Home to just 4% of the world's population and nearly 25% of global economic activity, the United States is one of the richest countries in the world. Home to just 4% of the world's population and nearly 25% of global economic activity, the United States is one of the richest countries in the world . This wealth tends to cluster in certain very affluent areas of the country. In every state, there is at least one town in which most households have an income greater than the U.S. median annual household income of $57,652. 24/7 Wall St. reviewed the median annual household income in over 2,600 cities, towns, villages, and census designated places to identify the richest town in every state. We only considered areas with populations between 1,000 and 25,000. To ensure accuracy, we only considered places where the margin of error for population and median household income was less than 10%. All data on income, education, poverty, and demographics are five-year estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau 's 2017 American Community Survey. Even in poorer states like West Virginia and Mississippi, there are towns that are relatively affluent. The reason these towns stand out may be due in large part to education. In 48 of the 50 states, the wealthiest town's bachelor's degree attainment rate is greater than that of the state. Those with college degrees tend to have much higher incomes and many of the best educated cities are also very affluent. Click or swipe through to see the full list. More on MSN: The poorest town in every state Alabama: Mountain Brook > Median household income: $132,825 (state: $46,472) > Poverty rate: 3.7% (state: 18.0%) > Median home value: $578,100 (state: $132,100) > Population: 20,438 Alaska: Gateway > Median household income: $99,122 (state: $76,114) > Poverty rate: 5.6% (state: 10.2%) > Median home value: $284,400 (state: $261,900) > Population: 6,694 ALSO READ: Poorest Town in Every State Arizona: Tanque Verde > Median household income: $94,167 (state: $53,510) > Poverty rate: 5.1% (state: 17.0%) > Median home value: $371,800 (state: $193,200) > Population: 16,197 Arkansas: Cave Springs > Median household income: $103,676 (state: $43,813) > Poverty rate: 3.4% (state: 18.1%) > Median home value: $281,100 (state: $118,500) > Population: 3,320 ALSO READ: Where Your Car Is Most Likely to Be Stolen in Every State California: Los Altos Hills > Median household income: $248,218 (state: $67,169) > Poverty rate: 4.2% (state: 15.1%) > Median home value: $2,000,000+ (state: $443,400) > Population: 8,490 Colorado: Castle Pines > Median household income: $157,550 (state: $65,458) > Poverty rate: 1.8% (state: 11.5%) > Median home value: $549,700 (state: $286,100) > Population: 10,623 ALSO READ: Worst Cities to Drive in Every State Connecticut: Darien > Median household income: $208,848 (state: $73,781) > Poverty rate: 3.7% (state: 10.1%) > Median home value: $1,398,600 (state: $270,100) > Population: 21,742 Delaware: North Star > Median household income: $141,618 (state: $63,036) > Poverty rate: 0.9% (state: 12.1%) > Median home value: $435,300 (state: $238,600) > Population: 7,390 ALSO READ: The Most Iconic Job in Every State Florida: Pinecrest > Median household income: $152,643 (state: $50,883) > Poverty rate: 5.8% (state: 15.5%) > Median home value: $887,700 (state: $178,700) > Population: 19,441 Georgia: Senoia > Median household income: $83,947 (state: $52,977) > Poverty rate: 7.5% (state: 16.9%) > Median home value: $222,900 (state: $158,400) > Population: 4,027 ALSO READ: Largest Employer in Every State Hawaii: Ocean Pointe > Median household income: $114,016 (state: $74,923) > Poverty rate: 4.4% (state: 10.3%) > Median home value: $613,200 (state: $563,900) > Population: 13,579 Idaho: Eagle > Median household income: $81,909 (state: $50,985) > Poverty rate: 6.8% (state: 14.5%) > Median home value: $354,400 (state: $176,800) > Population: 23,708 ALSO READ: Richest Person in Every State Illinois: Winnetka > Median household income: $216,875 (state: $61,229) > Poverty rate: 3.2% (state: 13.5%) > Median home value: $1,019,800 (state: $179,700) > Population: 12,504 Indiana: St. John > Median household income: $103,701 (state: $52,182) > Poverty rate: 3.2% (state: 14.6%) > Median home value: $274,300 (state: $130,200) > Population: 16,391 ALSO READ: Fastest Growing Local Economy in Every State Iowa: Robins > Median household income: $120,938 (state: $56,570) > Poverty rate: 0.6% (state: 12.0%) > Median home value: $286,700 (state: $137,200) > Population: 3,380 Kansas: Fairway > Median household income: $103,050 (state: $55,477) > Poverty rate: 2.2% (state: 12.8%) > Median home value: $338,400 (state: $139,200) > Population: 3,946 ALSO READ: Fastest Shrinking Local Economies in Every State Kentucky: Francisville > Median household income: $113,571 (state: $46,535) > Poverty rate: 1.1% (state: 18.3%) > Median home value: $277,100 (state: $130,000) > Population: 9,458 Louisiana: Destrehan > Median household income: $88,783 (state: $46,710) > Poverty rate: 6.7% (state: 19.6%) > Median home value: $226,600 (state: $152,900) > Population: 10,906 ALSO READ: The Most Stressed Out City in Every State Maine: Saco > Median household income: $63,750 (state: $53,024) > Poverty rate: 7.9% (state: 12.9%) > Median home value: $228,700 (state: $179,900) > Population: 19,127 Maryland: Travilah > Median household income: $225,104 (state: $78,916) > Poverty rate: 2.6% (state: 9.7%) > Median home value: $1,072,600 (state: $296,500) > Population: 12,204 ALSO READ: Best Places to Retire in Every State Massachusetts: Winchester > Median household income: $152,196 (state: $74,167) > Poverty rate: 2.3% (state: 11.1%) > Median home value: $842,300 (state: $352,600) > Population: 22,579 Michigan: Grosse Pointe Farms > Median household income: $132,390 (state: $52,668) > Poverty rate: 1.7% (state: 15.6%) > Median home value: $298,400 (state: $136,400) > Population: 9,238 ALSO READ: Poorest Town in Every State Minnesota: Dellwood > Median household income: $171,750 (state: $65,699) > Poverty rate: 1.2% (state: 10.5%) > Median home value: $585,500 (state: $199,700) > Population: 1,149 Mississippi: Brandon > Median household income: $72,529 (state: $42,009) > Poverty rate: 4.9% (state: 21.5%) > Median home value: $169,900 (state: $109,300) > Population: 23,421 ALSO READ: Where Your Car Is Most Likely to Be Stolen in Every State Missouri: Clarkson Valley > Median household income: $166,200 (state: $51,542) > Poverty rate: 1.3% (state: 14.6%) > Median home value: $614,400 (state: $145,400) > Population: 2,630 Montana: Montana City > Median household income: $96,089 (state: $50,801) > Poverty rate: 2.8% (state: 14.4%) > Median home value: $313,600 (state: $209,100) > Population: 2,770 ALSO READ: Worst Cities to Drive in Every State Nebraska: Waverly > Median household income: $82,893 (state: $56,675) > Poverty rate: 4.4% (state: 12.0%) > Median home value: $158,800 (state: $142,400) > Population: 3,743 Nevada: Spring Creek > Median household income: $94,951 (state: $55,434) > Poverty rate: 4.7% (state: 14.2%) > Median home value: $220,400 (state: $216,400) > Population: 13,482 ALSO READ: The Most Iconic Job in Every State New Hampshire: South Hooksett > Median household income: $91,108 (state: $71,305) > Poverty rate: 4.8% (state: 8.1%) > Median home value: $256,000 (state: $244,900) > Population: 5,927 New Jersey: Upper Montclair > Median household income: $196,285 (state: $76,475) > Poverty rate: 3.5% (state: 10.7%) > Median home value: $726,200 (state: $321,100) > Population: 11,696 ALSO READ: Largest Employer in Every State New Mexico: Los Alamos > Median household income: $101,399 (state: $46,718) > Poverty rate: 6.4% (state: 20.6%) > Median home value: $291,800 (state: $163,900) > Population: 12,035 New York: East Hills > Median household income: $199,000 (state: $62,765) > Poverty rate: 1.4% (state: 15.1%) > Median home value: $970,100 (state: $293,000) > Population: 7,114 ALSO READ: Richest Person in Every State North Carolina: Wesley Chapel > Median household income: $112,037 (state: $50,320) > Poverty rate: 2.9% (state: 16.1%) > Median home value: $327,800 (state: $161,000) > Population: 8,447 North Dakota: Lincoln > Median household income: $76,789 (state: $61,285) > Poverty rate: 0.3% (state: 11.0%) > Median home value: $207,500 (state: $174,100) > Population: 3,467 ALSO READ: Fastest Growing Local Economy in Every State Ohio: Terrace Park > Median household income: $160,000 (state: $52,407) > Poverty rate: 5.4% (state: 14.9%) > Median home value: $507,100 (state: $135,100) > Population: 2,341 Oklahoma: Jenks > Median household income: $90,039 (state: $49,767) > Poverty rate: 5.6% (state: 16.2%) > Median home value: $197,100 (state: $125,800) > Population: 20,836 ALSO READ: Fastest Shrinking Local Economies in Every State Oregon: Bethany > Median household income: $121,149 (state: $56,119) > Poverty rate: 4.3% (state: 14.9%) > Median home value: $479,700 (state: $265,700) > Population: 23,177 Pennsylvania: Edgeworth > Median household income: $142,206 (state: $56,951) > Poverty rate: 4.1% (state: 13.1%) > Median home value: $470,200 (state: $170,500) > Population: 1,826 ALSO READ: The Most Stressed Out City in Every State Rhode Island: Cumberland Hill > Median household income: $83,168 (state: $61,043) > Poverty rate: 5.1% (state: 13.4%) > Median home value: $248,200 (state: $242,200) > Population: 8,062 South Carolina: Five Forks > Median household income: $109,781 (state: $48,781) > Poverty rate: 4.1% (state: 16.6%) > Median home value: $282,400 (state: $148,600) > Population: 17,500 ALSO READ: Best Places to Retire in Every State South Dakota: Brandon > Median household income: $80,727 (state: $54,126) > Poverty rate: 5.1% (state: 13.9%) > Median home value: $198,300 (state: $152,700) > Population: 9,731 Tennessee: Oak Hill > Median household income: $150,921 (state: $48,708) > Poverty rate: 0.6% (state: 16.7%) > Median home value: $594,400 (state: $151,700) > Population: 4,681 ALSO READ: Poorest Town in Every State Texas: University Park > Median household income: $211,741 (state: $57,051) > Poverty rate: 3.9% (state: 16.0%) > Median home value: $1,193,800 (state: $151,500) > Population: 24,692 Utah: Highland > Median household income: $128,938 (state: $65,325) > Poverty rate: 3.3% (state: 11.0%) > Median home value: $497,800 (state: $238,300) > Population: 17,952 ALSO READ: Where Your Car Is Most Likely to Be Stolen in Every State Vermont: South Burlington > Median household income: $66,197 (state: $57,808) > Poverty rate: 5.7% (state: 11.4%) > Median home value: $280,800 (state: $220,600) > Population: 18,773 Virginia: Great Falls > Median household income: $230,450 (state: $68,766) > Poverty rate: 3.1% (state: 11.2%) > Median home value: $1,130,400 (state: $255,800) > Population: 15,589 ALSO READ: Worst Cities to Drive in Every State Washington: Clyde Hill > Median household income: $205,500 (state: $66,174) > Poverty rate: 3.7% (state: 12.2%) > Median home value: $1,686,700 (state: $286,800) > Population: 3,231 West Virginia: Bethlehem > Median household income: $70,288 (state: $44,061) > Poverty rate: 9.4% (state: 17.8%) > Median home value: $140,100 (state: $111,600) > Population: 2,459 ALSO READ: The Most Iconic Job in Every State Wisconsin: Whitefish Bay > Median household income: $111,069 (state: $56,759) > Poverty rate: 3.0% (state: 12.3%) > Median home value: $365,500 (state: $169,300) > Population: 14,099 Wyoming: Jackson > Median household income: $75,406 (state: $60,938) > Poverty rate: 8.3% (state: 11.1%) > Median home value: $524,400 (state: $204,900) > Population: 10,413 More on MSN: The poorest town in every state


