Crystal Palace defender Mamadou Sakho is suing the World Anti Doping Agency to the tune of £13m after being suspended in April 2016 for testing positive for a fat-burning substance. Sakho was subsequently handed a provisional 30-day suspension that meant the defender missed out on Liverpool's Europa League final defeat to Sevilla, with the Frenchman claiming this cost him a place in his country's squad for the European Championships in 2016. The former Reds defender was eventually cleared of any wrongdoing by UEFA, with the body finding that the substance - higenamine - was not actually on the banned list. As a result, the Palace centre half is now suing WADA, with his lawyers arguing that his earnings as a player and the worth of his personal brand have taken a huge hit after leaving the Merseyside outfit. WADA have rebuffed such claims, denying responsibility for his transfer from Jurgen Klopp's side, instead stating the player's own disciplinary issues caused his exit. Sakho's barrister, Stuart Ritchie QC, said of his client's case: "He missed games with the France team, had to foot lawyers' and scientists' bills and, ultimately, saw the end of his career with Liverpool and transfer to Crystal Palace," as quoted by Liverpool Echo . "Although this is a distinguished Premier League club, it does not have the worldwide reputation or brand recognition of Liverpool FC with the value which this brings to a player, and his associated image rights. Only recently has he been re-selected to play for the French national team." WADA's barrister, Shane Sibbel, has refuted those suggestions, however, stating: "We say the loan and transfer to Crystal Palace in January 2017, and the non-selection for France, are events following the disciplinary proceedings and are not causally related to the claimed act of WADA." The trial to conclude WADA's liability is yet to have a date, but it will take place before the issue of the amount of compensation is considered.


Eric Garner`s mother and sister sit down with PIX11 to speak out after new testimony in the officer Pantaleo trial claims the police officer used a seat belt hold, and not a banned chokehold, leadin to Garner`s death.


Even in a league that LeBron James has never played in, his influence and stature in the basketball world is inescapable. In addition to last night's Nuggets-Blazers playoff game, Wednesday night was also the draft for Ice Cube's Big 3 3-on-3 league starring former NBA and college legends. And the first overall pick in the draft, former NBA forward Royce White, said that there aren't many players like him. According to White, the only two players like him with point guard skills at 6'8" 270 pounds, him and LeBron James. "I'm 6'8", 270. I'm a point guard. It's only two of me in the world. One of them lives in Hollywood, the other is standing with you." All of the confidence from Royce White after being selected #1 in this year's @thebig3 Draft. #BIG3Draft pic.twitter.com/SDAHGi86R2 - CBS Sports Network (@CBSSportsNet) May 2, 2019 It will be interesting to see the kind of debut Royce White will have in the Big 3 and if he can truthfully take the crown. White was the 16th overall pick in the 2012 NBA Draft but didn't stick in the league very long. White's very public battle with the NBA to develop a more coherent mental health protocol led to him not feeling safe with his first NBA team, leading him to bounce around the league before eventually playing in the Canadian National Basketball League. He was the NBL MVP in 2017. MORE: Shaq's line after threatening to knock out Charles Barkley had Ernie Johnson in tears PFF: Packers got a draft steal in DL Kingsley Keke Report: Vikings fielded trade interest on TE Kyle Rudolph Roundup: Billboard Music Awards Fashion, Eddie Vedder Takes Batting Practice, SuperDome Renovation NBA Free Agency 2019: The top players


When you read financial advice, so much of it focuses on what not to do, like overspending or buying lunches out every day or wasting cash on lattes. But what are some good decisions you can make that will set you on the path to financial success? There are plenty of big and small decisions you can make now that will make managing your financial life a lot easier, and maximize your chances of being successful with money in the future. Here are five great choices to make when it comes to your money that will go a long way toward setting you on a solid financial path. 1. Work hard to build a good credit score Your credit score affects almost every aspect of your financial life. It will determine if you can borrow to do important things such as buying a house. It will affect your interest rate on any loan you take out. It will control whether you can get a good credit card with generous rewards and a low rate. Even your auto insurance costs and your ability to get a job could be affected by your credit since insurers and potential employers often check your credit report. So commit now to taking the steps necessary to build a good credit score. This means paying all your bills on time, keeping your credit use below 30% of your available credit, and avoiding opening too many new credit cards at one time. Not only will taking these steps help you earn a credit score you can be proud of, but you'll also avoid late fees and be way less likely to get into serious debt. Related video: 5 ways to not destroy your credit score (provided by USA Today) 2. Shop around before you take out a big loan If you're borrowing for a house or a car, taking out private student loans, or getting a personal or business loan, the interest rate you pay will make a huge difference in your total loan cost. Say for example you're borrowing $15,000 to be paid back over five years. If you can qualify for a loan at 8%, your monthly payment would be $304, and you'd pay $3,249 in interest charges. But if you borrowed the same $15,000 for five years at 15% interest, monthly payments would go up to $357 and total interest costs would be $6,411. To make sure you're getting the best possible deal on your loan, always shop around and get quotes from at least three different lenders, and preferably more. You can consider online lenders, local banks, and credit unions for your borrowing. If you find you're consistently being offered loans at a high rate, look into getting someone with better credit or more income to cosign for you. While your cosigner becomes legally responsible for your debt, they won't have to actually pay it back as long as you do -- and their good credit could help you to save a substantial sum on your loan. As you shop around, look for lenders that provide rate quotes without a hard credit check, as each hard check puts an inquiry on your report that stays there for two years. Too many inquiries can hurt your credit score. And be sure you're comparing apples-to-apples. Fixed-rate loans should only be compared to other fixed-rate loans, for example, as variable rate loans usually start at a lower rate that climbs over time. 3. Automate your savings Saving money is extremely important, but it can be really hard if you have to be responsible every month and force yourself not to spend so you can transfer money into a savings account. You can avoid this by automating transfers to savings accounts right on payday as soon as the money is deposited into your account. If you don't ever get your hands on the money, you'll simply have to live on what's actually available in your accounts. It's especially helpful to start this practice as soon as you get a raise, as you can transfer the added funds from your salary increase to savings before ever getting used to living on them. You should automate transfers of funds to a retirement account, such as a 401(k), as well as to other savings accounts such as an emergency fund, down payment fund, or big purchase fund. Then just leave the money alone until you need it for its designated purpose. 4. Start saving young even if you have to start small The younger you are when you start saving, the easier it is for you to build a big nest egg with small monthly contributions. If you start saving $300 a month at age 25 and keep that up until you retire at 65, you'll end up with $1.05 million, assuming an 8% return on investment. But you'd have to save $1,775 per month to end up with the same $1.5 million if you didn't start saving until age 45. The sooner you start saving, the more time you have for compound interest to work and the easier it is for small monthly contributions to turn into a huge pot of cash. Don't make your future life more difficult -- save at least a little bit when you're young, because the magic of time makes that little bit go a long way. 5. Just say no to high-interest consumer debt Sometimes you have to borrow, and taking out a student loan or a mortgage often makes sense because a home and education can help you build your net worth. But high-interest debt -- such as debt from credit cards, payday loans, and even some personal loans -- can make your life much more difficult. If you borrow today, you're committing a portion of your future paychecks to paying back interest. This is money you can't do anything else with. And it will make it harder to live within your means in the future because your money will be going to creditors. Unless you're in a dire emergency -- like you need to put food on the table and have no way of getting cash -- just don't let yourself get into high-interest debt. There's no purchase that's worth robbing your future self of the ability to do what you want with your money. And if you're already in debt, make a debt payoff plan now and commit to staying out of debt in the future. Make these money decisions today If you commit to focusing on your credit, avoiding high-interest debt, and saving as much as you can as soon as possible, you will set yourself up for a lifetime of financial success. Promise yourself today that you'll start living by these priorities, and you'll be very glad you did as you see your accounts grow and have the peace-of-mind of knowing you're on track for a bright financial future.


Diego Rolan's late strike ensured Bordeaux brought Paris Saint-Germain back down to earth with a thrilling 3-2 Ligue 1 victory at Stade Chaban-Delmas on Sunday. Rolan struck two minutes from time to consign the French champion to its first defeat in 16 games in all competitions and strike a blow to the club's hopes of retaining the title. PSG knocked Chelsea out of the UEFA Champions League on away goals in midweek by drawing 2-2 after extra time at Stamford Bridge, despite Zlatan Ibrahimovic's first-half sending off. The Sweden international responded by scoring twice against Willy Sagnol's men to cancel out goals from Ludovic Sane and Wahbi Khazri, but Rolan had the final say to enhance Bordeaux's chances of qualifying for the UEFA Europa League. Former Bordeaux coach Laurent Blanc's 100th game in charge of PSG proved to be one to forget, as he also lost David Luiz and Yohan Cabaye to injury and his side trails Lyon by a point ahead of its game at Marseille later in the day. Backed by a vocal home crowd, Bordeaux made a bright start as PSG struggled to live with its pace and power. Diego Contento had a great chance to put the club in front when Isaac Kiese Thelin cut the ball back into his path, but the left back drilled his powerful shot straight at goalkeeper Salvatore Sirigu. Thelin was proving to be a handful and the Sweden striker turned Thiago Silva before testing Sirigu with a shot from the edge of the penalty area. Sirigu was unable to prevent Bordeaux from taking the lead 18 minutes in, though, as skipper Sane rose highest to meet a Khazri cross with a header which crept inside the far post. PSG was rattled, but Ibrahimovic had a great chance to equalize 11 minutes before halftime and was denied by Bordeaux stopper Cedric Carrasso after Thiago Motta picked the striker out with an incisive pass. Luiz was replaced by Zoumana Camara before the break after picking up an injury as the champion's frustration mounted. PSG had been comfortably second best in the first half, but the club was gifted an equalizer five minutes after the interval courtesy of some calamitous defending. Mariano's dreadful attempted clearance went straight up in the air and, when Javier Pastore nodded the ball on, Ibrahimovic capitalized on indecision from Tiago Ilori and Carrasso to nip in and poke the ball beyond the keeper and into the net. Bordeaux still posed a big forward threat and PSG was fortunate when Clement Chantome's strike took a slight deflection before hitting Sirigu in the face. The unlucky Cabaye then limped off soon after coming on and PSG was behind with 20 minutes remaining when Khazri sliced a volley up in the air and Thelin headed the ball back for him to nod in at the back post. PSG ought to have been level two minutes later, but Carrasso produced a fine double save to thwart Ezequiel Lavezzi before Ibrahimovic did level after Mariano was adjudged to have upended the Argentine attacker five minutes from time. There was still one more twist, though, as Mariano made amends by crossing for Rolan to slot home the winner and stun PSG.


