2-1 - before earning a 1-1 draw in the reverse fixture in France. Recent Form  Liverpool had a very strong start to their pre-season preparations, as they dismantled Tranmere and Bradford with relative ease. Their tour of America proved to be less successful, however, failing to win any of their three matches against European opposition. A comprehensive defeat to Napoli has followed, with Klopp's side clearly missing their usual spark up front. Lyon had an excellent end to their Ligue 1 campaign, winning their final three matches, but their early pre-season performances highlight deficiencies in key areas of the pitch. Lyon boss Sylvinho will be hoping to rectify their poor defensive displays ahead of the coming season. Here's how each team performed in their last five fixtures: Liverpool Lyon Liverpool 2-2 Sporting Lisbon (25/7) Lyon 3-4 Genoa (20/7) Liverpool 1-2 Sevilla (22/7) Lyon 1-2 Servette (13/7) Liverpool 2-3 Borussia Dortmund (20/7) Nimes 2-3 Lyon (24/7) Bradford 1-3 Liverpool (14/7) Lyon 4-0 Caen (18/5) Tranmere 0-6 Liverpool (11/7) Marseille 0-3 Lyon (12/5) Prediction Both sides will be hoping to improve upon their recent pre-season endeavours, and with the new season just around the corner, Klopp will be particularly determined to see a strong Liverpool display. As the two teams have shown a good eye for goal and a leaky defence during pre-season, we can expect plenty of goals and the Reds to come out on top. Prediction: Liverpool 4-2 Lyon


Dallas will experience partly cloudy skies today, according to drone-powered weather forecasting service Saildrone . Skies will become fully overcast on Tuesday. The coming days will also bring hot temperatures, expected to stick around through Sunday. Temperatures will reach a high of 97 degrees on Tuesday. Winds should reach a modest high of 14 mph on Friday and remain in the teens through Saturday. 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.


Looking to add a new companion to the family? There are heaps of lovable felines up for adoption at animal shelters in and around Fort Worth, so you won't have to look far to find the perfect new pal. Hoodline used data from Petfinder to power this roundup of cats 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.) Lucy, domestic shorthair and tabby mix Lucy is a winsome female domestic shorthair and tabby mix currently housed at Buddies Place Rescue . Lucy wants all your attention: She needs a home free of other cats. Large dogs are OK. Lucy loves teenagers. She's spayed and vaccinated, and has mastered her house-training etiquette. A few words from Lucy's current caretaker: When not busy playing with toys and chasing shadows, she loves to chill with her human family. While she may be a bit shy at first, she can be quite the talker and purr machine. Read more about Lucy on Petfinder . Belle, domestic shorthair mix Belle is an adorable female domestic shorthair mix currently residing at Ninja Paws Rescue . Belle gets along well with other cats, dogs and kids. She's spayed, and she has all her shots. She's already house-trained. Notes from Belle's caretakers: This precious tabby cat is Belle. She and her sister Angel were found together. At about 6 months old, both are reported to be very friendly and affectionate. Apply to adopt Belle today at Petfinder . Blossom, Persian mix Blossom is a charming female Persian mix being kept at Buddies Place Rescue . She's vaccinated and spayed. She is already house-trained. From Blossom's current caretaker: Blossom is a really sweet girl, but a little timid and shy. Despite what she's been through, Blossom is relaxing and trusting more and more each day. She loves to be petted and brushed, and will purr very happily during both. Apply to adopt Blossom today at Petfinder . Getty, calico Getty is a lovely female calico cat currently housed at Saving Hope Animal Rescue Fund . Getty is fine around others, with a proper integration process. She'll get along great with other cats, dogs and kids. Getty is already spayed, vaccinated and house-trained. What Getty's current caretaker has to say: Getty is an absolutely stunning Calico who was rescued by a good Samaritan. She is a very affectionate cat and wants to be close to you. We love Getty and want to see her be spoiled the way she deserves to be. Read more about Getty on Petfinder . Moxi, calico and tuxedo mix Moxi is a young female calico and tuxedo mix in the care of Saving Hope Animal Rescue Fund . Moxi is the life of the party   she'll get along great with kids, dogs or cats. She has mastered her house-training etiquette. She has all of her shots, and she is spayed. Here's what Moxi's friends at Saving Hope Animal Rescue Fund think of her: Shy, sweet and stunning, this 9-month-old Calico kitten is sure to be a lover. Her favorite thing right now is getting her neck and ears pet while showing you her affection with her loud purr. She's a beautiful girl with impeccable manners. Read