Just a few years ago, more than a third of homebuyers didn't blink at throwing down cold hard cash to make their purchases. But the share of all-cash homebuyers has trended down since 2014, and the decline has accelerated in recent months. In June, just 16% of homebuyers paid in cash, down from 23% in February, according to the National Association of Realtors. The rest bought the old-fashioned way   by taking out a mortgage. Applications for home loans jumped 9.5% last month from a year earlier, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association. The shift can be traced to several factors, including a less competitive, more buyer-friendly market and tumbling mortgage rates. The trend could be good news for a sluggish housing market in which existing home sales fell 4.2% the first half of the year compared with the same period in 2018, according to NAR figures. The slowdown may partly reflect a drop in cash deals and the rise in purchases of homes using mortgages, says Ian Shepherdson, chief economist of Pantheon Macroeconomics, an economic research firm.. Since mortgage applications can take a couple of months to process, the lag could mean there will be a surge in home sales this fall, painting a brighter housing picture, he says. Here are some reasons cash sales have lost favor: Bidding wars have faded When competitive bidding was the rage, "People were cashing in their savings, such as 401(k) plans…in order to beat out" rival bidders who needed mortgages, says Jessica Reinhardt, a broker at RE/MAX Alliance in Denver. Sellers loved cash offers because they meant quick purchases with few hassles. In many cases, parents gave cash gifts to their kids to buy homes. And some real estate brokers even put up cash for their clients, says Jessie Culbert, a Redfin agent in Seattle. "You needed cash to stand out," she says. Making it work when cash is tight: Co-living spaces: How millennials, Gen Z create affordable rent situations in big cities Often, she says, the buyers then took out loans to quickly repay whoever provided the funds. But the market has cooled as home prices climbed beyond the reach of many buyers. Last month, just 12% of purchase offers handled by Redfin faced competitive bids, down from 51.7% a year earlier. As a result, shoppers who would have come with cash a year or two ago were taking out mortgages. Investors have pulled back Fifty-seven percent of investors   who buy homes to rent them out or make repairs and then sell for a big profit   pay in cash, NAR says. Yet the share of home purchases made by investors has declined from 11.3% in 2018 to 11.1% so far this year, according to a housing research firm CoreLogic. Many are less eager to buy homes than they were a few years ago on fears that prices may have peaked. Nationally, average home prices have risen 55.2% from their 2012 bottom and are 12.6% above their pre-housing crash peak, according to the S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller home price index. "Investors naturally have become more cautious," says Lawrence Yun, chief economist of the National Association of Realtors. Also, foreign purchases of American homes fell 36% in the 12 months ending in March compared to the prior 12-month period, partly because of a sluggish global economy and tighter capital controls by China, according to the National Association of Realtors. Falling borrowing costs Mortgage rates have decreased sharply since last year, which makes home loans more affordable. The average 30-year fixed mortgage rate was at 3.75%, down from 4.54% a year earlier, according to Freddie Mac. That has led many buyers who might have put up cash   whether investors or owners who plan to live in their units   to obtain mortgages instead, Shepherdson says. Some investors get mortgages Some investors are still in the market but higher home prices are forcing them to turn to mortgages, says Ralph McLaughlin, deputy chief economist of CoreLogic. Darius Smith, a Detroit developer who buys distressed duplexes, makes repairs and resells them, has always paid cash for units that cost $10,000 to $20,000, including renovations, he says. But now, he says, the same units cost $60,000 to $80,000, and so he likely will begin taking out mortgages. "The cost for things is way higher than it was," he says. The stock market swoon The big sell-off in stocks late last year may have spooked homebuyers who intended to pay in cash, Shepherdson says. They may have seen the drop in share values as a sign of a coming recession that also would have clobbered home values. "Making a cash purchase means the buyer is exposed dollar for dollar to any decline in home prices," Shepherdson says. Guide for your golden years: Approaching retirement? Here's the best place to retire in your state


The Senate Intelligence Committee has confirmed a date for Donald Trump Jr. to testify, expected to take place in mid-June. Trump Jr. agreed to appear before the Republican-led committee in May, after receiving a congressional subpoena calling for the president's son to return and answer questions about previous Russia-related testimony. Trump Jr. will testify for a limited period of time   two to four hours   behind closed doors. He had previously talked to the committee in 2017. Trump Jr. was a key figure in the June 2016 meeting with a Russian lawyer at Trump Tower . And, according to former Donald Trump attorney Michael Cohen, Trump Jr. was involved in discussions about the possibility of building a Trump Tower in Moscow . Allies of President Trump have expressed irritation with Sen. Richard Burr , the Republican chairman of the committee, for issuing a subpoena to the president's son as the GOP tries to move on from the report by special counsel Robert Mueller. The subpoena was issued the day after Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said the question of whether the Trump campaign conspired with Russia to affect the 2016 election was "case closed." Sen. Lindsey Graham, a staunch supporter of President Trump, told reporters in May that if he were Trump Jr.'s lawyer, "I wouldn't put him back in this circus." "Mueller to me is the final word on all things Trump and Russia. The family, I think, cooperated extensively, along with the Trump campaign," Graham said. "I admire Richard Burr. But here's what we've got to realize as oversight chairmen: there's criminal liability exposure to people who voluntarily submitted themselves to multiple investigations." President Trump has been more overt in his criticism of Burr. He retweeted multiple tweets slamming Burr for issuing a subpoena, and suggested that Burr's Democratic vice chair, Sen. Mark Warner, had taken over the committee. "Democrat Senator Mark Warner is acting and talking like he is in total control of the Senate Intelligence Committee," Mr. Trump tweeted in late May. Olivia Gazis contributed to this report.


Lando Norris thinks McLaren still needs to step up its game, even though it has extended its advantage over Renault in recent races. While says a particular weakness its car has in low-speed corners is something that especially needs to be sorted. "I think we need to work quite a bit from Silverstone, as I don't think we were that strong altogether compared to Renault at least," explained the British rookie. "So it's not just carrying on - we need to build up from it, I think they took a good step forward. We have things to work on. It's not the result that I would have wanted for myself but as a team we still got a good amount of points." Read Also: McLaren trusts Renault to play it fair in 2019 head-to-head Why McLaren is not missing Alonso Norris says that McLaren's strengths in high speed has helped it overcome its deficit in slow speed at recent tracks, but knows that it cannot rely on all layouts suiting it. "[At Silverstone] we were better through Maggotts and Becketts and they [Renault] couldn't catch up down the straights and in slow speed they were all over us," he said. "Slow speed is our biggest weakness at the moment. It has been said before, and it is something that we have to work on. But it is not as easy as it looks nor easy to change things and so on. "It is what we are trying to focus on, but we need to keep the high speed and medium speed [advantage]   and actually improve it because compared to the top three teams we are still a long way off. "Compared to the teams we are realistically racing now, we have strengths and weaknesses and are working on the weaknesses." Asked if the slow speed issue could be sorted quickly or was more a long term project, Norris said: "It is not something we can change over a weekend. It is not like we can optimise the car for the slow speed and sacrifice the high speed, even doing that you cannot gain what we are losing at the moment. "It is part of the longer term project and part of the things we need to improve and hopefully something we can improve mostly over the winter."


Atlanta is set to experience light rainfall this coming week, according to drone-powered weather forecasting service Saildrone . Friday's forecast shows the greatest likelihood of rain at 88 percent, with rain likely through Tuesday. The next few days will also bring warm temperatures, expected to stick around through Tuesday. Temperatures will reach a high of 84 degrees on Wednesday. Skies will be mostly cloudy on Thursday. Winds will stay light over the course of the week, with the highest speeds on Sunday at only 9 mph. This story was created automatically using Saildrone's local weather forecast data, then reviewed by an editor. We also incorporate historic weather data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.


The Rockets aren't optimistic about Patrick Beverley's status for the remainder of the season. According to ESPN.com , Rockets coach Kevin McHale told reporters Beverley has torn ligaments in his left wrist. The Houston point guard will be re-evaluated in seven to 10 days, and season-ending surgery may be needed. MORE: Howard to return Wednesday | Pau visits Sesame Street | Pierce accused of trashing apartment Beverley left Monday's game against the Pacers and traveled back to Houston on Tuesday to undergo tests on the wrist injury, which was originally ruled a sprain. "If the news is bad on Pat, he might be out a while," McHale said Tuesday, per the Houston Chronicle . "We will find out the news on Pat, but the initial thought was that it might be bad." The defensive-minded Beverley is averaging 10.1 points, 4.2 rebounds and 3.4 assists for the Rockets (47-23), who are third in the Western Conference. Jason Terry and Pablo Prigioni are expected to share minutes in Beverley's absence.


Rob Ferguson-USA TODAY Sports Nearly one-third of NFL rosters are comprised of undrafted free agents. In fact, there are more UDFA in the Pro Football Hall of Fame than there are No. 1 overall picks. Teams who can properly evaluate undrafted players and find guys who can stick around afford a team with quality depth with very little financial commitment. The Pittsburgh Steelers signed 10 players after the draft in hopes a few can stick through training camp and the preseason. Here are the three guys we think have the best shot to make the final 53-man roster. DL Chris Nelson, Texas It's been a long time since the Steelers had a true nose tackle on the roster so excuse us if we get a little excited about the potential of Nelson. The Steelers sent GM Kevin Colbert to the Texas pro day where he got a good look at the squatty run stuffer. He needs a year in an NFL strength program but his potential as a situational guy in the middle of the Steelers defense is high. S Dravon Askew-Henry, West Virginia Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports If we were ranking the UDFA by most likely to make the team, it feels like Askew-Herny has the best chance. The Steelers are thin at safety behind Sean Davis and Terrell Edmunds and Askew-Henry is an exciting player to watch. The Mountaineers moved him all over the field and his effort and physicality were evident. P Ian Berryman, Western Carolina (AP Photo/Juan DeLeon) We've included Berryman on this list because I do believe the starting punter job is going to be wide open in training camp. Jordan Berry is the incumbent but is inconsistent. Berryman showed incredible consistency during his college career and has a chance to steal a starting spot. MORE: George Hill takes over third quarter, burns Kyrie Irving, stuns NBA Twitter Kitchens on Greedy Williams after 1st day of rookie minicamp: 'He is smooth' NBA Free Agency 2019: The top players Colts LB Ben Banogu wants to be all over the defense Connor McGovern's athleticism makes fit with Cowboys more impressive