On May 30, British Airways will be "changing our Avios prices on reward flights" on partner airlines   meaning now is your last chance to book British Airways partner awards at current rates . While the new award chart isn't confirmed, we at TPG have been able to piece together the puzzle of the new chart here . One of the great uses of the current award chart is booking American Airlines flights. I recently put together a comprehensive guide to all of the routes where booking AA award flights would be cheaper with British Airways Avios than AAdvantage miles. Sadly, this is all going to change in a few days, so take advantage of these sweet spots now while you can . Right now is an especially good time to take advantage of British Airways sweet spots as Chase Ultimate Rewards just launched its first-ever transfer bonus. Now through June 16, you'll get 30% Avios more than the usual amount when transferring Chase UR points to British Airways . On the current BA award chart, nonstop award flights in North America that are 1,151 miles or less in length cost just 7,500 Avios. Combining this rate with that transfer bonus, there are several international destinations where you can fly for just 6,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points each way. That's by transferring 6,000 UR points to get 7,800 Avios, enough for a one-way international flight on some routes. (Remember that you have to transfer points in 1,000-point increments.) To help you book a last-minute deal, let's go over all 59 of the possible routes that you can book now at this rate, broken up by departure airport: In This Post Charlotte (CLT) Charlotte-based flyers have six nonstop international options under 1,151 flight miles   two in Canada and four in the Caribbean. Effective mid-January, these Canadian routes have been reduced to 12,500 AA miles instead of 15,000 . The Mexican and Caribbean routes still price at 15,000 AA miles. But all six of these routes are bookable for just 7,500 British Airways Avios until May 30. Charlotte to Toronto (YYZ) Charlotte to Nassau, Bahamas (NAS) Charlotte to Montreal (YUL) Charlotte to Cancun (CUN) Charlotte to Providenciales, Turks and Caicos (PLS) Charlotte to Grand Cayman (GCM) Chicago O'Hare (ORD) Chicago only has two nonstop routes under 1,151 miles, both between Chicago and Canada: Chicago O'Hare to Toronto (YYZ) Chicago O'Hare to Montreal (YUL) Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) There are seven American Airlines routes from Dallas/Fort Worth to Mexican destinations that are under 1,151 flight miles. You can book these flights for 7,500 Avios in economy or 15,000 Avios in first class, instead of 15,000 AA miles in economy or 25,000 AA miles in first. Even better, some options between DFW and Cancun have lie-flat seats in first class . Dallas/Fort Worth to Cancun (CUN) Dallas/Fort Worth to Cozumel (CZM) Dallas/Fort Worth to Guadalajara (GDL) Dallas/Fort Worth to Mexico City (MEX) Dallas/Fort Worth to Oaxaca (OAX) Dallas/Fort Worth to Puerto Vallarta (PVR) Dallas/Fort Worth to Cabo San Lucas (SJD) Los Angeles (LAX) Los Angeles has just two nonstop options within the distance range. One option is up to Vancouver, Canada, which can be perfect for a skiing or summer getaway,- and the other is down to Cabo: Los Angeles to Vancouver, Canada (YVR) Los Angeles to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico (SJD) Miami (MIA) While most AA hubs only have a few international short-haul options, Miami has 34 of them up to 1,151 flight miles. If you were to book with AA miles instead, these options range from 15,000 to 20,000 AA miles each way during peak periods or 12,500 to 17,500 AA miles each way during off-peak. But all of these routes cost just 7,500 Avios until May 30. Miami to Nassau, Bahamas (NAS) Miami to Varadero, Cuba (VRA) Miami to Santa Clara, Cuba (SNU) Miami to Havana, Cuba (HAV) Miami to Camagüey, Cuba (CMW) Miami to Holguín, Cuba (HOG) Miami to Grand Cayman, Cuba (GCM) Miami to Santiago de Cuba, Cuba (SCU) Miami to Montego Bay, Jamaica (MBJ) Miami to Cancún, Mexico (CUN) Miami to Providenciales, Turks and Caicos (PLS) Miami to Kingston, Jamaica (KIN) Miami to Cap-Haïtien, Haiti (CAP) Miami to Port-au-Prince, Haiti (PAP) Miami to Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic (POP) Miami to Santiago de los Caballeros, Dominican Republic (STI) Miami to Roatán, Honduras (RTB) Miami to Belize City, Belize (BZE) Miami to Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic (SDQ) Miami to San Pedro Sula, Honduras (SAP) Miami to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic (PUJ) Miami to Tegucigalpa, Honduras (TGU) Miami to Managua, Nicaragua (MGA) Miami to Guatemala City, Guatemala (GUA) Miami to San Salvador, San Salvador (SAL) Miami to San Juan, Puerto Rico (SJU) Miami to Bermuda (BDA) Miami to Barranquilla, Colombia (BAQ) Miami to Cartagena, Colombia (CTG) Miami to Liberia, Costa Rica (LIR) Miami to Charlotte Amalie, US Virgin Islands (STT) Miami to San José, Costa Rica (SJO) Miami to Aruba (AUA) Miami to Christiansted, US Virgin Islands (STX) Philadelphia (PHL) Most of Philadelphia's international flights are over the Atlantic, but it has four international short-haul options which can be booked for 7,500 Avios: Philadelphia to Bermuda (BDA) Philadelphia to Montreal, Canada (YUL) Philadelphia to Nassau, Bahamas (NAS) Philadelphia to Toronto, Canada (YYZ) Phoenix (PHX) Last but not least is AA's southwestern hub Phoenix. Located just north of the Mexico border, it offers four options south of the border that you can book for just 7,500 Avios each way. Phoenix to Cabo San Lucas (SJD) Phoenix to Guadalajara (GDL) Phoenix to Mazatlan (MZT) Phoenix to Puerto Vallarta (PVR) Bottom Line For just a couple more days, you can score international flights on 59 different routes from American Airlines hubs for just 7,500 British Airways Avios, or just 6,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards transferred to British Airways. However, this just scratches the surface of the possibilities of what you can book with the current British Airways award chart . So, make sure to search, transfer and book a getaway now before the BA award chart changes later this week. Featured image by IreneCorti via Getty Images


Winner's Weekend: Truex Jr. and Pearn at Charlotte.