more about how to adopt Moxi on Petfinder . Oscar, domestic shorthair Oscar is an endearing male domestic shorthair cat in the care of Buddies Place Rescue . Oscar's ideal forever home would be an environment free from dogs and small children. He is neutered and vaccinated. Rest assured, he has already been house-trained. Some notes from Oscar's caretakers: Oscar is a lap big boy, all 15 pounds of him! He is an orange tabby who is about 4 years old. Oscar loves to be very active and play with a ribbon toy, catnip mouse and roll a ball with a bell inside. He is such a sweet and affectionate kitty. Read more about how to adopt Oscar on Petfinder . Rosemary, domestic shorthair mix Rosemary is a darling female domestic shorthair mix in the care of Cowtown Loves Animal Shelter Pets . Rosemary gets along well with other cats. She has mastered her house-training etiquette. She's spayed and vaccinated. More from Rosemary's caretakers: Rosemary is a 2-year-old sweetheart who is quite a talker. She loves to be loved on all the time. Rosemary also likes to watch out the window. Apply to adopt Rosemary today at 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.


By the time she was 30 years old, Peg owned a house at the beach, was building a career and was, as she puts it, a full-blown alcoholic. "I started drinking in eighth grade, and I drank heavily from day one," she recalls. "I never went out for just one drink, even for business." During her 20s, she lived in New York City and was able to hide her habit from her family members by avoiding them as much as possible. But when she moved back to her hometown in New Jersey, it wasn't as easy to keep her big secret and, at the same time, alcohol was clouding her mind to the point that she started to fall behind on her bills and other responsibilities. Naturally, her loved ones started to worry. Then one summer, Peg* returned home from a trip to Ireland and found her brother and mother waiting at her house. "They said, 'We think you should get help,' and they had paperwork with them from a [treatment center] called Hazelden ," she says. Caught off guard, Peg blew up, ordering them to leave and refusing to consider their offer. "At that time, although I knew I needed help, I just didn't think I could stop drinking," she explains. "I was afraid I'd lose my relationship and my job." But over the next few months her situation got progressively worse, to the point that her boss caught her drinking on the job. That weekend, Peg's aunt asked her to come over. Once again, when she walked in the door she was met by several familiar faces her childhood best friend, her brother and sister, and a few other family members as well as one unfamiliar one. That person was an addiction professional, brought in by Peg's family to help convince her, yet again, to get help for her drinking problem. If she didn't agree, they said, they'd essentially cut off contact with her. For the second time, Peg found herself the subject of an intervention a structured process in which a person (or group of people) steps in to interrupt some kind of negative behavior pattern that they've witnessed in a loved one. Although most people associate interventions with addiction and substance abuse , they're also considered a strategy for helping people with mental illness and eating disorders who are resistant to treatment. "An intervention can be as simple as addressing and challenging a behavior pointing out a pattern and offering treatment," says Justine Jones, MSMFT, a mental health therapist at Recovering Champions , in Massachusetts, and the Northeast Addictions Treatment Center . In other cases, like Peg's, interventions also come with an ultimatum: Either follow the treatment plan laid out by loved ones or prepare to be cut off from family and friends, financially and socially. "Ultimatums are necessary at times, especially if you have someone very resistant to getting help," says Jones. "Even if they go to treatment just to have a place to stay or to appease their family, there is still a likelihood that they could have a breakthrough while they're in treatment, even if they didn't want it for themselves. It gives them a chance to stabilize, get sober, and do some reflecting." It's important to note that not all mental health professionals believe the intervention model is helpful. "Interventions in the sense of planned, surprise confrontations are not backed by research," says Samantha Arsenault, vice president of national treatment quality initiatives at addiction nonprofit Shatterproof . She points to the U.S. Surgeon General's Report on Alcohol, Drugs, and Health , which states that "the type of ['interventions'] sometimes depicted on television a model developed in the 1960s, sometimes called the 'Johnson Intervention'  have not been demonstrated to be an effective way to engage people in treatment . Confrontational approaches in general, though