Maine Drug Enforcement agents said they arrested a man and woman in Biddeford Wednesday on drug trafficking charges. Kailey Prejean, 23, of Biddeford, and Antonio M. Morrissey, 31, of Fayette, were arrested after a month-long investigation, according to the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency. Drug agents said they were investigating Prejean on suspicion of selling meth in the Biddeford-Saco area. Agents conducted several undercover purchases of methamphetamine from her, the MEDA said. Drug agents arranged to meet her for another drug sale Wednesday in the parking lot of the old St. Mary's Church on Hazel Street, which is across the street from the woman's apartment. When Prejean and Morrissey showed up, they were arrested with help from Biddeford police, officials said. Agents said they found 30 grams of methamphetamine on Morrissey. He was also armed with a loaded Glock 9 mm handgun, which turned out to be stolen, officials said. Agents said they later searched Prejean's apartment and seized an additional 46 grams of methamphetamine and 57 grams of a black substance believed to be black tar heroin. The street value of the seized drugs is about $10,000. Both were taken to the York County Jail.Bail for Morrissey was set at $50,000 and Prejean's bail was $5,000. READ MORE: Drug agents seize $10,000 in meth, black tar heroin in Biddeford bust CHECK OUT WMTW: Stay informed with the latest Portland news and weather from the team at WMTW. Browse the newest Portland, Maine, news stories and stay in the know.


Lexi Thompson carded a flawless five-under par 66 to share the first round lead with South Korea's Lee Mi-Hyang at the Evian Championship on Thursday. Florida's Thompson, who first played in the event as a 15-year-old in 2010, and Lee, who only has one win on the LPGA Tour, finished a shot ahead of South Korean Ji Eun-Hee, Thailand's Phatlum Pornanong and American Gerina Piller. The teenage World No.2 Lydia Ko, in her final attempt to become the youngest winner of a women's major, was handily placed on 69, but World No.1 Park In-Bee had to settle for a one over par 72. Starting from the tenth tee, 20-year-old Thompson, already a major champion at last year's Kraft Nabisco Championship, was in the fourth group out and she surged into the lead with a super run of birdie, eagle, birdie, birdie from the 12th. She hit a seven-iron approach and made a 25-foot putt for the three at the 499-yard 13th. "It feels great to have a stretch of holes like that in a major championship. I hit good shots off the tee and made the putts," she said. With the Solheim Cup taking place in Germany next week, Thompson, a member of Team USA, is keenly aware of the importance of a perfect warm-up. "These are two really big weeks," said Thompson, who hopes to stop Europe making it three wins in a row. "The Solheim Cup was my No.1 goal this season. To be on the team and represent my country is a big deal. "But you have to focus this week on the Evian Championship. I have great memories of this place and I always love coming back." New Zealander Ko, runner-up to Suzann Pettersen in 2013, was reasonably content with her opening two under round. "I left a couple of shots out there," said the 18-year-old, who finished tied eighth last year. "But it was a solid start and hopefully I can have a slightly better score tomorrow. The course is quite dry but that can't be helped after the exceptionally warm summer they have had here." Ko was in the star grouping alongside Park and World No.3 Stacy Lewis (73), and was the only one to finish under par. Park, bidding for a third major of the season, had her ups and downs. "I'm a little bit disappointed but I'm not out of it," said the 27-year-old after a round of three birdies and four bogeys. Lee was delighted with her form. She had seven birdies to join Thompson at the top with a birdie at the ninth, her 18th hole. "I played and putted well," said the 22-year-old who enjoyed her breakthrough win as a professional in last year's Mizuno Classic in Japan.


Hint: things are warming up! If you're itching to dye your hair in time for autumn, almost as much as you're craving pumpkin pie and a (spiked) apple cider , we turned to the experts for their advice on which trendy colors to choose from. This fall will see shades like chestnut , bright copper, honey brown, warm blonde, "bronde," muted neon, a resurgence of lowlights and blended gray , and a color called... cold brew. Sunny California Blond "The refreshing summer trend that'll stick around through fall is a warm, sunny blonde shade," says hairstylist and color expert Marisa Perrault of The Hive Los Angeles. "No more icy, cool, ashy blondes. Women are wanting youthful, sun-kissed highlights-think classic, 'California girl' hair." Golden Bronde "If you have warmer skin tone with more depth, think Jennifer Lopez and her golden blonde pops," says Shanda Wallace , owner and hairstylist at Los Angeles-based salon The Harbor Salon . Warm Autumn Highlights Already have dark brown hair? Wallace recommends adding dimension with warmer-toned highlights. "Natural and warm tones are great for your fall vibes. Let your stylist know you want to bring out your inner chai tea latte with notes of apricot and chestnut." Muted Neon Looking to shake things up? "Another fall trend is going to be muted neons on the ends of the hair or a specific placement of color for a fun pop. It's essentially a modern dip dye," explains Perrault. "For anyone who wants to have fun, this is a low-commitment way to really play with color." (Not Quite) Jet Black Glossy, jet black hair is always gorgeous. This fall, the hue will (surprise!) move away from blue-black tones and into subtly warmer territory, as seen in this image of Jenna Dewan. Notice how the ends of her hair are just-so-slightly dusted in a warmer shade? It's a blink-and-you-might-miss-it treatment. Bright Copper Ever wanted to go red? Now's the time, says Perrault."The brightness feels bold but the lightness makes it very wearable," she says. "Love this on almost everyone from, fair to olive to dark skin tones-it looks amazing." Shimmering Cold Brew Another way to warm up brunette hair is with a shot of "cold brew" color. To get this look, reddish-bronze strokes are carefully blended into the hair's darker brown base-sort of mimicking the way an iced coffee looks as you stir in a splash of creamer. Sun Tea Red "It's important to reach for the right level of lightness when you're aiming for a warmth in your color palette," says Wallace. "For example, if you have a lot of warmth in your skin, you want your golden hues to pop in from a lighter honey blonde, not from a deep copper base. Those with a fair skin tone, go ahead and consider that copper base-think Emma Stone and her sun tea hues." Blended Gray "Gone are the days of obliterating grays. Instead, more clients are opting for gray blending instead of gray coverage," says Olivia Vandermillen , hairstylist and makeup artist at The Powder Room Los Angeles. "This soft coverage of grays creates dimension and shine and offers a softer grow out." Shadow Roots Shadow hair is similar to the ombré of the past in that it's perfect for someone who doesn't want to be in the salon every few weeks. The mane (har har) difference? Ombré is a gradual blending of one hue to another whereas with shadow hair most of the darkness stays at the roots area. Rich Brown In recent years, it's been all about cool, ashy tones, but that's changing for blondes and brunettes, says Wallace. "We're seeing an overall richness for our brunettes. This color trend is great for complimenting almost all skin tones. Warmth in the hair is forgiving and can even offer a youthful glow! Honey Blonde Goodbye to the stark, bleached-out blondes of 2018-there's a new way to go light all over. "Currently, we are seeing more and more clients ditching platinum strands for warmer, more golden tones," says Vandermillen.


Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has praised impending Arsenal arrival Nicolas Pepe, calling for the club to finalise their move for him quickly ahead of next weekend's season opener. The Ivorian directly contributed towards 33 goals in 38 games for Lille in Ligue 1 last season, with nine of his strikes coming from the penalty spot. The wide forward was behind only Kylian Mbappe in the goalscoring charts, and impressed with his pace and trickery. Aubameyang recognised this in an interview with beIN Sports, which took place following Arsenal's 1-1 draw with Angers. Having fallen behind, the Gunners equalised through Reiss Nelson and then proceeded to win the penalty shootout 4-3. As reported by the Metro , Aubameyang said: "When there are great players like that who are close to signing with a great club like Arsenal...it's very pleasant to have a player like that. I hope that he signs quickly and that it gets done." Despite no official announcement from Arsenal yet, Lille president Gerard Lopez verified Pepe's move to north London. Speaking to RMC Sport , he explained: "He is the one who made the decision. I think it should be (made official) in the next 24 hours. It is £73m fixed. If we pushed this deal out a little bit longer, we could have had five or six offers of the same size. "Through discussions with Nico and his agents, the situation focused on the certain clubs that we wanted to focus on: the two projects that interested the player." Pepe will join Gabriel Martinelli, William Saliba and Dani Ceballos (loan) as Arsenal's current summer signings, although Saliba has been loaned back to his former club Saint-Etienne for the season to gain further experience as a first-team starter.


