[What you need to know to start the day: Get New York Today in your inbox .] When she first attended classes run by the self-help group Nxivm, Sylvie noticed multiple pictures on display of the group's leader, Keith Raniere, known as Vanguard. People in the classes, held in Albany, appeared to venerate Mr. Raniere, Sylvie testified during his racketeering and sex trafficking trial. She said class participants clapped, bowed, huddled, recited a "mission statement" and then said in unison "Thank you, Vanguard!" The experience left her thinking she would never take another class, Sylvie said. Yet she did, eventually joining a clandestine subgroup within Nxivm in which she was called a "slave" and required to blindly obey a "master." She even allowed Mr. Raniere to perform oral sex on her, believing she could not refuse. For six weeks, the question of how Mr. Raniere persuaded so many seemingly perceptive people to let him control their lives has hung over his federal racketeering trial in Brooklyn. Six former Nxivm members have taken the stand, providing a window into how the group indoctrinated people, undermined their moral beliefs and convinced them to blindly follow Mr. Raniere's edicts, even when that meant breaking the law or tolerating unwelcome sexual contact. Over the years, Nxivm's curriculums provided the philosophical framework for a group in which members were taught to substitute Mr. Raniere's principles for their own and see deviation from his teachings as heresy. The community was an echo chamber, witnesses said, and dissenters were subject to recrimination. At the root of Nxivm teachings, witnesses said, was the notion that people had to learn to override their instincts, behave rationally and reject social conventions that turned them into "robots." Richard Ross, who runs the Cult Education Institute in Trenton, testified that he was hired by the parents of Nxivm members to extricate them from the group. "It became clear to me that this was a personality-driven group defined by a leader, eerily reminiscent of Scientology and L. Ron Hubbard," he said. Besides Sylvie, the jury has heard from three other witnesses: Daniela, "J" and Nicole, whose full names were withheld because they were considered victims. Two former high-ranking Nxivm leaders, Lauren Salzman and Mark Vicente, also testified. Ms. Salzman, whose mother founded Nxivm with Mr. Raniere, was indicted along with him but pleaded guilty in March. Dr. Janja Lalich, a sociologist at California State University, Chico , and an author of books on cults, said Nxivm shares characteristics with many of these types of groups. Cults often display a zealous commitment to a special and unaccountable leader, discourage dissent and control members through shame, guilt and peer pressure, she said. "The more that they have absorbed and internalized the belief system the harder it is to question it," she said of cult members. "Your personal sense of self has been replaced by your cult self and when you've become enveloped in a sphere of influence all the aberrant behavior becomes normalized." Mr. Raniere, 58, co-founded Nxivm (pronounced NEX-ee-um) in the 1990s as a self-help organization based near Albany. Members regarded him as the most ethical man in the world and someone who could help them lead more fulfilling lives. Prosecutors have said that he exploited his followers, who paid thousands of dollars for courses. Among other things, Mr. Raniere is accused of founding the secret subgroup, called D.O.S., which included women who were branded with his initials and assigned to have sex with him. He is now facing conspiracy, racketeering, identity theft, extortion, forced labor, money laundering, wire fraud and sex trafficking charges. His lawyers have said that Mr. Raniere's teachings benefited untold people and his sexual relationships were consensual. While some may question his methods, they said, Mr. Raniere acted in good faith. During the trial, several witnesses described Mr. Raniere's exalted standing among his followers. "People would talk about how he could affect weather, how he would affect technology," said Mr. Vicente, a filmmaker from Los Angeles. "By the time you saw him, it was a little bit like you were seeing, you know, some kind of god." Ms. Salzman, who was among as many as 20 women said to have had a sexual relationship with Mr. Raniere, testified that some Nxivm programs were "creating a community of people and kind of even an army of people to insulate and protect Keith and his views and legitimize and advocate for the lifestyle that he wanted." According to the testimony, Nxivm leaders sought to learn what people most wanted or feared, then presented courses as a solution. Mr. Vicente said that some upper-level courses were aimed at changing students' "programming," likening the process to hacking a computer. The courses eroded people's "instinctual" sense of ethics, he said. "It in essence played with our moral compass," he said. The courses served as a recruiting ground and a means of evaluating how susceptible people were to Mr. Raniere's philosophy, said Daniel Shaw, a psychoanalyst and the author of a book that explores the relationship between cult leaders and their followers. Mr. Shaw, who said he had spoken with 20 or more former Nxivm members over the years, said the teachings were intended to improve people's lives, but they were also designed to test the limits of how far they might go to advance Mr. Raniere's goals. A Nxivm program called Jness taught that women are fundamentally self-absorbed, narcissistic and manipulative, Sylvie said, leading her to "hate the fact that I was a woman." Sylvie, who joined the group at age 18, believed that additional classes could "fix" her. She testified that D.O.S. was presented as something that would "help me be the person that I've always wanted to be." Nobody told her that Mr. Raniere was involved. To join she gave explicit photographs of herself to a senior D.O.S. member, Monica Duran. Sylvie said she was told that providing "collateral" was meant to show dedication. In reality, she said, the fear of its dissemination made her feel she could not refuse orders from her master, Ms. Duran, including one that led her to a bedroom where Mr. Raniere performed oral sex on her. "It just felt like in a whole different realm of darkness," she said. "It was nothing like what I expected in the conversation with Monica in the Jness room about me becoming a better person." Some ex-Nxivm members said that they remained in the group despite reservations partly because they did not want to doubt people and programs they had trusted. An actress from California named Nicole said she joined D.O.S. at the invitation of Allison Mack, known for her role on the television series "Smallville," whom she looked upon as a mentor. Ms. Mack assuaged any fears she had. "I was already stuck," Nicole testified. "I wanted to believe her." Another witness, identified as "J," testified that her D.O.S. collateral included an account of being sexually molested when she was 12. Ms. Mack later told her that fulfilling an assignment to "seduce" Mr. Raniere would help heal the trauma from that incident, "J" said. "My understanding now is that I was being groomed to be part of his harem," she testified, adding that she fled and did not carry out the assignment. Nxivm members were also conditioned to believe in Mr. Raniere's moral superiority. People who displeased him were often accused of "ethical breaches," witnesses said, and were expected to repair them through "penance." Those who did not could be shunned. Daniela, whose parents moved to New York State from Mexico to join Nxivm, testified that Mr. Raniere began a sexual relationship with her and with her younger sister when both were teenagers. He became enraged, Daniela said, when she told him she was attracted to another man. But Mr. Raniere told others that Daniela was being punished for acting overly "prideful." "I felt that I was bad, that I had done something wrong, that really I had something that I needed to fix," Daniela testified. Finally, Mr. Raniere directed that she be confined to a room until she had mended her breach. She remained in the room for nearly two years until her father and a senior Nxivm member drove her to the Mexican border. "I think that we were being incredibly abusive," Ms. Salzman testified. "Nothing she could do was the right thing, and she got no help and was just cast out of the family."


Gallery by photo services LAWRENCE, Kansas   A two-week barrage of tornadoes that's ravaged much of the Midwest left this university town reeling Wednesday after tearing apart dozens of homes and businesses and injuring at least 15 people. The latest wave of severe weather wreaked havoc Tuesday all the way to Pennsylvania , where Caernarvon Township Police Chief John Scalia said no injuries were reported but confirmed that "we have devastation." Tornado watches and warnings were in effect Wednesday in several states from Texas and Arkansas to Pennsylvania. The Fort Worth area in Texas was among areas where conditions appeared primed for the worst. "Tornado threat continues across the warned area," the National Weather Service in Fort Worth tweeted Wednesday afternoon. "There have been reports of funnels as well as golf ball size hail. Seek shelter immediately!" Tuesday marked the 12th straight day that at least eight tornadoes were reported to the National Weather Service. Twisters have killed at least 10 people during that time. Related video: Vicious storm spawns tornadoes in Kansas City area (Associated Press) In Lawrence, the Douglas County Sheriff's Office said three of the injuries from their tornado were serious. However, "we are happy to report that no fatalities have been reported," the sheriff's office said on Twitter. Downed power lines, trees and debris blocked off roads in and around Lawrence, the home to the University of Kansas about 40 miles west of Kansas City. Billy and Julie Brumley, both 59, picked through the wreckage of their bedroom Wednesday, the roof and two walls ripped away. Billy Brumley recalled being alone in the home when the storm hit   rushing to the basement, lying face down with a blanket pulled over his body as the storm roared overhead. "I thought I was going to die," Brumley said. Vic and Colleen Strnad had spent several minutes hunkered down beneath their basement stairs, hands over their heads, as the twister slammed through their Shank Hill neighborhood. Colleen Strnad, 68, recalled hearing the winds pick up above them and the sounds of shattering glass. The power was still out Wednesday and their home of 40 years will need substantial repairs, but the couple were thankful it was still standing. Power lines hung low over their street, and utility trucks were lining up a few miles away. A neighbor lost the second floor of the family's home. A trampoline was overturned in a nearby tangle of trees. Vic Strnad, 71, pointed to a mangled 6-foot-tall decorative windmill sitting in a neighbor's ditch. Before the storm, the windmill was on display in Strnad's yard. "You want me to come get my windmill?" Strnad asked the neighbor with a laugh. "Nah, I think it'll be OK," he responded, waving him off with a chuckle before returning his attention to his own mangled home. The storm spared the immediate Kansas City metro area, but travelers at Kansas City International Airport took shelter in parking garage tunnels as a precaution. Air traffic controllers delayed all flights until just after midnight local time. "We apologize for the inconvenience," the airport said in a tweet at 12:20 a.m. Wednesday. "A tornado destroyed homes and businesses miles away & debris rained down onto the airport. Our crews had to clean it up in order to be safe." As the system moved into Missouri, the weather service urged residents of areas such as Excelsior Estates and Mosby to take shelter from confirmed tornadoes. Damage reports were not immediately available, but about 13,000 customers lost power throughout the state. The White House issued a state of emergency in 18 Kansas counties Tuesday evening. The tornado sightings are part of a massive severe weather system mostly positioned in the central United States. Preliminary reports show 28 tornadoes struck mainly Kansas and Missouri on Tuesday, the Storm Prediction Center said. But the East has not been entirely spared. On Monday, tornadoes reached into Ohio, killing one person, injuring several more and causing severe damage to neighborhoods. Almost 40,000 homes and businesses remained without power Wednesday morning. On Tuesday, tornado warnings reached as far east as Pennsylvania, Maryland, New York and New Jersey. In northern New Jersey, fierce storms pounded the region with torrential rains, some hail and a tornado that damaged Lenape Valley Regional High School in Stanhope. The National Weather Service confirmed that a tornado hit eastern Pennsylvania, and a team was sent to Morgantown in Berks County to survey the damage and determine its strength. County emergency officials reported structural damage to about 20 properties. "We are very, very lucky and blessed," Chief Scalia said. "When you drive around and see the destruction, you realize how lucky we are that nobody was hurt." Bacon reported from McLean, Va. Contributing: Kristin Lam, USA TODAY; Jasmine Vaughn-Hall, York Daily Record; William Westhoven, Morristown Daily Record; The Associated Press This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 'Seek shelter immediately!': Texas braces as tornadoes continue assault on nation


