LeBron James Jr., known as Bronny, had a great weekend playing in his final Big Time Hoops tournament with the North Coast Blue Chips. The 14-year-old was playing for the title, and sealed the championship with this dunk that got his dad so excited that he couldn't contain his celebration to his seat. Bronny dunks it to seal the championship!@kingjames @tiphoops pic.twitter.com/c8Cg8i6YKz   Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) July 28, 2019 The elder James is obviously overflowing with pride for his son, and showed it on the court. He also had been throwing down dunks with Bronny's teammates earlier, and was extremely supportive of other kids he's not even related to. Here's James' reaction when a player named Dior Johnson took the ball down the court and fed it to a teammate with a between-the-legs pass that turned into a dunk. LeBron celebrated too hard and lost his damn shoe 😂😂😂 @KingJames @TipHoops pic.twitter.com/F6yJ15wGKX   Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) July 28, 2019 But a few people, including Fox Sports' Jason Whitlock, saw that as a negative, and criticized James for appearing to be overly invested in what his son was doing, and for stealing the spotlight from the kids. Today's Before We Go: LeBron should take the advice he gave his mother… sit yo ass down. @WhitlockJason pic.twitter.com/77DDCrD9ql   Speak For Yourself (@SFY) July 29, 2019 But opinions like that seem to be in the minority. Many athletes and analysts rushed to LeBron's defense, saying how nice it is to see a parent so involved and excited for their kid, and pointing out that he's far from being a helicopter dad. Jayson Tatum said it well on Twitter , and so did many others. Taytum: With so many fathers not supporting there kids we get upset because he is genuinely happy for his son! Lol that's crazy I can't wait till my son get older and I get to support him with whatever he wants to do! Lebron has set the standard this era for all fathers and even more so for black fathers. His son sees and feels the love and support from his dad. It's never been seen on this level. They want to write the "his father wasn't there" story instead of this one. THIS is goals! https://t.co/1jUNJk0TGa   Damon Harrison Sr. (@snacks) July 30, 2019 I've been working in media for a long time now. I've never seen an athlete get covered like LeBron. Dude can't even have fun with his kids in peace. Let the man enjoy being a parent. Not everything needs to be a hot take. The End ✌🏼   Jorge Sedano (@SedanoESPN) July 30, 2019 Are we seriously still chastising LeBron for his behavior in this video? How many fathers would react like this after his son's TEAMMATE dunks? Not many. pic.twitter.com/pFw0IxTXwZ   Justin Walters (@JustinWaltersTV) July 30, 2019 I went to open mic last night because my oldest was reading some of her poetry and my youngest read a short story of hers and sang two songs and they were both amazing. I'm so proud of them. I frankly wanted to react the way LeBron did celebrating his son. Let that man live.   Jeañña (@jeannathomas) July 30, 2019 And Jason Whitlock said Lebron trying to steal his son's spotlight. We need more role models like him who kids can touch, talk to on a daily basis. Kids remember times like this for life. https://t.co/bQIVrwKL8k   Jaguar Paw (@sirdibbydukes) July 30, 2019 The fact that LeBron being an exuberant, involved & supportive father is being used as a cudgel against him is utter insanity and borderline infuriating. LeBron is clearly being the father he wished he had and his son, along with his son's teammates, obviously love it. https://t.co/xtlwnFkASY   nick wright (@getnickwright) July 29, 2019 What kid wouldn't want to watch LeBron James dunk a basketball mere feet from their faces? But if you really want to know how you should feel about James being enthusiastic and supportive of his son and of the other kids playing in the tournament, here's Dior Johnson describing what it's like to see LeBron out there supporting his son. Bronny is about to start high school and officially begin a journey that could lead him to the NBA. As the son of likely the best basketball player in history, that's a lot of pressure for a 14-year-old to deal with. But his dad is obviously in his corner, ready to help and support (and cheer) Bronny in whatever he wants to do. More from Yahoo Sports: Rams preview: L.A. tries to take the next step U.S. Soccer breaks post-World Cup equal pay silence Hill's excuse, NFL not suspending him are both nonsense Judge orders Goodell, refs to testify on Saints-Rams non-call


Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis directed his state's law enforcement department Tuesday to handle a criminal probe into Jeffrey Epstein's jail work release in the late 2000s , and also asked the agency to launch an inquiry into "other irregularities" surrounding an earlier probe and plea agreement with Epstein. DeSantis said he wants the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to eye " the prior state investigation" of Epstein and "the ultimate plea agreement" with the wealthy financier by a state prosecutor in 2008. Epstein, 66, is currently facing indictment in Manhattan federal court, where he is accused of child sex trafficking. He was arrested in early July at a New Jersey airport after flying there from Paris on his private plane. Prosecutors in that case say he sexually abused dozens of underage girls at his Manhattan townhouse and Palm Beach, Florida, mansion from 2002 through 2005. He has pleaded not guilty, and is being held without bail because the judge in his case said he could represent a danger to other underage girls if he were released. Epstein pleaded guilty to prostitution-related charges involving an underage girl in 2008, in a case lodged by the Palm Beach County State's Attorney's Office. Epstein served 13 months in jail in that case, which was filed after police called for far more serious charges involving alleged sexual misconduct with underage girls to be brought against the former friend of Presidents Donald Trump and Bill Clinton . In addition to criticism of the Palm Beach County State Attorney's Office's handling of the earlier Epstein case , there also has been criticism of a non-prosecution deal that the then-U.S. Attorney Alex Acosta cut with Epstein, which also granted immunity to his alleged co-conspirators. That deal let Epstein off the hook for potential federal criminal charges in 2007 in exchange for his agreement to plead guilty in the state prostitution case, and to register as a sex offender. Acosta resigned as Trump's Labor secretary last month after outrage over the agreement mounted on the heels of Epstein's arrest. The Palm Beach County Sheriff's Department recently opened a criminal probe into the circumstances of Epstein's jail stint in that county, during which he was allowed out for hours each day to work. A lawyer for some of Epstein's accusers claim he was visited at least once during his work release by a woman, and that Epstein engaged in sexual conduct during that visit. On Tuesday, Palm Beach Sheriff Ric Bradshaw in a letter to DeSantis asked that the Florida Department of Law Enforcement take over that invesitgation, "given the recent questions that have been raised around the Jeffrey Epstein case." Bradshaw wrote that "I pledge the cooperation and participation of my agency" and also said, "I believe the public interest would be best served by an FDLE-led investigation examinng every aspect of the Epstein case, from court sentencing to incarceration." In response to that letter, DeSantis wrote the head of the FDLE, Rick Swearingen, and asked that the agency take over the ongoing criminal investigation involving the work release. "Also, I am requesting the FDLE initiate a preliminary inquiry into misconduct and allegations that go beyond the reported concerns with Jeffrey Epstein's work release," DeSantis wrote. The governor also announced that he had re-assigned the case to the State Attorney for the Nineteenth Judicial Circuit, Bruce Colton. Colton's district includes counties other than that of Palm Beach County, whose criminal cases, including the earlier one involving Epstein, are normally handled by the State Attorney for the Fifteenth Judicial Circuit. Colton told CNBC he and his team are "absolutely new to the case." "I don't have any problem handling the case," Colton said. Colton said that he had only been informed of his assignment about 90 minutes prior to DeSantis' press released being made public.


Hector Neris was finally able to close out a game against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Thursday night, but the Philadelphia Phillies reliever ruffled some feathers with the way he stared into the visiting dugout after the game. Dave Roberts was among those who did not appreciate it. Neris, who blew a save in the Phillies' win on Tuesday night, entered the ninth with a 7-5 lead. He allowed a two-out home run to Alex Verdugo but got Justin Turner to fly out to end the game. He then shouted an obscenity and stared into the L.A. dugout . Dodgers manager Dave Roberts called the behavior "unacceptable." #Dodgers Dave Roberts on Neris: "He was very emotional with the save. It was a big win for them. I think we played this series the right way, played it straight. To look in our dugout and to taunt in any way, I think it's unacceptable. … Look in your own dugout."   Bill Plunkett (@billplunkettocr) July 18, 2019 The players obviously agreed with Roberts, as evidenced by their reaction to Neris' antics. I'm not sure what happened after the last out but it certainly got the Dodgers attention pic.twitter.com/itz25VPxjw   Jomboy (@Jomboy_) July 18, 2019 Neris, who admitted after the game that his emotions got the best of him , has struggled mightily against the Dodgers. He's currently appealing a three-game suspension that he received for hitting David Freese with a pitch on Tuesday night, which he appeared to do because he was upset about surrendering a homer to Matt Beatty. You can understand why the Dodgers were irritated that he stared into their dugout, especially since they have owned him overall. Related slideshow: The 2019 MLB season (Provided by imagn)