Curious just how far your dollar goes in Washington D.C.? We've rounded up the latest places for rent via rental sites Zumper and Apartment Guide to get a sense of what to expect when it comes to finding apartment rentals in Washington D.C. if you've got $1,300/month earmarked for your rent. Take a peek at what rentals the city has to offer, below. (Note: Prices and availability are subject to change.) Hoodline offers data-driven analysis of local happenings and trends across cities. Links included in this article may earn Hoodline a commission on clicks and transactions. 3743 Jay St. NE (Deanwood) First, there's this two-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment situated at 3743 Jay St. NE. It's listed for $1,230/month for its 903 square feet. Building amenities include clubhouse, a fitness center and a swimming pool. In the unit, you'll find a dishwasher. Pet owners, inquire elsewhere: This spot doesn't allow cats or dogs. According to Walk Score, this location isn't very walkable, is convenient for biking and offers many nearby public transportation options. (Check out the complete listing here .) 2325 Fairlawn Ave. SE (Anacostia) Here's a 1,000-square-foot one-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment at 2325 Fairlawn Ave. SE that's also going for $1,230/month. In the unit, expect to find stainless steel appliances, hardwood flooring and air conditioning. Neither cats nor dogs are allowed. The rental doesn't require a leasing fee. According to Walk Score, the area around this address is moderately walkable, is convenient for biking and offers many nearby public transportation options. (Take a look at the full listing here .) 1221 47th Place NE (Deanwood) Located at 1221 47th Place NE, here's a 600-square-foot one-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment that's listed for $1,249/month. In the unit, the listing promises air conditioning. Pet owners, inquire elsewhere: This spot doesn't allow cats or dogs. The listing specifies a $50 application fee. Per Walk Score ratings, the surrounding area is moderately walkable, is relatively bikeable and has good transit options. (Check out the complete listing here .) 5323 Connecticut Ave. NW (Chevy Chase) Listed at $1,250/month, this 400-square-foot studio apartment is located at 5323 Connecticut Ave. NW. When it comes to building amenities, expect secured entry, additional storage space and on-site laundry. The unit also includes air conditioning. Animals are welcome. According to Walk Score, the surrounding area is quite walkable, has some bike infrastructure and has good transit options. (Take a look at the complete listing here .) 19 Galveston Place SW (Anacostia) Here's a one-bedroom, one-bathroom spot at 19 Galveston Place SW that's also going for $1,250/month. Expect to see in-unit laundry, a renovated kitchen and hardwood flooring in the residence. Neither cats nor dogs are welcome. There isn't a leasing fee associated with this rental. Walk Score indicates that the surrounding area is moderately walkable, has minimal bike infrastructure and has good transit options. (See the full listing here .) Working with a tight budget? Here are the cheapest rentals recently listed in Washington . This story was created automatically using local real estate data from Zumper and Apartment Guide , then reviewed by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.


Los Angeles is predicted to turn warm this coming week, according to drone-powered weather forecasting service Saildrone . Temperatures will turn warmer from Monday to Wednesday, with a high of 75 degrees on Tuesday and Wednesday. The immediate forecast also has partly cloudy skies in store for today. Skies will begin clearing on Friday. Winds will stay light throughout the week, with the highest speeds on Wednesday at only 8 mph. This story was created automatically using Saildrone's local weather forecast data, then reviewed by an editor. We also incorporate historic weather data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.


Former Arsenal and Manchester United striker Robin Van Persie has suggested that Alexis Sanchez has failed to deliver for the Red Devils because he is not 'happy'. Sanchez signed with United in January 2018 to much fanfare, following a brilliant spell at rivals Arsenal where he established himself as one of the Premier League's best players. However, he has struggled to find his feet at Old Trafford. The star forward has only managed to find the net five times in 45 appearances for United and managed only one last season in the Premier League. Dutchman van Persie - who famously followed the same career path but with much more success - has offered his opinion as to why Sanchez has struggled and stated, via The Mail : "He looked happy at Arsenal . He doesn't look happy now. "What I've seen and felt over the years is that how you feel mentally, how your life is, has a big influence. "If you're happy, you're 50 per cent fitter, you create more and you enjoy yourself.... so he should find a way mentally to change that." Van Persie can relate to Sanchez as he made the same move from London to Manchester but managed to make a much better time of it, leading United to the Premier League in Sir Alex Ferguson's last season. Van Persie then compared his own move with Sanchez's adding: "It's a different time. Over the past couple of years a lot has changed. He joined a team that was not really playing attacking football. "I came into a team with all the mature players already - Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidic, Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs, Michael Carrick. "Sir Alex (Ferguson) played a huge role in that as well. He was a real joy to work with."


Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor has brought nothing but positive energy to the team since arriving. That changed after Monday's practice. With NFL officials in town and anywhere between 10-15 flags based on the observer getting thrown on the day, Taylor's tune changed a bit, per Bengals.com : "We just have to make sure we have some great urgency across the board." Mistakes were rampant on offense, from false starts to botched snaps. An elite-looking defense from a pressure standpoint - headed up by the resurgent Carl Lawson - certainly didn't help. Even so, Taylor said these sorts of days will happen. "I'm in no way dejected over it. It happens in training camp. Sometimes you get a day like this. You never know when it's going to come, but today was the day, so tomorrow you just have those guys step up and rebound and let's have a great day so that we know that we're mentally and physically prepared to go on the road against Kansas City." Some of this isn't a major surprise. The Bengals lost two starting offensive linemen before training camp even started and have had to shuffle people in and out. The offense is working with three different quarterbacks, one of them a new rookie, and also just got Billy Price back under center. Mistakes and mistimings were going to happen. Granted, if the mistakes keep up there is cause for concern. Tuesday is Cincinnati's last padded practice before Saturday night's game in Kansas City. This recurring trend of the defense getting the best of the offense wasn't wholly unexpected, but Taylor's reaction is something to note. If the offense can't respond and show well in preseason Week 1, a budding sense of concern would be understandable. MORE: 'Bachelor in Paradise' 2019 cast guide: Meet all 37 contestants Quick hits, observations from Packers' first joint practice with Texans Roundup: Dow Plunges; Lindsay Lohan; Hannah Brown Speaks Out; Ryen Russillo Leaving ESPN Giants' Dalvin Tomlinson likes what he sees in B.J. Hill, Dexter Lawrence Report: Tom Brady puts Brookline, Mass. home up for sale


A car went up in flames with a child inside while heading down I-275 westbound in Sharonville. Derrick Wilcher was arrested on charges of OVI, driving under suspension and child endangerment. According to initial police records, the 34-year-old's blood alcohol content was .19, about 2.5 times the legal limit. The man who called 911 said he saw the car begin to spark a fire and motioned the driver to pull over. "As I was talking to them, the flames started coming up, and they were getting out and pulling out the child. I kind of remember thinking, 'oh man this is probably a little traumatic for the kid,'" Aaron Buhler said. It still isn't clear how the fire first began or how old the child is. Wilcher is scheduled for a pretrial hearing on May 16. READ MORE: Car goes up in flames with child inside, driver intoxicated CHECK OUT WLWT: Stay in the know. Get the latest Cincinnati news, weather and sports from the team at Ohio's own WLWT.


Arizona State head coach Herm Edwards is hoping Oregon's loss will be the Sun Devils' gain. Offensive lineman Cody Shear is heading to Tempe to join the Sun Devils football program. Shear officially entered the transfer portal in early May , allowing him to begin the process of evaluating his options for a new football home. That home has ended up being Arizona State, as reported by Duck Territory of 247 Sports . Shear was a member of Oregon's Class of 2017. He redshirted his 2017 freshman season and did not play in 2018. Despite not playing in either of the two most recent seasons, NCAA transfer rules will force Shear to sit out the 2019 season, unless there is some waiver approved to allow for immediate eligibility. There is no indication any such waiver may be in the works. That likely means Shear will not be eligible to play football until the 2020 season, leaving him with two years of eligibility to use in his final two years of college football. The addition of Shear to the offensive line depth will be beneficial for Arizona State, even if he won't be eligible to take the field for another season. The Sun Devils will be loaded up on young offensive lineman with incoming recruits and expected departures from the program due to graduation. The offensive line depth could be thin and raw on experience. Even though Shear has yet to play a game, however, his being a part of another Pac-12 program will be welcomed by the Arizona State staff looking to mold a dependable unit on the line of scrimmage. Follow @KevinOnCFB


Apple is widely expected to introduce an original video programming service at an event next week , but so far analysts aren't convinced that the initiative will provide a major boost to earnings. Goldman Sachs on Monday wrote that the impact, even in a best-case scenario for the number of subscribers, would be "likely small." The firm has a neutral rating and $140 price target on Apple. Still, Apple shares rose a seventh day Monday, its longest advance since September after advancing Friday to the highest since last November. While Apple is up 31 percent from a January low, it remains about 20 percent below record levels. If Apple Video adds 20 million subscribers who pay $15 a month by the end of 2020 -- what Goldman called a bull-case scenario -- that would likely only increase consensus earnings expectations by 1 percent, according to analyst Rod Hall. An Apple News product that costs $10 a month for a subscription would add 0.4 percent to earnings. "While new Video and/or News products might help to increase iPhone stickiness they seem unlikely to make much of an impact on Apple's bottom line," Hall wrote to clients. A so-called Apple Prime "bundle" including News, Video, Music, and iCloud storage could provide a more significant impact, Goldman wrote, though it was skeptical that this could drive growth in the way that Amazon.com's Prime service did. "The key question for us on this is what the anchor value in such a bundle would be from the point of view of a consumer," Hall wrote. "In the case of Amazon it is free shipping but in Apple's case the core driver is less clear to us." Goldman is not the first firm to express skepticism about Apple's expected move into video. In February, KeyBanc Capital Markets wrote that the initiative "appears likely to be sub-scale, years behind key competitors, and lacking in meaningful differentiation." There's "little in the effort that appears likely to drive material profits or that could attract a significant number of incremental users to the Apple ecosystem," wrote analyst Andy Hargreaves. The "volume of output is unlikely to produce the consistency and breadth of quality that is available through competitors," and given the pace of growth at competitors like Netflix or Disney, "it seems unlikely that Apple can catch up in the foreseeable future." Because of this issue, analysts have suggested Apple enter the video-streaming space through acquisitions rather than building out its own service. Last month , JPMorgan wrote that Apple investors were likely looking for the company to use its massive cash pile to "insulate the business against often-seen disruptions in the technology landscape" by buying a competitor. It suggested that Netflix, along with video-game maker Activision Blizzard and speaker company Sonos, could be a strategic fit. Video content provides "leverage to rapid growth in content consumption on mobile" and Netflix has "an established platform to accelerate Apple's nascent investments in original content," wrote JPMorgan analyst Samik Chatterjee. But he conceded that "a combination is less likely as Netflix is unlikely to be a seller for a modest premium." Last week, Needham analyst Laura Martin suggested that Roku could be an acquisition target for companies wanting to expand into the streaming space, as it "is so small at a market cap of $6.5b that it would be faster (with lower risk) to buy it than to build it, especially because it's tiny compared to these corporate behemoths." The skepticism about Apple Video comes at a time when Apple has been struggling with weak demand for the iPhone, by far its most important product. Last week, Longbow Research wrote that China demand trends were going " from bad to worse ," which could put an additional onus on Apple's March 25 event to launch a Netflix competitor and an Apple News Magazines subscription service. To contact the reporter on this story: Ryan Vlastelica in New York at rvlastelica1@bloomberg.net To contact the editors responsible for this story: Catherine Larkin at clarkin4@bloomberg.net, Scott Schnipper For more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.com ©2019 Bloomberg L.P.