Civic Center , Mid-Market , Tenderloin , Union Square It's time for another look at notable crimes reported by SFPD's Tenderloin Station in the weeks since our last roundup . Unless otherwise noted, all details come directly from police reports. Children knocked down by man fleeing security A 30-year-old man was arrested on the 800 block of Market Street (between Fourth and Fifth streets) around 5:02 p.m. on May 4, after attempting to flee a business' security guard. In the process of fleeing, the suspect knocked over two young girls, ages 2 and 4, and was then detained by police. Man loses consciousness after metal pipe attack Around 5:15 p.m. on May 3, a man, said to be 46 years old, approached a 49-year-old man near the intersection of Eddy and Mason streets, striking him with a metal rod. The victim lost consciousness, and when he came to, the suspect was gone. He remains unidentified. Man stabbed after argument Two 23-year-old men were arguing near the intersection of Seventh and Stevenson streets around 4:55 p.m. on May 2, when one of the men got out of his car and stabbed the other. SFPD arrived and arrested the suspect. The victim was treated for a non-life-threatening wound to his right arm. Man assaulted in daylight phone robbery Around 9:09 a.m. on May 1, a 24-year-old man was assaulted by another man, said to be in his thirties, on the 200 block of Leavenworth Street (near Turk). After punching the victim, the suspect stole his phone and fled. Man loses phone in assault A man said to be in his thirties approached a 26-year-old man on the 300 block of Ellis Street (near Taylor) around 11:55 p.m. on April 29. Police say the suspect grabbed the victim's cellphone and punched him in the face before fleeing on foot. Woman confronts robbery suspect after phone-snatching Around 4:00 a.m. on April 28, an unknown male suspect grabbed a 43-year-old woman's phone from her pocket near the intersection of 5th and Market streets. The woman confronted the suspect, who pushed her to the ground before fleeing the scene. Man flees in vehicle after phone snatching A 45-year-old man was holding his phone near the intersection of Fifth and Stevenson streets around 2:05 p.m. on April 24, when he was punched by a man said to be in his late teens or early twenties. The suspect then stole the victim's phone from his hand. The victim gave chase, but the suspect was able to escape in a nearby car. No arrest has been made. Man punched, robbed by suspects Around 11 a.m. on April 23, a 48-year-old man was punched by two suspects, one said to be in his thirties and the other in his sixties, near the intersection of Seventh and Stevenson streets. The two unidentified suspects stole the man's headphones and phone before getting into a car and fleeing the scene. Unknown suspect punches, robs man near Union Square Just after 12:15 a.m. on May 23, an unknown male suspect punched a 64-year-old man on the 800 block of Market Street (near Stockton), stole his backpack, and fled. Woman attacked, stabbed by 20 suspects 20 suspects, all said to be in their late teens or early twenties, jumped a 22-year-old woman on the 100 block of Turk Street (near Taylor) just before 11 p.m. on April 22. The victim, who was cut on her face with a knife during the attack, was taken to the hospital for non-life-threatening injuries. No arrests have been made. Man loses cash in morning robbery A 40-year-old man was walking home on the unit block of Sixth Street (near Market) around 10 a.m. on April 21 when a man, said to be in his fifties, punched him and stole his cash. The suspect fled on foot, and has not been identified. Victim knocked out in assault A 34-year-old man was walking near the intersection of Jones and O'Farrell streets around 11:30 p.m. on April 20 when he heard someone yell. He didn't get a good luck at the suspect, who immediately knocked him unconscious. When the victim awoke, he was lying on the ground with his pants cut and his phone missing. He was treated at the hospital for non-life-threatening injuries. The suspect has not been identified. Three suspects attack, strangle man with chain Around 11 p.m. on April 20, three suspects   two men said to be 40 years old and a woman in her thirties   attacked and robbed a 69-year-old man near the intersection of Ellis and Leavenworth streets. The suspects attempted to strangle the victim by placing a chain around his neck. They then punched the victim in his face and back and stole his wallet, money, and ID before he was able to flee the scene. No arrests have been made. Man stabbed by cyclist A 47-year-old man was talking to a friend on the 500 block of Ellis Street (near Leavenworth) when another man, said to be around 30, approached him from behind on a bicycle. The suspect stabbed the victim three times with a knife before fleeing on his bicycle. Man loses consciousness after punching attack Between 8 and 9 p.m. on April 17, a 53-year-old man was walking on the unit block of Sixth Street (near Market) when an unknown male suspect approached and said something to him. The victim did not respond, so the suspect punched him before fleeing the scene. The victim walked home, but lost consciousness in his apartment building's lobby. He had to be taken to the hospital for non-life-threatening injuries. Anyone with information about any of the above incidents is encouraged to contact SFPD via its anonymous tip line at (415) 575-4444, or email SFPDtenderloinstation@sfgov.org.


The Xfinity Series takes to Watkins Glen International for today's Zippo 200 at The Glen, kicking off three road course races in the next four events. Will Tyler Reddick , Christopher Bell or Cole Custer continue their dominance? With five drivers qualified for the upcoming 12-driver Xfinity playoffs, this could prove to be a pivotal race for drivers who have yet to qualify, including Justin Allgaier , Austin Cindric , Noah Gragson , Justin Haley and John Hunter Nemechek . Here's all the info you need for today's Zippo 200: All times are Eastern) START: The command to start engines will be given at 3:15 p.m. by Monte Hudda, owner of Star Importers. The green flag is scheduled to wave at 3:26 p.m. PRERACE: Garage opens at 9:30 a.m. Qualifying (multi-car, two rounds) is at 11:40 a.m. Driver/crew chief meeting is at 12:45 p.m. Driver introductions are at 2:30 p.m. The invocation will be given at 3:08 p.m. by Rev. David Fife, Elmwood Avenue Baptist Church. Trina Vargas will perform the National Anthem at 3:09 p.m. DISTANCE: The race is 82 laps (200.9 miles) around the 2.450-mile road course. STAGES: Stage 1 ends on Lap 20. Stage 2 ends on Lap 40. TV/RADIO: NBC will televise the race. Coverage begins at 3 p.m. The Motor Racing Network's radio broadcast begins at 2:30 p.m and also can be heard on mrn.com. SiriusXM NASCAR Radio will carry MRN's broadcast. FORECAST: Wunderground.com forecasts a temperature of 83 degrees with a 13% chance of precipitation at the race start time. TO THE REAR: Cole Custer (backup car), Josh Williams (engine change) LAST TIME: Joey Logano won last year's race over A.J. Allmendinger and Justin Allgaier. STARTING LINEUP: Click here


Shane Lowry shot a stunning 63 Saturday to take a four-shot lead into the final round of the British Open in Portrush, Northern Ireland. The Irishman started Saturday as co-leader with J.B. Holmes but ended the day six shots clear of the American, with Tommy Fleetwood now his nearest rival. After posting back-to-back 67s, Lowry shot a blemish-free third round for the best score of the week so far at Royal Portrush as he moved to 16 under overall. But he faces a stiff challenge Sunday, not only from fellow maiden major hopeful Fleetwood, but also the weather, with tee times having been moved up amid a forecast of potential storms. And it is not only the conditions that will test Lowry, who led by four going into the last round of the 2016 U.S. Open at Oakmont before collapsing and finishing three back of Dustin Johnson, as four-time major winner Brooks Koepka is one shot behind Holmes at 9 under, along with Justin Rose. Holmes got to 11 under by the 12th, but his round stalled before a birdie at 18, while Lee Westwood endured a back-nine decline to fall eight shots back. The likes of Jon Rahm, Jordan Spieth, Tony Finau and Danny Willett at 7 under almost certainly have too much work to do. A flop to finish @tonyfinaugolf with the shot of the day on 18! #TheOpen pic.twitter.com/KrgvsbtzTy   The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) July 20, 2019 On a warm and relatively calm day in Northern Ireland, it was Lowry who capitalized most to turn in a scorecard that boasted eight birdies. Met with raucous applause onto every tee, he left most greens with a similar din ringing in his ears as his putter ran hot in a superb all-round display. MORE : British Open 2019: Sunday tee times moved up due to adverse weather threat at Portrush Lowry birdied 15, 16 and 17 and very nearly nailed a 25-foot putt for another at 18, which would have equaled the best score in Open history, but he settled for a par to seal the greatest round of his life. He will hope Sunday brings an even greater reward.