After selecting eight players in the draft, the Los Angeles Rams added 19 priority free agents in the days after the big event. There's a good chance at least one undrafted free agent will make the 53-man roster, given the Rams' knack for finding talent in the UDFA pool. Former Georgia linebacker Natrez Patrick is among the players aiming to stick with the Rams as an undrafted free agent, but it won't be easy. He has to not only prove himself on the field, but also show that he's mature off it. Patrick was arrested three times for marijuana-related charges during his time with the Bulldogs, but he was never dismissed from the team. He served a four-game suspension and was forced to watch the 2018 Rose Bowl from an in-patient rehab center, but he never gave up his football dream. After getting back on the right path with the help of motivational speaker Damon West , going to rehab in Augusta, Ga., and the support of his family, Patrick is ready to take the next step and leave his troubles in the past. After the draft, he drew interest from the Panthers in addition to the Rams - who he had "a lot" of contact with - but he ultimately picked L.A. because of Sean McVay, the lack of depth at linebacker and how he fit with the team. "It was kind of in limbo, between Carolina and the Rams," Patrick said in a phone interview. "And I just felt the Rams was the best situation for me. Just the opportunity as far as, there's a lot of opportunity at that linebacker position as far as depth when it comes to those guys. I just liked the vibe. I like Coach McVay and the message he teaches. And I've got nothing but great reviews on them. It was just the best situation for me, my agent and my family." Patrick played off-ball linebacker in college, but that wasn't his position in high school. He was always a hand-in-the-dirt pass rusher, lining up on the edge and getting after the quarterback. He was darn good at it, too, drawing interest from schools such as Alabama, Clemson, Florida and Auburn. As a four-star recruit, he was certainly on most schools' radars. It wasn't until his second-to-last game in high school that he transitioned to inside linebacker. "All through high school, I never played linebacker. I never stood up. I always had my hand in the dirt," Patrick said. "Probably a game before the state championship my senior year, it was horrific. Guys were going down left and right out of that linebacker room. And my coach had to make a decision and just said, 'Man, we need you to do this.' I had a knack for it. I don't know what it was, I had a knack for it - an instinct for the ball and it stuck. "When UGA saw that - because actually, I was brought into UGA as an outside linebacker - when they saw that film of me, they were like, 'Whoa, we might be able to do something here.' It's definitely my roots. Like I said, I've been doing it for a long time and it's not anything new to me." (AP Photo/L.G. Patterson) With the Rams, he might get the chance to rush the passer again. He said the coaches view him as a versatile tweener who can play inside and outside linebacker, similar to the way Clay Matthews has in the past. For Patrick, he doesn't care what he has to do to make the team. He'll do whatever it takes. "I fit well wherever they put me," Patrick said, laughing. "So wherever that may be. They've actually been talking about me being a tweener between inside and outside 'backer. So I'm excited, I get to go back to my roots a little bit and rush the passer. But wherever they put me. I don't care if they want me to hold the water bottle. I'll do whatever they want me to, it doesn't matter." Patrick is a bigger linebacker, listed at 6-foot-3, 242 pounds. His play reflects that size, too, because he knows how to lay the wood. He says his "physicality" is his best trait as a linebacker, but that doesn't mean he's only a thumper. "I'm an all-around player, but my physicality is different," he said. "I'm a bigger-bodied backer and I want you to feel me when I get to you." Patrick didn't get a combine invite because of his previous arrests, so he wasn't able to showcase his speed, agility and movement skills in Indianapolis. He's a fluid athlete and when he gets to Los Angeles for minicamp on Monday, he wants to show that. When asked what he wants to prove to the Rams in minicamp, he made it very clear what his goal is. "Just run. I'm going to try to come in in the best shape and show them that I can run and fly around, look explosive, look quick and just fly around," he replied without hesitation. Patrick doesn't necessarily see himself in any other linebackers in the NFL, as he always tries to be his own player. However, there is one player he's been watching a lot of, and it's someone the Rams saw a lot of in Super Bowl LIII. "I've been looking a lot at Dont'a Hightower. Coming from Coach (Jeremy) Pruitt. Pruitt was one of my coaches when Coach (Mark) Richt was (at Georgia), and Coach (Glenn) Schumann. Guys that have been around him and told me the type of person, the type of player he is. His body type, all the above," Patrick explained. "So that's kind of a guy I've looked after. I've always modeled my game after myself. I've never modeled my game after anybody else, but if there was anybody that I've paid attention to and tried to take anything from, it would've been him." (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) The pre-draft process is long and grueling for prospects, but Patrick embraced it. He said it was "exciting" and trained with "a great group of guys" at Chip Smith's performance center in Georgia. He was pleased with his pro day performance and his hard work paid off, eventually earning him the opportunity in Los Angeles. "It was an amazing adventure. Like I said, just the opportunity - it wasn't promised for me. I've been through a lot of ups and downs, but I conquered them and I'm glad I can put all of that behind me and I still have a chance to live my dream. … I was fortunate to sign with the Rams," Patrick said. Despite the negative impact his past mistakes had on his draft stock, Patrick wouldn't change a thing. He said his lowest point was having to watch his team in the Rose Bowl from a rehab center, which is when he realized he had to put football and his family first. After being away from the team and reflecting on his situation, Patrick said he "had no more selfish intentions." "It definitely changed me as a person. I had to grow up. I was making immature, young mistakes. I had to grow up," he said. "It helped me, I think. I wouldn't change anything if I was to do it all over. Because it made me the person that I am today. Making the 53-man roster on a team that just reached the Super Bowl won't be easy, but Patrick has the drive and talent to attain his goals. Don't be surprised if he catches the eye of McVay, Wade Phillips and the rest of the Rams' coaches next week and throughout the summer. MORE: Most bizarre and incredible catches by fishermen in past decade Rumor: LeBron made a visit to Kawhi Leonard during Raptors-Sixers series Packers rookie DL Kingsley Keke draws praise for pass-rushing potential NBA Free Agency 2019: The top players VIDEO: Los Angeles high school softball star ejected for collision running to first base


As a parent of a newborn , much of your time is spent feeding, soothing and changing diapers. It may initially feel like a thankless job, but that changes when you see that first gummy smile appear. Here are the key facts about what is arguably one of the most joyful baby "firsts." WHEN DO BABIES SMILE? "Smiling is an important part of social development, and typically babies develop a social smile between 6 and 12 weeks, says pediatrician Wanda Abreu, director of the newborn nursery at New York-Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital. Like all child development milestones, there is a spectrum and every baby will reach it at their own pace. "What I always say is that babies do not read textbooks and they don't read what the American Academy of Pediatrics says   they do what they're going to do," Abreu says. Although you may see your little one's mouth curve upwards from an even younger age (being gassy can trigger it), Abreu points out that these expressions are reflexive, as opposed to a true social smile, which occurs as a direct response, usually to a parent or close caregiver at first. "Some babies will smile even when they're asleep at like two weeks, you'll see the little corner of their mouth curve up and it's almost like a smirk. So that's a movement and you're seeing the muscles work, but it's not a social smile where you're getting feedback and emotion from them," she says. Good news if you're a mom: Baby will be drawn to you at first. "They will prefer the mother's face at the beginning, and then in general female faces," she says. Like cooing and babbling , smiling is an early, pre-verbal form of communication a baby will use to get your attention. WHAT MILESTONES COME BEFORE SMILING? Before your baby starts to smile, you'll see her watching you and making brief periods of eye contact as her eyes become more coordinated and able to work together. "You'll see them starting to track the parent with their eyes, so in the first two months, they can look at you and just look from one side to the middle, but by two months they'll be able to cross the midline and go back and forth, because of their coordinated head and eye movement," she says. HOW TO HELP YOUR BABY SMILE Luckily, the best way to encourage your baby to start smiling is by doing what you're likely already doing: Engaging with them. Abreu says that it's not enough for babies to watch their parents smiling at, say, a funny dog video . "It's not just any interaction, like seeing you smile, it's seeing you smile at them. So when you engage them and have that direct eye contact, and then you smile, they mirror back your expression," she says. Another trick you can try is to place a baby-safe mirror on their playmat during tummy time. At first baby will simply be entertained just looking at his reflection, but as he gets older it will inspire a natural smile. "Babies tend to like to see other babies' faces, so if they smile and smile back to themselves, it will keep them engaged longer," she says. WHAT TO DO IF BABY ISN'T SMILING According to Abreu, around 8 weeks babies are typically smiling in response to the sound of their mother's voice, and babies tend to smile back at others by 12 weeks. Infants are usually seen for well visits at the two-month and four-month marks, but if you have concerns in between, you should always call your pediatrician. "We'll ask, are there other concerning things regarding their development that they're falling behind on, such as social, motor or language delays? We'll go over family history as well and probe more to see if this is just a late bloomer, or if it's an early sign of something else, such as being at risk for an autism spectrum disorder," she says. That said, Abreu also encourages parents not to get overly worried, especially if they haven't discussed their child's situation with the doctor yet. "I'm a mother myself and I know that my own tendency is to panic and assume that something is wrong, but I would just tell people to see their pediatrician and discuss these concerns. It's good to do your own research but then also use that along with the expert consultation," she says.


Boy, it can really smart when your dog bites somebody. Insurance companies paid an average of $32,000 last year in homeowner's liability claims for dog-related injuries, according to a new analysis by the Insurance Information Institute . But don't think that's your insurer's problem. Filling one liability claim can take a bite out of your savings if you don't have the right policy and push up your homeowner's insurance premiums by an average of 14 percent, according to a recent analysis by InsuranceQuotes.com. Dog bites and other dog-related injuries totaled $530 million and accounted for more than a third of all homeowners' insurance liability dollars paid out in 2014. In addition to dog bites, the claims cover the costs of dogs knocking down children or bikers, resulting in fractures or trauma. The number of claims last year fell by about 5 percent, but the cost per claim spiked 15 percent. The cost of dog-related injury claims has gone up 57 percent in the past decade, thanks to increasing medical costs and growing judge and jury awards. California had the most claims in the country, with 1,866, while New York had the highest average cost per claim -- an average of nearly $57,000 last year. A separate report released Thursday by the U.S Postal Service showed that there were 74 dog attacks on postal workers in Los Angeles last year, the most of any city, followed by 62 in Houston, and 47 in San Diego. The Insurance Information Institute recommends that dog lovers research the safest and most appropriate dog for their household or neighborhood before purchasing a pup and use caution when bringing a dog into a home with an infant or toddler. Or try a parakeet.