The majority response from the moves made by the Indianapolis Colts this offseason has been relatively positive following free agency and the 2019 NFL Draft. The Colts were somewhat quiet in free agency. They felt it best to re-sign the majority of their own players set to hit the market while bringing in defensive end Justin Houston and wide receiver Devin Funchess on two- and one-year deals, respectively. General manager Chris Ballard stayed away from overpaying a big name just to fill a need and rather opted to continue the path of building the core of the roster through the draft. Speaking of the draft, the Colts traded back out of the first round while adding a 2020 second-round pick. They made 10 selections, seven of which were on the defensive side of the ball. Three of those seven defensive picks were taken to add depth to the linebacker corps . There is a lot of optimism for the state of the defense entering the 2019 season given how much athleticism they added during the draft. Whether it will increase production remains to be seen, but they've positioned themselves to do so. Even though the draft emphasized the defensive side of the ball, the Colts added a new weapon for quarterback Andrew Luck in the form of speedy wide receiver Parris Campbell. With all that, what grade do you think the Colts have earned this offseason through their moves in free agency and the draft? Let us know in the poll below! Take Our Poll MORE: NBA fans had so many memes for Steph Curry's exchange with Drake Giants get a chuckle: Odell Beckham already in hot water in Cleveland Five potential Chris Paul trade destinations Roundup: Spelling Bee Ends in 8-Way Tie; Kim Jong Un Executing People Again; Kids Go Nuts for 'Old Town Road' Report: Darren Sproles reconsidering retirement, eyeing Saints reunion


Start your day off right with some pictures of cute felines! There are heaps of cuddly cats up for adoption right here in Dallas. Hoodline partnered with Petfinder , an online adoption site that lists "more than 315,000 adoptable pets from nearly 14,000 animal shelters and rescue groups" to bring you this roundup of cats near you. (Details like pet availability, training, vaccinations and other features are based on data provided by Petfinder and may be subject to change; contact the shelter for the latest information.) Castiel, domestic shorthair Castiel is an adorable male domestic shorthair cat currently residing at Dallas Cat Lady Adoptions . Castiel is neutered and vaccinated. He has mastered his house-training etiquette, as well. Here's what Castiel's friends at Dallas Cat Lady Adoptions think about him: Castiel is a domestic shorthair brown tabby cat. He's a sweet kitty! Read more about Castiel on Petfinder . Fluffy, Maine coon mix Fluffy is a gentle female Maine coon mix in the care of Texas Exotic Cat Rescue . Fluffy loves everyone   she's happy to keep company with dogs, cats and kids. She is vaccinated and spayed, and has mastered her house-training etiquette. Fluffy's current caretakers say: Fluffy is a beautiful and easy-going young brown tabby. She does not like the flash of the camera, so each time the camera clicks, she closes her eyes. She has already had and raised a litter of kittens, so she just loves to call any kitten her own. Due to a very young pregnancy, her coat has not come in yet this year. She should 'bloom' this winter. Apply to adopt Fluffy today at Petfinder . Moose, domestic shorthair Moose is a lovable male domestic shorthair cat staying at Humane Society of Dallas . Moose is ready to make friends, and he enjoys spending time around children, cats or dogs. Rest assured, he is already house-trained, neutered and vaccinated. Meet Moose: Hi, my name is Moose. I am very outgoing and love to cuddle. Come and meet me so I can steal your heart away. Read more about Moose on Petfinder . Emmitt, domestic shorthair Emmitt is a darling male domestic shorthair cat being kept at Humane Society of Dallas . Emmitt will get along great with other cats, dogs and children. He has mastered his house-training etiquette, is neutered and has all his shots. Here's what Emmitt has to say for himself: Hi, my name is Emmett, and I am very outgoing and love to cuddle. Come and meet me so I can steal your heart away. Read more about how to adopt Emmitt on Petfinder . Troy, domestic shorthair Troy is a handsome male domestic shorthair cat in the care of Humane Society of Dallas . Troy gets along swimmingly with dogs, cats and children. He is already neutered, vaccinated and house-trained. More on Troy: Hi, my name is Troy. I am very outgoing and love to cuddle. Come and meet me so I can steal your heart away. Read more about how to adopt Troy on Petfinder . Peace, domestic shorthair Peace is a charming male domestic shorthair cat currently residing at Humane Society of Dallas . Peace gets along well with children, cats or dogs. Have no fear: Peace is already house-trained, neutered and vaccinated. About Peace: Hi, my name is Peace. I am very outgoing and love any attention I can get. If you are looking for a best friend, come and meet me. Read more about how to adopt Peace on Petfinder . Chloe, domestic shorthair Chloe is a laid-back female domestic shorthair cat in the care of Humane Society of Dallas . Chloe is happy to keep company with other female cats, but ideally would prefer to be the only animal in the house. She is already house-trained and spayed. Chloe has all her shots, too. From Chloe's current caretaker: This beautiful five-year-old sweetheart is looking for her forever home. Notice her special ringed tail, gorgeous coloring and markings. Chloe is a quiet cat: sweet, gentle and well-behaved. She will be shy at first and needs time to warm up, but she will   and, when she does, she'll make a great companion. Read more about Chloe on Petfinder . This story was created automatically using local animal shelter data, then reviewed by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.


Reigning MotoGP champion Marc Marquez secured pole position for the French Grand Prix at Le Mans, despite crashing his Honda immediately after his fastest lap. Marquez set his reference lap of 1m40.952s on wet tyres at the very start of Q2, when the damp track surface was at it best, just as the ever-present light rain had intensified. On the very next lap, Marquez had a moment at the Turn 5 left-hander and then immediately slid off into the gravel at the La Chapelle right-hander. He picked up his RC213V and continued on with seemingly minimal damage, and though he could not improve his time, his pole had not come under threat. Two Ducatis   the works bike of Danilo Petrucci and the satellite Pramac-run machine of Jack Miller   will join Marquez on the front row, having likewise made the most of the track conditions early in Q2. Petrucci came up 0.36s short, while Miller was another half a tenth behind, before crashing at Turn 3 late in the session. Fellow Ducati rider Andrea Dovizioso will be the first bike on the second row, joined by the Yamahas of Valentino Rossi and Franco Morbidelli. Rossi had escaped a dramatic opening segment in mixed conditions, gambling on slicks from the very start while all 11 of his Q1 rivals took on the wet compound. His first lap on slicks was some three seconds off the pace, but his second   with tyres up to temperature and his confidence increasing   was quickest of all. He continued to improve from there, the tyre decision proving a masterstroke and allowing him to progress comfortably despite limiting himself to a single run. However, Rossi   along with his Yamaha stablemates Maverick Vinales and Fabio Quartararo   then bet on the slicks again at the start of Q2, with all three losing crucial track time when they were forced to return to the pits and equip the wet tyre. And while Rossi recovered to fifth late on, Quartararo and Vinales   who had both topped practice sessions during the weekend   had to do with 10th and 11th on the grid respectively. Takaaki Nakagami was seventh for LCR Honda, 0.008s up on the works bike of Jorge Lorenzo, with Aprilia's Aleix Espargaro joining them on the third row. Espargaro's brother Pol will complete row four for KTM, failing to set a time in Q2 after he crashed at Turn 6. Several riders in Q1 took their cues from Rossi in switching to slick-shod bikes midway through the session, but none were able to match his pace or overhaul Morbidelli's wet-tyre effort. Pramac Ducati rookie Francesco Bagnaia was some 2.3s off Rossi's pace, but was still best of the rest in Q1, pipping KTM rider Johann Zarco to 13th on the grid by half a tenth. Usual frontrunners Cal Crutchlow (LCR Honda) and Alex Rins (Suzuki) both stuck to the wet tyre, the former improving at the death to secure 15th and the latter settling for a lowly 19th place. Slotting in between them were the Tech 3 KTM of Miguel Oliveira, who had a late-session off, the Avintia Ducati of Karel Abraham and Rins' works Suzuki teammate Joan Mir. Q2 results ClaRiderBikeLapsTimeGap 1 Marc Marquez Honda 8 1'40.952 2 Danilo Petrucci Ducati 7 1'41.312 0.360 3 Jack Miller Ducati 5 1'41.366 0.414 4 Andrea Dovizioso Ducati 8 1'41.552 0.600 5 Valentino Rossi Yamaha 8 1'41.655 0.703 6 Franco Morbidelli Yamaha 9 1'41.681 0.729 7 Takaaki Nakagami Honda 6 1'42.059 1.107 8 Jorge Lorenzo Honda 8 1'42.067 1.115 9 Aleix Espargaro Aprilia 8 1'42.450 1.498 10 Fabio Quartararo Yamaha 8 1'42.509 1.557 11 Maverick Viñales Yamaha 8 1'42.555 1.603 Pol Espargaro KTM 4 View full results