once the norm even in many behavioral treatment settings, have not been found effective and may backfire by heightening resistance and diminishing self-esteem on the part of the targeted individual." Jennifer Nicolaisen, executive director at addiction treatment program SeekHealing in North Carolina, agrees. "The concept of traditional intervention directly exacerbates the root causes of addiction: feelings of loneliness and social isolation," she says. "The latest research very clearly shows that social isolation drives addictive behaviors. During an intervention, there's an acute experience of 'us versus them' that occurs. This only enhances the experience of social isolation already burdening any person struggling with serious addiction issues." That said, there's another cohort of addiction specialists that believes interventions can be a turning point for some people, when executed with kindness and compassion under the guidance of a licensed professional. A small 25-person study from the 1980s on the Johnson Intervention model found that its biggest pitfall is that families often back out of executing the intervention in the first place those that did hold the intervention had "better outcomes" than a control group. When is it considered appropriate to stage an intervention and what is the process like? Not everyone who's dealing with substance abuse or mental illness is necessarily a candidate for a formal intervention, says Jones. Often, an honest conversation with one person in their life is enough to open their eyes to a problem they never considered. But that's not always the case. "Once their behavior becomes more pattern-like, it may take more people in their life to speak up and hold them accountable," she says. "For example, if you have a man or woman in their 20s who has been [abusing drugs] for over a year they're living with their mother, their job is suffering or their relationships are suffering it might be a good idea to bring in several family members to say, You need to seek treatment or you cant stay here any longer ." That's where Sarah* found herself last summer. One of her close friends, Amanda**, had been on a downward spiral for the past five years, dealing with alcohol and prescription drug abuse, and addictions to sex and shopping. "Every time we spoke to her, something catastrophic was happening," says Sarah, who adds that within the span of a year, Amanda had been fired from three jobs and crashed her uncle's car, fleeing the scene of the accident and telling family members that the car had been stolen. After reaching out to Amanda's mother and uncle with the help of another friend, the group decided to stage an intervention with the help of a therapist. "When you've tried so many times and so many ways to fix the problem and you realize it's not changing in any way, the only thing you can do is step out and let someone who knows more than you handle it," Sarah says. Through interviewing addiction experts for Amanda's intervention, Sarah learned that some take more of a confrontational, tough-love approach than others. "Some of the therapists we talked to said there needed to be a bag packed and she needed to [go to an inpatient treatment facility] right away," she recalls. This was the case with Peg's intervention, and for her, it was effective. "I wanted to wait a day, but they said no, it's now or never," she says. "I guess they caught me at the right time, because I just knew I couldn't do this anymore and I agreed to go." That same day, she was boarding a plane to Minnesota for a three-week stay at Hazelden. But Amanda's friends and family agreed that kind of approach wouldn't work for her. "She was already existing in a place where she didn't feel loved or cared about, so having someone come in military-style and throw her into a program wouldn't have worked," Sarah says. "We sat for a while and talked about what it would look like if we pulled her out of her job [to go to treatment] and also what it would look like if we didn't pull her out of her job. There was a lot of care on our end about what it would look like for her, because she wasn't 17 years old she was 38. I think it really helped that she knew we weren't trying to strip her life away from her. It was more about How do we get you on the other side of this and thriving? " After discussing it, Amanda's friends and family members decided that intensive outpatient therapy would be the best option for her, and they worked with the therapist to come up with a plan of exactly what the logistics would entail. This is a crucial part of any successful intervention, says Jones. "It's already an anxiety-provoking situation, so if you go in unplanned and offer treatment but there's no plan in place, that would be a great opportunity for them to come up with a way to back out of it like, How am I going to afford treatment? Where am I going to go? How am I going to leave work? " Sarah