Stacker looks at Rover's most popular names for boy and girl dogs Most popular puppy names in America A big decision when getting a pet is choosing the right name. This undertaking should be taken seriously, as you'll likely be saying this name repeatedly throughout the day   whether it be a loving (hopefully) or scolding manner. Some families are so set on finding the perfect name that they approach this decision just as they would naming a child, but with a few more outlandish options. Using the annual dog names report for 2017 from Rover.com , Stacker found the most popular male and female dog names of 2017 and compared them to 2016 popularity. Looking at the list, the classics have kept their staying power, like Max and Buddy. However, it's evident that pop culture also had a big influence on how people named their pups. From Khaleesi ("Game of Thrones") and Barb ("Stranger Things") to Nirvana (the popular '90s rock band), many owners got creative with their references. #100. Oreo; Mac #100 name for girl dogs in 2017: Oreo (not ranked in 2016) #100 name for boy dogs in 2017: Mac (not ranked in 2016) #99. Allie; Mickey #99 name for girl dogs in 2017: Allie (#88 in 2016) #99 name for boy dogs in 2017: Mickey (#95 in 2016) #98. Xena; Brutus #98 name for girl dogs in 2017: Xena (#100 in 2016) #98 name for boy dogs in 2017: Brutus (#83 in 2016) #97. Shadow; Brady #97 name for girl dogs in 2017: Shadow (#85 in 2016) #97 name for boy dogs in 2017: Brady (#89 in 2016) #96. Georgia; Walter #96 name for girl dogs in 2017: Georgia (not ranked in 2016) #96 name for boy dogs in 2017: Walter (#100 in 2016) #95. Heidi; Odin #95 name for girl dogs in 2017: Heidi (#90 in 2016) #95 name for boy dogs in 2017: Odin (not ranked in 2016) #94. Nina; Chester #94 name for girl dogs in 2017: Nina (#92 in 2016) #94 name for boy dogs in 2017: Chester (#85 in 2016) #93. Ivy; King #93 name for girl dogs in 2017: Ivy (not ranked in 2016) #93 name for boy dogs in 2017: King (#97 in 2016) #92. Trixie; Zeke #92 name for girl dogs in 2017: Trixie (#74 in 2016) #92 name for boy dogs in 2017: Zeke (not ranked in 2016) #91. Charlotte; Chase #91 name for girl dogs in 2017: Charlotte (#99 in 2016) #91 name for boy dogs in 2017: Chase (#86 in 2016) #90. Pearl; Chico #90 name for girl dogs in 2017: Pearl (#87 in 2016) #90 name for boy dogs in 2017: Chico (#91 in 2016) #89. Delilah; Chewy #89 name for girl dogs in 2017: Delilah (#82 in 2016) #89 name for boy dogs in 2017: Chewy (#92 in 2016) #88. Mila; Coco #88 name for girl dogs in 2017: Mila (#89 in 2016) #88 name for boy dogs in 2017: Coco (#90 in 2016) #87. Baby; Kobe #87 name for girl dogs in 2017: Baby (#83 in 2016) #87 name for boy dogs in 2017: Kobe (#88 in 2016) #86. Bonnie; Frankie #86 name for girl dogs in 2017: Bonnie (#91 in 2016) #86 name for boy dogs in 2017: Frankie (#78 in 2016) #85. Lacey; Peanut #85 name for girl dogs in 2017: Lacey (#95 in 2016) #85 name for boy dogs in 2017: Peanut (#81 in 2016) #84. Paisley; Cash #84 name for girl dogs in 2017: Paisley (not ranked in 2016) #84 name for boy dogs in 2017: Cash (#99 in 2016) #83. Sydney; Samson #83 name for girl dogs in 2017: Sydney (#77 in 2016) #83 name for boy dogs in 2017: Samson (#80 in 2016) #82. Macy; Rudy #82 name for girl dogs in 2017: Macy (#86 in 2016) #82 name for boy dogs in 2017: Rudy (#71 in 2016) #81. Harper; Joey #81 name for girl dogs in 2017: Harper (#84 in 2016) #81 name for boy dogs in 2017: Joey (#70 in 2016) #80. Mocha; Benji #80 name for girl dogs in 2017: Mocha (#80 in 2016) #80 name for boy dogs in 2017: Benji (#94 in 2016) #79. Sandy; Copper #79 name for girl dogs in 2017: Sandy (#73 in 2016) #79 name for boy dogs in 2017: Copper (#74 in 2016) #78. Jasmine; Bruce #78 name for girl dogs in 2017: Jasmine (#70 in 2016) #78 name for boy dogs in 2017: Bruce (#79 in 2016) #77. Cleo; Oreo #77 name for girl dogs in 2017: Cleo (#79 in 2016) #77 name for boy dogs in 2017: Oreo (#76 in 2016) #76. Fiona; Prince #76 name for girl dogs in 2017: Fiona (#76 in 2016) #76 name for boy dogs in 2017: Prince (#77 in 2016) #75. Peanut; Ranger #75 name for girl dogs in 2017: Peanut (#68 in 2016) #75 name for boy dogs in 2017: Ranger (#84 in 2016) #74. Gigi; Benny #74 name for girl dogs in 2017: Gigi (#75 in 2016) #74 name for boy dogs in 2017: Benny (#82 in 2016) #73. Ava; Chance #73 name for girl dogs in 2017: Ava (#71 in 2016) #73 name for boy dogs in 2017: Chance (#87 in 2016) #72. Penelope; Tyson #72 name for girl dogs in 2017: Penelope (#72 in 2016) #72 name for boy dogs in 2017: Tyson (#61 in 2016) #71. Josie; Romeo #71 name for girl dogs in 2017: Josie (#78 in 2016) #71 name for boy dogs in 2017: Romeo (#68 in 2016) #70. Leia; Boomer #70 name for girl dogs in 2017: Leia (#81 in 2016) #70 name for boy dogs in 2017: Boomer (#72 in 2016) #69. Nova; Rusty #69 name for girl dogs in 2017: Nova (#98 in 2016) #69 name for boy dogs in 2017: Rusty (#62 in 2016) #68. Shelby; Maverick #68 name for girl dogs in 2017: Shelby (#67 in 2016) #68 name for boy dogs in 2017: Maverick (#75 in 2016) #67. Sugar; Ziggy #67 name for girl dogs in 2017: Sugar (#69 in 2016) #67 name for boy dogs in 2017: Ziggy (#73 in 2016) #66. Missy; Luke #66 name for girl dogs in 2017: Missy (#63 in 2016) #66 name for boy dogs in 2017: Luke (#65 in 2016) #65. Holly; Tank #65 name for girl dogs in 2017: Holly (#57 in 2016) #65 name for boy dogs in 2017: Tank (#60 in 2016) #64. Minnie; Hunter #64 name for girl dogs in 2017: Minnie (#58 in 2016) #64 name for boy dogs in 2017: Hunter (#69 in 2016) #63. Dakota; George #63 name for girl dogs in 2017: Dakota (#61 in 2016) #63 name for boy dogs in 2017: George (#56 in 2016) #62. Angel; Rex #62 name for girl dogs in 2017: Angel (#60 in 2016) #62 name for boy dogs in 2017: Rex (#59 in 2016) #61. Honey; Rocco #61 name for girl dogs in 2017: Honey (#49 in 2016) #61 name for boy dogs in 2017: Rocco (#53 in 2016) #60. Phoebe; Otis #60 name for girl dogs in 2017: Phoebe (#64 in 2016) #60 name for boy dogs in 2017: Otis (#63 in 2016) #59. Callie; Roscoe #59 name for girl dogs in 2017: Callie (#62 in 2016) #59 name for boy dogs in 2017: Roscoe (#55 in 2016) #58. Athena; Simba #58 name for girl dogs in 2017: Athena (#66 in 2016) #58 name for boy dogs in 2017: Simba (#66 in 2016) #57. Scout; Marley #57 name for girl dogs in 2017: Scout (#56 in 2016) #57 name for boy dogs in 2017: Marley (#46 in 2016) #56. Hazel; Bo #56 name for girl dogs in 2017: Hazel (#65 in 2016) #56 name for boy dogs in 2017: Bo (#58 in 2016) #55. Cookie; Brody #55 name for girl dogs in 2017: Cookie (#55 in 2016) #55 name for boy dogs in 2017: Brody (#48 in 2016) #54. Marley; Scout #54 name for girl dogs in 2017: Marley (#53 in 2016) #54 name for boy dogs in 2017: Scout (#57 in 2016) #53. Roxie; Shadow #53 name for girl dogs in 2017: Roxie (#54 in 2016) #53 name for boy dogs in 2017: Shadow (#52 in 2016) #52. Winnie; Koda #52 name for girl dogs in 2017: Winnie (#59 in 2016) #52 name for boy dogs in 2017: Koda (#64 in 2016) #51. Ella; Gizmo #51 name for girl dogs in 2017: Ella (#47 in 2016) #51 name for boy dogs in 2017: Gizmo (#41 in 2016) #50. Cali; Gunner #50 name for girl dogs in 2017: Cali (#44 in 2016) #50 name for boy dogs in 2017: Gunner (#67 in 2016) #49. Kona; Thor #49 name for girl dogs in 2017: Kona (#50 in 2016) #49 name for boy dogs in 2017: Thor (#51 in 2016) #48. Maddie; Sammy #48 name for girl dogs in 2017: Maddie (#41 in 2016) #48 name for boy dogs in 2017: Sammy (#44 in 2016) #47. Charlie; Ace #47 name for girl dogs in 2017: Charlie (#51 in 2016) #47 name for boy dogs in 2017: Ace (#50 in 2016) #46. Princess; Apollo #46 name for girl dogs in 2017: Princess (#43 in 2016) #46 name for boy dogs in 2017: Apollo (#54 in 2016) #45. Willow; Jasper #45 name for girl dogs in 2017: Willow (#52 in 2016) #45 name for boy dogs in 2017: Jasper (#49 in 2016) #44. Millie; Blue #44 name for girl dogs in 2017: Millie (#45 in 2016) #44 name for boy dogs in 2017: Blue (#45 in 2016) #43. Dixie; Bandit #43 name for girl dogs in 2017: Dixie (#42 in 2016) #43 name for boy dogs in 2017: Bandit (#39 in 2016) #42. Belle; Beau #42 name for girl dogs in 2017: Belle (#46 in 2016) #42 name for boy dogs in 2017: Beau (#40 in 2016) #41. Harley; Cody #41 name for girl dogs in 2017: Harley (#48 in 2016) #41 name for boy dogs in 2017: Cody (#32 in 2016) #40. Olive; Sam #40 name for girl dogs in 2017: Olive (#37 in 2016) #40 name for boy dogs in 2017: Sam (#34 in 2016) #39. Annie; Loki #39 name for girl dogs in 2017: Annie (#38 in 2016) #39 name for boy dogs in 2017: Loki (#47 in 2016) #38. Lady; Diesel #38 name for girl dogs in 2017: Lady (#34 in 2016) #38 name for boy dogs in 2017: Diesel (#37 in 2016) #37. Izzy; Bruno #37 name for girl dogs in 2017: Izzy (#39 in 2016) #37 name for boy dogs in 2017: Bruno (#38 in 2016) #36. Maya; Baxter #36 name for girl dogs in 2017: Maya (#40 in 2016) #36 name for boy dogs in 2017: Baxter (#35 in 2016) #35. Layla; Hank #35 name for girl dogs in 2017: Layla (#35 in 2016) #35 name for boy dogs in 2017: Hank (#33 in 2016) #34. Emma; Moose #34 name for girl dogs in 2017: Emma (#33 in 2016) #34 name for boy dogs in 2017: Moose (#42 in 2016) #33. Pepper; Lucky #33 name for girl dogs in 2017: Pepper (#31 in 2016) #33 name for boy dogs in 2017: Lucky (#29 in 2016) #32. Lexi; Finn #32 name for girl dogs in 2017: Lexi (#36 in 2016) #32 name for boy dogs in 2017: Finn (#43 in 2016) #31. Sasha; Oscar #31 name for girl dogs in 2017: Sasha (#29 in 2016) #31 name for boy dogs in 2017: Oscar (#30 in 2016) #30. Riley; Ollie #30 name for girl dogs in 2017: Riley (#30 in 2016) #30 name for boy dogs in 2017: Ollie (#36 in 2016) #29. Lulu; Henry #29 name for girl dogs in 2017: Lulu (#32 in 2016) #29 name for boy dogs in 2017: Henry (#31 in 2016) #28. Lilly; Jackson #28 name for girl dogs in 2017: Lilly (#27 in 2016) #28 name for boy dogs in 2017: Jackson (#25 in 2016) #27. Ginger; Bailey #27 name for girl dogs in 2017: Ginger (#25 in 2016) #27 name for boy dogs in 2017: Bailey (#26 in 2016) #26. Piper; Harley #26 name for girl dogs in 2017: Piper (#28 in 2016) #26 name for boy dogs in 2017: Harley (#27 in 2016) #25. Zoe; Buster #25 name for girl dogs in 2017: Zoe (#21 in 2016) #25 name for boy dogs in 2017: Buster (#23 in 2016) #24. Abby; Gus #24 name for girl dogs in 2017: Abby (#26 in 2016) #24 name for boy dogs in 2017: Gus (#28 in 2016) #23. Ellie; Riley #23 name for girl dogs in 2017: Ellie (#22 in 2016) #23 name for boy dogs in 2017: Riley (#21 in 2016) #22. Rosie; Dexter #22 name for girl dogs in 2017: Rosie (#24 in 2016) #22 name for boy dogs in 2017: Dexter (#18 in 2016) #21. Ruby; Jake #21 name for girl dogs in 2017: Ruby (#19 in 2016) #21 name for boy dogs in 2017: Jake (#15 in 2016) #20. Nala; Murphy #20 name for girl dogs in 2017: Nala (#23 in 2016) #20 name for boy dogs in 2017: Murphy (#24 in 2016) #19. Mia; Louie #19 name for girl dogs in 2017: Mia (#20 in 2016) #19 name for boy dogs in 2017: Louie (#20 in 2016) #18. Gracie; Zeus #18 name for girl dogs in 2017: Gracie (#18 in 2016) #18 name for boy dogs in 2017: Zeus (#19 in 2016) #17. Roxy; Jax #17 name for girl dogs in 2017: Roxy (#16 in 2016) #17 name for boy dogs in 2017: Jax (#17 in 2016) #16. Coco; Winston #16 name for girl dogs in 2017: Coco (#17 in 2016) #16 name for boy dogs in 2017: Winston (#22 in 2016) #15. Zoey; Leo #15 name for girl dogs in 2017: Zoey (#14 in 2016) #15 name for boy dogs in 2017: Leo (#16 in 2016) #14. Penny; Teddy #14 name for girl dogs in 2017: Penny (#15 in 2016) #14 name for boy dogs in 2017: Teddy (#14 in 2016) #13. Lily; Milo #13 name for girl dogs in 2017: Lily (#12 in 2016) #13 name for boy dogs in 2017: Milo (#13 in 2016) #12. Stella; Bentley #12 name for girl dogs in 2017: Stella (#13 in 2016) #12 name for boy dogs in 2017: Bentley (#12 in 2016) #11. Chloe; Toby #11 name for girl dogs in 2017: Chloe (#11 in 2016) #11 name for boy dogs in 2017: Toby (#9 in 2016) #10. Sophie; Duke #10 name for girl dogs in 2017: Sophie (#8 in 2016) #10 name for boy dogs in 2017: Duke (#8 in 2016) #9. Maggie; Oliver #9 name for girl dogs in 2017: Maggie (#10 in 2016) #9 name for boy dogs in 2017: Oliver (#11 in 2016) #8. Bailey; Tucker #8 name for girl dogs in 2017: Bailey (#9 in 2016) #8 name for boy dogs in 2017: Tucker (#10 in 2016) #7. Molly; Bear #7 name for girl dogs in 2017: Molly (#6 in 2016) #7 name for boy dogs in 2017: Bear (#7 in 2016) #6. Sadie; Rocky #6 name for girl dogs in 2017: Sadie (#7 in 2016) #6 name for boy dogs in 2017: Rocky (#6 in 2016) #5. Lola; Jack #5 name for girl dogs in 2017: Lola (#4 in 2016) #5 name for boy dogs in 2017: Jack (#5 in 2016) #4. Luna; Buddy #4 name for girl dogs in 2017: Luna (#5 in 2016) #4 name for boy dogs in 2017: Buddy (#3 in 2016) #3. Daisy; Cooper #3 name for girl dogs in 2017: Daisy (#3 in 2016) #3 name for boy dogs in 2017: Cooper (#4 in 2016) #2. Lucy; Charlie #2 name for girl dogs in 2017: Lucy (#2 in 2016) #2 name for boy dogs in 2017: Charlie (#2 in 2016) #1. Bella; Max #1 name for girl dogs in 2017: Bella (#1 in 2016) #1 name for boy dogs in 2017: Max (#1 in 2016)