Didn't catch the local high school baseball games from last week? Get caught up with our roundup of the latest boys varsity baseball results in and around Milwaukee, powered by data from high school sports source MaxPreps . (Hoodline offers data-driven analysis of local happenings and trends across cities. Details like game dates, times, scores and team records are based on data provided by MaxPreps and may be subject to change; the latest up-to-date information is available at the links below.) Milwaukee Bradley Tech scores 14 runs, flattens Pulaski Milwaukee Arts Juneau Wednesday brought a new round of high school contests, with the Milwaukee Bradley Tech Trojans clashing with the Pulaski Milwaukee Arts Juneau boys team at home. Milwaukee Bradley Tech's home advantage paid off: They walked away with a 14-4 win . The Trojans accumulated eight hits, while Pulaski Milwaukee Arts Juneau managed just one. Milwaukee Hamilton cruises past Milwaukee Vincent Also on Wednesday, the Milwaukee Vincent Vikings fell to the Milwaukee Hamilton Wildcats by a score of 26-1 at home. The Wildcats hit one home run. The loss brought Milwaukee Vincent's conference record to 4-5, while Milwaukee Hamilton's record rose to 7-3. Cedarburg scores 11 runs, cruises past Milwaukee Riverside On Friday, May 17, the Cedarburg Bulldogs traveled to Milwaukee to face off against the Milwaukee Riverside Tigers . It was worth the trip: The Bulldogs clinched an 11-0 victory . The loss brought Milwaukee Riverside's record to 3-15, while Cedarburg's record rose to 7-9. Milwaukee School of Languages Madison University Marshall Northwest prevails over South Also on Friday, the South Cardinals fell to the Milwaukee School of Languages Madison University Marshall Northwest Hawks by a score of 4-0 at home. The Cardinals managed seven hits, while the Hawks managed eight. The loss brought South's conference record to 2-6, while Milwaukee School of Languages Madison University Marshall Northwest's record rose to 2-4. Milwaukee Reagan bests Milwaukee King Friday also saw the Milwaukee Reagan Huskies defeat the Milwaukee King Generals by a score of 7-4. The Milwaukee Reagan Huskies got 10 hits, while the Generals managed five. The win brought Milwaukee Reagan's conference record to 5-1, while Milwaukee King's record fell to 5-2. Milwaukee King bests Shoreland Lutheran On Saturday, the Milwaukee King Generals traveled to Somers to face off against Shoreland Lutheran Pacers . They drove home satisfied: The Milwaukee King Generals cinched a 6-3 victory . Shoreland Lutheran Pacers recorded four hits, while the Milwaukee King Generals recorded 12. The loss brought Shoreland Lutheran's record to 8-10, while Milwaukee King's record rose to 11-9. Nicolet defeats Milwaukee Riverside Monday also saw the Glendale Nicolet Knights unseat the Milwaukee Riverside Tigers by a score of 12-8. The win brought Nicolet's record to 9-10, while Milwaukee Riverside's record fell to 3-16. West Bend West overthrows Milwaukee King The West Bend West Spartans triumphed over the Milwaukee King Generals 10-0 on Tuesday. The loss brought Milwaukee King's record to 11-10, while West Bend West's record rose to 10-8. This story was created automatically using local sports data, then reviewed by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.


If your retirement savings account isn't quite as robust as it should be, the idea of working longer may seem like a useful remedy. So it's not surprising that when you ask people when they plan to retire, about one-third say they'll work into their 70s or later. There's just one problem: Odds are fairly high that life will throw a curveball your way   and you'll end up needing to retire a lot earlier than you expected. In 2017, half of retirees retired before age 62 and an additional 25% retired between 62 and 64, according to a Federal Reserve survey. Another survey, by the Employee Benefit Research Institute in 2018, found that while about 30% of workers say they plan to work to 70 or beyond, only 7% of retirees actually waited that long. All told, almost half of retirees say they left the workforce earlier than planned, according to the EBRI. Often retirees say their own health worsened, a family member needed care, or they lost their job. "In many cases, the age of retirement is largely, if not mostly, driven by factors that are beyond the control of the individual employee, things like family health, personal health or employer health," says Shane Bartling, senior director, retirement, at consulting firm Willis Towers Watson. Prepare for the unexpected What does this mean for you? Rather than hoping to work as long as you want, it makes sense to take steps now to plan for the unexpected. That means making choices that improve your odds of being able to work longer, as well as helping to reduce the chances one of those curveballs will take you out of the workforce earlier than you planned. Here are four steps to consider: 1. Do your best to stay healthy Among retirees who retired earlier than expected, 41% said a hardship such as a health problem or disability caused their retirement, according to the EBRI. "If you think you're going to keep working," says Steve Vernon, author of "Retirement Game-Changers" and a research scholar at the Stanford Center on Longevity, "take care of your health so you're able to work longer." 2. Keep up your network Staying in touch with people in your professional network is a good career move at any age, and it's also a way to ensure you're on track to keep working as long as you want   or need   to. "Start purposely nurturing a network of people who might have employment for you later on," Vernon says. "Be on the lookout for different job opportunities because there's just no guarantee that your employer will keep you working." 3. Steel yourself for lower pay If your plan is to work into your 70s, keep in mind that you may not command the same salary you claimed at the height of your career. Be prepared for the mental and financial reality of making less money. "The mental part is, 'I used to make $100,000 a year and now I can only make $50,000 a year?' Put your ego aside, and make money," Vernon says. To be prepared financially, try living on half your salary before you retire, he says. That has two benefits: You practice for your retirement job, and you free up more money to put into savings now. 4. Aim for financial independence Instead of focusing on when you will retire, think about what you'll need. Using a retirement calculator can help you figure out where you're at   and how much you might need to save. One way to think about your retirement savings is in terms of financial independence, Bartling says. "How much does it cost me in today's lifestyle to buy financial independence at an earlier age?" Making small sacrifices now can pay off later. "I have to give up some of [my current spending] if I want to buy financial independence at an earlier age," he says. For more on how to plan for retirement, check out our complete retirement guide . And for more on financial independence, read about how to retire early . If trimming your spending on a small scale isn't going to get you to financial independence fast enough, think bigger. One of the biggest costs retirees face is housing. Can you reduce your housing costs by downsizing or moving to a less expensive area? "If you have that typical large home in the suburbs and you have to drive everywhere, that may not be the best place when you're retired," Vernon says. "In your 50s to 60s is a good time to reexamine your housing with the idea of making it more suitable for this current stage of life   and also paying less." More From NerdWallet Your Income Can Peak Before You're Ready Early-Retirement Regrets: What You Shouldn't Do If You Want to Retire Early Your 401(k) Just Got More Valuable Andrea Coombes is a writer at NerdWallet. Email: acoombes@nerdwallet.com. Twitter: @andreacoombes.


Romelu Lukaku has been eyeing the exit door at Manchester United all summer, but a move away from Old Trafford now looks to be off. Inter have been the main club linked with a move for the forward, as United look to offload the player they paid Everton £75m for in 2017. But now the Serie A club's pursuit of Lukaku looks to be over as they have failed to make an offer which is deemed suitable by the Manchester club, as reported by the Evening Standard . They reveal that the two clubs met for talks this week, but were unable to come to any agreement over a price to be paid for the striker's services. The Belgian has cut an increasingly frustrated figure at Old Trafford in recent months and a pathway out of the club looked to be on the cards. Inter were looking for more creative ways to finance the transfer with either a player exchange or an initial loan with an obligation to buy as their two preferred options. However, Ed Woodward has made it clear that any offer besides cash up front would be batted away immediately. The Red Devils are looking to recoup the full £75m they paid for Lukaku, despite two disappointing seasons in Manchester where he has struggled to maintain a consistent run of form. The 2018/19 campaign saw Lukaku bag just 12 goals in 32 Premier League appearances and as a result he lost his place in the first team, with Marcus Rashford becoming Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's preferred striking option. The Italian club's sporting director Piero Ausilio is believed to have returned from talks in London without an official asking price, but had the impression that United wanted to make a profit on the second most expensive signing in their history.


Senior copy editor Jesse Bishop's commute is mercifully petite, which means his long-term Kona test car is below its mileage target. Meanwhile, I needed to make a Los Angeles-San Francisco-Los Angeles road trip to snag some things from storage so the Kona became mine for a weekend. What would a journey between California's disparate metropolises uncover about Hyundai 's funky compact crossover? My journey began as all SoCal Friday-afternoon drives do: inching, no, millimetering through traffic. The Kona's seven-speed dual-clutch transmission takes some getting used to. I learned to drive it more like a two-pedal manual than a torque converter automatic; it doesn't like to be feathered from a standstill. Still, clutch engagement is solid and rarely jerky. Past first gear, shifts are fast and smooth and manual mode is fun. Once cruising on the open highway, I checked the steering wheel to make sure it wore an "H" logo, not a blue and white propeller. That's how nicely the Kona rides. It feels terrifically solid and stable, tracking ahead with minute effort needed to stay straight. The lane keep assist provides constant, subtle input, further reducing work needed to stay centered in a lane. Excellent feedback is provided by our all-wheel-drive car's four-corner independent suspension. It's firm, comfortable, and devoid of bounce or float, only ever jarred by big road imperfections. Although there's a fair amount of tire and wind noise even on glass-smooth pavement, the sounds emitted by our tester's upgraded Infinity speakers are blissful. I'm no audiophile, but its rich bass and midrange let me hear familiar tunes in a whole new way. It warrants hyperbole no question it's the best system I've experienced in a car at this price point. Ultimately, this mission was about moving stuff, and I was concerned about fitting everything I needed inside our little greenie. In his Arrival post, Jesse noted Hyundai's claim that the Kona is "Big on Adventure, Smart on Space." The drive up (including a brief off-road foray in a dirt parking lot during a gas stop) satisfied the first aspect. The Kona delivered on the second, too: Into the cargo area I Tetrised an extra-large mountain bike (wheels off), extra-large road bike frame, two small dining chairs, a 30-liter backpack, a medium cooler, a tennis racket, a body pillow, and a flowerpot. My front passenger became two big duffel bags, a cube-shaped ottoman, a large storage tote, a sleeping bag, and some snacks. With the Kona packed to capacity, I hit the road south. Although my piled cargo obstructed visibility, blind-spot indicators on the head-up display helped me know when it was safe to change lanes. And even so loaded, the 1.6-liter I-4's turbo power proved ample for passing. Over my 800-plus-mile excursion, the Kona averaged about 33 mpg. Jesse, let me know next time you need someone to pack on miles. Read more about our long-term 2019 Hyundai Kona 1.6T AWD: Arrival 6 Satisfying Touches on the 2019 Hyundai Kona Update 1: Tales From the Track


(Bloomberg Businessweek) -- In 2007 the Royal Canadian Mint had a wild idea create the world's first million-dollar coin. It would be 99.999% pure gold, 220 pounds, and as tall as a car tire. Five so-called Big Maple Leaf coins were purchased by investors.   Illustration by Eleanor Davis To contact the authors of this story: Benedikt Kammel in Berlin at bkammel@bloomberg.netKarin Matussek in Berlin at kmatussek@bloomberg.net To contact the editor responsible for this story: Max Chafkin at mchafkin@bloomberg.net For more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.com ©2019 Bloomberg L.P.