Interested in adopting a pet   or just looking at some cuddly canines? There are dozens of deserving dogs up for adoption at animal shelters in and around Philadelphia. Animal shelters work hard to care for unhoused pets and connect them to loving homes. Hoodline used data from Petfinder to power this roundup of dogs currently available for adoption. (Details like pet availability, training, vaccinations and other features are based on data provided by Petfinder and may be subject to change; contact the shelter for the latest information.) Duke, shepherd mix Duke is an adorable male shepherd mix currently housed at Furry Tales International Rescue Team . Duke plays well with others   he's happy to keep company with cats, dogs and children. His vaccinations are up to date, and he is neutered. He has mastered his house-training etiquette. Here's more about him: He loves hugs and kisses. He needs an owner who will take him on active walks at least two times per day. Read more about Duke on Petfinder . Iris, mixed breed Iris is a female mixed breed dog currently residing at Hart 2 Heart Animal Rescue . Her vaccinations are already up to date, and she's spayed. No need to worry: She's already house-trained. Here's more about her: Iris is a seven-year-old pup, who loves snuggling on the couch. She would be best suited as the only dog in the home, as she likes to keep the toys and treats to herself. She doesn't have much experience with cats, but would do best with older children. Read more about Iris on Petfinder . Marvel, Australian cattle dog Marvel is a female Australian cattle dog dog in the care of Australian Cattle Dog Rescue Association, Inc. Marvel is a social butterfly, and she's happy to keep company with other dogs. She has mastered her house-training etiquette. She has all of her shots, and she is spayed. Here's more about her: Marvel is a two-year-old, who is a fun, affectionate and loving dog pup. She loves being outdoors and will need plenty of space. She loves to chase birds and cars, so her new home should have a fenced yard, as well as an owner who is prepared to work with her. Read more about Marvel on Petfinder . Chase, American bulldog mix Chase is a handsome male American bulldog mix in the care of Diamonds in the Ruff Rescue . Chase will get along great with your other dogs. Fear not: He's already house-trained. He has all of his shots, and he is neutered. Here's more about him: Chase is a sweet pup, who loves to play all the time. He also enjoys laying on the couch and snuggling for hours. Read more about how to adopt Chase on Petfinder . This story was created automatically using local animal shelter data, then reviewed by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.


PALM COAST -- Four men were arrested Friday evening after stealing a car in Holly Hill, ditching it in a driveway in Palm Coast and fleeing into the woods, authorities said. The driver, 18-year-old Jemari Overstreet, was arrested at 6:30 p.m. and passengers Steven Johnson, 20, Heron Burson, 18, and James Simms, 16, were also taken into custody about 6:30 p.m., according to Flagler County Sheriff's Office reports. Just before 5:30 p.m. the license plate of a reckless driver on southbound I-95 was matched to a gray 2011 Hyundai Santa Fe that was reported stolen to the Holly Hill Police Department, FCSO spokeswoman Brittany Kershaw wrote in a press release. Deputies attempted to use stop sticks, but because of Overstreet's recklessness, the Sheriff's Office stopped the attempt for the safety of the community. They instead set-up a perimeter in the area, Kershaw said. A resident on Banner Lane called 9-1-1 and reported that three males ran through her yard and jumped over her privacy fence. The stolen vehicle was found in a driveway on Banner Lane, empty with the engine still running. Flagler County FireFlight offered aerial support and FCSO K-9 Units tracked the subjects, who were found in the woods behind Bannbury Lane, the release stated. "I was out with our deputies during this incident and it was clearly evident that the driver of the stolen vehicle had complete disregard for the safety of other motorists on the roadway," Sheriff Rick Staly said. "They could have caused a very serious crash by their actions. I am proud of our deputies for safely apprehending these suspects and taking them in to custody without anyone getting hurt. This is another great example of our teamwork, technology and strategies working to quickly apprehend criminals with support from the community." Overstreet was charged with grand theft, fleeing and eluding law enforcement, driving without a driver's license, burglary of a conveyance, burglary of a dwelling, resisting an office without violence and loitering or prowling. He is being held on $20,100 bond at the Flagler County Sheriff's Office Jail. Burson, Johnson and Simms were each charged with burglary of a conveyance, burglary of a dwelling, resisting an officer without violence and loitering or prowling. Johnson is being held on $11,100 bail. Burson was also charged with giving a false name to law enforcement and is currently on felony juvenile probation for burglary and grand theft. He is being held without bond. ___ (c)2019 The News-Journal, Daytona Beach, Fla. Visit The News-Journal, Daytona Beach, Fla. at www.news-journalonline.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.


LOS ANGELES, CA   The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approved a policy Tuesday clarifying that county employees shall be held accountable for lying. The policy stems from an April 2017 board motion aimed at making it easier to fire deputies, social workers or other county employees who cannot be trusted. Then-Sheriff Jim McDonnell was pushing back against a Civil Service Commission that allowed deputies to keep their jobs despite having lied. And four social workers and supervisors -- who are still awaiting trial -- were charged with falsifying records related to Gabriel Fernandez, an 8-year-old Palmdale boy who was tortured to death by his mother and her boyfriend. Chief Executive Officer Sachi Hamai recommended the honesty policy in November 2017 as one way to improve accountability within the civil service process. While Hamai said there were already mechanisms in place to deal with acts of workplace dishonesty, the new policy would put public safety employees and others in critical positions on notice that they would be held to the highest standards. At the time, she advised including a reference to the Law Enforcement Code of Ethics, which does not seem to have made the final cut. The policy reads as follows: -- Departments shall hold all employees accountable when dishonest, untruthful or when demonstrating a lack of integrity; -- Departments shall hold employees, including those working in public safety, patient care, judicial affairs, and those holding fiduciary responsibilities to clients, to high standards of honesty and conduct; and -- Departments shall issue appropriate levels of corrective action, which may include discipline up to and including discharge from county service, to those employees who act dishonestly, untruthfully, and/or who demonstrate a lack of integrity. None of the board members commented on the issue before voting to approve the change along with a number of other items on the agenda. The new policy comes as the board continues to fight a court battle with Sheriff Alex Villanueva about his reinstatement of Caren Carl Mandoyan, a deputy previously terminated based on evidence of domestic violence. Villanueva reinstated him, saying Mandoyan was unfairly terminated, and promised the deputy back pay. The county has refused to pay the deputy, who remains on duty. A hearing on the county lawsuit is set for Aug. 16. By ELIZABETH MARCELLINO, City News Service


Just days before New York Mets first baseman Peter Alonso is set to make some incredible memories in his first All-Star Game, he took time out to create a lifelong memory for a young fan at Citi Field. Before Friday's game against the Philadelphia Phillies, Alonso threw a baseball into a young fan in the stands then invited him down on the field for a game of catch. Pete Alonso threw a kid a ball, then asked if he wanted to play catch. The kid will probably tell this story forever. pic.twitter.com/Tjm1KCwrJx   Justin Toscano (@JustinCToscano) July 5, 2019 It's already a memorable moment in a child's life to even catch a baseball from an MLB star, but Alonso took it a step further by letting the kid step onto Citi Field and get a taste of the MLB life. The 24-year-old is already emerging as one of New York's biggest stars and will also be participating in the 2019 Home Run Derby. This is just an incredible move by Alonso and speaks to why he is so loved by baseball fans in New York. Related slideshow: 2019 MLB season (provided by imagn)


Just knowing what things are called on newer cars isn't enough. One of the quickest ways to let gearheads know your naïve about cars is to call a specific part a "thing" or even worse, the wrong name. Car culture is full of shibboleths or anachronisms that the average person either doesn't understand or is completely unaware exist. This is especially true when talking about classic cars. You need to know the lingo, or you'll be pegged as a poser in no time. Fortunately, Classic Car Club of America has produced a guide for speaking the language of CCCA. This CCCA guide is loaded with classic car terms so you don't make a fool of yourself and not even know it. The problem is if you want to use modern names for components, that's not what everything was called when these cars were made. Way back when automobiles were first coming into prominence, car designers and automakers will still using terms from coachbuilding. They also made up terms for marketing purposes. More Classic Rides: 1964 Studebaker Commander Wagonaire Lives Up To Its Name Arizona Barn Find 1957 Cadillac Coupe DeVille Is A Cool Project Car One term you probably get wrong is "cabriolet." They actually aren't necessarily two-door cars, but instead are a convertible with windows. That means a four-door could be a cabriolet as long as it has a convertible top and windows. You probably already know a "boot" is the car's trunk, and that the "bonnet" is the hood. Both terms are still actively used in Britain. But, were you aware that when it comes to the classics, a "station wagon" is built of wood and is a utility model? Usually station wagons have four doors, but that's not necessary. Some people think any wagon is a station wagon, but if it's not built out of wood, technically it's not one. When you talk about a tonneau today, it's usually referring to a cover for a pickup truck's payload. When it comes to classics, the tonneau is the rear compartment in a car's body and is normally used for an open touring model. This shows how terms shift and change over time. If you want to learn more classic car terms, check out the CCCA glossary here .


