General Electric raised its 2019 forecast Wednesday, helped by improvement in its industrial businesses, even as its latest earnings dipped into the red after two profitable quarters. GE swung back to a financial loss in the second quarter as the cost of restructuring its ailing power business and the grounding of a Boeing jetliner drained more cash than expected from GE's otherwise profitable industrial units. The Boston maker of jet engines, power plants and medical devices also said Chief Financial Officer Jamie Miller was stepping down but would stay on until a successor is hired. The loss resulted from a $744-million goodwill impairment charge that GE said was related to moving a power grid software business to its digital unit. GE's power business, which has long been a drag on earnings, posted a $117-million profit. But its relatively strong aviation business suffered as problems stretched on with Boeing's 737 MAX jetliner, which regulators grounded in March. GE, which makes the jet's engines through a joint-venture, said it saw a $600-million cash outflow in the quarter due to the grounding, and it expects to take a hit of $400 million per quarter in the second half if the grounding continues. Boeing said last week it might halt production of the jet, depending on how long it takes aviation regulators to determine it is safe to fly after two crashes within five months killed 346 people. GE's adjusted industrial free cash flow in the quarter was negative $1 billion, at the better end of the range of negative $1 billion to $2 billion that Chief Executive Officer Larry Culp indicated in May. "Free cash flow is the metric everyone cares about," said Deane Dray, an analyst at RBC Capital Markets. Investors had been watching with alarm as GE's cash generation failed to keep pace with earnings in recent years, raising concerns that GE's actual financial performance was falling short of stated results. GE had been known to manage earnings, but in May Culp said he would focus on generating cash and let earnings be "almost like a byproduct," Dray said. Yet despite posting a loss, GE raised its full-year forecasts. It now expects industrial organic revenue growth to make a "mid-single-digits" percentage increase, up from GE's earlier forecast of "low-to-mid single digits." It also lifted the range of adjusted earnings per share by 5 cents to between 55 cents and 65 cents, and shifted its forecast for industrial free cash flow to between negative $1 billion and positive $1 billion, from $0 to negative $2 billion. GE's loss from continuing operations attributable to shareholders was $291 million in the quarter ended June 30, compared to a profit of $679 million a year earlier. Loss per share from continuing operations was 3 cents down from a profit of 8 cents, the company said. On an adjusted basis, GE earned 17 cents per share, including a one-time tax audit gain of 6 cents. That compared with analysts estimates of 12 cents, on average, according to IBES data from Refinitiv. Total revenue fell 1.1% to $28.8 billion.


US tennis superstar Serena Williams topped Forbes magazine's list of the highest paid women in sports for the fourth straight year on Tuesday. The business publication calculated that the 23-time Grand Slam singles champion earned $29.2 million in the 12-month period ending June 1 -- with just $4.2 million of that coming from prize money. Japan's Naomi Osaka, who burst to international stardom with a stunning upset of Williams in the 2018 US Open final and went on to win the Australian Open in January, became just the fourth woman to earn more than $20 million in a year -- after Williams and tennis stars Maria Sharapova and Li Na. Forbes pegged Osaka's earnings at $24.3 million, putting her second on a list dominated by tennis players. Former Wimbledon champion Angelique Kerber was third on the list with earnings of $11.8 million followed by this year's Wimbledon champion Simona Halep. Forbes included prize money, salaries, bonuses, endorsements and appearance fees between June 1, 2018, and June 1, 2019 in the figures. The highest placed athlete from a different sport was US footballer Alex Morgan, who clocked in at 12th. Morgan earned $5.8 million, most of it in endorsements. Indian badminton star PV Sindhu and Thai golfer Ariya Jutanugarn were the other non-tennis players in the top 15.


WASHINGTON   After Stefanos Tsitsipas bowed out of the first round at Wimbledon last month, a rare early exit for the 20-year-old, he took some time to reset. He spent the better part of three days "locked" in his London hotel room, most of the time reading a biography about Roger Federer. While he watched some highlights of his match, he opted not to put too much stock into the loss against No. 82 Thomas Fabbiano. Then, Tsitsipas embarked on a two-week vacation, flushing the events at the All England Club before arriving in Washington, D.C. for the Citi Open as the No. 1 seed. "That was very important to refuel," Tsitsipas said, "recharge my batteries coming in here." Now, for the second straight year, Tsitsipas has booked a ticket into the semifinals at Rock Creek Park Tennis Center. But in that one calendar year, Tsitsipas has seen tremendous growth on the court, both technically and mentally. He didn't let his Wimbledon setback carry into the Citi Open. He didn't let any frustration from a tight Round of 16 match beleaguer him in the quarterfinals. And he didn't let his third broken shoe lace of the tournament quell his mid-match momentum Friday. He defeated Benoit Paire, 7-5, 6-0, to become the No. 5-ranked player in the world, Tsitsipas' career high. "Once you're in a certain position for a long time, you really crave for more," Tsitsipas said. "This one position difference might not feel a lot for some people. But for me, it really means a lot, because there has been a lot of hard work behind it, and just a lot of suffering in general." At the start of the 2018 Citi Open, Tsitsipas ranked No. 32. He had still played in two Challenger Tour events that year   the second tier of professional tennis   before his semifinal loss to Alexander Zverev in D.C. But Tsitsipas credits his extensive Challenger Tour experience with helping him burst on the ATP scene. After the Citi Open, he went to the Canadian Open and beat Novak Djokovic, Zverev and Kevin Anderson before falling to Rafael Nadal in the final. He won his first ATP title later that year and has captured two more titles in 2019. Tsitsipas defeated Federer at the Australian Open, a match Tsitsipas' semifinal opponent Nick Kyrgios remembers watching on TV. It's those marquee matchups that help get the Greek "pumped." "I was very hungry, very excited to see what's lying ahead," Tsitsipas said. "I was very, very motivated to make that transition." When asked about what parts of his game have improved most in the last year, Tsitsipas paused before saying it was his serving and patience. And while his continual improvement with his serve can be seen in the uptick in velocity off his racket, his improved patience can be harder to pinpoint. Tsitsipas pointed to a willingness to continue a rally, setting up better finishing shots later, rather than going for a more difficult shot earlier. He's learned to focus on how much power he puts on each swing, not feeling the need to crush each attempt, but poking holes in an opponent's defense with an array of shots. That composure has helped him put together an impressive run at the Citi Open, one that will continue with a semifinal match against Kyrgios on Saturday. "He's one of the best players in the world right now," Kyrgios said. "He's going to have an amazing career, and he's already done some amazing things." This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Stefanos Tsitsipas reaches semifinals at Citi Open, craving for more


We've gone over which Premier League power has the best chance at a quick start , and which teams could surprise early , but when are the semi-annual big fixtures? [ MORE: Full PL schedule ] Glad you asked… North London Derby Aug. 31   Arsenal v. Tottenham Hotspur April 25   Spurs v. Arsenal Merseyside Derby Dec. 4   Liverpool v. Everton, 3 p.m. ET March 14   Everton v. Liverpool Manchester Derby Dec. 7   Man City v. Man Utd March 7   Man Utd v. Man City Liverpool-Man Utd Oct. 19   Man Utd v. Liverpool Jan. 18   Liverpool v. Man Utd M23 Derby Dec. 14   Crystal Palace v. Brighton and Hove Albion Feb. 29   Brighton and Hove Albion v. Crystal Palace Other Top Six clashes Aug. 11   Man Utd v. Chelsea, 11:30 a.m. ET Aug. 17   Man City v. Spurs Aug. 24   Liverpool v. Arsenal Sept. 21   Chelsea v. Liverpool Sept. 28   Man Utd v. Arsenal Oct. 26   Liverpool v. Spurs Nov. 9   Liverpool v. Man City Nov. 23   Man City v. Chelsea Dec. 3   Man Utd v. Spurs Dec. 14   Arsenal v. Man City Dec. 28   Arsenal v. Chelsea Jan. 1   Arsenal v. Man Utd Jan. 11   Spurs v. Liverpool Jan. 22   Chelsea v. Arsenal Feb. 1   Spurs v. Man City Feb. 8/15   Chelsea v. Man Utd Feb. 29   Man City v. Arsenal March 14   Spurs v. Man Utd March 21   Chelsea v. Man City April 4   Man City v. Liverpool May 2   Arsenal v. Liverpool May 9   Liverpool v. Chelsea Follow @NicholasMendola