recalls that Amanda tried to leave almost immediately when she walked into the intervention and she remained mostly silent and shut down while her friends and family told her what they loved about her, shared memories from happier times, and expressed how concerned they were about her behavior. However, she did accept their request to start a treatment program, since the group made it clear that they weren't willing to keep bailing her out going forward. "Every single person she had lied to or borrowed money from was in the room saying it ends here," says Sarah. "I think she was really scared and realized she was about to lose every resource she had." What if the intervention doesn't work? Of course, for every successful intervention there are many others in which the person doesn't agree to their loved ones' ultimatum. "The emotional response is unpredictable," says Jones. "The person could break down and admit they need help, or they may decide not to seek treatment or stop speaking to their loved ones and leave." Although this is often scary for the person's friends and family, Jones believes that continuing to stand by while the person engages in destructive habits is an equally dangerous route. "Enabling doesn't necessarily mean that the family is buying them drugs and alcohol," she says. "It can be as simple as allowing them to live with you, giving them money, or making their lifestyle easier for them. Families think they're being helpful, but this [kind of behavior] won't help them get better." The only time she doesn't recommend offering an ultimatum is when a person is in an unsafe relationship, as it can put both the family and the intervention subject at risk of harm. Peg says that her intervention probably wouldn't have ended the way it did if her family hadn't stood strong with their ultimatum. "They were like, We've done everything we can do and we're rooting for you, but you have to do the work ," she recalls. "It's about being responsible for yourself, and I think that's something a lot of people don't do when they're the subject of an intervention." She's witnessed this firsthand her family more recently staged an intervention for her cousin, who's also battling alcoholism, but he chose not to enter treatment. That said, she still feels that it was a good thing to do, because it helped the family set boundaries around behaviors that were impacting them, too. "I don't think interventions are only good for helping the person who has the sickness," she says. "I think it's also for the family to say Here's my bottom line and I'm sticking to it, because you're [hurting] me . " Experts who don't believe in surprise interventions agree that it's still important to talk to a loved one who's battling addiction or mental illness and encourage them to seek help. "It's best to connect someone to a health care professional for a full assessment," says Arsenault. Adds Nicolaisen: "The most helpful approach is to create a context for a genuine conversation where they feel safe enough to openly discuss what they get out of their habit and what they don't like about it," she says. "When these conversations can happen without judgement, trust can be established. With trust, both parties can establish strategies that might work better." Ultimately, both Peg and Amanda's intervention stories had happy endings. Peg is now nearly 14 years sober, married with three children and a thriving career and her relationship with her family is better than ever. She says that if it weren't for their intervention, she might not be alive today. "I didn't care what happened as long as I could drink. I was resigned to living on the streets," she says. "My physical health was terrible at the time. I don't know that I would have made it much longer." Amanda chose not to be interviewed for this story as she's still coming to terms with her past transgressions in therapy. But according to Sarah, Amanda is making great progress, has made amends with her friends and family, and is in a healthy new romantic relationship. Stories like these are what convince therapists like Jones that well-planned interventions can be beneficial when other attempts to help a loved one fail. "If there's a serious problem going on in someone's life and the intervention is coming from a good place, it can always be warranted, even if the initial response is negative," she says, noting that helplines exist to offer support and connections to families who are considering an intervention. Adds Peg: "Whether you're the person with the problem or a family member, there's help out there and it works." If you or someone you know is in crisis and needs help, please call 1-800-662-4357 to reach the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration for confidential and free treatment referral information. *Last name has been withheld to protect source's privacy **Name has been changed to protect source's privacy