WASHINGTON -- Democratic National Committee Chairman Tom Perez has repeatedly said that although climate change is a top issue for Democrats, the national party will not host a debate solely dedicated to the topic during the 2020 primary race. However, some DNC members are trying to change that. Last week, Washington state Democratic Party Chairwoman Tina Podlodowski announced she will introduce a resolution advocating for the committee to host a climate debate. The resolution comes as a number of progressive organizations and top 2020 Democratic presidential candidates call on their party's national committee to host a debate focused on climate change. The resolution also states that if the DNC does not host one, then Democratic candidates "are free to participate in any and all forums or debates focused on Climate Change sponsored by other groups." Opinion: Joe Biden and other 2020 Democrats give climate change the attention it deserves More: Lots of debate about Democrats' 2020 debates Podlodowski said Monday that a climate change debate wouldn't be a "single issue debate," and instead would also touch on other policy areas such as the economy and health inequities. "It's certainly an issue that requires more than a sound bite," she said in an interview with USA TODAY. "I think whoever the next American president should be needs to be able to talk about these issues and show the breadth of what Democrats are doing around us." Perez said Saturday that having one single-issue debate will lead to every debate becoming "a single issue debate in order to address the concerns," according to the Tampa Bay Times . "Frankly, as someone who worked for Barack Obama, the most remarkable thing about him was his tenacity to multitask, and a president must be able to multitask," Perez told Florida activists while he was in Orlando for the Florida Democratic Party's Leadership Blue gala. In addition, Perez said in a series of tweets last week that he "personally told media partners seeking to host a 2020 primary debate how important it is for climate change to be debated during each and every debate." Podlodowski, however, said she believes that taking the issue off the table too soon will lead to a missed opportunity to talk about the topic. The resolution will be brought up at the end of this month during an executive member committee meeting in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Podlodowski said. It will then go before the full DNC during its national meeting in San Francisco in August. Progressive organizations, including MoveOn, the Sunrise Movement, Greenpeace, and others, have repeatedly called for a climate-only debate. At least 10 Democratic candidates have also endorsed a discussion focused on climate change, including Washington Gov. Jay Inslee, former Texas Rep. Beto O'Rourke, former Obama Housing and Urban Development Secretary Julián Castro, along with Sens. Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders, Kirsten Gillibrand and Michael Bennet, Currently, Podlodowski's resolution has more than 50 signatories, who are state party chairs and other DNC members, including Christine Pelosi, one of the nearly three dozen DNC members that represent the California Democratic Party and daughter of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif. Christine Pelosi is co-sponsoring the resolution. Pelosi, who has previously introduced resolutions focused on bringing discussion of climate change to the forefront of the DNC's platform, said she understands the position Perez is taking. She said the national party does not want outside groups organizing or hosting debates that's why the DNC will not allow any candidate who participates in a debate centered on a single issue that isn't hosted by the committee to be involved in the party's primary debates. However, Pelosi also noted that there are some issues that take precedence over other policies and must be discussed. "There are certain issues that rise above the others and are so intrinsically important to our grassroots, and to our base, and to our young people that they really want to see this full discussion," she said in an interview with USA TODAY. She added that if all the candidates who support the debate do go on to do a climate debate sponsored by a third party, the DNC couldn't really exclude them all from the national party's official primary debates. "Rather than asking the candidates to dare the DNC, we thought, well, why don't we work within the system to see if there is a popular way to get everybody a win," she said. "Don't punish candidates who want to really go in depth on the questions behind what a green new deal looks like, what a climate action plan looks like, what it means to get to renewable by 2050," she continued. More: Each presidential candidate's best moment from the Iowa Democrats' 2019 Hall of Fame Iowa Poll: Joe Biden leads, followed by Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren and Pete Buttigieg A number of Democrats have already introduced climate policies. Inslee, who has been one of the most vocal candidates calling for a climate debate, has focused his entire campaign on discussing climate change. Warren introduced a proposal that she said would generate 1.2 million new jobs while also fighting climate change. Many candidates have also endorsed Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's Green New Deal in some way. Nathaniel Keohane, senior vice president and head of climate at the Environment Defense Fund, said that climate is going to be "essential to the economic growth story of the 21st Century" and that any presidential candidate should be talking about it even if there is not a specific debate surrounding that topic. "Whether or not the DNC decides to schedule a special climate debate, which I certainly think would be merited, but regardless of that, it shouldn't be on the sidelines," he told USA TODAY. Keohane previously served in the Obama administration, where he was special assistant to the president for energy and environment on the National Economic Council and the Domestic Policy Council. "It shouldn't be treated as an afterthought," he said, adding that climate would often come up as a sideline issue in the past. "It should be front and center in everything the candidates are talking about across the board in terms of how they're going to build a strong American economy, how they're going to build global American leadership in the world, and how they're going to protect the health and welfare and the interest of the American people." Christine Pelosi said that she hopes young people will help push the DNC to at least allow a third party not affiliated with a campaign to a host a climate debate. "You got all these young people who are like I don't even care about politics but I care about this, so why not give them an opportunity to tune in, which is what they want," she said. "We still have hope." Podlodowski also said she believes that if the national committee does not move forward with a climate debate, that decision could help President Donald Trump win re-election. "I just think that rigidity on behalf of the DNC with this issue, particularly among younger voters," she said, "not taking this on is the wrong tactic and it is the sort of thing that allows Donald Trump to win." Like what you're reading?: Download the USA TODAY app for more This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: The DNC said no to a climate debate. Some of its members are still trying to make it happen.


The Golden State Warriors have undergone plenty of changes in the offseason, but one guy who will still be around is Draymond Green. According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, the Warriors will sign Green to a 4-year $100 million maximum extension. He was set to be a free agent in 2020 and the Warriors wanted to quickly lock him up. They did the same with Klay Thompson, who was a free agent now when they locked him up early in free agency. Green is coming off a season where he averaged 7.4 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 6.9 assists, but you can't equate his value through numbers. He does all of the little things and he is the heart and soul of the team. With free agency looming next summer, three-time All-Star Draymond Green has agreed to a four-year, $100M maximum contract extension with Golden State, agent Rich Paul of Klutch Sports tells ESPN. - Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) August 3, 2019 Green has spent his entire seven season career in Golden State and has made the All-Star team three times. His numbers could go up now with Kevin Durant gone and Thompson expected to miss a majority of the season. There will be more expectation for Green to step up. The important thing is, the Warriors are keeping Green in the fold as the team continues to push forward. His experience will help with the younger guys the team is bringing into the fold. MORE: This Patrick Mahomes throw from Chiefs practice can't be real Five potential Jeremy Lin landing spots in free agency Every position's biggest winner at the halfway point of Lions training camp Packers WRs Jake Kumerow, Trevor Davis shine at Family Night Scrimmage Dez Bryant: Saints will get first opportunity to sign me


MIAMI - On Friday night, the Giants will begin a three-game series in Baltimore against the worst team in the majors. If their three games against the team with the worst record in the National League taught the Giants anything, facing a 17-39 team at Camden Yards guarantees them nothing. They snuck out of South Florida with a win but had to fight hard to avoid a sweep and beat the Marlins 3-1 to end their seven-game losing streak. The Giants were shut out for the first six innings but broke through when one of their offensive stragglers, Brandon Crawford, hit impact doubles in the seventh and eighth innings. The first started a rally that tied the game 1-1. The second, against left-hander Wei-Yin Chen with the bases loaded, drove in the two go-ahead runs. The Giants had plenty of help from the Miami bullpen. They loaded the bases in the go-ahead rally on walks to Buster Posey and Evan Longoria surrounding a Brandon Belt single. In all, the Marlins walked eight and hit a batter. The other standout was Tyler Beede in his breakthrough big-league start. He allowed one run in six innings on an RBI single by pitcher Sandy Alcantara in the second inning. Beede walked three, struck out four and made some key pitches to prevent the Giants from scoring more. Tony Watson and Will Smith each pitched a scoreless inning, Smith saving his 13th game in 13 tries. Crawford and Mike Yastrzemski took Beede off the hook for a loss. Crawford slammed a leadoff double over center fielder Harold Ramirez's head then aggressively tagged and slid hand-first into third on Kevin Pillar's fly to center. Crawford scored when Yastrzemski singled under the glove of second baseman Starlin Castro. That play could have been ruled an error. They scored the run against Tayron Guerrero after Alcantara frustrated them or six innings. The Giants had only two singles, including Beede's first big-league hit, but drew five walks and a hit batsman and still could not score. After two games under the stars, the Marlins closed the roof for the matinee. Roof open, roof closed, it did not matter for Giants hitters. As they kept hitting line drives into Miami's defense, the Marlins took a 1-0 lead against Beede in the second inning when he walked catcher Bryan Holoday intentionally with Miguel Rojas on second base to the pitcher Alcantara, who singled to left for the two-out RBI. Or, as the Giants call that, the impossible dream. Joe Panik and Stephen Vogt each had a whack at tying the game, or giving the Giants a lead, after Beede's first big-league hit put two on in the third inning. Both hit harmless flyballs. The Giants also had two on and one out in the fourth inning, on a walk and hit batsman, when Crawford hit into a double play. Manager Bruce Bochy tried to force the issue with a hit-and-run after Pillar's leadoff infield single in the fifth, but Pillar was caught stealing when Yastrzemski missed the pitch. Henry Schulman is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: hschulman@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @hankschulman