Having been amused by the playoff finals over the bank holiday weekend, we now have the Europa League and Champions League finals to sink our teeth into for the remainder of this week. Down at West Ham, though, we're in full holiday mode. Some players are away on international duty but many others have their feet up, a pina colada in hand and a copy of the Financial Times to peruse. But in the boardroom, things are very different. Transfer targets are being discussed and plans are being put in place for next season. To aid that process, we need rumours. Lots of them. So to help you digest the latest West Ham transfer talk, here's your rundown of the latest gossip... Delph Identified as Versatile Option This first rumour isn't one to set the heart racing, but it is one that could perhaps be perceived as a shrewd move by Hammers boss Manuel Pellegrini. That is, of course, if there is any interest whatsoever in signing Manchester City defender/midfielder/all around wherever you want to put him star Fabian Delph. The 29-year-old is now a double Premier League winner, although he's not been one of the standout performers in Pep's relentless points machine. Consequently, Football Insider hint at interest in bringing him to the London Stadium. Might not be such a bad shout after all, given he can play central midfield or fill many voids on the left hand side. Pellegrini Wants...BALOTELLI!? No, no, no he doesn't. Please tell me that he doesn't. Just as we thought West Ham wanted to get out of transfer banter land, Turkish news outlet Fotomac (via Sport Witness ) claim the Hammers are prepared to rival Fenerbahce to land Mario Balotelli on a free transfer this summer. He's out of contract at Marseille next month (shock, horror that nobody will offer him more than a one-year deal) and it's highly likely that the 28-year-old will be bringing his time in Ligue 1 to an end. To the London Stadium he goes? Let's hope not. Creative Midfield Search Leads to Kagawa That's what we're led to believe in Germany now, with the extremely unpronounceable Ruhr Nachrichten suggesting that West Ham are eyeing a move for Borussia Dortmund midfielder Shinji Kagawa, He has Premier League experience after spending two years at Manchester United, where he sampled the Red Devils last title success under the legendary Sir Alex Ferguson. Some would say that Kagawa is a little past his sell by date, given that Dortmund farmed him out on loan to Besiktas last season - but that's only what some would say. Defensive Target Keen on Premier League Switch All these rumours that have little to no foundation really are fun, aren't they? Well, here's one that might have a little traction after all. That's because West Ham were first linked with Alaves' Guillermo Maripan a few months ago, and no other real contenders have been mentioned - not as regularly as the Hammers at least. The latest news comes first from Mundo Deportivo , who claim that progress has not been made because 'continuity' over Manuel Pellegrini's future at the London Stadium is 'not clear'; which is code for they want to make sure the Chilean boss is staying before pressing ahead. Secondly, from Goal' s Spanish branch, with news that Maripan has publicly expressed his admiration for the Premier League, and his desire to play in it. "Since I was little, I always liked the Premier League. It's a great challenge on a personal level. It's my second season in Europe, I feel very good in Spain, but I would like to go to the Premier League." So he wants it. But do we want it? Hmmm, unsure.


U.S. stock index futures pointed to a rally on Monday after the U.S. reached an agreement with Mexico on tariffs, easing some of the trade concerns which have weighed on the market since early May. Dow Jones Industrial Average futures indicated a positive open of about 150 points. Futures on S&P 500 and Nasdaq pointed to gains of about 1% and 0.3%, respectively. President Donald Trump announced Sunday that proposed tariffs on Mexican imports would be suspended indefinitely. Trump said in a Twitter post that he has "full confidence" that Mexico will crack down on migration from Central America, after the two neighbors reached a consensus. Shares of GM and Ford, two companies that had a lot to lose in a trade battle with Mexico because of their production their, jumped in premarket trading. Meanwhile, investors are closely monitoring trade links between China and the United States ahead of a key meeting between the leaders of the two countries. Speaking to CNBC on Sunday, U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said Trump will decide about further Chinese tariffs after he meets his Chinese counterpart later this month. "If China wants to move forward with the deal, we're prepared to move forward on the terms we've done. If China doesn't want to move forward, then President Trump is perfectly happy to move forward with tariffs to re-balance the relationship," Mnuchin told CNBC's Nancy Hungerford. Chipmakers jumped in trading on hopes trade tensions would ease further. Nvidia and Advanced Micro Devices gained. Monster defense deal Adding to the bullish sentiment on Monday was a blockbuster deal in the aerospace industry. Raytheon and United Technologies agreed to an all-stock merger that would create a combined company with $74 billion in annual sales. Both shares surged in premarket trading. Salesforce.com announced its acquisition of big data company Tableau Software on Monday. The $15.3 billion all-stock deal marks the biggest purchase in the company's history. Tableau's stock surged 35% in premarket on Monday. Data out Monday morning showed China's overall trade surplus hit $41.65 billion in May, higher than what economists were expecting. Speaking to CNBC over the weekend, France's Bruno Le Maire said that a U.S.-China trade escalation would lead to an economic crisis all over the world. Outside of trade war, investors continue to remain worried about weak data from the U.S. Data on Friday showed, the U.S. economy added 75,000 jobs in May, marking the second time in four months that jobs growth totaled less than 100,000. Economists polled by Dow Jones expected an increase of 180,000 jobs. Wage growth also slowed. The major indexes are looking to build on last week's big gains on rate-cut hopes.The Dow snapped a six-week losing streak last week, jumping 4.7%, its biggest weekly gain since November. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq were up 4.4% and 3.9% last week, respectively.   CNBC's Silvia Amaro, Fred Imbert and Spencer Kimball contributed to this report.


HARTLAND, WI -- Step inside this iconic Pine Lake home on 200 feet of excellent east shore frontage. This property is the former home of Harry and Betty Quadracci. Harry Quadracci founded Quad/Graphics in 1971, and now employs more than 20,000 people worldwide. The spacious living area offers panoramic western views across the pristine waters of Pine Lake with walls of windows, brings together four distinct yet open dining areas for maximum flexibility. A newer sauna and indoor spa room and 50 x 7-foot lap pool make this destination property worth a look. Their former home is an inspired blend of contemporary architecture and nature with two main floor bedroom suites and four other bedrooms, four fireplaces, and a finished lower level with a walkout to the lake. More from the realtor: Volume ceilings, open, bright and airy living spaces. Glass, wood and stone blend the indoors and outdoors. An amazing home for entertaining with many decks and patios outside and a gourmet kitchen with an adjacent large catering area/pantry. Large wine cellar. Address: 5975 Cedarhurst Ln, Hartland, Wisconsin Price: $3,500,000 Square Feet: 10,000 Bedrooms: 6 Bathrooms: 9 Baths Built: 1965 This listing originally appeared on realtor.com . For more information and photos, click here. [MOVE_NEW_HOMES]


Ryan Gustafson, a former Christian missionary in Africa whose international counterfeiting operation was undone by the passing of a fake bill at a Pittsburgh coffee shop, is headed to federal prison for more than six years. U.S. District Judge Mark Hornak on Tuesday imposed a term of 74 months on Gustafson, 31, whose wife is the granddaughter of the late Ugandan dictator Idi Amin. Gustafson said he manufactured fake money in Africa to pay the bills for his own penniless family and for desperately poor orphans he was trying to help, but the judge said his crime was "serious and significant" and that he ripped off a lot of people in the U.S. In addition to the prison term, to be served at a penitentiary in Miami, Judge Hornak ordered Gustafson to pay about $230,000 in restitution to a list of American victims stuck with his funny money. The 74-month term had been agreed to by the U.S. attorney's office and Gustafson's lawyer as part of his plea deal earlier this year to resolve two indictments. It takes into account time Gustafson had already spent in a Ugandan prison after his arrest five years ago. He was charged here with running a counterfeit ring from Uganda and then a second time with shipping fake bills to the U.S. The son of missionary parents originally from Montana, he was extradited from Africa to Pittsburgh in December 2015 to face trial here. Gustafson had originally been arrested in Uganda in 2014 when police raided his house and found phony bills, computers, printers and rubber gloves called "Anon Hands" designed to conceal fingerprints. Prosecutors said he used the name "Willy Clock" and set up a dark web community in 2013 to teach people how to make counterfeit money and avoid getting caught. He later sold and shipped fake bills to U.S. customers who in turn wired him real money as payment. The whole scheme unraveled in Pittsburgh when a former Bank of New York Mellon employee, Joe Graziano, used a bogus $100 bill to buy a latte at an Oakland coffee shop. That single transaction launched a Secret Service investigation that ultimately let to Gustafson on another continent. Before his sentence was imposed, he launched into a long story about his life in Africa helping refugees and said his crimes were motivated by the poverty he both witnessed and endured. "What I did was wrong and there's no question about it," he said. "I felt justified in what I later did." He also described abuses he claimed to have suffered in the Ugandan penal system and blamed the U.S. for not helping him. But Assistant U.S. Attorney Shardul Desai rebuffed him on that score, saying he had refused to leave Uganda until he was finally deported. Judge Hornak described Gustafson as a "bright guy" and warned him not to fall victim to the temptation of thinking he's smart enough not to get caught should he someday decide to pull another sophisticated crime. The judge also imposed a term of probation of three years, during which the government will monitor him, but beyond that he told Gustafson that "it's ultimately up to you" how the future plays out. Torsten Ove: tove@post-gazette.com.