Juanfran has bid goodbye to Atletico during an event held in his honour after the Spaniard opted against renewing his deal with Diego Simeone's side. The full back joined the club from Osasuna in 2011 and has been a mainstay in the side ever since, making 355 appearances, but at 34 years old he has decided to pursue a new challenge for the upcoming season. ⚪ | #GraciasJuanfran ♂欄 From full-backs to full-back! Our legends Tomás Reñones and Carlos Aguilera present Juanfran with a plaque commemorating his 3⃣5⃣5⃣ games in Red & White! ❤⚪❤ #AúpaAtleti pic.twitter.com/g4xQkWOork   Atlético de Madrid (@atletienglish) May 23, 2019 In a series of posts on Atletico 's official Twitter page , the defender thanked the club for what the described as 'the best years of my career'. In the emotional ceremony, featuring club greats Tomás Reñones and Carlos Aguilera at the Wanda Metropolitano, Juanfran was presented with a signed shirt and viewed video messages sent from former teammates. "These are my last days at Atlético de Madrid, I hope to come back soon," he said. "It's what I want, because this is my home. These years have been wonderful, incredible... The best years of my career. I'll come back soon, because I'm an Atlético de Madrid fan for all that they've given me. I'll come back to help the club." The farewell of Juanfran comes alongside a whole host of Rojiblancos players who are leaving the club this summer. Diego Godin has already decided to leave the club after over 250 appearances for Simeone's side, while Lucas Hernandez agreed to join Bayern Munich for €80m on July 1. With his next move uncertain, the former Real Madrid player may opt to hang up his boots, which would be a shame for a player still richly talented and with plenty left to offer. One possible destination for the Spaniard could be a move to Premier League side Arsenal , who One Football claim are interested in bringing the full back to north London.


NBA free agency has been the talk of the summer, but with NFL training camps set to start in 12 days, the business of the NFL will once again take center stage. Most NFL franchises are private in regards to profit sharing and just how much money is brought in each fiscal year. Because the Green Bay Packers are the NFL's only public entity, financial information about the franchise and other NFL teams has been revealed to the masses. On Friday, Darren Rovell of The Action Network reported that the NFL shared $8.78 billion in national revenue with all 32 teams. In doing the math, that means the Philadelphia Eagles and the 31 other teams pocketed $274.3 million in revenue last season, via the Packers' public financial figures. Rovell reported that NFL revenue is up 33 percent since 2013 when each team earned $187.7 million. Thus the long-standing discussions about the players getting guaranteed contracts and more money, similar to their NBA counterparts. Last year, each time rake in $255.9 million each via the split. MORE: ESPN commentators lost it on Grayson Allen over ejection OKC Thunder could hold on to Chris Paul Comparing T.J. Hockenson to the proper 1st round tight end News: Indefinite suspensions rule day for Cowboys, 18-game seasons 4 possible trade destinations for Browns RB Duke Johnson


The co-founder of Facebook is calling for the government to break up the tech giant in an op-ed article published in The New York Times Thursday morning. "The Facebook that exists today is not the Facebook that we founded in 2004," Chris Hughes, who started Facebook with Mark Zuckerberg in their Harvard dorm, told NBC News following the publication of his op-ed article on the same topic. "And the one that we have today I think is far too big. It's far too powerful. And most importantly, its CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, is not accountable," Hughes said of his former business partner, whom he still called a "friend." For more on this interview, tune in to NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt at 6:30 p.m. ET. "I have been friends with Mark and a lot of the other folks at Facebook for a long time. And you know, who knows? We may still be friends, we may not be friends. There are some kinds of friends that you can have disagreements with. And then there are some friends that you can't," Hughes said. Hughes joins a growing chorus of privacy advocates and politicians from the right and the left, including Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass ., a presidential candidate, and Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, who have called for federal antitrust action against Facebook. The mood in Washington has soured against the former tech darling in recent years following the leaks of millions of its users' personal information and the disclosure that its platform had been manipulated by Russian propagandists to spread misinformation and undermine democracy. More than a dozen Congressional hearings have produced apologies from Zuckerberg, executives and lawyers, and commitments to prevent further harm, but watchdogs don't believe the company has gone far enough and argue that it is abusing its power. In March, Warren said she would call for federal regulators to "unwind anti-competitive mergers" as president, including forcing Instagram and WhatsApp to once again spin off from Facebook. She also called for the separation of Whole Foods and Zappos from Amazon, and the ad network DoubleClick from Google. Warren also called for internet platforms to be designated as utilities, which would make companies like Facebook subject to more lawsuits and fines if they run afoul of privacy law. According to CNBC estimates , Zuckerberg and a small group of insiders control almost 70 percent of all voting shares in Facebook. Zuckerberg personally controls nearly 60 percent. If he quit as CEO tomorrow, he would still control the company through his stock ownership. But Hughes said there's one power Zuckerberg won't exercise. "I don't think that Mark Zuckerberg can fix Facebook," Hughes said. "I think only government can   by making the market more competitive, by breaking it up, and by creating these privacy restrictions." Hughes called for the government to step in and take several drastic actions: First, reversing the mergers with Instagram and WhatsApp, which he said the FTC "incorrectly approved," spinning them out as private companies that would compete with Facebook. Second, creating a new agency to regulate technology in addition to the FTC. He also said the courts should come up with guidelines for what qualifies as violent or hateful speech, "decisions that right now corporate executives are making on their own." The proposal echoed those of Warren and other Facebook critics. Hughes said the issue was non-partisan, and cited the FTC's breakup of telecommunications giant AT&T under President Ronald Reagan as a precedent. Though Zuckerberg himself has called for government regulation of the company, Hughes said he believes that the Facebook CEO wants to manage the process to be "friendly to Facebook's corporate interests and corporate objectives" and would stop short of the breakup Hughes believes is needed.


Religion can be confusing. Not only do many religions have similar philosophies and holidays, for many of the world's most widely practiced religions, the details for observing certain holidays or rites can differ based on location, denomination, or modernization. And for those who are less familiar with a particular religion, the details can be easy to overlook. From Ramadan to Advent to Bathing the Buddha, we break down nine common misconceptions surrounding popular religious observances. 1. WHAT'S WRONG: RAMADAN IS A HOLIDAY. "In American thinking, we think of [Ramadan] as a holiday because that's the way we associate important religious dates as holidays," Vali Nasr, a professor of international politics at Tufts University, told NPR . "It's not a holiday in the sense that life goes on. The last day of the holy month, which is Eid ul-Fitr, is a holiday and there are periods in between that are holidays. But as a whole, it's not a holiday." Ramadan is the ninth month in the Islamic calendar (which is a lunar calendar, which explains why the date moves in relation to the Gregorian calendar). It's significant because the Qur'an was first revealed, and the gates of Heaven are opened and the gates of Hell are closed, during this time . Lailat al Qadr is the actual night of the revelation of the Qur'an, and praying on that night is said to be "better than a thousand months ." But no one knows what night it actually was, only that it was probably in the last 10 days of the month. As such, the last 10 days of Ramadan are generally treated as special days. The main holiday associated with Ramadan is Eid al-Fitr (or Eid ul-Fitr), which marks the end of the month and the end of fasting. 2. WHAT'S WRONG: THE RAMADAN FAST IS ALL ABOUT NOT EATING. In the West, much of the attention is focused on how, for the month of Ramadan, Muslims don't eat or drink from sunrise to sunset. But that's only part of the story Muslims are also supposed to abstain from sex, fighting, smoking, bad thoughts, and sometimes even TV during the time of the fast. According to Nasr, "It's a period of spiritual reflection," of which not eating is a part. But not all Muslims abstain from eating during Ramadan. Some Ismaili Muslims abstain from eating on only a handful of days throughout the year, and during Ramadan focus instead on those other forms of fasting. 3. WHAT'S WRONG: THE RAMADAN FAST IS ALWAYS FROM SUNRISE TO SUNSET. The majority of the time, this is true. But for Muslim communities in the far north, fasting from sunrise to sunset can be a problem in the summer, the sun might not set for days or weeks, and in the winter the sun may never rise. Some tough it out , while others follow the time of the nearest major city , nearest Muslim country, or Mecca. 4. WHAT'S WRONG: ADVENT STARTS ON DECEMBER 1. Virtually all the Advent calendars available in the market start on December 1, but this is only rarely correct. Advent actually starts on the Sunday nearest the Feast of St. Andrew, which is November 30. It's believe that the misconception can be traced back to a German man named Gerhard Lang. Lang, inspired by the Advent calendars his mother made him as a boy, began mass producing the calendars in the early 20th century; he eventually decided to standardize the calendar as starting at December 1. 5. WHAT'S WRONG: LENT IS THE 40 DAYS BETWEEN ASH WEDNESDAY AND EASTER. According to the Archdiocese of New Orleans, "Strictly speaking, Lent ends with the beginning of the Triduum on Holy Thursday. The Ordo [the official book that details such issues] notes: 'Lent runs from Ash Wednesday until the Mass of the Lord's Supper exclusive on Holy Thursday.'" [ PDF ] The change to Holy Thursday only dates to the 1960s and is only true for Roman Catholics (who point out that a distinction is made between liturgical Lent and the Lenten fast), but even among other Western churches the definition of Lent being the 40 days between Ash Wednesday and Easter isn't quite right. There are actually 46 days between Ash Wednesday and Easter (not including Easter, as traditionally Lent ended on Easter Saturday). The other six days are on Sundays, when fasting is forbidden . 6. WHAT'S WRONG: THE HAJJ IS THE WORLD'S LARGEST RELIGIOUS GATHERING. Every year in the 12th month of the Islamic calendar, 2 to 3 million Muslims gather for the Hajj, or the pilgrimage to Mecca. Despite that number, it is not the largest religious gathering in the world. Kumbh Mela brings Hindus together every three years at one of four alternating sites, with the main Kumbh Mela occurring in Allahabad; In 2013, it counted approximately 120 million people . According to the BBC , the story of Kumbh Mela is that gods and demons fought over a pitcher of nectar and a few drops fell on each of the four cities that now host the festival, and during the festival the water becomes the nectar. 7. WHAT'S WRONG: BATHING THE BUDDHA IS A UNIVERSAL CELEBRATION. One of the most well-known Buddhist celebrations in the West is Vesak (or Wesak), and one of the most well-known components of the day is Bathing the Buddha, where water gets poured over the Buddha to purify the mind. But in reality the day is more complex than that. Vesak is a day that commemorates the birth, enlightenment, and death of the Buddha in Theravada Buddhism. But Mahayana Buddhists view these three events as happening at three separate times, with only the Buddha's birthday occurring the same time as Vesak. In modern Western cities that have multiple Buddhist groups, the Mahayana tradition of Bathing the Buddha often gets combined with the Theravada celebration of Vesak, so much so that one Theravada Buddhist writing for the Huffington Post noted that he had never even heard of the Bathing the Buddha tradition as part of Vesak before college. 8. WHAT'S WRONG: RELIGIOUS OBSERVANCES ARE ALWAYS SPECIFIC TO THE RELIGION. While most of the time a religious holiday is exclusive to its religion, there are certain festivities that span across religions. The Muslim day of Ashura originated when Mohammed arrived in Medina and saw the Jews fasting in honor of Moses. Mohammed then ordered a fast as well. Today, scholars debate whether the Jews of Medina were celebrating Passover or Yom Kippur, but Ashura was originally based on a Jewish holy day. 9. WHAT'S WRONG: ALL MEMBERS OF A RELIGION CELEBRATE THE SAME HOLIDAYS. Just as some holidays can spread across multiple religions, some holidays are not universally followed within the religion. Quakers, which are a denomination of Protestant Christians, have traditionally not celebrated Christmas or Easter because they consider every day a holy day. Traditionally, the people of Kerala in the south of India don't view Diwali as a major celebration, for reasons that are debated. And on the flip side, groups within a religion often have their own holidays, such as the Old Believers (a group of Eastern Orthodox Christians who split from the main branch) who celebrate holidays such as the Transfer of the Relics of St. Nicholas, commemorating the movement of the relics from Turkey to Italy.