Here's a stat that's sure to keep you up at night: Currently, anywhere from three to five million people in the U.S. are walking around with brain aneurysms, according to the American Stroke Association . If you're thinking "what the heck is a brain aneurysm?" it's basically a blood vessel in your brain that's on the verge of an explosion. "Put simply, it's a weakness that starts to occur in a blood vessel inside the brain or right outside it," says David Putrino, Ph.D., director of rehabilitation innovation at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City. "As blood flows through this vessel in the brain, the weak point starts to bulge out like a balloon, and it looks like a berry hanging off a branch." Luckily, most aneurysms don't ever rupture or cause any symptoms. But when they do, things get really serious, really fast. According to the Brain Aneurysm Foundation , about 40 percent of ruptured brain aneurysms lead to death . Others can cause severe brain damage and neurological problems if not treated immediately. "Time is the most important factor in terms of surviving and having less neurological damage from a rupture," says Putrino. Here are the brain aneurysm symptoms you need to know about so you can act quickly and keep yourself healthy. The Absolute Worst Headaches Of Your Life "Most ruptured aneurysm survivors report experiencing the worst headache of their lives," says Putrino. "So if you experience a very sudden and intense headache , where one minute you're fine and the next minute you're in extreme pain, that's often the first sign of a rupture." This pain occurs because most aneurysms are in the subarachnoid, or a small, enclosed space just outside the brain, and when they burst, they flood that space with blood, says Putrino. The quick change in pressure is what you feel as a skull-splitting headache coming out of nowhere. "The subarachnoid space has lots of nerve endings, so people start to experience very intense pain," he says. This headache can be constant or ebb and flow, he says, as each rupture is different. Some may slowly leak while other are torn open all at once. If you experience a headache unlike anything you've felt before, call 911 immediately, he says. Nausea and Vomiting As the subarachnoid space fills with blood from a ruptured aneurysm, it starts to push the brain down to a point in your skull called the foramen magnum, where your spinal cord and brain stem originate, says Putrino. This pressures the brain stem, an area that controls digestion and breathing can result in you feeling dizzy, nauseated, and vomiting. Of course, you can experience nausea and vomiting for a whole host of reasons, but if they occur with any of the other brain aneurysm symptoms on this list, you should go to the emergency room, he says. Related: A Woman Had EIGHT of These Mini-Monsters Lodged in Her Brain A Ridiculously Stiff Neck Having a stiff, hard-to-move, and painful neck is a sign of a ruptured aneurysm, says Putrino. "There are a bunch of nerves that control neck movement located in the foramen magnum around the brain stem," he says. "As a large amount of pressure begins to build there, these are some of the first nerves related to movement to get affected." And, yes, this will feel way more intense than "I slept wrong last night." So if you experience severe neck pain, play it safe and call 911. Facial Tingling and Drooping Features Similarly, the cranial nerves are also located in the brain stem. And, if there's a rupture, they can get pushed on, causing facial tingling and paralysis, says Putrino. "Look for drooping features." While it's true that some stroke and brain aneurysm symptoms are similar, both conditions warrant immediate medical treatment, so get to the emergency room ASAP. Blurry or Double Vision Vision can also be affected when an aneurysm starts bleeding or bursts. As pressure builds on the brain stem, the pons, or the control center for the eyes, is impacted. This can lead to blurry or double vision and sensitivity to light, he says "If you notice these vision symptoms come on after you get a bad headache, and then maybe you get nausea, that means something is going on neurologically," he says. Be on the lookout for escalating and combined symptoms. Seizures If someone experiences a seizure, it could be a sign of a ruptured aneurysm that's escalating quickly, says Putrino. "A seizure happens when the skull is filling with blood and the brain is getting pushed on from more than one direction, and all the neurons go into distress," he says. "When a whole bunch of areas in the brain react all at once, this causes a seizure." Obviously, if you or anyone else experiences a seizure (and it's not typical, like with epilepsy) immediately call 911. Hearing A Loud 'Pop' Some survivors of aneurysm ruptures report having heard a loud noise before they felt a headache, which is thought to be the sensation of the burst happening. "I've heard of this, and it's possible that people are feeling the big pressure release in a closed space in their skull," says Putrino. "Though, it wouldn't make much of an actual noise when it bursts, because it's soft tissue." Still, he notes, this is a valid warning sign that many people share anecdotally, so if you hear a strange pop or snap in your head and then experience pain, that's good reason to seek medical attention ASAP. Video: Emilia Clarke Reveals Her Brain Aneurysm Shocker


The Toronto Raptors managed to claim an NBA championship without a single lottery pick on the roster, the first team to do so in the lottery era. To one team president, that's an indictment of every other NBA general manager. Orlando Magic president Jeff Weltman said Monday that the Raptors' lottery-free title is a sign that he and his fellow GMs "need to do a better job" at identifying talent in the NBA Draft. . @OrlandoMagic Pres of BB Ops Jeff Weltman on @Raptors winning the NBA title without a lottery pick on the roster: "That says that (NBA GMs) probably don't do our jobs that well. If those (Toronto players) are getting that deep into the draft, then we need to do a better job."   John Denton (@JohnDenton555) June 17, 2019 It may be a touch unfair. The Raptors used former lottery picks DeMar DeRozan and Jonas Valanciunas to acquire Kawhi Leonard and Marc Gasol, respectively. It also may prove something of a fluke   the league's best players still overwhelmingly go in the lottery and are almost always a key component of a championship team. Sure, there are always hidden gems in the draft, but as this year has shown us , the lottery still rules the league. Related slideshow: Raptors' championship parade (provided by imagn)


LOXAHATCHEE, FL   Lion Country Safari, which was recently named one of USA Today's "10Best" Reader's Choice safari parks in the United States, announced Tuesday that two of its giraffes were killed by a lightning strike six weeks ago. "Lily and Jioni were in the pasture in their habitat when a severe thunderstorm quickly developed six weeks ago," park officials shared on the attraction's Facebook page. "Recent pathology results confirm that the giraffe did pass as a result of the lightning and that the manner of their passing was instantaneous." In May, Lion Country Safari ranked among the top 10 safari parks in the United States by USA Today's "10Best" Reader's Choice contest. Ranked by popular vote, Lion Country Safari was the only park in Florida to be named among the top 10 safari parks. Park officials said they were "deeply saddened" by the deaths of the animals. "The giraffe do have access to numerous shelters in the multi-acre habitat, if they choose to use them," park officials said. "The keepers and our whole team were understandably devastated by this sudden and tragic loss." A spokesperson for the park did not immediately respond to a request from Patch for more information on Tuesday afternoon. "Out of respect for their mourning and the pending pathology results, we waited to share this information," park officials explained on Facebook. "We continue to mourn our two incredibly lovely and charismatic giraffe; They will both be sorely missed." Lightning is one of the most deadly weather hazards in the Sunshine State, according to the Florida Division of Emergency Management, which notes that lightning occurs with every thunderstorm. Florida experiences an average of 70 to 100 days a year with at least one thunderstorm. News of the deaths drew more than 600 comments on the safari park's Facebook page. "Sending love and prayers to all the giraffe keepers. From a UK giraffe fan," said one post. "Sending lots of hugs and prayers to the keepers as we know they work incredibly hard and selflessly to care and protect these beautiful creatures," penned Lacey Cunningham-Jennings. "My grandmother worked there years ago, and so, I know these are not just animals to the entire staff but an extension of your own families." Lion Country Safari, which opened in 1967, was the first drive-through safari in the United States, according to park officials. In being named number nine on the USA Today list, the publication noted: "This safari park invites visitors to observe and interact with more than 1,000 animals divided between seven sections. Guests might spot ostrich, wildebeest and impala on the Serengeti Plains, observe a pride of lions in Gorongosa Reserve or see giraffe and endangered rhino in Hwange National Park." The facility is home to one of the largest herds of giraffe in the United States, the largest herd of zebra in the western hemisphere as well as a large herd of rhinos, according to park officials.


DEER PARK - With a ton of all-star youth baseball tournaments on the schedule for June and July, a bunch of 7 and 8-year-olds Sunday afternoon essentially challenged all future tournaments to match the tournament-ending excitement that the Pinto Directors Tournament produced. What the La Porte and Friendswood Pinto all-stars did was raise the bar for the rest of the summer. La Porte catcher Christian Quintero tagged out Friendswood's John Carver at home plate to end the game, handing La Porte's Pinto all-stars a dramatic 6-5 victory and the Directors Tournament championship at the Spencerview Athletic Complex. La Porte, playing its third game of the day, was two outs away from going home with the title and leading 6-4. They were one out away when shortstop Mikko Meittonen cleanly fielded his second ground ball of the inning and threw to his second baseman to get the forceout. But on the play, Friendswood's lead runner, Boen Rister, whether by design or by accident, seemed to be trying to coax a throw to home plate so that Carver, who had just reached on the second fielder's choice, could dart to second base and get into scoring position. It worked. Friendswood, although down to their final out, had the tying runs in scoring position and Dawson Ritchie at the plate. Ritchie sent a fairly hard-hit grounder to shortstop that rolled between Meittonen's legs. Rister scored and Friendswood manager Ryan Snider didn't hesitate to give Carver the green light to round third and potentially score the tying run when he saw the ball go into the outfield grass. But La Porte's left fielder was playing shallow and he came up throwing. The odds seemed to be in Friendswood's favor, but when La Porte's all-stars needed a perfect throw to the plate, they got it. Ball and boy met at home plate and Quintero tagged Carver in the neck area, sending Carver's batting helmet flying and getting the dramatic out call from the home-plate umpire. La Porte's faithful, celebrating their first year in Pony Baseball competition, leaped to their feet at the out call. La Porte easily defeated Deer Park in Sunday's first game, coming right back and forcing the IF contest following a 14-4 win over Friendswood in the first championship game. La Porte's one common advantage over Friendswood in the two games was a better defense. Sure, there were some hiccups, like the grounder rolling under Meittonen's glove, but the team also turned two double plays. Third baseman Charlie Gale made a backhanded snag of a Weston Snider grounder then fired to second base for the second out in the third. It's a play you don't expect kids at this age to make, but they did. "They were great defensively both games. They hit the ball a little harder, played a little better defense and we fell one run short. They played great today. They deserved it," Snider said. "We made some uncharacteristic mistakes." Friendswood's defense rebounded from that 14-4 defeat and played better. Shortstop Tyson Black is going to be Friendswood High School's starting shortstop in about eight or nine years, but on Sunday he was just a little boy who's had better days with the glove. He was the busiest shortstop in all of Texas Sunday, that's for sure. La Porte's batters wouldn't let him enjoy a breather. As an example of how busy he was and how strong a shortstop he can be, Tyson had a hand in all three outs of the third inning in the 14-4 loss. However, had Friendswood won the IF game, the defense would have been the unsung hero. La Porte already owned a 6-1 lead after two innings, but innings three, four and five saw the defense play like it did on Saturday. In the fifth and sorely needing to keep La Porte from scoring any additional runs, that's when the team turned a double play, started by Weston Snider at second base. In the third inning, Callen Robinson, patrolling at third base, cleanly fielded three straight ground balls and fired to Snider for the force play. La Porte scored five of its six runs in the first inning. A Gale two-RBI single and a Kyler Brown single that led to Friendswood throwing the ball around put La Porte in the driver's seat. Friendswood scored three in the fifth to create that 6-4 score. Colton Morris, Jackson Becker and Hayes Lowers collected the RBIs. Friendswood had the tying runs on the basepaths, but that's when more outstanding La Porte defense came to the rescue. Gale smothered a hard-hit liner off the bat of Snider. Had it gotten by Gale, the game is probably tied and there likely wouldn't have been a dramatic play at the plate to end the game. "They stopped everything. They didn't just stop it. They caught it and made plays," said Snider, again complimenting La Porte's defense. ravery@hcnonline.com