SEOUL, South Korea (AP)   North Korea said Saturday that an Australian student who it detained for a week had spread anti-Pyongyang propaganda and engaged in spying by providing photos and other materials to news outlets with critical views toward the North. Pyongyang's official Korean Central News Agency, or KCNA, said North Korea deported Alek Sigley on Thursday after he pleaded for forgiveness for his activities, which the agency said infringed on the country's sovereignty. North Korea has been accused in the past of detaining Westerners and using them as political pawns to gain concessions. KCNA provided few details about Sigley's alleged spying activities other than that he, at the "instigation" of the media outlets, provided them with photos and data that he had collected. North Korea, which closely monitors visitors and enforces a stringent information blockade on its citizens, is extremely sensitive about controlling the flow of information, which made Sigley, who had a lively presence on Twitter, an anomaly in the country. Sigley arrived in Tokyo on Thursday after telling reporters he was in "very good" condition, but without saying what happened to him. His father, Gary Sigley, a professor of Asian studies at the University of Western Australia, said his son was treated well in North Korea. Sigley had been studying at a Pyongyang university and guiding tours in the North Korean capital before disappearing from social media contact with family and friends. KCNA said Sigley, who was caught "red-handed" by a "relevant institution" of the North on June 25, had abused his status as a student by "combing" through Pyongyang and providing photos and other information to news sites such as NK News and other "anti-DPRK" media, a reference to the North's formal name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. The news agency said the North expelled Sigley out of "humanitarian leniency." "He honestly admitted his spying acts of systematically collecting and offering data about the domestic situation of the DPRK and repeatedly asked for pardon, apologizing for encroachment upon the sovereignty of the DPRK," the agency said. The North had not commented on Sigley before Saturday. Sigley was released following intervention by Swedish diplomats. After his arrival in Beijing, he went to Tokyo to reunite with his Japanese wife, who he married in Pyongyang last year. During his time in North Korea, Sigley often shared details about his life in Pyongyang through social media and the website of his travel agency, Tongil Tours, frequently challenging negative outside perceptions about the North and at times boasting about the extraordinary freedom he had as one of the few foreign students living there. He also wrote op-eds and essays that appeared in the Western media, including NK News, although none of them seemed outwardly critical about the North's government and political system. In a statement published on its site, NK News CEO Chad O'Carroll said it would be a "misrepresentation" for the North to describe the articles Sigley wrote for the outlet as anti-state. He said NK News is an independent, specialist information website that aims to provide objective news and analysis about North Korea. "Alek Sigley's well-read columns presented an apolitical and insightful view of life in Pyongyang which we published in a bid to show vignettes of ordinary daily life in the capital to our readers," O'Carroll said. "The six articles Alek published represent the full extent of his work with us and the idea that those columns, published transparently under his name between January and April 2019, are 'anti-state' in nature is a misrepresentation which we reject," he said. Sigley's ordeal had a much happier ending than that of American college student Otto Warmbier, who was convicted of attempting to steal a propaganda poster and imprisoned in North Korea. Warmbier died shortly after being sent back home to the U.S. in a vegetative state in June 2017.


PARIS - It doesn't get any easier from here. After holding off France, the World Cup host and fourth-ranked team in the world, the U.S. women now face England, the world's No. 3, in the semifinals. The game will be Tuesday in Lyon, France. England handily beat Norway Thursday night to book its trip to the semis for a second consecutive World Cup. England lost to Japan four years ago, then beat Germany to finish third. England has made steady improvement over the last five years or so, but has reached another level under coach Phil Neville. The former Manchester United player was a surprise appointment in January 2018, having never been a head coach before. But he has instilled a belief in England that it can be   and is   among the best in the world. At his first tournament in charge, the She Believes Cup earlier this spring, the Three Lionesses won the title ahead of the United States, Japan and Brazil. QUARTERFINALS: Rapinoe does her talking with feet, scores twice to beat France England and the U.S. tied in their game in the tournament. England has been steady all tournament   Ellen White is tied with Alex Morgan and Sam Kerr for most goals scored in the tournament with five while its defense has conceded only one goal. And that was in the tournament opener, three weeks ago. "We're in it to win it," Neville said after the Three Lionesses beat Norway in the quarterfinals. The U.S. is 10-4-2 against England, but has won just one of the last three meetings. The only time the teams have met in the World Cup is 2007, when the Americans won 3-0 in the quarterfinals. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: World Cup: It doesn't get any easier as No. 3 England awaits USWNT in semifinals


The Innoventions exhibit hall in Disneyland will close at the end of March, reigniting speculation among theme park fans about a much-rumored makeover of Tomorrowland. Disneyland officials declined to discuss Monday what they have planned for the exhibit space, saying only that "we regularly make modifications and enhancements throughout the resort." But that did not stop Disney devotees and bloggers from speculating on the type of attractions that might replace the exhibit hall, now used to show futuristic technologies, such as robots and interactive computer games. The building also holds an exhibit of Marvel superheros. With the celebration of Disneyland's 60th anniversary starting in May, some Disney fans suggest the hall will be renovated to become a museum of theme park memorabilia. But others point out that since Walt Disney Co. purchased Lucasfilm from "Star Wars" creator George Lucas in 2012, Tomorrowland was likely to undergo a "Star Wars" makeover. "Have plans already been set in motion by Disney that will lead to the eventual release of the rumored Star Wars Land attraction we've been hearing about for quite some time now?" asked the JediNews website. Some Disney fans say they have heard rumors that the food court in Tomorrowland will be overhauled to resemble the Mos Eisley Cantina from the 1977 movie "Star Wars: Episode IV   A New Hope." The ThemeParkInsider site was conducting a survey Monday, asking readers what they think should replace the Innoventions exhibit hall. Based on about 1,000 votes, a Marvel attraction was leading the poll (36 percent) over a Star Wars attraction (28 percent). Other fans pointed out that "Tomorrowland," a Disney science fiction film directed by Brad Bird, opens May 22. The renovation of the hall could be tied to the movie release, they suggest. The circular building that houses the Innoventions exhibit opened in 1967 and was the home of the Carousel of Progress, an attraction of futuristic ideas that closed in 1973 and reopened in Orlando's Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World in 1976. At the Anaheim, Calif., park, America Sings, an exhibit of animatronic animals telling the history of America through song, replaced the Carousel of Progress. America Sings closed in 1988, with Innoventions moving into the building in 1998 as part of a larger overhaul of Tomorrowland.


Thanasis Antetokounmpo has agreed to a two-year contract to join his brother in Milwaukee, tweets Shams Charania of The Athletic. An older sibling of reigning MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo , Thanasis has brief NBA experience, playing two games for the Knicks on a 10-day contract during the 2015-16 season. The 26-year-old forward spent this past season with Panathinaikos, leading the team to a second straight Greek Basket League title. He was also MVP of the Greek All-Star Game in 2018. Before returning to Greece Thanasis spent three years in the G League, playing for Delaware and Westchester.


With college tuition on the rise, it's harder and harder to get a degree without racking up thousands in debt. The Los Rios Community College District is hoping to relieve some of that burden by adding funds from donations to make community college more affordable for first-time students. The Los Rios Community College District announced Thursday that it's using $752,500 in donations for scholarships   the largest set of investments to address college affordability in the district's history. "Los Rios is committed to solving the financial challenges that our students face," said Brian King, Chancellor of the Los Rios Community College District. The money came in the form of donations from Sutter Health, SAFE Credit Union, Wells Fargo and VSP Global, resulting in 1,234 Promise Scholarships that will remove financial barriers to education for low-income students. Some of the obstacles the $500 scholarships will help are paying for textbooks and living expenses that are not typically covered by existing financial aid programs. READ MORE FROM CARLOS HERRERA: How Stockton Unified School District is using the solar energy to help shrink electric bills and empower students More than half of Sacramento city students qualify for free lunch. This summer program provides it to them year round For the 1,730 Sacramento youth in foster care, resources like this one helps keep them from bouncing from home to home While community colleges have the lowest tuition in higher education, the total cost of college includes far more than fees. Currently, independent students who attend community colleges in California pay about $1,100 for tuition and fees, $1,792 for books and supplies, $4,160 for personal and transportation needs and a whopping $12,492 in living expenses. The funds will build on the state's newly announced two-year California College Promise Program, which guarantees free tuition for all first-time, full-time California Community College students. These investments and state funds, in addition to partnerships with the City of Rancho Cordova and the City of West Sacramento and their respective Promise programs for people who live in those cities, will help Los Rios students reduce the financial hurdles to academic success. Students who want to apply to the Promise Program, can visit the Los Rios website . Students must be incoming first-time, full time students and enroll in a minimum of twelve units. They must also complete the FAFSA or California Dream Act Application . The deadline to apply for Fall is August 14. Sutter Health is providing the largest investment toward the effort, committing $512,500 over five years. In a single year, this funding will support 180 students with $500 Promise Scholarship. Their investment will help support students' post-secondary and workforce success. "Education is one of the foundational pillars to the health of any community," said Keri Thomas, vice president of External Affairs, Sutter Health Valley Area. "We hope that these Promise scholarships provide the reassurance and spark the inspiration students need to continue pursuing their dreams and reaching for their goal." READ MORE FROM CARLOS HERRERA: How to help Sacramento's homeless beat the summer heat Food as medicine: Why a health center in West Sac prescribes fresh groceries to diabetes patients Officials hope a new treatment plant will help fix this small Sacramento County town's drinking water issues Wells Fargo was the first corporate partner to support the Promise effort, giving $90,000 total over the past two years. Their gifts will fund 80 of the 120 inaugural Promise scholarships this fall, at $500 per student, and another 90 scholarships next year. Their gift will also support an additional $10,000 for the Los Rios Colleges Foundation Student Emergency Fund, Los Rios officials said. SAFE Credit Union's $120,000 donation will be shared between the Los Rios Promise Scholarship, providing 120 student scholarships and support students who serve as program assistants at the STEM Center at American RiverCollege. VSP Global's gifted $30,000 to the Promise Scholarship to asupport 54 students with $500 scholarships and a $3,000 contribution to the Los Rios Promise Endowment. Rancho Cordova and West Sacramento leaders have already been backing this effort, dedicating local voter-supported tax measures to help residents with the cost of attending college. In Rancho Cordova, the funds have supported student tuition fees, book vouchers and other mandatory fees. In West Sacramento, the funds have covered tuition and other student fees as part of the city's West Sacramento Home Run program. Follow the conversation on Facebook with Carlos Herrera. WATCH MORE: Can Elizabeth Warren make college free and cancel student load debt for millions? | Connect the Dots


LeBron James and his family may not have spent this week's round of Taco Tuesday together, but they were definitely celebrating in full force over their favorite day of the week. The Patriarch of the James family was busy working on the set of Space Jam 2, giving fans a sneak peak of the Tune Squad jerseys for the reboot of the 1996 classic. But he also made sure to celebrate Taco Tuesday, while he was working on the set, again to the dismay of his wife Savannah. Taco Tuesday is the only pure thing in this world pic.twitter.com/SINIx76Ccm - E. García Gundersen (@Erik_Gundersen) July 23, 2019 But while LeBron and Savannah were on the set, LeBron Jr., Bryce Maximus and Zhuri James were all in Las Vegas as Bronny and Bryce prepare to play in Las Vegas this weekend. Bronny Jr. got the James kids and a bunch of his friends to participate in what's become a James family tradition. Bronny has your back for #TacoTuesday @KingJames x Via: Bronny (IG) #Lakeshow pic.twitter.com/JYupKhgX1e - LakeShowWorld (@LakeShowWorld) July 24, 2019 While Lakers fans will likely remember this summer as they year they got Anthony Davis, Taco Tuesday is definitely winning the offseason. MORE: Mike Trout's perfect 98.6 MPH throw to home plate had everyone in awe What might Kostas Antetokounmpo bring to the Lakers on offense? Packers releasing veteran DL Mike Daniels Roundup: Boris Johnson Named UK PM; Tay-K Sentenced to 55 Years; Tornado in Cape Cod Why are the Jets picking this fight with Quinnen Williams?