The Carolina Panthers kicked off their 2019 rookie minicamp today on the lot next to Bank of America Stadium. The practice field bubble is still under construction, so they had to do their training in the rain. Here's a few videos of the new class of Panthers on their first day at work. Brian Burns arrives No. 1 pick arrives pic.twitter.com/l9TvCuCqWA - Bill Voth (@PanthersBill) May 10, 2019 Will Grier, Kyle Allen passing drills pic.twitter.com/1SXeYNXCvO - Bill Voth (@PanthersBill) May 10, 2019 Passing in the rain just passing in the rain pic.twitter.com/PscplrHD71 - Bill Voth (@PanthersBill) May 10, 2019 Greg Little gets coached up Coaching him up pic.twitter.com/icOSumXMmO - Bill Voth (@PanthersBill) May 10, 2019 Terry Godwin shows off his hands Slippery toss and catch, but one receiver hasn't dropped a ball yet - pic.twitter.com/XOL9Hq29bv - Jourdan Rodrigue (@JourdanRodrigue) May 10, 2019 The Panthers have invited 33 players to this year's camp, which is a little lower than usual due to the number of former AAF players the team has signed. 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' Rumor: LeBron made a visit to Kawhi Leonard during Raptors-Sixers series


The cool dark of the bar provided respite from the hot, afternoon sunshine and it was a minute or two before our eyes adjusted to the scene inside. Settling onto a couple of stools, we ordered beers and took in our surroundings. Dollar bills, most bearing messages penned in magic marker, covered every inch of the walls and ceiling, three and four layers deep in some places. Two sunburned couples across the bar ordered another round, tapping their plastic cups in a toast while Johnny Cash crooned overhead. "I kind of feel like we're in the Twilight Zone," my husband said as the bartender set baskets brimming with french fries and fried grouper in front of us. We'd landed in No Name Pub, a longtime Florida Keys institution quite a ways off the beaten path. A few hours earlier saw us part of a different Keys tableau   sipping our coffee while gazing at the Atlantic across a lawn dotted with swaying palms. The ocean and a busy woodpecker were the only sounds we could hear. A drive down Florida's Overseas Highway from Key Largo to Key West offers the perfect blend of eccentric bohemia and chic joie de vivre . As the mile markers decrease, Old Florida charm sharpens into focus. Strip malls hawking beach sundries and snorkeling tours along the upper reaches of U.S. 1 give way to dazzling turquoise flashes as the road becomes more bridge than highway. The route south is festooned with the Keys' ubiquitous kitsch   a giant, spiny lobster presides over a local arts village, lipsticked manatees clutch mailboxes, and hand painted mermaids tempt passersby with the promise of sunset cocktails. Though Hurricane Irma, which ravaged the archipelago in September 2017, is not yet a faint memory for those who call the Keys home, the region has made a remarkable recovery. Most hotels and resorts have reopened   many after completing extensive renovations   and a few new spots have joined the roster. Restaurants, beach bars, state parks, and legions of watersports outfitters have also rebounded, leaving visitors hard pressed to find evidence of the storm's Category-4 destruction. You could drive the 113-mile stretch in a little over three hours, but why would you want to? Road trips, especially one as iconic as this, are all about the stops along the way. So put the top down and cue Jimmy Buffet. Here's our guide to the best the Florida Keys has to offer. Key Largo Ease yourself into the Keys' laid-back vibe just south of Homestead with a detour onto Card Sound Road. A stop into Alabama Jack's is a must, especially if you're a first-timer   the scrappy, waterside seafood shack has been the Keys' unofficial welcome wagon since 1947 and serves some of the best conch fritters around. Live music and the line of Harleys outside add to the honky-tonk scene. With your internal clock synced to island time, cruise over Card Sound Bridge and into Key Largo where you'll find John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park at mile marker 102.5. Explore the park's prolific marine life and a portion of the 360-mile Florida Reef Tract   North America's only living coral barrier reef   on a guided snorkeling tour . Or rent kayaks and head out for a paddle through miles of mangrove-lined wilderness trails. Key Largo is at the epicenter of sustainability efforts in the Florida Keys these days, especially when it comes to reef health. At the Coral Restoration Foundation, researchers are rearing and planting corals in undersea nurseries. For a unique experience, snorkelers and divers looking to add an eco-tourism stint to their travels can assist scientists with outplanting and reef monitoring at active restorations sites. After a day of sea and sun, check into the breezy Baker's Cay Resort , a lush retreat tucked into a secluded setting with gorgeous Florida Strait views. Formerly the Hilton Key Largo, the 13-acre property was undergoing a full renovation when Irma struck. Rather than rebuild, Hilton created Baker's Cay, which opened in late-January to join the brand's luxurious Curio Collection. The resort's beauty isn't only skin-deep. Baker's Cay has made a commitment to becoming a leader in sustainability, partnering with local environmental organizations to create eco-friendly guest programming as well as being the first resort in the Keys to join Reef Relief's " Skip the Straw " campaign. Islamorada You could easily spend a few days hopping around the string of tiny islands that make up Islamorada and while you do, The Moorings Village is the perfect place to call home. Built in 1936 on a former coconut plantation, the resort is home to 18 beachy cottages nestled amidst tropical landscaping just steps from the Atlantic. Eight-hundred palm trees dot the property and there's no shortage of hammocks for lounging beneath the verdant fronds. Grab a paddleboard and head out for an ocean jaunt, watch the world go by from the cool shade of your porch, or while away a few hours by the gorgeous pool   newly refreshed post-Irma. If you can tear yourself away, single-speed beach cruisers are available for a pedal around town. Check out the galleries around the corner in the Morada Bay Arts and Cultural District  every third Thursday is the district's evening art walk   or pop into the beer garden at the Florida Keys Brewing Company for a hyper-local tasting flight. Robbie's Marina , one of the Florida Keys' most iconic landmarks, sits on the tip of Lower Matecumbe Key, about five miles south at mile marker 77.5. The epitome of the archipelago's barefoot affability, Robbie's is a waterside shantytown of sorts that includes an outdoor marketplace, a marine sports outpost, and the Hungry Tarpon restaurant, named for the school of enormous silver fish that have been circling the docks for decades. Four bucks will get you a bucket of bait and feeding the leaping, thrashing creatures provides a memorable diversion. Afterwards, head out for an eco-tour through Islamorada's pristine waters with Captain Sam Zeher or just chill dockside with one of Robbie's Trailer Trash Bloody Marys, complete with beef-jerky straw. When the dinner hour beckons, shake the sand from your toes and head to Pierre's , an elegant plantation-style house with a wide verandah overlooking Florida Bay. A few miles north at Marker 88 , chef Bobby Stoky serves the super-fresh seafood one would expect to find in the sportfishing capital of the world. Tuck into cracked conch and coconut-crusted hogfish on the outdoor patio with a glass of fruity Chardonnay   for a relaxed joint, Marker 88 has an excellent wine list. At either spot, the famous Keys sunset is guaranteed to put on a memorable show. Marathon Even before Hemingway's old man took to the sea, the Keys were a saltwater angler's paradise, legendary for big game like sailfish, wahoo, and blue marlin. Though pulling a trophy fish from the ocean can be a thrill, sometimes the best part of casting a line is eating your catch later. One of the best ways to do so is on a Hook and Cook adventure at Hawks Cay Resort on Duck Key, a pocket-sized island about 20 miles south of Islamorada. The resort, which received a major lashing from Hurricane Irma, reopened last August fresh off a $50-million renovation that included a complete redesign of its public spaces and guestrooms, two new restaurants, and a reimagined adults-only enclave called Oasis Cay. Get out onto the water with lifelong conch, Captain Dave Perry , who has been fishing the Keys for decades and runs charters out of the Hawks Cay Marina with Captain Justin Brunk. In addition to blue water hunting, the two specialize in fishing the reef for snapper and grouper, fish that Hawks Cay executive chef William Ryan will later blacken, grill, or fry for a hyper-local meal at Angler and Ale , the resort's new dockside restaurant. Connecting Marathon to the Lower Keys, the Seven-Mile Bridge is a highlight of any Keys road trip and driving it feels like being in an ocean themed circle-vision movie. But before you do, take a ferry out to picturesque Pigeon Key for a dose of Keys history. More than 100 years ago, Florida tycoon Henry Flagler envisioned an Overseas Railroad linking mainland Florida to Key West. The project was nicknamed Flagler's Folly   no one believed his ambitious plan would come to fruition   yet despite naysayers, the rail line was finished in 1912 complete with the engineering marvel that became the Seven Mile Bridge. During the railroad's construction, over 400 workers lived on Pigeon Key, which is now listed on the National Historic Register. Tours of the tiny island leave three times daily from the Pigeon Key Visitor's Center and offer a deep dive into the story of the railroad, its ill-fated demise, and the scenic highway travelers drive today. The Lower Keys The necklace of islands south of the Seven Mile Bridge bore the brunt of Irma's wrath and while a few vestiges of the storm remain, the area has rebounded quite well. Take a detour for some beach bliss at Bahia Honda State Park , a 524-acre swath of nature tucked between the Atlantic and the Gulf. Sandspur Beach, long considered one of the best in the Keys, remains closed, but the crescent of sand that makes up Calusa Beach on the tranquil bayside makes a fine stand-in. On Big Pine Key, stop into the new Florida Keys National Wildlife Refuges Nature Cente r , which features exhibits spotlighting the Keys' four wildlife refuges including the nearby National Key Deer Refuge . Established in 1957, the refuge protects approximately 9,200 acres of land on Big Pine and No Name Keys that serves as habitat for endangered Key Deer. Stick to the speed limit around here   the diminutive creatures have been known to dart into the road, especially at dawn and dusk. About 30 minutes south, you'll find authentic, Old Keys spirit on the docks of Geiger Key Marina at The Fish Camp . Owned by local restaurateurs Michelle and Bobby Mongelli, who also run the well-loved Hogfish Bar and Grill on nearby Stock Island, this open-air tiki bar and seafood joint claims to be on "the back side of paradise," which certainly feels accurate when you're sitting waterside with a plate of succulent Key West pink shrimp and a cold beer. The Sunday afternoon barbecue is legendary. Head out to explore the labyrinth of waterways around Stock Island on a guided kayak tour with Lazy Dog Adventures . Trips leave from a tiny inlet on Cow Key Channel and wind through the mangrove tunnels and saltwater creeks hugging the edge of the Atlantic. The vibrant ecosystem provides a habitat for manatees, sea stars, tropical fish, and all kinds of shorebirds   many of which you'll encounter while paddling through the Keys' backcountry wilderness. Key West Key West exudes the same anything-goes bonhomie it did back in the day of rumrunners and speakeasies   only now it's infused with a shot of modern flair. Colorful conch cottages line the streets of Old Town, swank cocktail salons mingle with celebrated watering holes on Duval, and feral fowl give new meaning to free-range as they strut along the sidewalks crowing with carefree abandon. Find respite from the downtown bacchanalia at the Parrot Key Hotel , which reopened in January following a meticulous post-hurricane rebuild. The entire property breathes Old Key West charm. Walkways edged with white picket fences wind through tropical gardens past hidden swimming pools and quaint, two-story clapboard bungalows. Bright blue Adirondack chairs sit on covered porches, hammocks swing beneath shady palms, and ceiling fans spin lazily overhead at Grove, the resort's new open-air restaurant. Parrot Key's complimentary shuttle delivers guests throughout the day to either a private beach club at Smather's Beach or to the heart of Old Town. For a DIY adventure, a fleet of single-speed beach cruisers invites exploration. At four miles long and two miles wide, Key West is made for biking. Pedal through dappled sunlight along Whitehead Street to the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum . Inside, passionate docents supply a glimpse into the profound yet tragic genius of one of the Lost Generation's most colorful characters. Pay further tribute to Papa at the Hemingway Rum Company , which produces the award-winning Papa's Pilar, named for the author's beloved fishing boat. The company's flagship headquarters, housed in a former tobacco warehouse, is part distillery, part tasting room, and part museum. Find a spot at the bar and sample delicious, dark and blonde Solera-blended rums amidst all variety of Hemingway-themed ephemera. When the sun starts to set, climb aboard Danger Charters ' elegant, three-masted schooner for a wine tasting sail that offers a polished alternative to the nightly circus   think fire juggling acrobats and hoop jumping cats   at Mallory Square. Or take a quick jaunt on the private ferry to Sunset Key for a gastronomical adventure overlooking the Gulf of Mexico at Latitudes , the signature restaurant at Sunset Key Cottages . Though you'll dine by the light of tiki torches with your toes in the sand, executive chef Jerry Crocker works culinary magic on local seafood like yellowtail, grouper, and cobia. Innovative cocktails, crisp white tablecloths, and dreamy island views round out a memorable evening.