The St. Louis Cardinals signed free-agent right-hander Miles Mikolas to a two-year, $15.5M guarantee in what became one of the smartest moves of the 2017-18 offseason. Hardly a bank-breaking commitment, it was somewhat of a gamble for St. Louis. After all, Mikolas was an unspectacular major leaguer with the Padres and Rangers from 2012-14 and then spent three years pitching in Japan. Mikolas was dominant overseas, though, and carried that excellence into 2018 in St. Louis. During his first year with the Cardinals, Mikolas pitched to an outstanding 2.83 ERA/3.28 FIP in 200 2/3 innings. While Mikolas only struck out 6.55 batters per nine, he walked a mere 1.3 and induced ground balls at a 49.3 percent clip. Mikolas' stinginess in the walk and fly ball departments helped lead to a 4.3 fWAR, which ranked 12th among major-league starters. Sold on Mikolas' output last season, the Cardinals signed him to an extension worth a guaranteed $68M for four years. That deal will keep Mikolas under wraps through 2023, but unfortunately for the Cardinals, it's not looking like a great move so far. Facing the lowly Marlins on Wednesday, Mikolas allowed five earned runs on eight hits in five innings, raising his ERA to 4.83 in 78 1/3 innings this season. His 4.74 FIP isn't much better. Mikolas' 2019 woes haven't come because of significant declines in the strikeout, walk, ground ball or BABIP categories. Those numbers look almost the same compared to last season, though there has been a noticeable drop in his strike rate. Nobody posted a higher strike percentage than Mikolas' 69.3 a year ago, but the figure has fallen to 65.8 in 2019. Meanwhile, Mikolas' strand rate has decreased by a large margin (from 76.2 percent to 70.9), and he has been far more prone to surrendering long balls. After yielding home runs on a meager 9.2 percent of fly balls in 2018, Mikolas is all the way up to 19.7 this season. It hasn't helped that Mikolas' infield fly rate has plummeted from 9.8 percent to 4.2. At the same time, his hard-hit rate has climbed by greater than 5 percent, according to FanGraphs . Statcast indicates his average exit velocity against has hopped from 85.4 mph to 88.2. Consequently, Mikolas' weighted on-base average/expected wOBA against has shot from .271/.286 to .339/.347. So why the newfound contact management issues? For one, Mikolas isn't fooling as many hitters as they've chased 5 percent fewer pitches than last season. Left-handed hitters have been especially tough on Mikolas, who held them to a .309 wOBA last season but has seen the number jump to .396 this year. As seen in these FanGraphs heatmaps ( 2018 , ' 19 ), he's not staying away against lefties as well he did last season. Worsening matters, Mikolas' once-elite slider has been ineffective, and he has leaned on it less as a result. While Mikolas' slider was one of the most valuable pitches of its kind a year ago, per FanGraphs , it has taken colossal steps backward this season. Batters posted a measly .201/.231 wOBA/xwOBA against the pitch in his first year in St. Louis, but they're up to .395/.329 this season. If we're to take that 66-point gap in face value, there has been some poor fortune involved. However, it simply hasn't been close to as lethal as it was in 2018, perhaps owing to a 1 mph drop in velocity and a change in typical location (heatmaps via FanGraphs: '18 , '19 ). Contrary to last season, when Mikolas' slider helped him perform like one of the majors' top starters and an 18-4 record, troubling signs abound for the 2019 version of the righty. His struggles are a key reason why the Cardinals have gotten off to a mediocre start and are on track to miss the playoffs for a fourth straight season. That's not what the Redbirds had in mind when they bought high on Mikolas over the winter.


Curious just how far your dollar goes in Shadyside? According to Walk Score, this Pittsburgh neighborhood is extremely walkable, is quite bikeable and has excellent transit. Data from rental site Zumper shows that the median rent for a one bedroom in Shadyside is currently hovering around $1,095. So, what might you expect to find if you've got a budget of $900 / month? Read on for a roundup of the latest rental listings, 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. 6202 Walnut St. Listed for $820/month, there's this one-bedroom, one-bathroom unit situated at 6202 Walnut St. You can expect central heating, a dishwasher and hardwood flooring in the unit. Pets are not permitted. Future tenants needn't worry about a leasing fee. (Take a gander at the complete listing here .) 226 Shady Ave. Here's a 600-square-foot one-bedroom, one-bathroom unit at 226 Shady Ave. that's going for $835/month. In the residence, the listing promises a mix of hardwood floors and carpeting, a dishwasher and in-unit laundry. The building boasts assigned parking. Cats and dogs are not welcome. Future tenants needn't worry about a leasing fee. (See the full listing here .) 341 S. Highland Ave. Next, check out this studio apartment that's located at 341 S. Highland Ave. It's listed for $850/month. When it comes to building amenities, expect bike parking. In the residence, you can expect a mix of hardwood floors and carpeting, central heating and a dishwasher. Cats and dogs are not permitted. The rental doesn't require a leasing fee. (See the complete listing here .) 6326 Marchand St. Listed at $900/month, this one-bedroom, one-bathroom unit is located at 6326 Marchand St. The unit features carpeted floors and central heating. Pets are not permitted. The listing specifies a $55 application fee. (Take a look at the complete listing here .) This story was created automatically using local real estate data, then reviewed by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.


Seahawks running back Rashaad Penny - about to enter his second NFL season - has been towing the load for Seattle during the offseason with starter Chris Carson recovering from a knee procedure. "It's good, getting extra reps," Penny told reporters after Thursday's OTAs. "Just now learning how to be a pro. I think that's the big step for your second year." Penny, Seattle's first-round draft pick in 2018, got a bit of a late start last summer after breaking his finger and sitting on the sidelines for the Seahawks final three preseason games. He finished the year with 85 carries for 419 yards and two touchdowns. "It was frustrating to me as a rookie," Penny explained. "I didn't know how to take it. I've never been hurt playing football in my life. So when that happened I just hit a wall. And I'm glad that I've grown up over these past months and this offseason." Penny has been making a concerted effort to get in shape, meeting with a nutritionist and reporting for the offseason under 230 pounds. "Over the past few months and this offseason, I've just started taking everything seriously by treating my body right and doing the little things," Penny continued. "Also, I think what helped me was losing all that extra weight. Now I feel better. I don't have all those nagging injuries. "I'm at my best." MORE: Why Kevin Durant is doing the right thing by not watching Finals games from the bench Report: New Orleans likely to trade Anthony Davis to Celtics Goldberg, Undertaker Nearly Killed Each Other With Botched Moves At Super ShowDown These five upcoming NBA free agents hurt themselves in the playoffs Lions see WR Tom Kennedy's lacrosse background as a real asset


At first blush, it's tempting to look at the NFL's recent decision to team up with the NFLPA for a "Joint Pain Management Committee"   which will include researching marijuana as a pain management tool for players   and think, "Hey, we could be staring at a weed-friendly league in the not-too-distant future!" To that, I offer caution. Let's first see how the upcoming labor fight plays out. Not that I have anything against the potential "deregulation" of marijuana on the league-wide level. Pain and professional football go hand in hand like Bobby Axelrod and Wags on "Billions." Spend an entire season covering an NFL team, and you'll notice that by November, almost every player in the locker room is walking a little slower than normal, or bandaged up somewhere, or favoring a body part or two. Talk to players privately, and they'll scoff at the fact that the league conducts marijuana tests; as a pain-management tool, plenty believe it's far more preferable to some than the bevy of opioids and painkillers teams used to (and in some cases, still do) give out. But rarely, if ever, do current players cop to that on the record since commissioner Roger Goodell has gained a reputation for administering discipline like a power-hungry sheriff in the Old West. As Ezekiel Elliott found out last summer, a player doesn't even need to be charged with a crime to be suspended by the NFL. All you need to do is make the league look bad. So current players keep their mouths shut about a still-controversial topic, so as not to invite unnecessary scrutiny or become a dreaded "distraction." Please believe, however, when former NFL defensive end Chris Long   an 11-veteran before his retirement in May   copped to smoking his "fair share on a regular basis" late last month, he was hardly alone. Other former players have chimed in on the topic too in recent years, including Eugene Monroe, Ricky Williams and David Irving. And here's the thing: the higher-ups in the league office believe that a decent chunk of players want it. And what's the one thing we know the NFL is, more than anything else? A business. And what might a smart business do with a looming labor fight coming after the 2020 season? Float out negotiating chips in hopes of gaining something in return. I'm not saying the NFL's decision makers are oblivious to exploring safer pain-management alternatives, and better wellness and mental health treatment for players. After all, it's in their economic interest to do so, especially after the league has been sued by ex-players for damages brought on by team-aided use of opioids and painkillers. But the players better protect themselves in case it's all a big hustle, and there is some evidence to suggest that it is. For one, Goodell's stance on marijuana use among players has seemed to change depending on the day. What's more, the NFLPA started its own pain management committee in 2017, one in which it began looking into marijuana use as a possible treatment. The union also invited the NFL to be a part of it back then, only for the league to (finally) jump aboard now. What took so long? A cynic might point to the looming labor fight once the current collective-bargaining agreement expires after the 2020 season. The truth is this: historically, when the NFL concedes something, it wants something in return. For the NFLPA, there's a legitimate question about what it'll have to give up two years from now to win this weed battle. For instance: Is the "decriminalization" of marijuana worth giving up a share of 47 percent of the league's total revenue? Is it worth caving on a potential hot-button topic like stadium credits, which would reserve a portion of the league's revenue for the construction of new stadiums (and save team owners a ton of money in the process)? Or how about an 18-game season? Players shudder at the thought of that like Drake pondering a new Pusha T diss. A good case can be made that the answer to all three questions is a resounding "no," especially since   drumroll, please   players who have never had a drug violation get tested for it only once a year between April 20 (dead serious) and Aug. 9. What's more, it takes 35 nanograms of marijuana in someone's system to trigger a positive test (which prevents triggering a positive test for second-hand smoke), and players currently don't face suspension until their fourth failed test. To the marijuana supporters in the league, it isn't quite ideal, as Major League Baseball has a higher threshold of 50 nanograms, for example. But NFL players have some leeway there, as long as they keep their marijuana use in check during the summer. And when you throw in the fact there are other, more lucrative topics the NFLPA might be best served pushing for   like getting rid of the archaic funding rule , the elimination of which could increase the number of Kirk Cousins-like, fully guaranteed contracts we see in the future   it's easy to see the "decriminalization" of marijuana use potentially fading to the background during the next labor negotiation. In the meantime, proponents of expanded marijuana usage will take heart in the fact the notoriously stodgy NFL is willing to explore the possibility. It's a step in the right direction, and an indication that one day, players will be able to smoke freely. But predicting how long it will take to get there depends on entirely on how much faith you have in a historically business-first league suddenly choosing to do the "right" thing instead of the thing that would make it the most money: which, undoubtedly, would be to pushing the weed issue to the forefront, all in hopes of getting something even more lucrative in return from the players down the road. More from Yahoo Sports: Haynes sources: Warriors' Thompson will return for Game 4 Raptors' Lowry shoved by fan after diving for loose ball Neymar to miss Copa America; accuser speaks on alleged rape Red Sox ace Sale is first pitch in 90 years to accomplish this Related slideshow: 2019 NFL draft: The top picks (Provided by imagn)