Training camp is nearing for the Green Bay Packers and fans are able to attend 16 public practices (including two joint practices with the Houston Texans) in 2019 at Nitschke Field in Green Bay. Find out what you should know before you go: 1. Where are the open practices? Practices open to the public will be held at Nitschke Field near Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Nitschke Field has seating for approximately 1,500 fans on the field's east side and standing room for more. 2. When are open practices? Practices typically begin at 10:15 a.m., however, the times for this year's joint practices with the Houston Texans have not yet been announced. Admission is given on a first-come, first-served basis. Gates will open 90 minutes prior to the scheduled practice time and will close 30 minutes after the completion of practice. Fans can view dates and specifics here . via packers.com 3. How much does to cost to attend? Training camp is free to the public. Concessions will be available for purchase. 4. Where is parking available? All around, really. The Lambeau Field parking lots will be open for fans to park and tailgate in. Free parking is available on many residential streets within walking distance of the stadium. 5. Do players still ride kids' bikes? Yes, this is still a time-honored tradition in Green Bay. According to the team's website, kids may line up with their bikes before practice at the American Family Insurance DreamDrive, outside of the Oneida Nation Gate. 6. Where can I get players' autographs? Fans have opportunities to interact with the players when they are walking to and from practice, entering and exiting the practice field, and mingling near the bike corral at the facility entrance. The team asks that fans please do not hold up players if they indicate they need to move on to their training camp responsibilities. 7. Can I bring my camera? Yes, given it is for pictures (no videos) and the lenses are less than 12 inches in length. Video recording devices (including cell phones as recording devices) and still cameras with lenses more than 12 inches long are prohibited at practice. Taking photos for commercial use is also prohibited. 8. What else can I bring in? Carry-ins (no alcohol) will be limited to small bags and coolers, and those items must be personal in size and not exceed a reasonable amount of space. Stadium seats (no arms, no larger than 18″ wide) are permitted. Folding chairs and umbrellas are prohibited. The carry-in policy will be monitored by security and all carry-in items are subject to search. 9. Where can I find a team roster and/or training camp guide? The Packers provide the team roster on packers.com . The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel will have guides available to the public daily. The Training Camp Guide includes the team roster. Look for the newspaper kiosk near the practice field to obtain your Training Camp Guide. 10. Are there accommodations for those with special needs? Yes, the Packers website says wheelchairs are available at the Guest Relations Desk located in the Lambeau Field Atrium for use inside the facility. Guests requiring a wheelchair are asked to enter the Atrium through the American Family Insurance Gate and use the elevators to proceed to the main floor of the Atrium. Personal identification, such as a driver's license, is required for the use of wheelchairs. There are designated areas for ADA/Wheelchairs at Nitschke Field. 11. What else is there to do around Lambeau besides Training Camp? Lambeau Field and the areas around it offer a host of activities available for fans of all ages. Outdoor kiosks offer promotions and activities daily. Inside the Lambeau Field Atrium, fans can visit the Packers Hall of Fame, take a Lambeau Field tour, shop in the Packers Pro Shop , or eat in one of the restaurants. The Atrium contains many dining options during Training Camp, all of which are open for lunch, and a few open early or late for you to make a day of it. Dining options include 1919 Kitchen & Tap and Atrium eateries. 12. Will there be staff on-site to help me with questions or concerns? There will be an information kiosk at Nitschke Field. Additionally, Guest Service ambassadors (wearing red) will be on hand at each of the practice field gates to assist training camp guests with their questions. Inside the Lambeau Field Atrium, the Guest Relations desk is open Monday-Friday: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m., Saturday: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., Sunday: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. For questions over the phone, fans can call the Fan Information Hotline for information at (920) 569-7502. MORE: Lions pre-camp roster projection leaves many spots unclaimed Mountain biker jumps over Tour de France peloton Bobby Portis Q&A: 'I love being underrated' Broncos training camp: Live updates from Day 3 of practice Chiefs TE Travis Kelce reacts to news that Tyreek Hill won't be suspended


Aaron Stromberg was awaiting a plate of ribs at a Mounds View restaurant when the call came in   a fellow funeral director needed his help. He steered his van to a St. Paul apartment building, unsure exactly what he would find there. A man was lying lifeless on the kitchen floor of his apartment. He had likely suffered a heart attack half a day earlier and hit his head on the way down. Stromberg's task: moving the body onto a gurney and discreetly taking it away. He and a growing cadre of behind-the-scenes specialists make a living whisking the dead where they need to go. It's something Stromberg does up to a dozen times a day, typically responding within an hour of being beckoned. "There's times when we're really running, where [the calls are] back to back to back," said Stromberg, owner of Twin Cities Trade Service. "And you're doing the best you can to just keep on top of it." The sensitive, sometimes grueling job of removing people from their place of death can generally be done only by licensed funeral directors, also called morticians, under state law. Faced with rising deaths and a shortage of funeral directors, funeral homes are increasingly leaning on morticians-for-hire such as Stromberg to remove remains while the city sleeps. It's one of many changes in an industry already challenged by a consumer preference for cremation   now 67% in Minnesota   and less demand for traditional funerals. Clad in a dress shirt and tie, Stromberg got to work in the St. Paul apartment. He and the other funeral director loosely wrapped the body in a light plastic material. They lifted it onto a gurney and covered the remains with a cotton sheet. They wheeled the body out to the elevators. The first one had someone in it, so they waited for the next one. They rolled the gurney to a van and the job was done, 15 minutes after they arrived. "I always handle every situation like I'm going to meet these people someday, somewhere else," Stromberg said. "And I don't ever want someone to look at me like I mishandled them." The handful of "trade services" businesses that do removal work in the Twin Cities have watched demand steadily rise in recent years. On average 121 people died every day in Minnesota in 2017, up from just 101 a decade earlier. The number of licensed funeral directors, meanwhile, has fallen about 12% in the past decade   which counts those who maintain a license but aren't practicing. Funeral homes still do many removals themselves, but directors often need assistance to stay fresh for their other work. Kevin Waterston, general manager of the Cremation Society of Minnesota, said he's short at least two funeral directors, and said it is particularly difficult to find people who are willing to be on call all night. "They've got more options today," Waterston said. "And they're more in demand." So he and others rely more on morticians-for-hire. When the work piles up, Stromberg keeps motivated by thinking of the loved ones. "You know there's someone on the other end that's mourning," he said. "And when I leave that house, it continues for the family." A demanding schedule An answering service dispatches requests to an app on Stromberg's phone eight to 12 times a day. They typically direct him to nursing homes, private residences and hospitals   with instructions on where to take the remains. Blaine to Forest Lake. Minneapolis to Duluth. St. Paul to Minneapolis. It's a dizzying array of locations, but the memories stay with him. "You never forget, as much as you try," Stromberg said. "I can still drive by homes from 10 years ago and remember in full detail what I did." He catches sleep when he can during five-day shifts, often coming and going from his home in the middle of the night to deliver remains to empty funeral homes. About 20% of calls involve an embalming, a one- to two-hour process that Stromberg takes great pride in. Three other morticians on staff help him with the work. Stromberg, 34, grew up in northern Wisconsin and lives in New Brighton with three young children and his wife, Caitlin, a mortician who also works at the business. When he got started in 2010, Stromberg was reliably home for dinner, and he recalls giving his newborn daughter regular 1 a.m. feedings. Then 60 calls a month grew to upward of 250. "Now with this one, I never even had a chance to get up in the middle of the night," Stromberg said of his youngest daughter. "Because in the middle of the night, that's when I'm gone." His experience is common for this niche profession. Tim Koch started a removal business out of his home in 2013. "It was just me and one van," he said. "So I had two cots and I just helped people. And the phone kept ringing." Now the Savage-based business, Metro First Call, has eight vans for removals, employs 13 licensed morticians and offers cremation and embalming. Todd Anderson, owner of trade service Johnson-Williams in northeast Minneapolis, said three to five removals made a busy day when his father ran the business. Now, his company has some days in the winter   high season for deaths   where they do 20 removals daily. Minnesota is more restrictive than other states about who can do a removal. It is one of just two states that require a four-year degree to become a licensed mortician. Other states also allow non-morticians to remove bodies. Anderson worries whether the current workforce can keep up if the trends continue. "You could only have so many people doing so many things," he said. 'Can't be a robot' Hours after the call in St. Paul, a security guard escorted Stromberg through a Shakopee hospital at 1 a.m. to retrieve a body for an organ and tissue donation. He checked the tag on the body bag against another on the deceased's wrist to ensure that they matched before strapping the body to his cot and wheeling it away. The job is as much about the living as the dead. At senior facilities and private homes, he meets grieving families. Stromberg has learned to read the room. "You can't just be a robot [saying], 'My sympathies to you,'?" he said. "There's some families I'm laughing with … and then the next group you walk in and you can tell they don't want to say anything." He explains to them how he puts a sheet over the body   except for the face   to ensure nothing is exposed when he removes the bed sheets. Rather than a body bag, which seems "cold" to him, he places the remains in a fiber-vinyl pouch and covers it with royal blue or burgundy blankets. He does not handle medical examiner cases, which involve some of the most grisly deaths. But his work involves some messy situations, such as people who die on the toilet or in the bath. "You're able to flip a switch in your brain that allows you to do the job," Stromberg said. "It's like a defense mechanism, I think to keep you mentally healthy." He said the work has its rewards. When he moved to Minneapolis 12 years ago, he felt the industry did not focus enough on the emotional importance of removals. "My belief was that that started the whole process," he said. "That sets the table for you as a family to grieve and to mourn." After delivering the remains from Shakopee, Stromberg caught some sleep while a colleague handled two other calls. In the early morning hours, Stromberg rose to fetch a body from a group home, then traveled to a funeral home for an embalming. When the five-day shift was over, Stromberg took five days off and spent it with his family. "It teaches you just to take advantage of every minute you have," he said. Eric Roper • 612-673-1732 Twitter: @StribRoper     ©2019 the Star Tribune (Minneapolis) Visit the Star Tribune (Minneapolis) at www.startribune.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.