Manchester United are preparing to kick off a make or break 2019/20 season. Cult legend Ole Gunnar Solskjaer heads into his first full season as manager, with a vital pre-season now under his belt after taking over the job in middle of the last campaign. There are new faces and a new style of play that is more like the United way of old, but the project has still really only just begun. Here's a look at everything you need to know... Last Season United's 2018/19 season can be broken into three fairly separate chunks. There was the decidedly poor first half under Jose Mourinho that led to the Portuguese's sacking in December after a run of one win in six games and a much talked about toxic atmosphere. Then came the bounce with Solskjaer as caretaker boss, resulting in eight consecutive wins in all competitions, eight straight away wins, a 12-game Premier League unbeaten streak, and a Premier League for most points (25) in a manager's first nine games in charge. In stark contrast to that, United then won just two of their final 12 games in all competitions and the season concluding with a 0-0 draw against Huddersfield and a home defeat by Cardiff. Player attitudes were seriously questioned, but fitness was just as much of an issue after Solskjaer had demanded a tactical shift that the players simply weren't prepared for. Pre-Season As a result of the way last season finished, pre-season was always going to be vital for Solskjaer and fitness-oriented sessions made up the bulk of the early training. It looked to have had an impact on the pre-season tour of Australia and Asia as players looked far sharper, pressing high, attacking with pace and hitting opponents on the counter. United enjoyed 2-0 and 4-0 wins over Perth Glory and Leeds respectively, before playing Inter off the pitch in a 1-0 victory in China, and scoring early bragging rights by beating Tottenham. United struggled to break down Kristiansund in a homecoming game for Solskjaer in Norway, but still prevailed 1-0 after a late penalty, while a final friendly against AC Milan in Cardiff finished 2-2, with United going on to win the tie in a penalty shootout. New signings and home grown youngsters impressed throughout, with 17-year-old striker Mason Greenwood firmly staking his claim for a permanent first team place. Transfers In The transfer window was mixed for United. The club had a clear plan after the wasteful scatter graph approach of recent years and moved for Daniel James (£15m) and Aaron Wan-Bissaka (£45m) early, both young domestic players intended as long-term solutions to known weakness. The £80m Harry Maguire deal took until August to complete, but the England star was again targeted for similar reasons and improves what was a shamefully poor defence last season. Fans were hoping for more, particularly in midfield. Late deals for Paulo Dybala and Christian Eriksen were called off, while there was never serious interest in Bruno Fernandes. United wanted to sign players who could specifically improve the team and were interested in the long-term project. Faced with pressure to buy, club officials stuck by their guns as signing the wrong players would arguably have been more damaging than doing nothing. Transfers Out United released Antonio Valencia after 10 years of service, with the veteran winger/full-back returning home to Ecuador with LDU Quito. Ander Herrera also left as a free agent after failing to agree a new contract and joined Paris Saint-Germain. Romelu Lukaku made clear his intention to leave and was sold to Inter in a deal worth £73m, with Solskjaer explaining that the Belgian wasn't replaced in order to allow Greenwood to develop . Strengths After leaking 54 goals in 38 Premier League games last season (bad), the defence suddenly looks much stronger following the summer arrivals of Wan-Bissaka and Maguire, the latter of whom is expected to emerge as a dressing room leader and potential future captain. Goalkeeper David de Gea has also agreed a new contract to stay with the club. The most exciting part of the team though, as seen in pre-season, is in attacking areas. The pace that United have, especially with the addition of James, is frightening, and pressing high up the pitch this season will create chances to score. This team also looks devastating on the break. James has been criticised for a lack of final ball quality, but his speed, particularly when pressuring opposing defenders in their own half, is already an invaluable weapon. United will get a lot of chances this season from that kind of play alone. Weaknesses United have lost Marouane Fellaini and Ander Herrera from midfield since January and replaced neither. Solskjaer has plans for Scott McTominay and Andreas Pereira - the former had a brilliant pre-season and looks physically stronger and more confident than before. But Nemanja Matic continues to go backwards and a lot will depend on where Paul Pogba plays... Key Man There is no question that Paul Pogba is head and shoulders above the rest of the United squad in terms of quality and he will once more be vital to the club this season after finishing the 2018/19 campaign as both top scorer and leading assister. Crucially, United managed to keep the Frenchman out of the clutches of Real Madrid, despite Pogba publicly admitting he would like a 'new challenge' at the start of the summer. What's more, his attitude since then has being hugely refreshing, especially when compared to Lukaku, and Solskjaer has spoken about it more than once in a very positive manner. His favoured position is as the attacking option in a midfield trio. It is where he has most attacking impact and least defensive responsibilities, and it could work as a system with McTominay and Matic behind him. But a lack of depth might lead to Pogba having to sit deeper. Predictions Make no mistake, United aren't going to mount a Premier League title challenge this season. It is an overdue long-term project, the first of this type since Sir Alex Ferguson retired six years ago, and the immediate objective is gradual improvement and a return to the top four. That is easier said than done, but the three summer buys have made a difference, while the emergence of promising youngsters also makes United better than they were. De Gea committing his future and Pogba staying for at least one more season is even better. United may not have the depth and experience for too many competitions this season, so fourth place in the Premier League has to be a priority over European progression. Perhaps a domestic cup run is also feasible and would at least partially quench the thirst for silverware.


Depending on the segment, the lifecycle of a vehicle is typically pretty short. Depending on the segment, the lifecycle of a vehicle is typically pretty short. Most companies won't go five years without refreshing or revamping their cars. The hope is that they can sustain sales success for at least another few years. But in a lot of cases, the only answer is to kill off underperforming vehicles entirely. These 18 cars, trucks, and SUVs fall into the latter category. Instead of reviving them, companies like Cadillac , Ford , and Volkswagen , decided that they weren't worth the time or money it would take to keep them fresh. Some will be missed, but frankly, most of them we can live without. Check Out These Lists: Our 25 Highest-Rated Vehicles Of 2018 15 Worst-Selling Vehicles Of 2018 So Far 20 Best-Selling Cars And Trucks Of 2018 10 Cars With Completely Carbon Fiber Bodies Alfa Romeo 4C Coupe As Alfa's introduction back into the U.S., the 4C wowed us with its gorgeous profile and go-kart-like performance. Underhood, the turbocharged four-cylinder engine pumping out 237 horsepower propelled the lightweight 2,500-pound car to 60 miles per hour in a mere 4.2 seconds. But after just three years, Alfa Romeo is killing off the sports coupe for good. Thankfully, the convertible will stick around for another few years with some slight modifications. Check Out: Alfa Romeo 4C Coupe Gets The Axe, But The Spider Lives On Research the Alfa Romeo 4C on MSN Autos | Find an Alfa Romeo 4C near you Cadillac ATS Sedan Due to factory changes and extensive retooling at GM's Technical Center in Warren, Michigan, the Cadillac ATS Sedan disappears after the 2018 model year. And we specify, "sedan." The ATS Coupe will stick around for a few more years, hopefully, with all three engine options still intact: The 2.0-liter turbo with 272 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, the 3.6-liter V6 with 335 hp and 285 lb-ft, and the 3.6-liter twin-turbo V6 in the ATS-V with 464 hp and 445 lb-ft of torque. Check Out: More Proof The Cadillac ATS Sedan Could Be Getting The Axe Research the Cadillac ATS on MSN Autos | Find a Cadillac ATS near you Chevrolet City Express In July, GM announced the departure of its City Express van by the end of the year. The van has only been on the market since 2014, so it won't be missed by many. Unlike the Nissan NV200 with which it shares its platform, the City Express didn't garner nearly the same sales success as its Japanese counterpart; Chevrolet sold less than 30,000 examples of the City Express since its debut. Check Out These Lists: Our 25 Highest-Rated Vehicles Of 2018 15 Worst-Selling Vehicles Of 2018 So Far 20 Best-Selling Cars And Trucks Of 2018 10 Cars With Completely Carbon Fiber Bodies Chevrolet Cruze After ten years on the market, Chevrolet is discontinuing the best-selling Cruze . At launch, the compact car rivaled reigning sales champs like the Honda Civic, and by 2015, Chevrolet had already sold more than 3.5 million examples. But with the arrival of more crossovers and SUVs paired with declining sales, the company has decided to put the Cruze to rest. At least, for now. Research the Chevrolet Cruze on MSN Autos | Find a Chevrolet Cruze near you Chevrolet Volt Like the Cruze, the Chevy Volt made an impact when it debuted in 2010. It was one of the first hybrids of its type and saw strong sales in its first few years of production. Following a second-generation refresh in 2016, and a record milestone of 100,000 examples sold that same year, declining sales grounded the Volt, so GM has decided to pull the plug. Research the Chevrolet Volt on MSN Autos | Find a Chevrolet Volt near you Ford C-Max Hybrid/Energi The Ford C-Max showed up originally in Europe in 2003   and in the U.S. in 2012   but in the years that followed, it never became the hot-selling hybrid in the States that the Blue Oval had hoped. After six years of pretty dismal sales   Ford has moved just over 6,600 examples in the U.S. this year   it's being discontinued, along with nearly all of Ford's other cars. Ford Fiesta Like the Focus, the Fiesta fell victim to Ford's anti-car agenda in the U.S. The teeny, tiny hatchback showed up stateside in 2011 with a warm reception. Following a facelift in 2013, Ford delivered the hot  ST  model enthusiasts were after. But now, after just seven years in the U.S., it's disappearing. Buyers in Europe can still get their hands on it, though. Research the Ford Fiesta on MSN Autos | Find a Ford Fiesta near you Ford Focus In one fell swoop, Ford killed off its entire car lineup (minus the Mustang). And the Focus , though one of the best-selling vehicles in the Blue Oval's lineup, was not immune. After 2018, Ford will offer both the four- and five-door Focus in Europe exclusively. Originally, reports suggested that Ford would at least keep a rugged Active model in the U.S., but the company decided against it. If you really want a Focus after 2018, take up a second residence abroad. Research the Ford Focus on MSN Autos | Find a Ford Focus near you Ford Taurus One of Ford's most iconic cars is going the way of the dodo. After five generations and more than 30 years on the market, the longstanding Taurus gets the boot. A steady four years of decline and just over 38,000 examples sold in the U.S. this year are part of the reasoning, undoubtedly. Research the Ford Taurus on MSN Autos | Find a Ford Taurus near you Lincoln MKT As Lincoln looks to revamp its entire lineup, that means doing away with a number of its vehicles (and nameplates). In this case, the Lincoln MKT leaves the market for good in 2018. The Ford Taurus and Flex-based SUV debuted in 2010 but survived just eight years in Lincolns lineup. The newly introduced Aviator will take the place of the outdated MKT. Research the Lincoln MKT on MSN Autos Lincoln MKX The Lincoln MKX isn't dead so much as it is completely revamped and entirely renamed. The outgoing MKX gives way to the almost entirely new Nautilus , which gets a new grille, some updated styling, and fresh engine options for the 2019 model year. Research the Lincoln MKZ on MSN Autos | Find a Lincoln MKZ near you Nissan 370Z Roadster While the old Nissan 370Z coupe lives on (until 2020, at least), its droptop sibling goes the way of the dodo. This year will be the last year for the Nissan 370Z Roadster   and honestly, good riddance. The 370Z Roadster has been around in its current iteration since 2009, with little to no updating since then. At the New York Auto Show, Nissan unveiled a 50th-anniversary special edition for the coupe, but neglected the roadster, only to announce its demise just a few weeks later. Research the Nissan 370Z Coupe or Convertible on MSN Autos | Find a Nissan 370Z near you Nissan Juke The Nissan Juke was perhaps too funky for this world. Or this market, at least. It dies in the U.S., replaced by the more mundane Kicks, but lives on in Europe. Rumor is that it's even getting a second-gen update. The Juke debuted in 2011 and lasted just six years in the U.S. Smart Not just the funky ForTwo, but all of Smart is dead in the U.S. and Canada. Daimler s forgettable city car brand failed its mission of bringing affordable, efficient two-seaters to the States. Surprisingly, though, the ForTwo stuck around Stateside for two generations, starting with the second-gen ForTwo in 2007, and followed up by the much-improved third-gen model just seven years later. But alas, Smart was too… smart for this market. Toyota Corolla iM Like the iA, the Toyota Corolla iM started out life as a Scion product. Now, with a Toyota badge, it ends production to make way for the wholly improved Corolla hatchback. The Auris-based iM made its debut in the U.S. in 2014 at the Los Angeles Auto Show but survived just four years before being killed off. Toyota Yaris iA* Toyota isn't really killing off the previously Scion-branded Yaris iA (remember them?). Instead, the company is turning the Mazda-built sedan into the aptly named Yaris Sedan; the new Yaris Sedan won't get much more than a name change, but it will join its five-door sibling. Volkswagen Beetle The beloved Beetle says bye-bye for 2019. Though the Beetle has been around (on and off) since the  40s, it s saying sayonara to the States again this year, probably to be replaced by an even better version in the next few years. To send it off, Volkswagen unveiled a Final Edition model with a few unique cues. Research the VW Beetle on MSN Autos | Find a VW Beetle near you Volkswagen Touareg As VW revamps its lineup, complete with a new MQB platform, the three-row Touareg gets the boot. The SUV, which made its debut in 2002, survived 16 years in the U.S. Now it gets replaced by the growing Tiguan in the states, but survives with a fresh new look in Europe.