Courtney Ball has lost and gained weight throughout her entire life, and it wasn't until 2016 she made the decision to take care of herself and become healthier and stronger. Courtney Lost More Than 60 Pounds and Went From a Size 18 to a 10 in Just 18 Months Some people have struggled with their weight for what seems like their entire lives. Courtney Ball ( @intotheforest_i_go on Instagram), 34, told POPSUGAR, "My journey with health and fitness has been a lifetime battle." She's lost and gained weight throughout her entire life, and it wasn't until 2016 she made the decision to take care of herself and become healthier and stronger. Now "I am proud to say, I am one fit mama," she said. C lick through the slideshow above to learn how she did it. Courtney's History With Food and Weight Loss "Growing up, I was heavy, and in high school I tried diet pills as well as not eating," Courtney shared. Her relationship with food has always been her hardest battle. "I didn't know how to eat for fuel. I ate because it was what tasted good," and she thought healthy foods couldn't also be delicious. "I was always looking for the quick fix, the magical 'lose-30-pounds-in-five-days' fairy," Courtney said. Throughout her entire life, she's lost and gained weight, and until 2016, she didn't know she could lose weight and keep it off without surgery. She just had to retrain her mind from everything she had been raised to know about healthy eating. "I've had to learn that my relationship with food is a direct connection to how I feel and how I perform in life and in my workouts," Courtney explained. Courtney's Light-Bulb Moment It took Courtney having her two kids and moving to another state, where she was totally isolated, to realize she had a choice: "I can be sad, depressed, anxious, and alone, even in my house with two kids (my spouse travels); or I can help myself and become the person I have always wanted to be and knew I could be," Courtney said. It may have taken her longer to come to that realization, but in 2016, it clicked - and she hasn't looked back since. "I was tired of clothes not fitting the way I knew they could, and I felt like wearing jeans was a punishment," Courtney said. She wanted to chase her kids and not be out of breath. She knew it was time to change. "I wanted my kids to have active parents, not sideline-watching parents. I wanted to look on the outside how I felt on the inside," Courtney said. Courtney's Journey Begins At 5'2", Courtney's heaviest weight was 240 pounds, and her weight when she started her weight-loss journey was around 230. She started off with simple changes, like going to Zumba classes at her local YMCA and walking on the track. Then she found CrossFit . She listened to podcasts and read anything she could get her hands on about wellness. "I knew this time was going to be different. So after I lost about 15 pounds, I took my very first 'before' pictures." Then with the encouragement of one her best friends, Courtney signed up for a half marathon even though she couldn't even run a mile. Courtney's Progress Courtney began her weight-loss journey in 2016, and after a year and a half, she lost 62 pounds. She went from a size 18 to a size 10. "Now almost three years later, I have finished many half marathons, a marathon, and a 50K. I do CrossFit four days a week, and I am proud to say, I am one fit mama." Courtney's Diet Courtney started following the Paleo diet after listening to the podcast Fat-Burning Man . It made sense to her because it involved eating all the foods she liked to eat, and it was a lifestyle change, not a crash diet. Courtney started 16:8 intermittent fasting where she eats from around 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Her diet consists of whole, clean foods, meat and veggies, and she loved everything she was eating. Courtney also drinks a gallon of water a day . "I couldn't believe my energy change. My mood changed, and the weight just started coming off," Courtney said. For the first year and a half, she never tracked or weighed her food. "Food is still a struggle at times, but overall I now know how to fuel to perform." What Courtney Eats Courtney usually starts her day with coffee with Vital Protein Collagen Powder and Nut Pods French vanilla creamer. Then she fasts until about 11:30 a.m. Her food varies from week to week, but here are some examples of her favorite go-to meals: Egg-stuffed pork sausage with greens Breakfast frittata: eggs, egg whites, peppers, sausage, spinach, squash Sweet potato sliders with grass-fed beef and side salad Sweet potato sandwich with organic pulled chicken and arugula Mexican-inspired stuffed peppers Spinach and egg with side of banana and almond butter Spinach and arugula salad: green apple, grapes, avocado, and grilled chicken Banana pancake: one banana, two eggs, mashed with a dash of cinnamon Courtney's Workouts As she mentioned, Courtney started with Zumba classes, walking on a track, and then started doing CrossFit three times a week. How does she fit in workouts? "With two kids, you have to plan ahead or your workout will be the first thing to go, so I plan ahead," Courtney said. This was her weekly workout schedule: Monday: CrossFit (1.5 hours) Tuesday: short run (usually two to four miles) plus weights at her neighborhood gym. "Or I just do some burpees in my backyard after my run...y'all, it doesn't have to be fancy!" she said. Wednesday: CrossFit Thursday: rest Friday: CrossFit Saturday: long trail run (usually six to 10 miles) Sunday: rest Now, Courtney stays fit with CrossFit four days a week. How Courtney Stays Motivated Courtney said her motivation is simple: "My two brown-eyed loves. My children motivate me. They are always watching. They mimic what they see; children know what we show them. My motivation comes from knowing when I train hard, they are always at the finish line," Courtney said. "Motivation has to be driven by something greater than ourselves sometimes." She also stays inspired by varying her workouts. She rock climbs and likes to try out new climbing gyms. She also loves hiking, and she just paddleboarded for the first time last year and loved it. Her advice? "Just keep moving." Courtney's Words of Wisdom "I used to look at other people and think 'I'm different than them: I can't run. I can't CrossFit; CrossFit people won't like me.' I told myself so many lies for so many years! If only I had those years back. Listen when you read this: I am you," Courtney said. Everyone starts somewhere; the important thing is to start! Courtney's Advice "Take a walk today - that's how I started," Courtney said. She added that you have to ask yourself: "What if I don't quit this time? What if when I lose my first 10 pounds, I don't reward myself with food and reward myself with new running shoes instead? What if I change what I have always done?" Believe in yourself! "What if you loved yourself enough to say: 'I will change. I am changing. I'm going to email a CrossFit gym, and I'm going to go try!' You can - show up scared, all of us have had a first day. Even if you are the last person to cross the finish line, you are moving and that is what matters," Courtney said. Courtney's Final Thoughts Courtney shared that it's so important to set goals. Write them down in a journal to keep you inspired and on track. Find something or someone that motivates you, whether it's a trainer or coach you connect with, a fitness buddy, or a workout that you love so much that you wake up excited to go. Remember that "it's OK to fail; it's not OK to quit. It is going to be hard. It takes time," she said, and she wants to leave you with this quote that inspires her: "I always thought I wanted to look good, until I realized what it felt like to be strong."