According to rental site Zumper , median rents for a one bedroom in North End are hovering around $850, compared to ann $869 one-bedroom median for St. Paul as a whole. But how does the low-end pricing on a North End rental look these days   and what might you get for the price? We took a look at local listings for studios and one-bedroom apartments from Zumper and Apartment Guide to find out what budget-minded apartment seekers can expect to find in the neighborhood, which, according to Walk Score ratings , is friendly for those on foot, is fairly bikeable and has a few nearby public transportation options. Read on for the cheapest listings available right now. (Note: Prices and availability are subject to change.) Hoodline offers data-driven analysis of local happenings and trends across cities. Links included in this article may earn Hoodline a commission on clicks and transactions. 1229 Rice St. Listed at $800/month, this 600-square-foot one-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment, located at 1229 Rice St., is 5.9% less than the $850/month median rent for a one bedroom in North End. Building amenities include garage parking. The unit also features stainless steel appliances and hardwood flooring. Good news for animal lovers: Both dogs and cats are welcome here. Be prepared for a $50 application fee. (See the complete listing here .) 41 Arlington Ave. West This one-bedroom, one-bathroom abode, situated at 41 Arlington Ave. West, is listed for $825/month for its 700 square feet. The unit features both air conditioning and central heating. When it comes to building amenities, expect assigned parking and on-site laundry. When it comes to pets, both meows and barks are allowed. Future tenants needn't worry about a leasing fee. (See the complete listing here .) 1164 MacKubin St. Here's a one-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment at 1164 MacKubin St., which, at 720 square feet, is going for $849/month. When it comes to building amenities, expect on-site laundry, garage parking and secured entry. The apartment has a walk-in closet and a mix of hardwood floors and carpeting. Pet owners, you're in luck: Cats and dogs are allowed. Expect a $200 pet deposit. (See the full listing here .) This story was created automatically using local real estate data from Zumper and Apartment Guide , then reviewed by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.


The Premier League's title race is taking a a big step toward having a legitimate third wheel. Juventus and Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly agreed on a $78 million fee for Paulo Dybala. [ MORE: Tottenham Hotspur season preview ] Now Spurs have to convince Dybala on their project, as the star is said to be uncertain about the North London outfit and Manchester United ( The Red Devils reportedly pulling out of the running earlier this week). Dybala, 25, has been excused from Juve training until his transfer situation is resolved by the club. The Argentinian's numbers took a big hit when Cristiano Ronaldo arrived and became the focal point of Juve's attack, but he's scored 22 goals in a season for the Old Lady and also posted a 19-goal, 9-assist season. He's an upgrade on Dele Alli , who is injured and also coming off a down season, and should feast off the spoils of Harry Kane . Perhaps countryman Erik Lamela can convince him of the Tottenham way? Follow @NicholasMendola


Hailie Deegan is only 17 years old and still racing in NASCAR's developmental K&N Pro Series West, but because of her success in the last couple years, she's one of the most popular up-and-coming drivers. With a win last season, she became the first female driver to win a K&N Pro Series race . And so far this year, she won two of the first seven races in the regional series. Deegan joined Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Kelley Earnhardt Miller on the Dale Jr. Download podcast this week to talk about her racing, her future and finding success in a male-dominated sport. Understanding how to market herself in the sport and utilize social media to her advantage - she has 427,000 Instagram followers - she proved she's far more mature than a typical almost-18 year old. "How is it you understand all this at such a young age?" Dale Jr. asked her at one point. Definitely not your average 17-year-old. @HailieDeegan joins the @DaleJr Download this week to share her story. Full podcast comin' at ya later tonight. Stay tuned! pic.twitter.com/MPrYeDLCc7 - Dirty Mo Media (@DirtyMoMedia) July 1, 2019 Among the many topics they hit, they talked about Deegan's aggressive racing style, which was particularly evident during her two of her wins when she bumped cars out of her way to take the lead. So Dale Jr. asked her which drivers she admires and tries to emulate. . @HailieDeegan dumps her teammate @derek9kraus scoring her 2nd win of 2019. #ColoradoNAPA150 pic.twitter.com/wEhmiVmDHv - Darian Gilliam (@BlackFlagMatter) June 9, 2019 She pointed to her dad, Brian Deegan , an off-road and motocross rider, but also added : "Watching a lot of the old footage, it's been your dad [Dale Earnhardt Sr.]. A lot of it, just watching those old races, I love the aggressive drivers. I like Kyle Busch! I love his driving style. He might not have the most positivity off the track, but I do like his driving style. And you see him at some of the tracks and just his lines he runs are just crazy - the amount of momentum he's able to build at these tracks. "Watching him in the [NASCAR] Trucks Series just blows my mind. Because you think of the heavy hitters - you think of the Johnny Sauters, Matt Craftons, the guys that have been there for a long time - you're like, 'Oh, they're the best. You can't get any better than that.' And [Busch] goes out there and just whoops them all, and you're like, 'How did he do that? How did he just go from the back all the way back to the front and is now leading by five seconds?' "It's just stuff that doesn't happen, he can do. And so I think that's one guy that I look up to, where I'm like, I want to have his driving style." They also talked about the lack of women in racing, particularly in NASCAR. Deegan said she's asked several women working their ways up or who have tried and failed about their experiences and said there's no specific reason why. It often comes down to results, not having the right off-track attitude or being too old, she said. Deegan continued on the Dale Jr. Download : "There's so many pieces to the puzzle, especially if you're a girl in stock car. I know in dirt racing, there's obviously a lot more girls, a lot more. I feel like girls [have] a lot more raw talent for racing there, but just in stock cars, it's a different story. "There's just kind of a blank canvas. I can name almost every girl in stock car racing on one hand. It's just how it is, and I think there's a lot room for improvement there." As the co-owner of JR Motorsports, Kelley Earnhardt Miller also knows what it's like to be a woman in the industry, so she asked Deegan what her approach that is. On whether she wants to play up being a woman or ignore it completely or find some middle ground, Deegan said: "I would use the female card more if I wasn't winning. I just want to be a racer. I just want to win. I just want to be a good driver. Maybe I would try to use it a little more if I wasn't winning or if I needed it more. As of now, I want [it] to all be on the track. "I take every race like my ride is on the line, every race like it could be my last. That's how I treat every single situation that I'm in. I don't get sponsors to race second. My sponsors aren't happy when I finish second. They're happy when I win. And that's how it is in all racing." MORE: 'You don't know me like that': Kevin Durant, the Warriors and a toxic locker room Stephen A. Smith: 'Andre Iguodala is planning on joining the Lakers' USWNT fans had so much fun dunking on Piers Morgan after World Cup win over England Roundup: Pence Abruptly Cancels NH Trip; U.S. Advances to World Cup Final; Betsy Ross Flag Controversy Kenny Clark excited about offseason of Packers DL Montravius Adams


SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Federal officials indicted more than a dozen members and affiliates of the Aryan Brotherhood prison gang on Thursday, alleging that top officials within the organization used smuggled phones to order murders and orchestrate a multistate drug trafficking operation from their cells. Sixteen defendants, including nine inmates, were named in a criminal complaint alleging federal racketeering, murder, drug trafficking and other charges stemming from a five-year investigation into extensive, organized criminal activity inside California's most secure prisons, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. Authorities say that two of the inmates, Ronald Yandell, 56, and Daniel "Danny" Troxell, 66, are well-known members of the Aryan Brotherhood Commission, a three-man council that runs the white supremacist organization. "What we report today is a very significant setback for one of California's most notorious prison gangs," U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott said at a news conference in Sacramento. "The geographic scope of these prison murders and ordered murders extended the length of California, from Imperial County in the south to Lassen County in the north, inside prison walls and out." In a 143-page criminal complaint, the U.S. attorney's office said a 2015 legal settlement allowed inmates like Yandell to be moved from solitary confinement at Pelican Bay State Prison's Security Housing Unit and into "less-stringent California prison environments" and led to an increase in the gang's power, revenues and membership. Troxell was among the plaintiffs in the class-action suit filed by a group of Pelican Bay inmates against the state. The complaint also charges inmates William Sylvester, 51; Travis Burhop, 46; Brant Daniel, 44; Donald Mazza, 48, Pat Brady, 48; Michael Torres, 55; and Jason Corbett, 47. When the investigation began, Yandell, Troxell, Sylvester, Burhop, Torres and Corbett were all serving life sentences for murder. Five other individuals were also arrested as part of the investigation and authorities are actively searching for two others. Those arrested were Samuel Keeton, 40, of Menifee; Jeanna Quesenberry, 52, of Sacramento; Kristen Demar, 44, of Citrus Heights; Justin Petty, 37, of Los Angeles; and attorney Kevin Macnamara, 39, of La Palma. Warrants have been issued for the arrests of Kathleen Nolan, 64, of Calimesa, and Matthew Hall, 50, of Manhattan Beach. Federal wiretaps allowed authorities to intercept hundreds of phone calls and text messages to map out the gang's hierarchy and record its actions in a large-scale sting operation. In some instances, investigators were able to thwart murder plots and undercover agents purchased drugs directly from the gang's associates, authorities said. Prosecutors allege that members of the gang conspired to commit five murders and had planned four others. Of the five homicide victims, four were members of the Aryan Brotherhood who had violated gang rules and one was a member of another prison gang, who disrespected the Aryan Brotherhood gang, Scott said. Authorities say Yandell and Sylvester, cellmates at Folsom prison since 2015, oversaw a large heroin and methamphetamine trafficking operation. Along with Burhop, an inmate at Calipatria State Prison, the prisoners coordinated the flow of drugs within California and to Nevada, South Dakota and Missouri. Some of the phones that the gangs used to commit crimes were allegedly smuggled into the prison by Macnamara, an Orange County lawyer who met with an inmate in an area protected by attorney-client privilege, Scott said. Family members and gang associates on the outside were also recruited to transport drugs. In one instance, Scott said, police surveilled a phone call in which Yandell arranged for cellphones, batteries, chargers and mini hacksaw blades to be smuggled into Folsom prison inside Little Debbie snacks. He told an associate that the phones could be sold for $1,000 each. As part of the investigation, authorities seized large amounts of drugs, a cache of weapons from a house in Manhattan Beach and a Sacramento home, which officials believe was purchased with drug proceeds and used as a stash house. Chris Nielsen, a Drug Enforcement Administration special agent, said the investigation reveals that, contrary to public belief, criminal activity isn't necessarily thwarted when inmates are behind bars. "This case would suggest it's the opposite," he said. If convicted, the inmates could face the death penalty, he said. The Aryan Brotherhood was founded in California's San Quentin State Prison in the 1960s and has grown into one of the country's most feared and well-known white supremacist prison gangs. The group's membership is estimated to be around 20,000 nationwide, according to the Southern Poverty Law Center. Although the group is nearly synonymous with white supremacist and neo-Nazi culture - members often sport tattoos of swastikas or the runic insignia of Hitler's SS - many experts say it is driven by the potential for profit through drug trafficking more than its racist ideology. The group has also been known to set aside racial divisions and work with Latino prison gangs, specifically the Mexican Mafia. "When it comes to white supremacist prison gangs, their hateful ideology is often tangential to their criminal enterprise. So, although they unite around their white-supremacist beliefs, it becomes secondary to drug running, identity theft and violence," said Joanna Mendelson, a senior researcher on extremism and domestic terrorism for the Anti-Defamation League in Los Angeles. "The name of the game is who has the juice, the power and access to benefit their criminal dealings. They'll compromise their ideals. On the streets they may be more ideologically focused, but behind bars the endgame is about control and power," Mendelson said. The group expanded across the country around 1975, after some of its high-ranking members were sent to federal prison, according to the SPLC. Also known as the Brand, the Aryan Brotherhood has been frequently linked to heroin and methamphetamine trafficking, prison violence and assaults and killings of corrections officials. The California chapter of the gang is distinct from the Texas arm, Mendelson said. Prison restructuring and changes in the way jailers can use solitary confinement in California have allowed Aryan Brotherhood members greater mobility inside prison walls, giving the gang a "boost" in recent years, she said. Some of those named in Thursday's indictment are familiar figures in white supremacist circles. Yandell has long been considered an Aryan Brotherhood leader in California, Mendelson said. Mazza originally founded a white supremacist group known as Public Enemy No. 1 in Southern California in the 1980s before he was pulled into the Aryan Brotherhood while incarcerated, she said. Although the Aryan Brotherhood differs from a white nationalist movement that has enjoyed growth across the U.S. in recent years, members of violent racist street gangs in California still see membership in the infamous prison organization as a badge of honor. "The Aryan Brotherhood is still perceived in white supremacist prison culture with great reverence," she said. Visit the Los Angeles Times at www.latimes.com


Curious just how far your dollar goes in Los Angeles? We've rounded up the latest rental offerings via rental sites Zumper and Apartment Guide to get a sense of what to expect when it comes to hunting down a rental in Los Angeles with a budget of $3,600/month. Take a look at the listings, below. (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. 717 W. Olympic Blvd. (Downtown) Listed at $3,503/month, this 943-square-foot one-bedroom, one-bathroom residence is located at 717 W. Olympic Blvd. In the unit, you can expect hardwood flooring, in-unit laundry and stainless steel appliances. Pet owners, take heed: cats and dogs are both permitted. Per Walk Score ratings, the area around this address is a "walker's paradise," is convenient for biking and has excellent transit. (Take a look at the complete listing here .) 12665 Village Ln. (Playa Vista) Next, there's this one-bedroom, one-bathroom unit located at 12665 Village Ln. It's listed for $3,505/month for its 934 square feet. The building boasts a fitness center and on-site laundry. In the unit, you'll find a dishwasher and a walk-in closet. Good news for animal lovers: both dogs and cats are permitted here. The listing specifies a $99 deposit. Walk Score indicates that the surrounding area is moderately walkable, is quite bikeable and has a few nearby public transportation options. (Check out the complete listing here .) 8601 Lincoln Blvd. (Westchester) Next, check out this 1,200-square-foot two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment that's located at 8601 Lincoln Blvd. It's listed for $3,515/month. When it comes to building amenities, expect a fitness center and an elevator. The apartment also includes a mix of hardwood floors and carpeting. Pet lovers are in luck: cats and dogs are allowed. According to Walk Score, this location is very walkable, has some bike infrastructure and has a few nearby public transportation options. (See the complete listing here .) 1550 N. El Centro Ave. (Hollywood) Located at 1550 N. El Centro Ave., here's an 847-square-foot one-bedroom, one-bathroom unit that's listed for $3,515/month. The residence includes hardwood flooring, in-unit laundry and a walk-in closet. Pet lovers are in luck: cats and dogs are welcome. According to Walk Score's assessment, the area around this address is extremely walkable, has some bike infrastructure and has excellent transit. (Check out the complete listing here .) 12411 Fielding Circle (Playa Vista) Last but not least, there's this one-bedroom, one-bathroom abode over at 12411 Fielding Circle. It's listed for $3,520/month for its 938 square feet. The residence features hardwood flooring, a walk-in closet and stainless steel appliances. Pet owners, take heed: cats and dogs are welcome. Walk Score indicates that the surrounding area is car-dependent, is convenient for biking and has a few nearby public transportation options. (Check out the complete listing here .) Working with a tight budget? Here are the cheapest rentals recently listed in Los Angeles . 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.


A big shout out to the Big Fella. The Big Daddy. The Big Shaqtus. The Big Aristotle. Shaquille O'Neal. He's the One. The dominant face of the Orlando Magic franchise. We'll pause while some of you spit out your coffee. That would be the people still bitter over the summer of 1996, when Shaq left this "dried up little pond" for the bright Hollywood lights and to mix and mingle with Jack Nicholson and Dyan Cannon courtside. Nearly 20 years later, the bitterness lingers. I don't see the point. Wanderlust happens. Shaq pulled a Brad Pitt on Orlando, leaving the arms of a very attractive lady in Jennifer Aniston for the hot mama sexiness of Angelina Jolie. But Jen seems to have gotten over it. She's engaged and looks fabulous. Orlando, not so much. The post-Shaq Magic took a while to recover after getting dumped. Some acrimony will filter into the Amway Center on Friday, when Shaq pops back into town to be inducted into the Orlando Magic Hall of Fame. There will be boos. But hopefully they will be drowned out by the cheers. He deserves as much. The minute Shaq stepped into town with his size 22 EEE shoes in 1992, he made Orlando relevant. In the NBA. In this country. Internationally. A year later, when he was joined by sidekick Anfernee "Penny" Hardaway, the Magic skyrocketed off the charts. They were the Beatles, only slightly taller. Hundreds of fans would await them at hotels on the road. The commotion got so crazy that Shaq started using "disguises." He once popped into a Sacramento hotel with a wig and a coat, a 7-foot-1 giant walking past a gauntlet of fans. "I'm not with the team," he told them. Incredibly, they believed him. "He's one of those handful of people who continue to be a larger than life personality," said Magic CEO Alex Martins, recalling the hotel scene from years gone by. Way back in the Shaq days, Martins was director of media relations with the team and had a front row seat to those four fabulous years. I was privileged to have been along for the ride, too. Shaq mixed and mingled with all of us. He never barricaded himself behind his mansion. You would see him frequently cruising down Orange Avenue, booming music blaring out of the car speakers. You'd see him at Florida and Orlando Fashion Square malls. He'd pop by the drive-thru at McDonalds and order the usual: A Big Mac meal, a quarter pounder and a large Pepsi. Kids would knock on his door, asking if Shaq could come out and play with them. Frequently, he obliged. Paintball, tag, flag football or some other silly deal. He gave away turkeys at Thanksgiving ("Shaqsgiving"). He gave away toys at Christmas ("Shaq-A-Claus"). He gave away his plus-sized clothes to big kids in need. Larger than life? No doubt. But never too big to hang with the rest of us. The comparisons to Dwight Howard are inevitable and fair fodder for criticism. Howard also left this dried up little pond for the shiny bright lights of Los Angeles. But he was here eight years, and his body of work also includes an appearance in the NBA Finals. So why does Shaq trump Dwight? He was The One. The first one. The original Superman. The first mega-star in Orlando's history. How could you not include him in the Hall of Fame? They say your first love is the most memorable. That was true with Shaq. A four-year honeymoon, followed by a messy divorce after Shaq strayed. We were left with Lil' Penny and the devastating consequences of a dynasty destroyed. He shattered backboards. And then he broke our hearts. Nearly 20 years after the breakup, it's best to reflect on the good times. There are plenty to remember. Welcome to the Orlando Magic Hall of Fame, Big Fella.