It was quite a short stint for Jalin Marshall with the Oakland Raiders. According to Michael Gehlken of the Las Vegas Review-Journal, the Raiders have decided to waive the former AAF receiver after signing him less than two days ago. WR Jalin Marshall participated in Raiders' rookie minicamp last Friday to Sunday on a tryout basis. They announced his signing Tuesday. And announced he was waived today. - Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) May 9, 2019 Marshall was undrafted in 2016 and signed with the Jets as a free agent. During his rookie season, he caught 14 passes for 162 yards and two touchdowns, while contributing in the kick return game, as well. During his short AAF career, Marshall caught 26 passes for 364 yards and three touchdowns before the league eventually folded. Expect him to land on another team's training camp roster in the near future. MORE: The full story from the guy who got Danica Patrick a drink at the Bucks-Celtics game NBA Free Agency 2019: The top players 3 Raiders players who could have breakout seasons in 2019 Richard Sherman: 'The secondary wasn't the issue last year' Colts LBs set to face unprecedented competition Related slideshow: Offseason report card for each team (Provided by Yardbarker)


McLaren boss Andreas Seidl wants his team to embrace a more 'risky' approach to car development in its bid to move further up the grid. The Woking-based outfit has made rapid progress this season, and is currently sitting in fourth place in the constructors' championship after another double points scoring finish in the Austrian Grand Prix. But with the team well aware that it is still adrift of the top three outfits, Seidl is eager for it not to sit back   and instead is urging a more brave approach to how it pushes forward. While Seidl is boosted by McLaren's position in the points table, he says the key thing that needs to be delivered this season is regular progress with its car. "What is the most important thing for me is to see continuous development, and continuous improvement for the team back home and back here," he said. "For me what is important is that we take our time to make sure we go into detail, in terms of the methods and tools we are using to develop this stuff, because this is the foundation in the end for an aggressive development that is required when you have a gap like we have. "We need to build up this confidence again inside the team and be also brave enough to take risky or adventurous concept decisions. That is something that other teams with a lot of experience and confidence like Mercedes can do "It is important to be good in categories like pitstops, race strategy, and showing already now that we can take the fight to the big ones because it is clear that the gap on the performance side is something that will take time." Andreas Seidl, Team Principal, McLaren, Lando Norris, McLaren, Carlos Sainz Jr., McLaren, and James Key, Technical Director, McLaren Photo by: Dom Romney / LAT Images Seidl thinks that the first step needed to achieve his aims is for McLaren to recover some of the confidence it lost during recent difficult years. "If you have such bad years like McLaren had, then somehow you are against the wall," explained Seidl, who joined the team earlier this year. "I think with all the changes that have happened over the last five years, with not having stability inside the team, it doesn't help. "I am a guy who encourages people to take risks and to protect them when something goes wrong. You have to accept that mistakes will happen and while you should try to prevent them in the first place, you should make sure they don't happen a second time. "With the position we are in, we need to take risks. But in order to do that, you have to have a certain confidence again inside the team, a certain culture and spirit and that is something we have to build up again together. "But I am not saying it is bad [at the team]. I was really impressed when I started with all the good results this year, how positive the atmosphere was, and how good the momentum was which was there, and it is important now to go in that direction."


The biggest competition this offseason for the Baltimore Ravens comes at a position they've not had much luck at. After once again gutting the wide receiver corps after a disappointing season , the Ravens are hoping a whole new crop of talent is able to step up in 2019. Helping lead the group is Willie Snead. One of just two holdovers from last year, along with Chris Moore, Snead is looking to improve on his solid 2018 campaign. In order to do that, Snead spent the offseason losing a little weight in an effort to get faster and separate more from defenders. Willie Snead said he dropped 10 pounds this offseason. Focused on getting more separation and adding speed. - Jeff Zrebiec (@jeffzrebiec) May 30, 2019 Snead ran a 4.56-second 40-yard dash at his pro day in 2014 and certainly looked quick for Baltimore last season. But if he can improve upon that speed, the Ravens might have one of the fastest offenses in the league. Combine Snead with Moore, first-round pick Marquise Brown, Seth Roberts, Michael Floyd, Miles Boykin, Jaleel Scott and Jordan Lasley, and that's quite a bit of speed for one wide receiver room. The hope is that group will complement quarterback Lamar Jackson's talents to create a quick-striking offense that forces opposing defenses to stay honest in coverage. Snead has been rehabbing from surgery on his finger but has still been on the practice field during OTAs, according to BaltimoreRavens.com writer Ryan Mink . "You can't keep him off the field," coach John Harbaugh said, per Mink . "If we didn't put him in the red jersey, we'd have to lock him in the locker room to keep him out of here. He's just that kind of guy." Snead finished first on the team with 62 receptions and was second with 651 receiving yards last season. As the season wore on, Snead became one of Jackson's favorite targets, catching 11 of Jackson's 52 completions in the final four games of the year. It's expected Snead will play a more integral role this year as a leader of the young unit. "I feel like my role on this team has grown a little bit more, not as a No. 1 receiver, but as a leader on the team," Snead said, per Mink . "I definitely just wanted to be here with the guys and grow with the guys and learn the offense as they learned it, and just to still be around the guys, bring that energy, bring that life, and just continue to get better." With a leadership role and a new-look offense , Snead has a chance to improve upon last season. By dropping some weight, Snead is hoping to improve upon his already fantastic separation numbers from last year. "This year, I was feeling pretty healthy, lower-body-wise, so I did a lot of running, just trying to lighten up," Snead said. "I'm just trying to run faster this year, run by guys and definitely get some more separation in my game." According to NFL Next Gen Stats , Snead had an average of 3.1 yards of separation last season. It topped players like Cincinnati Bengals WR A.J. Green, Atlanta Falcons WR Julio Jones and even New England Patriots WR Josh Gordon. Just a slight increase to 3.5 yards would put Snead tied for seventh from last year and likely well on his way to his first 1,000-yard season. MORE: Players on both teams were upset with Raptors fans for cheering Kevin Durant's injury Watch as jury convicts former NFL player Kellen Winslow Jr. of raping homeless woman Roundup: New York City Helicopter Crash; Kylie Jenner's Birthday Party; Gulf of Mexico 'Dead Zone' News: Do Cowboys have best group of QBs across the entire league? 2 things to look for during the Raiders mandatory mini-camp


Nissan Motor Co is recalling about 768,000 vehicles, including its popular Rogue crossover and Pathfinder SUV, for separate problems, the company and U.S. regulators said on Wednesday. Some 552,135 Rogues from model years 2008 and 2013 will be recalled because moisture could seep through the driver side floor and cause an electrical short to wiring that could lead to a fire, Nissan and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said. Of the total, 468,815 are registered in the United States. No crashes or injuries have been reported due to the wiring issue, a Nissan spokesman said on Wednesday morning. Also, 215,789 Pathfinder SUVs from the 2013 and 2014 model years and 2013 Infiniti JX35 vehicles will be recalled for problems related to a secondary hood latch, Nissan and NHTSA said. Of that total, 170,665 are registered in the United States. A Nissan spokesman said the problem was noticed primarily in rental vehicles when drivers unintentionally dislodged the secondary hood latch, which is designed to catch the hood from flying up if the primary hood latch is disengaged. In a handful of occasions, damage was done to the vehicles when the hood flew open, but there were no reports of crashes or injuries, the spokesman said. In Canada, 52,312 Rouge crossovers will be recalled as well as 15,972 Pathfinder and JX35 SUVs. The Rogue will be recalled in three additional countries and the SUVs in 30 additional countries, Nissan said. (Reporting by Bernie Woodall; Editing by Jeffrey Benkoe)


Any Los Angeles Dodgers fans attending the team's games against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park this weekend probably want to avoid a certain Boston sports bar. Game On Fenway (which is located just outside the park) put up a sign in one of their windows that reads, "Hey LA: In case you forgot, this is what the World Series Trophy look like." The sign contains an image of the Red Sox holding up the Commissioner's Trophy after defeating the Dodgers during the 2018 World Series. Los Angeles Times reporter Jorge Castillo tweeted a photo of the sign with the caption, "That ain't right." That ain't right pic.twitter.com/m6IRgmLdQR   Jorge Castillo (@jorgecastillo) July 12, 2019 ALSO: Red Sox hit 3 HRs to beat Dodgers in World Series rematch The Dodgers have been knocked out of the postseason by the eventual World Series champion in three consecutive seasons. In 2016, they held a 2-1 series lead over the Chicago Cubs in the NLCS, but were eliminated after the Cubs won three straight games. Chicago ultimately defeated the Cleveland Indians in the World Series for their first title in 108 years. In 2017, the Dodgers got past the Cubs in the NLCS and took the Houston Astros to seven games in the World Series, but were defeated 5-1 in Game 7 to come up short once again. The Dodgers made their second consecutive World Series appearance last season, but were quickly dispatched by the Red Sox in five games. Los Angeles is currently leading the MLB in wins at 60, but the team is currently on a four-game losing streak that includes an 8-1 beatdown at the hands of the Red Sox on Friday night. Eric Ting is an SFGATE staff writer. Email: eric.ting@sfgate.com | Twitter: @_ericting Start receiving breaking news emails on floods, wildfires, civil emergencies, riots, national breaking news, Amber Alerts, weather emergencies, and other critical events with the SFGATE breaking news email. Click here to make sure you get the news. Related slideshow: 2019 MLB season (provided by imagn)