Resources to help survivors of sexual assault include the National Sex Assault Hotline (800-656-4673), and The Rape, Abuse, & Incest National Network (RAINN) online hotline . Trigger Warning: This article contains information and details about alleged sexual assault and/or violence, which may be upsetting to some readers. MONMOUTH, N.J.   A New Jersey judge facing intense criticism for ruling that a teenage boy accused of rape should not face adult charges in part because he " came from a good family " has agreed to step down, according to a State Supreme Court order issued Wednesday . Superior Court Judge James G. Troiano, a retired judge who was taking cases on an on-call basis, told the Supreme Court that he did not want to continue serving and would leave the bench effective immediately, according to Chief Justice Stuart Rabner's order. Troiano has drawn sharp criticism in recent weeks over his decision to bar the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office from bringing adult charges against a boy accused of sexually assaulting an intoxicated girl at a party in 2017. He allegedly sexually assaulted a girl: A judge went easy on him: He 'comes from a good family' In his ruling, Troiano appeared to give deference to the accused, citing his status as an Eagle Scout and the potentially "devastating effect" adult charges would have on his life. An appellate court last month reversed his decision and rebuked Troiano for his remarks. "[T]his young man comes from a good family who put him into an excellent school where he was doing extremely well," Troiano said of the accused, according to the appellate court decision. "He is clearly a candidate for not just college but probably for a good college." The decision drew widespread attention when it came to light and a number of lawmakers and activists demanded Troiano's resignation. Last Thursday, about 50 people gathered outside the Monmouth County Courthouse to demand the resignations of Troiano and another Superior Court judge also under fire for a decision in a sexual assault case. Protesters said Troiano's remarks underscored why so few sexual assault victims report the assault to authorities and the seemingly preferable treatment within the criminal justice system to those accused of sexual assault. Activists said Troiano perpetuated "rape culture" by suggesting that a teenage boy deserved leniency because of his social and academic standing. Gov. Phil Murphy said in a statement Wednesday afternoon that he was "gratified" that Judge Troiano will no longer sit on the bench." Murphy had previously stopped short of calling for the judge's resignation, but said his conduct should be investigated. Troiano's decision was announced just minutes before the Supreme Court said it would begin removal proceedings against Superior Court Judge John F. Russo over his " close your legs " remarks to an alleged rape victim. "I am pleased with the swift action taken by the Courts to uphold the reputation of our judiciary and ensure that all who seek justice are treated with dignity and respect," Murphy said in a statement. Prosecutors allege that the 16-year-old boy, identified only as "G.M.C." sexually assaulted a 16-year-old girl in a basement during a pajama-themed party in Monmouth County in 2017. The girl was visibly intoxicated and slurring her words at the time, according to prosecutors. Inquiry: Justice Department ends inquiry of hush-money payments in final months of Donald Trump's campaign, judge says The defendant allegedly recorded the assault on his cell phone and later circulated it among friends, including sending a text message that read "(w)hen your first time having sex was rape," according to the appellate decision. Prosecutors had sought to bring a slew of adult charges including first-degree aggravated sexual assault against the boy, but Troiano ruled the case couldn't be waived up to adult court. The appellate court chastised Troiano for his remarks writing, "that the juvenile came from a good family and had good test scores we assume would not condemn the juveniles who do not come from good families and do not have good test scores from withstanding waiver applications." The decision clears the way for prosecutors to bring adult charges in the case. The Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office has said it is assessing its next moves in discussions with the girl and her family. The defendant had been attending Syracuse University until the case the case drew national attention. The university now says he is no longer a student there. Troiano has not commented publicly since the controversy began. Mitchell Ansell, who is representing "G.M.C" as part of the Ocean Township law firm Ansell, Grimm and Aaron, said Troiano heard testimony from three police officers and considered a number of factors like the maturity of his client and the potential for rehabilitation as part of his decision. "The comments made by Judge Troiano in his decision were in the context of addressing those factors and assessing the evidence that he heard," Ansell said in a statement last week. Ansell said his client's innocence or guilt has not yet been addressed in court. But Troiano faced a growing chorus of criticism as his remarks drew headlines nationwide. Murphy criticized his remarks and a number of state lawmakers, including Senate President Steve Sweeney, demanded he either resign or be removed from the judiciary. A group of state lawmakers already lodged a formal complaint with the state Advisory Committee on Judicial Conduct earlier this month against Superior Court Judge Marcia Silva. Silva, who sits in Middlesex County, ruled that another 16-year-old sexual assault defendant shouldn't be tried as an adult in part because the 12-year-old girl he was accusing of raping did not suffer "especially serious harm." Both cases have ignited outrage against the judiciary in New Jersey. Officials also announced Wednesday that, in response to a request from Rabner, all Superior Court, Tax Court and Appellate Division judges, as well as state Supreme Court justices, will attend a mandatory day-long conference on sexual assault, domestic violence, implicit bias and diversity within 90 days. "The programs also will train judges in effective communication skills that will aid them in delivering clear decisions that are rooted in the law, respectful of victims and understandable to the public while protecting the rights of the accused," Glenn A. Grant, acting administrative director of the courts, wrote in a letter to state judges. The conference is part of a new initiative designed to expand upon training judges already receive. Follow Andrew Goudsward on Twitter: @AGoudsward This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: New Jersey judge who cited alleged rapist's 'good family' in court ruling steps down Resources to help survivors of sexual assault include the National Sex Assault Hotline (800-656-4673), and The Rape, Abuse, & Incest National Network (RAINN) online hotline .


Lions cornerback Darius Slay will report to camp, Tom Pelissero of NFL.com tweets. That's more good news for the Lions, who learned yesterday that Damon Harrison will also be in attendance . #Lions CB Darius Slay also will report, source said. Detroit at full strength for start of camp. https://t.co/6lycY14LLV   Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) July 23, 2019 Slay is scheduled to make base salaries of $12M this year and $10M in 2020, with per-game roster bonuses totaling $250K each season. However, he wants a new deal that will keep him under contract for even longer at rates that put him near the top of the cornerback totem pole. Slay has spent his entire career with the Lions, and he's earned Pro Bowl nods in each of the past two seasons. While his 2017 campaign was hard to match statistically, he had a solid 2018 with 43 tackles, 17 passes defended and three interceptions in 15 games (15 starts). Pro Football Focus ranked Slay 23rd among 112 eligible cornerbacks. Although Slay wants a new deal, he wasn't expected to hold out into the regular season, when the real fines will start to pile up. Still, his participation in training camp is an encouraging sign for ongoing extension talks.


The Detroit Lions released veteran RB Theo Riddick on Saturday in order to make room for new standout DT Mike Daniels. There is some shock value to dumping Riddick, but he was the most logical candidate to move for GM Bob Quinn. He's a third-string RB who made too much money and didn't contribute much on special teams. Riddick was a good player but not an irreplaceable one. And the Lions already have his replacement on the roster. The fifth-round selection of Maryland RB Ty Johnson appears a lot more prescient now. While he and Riddick are different styles of players, the transformation of the Lions offense from Jim Bob Cooter's system to new coordinator Darrell Bevell's more run-heavy scheme might actually suit the speedy rookie better than it does Riddick. As straight running backs, Johnson brings more power, decisiveness and speed to the corner. Those are qualities Bevell has valued in his previous stops in Seattle and Minnesota more than an elusive, receiving-oriented back like Riddick. Both RBs got RB reps with the third-team offense in Friday's practice. Riddick did get a series of second-team reps in a 7-on-7 red zone drill, but while he was doing that Johnson was getting first-team reps in a punt return drill. Johnson's superior speed and return-man potential should overcome the loss in the third-down passing offense with Riddick's departure. It's the special teams potential where I see the bigger shift to Johnson. The return jobs are wide open, and the speedy Johnson was a dynamic one for Maryland in college. Riddick got exactly one kick return attempt in six seasons and didn't play on coverage units. Between that and the cost difference, it's an obvious decision to move to Johnson. MORE: Bear bites woman in tent at Yellowstone, prompts action Sherra Wright pleads guilty in killing of LeBron's former teammate Lorenzen Wright Behind the scenes with new-look Nets: 'We got stars without mortgaging everything'' Giants' Saquon Barkley rips Daniel Jones critics: You don't know football JuJu Smith-Schuster's lowkey entrance makes the biggest statement


FORT WORTH (CBSDFW.COM)   Two people were transported to JPS Hospital following an auto pedestrian accident involving trolley Sunday evening. The incident occurred on the intersection of Houston and W. 2nd Street. Neither of the identities of the victims have been identified and there has been no word on their condition. This is a developing story that will be updated.


CC Sabathia has been dealing with discomfort in his right knee and expects that he'll need an injured list stint to get back on track, the veteran southpaw told MLB.com's Bryan Hoch ( Twitter links here ) and other media members. Rather than travel with the Yankees to begin their series in Kansas City on Friday, Sabathia will instead likely head to New York for treatment and an injection in his bothersome knee. Sabathia has undergone multiple knee surgeries throughout his career, and this latest issue seems relatively minor, more akin to one of several routine maintenance-type procedures Sabathia has undergone over the years. More serious, persistent knee troubles threatened to prematurely Sabathia's career in the middle of the decade, though since that time, the left-hander has enjoyed a career revival as an anchor at the back end of the Yankees' rotation, posting a 3.70 ERA, 7.6 K/9 and 2.43 K/BB rate over 517 2/3 innings since the start of the 2016 season. The veteran southpaw has already announced that 2019 will the last season of what could very well end up as a Hall of Fame career, and he is hoping to go out with another World Series ring for a Yankees team that currently leads the AL East. The Yankees achieved this success despite a staggering number of injuries, so it doesn't seem the club should have much trouble managing what should be a relatively brief IL stay for Sabathia. Masahiro Tanaka (heel contusion) is back from the injured list to start tomorrow's game, and James Paxton may also be back in the rotation before May is over. Beyond regular starters, New York could also deploy openers or bullpen games to fill any other holes in the starting five.


Oakland Read on for the most recent top news you may have missed in Oakland. Meet Darren Powell, the skateboard re-innovator of east Oakland If you've ever seen someone cruising the streets on a Maybach-shaped skateboard, you've seen the work of Darren Powell. Read the full story on KQED Arts . Gov. Newsom announces homelessness task force in Oakland visit Gov. Gavin Newsom came to Oakland on Tuesday to announce the creation of a task force to help address California's homelessness crisis. Read the full story on CBS San Francisco . Oakland Unified's budget woes now include loss of two fiscal officers Oakland Unified's chief financial officer abruptly resigned just a month after the school board eliminated its chief business officer position. Read the full story on East Bay Times . Ex-con charged in East Oakland fatal shooting An ex-convict has been charged with murder and other counts in the May 15 shooting of another man in East Oakland. Read the full story on East Bay Times . West Oakland man accused of fatally shooting neighbor during argument A man appeared in court on Monday on a murder charge for the recent fatal shooting of another man at the West Oakland apartment building where they both lived. Read the full story on CBS San Francisco . This story was created automatically using data about news stories on social media from CrowdTangle , then reviewed by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.


Missed the the most recent top news in Cleveland? Read on for everything you need to know. Vehicle slams into Cleveland home as driver fights with carjacker It was a wild night for one driver on the city's east side. Read the full story on WKYC . New sports app picks Cleveland for launch Pickup is an app that turns sports headlines into a unique competitive social game. Read the full story on WKYC . Cleveland aerospace company accused of Pentagon profiteering The latest contractor being held up as the poster child for taxpayer gouging is headquartered in Cleveland's Tower at Erieview. Read the full story on Cleveland.com . This story was created automatically using data about news stories on social media from CrowdTangle , then reviewed by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.


Check out the top shots from final day of the 2019 PGA Championship.