While the world's focused on the latest Avenger's flick, an international team of scientists have potentially unlocked the super powers of another familiar Marvel character: Magneto. Researchers from the Argonne National Laboratory, Oakland University in Michigan, and Fudan University in China have discovered a quantum -level exploit that has the potential to give engineers greater control over the magnetic properties of certain metals. The experimental observations were discovered through testing with the same kind of metals used for storing data in hard drive disks. In essence, the scientists observed a quantum effect revealing the potential to control certain qualities of the metal's magnetism by spinning electrons one direction or another. What this amounts to is the potential for faster information storage and retrieval, and greater amounts of data stored in smaller spaces. Argonne researcher Axel Hoffmann, a co-author on the study, told Phys.Org : "In technical terms, we discovered a sizable effect from magnetic damping in nanoscale layers of cobalt-iron alloy coated on one side of a magnesium oxide substrate." Magnetic damping is responsible for the various qualities of a magnetic field engineers use to turn metal alloys into storage devices, drive magnetic motors, and operate certain kinds of braking devices. Through the use of the newly discovered spin technique   which would replace or augment traditional alloy baking methods   the scientists believe they can achieve a significant leap in our ability to control magnetic fields   as they relate to these specific metal alloys. According to the team's research paper : Our results provide new insights to the damping mechanism in metallic ferromagnets, which are important for optimizing dynamic properties of future magnetic devices. Spin is like mass or charge, it's a property that all electrons have. Controlling this component of quantum physics carries untold promise for engineers, chemists, and physicists. Outside of its use as a means for controlling magnetism, it also shows promise as a method for splitting water atoms in order to provide hydrogen for energy-efficient fuel while suppressing the unwanted byproduct of hydrogen peroxide. And there's probably other wacky hypothetical ways for physicists of the future to exploit electron spin to do science-fiction-esque things such as tunneling or building warp drives . For now, it's pretty amazing that a team of researchers managed to find a way to put a brand new spin on the decades-old technology behind modern hard disk drives . Hopefully this research pans out and we end up with cheaper, more efficient hard disks that run on quantum magic. H/t: Phys.Org TNW Conference 2019 is coming! Check out our glorious new location, inspiring line-up of speakers and activities, and how to be a part of this annual tech bonanza by clicking here .


The Milwaukee Bucks dominated the first two games of the Eastern Conference Finals at home against the Toronto Raptors. Now the series has shifted to Toronto for Game 3. Game details: Here's a look at the start time, television information, and odds for tonight's Raptors-Bucks Game 3. When: 7 p.m. EST Where: Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, ON TV: TNT Betting Line: Toronto -2.5 / 220 points The big picture: One more win for the Bucks Sunday night almost assures Toronto will be ousted from the playoffs. In NBA history, no team has ever come back from a 3-0 deficit. With that in mind, let's look at some burning questions ahead of this incredibly important Game 3. Will Kawhi get any help? As we've seen throughout the playoffs, Kawhi Leonard has continued to stay hot scoring the basketball during the first two games of this series. Ahead of Game 3 tonight on @NBAonTNT at 7pm/et, watch Kawhi's TOP PLAYS of the #NBAPlayoffs in his career! #WeTheNorth pic.twitter.com/cw37v9axqB   NBA (@NBA) May 19, 2019 In a losing cause, he scored 31 points in Games 1 and 2, thanks in part to an aggressive approach that garnered him 20 free throw attempts (all makes). The big problem for Toronto is that Leonard's supporting cast has failed to provide him with any consistent help. Pascal Siakam and Kyle Lowry are the only others who have really showed up at all in any significant way. Both had strong performances in Game 1, but then they both took a huge step back in Game 2 . If the Raptors are going to make a series out of this, Leonard needs some help. Can Toronto slow down Milwaukee's bench? One of Milwaukee's great strengths is that the bench is a factor on an almost nightly basis. So far in this series, that's certainly been the case. George Hill was a defensive force (four steals and a block) in Game 1 while Ersan Ilyasova and Malcolm Brogdon scored 22 points off the bench. The Bucks then got a staggering 54 points from their bench in the Game 2 blowout. If this trend continues in Game 3, then it might not matter what kind of night Leonard and the Toronto starters have. Will the home crowd make any difference? Toronto has lost four games total in the postseason so far, and two of them came at home. The Raptors just haven't been all that dominant at home. Even their series-clinching Game 7 victory in the semifinals against Philly needed a quad-bouncing buzzer-beater to get the job done. On the other end of the spectrum, Milwaukee hasn't lost a game on the road yet throughout the postseason. So it's worth wondering if the crowd during Game 3 at Scotiabank Arena is even going to have any impact on the Bucks' Finals aspirations. Will Giannis develop that killer instinct? All the greats have that special gene that compels them to mercilessly dispatch their opponent during critical moments. Michael Jordan was famous for his ruthlessness in these types of situations. Now at the age of 24, it's time for Giannis Antetokounmpo to develop that instinct as well. If Giannis can put together a signature performance on the road Sunday night in Game 3, it might not matter what kind of bench play the Raptors get. It might not matter if Kawhi gets help. If he can dominate early, the crowd will be silenced, and the Bucks will roll to a third straight win to essentially close out this series before it ever began. Related slideshow: Best of the NBA playoffs (Provided by imagn)


The Titans will take a cautious approach with receiver A.J. Brown , sitting him out during team periods this week, Paul Kuharsky of paulkuharsky.com reports. Brown tweaked his hamstring during an organized team activity last Tuesday. Later that day, the second-round draft pick tweeted two emojis   a thumb's up and prayer hands   that seemed to indicate he was OK. He will participate in the individual parts of the team's minicamp, which begins Tuesday. The Titans have struggled to select and develop receivers out of college, with Derrick Mason the only drafted receiver the team has had success with over the past several years. Mason retired after the 2011 season. The Titans found Drew Bennett as an undrafted free agent in 2001, and he started 57 games in five seasons. Since 2009, the Titans have spent three first-rounders on receivers ( Corey Davis , Kendall Wright and Kenny Britt), three second-rounders on receivers (Dorial Green-Beckham, Justin Hunter and Brown), two third-rounders on receivers ( Taywan Taylor and Damian Williams) and four third-day choices on receivers ( Tajae Sharpe , Tre McBride, Marc Mariani and Dominique Edison). The Titans still have hope Davis develops into the wideout they thought he was when Tennessee used the fifth overall choice on him in the 2017 draft. But their search continues with Brown.


The Memphis Grizzlies were one of the NBA lottery's big winners when they beat the odds and moved up from the eighth pick to number two on Tuesday. With the team now locked in on Murray State point guard Ja Morant, that leaves franchise icon Mike Conley in an awkward position. His tutelage could prove invaluable for the rookie, but it may be even better for Morant to run the team by himself. That has fired back up the rumor mill, where a pair of reports suggest that the Miami Heat and Utah Jazz are reigniting trade talks with Memphis about its All-Star point guard. Conley may be tough to move considering the $67 million he is owed over the next two seasons. Although he's past his prime at 31, he's still a quality starter. In 70 games last season, he scored a career-high 21.1 points and nearly matched his career best with 6.4 assists. The Grizzlies were reportedly looking for a pair of first-round picks during the season for Conley and could not find a taker at that price. They were able to trade longtime center Marc Gasol, although they didn't recoup significant draft-pick compensation. How could Mike Conley fit on the Heat? The Sporting News' Sean Deveney reported on Friday that Heat president Pat Riley has long sought Conley, dating back to at least 2016 when he tried to sign Conley before settling on Goran Dragic. Dragic, who has a $19 million player option he is likely to exercise, would seem like a natural part of any return, since NBA rules require teams to match salaries in trades. The only other Heat players with sizable contracts are Hassan Whiteside and Ryan Anderson, and all three players will be on expiring deals next season, which should be appealing for the Grizzlies. Memphis would most likely be interested in the Heat's No. 13 overall draft pick and a young player like Bam Adebayo, since Miami likely does not want to give up Josh Richardson or Justise Winslow. Although the Heat missed the playoffs this season by two games, Riley is not looking to rebuild. Miami is no longer the free-agent destination it was earlier this decade, and Conley could help propel the team back atop the Southeast Division. How could Mike Conley fit on the Jazz? The Jazz were perhaps the team closest to landing Conley before the trade deadline, and The Ringer's Kevin O'Connor reported that they are expected to pick up trade talks again. Earlier trade rumors centered around Conley for fellow point guard Ricky Rubio with significant draft picks coming back, although Memphis' likely addition of Morant makes Rubio less necessary to add. Still, there aren't a lot of options to match salaries   maybe Derrick Favors   since Utah only has five players making $10 million, and several of them won't be available. Utah is picking 23rd in this year's draft but also owns the rights to all of its picks going forward , so they could be used as major trade pieces. Memphis could also be potentially interested in 2018 first-rounder Grayson Allen as part of a trade. Conley would form an excellent backcourt pairing with star sophomore Donovan Mitchell, who was runner-up for Rookie of the Year last season. Mitchell is one of 10 players with a usage rate above 30 percent , so finding another capable scorer could do wonders for the Jazz's chances in the Western Conference. More from Yahoo Sports: Time to start thinking about a Bucks dynasty? President Trump's golf scores were hacked Morant may be an even better rookie than Zion Bayern Munich wins seventh straight Bundesliga Related slideshow: NBA Playoffs 2019 (Provided by imagn)


Liverpool, Manchester United, and pretty much everyone but Barcelona looks set to miss out on Matthijs de Ligt. De Ligt, 19, has paired with Liverpool's Virgil Van Dijk while in the Netherlands national team set-up, but reportedly is opting to join Ajax teammate Frenkie de Jong at Barcelona. [ MORE: Brighton hires new boss ] In the case of Liverpool, Sky Sports says that Reds boss Jurgen Klopp thinks he doesn't need another center back. Injuries hit Liverpool's center backs this season outside of Van Dijk. Joel Matip and Dejan Lovren were rated highly and combined for just over 2500 minutes, while young Joe Gomez suffered a long-term injury midway through the season. If all are healthy, Liverpool has decent depth. Yet even Gomez doesn't have the upside to shake a stick at De Ligt if the 19-year-old was truly interested in coming to Anfield. I mean, "Are you interested in this 19-year-old captain of a Champions League semifinalist? He's interested in coming there" usually doesn't yield a firm, "No." As for Barcelona, it will reinforce its back line a year after allowing 36 goals. That's pretty decent, but the Blaugranas ' third-highest total of the last decade. Follow @NicholasMendola