With Curacao v. El Salvador as the undercard, host Jamaica will make history on Monday evening ahead of its match v. Honduras in Kingston. The evening at the National Stadium at Independence Park represents the first time that Gold Cup will be held in the Caribbean, an historic achievement as CONCACAF looks for ways to continue growing the game across the entire region. [ LIVE: Latest Gold Cup scores ] Although it struggled in World Cup qualifying, Jamaica seems like it has turned a new leaf and after a 2-0 win over the U.S. Men's National Team in Washington D.C. earlier this month, the Caribbean nation is riding plenty of confidence and is looking to make yet another deep run at the Gold Cup. Standing in its way is plucky Honduras, who always seems to come up with goals when it's least expected and manages to put together a strong defense to make things difficult for opponents. It should be a fun opener in front of a partisan, but decidedly local crowd in Jamaica. || Matchday 🇯🇲 vs 🇭🇳 || Senior #ReggaeBoyz starting XI for game against Honduras! || #2019GoldCup 🏆 Matchtime: 8:00pm(JA Time) #JFFLive #ReggaeBoyz #ReggaeFootball #StillOnTheBall pic.twitter.com/rj0ogKQq2k   Official J.F.F (@jff_football) June 18, 2019 ✔ XI inicial de #Honduras para 🔥 enfrentar a #Jam @jff_football en debut en 🏆 @GoldCup 2019. #EstoEsNuestro #ThisIsOurs #GoldCup #Honduras #FENAFUTH #FENAFUTH2019 #Honduras2019 #LaH pic.twitter.com/sCFB0dT36z   Selección Nacional de Honduras (@FenafuthOrg) June 18, 2019


The AFC West has quickly become one of the best divisions in football. One of the reasons why is because of the overwhelming amount of talent on both sides of the ball. Today, we are taking a look at the five quarterbacks in the division, ranking them from 5-1. So without further ado, let us begin. 5. QB Tyrod Taylor, Chargers Mar 15, 2019; Costa Mesa, CA, USA; Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Tyrod Taylor (left) and linebacker Thomas Davis pose at a press conference at the Hoag Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports Coming in at No. 5 is a new addition to the AFC West in Tyrod Taylor of the Los Angeles Chargers. Taylor signed with the Chargers this offseason to backup Phillip Rivers, and he is more than qualified for that job. He's started 46 games in the NFL, posting a career passer rating of 89.6 while averaging seven yards per passing attempt. Taylor is a former Pro Bowl selection (2015) who can get it done with both his arm and his legs. While he may never be a top-end starter in the NFL, he's almost overqualified to be a backup. If anything happens to Rivers during the season, the Chargers are in good hands with Taylor as their backup quarterback. 4. QB Joe Flacco, Ravens May 20, 2019; Englewood, CO, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Joe Flacco (5) during organized team activities at the Pat Bowlen Fieldhouse at UCHealth Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports At No. 4 is Joe Flacco, who the Denver Broncos traded for earlier this offseason. Flacco is likely to open the season as the team's starter as they wait for rookie Drew Lock to take over at some point. On the field, Flacco's play has been shaky, at best. Since being named the Super Bowl MVP during the 2012 season, his game has gone downhill. Over the last four seasons, he has failed to average more than seven yards per attempt, and his passer rating has never surpassed 85. Given his recent slump, as of late, you can actually make a case that Tyrod Taylor deserves to be higher on this list. But as of now, Flacco ranks fourth and is pretty clearly the worst starting quarterback in the AFC West. 3. QB Derek Carr, Raiders Dec 16, 2018; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) takes the field for warmups prior to the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports Coming in at No. 3 is Oakland's Derek Carr. After a slow start to the season, Carr improved dramatically in the second half of the season as he was suddenly completing nearly 70 percent of his passes. While the rest of the Raiders' roster was having a down season, Carr finished the season with a passer rating of 93.9, the second-highest of his career. Carr's play has dropped some since the 2015 and 2016 season, but he remains one of the most accurate and efficient quarterbacks in the short to intermediate parts of the field. With a much improved surrounding cast in 2019, look for him to possibly post career number this season. 2. QB Philip Rivers, Chargers Dec 18, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers (17) gestures in the second quarter against the Oakland Raiders at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports At No. 2 is Philip Rivers, who had arguably the best season of his career in 2018. At 37-years old, Rivers threw 32 touchdowns to just 12 interceptions as he finished the season with a passer rating of 105.5. While Rivers may be the least physically talented quarterback on this list, he is, by far, the most competitive quarterback in the league. With his fiery attitude and ability to get the most out of his teammates, Rivers is still one of the best quarterbacks in the entire NFL. As long as Rivers is under center for the Chargers, look for them to remain competitive in the AFC West. 1. QB Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs Dec 2, 2018; Oakland, CA, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) prepares to throw a pass against the Oakland Raiders in the first quarter at Oakland Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports Finally, at No. 1 it's none other than Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs. In his first and only year as the Chief's starting quarterback, Mahomes posted record-breaking numbers as he was named the league's Most Valuable Player. In 2018, Mahomes threw for more than 5,000 yards and scored 52 total touchdowns, leading the Chiefs to a 12-4 season. With Mahomes' incredible arm talent and ability to make plays in and outside of the pocket, he is going to be a thorn in the side of every other team in the AFC. MORE: A spoiler-filled 'Jeopardy!' clip leaked, and it appears to show the fate of James Holzhauer Roundup: Google and Amazon Facing Antitrust Scrutiny, Cruise Ship Crash Video, $344 Powerball Winner Report: Suns, Bulls offering lottery picks for Lonzo Ball Byron Pringle emerging as secret superstar for Chiefs Raiders WR Tyrell Williams named 'breakout star' of OTAs


When Tiger Woods was asked Tuesday if he had seen Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant's injury the night before, Woods dropped his head and nodded. The 43-year-old golfer, with his own injury-filled past, can relate to what Durant must have felt as he fell to the floor Monday night during Game 5 of the NBA Finals at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto with an apparent right Achilles injury. "It was sad. As athletes we've all been there to that spot when you just know it, that something just went, and can't move, can't do much of anything," Woods said. "And you can see it on his face , how solemn his face went. He knows it when things pop. You just know." U.S. OPEN: On TV | Photos | Tee times | Betting odds | Fantasy Durant had not played since May 8 after injuring his calf in the Western Conference semifinals. On the right wing Monday, Durant dribbled between his legs as he cut left toward the top of the key. Then, he came up lame, dropped down and needed help to get back to the locker room . The Warriors scheduled an MRI for Tuesday to determine the severity. Woods opted to battle through an injured left knee during his 2008 U.S. Open win, and he needed to undergo surgery to repair his ACL eight days after the tournament at Torrey Pines. Woods has also dealt with pinched nerves and back spasms - leading him to withdraw after 13 holes in the final round at The Honda Classic in 2013 - and had four back surgeries in a little over two years. "I've been there," Woods said. "I've had it to my own Achilles. I've had it to my own back. I know what it feels like. It's an awful feeling. And no one can help you. That's the hard part. And whether he has a procedure going forward or not, or whatever it is, his offseason, what that entails, that's the hardest part about it is the offseason or the rehab." Woods is scheduled to tee off in the first round of the U.S. Open at Pebble Beach on Thursday at 5:09 p.m. ET with Jordan Spieth and Justin Rose. He's as healthy as he's been in a long time. But Woods knows the recovery process that accompanies severe injuries, having been down those roads before. If Durant tore his Achilles, it not only ends this season but puts his 2019-20 season in some doubt as he rehabs. "That's what people don't see, is all those long hours that really do suck," Woods said. "And why do we do it? Because we're competitors. As athletes our job is to make the human body do something it was never meant to do and to do it efficiently and better than anybody who is doing it at the same time. Well, sometimes things go awry. And we saw it last night with Kevin." MORE: Jordan Spieth gets crushed for blaming caddie after two straight bad shots at U.S. Open Top of Packers WR depth chart takes shape following minicamp Report: Lonzo Ball 'most important' piece of Anthony Davis deal NBA trade rumor rankings: Rockets on the move? Why the Patriots trading Nick Caserio isn't out of the question


NEW YORK (WCBS 880) -- Senator and presidential candidate Kirsten Gillibrand is not persuaded by the president's words. "This growth in racism and white nationalism over the last two years is because president Trump has literally poured gasoline on a fire that's been burning a long time," Gillibrand said. "He is someone who has used racist language from the White House, someone who has used racist language in his tweets and someone who has rally inspired violence across the country, even at a rally in Florida he said when someone said, 'what are we going to do about the immigrants?' and someone shouted out, 'kill them,' he laughed." ...listen to the audio... Gillibrand declared, "I don't expect anything of this president." She added, "Mitch McConnell should call the Senate back to Washington today to pass common sense gun reform."


On the side of a gray building on the edge of Beautex Park in Lebanon, hundreds of tiny pieces of glass now sparkle in the sun, sending a message to the community. They are welcome here. The mosaic mural, themed "A world of welcome," features words to drive home the theme, like "equality," "shalom" and "unity," and more than few reminding people to be kind. The words are sprinkled about the mural, along with square tiles made by Lebanon High School students in art class. Michaelanne Helms, a local artist who put together the mural along with 16 teenage girls in her summer camp, said they surveyed a few dozen neighbors who live by Beautex to ask what they wanted on the wall. The girls and Helms then incorporated their responses into the design. More: Here's how efforts to clean up Lebanon area drinking water can help the Chesapeake Bay and save customers money For 18-year-old Lebanon High School senior Kayla Rohner, the mural comes about at a good moment. "We're in a time in society where we need to be open to everyone," she said. "We all need to work together to make some parts of the world better." A speedy community effort The group of teenagers spent last week learning the basics of making mosaics, Helms said, which included lessons on how to safely smash squares of tile into smaller pieces. This week, they became trainers themselves, as they guided volunteers who came to help put up the mural. Sharon Zook, the head of the Lebanon Valley Council on the Arts, said they made the kids such an integral part of the process to help them voice the values of their community. The council helped fund the mural along with the city, Make a Difference Lebanon, and the PA Council on the Arts through Millersvile South Central PaARTners. Support local journalism Help support the journalists of the Lebanon Daily News who bring you important news and information by subscribing for full access. Click here for a current special offer for new subscribers. More: Lebanon pursues $2.4M for once-in-a-lifetime street rehab Nearly 30 community members had already come to help out by midday Thursday, Helms said. The volunteers and the campers got all the tile on the mural in about two days. Nya Bantum, 13, said she hopes kids who play in the park get something from the mural. "I hope they take it in instead of just looking at it and saying 'oh that's cool,' and walking away," she said. "I hope they take it in and soak up the meaning of it." This article originally appeared on Lebanon Daily News: Beautex Park mosaic in Lebanon features message of welcome