Former Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has heaped praise on Liverpool stalwart James Milner, hailing the versatile midfielder as 'one of the best' while surprisingly downplaying the importance of stars like Lionel Messi and Neymar. Since arriving at Anfield in 2015, Milner has become a firm fan favourite for his work rate and unselfishness and was a key member of the Reds' Champions League success in 2018/19. His contribution has won a surprise admirer in former United and Netherlands manager Van Gaal, who used the 33-year-old to highlight the importance of players who fight for the team than those who play as individuals. When questioned by  El Pais , the Dutchman seemed to dismiss many of the traditionally considered best individual players in the world, before talking up those who play for the team. He is quoted as saying: "Look at Barcelona, how many Champions League's have they won with what they say is the best player in the world? "Look at Neymar at PSG. How many Champions League trophies won? Neymar and Messi, I like them as individual players, not as team players." "I believe that in collective games there is nothing more important than the team player." And when asked who he believed was the most impressive team player was, he replied: "One of the best is James Milner, in the final of the Champions League he played as a defender and as a midfielder. It's great that he can offer that at 33." Van Gaal was also complimentary towards a number of other stars crucial to Liverpool's recent resurgence and European success, adding: "And the forwards? Everyone plays for the team. "Salah, Firmino and Mane work very hard in defence because Klopp wants to press." Yet, despite getting his players to buy into his preferred style, Van Gaal also believes the Reds' manager has learned to adapt his methods to be pragmatic. "Until a few months ago he saw the light: he understood that pressing is not always the right thing to do. "Depends on the conditions. His Dortmund was more offensive than his  Liverpool , where he learned that sometimes you have to fold a little bit, collect your lines and counter-attack. "That is good for Salah , Mane and Firmino because they are very quick to take advantage of the spaces behind the rival defence." Using the 4-0 semi-final thrashing of Barca as an example once more, he suggested this was something the Spanish champions and Messi could learn from. " Barça suffered it. I think Messi should ask himself how it is possible that he has not won a Champions League for so long."


A man died after his wheelchair went down an embankment in Belton, according to the coroner. The incident happened Friday just after 3 p.m. on Holloway Boulevard near Turner Street. Officials first reported the incident as a moped accident. It was later determined the victim was in an electric wheelchair. The coroner said the man was coming out of a driveway and the wheelchair went down an embankment. The coroner believes the man may have suffered a medical condition before the wheelchair went down the embankment. The coroner said the man died at the scene. His name has not been released. READ MORE: Man in wheelchair rolled down embankment, died, coroner says CHECK OUT WYFF: Get the latest Greenville news and weather. For live, local, late-breaking Greenville, SC, news coverage, WYFF is the place to be.


A man who was in the Milwaukee County Jail soon after an inmate died of dehydration says he was also unlawfully denied water, edible food, and bedding over a five-day stint in the segregation pod. Jamie McGee's claims come in a federal lawsuit that accuses jail officials of deliberate indifference to his conditions, and violation of his rights. According to his suit, McGee, 27, entered the jail May 12, 2016, mistakenly classified as a discipline problem and put in the isolation wing, where Terrill Thomas Jr. had died about two weeks earlier after his water to his cell was turned off for a week. McGee had been charged with burglary, and he was in the jail pre-trial. McGee's suit said he suffered from PTSD and a swallowing disorder that also limited the volume of his voice. He was put on suicide watch, and after being cleared the next day, became sick. He had to hang a sheet from his cell door to get the staff's attention, an act that later got him moved to a different cell in the pod for violating pod rules. There, his water was turned off and his bedding taken away. After another medical emergency, McGee's water was restored -- after 18 hours -- but only the hot water which he said he couldn't drink, or turn off. His suit claims he was also fed only nutraloaf, "a borderline inedible foodstuff designed to punish inmates" that is nearly impossible to eat without water. Thomas' death and McGee's treatment "reflect an entrenched policy and practice to punish inmates through torturous deprivation of essential life-sustaining needs," according to McGee's suit. McGee's suit claims the treatment violated federal and state law, the Eighth Amendment ban on cruel and unusual punishment and deprived him of due process, The lawsuit names the county and about two dozen former and current sheriff's office employees, plus Amor Correctional Health Services and some medical staff as defendants. The county contracted with Armor to provided health care at the jail until this year. RELATED: Former jail commander sentenced to 9 months for lying during investigation of inmate's dehydration death RELATED: Terrill Thomas estate said to be receiving about $6.7 million to resolve jail dehydration case The lawsuit cites the practices exposed during Journal Sentinel reporting and a subsequent inquest into the dehydration death of Terrill Thomas Jr. in the same pod two weeks earlier. Now, inmates whose water has been turned off to prevent flooding must be offered water every hour. Contact Bruce Vielmetti at (414) 224-2187 or bvielmetti@jrn.com. Follow him on Twitter at @ProofHearsay. Our subscribers make this coverage possible. Subscribe to the Journal Sentinel today and get a special offer at jsonline.com/deal. Top Headlines: Plan unveiled to make Bradford Beach more accessible to people with disabilities Construction firm owner Brian Ganos agrees to plead guilty to federal contracting fraud charges Biologic medications for arthritis, psoriasis have flooded the market   and been linked to 34,000 deaths FOLLOW THE JOURNAL SENTINEL: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Another lawsuit questions withheld water at jail


CLAYTON (CBS SF)   An East Bay deli's attempt to leverage a national controversy may have backfired over the weekend after the owner offered free food to anyone saying "send her back" while placing their order. John Canesa of Canesa's Brooklyn Heroes, at 6026 Main St. in Clayton, offered a free side dish to anyone who repeated the racist chant that went viral last week after President Donald Trump's rally in North Carolina. The Facebook post also included a joke about making his restaurant's meatballs out of beef in an apparent jab at Muslims or other groups that avoid pork for religious reasons. In a series of subsequent comments and responses, he also claimed to have given out at least 65 free sides in connection with the promotion. "Come and get it we are about to sell out," Canesa wrote. "I have to post more often!" That content is no longer accessible to the public, although it is not clear whether it was deleted or Canesa changed the applicable privacy settings. Canesa's is typically closed on Mondays, and management could not be reached for comment Monday afternoon. Either way, Councilmember Tuija Catalano, who currently serves as mayor, posted a screenshot of the original post in her response. "We all have rights to our own political, religious, and other opinions. We all have a right to post about them too," Catalano wrote Friday. "However, there is no place in our community for hatred and bigotry. When hateful comments are being promoted as part of a local business, they reflect on our community's reputation. As an … elected official, who is also a woman and foreign-born, I personally find a comment about sending anyone back over their political opinions unacceptable," Catalano said. She's not the only one with something to say about Canesa's business promotion. Online reviewers have weighed in on both sides of the controversy in a phenomenon often referred to as "Yelp bombing." The review platform's staff have shut down new reviews and posted a notice at the top of the Canesa's Brooklyn Heros profile indicating that the business's ratings are being monitored for "content related to media reports." © Copyright 2019 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Bay City News Service contributed to this report.