Time to look into the crystal football and see where teams are heading with their first-round picks when it comes to eventually making decisions on fifth-year options. AP Photo/Stephen Brashear 32. New Orleans Saints: Ryan Ramczyk Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports The Saints have an easy decision. They will eventually pick up the option on Ryan Ramczyk, who has been one of the better right tackles in his first two seasons in the league. He can approach elite status by continuing the play he has shown. 31. San Francisco 49ers: Reuben Foster Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports Reuben Foster is out for the year with Washington. It was a peculiar and unpopular decision to pick him up after SF released him. Unlikely Washington will want to keep him. 30. Pittsburgh Steelers: T.J. Watt Philip G. Pavely-USA TODAY Sports A lock to be picked up. 29. Cleveland Browns: David Njoku Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports If the tight end out of Miami continues to progress - going from 32 catches to 56 - the Browns will likely pick up his option. The growth needs to continue. 28. Dallas Cowboys: Taco Charlton Shane Roper-USA TODAY Sports Have to think Taco Charlton needs to show immense improvement for Dallas to pick up his option. He's started seven games in two seasons, not what one expects from a first-round pick. At this point he is on the fence, leaning toward no. 27. Buffalo Bills: Tre'Davious White David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports Thirty-two games, thirty-two starts. A lock to be picked up. 26. Atlanta Falcons: Takkarist McKinley Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports Takkarist McKinley is trending in the right direction for the Falcons to make a fifth-year commitment. Thirteen sacks in two seasons are a healthy start to an NFL career. He has only made eight starts, though, all coming in 2018. 25. Cleveland Browns: Jabrill Peppers Matthew Stockman/Getty Images The Giants had better pick up the fifth-year option on Jabrill Peppers or Big Blue Nation is going to flip after he was part of what was landed for Odell Beckham Jr. The former Michigan star saw a lot of action in Cleveland and also is a returner, which helps. 24. Oakland Raiders: Gareon Conley Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports Gareon Conley is exactly what the Raiders hoped he would be: a shutdown corner. The Silver & Black need to keep him in their colors and secondary. 23. New York Giants: Evan Engram Sarah Stier/Getty Images Evan Engram has yet to play a full 16-game slate in two seasons. That likely would be a cautionary point to keep this Giants on the fence about the tight end. In all likelihood expect his option to be picked up … unless he continues to fail to stay healthy. 22. Miami Dolphins: Charles Harris Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports The stats and game action make it seem like Miami would have to consider not picking up the option on Charles Harris. Then, you ready what Brian Flores says: "I can't say enough good things about him," Flores said. "He's the kind of guy we want in the building. Honestly, I don't care about his past. I care about right now. That's where I'm at. … He's really doing a good job for us in the classroom, on the field. He's smart. He's hard-working. He's got a lot of ability." Still, he has to be put on the fence until he lives up to the quote. 21. Detroit Lions: Jarrad Davis Gregory Shamus/Getty Images The Lions have to be concerned and at this point heading toward not picking up the option on Jarrad Davis. Check out what Pro Football Focus wrote: "Davis has yet to post a season grade higher than 55.0, and it's been all facets of the game that have contributed. Davis has missed 36 tackles over the last two years while allowing nearly 80.0 percent of the passes targeting him to be completed for a passer rating of 106.8. Last season, his run-defense grade of 33.7 was third-worst among 92 qualifying linebackers." 20. Denver Broncos: Garett Bolles Brett Carlsen/Getty Images Garett Boles has seen struggles and success. That mix is a problem for Denver, which has to be considered on the fence at this stage with its offensive lineman. 19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: O.J. Howard Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports O.J. Howard has played in 24 games in two seasons. He has 60 catches. Tight ends are hard to find and that puts Tampa Bay in a spot of hoping the former Alabama star steps it up big time in 2019. Have to say they would be on the fence unless he is able to show he can play 16 games and double his career catch total in this season. 18. Tennessee Titans: Adoree' Jackson Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports Going to put the Titans on the fence about Adoree' Jackson. He needs to improve his pass coverage for Tennesse to commit to him long-term. Inconsistency has been the major issue for the former USC DB. 17. Washington Redskins: Jonathan Allen John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports After seeing his rookie season end early, Jonathan Allen rewarded Washington with a strong second year. He had eight sacks and displayed the talent that should make him a vital part of Washington's defense for the future. Expect the option to be picked up. 16. Baltimore Ravens: Marlon Humphrey Rob Carr/Getty Images Look for Baltimore to pick up the option on Marlon Humphrey, who has had two strong seasons and should continue to be a vital spoke in the wheel that is the Ravens' defense. 15. Indianapolis Colts: Malik Hooker Joe Robbins/Getty Images An ACL injury ended Malik Hooker's first season. His second season was up-and-down. The former Ohio State DB needs to show more and reward the Colts for picking him at 15. They would love to keep him but he has to prove himself. On the fence .. for now. 14. Philadelphia Eagles: Derek Barnett Lisa Lake/Getty Images Eagles exec Howie Roseman basically eliminates any doubt about Derek Barnett with this quote: "I'd say every time he's on the field, he's rewarding our investment in him," Roseman said. "We have a lot of confidence in him as a player and he's a huge part of our football team. He's shown that this isn't a guy that's going into his third year and we haven't seen what he's done. We've seen what he's done in big games. We saw what he was doing last year before he got hurt. We expect him to come in and be a huge part of our team." 13. Arizona Cardinals: Haason Reddick Getty Images Haason Reddick has put the Cardinals on the fence . He needs to grow and turn his struggles into success. 12. Houston Texans: Deshaun Watson Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports The Houston Texans' only concern about Deshaun Watson would be his ability remain on the field. He's an absolute sure thing to be picked up barring another injury that could be career-threatening. 11. New Orleans Saints: Marshon Lattimore USA TODAY Sports The Saints hit gold when picking Marshon Lattimore. Of course, his option will be picked up. 10. Kansas City Chiefs: Patrick Mahomes David Eulitt/Getty Images Why ask? A no-brainer. Patrick Mahomes will be a Chief for a long time. Appears to be a generational player. 9. Cincinnati Bengals: John Ross Photo by Elsa/Getty Images At this point, the Bengals have to be beating themselves up for making this choice. Ross has been a huge bust and it would take an incredible turn for Cincy to commit to him. 8. Carolina Panthers: Christian McCaffrey Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports An absolute lock to be picked up and remain a Panther as long as Christian McCaffrey wants to be one. 7. Los Angeles Chargers: Mike Williams Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports Expect Mike Williams to see more passes from Philip Rivers. He was healthy for all 16 games in 2018 and if he continues to grow the way he did from Year One to Year Two, he will continue to wear the lightning bolt. 6. New York Jets: Jamal Adams Elsa/Getty Images Jamal Adams is one of the brightest spots for Gang Green. The Jets will be in a rush to pick his option up. 5. Tennessee: Titans: Corey Davis Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports Corey Davis is another player who showed more in his second season. He needs to continue to improve and it is likely the Titans will continue to invest in the wideout. 4. Jacksonville Jaguars: Leonard Fournette Philip G. Pavely-USA TODAY Sports This is dicey. Leonard Fournette has not played as well as Jacksonville expected and he has had other issues. Unless the former LSU star gets his act together and has a monster season, expect the Jaguars to lean from on the fence to no, thanks. 3. San Francisco 49ers: Solomon Thomas Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports 2. Chicago Bears: Mitchell Trubisky AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh You don't make the moves the Bears made to get Mitchell Trubisky to not pick up his option. He showed great growth in his second season and is an absolute lock to remain in Chicago. 1. Cleveland Browns: Myles Garrett Joe Robbins/Getty Images A Brown for as long as Myles Garrett wants to be in Cleveland. MORE: Michael Bisping's cageside reaction to Urijah Faber's stunning KO was too good Trysten Hill may be crowning point on Cowboys star-studded defense Three Potential Landing Spots for Chris Paul Giants rookies Daniel Jones, Oshane Ximines remain unsigned Carson Wentz lands behind Baker Mayfield in a ranking of the 11 best QB's in NFL


Want the dirt on Houston's most talked-about local spots? We took a data-driven look at the question, using Yelp to uncover which restaurants have been on the tips of diners' tongues this month. To find out who made the list, we looked at Houston businesses on Yelp by category and counted how many reviews each received. Rather than compare them based on number of reviews alone, we calculated a percentage increase in reviews over the past month, and tracked businesses that consistently increase their volume of reviews to identify statistically significant outliers compared to past performance. Read on to see which spots are worth exploring, right now. Dragon Bar Open since February, this bar and Asian fusion spot, which offers barbecue and more, is trending compared to other businesses categorized as "Bars" on Yelp. Citywide, bars saw a median 3.9 percent increase in new reviews over the past month, but Dragon Bar saw a 40 percent increase, maintaining a mixed 3.5-star rating throughout. It's not the only trending outlier in the bar category: Indianola has seen a 15.4 percent increase in reviews. Located at 9889 Bellaire Blvd., Suite 314, in Sharpstown, Dragon Bar offers barbecued meats, seafood and hot pot. (Check out the entire menu here .) Crawfish & Beignets Whether or not you've been hearing buzz about Sharpstown's Crawfish & Beignets , the Cajun/Creole and Vietnamese spot, which offers seafood and more, is a hot topic according to Yelp review data. While businesses categorized as "Seafood" on Yelp saw a median 3.2 percent increase in new reviews over the past month, Crawfish & Beignets bagged a 40 percent increase in new reviews within that timeframe, maintaining a sound 4.5-star rating. Open at 9600 Bellaire Blvd., Suite 102 since March, Crawfish & Beignets offers Cajun-style seafood such as crawfish, oysters, crab, shrimp and mussels. Diners can choose from sauce options like Cajun, garlic butter, lemon pepper and Thai citrus. The spot also offers fried seafood baskets and po'boy sandwiches. ( Here's the entire menu.) Common Bond Cafe & Bakery University Place's Common Bond Cafe & Bakery is also making waves. Open since March at 2276 W. Holcombe Blvd., the bakery and breakfast and brunch spot, which offers desserts and more, has seen a 44 percent bump in new reviews over the last month, compared to a median review increase of 3 percent for all businesses tagged "Breakfast & Brunch" on Yelp. Common Bond Cafe & Bakery offers sandwiches, flatbreads, soups, salads and pastries. At lunchtime, try the specialty beef bourguignon (slowly braised beef, potatoes, carrots, pearl onions and a baguette), or the pork belly sandwich (crispy honey-soy glazed pork belly, pickled carrots, red onion and cucumbers, gochujang aioli, bibb lettuce) with shoestring fries. Over the past month, it's seen its Yelp rating tick down from 4.5 stars to four stars. (Take a look at the rest of the menu here .) Revolver Houston Washington Avenue Coalition / Memorial Park's Revolver Houston is the city's buzziest cocktail bar by the numbers. The popular cocktail bar, whiskey bar and lounge, which opened at 6502 Washington Ave. in 2015, increased its new review count by 9.5 percent over the past month, an outlier when compared to the median new review count of 4.2 percent for the Yelp category "Cocktail Bars." It outperformed the previous month by gaining 16.0 times more reviews than expected based on past performance. Revolver Houston offers burgers, sandwiches, wings, tacos and salads. Yelpers recommend ordering the chicken fried bacon to start, then tackling the Revolver burger (with pickles, lettuce, tomato, onion, cheddar cheese, bacon, with sriracha aioli) and finally, the fried apple pie for dessert. The bar serves more than 120 types of whiskey and has 19 craft beers on tap. (Explore the menu here .) This story was created automatically using local business data, then reviewed and augmented by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.