Kurt Busch said he was on the "wrong side of a lightning bolt" Sunday at Daytona International Speedway. Busch finished 10th in the rain-shortened Cup race after his team and others decided to make a pit stop from the lead under caution on Lap 127, thinking the race would resume on the ensuing lap. But with 33 laps to go, NASCAR issued a red flag for a lighting strike in the area after Busch returned to the track in 10th. The red flag remained for more than two hours, and Justin Haley was declared the winner of his first career Cup race. "Our plan was to stay out as long as we could, and when they said one to go (until the green flag), we have to pit," Busch told NBCSN. "Then they said a lightning bolt came by, which that was the same one from before." Busch called the decision by NASCAR a "judgment call on their part." The Chip Ganassi Racing driver was in the lead and in position to win before his pit stop after he avoided an 18-car wreck with 43 laps to go . He had bounced back from an incident on Lap 75 when his No. 1 Chevrolet got into the wall in Turn 2 and then spun in Turn 3, clipping Brendan Gaughan 's No. 62 Chevrolet with his left-front fender. "All-in-all with everything we went through today to finish 10th, we'll take it," Busch said. "Let's go to Kentucky." I feel Thunderstruck! Cue the AC/DC! pic.twitter.com/mWB6kf8loq   Kurt Busch (@KurtBusch) July 7, 2019


It may have seemed like science fiction just a few years ago, but a world filled with package-carrying drones zooming by overhead is right around the corner. Just last week, Amazon announced that its Prime Air delivery service would start delivering packages in just a few months time. And now comes word that Uber is planning to unleash its own fleet of drones in the near future. Not to be confused with Uber's flying car initiative, the ridesharing company's drone strategy in question is a bit more subdued but still ambitious in its own right. Specifically, Uber is currently seeking FAA approval for drones that would be able to help deliver food to customers as part of the company's Uber Eats program, according to a new report from Bloomberg . If all goes according to plan, Uber is hoping to launch a pilot program of food-delivering drones in San Diego sometime this summer. Now to be clear, drones wouldn't be delivering food directly to customers, but would rather bring deliveries to a pre-determined landing spot where Uber couriers would carry out the final leg of the trip. Another use-case scenario involves drones actually landing on top of parked Uber cars that would be identifiable via a QR code. The company is betting that customers will demand drones for the time savings and eventually, price savings. For a delivery 1.5 miles away, ground transportation averages 21 minutes; drones can make the trip in about 7 minutes. Uber ElevateUber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi is planning to unveil its own customized drone this year, reaching speeds up to 70 mph. As intriguing as this all sounds, it may take some time before this type of drone delivery service becomes commonplace. According to Uber's Kate Fraser, it might take until 2022 before drone food delivery takes off across a number of markets. Uber's foray into delivery drones shouldn't come as much of a surprise. About a year ago, Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi told attendees at a flying-taxi conference that "we need flying burgers." And if you happen to live in San Diego, you might be able to order one sooner rather than later. Sign up for BGR's Newsletter . For the latest news, follow us on Facebook , Twitter , and Instagram .


Hungry for something new? If you love to eat and drink, the weekend ahead offers a great chance to explore the world of Chicago food and beverage. From a rosé party to a taco eating contest, here's what to do on the local food scene. Hoodline offers data-driven analysis of local happenings and trends across cities. Links included in this article may earn Hoodline a commission on clicks and transactions. Chicago Rosé Day - A River North Rosé Party From the event description: What could be better than sipping on sweet rosé at some of River North's best bars and restaurants on a beautiful summer day? Come out to enjoy the splendor of "Summertime Chi" as we eat, drink, play and dance the day away! When: Saturday, June 22, 1-7 p.m. Where: 155 W. Kinzie St. Admission: $15 Click here for more details, and to get your tickets 2nd Annual Zombie Taco Eating Contest From the event description: RSVP to eat or to spectate, because this is definitely something to see. Hosted by YouTube channel Number Six With Cheese's Corey Wagner and comedian Zako Ryan, Zombie Taco's second annual taco eating contest puts Chicago to the test of spending seven minutes in chicken taco heaven to win free tacos for a year. Contest participants also receive a free cocktail when the time is up! When: Saturday, June 22, 2-5 p.m. Where: Zombie Taco, Moxy Chicago Downtown, 530 N. LaSalle Drive Admission: Free (Complimentary RSVP); $10 (Taco Eating Contest Participant) Click here for more details, and to get your tickets Ice Cream Social's Backyard BBQ From the event description: Ice Cream Social is back at it again with its first ever Backyard BBQ! Kick off "Summertime Chi" with the home team! When: Saturday, June 22, 5-8 p.m. Where: 710 W. 14th St. Admission: $5 Click here for more details, and to get your tickets Parking in Chicago can be tough, especially during popular events. To find free or cheap parking and to book parking in advance, see this map of Chicago parking from SpotAngels. And to get there by public transportation, check the CTA's website for nearby stations and schedules. This story was created automatically using local event data, then reviewed by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.


Kyle Korver has yet to officially announce a decision on his future, but Marc Stein of the New York Times hears from a source that the sharpshooter is likely to play at least one more season. Kyle Korver said after the season that he would mull retirement but one source with knowledge of his thinking said today that Korver, 38, is likely to play another season and maybe even two   Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) June 19, 2019 It's possible that the 38-year-old continues playing for two more years, Stein adds. Back in April, it sounded as if Korver was seriously considering hanging up his jersey after 16 years in the NBA. "There's a real cost as you get older," Korver said at the end of Utah's season . "There's what you need to put into the game, but there's also a family cost. That's probably where I'm at is weighing that cost." Korver's contract runs for one more year, paying him $7.5M as part of the deal he signed with the Cavaliers in 2017. That figure is only partially guaranteed for $3.44M up until July 7, however. Korver will head to Memphis in the Mike Conley deal , which will be completed once the new league year officially begins on July 6. If the rebuilding Grizzlies don't have Korver in their plans for next season, it's possible he'll be flipped to another team or bought out before his salary becomes fully guaranteed, allowing him to join a contender.


A police officer who killed a bystander in a gun battle outside a Trader Joe's in Silver Lake did not violate department policy by shooting toward a crowded store, the Los Angeles Police Commission ruled Tuesday. A gunman had begun shooting at two LAPD officers as they pursued him in their patrol car July 21 . The man crashed his car and ran towards the Trader Joe's store, firing more rounds at the officers. One officer shot back five times, stopping after the man entered the store because there were likely people inside, according to a report by LAPD Chief Michel Moore that was released Tuesday. But it was too late. A bullet had traveled into the Trader Joe's, striking 27-year-old store manager Melyda Corado in the chest, the report said. The officer's partner fired three rounds at the gunman, identified by authorities as Gene Evin Atkins, before he went into store. Atkins, 28, who was wounded in the arm, held shoppers and employees hostage for three hours before surrendering. The two officers who shot at Atkins have been identified by the LAPD as Sinlen Tse and Sarah Winans. Names in the report were redacted, so it is unclear which officer fired the shot that killed Corado. The five-member civilian Police Commission decided unanimously that both officers' use of lethal force complied with department policy. Moore reached the same conclusion in his report, stating that the officers reasonably believed that Atkins' actions "presented an imminent threat of death or serious bodily injury." Corado's father and brother have sued the city, alleging that the officers were negligent and used excessive force. "How could shooting into the front of the store area on a weekend afternoon be considered within policy? It's a bad tactical decision," said John C. Taylor, an attorney for the Corado family. The LAPD had released video of the dramatic incident , which began in South L.A. when Atkins allegedly shot his grandmother several times, then forced a young woman into a Toyota Camry and drove to Hollywood. Police used the Camry's anti-theft device to track the car and began pursuing it up Vine Street. At one point, the driver pulled into a gas station and attempted to carjack a customer. As Tse and Winans continued to tail the Camry, bullets flew through the car's back windshield. Forty-five seconds later, the Camry veered into a utility pole in front of the Trader Joe's. The driver bolted for the entrance, shooting wildly from his hip, and the two officers returned fire. The officer who fired the fatal shot told investigators: "I shot at the suspect in order to defend myself against him because he was shooting at me to prevent [imminent] death on me and my partner … I was scared at the time." The other officer, who shot three rounds at Atkins, said there did not appear to be anyone else in the line of fire. "I heard that first one but I wanted to make sure just because I was getting out of the car with, you know, the background and everything," the officer told investigators. "That I had a good sight picture and, you know, that there wasn't anybody else that was going to be in the way." After the initial exchange of gunfire, the officers took cover behind a low wall. The gunman fire more shots at them, one round ricocheting with a loud ping. Meanwhile, according to Moore's report, officers secured the rear door of the Trader Joe's while other officers rescued children from a car in the parking lot. The woman in the Camry with Atkins was taken to the hospital with a gunshot wound to her forehead. He had shot her during the initial incident at his grandmother's house, the report said. According to the report, someone ran out of the Trader Joe's, screaming that the gunman wanted to negotiate. Another person came out of the store, telling police that Atkins had a phone and wanted to talk to "someone in charge." During the negotiations, Atkins told police that a woman was injured inside the store and he would allow two customers to bring her out, the report said. Corado was pronounced dead at the scene. Atkins agreed to surrender if he could handcuff himself and walk out voluntarily, according to the report. Police officers asked a citizen who was inside the store to put on the handcuffs. In the report, Moore said the action was "a substantial deviation, with justification, from approved Department tactical training." Corado was beloved by Trader Joe's regulars, and tributes piled up outside the store in the days after her death. Her father, Salvador Albert Corado, has said that working at Trader Joe's was "a dream come true" for her. Atkins has been charged with numerous counts, including murder, kidnapping, premeditated attempted murder and attempted murder of a peace officer. Though Atkins did not fire the round that killed Corado, prosecutors charged him under the "provocative act murder" doctrine because he allegedly set off the events that led to her death. cindy.chang@latimes.com For more news on the Los Angeles Police Department, follow me on Twitter: @cindychangLA