Nothing's impossible, but Wolves built an improbable lead after one leg to take a step closer to the Europa League group stage. Mexican striker Raul Jimenez scored twice and Diogo Jota had three assists as Wolves buried Armenian side Pyunik 4-0 in Yerevan on Thursday. [ MORE: PL transfer grades ] The second leg comes at the Molineux in one week, and Wolves begin the Premier League season on Sunday morning with a visit to Leicester City (Watch live, 9 a.m. ET on CNBC and online via NBCSports.com ) Matt Doherty and Ruben Neves also scored, as Wolves led 2-0 at the break following Raul's 42nd minute goal. He completed his brace one minute after halftime. Should Wolves manage its lead, it will have to win more round to reach the group stage. No words to describe the unreal dedication of the 47 fans who travelled 3,000 miles to be here! 🙌 Safe travels back home! 💛👏 pic.twitter.com/ddISMlN1rO   Wolves (@Wolves) August 8, 2019 Follow @NicholasMendola


ANN ARBOR, Mich. (WWJ) -- The wife and daughter of University of Wisconsin assistant basketball coach Howard Moore were killed by a wrong-way driver early Saturday morning near Ann Arbor. Michigan State Police confirmed that Moore and his family were struck by a driver heading west along the eastbound lanes of M-14 near Ford Road around 2 a.m. Saturday. His 9-year-old daughter, Jaidyn, was pronounced dead at the scene and his 46-year-old wife, Jennifer, later died at a hospital. Moore and his son, 13-year-old Jerell, sustained non-life threatening injuries in the crash. Wisconsin basketball released a statement on the crash, saying "Our hearts are with them and we, as a community, will support and lift up the entire family." Early Saturday morning, we learned of a tragic automobile accident involving assistant coach Howard Moore and his family. Our hearts are with them and we, as a community, will support and lift up the entire family. https://t.co/IdiIZjV4HD -- Wisconsin Basketball (@BadgerMBB) May 26, 2019 Happy Mother's Day to my outstanding wife, @queenjen29 and thank you for that you do for our family! #Blessed #MothersDay pic.twitter.com/wwsTsqbpAX -- Howard Moore (@Howard_Moore) May 12, 2019 Police identified the wrong-way driver as 23-year-old Samantha Winchester of Ann Arbor. She was pronounced dead at the scene. Officials say Winchester worked at Barton Hills Country Club in Ann Arbor, but it is unclear if she was working that night. MSP Lt. Darren Green called it a horrific start to the Memorial Day Weekend. "It's a tragic situation, especially when a young child is killed," Green told WWJ. "It's not a great start to what we were hoping would be a safe holiday weekend." Police first received a call about a vehicle heading westbound in the eastbound lanes of M-14 near Ford Road at 2:02 a.m. Saturday. One minute later, another call came in about a crash in the same location. "It sounded like everything happened pretty fast," Green said. "They only received one phone call regarding the wrong-way driver before the crash happened." Police say Winchester's car slammed head-on into the Moore family's vehicle. Their vehicle caught fire in the crash and slammed into another car that was traveling eastbound. A man driving the third vehicle, which was traveling behind the Moore's car, also suffered minor injuries. It is unclear if alcohol or drugs were factors in the crash. "Basically at this point, pending autopsies, toxicology, and then our traffic crash reconstructionist to come out and reconstruct the scene -- once all those pieces of information and investigations are done, they'll get pieced together and that should give an accurate picture of the actual events that led up to the crash," Green said. An investigation is ongoing.


The news on retirement is not good. It seems like every month, there's a study breathlessly lamenting the stark reality of our grim retirement prospects. Millions of Americans barely have one thin dime saved for their golden years. Of course, starting early and saving as much as possible helps. It also might be wise to buy long-term-care insurance or a life insurance policy with a long-term-care rider. However, you could do all that and still find yourself running short of money in your post-work years. Here are five common blunders people make with their retirement funds. 1. Not using an account with tax benefits Not all savings accounts are created equal. Putting your retirement money in a nonretirement bank account, CD or brokerage account isn't going to cut it. These options all share a glaring weakness: They offer no tax advantages to the saver. By contrast, retirement accounts such as 401(k) plans, IRAs and even health savings accounts give you enormous tax benefits. For 401(k) plans and IRAs, you typically have two options: traditional and Roth. With a traditional plan, you can defer taxes now and pay them later. With a Roth, you pay taxes now and defer them forever after. To find out more about these options, check out: " Confused by Retirement Accounts? Roth, Regular IRAs and 401(k)s Made Simple " " 4 Big Reasons to Make a Roth IRA Part of Your Retirement Strategy " " Which Is Better   a Traditional or Roth Retirement Plan? " 2. Missing out on your employer match IRAs are fabulous, but if your employer offers a 401(k) match, you need to start there. Many employers offer a dollar-for-dollar match of your savings, up to a certain percentage   such as 6%   of your income. That means if you earn $50,000 and put $3,000 into your 401(k), your employer will deposit $3,000, too. Other companies might match a different percentage of income or give you 50 cents on the dollar. Regardless of the details, it's free money. Why aren't you taking it? Related video: How to retire earlier It's not the usual blah, blah, blah. Click here to sign up for our free newsletter. 3. Keeping all your money in one stock When you invest, it's risky to leave all your eggs in one basket by investing in a single stock. The same goes for investing all your retirement funds only in your company's stock. Diversifying is the name of the game. One way to diversify is to spread your money across hundreds or thousands of companies by investing in index mutual funds. That way, if one company's stock tanks, your entire retirement savings won't go with it. 4. Ignoring fund fees Too many workers ignore the high cost of investment fees. As we point out in " Investing Fees: A $400,000 Dilemma That Can Rob Your Nest Egg Blind ," one study found that fees can rob you of hundreds of thousands of dollars in retirement savings. For more on the high cost of fees, check out " Of All the Fees You Pay, This One Is the Worst ." 5. Using your retirement money like an emergency fund Finally, it's a HUGE mistake to think of your retirement money as an emergency fund! Yes, it's such a big mistake I had to yell. When your car breaks down or the roof starts leaking, it can be tempting to turn to your 401(k) for cash. After all, you're paying interest to yourself when you repay the loan. That's such a smart money move, right? Wrong! Compound interest is a powerful thing, and when you withdraw money, you are potentially losing out on tens of thousands of dollars or more in compound interest. Even more concerning for your immediate future is what happens if you have a loan and then leave or lose your job: You need to pay back the balance immediately. If you don't and you're younger than 59½, you'll not only pay income tax on the money, but you'll also be charged a pricey penalty. I speak from experience: That's not a bill you want to pay. Instead of seeing your retirement account as a Plan B for emergencies, open a separate savings account and fill it with enough to pay for three to six months' worth of living expenses if needed. Then, you can be strictly hands-off when it comes to your retirement fund. For more, check out " 9 Ways to Build an Emergency Fund When Money's Tight ." Learn everything you need to plan your dream retirement The Only Retirement Guide You'll Ever Need gives you the knowledge you need to retire on your own terms. Sure, you can pay a financial adviser, but this online course gives you total control to create a custom retirement plan around the things that make you happy. You're going to get expert, personalized advice. You'll have access to the latest tools. And when it's complete, you'll be able to approach your retirement confidently and with peace of mind. It's time to plan the best years of your life. Let's get started .


TAMPA, FL   Investigators suspect arson in a South Tampa house fire early Tuesday morning. Tampa Fire Rescue responded to a structure fire in the 6200 block of South Church Avenue shortly after 4 a.m. Tuesday and found heavy smoke coming from the single-story residence. The occupant of the home, an elderly woman, was able to escape the home without injuries. Firefighters had the fire under control by 4:30 a.m. The resident is being assisted by the Red Cross. An investigator from the fire marshal's office suspects the fire is the result of arson. Damage to the home and contents is estimated at $100,000. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Fire Marshal's Office at (813) 274-7000 or use the anonymous tips page . Rewards of up to $2,500 or more are available for information leading to the identification of those involved in arson fires.


When you see a garbage or recycling truck double-parked with flashing lights, treat it with the same respect you would a police car or fire truck: slow down, and pass only if it's safe and with as much room as you can. It's the law now in Minnesota. Known as "slow down to get around," the new law, which actually went into effect shortly after Gov. Tim Walz signed it in May, wasn't particularly controversial and has received little attention, overshadowed by the far-reaching hands-free cellphone law taking effect Aug. 1 . Even for cautious drivers, it might change the way you approach and get around the next garbage truck you see. But for those who lobbied for the law   which elevates double-parked garbage, recycling trucks and tow trucks to the status of emergency vehicles when being passed   it shines a light on a deadly problem: garbage haulers getting hit while doing their jobs. "Our garbage guys that are out there all the time, they get hit a lot," said Peggy Macenas, vice president of the Midwest region of the National Waste and Recycling Association. "We think a lot is distracted driving. You've got this huge truck, so you think people would see it. But our guys keep getting hit." Macenas didn't have specific figures for Minnesota, but federal statistics show that waste hauling is one of the more dangerous professions in America. In 2017, the category of "refuse and recyclable material collectors" had the fifth-highest on-the-job fatality rate, behind fishing workers, loggers, pilots and roofers, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics . Macenas said two-thirds of the fatalities of waste haulers are transportation-related nationwide. Those numbers, as well as moving anecdotes   Macenas tells the story of an Iraq War veteran who lost both legs when a car pinned him against the back of his garbage truck while he was emptying a garbage bin   helped lead to a nationwide lobbying effort by waste haulers. Minnesota now becomes the 29th state to pass a "slow down to get around" law. WHAT THE LAW SAYS Under the new law : If you approach a garbage truck, recycling truck or tow truck that is stopped or parked in a traffic lane or next to a traffic lane and has its hazard or warning lights flashing, you must give that truck as much leeway as possible before you pass it. Examples: If there are enough lanes in the same direction, you must leave an entire vacant lane between your car and the truck. If there are only two lanes in each direction, you can pass the truck only if you're fully in the other lane. If there's only one lane, or if it's not possible to change lanes safely, you must slow down to a "reasonable and prudent" speed before passing the truck   and you cannot speed up until your entire vehicle has fully cleared the entire truck. If police see you failing to do any of these, they can pull you over and write a ticket. These are the same standards that have applied for ambulance, police, fire and other emergency vehicles for years. Macenas says the goal isn't tickets, but safety. "These waste and recycling handlers, they live in our communities," she said. "They just want to work and go home, but just like ambulance drivers and firefighters and tow truck drivers, they work in the streets, and we all need to make sure they're safe." Related Articles 20 years later, effects of massive Boundary Waters windstorm still felt Walz signs order to ease fuel delivery amid Minnesota gas shortage Brooklyn Center man accused of fishing in the nude on his pontoon Filmed in northwest Minnesota, History Channel's 'Strongest Man in History' episode airs this weekend Minnesota's fighter wing tapped for many July 4th flyovers   in just over an hour