Ferrari Formula 1 team boss Mattia Binotto is not expecting the Silverstone circuit to suit its car in this weekend's British Grand Prix. The Italian squad is yet to win a race in 2019, its last victory coming in last year's United States Grand Prix thanks to Kimi Raikkonen . Read Also: Tech insight: How Ferrari is targeting gains to close the F1 gap Why truly fixing F1 may mean upsetting the purists has performed strongly in recent races, with Sebastian Vettel finishing first on the road in Canada and Charles Leclerc grabbing pole and fighting for victory until the final laps in Austria. Although the Maranello-based team won the British GP with Vettel last year, Binotto reckons the characteristics of this year's car mean the Silverstone layout is unlikely to help its cause. "We do not expect Silverstone to suit our car particularly well, but at every race, we have seen that the balance of power can change, often unexpectedly," Binotto said in a team preview. Ferrari will continue its push to try to close the gap to Mercedes, again introducing new aerodynamic elements this weekend. "We are bringing a further small aerodynamic modification as we continue to push hard on the development of our car," Binotto added. "The weekend will also be an opportunity to increase our understanding of the recent work we did, which has seen us close the gap to our competitors on specific types of track." The team is 135 points behind Mercedes in the constructors' championship, with Vettel its best-placed man in the driver standings in fourth, 74 points behind leader Lewis Hamilton.


The BMW M Next concept is unquestionably the highlight of the company's big "Next" conference. It looks like a modern M1 and has a 600 horsepower plug-in hybrid powertrain, so how could it not? Yet BMW also revealed something with an even more powerful and potentially more interesting powertrain, and it was wrapped up in a current BMW 5 Series body . It's called Project BEV, and its a development mule BMW created for experimenting with electric powertrains. And what that's resulted in is a fully electric 5 Series with 711 horsepower, which is 111 more horsepower than the current twin-turbo V8 M5 or the aforementioned M Next concept. Power comes from a trio of electric motors. One is mounted up front to provide extra traction as needed, while the other two are paired at the rear, one for each wheel. Unsurprisingly, this design allows for active torque vectoring that could make for some impressive cornering ability. And with all-wheel drive and 711 electric ponies, BMW says Project BEV will hit 62 mph in under 3 seconds. Research the BMW 5 Series on MSN Autos | Find a BMW 5 Series near you There are a couple other interesting tidbits about Project BEV, such as the fact that BMW got everything packaged into the 5 Series without taking up passenger space. That's seriously impressive that BMW could get three motors and their accompanying batteries, cooling equipment and more stuffed into a production car that was never designed for it in the first place. Granted, BMW doesn't say anything about cargo space, so the trunk may have lost some usability, but its impressive nonetheless. Additionally, all three motors were built without using any rare-earth metals. The company notes that the upcoming iX3 electric crossover's motor also lacks rare earth metals. Naturally, this being a research vehicle, we'll probably see various production vehicles take advantage of some of the technologies demonstrated, but at more modest performance scales. We sure hope BMW does decide to put a version of this super-powered three-motor powertrain into a production car, though, because it sounds like a blast. BMW turned a 5 Series into a 711-horsepower electric monster originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 25 Jun 2019


Former Kansas forward Dedric Lawson's name wasn't called in the 2019 NBA Draft, but he got a shot in the league anyway when the Golden State Warriors signed him to their Summer League team. In the California Classic and Las Vegas Summer League, Lawson averaged 6.0 points, 4.8 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game. But the former Jayhawk will not be developing further with the Warriors. Lawson has reportedly signed with the San Antonio Spurs on an Exhibit 10 deal that can be then converted to a two-way contract. With enough time on the court to get comfortable at the professional level, Lawson has a valuable skill set to offer any team. In college, he averaged 19.4 points and 10.3 rebounds per game. But what seemingly would have made him attractive to a Golden State team short on superstars is his efficiency from three-point range. He shot just under 40 percent from deep at Kansas. Now, though, the San Antonio Spurs will be the beneficiaries of Lawson's developing potential. MORE: Mike Trout's perfect 98.6 MPH throw to home plate had everyone in awe What might Kostas Antetokounmpo bring to the Lakers on offense? Packers training camp: 1 player to watch from each position group Hurns release opens path forward for several young Cowboys WRs Why are the Jets picking this fight with Quinnen Williams?


The Patriots have agreed to sign wide receiver Dontrelle Inman , according to Mike Reiss of ESPN.com (on Twitter ). Terms of the deal are not yet known, but it's likely a one-year pact for the Pats and the veteran. The 6-foot-3, 205-pound Inman gives the Patriots yet another receiver to consider this offseason. He becomes the 11th wide-receiver on the club's 90-man roster, joining Julian Edelman , N'Keal Harry , Phillip Dorsett , Braxton Berrios , Demaryius Thomas , Maurice Harris , Damoun Patterson, Jakobi Meyers , Ryan Davis , and Xavier Ubosi . Inman spent the first few years of his career with the Chargers, but has bounced around since the start of the 2017 season. After starting out with the Bolts in '17, he hooked on with the Bears. Then, last year, he joined the Colts as a free agent where he caught 28 passes for 304 yards and three touchdowns. The Lions considered Inman earlier this offseason , but he's joining up with the defending champs instead.


SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP)   Hundreds of law enforcement officials will mourn a rookie Sacramento police officer killed in what authorities described as an ambush while she responded to a domestic violence call. Tara O'Sullivan, 26, had been on the job about six months when she was shot. She is the first Sacramento police offer killed on duty in 20 years. Following the funeral more than 500 police vehicles are expected to join a roughly 30-mile (48-kilometer) procession through California's capital city to a funeral home south of Sacramento. O'Sullivan was helping a woman remove belongings June 19 from a north Sacramento home when she was shot by Adel Sambrano Ramos, prosecutors say. It was 45 minutes before police got to O'Sullivan while a heavily armed Ramos engaged in an hours-long standoff with officers before his capture. O'Sullivan later died at UC Davis Medical Center. In the days after the shooting, Sacramento Police Chief Daniel Hahn described O'Sullivan as exemplifying courage. "She chose to be the difference in our community to assist those who were vulnerable and those who alone could not help themselves," Hahn said, according to The Sacramento Bee. Amid questions about the time it took police to reach O'Sullivan, her parents told reporters this week they would never place blame on any of the officers who responded to her shooting. "We know that this police department provided the best training for Tara. For that we are always grateful," said her father, Denis O'Sullivan. Organizers expect Bayside Church Adventure Campus in Roseville, California, will be packed to capacity for O'Sullivan's funeral. A second, overflow viewing site is planned at Destiny Christian Church. A procession from Bayside Church Adventure Campus will return to the community of Elk Grove, proceeding along the highway and past the Sacramento police station where O'Sullivan worked. City officials are warning of major traffic delays along the route of the procession. Ramos, 45, remains behind bars. He made his first appearance in court on Monday facing a murder charge that could lead to the death penalty. Ramos is also charged with attempting to murder O'Sullivan's training officer and illegally possessing two assault-style rifles. He did not enter a plea. The Sacramento jail sent Ramos to a local hospital in the hours before his hearing. Authorities said he wounded himself by smashing his head against a bed frame in his cell. He was later transferred to the jail's psychiatric wing.


It's still not clear what's going on with Patrick Peterson and the Cardinals, and Peterson doesn't seem inclined to show up to the team facility and clarify anything. Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury was asked today if he expected Peterson at Organized Team Activities, which begin in a couple of weeks, and he said he doesn't know what to think. " I'm not sure about OTAs . Everything is voluntary," Kingsbury said, via Darren Urban of the team's website. Last season Peterson said he wanted the Cardinals to trade him, but he later reversed course, apologized for the trade request and said he was committed to the team. This offseason, however, some cryptic social media activity by Peterson has been seen as an indication that he's unhappy, and a report emerged that someone in the Cardinals' front office had said something that angered Peterson . The Cardinals have indicated that they have no interest in trading Peterson, who has played his entire career in Arizona, started all 16 games every year, and been chosen to the Pro Bowl in all eight of his NFL seasons. Whether Peterson plans to do something to force his way out, or whether he'll be a happy camper once mandatory work begins, remains to be seen.