As trade tensions with the U.S. intensified, China sold off its Treasury holdings at the fastest pace in about two years during March. The largest foreign owner of U.S. debt reduced the level by just shy of $20.5 billion, a slight decrease that brought the total holdings down to $1.12 trillion. But the move represents a continued pattern of declines that comes as the two sides have been unable to hammer out a long-term trade agreement and instead have been engaging in a tit-for-tat tariff fight that has escalated in recent days. In the 12-month period ending March, the latest month for which data is available, China's stockpile of U.S. government notes, bonds and bills fell by $67.2 billion, a 5.6% decline. The total has fallen by some $200 billion since the peak in 2012 and now represents 7% of total U.S. debt outstanding, compared to 12% previously, according to UBS. The threat of the nation either not buying Treasurys or engaging in outright sales has shaken the bond market before. In addition to any punitive action China might take, it is thought to have reduced its holdings in an effort to defend its currency. Related video: US will be more hurt by trade war than China, strategist says More aggressive actions to cut holdings is considered a nuclear option that could further aggravate ongoing trade negotiations. The impact, though, of any such moves is unclear. UBS estimates that if the reduction is gradual, it likely would result in a rise in the benchmark 10-year Treasury yield of at most 0.4 percentage points. "To the extent that China's Treasury sales could be either the cause or the effect of a more risk-averse global environment, the positive impact on Treasury yields could be smaller than estimated if private investors step up their Treasury purchases," UBS strategist Chirag Mirani and others said in a note to clients. China's share of total U.S. debt compared to other global government declined to 17.3%, the lowest since June 2006. Japan is still the second-largest holder, with $1.08 trillion, while the UK stepped backed into third place as it increased its level to $317.1 billion. Foreign government ownership of U.S. debt hit a fresh record of $6.47 trillion, up 4% from a year ago, as the government's total debt continues to swell and now has topped $22 trillion. Foreign residents increased their holdings by $23.9 billion.


Ask Mike Reiss what his top NFL moments are and he can't list just one. It's understandable: the author and Patriots beat reporter for ESPN has covered the team for more than 20 years, a career that began with the Patriot Football Weekly in 1997 and included a stop at the Boston Globe and Boston.com, where he tirelessly fed his blog, Reiss's Pieces. Reiss remembers a time when Patriots games were barely televised and he was just a young kid, fascinated by box scores, who'd attend games with his father, Roy. Boston.com sat down with Reiss to talk about his career, and what it's like covering Tom and Bill. Boston.com: Did you know that you wanted to go into journalism from a young age? Reiss: My dad [Roy] was a sportscaster and we were a big sports family. I used to run to the end of the driveway to go pick up the Boston Globe and I would devour the box scores…My dad suggested to me, "There are other ways to be involved in sports [without playing]" and before I even had my license, he was like, "why don't you go down to the local newspaper [ Metrowest Daily News ] and see if they need someone to help." So, that's how I got started…before I had my license he was driving me to my shifts. What about sports captivated you back then? The Celtics in the 1980s [had] Larry Bird, Kevin McCale, Danny Ainge, Dennis Johnson, that was the team that I loved. The Patriots were good, but they weren't always on TV so it wasn't like it is now. The Red Sox were good, but they broke our hearts in 1986. I used to love to read Will McDonough, Dan Shaughnessy , Bob Ryan… anyone who grew up in the [Boston] area, they were the guys. I just loved reading the [ Boston Globe ], particularly on Sunday. I would open it up, read all the notes columns. So, after you graduated from UMASS Amherst, what was your first reporting job? In 1997, my first job was with Patriots Football Weekly , the team [owned] newspaper. I had applied to newspapers across the country, and I kid you not, got 200 rejection letters. My brother had a friend, who had a friend that was like, 'If you know anyone let me know!" I think he could tell that someone was trembling right there and was probably happy [I] made it out before having to use the bathroom [laughs]. What do you think about the way the media covers the Pats today? It's a lot of coverage. That first day of training camp this year, I think there was over 100 credentialed reporters. There's no shortage of media to consume, so I think it's one of the most intense beats that's out there. What do you think makes your coverage unique? I've been doing it for a while now, so over time you develop a relationship with the people that are reading [your] work. I think having that history creates a connection with the reader and that they can trust me. Nothing is more sacred than the trust you have with [them]. One piece of advice that [longtime Boston Globe reporter]Will McDonough always said was, "Always show up. You never know what's going to happen." When a player has an event, by showing up and showing them that you're invested, that's a fundamental of our job. What's your best Tom Brady moment? Last Christmas Eve, they played the Bills and the next morning we were taping something at the stadium for TV. I had my daughter and son with me and as we're getting out of the car, in the middle of the road, this black car with tinted windows comes gliding up towards us and the window rolls down. All of sudden you hear, "Hey guys." It was Tom Brady. He starts having conversations with my kids, asking them about their activities and what they're going to get for the holidays. I know how much family matters to [Brady] and I like stories like this because they're outside of the press conference. They reveal a little more about the person that you're covering. What about Bill Belichick? How do you get through to someone like him, who might be more reserved? When we talk about the way the team is covered, it's changed. When I started, there were less [media] around, so that process is different than it is now. Just try to do your job, like he always says, and hope to earn [his] respect. Why do you think he's so closed off? This is just a theory, but the main thing he cares about is winning games and the media doesn't align with his goals. So, he does what he's required to. What is one of your favorite moments with him? During the 2006 playoffs in the Divisional round, the Chargers were loaded, but the Patriots pulled out the game. Afterwards, [Belichick] was walking through the tunnel. We had just happened to be in the same place, and I might've asked, 'What's your reaction to this?' and his emotion was so real. He was like, 'this team has so much heart! So much guts! I'm so proud of this team!' and it was real. What is your first memory of covering the team? What do you remember? How nervous I was to ask my first question to Belichick in a press conference. I was at the MetroWest Daily News and I was trying to write something different. So, I was like, "Bill, um, about Leonard Myers   what makes him a possible candidate to be a contributor?" I remember trying to get that question out was the hardest thing ever. My hands were shaking, heart was beating fast. I think he could tell that someone was trembling right there and was probably happy I made it out before having to use the bathroom [laughs]. Who on the team is the most fascinating to you? I think Belichick. You see glimpses of a different person at times, like last night in the Patriots Hall of Fame celebration for Rodney Harrison, he gets up there and it was different. How many more years do you think the team, and Tom Brady, have? Tom says he wants to play until he's 45, and in my Patriots beat reporter notebook, I say one of the top rules is: Beware if you're going to bet against Tom Brady. What do you think it's like being the backup QB to Brady? I think it can be intimidating. For Jimmy Garoppolo, I think he had the confidence to handle that. That's not easy. I think Jarrett Stidham has the same approach, and Danny Etling is a great example. He's putting the team first, willing to sacrifice maybe what his dream was, to be an NFL quarterback. Who do you think is the most interesting player that's been on the team? Randy Moss. In 2007, we [did] a feature story on him at the Boston Globe . I went to Charleston, West Virginia, and I watched him in his [hometown]. He never lets people in, but to watch him around kids was absolutely fascinating. He's like a different person. I thought, why is that? What I learned is throughout his life, which was not an easy upbringing…he loves kids. He'd be better to answer, but I think it's innocence and they're not looking for anything from him, the lack of agenda. The [kids] were people that could [he] could be [himself] around. Of all the stories I've written, that was one of my all-time favorites. Any fun facts about anyone currently on the team? Joe Thuney is fluent in multiple languages, and is working towards another degree. He's a really impressive guy. And, in the spring I was at a lacrosse game with my son and Stephen Gostkowski shows up with a Dunkin' Donuts cup, puts his lawn chair out, and his son was playing for the opposing team. And, what I learned in that moment is that he loves living where he lives, I won't say where, but it's because it most reminds him of the South. It's quieter. Who on the team is difficult to deal with? The players are generally good, that's part of the culture they've created. Inevitably there's going to be some players you don't mesh with. Brandon Browner and I had a moment that was very uncomfortable   I had tweeted about how many penalties he had, and he let me have it afterwards. I don't think we talked, might've been the whole season. I try to tell the players, I'm just trying to do my job as fairly and as accurately as possible, and there might be times that you don't like it. What about an on-field story? Well, it's hard to beat the Super Bowls. But, in the 2007 regular season finale, when they beat the Giants to go 16-0, t here were two back-to-back plays where Brady threw a long ball to Moss. They were going for the record of most touchdown catches in a season, and [Moss and Brady] just couldn't make the connection. Then they went back to it on the next play, and it was the record-breaking touchdown. That was the one time where the hair on the back of neck was standing up, and I was like, "Oh my. We are witnessing history," and in more ways than one. I remember that vividly. What about with social media? Rather than watch the game on TV, people are tweeting and the highlights are on Instagram? How do you keep up? [Media] has really evolved. When I started, you needed to tell people what happened. Now, I look at it and say why did it happen? That's incredibly invigorating to me. I'll give you an example: the Super Bowl. It was 3-3, and the Patriots are struggling to move the ball. Everyone knows it, everyone is watching it. Then, all of a sudden, they bring out a different personnel grouping with one receiver, two tight ends, a full back and a running back. It's the first time they've done that in this game and they spread the field out. The Rams are like, well how are we going to match this? So, they put out their big defense, and the Patriots just pass and pass. They pass to Gronk, and touchdown! Everyone saw that, but why? How did they get down the field?! To me, that today is what breaking a story used to be. That's the chess match of what we saw   that was Josh McDaniels's brilliance to say, we're going to go with our big personnel to get [the Rams] to put their big defense on the field, but we're going to spread it out and throw it. That's the stuff I really get excited about. So, to be someone from New England, and to cover the Patriots, what does that mean to you? It means everything. Covering sports in New England matters, and you want to do something that matters to people. I wouldn't want to do it anywhere else. It fires me up. I love sports as a vehicle that connects us. It doesn't matter how old you are or where you're from, if you're into that team, it breaks down all the barriers. Great advice I got from John Dennis, who was a sportscaster with my dad is: when you get a press pass, that is a privilege that a lot of people would want. You want to ask the question that the fan would be asking at home. You know, what was Bill Belichick thinking benching Malcolm Butler?! Predictions for this season? If you're not going to pick the Patriots, then who are you going to pick? They're as safe of a pick as anyone, and what impresses me about them is they always talk about establishing their level of performance. In Boston, with what we've seen with the Red Sox, it's hard coming back after a Super Bowl or winning a World Series. How do you handle that? That impresses me, the way they wipe the slate clean. I predicted an 11-5 record and to win the Super Bowl over the Seahawks. I'm curious: What would your opinion about the Pats be if you weren't from New England? [Laughs]. They would be to me what they [New York] Yankees were to me as a kid. We hated the Yankees because they were winning everything, and that's basically what the Patriots are [today].