Choosing how and when to take your Social Security benefits is one of the most important financial decisions you will ever make. Social Security benefits have many nuances, though, and the choices you make can radically alter the benefits you ultimately receive. Many people need help making decisions about Social Security. One way to get advice is talk to someone at a local Social Security office . Another is to pay a small, one-time fee to get a Social Security analysis that's tailored to your specific circumstances, as we detail in " Maximize Your Social Security ." However, others prefer a DIY approach. Understanding the following Social Security terms will go a long way in helping you make the best choices for your retirement. It's not the usual blah, blah, blah. Click here to sign up for our free newsletter. 1. FICA taxes You face the reality of Social Security every time you get a paycheck. The stub shows that some of your pay has been diverted to pay FICA taxes. "FICA" stands for the Federal Insurance Contributions Act. FICA taxes fund both the Social Security and Medicare programs. Think about the Social Security portion of the FICA taxes you pay like this, says the Social Security Administration : "The money you pay in taxes is not held in a personal account for you to use when you get benefits. Today's workers help pay for current retirees' and other beneficiaries' benefits. Any unused money goes to the Social Security trust funds to help secure today and tomorrow for you and your family." If you work for an employer, you each split a 12.4 percent payroll tax for Social Security. You also split a 2.9 percent Medicare tax. If you're self-employed , you pay a self-employment tax of 15.3 percent, which includes the 12.4 percent for Social Security and 2.9 percent for Medicare. In 2019 , the maximum amount of earnings on which the Social Security tax will be collected is $132,900. Any earnings above that amount are not taxed for Social Security. Related: Maximize Your Social Security 2. Earnings record Your earnings record is the Social Security Administration's record of your lifetime earnings   "a chronological history of the amount of money you earned each year during your working lifetime," as the federal agency puts it . However, what you really need to know about your earnings record is that, although employers are responsible for reporting your earnings to the SSA, you are responsible for checking it. And it's critical to check the accuracy of your earnings record at least annually because an error could result in a smaller monthly benefit. For example, if an employer improperly reports your earnings for even one year, your monthly benefit upon retiring could be around $100 less, according to the SSA. That amounts to a loss of tens of thousands of dollars over the course of your retirement. The longer you wait to review your earnings record, the harder it will likely be to spot or correct any errors. The SSA explains: "As time passes, you may no longer have past tax documents and some employers may no longer be in business or able to provide past payroll information." You can review your earnings record online   see the "mySocialSecurity account" section of this article. 3. Full retirement age Your full retirement age is the age at which you can begin collecting your Social Security retirement benefits in full. Your full retirement age is based on when you were born. For example, if you were born in : 1943-1954: Your full retirement age is 66 1955: 66 and 2 months 1956: 66 and 4 months 1957: 66 and 6 months 1958: 66 and 8 months 1959: 66 and 10 months 1960 and later: 67 It's important to know your full retirement age because claiming your Social Security benefits before or after that age will lower or increase the amount of your benefit payment, respectively. 4. Delayed retirement credits If you begin collecting benefits before reaching your full retirement age, your monthly benefit will be less than your full benefit amount   for the rest of your life. In other words, you will receive a smaller monthly benefit payment than you would have received if you waited until full retirement age to start collecting. If you wait past your full retirement age to start collecting benefits, however, your monthly benefit will be higher than your full amount. Specifically, for every year through age 70 that you hold off past full retirement age, your benefit will jump by as much as 8 percent, as we detail in " 7 Reasons It's Dumb to Claim Social Security Early ." The Social Security Administration refers to this system as "delayed retirement credits." After age 70 there are no further increases so there is no further advantage to delaying claiming benefits. 5. mySocialSecurity account Among other things, you can use your mySocialSecurity account to: Receive personalized estimates of future benefits. View your latest Social Security statement. Review your earnings history. Set up or change the direct deposit details for your benefit payments. Request a replacement card if you've lost yours. Creating a mySocialSecurity account also prevents crooks from opening an account in your name and using it to divert your benefit payments to themselves, as we explain in " 3 Free Ways to Protect Your Social Security Number ." To create a mySocialSecurity account, visit SSA.gov , the official website of the U.S. Social Security Administration. 6. Spousal benefits Even if you never worked, if you are or were married, you might be eligible to receive up to half of the amount of your spouse's retirement benefit, which is known as " spousal benefits ." If the benefit you would receive based on your spouse's record is higher than the benefit you would receive based on your own earnings record, SSA will generally give you the higher amount, assuming you're eligible for it. The agency offers this example: "Mary Ann qualifies for a retirement benefit of $250 and a spouse's benefit of $400. At her full retirement age, she will receive her own $250 retirement benefit, and we will add $150 from her spouse's benefit, for a total of $400. If she takes her retirement benefit before her full retirement age, both amounts will be reduced." Other restrictions may apply that could reduce your benefit, however. If you are divorced, SSA says you might be eligible for benefits on your ex-spouse's record if you were married at least 10 years, provided that you meet other conditions. 7. Survivors benefits In some situations, family members of eligible wage earners who have died can receive what's known as " survivors benefits ." These benefits are based on multiple factors, including the deceased's earnings and whether the deceased was already receiving reduced benefits at the time of death. While spousal benefits are limited to half a spouse's benefit, survivors benefits can be up to 100 percent of the deceased's benefit amount. Typically, eligible widows and widowers can begin getting Social Security benefits at age 60, or at age 50 if disabled, the SSA says .


Read on for the most recent top news you may have missed in Houston. Couple charged with fatally abusing newborn daughter, baby suffers blows to the head, 96 fractures HOUSTON (FOX 26) - A man and woman have been charged in the death of their prematurely born daughter, who was killed just days after she was brought home from the hospital, Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg announced Monday. Read the full story on Fox 11 Los Angeles . Graphic video shows 89-year-old man getting beaten; Houston police looking for suspect Police said the victim was finishing his afternoon walk and was walking up his driveway when the attack occurred. Read the full story on KHOU 11 News . 23-year-old man arrested after Sunday's deadly boat crash near Baytown Multiple people were killed and hurt in a deadly boating crash on Old River Lake east of Houston. Read the full story on KHOU 11 News . Boy shoots self in leg at aunt's SE Houston home, HPD says A 2-year-old boy shot himself in the hand and leg Monday at a southeast Houston home, according to authorities. Read the full story on KPRC2 / Click2Houston . Beloved Houston business closing after 104 years After 104 years in business, Southern Importers in downtown Houston is closing its doors Saturday. Read the full story on KPRC2 / Click2Houston . 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.


Miles Sanders has been easing his way into the Eagles system and on Thursday, he once again showed the flash and burst that could ultimately separate him from the rest of the teams running backs. Sanders dealt with a hamstring injury for the bulk of the OTA period, but since reporting to training camp, the former Penn State running back has run with power and seems to operate in a different gear than his Eagles teammates. Even on his first carry on Thursday, you could see it. https://t.co/6mHsLhb0gr - Adam Caplan (@caplannfl) July 29, 2019 4) Miles Sanders catches your attention when he bursts into daylight, and seems sturdy when absorbing "thud" contact. Pederson praised his backfield mate, Jordan Howard, saying he's been "pleasantly surprised" by what he's seen, crediting Howard's vision in particular. - Tim McManus (@Tim_McManus) July 29, 2019 Sanders runs with physicality as well and brings some thump with him when approaching the opposing defender, something that was on display a ton on Monday. MORE: Marcus Stroman explained what his clubhouse 'commotion' was about after Mets trade MLB Trade Deadline Rumors: Latest on Noah Syndergaard, Trevor Bauer, and More Packers FB Danny 'The Muscle Man' Vitale could play key role in new offense Tom Brady disobeys Bill Belichick at practice, and suffers the consequences Ryan Pace says Chuck Pagano gives Bears advantage early in season


The US Army says it will be able to field combat vehicle-mounted lasers and hypersonic missiles within the next four years to prepare for combat against rivals like Russia or China that may employ enemy drones or their own hypersonic weapons. The service will begin fielding 50-kilowatt directed energy weapons on Stryker combat vehicles in 2022 and road-mobile Long-Range Hypersonic Weapons (LRHWs) in 2023, Army Lt. Gen. L. Neil Thurgood, director of the Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office (RCCTO) told reporters Wednesday, according to Breaking Defense. The Army intends to field test its 50-kilowatt vehicle-mounted laser, which is designed to shoot down enemy drones, rockets, and artillery and mortar rounds, in 2021, and then a battery of four vehicles will be delivered to troops the following year. There is also a project to develop a 100-kilowatt laser that could be mounted on a heavy truck. The challenge so far has been generating the necessary power levels. Related video: Russia Says It Tested Hypersonic Interceptor Missiles (Veuer) As for the hypersonic weapon, Thurgood's office is overseeing the development of a common boost-glide vehicle that travels faster than five times the speed of sound, and which will be incorporated into submarine- and air-launched hypersonic weapons for the Navy and Air Force. The Army announced recently that the first joint flight test of a future hypersonic weapon will be conducted next year. That test will be followed by flight tests every six months. The ground-based LRHW will be delivered to soldiers in sets of four launchers carrying two rounds each. The transporter erector launchers (TELs) will be installed on trailers and pulled by Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Trucks. Soldiers will first be introduced to the launch system in 2021, at which point troops will begin training for the first TEL launch in 2022. Read more : The US Army wants a powerful cannon that can hit Chinese warships in the South China Sea from 1,000 miles away The LRHW is one of four priorities for the Long-Range Precision Fires (LRPF) team at Army Futures Command. This program is expected to deliver a weapon that can, at very long ranges, target critical strategic infrastructure and fixed site radars, disabling vital components of an enemy's anti-access, area-denial (A2/AD) system, Col. John Rafferty, head of the LRPF CFT, previously explained to Business Insider. As Russia and China are also racing to field hypersonic weapons, the Army is planning to spend around $1.2 billion on experiments to counter these capabilities. Hypersonic weapons are particularly threatening not only because of their high speeds, in excess of five times the speed of sound, but also because they are able to maneuver along unpredictable flight paths, making them nearly impossible to intercept. Thurgood's office has been tasked with delivering hypersonic and directed energy weapons. "We've been in a full-out sprint since then," Thurgood said recently.