General Motors has unveiled the eighth generation of the Chevrolet Corvette. The model is, arguably, the biggest change for the Corvette since the sports car was first introduced in 1953. The Corvette has changed a lot over the years, but it has always remained a front-engined, rear-wheel-drive sports car. The new 2020 Corvette has its engine behind the seats, a change that radically alters the car's appearance and, certainly, how it will feel to drive. "In terms of comfort and fun, it still looks and feels like a Corvette, but drives better than any vehicle in Corvette history," said GM president Mark Reuss. Putting the engine behind the driver and passenger -- called a rear mid-engined layout -- places the heaviest single part of the car much further to the rear and closer to the driver's seat, making the car feel as if it's centered around the driver. Also, the occupants sit further forward in the car, closer to the front wheels. Without having to look out over a bulging hood housing an engine, the driver will have much better visibility. A square-shaped steering wheel will allow for a clear view of the Corvette's large digital gauge cluster. Having more weight over the back wheels will also help with acceleration. The base version of the 2020 Corvette Stingray will have a 495-horsepower 6.2-liter V8 engine. It will also have an eight-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters. No manual transmission will be offered. Besides being able to shift up or down using the paddles, drivers will be able to uncouple the transmission altogether by pulling on both paddles at once. This will be like holding down the clutch pedal in a car with a manual transmission. This idea of putting the engine behind the driver in a road car was pioneered in the Lamborghini Miura in 1966. Lamborghini engineers, at the time, were inspired by the Le Mans-winning Ford GT40 race car. GM has long toyed with the idea of a mid-engined Corvette. The company even built mid-engined research cars called CERV I and CERV II (Chevrolet Engineering Research Vehicle) in the 1960s and the CERV III in 1990. The new Corvette will be the quickest ever made. Equipped with a special performance package, it will be able to go from zero to 60 miles an hour in under three seconds. Practicality and comfort have historically been selling points for the Corvette. The new model, for example, will have two trunks, one in front and one in back. The front trunk can fit an airline carry-on bag and a laptop bag, according to GM. The car will go into production this fall at GM's Bowling Green, Kentucky, assembly plant. Follow MSN Autos on Facebook and Twitter


Football is littered with stories of extraordinary success, and many will tell you that this is what it is all about at the end of the day. But, sometimes the quote on quote lesser successes can be far more important to a club than even the most prestigious ones. Here are seven examples of players who did this by saving their teams from falling apart: Jermain Defoe - Sunderland Jermain Defoe joined Sunderland in January 2015, with the club desperately teetering on the edge of relegation from the Premier League. Five months later, and Defoe was the club's second highest scorer for the entire season, with his most important (and certainly most iconic) goal coming from a screaming 25-yard volley against Newcastle. Needless to say, the Black Cats finished in 16th, once again safe from Championship ignominy for another season - an ignominy they're seeking to return to in the 2019/20 campaign. Fabricio Coloccini - Newcastle From one half of the Tyne-Wear Derby to another, this time it's Fabricio Coloccini and Newcastle. Coloccini joined the Magpies in August 2008, but unlike Defoe, he was unable to save the club from relegation in the 2008/09 season. However, despite numerous potential destinations, Coloccini stuck it out with the Geordies, leading a ragtag group in the 2009/10 season back to the Premier League, where both he and the club belonged. Iago Aspas - Celta Vigo Contrary to those that preceded it, this one is hot off the press. That's right, Liverpool flop Iago Aspas has been Celta Viga's saviour in the season that's just passed - 2018/19. After scoring 10 goals in Celta's opening 17 La Liga games, with the club in a respectable 10th position, Aspas was forced out of the reckoning with a calf injury. This lasted until the 23rd game, and then 24 minutes later into his return, it was prolonged until the 29th. By that time Celta were in 18th position with nine games to go. Disaster. What did Aspas do? Provide 10 goals and four assists in those games, to rescue Celta from relegation and undoubted ruin. Viva Iago. Jack Grealish - Aston Villa A more long-term, but no less noble effort here. There have been numerous times Jack Grealish could've departed Aston Villa since their relegation from the Premier League in 2016, and numerous times where it looked like he would. But he didn't, even when the threat of administration loomed ominously over the Villans. And it's paid off, for the club, with Grealish as captain, now back in the big time after success in the Championship playoff final. Gianluigi Buffon/Alessandro Del Piero/Pavel Nedved - Juventus Three for the price of one, here, and you could even throw David Trezeguet and Mauro Camoranesi in there. When Juventus were relegated from Serie A for their part in the Calciopoli scandal of the 2005/06 season, many high-profile players saw the opportunity to jump ship. This included Patrick Vieira, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Fabio Cannavaro, Lilian Thuram, Gianluca Zambrotta and Adrian Mutu. But Buffon, Del Piero, Nedved and co would not be moved. Instead of leaving Italy's most successful club in history to rust in the lower tiers, they banded together to make sure this would be an anomaly rather than the beginning of the end. As the best goalkeeper in the world, no one was more sought after and thus instrumental than Buffon that season, and his justification for staying with La Vecchia Signora tells you everything you need to know about him as a player. He just wanted to add another trophy to his burgeoning cabinet. Of course he did. This article is brought to you by X-Men: Dark Phoenix, in cinemas soon. Check out the trailer below:


Baltimore will see a return of last week's light rainfall this coming week, according to drone-powered weather forecasting service Saildrone . Thursday's forecast shows the highest likelihood of rain at 89 percent, with expected rainfall of 0.14 inches. The next few days will also see warm temperatures, forecast to persist Thursday through Saturday. Temperatures will get even hotter on Sunday, with a high of 91 degrees. Skies will be partly cloudy today and tomorrow. Winds will stay light through the week, with the highest speeds on Saturday at just 12 mph. This story was created automatically using Saildrone's local weather forecast data, then reviewed by an editor. We also incorporate historic weather data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.


EL PASO, Texas (AP)   The Trump administration is facing growing complaints from migrants about severe overcrowding, meager food and other hardships at border holding centers, with some people at an encampment in El Paso being forced to sleep on the bare ground during dust storms. The Border Network for Human Rights issued a report Friday based on dozens of testimonials of immigrants over the past month and a half, providing a snapshot of cramped conditions and prolonged stays in detention amid a record surge of migrant families coming into the U.S. from Central America. The report comes a day after an advocate described finding a teenage mother cradling a premature baby inside a Border Patrol processing center in Texas. The advocate said the baby should have been in a hospital, not a facility where adults are kept in large fenced-in sections that critics describe as cages. "The state of human rights in the U.S.-Mexico borderlands is grave and is only getting worse," the immigrant rights group said in its report. "People are dying because of what is happening." Five immigrant children have died since late last year after being detained by the Border Patrol, including a flu-stricken teenager who was found dead in a facility migrants refer to as the "icebox" because of the temperatures inside. Customs and Border Protection responded to the complaints by saying: "Allegations are not facts. If there is an issue it is best to contact CBP directly. In many cases the matter can be resolved immediately." The agency also cited its response to a critical inspector general's report last month, in which it said the government is devoted to treating migrants in its custody "with the utmost dignity and respect." The Trump administration has blamed the worsening crisis on inaction by Congress. Many of the complaints center on El Paso, where the inspector general found severe overcrowding inside a processing center. A cell designed for a dozen people was crammed with 76, and migrants had to stand on the toilets. With indoor facilities overcrowded, the Border Patrol has kept some immigrants outside and in tents near a bridge in El Paso with nothing but a Mylar foil blanket. Others have been kept in an empty parking lot, where migrants huddled underneath tarps and foil blankets repurposed as shade covers against the sweltering heat. A professor who visited two weeks ago said it resembled a "human dog pound." The Border Patrol responded by adding additional shade structures, but migrants are still kept outside in temperatures approaching 100 degrees. Migrants in El Paso and elsewhere also complained of inadequate food such as a single burrito and a cup of water per day. Women said they were denied feminine hygiene products. Another complaint is that migrants are kept in detention beyond the 72-hour limit set by Customs and Border Protection. Some reported being held for 30 days or more, and one told The Associated Press she had been in detention for around 45 days. The teenage mother with the premature baby, for example, spent nine days in Border Patrol custody after crossing the Rio Grande with her newborn, according to a legal advocate who visited the girl in a McAllen, Texas, processing center. An exodus of people fleeing poverty, drought and violence in Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador has led to a record number of migrant families being apprehended at the U.S.-Mexico border in recent months. Agents made 132,887 apprehensions in May, including a record 84,542 adults and children traveling together. Those apprehended also included 11,507 children traveling alone. President Donald Trump's $4.5 billion border request for things such as an expansion of detention, medical care, food and shelter has languished on Capitol Hill since he sent it over six weeks ago, with House Democrats at odds with the White House. Congress is set to go on a break in two weeks. Lawmakers are becoming increasingly agitated. "In the first five months of this year, the number of apprehensions at the border has already exceeded the population of Atlanta, Georgia," said Republican Rep. Kay Granger of Texas. ___ Associated Press Writer Astrid Galvan in Phoenix and Andrew Taylor in Washington contributed to this report.


Air Canada is in apology mode after asking two complete strangers   a 71-year-old woman and a 35-year-old man   to share one hotel room with one bed after a connecting flight was missed. Before three hours-worth of angry phone calls from the woman's daughter resolved the situation, Elizabeth Coffi Tabu was en route from Ottawa to Montreal to her home in Paris when delays caused her to miss the connection in Montreal. Tabu and the unidentified man, who also missed his connection, were asked to become overnight roommates after the hotel that Air Canada works with only had one room left. There were no connecting flights for either passenger until the next morning. Tabu, who is in a wheelchair after recovering from cancer, was visiting her daughter in Ottawa. The problem took place on July 19. Jerryne Mahele Nyota, Tabu's daughter, said Air Canada initially offered her mother just $20 in food vouchers and a seat with more legroom on the morning flight to Paris. "My mother told the Air Canada agent, 'I don't know this man. We are not a couple,'" Mahele Nyota said. "But they said there was only one room." The airline since upped the ante to a $250 flight voucher and got Tabu out the next morning as promised. "It is not our policy to have passengers who are not traveling together share a room," the airline told CNN . "In this case an error was initially made allocating rooms." The man offered to sleep on the room's sofa. "He was a perfect gentleman," Mahele Nyota said. "But I obviously felt uncomfortable with my mom spending a night with a man half her age, a man that's a total stranger!" Related video: Woman Finds Herself Alone on Plane After Falling Asleep [via Inside Edition]