Economists in the Agriculture Department's research branch say the Trump administration is retaliating against them for publishing reports that shed negative light on White House policies, spurring an exodus that included six of them quitting the department on a single day in late April. The Economic Research Service   a source of closely read reports on farm income and other topics that can shape federal policy, planting decisions and commodity markets   has run afoul of Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue with its findings on how farmers have been financially harmed by President Donald Trump's trade feuds, the Republican tax code rewrite and other sensitive issues, according to current and former agency employees. The reports highlight the continued decline under Trump's watch in farm income, which has dropped about 50 percent since 2013. Rural voters were a crucial source of support for Trump in 2016, and analysts say even a small retreat in 2020 could jeopardize the president's standing in several battleground states. "The administration didn't appreciate some of our findings, so this is retaliation to harm the agency and send a message," said one current ERS employee, who asked not to be named to avoid retribution. For example, two ERS researchers presented a paper at an economic conference in early 2018 that indicated the GOP tax overhaul would largely benefit the wealthiest farmers   generating negative press coverage that staff members said irked senior officials at USDA. Then, in August, Perdue stunned members of the roughly 300-member research service by announcing plans to bring ERS under the control of USDA's chief economist, who reports more directly to the secretary. Equally significant, he said the USDA would move the agency out of Washington to a location closer to the U.S. heartland. Members of the agency were also caught off-guard last summer when Perdue's office issued an internal memo directing ERS and other research branches to include disclaimers in their peer-reviewed publications stating that the findings were "preliminary" and "should not be construed to represent any agency determination or policy"   seen as a way of watering down any unflattering data from the department's own experts. The move to uproot the agency has led to a brain-drain of experienced researchers. So far in fiscal 2019, non-retirement departures from the agency have more than doubled on an annualized basis compared to the previous three-year average, according to data collected by employees. Six of the economists   made up of specialists in the agricultural economy, farm taxation and food programs with more than 50 years of combined experience at ERS   left the agency at the end of April, out of frustration with the relocation process or in some cases suspicion about Perdue's efforts to reshape USDA's research wing, according to coworkers. More are planning to leave in the coming months. For his part, Perdue has said the relocation was motivated by his desire to save taxpayer dollars, bring the research service closer to major farming regions, and help attract economists who could be deterred by Washington's high cost of living. "I really have been a little surprised with the naysayers on this," he said last month at a Senate Appropriations hearing, touting the move as a common-sense, cost-cutting measure. Perdue's office declined to provide information on the numbers of employees who've quit or respond to allegations of political interference in the research service. But the secretary alluded to frustrations with the quality of USDA research in comments to POLITICO on April 30, saying that all decision-making in the department must be "fact-based." "In USDA, we want good scientific discovery," Perdue said, when asked about the mandated research-disclosure language. "We want peer-based evidence there. We know that research, some has been found in the past to not have been adequately peer-reviewed in a way that created wrong information, and we're very serious when we say we're fact-based, data-driven decision makers. That relies on sound, replicatable science rather than opinion. What I see unfortunately happening many times is that we tried to make policy decisions based on political science rather than on sound science." Perdue and Trump made clear in their budget request in March that they wanted to reduce the scope of the ERS, eliminating "low priority research" into such politically sensitive areas as food stamps and environmental issues. The White House blueprint called for slashing ERS staff levels by more than 50 percent, cutting the total number of positions from about 329 to 160. The budget is unlikely to be approved by Congress, but members of the service say they've already seen the effects of Trump's and Perdue's preferences. "Things like conservation, rural development, food assistance, have just been de-emphasized" in favor of the administration's preferred topics, said one economist who left ERS because of the relocation plan. Former ERS Administrator Susan Offutt, who oversaw the service under Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush, said the agency's studies showing how USDA's farm-subsidy programs disproportionately benefit wealthier farmers have been a "perennial irritant" to influential lobbying groups, but an "over-the-top reaction" to clamp down on such reports would be unprecedented. "Of course, this is not the story the farm lobby wants to tell about struggling farmers," said Offutt. "Controlling ERS would stop unflattering news about federal farm subsidies favoring high-income, high-wealth farm households from reaching the public." Lawmakers have complained that USDA has yet to provide a full cost-benefit analysis of its plan to move the office closer to the heartland. Republicans have increasingly supported the relocation plan , while House Democrats have filed legislation to block the move. On Friday, the USDA announced three finalists for the new headquarters of the service and the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, which is also being moved out of Washington. The finalists are Kansas City, the North Carolina research triangle region and multiple locations in Indiana. Perdue's office has promised to release further data justifying the move when he announces a final site recommendation this month. Within the service, skeptical employees view the secretary's rationale for the move and the months-long site selection process carried out by accounting firm Ernst & Young as a smokescreen. "The message we've been getting is, 'The cost-benefit analysis doesn't matter. Being close to stakeholders doesn't matter. The only thing that matters for you is the fact that the secretary wants you to move, thinks it's in your best interest, and that's what we're doing,'" said another senior ERS economist who declined to use his name for fear of retaliation. Brian Stacy, a former ERS economist who left in February, said he thinks the move is a way for the administration to force out staff members and reduce the size of the ERS without congressional approval. "Part of me wonders whether this relocation is just a way to get at that staff reduction," Stacy said, referring to the president's budget request. "I don't know how else to read some of the moves being made." ERS employees are planning to vote on unionization on Thursday. USDA intends to keep 76 ERS employees in Washington and relocate 253 positions to the new location, USDA senior adviser Kristi Boswell told a House Appropriations panel in March. "This is the spiraling down of the fantastic work that the ERS has done for years," said Sonny Ramaswamy, who headed the National Institute of Food and Agriculture under the Obama and early Trump administrations. "It's one way to drain the swamp, as it were."


The Toyota Tacoma pickup truck has been around in some form or another since 1995, and it's been the best-selling midsize pickup for 13 years running. But as America's smaller truck segment heats up with newcomers like the Ford Ranger and Jeep Gladiator , the Tacoma can't just rest on its laurels. Research the Toyota Tacoma on MSN Autos | Find a Tacoma close by Thankfully, the Tacoma receives a number of updates for 2020. And while they don't radically shake up the Tacoma's formula, these new-for-2020 niceties make the midsize truck easier to live with than ever before. First and foremost, the Tacoma gets a small but necessary tech upgrade. Base SR models use a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, but all other Tacomas get an 8-inch head unit, all of which finally support Apple CarPlay and Android Auto , as well as Amazon Alexa. The rest of the multimedia system carries over without any major updates. Elsewhere in the cabin, the 2020 Tacoma gets a power driver's seat on all trims but the base SR. You might not think that's a big deal, but people have been asking for this for ages. The Tacoma's biggest updates are actually found outside, where most models get a new grille and headlight design. The top-shelf TRD Pro, however, retains its older grille with big " Toyota " badging across the middle. That said, the TRD Pro gets new LED headlamps with sequential turn signals, which freshens up the otherwise-carryover front fascia. Around back, the Tacoma's taillights receive small design tweaks. The Tacoma TRD Pro adds a new Army Green color to its palette, and it definitely looks better dirty than clean. This is an assessment I can make with confidence, following three days of off-roading in the Tacoma TRD Pro and TRD Off-Road models, where these trucks took me from the rocks of Moab, Utah, to the gorgeous mountain passes of Ouray, Colorado. Both the TRD Pro and TRD Off-Road Tacomas have Toyota's Multi-Terrain Select function, with options for Mud and Sand, Loose Rock, Rock and Dirt, Mogul and Rock. Out in Moab, it's the last of those modes that I use most, and it helps mitigate wheel spin pretty well on slick rocks, helping to give me as much traction as possible. In fact, I only find myself having to engage my rear differential lock a few times. These Tacoma models also come with a five-level Crawl Control system, which can keep the truck at a steady speed while off-roading. Unfortunately, the system is so loud in its action that I find myself turning it off after just a short while. Despite that newly adjustable driver's seat, it's still kind of hard to get a sense of where your wheels are in the Tacoma -- the long hood is the most prevalent thing I see out the windshield. The good news is, the TRD Pro and TRD Off-Road models get a new Multi-Terrain Monitor that displays a video of what's happening underneath the truck. The bad news, however, is that the video resolution is pretty terrible. A high-definition camera would be a huge help here. The Tacoma TRD Off-Road will take you to almost everywhere, but the TRD Pro should be your pick for super-serious off-roading. Compared to the TRD Off-Road, the Pro has a 1-inch lift at the front suspension and a 1-inch wider track overall. Its 2.5-inch Fox internal bypass shocks are a little bit better than the Bilsteins found on the TRD Off-Road, too. 2020 Toyota Tacoma gets a new face, tech Both of these TRD trucks come standard with the Tacoma's 3.5-liter V6 engine, which is good for 278 horsepower and 265 pound-feet of torque. A 2.7-liter, four-cylinder engine is the standard option on the lesser SR and SR5 trucks, but with only 159 horsepower and 180 pound-feet of torque, it's downright anemic compared to the V6. The V6 engine has plenty of torque to help me slowly manage off-road obstacles, but on the highway, it shows its weak points. Mind you, naturally aspirated engines always suffer at higher altitudes, so I'll cut the V6 some slack since my time on the highway starts at an elevation of 9,300 feet. But the six-speed automatic transmission isn't doing the truck any favors, either. It constantly hunts for the right gear, and the only way I can get it to settle down is by shifting into Sport mode for a modicum of control. But therein lie some more issues. Sport mode is a bit of a misnomer. When I move the gear-shifter to the left to engage this mode, the transmission displays a "4" in the gauge cluster, which looks to mean you're in fourth gear. But this isn't actually a gear indicator, it's a gear limiter. The transmission will shift itself, but only through the first four gears. You can 'upshift' to select fifth, but again, the transmission will work on its own, but without sixth gear. It's a bit confusing, but with fewer gears to choose from, the transmission isn't as eager to shift, especially on these steep, mountain roads. The Tacoma has a number of driver-assistance technologies standard across the board, including precollision braking with pedestrian detection, high-speed adaptive cruise control (meaning it only works above 25 mph), lane-departure alert and automatic high-beam headlights. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert join the party on Limited and TRD Pro trims, and are available as options on the TRD Sport and TRD Off-Road models. When properly equipped, the Tacoma can haul 1,600 pounds of payload and tow 6,000 pounds. That's not bad, considering the bones underneath this truck are seriously old. But if top-notch capability is a must-have for your midsize truck, the Ford Ranger beats the Toyota in both payload and towing, while the Jeep Gladiator just about matches the Taco's payload and can tow up to 7,650 pounds. Regardless of its shortcomings, the Tacoma is still a super-solid midsize truck. It looks great, has a more robust tech roster than ever and these trucks have proven to be hella reliable. There's also a ton of aftermarket support, should you want to upfit and customize your truck for serious off-road adventures. We'll have final pricing data soon, and the 2020 Tacoma is expected to hit dealers in late August or early September. It might not be all that different as it heads into 2020, but considering the Tacoma has been a sales star for more than a decade, I can't blame Toyota for not straying too far from that recipe for success. Research the Toyota Tacoma on MSN Autos | Find a Tacoma close by Editors' note: Travel costs related to this feature were covered by the manufacturer. This is common in the auto industry, as it's far more economical to ship journalists to cars than to ship cars to journalists. While Roadshow accepts multi-day vehicle loans from manufacturers in order to provide scored editorial reviews, all scored vehicle reviews are completed on our turf and on our terms. The judgments and opinions of Roadshow's editorial team are our own and we do not accept paid editorial content. This was originally published on Roadshow.