In the wake of Paul George forcing his way to the Clippers, Russell Westbrook and Thunder management have talked and both are now looking at trade possibilities for the former MVP point guard . The challenge is where? Westbrook has four years, just less than $170 million left on his contract (the last year of that is a $46 million player option, is there really any question he picks that up?). Sources around the Las Vegas Summer League have said that number   and Westbrook's ball-dominant style   have a number of teams backing away. Miami is reportedly interested, and Westbrook is interested in them as well, reports Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN . The Miami Heat have expressed interest, a potential destination that also appeals to Westbrook, league sources said… Westbrook and his agent, Thad Foucher, have been discussing trade possibilities and scenarios with [Thunder president Sam] Presti, and the sides are both motivated to find a resolution sooner rather than later, league sources told ESPN. Westbrook wants to play for a team pursuing contention, which is no longer the case with the Thunder. Miami did a sign-and-trade with Philadelphia for Jimmy Butler , which complicates trading for Westbrook on a couple of different levels. One is simply the players Miami has to offer   Josh Richardson , a player coveted in many front offices around the league, is no longer in the mix. Miami has a lot of salaries that could be put together to match Westbrook's $35.7 million next season   Goran Dragic , Justise Winslow , Kelly Olynyk , Dion Waiters , James Johnson   but do any of them interest the rebuilding Thunder? The picks the Heat can trade also are years out (both their 2021 first-round pick, unprotected, and 2023 first-rounder, lottery protected, now belong to OKC from the George trade). The other problem: The Butler trade hard-capped the Heat this season, and they are already close to that number, as ESPN's Bobby Marks explains. Keep an eye out for the $138.9M tax apron in Miami. The Heat are $986K below the threshold and the Miami front office cannot take back more or equal $$ and stay under- plus fill out the roster.   Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) July 8, 2019 There are creative ways to get a trade done, and a third team could be brought in to make it work. But this would be a tough deal to make work for both sides.


The latest trend in eyewear is actually to see less by filtering out certain parts of the visible light spectrum, particularly blue light. Countless brands offer supposed blue light-blocking glasses, mainly to folks who spend most of their days looking at screens. These products are cheap and you can even get them without a prescription, though at some eyewear outlets you can opt to have this coating added to your prescription lenses. Whatever the method, these glasses bank on the idea that blue light is harmful to our eyes. The only problem is, no one's really sure that's true. Blue light, which makes up the highest-energy portion of the visible light spectrum, has shorter wavelengths than low-energy red light. These two wavelengths, and everything in between, is what the human eye can register as color. But there's a lot more light beyond this spectrum that we can't see. Ultraviolet (UV) radiation, for example, exists past the blue end of the spectrum, and is known to cause some nasty eye conditions like cataracts and macular degeneration with overexposure that's why we wear sunglasses when we're outside. But scientists aren't convinced blue light merits that same fear. "The concern with blue light has really gotten to another level," says Sunir Garg, a clinical spokesperson for the American Academy of Ophthalmology. "I honestly don't know how this became such a big thing," Garg says, "because it's not the ophthalmologist community that's been driving the conversation." He attributes this mostly to the ever-increasing time we spend on screened devices, whose LEDs emit mostly blue wavelengths. But blue light isn't some new dystopian phenomenon causing us to go blind. "It's been around since the sun has been around," Garg says, adding that we're exposed to way more blue light from the fiery ball in the sky than from our screens. In fact, humans need this light to survive. It regulates the body's circadian rhythm, improves cognitive function, and elevates mood. It's nature's surefire method for keeping us awake and happy. Specialized eyewear companies and unverified medical threads alike point to studies showing that blue light can cause damage to retinal cells, as this light is not naturally filtered out by the cornea. They found that exposure to blue light was associated with the formation of oxygen free radicals, which are toxic byproducts of cell stress and damage. But Garg points out that these studies were done either on individual cells in a petri dish or lab animals using intensities and durations of blue light exposure that are far beyond what humans experience on a day-to-day basis. Because clinical trials haven't been done on humans, we can't say for certain that blue light is really a problem. "There is no clinical sign or clinical evidence that people are being harmed by this," Garg says of the claims that blue light can damage our eyeballs. While it's true that staring at a screen all day can result in eye strain and dryness, it's not because of blue light. Instead, the staring causes your eye muscles to tighten, and infrequent blinking can dry them out. The American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends eye drops and the 20-20-20 rule: Every 20 minutes, stare at an object at least 20 feet away from you for 20 seconds to give your eye muscles a break. If people are concerned about serious eye conditions, Garg says there are many other factors to consider before blue light exposure. "Smoking increases the risk of macular degeneration, and we have great data on that nobody really talks about that. Exercise and eating a proper diet reduces your risk for vision loss as you get older nobody talks about that," Garg says. "And that's good data and good science." Garg does, however, give some merit to the claim that blue light exposure at the wrong times could negatively affect sleep. Sabra Abbott, assistant professor of neurology and sleep medicine at Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine, agrees. She says light is one of the strongest nudges to our circadian rhythm, our internal clock that tells us when to sleep. Most humans' cycles run a little longer than our 24-hour day, so waking up to "blue" sunlight in the morning can help set us back on track. Throughout the day, sunlight works to keep us awake by suppressing the body's production of melatonin , the sleep hormone. When exposed to that light, photoreceptors in our eyes send signals to the brain to hold off on synthesizing this hormone. When those photoreceptors begin to detect less light at the end of the day, they give the brain the go-ahead, and melatonin races through the bloodstream to let the body know it's getting dark again. Abbott says adding screens to that cycle can complicate things. Because they produce light at a blue wavelength similar to the sun, the eye's photoreceptors can't tell the difference. So, using a screen when it's dark out will trick the body to continue suppressing the production of melatonin, making it harder to fall asleep and wake up the next morning. But because melatonin production is most sensitive to blue wavelengths of light, some research shows that eliminating just these wavelengths using amber-colored glasses can improve sleep. Abbott points out that not all glasses are created equal, though: Some have yellow lenses, some have orange lenses, and some barely have a tint at all. And because they're not regulated by the FDA, we don't know which brands work better than others or if they work at all. And, while Abbott doesn't discount the fact that a proper blue light filter could prevent unnecessary melatonin suppression, she says there's a lot more that goes into sleep hygiene that a single pair of glasses won't fix. "It's not as good as just not looking at the screen in general," she says. This is especially true for people who spend their days in dim environments this lack of contrast between light and dark can also negatively affect melatonin production. "We could argue it's actually more important to get lots of bright light during the day than it is to wear the glasses at night," Abbott says, adding that while light exposure differs for each person, the goal should be to make it as easy as possible for your eyes to tell the difference between day and night. That definitely means not wearing blue light-blocking glasses during the day, or getting a blue light-filtering coating on glasses you typically wear during the day. Abbott says she tells most of her patients to avoid screen use altogether before bed even if they wear glasses that block blue light. And that's for another reason that has nothing to do with wavelengths or circadian rhythms: Activities like answering emails will keep their brains active, leaving their minds unprepared for sleep. On top of bedtime behavior, even things like diet and physical activity can affect circadian rhythm. "Sleep problems are usually multifactorial, so there's typically not one single magical solution," Abbott says. But it's that promise of a singular solution that may be driving this glasses fad, according to consumer psychologist Kit Yarrow. She studies why people buy what they buy, and she can see a clear reason for why people buy blue light-blocking glasses. "We love the easy answer. We just love the idea that we can take a pill or put on a pair of glasses just one simple thing, and our problem is solved," Yarrow says. She also notes that the placebo effect can make people think a product is working, even when there's no scientific evidence to suggest it. She says this "easy fix" mentality drives the sales of all kinds of products, particularly diets. While there may not be studies proving the efficacy of a food regimen or eyewear, Yarrow says consumers' hope of solving the problem transcends that lack of a foundation. And when an influential source like a celebrity or Instagram personality starts using that product, it's all the excuse they need to jump on board. "The problem to me is not necessarily the lack of sleep or the eye strain the problem is the anxiety that causes the fixation on technology," Yarrow says. To her, the popularity of a one-dimensional solution speaks to how concerned we are with our relationship to screens. Tired eyes and sleepless nights are just symptoms of that stress and she doesn't think that can be cured by a pair of glasses. Regardless of the psychology behind them, blue light-blocking glasses have become de rigueur for conscious computer users far and wide. While there's no evidence that they protect your retinas, there's no evidence that they hurt them either as for fixing your sleep schedule, Abbott says intentionally exposing yourself to less blue light during the day can confuse the systems in your body that produce melatonin, actually making it harder for you to fall asleep. All in all, scientists don't think we should fear blue light we should instead be mindful of how much of it we get from screens. And while it may not be great for us at night, it's certainly not out to get our eyeballs. Related Video: Is Blue Light From Your Cellphone, TV Bad for Your Health? (Provided by CBS Sacramento)