With total student loan debt in the U.S. pushing past $1.5 trillion , millions of parents may be left scratching their heads over how to fund their children's academic future. There are a number of alternative ways to pay for college beyond student loans -- but they require a bit of planning. One of the most viable savings vehicles that give account holders the best value are 529 college savings plans. Utilizing a 529 college savings plan can be a great way to help your future student cut down on student loan costs. Plus, these special savings plans provide some valuable tax benefits, making them beneficial for the person paying into them as well. What is a 529 plan? A 529 plan is a college savings plan that offers both tax and tuition benefits. Earnings are not subject to federal income tax when the funds are used for qualified educational expenses such as tuition, fees, books, room and board, according to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) . Some states also provide tax credits or deductions for these plans, according to Savingforcollege.com . These savings plans can be used for eligible education institutions, like colleges, and for tuition at elementary and secondary schools. Contributions to a 529 savings account are made post-tax, meaning they can't be deducted from federal income taxes; however, over 30 states and the District of Columbia offer deductions or credits for these plans, according to Savingforcollege.com . "This money grows tax-free and isn't taxed when withdrawn to pay for college," says Leslie H. Tayne, Esq., founder and director of the Tayne Law Group in New York. "And the good news is, you can use them for two-year colleges, trade or even vocational schools. It doesn't just have to be for a four-year school." READ: Get tips on student loans and colleges, and compare private student loan lenders The two types of 529 plans Not all 529 plans are the same. In fact, there are two types of 529 plans, and they have different means of holding your money and how you spend it: College savings plans: These plans are similar to retirement investment accounts . With a college savings 529 plan, you deposit after-tax money, which in return is invested. These accounts are subject to market volatility but have the opportunity to grow beyond your deposits, thanks to professional investment management and compounding interest. Prepaid tuition plans: Instead of investing money and letting it grow, prepaid tuition plans let account holders buy into all or part of the cost of an in-state public college education. These accounts can be used for private and out-of-state schools, but likely won't cover all of the costs, since both types of institutions are usually more expensive than in-state options. What is considered a qualified expense? Whether it's a college savings plan or a prepaid tuition plan, the funds can only be used for qualified expenses, or else they'll be subject to penalty and potentially taxed on earnings. Qualified expenses include: tuition and fees, books, supplies, equipment, expenses for special needs services, room and board, computers and internet access. Megan Gorman, a personal finance expert and founding partner of Chequers Financial Management, says parents regularly ask her if things like travel costs and health care can be paid for with 529 savings -- and the answer is no. Another gray area? Off-campus living costs. These savings accounts can only be used up to a certain amount for off-campus accommodations, and each school will have a different amount. Gorman points out that the school's bursar office will have detailed information with dollar amounts each year. She recommends keeping those documents on hand, should the IRS inquire about your 529 spending. "Parents really have to be organized as they take distributions and keep records," Gorman says. If not, they face a federal income tax on any earnings and a 10 percent penalty, on top of potential state penalties. Step-by-step guide to opening a 529 Both Gorman and Tayne agree that parents shouldn't be intimidated by opening a 529 plan; in fact, the process is relatively simple. "The biggest hurdle for parents is there's the fear of getting in there and you need someone to push you to do it," Gorman says. "But the system is set up so well and there are so many cost-effective plans that do all the work -- parents just need to open the account and put some money to work." Opening a 529 can be completed in (as little as) these four steps: 1. Select a plan You'll have to choose between a savings plan or a prepaid plan. According to Gorman, parents can open a plan with any provider, regardless of state -- but she recommends prioritizing the quality and cost of the plan you choose to invest in first, and then consider any state tax benefits the plan may provide. "This is important as you don't want to invest in an expensive plan that underperforms just because of the tax benefit," Gorman says. If you aren't sure which provider or plan works best for you, consider contacting a financial adviser for advice. 2. Choose a beneficiary This will likely be your child -- but remember, you can change the beneficiary at any time without penalty. You will need the beneficiary's date of birth and Social Security number. Since most plans have age-based options, meaning they have a target-allocated fund that reallocates based on a child's age, it's best to open an individual account for each child. 3. Open the account Most accounts can be opened online. Once opened, you can deposit funds directly into the account (some plans require a minimum deposit for opening.) Be sure to keep an eye out for any fees associated with providers and plans; there can be annual fees, account opening fees and percentage fees. Always read the fine print. 4. Build your portfolio If you've chosen a savings plan, you can choose where to invest your money. Most providers offer both actively and passively managed investments, says Gorman -- but she recommends using aged-based funds. "These funds are similar to target retirement funds," Gorman says. "They automatically adjust the asset allocation based on the child's age." If you need help, some plans have advisory fees -- but be sure to review these beforehand. "It's really easy -- you don't need to be sophisticated or need someone who is sophisticated to open it for you," Tayne says. "Don't be discouraged because it sounds complicated, because it's not." Important IRS and plan rules to know Since 529 college savings plans provide tax incentives, the IRS writes strict rules to ensure they aren't being taken advantage of. While contributing to a 529, keep these important rules and restrictions in mind: Anyone can be named a beneficiary, including yourself, and there is no limit to how many plans you can set up. Contributions cannot be more than the amount needed to provide for qualified expenses of the beneficiary, according to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) . The SEC also cautions to "be aware that there may be gift tax consequences if your contributions, plus any other gifts, to a particular beneficiary exceed $15,000 during the year." Gorman does point out, though, that most Americans won't come close to reaching the maximum contribution. "Parents get very apprehensive that they're going to overfund a plan -- but most people don't even really get close," Gorman says. "So overfunding really should not be of concern." Balances in 529s could affect financial aid rewards. Balance amounts are taken into the expected family contribution (EFC) amounts, but Gorman points out the calculation used will vary, depending on who owns the account. For example, if a parent owns the account, the amount considered in the family contribution is around 5 percent; if someone else were to own the account, like grandparents, distributions could reduce eligibility for need-based aid by as much as 50 percent. If the student owns the account, eligibility could be reduced by as much as 20 percent of the asset value. "It does seem a bit draconian, especially in the day and age where college costs are so high and it really, truly takes a village." Gorman says. "It's a bit unfair, but they're trying to make sure people don't start gaming the system." Gorman adds, however, that considering financial aid implications should "never be a deterrent" when choosing to open a 529 plan. What happens if your child doesn't go to college Since a 529 savings account is specifically for educational costs and provides tax benefits, there will be penalties if the money is not used for its intention. According to the IRS, withdrawn funds used for anything other than tuition and qualified expenses will be subject to income tax and face a penalty on the earnings. There are, however, instances when these penalties may be waived, including: The beneficiary receives a tax-free scholarship. The beneficiary attends a military academy. The beneficiary dies or becomes disabled. If your child chooses to scrap higher education altogether, you won't lose the money in the accounts. Instead, you have the option to change the beneficiary -- which you can change to yourself for future education or for grandchildren. Anyone can be named a beneficiary, and there aren't any rules capping a limit on how many times a 529 plan beneficiary can be changed. Bottom line Overall, 529 college savings plans are viable options for people looking to grow savings for educational costs. The most important thing to keep in mind about 529 plans, says Tayne, is that they should be opened as soon as possible, giving the money time to grow. She acknowledges that this can be difficult for young parents who are early on in their careers, citing her own experience. "When my kids were little, I didn't have the money to spare," Tayne says. "So I think what ends up happening is that unfortunately, when you have little kids, it might be difficult to put money into the account each month. But honestly, it's never too late to open (a 529 savings plan)." Learn more: 9 ways to attend college for free Here's why cosigning a student loan can be a risky move for parents FAFSA embraces the digital age with new student aid tools


At the conclusion of the team's final regular season snap, Packers defensive coordinator Mike Pettine and the team's general manager, Brian Gutekunst, reached quick consensus regarding a key personnel fix: the team needed more talent at the outside linebacker position. Agree and ye shall receive. "I didn't have to tell him after the season," Pettine said of Gutekunst regarding the team's personnel holes at the outside linebacker position. "(Gutekunst) knew what the deficiencies were and certainly wanted to add some big, explosive athletes on defense and he did that." For his part, Pettine, whose staff was given a list of players to evaluate during the free agency and draft process, said there's a deeper understanding, or what he calls "education" between coach and general manager. To that end, both coach and manager, according to Pettine, seemed to have a better sense of what each other was looking for heading into April "The more you're together there's just an understanding the type of player you're looking for," Pettine said. "So it was encouraging during the draft process last year that there were a lot fewer players we were far apart on." Out is long-time stalwart Clay Matthews and the injury-prone Nick Perry. In March, the Packers reached into their coffers to pay Za'Darius Smith and Preston Smith to replace Matthews and Perry. Then Gutekunst decided to use the team's first pick, No. 12 overall, on Michigan edge rusher Rashan Gary. The education Pettine alluded to, based on the body type and skill sets with which the Packers replaced Clay Matthews and Nick Perry, was about versatility. "It's definitely a mix," Pettine said. "We have the two veteran players in Preston and Z, both guys that have played quality reps in this league but have a very different skill-set. Preston has dropped more into coverage and can be more - I don't want to use the word finesse - but Za'Darius is more of a power-type rusher and also has the flexibility (and) you can move him around. If you looked at how the Ravens used him, it will be very similar. He can go down and rush over a guard, he can rush over a center. So, you can have that based on matchups." The Packers opened up OTAs with star defensive lineman Kenny Clark as a defensive end in their base 3-4 front. Between the Smith's versatility and Gary's ability to move both inside and outside, the Packers should - not unlike their offense under Matt LaFleur - be able to provide the illusion of complexity, or what Pettine called the appearance of being "multiple." And now, with Za'Darius Smith, Preston Smith and Rashan Gary (presumably) as the top three options, the bottom of the depth chart becomes much better. In essence, the room has become more talent saturated. "And then just to have Reggie (Gilbert) and Kyler back. Kyler, obviously, had a good year last year and was very productive. And Reggie a lot of times didn't fill up the stat sheet but did his job," Pettine said. 'To have those two guys and then to add the young talent in the room, obviously, with Rashan and then some of the guys that we added after the draft. What I like about the room is that it's not all the same guy. I think in every position room you need to have that variation in skill-set so that way you can do some different things with different guys and move them around. We're obviously very encouraged about that room and what they're going to be able to do for us." MORE: This flying-knee KO just 10 seconds into a PFL fight had the MMA world in awe Mallory Edens: Five Things To Know About Bucks Owner's Daughter Spurs' DeMar DeRozan 'possibly could be on the trade block' to Lakers Jon Gruden ready for Raiders, new WR corps to stretch the field Source: Warriors brought in Terence Davis for pre-draft NBA workout