Three people were killed and at least 11 others were injured when at least one gunman opened fire Sunday evening at the Gilroy Garlic Festival in California, law enforcement officials said. A shooter was also killed, Gilroy Police Chief Scot Smithee said. A 6-year-old boy attending the food festival with his family was one of the three people killed.


POINT REYES NATIONAL SEASHORE, Calif.   An unexpected influx of elephant seals has restricted access to a beach at Point Reyes National Seashore northwest of San Francisco. The National Park Service closed entry to the Drakes Beach area this week after storms and high tides brought 200 elephant seals ashore, making it unsafe to walk from the parking lot to the beach. The only exception to the closure is between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. on weekends and federal holidays when park staffers are present. Massive elephant seals spend most of their time at sea. Males range from 14 to 16 feet (4.3 to 4.9 meters) long and weigh up to 5,000 pounds (2,268 kilograms). Females average 10 to 12 feet (3 to 3.6 meters) in length and weigh up to 2,000 pounds (907 kilograms).


Editor's note: The opinions in this article are the author's, as published by our content partner, and do not necessarily represent the views of MSN or Microsoft. The Islamic Republic of Iran is an enemy of the United States. It poses a constant threat to American interests. Iran was responsible for the murder of hundreds of American service personnel in Iraq between 2003 and 2011, as they sought to support Iraq's transition to a multisectarian democracy. Iran killed them for the same reason it killed Americans in Beirut in 1983 and has killed Americans across the world for the last 40 years. Our soldiers, Marines, and sailors stood in the way of the authoritarian Shiite empire that Iran's theocratic leadership seek to create. The U.S. must constrain Iran's construction of that empire. That's why we've cheered President Trump's efforts to renegotiate the flawed Iran nuclear deal of 2015, and we've cheered robust U.S. intelligence and political activity to restrain Iranian malevolence. The Obama administration's appeasement of Iran with billions of dollars and a blind eye to aggression only emboldened the hard-liners. But war with Iran, the risk of which appears to be growing, would be a terrible policy mistake, certain to cause the loss of thousands of American service personnel and civilians as well. Iran's leaders are increasingly desperate. Facing relentless U.S. sanctions pressure but the absence of clear American interest in nuclear-focused negotiations, the Iranian hard-liners are winning influence over Iranian leader Ali Khamenei. They may soon force America's hand by launching a reckless attack on U.S. interests. At that point, the U.S. will have to respond, and the risks of escalation will grow immensely. A major war would be a disaster for America and the region. Laptop generals like to paint a picture of war as easy, as if the U.S. could wage war by air power alone. The regime's removal would necessitate large numbers of U.S. ground forces fighting in a country whose population is twice that of Iraq and whose inhabitable land area is vastly larger. Considering Iran's apex-capability in asymmetric or insurgent-based warfare, U.S. ground forces would suffer appalling casualty rates. Conversely, if the U.S. employed a major air campaign merely to decapitate the Iranian leadership, Iran would lash out with all its power. The Iranian hardliners may be patient strategists, but they are also fanatics. They serve a theological project motivated by the perception of duty to God. They would not surrender. And as American bombs and missiles rained down on them, they would do all they could to strike back. That would mean terrorist attacks on American citizens, possibly also inside the U.S. It would mean ballistic missile attacks on U.S. allies including Israel, perhaps armed with chemical warheads. It would mean attacks on shipping throughout the Persian Gulf. It would mean Iran's unleashing of unrestrained sectarian warfare in Lebanon, Iraq, and Bahrain. It would unleash a world of unpredictability defined by ferocious and brutal violence. The possibility runs sharply against Trump's stated foreign policy vision of maintaining U.S. interests first and avoiding stupid wars. Trump has a better course of action here. Rightly aware of the need to deter attacks, he should clarify to Khamenei that any attack on U.S. interests will result in a significant retaliatory response. But Trump should also make clear to President Hassan Rouhani that he is interested in negotiating an improved nuclear agreement and that he has no interest in invading or initiating a war with Iran. Trump will do well so long as his preference is for diplomacy from a position of strength and against a war that would damage or destroy diplomacy, world stability, lives, and American interests.


GREENSBORO, N.C.   After 10 months, 43 events and countless projections, the PGA Tour's regular season is finally nearing the finish line. It's been a test of endurance leading to the Wyndham Championship in steamy Greensboro, where each of the contenders for the Sam Snead Cup has something to play for. Even if the priorities are different among the various contenders, there's no mistaking that everyone at Sedgefield has an agenda. Take Byeong-Hun An, the youngest-ever U.S. Amateur winner who captured the European Tour's flagship event four years ago. He's winless on this side of the Atlantic, this despite a pair of playoff losses in recent years, and heads into Sunday with a one-shot lead . "Playing in the final group, that's what I've been wanting to do my whole career," An said. "Hopefully I can pull it out tomorrow and play my best golf so I can win it." An has gone 54 holes without making a single bogey, an impressive feat but also an especially handy stat this week given the thin margin for error in a setting where 20 under might not be enough to snag the trophy. His blemish-free, 17-under total still only puts him one shot clear of perhaps the biggest threat on the leaderboard, Webb Simpson. Simpson earned his first victory here back in 2011, named his daughter Wyndham a few years later and has become a staple on the Greensboro leaderboards. He's once again pouring it on at one of his favorite haunts, having gone to school at nearby Wake Forest. "I wouldn't be surprised if somebody shot 8, 9, 10 under, a guy who's within striking distance," Simpson said. "I've got to keep the pedal down, and if I don't shoot a low one, I'm not going to win." Full-field scores from the Wyndham Championship Full coverage of the Wyndham Championship Simpson has more than just the trophy to play for, since a top-5 finish would also push him into the top 10 in the lucrative Wyndham Rewards program and add a minimum of $500,000 to an already hefty payday. Joining him in that top-10 pursuit is Paul Casey, the only player among the current top 10 to visit Greensboro this week and a notable name among the tie for fifth at 14 under, three shots off the lead. "I thought originally at the start of the week, I thought I had 20 (under) in my mind," Casey said. "So my goal was 5 (under) a day, so I've slipped behind that schedule. But I don't think it's going to be low enough." But at the regular-season finale, the drama drifts beyond the top finishers. Cards and exemptions for next season are at stake, with players moving onto either side of the top-125 bubble with each birdie and bogey. While many of the names shifting near the bubble are already exempt for next season because of recent wins, the same can't be said of Shawn Stefani. Stefani is a prototypical journeyman, in the midst of his seventh full season on Tour but still in search of his first win. Three years ago he left Sedgefield in tears after moving into the top 125 to keep his card at the buzzer, and he's in position to do so again after moving from 134th to 125th in the latest projections. "Just got to go play my game and play hard. I mean, I'm playing good golf right now," said Stefani, who will start the final round in a tie for 16th at 11 under. "I'm really not thinking about it too much, truthfully. If I can stay in the moment, focus on what I'm doing, I think we'll be fine." Throw in wunderkind Viktor Hovland (T-5) looking to become the latest recent graduate with a trophy on his shelf , and Brice Garnett (T-2) and Ryan Armour (fourth) both looking to secure their first-ever Masters invites with victories, and the permutations and possibilities run wild. But no matter how things shake out in the 172nd and final round of the Tour's regular season, there are sure to be equal parts celebration and heartbreak. It comes with the territory of the final stanza, where wheat and chaff are separated with a ruthless efficiency as livelihoods hang on every shot and putt. "There's a lot of great players near the top of that leaderboard," Casey said. "It's certainly going to be a fun Sunday. It's going to be a bit of a shootout."


GRAHAM, N.C.   Sheriff's deputies in North Carolina have filed multiple charges against the mother of a 21-month-old child after saying they found methamphetamine near a baby bottle. The Winston-Salem Journal reports the Alamance County Sheriff's Office says its deputies were trying to serve a warrant at a home on Sunday when 27-year-old Kyle Elizabeth Hollingsworth allowed deputies inside to search for her live-in boyfriend. While searching, deputies found a bottle containing meth less than a foot (0.3 meter) from a half-full baby bottle. Hollingsworth admitted that her child was drinking from the bottle in the same bed prior to the deputies' arrival. She was arrested on several charges, including felony possession of methamphetamine and misdemeanor child abuse. Hollingsworth is jailed on a $25,000 bond and was scheduled to appear in court Monday. ___ Information from: Winston-Salem Journal, http://www.journalnow.com


An Ohio public library is no longer planning to host a one-day "Drag 101" class for teens due to the number of "veiled threats" it received. The Delaware County, Ohio, District Library had planned to hold a class taught by former Miss Gay Ohio America and local drag queen Selena T. West, as well as philanthropist Nina West, at its Orange branch on June 5, according to The Columbus Dispatch . But library spokeswoman Nicole Fowles said that the library had received hundreds of phone calls and emails, many from out of state, about the event following its announcement. "A small number of (the phone calls and emails) were hostile," Fowles said, adding that the high volume of messages at one point interfered with the librarians' ability to work. "A smaller number were veiled threats." The library decided on Tuesday that it would cancel the event after holding a meeting with Delaware County Sheriff Russell Martin. "When we went into the meeting, he said he shared our concerns, and that was the final decision for us," Fowles told The Dispatch. "It really does break our hearts." The "Drag 101" class will instead be hosted at a local comics book store in early June. The class' goal is to show that "drag is for everyone," the newspaper noted. This isn't the first time a library's plan to teach children and young adults about drag has sparked controversy. A South Carolina library event called "Drag Queen Story Hour" led to a petition with the hope of shutting it down in January.