As the Jets search for a new General Manager, one question becomes whether and to what extent interim G.M. Adam Gase will surrender control over the roster when a new G.M. arrives. Another question becomes whether and to what extent he needs to. The fact that the Jets have requested permission to interview at least four executives currently under contract with other teams implies that the job entails enough responsibility to permit the hire to be made; otherwise, the requests could be (and likely would be) summarily denied. The relevant league policy requires that, in order to hire an executive under contract with another team, the Jets offer "the primary authority over all personnel decisions related to the signing of free agents, the selection of players in the College Draft, trades, and related decisions; and . . . the primary responsibility for coordinating other football activities with the head coach." The policy also includes this important language: "Final authority regarding the composition of the 53-player roster is not a requirement." This means that the Jets can hire an executive under contract with another team without offering full control over the 53-man roster. As long as the job includes "primary authority" over the signing of free agents, the draft, trades, and other personnel decisions and "primary responsibility for coordinating other football activities with the head coach," that's enough. Basically, the paperwork needs to simply give the G.M. the requisite powers in writing. Whether "primary authority" means that the G.M. will have, hold, and use the ability to do whatever he wants without regard to what the coach or anyone else thinks doesn't matter. Nine years ago, Vikings coach Brad Childress had the primary authority over the roster, allowing him to fire receiver Randy Moss on a whim. Doing so without properly consulting with others in the organization (including ownership) greased the skids for Childress' own firing not long thereafter. Then there's the 2008 Dolphins and 2009 Browns. In the former example, Miami hired G.M. Jeff Ireland away from the Cowboys, even though it was widely believed that V.P. of football operations Bill Parcells was calling the shots. In the latter, Cleveland pilfered George Kokinis from Baltimore, giving him authority in writing that coach Eric Mangini had as a practical matter. None of this stops the Jets from giving control over the 53-man roster to the G.M. Gase has made it clear that he doesn't want it, and there's a decent chance he means it. The overriding question continues to be whether the new G.M. will be someone who wants to work with Gase, or whether it is someone who walks through the door with a short list in hand of coaches the G.M. wants to hire, sooner or later. If that's the case, the Jets are destined to endure more dysfunction, until the G.M. finally gets to hire one of the coaches found on that short list.


The British research submarine Boaty McBoatface has made an impressive debut in the scientific arena, discovering a significant link between Antarctic winds and rising sea temperatures on its maiden outing. The unmanned submarine, whose moniker won a landslide victory in a public poll to name a $300 million British polar research ship, undertook its inaugural mission in April 2017. The task saw McBoatface travel 180 kilometers (112 miles) through mountainous underwater valleys in Antarctica, measuring the temperature, saltiness and turbulence in the depths of the Southern Ocean. Its findings , published in the journal PNAS on Monday, revealed how increasingly strong winds in the region are causing turbulence deep within the sea, and as a result mixing warm water from middle levels with colder water in the abyss. That process is causing the sea temperature to rise, which in turn is a significant contributor to rising sea levels, scientists behind the project said. Antarctic winds are growing in strength due to the thinning of the ozone layer and the build-up of greenhouse gases, but their impact on the ocean has never been factored in to climate models. The British public voted in droves in 2016 to name the country's state-of-the-art new ship "RRS Boaty McBoatface," with the user-suggested name gathering 124,109 votes. But despite the poll doing the impossible and uniting the country's electorate, the Natural Environment Research Council rejected the result and dubbed the ship RRS Sir David Attenborough after the renowned TV naturalist, in an effort to spare its blushes. The Boaty McBoatface name was instead given to a yellow submarine aboard the ship. McBoatface's success on its first mission has helped shed light on a key process occurring in Antarctica for the first time, according to National Oceanography Centre. "The data from Boaty McBoatface gave us a completely new way of looking at the deep ocean -- the path taken by Boaty created a spatial view of the turbulence near the seafloor," Eleanor Frajka-Williams of the center said in a statement. "This study is a great example of how exciting new technology such as the unmanned submarine 'Boaty McBoatface' can be used along with ship-based measurements and cutting-edge ocean models to discover and explain previously unknown processes affecting heat transport within the ocean," added Povl Abrahamsen of the British Antarctic Survey.


With LeBron James and Kawhi Leonard set to lead their respective franchises next season, Los Angeles has become the nerve center of NBA storylines. Among the many talking points is which one of these two L.A. superstars will be a more productive scorer next year-the Klaw from the Clippers or the King from the Lakers. In order to capitalize on this debate, oddsmakers have offered a new scoring average prop bet that pits LeBron against Kawhi. DraftKings Sportsbook is now taking action on a 2019-2020 scoring average bet that asks who will score more points per game during the regular season-James or Leonard. At the moment, LeBron is the favorite at -139 while Kawhi is a +115. The Klaw vs. The King (Via @DKSportsbook ) pic.twitter.com/9JLyoFypMz - B/R Betting (@br_betting) July 27, 2019 Kawhi averaged a career-high 26.6 points last season for the Toronto Raptors on his way to winning the NBA championship. In what many considered a down year for LeBron, he averaged 27.4 points during his first season with the Los Angeles Lakers. James has also averaged more points per game than Leonard's career high 12 times so it's not difficult to see why he's favored in this prop. If you're going to bet Kawhi here, though, you're suggesting that LeBron's production will begin to decline as he slowly inches toward age 40. You're also expecting Kawhi to continue to emerge from the player who averaged 7.9 points per game as a rookie to one who is now capable of averaging close to 30. A $100 bet on Leonard pays $115 and a $139 bet on James pays $100. MORE: LeBron James jumps into Bronny's layup line for a ridiculous dunk Gregg Williams blowing away Adam Gase with Jets training camp defense Behind the scenes with new-look Nets: 'We got stars without mortgaging everything'' Injury report following second day of Chiefs training camp Instant observations from day 4 of Patriots training camp


Vicki Gardner in stable condition


Jeff Bezos has gone through a lot of changes since Amazon's IPO in 1997   most notably in his appearance and level of wealth . But there's one thing that's remained constant: his relentless focus on the future. That approach, which Bezos touted in his first letter to investors 22 years ago, was made abundantly clear this week in Amazon's second-quarter earnings report. Amazon beat Wall Street estimates on revenue but missed on profit, mostly because of increased spending across the board, a pattern that's continuing. "The investment will be stepping up in 2019," Amazon CFO Brian Olsavsky said during the earnings call on Thursday. Shipping costs accelerated 36%, the highest in five quarters, to $8.1 billion, after the company spent more than the projected $800 million to make one-day delivery the standard for Prime members. In other words, Amazon is cutting into its profit margin today so it can send more things faster and, if the thesis works, lure even more consumers into Prime. Amazon shares fell close to 2% on Friday following the disappointing earnings number. But the stock is still up 29% this year, and Amazon remains the world's second most valuable publicly traded company, behind only Microsoft. Here's what Bezos wrote in his 1997 shareholder letter   shortly after the company's IPO   which has been included in every annual letter as a reminder of what's important: "We will continue to make investment decisions in light of long-term market leadership considerations rather than short-term profitability considerations or short-term Wall Street reactions," Bezos wrote in the letter at the time. It quickly became a familiar theme. In 2000, during the midst of the dot-com crash, Bezos wrote that he would like to "draw your attention to the section entitled 'It's All About the Long Term,'" referring to the 1997 letter. The following year, as the market collapse endured and Amazon incurred another huge loss, Bezos wrote , "if we do our jobs right, today's customers will buy more tomorrow." And in 2012, after the company recorded its biggest loss in over a decade, Bezos reiterated his view, writing : "Take a long-term view, and the interests of customers and shareholders align." Amazon is a far different company today than it was 22 years ago, when the business was all about selling books via the internet. Then it became about selling everything a consumer would want online. And along the way, Amazon pioneered the cloud infrastructure market, built a large online ad business and took the lead in voice assistants. It also started generating actual earnings, producing record profit last year and giving the company that much more cash to plunge back into its core retail operation. "The bottom line is that Amazon, as usual, is investing in long-term growth opportunities," Macquarie Capital's Ben Schachter, who recommends buying Amazon shares, wrote in a note Friday. "While it will lower margins, we think the increased top-line impact and, perhaps more importantly, the widening of the competitive moat is worth it." Related video: Amazon is 25 years old. Here's how much has changed for Bezos 'It's all about the long term' During the second quarter , Amazon saw significant increases in two major expense categories: marketing and shipping. Marketing costs rose 48% to $4.3 billion, as Amazon spent more on promoting its products and hiring salespeople, primarily for its AWS cloud unit. Shipping costs were tied to investments in expanding one-day delivery. In addition to reporting underwhelming earnings, Amazon's third-quarter operating income guidance came in far below estimates. But revenue growth bounced back to 20% in the second quarter, after growth the prior period was the slowest in four years. Every major segment in its e-commerce business accelerated, including first-party online sales, which grew the fastest in two years. While investors remain cautious of the elevated spending, their reaction was largely muted, giving the company another pass on its thin margins. None of the analysts tracked by FactSet felt compelled to lower their rating after the announcement, and all 45 who have recommendations still call the stock a buy. "We would be buyers of any weakness as long as top line trends remain intact," Evercore's Lee Horowitz wrote in a note Friday. WATCH: How Amazon made record profits in 2018


Forget cops and robbers. Sports media's newest battle pits spies against pirates. This week, Spain's top soccer league, La Liga, was fined €250,000 ($280,000) by the country's data protection agency for monitoring its Android app users' microphones and locations without proper approval. The league countered the penalty by saying it had in fact expressly asked for user opt-in, adding that its app only logged a sound signature rather than any recognizable audio. And it was all for a noble cause, officials claimed. The Shazam-like feature was designed to imperceptibly identify bars playing league games, pairing the geographic information to see whether the establishment had paid to license the content or was showing it illegally. This March, 600 Spanish bars and restaurants were accused of pirating matches. "This is such a heavy-handed thing to do; it's remarkable they care that little for their customers that they'd turn them into unwitting agents of surveillance," Stanford privacy professor Albert Gidari said. As for how the tactic would hold up in the U.S., Cal-Berkeley law professor Paul Schwartz said he'd expect a similar rebuke. If an analysis found the behavior to be outside the bounds of user expectation, it doesn't matter if it is outlined deep in fine print, he said, the Federal Trade Commission still has the power to rule the practice deceptive and/or unfair. Those were the words the FTC cited in forcing VIZIO to pay $2.2 million in 2017 after the TV maker was found to be tracking viewing data. La Liga's anti-piracy efforts won't be stopping anytime soon. In the past, a dedicated league department has developed technology to track and catalog online homes of illegal content. It's enlisted Google, Facebook, and Twitter to help its efforts  even meeting with White House officials to discuss possible protections. To understand the motivation, just compare the €250,000 fine La Liga now faces to the €400 million it says it loses every year because of piracy. Officials have even framed the fight on competitive grounds , saying La Liga's ability to keep up with England's Premier League depends on its ability to get people to pay for its product. For its part, the UK has been aggressive routing out illegal viewing too. In March, three streamers there were sentenced to a combined 17 years of jail time. The cat and mouse game now playing out across shut down subreddits and sketchy link sites is the result of two facts of the internet. First, it's easier than ever for people to find high-quality illegal content. Second, it's easier than ever for companies to track users' every click. Unfortunately for La Liga, at the moment, privacy is much more of a cause celebre than their precious intellectual property.