A woman who was shot by a Greensboro Police officer has now been arrested. Paulickia Hairston was in the hospital recovering after she was shot during an officer-involved shooting in early July. Greensboro Police said the shooting occurred on July 7, on Willowmore Street after they received a call about a disturbance involving guns. When they arrived two people got into a car and drove towards police officers. An officer shot Hairston who was driving the car. She was shot in the head. Hairston is charged with Assault with a Deadly Weapon on a Law Enforcement Officer/Government Official and was placed in the Guilford County Jail under a $50,000 bond. RELATED: Family of Woman Shot by Greensboro Officer Says She is in Critical Condition The officer who shot Hairston has been placed on Administrative Duty during the investigation.


Marlon "Chito" Vera (13-5) seems comfortable in chaos. The bantamweight title contender says he was offered a fight at this weekend's UFC 239 just three weeks after his previous bout, and while he was in Hawaii vacationing with his family. "They called me and I said, 'oh f--- yeah. I'm already training,'" he tells Yahoo Sports. "I was with my family, hanging out but when the kids went to sleep out I went running. I'm never out of training." Then, late in camp and shortly before the signed July 6 date, Vera's opponent was pulled from the card. Now, the Ecuadorian faces a different rival   Nohelin Hernandez (9-2). Such a late change in plans could certainly throw off many fighters, mentally, but Vera says he tries to focus only on the things he can control. "You cannot focus on the stuff you can't control," he said. "I'm young, I have some time to do some stuff now. I'm not picky [with opponents] and the UFC knows that. Put the fight in front of me and I'll take it." Vera says that while speaking of wanting to fight a top 15 contender after his impressive March stoppage win over Frankie Saenz, but it isn't hard to imagine that same mindset applying to the most recent swerve of having opponents change. Staying steady in the center of surrounding chaos may come down to his ability to stay calm during discomfort. In 2017 and early 2018, Vera suffered back-to-back losses, halting considerable momentum. Yet, he's come back strong from those consecutive defeats and looks better than he ever has, recently. A steady mind, trained to stay calm   or least give the appearance of calm   during distress helped Vera get back to winning. "Everyone is comfortable when things go your way," he said. "Everyone is comfy when things are handed to them. You will see the real person when things are down, when things are not going the way they want to. I just believe when life throws you in those positions, you've got to show you're really you. "It doesn't matter if things are great in my life, I've got to keep working on my dream. You've got to stand up. I've got a family, there's no time to be a b---- and cry. You can't ever let them know you're down. You talk to them, but you don't show an attitude that you're down. You've always got to find a way. There is not just one path. If you get in the right mindset, you can. With a happy mindset nothing can stop you." Vera learned to adjust and fight through turbulence, early. In fact, he had his first pro fights as a child in his native Ecuador, against grown men. "I was 16 when I had my first pro fight," he remembers. "I was a jiu-jitsu blue belt. My coaches at the jiu-jitsu gym knew I wanted to fight MMA at some point. I was the youngest in a room of a bunch of guys. One day, my coach came up to me and asked, 'do you want to fight next week?' I asked, 'A fight-fight, or fight jiu-jitsu?'" It was a fight-fight. Somebody had pulled out and a "tough striker" was in need of an opponent. "I said, 'let's do it,'" he recounts. "I wanted to do a Royce Gracie and be the jiu-jitsu fighter against the striker. I assumed it was another tough kid." It was not. Vera flew from his hometown to the Ecuadorian capital city of Quito with no real knowledge of who he'd be facing. "There was no social media for us, then, no researching. It was just, show up and fight," he chuckles. "Then I get there and find out that I was in the main event and everybody knew my opponent. He was a kickboxing champion. I thought, 'Wait a minute, I don't see another kid around here. Who am I fighting?' I was watching a bunch of big guys warm up. There was this dark-skinned guy with long hair, he seemed to be my size, but he seemed old. I thought, 'that guy's old, he'll kill me.'" Around that time, it seems, Vera the future UFC fighter showed himself who he was. "Then we thought, 'Dude, close your eyes, take him down, and see what happens.' I'd been waiting for this moment my whole life. The first round the guy punched and kicked me, but then I took him down and then I came back and got an arm bar in the second round. It's weird, from the first day I showed up in the gym, I've never stopped training until today. Some people just never stop coming." Vera's bravery as a debuting fighter was forged by the years of dedicated practice that preceded it. "I came to the gym the first day when I was in high school, and after that I came in the morning and night every day," he said. "It was inside me, and now I'm able to do it." More UFC 239 coverage from Yahoo Sports: Ben Askren currently UFC's biggest star? He thinks so Holly Holm ready to shock the world ... again Jon Jones' busy schedule benefits him and UFC Unpretentious champ Nunes easy to root for


White House and congressional negotiators rushing to hammer out the final details of a sweeping budget and debt deal are unlikely to include many   if any   actual spending cuts, even as the debt limit is lifted for two years, people familiar with the talks said. The agreement appeared likely to mark a retreat for White House officials who had demanded major spending cuts in exchange for a new budget deal. But the process remained in limbo while negotiators awaited final approval late Sunday from President Trump. The pending deal would seek to extend the debt ceiling and set new spending levels for two years, ratcheting back the budget brinkmanship that led to a record-long government shutdown earlier this year. Subscribe to the Post Most newsletter: Today's most popular stories on The Washington Post But instead of the $150 billion in new spending cuts recently demanded by White House acting budget director Russell Vought, the agreement would include a significantly lower amount of reductions. And those reductions aren't expected to represent actual spending cuts, in part because most would take place in future years and likely be reversed by Congress at a later date. A precise figure couldn't be learned. Details remained fluid and subject to change, according to the people describing the talks, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to reveal details. In practical terms, the budget agreement would increase spending by tens of billions of dollars in the next two years, a stark reversal from the White House's budget request several months ago that sought to slash spending at many agencies starting in October. As some White House officials backed away from demands for spending cuts, their focus shifted to trying to block an attempt by Democrats to restrict funding for a wall along the Mexico border. As part of the deal to raise military and spending levels for two years, White House officials were attempting to convince Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) to back off on certain policies Democrats hoped to include in future must-pass spending bills. One point of contention involved the administration's authority to transfer money between budget accounts to finance construction of a wall along the Mexico border. Democrats have fought to limit or eliminate the White House's ability to transfer money in this way, but White House officials have pushed hard to retain the flexibility to do so. The exact resolution was uncertain. A central focus of the budget agreement would be the suspension of the debt ceiling for two years, forestalling what many budget experts believe would be a catastrophic default. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin has warned that his agency could run out of money by early September if the debt ceiling isn't raised by then. Because talks remained fluid, it's possible negotiators could seek to change the debt limit timeline based on input from Trump. Mnuchin has served as the primary negotiator with Pelosi and has tried to secure a deal for more than a week, but some other White House officials have tried to push for more spending cuts. The agreement is expected to set new overall spending levels for the 2020 and 2021 fiscal years, reducing chances of another government shutdown by giving lawmakers a road map to write new spending bills before the current ones expire Oct. 1. Agreeing on new spending levels also avoids onerous budget caps that would otherwise snap into place automatically under an Obama-era deal, and indiscriminately slash $126 billion from domestic and Pentagon budgets. The agreements on the debt limit and the budget caps had been long sought by lawmakers of both parties, but achieving them had been uncertain. Negotiations occurred directly between Mnuchin and House Speaker Pelosi in recent days, but final sign-off was needed from Trump and remained uncertain. If the deal is finalized, Pelosi would have less than a week to muscle it through the House before the chamber adjourns for a scheduled six-week summer recess on Friday. The Senate will be in session for an additional week after the House departs and would be able to use the additional time to consider the deal and send it to Trump to sign.


Teams have gathered in Le Mans for the Test Day ahead of this year's 24-hour race. Here are 50 great images ahead of Sunday's running, click on the arrows to scroll through the images. More Le Mans insights: Toyota supports proposed LMP1 handicap system Porsche: Ford, BMW exits made 2018/19 best season to win Davidson, Maldonado switch to JOTA for 2019/20 WEC


MINNEAPOLIS, MN   The City of Minneapolis is asking Twin Cities residents to take precautions after Minneapolis Animal Care and Control found two rabid bats in highly populated areas of the city. According to reports, one bat was found last week near Glenwood Avenue and Logan Avenue North in the Near North neighborhood. The second was found May 23 near Emerson Avenue South and West 25th Street in the Lowry Hill East neighborhood. Rabies is a deadly virus that can spread to people through the saliva of an infected animal. If bitten or scratched by an infected animal, symptoms include fever, headache, excess salivation, muscle spasms, paralysis and mental confusion. Animal Care and Control advises residents to take necessary precautions for their safety. If a bat or other wild animal is found, do not approach it or allow pets to touch it. If a dead bat is found, call 311 for assistance from Animal Control officers. Other prevention measures can be found on the Minnesota State Board of Health's website . Residents should contact the Board at 651-201-6808 for questions or concerns regarding pet and livestock exposure. Contact the Minnesota Department of Health at 651-201-5414 for questions or concerns regarding human exposure.