The Tesla Semi could be the perfect motorhome platform. Tesla revealed its aptly named Tesla Semi last year. It could revolutionize the trucking industry, or quicken its march toward electrification. It's meant to replace the diesel-powered tractor-trailers that move today's freight across the country and around the world. However, for as beneficial as an electric semi could be, the Tesla Semi could be the basis for an entirely different type of vehicle   an all-electric motorhome. We dreamed one up earlier last month (above), basing it off of the official Tesla Semi photos. Now, Vanlifer has jumped on the Tesla Semi RV bandwagon with the Tesla Semi-Home (below), which is a cool and creative name. The Vanlifer creation retains much of the Semi's basic appearance up at the front. It has the same headlights, greenhouse, windshield, cabin, and cuts for the doors. It even retains the Semi's sloped roof over the cab, except the Semi-Home features a window. According to a rough sketch of the layout (on Vanlifer ) , the spot above the cab features a bed. The rest of the motorhome has everything else you'd expect from your semi-home away from home. There's another bed, bathroom, seating that folds out into a bed, kitchen, stovetop, and more. It can sleep up to six. Tesla says the Semi will cost between $150,000 and $180,000 depending on the size of the battery pack. While that is a lot of money, if a high-end motorhome builder could pack it with the latest motorhome gadgets and gizmos, people looking for such mobile living would have no trouble laying down the cash for one. Then you can factor in the fuel savings, too, which makes the Tesla Semi-Home a very compelling purchase. There's a lot that can go into a modern motorhome, especially a high-end luxury version. With an on-board battery pack used to power the Tesla Semi itself, powering the rest of the motorhome's electronics would be a breeze. Finding adequate charging in the wilderness could be a pain; however, solar panels are a thing.


Yamaha rider Valentino Rossi says the 2019 edition of his home MotoGP race at Mugello was "one of the worst for a long time" for him after he crashed out of 21st place. Rossi struggled immensely throughout the whole weekend, a mistake in FP3 leaving him in Q1 on Saturday, where he only qualified 18th. He made little progress in the race before making contact with Suzuki's Joan Mir on lap five and running through the gravel at Turn 4, dropping to the back of the field. Rossi then crashed three laps later at Arrabbiata 2, to record his first retirement of the season. "Is very difficult weekend, one of the worst for a long time because we are never fast," Rossi said. "We arrive here knowing that it is difficult, but we expect to be strong here in Mugello. But unfortunately was not like this and in all the practice [I] was not so fast. "In the race, starting from behind is always difficult, also because my pace was not fantastic. "I lose everything when I have contact with Mir because I try to overtake but we touch and we go out and after I also crash in Arrabbiata 2 but anyway was very difficult. "I was not fast, so in general a very difficult weekend - especially because we are quite slow and looks like we struggle especially in the race when we have to ride with other bikes. "We are not fast in the straight but also in acceleration so a race like this is very difficult. We have to try to do something." While Yamaha's top speed deficit was apparent throughout the weekend, Rossi said he was suffering "everywhere from the start". "Also the other Yamahas that are in the first two rows, arrive to the first corner that they already lose six or seven places," he added. "This is the bigger difference, really a problem. Also from acceleration, from one corner to the other we suffer. "Is not just top speed, but is also acceleration and now the gap is quite big." Rossi added that the previous round Le Mans was also a "big mess", as a mistake-free race was only good enough for fifth. "In Le Mans [qualifying] we did the magic of the slick in Q1 and also the Q2 was wet and usually the wet I am fast so I am able to start fifth. "I did a race without making any mistake, always in the slipstream, and I finish fifth." Additional reporting by Oriol Puigdemont


Formula 1's expansion to a record-breaking 22 races in 2020 could rest on whether or not manufacturers think they can complete the season without an extra power unit. With the Spanish Grand Prix edging closer a deal to remain on the schedule next year, there is an increasing likelihood that the calendar will grow next season. While Germany looks unlikely to return, the additions of Vietnam and the Netherlands, a renewal for Britain, and Italy and Mexico also set for fresh deals, has left F1 owners Liberty Media considering F1's biggest ever schedule. Adding an extra race needs support from teams, though, and Haas team boss Gunther Steiner confirmed ahead of the Hungarian Grand Prix that he had been canvassed on whether or not he would approve of a 22-race schedule. He said that his only concern was whether or not engine manufacturers would be happy completing the campaign without the need for a fourth power unit, which would be costly for his team if needed. "We have been asked and I gave my opinion," said Steiner. "I am okay with it, logistically to find out. "One of my things is we need to keep it to three engines because if we are to use a fourth engine it doesn't make sense financially to us. Actually it is negative for us so why would we do that? "That is down to the engine manufacturers to say yes or no. If they are confident they can do it with three engines then I am fine with it." F1's engine regulations used to allow the use of an extra power unit if the calendar expanded beyond a certain number of races, but the regulations currently strictly limit drivers to three power units for the entire season irrespective of the number of grands prix. While Steiner was not against a move to 22 races, Williams deputy team principal Claire Williams is more sceptical about growing the calendar because of the risks of it driving up costs. "Personally I would like to see fewer races," she said. "If you put too many races on the calendar it is too much for people to consume when there is so much competition in the market against other sporting events and other media. "The other consideration is personnel. If you increase the number of races on the calendar, the pressure that puts on your team from a performance perspective and what they are capable of doing it with a work/life balance is difficult. "For smaller teams it is very difficult to think about how we manage a calendar with north of 21 races on it because we have incremental costs of swapping personnel. For example, do we need rather than two race engineers, four race engineers? There are costs of transporting freight around the world too. "You have to think about how much are those races being sold for? Do they put a huge amount in the pot? I would be opposed to having more races on the calendar."


Curious just how far your dollar goes in Anaheim? We've rounded up the latest rental listings via rental site Apartment Guide to get a sense of what to expect when it comes to scoring a place in Anaheim if you're on a budget of $2,000/month. Read on for the listings. (Note: prices and availability are subject to change.) Hoodline offers data-driven analysis of local happenings and trends across cities. Links included in this article may earn Hoodline a commission on clicks and transactions. 2100 E. Katella Ave. (Platinum Triangle) Listed at $2,000/month, this 991-square-foot one-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment is located at 2100 E. Katella Ave. The apartment comes with a private patio, in-unit laundry and granite countertops. Complex amenities include a fitness center, a roof deck and a swimming pool. Good news for animal lovers: both dogs and cats are welcome here. Expect a $250 pet fee. According to Walk Score's assessment, this location is car-dependent, is fairly bikeable and has good transit options. (See the complete listing here .) 2970 W. Orange Ave. (West Anaheim) Next, there's this two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment over at 2970 W. Orange Ave. in West Anaheim. It's listed for $1,999/month with 1,100 square feet of space. Apartment amenities include granite countertops, a dishwasher and air conditioning. When it comes to building amenities, expect a fitness center, a swimming pool, tennis courts and on-site laundry. Pets are permitted for a $250 pet fee. According to Walk Score, the area around this address is moderately walkable, is bikeable and has a few nearby public transportation options. (Check out the complete listing here .) 3530 E. La Palma Ave. Located at 3530 E. La Palma Ave. is this 639-square-foot one-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment, listed for $1,990/month. The apartment features a balcony, hardwood floors and in-unit laundry. The complex boasts a business center, a swimming pool and covered parking. Pet lovers are in luck: cats and dogs are allowed. Per Walk Score ratings, this location is car-dependent, is relatively bikeable and has some transit options. (Take a gander at the complete listing here .) 255 N. Anaheim Blvd. (The Colony) Last but not least is this studio apartment over at 255 N. Anaheim Blvd. It's listed for $1,985/month and offers 611 square feet of living space. Apartment amenities include air conditioning, in-unit laundry, hardwood flooring and a dishwasher. The building features outdoor space, a fitness center, a residents lounge and a swimming pool. Luckily for pet owners, both dogs and cats are welcome - there's even a pet spa on the premises for added convenience. Walk Score indicates that the area around this address is very walkable, is relatively bikeable and has a few nearby public transportation options. (Check out the complete listing here .) This story was created automatically using local real estate data, then reviewed by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.


A Los Angeles-based debt collection company that recently finalized a lease on 15,000 square feet of office space in Elk Grove's Laguna Springs Corporate Center plans to bring more than 100 jobs to the area. USCB America, the largest privately held accounts receivable management company in California, will be consolidating its Sacramento and Lodi offices in favor of the new location, which will serve as its Northern California headquarters, according to a news release issued by the city of Elk Grove's economic development department. "USCB is excited about our relocation to Elk Grove," USCB president and CEO Albert Cadena said in a prepared statement. "The move will allow USCB to grow and modernize our work environment to satisfy both our clients' ever-changing needs and our employees' comfort level in meeting those needs." The company will be moving into a four-story, 110,000 square-foot building in the Laguna Springs Corporate Center at 8220 Longleaf Drive. The building was built in 2016, according to the release. "We are excited to welcome USCB to Elk Grove," city economic development Director Darrell Doan said. "The city has made substantial infrastructure and incentive investments in this area which are paying dividends. With USCB's presence, there will be nearly 2,000 jobs at Laguna Springs Corporate Center alone." USCB was founded in 1915 and has more than 400 employees across California and Nevada.     ©2019 The Sacramento Bee (Sacramento, Calif.) Visit The Sacramento Bee (Sacramento, Calif.) at www.sacbee.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.


The Clippers and Lou Williams have reached an agreement to fully guarantee the Sixth Man of the Year's salary for the 2020/21 season, agent Wallace Prather tells Shams Charania of The Athletic. In a rare gesture rewarding Lou Williams' play and leadership, the Los Angeles Clippers and Sixth Man of the Year have agreed to completely guarantee his $8M salary for 2020-21 a full season ahead, agent Wallace Prather told @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium .   Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 2, 2019 Williams has two years left on his current contract, with a fully guaranteed $8M salary for 2019/20. Previously, the final year of that deal had only been partially guaranteed for $1.5M. As a result of this agreement, the full $8M for '20/21 will now be guaranteed. As Charania notes in a follow-up tweet, it's rare for a team to agree to increase a player's guarantee without any real impetus to do so, since it reduces the club's flexibility. Teams don't typically fully guarantee a season's salary this early. For Williams and the Clippers, it is a win. Williams now has his $2M partial for 2020-21 become fully guaranteed at $8M. He has made clear his happiness in L.A. and is coming off another strong season. https://t.co/6HNOHYG9Xu   Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 2, 2019 Williams' contract is already one of the most team-friendly deals in the league, and it's unlikely that the Clippers would have taken advantage of the partial guarantee to waive him in 2020, so it makes some sense to reward him early. Of course, the move also comes at a time when the Clippers are courting free agents, including Kawhi Leonard   a gesture of goodwill toward one of their top players probably won't hurt the perception of the franchise in the eyes of players considering joining the team. In 2018/19, Williams averaged 20.0 PPG and posted new career bests in APG (5.4) and RPG (3.0), with a shooting line of .425/.361/.876. Although he came off the bench for all but one game, he was Los Angeles' leading scorer (not including Tobias Harris , who departed in a midseason deal).


Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers took the time to make a group of child cancer survivors's night on Thursday by surprising them during a group portrait. Rodgers, who is known for being the all-time photobomber , took advantage of an opportunity to crash a group portrait at the Prevea Runway for Life  The Grand Finale fashion show. After they walked the runway on behalf of Families of Children with Cancer Inc., 85 child cancer survivors gathered for a photo. Rodgers then slipped out from backstage and stood grinning behind them until the reaction from the 500 people in attendance gave him away. "I think that's the beauty in life is that we can make an impact," Rodgers said at the event. "It doesn't matter who you are, if you just are aware of what's going on, you listen and you're attentive to the need. "It doesn't have to be giving money to a cause. It can be just meeting someone where they're at or having a conversation with someone or visiting somebody at the hospital or just anyway you can improve somebody's life," he added. "I'm fortunate enough to be able to have the platform and the opportunity financially to make an impact." Rodgers also signed a No. 12 jersey that was auctioned off with a starting bid of $500. He later added four tickets to the Packers' Monday Night Football matchup against the Detroit Lions on Oct. 14. The winning bid was $11,000. Rodgers has had an endorsement deal with Prevea since 2012, when he was first featured as its voice of wellness. Related slideshow: 2019 NFL draft: The top picks (Provided by imagn)


Two drivers in Los Angeles, fueled by road rage, ended up getting out of their cars in oncoming traffic to fist fight.


Frank Lucas, the Harlem drug kingpin immortalized in Ridley Scott's 2007 crime film American Gangster , died Thursday at the age of 88. Lucas' nephew Aldwan Lassiter confirmed his death to Rolling Stone , adding that Lucas died of natural causes. Lucas, the "Original Gangster" who was known to confabulate his own criminal legacy, is credited as the architect behind the infamous "Golden Triangle" gambit of the early 1970s where he claimed to have imported heroin from Southeast Asia in the coffins of U.S. soldiers killed in Vietnam. "Who the hell is gonna look in a dead soldier's coffin," Lucas said told New York in the 2000 article " The Return of Superfly ." "We had him make up 28 copies of the government coffins . . . except we fixed them up with false bottoms, big enough to load up with six, maybe eight kilos." (Lucas' coffin claim, however, came into question following the release of the movie.) A quasi-fictionalized version of Lucas' life story was later the subject of American Gangster , with Denzel Washington portraying the drug lord. The film also inspired a Jay-Z album of the same name . As Jay-Z told Rolling Stone in 2007, "Frank Lucas, it's something about when African-Americans reach somewhere, no matter what they're doing, if they reach somewhere that no one has ever been before, you're like 'Go! Go!" The North Carolina-born Lucas moved to Harlem after witnessing the Ku Klux Klan murder his cousin, an incident that Lucas said sparked his career in crime. Lucas would later become a protégé of sorts to Harlem mob boss Bumpy Johnson, who died of a heart attack in 1968. Lucas then took over as Harlem's drug kingpin and fronted what became one of America's biggest heroin empires. "I bought Harlem, I owned Harlem, I ran Harlem," Lucas bragged; his "Golden Triangle" scheme allowed Lucas to cut out the middle man   the Mafia   and smuggle the drug in directly. At its peak, Lucas' drug empire was making $1 million per day, he claimed. Rather than quietly accumulating his wealth, however, Lucas lived lavishly, often donning a $100,000 floor-length chinchilla coat and matching $25,000 hat, an attention-grabbing ensemble that Lucas wore to the Ali-Frazier boxing match in 1971; Lucas' presence at the fight and spending habits drew the attention of the authorities, including detective Richie Roberts, played by Russell Crowe in American Gangster . The Drug Enforcement Agency and the New York Police Department ultimately ended Lucas' reign in 1975, with Lucas receiving a 70-year prison sentence. However, Lucas later turned state's witness and provided evidence that resulted in dozens of drug-related arrests. Lucas was released from prison in 1981 after his sentence was reduced to time served. Three years later, Lucas was again busted for a drug deal that violated his parole and spent seven years behind bars. Sterling Johnson, a former New York City special narcotics prosecutor, called Lucas' operation "one of the most outrageous international dope-smuggling gangs ever . . . an innovator who got his own connection outside the U.S. and then sold the stuff himself in the street." Lucas' wife Julianna Farrait-Rodriguez was convicted of drug-related charges, first spending five years in prison in the Seventies and, in 2010, receiving another five-year prison sentence after attempting to sell cocaine in Puerto Rico. In recent years, Lucas was confined to a wheelchair following a car accident. "Some call us the black Bonnie and Clyde because we have always stuck by one another," she said in 2011 . That same year, Lucas released his memoir Original Gangster: The Real Life Story of One of America's Most Notorious Drug Lords. In the 2000 interview with New York   which first attracted Hollywood to Lucas' story   Lucas succinctly explained his cultural appeal and how he managed to survive in the crime game against all odds (including turning state's witness). "Look, all you got to know is that I am sitting here talking to you right now. Walking and talking   when I could have, should have, been dead and buried a hundred times," Lucas said. "And you know why that is? Because: People like me. People like the f**k out of me."


The Buffalo Bills defense has a strong resume in only two seasons under the watch of Head Coach Sean McDermott. In 2017, the unit led the team to the postseason, cracking a 17-season playoff drought. Last year, the group was the second-best defense in the NFL in terms of yards allowed per game (294.1) and was first against the pass (179.2). Can't get much better than that, right? Safety Micah Hyde thinks so. Recently chatting with the Buffalo News, the team's Pro Bowl safety said things are only going to get better for the team's defense in 2019. "We're going to be a lot better," Hyde said. Like wine, the defensive back said the team's defense already has several starters in place. So with age, the group will only get better. "After a play is called, we discuss the play. Now there's a lot more guys on defense, whether it's Matt Milano, Tremaine (Edmunds), Tre'Davious (White), we're all talking the same," Hyde said. On Buffalo's defense, the only new player projected to make a big impact is first-round pick Ed Oliver. The top-notch secondary and youthful and improving linebacking group are both back. The lone way the Bills could improve on defense, might just be fixed by Oliver. At least that's the plan. Buffalo only had 36 sacks last season. That was 26th best in the NFL. The plan is for Oliver to improve that himself and help those around him get better too, such as pass rusher Jerry Hughes. But in 2019, offense is key. If Hyde's high ambitions are reached, it will have to come with improved play from Buffalo's offense and quarterback Josh Allen as well. MORE: UFC 239: Fighters were in awe of Jorge Masvidal's insane, record-breaking KO WATCH: Jorge Masvidal Knocks Out Ben Askren in Five Seconds Could Serge Ibaka be a post-Kawhi exit trade target for Boston? Baker Mayfield and Emily Wilkinson tie the knot 3 reasons why the the NFL will never have an NBA-like offseason


Robbinsville rising senior outfielder Grayce Burchfield has committed to play college softball. Burchfield committed to Pfeiffer University over the weekend after producing a .419 batting average with 39 hits and 41 RBI during her junior season. She is a three-year starter for the Lady Knights and was an all-conference player during the 2019 season where her team fell a win short of advancing to the 1A state championship series. This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Robbinsville softball standout commits to college


If you love live music, there's no time like the present when it comes to getting out and about in Fort Worth. From a summer kick-off party with performances by local DJs to family-friendly concerts at The Post, here are the nearby shows worth checking out this week. Hoodline offers data-driven analysis of local happenings and trends across cities. Links included in this article may earn Hoodline a commission on clicks and transactions. An Evening with Walt Wilkins and The Mystiqueroes at The Post From the event description: Relish an evening with Walt Wilkins and The Mystiqueroes, the Walt Wilkins band, at The Post. All ages are welcome. Free parking is available. When: Friday, June 21, 8-10 p.m. Where: The Post at River East, 2925 Race St. Price: $18 advance; $22 day of show Click here for more details, and to get your tickets Summer Night Vibez with KWS Productions From the event description: Come kickoff the summer with good vibes, live music and great food at Summer Night Vibez, hosted by KWS Productions. Join us for performances throughout the night while enjoying all-you-can-eat crawfish and tacos. Each music set will feature content from artists in the DFW area. Between performances, explore the art from the "Inspiration Alley" while listening to sounds from the hottest DJs in Dallas. When: Saturday, June 22, 7 p.m.- Sunday, June 23, 12 a.m. Where: 200 Carroll St, 200 Carroll St. Price: $15 Click here for more details, and to get your tickets Drew Kennedy and Josh Grider live at The Post, presented by Afallon From the event description: Enjoy an early Sunday show with Drew Kennedy and Josh Grider at The Post. Doors open two hours prior to showtime. All ages are welcome. When: Sunday, June 23, 6-8 p.m. (doors open at 4 p.m.) Where: The Post at River East, 2925 Race St. Price: $15 advance; $20 day of show Click here for more details, and to get your tickets This story was created automatically using local event data, then reviewed by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.