A trade involving Mets right-hander Noah Syndergaard doesn't look imminent   it may not even be likely   but he is garnering interest from teams in need of starting pitching, Jon Morosi of MLB.com reports. Although the Mets are not soliciting offers for Syndergaard, the Brewers are "monitoring" him and teammate Zack Wheeler ( previously reported ), according to Morosi. Meanwhile, Syndergaard has "intrigued" some members of the Astros organzation. The Mets are 40-50 and seemingly on track to deal veterans by the July 31 trade deadline, yet this may not be the ideal time to sell Syndergaard. While he produced dominant results when healthy from 2015-18, Syndergaard hasn't been nearly as great this season. So far in 2019, the 26-year-old has registered a career-worst ERA (4.68), FIP (3.98), xFIP (4.22), strikeout rate (8.6 K/9) and swinging-strike percentage (11.9) over 105 2/3 innings. Syndergaard, to his credit, certainly hasn't posted bad numbers this season; he also continues to fire heat in the 98 mph range. Beyond that, Syndergaard has his pre-2019 track record working in his favor   not to mention a team-friendly contract that would likely help lead to major interest from playoff hopefuls and non-contenders alike. Syndergaard is on a $6M salary this year and comes with another two seasons of arbitration control. The Mets entertained trading Syndergaard last winter, but rookie general manager Brodie Van Wagenen   the hurler's ex-agent   kept him in hopes of contending this year. The offseason moves Van Wagenen did make haven't panned out to this point, though, which has put some extra pressure on him to "win" a potential Syndergaard trade, Morosi hears. Regardless, it would take a sizable return   likely a package including a major league-ready starter, per Morosi   for the struggling club to say goodbye to Thor this month.


Kentucky State Police say a man and two children from North Carolina have died in a crash on Interstate 65. News outlets report police said in a statement that the crash happened Saturday night in Hart County near Bonnieville. Police say a preliminary investigation found that 36-year-old Augustin M. Gonzalez of Cary, North Carolina, was traveling south when he apparently failed to see that a tow truck had stopped partially in the travel lanes to assist a vehicle involved in an earlier crash. Police said Gonzalez, 6-year-old Noelle Gonzalez and 2-year-old Gwendolyn Gonzalez died. Another passenger, 8-year-old Nicholas C. Gonzalez, suffered minor injuries. Police say they were all restrained. The tow truck operator was not in the truck and was not injured. No further information was immediately available.


HONOLULU   Authorities say they're investigating which sharp-toothed sea creature bit a surfer off Hawaii's Waikiki Beach: a shark or an eel. The surfer was injured Saturday evening, hours after a shark attacked a man off Oahu's Lanikai Beach. Both men were hospitalized Saturday in serious condition. Updates on their conditions weren't immediately available Monday. Officials with the state Department of Land and Natural Resources say initial observations indicate that the surfer's bites came from an eel, not a shark, but they're still working to confirm that. In the earlier attack, witnesses say a tiger shark bit a 44-year-old man off Lanikai Beach around noon Saturday. The incident is the sixth confirmed shark attack in Hawaii this year, and the second in as many weeks on Oahu.


Former first lady Michelle Obama said her daughters Malia and Sasha played a lot of pretend when they were growing up in the White House. Not make-believe. More like, pretend-those-armed-Secret-Service-agents-aren't-there pretend, Obama told Gayle King during a CBS interview at the Essence Festival in New Orleans this weekend. "Imagine having Malia and Sasha come to your house for a sleepover," Obama said. "It's like, 'Hello. OK, we're going to need your Social Security number, we're going to need your date of birth. There are going to be men coming to sweep your house. If you have guns and drugs, just tell them yes because they are going to find them anyway. Don't lie. They're not going to take them, they just need to know where they are. And, uh, thank you for having Malia and Sasha over. Oh, and by the way, there is going to be a man with a gun sitting outside all night. If you let him use the bathroom, that would be nice.'" Those eight years in the White House made making friends a chore. "I'm surprised my kids have any friends," she joked. Pretend the craziness wasn't happening Malia turned 21 on the Fourth of July and Sasha celebrated her 18th birthday in June. Obama, 55, said she and Barack relied on their "regular folks" upbringing to help keep their daughters grounded. "I credit my own upbringing, me and Barack," she said. "We were regular folks, up until he gave that speech at the convention and it was like all of the sudden he was shot out of a rocket." After that, the Obamas advised Malia and Sasha to keep their focus on where they were going and what they were doing, and less on the omnipresent Secret Service agents. "Our focus was to make sure they did what they needed to do, and that meant pretend like all the craziness around them wasn't happening," she explained. "For eight years we were like, 'Yup, your dad's president. That doesn't have anything to do with you. Take your butt to school. Yes, you have security, just ignore them, they're not here for you.'" Secret Service made dating difficult for Obama kids In her book, " Becoming ," Obama said she had a tender spot in her heart for protective agents. But, she admitted to King, their ever-present nature make it hard for her daughters to date. "I mean my kids had armed guards with them at all times," she said. "Imagine trying to have your first kiss with a bunch of men." Related video: Michelle Obama: Sasha and Malia Had First Kisses Living in White House (Provided by US Weekly)


Oakland Fans of theatre, music and movies have a lot to choose from this weekend in Oakland. Check out Josh Ritter & The Royal City Band for some folksy Americana, get tickets to a science-fiction coming-of-age musical, get lost in the beats at A State of Trance 900, or catch a movie with a live soundtrack at The New Parkway Theater. Josh Ritter & The Royal City Band American singer/songwriter Josh Ritter and The Royal City Band are in town for one night only at the Fox Theater. Ritter's influences include legends like Johnny Cash and Bob Dylan. His 10th album, "Fever Breaks," came out in April. When: Friday, June 28, 8 p.m. Where: Fox Theater, 1807 Telegraph Ave. Price: $35 - 55 Click here for more details 'Starmites' at The Flight Deck A new production of 1980 musical "Starmites" premieres at The Flight Deck this weekend. Based on the book by Stuart Ross and Barry Keating, it follows a shy teenage girl who escapes into the science fiction world of her imagination. The original 1989 Broadway production received six Tony Award nominations; this restaging comes from Bay Area Zeta Players, a completely student-run theatre company based in Oakland. When: Friday - Sunday, June 28 - 30, showtimes vary Where: The Flight Deck, 1540 Broadway Price: $10 -15 Click here for more details A State of Trance Festival Though it's toured the globe since 2012, A State of Trance, which describes itself as "the largest trance network in the world," is coming to the Bay Area for the first time. Armin van Buuren will curate a night full of DJs, dancing and intense visuals, featuring Aly & Fila , Fatum , MaRLo , NWYR , and Ruben De Ronde x Rodg. When: Saturday, June 29, 5 p.m. Where: Ring Central Coliseum, 7000 Coliseum Way Price: $75+ Click here for more details Movies at The New Parkway Theater The forecast this weekend is cool and overcast, making it the perfect time to catch a flick. The New Parkway has several special movie showings this Sunday, providing a little something for everyone. "Bilal: A New Breed Of Hero ," a 2015 animated action/adventure feature from Dubai, plays at 12:15 p.m.; the original 1984 "Ghostbusters" plays at 2:30 p.m., and Bay Area drone/doom collective Sleepbomb will perform a live score to classic silent film "Metropolis" at 3:30 p.m. When: Sunday, June 30, showtimes vary Where: The New Parkway Theater, 474 24th St. Price: $8 - 10 Click here for more details


WASHINGTON - More than 610 drinking water sources in 43 states contain potentially unsafe levels of chemical compounds that have been linked to birth defects, cancers, infertility and reduced immune responses in children, according to a new database compiled by the Environmental Working Group and Northeastern University. Using Pentagon data released last year and recently obtained public water utility reports, the researchers now estimate that more than 19 million people are exposed to water contaminated with per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances, known as PFAS. The new research shows the broad extent of the problem, that the harmful chemical compounds found concentrated in military water sources across the United States have also been reported hundreds more public drinking water systems than was previously known. "This is a national crisis and it requires a national response," said Bill Walker, vice president of the Environmental Working Group, a nonprofit organization focused on health and the environment. While PFAS are found in everyday items such as Teflon and fast-food wrappers, the chemicals are concentrated in the fire-fighting foam that military bases, ships and commercial airports have used for decades. Military bases and the communities surrounding them report some of the highest levels of contamination - much higher than the Environmental Protection Agency's 2016 recommendation of a maximum exposure level of 70 parts per trillion. Naval Air Station Whidbey Island in the state of Washington reports some water sources have levels as high as 58,000 parts per trillion and former Myrtle Beach Air Force Base in South Carolina reports some water sources contain as much as 264,000 parts per trillion of the compounds. Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake in California reports one of the highest levels across the military, at 8 million parts per trillion. The contamination was not just discovered on military bases. The Pentagon tested off-base wells and public water sources near each facility. In cases where the water source reported PFAS levels higher than 70 parts per trillion, the Pentagon provided filters or alternate drinking water supplies. The new data shows a broader picture that includes nonmilitary base communities. For example it includes data from Miami Dade Water and Sewer Authority, finding that Miami has previously reported up to 43 parts per trillion of PFAS in its water samples. "We believe that is way too high," Walker said. The EWG has argued that exposure levels as low as 1 part per trillion could lead to adverse health effects, and would like to see a national standard set lower than 70 parts per trillion. For now, without an enforceable standard, there is no requirement for the military to clean up the groundwater or wells to the EPA standard or any other. The Pentagon estimates cleanup at the known contaminated sites could cost more than $2 billion. And Miami's data, although only recently obtained, dates back to 2015 and doesn't give residents the tools they need to know if their water supply now is safe, the researchers said. "Because there is no legal requirement to continue monitoring for these chemicals, the residents of Miami don't know if the PFAS contamination has remained the same, gotten better or gotten worse over the last three years," said Alexis Temkin, an EWG toxicologist. A bipartisan group of lawmakers introduced legislation in late April that would require the EPA to set an enforceable standard, known as a minimum contaminant level, for PFAS within the next two years. Chairman of the House Oversight subcommittee on the environment, Rep. Harley Rouda, D-Calif., held the first congressional hearing on the issue earlier this year and said additional legislation is possible. "All options for future oversight action remain on the table," Rouda said. Visit the McClatchy Washington Bureau at www.mcclatchydc.com